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

Split image of three blenders from Ninja and Nutribullet

No room in your kitchen for a Ninja Slushi? We tested 3 blenders that make perfect slushies for one for a fraction of the price, and actually fit in your cupboard

By Cat Ellis Published

If you don't have the space or cash for a Ninja Slushi machine, these portable blenders can make fantastic frozen drinks for a fraction of the price.

The Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp shines a multicoloured aurora effect onto a slanted ceiling.

The best smart lights in 2026: smart lighting for every home

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated We've tested the best smart light bulbs and light panels from all the big brands including Philips Hue and Nanoleaf.

Split image of three espresso machines

I'm a certified barista, and these are the best 3 espresso machines I've tested so far this year — and the only ones genuinely worth your kitchen counter space

By Cat Ellis Published

I test over a dozen coffee makers every year, and these are the three models that have received my seal of approval so far in 2026.

Split image of three home security cameras

The best home security cameras: indoor, outdoor and subscription-free cams

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated We've tested masses of security cameras in our own homes to bring you this guide to the very best.

Split image of EZVIZ EP4 internal screen, external camera, and screengrab of footage in app

The EZVIZ EP4 is a great home security camera for renters — but its facial recognition won't stop it from spamming you with alerts when you come home

By Cat Ellis Published

A super-sharp 4K security camera that fits right into your existing peephole — if you don't mind getting notifications when it sees your own face.

Smeg Musa ovens installed in neutral-colored kitchen

'It's a product that doesn't scream for attention, but captures it anyway': designer Carlo Borromeo on his new minimalist Smeg appliances — and why stripping away the color is the brand’s boldest design experiment yet

By Cat Ellis Published

BorromeodeSilva brought the world the denim-coated Smeg fridge in 2012, but the studio's latest partnership was a totally different challenge.

Split image of three blenders in use

The best blender 2026: top models from Vitamix, Smeg, and Nutribullet tested by home tech experts

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated Powerful home blenders from big brands, tested with real recipes and rated for power, performance, and volume.

Split image of three video doorbells mounted on walls

The best video doorbell: security for your home, wherever you are

By James Capell Last updated

Updated We've spent months testing video doorbells from big and small brands to help you make the right choice.

portafilter full of coffee, espresso dispensing from espresso machine, and hand pulling espresso machine tamper

The best espresso machine 2026: home coffee makers tested by experts

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated Expert-recommended espresso machines to give you a morning jump-start.

Split image of fries cooked in air fryer, front view of Ninja air fryer, and steak being cooked in air fryer with heat probe

The best air fryers 2026: tried and tested for every kitchen

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated We've cooked with every air fryer in this guide to help you find the right one for your kitchen.

Ground coffee in portafilter, automatic espresso machine dispensing espresso, and caffe latte in glass cup

The best coffee maker 2026: espresso and filter made easy

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated Coffee makers you can rely on for consistently great results, whatever your preferred brew style.

Breville the Juice Fountain cold juicer

The best juicer: tested for juice yield, smoothness, and ease of use

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated Our expert team have juiced buckets of produce to bring you this list of the very best centrifugal and cold press juicers around.

T3 Afar hair dryer folded, with card bundled and nozzle detached

This travel hair dryer is so good, I gave away my full-size one and never looked back

By Cat Ellis Published

Mini dryers aren't just for vacations — pick the right portable and you'll want to use it every day.

Split image of Ezviz peephole camera installed in door, and footage captured by the camera in the Ezviz app

I installed this brilliant peephole camera in 10 minutes, and it's a great subscription-free alternative to a video doorbell for renters and apartment-dwellers

By Cat Ellis Published

If you live in an apartment or rented house, this clever little camera gives you all the best features of a video doorbell without damaging your door.

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine with coffee drinks on kitchen counter

The KitchenAid KF4 brews a beautifully balanced espresso thanks to its Intelligrind system, but its iced drink menu left me cold

By Cat Ellis Published

KitchenAid's latest fully automatic coffee maker is extra compact and makes an excellent espresso, though its 'iced' drinks leave something to be desired.

Aeropress manual coffee grinder

AeroPress has made the best manual coffee grinder I've ever used — and it's not even close

By Cat Ellis Published

This premium portable grinder doesn't just look great, it also grinds beautifully, however you prefer to make your coffee

Coffee dripping into carafe, cup of drip coffee, and hand adjusting brew settings on drip coffee maker

The best drip coffee maker: delicious, fuss-free coffee, fast

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated Drip coffee machines that will deliver consistently delicious, well brewed coffee - tested by us.

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine evaporating water from system

I test a lot of espresso machines, but the new KitchenAid KF4 has one of the smartest features I've ever seen — and it'll stop your coffee maker from getting gross

By Cat Ellis Published

Automatic coffee makers can get pretty gross, but KitchenAid's latest model can evaporate all the water inside to keep itself fresh.

Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum

'Elon Musk said he thinks humanoid robots will be in many homes in three years, and I agree with him.' I sat down with Jake Dyson to hear his predictions for AI and robotics in your home — and why you shouldn't throw out your stick vac just yet

By Cat Ellis Published

Dyson's Chief Engineer says robots will be in homes within the next three years — but you shouldn't throw out your stick vacuum just yet.

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan in woman's hand

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool is the powerful personal fan you won't want to live without this summer — and it's surprisingly reasonably priced, too

By Cat Ellis Published

Editor's Choice

Wear it, hold it, or keep it on your desk — this stylish portable fan will keep you cool anywhere your summer takes you.

People's hands adjusting Hive Thermostat (left) and Google Nest Learning Thermostat, which are number four and number one in our guide respectively

The best smart thermostat 2026: the easy way to make your heating more efficient

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated We've tested the best smart thermostats from top brands to find the smartest ways to heat and cool your home.

Coffee beans in hopper, latte macchiato, and person's hand using bean-to-cup coffee machine

The best bean-to-cup coffee maker 2026: quick and convenient espresso machines tested

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated We've tested the best bean-to-cup coffee makers to find the best options from De'Longhi, Breville, Ninja, Gaggia and more.

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-In-1 Vac & Mop in green and bronze, in dock in hallway

Tired of your ugly robot vacuum? Shark has a solution — designer robovacs in chic colors that blend with your decor rather than standing out

By Cat Ellis Published

The new Luxe Collection gives one of Shark's best robot vacuums a new look, with subtle colors and coordinating metallic accents you won't want to hide.

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Montage of three Amazon Echo speakers

The best Alexa speakers 2026: top smart speakers to control your home

By Cat Ellis Last updated

Updated From Amazon to Sonos, these are the best smart speakers to bring the AI-powered Alexa into your smart home.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro and Ninja Luxe Cafe coffee maker on kitchen counter with varios coffee drinks and loose coffee beans

Ninja just launched an automatic espresso machine, but should you choose the new AutoBarista Pro or go for the cheaper Ninja Luxe Café? I'm here to help

By Cat Ellis Published

Pick the right Ninja for for your kitchen

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