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

SwitchBot's new robovac has a special hat that turns it into a roving fan, air purifier or security cam

By Ruth Hamilton published 9 June 25

Not content with just cleaning your floors, SwitchBot's latest robovac aims to be a complete, roving home helper.

Hobot S7 Pro window cleaning robot on inside of reviewer's patio door window

Hobot S7 Pro window cleaning robot review: a big help for big windows

By Ruth Hamilton published 7 June 25

This window cleaning robot proved a major effort-saver, but I won't be cancelling Matt the window guy just yet.

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum against an aqua and blue background

The best vacuum for hardwood floors 2025: gentle but effective vacuums for hard floors

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 6 June 25

We test dozens of vacuums each year – these are the models that performed best on hardwood floors.

These new robot lawn mowers use self-driving car tech to navigate

By Ruth Hamilton published 5 June 25

Eufy's robot lawn mowers do away with awkward RTK receivers and rely entirely on cameras for navigation.

Meaco's nifty new portable fan has an easily replaceable battery, so it can keep you cool for many summers to come

By Ruth Hamilton published 4 June 25

This compact addition to Meaco's award-winning Sefte range is built to last.

Dyson's new hair dryer is a feat of engineering – but there's one annoying design feature you need to know about if you're thinking of buying one

By Ruth Hamilton published 31 May 25

Thinking of buying a Supersonic r? Check your plug outlets first.

IKEA now sells affordable heat pumps in even more countries, and is 'actively' looking to launch them in more places

By Ruth Hamilton published 29 May 25

Part of the Swedish brand's commitment to make sustainable solutions more accessible to more people.

The original Dyson bladeless fan just got a long-awaited revamp, and it looks better than ever

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 28 May 25

The Dyson Cool CF1 might have taken 16 years to arrive, but a series of welcome upgrades mean it's a force to be reckoned with.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ robovac on blue background

The best budget robot vacuum cleaner 2025: low-effort cleaning at low prices

By Jim McCauley last updated 27 May 25

Budget-friendly but still brilliant robot vacuums to keep your floors clean without spending a fortune.

Segway Navimow X3 series being demoed on a lawn

What is RTK for robot lawn mowers?

By Ruth Hamilton published 27 May 25

Modern lawnbots rely on real-time kinematic positioning to help them navigate accurately – here's how it works.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i in reviewer's home

5 things to look for in an air purifier for hay fever

By Ruth Hamilton published 25 May 25

What makes a good air purifier for seasonal allergies? We asked an expert.

The best hair styler 2025: tools to shape, smooth and curl

By Rosie Hilder last updated 23 May 25

Our pick of the best styling tools for a range of hair types and budgets – tried and tested by experts.

Revlon Pro Collection One Step Dryer and Volumiser review: a budget-friendly and very effective brush dryer

By Vicky Woollaston last updated 22 May 25

Great Value

The Revlon Pro 2-in-1 styler gives you a voluminous, salon-style finish for a decent price.

Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer in reviewer's hand

Dyson Supersonic r review: an unusual hair dryer that's perfect for precision styling

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 May 25

Recommended

I'm thrilled Dyson has made this professional dryer available to consumers – the back of my head has never looked so good.

Dyson's new vacuum is as thin as a broom handle and appears to float across the floor

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 May 25

The new Dyson PencilVac looks nothing like any vacuum I've seen before – here are the 6 strangest things about it.

Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum holding a cloth

4 things I loved about the world's first robovac with a mechanical arm – and 3 that need work

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 May 25

The Roborock Saros Z70 can tidy up as well as vacuuming, and while it has big potential it's not quite there yet.

Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum with its arm out

Roborock Saros Z70 review: this robot vacuum has an arm, but it's not yet all that handy yet

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 May 25

The RZ70 boasts some truly groundbreaking features, but it needs refining if it's to be truly useful.

How do robot lawn mowers navigate without a boundary wire?

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 May 25

Modern lawnbots can find their way around without wires – here's how.

Shark Stratos upright vacuum cleaner against a magenta and blue background

The best upright vacuum 2025: powerful vacuums for deeper cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 14 May 25

Browse the best upright vacuums around, tested and approved by experienced reviewers.

Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop

I test robot vacuums for a living, and this new bot has the best mopping system I've seen

By Ruth Hamilton published 13 May 25

The newly unveiled Deebot X9 Pro Omni promises less gunk and less smearing.

The HEPA filter from inside the Blueair air purifier sits facing forward on a wood surface against a pink background.

What is a HEPA filter, and what is it used for?

By Ruth Hamilton published 11 May 25

HEPA filters are common in air purifiers and vacuums. Here's more on what they do, and whether they're worth prioritizing in the appliance you're shopping for.

Picture shows a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier sitting on a glass bedside table with a candle, cosmetic bottle, and potted plant to its right.

6 questions to ask before choosing an air purifier

By Ruth Hamilton published 10 May 25

Top tips to help you choose an air purifier that fits your needs and works in your space.

Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum being tested in a living room

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum review: lightweight, efficient and modern

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 9 May 25

Recommended

Although not the most powerful vac we've tested, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless is an excellent all-rounder that'll suit most people's needs.

A range of Dyson fans against a pink background with Tech Radar, Big savings written in white to the left.

Need to cool off? There's a massive sale on Dyson fans right now – here are the 3 best deals

By Ruth Hamilton published 9 May 25

Many of Dyson's coveted fans are the cheapest they've ever been – here's your chance to pick one up at a (kind of) bargain price.

Dyson V8 against an orange and blue background

The best vacuum for carpet 2025: powerful suction for deep cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 7 May 25

Keep your home spotless, with minimal effort, by using the best vacuum for carpet.

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