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 also a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista, so whether you want to upgrade your smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

Articles by: Cat Ellis

Lavazza Assoluta coffee machine with drink and two bags of coffee

The Lavazza Assoluta is a quirky coffee machine that adjusts its own settings to suit your beans – provided you buy the right ones

By Cat Ellis published 16 November 25

If you don't mind sticking with Lavazza's own beans, the Assoluta will deliver consistently well-extracted coffee every morning.

Coffee beans in hopper, latte macchiato, and person's hand using bean-to-cup coffee machine

I've tested over a dozen coffee makers this year, and these are the 3 top bean-to-cup machines I recommend

By Cat Ellis published 3 November 25

Enjoy perfect coffee at the touch of a button, whether you prefer a strong espresso or a silky latte.

Nespresso Festive Collection Sweet Almond and Hibiscus capsules

I tried Nespresso's Christmassy new Sweet Almond and Hibiscus coffee, and it was like sipping a marzipan-infused latte

By Cat Ellis published 2 November 25

The festive flavor of a German Christmas market, ready within one minute.

Nesprsso Festive Collection Double Espresso capsules

I tried Nespresso's Festive Edition Double Espresso, and it gave me the energy to finish my Christmas shopping a month early

By Cat Ellis published 1 November 25

A toasty and fruity espresso that tastes festive but doesn't rely on added flavors.

The color-changing Russell Hobbs Calm Kettle is giving me a moment of peace in the morning, and it's perfect for Christmas

By Cat Ellis published 1 November 25

Turn your first brew of the day into a minute of mindfulness with soothing sounds and shifting light effects.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Need help buying the best phone for you? Here’s what the TechRadar experts use, and how to score a good deal

By Roland Moore-Colyer published 1 November 25

With the Black Friday deals already here, now's a great time to snap up a brilliant phone that has the TechRadar seal of approval.

Split image of fries cooked in air fryer, front view of Ninja air fryer, and steak being cooked in air fryer with heat probe

The best air fryer 2025: quick and convenient fryers to feed a family

By Cat Ellis published 31 October 25

Updated Air fryers for quick meals in small spaces, tested by our team of experts in real-world conditions.

Nespresso machine dispensing coffee, latte made using Nespresso machine, and Nespresso capsules

The 3 best Nespresso machines for delicious coffee in an instant, recommended by a trained barista

By Cat Ellis published 29 October 25

If you want your coffee as quickly as possible, a Nespresso machine could be exactly what you need, and these are three of the best.

Coffee grounds in brew basket, cup of drip coffee, and settings on drip coffee machine

The 3 best drip coffee machines for your kitchen, recommended by a qualified barista

By Cat Ellis published 27 October 25

The best batch brewers for preparing delicious drip coffee and keeping it hot and tasty for hours.

The Lavazza Assoluta adjusts its own brew settings to suit your beans, but does it make a good espresso?

By Cat Ellis published 26 October 25

An espresso machine that aims to take the trial-and-error out of espresso.

The chic Smeg ECF03 looks like it came straight out of the 1950s, and brews consistently great hot and cold espresso

By Cat Ellis published 24 October 25

The new ECF03 is the most stylish way to prepare your morning pick-me-up.

The best bean-to-cup coffee machine 2025: quick and convenient coffee makers tested

By Cat Ellis last updated 23 October 25

Updated We've tested the best bean-to-cup coffee machines to find the best options from De'Longhi, Breville, Ninja, Gaggia and more.

The 7 best blenders 2025: top models from Vitamix, Smeg, and Nutribullet tested by home tech experts

By Cat Ellis last updated 22 October 25

Updated Powerful home blenders from big brands, tested with real recipes and rated for power, performance, and volume.

Split image of three home security cameras

The best home security cameras 2025: indoor, outdoor and subscription-free cams

By Cat Ellis last updated 22 October 25

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

Sliced cucumber in food processor, food processor containing berries, and grated carrot in food processor

The best food processor 2025: from KitchenAid, Ninja, Magimix and more, tested by kitchen experts

By Cat Ellis last updated 22 October 25

Updated These are the best food processors for every kind of cook and every kind of kitchen, from big names including Ninja, Magimix, and KitchenAid.

The Jura J10 is the next best thing to having a barista in your kitchen, and it's our Home Device of the Year 2025

By Cat Ellis published 21 October 25

If your regular coffee order needs a TL;DR, this is the machine for you.

Coffee dripping into carafe, cup of drip coffee, and hand adjusting brew settings on drip coffee maker

The best drip coffee maker 2025: delicious, fuss-free coffee, fast

By Cat Ellis last updated 21 October 25

Updated Drip coffee machines that will deliver consistently delicious, well brewed coffee - tested by us.

Nespresso Verto capsules, machine dispensing espresso into cup, and Nespresso Original capsule in machine

The best Nespresso machine 2025: barista-recommended capsule coffee makers tested and rated

By Cat Ellis last updated 21 October 25

Updated Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines tested and recommended by an SCA-certified barista.

Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer containing roast chicken beside a dish of bread rolls on a kitchen counter

Ninja's glass air fryer now comes in an XL size and four pretty colors – which one will you choose?

By Cat Ellis published 16 October 25

According to Ninja, the new Crispi Max can cook dinner for up to 10 people.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat with seasonal poppy face

These pretty new Nest Learning Thermostat faces will turn your temperature controller into a work of art

By Cat Ellis published 14 October 25

The new Farsight faces will be displayed when you're within about 20 feet of the thermostat.

Since the Ninja Prestige DualBrew coffee maker came into my life, I'm finally becoming a morning person

By Cat Ellis published 12 October 25

The quickest and easiest way to get caffeine into your groggy system.

Split image of espresso in cup, person using espresso machine, and ground espresso beans in portafilter

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are the 3 best espresso machines I've used this year

By Cat Ellis published 5 October 25

Whatever your budget and level of experience, I have the perfect espresso machine for your kitchen.

The new Google Home Speaker comes in some fun color options in the US, but elsewhere it's gray all the way

By Cat Ellis published 2 October 25

Not in North America? You're missing out on funky colored speaker and cameras, as well as the new Nest Doorbell.

Nest isn’t dead – Google takes on Ring with new AI-powered video doorbell and security cameras

By Cat Ellis published 1 October 25

Google's new doorbell and cameras boast 2K resolution and Gemini-powered smarts, but is that enough to keep pace with Ring?

Amazon’s big hardware event as it happened – four new Echo devices, Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, Alexa+, new Ring doorbells and more

By Cat Ellis last updated 30 September 25

Amazon's 2025 hardware event is happening today, and we're bringing you all the announcements as soon as they happen.

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