For some cooks, the gratification of preparing a meal at home can be overshadowed by anxiety and frustration in kitchens that aren’t set up to accommodate limited mobility or vision, fatigue or reduced limb strength. Fortunately, a growing list of adaptive products help make cooking more accessible for everyone. These tools can perform multiple tasks and otherwise reduce stress brought on by the sometimes fast-paced, often reactionary task of cooking. Some, like the versatile rocker knife or the workhorse Parsons ADL cutting board, have been designed explicitly to accommodate one-handed slicing, dicing and prep. Others aren’t necessarily marketed as adaptive tools—like a lightweight task lamp or heat-resistant gloves—but prove themselves versatile enough to be named among the best adaptive kitchen tools.
The best adaptive kitchen tools can improve accessibility and reduce stress associated with many … [+] cooking tasks, allowing people with limited mobility, low vision and similar to prepare meals more seamlessly.
Photos: Retailers / Illustration: Forbes
Understanding that each cook has individual needs, we explored some inherent challenges to preparing and cooking a meal—from working in sufficient lighting to finding the right (sharp!) knife for the right task to mitigating burn risk—tapping an occupational therapist’s four-plus decades of experience. We also leaned heavily on customer reviews of adaptive products and researched forums like the r/Cooking, r/Disabled Cooking and r/Disability Reddit communities for repeat recommendations of essential kitchen products.
While the top tools we identified are certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution, they do rally around a common goal: “Without generalizing for everybody, how do we help people be able to do an everyday task, which is cooking, and still be able to have a balance in their lives?” says Karen Jacobs, an occupational therapist for 45 years and associate dean of digital learning and innovation at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. “We all have meaningful—to use ‘OT’ language—occupations we love to do every day. I want to encourage people to think about ways they can keep cooking as a meaningful occupation for themselves and not get discouraged.” With this in mind, here are some of the best adaptive kitchen tools available to cooks of all kinds.
Materials:Food-grade polypropylene and stainless steel | Dimensions: 12 inches x 3 inches x 12 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Dishwasher Safe:Yes
Pros:
Durable but not heavy, and easy to clean
Four suction cups reliably anchor it into place on work surface; three spikes securely hold fruit, vegetables and proteins for easy cutting; and corner rails keep bread and rolls lodged in for easy buttering
Roomy enough to accommodate multiple tasks
Cons:
The prongs are sharp; consider covering with a small, overturned glass bowl when not in use
Corner rails are not removable, which some customers take issue with
Its large size might make it challenging to fit inside certain dishwashers
Designed for one-handed use, this durable polypropylene (a.k.a. food-safe, synthetic resin) cutting board is large—a whopping 12 inches square, to be exact—and multifunctional enough to become a reliable fixture in the kitchen. Four suction cups keep it firmly secured onto any surface, and three stainless-steel spikes hold foods in place, from thick steaks to whole onions and potatoes, for easy slicing and dicing. A raised wall in one corner also stabilizes bread and rolls to make it easier to spread on condiments.
What The Expert And Reviews Say:Jacobs says occupational therapists consider a one-handed cutting board anchored by suction cups and featuring spikes for holding ingredients an essential tool for folks with limited mobility or the use of one hand or arm.
Customers appreciated the thoughtful design, including the addition of a third prong to keep food in place: “The corners are open, which allows bread crumbs and food particles to be easily disposed, of and there are three spikes to secure a piece of fruit or vegetable for cutting… Most boards I’ve seen have only two spikes, which do not hold items securely.”
Materials:Stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 6.5 inches x 2.25 inches x 0.5 inches | Weight: 6 ounces | Dishwasher Safe:Yes
Pros:
Sturdy with good one-handed grip and control
Sharp, curved blade makes quick work of even thin precision slicing
Cons:
Some users report trouble with removing the original plastic packaging
Snap-on cover can also be hard to remove with one hand
Cooks with limited hand strength, mobility and dexterity will relish the ease of knife work with this rocker knife—whether slicing toothsome grilled pork chops, cleanly cutting slices of cake or chopping fruits and vegetables that range from crisp to soft. The comfortable, vertically oriented grip and curved-blade design help increase the downward cutting force and allow for more control. A quick rocking of the blade makes short work of items with more resistance.
What The Expert And Reviews Say: “[This type of knife’s] crescent shape makes it a go-to recommendation as a multi-use tool among occupational therapists,” Jacobs says. “I have clients that will take theirs to restaurants with them. At home, it’s one of our go-to knives for slicing and chopping; I think everybody should have one.”
Reddit user SwimmingAnxiety3441 agrees that a rocker knife is essential, especially one with a thick handle such as this model: “After a stroke, my grandfather used one to cut food. [The] short, thick handle was helpful for grip and the curved blade made getting a ‘tactical’ angle easier.”
Materials:Stainless steel and silicone | Dimensions: 13.75 inches x 1.5 inches x 1.75 inches | Weight: |6.5 ounces| Dishwasher Safe:Yes
Pros:
Lightweight design that’s easy to grip with one hand
Silicone heads are heat resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
Ideal for using on scratch-prone nonstick cookware
Cons:
The locking mechanism can occasionally be sticky
The softness of the tips makes it tougher to grab very small items
Tongs are the everyday workhorses of most kitchens—the extendable arms we shouldn’t have to think about, just use. At the same time, if tongs are flimsy or sporting misaligned arms, we notice immediately. Enter these lightweight-yet-sturdy and affordable tongs from OXO, whose entire line was created to make go-to kitchen tools more adaptive.
The heat-resistant, silicone tips can be used with every type of cookware without fear of scratching. The soft, no-slip grips with thumb handles and quick, push-pull lock make these excellent for one-handed cooking. Their durability and extra-long design make them a fine arm extender if flipping a chicken breast or reaching to dress lettuce.
What The Writer And Reviews Say:I found myself replacing tongs far too often until I bought my first pair from OXO years ago. I’ve since come to rely on the extra-long design with silicone tips not just for flipping bacon without fear of grease splatter, but turning slippery eggplant and squashes in the sauté pan, transferring steaks to serving platters one-handed, tossing al dente pasta with carbonara sauce and distributing dressing on salads. The lightweight steel makes them an indispensable cooking tool.
Redditor gibagger agrees that OXO’s Good Grips products, like these these tongs, are essential adaptive items: “The whole OXO brand was created around the premise of being easy to use for people with joint issues or old age. [The] handles are grippy rubber and usually thick for easy grabbing…which results [in a comfortable experience] whether or not you have a good grip.”
Materials:Leather | Dimensions: 16 inches x 7 inches x 0.7 inches | Weight: 12.6 ounces | Machine Washable:No
Pros:
Better grasp and control than oven mitts
Cowhide leather is heat and cut resistant, allowing for more confidence when gripping and maneuvering with hot pans or slicing meat
Multiple size options available
Cons:
Some customers say they run large
Can withstand temperatures of up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit for just 15 seconds, which might pose challenges with limited mobility
Because typical oven mitts are essentially stiff mittens, why not look outside the kitchen for flexible, heat-resistant gloves? Designed for welding, these leather work gloves are versatile and flexible enough for grilling, baking and ingredient chopping, with more control than fingerless mitts. With long sleeves that cover most of the forearm, the gloves are excellent for those who have to reach further in order to retrieve items from the oven, and help prevent cuts while chopping or slicing. The cowhide leather offers better grip than the sometimes slippery silicone that often lines grilling gloves.
What The Expert Says:Jacobs learned the value of long oven gloves the hard way, burning herself while pulling a pan out of the oven from a rack that was too high. She now recommends them to everyone; “and you really want to make sure they have a good grip,” she adds.
Materials:BPA-free and food-safe Tritan Renew plastic | Dimensions: 8.3 inches x 7 inches x 6.3 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds | Dishwasher Safe:Yes, on the top shelf
Pros:
Easy to read without bending or lifting to eye level
Soft, non-slip handle for more control
Cons:
Markings may fade over time; consider handwashing for longer life
Won’t suffice for very low or no vision
This three-piece set of liquid measuring cups with angled surface inside eliminates the taxing need to stoop, adjust and readjust liquid levels, allowing cooks to read the measurements by looking straight down into the cup. Its non-slip handle is comfortable to grip, and its graduated pouring spout lends nice control whether pouring oil, water or slow-flowing molasses. The lightweight set includes 1-, 2- and 4-cup sizes made from recycled plastic.
The main disadvantage of these measuring cups is that they don’t support individuals with low or no vision. Cooks with such conditions may instead consider a liquid level indicator like the Maxi-Aid Liquid Level Detector, which beeps and vibrates when liquid reaches the top of the glass.
What The Writer Says:It’s wonderful to not have to stoop or squint to read liquid measurements; the adjustment in angle with this cup’s design is the game-changer I didn’t know I needed. Plus, these measuring cups are lightweight and easy to grip, like all OXO products. I appreciate they’re made from upcycled materials as well.
Expert Tip: While you’re at it, don’t stop at liquid measurements, Jacobs says, noting she recommends clients buy large-print measuring spoons and dry measuring cups, too. “Not everybody remembers tablespoons from teaspoons, and as you get down to quarter teaspoons, it’s really important to make sure you can see the measurements.” Maxi-Aids makes an 11-piece set of large-print dry measuring cups and spoons, which are dishwasher-safe.
Easily mounts under cabinet to stay out of sight and out of the way
Cons:
Metal teeth can damage some plastic lids
Depending on mounting surface, might need to reinforce peel-and-stick adhesion with screws (which are included)
Everyone has trouble with stubborn jar lids from time to time—and this becomes more frustrating and commonplace with limited mobility or dexterity. “I’m 73, and my strength in my hands has really decreased with age, so any device we have that makes opening a jar easier is really important,” Jacobs says.
While there are plenty of inexpensive jar opening aids of all sizes and shapes and prices, installing a sturdy, versatile opener gives back drawer and counter space that bulky electric openers might occupy. The G Grip has been around for almost half a century; its V-shaped metal grippers hold a wide range of lids in place while you twist them loose, whether you’ve wedged in a huge jar of pickles or a tiny container of oil-packed anchovies.
What The Reviews Say: Users are impressed with the ease of installing this product, with many citing that it takes under five minutes to accomplish; they also appreciate how discreet and unobtrusive the tool is once placed under a cabinet, as well as the versatility of the opener to tackle bottles of all sizes. One reviewer writes: “I am an occupational therapist and I highly recommend! I have used this with many patients of mine with arthritis and decreased grip strength! Very easy to apply under cabinets. Able to use on jars/bottles of all sizes.”
Expert Tip: Jacobs recommends home cooks with limited hand and arm strength stock up on an array of bottle opener gadgets, especially if they can’t install the option above: “Any device to make opening bottles easier is really important.” Astofli makes a brightly colored five-pack that should suit most tasks.
Materials:Stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 5 inches x 7 inches x 9.25 inches | Weight:2 pounds | Dishwasher Safe:Yes (bowl and lid)
Pros:
Chop and grind settings rotate the blade in different directions, making it stay sharper for longer
Easy to clean with wipe-clean touchpad and dishwasher-safe removable parts
Compact enough for easy storage on counter or in cupboard
Cons:
Can’t smoothly purée ingredients
If overfilled with liquid (especially warm), it will leak out the top; keep liquids below the halfway point
Loud when operating for noise-sensitive users
One of the simplest ways to make cooking less overwhelming is to think smaller, Jacobs says—in the number of tasks you give yourself, the heft of tools and appliances you’re using and the portion sizes you’re preparing. Enlisting a small food processor is a great way to cut down on laborious tasks like dicing veggies for salsa without having to buy costlier pre-chopped produce. This sturdy, 4-cup processor is as powerful as its larger counterparts, locking into place before it quickly pulverizes fruit, vegetables, nuts and cheese with the press of a button.
What The Writer And Reviews Say:I’ve exclusively used Cuisinart food processors since my mom gave me my first one 20 years ago—which I still own, by the way. I began using the Mini-Prep in the last decade for quickly grinding smaller-sized portions of pesto and Parmesan, blending chunkier sauces and soup, chopping shallots and garlic and prepping pico de gallo with just the push of a button.
Reddit user lolsalmon, whose grip strength has diminished due to arthritis, touts the handiness and versatility of having a “real little food processor…the size you can cut one onion with. Sometimes you need to chop only one onion and it’s not worth busting out the [larger] chopper.”
Another Redditor, shadowedhopes, agrees in the same thread: “I’ve got a Cuisinart Mini-Prep and it’s the best thing ever. I use it constantly and have bought several as gifts.”
Materials:Lacquered plastic | Dimensions: 13.4 inches x 3.9 inches x 15.1 inches | Weight:1.9 pounds
Pros:
Five color and brightness modes are suitable for different uses
Lighting controlled with only soft touch, and memory function will recall your last-used setting
Foldable when not in use to save space; lightweight for easy portability
Cons:
Some users report the base is not flat and may wobble on non-steady work surfaces; consider affixing to a countertop rather than foldable prep table
A few users reported the lamp lasted only 1 or 2 years
A longtime kitchen designer, Jacobs finds that the importance of good, sufficient kitchen lighting is too often overlooked—all the more critical for cooks with low vision. “Often there’s not enough overhead light,” she says. “Adequate lighting is critical for doing tasks. I like extra task lighting that can be dimmed if other people in the household don’t need it.”
This dimmable task lamp works nicely in kitchen settings given its small base and flexible head and arm, which can be adjusted to direct the light wherever you need it the most, whether reading a recipe or slicing onions. Its five color and brightness modes allow you to customize the lamp’s settings based on the task at hand— like bright white light for prep without eye strain and soft, warm light for mealtimes. A memory function enables it to turn on to your last-used brightness setting, rather than the defaults, for convenience. It’s also 90% foldable and quite lightweight, making it easy to move around and store, but its sleek, minimalist style looks handsome if you don’t want to put it away.
What The Reviews Say: Though a number of reviewers use this lamp for sewing, reading sheet music or completing puzzles, one remarks how versatile it is for the kitchen, too: “I appreciate this for many reasons, not the least of which is how tall it is. It provides good illumination for inside my Crock-Pot when the ceiling overhead light just doesn’t suffice. The controls are easy and clever. Will recommend.”
Materials:High-density foam, printed fabric top| Dimensions: From 36 inches x 22 inches x 0.75 inches | Weight:1.5 pounds
Pros:
Sloped edge helps prevent tripping
Comes in a wide range of colors and patterns to suit any style kitchen
Comes in multiple sizes to suit different kitchen configurations
Cons:
Some users said the Nama rug grips don’t always keep the rug in place; consider reinforcing with inexpensive liners like Gorilla Grip rug pads, which are easy to trim down to size
Stains may show up on lighter-toned rugs; clean regularly with dish soap and water
Fatigue is by now a well-documented issue among professional cooks who stand at the line for hours each day. For those with disabilities, even standing for short stretches to prepare a home-cooked meal can cause exhaustion. A nonslip, anti-fatigue mat—much like wearing the right footwear—is an essential tool for comfort and confidence when working in the kitchen.
The Nama standing mat is made with ergonomic foam that molds to feet without creating too deep of a depression. It has sloping edges so it’s not a trip hazard, and it also comes in an array of pleasing, neutral colors and patterns to suit any kitchen color scheme and style. “Aesthetics in the kitchen are really important too, and we forget about that,” Jacobs says. “Your kitchen should be a happy place.”
What The Reviews Say: More than 1,500 reviews, 1,200 of them with 5-star ratings, corroborate that this mat exceeds expectations in both form and function, and it being easily cleaned is a huge bonus. As one user shared, “This mat not only brightens up my kitchen with its chic minimalist pattern but the quality exceeded expectations. The mat is thick, making it very comfortable to stand on for hours, and feels solid, like it will last for a while. I had no issues wiping up spills from all my meal prep.”
Reddit user TheJenSjo concurs on the necessity of an anti-fatigue mat such as this one: “A floor pad has been a lifesaver for me, as standing for long periods is hard.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s home and kitchen team has years of experience recommending consumer products in the space to suit a variety of needs and lifestyles. We’ve tested and written about hundreds of kitchen tools and accessories, like anti-fatigue mats, can openers and kitchen shears, along with specific ergonomic products for the home, like the best office chairs for back pain and the best standing desk converters. Our picks for the best adaptive kitchen tools were researched and verified by the following experts:
Maggie Hennessy, the author of this story, is a professionally trained chef, food writer and recipe developer who possesses more than a decade of expertise in her field. She has used a number of the tools recommended on this list.
For this article, we interviewed Karen Jacobs (EdD, MS), an occupational therapist with a career spanning over four decades. She is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation, the Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy program and a Clinical Professor of occupational therapy at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Jacobs is the former president and vice president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, contributing to the growth and development of occupational therapy at both national and international levels. She was also the 2005 recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in Iceland and the 2011 Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship Award. A tireless advocate for occupational therapy as an essential component of healthcare, Dr. Jacobs is also a certified professional ergonomist (CPE).
Brinda Ayer, the editorial director of Forbes Vetted, edited this story. She’s a long-time home and kitchen editor who, before joining Forbes Vetted, led the editorial team at Food52, an award-winning home and kitchen retailer and media brand.
How We Chose The Best Adaptive Kitchen Tools
To avoid generalizing, we considered some of the most common OT-approved tools to help make the task of cooking less physically demanding, while remaining a meaningful pursuit. But it’s important to listen to our bodies, Jacobs says. “For some people, the task of cooking could make them not be able to do anything else throughout the day,” Jacobs says. “If they have responsibilities like childcare, going to work, driving, whatever it is, that’s significant.” As such, some of the tools we recommend may suit some lifestyles better than others.
Bestseller Research: We cross-checked best-selling and highly rated adaptive cooking products with crowd-sourced reviews on forums like Reddit.
Writer Recommendations: As a certified chef, Hennessy leaned on the knowledge she’s gained about kitchen ergonomics through cooking school and firsthand experience to target common areas where home cooks might not always set ourselves up for success. This includes investing in a large and secure-enough cutting board, working in adequate lighting, using the right knife for the right task and considering the physical toll of standing for long stretches.
Expert Insights: We also incorporated occupational therapist Karen Jacobs’s firsthand recommendations for what to look for in adaptive cooking tools and how to properly set up workspaces to be safe, productive and enjoyable.
Quality And Features: We evaluated specs and assessed them for value, dependability, ease of use and aesthetics.
Online Reviews: We read through dozens of customer reviews and stuck to products with a 4.5+ star rating.
Our team regularly refreshes this article to make sure that our guidance is continually accurate, and represents the needs of as many diverse cooks as possible. It was last updated in July 2024.
What To Look For In The Best Adaptive Kitchen Tools
Choosing the right adaptive cooking tools is not a one-size-fits-all task: After all, each person’s circumstances, abilities and kitchen setup is unique. Moreover, each cook has different goals and expectations when meal preparation is concerned. Consider the role cooking plays in your life—whether you’re a hobbyist chef or everyday cook preparing dinner for one or a family after work.
If the former, pinpoint the parts of the process you find most gratifying and look for the products that facilitate those tasks you love. If you enjoy the feel of slicing onions, for example, you may want to invest in one or more rocker knives and a well-anchored cutting board. If you find chopping veg an unnecessary burden, on the other hand, you might consider a small food processor that can also complete other tasks like whipping up pesto.
Be Proactive About Your Needs
Before making any purchasing decisions, large or small, talk to an occupational therapist about your goals and anxieties in the kitchen. “They can come and do a home assessment, and problem solve with people,” Jacobs says. “There are so many ways therapists can keep [cooking] being a meaningful occupation.”
Examine How You Actually Use Your Kitchen And Cooking Tools
Much like you’d plan ahead for a recipe by making a shopping list or breaking tasks down into smaller steps or chunks, take the time to plot out how you like to prepare meals at home and the tools required. “Looking at how we use the tools in our kitchen ties into this notion of limiting fatigue,” Jacobs says. “Decluttering is really important.”
If you do a lot of baking and stovetop cooking, for example, consider smaller quarter-sheet trays and lighter-weight, quality pots and pans. A wheeled cart with locks can help you move items between the stove or oven and the countertop and double as a basic prep table. Maybe most importantly, according to Jacobs, make sure you have a dependable microwave that’s easy to access. “I don’t know if you’d call it a hack or just a utilitarian piece of equipment in the house, but there’s so much you can do with a microwave,” she says.
