The best kitchen tools under $20, based on our tests

nordicware big baking sheet

Savvy meal preparers and bakers who like large batches reach for this large sheet pan again and again. Made of highly durable aluminum, it conducts heat well and cooks food evenly. When I tested cookie sheets, I found that the potato wedges baked evenly, the cookies had a golden brown finish, and the food pulled away easily. Despite its large size, it was easy to operate even with oven mitts on. The slanted walls help scoop up food with the spatula, and the rounded edges provide good structure (prevents warping).

Zyliss Comfort Paring Knife Set of 2

The versatility of a paring knife is second to none, so if one knife is useful, a set of two is even better. This set from Zyliss includes a 3.5-inch standard knife and a 4.5-inch serrated knife, made with a stainless steel blade and rubberized handle for enhanced grip control. When we tested the paring knife, we loved how easy it was to chop shallots with the smooth blade, cut bread with the serrated blade, and slice tomatoes. Both blades are easy to hand wash and also include a blade cover to protect from extremely sharp points and edges during storage.

microplane premium zester

Microplane makes the gold standard in handheld zesters and graters. We used this lightweight tool to quickly remove the peel from citrus fruits, producing over 1 tablespoon of peel per orange without damaging the fruit. It's also great for hard cheeses, producing fine, fluffy shreds that melt into risotto and pasta. They last a long time (see our editor who has been using them for over 10 years), but to make them last longer, they come with a plastic cover to protect sharp teeth when stored in a drawer.

Zulay Kitchen 3-in-1 Manual Citrus Juicer

It's easy to spend more money on a citrus juicer, but you don't have to. This model from Zulay does double duty with his two reamers: a 12-tooth reamer for lemons and limes, and a 3-tooth reamer for oranges, grapefruit, and other large citrus fruits. We tested this with several different citrus varieties and were able to produce large amounts of clear, flavorful juice with pulp, which we collected in the 17-ounce capacity cup below. It's perfect for small juice-making jobs like making cocktails and ceviche, and cleanup is basically hassle-free.

Longzon 4-in-1 knife sharpener

Professional chefs know that keeping their knives sharp is essential for functionality and safety in the kitchen. This affordable knife sharpener from Longzon allows you to dull your knives whenever you need to, with multiple grit settings to get the perfect edge. I liked the durability and effectiveness of this sharpener. I noticed an improvement in the blade after just 5-10 pulls (I found it cut even better after 10-20 pulls). I also like that the scissors can also be sharpened, adding even more value to this already affordable model.

KitchenAid Bamboo Handle Scraper Spatula

For any avid baker, a silicone spatula is essential. Flexible head allows for easy mixing, scrubbing, and folding. Silicone's heat-resistant properties also make it perfect for cooking on the stovetop without damaging the surface of your favorite pots and pans. During testing, this attractive KitchenAid spatula easily scraped ingredients from the bowl, felt very light, and was easy to clean with a quick hand wash. The curved head struggled to get into corners, but we found it versatile and great value overall.

A spatula, which you use to flip and roll eggs into the desired shape, is especially important when making omelettes. This flexible egg turner from OXO has a silicone blade with an ultra-thin, slightly flexible edge that allows you to slide it right under the omelet without damaging the surface of the omelet. When we tested the best spatula for eggs, we were able to achieve the perfect crease, so we named it the best spatula for omelettes. The shape is also perfect for flipping fish fillets. It is highly heat resistant (up to 600°F) and is dishwasher safe.

A fish spatula may seem too specialized for the average home cook, but this comfortable turner is a nice tool to have even if you don't use it for fish. When we tested the fish spatula, the Winco's 3.25-inch wide blade provided enough surface area to easily flip burgers and pancakes, and its thinness allowed it to glide smoothly through delicate fish fillets without tearing them apart. I love being able to do that. Although the handle is made of wood, the spatula is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean.

A wooden spoon is useful for sautéing, stirring sauces, and scraping fonds while deglazing the pot. We love this teak spoon because it's extremely durable and water-resistant, making it a tool that will last quite a while in the average kitchen. During testing, it was easy to crumble ground sausage and stir oatmeal. Also, since the bowl of this spoon is deep, it could also be used as a serving spoon. I could easily clean it by hand and then let it air dry. The manufacturer recommends oiling it occasionally to prevent cracking.

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Seasoned Skillet

Since 1896, Lodge has built its reputation on top-performing, traditional quality cast iron cookware. This pre-seasoned 10.25-inch pot is one of the brand's best sellers, and there's a great reason why. In our cast iron skillet tests, it excelled in every category. It provides excellent browning when grilling meat, and the baked cornbread comes off easily without sticking. I also found that it was easy to clean with hot water and a wipe. Cast iron skillets require regular maintenance to maintain flavor, but this skillet will last a lifetime with proper care, so this price is a bargain.

OXO Good Grip Meat Tenderizer

Meat tenderizers are useful for making veal scaloppini and schnitzel, and this product from OXO came out on top as the overall best in our tests. One side has a smooth surface to flatten the meat, the other side has a toothed surface to tenderize the meat, and a slight angle to the head. In our tests, it was able to quickly flatten pork cutlets and chicken breasts, but if you use too much force, it's easy to apply too much force and tear the meat. I was also able to turn graham crackers into crumbs with just a few shakes. The non-slip grip prevents it from flying off your hands, and it's dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

OXO Good Grip Silicone Steamer

The OXO Good Grip Steamer's one-piece construction and flexibility make it versatile for steaming vegetables, dumplings, and more. In our tests, it stands out as the most adaptable steaming basket for pots of all sizes, and the silicone material stays cooler and easier to handle than its metal counterpart. However, the flexibility of the silicone made it easy for the food to slide around inside the basket, which wasn't an issue but did feel a bit annoying. It was easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher because it didn't have overlapping flaps or hard-to-reach gaps that some steamer baskets have.

A sturdy scoop is a must-have for any household that loves ice cream and sorbet, especially when the warmer months come and we tend to eat more frozen desserts. This ice cream scoop ranked higher than other ice cream scoops due to its durable stainless steel construction and sharp tip that allows you to take every last piece out of the tub. The only downside we found during testing is that extremely cold ice cream tends to stick to metal, so you might have to remove it from the scooper.

Joseph Joseph Cut & Carve Plus

If you regularly roast whole chickens or grill steaks, this rubber carving board is perfect for carving and slicing thanks to a cluster of spikes in the center that holds the meat in place. It's an ideal surface. Tested alongside a wooden and plastic carving board, we found that it was easily stabilized when shredding chicken, and the beveled surface gently pushed runny juices to one end for immediate pouring. liked it. The board is small but large enough for most carving tasks. That said, I don't recommend it for whole turkeys or large prime rib roasts. They are easier to hand wash but can also be put in the dishwasher, which is better than their wooden counterparts.