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

Woman holding white Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan

Feeling the heat? The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan is portable, wearable, and will keep you cool anywhere

By Cat Ellis published

Place this compact fan on your desk at work, carry it on public transport, or wear it around your neck to keep you cool at festivals.

Smeg Mini Milk Frother

Smeg's tiny and stylish new milk frother will add a touch of flair to your morning coffee routine

By Cat Ellis published

My all-time favorite milk frother has a fresh new look and can turn plant-based or dairy milk into thick and creamy foam for perfect cappuccinos.

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.

Dark blue KitchenAid Artisan Plus stand mixer on kitchen counter

KitchenAid's new premium stand mixer has one brilliant feature I didn't realize I needed in my baking

By Cat Ellis published

The KitchenAid Artisan Plus offers a more powerful motor, finer control, and a bowl light that lets you easily check on your ingredients.

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: quick and convenient fryers to feed a family

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Air fryers for quick meals in small spaces, tested by our team of experts in real-world conditions.

Split image of IKEA and Philips Hue light bars

IKEA just released a super cheap Philips Hue Play Light Bar lookalike, but there's one big drawback

By Cat Ellis published

The new IKEA lamp costs the same as a cup of coffee, but don't expect it to create an immersive home theater experience.

Woman drinking espresso near De'Longhi Eletta Ultra coffee maker

Can't decide which coffee to choose? De'Longhi's new espresso machine offers over 50 options grouped by 'mood and style'

By Cat Ellis published

The menu is huge, but it's easy to find exactly what you want.

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro mounted beside door

Ring just launched a battery-powered version of its premium 4K video doorbell, so you can install it 'virtually anywhere' with no wires

By Cat Ellis published

Ring just released a new premium 4K video doorbell, alongside three more 2K alternatives — here's everything you need to know.

The Samsung Trifold, Spider-Man swinging and the Apple AirPods Max 2

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's AirPod Max 2 surprise to Nvidia DLSS 5 backlash

By Hamish Hector published

The week's top tech news stories from Apple, Sony, Nothing, Nvidia, and more for March 21, 2026

Philips Hue lightbulbs, Apple HomePod mini speaker, and Blink security camera on purple background

The best smart home devices 2026: smart speakers, lights, hubs, and more

By James Capell last updated

Updated Never mind repainting: with smart home tech you can completely transform how your home looks and works. These are our favorite bits of smart home kit

Aarke Coffee Maker in Sand on kitchen counter

Aarke's 'stunning' drip coffee maker looks better than ever, with a stylish new colorway that'll add a splash of sophistication to your kitchen

By Cat Ellis published

The Aarke Coffee Maker has a fresh new look for 2026 that fits perfectly with this year's freshest kitchen design trends.

KitchenAid stand mixer with pasta roller attachment, with bowls of freshly made pasta

I tried KitchenAid's new super-easy pasta roller, and making flavored spaghetti is my new favorite hobby

By Cat Ellis published

Just screw this all-purpose attachment onto your stand mixer and start making tagliatelle, spaghetti, linguine and much more.

Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine on kitchen counter

I tested the tiny Russell Hobbs coffee maker that uses grounds or Nespresso pods — but I discovered one infuriating drawback

By Cat Ellis published

Forget creamy cappuccinos, the Everyday Espresso Machine makes so many bubbles you'll have a personal foam party in your kitchen.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker on kitchen counter with a variety of coffee drinks

Philips just launched a new coffee maker with a 'conversational' virtual assistant to make sure your cappuccino is just right

By Cat Ellis published

This premium coffee maker can adjust its own internal brew settings to fine-tune your drinks — no barista knowledge or experience necessary.

Split image of three Smeg coffee makers with espresso cups

'Consistently well-extracted coffee time after time' — I'm a certified barista, and these are my top 3 Smeg espresso machines

By Cat Ellis published

I test espresso machines for a living, and these three stylish models will bring a touch of Italian chic to your kitchen counter.

Three smart light bulbs on table with cables, smart speakers, phone, and house plant

'Get enough of these and you could probably throw your own rave' — the 3 best smart light bulbs, recommended by a home tech editor

By Cat Ellis published

Upgrading to smart lighting costs less than you might expect, whether it's a single room or your whole home.

Split image of herbs chopped using mini food processor, KitchenAid Mini Chopper, and carrot grated using mini food processor

The 3 best mini food processors — compact choppers tested and recommended by a kitchen tech expert

By Cat Ellis published

Don't let a compact kitchen or a small budget hold you back — these tiny food processors pack real power into a tiny space.

VARMBLIXT donut lamp

'A marriage of hue and form' — IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp has started landing in stores early, and we can't wait to get our hands on it again

By Cat Ellis published

The pastel-hued smart lamp was originally scheduled to launch in April, but some shoppers have spotted it on shelves already.

Split image of IKEA Ankarlägg light on a wall in a dark room, and by itself

IKEA's new motion-activated light 'can be installed anywhere' — and it doesn't need a hub

By Cat Ellis published

The Ankarlägg is battery-operated, has a self-adhesive mount, and doesn't need a pricey smart home hub.

6 Comments
Split image of two coffee maker bean hoppers, and a latte made using a home espresso machine

'Makes using fresh coffee beans as simple as pods' — the 3 best coffee makers with grinders, recommended by a barista

By Cat Ellis published

Whatever your budget, there's a bean-to-cup espresso machine that will make brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

2 Comments
Split image of three small coffee makers on kitchen counter with green wall

'Tiny brewers that pack a punch' — I test kitchen appliances for a living, and these are my top 3 compact coffee makers for small spaces

By Cat Ellis published

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are my top-rated espresso machines for small kitchens.

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.

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 that you can rely on to produce consistently delicious results, whatever style you prefer.

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.

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.

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