Articles by 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

Eufy video doorbell on blue background with text reading 'TechRadar Black Friday Deals'

Want a Ring doorbell but don't want the subscription? Check out this great half-price alternative instead

By Cat Ellis published 19 November 25

There's no need to buy a subscription plan when the Eufy Video Doorbell dual captures crisp footage from its twin cameras and saves it locally on an SD card.

Amazon Echo Dot speaker and Ring Battery Video Doorbell on orange background with text reading 'TechRadar Black Friday Deals'

Could this be the best deal of Black Friday 2025? Get an Amazon Echo Dot and Ring Video Doorbell for just £60

By Cat Ellis published 17 November 25

This smart speaker bundle is the ultimate smart home starter kit, and it's less than half price right now.

Lavazza Assoluta coffee machine with drink and two bags of coffee

The Lavazza Assoluta is a quirky coffee machine that adjusts its own settings to suit your beans – provided you buy the right ones

By Cat Ellis published 16 November 25

If you don't mind sticking with Lavazza's own beans, the Assoluta will deliver consistently well-extracted coffee every morning.

EZVIZ video doorbell on blue background with text reading "TechRadar Black Friday deals"

Forget Ring – these subscription-free doorbells are going cheap in Amazon's early Black Friday sale

By Cat Ellis published 13 November 25

See who's calling, talk to visitors, check packages, and watch video recordings all without any extra expenses.

Reolink Altas PT Ultra security camera on green background with text reading 'TechRadar Black Friday deals'

Forget Blink – this award-winning security camera is half price for Black Friday, and it's subscription-free

By Cat Ellis published 13 November 25

The Reolink Altas PT Ultra took this year's TechRadar Choice Award for best home security camera, and it's never been cheaper.

Siemens coffee maker on green background with text 'TechRadar Black Friday Deals'

I test coffee makers for a living and 3 of my favourite espresso machines are going cheap for Black Friday

By Cat Ellis published 11 November 25

There are record-low prices on these supreme caffeine-deliverers right now at Amazon.

Coffee beans in hopper, latte macchiato, and person's hand using bean-to-cup coffee machine

I've tested over a dozen coffee makers this year, and these are the 3 top bean-to-cup machines I recommend

By Cat Ellis published 3 November 25

Enjoy perfect coffee at the touch of a button, whether you prefer a strong espresso or a silky latte.

Nespresso Festive Collection Sweet Almond and Hibiscus capsules

I tried Nespresso's Christmassy new Sweet Almond and Hibiscus coffee, and it was like sipping a marzipan-infused latte

By Cat Ellis published 2 November 25

The festive flavor of a German Christmas market, ready within one minute.

Nesprsso Festive Collection Double Espresso capsules

I tried Nespresso's Festive Edition Double Espresso, and it gave me the energy to finish my Christmas shopping a month early

By Cat Ellis published 1 November 25

A toasty and fruity espresso that tastes festive but doesn't rely on added flavors.

The color-changing Russell Hobbs Calm Kettle is giving me a moment of peace in the morning, and it's perfect for Christmas

By Cat Ellis published 1 November 25

Turn your first brew of the day into a minute of mindfulness with soothing sounds and shifting light effects.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Need help buying the best phone for you? Here’s what the TechRadar experts use, and how to score a good deal

By Roland Moore-Colyer published 1 November 25

With the Black Friday deals already here, now's a great time to snap up a brilliant phone that has the TechRadar seal of approval.

Three video doorbells on creepy walls with cobwebs

I'm a smart home tech reviewer, and these are my top 3 subscription-free video doorbells for Halloween – with no scary fees

By Cat Ellis published 30 October 25

If you like the idea of a Ring doorbell but not the monthly fees, these great value doorbells are the perfect solution.

De'Longhi espresso machine on blue background with white text: 'TechRadar don't miss'

Black Friday has come early with £149 off one of my favourite De'Longhi coffee machines at Amazon

By Cat Ellis published 29 October 25

Delicious coffee is only a button-press away with this fully automatic espresso machine, going cheap ahead of Black Friday.

Nespresso machine dispensing coffee, latte made using Nespresso machine, and Nespresso capsules

The 3 best Nespresso machines for delicious coffee in an instant, recommended by a trained barista

By Cat Ellis published 29 October 25

If you want your coffee as quickly as possible, a Nespresso machine could be exactly what you need, and these are three of the best.

Nespresso Cinnamon and Candied Tamarind Vertuo pods

I tried Nespresso's festive new Cinnamon and Candied Tamarind coffee pods, and it's beginning to taste a lot like Christmas

By Cat Ellis published 28 October 25

The tangy flavor or tamarind makes a refreshing and tasty change from orange in this seasonal coffee.

Struggling to get up in the colder months? You need a smart light in your life – and I've found just the one

By Cat Ellis published 27 October 25

For those dark winter morning, the Philips Hue Wall Washer is a dream come true.

eufyCam C35 security camera mounted on fence post

Eufy's new AI-powered security camera has no monthly fees, and there's a £40 early bird discount if you grab one now

By Cat Ellis published 27 October 25

The EufyCam C35 can store up to 1TB of video footage locally, and its software can identify subjects including vehicles, animals, and even specific people.

Coffee grounds in brew basket, cup of drip coffee, and settings on drip coffee machine

The 3 best drip coffee machines for your kitchen, recommended by a qualified barista

By Cat Ellis published 27 October 25

The best batch brewers for preparing delicious drip coffee and keeping it hot and tasty for hours.

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The Lavazza Assoluta adjusts its own brew settings to suit your beans, but does it make a good espresso?

By Cat Ellis published 26 October 25

An espresso machine that aims to take the trial-and-error out of espresso.

The chic Smeg ECF03 looks like it came straight out of the 1950s, and brews consistently great hot and cold espresso

By Cat Ellis published 24 October 25

The new ECF03 is the most stylish way to prepare your morning pick-me-up.

The Jura J10 is the next best thing to having a barista in your kitchen, and it's our Home Device of the Year 2025

By Cat Ellis published 21 October 25

If your regular coffee order needs a TL;DR, this is the machine for you.

Coffee dripping into carafe, cup of drip coffee, and hand adjusting brew settings on drip coffee maker

The best drip coffee maker: delicious, fuss-free coffee, fast

By Cat Ellis last updated 21 October 25

Updated Drip coffee machines that will deliver consistently delicious, well brewed coffee - tested by us.

I spent two weeks with the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, and espresso and drip coffee don't get easier than this

By Cat Ellis published 19 October 25

Whether you're entertaining guests or just kick-starting your morning, the DualBrew System has everything you need in one neat package.

Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer containing roast chicken beside a dish of bread rolls on a kitchen counter

Ninja's glass air fryer now comes in an XL size and four pretty colors – which one will you choose?

By Cat Ellis published 16 October 25

According to Ninja, the new Crispi Max can cook dinner for up to 10 people.

Tired of boring kitchen appliances? Smeg has teamed up with Porsche to bring the thill of Le Mans to your breakfast table

By Cat Ellis published 15 October 25

The collection includes a limited-edition red fridge and coffee maker, plus appliances in metallic green and white with Porsche branding.

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