Helen McCue
Helen is Ideal Home's expert kitchen appliances tester, with a wealth of experience that spans a Home Economics degree and a stint at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Over the last three years, she has tested dozens of products for Ideal Home from her home in Buckinghamshire, including a long list of air fryers, blenders, bean-to-cup coffee machines, vacuums and sleep essentials. Helen is our go-to kitchen expert and tests out every kitchen appliance with a range of delicious recipes.
Latest articles by Helen McCue
-
'I thought AI appliances were a gimmick - testing this new air fryer from Daewoo changed my mind'
Daewoo introduces an AI function into an air fryer and it’s not as gimmicky as it might sound
By Helen McCue
-
Has the Samsung Jet 95 Pro got what it takes to compete with the Dyson Submarine? We tested it to find out
A well-priced cordless vacuum with a mop accessory, the Samsung Jet 95 Pro is a great all-rounder
By Helen McCue
-
Lakeland has brought out its own version of a flexible air fryer, so how does it stack up in comparison to the leading brands?
Say hello to Lakeland's newest flexible air fryer
By Helen McCue
-
Tefal launches its debut range of vacuums in the UK - we tried one out to see if this will be the new must-have vacuum
Tefal is a new player in the floorcare market, but does this new range of cordless vacuums have what it takes to compete with the big boys?
By Helen McCue
-
Daewoo 11L Space Saving Split Drawer air fryer review - is this an innovation worthy of small kitchens?
Is this the best way to fit a dual zone air fryer into a smaller kitchen?
By Helen McCue
-
Ninja has another new appliance - and this one is aiming to do more than ever
This clever, capable multi-cooker can do a lot, but it’s only worth it if you’ll use more than one or two cooking modes.
By Helen McCue
-
Ninja's Woodfire Oven is the pizza oven we've been waiting for
We think the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven might just be this summer's must have
By Helen McCue
-
We try De'Longhi's latest superstar bean-to-cup coffee machine
This bean-to-cup coffee machine could curb your habit of buying iced lattes forever.
By Helen McCue
-
We try Weber’s smallest and cheapest BBQ - it’s a great option if you have limited outdoor space.
The Weber Smokey Joe proves size isn't necessarily everything
By Helen McCue
-
Drew & Cole's microwave air fryer combo is designed to save space - but is it any good?
While it's a solid microwave, the air frying function leaves something to be desired
By Helen McCue
-
Char-Broil Charcoal L review - how does this family-sized BBQ shape up?
With the trend for outdoor kitchens, cooking al fresco has never been so popular. So is it time to invest in a quality charcoal BBQ?
By Helen McCue
-
ProCook Air Fryer Health Grill review - how does this healthy-style air fryer shape up?
ProCook has launched its own range of kitchen electricals and this air fryer health grill promises a lot of functionality, but does it deliver?
By Helen McCue
-
Our review of the Proscenic I10 - an affordable and reliable vacuum
If you’re looking for a cordless vacuum but can’t justify a premium price tag, the Proscenic I10 might deliver the cleaning power you need.
By Helen McCue
-
Here's why upgrading to Ninja's newest small air fryer is a no-brainer
Ninja’s largest single-zone air fryer is the same price as the smallest air fryer from the brand, so upgrading is a no-brainer
By Helen McCue
-
Will Ninja’s brand new indoor grill revolutionise full English breakfasts at home? We tested it to find out
We try Ninja’s brand new electric griddle appliance to see if you need to make space for another gadget from this leading kitchen brand
By Helen McCue
-
We tried the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Multifunction Oven, and we think it could be a game changer
If you’ve got a big family, the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Multifunction Oven could be a game changer
By Helen McCue
-
De’Longhi Rivelia bean-to-cup-coffee machine review - it effortlessly makes great coffee and looks good too
After a week of using this bean-to-cup coffee machine in her own home, our tester didn’t want to give it back.
By Helen McCue
-
Miele Compact C2 Flex vacuum review - a powerful capable vacuum at work
We tried the Miele Compact C2 Flex in a real home for a week to see if it’s a worthy addition to your cleaning arsenal
By Helen McCue
-
Tefal’s only dual-drawer air fryer splits the total capacity across two unevenly sized drawers, but what’s the point?
This dual-zone air fryer from Tefal tries something new. But does it succeed?
By Helen McCue
-
This countertop oven from Tefal combines standard oven cooking with air frying, grilling, and more, but do you need it?
This countertop oven combines standard oven cooking with air frying, grilling and more. But it's a hefty buy
By Helen McCue
-
Will the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker be the next viral product?
This ice cream station promises it’ll dispense soft serve ice cream directly into your cone, and after reviewing it, we've got some thoughts
By Helen McCue
-
The Ninja Foodi Possible 8-in-1 offers plenty of versatility and a large capacity
This Ninja slow cooker has seven other functions too. It's a star buy for winter
By Helen McCue
-
Looking for an affordable air fryer? We've tested the five very best air fryers under £100
We’ve reviewed a selection of budget-friendly air fryers that won’t break the bank
By Helen McCue
-
After testing both, we've done a deep dive into the Ninja Foodi air fryer vs the Ninja Foodi multicooker
Ninja appliances are some of the best, but if you’re struggling to decide between the two, read our deep dive on Ninja multi-cookers vs Ninja air fryers
By Helen McCue