Articles by Carrie-Ann Skinner

Carrie-Ann Skinner was formerly Homes Editor at TechRadar, and has more than two decades of experience in both online and print journalism, with 13 years of that spent covering all-things tech. Carrie specializes in smart home devices such as smart plugs and smart lights, as well as large and small appliances including vacuum cleaners, air fryers, stand mixers, and coffee machines. Carrie is now a copy editor at PWC.

Articles by: Carrie-Ann Skinner

The Philips Hue smart plug connected to a power outlet

Philips Hue Smart Plug review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 11 February 22

The Philips Hue Smart Plug offers a simple way to combine your existing lamps with your smart lights, so you can control all the luminaries in your home remotely

How to set-up a Philips Hue Spotify integration to create a party atmosphere

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 8 February 22

Philips Hue smart light can be synced with Spotify - changing color and rhythm to suit the genre and mood of the music playing.

More home security cameras need built in alarms like the Arlo Pro 4

A built-in alarm is a crucial home security cam feature. So why do so few have it?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 5 February 22

Most home security cameras are a good way to deter burglars, but using a built-in alarm is game-changing

Drayton Wiser review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 4 February 22

The Drayton Wiser smart thermostat lets you control your central heating room-by-room at a more affordable price than Honeywell’s Evohome.

The Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer air fryer on a blue background and the Ninja Foodi Dual zone air fryer on a pink background

Instant Vortex Plus Dual air fryer vs Ninja Foodi 2 basket air fryer: which air fryer should you choose?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 29 January 22

Instant and Ninja are two of the biggest brands in the air fryer space, and now both offer a dual-zone model - so we’ve tested both to find out which is right for you.

French toast with a pat of butter melting on top

I made French Toast in an air fryer and it was far easier than on a stove

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 29 January 22

Love French Toast but can't make it right? Then consider using an air fryer - it makes it easy to perfect this breakfast treat.

The Sage Bambino on a kitchen countertop with all its accessories

Sage Bambino review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 26 January 22

The Sage Bambino is a compact espresso machine that will brew single or double shots of coffee, and let you play barista if you want to experiment with extraction and texturizing milk.

It’s now easier than ever to get Google Assistant to stop talking, but is it making us rude?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 26 January 22

You can now just say ‘Stop’ when you want to silence Google Assistant, but is this a good thing?

The Ring Always Home Cam starting its surveillance path around a home

Ring’s home security drone is one step closer to going on sale

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 24 January 22

The invite list to get your hands on the Ring Always Home Cam, a security drone for your property, is now open.

D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 plugged into a silver power outlet

D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 24 January 22

A compact smart plug that works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 plugged into an electrical socket on a gery wall

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 24 January 22

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 is an affordable smart power outlet that’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit – but how does it compare to rivals from Amazon and TP-Link?

An AirTag lying in grass with the metal side facing upwards

I lost my AirTag in a forest… but after two months I’ve been reunited with it

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 22 January 22

Here’s why enabling lost mode on your AirTag is vital

A espresso with late art on the top in a white coffee cup and saucer next to a hessian sack and coffee beans

This game-changing coffee maker trick means you’ll never drink bitter espresso again

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 22 January 22

Love making espresso at home but find it always tastes bitter? Here’s how to ensure coffee perfection.

Lenovo Smart Clock 2 review

By Cat Ellis, Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 21 January 22

Updated A neat little clock/smart speaker hybrid, but it's hard to escape the fact that the Google Nest Hub does all this and more.

Eufy SoloCam S40 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 20 January 22

The Eufy SoloCam S40 is a freestanding home security camera that’s ideal for external use since its integrated solar panel helps to keep the battery topped up.

Dreame Bot W10 robot vacuum review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 17 January 22

The Dreame Bot W10 is an expensive robot vacuum that can mop as well as sweep. It self-cleans, too, reducing the maintenance required.

The Amazon Echo Show 15 on a green background and the Amaozn Echo Show 10 on a pink background

Amazon Echo Show 15 vs Amazon Echo Show 10: which smart display should you choose?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 16 January 22

Amazon’s Echo Show 15 is its largest display ever, but costs the same as the Echo Show 10 - so we’ve tested to find out which is right for you.

Cinnamon Rolls that have been freshly baked and topped with sweetened cream cheese

I made cinnamon rolls in an air fryer and they were better than my usual method

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 15 January 22

Love cinnamon rolls but struggle to get them to look and taste like those you buy? We found out an air fryer is the secret to cooking them, and we'll never go back

The Facebook Portal Go on a blue background next to the Facebook Portal Plus on a yellow background

Facebook Portal Go vs Facebook Portal Plus: which smart display should you buy?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 8 January 22

We tested the Facebook Portal Go against the Facebook Portal Plus to find out which really is the brand’s best smart display.

CES 2022: Large appliances are the latest way to give your home’s decor a refresh

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 6 January 22

CES 2022 Samsung and Hisense both unveiled matching suites of appliances at CES, but will consumers really be happy paying a premium to ensure their gadgets match the rest of their kitchen?

The eufy Security Video Doorbell Dual (Battery) on a white background next to its base station

This Eufy video doorbell helps solve the problem of lost and stolen packages

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 5 January 22

CES 2022 The Eufy Security Video Doorbell Dual (Battery) has two built-in cameras, one of which points downwards and will identify any packages left on the ground.

An Instant Vortex Pro air fryer on a pink background

How I’m going to use my air fryer to beat my January takeaway obsession

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 27 December 21

This handy kitchen appliance is speedy and healthy

The front view of the Facebook Portal Plus

Facebook Portal Plus review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 21 December 21

The Facebook Portal Plus is the social media giant’s largest smart display, but how does it compare to the Amazon’s Echo show range?

Apple AirTags help you find your lost stuff… until you lose the AirTag itself

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 19 December 21

Here’s why opting for non-Apple approved accessories for AirTags turned out to be an expensive mistake.

Which Dyson do I have? Here’s why you need to know

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published 18 December 21

Want to purchase replacement parts or know how to clean your Dyson vacuum properly? You’ll need your model number and here’s how to find it.

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Carrie-Ann Skinner

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