Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, and worked on print magazines including PC Plus, Official Windows Magazine, and PC Format before moving online. She's here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working, she can be found baking, running (to balance out the baking), and learning Welsh.

Articles by: Cat Ellis

Forget AI, there's only one thing I want from Philips Hue this year

By Cat Ellis published 13 January 25

An assistant that can design custom mood lighting sounds fun, but it's not my top priority.

kitchenaid stand mixer in color of the year

I took a pie-making course, and it changed everything I thought I knew about pastry

By Cat Ellis published 12 January 25

Four key baking lessons I took home (along with a heap of delicious pies).

Three coffee makers demonstrated at CES 2025

5 hot coffee innovations from CES – from condensing espresso machines to super-fast cold brew

By Cat Ellis published 11 January 25

The best new tech we've seen at CES 2025 coming to your kitchen counter soon.

CES 2025 live: all the latest news from the world's biggest tech show

By Mark Wilson last updated 10 January 25

CES 2025 is now well underway and we're live at the show – here's all of the latest tech news.

Braun TriForce blender and accessories on green background

The best blender 2025: powerful home blenders tested and reviewed

By Cat Ellis last updated 9 January 25

Updated Blenders from big brands including Nutribullet, KitchenAid and Smeg, recommended by experts.

Nanoleaf's Ambilight alternative is now even easier to install – no more corner brackets

By Cat Ellis published 8 January 25

CES 2025 Nanoleaf 4D V2 comes with a lightweight, bendy light strip, and supports wider screens.

KaraPod coffee machine with cup of coffee and glass of water suspended beside it

This coffee machine brews espresso using water condensed from the air in your home

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 25

CES 2025 It's an interesting idea – just don't think too much about where that water might have come from.

This AI air fryer turns your grandma's old recipes into smart cooking programs

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 25

CES 2025 Scan your favorite recipes from your cookbooks and let the Dreo ChefMaker 2 handle the tricky conversions.

Woman using Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential installed on wall

Ecobee's new smart thermostat could save you money on heating – and it's half the price of the latest Google Nest

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 25

CES 2025 The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential helps you schedule heating and cooling, and spot opportunities to cut energy consumption.

Screen grab of AI assistant in Philips Hue app

The Philips Hue app is getting a big upgrade this year, with a new generative AI assistant

By Cat Ellis published 7 January 25

CES 2025 Details are scant so far, but Signify claims it's the start of "a new era in smart lighting".

SwitchBot Lock Ultra retrofitted on two different types of door lock

Switchbot's new renter-friendly smart lock can be retrofitted onto almost any door – even yours

By Cat Ellis published 6 January 25

CES 2025 With 16 unlocking options, including Apple HomeKit support.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro mounted on exterior wall

Ring is giving two of its best security cameras a free video-quality upgrade this week

By Cat Ellis published 6 January 25

CES 2025 The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is one of two cameras getting a 2K upgrade

Yukai Engineering's Nékojita FuFu robot cat clipped onto the side of a steaming coffee cup

This adorable little robot cat will stop you burning your tongue on hot coffee

By Cat Ellis published 6 January 25

CES 2025 From the company that brought you last year's finger-nibbling Amagami Ham Ham.

Runners racing in Paris Marathon with Eiffel Tower in the background and badge at top left reading "Get fit for '25"

I'm running the Paris Marathon this year - here are three pieces of tech I'm using to cross the finish line

By Cat Ellis published 4 January 25

You don't need the latest watch or the most expensive shoes to train for a marathon PB - just the right ones.

Ninja Luxe Café coffee maker on purple background

The best coffee maker 2025: expert tested coffee machines

By Cat Ellis last updated 3 January 25

Best Coffee makers that you can rely on to produce consistently delicious results, whatever style you prefer.

If your Google Nest smart speaker has been giving you the silent treatment, there's now a fix

By Cat Ellis published 3 January 25

Some users found that their devices stopped responding to voice commands between Christmas and New Year's Day.

The year 2025 spelled out in coffee beans

The future of coffee - 3 hot trends brewing in 2025

By Cat Ellis published 31 December 24

An expert coffee roaster gives his insights into sustainability, capsules for connoisseurs, and home espresso machines.

Person's hand wiping front of coffee maker with cloth

Got a new coffee maker for Christmas? Here's how to love and cherish it, and make it last forever (almost)

By Cat Ellis published 25 December 24

With the right care, your coffee machine will keep on working just like the day you unwrapped it.

Woman sitting beside Christmas tree holding cup of coffee

5 absolutely last minute gifts for coffee lovers

By Cat Ellis published 23 December 24

Truly thoughtful ideas for the keen bean in your life, whatever your budget.

Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker on counter with cup of coffee and small plant

Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker review: drip coffee just got a whole lot smarter

By Cat Ellis published 22 December 24

This digital drip coffee machine delivers exceptional results, but it doesn't keep the beautifully brewed coffee hot for long.

The best Alexa speakers 2025: top smart speakers to control your home

By Cat Ellis last updated 20 December 24

Buying Guide From Amazon to Sonos, these are the best smart speakers to bring the AI-powered Alexa into your smart home.

Samsung smart refrigerator, washing machine, tumble dryer, and oven with screens

Do your oven and fridge really need AI? Samsung thinks so, and plans to add screens to them too

By Cat Ellis published 18 December 24

Samsung is debuting four new AI-enhanced appliances at the CES show in January.

Your air fryer might be sharing your private data – here's how you can protect yourself now

By Cat Ellis published 17 December 24

Do you know what your kitchen appliances are saying about you?

Three video doorbells on pink background

The best video doorbell 2025: top smart doorbells tested by experts

By Cat Ellis last updated 17 December 24

Updated We've spent months testing video doorbells from big and small brands to help you make the right choice.

Best free alternative to Evernote of 2025

By Cat Ellis last updated 16 December 24

We list the best free alternatives to Evernote, to make it simple and easy to manage media-rich notes without a subscription.

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