We spend a lot of time in our kitchens. More than we need to, sometimes. Luckily, there are some amazing kitchen countertop appliances that change all that. They can cut down cooking time, make cleaning easier and faster, or even make food taste better. Some do all three. We call that a win-win-win.
Cooking has changed a lot through the years. Technology has given us things like the oven, the dishwasher, the kitchenaid, the pressure cooker, ice maker, all those appliances we can’t live without. But why stop there? There are so many kitchen helpers that can make life easier, like this list of 35 cool kitchen gadgets. Want some options you can have right on your kitchen counter? You’ve come to the right place.
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Time to take small appliances to the next level. We’ve selected the best options, all conveniently sized to fit on your countertop. From a great coffee maker that has the perfect single serving cup, to a toaster oven that seems to do everything. Read on to discover our favorites.
Our top 6 choices for the best countertop kitchen appliances
With so many amazing options to make cooking easier, we thought we’d narrow down some of our winners. Take a look at these standout small appliances. After all, if you have to cook, why not enjoy it?
- Best food processor: Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini-Prep Food-Processor
- Best blender: Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
- Best coffee maker: Cuisinart Single Serve + 12 Cup Coffee Maker
- Best smart kitchen composter: Lomi electric composter
- Best toaster: Mueller Retro Toaster
- Best waffle maker: Ovente Electric Indoor Sandwich Grill and Waffle Maker Set
Buckle up! Here’s our list of must have countertop appliances for your kitchen!
15 countertop kitchen appliances you didn’t know you needed
With so many choices out there, it was hard to pick just 15, but here are some products that really caught our eye. We tried to pick ones that were multifaceted, convenient, and that would actually make time in the kitchen easier and faster for you. Because less time prepping and cleaning means more time doing the things you love.
1. Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini-Prep Food-Processor
Food processors are a must have. Who has time to spend chopping nuts or mashing under-ripe avocados for that last second guacamole? You can buzz it in seconds with the right food processor, making meal prep a breeze and keeping control of how fine your grind or chop is.
The Cuisinart mini-prep is particularly useful. It’s small and super easy to assemble, unlike other food processors. There aren’t endless attachments you’ll lose in the deepest depths of your cupboards, or tons of specialized accessories to confuse or hinder you. Just buzz, buzz, buzz, done.
Price: $39.95
Why you’ll love this: Dishwasher safe, BPA free, and takes up such little space! It puts the small in small appliances.
2. Cuisinart Single Serve + 12 Cup Coffee Maker
Coffee makers are a necessity in most households. Coffee lovers aren’t afraid to get complicated with their options, either. Cold brew, iced coffee (there is a difference), lattes, cappuccino, Americano, the list goes on. For so complex a beverage, it only makes sense that you’d want a coffee maker with a lot of options too. The Cuisinart is the king of variety. Single serve coffee maker on one side, twelve cup capacity on the other? This perk is only the beginning.
One of the biggest problems with coffee makers is waste. Disposable filters and single use pods (which are tough to recycle) mean needless garbage that’s difficult to dispose of. The Cuisinart not only has a reusable filter, it also has a reusable replacement for those pods that can be so problematic for the environment. Now you can have the perfect cup of coffee, sustainably.
Price: $148.00
Why you’ll love this: Fully programmable, you can control roast, brew strength, and it comes with several different size options. This means you can get as big or small of a caffeine boost as you want that day.
3. Lomi-electric composter
Lomi is a kitchen composter which does away with the messiness of a traditional compost pile, bringing the process indoors. Nice and tidy. It eliminates the smell, the time, the physical effort, and the complexity that can otherwise deter people from composting their kitchen scraps. Look here to learn more about electric composters, like Lomi.
Why is this one of our top picks for countertop appliances? Because you’ll use Lomi every day. Instead of filling up your garbage with stinky food waste, you can process it in a matter of hours, instead. No smell, fewer wasted garbage bags, less trash to take out, and you end up with nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden or plants. Lomi makes clean-up faster, easier, and more environmentally friendly than ever. Want to learn more? Click here to read all about Lomi.
Price: $499.00
Why you’ll love this: Fits any kitchen with its compact size. Can also process approved bioplastics, compostable paper, and even small yard trimmings!
4. Hamilton Beach Bread Maker Machine
Lately, thanks to tiktok, bread makers are back in fashion, and it’s easy to see why. Fresh baked bread whenever you want it? Yes please! This Hamilton Beach machine is well loved with thousands of good reviews, making it one of our favorites for small kitchen appliances. Just add the ingredients, choose the cycle, press start.
Besides regular bread, this machine has twelve cycles to choose from, including whole grain or gluten free options. You can even do dough prep in it and finish in the oven. Handy for things like dinner rolls or homemade pizza. You’ll never need frozen pizza again with this baby.
Price: $99.99
Why you’ll love this: It keeps your loaf warm for up to an hour after baking! You can also choose from two different loaf sizes and three crust settings, depending on how dark you like your crusts.
5. Instant Pot Duo Plus
Most people by now have heard of Instant Pots. It has the speed of a pressure cooker with the ease and simplicity of modern day appliances. Not only does it cook dinner up to 70% faster than most methods, it can also be used as a rice cooker, yogurt maker, or to saute or steam food, rather than use a stove or a pan.
This instant pot comes with 25 smart programs for things like beans, soups, yogurt, ribs, and so on. There’s also a free app you can download with over 800 easy recipes and instructions. An unexpected perk? You can use it as a sterilizer too, perfect for new parents who have a lot of baby bottles that need to be kept clean.
Price: $149.95
Why you’ll love this: It can double for slow cooking if you like! No need to buy a separate slow cooker. Also, it has quiet steam release and built in safety features, making this option far more stable than traditional pressure cookers.
6. Mueller Retro Toaster
Toasters have been around forever. Why? Because toast is awesome. So, what makes this toaster special? This product has 7 browning levels, for the perfect doneness and defrost and reheating functions, in case your toaster pastry got cold while you were getting the kids ready for school. It also comes with a removable crumb tray and under base cord storage, to keep your counter looking neat and tidy.
Price: $29.97
Why you’ll love this: This thing is adorable. Like, ridiculously. It’s sleek design and fun color selections give it a retro look worthy of any kitchen counter.
7. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven
Microwaves are one of those countertop appliances that almost everyone has. A necessity in most households, the efficiency and usefulness of these machines has only gotten better through the years. This Toshiba is a perfect example of that.
Not only does it do the usual microwave options, this machine helps make cooking easier with some much appreciated additional functions. The smart sensor feature has 6 auto menus that take the guesswork out of more commonplace foods, like frozen entrees or rice. It also has a soften feature for butter or chocolate. It even has an energy saving eco mode, to use less electricity and save money at the same time.
Price: $149.99
Why you’ll love this: It has a mute function! If you’re one of those people who has to stop the countdown at 1 so it doesn’t beep and make the world explode, you’ll appreciate this. And if you have no idea what we’re talking about? You’ll probably like it anyway.
8. Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
There’s blenders, and then there’s blenders. Vitamix has been a trusted brand name for decades, and rightfully so. Powerful, durable, and trusted by culinary professionals, these blenders have been loved by the best of the best. This newest offering has only improved. The A3500 is a smart blender. That means not only can you make the usual soups, smoothies, dips, and a wide range of other things, you can now do it easier than ever.
With touchscreen capabilities, there are 5 program settings that adjust depending on container size and recipe. It will automatically stop when the programmable timer is finished, taking the guesswork out and giving you more consistent results. Another perk? You can clean it in 60 seconds. Just add a little soap and water and blend your way to a clean container. Love smart appliances like this? Read here for more smart kitchen appliances to make your life easier.
Price: $649.95
Why you’ll love this: Download a recipe app with over 500 easy recipes! Also, because of its powerful motor, you can grind nuts and coffee beans without worry. This appliance was built to be tough.
9. Omega Juicer J8006HDC
Lots of people turn to juicing fruits and vegetables as an easy way to get vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes. Cold pressed juicers are especially good for this, as they keep more of these benefits intact, rather than destroying them through heat based processes. The Omega name has been a leading brand for decades, and this juicer reflects that.
Besides juicing, this kitchen appliance is also capable of making nut butters, pastas, baby food, and even alternative dairy free milk. You truly get multiple appliances in one, which is not only convenient, but it also gives you more counter space since one machine does the job of several.
Price: $369.95
Why you’ll love this: It’s easy to clean, easy to use, and you can even make sorbet with it!
10. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Need an air fryer? How about a toaster oven? What about a food dehydrator? How about something that does all of that and more? If you’re looking for a countertop appliance that does a little bit of everything, this Breville smart oven is a game changer.
Thirteen cooking functions make this your air fryer, broiler, toaster oven, dehydrator, roaster, and so on. Smart algorithms combine with the quartz elements to make sure heat is used effectively, making this versatile and flexible, all from the convenience of your countertop. Meals just got a lot more exciting.
Price: $499.95
Why you’ll love this: Need to whip up a batch of cookies? No problem. This puppy has extra large capacity, making it extremely useful. We’re talking, roast a 14 pound turkey, useful.
11. KitchenAid K45SSWH Stand Mixer
The name Kitchenaid and stand up mixer go hand and hand. This has been a favorite of chefs for years, both amateur and professional. The reason? It not only saves time, it saves physical energy. Need to whip some cream? Your forearms will thank you for using your stand mixer. Plus, you can always cut up fruit or throw dinner in the oven while it mixes away, multitasking all the while.
If you’re a baker, especially, this is one countertop appliance you can’t live without. Bread dough, desserts, waffle batter, souffles, the kitchenaid will help you with all of it, all while giving you smooth, consistent results.
Price: $277.69
Why you’ll love this: We love anything that makes life easier for those with physical difficulties. This is a wonderful way for anyone who has problems endlessly stirring, to still be able to make the things they love while preserving their strength. Enabling more people? Always a win.
12. Ovente Electric Indoor Sandwich Grill and Waffle Maker Set
This waffle maker is special. Why? Because it’s also a grill and sandwich maker. If you haven’t noticed, we love small kitchen appliances that serve as many functions as possible. With this nifty device you can make a waffle, a grilled cheese sandwich, or even grill some chicken! It’s also nonstick, cooks fast, and is small enough to store in your kitchen cabinets if you need to free up counter space. Love useful gadgets like this? Check out these latest kitchen gadgets too!
Price: $34.99
Why you’ll love this: Most waffle makers are a pain to clean. You can’t submerge them, so you end up with nasty, oily muck that’s difficult to get off. With the Ovente, the plates are removable, making clean up easy!
13. ZeroWater ZBD-040-1 Water Filter/Dispenser
Water plays a huge role in everyday life. You use it to make ice, hot water for coffee or tea, you use it in cooking, you boil eggs with it, and some folks even just plain drink it as is. Crazy, right? We love this ZeroWater filter for so many reasons. It filters lead, chromium, mercury and a host of other substances and chemicals. It makes water purer, cleaner, and taste better than what comes out of your tap.
Besides the fact that it filters water, (reason enough to love it), our favorite part is that it helps save up to 150 single use plastic bottles per filter. That’s so much waste, so much harmful plastic, not being used and discarded. We’ll raise a glass to that.
Price: $74.99
Why you’ll love this: It’s a filter and dispenser, with a 40 cup capacity. That means you’ll always have clean, fresh water on hand. Also? This product is NSF certified and BPA free.
14. COSORI Electric Kettle
Who doesn’t love a good electric kettle? Whether you use hot water for making pour over coffee, or you’re more of a tea fan, electric kettles are handy for heating up water, fast. The Cosori has 5 presets, based on what kind of tea or coffee you’re planning to brew up. This means you’ll have the optimal temperature for whatever’s in your cup.
Other features? The gooseneck makes pouring precise, which means less spills. Food grade stainless steel interior means no plastic taste. There’s even a ready tone that beeps when your water is up to temperature. Tea, anyone?
Price: $69.99
Why you’ll love this: It has auto shut off, boil dry protection, and will keep water warm for up to an hour, acting like a thermal carafe. Makes a perfect gift for tea and coffee lovers. Need more ideas? Here are some kitchen gifts for moms, (or anyone), who love cooking.
15. Hamilton Beach 6-in-1 Electric Egg Bites Cooker
This one is just super fun. If you love eggs but hate how temperamental they can be (think failed omelet) then this is for you. It’s diverse, offering several egg preparations such as scrambled, poached, fried, hard boiled, even omelets! The best part is how extremely easy it is, the simple cooker making consistently good eggs, every time.
Price: $34.99
Why you’ll love this: Nonstick means easy clean up! We all know how horrible it is to scrape burned eggs off the bottom of a pan.
Toaster ovens, electric kettles, air fryers, blenders! It seems like there are so many amazing countertop appliances out there that you won’t have enough countertops to put them all on. Fortunately, many of the products covered are multifaceted, serving several functions in one. If you’re looking for a kitchen composter? Lomi is no different.
Why does Lomi have such a loyal fanbase? Because it serves so many purposes. It’s a place to put kitchen waste. It keeps pests from getting into scraps. It keeps odors at bay and makes cleanup easy since so many things can go right into Lomi. It lets you process compostable bioplastics and materials. It even produces nutrient rich dirt to use in your garden. And the best part? It prevents harmful waste from ending up in landfills. Just another reason this is a countertop appliance you can feel good about buying.
Written by: Heidi Edwards