Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor | TechRadar

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

Philips Baristina coffee maker on blue background

Think brewing coffee with fresh beans is too much hassle? The new Philips Baristina might just change your mind with its 'one swipe' system

By Cat Ellis published 30 January 26

Freshly-brewed espresso in a flash, without the expense or waste of coffee pods.

Air fryer with drawer open showing cooked fries, and close-up of fries and chicken nuggets in air fryer

The best small air fryers 2026: compact fryers for small households

By Cat Ellis last updated 27 January 26

Updated Top-rated compact air fryers that are perfect when you're cooking for one or two people.

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 27 January 26

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

Philips Hue Smart Button, Tap Dial Switch, and Dimmer Switch

The best smart switch 2026: buttons and dimmers for all your smart home devices

By Cat Ellis last updated 27 January 26

Updated Our roundup of expert-tested smart switches to give you maximum control over your smart home tech.

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

The best smart lights 2026: light up your life with smart bulbs and lamps

By Cat Ellis last updated 27 January 26

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

Nespresso Verto capsules, machine dispensing espresso into cup, and Nespresso Original capsule in machine

The best Nespresso machines 2026: barista-recommended capsule coffee makers tested and rated

By Cat Ellis last updated 27 January 26

Updated Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines tested and recommended by an SCA-certified barista.

Split image of three home security cameras

'Pin-sharp 4K footage' – the 3 best security cameras to protect your home, recommended by a smart home tech editor

By Cat Ellis published 22 January 26

Monitor your property with pin-sharp footage, great battery life, and even AI-powered facial recognition.

Split image of Nespresso capsule in coffee maker, coffee maker dispensing coffee, and macchiato on coffee maker drip tray

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are my top 3 recommended coffee pod machines – from Nespresso and more

By Cat Ellis published 21 January 26

Choosing coffee pods doesn't have to mean settling for sub-par espresso. Here are the three capsule machines I recommend for your kitchen.

Split image of rice cooker control panel, cooked brown rice, and rice cooker on kitchen counter

Looking for a rice cooker? I test kitchen tech for a living, and these are my 3 recommendations for perfectly fluffy results

By Cat Ellis published 21 January 26

The best rice cookers give consistently great results with any grain – and a lot more besides.

Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker on counter with carafe removed, cup of coffee and small plant

Your Fellow coffee maker has a secret video game hidden in its interface – here's how to play it

By Cat Ellis published 19 January 26

Fellow makes serious coffee equipment, but its designers have still found room for a little fun.

Split image of Nespresso pod in coffee maker, cup of coffee, and Nespresso pods on kitchen counter

Got a Nespresso machine? You need to try these 3 delicious coffee pods right now – while you still can

By Cat Ellis published 18 January 26

Add these three exciting flavours to your next order – you won't regret it.

Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa coffee maker with coffee capsules and plant on kitchen counter

Lavazza's A Modo Mio Deséa makes delicious espresso and a decent cappuccino – if you use the right milk

By Cat Ellis published 18 January 26

This little capsule coffee maker is whisper-quiet and compact enough to find a home in even the smallest kitchen, but its milk system holds it back.

Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg coffee maker on kitchen counter with espresso cups, box of coffee pods, and plant

Want delicious, quality espresso with the convenience of pods? After two weeks of testing, I can say the Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is the coffee maker for you

By Cat Ellis published 17 January 26

This chic espresso machine isn't the cheapest capsule coffee maker around, but it's definitely one of the best.

Nespresso pistachio vanilla capsules

Got a Nespresso machine? These 5 tricks and tips will help you make the most of it, and enjoy better-tasting coffee every morning

By Cat Ellis published 15 January 26

Are you getting the best possible flavor from your Nespresso capsules? This quick guide will help ensure that you do.

Split image of IKEA Gatebo microwave on kitchen counter, and close-up of vegetables cooking inside microwave

IKEA just launched a budget-friendly air fryer and microwave combo, and it might be the only cooking appliance your tiny kitchen needs

By Cat Ellis published 15 January 26

Imagine what you could do with all that extra space

Two woman wearing Garmin Lily 2 Active watches, with badge reading 'Get fit for '26'

I just traded in my Polar running watch for a Garmin after learning a rather expensive lesson

By Cat Ellis published 9 January 26

Just because two devices should be compatible in theory, that doesn't necessarily mean they are.

Split image of Philips Hue Essential and Lifx Everyday smart light bulbs in concrete lamps

I love the new Philips Hue Essential smart bulbs, but how do the new Lifx Everyday lights compare?

By Cat Ellis published 8 January 26

CES 2026 Lifx has followed in Hue's footsteps with a new line of cheap and very cheerful bulbs, but which ones should be brightening your home?

IKEA Varmblixt smart lights

IKEA just revealed a new donut-shaped smart light – and it'll look sweet on your tables or walls

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 26

CES 2026 The lights can be controlled using a remote, or connected to IKEA's Wi-Fi hub and linked to your smart home system.

Split image of Ring door sensor, glass break sensor, and smart light switch

Your Ring doorbell and cameras are getting a huge upgrade with AI-powered warnings when something looks unusual

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 26

CES 2026 Ring launches new AI alerts, plus a collection of sensors to detect break-ins, floods, carbon monoxide, and much more.

Philips Hue lighting scene with and without Hue SpatialAware

The Philips Hue app can now customize lighting scenes so they suit the layout of your rooms

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 26

Hue SpatialAware is a new augmented reality feature that considers the location of your bulbs and lamps when applying a scene.

Split image of three smart locks

Wireless charging, super-fast unlocking, and built-in solar panels – the next generation of smart locks from CES 2026

By Cat Ellis published 6 January 26

CES 2026 Home security is a hot topic at CES, with locks that are smarter, more secure, and simpler to use than ever.

CES 2025 live: all the latest news from the world's biggest tech show

By Mark Wilson last updated 5 January 26

CES 2025 is now well underway and we're live at the show – here's all of the latest tech news.

Woman opening air fryer drawer

How to give your air fryer a deep clean, and keep it looking – and cooking – like new

By Cat Ellis published 4 January 26

Air fryers don't use much oil, but they still get greasy. Thankfully, getting them clean again is a piece of cake.

Woman wiping coffee maker drip tray with cloth

How to deep-clean your coffee maker for a better-tasting espresso in 2026 – a barista's guide

By Cat Ellis published 3 January 26

Deep clean your coffee maker for the tastiest espresso ever – six top tips from a barista

Philips Hue Essential bulb next to Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance bulb, both on dimmest setting

Philips Hue Essential lights are spectacular value, but the originals outshine them in one key way

By Cat Ellis published 29 December 25

Hue Essential bulbs are just as good as the originals in most situations, provided you don't need to dial the brightness right down.

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