15 Best Kitchen Tools of 2024, According to Our Tests

Mac Knife 8 inch hollow edge chef knife

If there's one must-have tool to rule them all, it's a great chef's knife. We love this knife from Mac Knife for its razor-sharp blade, non-slip handle, and nimble, lightweight shape. We found this knife to be a joy to use throughout our testing, finding the tomato skin slippery and delicate yet sturdy enough to cut through dense vegetables with minimal effort.

I found the Mac Knife to be very well balanced, allowing me to chop, dice, and slice for extended periods of time without experiencing wrist strain or other discomfort. The wavy edges prevent food from sticking to the knife blade, making it even easier to use and making you want to eat it again and again.

MIU France large stainless steel turner

A fish spatula seems like one of those kitchen tools you can do without, until you try it and realize how much you've been missing. “It's a must-have for seafood lovers, but it's about more than just seafood,” says chef and nutritionist Melanie Marcus, MD.

This fish spatula from MUI France meets important requirements for us. Its affordable price, solid construction, and just the right amount of flexibility make it perfect for everything from flipping pancakes to flipping fish. “It's also great for scooping poached eggs out of boiling water,” Marcus says. The angled offset design made it easy to wiggle under the food during testing without disturbing the delicate food. I also always appreciate that quality cookware is dishwasher safe.

OXO Good Grip Carving & Cutting Board

A cutting board is essential for basically anything that uses knives in the kitchen. Carving boards are also useful, but both boards can be bulky and difficult to store. That's why we love this two-in-one version from OXO. It features a juice reservoir (great for carving roast chicken) and non-slip grips that work well from both sides of the board.

This plastic board is easy to clean and is much lighter and thinner than wooden boards, making it easier to move and store. Plastic is prone to knife marks, but our tester noticed that serrated knife marks tended to remain on her OXO cutting board. These marks will not affect performance as long as the board is properly cleaned after each use.

Vitamix VM0197 Explorian Blender, Professional Grade

Vitamix is ​​a major name in the blender game, and for good reason. These blenders are Really blend. We like that the E310 Explorian performs well on tough ingredients like ice and kale, and it's more affordable (and more compact size) than his other Vitamix models.

For all of these reasons, we named the E310 “Best for Beginners,” and it's a great choice for anyone looking for a Vitamix for casual use. This is a slightly less powerful model, so the motor can get a little hot if you use it frequently, but it's perfectly fine for home use unless you're buying it for a 24-hour smoothie cafe.

“As a chef and nutritionist who leans toward a plant-based diet, I rely on my Vitamix almost every day,” Marcus says.

(Looking for a more budget-friendly blender? We also recommend the NutriBullet Pro 900.)

Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender

Immersion blenders are the space-saving key to making smooth soups, perfect emulsions, and smoothies without the hassle. The Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender passed our tests with flying colors, stirring even chia seeds and crushed ice with ease.

The 8-inch length makes it easy to reach the bottom of Dutch ovens and tall mixing vessels, and the rubber-tipped bottom won't scratch your favorite cookware. This blender has 15 speeds, and while it can be a little noisy at high speeds, keep in mind that's where all the power comes from.

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer

When we tested air fryers, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus came out on top thanks to its user-friendly design and rich features, and it delivered truly great results. Air circulation is efficient and everything from shrimp to chicken wings to Brussels sprouts is evenly cooked. The Vortex Plus is also not as huge (or expensive) as some air fryers, making it a great choice for small spaces or on a tight budget.

With a 6-quart capacity that's perfect for 2 to 4 people, and presets like broil, roast, and dehydrate, we think the Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a must-have air fryer.

Cookware stainless steel clad frying pan

we cooperated a lot Stainless steel frying pans, and our all-time favorite, are the Made In 10-inch frying pans. This balanced and thoughtfully designed skillet (by the way, a skillet and a frying pan are the same thing!) never fails to impress with its even heat distribution, comfortable handle, and durable construction.

Stainless steel skillets are available for less, but we think it's worth investing in something that will last for years and look great. We really liked this pot during our testing and couldn't find a single thing we didn't like about it.

Latent Epicure battery powered grinder set

Freshly ground pepper always has better flavor than ground, and we love this handy set from Latent Epicure. These grinders are electric powered, making them stylish, effective, and fun to use.

In our tests, we demonstrated this grinder's ability to smoothly grind black peppercorns to a uniform consistency, without the annoying twisting and shaking that often occurs with traditional grinders. We appreciated the consistent performance of this grinder. Whether full or low, you can always grind with the same effortless precision.

Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer

Our favorite vacuum sealer is this sleek countertop model from Nesco. It's gentle enough that even the crunchy Chex Mix remained intact during the dry seal test, and the avocado halves remained fresh and green with no signs of discoloration.

I found that Nesco's vacuum sealer required special care when sealing bags full of liquid to avoid a mess, but once sealed the bags were waterproof and used without issue. can. This is a great vacuum sealer for beginners or occasional users who want to keep food fresh longer or want to dabble in sous vide cooking. Learning how to use a vacuum sealer is easy if you are new to this equipment.

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

A meat thermometer is an essential tool for professional cooks. “At my house, we always use a meat thermometer when preparing high-quality steaks and chops,” Marcus says. “Using a meat thermometer eliminates the need to cut the meat before serving and ensures that the protein is cooked properly and at the right temperature. It helps avoid overcooking.”

We're big fans of the Thermapen ONE, which is incredibly accurate and super fast. Usage is simple. Simply insert the probe into whatever you want to measure temperature and get accurate and reliable readings within about 2 seconds.

Food processors are extremely useful kitchen tools and are essential for quick weeknight meals, but they can sometimes get bulky or complicated. We are big fans of his 14 cup model from Cuisinart. Its two-button simplicity and sharp, durable blades let you chop onions or shred cheese like a pro.

As with any small multi-purpose appliance, there's a bit of a learning curve, such as changing out attachments and getting the hang of when to press “on” and “pulse,” but the Cuisinart is very effective and easy to use. It works because it's so much fun. ”Knowing yourself doesn't feel like such a hassle.

Staub's Dutch Oven almost competes with Le Creuset (which we love too!), but in our tests, Staub came out on top, proving to have the best price/performance ratio. Whether we were browning chicken, crisping rice, or stewing meat, the Staub handled everything we threw at it without a scratch.

Dutch ovens may come with a hefty price tag, but they're a true investment that will last you for years to come. Staub comes in a wide variety of colors and is so beautiful that you'll want to display it above your stove.

kenwood chef kitchen machine

Yes, I recommend a stand mixer. other than the popular KitchenAid model. In our tests, the Kenwood Chef in his Kitchen installed his machine carefully on the counter without taking up much space, was easy to clean thanks to its sleek and minimalist design, and had plenty of practical accessories. I found out that it is included. Most importantly, the Kenwood stand mixer gets the job done without rattling, overheating, or making a huge mess thanks to its wide, deep bowl.

The Kenwood is a great choice in terms of both performance and value, as it comes with seven accessories, including a whisk, dough hook, and splash guard.

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker

I really enjoyed using the Anova Culinary Sous Vide Immersion Circulator. The device is accurate, easy to use, and also Wi-Fi compatible if you want to connect to an app for recipe ideas and tutorials. If you're not interested, don't worry. All controls are also integrated directly into the circulator.

This sous vide cooker can be used with a variety of containers as it provides a low level warning when the water starts to get low. With such versatility and precision, we think this is an ideal choice for experienced sous vide enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Bodum Bistro Premium Burr Grinder

Any coffee lover will quickly tell you that freshly ground coffee tastes (and smells!) better than pre-ground beans. A high-quality grinder feels like a higher-grade kitchen tool. Enjoy a great experience every morning with your favorite coffee grinder from Bodum Bistro. The burr grinder grinds beans evenly and smoothly every time, and is an easy-to-use model that looks good and is easy to clean. Using a glass hopper lets you know at a glance when it's time to refill your beans, and it's not expensive. It's all a winner!