A Great Entry-Level Espresso Machine (with a Built-In Grinder!): Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
We describe this coffee maker best here: "The Barista Express is Breville’s most popular espresso machine, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a simple, straightforward model with a built-in grinder." In general, we're huge fans of Breville's espresso machines: They make it very easy to make great coffee at home and streamline the trickier parts of the espresso process. Right now, you can snag this one for $200 off.
The Absolute Best Blender: Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender
We’ve recommended this Vitamix blender since Kenji first reviewed it in 2014. Its tapered jar sucks ingredients into its blades, creating a vortex that produces super-smooth sauces, purees, and smoothies. Its control panel has just a couple of switches and a dial. It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t—and it’s 27% off. Vitamix blenders don’t go on super-sale often, so we don’t recommend skipping out on this deal if you’re even remotely interested.
The Best Instant-Read Thermometer: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
This is simply the best instant-read thermometer there is. It has a lightning-fast response time and an automatic backlight and a blisteringly fast response time (we're talking one to two seconds). The deal's not on Amazon, but it's still worth mentioning.
The Best Coffee Grinder for Most People: OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
This coffee grinder couldn’t be easier to use, with a single start/stop button and a top that twists to adjust the grind setting. It’s also the cheapest burr grinder we highly recommend. We even named it our top pick for most people.
The Best Sous Vide Machine: Breville Joule Turbo
We tested this new Joule earlier this year and were incredibly impressed by its improved speed and app, which is packed to the gills with helpful tutorials, videos, and recipes. It’s the best sous vide machine we’ve ever tried—and right now it’s 20% off.
A Flat-Top Grill Worthy of Your Best Smashed Burgers: Weber 36-Inch Gas Griddle
Flat-top grills are key for lacy-edged smashed burgers, pounds of pancakes, and enough grilled cheese sandwiches for a crowd. The most important aspect of a good flat-top grill is a surface with even heating throughout: The Weber nailed it in our tests. We liked the click-to-ignite burners and disposable drip tray that made cooking and cleanup blissfully easy. It's currently on sale for an impressive 34% off.
The Best Wok: Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok Pan
With solid heat responsiveness, a wooden main handle that stays cool, and a looped helper handle, this is our favorite wok. It comes pre-seasoned, too, so it’s ready to cook straight away.
The Best Gas Grill: Weber Spirit II E-310
With three burners, responsive heat adjustment, spacious side tables, and large wheels for easy transport, this is the best gas grill. We should know: We spent a month testing them. Weber’s customer service is also known to be exceptional.
A Searingly Hot Countertop Pizza Oven: Breville Pizzaiolo
Dream of throwing Neapolitan pies but don't have the outdoor space? Enter the Breville Pizzaiolo, a fantastic countertop option that impressed us during our tests. It came to ideal pizza-throwing temp in 15 minutes—trust us, that deserves a wow.
The Best Budget Waffle Maker: Krups Waffle Maker
This is our longtime budget-friendly waffle maker recommendation. It has a large cooking surface, makes golden brown waffles, and has removable, dishwasher-safe plates for easy cleanup. Right now, it's about $30 off.
A Great Larger Air Fryer: GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer
This air fryer has a lot going for it: It's capacious, with a 7-quart capacity, and lets you set the temperature in 5-degree increments. Fries emerge crispy and crunchy, as they should be. The GoWise is currently 44% off.
One of the Best Rice Cookers: Cuckoo Micom Rice Cookers
We’ve recommended this rice cooker for many years. It has oodles of functions and presets (including steaming and porridge) and cooks rice really, really well. Right now, it’s nearly 40% off. One of our other favorite rice cookers from KitchenAid is also on sale at the moment.
The Best (Plastic) Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
Our favorite plastic food storage containers have leakproof seals and snap-shut closures and are made from super-durable plastic. They’re also very light, which is helpful for those who pack (and carry) their lunches.
A Wicked Sharp Nakiri Knife: Shun Premier Blonde Nakiri Knife
While this isn’t one of our winning nakiri knives, we do recommend it (knives are very personal and it’s hard to definitively call one blade the best for every cook). The Shun is gorgeous, with a dimpled, sharp blade and pakkawood handle. Right now, it’s 20% off.
An Editor-Recommended Tumbler: Yeti Rambler Mug
Our senior commerce editor Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm (hi, it’s me!) owns several of these Yeti mugs. They’re ideal for slow coffee drinkers who want to keep their joe piping hot and have a wide, looped handle that’s nice to hold onto.
One of the Best Vacuum Sealers: Anova Culinary Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro
With built-in bag storage, a bag cutter, moist and dry settings, and no refractory period (that’s the time between sealings), it’s easy to see why this is our favorite vacuum sealer. In our tests, its seal held up well to long sous vide times and freezer storage, too.
The Best Drip Coffee Maker Under $200: OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
This has been one of our favorite coffee makers for a while. In our tests, we loved its precise, wide spray head, which ensured even saturation and smooth extraction. In short, it brews a perfect cup (and pot) of coffee. And it's now 20% off for Prime Day.
A Great Set of Stainless Steel Skillets: All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Fry Pan Set
It's hard to beat All-Clad's stainless steel. It performs well and lasts just about forever. We also like its handles: The indent that runs down their lengths prevents them from rolling in your palms. For Prime Day, this 10- and 12-inch pan duo is on sale.
The Best Cordless Electric Can Opener: Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener
It's rather fun to watch this electric can opener spin around and open a can on its own. It also creates a blunt edge on can lids (safety!). Right now, the Kitchen Mama is nearly $15 off.
A Budget-Friendly Electric Wine Opener: Oster Electric Wine Opener
This inexpensive electric wine bottle opener easily and smoothly opened bottle after bottle in our tests. It even comes with a foil cutter and a stand.
The Best Hot Water Dispenser: Zojirushi Micom Water Boiler and Warmer
We really love hot water dispensers, which basically offer hot water on demand 24/7 should you choose. This one has a digital display and a see-through window so you can gauge the water level.
Dinner Party-Ready Flatware: Lenox 815486 Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set
This flatware set is large enough for a dinner party—not the case with many smaller sets we tested. They're easy to clean and surprisingly durable considering they're embellished with a beaded pattern on the flared handles. Right now, it's on sale for 45% off.
A Fantastic Compressor Ice Cream Maker: Whynter Ice Cream Maker Machine
Compressor-style ice cream machines let you make ice cream without having to freeze a bowl beforehand. In our tests, this behemoth from Whynter churned gorgeous ice cream, and we also liked its easy-to-use digital control panel.
A Very Durable French Press: Coffee Gator French Press
This French press is cheap, durable, and keeps coffee HOT for a long time. We liked its dual filter and the fact that it came with a canister for storing coffee beans.
The Best Safety Mandoline: Dash Safe Slice Mandoline
If using a mandoline gives you visions of ER trips past, we recommend this one from Dash. It works kind of like a guillotine and keeps your hands away entirely from the blade. In our tests, we found it sliced pretty well, too.
The Best Water Filter Pitcher: LifeStraw Water Filter Pitcher
Our favorite water filter pitcher worked really well and looked great. Right now, both sizes and a variety of colorways are on sale for Prime Day.
The Best Electric Griddle: Presto Electric Tilt-in-Fold Griddle
This is our longtime favorite electric griddle. Its legs fold inward, which is super helpful for storage. In our tests, its large surface heated up mostly evenly, too, easily accommodating a plentiful amount of pancakes.
A Kamado That Can Grill and Smoke: Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill
Kamados are prized for their deftness at grilling and smoking. While they're typically made from ceramic, the aluminum build of this model from Char-Griller makes it lightweight. It also cools down quicker after use. The fuel-to-cooking grate ratio makes it ideal for low-and-slow grilling sessions.
A Slow Cooker from a Trusted Brand: KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker
You can't beat a traditional slow cooker's convenience (and value). They don't have all the features of a multi-cooker, but that's the point. The best slow cookers are well-insulated, with heavy inner pots that maintain a consistent temperature. KitchenAid's ceramic cook pot is particularly well-made, and we liked the easy-to-program control panel.
A Truly Universal Stemless Wine Glass: Schott Zwiesel Tumbler
This universal wine glass can handle anything you pour in it, from a bubbly rosé to a bracingly acidic white. It's very sturdy without looking clunky, and is comfy to hold. With Prime Day pricing, you can get a set of six for just over $50.
A Great Smoker without All the Fuss: Pit Boss Vertical Gas Smoker
If you can grill with gas, why not smoke with it? Gas smokers are easy to set up and use, and add a subtle, "kissed by smoke" flavor that works particularly well with vegetables and fish. This nice-looking smoker from Pit Boss earned a top spot in our review, and it's currently on sale for over 30% off.
FAQs
When is Prime Day?
This year, Prime Day will be on July 16th and 17th. That’s a Tuesday and a Wednesday!
Do you have to have a Prime membership to shop Prime Day?
Yes, you do have to be an Amazon Prime member to shop Prime Day sales. You can sign up here (you’ll even get a 30-day free trial).
Why We’re the Experts
- Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the senior commerce editor at Serious Eats and has been with the site since 2021.
- She previously worked for America’s Test Kitchen and Food52 and has been testing gear professionally for about six years.