Carrie-Ann Skinner

Carrie-Ann Skinner

Carrie-Ann Skinner was formerly Homes Editor at TechRadar, and has more than two decades of experience in both online and print journalism, with 13 years of that spent covering all-things tech. Carrie specializes in smart home devices such as smart plugs and smart lights, as well as large and small appliances including vacuum cleaners, air fryers, stand mixers, and coffee machines. Carrie is now a copy editor at PWC.

Articles by: Carrie-Ann Skinner

Alexa Guard Plus

How to use Alexa to assign reminders on your Amazon Echo

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Need help to remember tasks that require completing? Alexa can remind you, or other household members when it’s time to get on with life admin.

A young moan using a cylinder vacuum to clean hard floors in her home

Should I vacuum or dust first?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Not sure which household chore to tackle first? We explain whether you should vacuum or dust first for a truly clean home

Amazon Echo

How to make Alexa understand you better using voice profiles on an Amazon Echo

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Several people in the house using Alexa? Amazon’s voice assistant can learn and recognize your voice, and serve up personalized matches if you set up voice profiles.

The iRobot Roomba J7+ on its charging station in a hallway while a man with a dog enters the room

The new Roomba J7+ fixes one of the biggest issues with robot vacuums

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

The new Roomba J7+ robot vacuum uses your phone’s location to detect when you’ve left the house and start cleaning, so it won’t get under your feet.

Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid on a wooden floor

Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated

The Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid is a slim robot vacuum that can mop floors and collect dust. Plus, it’s great for cleaning under furniture.

The Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501 on a kitchen countertop

Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

The Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501 is a compact, stylish kitchen appliance, but how does it compare to rivals from Ninja and Instant?

An Amaozn Echo (4th generation) on a side broad next to a lamp, reed diffuser and bonsai tree

How to change Alexa’s voice to a masculine tone on an Amazon Echo

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Alexa can respond in both its original feminine tone as well as a more masculine-sounding voice. Here’s how to change the voice on your Echo device.

Air Fryer

I discovered this air fryer trick and it’s a game-changer for making fries

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Fed up with how long it takes to prepare fries before cooking them in an air fryer? We discovered a handy trick that can speed up the process.

The Wiz A60 smart bulb in a ciling pendent in a kitchen with the Wiz Hero Lamp in the background

WiZ has almost fixed one of the biggest frustrations with smart lights – but not quite

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

WiZ has expanded its Connected with WiZ program to include a range of Philips Smart LED bulbs, but sadly they’re not the Philips Hue bulbs we know and love.

Woman controlling a smart light from an app on her tablet

This new Samsung SmartThings feature may have fixed the biggest frustration with smart homes

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated

Samsung's SmartThings platform can now ensure smart home devices can still be automated, even if there’s no internet access.

The Amazon Echo Dot Kids smart speaker on a wooden table with a patterned background

Amazon Echo Dot Kids review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

The Amazon Echo Dot Kids is a smart speaker aimed at children, with unlimited access to kids audible books and skills – but how does it compare to the standard Echo Dot?

The Millo Smart Portable Blender surrounded by ingredients to make a fruit and vegetable smoothie

Millo Smart Portable Blender review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated

How does this smart portable smoothie maker compare to rivals from NutriBullet and Ninja?

Philips Hue smart light bulbs illuminating blue in a lounge

This Philips Hue and Spotify feature makes color-changing smart bulbs a must-have

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Philips Hue has partnered with Spotify to launch a new feature that syncs your lights to music playing through the music-streaming service.

hand wearing rubber gloves holding a spone with water running from a tap in the sink

How to clean an Instant Pot: top tips for keeping your multi-cooker spotless

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

An Instant Pot is a must-have kitchen appliance when it comes to speeding up your dinners. Here’s how to keep it clean and in tip-top condition.

Nanoleaf Elements light panels illuminated on the wall of a study

This new Nanoleaf smart light feature puts an end to one of the biggest smart home struggles

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Nanoleaf Shapes and Elements smart lights can now act as a Thread border router, so several smart home devices can work together without the need for a hub.

The Google Nest Cam (battery) mounted to a wall outside

Google Nest Cam (battery) review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

The Google Nest Cam (battery) is the brand’s latest home security camera, offering facial recognition smarts and flexibility in where it can be mounted.

the Canary Pro on a dark wood surface

Canary Pro review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated

The Canary Pro is a Full HD security camera and siren in one that also monitors the temperature, humidity and air quality in your home

Eufy 2C security camera kit

Snap up this Eufy home security for its lowest price ever

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

The EufyCam 2C has been discounted by 23%, offering a hefty saving.

Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 on a dark surface

Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated

The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is an affordable wired home security camera that records in 2K, but how does it compare to Arlo and Ring’s rival cameras?

Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum being used by a woman to vacuum a hard floor

Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated

The Bissell CleanView Pet Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum is a cordless vacuum cleaner that offers plenty of suction power for the price

Deep fried chicken on a plate

Can a home air fryer rival KFC when it comes to fried chicken?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Crying over the KFC stock shortages? Here’s how we made tasty (and healthier) fried chicken in an air fryer instead.

Amazon Echo Dot and TP Link smart light bundle on a blue background

This Echo Dot and smart light bulb bundle can kick start your smart home for a low price

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Amazon has bundled the Echo Dot (2020) with a TP Link Smart Bulb for a discount of almost 50%, offering a hefty saving.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer on a green background

Grab this Instant Pot that can air fry for its (almost) lowest price

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer has been discounted by 20%, offering a hefty saving.

Burglar breaking into a home

We ask a former burglar: do smart security cameras really deter crime?

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

Considering a home security camera, but not sure it actually helps deter burglars? Here’s what one former thief has to say.

Ninja Personal Blender and Smoothie Maker QB3001 on a kitchen countertop surrounded by bowls of fruit and vegetables

Ninja Personal Blender and Smoothie Maker QB3001 review

By Carrie-Ann Skinner published

How does Ninja’s rival to the NutriBullet compare when it comes to creating smoothies and crushing nuts?

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