Cooking. You either love it with the burning of a thousand suns, or you’re sick to death of it. Either way, almost no one wants to spend forever making meals. Thankfully, whether you love or hate your time in the kitchen, there are tons of really cool kitchen gadgets to make mealtime a lot simpler.
The way technology runs our lives, it’s no surprise that it spilled into the culinary world too. So obviously we’ll be covering things a little more relevant than just a sandwich maker or rice cooker. This list covers everything from simplistic to fancy schmancy, such as smart appliances. In fact, if that’s your cup of tea, check out this list of smart kitchen appliances that will simplify your life. As for this article, let’s explore some of the best kitchen helpers of 2022.
Table of contents
Ready to see some of the latest kitchen gadgets? We have a little bit of everything. From countertop options to compact tools that will fit in your kitchen drawers, there’s something for everyone.
Our top picks for the latest kitchen appliances, tools and gadgets
Our list of super helpful kitchen gadgets is extensive. It’s easy to get lost in this sea of innovation and convenience, so we’ve narrowed down a few top winners for you to peruse.
- Most useful small kitchen appliance: Lomi Countertop Composter
- Best appliance for avoiding food waste: Vacuum Sealer
- Best kitchen gadget for seniors: Electric Jar Opener
- Handiest appliance for entertaining: Dual Pot Slow Cooker
- Best kitchen gadget for sanitation: PZOTRUF Touchless Automatic Liquid Soap Dispenser
The 25 latest kitchen tools and gadgets that’ll improve your life
Today we’re focusing on neat gadgets and the like, but if you’re looking for basics, like mixing bowls and measuring cups, check out this article on kitchen essentials. Ready for more advanced culinary tools, like small appliances or this list of electric composters? Keep reading.
People have different challenges. Some are strapped for time. Some have physical conditions that make meal prep challenging. Some are so bad at cooking they can’t tell the difference between an egg separator and kitchen shears, and some just want to be more eco-friendly. There are dozens of different cooking needs. Luckily, there are also a lot of solutions.
1. Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Image Credit: Amazon
This individual-sized waffle maker is perfect for single person households, college students, kids, or people who don’t have a lot of kitchen space. It heats up quick, has easy clean up, and makes consistently good waffles, every time. Plus, it’s so cute and small, you could even just utilize it on your dining table as you eat, if you’re feeling the need for that fourth or fifth waffle.
Why you’ll love it: Waffles are just the beginning with this appliance. Hashbrowns? Cookies? Anything with a batter will work! Not to mention, this gadget is the perfect size for waffle sandwiches.
2. Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener
Image Credit: Amazon
This battery operated can opener works with a push of a button. No more struggling with tricky can lids!
Why you’ll love it: This nifty tool is perfect for everyone, (who hasn’t wrestled with an unruly can lid?), but it’s especially useful for those with grip strength issues or impairment of the hands.
3. Lomi Kitchen Composter
Image Credit: Lomi.com
Lomi is an electronic counter space composter that you use from your own kitchen. It transforms food scraps and other organic materials into nutrient-rich Lomi dirt that can be used as fertilizer, all within a fraction of the time it takes other compost methods. Want to learn more? Here’s an article about electronic composters, like Lomi.
Why you’ll love it: Lomi makes reducing food waste easy. There are no smells, no pests, no physically tiring tasks like turning your compost pile. Who has time for that? Instead, Lomi keeps things neat, tidy, and free of the hassles that can come with composting, all while taking up very little space.
4. Uutensil Stirr
Image Credit: Amazon
This device allows you to multitask in the kitchen. You can let your automatic stirrer whirl away while you do more useful things, like cut veggies or do dishes. It’s heat resistant, dishwasher safe, and has three speed settings.
Why you’ll love it: Who hasn’t been stuck at the stove, endlessly stirring away for an eternity? Now you can be free! This is an invention most of us wish came a very long time ago.
5. Peach Street Hand Blender
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Life is just better with a hand blender. Need a milk frother? Check. Want to whip your heavy cream? Check. Want to make your own baby food? You guessed it, check. Anything you need to puree, this handy gadget will be your best friend.
Why you’ll love it: You know how, when you make guacamole, a third of it gets stuck in the bottom of your blender and you have to wrestle it out with a spatula and it ends up running down your forearms and the counter and any/all innocent passerby? Yeah. No more of that nonsense. Immersion blender for the win.
6. V8111 Vacuum Sealing System
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Food waste is a huge problem, which is why this vacuum sealing system is so great. It enables you to seal things up so they last several times longer than traditional storage methods. In this economy, with rising interest rates and prices? Saving food means saving money. Win-win.
Why you’ll love it: Besides preserving food, you can also seal up canning jars and bottles. You can even marinate with it! Along with these benefits, vacuum sealed packs take up far less space in your fridge or freezer, giving you more room for important things, like your cold brew.
7. Hoedia Smoking Gun
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This handheld smoke infuser is amazing. It gives food, drinks, sauces, (all that good stuff) that smoky taste we all love, without the hassle and expense of a full size smoker. This infusion system uses tea, herbs, wood chips, and other such ingredients, to add flavor to anything you decide needs it, making cooking much more interesting. Your imagination is the limit.
Why you’ll love it: Smoky flavor isn’t just for meat. Imagine a nice block of smoky sharp cheddar cheese. Or, maybe some mesquite smoked mushrooms. If you’re looking for more interesting vegetarian options, this can really up your game. Of course, meat eaters will find plenty of use for it too.
8. Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor
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This processor is a particularly useful gadget. It can chop veggies, shred cheese, puree sauces, heck, you can even make cookie dough with the thing! On top of that, all the cuts are uniform and all the mixing is even, ensuring a more successful outcome in your cooking.
Why you’ll love it: Did you not just read the part about the cookie dough? Well, if that’s not enough, one of our favorite applications is making hashbrowns with it. If you’ve ever stood there, grating potatoes and snagging your knuckles every three seconds, you’ll get why food processors are a must.
9. Vitamix Blender
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Blenders have been around forever, but Vitamix has been increasing in popularity the last few years. There’s a reason why it’s still a fabulous option. The ability to make healthy meals, drinks, treats, and sauces, all within minutes (or less), is more in demand today than it ever was. A trusted brand by many chefs, Vitamix is especially handy if you make your own nut butters, baby foods, or alternative milks. Some Vitamix settings will even let you grind your own flours.
Why you’ll love it: The versatility of this appliance is its strongest feature. Not to mention, the powerful capabilities allow you to get it all done, fast. The ability to make so many things from the comfort of your own kitchen (rather than buying processed versions) can also save you money.
10. Fohere Double Belgian Waffle Maker
Image Credit: Amazon
Yes, we have two waffle makers on this list. Why? Because they fill two different demographics. This one is great for crowds. Gone are the days of making only one waffle at a time. Now you don’t have to end up with soggy, cold waffles while you frantically wait for the next one to get done. This easy appliance is a workhorse. Simply fill both sides with batter and wait. Cooking breakfast will take half the time.
Why you’ll love it: Besides being fast and convenient, it’s also nonstick and has a drip tray, making clean up a breeze.
11. Cool Knight Electric Spice Grinder
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Experimenting with flavors has never been easier. Spice grinders enable you to make your own blends, rubs, and flavor combinations right from your own home. It works on more traditional spices but herbs are another option, along with coffee! Besides the versatility, it also ensures an even grind that is customizable depending on how long you activate the blades.
Why you’ll love it: Not only does this grinder give you the flexibility to mix and match flavor profiles to your creative whims, it’s also gorgeous so it will look great on your counter space.
12. EPM330M Automatic Stirring Popcorn Maker Popper
Image Credit: Amazon
Popcorn has been around forever, but it’s making a comeback. People are looking for low calorie snacking options and popcorn not only hits the mark, it does so in practically every flavor imaginable. This popcorn maker also has quick heat technology, setting it apart from traditional poppers as it heats up 40% faster.
Why you’ll love it: First off, it’s adorable and comes in mint or red colors. Second, it’s very easy to clean and the cover doubles as a serving bowl! Bam. One less dish to do.
13. VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer
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Most of us agree that, unless you’re going for cold brew or iced coffee, our morning cup of Joe should be hot. This coffee mug warmer keeps your coffee at the temperature you want, so if you’re up and down at the office, you don’t have to worry about coming back to lukewarm nastiness. Bonus? It has three temperatures to choose from, using an internal digital thermometer to keep your mug of mud at just the right warmth.
Why you’ll love it: Not only does it come in 5 colors, it has an automatic shut off after 4 hours. So you don’t have to worry you’ve burned down the office if you forget to turn it off. Another plus? You can use it as a candle warmer for flameless scents that also won’t burn down the office.
14. Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale
Image Credit: Amazon
Baking is tricky stuff. Any good baker will tell you, the secret is in weighing the ingredients, rather than just using a measuring cup. So up your culinary game with a kitchen scale! It’s also handy when trying to practice portion control or just in achieving consistency in your recipes. This scale is flat, so it will store well next to things like your cutting board or baking sheets.
Why you’ll love it: It can easily convert measurements to the metric system! So if you find a great recipe online, you don’t have to whip your calculator out and try to do math in the middle of making pancakes. Another bonus? The company is eco-friendly, which, in our book, makes this one of the best kitchen gadgets on this list.
15. COSORI Electric Kettle
Image Credit: Amazon
Whether you’re heating water for your french press, or making your kids instant oatmeal, hot water is a frequent need in most households. This electric kettle gives it to you far faster than traditional stovetop methods, and it’s made with glass and stainless steel, rather than harmful plastics. Automatic shutoff after it reaches boiling means you don’t have to babysit it or worry about leaving it on!
Why you’ll love it: The wide opening means it’s easy to pour and easy to clean!
16. Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp Programmable Coffeemaker
Image Credit: Amazon
Pod coffee makers may be all the rage, but they’re awful for the environment. This appliance not only fills your hot coffee needs, but makes it easy! Made of stainless steel and glass, rather than cheap, harmful materials, it has a fourteen cup capacity and customizable brew strength, depending on your preferences.
Why you’ll love it: It has a reusable filter! This means reducing needless waste and saving money while you’re at it.
17. DASH Rapid Egg Cooker
Image Credit: Amazon
Hard boiled eggs can be tricky to execute correctly. This rapid egg cooker not only cuts down on cooking time, it also makes eggs easy to peel. On top of that, you can make omelets, poached eggs, and soft boiled too. It gives you plenty of options and helps take the guesswork out of breakfast.
Why you’ll love it: It cooks six eggs at a time, yet it’s still compact so it saves on cabinet space. Also, it comes in eight fun colors! Plus, it’s super handy not to need a stove to make eggs anymore, so this little darling can make you breakfast anywhere there’s an outlet.
18. BELLA Two Tier Food Steamer
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This steamer is the perfect companion to healthy cooking. Rather than use your oven, you can make several things all at once in a fraction of the time! Because it is steamed rather than fried, it means you don’t need to use high calorie oil to cook. It also maintains color and freshness in veggies and cooks things evenly.
Why you’ll love it: Two words. Dim sum. Ever try to make Chinese dim sum, dumplings, or pork buns? Ever use a bamboo steamer and have it catch fire because you forgot to pay attention? Yeah. This is a fabulous solution for anyone who may have also had some…fire related drama.
19. Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
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Have you noticed that, with inflation, ice cream prices have risen and the size of their containers have shrunken? If you also find this unacceptable, a home ice cream maker may be your solution. Make your own ice cream, fro-yo, gelato, sorbet, all of it! And make as much as you want, we won’t tell anyone.
Why you’ll love it: It’s simple to use, has unlimited flavor combinations, and has no need for chemicals, salt, or ice. Plus, did we mention it makes ice cream?
20. PZOTRUF Automatic Soap Dispenser
Image Credit: Amazon
Lots of germs abound in kitchens. Not just from our own unclean hands, but also from things we prepare, such as raw meat and eggs. Reduce the spread of germs and bacteria with this automated soap dispenser. Rather than put contaminated hands on the soap pump, just hold them under and let this nifty gadget do its thing. Then you can go back to making meatloaf without a second thought.
Why you’ll love it: Large capacity means you don’t have to fill it up all the time. It’s also dripless, so it won’t leave a mess, and it has settings to decide how much soap comes out.
21. Wine Aerator
Image Credit: Amazon
If you love wine, this aerator is a game changer. Typically, when you open a bottle you’ll want to let it breathe for an hour or so, allowing the flavors and aromas to fully develop. But what if you forgot to open it and your guests want wine now? Well, that’s why this is one of the best kitchen gadgets a wine enthusiast could have. No waiting, just great flavor.
Why you’ll love it: Did we mention it dispenses for you too? It also creates an airtight seal, leaving your wine fresh. Lastly, it’s narrow so it’s easy to store. Just shove it in your measuring cup drawer next to your meat thermometer and call it a day.
22. Healthy Seniors Electric Jar Opener
Image Credit: Amazon
This is one of the best gadgets for anyone with grip strength issues. We’ve all had to deal with pesky jars that just won’t open. This takes care of any sized jar within fifteen seconds. Besides that, it’s compact, making for easy storage.
Why you’ll love it: You’ll never have to wrestle with jars again. Plus, it makes for a great gift!
23. Hamilton Beach Juicer
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Juicers are nothing new, however, fresh squeezed juices have become a recent wellness trend. This is because, due to Covid and other such health concerns, people are focusing more on their well-being, such as getting the nutrients they need. Hamilton Beach provides this well loved juicer that can process your produce in seconds. Even the components are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Why you’ll love it: Not only does this thing juice, you can also make alternative milks with it, such as rice, almond or soy. Plus, Hamilton Beach is a brand that has been around forever. There’s a reason for that.
24. COSORI Pro Air Fryer Oven Combo
Image Credit: Amazon
If you haven’t noticed, a lot of the latest tools on this list either make cooking easier or healthier. This one definitely does both. There’s a reason the air fryer has exploded in popularity lately. Crispy, satisfying favorites with a fraction of the oil? All with faster cleanup and cook times and no need for your oven? Yeah, it seems like a really good bandwagon to jump on. After all, why deep fry when you can air fry?
Why you’ll love it: This awesome air fryer comes with a recipe book with a hundred recipes. Everything from breakfast through dessert, and plenty of gluten free options. For a lot of preparations, you can even use it in lieu of a toaster oven!
25. Courant Double Slow Cooker
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Everyone loves a good slow cooker. There’s a reason they’ve been popular since forever. But, add a second pot capability to the mix? Now you have our attention. This makes meal time a breeze, year round, especially in the summers when a hot oven feels like torture. The best part? Each pot has individual heat settings. So you can make all kinds of different recipes at the same time. Because it’s two pots in one base, it also saves on space.
Why you’ll love it: It’s so easy to clean. Just take the non-stick pots out and put them in the dishwasher. Done!
There are lots of ways to make cooking and meal prep easier.Here’s a link for helpful smart appliances that might have some solutions. Still, there are always factors to consider when selecting from all these cool kitchen gadgets. Do you use your oven, or air fry? An oven can overheat your house in hot weather. Just something to consider. Should you prep with a knife and cutting board, or try a zippy food processor? Think about your time needs and decide which is best for you.
No matter what shortcuts we take in the kitchen, there will always be a common problem. Food scraps. Making apple pie? You’ll have peels. Juicing vegetables? You’ll have leftover pulp. Making cold brew? You’ll have used coffee grounds. That’s where Lomi’s so handy. No matter what cooking hacks you’re using, Lomi can deal with the mess left behind, transforming scraps and organic matter into natural fertilizer. See why people turn to Lomi to deal with kitchen waste responsibly. Just a little food for thought.
Written by: Heidi Edwards