Articles by Cat Ellis, Homes Editor

Aarke Coffee Maker in Sand on kitchen counter

Aarke's 'stunning' drip coffee maker looks better than ever, with a stylish new colorway that'll add a splash of sophistication to your kitchen

By Cat Ellis Published 20 March 26

The Aarke Coffee Maker has a fresh new look for 2026 that fits perfectly with this year's freshest kitchen design trends.

KitchenAid stand mixer with pasta roller attachment, with bowls of freshly made pasta

I tried KitchenAid's new super-easy pasta roller, and making flavored spaghetti is my new favorite hobby

By Cat Ellis Published 16 March 26

Just screw this all-purpose attachment onto your stand mixer and start making tagliatelle, spaghetti, linguine and much more.

Russell Hobbs Everyday Espresso Machine on kitchen counter

I tested the tiny Russell Hobbs coffee maker that uses grounds or Nespresso pods — but I discovered one infuriating drawback

By Cat Ellis Published 14 March 26

Forget creamy cappuccinos, the Everyday Espresso Machine makes so many bubbles you'll have a personal foam party in your kitchen.

Philips Café Aromis coffee maker on kitchen counter with a variety of coffee drinks

Philips just launched a new coffee maker with a 'conversational' virtual assistant to make sure your cappuccino is just right

By Cat Ellis Published 10 March 26

This premium coffee maker can adjust its own internal brew settings to fine-tune your drinks — no barista knowledge or experience necessary.

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Split image of three Smeg coffee makers with espresso cups

'Consistently well-extracted coffee time after time' — I'm a certified barista, and these are my top 3 Smeg espresso machines

By Cat Ellis Published 9 March 26

I test espresso machines for a living, and these three stylish models will bring a touch of Italian chic to your kitchen counter.

Three smart light bulbs on table with cables, smart speakers, phone, and house plant

'Get enough of these and you could probably throw your own rave' — the 3 best smart light bulbs, recommended by a home tech editor

By Cat Ellis Published 8 March 26

Upgrading to smart lighting costs less than you might expect, whether it's a single room or your whole home.

Split image of herbs chopped using mini food processor, KitchenAid Mini Chopper, and carrot grated using mini food processor

The 3 best mini food processors — compact choppers tested and recommended by a kitchen tech expert

By Cat Ellis Published 6 March 26

Don't let a compact kitchen or a small budget hold you back — these tiny food processors pack real power into a tiny space.

'A marriage of hue and form' — IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp has started landing in stores early, and we can't wait to get our hands on it again

By Cat Ellis Published 3 March 26

The pastel-hued smart lamp was originally scheduled to launch in April, but some shoppers have spotted it on shelves already.

Split image of IKEA Ankarlägg light on a wall in a dark room, and by itself

IKEA's new motion-activated light 'can be installed anywhere' — and it doesn't need a hub

By Cat Ellis Published 3 March 26

The Ankarlägg is battery-operated, has a self-adhesive mount, and doesn't need a pricey smart home hub.

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Split image of two coffee maker bean hoppers, and a latte made using a home espresso machine

'Makes using fresh coffee beans as simple as pods' — the 3 best coffee makers with grinders, recommended by a barista

By Cat Ellis Published 1 March 26

Whatever your budget, there's a bean-to-cup espresso machine that will make brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

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Split image of three small coffee makers on kitchen counter with green wall

'Tiny brewers that pack a punch' — I test kitchen appliances for a living, and these are my top 3 compact coffee makers for small spaces

By Cat Ellis Published 27 February 26

I test coffee makers for a living, and these are my top-rated espresso machines for small kitchens.

De'Longhi Eletta Ultra espresso machine on kitchen counter

De'Longhi just upgraded one of my favorite coffee makers with 'Silent Technology' to make mornings 65% quieter

By Cat Ellis Published 26 February 26

The new De'Longhi Eletta Ultra can make 50 hot and cold drinks, split into 'curated' menus to help you find something you'll enjoy.

Smeg MOC02 Combi Microwave with accessories on kitchen counter

Smeg just launched a stylish microwave and air fryer combo — and it'll cook everything from creamy oatmeal to crispy chicken

By Cat Ellis Published 25 February 26

The Smeg MOC02 is four appliances in one, and can switch between modes automatically with sequential cooking.

Nutribullet Power Core blender containing vegetables on kitchen counter

Nutribullet's new blender can hit speeds of 20,000rpm — your vegetables won't know what hit them

By Cat Ellis Published 24 February 26

The Nutribullet Core Power is packing a mighty 1,400-watt motor to handle difficult blending jobs.

Philips Baristina coffee maker with espresso

The Philips Baristina is the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've ever tested — and it's seriously impressive

By Cat Ellis Published 24 February 26

Editor's Choice

A bargain espresso machine that makes brewing with fresh beans as simple as using coffee pods.

Person using AeroPress Steel to make coffee outdoors

The AeroPress just got a stainless steel upgrade — and it’s perfect for travel

By Cat Ellis Published 24 February 26

The iconic coffee brewer is now available in vacuum-insulated stainless steel, with an extra-large capacity for bigger brews anywhere.

Two women sitting on sofa with cups of coffee, looking disgusted

Did someone wash underwear in your hotel coffee machine? Bring a portable espresso maker, and you won't have to worry

By Cat Ellis Published 22 February 26

A TikTok influencer claims a flight attendant taught her how to clean underpants in a hotel pour-over machine, and I'll never use one again.

Baratza Encore ESP Pro coffee grinder with person using Sage Bambino coffee maker to brew espresso

Struggling to dial in your coffee grinder? Baratza's new stepless Encore ESP Pro could be exactly what you need

By Cat Ellis Published 19 February 26

Dialing in your grinder just got easier, whichever brewing style you prefer.

The new Philips Baristina coffee maker brews superb espresso, and surprised me with a very cool feature I've never seen before

By Cat Ellis Published 19 February 26

If you're looking for an entry-level machine that takes the messier parts of brewing espresso out of your hands, this is the one for you.

Hands-on with the Ninja BlendBoss — if there's an ingredient this super-powerful blender can't turn into a smoothie, I haven't found it yet

By Cat Ellis Published 19 February 26

The funky-looking Ninja BlendBoss is the smoothie-maker of my dreams, making everything from chia seeds to carrots silky-smooth and sippable.

Person making cake using KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer in Mint

'A fresh outlook and moment of lightness' — how 'grounding and energizing' Spearmint became KitchenAid's official color of 2026

By Cat Ellis Published 15 February 26

Brittni Pertijs, Design Manager for Color, Material and Finish at Whirlpool, explains the multi-year process of choosing the definitive hue of 2026.

Three video doorbells on light gray platforms with studio lighting

I test smart home tech for a living, and these are the top 3 Ring alternative video doorbells I recommend, with local storage for your videos

By Cat Ellis Published 13 February 26

With these wireless video doorbells you can avoid subscription fees and keep control of your recordings at home.

KitchenAid stand mixer in spearmint with an assortment of green foods and kitchen accessories on countertop

KitchenAid has revealed its official color of 2026, and it's the breath of minty freshness your kitchen needs this spring

By Cat Ellis Published 12 February 26

Spearmint is a refreshing shade of green with a sandy finish, and it's like licking a mint choc chip ice cream at the beach on a warm summer's day.

Jura Z10 coffee maker with hot chocolate

The new Jura Z10 coffee maker has a menu of 51 options including coffee, cold brew, and chocolate drinks — and you can place your order from your phone

By Cat Ellis Published 11 February 26

The Jura Z10 is like having your own personal (and very adaptable) barista right in your kitchen.

Split image of woman holding Moflin, and Moflin on Welsh language workbook

'Moflin had a really warm and fuzzy moment' – a week with the robot pet that wriggled and squeaked its way into my heart

By Cat Ellis Published 8 February 26

How I learned to stop worrying and love Casio's affectionate AI guinea pig.

Cat Ellis

Articles by: Cat Ellis

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