13 Best Small Appliances of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Air fryers are the most popular kitchen appliance and a chef's favorite countertop appliance, and there's a reason why. And we think this Instant Pot air fryer deserves a place in your kitchen. The basket is just the right size to avoid overcrowding, but compact enough to sit unobtrusively on your counter or cabinet. During testing, it produced some of the tastiest dishes of all the tests, including coconut shrimp, roasted potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Plus, its nonstick coating makes it easy to clean.

This toaster from Zwilling impressed us during testing by evenly toasting bread, waffles, and bagels. We like that the slots are wide and can accommodate a variety of thicknesses, including hand-cut sourdough and bagel slices. While testing the best toasters, we didn't notice any signs of uneven toasting like other toasters we tested. With clean lines and easy operation, this toaster looks stylish on any countertop.

If you're looking for a microwave that won't get soggy in the middle or overly crispy on the edges, this model from Panasonic is a great choice. The brand's “cyclonic wave inverter” technology is key to cooking your food evenly. The inverter circuit delivers constant power at the desired level throughout the cooking time. Reverse wave microwaves not only provide superior cooking, but they're also energy efficient. Not only do they heat evenly, they also heat your food faster than any other microwave we've tested. Like most microwaves, it comes with presets like popcorn, quick 30, coffee/milk, and more.

When I tried out this electric kettle, I loved the double-walled design that keeps the outside from getting too hot, which is a great safety feature. It has six precise temperature settings and even has an added “keep warm” button so you don't have to reheat the water if you lose track of time. It's available in four colors — silver, pink, black, and gold — and its sleek look will complement any kitchen.

If you don't need an air fryer in addition to a toaster, we recommend the Air Fryer Toaster Oven. If you cook on your counter and have ever wanted to push your appliance against the wall to save space, this Ninja Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a dream come true. Not only does it function as both an air fryer and a toaster oven, but it also folds flat when not in use.

I was amazed by the power of this compact air fryer toaster oven. It has excellent heating elements for browning and searing. You can also use it to bake cookies and dry fruits.

The sleek and compact vacuum sealer is a small appliance that offers big benefits. Use it to preserve food that is about to spoil or for sous vide cooking. In our tests, this model proved to be excellent, especially in the delicate tests. It's very easy to use, and we think it's perfect for chefs of all levels.

There's a reason the ubiquitous NutriBullet is one of the best personal blender brands on the market: because it works. goodLike the 900W model, this NutriBullet 600W is a lifesaver in any kitchen. It comes with an amazingly large carafe so you don't have to waste space with a full-sized blender. This model can easily handle those extra-large morning smoothies.

During testing, we also loved its unique design; the carafe lid is a blade that locks securely into the base, making it super easy to store. We also love how easy this blender is to use; there are no buttons, just click it in and you're ready to go. That said, it's not great for more delicate tasks where you'd want variable power or blending controls. But if you're looking for a no-frills, reliable blender, this model is a great choice.

If you want a coffee shop-like experience at home but don't have the space for a large, well-equipped espresso machine, this model is for you. After testing the best espresso machines, we fell in love with this machine because it's so compact yet comes with a high-quality burr grinder, milk frother, pitcher, filter, and built-in tamper. Plus, it has all the professional settings and controls for filtering, grinding, and cleaning so you can customize each cup to your own liking.

There are many reasons we love this food processor, including its simple design. With just an on/off and pulse setting, there's very little room for error. The large bowl holds up to 14 cups, making it a great investment for all your dips, batters, sauces, pestos, and more. It received top marks across the board in tests and never wavered in our rigorous testing.

Cook the best rice of your life with this editor-favorite rice cooker. With eight preset settings, just Rice maker. Cook your favorite grains, make stews, chilis, soups. You can even make cakes. But rice is teeth The menu's “Quick Rice” feature ensures it's fluffy and perfectly cooked, and we loved it so much during testing that we think it's worth having in your kitchen.

After testing dozens of hand mixers, this mixer easily performed the best. It has nine speeds, a handy digital display, and a built-in timer and light. The best thing about this hand mixer is that the beaters have built-in rubber scrapers, which helps you mix evenly down to the last drop of dough or batter.

The mixer's base fits into a plastic storage case where all the accessories and cords can be coiled up and stored, making it ideal for small kitchens. In our tests, this mixer outperformed other mixers in efficiency, functionality, and versatility. We also like the extra accessories, like the dough hook, whisk, and snap-on case that help keep things organized.

If you don't have the space for a full-sized blender, a hand blender might be the solution. These hand blenders are a convenient, all-in-one device that whips, blends, and emulsifies. In our test of hand blenders, we loved the powerful performance and mess-free operation of the Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender.

During testing, the textured grip was easy to use and didn't tire my arms out. It has a 15-step speed dial and a shallow head that minimizes suction power to prevent food from getting stuck. Overall, this is a handy, easy-to-use appliance that will be a great addition to any kitchen.

Sous vide cooking is a great way to keep almost any food at the right temperature by heating and maintaining water at a set temperature. When testing sous vide cookers, we liked a few different models from Anova. This model in particular stood out for a few reasons, including its accuracy, ease of setup, and Wi-Fi capabilities that let you connect to apps for recipes and tutorials. We also like that you can attach it to your pot with an adjustable clamp for hands-free use.