Cat Ellis

Cat Ellis

Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she's the right person to help.

Articles by: Cat Ellis

Nutribullet x McLaren blender with silhouette of F1 car in the background

Lights out and away we blend – McLaren and Nutribullet unveil new F1-themed blenders

By Cat Ellis published

Just add bananas, kale, and a little burnt rubber.

Ninja Blast Max blender

The Ninja Blast Max is so powerful it can obliterate frozen strawberries and even make kale smoothies delicious

By Cat Ellis published

It's the most powerful portable blender I've tested, and it makes light work of challenging ingredients.

Nespresso white chocolate and strawberry coffee pods

I didn't think white chocolate and strawberry coffee would work, but Nespresso's new pods proved me wrong

By Cat Ellis published

A coffee with both red fruit and creamy notes sounds strange, but it works much better than you might expect.

Ninja Luxe Café coffee maker on table with record player and mirror ball

Ninja's latest coffee machine takes away one of the biggest hassles of being a barista – and it's awesome

By Cat Ellis published

Getting the perfect grind size and fine-tuning it throughout the day used to be a real headache.

Philips Hue smart light bulbs illuminating blue in a lounge

Got Philips Hue lights? This free update gives you 8 new scenes for an instant makeover

By Cat Ellis published

The fresh bundle of themed presets will give your home a new look with a single tap.

Three smart plugs on teal background

The best smart plugs 2025: take control of any electrical appliance

By Cat Ellis last updated

Save energy and effort: automate your home effortlessly with the best smart plugs, tested and recommended by experts.

Person adjusting Philips Hue wireless camera on wall

Your Philips Hue cameras are getting a free upgrade to boost their battery life

By Cat Ellis published

The Philips Hue Secure battery camera is getting a big battery life improvement.

SwitchBot Blind Tilt mounted on window and in app

The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a quick, easy and affordable way to control your blinds from your phone – no DIY necessary

By Cat Ellis published

I was thinking about buying smart blinds, but having tested this, I realize I don't need to.

Samsung two-door smart fridge in kitchen

Samsung's new AI smart fridge could stop you from accidentally wasting food, and I've seen it in action

By Cat Ellis published

A dual cooling system keeps food fresh, and AI suggests recipes for items expiring soon.

De'Longhi Linea Classic espresso machine on kitchen counter with hot and cold coffee drinks

I'm a qualified barista, and De'Longhi's latest espresso machine could be this year's best budget buy for coffee lovers

By Cat Ellis published

The Linea Classic has everything you need to brew delicious espresso, and won't break the bank.

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine on kitchen counter

If your kitchen is as small as mine, the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch is one of the best espresso machines you can buy

By Cat Ellis published

Looking for your first espresso machine? The La Specialista Touch is a great choice, and can grow with you as you develop your skills.

Polar Pacer

Polar's latest software update might have finally convinced me to ditch my Garmin

By Cat Ellis published

TrainingPeaks has been invaluable in my marathon training, and now it's available on Polar devices too.

Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip set up on gaming PC

This Nanoleaf light strip adds Ambilight-style illumination to your gaming setup – and it's amazingly cheap

By Cat Ellis published

The Nanoleaf PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip uses USB-C rather than a camera, meaning less latency than other systems.

Philips Hue

Setting up your Philips Hue lights is now quicker and easier than ever thanks to the latest app update

By Cat Ellis published

You can use QR codes to add multiple lights and other devices to a room at once.

Smeg kettle and toaster in Jade Green on kitchen counter with spiced tea

Some of Smeg's best kitchen appliances just got a fresh new look, and I think I'm in love

By Cat Ellis published

The new Jade Green shade is like taking a plunge in a lagoon, and now I want to redecorate my whole kitchen.

Various SwitchBot smart home automation devices

Switchbot has totally redesigned its smart home hub – and it's great news for renters

By Cat Ellis published

The new hub has a physical dial, and I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Man in bed checking smart watch

I love my Garmin watch, but there's one health feature I've always wished it had

By Cat Ellis published

I'm not a morning person, but this one tool could make waking up less of a chore.

Amazon Echo Show 15 on blue background

The best smart display 2025: top smart screens tested by experts

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated A smart display is the heart of your home, so make sure you choose the right one.

Person opening door fitted with Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th Gen)

This renter-friendly smart lock fits over your existing door hardware, and costs less than you might expect

By Cat Ellis published

The Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th Gen) can secure your door in just 1.5 seconds.

Two iPhones showing Apple HomeKit settings

Still using an iPad as a Home Hub? Bad news – Apple is about to end support for it

By Cat Ellis published

If you've been putting off upgrading to the new HomeKit architecture, you'll soon be forced to take the plunge.

Jura J10 coffee maker on kitchen counter

I wasn't a fan of syrup in coffee until I tried the Jura J10 espresso machine – here's why

By Cat Ellis published

The J10's cold brew and Sweet Foam options aren't just gimmicks; they deliver excellent results

Philips Hue lights being dimmed

Got Philips Hue lights? A free app update delivers these 3 improvements

By Cat Ellis published

Organizing your lights and keeping your home secure just got a lot easier.

Tado Smart Thermostat

Tado thermostat owners are hot and bothered after marketing study raises possibility of subscription fee

By Cat Ellis published

The company conducted a marketing study to test the waters, but it could go either way.

De’Longhi La Specialista Touch coffee machine with drinks on kitchen counter

De'Longhi's new bean-to-cup coffee machine could make you a milk-frothing maestro

By Cat Ellis published

Love a latte but struggle to make them at home? The De'Longhi La Specialista Touch might be the solution.

A collection of Amazon Echo devices on a grey background

Want to try Alexa+? Here are the Echo devices it'll work on

By Cat Ellis published

There's probably no need to replace your smart speakers (unless you really want to).

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