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 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.

Ninja Luxe Café coffee maker on klitchen counter with potted plant and espresso cup

Two years on, the Ninja Luxe Café is still one of my all-time favourite coffee machines for 'quality espresso' made easy

By Cat Ellis published

Ninja's three-in-one machine is one of the most versatile coffee makers I've ever used, and this is your chance to get one at a great price.

De'Longhi Eletta Ultra espresso machine on kitchen counter

De'Longhi just upgraded one of my favorite coffee makers with 'Silent Technology' to make mornings 65% quieter

By Cat Ellis published

The new De'Longhi Eletta Ultra can make 50 hot and cold drinks, split into 'curated' menus to help you find something you'll enjoy.

Smeg MOC02 Combi Microwave with accessories on kitchen counter

Smeg just launched a stylish microwave and air fryer combo — and it'll cook everything from creamy oatmeal to crispy chicken

By Cat Ellis published

The Smeg MOC02 is four appliances in one, and can switch between modes automatically with sequential cooking.

Nutribullet Power Core blender containing vegetables on kitchen counter

Nutribullet's new blender can hit speeds of 20,000rpm — your vegetables won't know what hit them

By Cat Ellis published

The Nutribullet Core Power is packing a mighty 1,400-watt motor to handle difficult blending jobs.

Philips Baristina coffee maker with espresso

The Philips Baristina is the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've ever tested — and it's seriously impressive

By Cat Ellis published

Editor's Choice

A bargain espresso machine that makes brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

Person using AeroPress Steel to make coffee outdoors

The AeroPress just got a stainless steel upgrade — and it’s perfect for travel

By Cat Ellis published

The iconic coffee brewer is now available in vacuum-insulated stainless steel, with an extra-large capacity for bigger brews anywhere.

Two women sitting on sofa with cups of coffee, looking disgusted

Did someone wash underwear in your hotel coffee machine? Bring a portable espresso maker, and you won't have to worry

By Cat Ellis published

A TikTok influencer claims a flight attendant taught her how to clean underpants in a hotel pour-over machine, and I'll never use one again.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro coffee grinder with person using Sage Bambino coffee maker to brew espresso

Struggling to dial in your coffee grinder? Baratza's new stepless Encore ESP Pro could be exactly what you need

By Cat Ellis published

Dialing in your grinder just got easier, whichever brewing style you prefer.

Philips Baristina espresso machine

The new Philips Baristina coffee maker brews superb espresso, and surprised me with a very cool feature I've never seen before

By Cat Ellis published

If you're looking for an entry-level machine that takes the messier parts of brewing espresso out of your hands, this is the one for you.

Ninja BlendBoss blender

Hands-on with the Ninja BlendBoss — if there's an ingredient this super-powerful blender can't turn into a smoothie, I haven't found it yet

By Cat Ellis published

The funky-looking Ninja BlendBoss is the smoothie-maker of my dreams, making everything from chia seeds to carrots silky-smooth and sippable.

Person blending fruit in the Ninja BlendBoss blender

'Making silky smoothies has never been so much fun' — Ninja's most colourful blender is finally on sale in the UK

By Cat Ellis published

The BlendBoss has a super-powerful motor and tough blade assembly to make light work of tough ingredients like ice and fibrous veggies.

Person making cake using KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer in Mint

'A fresh outlook and moment of lightness' — how 'grounding and energizing' Spearmint became KitchenAid's official color of 2026

By Cat Ellis published

Brittni Pertijs, Design Manager for Color, Material and Finish at Whirlpool, explains the multi-year process of choosing the definitive hue of 2026.

Three video doorbells on light gray platforms with studio lighting

I test smart home tech for a living, and these are the top 3 Ring alternative video doorbells I recommend, with local storage for your videos

By Cat Ellis published

With these wireless video doorbells you can avoid subscription fees and keep control of your recordings at home.

Fan heater, electric heated blanket, and heated pillow in cosy living room

Snuggle up for the big freeze: these heated blankets, warming cushions, and fan heaters from Argos will keep you snug from just £25

By Cat Ellis published

Cold weather is on the way this weekend, so make sure you're prepared with the right tech to keep you toasty.

KitchenAid stand mixer in spearmint with an assortment of green foods and kitchen accessories on countertop

KitchenAid has revealed its official color of 2026, and it's the breath of minty freshness your kitchen needs this spring

By Cat Ellis published

Spearmint is a refreshing shade of green with a sandy finish, and it's like licking a mint choc chip ice cream at the beach on a warm summer's day.

Jura Z10 coffee maker with hot chocolate

The new Jura Z10 coffee maker has a menu of 51 options including coffee, cold brew, and chocolate drinks — and you can place your order from your phone

By Cat Ellis published

The Jura Z10 is like having your own personal (and very adaptable) barista right in your kitchen.

De'Longhi Dedica Duo espresso machine

I test coffee makers for a living, and this tiny De'Longhi espresso machine is the only one with a permanent spot on my own kitchen counter

By Cat Ellis published

The De'Longhi Dedica Duo is small but perfectly formed, and proves that great espresso doesn't have to be expensive.

Split image of woman holding Moflin, and Moflin on Welsh language workbook

'Moflin had a really warm and fuzzy moment' – a week with the robot pet that wriggled and squeaked its way into my heart

By Cat Ellis published

How I learned to stop worrying and love Casio's affectionate AI guinea pig.

Montage of three Philips Hue smart lights on black cyberpunk-inspired background

I test smart lights for a living, and these are my top 3 Philips Hue smart lights to brighten up any space

By Cat Ellis published

Give any room a glow-up and set the mood with these color-shifting smart lights.

Blink Outdoor 2K+ security camera mounted on wall with raindrops

Blink's new compact camera takes home security to the next level with 4x zoom, improved night vision and more

By Cat Ellis published

This compact, weather-resistant camera punches well above its weight, particularly if you sign up for a Blink subscription.

Split image of woman using coffee machine steam wand, and messy poached egg on toast

Can you cook eggs with an espresso machine? I tested 5 popular steam wand hacks to see how well they work — and how much mess they make

By Cat Ellis published

How do you like your eggs in the morning? I tried these steam wand hacks, so you don't have to.

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