Articles by Ruth Hamilton, Homes Editor

Ruth is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in air (vacuum cleaners, robovacs, fans and air purifiers), and hair (hair dryers, straighteners and stylers). She has been in consumer journalism since 2020, reviewing and writing about everything from outdoor kit to mattresses and wellness gadgets, with stints on Tom's Guide and T3 before joining TechRadar. Before that, she worked on various design titles, in print and online.

Articles by: Ruth Hamilton

Shark PowerDetect cordless vacuum in its auto-empty base

Vacuum cleaner brands are starting to embrace this feature – I used to think it was pointless, but now I've changed my mind

By Ruth Hamilton published 19 June 25

I used to think self-empty docks for cordless vacs were a lazy person's luxury – now I think they can be invaluable.

Dyson just made the world's slimmest vacuum cleaner – and after trying it out, I can never go back to a regular stick vac

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 June 25

It's the most fun I've had cleaning the floor.

Mammotion Yuka Mini robot lawn mower in reviewer's yard

I tried setting up my first lawnbot and the experience nearly broke me – these are the mistakes I made that you need to avoid

By Ruth Hamilton published 16 June 25

BRB, off to throw my robot mower in the neighbor's pond.

Samsung’s terrible new battery icon proves Apple made the right call with Liquid Glass

By Jamie Richards published 14 June 25

Samsung’s new battery icon is confusingly vague and hard to recognize, which has made me appreciate Apple's recent iOS design changes even more

Shark WandVac car vacuum on a pink background

The best car vacuum: lightweight vacs to keep your car spotless

By Jim McCauley last updated 9 June 25

Keep your car dust and crumb-free with these powerful, portable car vacuums.

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum against an aqua and blue background

The best vacuum for hardwood floors: gentle but effective vacuums for hard floors

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 6 June 25

We test dozens of vacuums each year – these are the models that performed best on hardwood floors.

Dyson's new hair dryer is a feat of engineering – but there's one annoying design feature you need to know about if you're thinking of buying one

By Ruth Hamilton published 31 May 25

Thinking of buying a Supersonic r? Check your plug outlets first.

The original Dyson bladeless fan just got a long-awaited revamp, and it looks better than ever

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 28 May 25

The Dyson Cool CF1 might have taken 16 years to arrive, but a series of welcome upgrades mean it's a force to be reckoned with.

Roborock Q5 Pro+ robovac on blue background

The best budget robot vacuum cleaner: low-effort cleaning at low prices

By Jim McCauley last updated 27 May 25

Budget-friendly but still brilliant robot vacuums to keep your floors clean without spending a fortune.

Segway Navimow X3 series being demoed on a lawn

What is RTK for robot lawn mowers?

By Ruth Hamilton published 27 May 25

Modern lawnbots rely on real-time kinematic positioning to help them navigate accurately – here's how it works.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i in reviewer's home

5 things to look for in an air purifier for hay fever

By Ruth Hamilton published 25 May 25

What makes a good air purifier for seasonal allergies? We asked an expert.

The best hair styler: tools to shape, smooth and curl

By Rosie Hilder last updated 23 May 25

Our pick of the best styling tools for a range of hair types and budgets – tried and tested by experts.

Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer in reviewer's hand

Dyson Supersonic r review: an unusual hair dryer that's perfect for precision styling

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 May 25

Recommended

I'm thrilled Dyson has made this professional dryer available to consumers – the back of my head has never looked so good.

Dyson's new vacuum is as thin as a broom handle and appears to float across the floor

By Ruth Hamilton published 22 May 25

The new Dyson PencilVac looks nothing like any vacuum I've seen before – here are the 6 strangest things about it.

Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum holding a cloth

4 things I loved about the world's first robovac with a mechanical arm – and 3 that need work

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 May 25

The Roborock Saros Z70 can tidy up as well as vacuuming, and while it has big potential it's not quite there yet.

Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum with its arm out

Roborock Saros Z70 review: this robot vacuum has an arm, but it's not yet all that handy yet

By Ruth Hamilton published 20 May 25

The RZ70 boasts some truly groundbreaking features, but it needs refining if it's to be truly useful.

How do robot lawn mowers navigate without a boundary wire?

By Ruth Hamilton published 18 May 25

Modern lawnbots can find their way around without wires – here's how.

Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop

I test robot vacuums for a living, and this new bot has the best mopping system I've seen

By Ruth Hamilton published 13 May 25

The newly unveiled Deebot X9 Pro Omni promises less gunk and less smearing.

The HEPA filter from inside the Blueair air purifier sits facing forward on a wood surface against a pink background.

What is a HEPA filter, and what is it used for?

By Ruth Hamilton published 11 May 25

HEPA filters are common in air purifiers and vacuums. Here's more on what they do, and whether they're worth prioritizing in the appliance you're shopping for.

Picture shows a Molekule Air Mini Plus air purifier sitting on a glass bedside table with a candle, cosmetic bottle, and potted plant to its right.

6 questions to ask before choosing an air purifier

By Ruth Hamilton published 10 May 25

Top tips to help you choose an air purifier that fits your needs and works in your space.

Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuum being tested in a living room

Shark Detect Pro Cordless vacuum review: lightweight, efficient and modern

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 9 May 25

Recommended

Although not the most powerful vac we've tested, the Shark Detect Pro Cordless is an excellent all-rounder that'll suit most people's needs.

Dyson V11 vacuum being used to clear lentils/rice and dry tea from carpet

The best vacuum for carpet: powerful suction for deep cleaning

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 7 May 25

Keep your home spotless, with minimal effort, by using the best vacuum for carpet.

Dyson Ball Animal upright vacuum cleaner

Which type of vacuum cleaner should I buy?

By Ruth Hamilton last updated 6 May 25

We compare the pros and cons of the various vacuum types, from nimble cordless stick vacuums to robust and powerful uprights.

6 ways to extend the life of your Dyson Airwrap

By Ruth Hamilton published 23 April 25

Top tips to make your Airwrap last as long as possible, plus sustainable options for what to do if you need to replace yours.

Reviewer having her hair done with a Dyson Airwrap i.d. in a salon

How to get your Airwrap curls to hold, plus more top tips for getting the most from your Dyson multi-styler

By Ruth Hamilton published 21 April 25

I had my hair done by a celeb stylist – here's what he taught me about how to use the Dyson Airwrap the right way.

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