Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor

"We’re not hiding how things work, we’re expressing it" — I sat down with Jake Dyson to talk radical product design, and why your favorite vacuum and hair dryer look like nothing else on the planet

By Cat Ellis Published 28 July 26

I spoke to Chief Engineer Jake Dyson about the company's unique designs, and why it's not afraid to break the mold

I wanted great filter coffee and espresso without buying two appliances — and 9 months later, the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is still my absolute favorite for both

By Cat Ellis Published 24 July 26

I love both types of coffee equally, and this all-in-one brewer means I don't have to sacrifice my whole countertop for two separate machines.

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

The best espresso machines 2026: Tried, tested and worth your countertop

By Cat Ellis Last updated 24 July 26

Updated We've tested the latest drip coffee makers to find the ones worth waking up for.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo coffee maker preparing an iced coffee

The new De'Longhi Magnifica Duo prepares 20 different coffee drinks at the tap of a button — and its 3-minute cold brew feature has me sold

By Cat Ellis Published 22 July 26

De'Longhi has upgraded one of its best automatic coffee makers with the ability to prepare authentic cold-extracted espresso, complete with chilled milk foam.

Split image of whole Jura E10 coffee maker, and close-up of coffee menu

Jura's new espresso machine packs cold brewing, delicious syrup-infused milk foam, and timed morning brewing into a surprisingly slim package — and it might be the ultimate upgrade for your small kitchen

By Cat Ellis Published 22 July 26

Jura has just launched a new coffee maker that offers hot and cold extraction, syrup-infusion, milder brewing, and a timer — all in one compact package.

A new Google Home Display is reportedly on the way — but what our smart homes actually need in 2026 is a proper Pixel Tablet successor

By Cat Ellis Published 21 July 26

A new Home Display sounds intriguing — but I’ll be disappointed if Google gives us another stationary screen instead of a movable AI hub.

2 Comments

Ninja Crispi Microwave containing four dishes of various vegetables

It’s a microwave, it’s an air fryer, it’s a... soup-maker? Ninja’s latest launch could be the only appliance your kitchen needs

By Cat Ellis Published 16 July 26

Microwaved food can easily get soggy, but that's not a problem with this new air fryer and microwave combo, packed with useful presets.

Split image of three blenders from Ninja and Nutribullet

No room in your kitchen for a Ninja Slushi? We tested 3 blenders that make perfect slushies for one for a fraction of the price, and actually fit in your cupboard

By Cat Ellis Published 13 July 26

If you don't have the space or cash for a Ninja Slushi machine, these portable blenders can make fantastic frozen drinks for a fraction of the price.

I'm a certified barista, and these are the best 3 espresso machines I've tested so far this year — and the only ones genuinely worth your kitchen counter space

By Cat Ellis Published 9 July 26

I test over a dozen coffee makers every year, and these are the three models that have received my seal of approval so far in 2026.

Split image of EZVIZ EP4 internal screen, external camera, and screengrab of footage in app

The EZVIZ EP4 is a great home security camera for renters — but its facial recognition won't stop it from spamming you with alerts when you come home

By Cat Ellis Published 5 July 26

A super-sharp 4K security camera that fits right into your existing peephole — if you don't mind getting notifications when it sees your own face.

Smeg Musa ovens installed in neutral-colored kitchen

'It's a product that doesn't scream for attention, but captures it anyway': designer Carlo Borromeo on his new minimalist Smeg appliances — and why stripping away the color is the brand’s boldest design experiment yet

By Cat Ellis Published 4 July 26

BorromeodeSilva brought the world the denim-coated Smeg fridge in 2012, but the studio's latest partnership was a totally different challenge.

T3 Afar hair dryer folded, with card bundled and nozzle detached

This travel hair dryer is so good, I gave away my full-size one and never looked back

By Cat Ellis Published 14 June 26

Mini dryers aren't just for vacations — pick the right portable and you'll want to use it every day.

Split image of Ezviz peephole camera installed in door, and footage captured by the camera in the Ezviz app

I installed this brilliant peephole camera in 10 minutes, and it's a great subscription-free alternative to a video doorbell for renters and apartment-dwellers

By Cat Ellis Published 14 June 26

If you live in an apartment or rented house, this clever little camera gives you all the best features of a video doorbell without damaging your door.

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine with coffee drinks on kitchen counter

The KitchenAid KF4 brews a beautifully balanced espresso thanks to its Intelligrind system, but its iced drink menu left me cold

By Cat Ellis Published 13 June 26

KitchenAid's latest fully automatic coffee maker is extra compact and makes an excellent espresso, though its 'iced' drinks leave something to be desired.

AeroPress has made the best manual coffee grinder I've ever used — and it's not even close

By Cat Ellis Published 12 June 26

This premium portable grinder doesn't just look great, it also grinds beautifully, however you prefer to make your coffee

KitchenAid KF4 espresso machine evaporating water from system

I test a lot of espresso machines, but the new KitchenAid KF4 has one of the smartest features I've ever seen — and it'll stop your coffee maker from getting gross

By Cat Ellis Published 10 June 26

Automatic coffee makers can get pretty gross, but KitchenAid's latest model can evaporate all the water inside to keep itself fresh.

'Elon Musk said he thinks humanoid robots will be in many homes in three years, and I agree with him.' I sat down with Jake Dyson to hear his predictions for AI and robotics in your home — and why you shouldn't throw out your stick vac just yet

By Cat Ellis Published 6 June 26

Dyson's Chief Engineer says robots will be in homes within the next three years — but you shouldn't throw out your stick vacuum just yet.

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan in woman's hand

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool is the powerful personal fan you won't want to live without this summer — and it's surprisingly reasonably priced, too

By Cat Ellis Published 5 June 26

Editor's Choice

Wear it, hold it, or keep it on your desk — this stylish portable fan will keep you cool anywhere your summer takes you.

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-In-1 Vac & Mop in green and bronze, in dock in hallway

Tired of your ugly robot vacuum? Shark has a solution — designer robovacs in chic colors that blend with your decor rather than standing out

By Cat Ellis Published 4 June 26

The new Luxe Collection gives one of Shark's best robot vacuums a new look, with subtle colors and coordinating metallic accents you won't want to hide.

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Ninja AutoBarista Pro and Ninja Luxe Cafe coffee maker on kitchen counter with varios coffee drinks and loose coffee beans

Ninja just launched an automatic espresso machine, but should you choose the new AutoBarista Pro or go for the cheaper Ninja Luxe Café? I'm here to help

By Cat Ellis Published 3 June 26

Pick the right Ninja for for your kitchen

Ninja AutoBarista Pro coffee maker on kitchen counter, with person's hand pouring milk out of pitcher

Ninja has solved the biggest, most disgusting problem with home coffee makers, and as a barista, I can't believe nobody thought of it earlier

By Cat Ellis Published 1 June 26

Automatic espresso machines can easily become a breeding ground for mold, but the new Ninja AutoBarista Pro has a case fan to stop that from happening.

Philips Cafe Aromis Series 8000 coffee maker on kitchen counter with coffee and house plant

I spent two weeks with the gorgeous Philips Café Aromis espresso machine, and creating delicious custom coffees has never been so much fun

By Cat Ellis Published 30 May 26

Editor's Choice

Even if you have no barista experience, Aromis has a chatbot-style assistant that will help you tweak the brew settings until your coffee tastes perfect.