The 32 Best Kitchen Gadgets, Tested & Reviewed

There’s no doubt about it—the Instant Pot has become the “it” appliance in American homes. Electric pressure cookers existed before the Instant Pot entered the market, but the brand popularized the appliance and made it nearly as ubiquitous as slow cookers were for previous generations.

The 6-quart DUO60 is one of the most popular models with seven cooking modes (pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute/browning, yogurt maker, steamer, and warmer) and 14 preset cooking programs that make it simple to cook dinner from scratch on a busy night. During testing, we liked the yogurt and slow cooker functions: when making yogurt, we never had to click “Sauté” to get the milk to reach optimal temperature; and slow-cooking always produced tender beans and meat in four hours on high.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 6 quarts | Dimensions: 13.38 x 12.2 x 12.48 inches

Avocados can be tricky to open, especially if you aren’t confident with a knife. If you find yourself constantly reaching for this nutritious vegetable, you might want to invest in an avocado slicer. It will make the job safer and easier, as the cutting edge is plastic.

Besides opening the avocado, you can use it to remove the pit and slice the avocado while removing it from its shell. Reviewers give this tool high marks for how easy it is to use and how sharp, but safe, the cutting edge is—even kids will be able to help make guacamole when you have this in the kitchen. During testing, we were impressed by how slip-proof this gadget was—the small blades grip the avocado pit from three angles, ensuring more secure control.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 0.75 x 2.25 x 7.75 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Top rack only

Sooner or later, everyone needs a strainer, whether it’s for draining pasta or straining bones out of soup stock. This squishy silicone strainer does all that and so much more. The shape fits inside an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker, so you can use it as a steamer basket in the cooker. You can also put it in a pot on the stove to boil pasta (simply lift it to drain) or use it as a steamer basket for vegetables, fish, or eggs in your favorite saucepan.

Handles make it easy to move the basket, but they fold down when you’re trying to fit the strainer in a pot. Because it’s made from silicone, it withstands heat up to 260 degrees Celsius or 500 degrees Fahrenheit and can be washed in the dishwasher. Several reviewers do note, however, that the bottom silicone mesh surface of the strainer may need a thorough cleaning.

Material: Silicone | Capacity: 2.6 liters | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

A mandoline is a handy slicing device typically used to make even cuts for potato gratin, homemade potato chips, or French fries, but it can be used for a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. This inexpensive handheld version features three options for thickness and two slicing options: straight or julienne. It also has a non-skid base to keep it stable on the counter, or you can position it over a bowl.

We loved how sharp and effective it was and also liked that it was lightweight and extremely easy to clean. It smoothly cut through denser produce with no struggle.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 13 x 5.25 x 2.25 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended

This high-tech coffee grinder from Breville is for the serious coffee drinker. It features stainless steel conical burrs designed to reduce heat and protect the essential oils in the bean, an electronic timer that allows you to adjust grind time in .2 second increments, and 60 grinding settings—from super fine to super coarse and everything in between.

The grinder comes with two sizes of portafilter cradles that you can grind directly into, a ground-coffee container with ​a lid, and a cleaning brush. We found during our tests that this machine is extremely consistent in its results, no matter what kind of grind you prefer, and despite all its functionality and precise settings, it’s fairly user-friendly. We were pleased with the results of the grinder—the finest grounds were consistently powdery, while the coarsest grinds were an even size with no large chunks.

Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 18 ounces | Power: 165 watts

A swivel peeler is a basic kitchen gadget, so make sure you buy one that will last for years to come. This peeler is similar in shape to the standard Good Grips model, but with a little more metal and a slightly better blade. It has the same comfortable grip and a potato eye remover at the top, so it will feel the same way when using it. Yes, this peeler is more expensive than other options on the market, but considering how often you’ll use a peeler in your kitchen and how long this will last, it’s well worth the extra money. This peeler garnered points for how easily and smoothly it peels, and kids love using it.

We found during testing that it only took an average of 30 seconds per potato to peel average-sized potatoes. The peeling felt smooth, and the peels fell away from the peeler rather than getting stuck in the blade.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 10.4 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

“When mixing, I reach for my silicone spatula,” says Marisel Salazar, trained cook and recipe developer. “It is safe for use on most cookware and won’t scratch cast iron or non-stick surfaces. Despite its rubber-looking appearance, it actually has a high heat resistance and won’t melt when used for stirring or flipping hot foods, like eggs from a pan, or stirring sauces in a pot.”

One spatula really isn’t enough for a fully functioning kitchen, so this set from OXO Good Grips really comes in handy with its small, medium, and “spoon” spatula. The spoon spatula is shaped like a shovel and in our tests worked great for stirring pasta and getting into the corner of pans. The small spatula can be used for reaching into jars and works great for mixing up salad dressings in smaller containers. The large spatula will be your go-to for scraping out batter from your mixing bowls. We found in testing that the silicone in the head was the perfect density, with just enough bend for the edges to conform to the jar, bowl, or pot we were working in, but sturdy enough to handle dense foods, like a particularly sticky marshmallow-like frosting.

Heat Resistance: Up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 7.25 x 13.38 x 0.63 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Having a microplane grater, also called a “zester,” can be a huge asset in the kitchen, as it can handle zesting citrus, hard cheese, ginger, nutmeg, and even chocolate. Use it with the grating side up to grate directly onto the food, or use it with the grating side down to see how much you’ve grated before you add it to the food. For easy storage, this grater has a hole in the handle so you can hang it on a hook or knife rack. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning after each use. During testing, we were impressed with how well it grated parmesan cheese and zested lemons. We also found it comfortable to hold for those lengthy kitchen tasks.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Blade Length: 8 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

An immersion blender can do just about everything a countertop blender can do, but it has a few extra tricks up its sleeve. While it can’t crush ice like a countertop blender, it can blend drinks, emulsify dressings, make mayonnaise, and puree soft vegetables. Where it really shines is blending soups and sauces right in the cooking pot. It’s also great for pureeing beans right in your cast iron frying pan. During testing, it made smooth and fluffy results out of egg whites and cream.

The Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender is powerful and also has variable speed control so you don’t have to rely on presets. The stainless steel immersion blender comes with a blender cup with side measurements, but you can also use your own container. It also comes with a chopper/grinder and a whisk so you can be sure you have all the tools necessary for whatever you want to mix up.

Material: Stainless steel | Power: 300 watts | Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 13 inches

Every kitchen needs a can opener, and this one is a sturdy, mid-priced option that gets the job done. It’s compact for easy storage, it has a soft and comfortable grip, and it features a locking mechanism that locks onto the can—which is particularly helpful for people with poor grip strength (An electric can opener can help in this situation). A magnet helps with grabbing the can lid, which can then be released using a convenient lever so you never have to touch it.

We found during testing that the plastic was durable and the stainless steel cutting blade resistant to rust or corroding, so it should last you a long time. This can opener is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Size: 7 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Squeezing lemons is easy with this manual citrus juicer! It’s similar to other Mexican-style citrus squeezers, but with a gear system that multiplies the force so you don’t have to work as hard to release all the juice. There are different-sized juicers that can accommodate small limes and large oranges, but this medium-sized machine can handle a wide variety of citrus sizes. Made from nylon and stainless steel, it’s top-rack dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Some reviewers do note that it can get tiring if you’re juicing a large quantity of fruit.

Material: Nylon and stainless steel | Dimensions: 10.25 x 3.25 x 2.75 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Top rack only

A sprayer is a great way to evenly coat foods and pans with a fine spray of cooking oil. This particular spritzer from Evo is large capacity, holding up to 18 ounces of your favorite oil. A funnel is included to make adding more oil to the reusable bottle easy. Adjusting the nozzle can lock the sprayer to avoid drips or alternate between a vertical and horizontal fan-shaped spritz.

You can avoid drowning food in excess oil, wasting oil, and oil burns with this sprayer. Each spritz is consistent, spraying out 1/4 teaspoon. It’s truly a game-changer of a gadget that’ll greatly improve the way you cook. We tried this in our home kitchen and loved how “with just a few squeezes, got an even and controlled spread.”

Material: Plastic | Capacity: 18 ounces | Dimensions: 5.75 x 2.5 x 9 inches 

A wooden spoon may seem like one of the most basic utensils, but its uses and benefits in the kitchen are many. You don’t have to worry about scratching the surface of your cookware, as with metal spoons, and unlike plastic spoons, they won’t be at risk of melting. Made of olivewood, this slotted spoon features high-quality and durable construction as well as a unique appearance. The extra-long handle allows for easy stirring and cooking, no matter the size of the pot. Testing also found that the olivewood material made for a smooth finish and felt very dense, making it far less likely to split or crack like softer woods tend to do.

Material: Olivewood | Length: 13.5 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Never worry about burning your hands when reaching into the oven or cooking with hot pots and pans again, thanks to this reliable and comfortable pot holder by OXO. The diamond pattern of the silicone helps you grip slippery surfaces and is flexible enough to maintain a solid hold. During testing, we barely noticed any heat transfer through this pot holder, thanks to the high-quality silicone body. And the interior is lined with a soft fabric to provide maximum comfort for your hands. Bonus: the silicone side doubles as a trivet to set hot dishes on.

Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 9.75 x 7.5 x 0.25 inches | Machine Washable: Yes

If you bake often, this pastry blender and cutter set is a non-negotiable to have on hand in the kitchen. The stainless steel blender helps to thoroughly combine ingredients into dough, while the soft grip handle minimizes hand fatigue during the job. We love that this comes with a pastry cutter as well, which is equipped with inch measurements along the edge to allow for precise portioning. 

These aren’t reserved solely for baking tasks—the pastry blender also works great for mashing potatoes, making guacamole, and dicing up ingredients. It’s just sharp and solid enough to work for a variety of kitchen tasks. Reviewers rave about how durable and well-made these tools are, so rest assured they will last a lifetime of cookie dough and pie making. 

Materials: Stainless steel, rubber | Available sizes: 3-inch | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

This fancy-looking gadget can tackle the job of a probe and oven thermometer. Its display is easy to read and intuitive to use. And the best part of this ChefAlarm is that you don’t have to open the oven door to see or get the reading. Our testing confirmed that it was accurate and quick-working—in fact, the thermometer can even measure the ambient air temperature around it.

The temperature range is -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the low and high-temperature alarms come in handy to alert you when your food reaches the perfect temperature.

Size: 5.94 x 2.75 x .75 inches | Temperature Measurement: Celsius and Fahrenheit | Placement: Oven probe and connected freestanding reader

We’re all too familiar with the struggle of trying to remove stubborn stuck-in ice from a stiff plastic tray. Luckily, this silicone ice tray has changed the game. It’s made of silicone, so cubes pop out ever so smoothly, no frustrating tray twisting needed. Plus, each compartment is individually molded, so you can seamlessly take out one cube at a time as needed. 

They produce 1.25-inch cubes, equivalent to about 2 tablespoons of liquid. These ice cubes are perfect for chilled drinks—just large enough that they won’t melt quickly and dilute your beverages. We also approved of using this tray for meal-prepping and saving small soup portions, berry purees, and minced herbs. The material is highly stain-resistant, which means no more tomato sauce souvenirs patterning your tray.

What’s Included: 1 tray with lid | Material: Silicone with steel frame | Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.6 x 1.6 inches | Cubes: 12

Save lots of tears, knife chopping, and time in the kitchen with this best-selling garlic press. Simply place a clove or few into the basket, squeeze the lightweight handle, and you’ll instantly have finely minced garlic pulp. It’s truly a game changer for quick ingredient prep, and it even has a convenient eject button. You’ll never go back to spending a tedious 20 minutes mincing up garlic with a knife again. 

During testing, we loved how this garlic press managed to easily extract the peel, leaving us with smoothly minced results. We also noted how the included scraper mechanism made the garlic extraction and clean-up a breeze; Nothing got stuck in the crevices and it is dishwasher safe.

Material: Nylon plastic | Dimensions: 7.76 x 2.13 x 2.09 inches | Weight: 5.12 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes