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

Dreame R20 vacuum floorhead with headlamps lit up

I test vacuums for a living – these are the 3 best cheap stick vacuums you can buy

By Ruth Hamilton published 23 January 26

All of these vacuums deliver reliable, efficient cleaning without breaking the bank – with prices starting as low as £169.99.

Close ups of two Dyson vacuums and a Dyson hair dryer

Dyson's biggest product innovations, ranked from game-changer to gimmick

By Ruth Hamilton published 23 January 26

I've tested most of Dyson's gadgets – these are the features that blew me away and the ones that turned out to be downgrades in disguise.

Detail shots of three different robot lawn mowers

I've seen most of 2026's new lawnbots, and these are the 3 major trends to look out for

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 January 26

Robot lawn mowers are getting a whole lot more capable — this looks like the year they'll finally go truly mainstream.

Roborock has launched a new flagship robovac, and that's your cue to go and buy the old version for a massively reduced price

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 January 26

I've tested dozens of robot vacuums, but this is the one that has a permanent spot in my home – and it's never let me down.

Dreame X60 robot vacuum (left) and Roborock Saros 20 (right)

I've seen most of 2026's new robot vacuums, and these are the 2 models I can't wait to try

By Ruth Hamilton published 21 January 26

These are my hot tips for the best robot vacuums of 2026.

This shapeshifting cleaner can transform into a robot vacuum, a stick vacuum or a mop — and I almost couldn't believe my eyes

By Ruth Hamilton published 21 January 26

The xLean TR1 can learn your own cleaning techniques, and mimic them in robot mode.

Dyson PencilVac (left) and Narwal dupe (right)

Dyson's PencilVac only just went on sale, but there's already a dupe on its way — here's what we know about Narwal's ultra-slim vacuum

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 January 26

Narwal promises longer runtimes and more suction power – but I'm skeptical it can deliver.

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete robot vacuum

Dreame just launched its best-ever robot vacuum — here are 3 ways the X60 improves on its predecessor

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 January 26

From its streamlined look to its improved threshold-climbing abilities, this is a formidable new flagship from Dreame.

'When it needs to pivot, it turns the wheels and does a crab walk' – Segway Navimow exec reveals the invention that means its new flagship lawnbot won't churn up your grass

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 January 26

Exclusive: 'It's a showcase of the best technology we have.'

So you got a new robot vacuum – here are 7 things to do first

By Ruth Hamilton published 19 January 26

Not sure where to start with your new robovac? Follow these 7 steps and you'll be well on your way.

The outstanding Roborock Saros 10R just got even better — here are 3 ways the Saros 20 improves on its predecessor

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 January 26

Liked the Saros 10R? Wait until you see the Saros 20.

Dreame car, pet tracker and action camera

Dreame has expanded its remit to 'literally anything' and I'm not sure it's good news for one of my favorite vacuum brands

By Ruth Hamilton published 16 January 26

CES 2026 From action cameras to TVs to coffee machines to smart rings, Dreame has it covered

Vacuum cleaner floorhead with air intake slider, cleaning a carpeted floor

This hidden vacuum feature could change the way you clean your home

By Ruth Hamilton published 16 January 26

As a vacuum tester, this is the feature I always look for – and your vacuum probably already has it.

Dyson V16 Piston Animal cordless stick vacuum having its battery removed

5 things you didn't realize were damaging your Dyson vacuum's battery

By Ruth Hamilton published 15 January 26

If you want to make sure your Dyson vacuum stays in great working order for as long as possible, here are the things you need to avoid.

Tineco has released a wet-dry vacuum that's as nimble as a stick vac

By Ruth Hamilton published 12 January 26

CES 2026 The FLOOR ONE i7 Fold maneuvers like a dream.

Dreo's new fan blasts out an ultra-refreshing, fine mist – I could have stood in front of it all morning

By Ruth Hamilton published 12 January 26

CES 2026 The TurboCool series of misting fans achieved the impossible: it perked me right up on day four of CES.

I can't stop thinking about these affordable IKEA speakers that look like art

By Ruth Hamilton published 12 January 26

CES 2026 Of everything I saw at CES, it's these speakers that I want the most.

A hand holding the Clicks Communicator next to a SwitchBot AI Mindclip clipped to a jumper, next to a woman looking in a Nuralogix smart mirror.

These will be the 11 biggest tech trends of 2026, according to CES 2026

By Mark Wilson published 10 January 26

CES 2026 is over, but what have we learned? A lot actually – here are the biggest trends that will likely dominate the tech world for the next twelve months.

Ecovacs wants to make self-clean window-bots happen, but I don't think they're going to happen

By Ruth Hamilton published 9 January 26

CES 2026 I'm not sure my window bot really needs its own tiny washing machine.

Dreame is a victim of its own robovac success – the new X60 Max Ultra looks amazing, but I'm struggling to get excited

By Ruth Hamilton published 9 January 26

CES 2026 Features include a super-slim build and a dock that boils the mop pads clean.

SwitchBot's new gadget clips to your collar and records your conversations, so you'll never have to pay attention ever again

By Ruth Hamilton published 8 January 26

CES 2026 The 'AI MindClip' wants to become your second brain.

Ecovacs' new launch nearly made me cry during my CES booth tour

By Ruth Hamilton published 8 January 26

CES 2026 I made a new friend, and I'm going to take him home in my suitcase.

I just watched Mammotion's new flagship lawnbot scale an astroturf mountain, and it was mesmerizing

By Ruth Hamilton published 8 January 26

CES 2026 The LUBA 3 creates a live 3D map of your yard, and can make mowing smart decisions in an instant

Roborock Saros 20, 20 Sonic and Qrevo Curv 2 robot vacuums flipped over to show mop system beneath

Roborock just introduced an innovative new robot vac mopping system — and it looks seriously good

By Ruth Hamilton published 8 January 26

CES 2026 The Saros 20 Sonic is designed to deliver efficient, precise, edge-to-edge mopping

This is the perfect robovac for klutzes — it'll help you figure out where you dropped your wallet

By Ruth Hamilton published 7 January 26

CES 2026 Narwal's latest robot vacuum has a whole range of tricks up its metaphorical robo-sleeve.

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