The Best Kitchen Gadgets That You'll Actually Use

When it comes to holiday shopping, kitchen tools and small appliances are on many wish lists. But how do you find the perfect multicooker or blender when there are so, so many look-alike products? That's where this shopping guide comes in handy; we've sorted owner feedback and professional tests to find the best gadgets and small appliances for your own kitchen and everyone on your gift list.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

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$248 from Walmart
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Air fryers and multicookers have been two of the most popular kitchen gadgets in recent years, so it's no wonder that someone would think to combine the best of the two into one appliance. This one handles everything from pressure cooking to sauteing, and the 8-quart crock is big enough to air-fry a whole chicken.

Owner rave: "This machine does it all. It replaced three appliances and freed up counter space. More space is a good thing while cooking."

$158 from Amazon
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Panasonic takes the tried-and-true toaster oven and brings it into the 21st century with the addition of infrared cooking. Owners rave about how quickly it cooks, reheats, and toasts, and they love the programmed settings and its compact footprint. 

Owner rave: "[It] fits perfectly on my small counter with more than enough clearance from cabinets above. Very pleased with how quickly it toasts bread and heats up leftovers."

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$15 from Amazon

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Why dirty another big colander that might not fit into the dishwasher when you can snap on this smaller silicone strainer for ease and easy cleaning. Comes in four colors.

Owner rave:  "This item is fantastic!…I can now strain pasta from the boiling pot by simply holding the pot's handles and not have to hold a strainer in place — no more burned hands!

$184 from Best Buy
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Owners say the Nespresso (and included milk frother) makes it darn easy to brew a coffee or espresso drink without fuss. 

Owner rave: "Closing and locking the lid took a little bit of practice, but it makes a great coffee and I love the carafe brew size."

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$70 from Target
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If fried foods are what you crave, buyers say this 6-quart air fryer is big enough to feed a family of four, easy to clean, and won't smell up the house like a traditional deep fryer can. Frying isn't all the Vortex can do; it bakes, roasts, and reheats too.

 
Owner rave: "I've cooked so many things in it since I got it a week ago. Bacon, toast, meatloaf, quesadillas, and more. It saves so much time, and the food taste and texture is amazing."

$80 from Amazon

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Turn a 6- or 8-quart InstaPot into an air fryer — and save the precious counter and cabinet space — with this gadget. This kit includes the lid, a mesh frying basket, steam rack, silicone mat, tongs, cookbook, and more. 

Owner rave: "I am obsessed with this air fryer, I love it! I used to have a traditional air fryer that took up a lot of space, now I can place my sousvide on my electric pressure cooker or any aluminum pot with or without anti-stick without taking up more space, it heats perfect, browns the food and is easy to use."

$52 from Bed Bath and Beyond
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People have been brewing hot coffee at home for years, but in the past few years cold brew has become the trendy way to get your caffeine. This four-cup brewer needs just 12 to 24 hours to make smooth, low-acid cold brew. Best of all, it's completely manual; no cords or batteries needed.

Owner rave: "My son and daughter in law are very fussy about their cold brew. But they loved this product! So much so, they returned home and ordered one of their own! As close to the taste of an upscale coffee place as you can get."

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$35 from Amazon
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Electric tea kettles are great for making tea, it's true, but they're just as handy for pour-over coffee and heating water for cooking and baking without firing up the range. This well-regarded kettle lacks bells and whistles like an adjustable temperature, but buyers say it quickly boils up to 1.7 liters of water. 

Owner rave: "I love [the] window to view the water level. The top stays open until you close is, which is nice when you're filling it up with water, and the kettle is not heavy — unlike my ceramic kettle."

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$16 from Amazon

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These colorful baking mats get stellar reviews from buyers and come in multiple sizes and buying options. Made of silicone, these make popping cookies, macarons, and more in and out of the oven a breeze.

Owner rave: "I have been making and selling macarons for years. These mats worked great for sizing them uniformly and for not wasting parchment. They did NOT stick at all."

$17 from Amazon

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This magnetic board can mount on a fridge and keeps the menu-planning top of mind. It has space for meals for each day of the week, plus a spot for groceries and notes. It comes with three dry erase markers and an eraser. 

Owner rave:"I really love this menu board. It's cute, easy to see, and gets the job done at the same time. It has made menu planning, keeping a grocery list, and keeping track of upcoming appointments so much easier. A friend who saw mine has already ordered one for herself."

$175 from Amazon
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If you make smoothies on a regular basis, like to make soups and purees, or need crushed ice for your home bar, this full-sized Ninja blender fits the bill nicely. Its 1,200-watt motor is powerful enough to pulverize the toughest fruits, veggies, and nuts, and the three to-go cups are a nice bonus for smoothie addicts.

Owner rave: "The best part about this blender is the preset blend buttons! All you have to do is put everything in your bottle, apply the top, and hit the button. It will be perfectly blended in 30 seconds."

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$32 from Amazon
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Stick blenders are great for blending ingredients, making soups and smoothies — and for not taking up space on the countertop the way a full-sized blender does. The whisk and frother attachments are nice to have, but the star attraction is the hand blender itself. Owners say it makes quick work of whatever task you give it, and the stainless-steel housing is durable and easy to clean. 

Owner rave: "It is solidly built, easy to clean, and with 500 watts, has plenty of power. For the price, it's fantastic. I've used it for several soups, and it has blended whatever I put before it."

$16 from Amazon
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Whether you're baking, grilling, or frying, an instant-read thermometer will guarantee that food comes out perfectly cooked every time. This one's a top seller among Cheapism readers. 

Owner rave: "This product had everything I was looking for: easy to use, shows temp quickly, uses regular batteries, and stores easily," with a magnet that sticks to refrigerators.

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$170 from Amazon
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For those of us who don't own a real grill — or can't be bothered to drag it out, clean it off, and fire it up — there's this indoor version that can also air fry, bake, and roast. Smoke-control technology will keep smoke detectors quiet, and the nonstick parts are removable and easy to clean. 

Owner rave: "Finally, crispy sweet potato fries without them burning like they do in the oven. I've roasted chicken, ribs, and veggies and air-fried fries, tater tots, and popcorn chicken, and I've only had it a couple of weeks."

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$14 from Amazon
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A manual can opener is, compared with many of the other appliances on our list, a very simple gadget. But it's also one you'll use constantly — and, unlike electric models, a manual can opener won't take up valuable counter space. This American-made can opener does the job time after time. Just be sure to keep that blade clean. 

Owner rave: "Cuts the lid cleanly and operates smoothly on every size and shape of can …There's a reason why they haven't changed the design or the materials of this in decades."

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