We're always on the lookout for smart kitchen tools to make your life easier.These are my 5 favorites right now

My job as a shopping writer gives me the opportunity to try out countless gadgets and gear and spend hundreds of hours each year checking out Amazon's kitchen sales. 9 to 5 isn't that bad, right? To put my tireless research to good use, I've gathered the most useful tools and gadgets that have been in rotation lately. Prices start at just $14.

From tested and approved pan slings to smart coffee mugs to tofu presses and more, these are the genius kitchen products I can't resist using, and they're all available on Amazon.

The most useful tools and gadgets I bought on Amazon this year

Tofuture Tofu Press

I've been a vegetarian for most of my life, and one thing I've learned along the way is that it's easier to cook tofu after it's pressed. I spent years balancing cookbooks and canned food on blocks because squeezing liquid out of tofu causes it to curdle and soak up the sauce more easily. That's when I discovered a tofu press that allows you to make flavorful, crispy tofu with minimal effort. The 3-piece gadget easily strains juice and disassembles for easy insertion into the dishwasher.

Kitchendao Salad Dressing Shaker with Juicer

Since moving in together earlier this year, I've turned my burger-obsessed partner into a salad lover. Part of my weekly meal prep is making a simple homemade dressing that my mom has been making for me all my life, but as it turned out, she found that it wasn't enough and made me do this job. He even bought me this two-in-one shaker. Easier. This clever tool comes with a manual juicer head, easy-pour spout, and tight-sealing top for mess-free shakes, and is only $14 on Amazon.

angadna silicone bread sling

Bread is a staple in my house, and ever since I discovered how easy it is to make no-knead bread in a Dutch oven, I've started making bread every Sunday. However, even though I used parchment paper to line the pan, the bottom of the bread often burned in the oven. Then I found a non-stick silicone pan sling. Perfectly shaped and sized to fit into a standard Dutch oven, it has two long handles to avoid accidental burns. Prevents your favorite boule from burning and is easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug

I drink hot drinks slowly, but especially in the winter, my coffee or tea often gets cold after just a few sips. A few months ago I decided to purchase this Smart Him mug for myself. I can't stop talking about how much I love this smart mug. Heat your mug to your desired temperature (easily adjusted in the Ember app) and keep your drink hot for up to 80 minutes on a single charge. You can also set it on a compatible charging coaster to keep your drink hot all day long.

Dreamfarm Levoons Self-Leveling Measuring Spoons Set of 4

I always mess up when I cook, especially when measuring dry ingredients for recipes like sourdough bread, homemade pasta, and macarons. To prevent disasters in the kitchen and bake bread more efficiently, I chose this self-leveling measuring spoon set. It comes with 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, teaspoon, and tablespoon and is removable for easy cleanup. The built-in scraper moves like a wiper and provides more accurate measurements. This set is also perfect for those who multitask in the kitchen, as you can level ingredients with one hand.

Other clever gadgets from Amazon:

Linda's Essentials Oven Rack Bumpers Set of 3

Fivtek clip-on pasta strainer

Anelong 2-in-1 Garlic Mincer and Chopper

OXO Good Grip 2 Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup

G grip jar opener