When shopping for cookware or culinary gadgets, you’ll likely encounter a dizzying array of options. Single-purpose tools aside, even the most basic items come in myriad configurations. Who knew an ice cube tray could involve so many iterations?
Part of our job here at CR is to sift through all the noise in search of items that are actually worth your money and time. That’s because an efficient kitchen is a happy one.
We put products through their paces in rigorous lab tests while others are also evaluated in real-life applications by our experts in their homes. Enter a not-so-short list of the best kitchen gadgets we can stand behind.
Cut, Chop, Spin
Farberware Pro Pump Salad Spinner, 6.6 Q
A salad spinner may seem like an item that isn’t completely necessary, but once you have one it’s tough to go back to life without it. After all, watered-down salad dressing because of barely dry greens is hardly appealing. In a recent evaluation, we found that this salad spinner from Farberware removed 100 percent of the water added to our spring mix—the only model in our tests to do so—meaning not a drop will dilute your salad dressing.
It has the largest capacity (257 grams) of all the models we tested and is among the larger spinners, so if counter space or storage space is limited, you might want to pass on this model and opt for something more compact. The pump at the top, which you press a few times to force the spinning action, can be locked down flat, making storage a little easier. This one requires only one hand to operate and doesn’t have a drain hole.
Read more: Best Salad Spinners
PL8 Pro Veg Chopper
In an evaluation of the best veggie choppers, the PL8 was found to be the most stable with the cleanest cuts. Its two rubberized metal legs angle forward and back at either end, increasing stability, and the rubber itself clung to a wet cutting board as well as our countertop, so you can just focus on pressing through the food. The hinge is also very stable and the plastic top is rigid, so where some choppers felt like they might break under pressure, the PL8 seemed very durable.
The PL8 is dishwasher-safe and features a backer behind the block that pushes through the blades. This catches material and works like floss, pulling out all the detritus from the cuts for quicker cleanup.
Read more: Best Veggie Dicers
Wüsthof Kitchen Shears
Aftertesting six pairs of kitchen shears, all three of CR’s evaluators said the iBayam shears felt nice in their hands, were easy to use, and didn’t require them to grip too hard. Plus, you get two pairs of shears for this price, and our testers suggested you designate one for cutting meat and one for other kitchen tasks. The one downside is that the shears don’t come apart for cleaning, but the price and the comfort level make them CR’s top choice.
Read more: Best Kitchen Shears
Wüsthof Classic 4-Piece Steak Knife Set
Yes, just one of these knives costs as much as a dry-aged prime porterhouse, but it’s as close to perfect as a steak knife can get. Forged in Solingen, Germany, the Wüsthof classic moves like an extension of your hand, effortlessly gliding through even the toughest steak. Its razor-sharp, thin blade cuts delicately enough to produce perfect slices of tender cuts, like filet, without tearing the meat apart. The handle feels secure and comfortable, and the knife is well balanced, meaning the weight is distributed evenly between handle and blade.
It’s alsothe lone knife CR tried thathas a straight edge, free of teeth, scallops, or serrations. That makes it easier to sharpen at home. (Serrated or scalloped knives need a special kind of sharpener that most people don’t own.) Flatware of this caliber certainly isn’t necessary, but if you’re a steak lover who often splurges on pricey cuts of meat, this knife is hands down the favorite of those we reviewed and worthy of the high price.
Read more: Best Steak Knives
TheNinja Master Prep Professional QB1004food chopper has a slightly smaller 2-cup capacity but is quite versatile. Included in this set are a larger 5-cup processing bowl and a 6-cup blender jar. The chopper features a top-mounted motor that you push down to operate. It earns an impressive rating for chopping, turning out nicely chopped veggies and nuts in our tests. It also aces our grating test and delivers solid puréeing performance.
Read more: Best Food Processors and Choppers
Our Place Dream Cooker
The new Dream Cooker from Our Place offers key cooking features that many home cooks want right now, albeit at a steeper price. It streamlines the array of options offered by more traditional multi-cookers with far fewer functions (slow cook, pressure cook, sauté/sear, and keep warm). If you prefer the simplicity that comes with fewer buttons, status updates, and beeps, not to mention a chic design that looks cool on a kitchen counter, this cooker is not to be missed.
Read more: Our Place Dream Cooker vs. Instant Pot Pro: How Do They Compare?
Caraway Roasting Pan
Part of a complete set from the internet-famous brand Caraway, this roasting pan (also sold separately) was a hit in our evaluations. Its handles are very tall, curved, and relatively wide on top, for superior grip—a major plus when you’re attempting to take a large roast or turkey out of the oven. The rack that’s included is no throwaway—it’s very sturdy—and its shape is perfect for a standing rib roast because it wraps low in the pan and nests near the edge rather than protruding high in a V-shape, which tends to get wobbly. The only concern is that the pan is fairly heavy, though that seemed a welcome trade-off for very even heating.
Read our full review of the Caraway Squareware Set.
TheBabish 14-inch carbon steel wokis flat-bottomed, smooth, and comes seasoned. Its score for cooking evenness was top-notch, and it got a very good mark for speed of heating. The metal section of its handle is short, so it’s less likely to be grabbed by unwary cooks. It has a metal helper handle, making it easier to lift (with a potholder) when full.Our testers found it easy to clean and use.
Read more: Best Woks
Gorilla Grip Silicone Oven Mitts
These waterproof and stain-resistant silicone oven mitts are brought to you by the trusted brand Gorilla Grip. Their exterior provides superior grip, whether you’re handling hot pots and pans or slicing and dicing veggies, while a thick cotton interior lining ensures comfort. They come in two sizes and 11 shades, including black, pink, and turquoise.
Read more: Best Oven Mitts
Dash Hot Air Popcorn Popper
Upgrade movie night with freshly popped popcorn. This model was a standout in a recent evaluation of thebest popcorn machinesbecause it delivered a lighter, toastier flavor with a pleasant snap in each piece. It takes roughly 2 minutes to pop a whole bowl and has a capacity of 16 cups.
Read more: Best Popcorn Machines
Sip & Savor
Espro P0 Ultralight Travel Coffee Press
Coffee on the go just got easier. And no, we’re not talking about a Starbucks drive-thru. Espro’s portable coffee maker comes in a standard size and shape, which makes it simple and easy to pack. Take out the French press filters inside and it could double as a water bottle or hot coffee cup (for brewed coffee).
It comes with four parts (or three, if you don’t count the thermos cup itself), making it pretty easy to pack and take on the go. Its double-filter feature sets it apart from other travel brewers and most French presses, too. Instead of a single mesh filter, or a mesh filter and fiddly paper filter, the Espro has two mesh filters that fit into each other. This makes for a cleaner, clearer cup without sacrificing body. It also means you don’t have to carry around paper filters. The company recommends cleaning inside and outside after each use, with a monthly deep clean using Espro’scleaning solution. The press can also be washed in the top rack of a dishwasher.
Read more: Best Portable Coffee Makers
Repour Wine Saver
There’s a better way to preserve an open bottle of wine than by popping the cork (or a regular rubber stopper) back into it. Preventing oxidization is key to prolonging the shelf life and flavor of wine, and the Repour wine saver is one expert-recommended method. Made from recycled materials, the device is essentially a stopper that absorbs the oxygen inside a bottle.
Read more: How to Preserve an Open Bottle of Wine, According to Wine Experts
HyperChiller Iced Coffee Maker
If you love cold coffee but dislike the flavor when ice waters it down, consider this a fix. Fill two of the HyperChiller’s three separate inner chambers with water, freeze, then pour your hot coffee into the third for nonwatery cold coffee 60 seconds later.
Read our full review of the HyperChiller.
Ember Mug 2
There are many ways to keep a brew warm, and the Ember Mug 2 is a pricey albeit convenient way to do so. With a heating element at the bottom of the mug, it keeps beverages at temperatures from 120° F to 145° F. Sensors in the mug detect when there’s liquid inside, record the temperature of the liquid, and maintain it. It offers 90 minutes of battery time, but by keeping the mug on the charger that doubles as a coaster, you can keep your coffee warm for as long as you keep the coaster connected to power.
Read our full review of the Ember Mug 2.
Ninja Thirsti Sparkling & Still Drink System
TheNinja Thirsti Sparkling & Still Drink Systemallows you to create drinks of all kinds with infused flavors and offers the delight of seltzer made at home with tap or filtered water. It turns water into carbonated soda by applying CO₂ from an included canister. You can choose from two levels of flavor or opt to combine two. And you can choose between still water or three levels of fizz intensity. The Thirsti System allows you to make drinks from 6 to 24 ounces.
The machine is intuitive to use, is fairly small, and fits well on a countertop. If you’re a big seltzer drinker or you’re interested in making your habit more sustainable, the Ninja Thirsti System is worth it. It pays for itself in a year or less, and it’s easy to use and reduces the use of cans and bottles.
Read our full review of the .
Cuzen Matcha Maker
Making matcha at home can require a bit of skill and finesse, not to mention the appropriate tools. TheCuzen Matcha Makercould fix user error-induced flaws by taking you from organic leaves to a perfectly whisked cup of freshly ground matcha in less than 5 minutes. Our evaluator found that the device was easy to use and that it produced a better matcha consistency than the traditional method of whisking.
While it’s aesthetically pleasing (a bonus if you’re storing it on your countertop) and convenient, it’s also pricey. You’ll also need to buy Cuzen matcha leaf refills to use with the machine, which are $30 for 20 grams (after you use up the first three packets). That said, if you’re an avid matcha drinker but don’t like the traditional ritual of preparation, this is a good buy.
Read our full review of the Cuzen Matcha Maker.
Pack It Up
Anyday Microwave Cookware Set, 6 piece
Reheating leftovers is made easier with Anyday’s io collection of cookware designed for microwaves. The plastic-free bowls are meant to ensure that food stays tender and is evenly cooked, while the vented silicone knob on the glass lids helps steam escape during cooking. For senior writer Pang-Chieh Ho, the convenience that the set offers is a standout feature. You can prep, cook, serve, store, and reheat your food all in one dish.
Read our full review of the Anyday io Collection.
LunchEaze Original Electric Lunch Box
This battery-powered lunch box allows users to schedule a meal. In our evaluations, it took 2 to 2½ hours to heat refrigerated and frozen leftovers, but it was faster with soup, heating it in just over an hour. The lid’s seal is leak-resistant, the stainless steel food tray is easy to clean, the exterior remains cool to the touch, there’s an optional app if that’s your thing, and you can program a maximum temperature (170°F to 220°F) if you don’t want your food to get scalding hot.
Unlike the other cordless models we evaluated, the LunchEaze can heat your food while charging, so you can use it like a corded lunch box. We also appreciate all the extras you can buy, including extra food containers, ice packs, a car charger, a replacement charger, and a battery.The only downside is that the lunch box is slow to heat—it was designed that way—so don’t forget to schedule your meal.
Read more: Best Electric Lunch Boxes
Food storage containers are an integral element of a kitchen, and these handy see-through containers are not to be missed. Glass makes it easy to see what you’ve stored at a glance and also lets you microwave the container and eat food right from it. But not all glass container lids are microwave-safe, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.
This varied set ofglass containers from Rubbermaid(from three snack-appropriate 10-ounce boxes to a 64-ounce pack for lots of leftovers) aced our tests for durability, storage, seal quality, and ease of use. A nonremovable rubber gasket makes it a little tougher to clean. But on the plus side, a snap-and-lock feature keeps food secure and the containers are oven-safe, so you can reheat your dinner without adding to your pile of dirty dishes.
Read more: Best Food Storage Containers
Stay Cool
Oxo Ice Cube Tray
The benefit of a plastic ice cube tray vs. a silicone one is that the plastic doesn’t impart its flavor on the ice, a flaw we noticed with all the silicone trays we tried. This Oxo tray produces ice that’s rounded on the bottom for easier removal. A blue lid slides over the white tray relatively smoothly, making it easy to stack in a freezer while preventing any crumbs, dust, or fridge odors from marring the purity of the cubes.
Read more: Best Ice Cube Trays
Onyx SS Pop Mold
It was the bomb pop shape of this popsicle mold that won ourevaluators over. Filling them can get tricky because of the small, roundopening of the molds,so grab a kitchen funnel for a neater experience. After a 5-hour freezing time, the pop-shaped treats were easily removed after running the molds under warm water. The instructions warn not to do this for too long because the ice pops might slip out too fast, and they could break. A generously sized drip catcher helps prevent spills while thebamboo sticks—included in the set—though durable, will need to be replaced after frequent use.
Read more: Best Popsicle Molds
TheGE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Makeris the top-rated countertop nugget icemaker in our ratings. It does it faster than all the other models, which earned it the only top score for speed. It also has the highest water capacity and features a large, removable plastic water reservoir, which means fewer refills. GE claims it can produce up to 24 pounds of ice a day. (Our testing didn’t last long enough to hit the max.) It’s also among the quieter icemakers we tried. This slick-looking model, which comes in stainless steel and black stainless steel, is the only one that opens like a drawer.
There are three downsides: It’s the most expensive model by far and is among the least efficient models in our tests. And the GE is the largest model, weighing 37.65 pounds and measuring 16½ inches high, 13.4 inches wide, and 17½ inches deep. So you either need to have ample counter space or an extremely strong desire for nugget ice.
Read more: Best Nugget Icemakers
Cuisinart ICE-21P1 Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
Our evaluators really liked the consistent, creamy texture of the sorbet and ice cream that came out of this Cuisinart ice cream maker. This was true both immediately after production and after they froze them overnight. The sorbet was a bit icier and less perfectly consistent than that made by the compressor-style machines we also evaluated. But that was easily remedied by dragging a spatula around the sorbet to smooth out some of the ice mid-churn.
A thin layer of the ice cream and the sorbet remained frozen on the sides of the cylinder, which was a waste. Still, the difference in the quality of frozen confections the Cuisinart turned out compared with our top pick was small while the price difference wasn’t. If you don’t mind having to prefreeze the cylinder, we have no doubt you’ll be happy with this machine. And the smaller footprint and lighter weight make the Cuisinart much easier to store.
Read more: Best Ice Cream Makers
Anna Kocharian
Anna Kocharian is a shopping editor at Consumer Reports who focuses on home, organization, and the consumer marketplace. She previously covered interior design, product reviews, and market trends as the digital editor of Domino. Anna has over a decade of experience in lifestyle journalism and has written extensively on the subject matter for publications including Apartment Therapy, Food52, and more. She currently resides in New York City.
