The 25 Kitchen Products Every Home Cook Needs

A Chef's Knife

Mac Knife 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef's Knife

$155 at Amazon View on Cutleryandmore.com View on Macknife.com

You can spend a fortune on a high-quality chef’s knife. But can affordable knives get the job done, too? According to our extensive tests: yes. Our overall winner for the best chef's knife is a just over $100 Amazon score. The Mac Knife is a Japanese-style knife, with dimples on both sides of the super thin blade. Those dimples keep food from sticking during slicing, making prep work smooth and efficient, especially with sticky or juicy foods, like potatoes and tomatoes.

Unlike some lightweight knives, the Mac’s blade is sharp enough to handle hardy, heavy vegetables, like carrots and squash. (It's so useful we like to think of this as one of those desert island cooking tools). We also prized it for another, often-overlooked feature: an ultra-grippy handle made from natural materials. It’s constructed from Pakkawood, and designed for a comfortable hold. Add in the “stays sharp for longer” full tang construction that encourages efficient rocking motion while chopping, and this affordable knife takes the cake in every category. 

A Wood Cutting Board

John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Cutting Board

$87 at Amazon $140 $30 at Target $30 at Wayfair

Boos Boards are favored by professional chefs for their XL capacity and roomy dimensions, perfect for doing prep work — they're the next best thing to a butcher block countertop. But they can be pricey, especially when made with soft end-grain wood. This option from Boos is more affordable, thanks to its edge-grain construction. (Edge grain is slightly harder, which means your board will be more resistant to gashes and knife marks, even after years of use). This board is made from sustainably-sourced maple wood, for an unbeatable combination of good looks and longevity.

It’s 20 x 15 inches, with a 1.5-inch height which makes it feel more expensive than it is. During our oversized cutting board tests, we also loved that this board is reversible, which comes in handy during a marathon cooking session. It’s not dishwasher safe (it’s 100% real wood), but treat it regularly with food-safe oil, and this kitchen tool will last you decades.

A Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

$41 $28 at Amazon $25 at Target $15 at Williams Sonoma

Cast iron is king when it comes to amazing searing capability, heat retention, and longevity. And nobody does affordable, high-quality cast iron better than Lodge (our rigorous testing process proved it!). This moderately sized skillet scored perfect 5s across the board, acing the tests in performance, design, ease of cleaning, and value. 

We appreciated that Lodge’s skillet comes pre-seasoned, so you can use it straight out of the box. That layer of seasoning is so good, it was easy to clean with just a swipe of a cloth and some warm water. During our cooking tests, it produced the most even browning, and the included silicone handle made maneuvering the pan with confidence easy. At under 5 pounds, it’s substantial but not unwieldy. And you simply cannot beat that price point, which is dozens of dollars less than other popular cast iron brands.

A Versatile Knife Set

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Piece Slim Knife Block Set

$615 at Amazon

Knife sets are ideal for cooks looking to build a kitchen from scratch, or for any home cook who doesn’t want to shop around for individual pieces of equipment. We tested dozens of popular brands to find the best in every category, and Wusthof’s 7-Piece Set wowed us so much, we gave it the title of Best Overall.

The first to love is its slim profile. Knife blocks get a bad rap for being countertop space hogs, and we’re pleased that this one breaks the mold: it’s inconspicuous, and made from real (sustainably harvested) acacia wood, so it’ll look gorgeous while working hard. This set includes 6 knives and a set of shears, all constructed with fully forged, full-tang carbon steel. This set is tops at keeping a sharp edge even with daily use, and the contoured, synthetic handle is not just comfortable and safe to use, but long-lasting (it’ll never warp or discolor). Plus, the brand is beloved among chefs, who know a few things about professional kitchen tools, making this an excellent choice for gifting.

A Large Capacity Stand Mixer

KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

$600 $500 at Amazon $600 $500 at Sur La Table $650 $450 at Kitchenaid.com

*Editor's note: We tested the KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, which is no longer available. This version is nearly identical, at a slightly lower price.

KitchenAid has great name recognition when it comes to stand mixers, and for good reason: they’re some of the sturdiest, best, and longest-lasting on the market. We recently tested stand mixers, and found a lot to love with this 7-quart model — in fact, it was our pick for the Best Large Capacity Stand Mixer. It received top marks from professional pastry chef Sarah O’Brien, who says bigger is better when it comes to stand mixers.

The XL bowl capacity here means you can use it to make large batches of cookies, doughs, and just about anything else. But it’s also well-designed for smaller-scale mixing, too. There’s a simple lever handle on the side, which makes lifting and lowering the bowl efficient and easy. This redesigned model's motor is a powerful 500 watts, and it also comes with extra attachments, including a whisk, dough hook, and three separate beaters (one standard, one with a silicone edge, and a special pastry beater).

A Sharp Paring Knife

Wusthof Classic Ikon Paring Knife

$115 at Amazon $115 at Williams Sonoma $115 at Wayfair

Paring knives are essential for cooking because they can handle many tasks that are awkward with a larger chef’s knife. The best paring knives are incredibly sharp, but feel comfortable and natural in your hand — you shouldn’t be afraid to choke up on the handle when using one. That’s why Wusthof’s Classic Ikon paring knife took gold in our test of paring knives. 

We praised its “indestructible feeling,” which tracks with Wusthof’s full line of products: these German-designed knives are made to last for years and are favored among chefs for their ability to retain an edge without having to spend hours on the sharpening stone. The 3.5-inch blade is right-sized for handling intricate tasks without being too specialized. The Ikon excels with precision cuts, making it the knife you’ll want to reach for when clean, accurate knife work matters.

A Large-Capacity Food Processor

Cuisinart Food Processor

$250 $210 at Amazon $250 at Target $250 at Williams Sonoma

During testing, we were overwhelmingly impressed by this large-capacity food processor from Cuisinart. The Cuisinart model proves that simpler is better, with only two buttons (one for continuous run and off, and another for pulsing). The bowl is large enough to batch-prep, making it truly useful and time-saving.

The blade is what sets it apart, though. It’s super sharp and lightly serrated, which made chopping and slicing a dream — in our tests, onions received proper, precise dicing with no smashed bits. This is also a food processor that you’ll use the attachments with: we were impressed by how efficiently the grating attachment shredded cheddar cheese. The only downside to this model was the sometimes-fiddly setup, but you’ll forget that as soon as you learn every single piece is dishwasher-safe. (We love dishwasher safe kitchen tools.)

A Hand Mixer

Breville Handy Mix Scraper

$130 at Amazon $130 at Target $130 at Williams Sonoma

Before stand mixers grace the countertops of most home kitchens, cooks relied on hand mixers for beating, mixing, and whisking. They’re still useful! We love them for their ease of use, and ability to evenly mix a batter or whip egg whites and cream without having to stop and scrape the bowl. This model from Breville won top marks in our tests. It has a powerful 240-watt motor, but it's pleasantly lightweight, reducing arm fatigue during use.

There are also 9 different speeds and a handy light that makes it easy to see the progress of your dough while mixing. During testing, we loved the different attachments, including the rubber-lined beaters which were whisper-quiet, and protected stoneware bowls. It outshone the competition in terms of performance, beating cream to stiff peaks and mixing butter and sugar without any traces left behind in the bowl.

An Air Fryer

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

$140 $90 at Amazon $120 at Target $150 at Williams Sonoma

Although you can find air fryers for less than $100, we think it's worth springing for the Instant Pot Vortex model. Made from the brand behind the original multicooker, this air fryer is outfitted with all the technology you could want in an appliance. During our tests, we found the intuitive display to be easy to use straight out of the box. There is a generous but not overwhelming number of presets which take the guesswork out of cooking time and temperature. 

We also praised this model for its nonstick (read: easy to clean) interior and quiet motor. The 6-quart fry basket is a good size for most households, although if you’re regularly cooking for a larger crowd, Instant makes a 10-quart capacity air fryer that also scored high in our tests. We highly recommend this model not just for air frying, but roasting, dehydrating, broiling, baking, and reheating. 

An Electric Citrus Juicer

Breville Citrus Press Pro Juicer

$230 at Amazon $230 at Williams Sonoma $150 at Wayfair

Manual citrus juicers are easy to use, but if you plan on doing a lot of juicing, or just want a high-powered, efficient juicer, electric is the way to go. During our citrus juicer tests, we were seriously impressed with the almost-silent motor that produced practically perfect scores across the board (we test for design, performance, ease of use, and value).

There’s a power-assisted lever that does most of the work for you, and we liked the smart safety feature which won’t trigger the spin function until both arms are fully closed. There’s a nice combination of intuitive, simple design — like a large power button and eject button — and added-value features (we swooned over the adjustable spout and drip-stop function). Happily, this large-capacity juicer is just as adept at squeezing every last drop out of a half-lemon as it is a large batch of blood oranges, so you will find yourself reaching for it often during everyday cooking.

A Nonstick Pan

Zwilling Deep Fry Pan

$86 at Amazon $100 $60 at Target $60 at Wayfair

Nonstick pans may have fallen slightly out of favor since their inception, but there’s a new generation of nonstick cookware that’s food-safe and free from toxic chemicals. And yep, serious cooks should have at least a pan or two (your scrambled eggs will thank you). When we tested nonstick pans, this deep-sided one from Zwilling was a standout, earning it the title of Best Overall Nonstick Pan.

Its 11-inch diameter is ideal for searing or sautéeing without crowding, so you’ll nail that perfect golden-brown color every time. We simply cannot overstate the true nonstick qualities, either: salmon, pancakes, and melted marshmallows (!!) all released easily from the surface of this pan. It’s PFOA-free, has a large, stay-cool handle, and is scratch-resistant. We think this pan’s value lies in its longevity. Unlike yesterday’s nonstick cookware, you won’t need to replace this high performer every year.

A Dutch Oven

Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte

$321 at Amazon $400 at Nordstrom $180 at Wayfair

The case could be made that a Dutch oven is one of the only cooking vessels you truly need. So we were serious about finding the best one for roasting, searing, soup-making, and bread-baking. This heavy, sturdy Dutch oven is “built like a tank,” according to bread-baking master Jim Lahey, who helped us test popular models. The enamel glaze protects the cast iron cookware and makes it easy to clean (you can soak it).

Our cooking tests produced superior pots of rice and gorgeously-browned chicken, and it’s easy to use, too. The handles are generous and wide, and make it easy to move from the oven to the counter. Plus, it can handle temperatures up to 900˚F, and it comes in a ton of perfect-for-your-kitchen colors. 

A Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Set

$510 $329 at Amazon $291 at Wayfair $279 at Home Depot

Stainless steel cookware is a smart investment, no matter what type of heat source you use. This set is even compatible with induction. But that wasn’t the only reason it topped our stainless steel cookware review: it was the most consistent performer across the board in all cooking tests.

This set comes with every cooking vessel you need for a functioning kitchen, making it highly giftable. You simply cannot do better than four pots and corresponding lids and two pans at this price. The pieces are well-made, too, with 3-ply stainless steel construction, tight-fitting lids, and sturdy handles. They can handle hot ovens (up to 500˚F), and are easy to care for — they are dishwasher safe, although hand-washing is recommended for longevity. That said, during testing, we noted that this set “almost cleans itself.” 

A Slow Cooker

Cuisinart Cook Central 7-Quart Multi-Cooker

$200 at Amazon $200 at Williams Sonoma $200 at Wayfair

A high-quality slow cooker should heat up quickly and be able to maintain a consistent temperature over an hours-long period. When we tested slow cooker models, this one from Cuisinart hit the mark. It reached a low-and-slow 185˚F within an hour and stayed right there for another six until beans were tender and strata were custardy. Don’t worry about hot spots or uneven browning with this model, either: it’s incredibly efficient at heat distribution.

This is also the easiest-to-use slow cooker we tested. The insert is lightweight and can be washed easily. Did we mention the pour spouts? The insert has those, which is — quite honestly — revelatory. The interface is intuitive, without too many complexities. There’s a cleverly designed glass lid that allows you to check on progress without releasing heat. Finally, the 7-quart capacity is ideal for fans of meal prepping or anyone who’s cooking for a crowd.

A Personal Blender

Nutribullet Pro 900 Personal Blender

$110 $93 at Amazon $100 $60 at Target $85 at Wayfair

The power of this small personal blender is nothing short of astonishing. During our tests of personal blenders, we were stunned at the NutriBullet’s capacity for crushing ice and leafy greens. Frankly, any blender that pulverizes kale leaves and blueberries with nearly no pulp or skin deserves a medal. 

The blender “base” doubles as a cup, and there are two, so you don’t have to run the dishwasher just to make a smoothie. The 32-ounce size is a welcome upgrade, too. This model was designed for folks on the go, with flip-top lids included for your smoothies and shakes. There are personal blenders with more and less powerful motors, but we found the 900-watt capacity of this one to be the ideal mix of speed and value.

An Immersion Blender

Nutribullet Immersion Blender Deluxe Set

$59 at Amazon $31 at Target $50 at Wayfair

Immersion blenders are a convenient tool, but during soup season we’d call them a daily necessity. The best immersion blenders are highly powerful while still being slim enough to store in a drawer. We reviewed a lot of immersion blenders and were pleasantly surprised that this budget buy from NutriBullet performed as well (or better) than the pricier models.

We were serious about testing its capabilities, and could hardly believe how cooked broccoli, onions, and celery became velvety-smooth after just one minute of blending. A big downfall of many immersion blenders is the propensity to overheat with extended use, but NutriBullet’s model kept its cool. It also didn’t splatter during our smoothie test. The rubberized buttons include options for blending and pulsing, which gives you greater control over the consistency.

A Coffee Maker with Grinder

De'Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine

$900 $699 at Amazon $900 at Williams Sonoma $900 at Sur La Table

Hot (coffee) tip: if you want to save space on your countertop, go for a coffee maker that has a built-in grinder. And since you’re already going to get a luxe coffee maker, you might as well get one that makes really good coffee. The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine’s name says it all — this is a coffee maker for serious aficionados. 

The smart tamp feature makes it accessible for coffee drinkers hoping to up their skill level. You can dial in your extraction with three different temperature settings, and if latte art’s your thing, you’ll appreciate the steaming wand. The grinder component uses dual sensors for accurate coarseness, and it’s situated right on top of the machine, so you won’t have to deal with messy coffee dust. 

An Electric Kettle

Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Kettle Pro

$170 $150 at Amazon $200 $150 at Target $130 at Williams Sonoma

Picture it: an electric kettle that works smarter, not just hotter. This one from Zwilling is a marvel of German engineering, thanks to its six different temperature settings for coffee, teas, and other toasty beverages. It’s also outfitted with cool-touch insulation, so you don’t have to use pot holders or mitts just to pour yourself a mug of tea.

Our testing revealed it reached a rolling boil in an impressive six minutes. We also liked its keep-warm feature, which retained a set temperature for 30 minutes. There’s no glass window for monitoring water level, but that’s easy to forgive once you realize it’s available in pink, gold, black, or brushed stainless steel finishes — in other words, this is one good-looking appliance you’ll be happy to keep out on your counter.

A Rice Cooker

Aroma Housewares 8-Cup Rice Cooker

$33 $27 at Amazon $49 $30 at Walmart View on Kohls.com

$30 for an outstanding rice cooker? We were surprised, too. But our tests prove that this humble Amazon gem cooked some of the fluffiest rice we’ve tried. The interface is straightforward and has the truly genius feature of telling you how long is left in the cook cycle. The rice-type presets (white or brown) eliminate guesswork and mushy grains.

But wait! There are more features! This rice cooker is also a multicooker because it can sauté, steam, and slow-cook. It can handle up to 4 cups of uncooked rice, so it’s surprisingly roomy. Other delightful features include a delay-start button so you can program it to begin cooking while you are away, and a quick-cook function when you’ve got to have dinner, stat.

A Silicone Spatula Set

U-Taste Silicone Spatula Set

$25 at Amazon $26 at Wayfair $25 at Walmart

Silicone spatulas are a marvel. They won’t scratch your cookware and can be used in pans over high heat. Plus, they’re flexible! But our tests revealed that some are higher-quality buys. We were impressed by U-Taste’s commitment to quality control and customer feedback implementation. Their latest design integrated customer requests, producing a BPA-free product that’s heat-resistant up to 600˚F.

This set comes with four different spatulas for under $30 total and is on the softer, more flexible side — which makes it ideal for scraping the sides of jars and bowls. Each spatula has a handy hanging hold on the handle, and you can choose from a few fun colors. And again, that price: you can’t beat it for the value and variety.

A Box Grater

Cuisipro 4-Sided Boxed Grater

$42 $37 at Amazon $37 at Target $40 at Walmart

If you’ve never thought much about box graters, you’re going to want to read the results of our review. The most outstanding feature was its ability to zest a citrus fruit like a rasp grater — that’s not something most box graters excel at. The grating side of the box produced nicely-shaped pieces of cheese that didn’t get stuck together, even when extra pressure was applied. 

The comfy, ergonomic handle is a must, and the rubber base keeps it from slipping around when in use. The under-$50 price is nice, too. But ultimately, what we liked best about this box grater was its razor-sharp edges, which will last a long time before needing to be replaced.

An Instant Read Thermometer

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

$115 at Amazon View on Thermoworks.com View on Kingarthurbaking.com

Take the guesswork out of cooking to temperature with an instant-read thermometer that gives you quick, accurate results. ThermoWorks is the brand for chefs, including Top Chef alum Kevin Gillespie, who calls it his “favorite, by far.” The temperature range is wider than you’ll likely need (-58 to 572˚F), and it’s accurate to within a tenth of a degree.

Pro cooks appreciate that it turns on just by folding out the probe, and its waterproof capability is a nice touch. The tip of the probe is very sharp, which means it inserts into meat or bread loaves smoothly, without ripping or tearing. And yep, it comes in a bunch of fun colors.

A Trusty Baking Sheet

Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet

$30 $28 at Amazon $28 at Wayfair $40 at Sur La Table

A half-baking sheet is a size most familiar to home cooks because it fits nicely into most home ovens. If you’ve ever purchased an off-brand baking sheet for cheap, you may have noticed it warped when exposed to high temperatures. In our cookie sheet tests, we loved that the Nordic Ware half sheet was warp-resistant — we even put it in a 475˚F oven for 20 minutes with no visible alterations.

It’s made from uncoated aluminum. The lack of a nonstick coating aids in browning and evenly cooking, but don’t worry: it’s not hard to clean. We found that this pan was a cinch to wash by hand, and even retained its shine after multiple uses.

A Casserole Dish

Great Jones Hot Dish

View on Greatjonesgoods.com $90 at West Elm $90 at Urban Outfitters

Don’t think you need a good casserole dish? Your grandma’s lasagna recipe says otherwise. We tested so many casserole dishes to find the best of the best, and Great Jones’ Hot Dish came out on top. At its heart, this is just a beautifully designed (and beautiful) piece of cookware. We valued the fact that it fits both vertically and horizontally in a standard-size oven, and the looped handles were comfortable to hold (even with oven mitts).

It’s naturally nonstick, thanks to a ceramic enamel coating, so you can cook without the fear of stuck-on tuna noodle casserole. It’s worth noting, also, that it produced perfectly crispy lasagna even when used directly from frozen, and it can handle oven temps up to 500˚D. The sweet, vintage-inspired design seals the deal.

A Set of Food Storage Containers

Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set

$32 at Target $40 at Walmart $60 at Kohls.com

Food storage containers don’t matter… until you’ve used a flimsy one that breaks, has a horrible seal, or isn’t dishwasher-safe. We tested a variety of storage vessels to find the best combination of value, design, and aesthetics (they matter!) for pantry and dry goods. This set from Rubbermaid was the clear winner in our tests.

They’re made from thick BPA-free plastic that looks and feels sturdy. The snap-in-place lids create a truly tight seal, so your food will stay fresh for longer. It was a surprise to learn that every component, even the lids, was able to be run through the dishwasher (a huge win for convenience). We also liked that they were freezer-safe.