Cat Ellis

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

Split image of coffee beans in hopper of Philips Baristina coffee maker, and the coffee maker dispensing a shot of espresso into a glass measuring cup

Still using coffee capsules? You're not alone, but brewing with fresh beans can be just as easy — here's how

By Cat Ellis published

Coffee capsules are OK in a pinch, but preparing espresso can be just as quick and easy if you have the right machine.

Three electric fans on a blue background with stylized snowflakes and lines representing wind

Don't sweat it during the bank holiday heatwave — I'm a home tech editor, and these are the top 3 cheap fans I recommend to help you chill out

By Cat Ellis published

The temperature is set to rocket this weekend, so grab one of these affordable fans now so you can stay comfortable at home and on the move.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker on kitchen counter with bottle of oat milk

The Philips Café Aromis makes the best oat milk latte I've ever had from a home coffee maker — and it looks great as well

By Cat Ellis published

This 'conversational' coffee maker talks you through choosing the right settings, and transforms even plant-based milks into thick, creamy foam in seconds.

Collection of coffee accessories and Father's Day card on wooden counter

Does your dad love coffee? I'm a barista, and I've hand-picked 18 thoughtful Father's Day gifts he'll adore

By Cat Ellis published

Father's Day is just around the corner, and these thoughtful gifts are guaranteed to put a smile on your dad's face, whatever brew he enjoys.

The Android robot next to an iPhone and Insta360 GO 3S Retro

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android 17's showcase to Claude cracking a $400,000 crypto wallet

By Hamish Hector published

The week's 7 biggest tech stories from Android, Apple, Insta360 and more.

Three coffee makers on a beige background surrounded by latte-making equipment and ingredients

It's time to ditch your takeout coffee habit — I'm a trained barista, and these are the top 3 coffee makers I recommend for cafe-quality lattes at home

By Cat Ellis published

Making cafe-quality drinks at home is a piece of cake when you have the right machine, and these are the best I've tested for perfectly foamed milk.

Split image of plant with Willow sensor, and plant health overview in Willow app

‘Eva Green is not vibing with her surroundings’ — can these smart sensors help me keep my houseplants alive?

By Cat Ellis published

Willow will let you know exactly what your houseplants need to grow strong and healthy — if you don't mind being bossed about by a fern.

Ground coffee in portafilter, automatic espresso machine dispensing espresso, and caffe latte in glass cup

The best coffee maker 2026: espresso and filter made easy

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Coffee makers you can rely on for consistently great results, whatever your preferred brew style.

IKEA Varmblixt lamp illuminated green, on table

IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp shines candy-colored light anywhere in your home, though the app experience isn't quite as sweet

By Cat Ellis published

This lamp is guaranteed to grab guests' attention, but if you're new to smart home tech, you may prefer to skip the app and use its remote control instead.

Split image showing coffee beans in hopper, controls on top of espresso machine, and espresso being dispensed into a glass cup

I'm a trained barista, and these are the top 3 budget-friendly coffee makers I recommend for cafe-quality drinks at home, from De'Longhi, Ninja and Philips

By Cat Ellis published

Coffee shop prices have shot through the roof, so it's a good time to pick up your own coffee maker to prepare your favorite drinks at home instead.

Two smart locks installed on doors

The best smart locks 2026: keyless security systems tested by experts

By James Capell last updated

Updated The most secure and reliable smart locks for keyless convenience.

Honeywell desk fan on kitchen table beside bowl of apples

Experts say this affordable gadget will keep annoying fruit flies away from your dinner table this summer — no chemicals, sprays or smelly candles required

By Cat Ellis published

Food hygiene experts recommend using a simple table fan to keep fruit flies away until you've tackled the problem at its source.

Dyson V10 Konical vacuum cleaner with Auto Empty Dok

Dyson's latest vacuum cleaner empties itself, so you don't have to get your hands dirty

By Cat Ellis published

With the Dyson V10 Konical and its Auto-empty Dok, there's no need to worry about emptying a messy dust cup partway through cleaning.

Person wearing black gloves washing air fryer basket in kitchen sink

Do you have a 'kitchen graveyard' of broken appliances? Here's how to care for your gadgets and keep them working longer

By Cat Ellis published

Over a third of people have a broken kitchen appliance gathering dust in a cabinet, say experts, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Melitta AromaFresh Pro Therm coffee maker on kitchen counter

The Melitta AromaFresh Therm Pro is an almost-great drip coffee maker — but it's let down by its most novel feature

By Cat Ellis published

The AromaFresh Therm Pro grinds exactly the right amount of beans for your brew, but the uneven results mean inconsistent flavor from your coffee.

The Dyson Cool CF1 is pictured next to the MeacoFan Sefte 8 inch air circulator.

5 reasons to buy a cooling fan right now — be prepared, save cash, tackle allergies, and more

By Cat Ellis published

Don't wait until you're a sweaty mess; buying a fan now can save you money and give you time to make a better choice for your home.

IKEA Varmblixt lamp illuminated blue, mounted on wall

This fun IKEA lamp is a brilliant talking point in my home, and my friends can't believe how cheap it was

By Cat Ellis published

The IKEA Varmblixt is a color-shifting light that can be fitted on a wall or placed on a table, and will grab the attention of your friends when they visit.

portafilter full of coffee, espresso dispensing from espresso machine, and hand pulling espresso machine tamper

The best espresso machine 2026: home coffee makers tested by experts

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated Expert-recommended espresso machines to give you a morning jump-start.

Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer with cable arranged in the shape of a plane

Forget wheezy hotel hair dryers — the Dyson Supersonic Travel is small enough to fit in your carry-on bag

By Cat Ellis published

The Dyson Supersonic Travel will give you a break from wheezy hotel hair dryers, and adapts to suit the voltage in your vacation destination.

Woman painting white wall green using a roller

'So we've got a proper four wall bedroom situation': I asked Alexa+ to help redecorate my apartment, and she has a great eye for design

By Cat Ellis published

It turns out Amazon's AI-powered assistant has a much better eye for design than me — and it really loves sage green.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker dispensing macchiato

This sleek new espresso machine from Philips promises 'that unmistakable cafe-like taste' at home — and I can't wait to try it

By Cat Ellis published

The Philips Café Aromis can use larger doses of coffee, and has a 'conversational' assistant that adjusts brew settings automatically to suit your preferences.

Split image of three home security cameras

The best home security cameras: indoor, outdoor and subscription-free cams

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated We've tested masses of security cameras in our own homes to bring you this guide to the very best.

Screenshot of Ring Familiar Faces feature on an iPhone

Who goes there? Your Ring doorbell can now recognise up to 50 familiar faces, and let you know if a caller is a friend or a stranger

By Cat Ellis published

The new feature is rolling out now for premium subscribers, but you'll have to activate it manually if you want to try it.

Meatball-flavored IKEA and Chupa-Chups lollipop in front of abstract blue and yellow background

'We heard you like Swedish candy' — IKEA's meatball-flavored lollipop started as an April Fools joke, but now it's really happening, and you can try it soon

By Cat Ellis published

The meaty lollipop will be given away in IKEA stores next month so you can sample the, er, interesting flavor yourself.

Dyson PencilWash being used to mop a kitchen floor

Dyson's latest floor cleaner is a super-slim electric mop that got my hard floors sparkling in minutes

By Cat Ellis published

Recommended

The Dyson PencilWash couldn't be easier to use, and makes light work of wet and dry dirt, but only if your wallet can stand it.

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