The 30 Best Countertop Appliances, According to Our Many Years of Testing

I own way too many countertop appliances. Call me a hoarder if you want (and simultaneously revoke dinner privileges at my house). But my culinary gadgets deserve accolades for their impact on my life. My stand mixer helped me bake thousands of cookies and cakes for my first farmer’s market business. A reliable blender delivered quick meals when I had no energy to cook after my Dad’s passing. Bless the speed of my tea kettle, which makes my bedtime routine a breeze.  

Countertop appliances can be life-changing. But you must choose wisely when determining what to draft in your roster (especially if you have limited square footage in your home). You’ll want to lean on powerhouse gadgets that simplify your kitchen prep. To give you a headstart, here’s a list of expert-tested gear that’ll upgrade your cooking and baking projects, ranging from budget-friendly picks to worthy investments.

The Best Countertop Appliances

A High-Powered Blender

Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender

$550 $444 at Amazon View on Vitamix.com $644 at Newegg.com

A quality blender can improve your cooking abilities. The Vitamix 5200 offers streamlined controls, so you’re not puzzled by too many buttons. It consistently aced our tests thanks to its tapered blending jar, which creates a powerful vortex. The machine easily produces velvety smoothies and creates emulsified sauces, soups, purées, and nut butters. We’ve been recommending the 5200 since 2004, and after recently re-testing it, we still believe it’s the very best blender you can buy.

An Easy-to-use Coffee Grinder

Baratza Virtuoso+ Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

$250 at Amazon $250 at Williams-Sonoma $250 at Sur La Table

The coarseness of your coffee grinds can seriously impact the taste of your morning brew. That means the difference between astringent, bitter, or pleasant sips. The inconsistent grind was a major flaw that stood out in tests with other models—yikes! The Baratza Virtuoso’s conical burrs offer a variety of uniform results. 

A Compact Espresso Machine

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$500 at Amazon $500 at Williams-Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

Espresso machines can range between $100 and $2,000, but thankfully, the Breville Bambino Plus sits on the lower end. It uses a ThermoJet heating system, reaching prime brewing temperatures in three seconds. Did I mention it comes equipped with a PID controller? That way, each cup gets heated to the perfect level. It’s possible to brew on an even lower budget, too. The De’Longhi Stilosa model costs below $100 and outperforms any other machine under $400. While it doesn’t produce the most luxurious microfoam, it still pulls some great shots. For the espresso-curious, the De'Longhi is a solid pick that’s easy to use before tinkering with more expensive equipment.  

A Reliable Bread Maker

Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Bread Maker

$400 at Amazon $400 at Williams-Sonoma $400 at Target

Let’s begin with why the shape of the pan in a bread machine matters. Most bread machines have square ones, but the rectangular versions, like in the Zojirushi, deliver sliceable loaves perfect for sandwiches. The Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus comes with two kneading paddles that stretch the dough enough to proof effortlessly. Based on our tests, this machine produces white and rye bread with that textbook-perfect dome and soft crumb. 

A Quick-Cooking Air Fryer

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer

$140 at Amazon $120 at Williams-Sonoma $140 at Walmart

If you crave crispy bites like buffalo wings, tater tots, or taquitos, invest in an air fryer. Compared with 29 other models, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus cooks food the quickest thanks to its 10-inch-plus basket, which allows more air circulation. The Vortex lets you seamlessly adjust its temperature, giving you in-the-moment control, according to our extensive air fryer review. 

A Sleek Electric Kettle

Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle

$164 at Amazon $165 at Williams-Sonoma $165 at Sur La Table

This compact, attractive electric kettle from Fellow can nestle into any corner of your counter. And if you’re serious about cozy beverages, toggle the dial to meet your precise needs: Its temperature controls can adjust between 135˚F and 212˚F. During testing, we were impressed by this kettle’s ability to hold consistent heat for up to an hour. 

A Multifunctional Food Processor

Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor

$449 at Amazon $400 at Williams-Sonoma

Do yourself a favor and buy a food processor to shave time off your cooking prep. Rather than spending hours grating beets and zucchini, let this 14-cup Magimix model do it for you. Beyond slicing, it has an innovative blade that kneads dough better than any machine we’ve tested. (So, at this point, pizza should definitely be in your dinner rotation!) 

An Ultra-Powerful Stand Mixer

KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

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

I adore this KitchenAid stand mixer for so many reasons. For one, it’s a powerhouse: As a small business owner, I could crank out pounds of cookie dough each week without worrying about it crashing. Plus, you can buy so many attachments, allowing it to double as a pasta extruder, ice cream machine, grinder, or spiralizer. 

Have a tiny apartment or just limited counter space? The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart model is slightly less powerful than our top pick, but it’s more compact so you can nestle it into smaller spaces. While it may not be the best option for aspiring entrepreneurs who have to knead pounds of dough, it’ll do a lovely job for home bakers. Both stand mixers earned high marks in our review.

An Electric Pizza Oven

Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven

$899 at Amazon $900 at Williams-Sonoma $899 at Sur La Table

Get an indoor pizza oven so you can always eat delicious pies no matter the season (or your proximity to a yard). The Ooni Volt 12 delivers airy Neopolitans within minutes. It comes equipped with intuitive controls to adjust the temperature settings easily. The machine reaches up to 850°F in just 20 minutes, according to our review. Plus, it’s non-slip with a carbon steel shell, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally knocking it off your counter.

A Quick-Churning Ice Cream Machine

Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, & Sorbet Maker

View on Amazon $70 at Walmart $70 at Target

The Cuisinart ice cream machine costs well under $100 and, in our review, churned creamy treats in the shortest amount of time (20 minutes!) compared to other models. Its wide opening invites the tastiest mix-ins of any size, like chunks of cookie dough or streaks of caramel. The process is simple, too: Store the coolant-lined canister in the freezer, and when you’re ready to spin up a batch of ice cream, the machine will do the rest of the work for you. 

A High-Precision Sous Vide Machine

Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide

$246 at Amazon $250 $200 at Walmart $246 at Target

Sous vide technology assists with precise, low-temperature cooking. An immersion circulator heats water baths to your desired preference to produce perfectly cooked dishes. But as you can imagine, a lot can go wrong during this process if you don’t invest in the best model. In tests, the Breville Joule Turbo was the most accurate and warmed up water the quickest—within 22 minutes. Similar to the Anova model, which we also love, it’s equipped with an app that walks you through the cooking process.

A Customizable Milk Frother

Instant MagicFroth Milk Frother

$60 $55 at Amazon $55 at Target $60 $57 at Best Buy

Coffee shop drinks can easily cost upwards of $5, which adds up over time. Milk frothers mimic the creamy microfoam without breaking the bank. The MagicFroth boasts a variety of temperature and foam settings, delivering consistent results during our tests. Plus, the detachable pitcher is dishwasher safe, making the clean-up process a breeze compared to other models.

A Versatile Toaster Oven

Breville Smart Oven Pro

$270 at Amazon $270 at Target $270 at Sur La Table

Sometimes, an all-in-one deal can sound sketchy, but this countertop convection oven actually does it all. The Breville toasts, roasts, bakes, broils, and air-fries. Thanks to its reheat feature, it’s a great alternative to a microwave. We also loved the Breville Smart Oven Compact Convection for a smaller option that won’t take up too much counter space. 

A Fizzy Soda Machine

SodaStream Art Sparkling Water Maker

$150 $100 at Target View on Sodastream.com View on Hsn.com

There are plenty of ways to make environmentally conscious swaps in your life. If you pack your recycling bin to the brim with cans every week, consider adding a soda machine to your kitchen. SodaStream kept its full carbonation after 24 hours and was rated best in blind taste tests. For those that love variety, there are tons of syrup flavor add-ins, too, like cherry cola, ginger ale, and grapefruit to stock up on. If you want to carbonate more than water, from juice to cocktails, Breville's InFizz Fusion Sparkling Beverage Carbonator has you covered.

A Restaurant-Grade Waffle Maker

Cuisinart WAF-F4 Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker

$120 at Amazon $160 $120 at Walmart $120 at Sur La Table

Waffles are an excellent vehicle for mopping up warm maple syrup, replacing sliced bread in sandwiches, or upgrading leftovers. To achieve crispy yet light and fluffy results, the iron needs to get piping hot. In our tests, the Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker excelled in producing waffles with deep divots perfect for cupping lots of syrup or gravy. Its flip function aids in evenly cooking 7-inch waffles with a recovery time of two minutes, so it reigns supreme for feeding large groups. The All-Clad 4-Square Digital Gourmet also delivers excellent results. It’s pricier, but worth the splurge: The grid pattern allows the batter to form into crusty pockets that hold lots of syrups or toppings.

A Powerful Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

$150 at Williams-Sonoma $239 at Walmart $150 at Wayfair

As a Haitian-American, I’ll skip classical ways of preparing traditional dishes on occasion to save myself time and energy. Pressure cookers are a handy shortcut. The Instant Pot Pro pressurizes the quickest based on our experiments, allowing you to savor tender beans or stewed meats without spending the entire day over the stove. The control panel and steam valve are uncomplicated. Personally, it helps me cut down on hours spent preparing Poule en Sauce; that way, I can have dinner ready stat. (Just don’t tell my grandmother!)

A Compact Deep Fryer

All-Clad 3.5-Quart Deep Fryer

$210 at Amazon $150 at Williams-Sonoma $210 at Sur La Table

Deep fryers churn out crispy, tender goodies more efficiently than stovetop methods. The All-Clad 3.5-Quart is the GOAT because it’s self-filtering and self-draining, meaning you can reuse oil and easily separate those leftover bits to discard. It includes a removable basket, so you can pull out food immediately, avoiding overcooking. Plus, it heats up quickly, saving you time in the kitchen. There’s nothing like a piping hot mozzarella stick or battered onion ring fresh from the hot oil. 

A Top-Notch Coffee Maker

Ratio Six Coffee Maker

$339 at Amazon View on Ratiocoffee.com

If you’re considering investing in an automatic drip machine, choose one that excels in temperature control to yield the best extraction. That way, you won’t end up with a sorry-tasting mug that’s too sweet, sour, or bitter. In our review, we learned that many cheaper models never reached a high enough temperature. However, the Ratio Six poured the hottest coffee. After an hour of sitting in its carafe, the brew was still 168°F. It also passed taste tests with the highest scores for the most full-flavored results. It’s stylish, too. The sleek machine with stainless steel finishes comes in various colors. 

A Programmable Rice Cooker

Hamilton Beach Programmable Rice Cooker

$53 at Amazon $60 at Target $53 at Home Depot

Don’t let the low price fool you; we tested the Hamilton rice cooker against models that cost more than triple its price, and it performed the best across the board. It delivers perfect grains without compromising texture, surpassing the other machines’ ability to produce fluffy brown rice. It does so quickly (typically within 30 minutes), so you don’t have to wait hours for your favorite side. Our review involved using varying amounts of liquids, and it still provided great results, allowing some grace for measurement imperfections.

An Electric Popcorn Maker

Presto Poplite Hot Air Popper

$30 at Amazon $38 $33 at Walmart $30 at Home Depot

You might be wondering, what’s so special about a popcorn maker? And no shade, but I get your hesitation if you’ve never had fluffy kernels dusted with truffle-Parmesan, matcha, za’atar, or fragrant curry powder. Snag the Presto Poplite, which makes popcorn the quickest with the fewest unpopped kernels (around 2% compared to the 4 to 5.6% of other models). It also comes in a vibrant teal shade to add some excitement to your kitchen.  

A Multipurpose Panini Press

Cuisinart Elite Griddler

$200 $171 at Amazon $200 at Target $200 at Sur La Table

Sometimes, multifunctional appliances can fall short in certain areas, but the Cuisinart Griddler Elite is the best of both worlds for panini presses and griddles. This one outperformed the competition during testing thanks to its user-friendly interface and built-in timer. When you’re not using it to make cheesy Cubanos or seared steak, its lid locks shut so you can nestle it on its side and store it in a cabinet. 

A Versatile Slow Cooker

GreenPan Elite 6-Quart Slow Cooker

$250 $161 at Amazon $250 at Williams-Sonoma $250 at Target

When we tested slow cookers, we were especially impressed by the Greenpan Elite 6-Quart Slow Cooker’s versatility. The appliance slow cooks, steams, browns, and sautés. Sure, you may have a multi-cooker on hand, but for slow cooking, based on our tests, those leave too much moisture behind. Slow cookers excel in reducing sauces or braises. This one maintained a consistent range of 195°F to 205°F during the six-hour cook period, never dropping to a low temp or bubbling over the edges. 

A Powerful Juicer

Omega VSJ843QS Vertical Square Low-Speed Juicer

$400 at Amazon $475 at Walmart $480 at Home Depot

We tested six best-selling juicers—three masticating and three centrifugal—by pumping through pounds of fruits and veggies. The Omega resulted in the most juice with the least pulp. It could handle sturdier ingredients like beets and ginger without breaking down. Cleanup is simple: Just pour water down its shute to give the inside a rinse before starting it up again. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly option, the Hamilton Beach model pulls a lot of juice, but keep in mind you may have to skim off some extra foam. 

A Compact Indoor Grill

Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill

$100 at Amazon $105 at Home Depot $120 at Kohls.com

Indoor grills should help you char and cook meats and veggies evenly without smoking out your whole house. To save your fire alarm the stress, invest in the Zojirushi grill, a sleek powerhouse with drip holes that prevent burning. It’s user-friendly with simple controls, so you don’t have to spend time scouring its manual. Bonus: The grill has no sides, and can accommodate large items like kebabs or tomahawk ribeyes. 

A Functional Portable Induction Cooktop

Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop 9100MC

$83 at Amazon $83 at Walmart

Research is emerging about how gas stoves can negatively impact health and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, so some cooks are pivoting to induction cooking. If you’re making the swap or want to invest in one because you live in a tiny home, dorm, or space without a kitchen, we love the Duxtop model. It heated the quickest, according to our tests, bringing a gallon of water to a boil within 16 minutes. It has physical buttons rather than touchscreen ones, so you won’t accidentally change your settings if you wipe down the appliance while cooking. 

A Fool-Proof Pasta Extruder

Philips Viva Collection Pasta and Noodle Maker

$180 at Amazon $180 at Williams-Sonoma $180 at Sur La Table

When using an electric pasta extruder, you’ll want one that doesn’t make noodles that stick together. This Philips model produces three types: spaghetti, fettuccine, and penne. It mixes, kneads, and extrudes dough without fuss, doing most of the work for you. In our review, it produced some of the best-looking and tasting spaghetti, which can be a challenge for some models since the shape of that cut is so thin. 

An Electric Citrus Juicer

Breville Citrus Press Pro Juicer

$230 at Amazon $230 at Williams-Sonoma $150 at Sur La Table

Starting the day with a glass of fresh-squeezed oranges or grapefruits is invigorating. Electric citrus juicers may be one-trick ponies, but our review revealed five models worth the countertop real estate. Our top pick, the Breville Citrus Press Pro is designed with a comfy, easy-grip lever and a pointy spindle that keeps the citrus snug and in place. It’s pretty quiet and is dishwasher safe.

A Quiet Dehydrator

Samson "Silent" Dehydrator

$150 at Amazon $135 at Wayfair

A dehydrator can transform fresh seasonal ingredients into preserved ones. This Samson model silently works to dry out your favorite foods without taking up too much counter space. During our tests, it was the only unit that made deliciously tasting fruit leather without cracks or sticking to the surface. There’s an automatic shut-off feature to ensure your food doesn’t dry out too much.

A Portable Blender

Zwilling Enfinigy Personal Blender

$170 $100 at Amazon $130 $100 at Sur La Table $100 at Wayfair

When testing personal blenders, we investigated whether or not those automatic smoothie settings actually work. This Zwilling model stood out; the quick-press-function took just 40 seconds and delivered a creamy and delicious result. It’s also equipped with a manual feature if you prefer more control. Any personal blender is tiny-kitchen-friendly since it’s compact.

A Countertop Aquaponic Garden

AeroGarden Harvest Elite

$117 at Amazon View on Aerogarden.com

My favorite countertop appliance is the AeroGarden, the winner of our indoor garden review. The compact hydroponic system fits in snug spaces and grows herbs and veggies unbelievably fast and beautifully. If you’re living in a small apartment, chances are you don’t have access to a backyard or porch, and this offers a nice solution to keep fresh produce on hand. The user-friendly interface alerts you when to water and feed your plants. I like that it comes equipped with an automatic light, so you don’t have to worry about positioning it in front of direct sunlight. Oh, and if your seeds don’t germinate, they’ll send you replacement pods for free.

FAQs

What’s the best way to store kitchen appliances? 

First, assess your space. Try storing your culinary appliances in cabinets or metro racks to preserve room to cook. Even if you have limited counter space, nestle your gadgets into one corner so they don’t consume your entire kitchen. You’ll also want to avoid stacking your gear on top of each other so you don’t accidentally damage your investments. 

What brand of kitchen appliances is best? 

Many brands excel at making long-lasting and excellent cooking gadgets. So, remaining loyal to one appliance line isn’t easy—or necessary. Serious Eats recommends items based on exhaustive reviews and expert-backed tips. But when in doubt, reach for the gear with a good warranty and return policy; that way, you can return it if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Why We're the Experts

• Ashia Aubourg is a freelance writer with experience researching cooking appliances and working in kitchens (and farms!).
• Her work with Serious Eats spans gift guides and product reviews. 
• For this story, Ashia combed through our numerous reviews, comparing winning models in just about every category of countertop appliance.