Articles by Ruth Hamilton, Homes Editor

Ruth is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in air (vacuum cleaners, robovacs, fans and air purifiers), and hair (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). She has been in consumer journalism since 2020, reviewing and writing about everything from outdoor kit to mattresses and wellness gadgets, with stints on Tom's Guide and T3 before joining TechRadar. Before that, she worked on various design titles, in print and online.

Articles by: Ruth Hamilton

Dyson's new hair dryer is a feat of engineering – but there's one annoying design feature you need to know about if you're thinking of buying one

By Ruth Hamilton published 31 May 25

Thinking of buying a Supersonic r? Check your plug outlets first.

The original Dyson bladeless fan just got a long-awaited revamp, and it looks better than ever

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 28 May 25

The Dyson Cool CF1 might have taken 16 years to arrive, but a series of welcome upgrades mean it's a force to be reckoned with.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ robovac on blue background

The best budget robot vacuum cleaner 2025: low-effort cleaning at low prices

By Jim McCauley last updated 27 May 25

Budget-friendly but still brilliant robot vacuums to keep your floors clean without spending a fortune.

Segway Navimow X3 series being demoed on a lawn

What is RTK for robot lawn mowers?

By Ruth Hamilton published 27 May 25

Modern lawnbots rely on real-time kinematic positioning to help them navigate accurately – here's how it works.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i in reviewer's home

5 things to look for in an air purifier for hay fever

By Ruth Hamilton published 25 May 25

What makes a good air purifier for seasonal allergies? We asked an expert.

The best hair styler 2025: tools to shape, smooth and curl

By Rosie Hilder last updated 23 May 25

Our pick of the best styling tools for a range of hair types and budgets – tried and tested by experts.

Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer in reviewer's hand

Dyson Supersonic r review: an unusual hair dryer that's perfect for precision styling

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 May 25

Recommended

I'm thrilled Dyson has made this professional dryer available to consumers – the back of my head has never looked so good.

Dyson's new vacuum is as thin as a broom handle and appears to float across the floor

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 May 25

The new Dyson PencilVac looks nothing like any vacuum I've seen before – here are the 6 strangest things about it.

Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum holding a cloth

4 things I loved about the world's first robovac with a mechanical arm – and 3 that need work

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 May 25

The Roborock Saros Z70 can tidy up as well as vacuuming, and while it has big potential it's not quite there yet.

Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum with its arm out

Roborock Saros Z70 review: this robot vacuum has an arm, but it's not yet all that handy yet

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 May 25

The RZ70 boasts some truly groundbreaking features, but it needs refining if it's to be truly useful.

How do robot lawn mowers navigate without a boundary wire?

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 May 25

Modern lawnbots can find their way around without wires – here's how.

Shark Stratos upright vacuum cleaner against a magenta and blue background

The best upright vacuum 2025: powerful vacuums for deeper cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 14 May 25

Browse the best upright vacuums around, tested and approved by experienced reviewers.

Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop

I test robot vacuums for a living, and this new bot has the best mopping system I've seen

By Ruth Hamilton published 13 May 25

The newly unveiled Deebot X9 Pro Omni promises less gunk and less smearing.

The HEPA filter from inside the Blueair air purifier sits facing forward on a wood surface against a pink background.

What is a HEPA filter, and what is it used for?

By Ruth Hamilton published 11 May 25

HEPA filters are common in air purifiers and vacuums. Here's more on what they do, and whether they're worth prioritizing in the appliance you're shopping for.

Picture shows a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier sitting on a glass bedside table with a candle, cosmetic bottle, and potted plant to its right.

6 questions to ask before choosing an air purifier

By Ruth Hamilton published 10 May 25

Top tips to help you choose an air purifier that fits your needs and works in your space.

Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum being tested in a living room

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum review: lightweight, efficient and modern

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 9 May 25

Recommended

Although not the most powerful vac we've tested, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless is an excellent all-rounder that'll suit most people's needs.

Dyson V8 against an orange and blue background

The best vacuum for carpet 2025: powerful suction for deep cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 7 May 25

Keep your home spotless, with minimal effort, by using the best vacuum for carpet.

Dyson Ball Animal upright vacuum cleaner

Which type of vacuum cleaner should I buy?

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 6 May 25

We compare the pros and cons of the various vacuum types, from nimble cordless stick vacuums to robust and powerful uprights.

6 ways to extend the life of your Dyson Airwrap

By Ruth Hamilton published 23 April 25

Top tips to make your Airwrap last as long as possible, plus sustainable options for what to do if you need to replace yours.

Reviewer having her hair done with a Dyson Airwrap i.d. in a salon

How to get your Airwrap curls to hold, plus more top tips for getting the most from your Dyson multi-styler

By Ruth Hamilton published 21 April 25

I had my hair done by a celeb stylist – here's what he taught me about how to use the Dyson Airwrap the right way.

Dyson Gen5detect vacuum (left) vs Shark PowerDetect Cordless vacuum (right)

Shark PowerDetect Cordless vs Dyson Gen5detect: which brand's range-topping vacuum cleaner is better?

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 April 25

I tested Shark and Dyson's most expensive vacuums side-by-side – here's what I found out.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer (left) and Airwrap (right)

Dyson Supersonic vs Airwrap: do I need both?

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 15 April 25

Two ultra-popular tools, but both pretty pricey – I've tested both, so which one should you buy?

This curling wand looks like a drill and I'm not sure if it's dumb or genius

By Ruth Hamilton published 14 April 25

MDLondon has reinvented the curling wand, and if it actually works it could be a game-changer.

Dyson Airwrap i.d. with conical airwrap barrel attached

Dyson Airwrap i.d. review: a major upgrade on the original

By Ruth Hamilton published 12 April 25

Recommended

The 2024 Airwrap i.d. might look like its predecessor, but that extra button on the front is the key to effortless curls.

Bagless Dyson V8 (left) and bagged Gtech ProLite (right) vacuums

Bagged vs bagless vacuums: which is best for you?

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 7 April 25

We run down the differences between bagged and bagless vacuum cleaners, to help you choose which one to buy.

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