Reddit's picks for the best kitchen gadgets under $50

“A $16 panini press,” one Reddit user wrote, “transforms a boring lunch sandwich into a super tasty, amazing lunch sandwich.”

I can 100% guarantee this. The office I used to work at had a nonstick panini press in the break room that anyone could use. I would often bring a quick deli-meat-and-cheese sandwich for lunch and keep a little spreadable butter in the shared fridge. A few quick smears of butter on the outside of the bread and a run through the press makes a boring sandwich so much better. (The lowest price you'll pay on Amazon right now seems to be $17.99, but it's still a pretty good deal.)

“Listen, it's a good trash can. A nice kitchen trash can with a foot pedal that works well. Nothing too fancy, just something you use every day that works smoothly,” said an anonymous Reddit user. I've never heard any truer words.

While it's not uncommon for these bins to cost over $50 (which is pretty pricey), you can find some great deals on functional, sleek-looking models, like this one. There's nothing worse than having to open your trash can with a piece of raw meat in it — unless your pet pushes the lid open and starts eating the scraps. The right trash can can make your life easier and keep your kitchen safer.

One of the most upvoted answers on the Reddit thread was simply “air fryer,” a top-tier recommendation. Take-out In fact, our air fryers are a big hit.

I'm a former restaurant kitchen worker, and despite what chefs say about air fryers being “just a mini convection oven,” that's not a bad thing at all. Not many homes are lucky enough to have an oven that can do the same thing as a countertop air fryer, so to stay under $50, you'll probably need to opt for a smaller model like this one, or keep an eye out for seasonal sales.

Pro Tip: Try air frying Lamb Weston Made in Idaho frozen fries for fries that taste incredibly close to deep-fried versions. If that's not life-changing, we don't know what is.

Reddit user hrmmmno picked “Good meat thermometer,” and it's a solid choice. Indeed, a decent meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that cuts of meat don't get undercooked or overcooked, whether you're grilling outdoors or in your kitchen. Something simple like the $15 ThermoPro thermometer can ensure that your food will be juicy and perfectly done when you slice it (assuming you give it time to rest).

“I bought an Aeropress,” wrote user KMFDM781. “It's so simple and silly but so awesome…”

As with all the other devices mentioned above, we also recommend the AeroPress. This single-serve coffee maker does an amazing job of removing bitter or bitter flavors from your coffee, resulting in a smoother tasting drink. It's also perfect for people who live alone and don't want to brew a whole pot of coffee or buy a machine with unsustainable disposable pods. A popular model of the AeroPress sells for $40 on Amazon.