47 Cool Kitchen Gadgets That Are Actually Useful

We used to be skeptical of Vitamix, and we say that as smoothie lovers. Then we tested one. We simply cannot go back. If you like having control over everything that goes into your food, you need to have a Vitamix.

We awarded this kettle in our Gadget Awards because it’s simply the most beautiful countertop gadget we have ever seen.

Do you need a $400 rice cooker? Not necessarily. That $50 one from Walmart will work. But! This thing makes the best rice—of any type and variety—ever. Plus, it’ll last the rest of your life. In my mind, that makes it a solid investment.

Balmuda has such a beautifully Japanese approach to its products. This coffee pot looks fantastic, and it is programmed to precision-pour the perfect cup of coffee every single time. It’s the ease of a drip coffee maker with all the precision of pour-over. You might turn your nose up at the price, but it’s worth every penny.

A sous vide is the gadget that makes precision-cooked food possible, a staple tool in the highest-caliber kitchens. You vacuum-seal your food—poultry, fish, vegetables, red meat, anything—put it in water, and cook it to an exact temperature. This new Breville is the Rolls-Royce of sous vides, so you can get on your freaky foodie Noma shit.

But if $250 is a bit steep, how’s $150 sound? This option on Amazon from Anova is a bit less accurate, and it might need replacing sooner, but it’s a great way to dip your toe into fine cooking.

If you haven’t gotten an espresso machine yet, you’re missing out. Every barista-made coffee is just some combo of espresso and frothed milk, and this Smeg espresso machine does both. Plus, it looks better than any other coffee machine on the market.

If you want something barista level, though, this Breville is the way to go. Fresh grinds for every drink, and all the capabilities that a real barista needs.

This oil-dispenser set went viral for a reason: It’s too good. The oil pump mister or sprayer helps even out the coverage and prevents you from over-pouring. Next, the dispenser bottle comes in clutch during those “1 tsp of oil” or “2 tbsp of oil” recipe moments. And both have a measuring reservoir at the top. Portion control, people.

But for dispensing olive oil, sauces, and condiments, real chefs use squeeze bottles. When we say real chefs, we mean the Noma types again, the ones who use tweezers to finish a dish. This is the first thing they tell you to buy when becoming a serious home chef. Bonus: This one has a nifty basting attachment.

The Esquire Endorsed Beast blender is the ultimate smoothie-making machine. Now that it’s got a new big-name collaboration with Marshawn Lynch (aka Beast Mode), you’ll wanna buy this thing before it sells out.

An indoor electric pizza oven is the cutting edge of kitchen gadgets. Like a real pizza oven, it heats up to 750-plus degrees. Unlike a real pizza oven, no gas or wood fire is required. And unless your kitchen is horribly small, it won’t even cause a temperature swing.

But if you’re serious about pizza making, you want to be hitting 900°F. That can only really be done outdoors in a gas or wood stove. And what do you know, Ooni just made its best seller Karu 12 in a multi-fuel option. Use wood or charcoal for an authentic pie, or use gas for a quicker weeknight option.

For the gardeners, carbon-neutral strivers, and tree huggers in general, Reencle has made a true apartment-sized composter. While an indoor composter might sound disgusting, the Reencle is actually quite pleasant. It blocks odors, turns quietly, and uses a bacteria/heat combo to break down food as quickly as possible. It works for apartments. It works for families with kids.

Batter mixer, egg beater, salad-dressing maker: Pretty much anything that requires conventional whisking can be done in this blender bottle.

Nonstick is not a new invention, but HexClad’s approach is definitely fresh. Instead of being fully nonstick, there are hexagon-shaped steel ridges. This allows you to get a proper sear on meats and veg, but you can still slide an omelette around, no problem.

For the grill master, this smart accessory sticks into your rotisserie chicken or lamp chop and probes the internal temperature, ensuring your every bite thereafter is utterly satisfying and salmonella-free. And it’s completely wireless—the first of its kind.

We love our alternative milks over here, but ask us what’s in the carton and … honestly, we’ve got no clue. But with an Almond Cow, we know exactly what’s going into that almond-milk latte. Make alternative milks to your taste, store them in a cute old-timey jar, and keep it clean with a specially designed brush.

But that Almond Cow is big, and it’s a bit limited in the scope of what it can make. The Nutr is an apartment-sized option, and it makes great creams, as well as milks. Perfect for someone who’s using alternative milks only for coffee or baked goods.

The weirdest guys on the Internet? The ones obsessed with kitchen knives. Give us this Ninja food processor and you’d have to pay us to do our mise en place the old-fashioned way.