Every Kitchen Should Have These Small Appliances

Though frequently playing second fiddle to the buzz-monster that is Vitamix, Blendtec makes a solid, albeit less sexy collection of blenders — both consumer-facing and professional-grade. If you can look past the name brand, especially with this offering, you’ll actually find a pretty superb deal on an outstanding in-home blender that will make short work of those morning smoothies.

If you can stomach the admittedly exorbitant price tag and/or you really love smoothies, soups and sauces, you definitely can’t go wrong with the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender you see before you. Offering a 64-ounce capacity pitcher with aircraft-grade stainless steel blades, alongside five pre-programmed settings and the ability to self-clean, this blender is a force to be reckoned with.

Truly, you do not have to give up your firstborn in order to get yourself a sturdy, reliable countertop blender — as is exemplified by the Ninja offering you see here. Along with its 72-ounce pitcher and a trio of pre-programmed modes, this device also comes with a pair of 16-ounce Nutri Ninja cups with to-go lids for better portion control and a simpler grab-and-go format.

Good enough to be crowned our best overall coffee grinder, Baratza’s Encore is — put simply — outstanding. But that’s probably to be expected from a lauded brand that only makes coffee grinders. Alongside consistent grinds, a relatively approachable price point, and excellent customer service on behalf of the brand, this device also has the added bonus of easily replaceable and available parts.

Although its price point is, admittedly, on the premium side of the spectrum, every penny of it is deserved for this coffee grinder’s exceptional combination of top-notch minimalist styling and the quality of its construction (and its grinding execution therein). It is a touch limited on brew styles — made for drip, immersion and pour-over grind sizes exclusively — but if that floats your boat, you’ll want to go no further than this selection.

It is very easy to get deep in the premium weeds when looking for the perfect coffee grinder. That being said, you can actually get one of the best for a much lower price, which you’ll find right here in this coffee grinder from OXO. It has an adjustable grind that still offers consistency at every level, it’s equipped with a timer and it actually looks quite nice compared to some of its higher priced brethren. If you’re looking to save some scratch without sacrificing quality, the buck stops here.

Gold-standard coffee certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, OXO has proven itself yet again as a brand to keep in the back of your mind with this outstanding, no-frills coffee maker. And while it can quickly and reliably brew up to eight cups of coffee at a time, it can also be used as a single-cup maker, helping reduce waste when you don’t need a ton of bean juice or you just want a small refill. Furthermore, the carafe is insulated to ensure the coffee inside stays hot for longer. Bottom line: this small kitchen appliance is a winner.

With its industrial-yet-appealing styling, it’s easy to see why Technivorm’s Moccamaster lineup is so lauded. Pair that with exceptional efficiency, reliability, durability and more, and you’ve got one of the all-around best coffee makers, bar none. If only the best will do and money is no object  — or perhaps less of an object is more accurate — then this highly sought-after small kitchen appliance might be the one for you.

Though we wouldn’t suggest that this offering from BUNN is particularly eye-catching, it also looks better than a lot of other budget-friendly options and has a few other big things going for it. For starters, the brand claims it to be the fastest 10-cup coffee brewer around, discovered through in-house testing. It’s also ultra-simple to use, has an innovative spill-reducing carafe and can make anywhere between four and ten cups at a time.

A must-have for anyone that loves hot-pressed sandwiches, the Cuisinart Griddler comes with six integrated cooking modes that range from panini to griddle and everything in-between. It also has dual-zone temperature control at temperatures of up to 500-degrees Fahrenheit for more cooking versatility and removable non-stick grill/griddle plates for easier cleaning between uses.

For an industrial-grade upgrade to your panini press, go no further than the Breville Smart Grill & Griddle. This bad boy functions as a grill, griddle and sandwich press with variable temperatures of between 320°F to 450°F, and it comes with a technology called Smart Element IQ that ensures the temperature is uniform until your meal is grilled to perfection. Plus, once you’re done, the titanium-infused non-stick plates are dishwasher-safe.

If you’re not quite ready to take the dive into what amounts to a several-hundred-dollar sandwich press, you can always feel safe going the budget route — so long as you choose this cheaper offering from Hamilton Beach. It isn’t fancy, boasting a simple dial operation and lacking an auto timer, but it will get the job done. You can also keep an eye on your food through the handy viewing window, while it cooks at temperatures of up to 450-degrees Fahrenheit. And yes, it can also grill things other than paninis.

If the true purpose of your food processor of choice is to, essentially, pulverize organic matter into something easier to incorporate into your recipes, then this Cuisinart offering is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s safe and powerful, capable of slicing and dicing up to eight cups of ingredients with its reversible blades, and boasts a suite of dishwasher-safe parts — making it rather convenient, as well.

If the preceding option was just a bit too small-scale for your big kitchen dreams, never fear: Cuisinart also offers a major upgrade in the form of this 14-cup food processor. Along with being able to process nearly double the ingredients of its smaller sibling and remaining largely dishwasher-safe, this one also has additional purpose-driven blades (including a kneading blade for homemade bread) and comes in a trio of color options.

Even the most budget-friendly mechanized food processors can be quite expensive. If you want to save some of your hard-earned cash and you don’t mind putting some elbow grease into your cooking endeavors, then you can’t go wrong with the OXO manual food processor you see here. Operated by simple hand crank, this triple-bladed device is completely dishwasher-safe and super easy to use.

Don’t let the fact that this doesn’t look like today’s popular, buzz-worthy air fryers fool you, this Cuisinart convection oven can do all the same as an air fryer and more. In fact, it can fit up to a three-pound chicken inside it and cook it completely. Along with frying, it also bakes, broils, toasts, and can even be used to keep prepped food warm until it comes time to serve — which could be quite handy if you’re hosting this holiday season.

If you’re sold on the idea of getting an air fryer and you want to spring for something that’s versatile and long-lasting, you should probably take a gander at the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL you see here. While it might seem dubious to suggest that this is the world’s “No. 1” air fryer, it does have a wealth of features that point in that direction. That includes a three-pound capacity, dishwasher-safe removable parts, and something called Fat Removal Technology.

Even with an extremely tight budget, you can still get your hands on a solid air fryer if you choose this one from Ninja, a brand that has consistently proven itself as a stupendous resource for inexpensive, reliable kitchen appliances of all shapes and sizes. Sure, it’s not as robust as its much more expensive counterparts, but it does boast a bevy of comparable features like dishwasher-safe parts, a variable temperature range of 105-400 degrees and a ceramic-coated nonstick basket.

Put bluntly, KitchenAid is the gold standard when it comes to stand mixers — just watch any baking competition show and you’re sure to see at least one in use. But this version, from the high-end Artisan Series, is all the more special. Not only does it boast iconic looks (we’re partial to the black one), but it has 10 speeds, 15 different available attachments (four of which are included with the sale) and it comes with its handy mixing bowl.

Admittedly, KitchenAid’s lineup of stand mixers, as exceptional as they are, can be too expensive for just about all but the most dedicated of bakers and chefs. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a solid stand mixer for less, as evidenced by this offering from Cuisinart. Though lacking in flash and click-worthiness, this 12-speed mixer with its powerful 500-watt motor and bevy of attachments is a solid, albeit more budget-friendly pickup.

While stand mixers are certainly extremely convenient and, in the case of the two here, both consistent and reliable, they’re far from the only option. Whether you want to save even more money, space, or you just don’t mind a bit of manual labor, you can manage all of that by opting for this KitchenAid hand mixer. Along with looking frankly outstanding, it has enough battery to beat 200 cookies’ worth of dough, recharges completely in under two hours (and just a 10-minute charge is enough to mix a cake) and (with additional attachments) can even be used as a food processor.

It should come as no surprise to those familiar with multicookers to see an Instant Pot offering here. After all, they’re the industry standard — and with good reason. This particular device is relatively affordable, which is all the better when you consider that it offers up seven (or more) uses ranging from pressure cooker to self-heating saute pan and everything in-between. For single-pot meals, there are few alternatives that even come close.

As is so often the case, KitchenAid’s take on a multicooker (or multi-cooker, depending on who you ask) is both spectacular in its functionality and looks gorgeous. That latter bit is likely most important for design-minded folks, especially those with limited storage space, as you can be proud to put this one out on your counter in any of its colorways. It also comes pre-loaded with more than 10 different cooking modes ranging from boil to risotto and everything in-between.

One of the most recognizable names in the multi-cooker realm, Crock-Pot also happens to offer some of the most approachable options, especially from a budget-friendliness standpoint. While it’s decidedly less feature-rich than its more expensive counterparts, but the price you’d pay for this particular multi-cooker makes those concessions easy to ignore. It’s simple, to be sure, but it’s also reliable.

For anyone that makes a lot of soups, stews, chili, etc, this Cuisinart immersion blender is a practical must-have. But it also comes in a package that makes it all the more versatile, as it also comes with a chopper/grinder attachment for light food processing, a whisk for baking applications and a handy measuring cup.

In a not-so-shocking twist, KitchenAid makes another appearance here with its take on an immersion blender. Unlike the brand’s lauded stand mixers, this device is far more affordable and, therefore, approachable. Yet it is still amongst the best around, offering a rechargeable battery that can handle up to “25 bowls of soup” per charge, two hours of recharge time (or a 20-minute quick-charge for a single mix), numerous handsome color options and available attachments (for an additional charge).

Yes, the brand you probably know for producing some of the best razors, trimmers and other hair care products also dabbles in small kitchen appliances. And, as it turns out, the brand’s hand mixer is quite adept at getting the job done. Along with typical, expected features, it also comes with a whisk attachment and a “turbo boost” mode for additional power when you need it. Just keep in mind that this is a corded device, meaning it will have to be plugged in to work.

One of the two most-hyped brands in the sous vide arena, Anova is a must-consider for anyone interested in getting an immersion circulator. And while this particular offering is a solid pickup for its performance and longevity, it also benefits from some handy, modern integrated tech, like an app that lets you monitor your sous vide meal from anywhere.

If you’re not getting a sous vide from Anova, it’s probably because you’ve discovered that its chief competition, the Joule from Breville, is your preferred immersion circulator. One of the sleekest, lightest, most space-saving options out there, this small kitchen appliance also boasts perhaps the most minimalist styling in its category. It’s also fast, efficient, comes with an accompanying app and wireless connectivity — the list just keeps going.

If you want to save a bit more cash and reduce the storage footprint of your sous vide even more than the preceding pair of offerings, you might want to turn to Anova’s Nano immersion circulator. It’s two inches shorter than its larger, more expensive sibling, making it ideal for stashing in a drawer. Yet it still boasts many of the same features, including app compatibility and control, precise temperature control and so much more.

The functionality of a toaster oven is relatively simple; it mostly just needs to be able to heat up food rapidly. Well, Balmuda’s simply-named Toaster can do that beautifully and easily, be that a breakfast bagel, leftover pizza or whatever else. It also happens to be one of the best-looking small kitchen appliances presently available for purchase, and that gives it a big leg-up.

Most homes have a capable oven, but if yours doesn’t or you just need an additional standalone, you definitely can’t go wrong with Anova’s Precision Oven. This small kitchen appliance can do everything its larger-scale counterparts can do — from heating up frozen meals to baking bread and more — and it will look outstanding all the while. Honestly, this might be a good deal better than the oven your home came with.

As mentioned, toaster ovens are really pretty simplistic in their purpose — meaning you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for a good one if you don’t want to. That point is soundly proven by this Hamilton Beach option. Sure, it isn’t flashy, but it does have dual racks, a rotisserie attachment (for cooking meats of up to five pounds, like full chickens) and a trio of easy-to-use and -understand control dials.