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, and holds a professional certificate in security awareness for smart homes.. 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

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan and Shark ChillPill fans on marble-effect table with accessories
Dyson HushJet Mini Cool vs Shark ChillPill: in the battle of the portable fans, there's a clear winner

By Cat Ellis Published

When it comes to price, accessories, and sheer power, there's a clear winner in the battle of the portable fans.

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

Ninja AutoBarista Pro coffee maker on kitchen counter, with person's hand pouring milk out of pitcher
Ninja has solved the biggest, most disgusting problem with home coffee makers, and as a barista, I can't believe nobody thought of it earlier

By Cat Ellis Published

Automatic espresso machines can easily become a breeding ground for mold, but the new Ninja AutoBarista Pro has a case fan to stop that from happening.

A collection of smart home devices on a dark blue background with light rays and starbusts, and a badge in the top right corner reading 'The Little Life'
Smart home tech for renters — from locks to lighting, 9 great upgrades that will improve your life without annoying your landlord

By Cat Ellis Published

The Little Life Enjoy the convenience of smart home technology and still get your deposit back with these DIY-free smart devices.

Philips Cafe Aromis Series 8000 coffee maker on kitchen counter with coffee and house plant
I spent two weeks with the gorgeous Philips Café Aromis espresso machine, and creating delicious custom coffees has never been so much fun

By Cat Ellis Published

Editor's Choice

Even if you have no barista experience, Aromis has a chatbot-style assistant that will help you tweak the brew settings until your coffee tastes perfect.

Split image of three capsule coffee makers
Want great coffee, fast? I'm a trained barista, and these are my top 4 capsule coffee makers from Nespresso, Keurig, and more

By Cat Ellis Published

Capsule coffee makers get a bad rap, but if you choose the right one, you can enjoy great-tasting drinks at home in two minutes flat.

Ducati Barista M3 1926 Limited Edition Carbon Fiber coffee maker
Ducati is celebrating its 100th anniversary by launching a $2,000 Nespresso machine — and it's even stranger than it sounds

By Cat Ellis Published

The more I learn about the Ducati Barista M3 1926 Limited Edition Carbon Fiber, the stranger this luxury coffee maker sounds.

Split image of Smeg kitchen appliances in Moonlight colorway in a neutral-themed kitchen, and a closeup of the Smeg Filter Coffee Maker in a lunar landscape
Smeg's iconic drip coffee maker just got a makeover to make your breakfast routine 'feel calmer and more intentional' — and I think I'm in love

By Cat Ellis Published

Moonlight is a creamy color with a matte finish, which Smeg says "transforms everyday routines, from morning coffee to slower moments in the evening."

Man struggling in hot weather, holding a desktop electric fan close to himself
You're using your fan all wrong — these 3 top tips will help you cool down your home properly and stay comfortable in a heatwave

By Cat Ellis Published

Even a cheap electric fan can make a real difference to the temperature in your home — but only if you use it the right way.

Split image of coffee beans in hopper of Philips Baristina coffee maker, and the coffee maker dispensing a shot of espresso into a glass measuring cup
Still using coffee capsules? You're not alone, but brewing with fresh beans can be just as easy — here's how

By Cat Ellis Published

Coffee capsules are OK in a pinch, but preparing espresso can be just as quick and easy if you have the right machine.

Three electric fans on a blue background with stylized snowflakes and lines representing wind
Don't sweat it during the bank holiday heatwave — I'm a home tech editor, and these are the top 3 cheap fans I recommend to help you chill out

By Cat Ellis Published

The temperature is set to rocket this weekend, so grab one of these affordable fans now so you can stay comfortable at home and on the move.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker on kitchen counter with bottle of oat milk
The Philips Café Aromis makes the best oat milk latte I've ever had from a home coffee maker — and it looks great as well

By Cat Ellis Published

This 'conversational' coffee maker talks you through choosing the right settings, and transforms even plant-based milks into thick, creamy foam in seconds.

Collection of coffee accessories and Father's Day card on wooden counter
Does your dad love coffee? I'm a barista, and I've hand-picked 18 thoughtful Father's Day gifts he'll adore

By Cat Ellis Published

Father's Day is just around the corner, and these thoughtful gifts are guaranteed to put a smile on your dad's face, whatever brew he enjoys.

The Android robot next to an iPhone and Insta360 GO 3S Retro
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android 17's showcase to Claude cracking a $400,000 crypto wallet

By Hamish Hector Published

The week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android, Apple, Insta360 and more.

Three coffee makers on a beige background surrounded by latte-making equipment and ingredients
It's time to ditch your takeout coffee habit — I'm a trained barista, and these are the top 3 coffee makers I recommend for cafe-quality lattes at home

By Cat Ellis Published

Making cafe-quality drinks at home is a piece of cake when you have the right machine, and these are the best I've tested for perfectly foamed milk.

Split image of plant with Willow sensor, and plant health overview in Willow app
‘Eva Green is not vibing with her surroundings’ — can these smart sensors help me keep my houseplants alive?

By Cat Ellis Published

Willow will let you know exactly what your houseplants need to grow strong and healthy — if you don't mind being bossed about by a fern.

IKEA Varmblixt lamp illuminated green, on table
IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp shines candy-colored light anywhere in your home, though the app experience isn't quite as sweet

By Cat Ellis Published

This lamp is guaranteed to grab guests' attention, but if you're new to smart home tech, you may prefer to skip the app and use its remote control instead.

Split image showing coffee beans in hopper, controls on top of espresso machine, and espresso being dispensed into a glass cup
I'm a trained barista, and these are the top 3 budget-friendly coffee makers I recommend for cafe-quality drinks at home, from De'Longhi, Ninja and Philips

By Cat Ellis Published

Coffee shop prices have shot through the roof, so it's a good time to pick up your own coffee maker to prepare your favorite drinks at home instead.

Honeywell desk fan on kitchen table beside bowl of apples
Experts say this affordable gadget will keep annoying fruit flies away from your dinner table this summer — no chemicals, sprays or smelly candles required

By Cat Ellis Published

Food hygiene experts recommend using a simple table fan to keep fruit flies away until you've tackled the problem at its source.

Dyson V10 Konical vacuum cleaner with Auto Empty Dok
Dyson's latest vacuum cleaner empties itself, so you don't have to get your hands dirty

By Cat Ellis Published

With the Dyson V10 Konical and its Auto-empty Dok, there's no need to worry about emptying a messy dust cup partway through cleaning.

Person wearing black gloves washing air fryer basket in kitchen sink
Do you have a 'kitchen graveyard' of broken appliances? Here's how to care for your gadgets and keep them working longer

By Cat Ellis Published

Over a third of people have a broken kitchen appliance gathering dust in a cabinet, say experts, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Melitta AromaFresh Pro Therm coffee maker on kitchen counter
The Melitta AromaFresh Therm Pro is an almost-great drip coffee maker — but it's let down by its most novel feature

By Cat Ellis Published

The AromaFresh Therm Pro grinds exactly the right amount of beans for your brew, but the uneven results mean inconsistent flavor from your coffee.

The Dyson Cool CF1 is pictured next to the MeacoFan Sefte 8 inch air circulator.
5 reasons to buy a cooling fan right now — be prepared, save cash, tackle allergies, and more

By Cat Ellis Published

Don't wait until you're a sweaty mess; buying a fan now can save you money and give you time to make a better choice for your home.

IKEA Varmblixt lamp illuminated blue, mounted on wall
This fun IKEA lamp is a brilliant talking point in my home, and my friends can't believe how cheap it was

By Cat Ellis Published

The IKEA Varmblixt is a color-shifting light that can be fitted on a wall or placed on a table, and will grab the attention of your friends when they visit.

Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer with cable arranged in the shape of a plane
Forget wheezy hotel hair dryers — the Dyson Supersonic Travel is small enough to fit in your carry-on bag

By Cat Ellis Published

The Dyson Supersonic Travel will give you a break from wheezy hotel hair dryers, and adapts to suit the voltage in your vacation destination.

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