Welcome to our ultimate kitchen gadget guide. Here you’ll find all our very favourite gadgets and small appliances from across all of Expert Reviews’ kitchen-related guides, as well as an ever-increasing number of not-to-be-missed kitchen gizmos.
We think every single product here is an indispensable bit of kitchen equipment, regardless of whether it’s a high-tech appliance costing hundreds of pounds, or a simple, time-saving tool that cost less than a tenner. So, whether you’re looking for the perfect way to make grease-free gravy, whip up a delicious soup, or whisk ingredients to the perfect consistency, you’ll find the tool you’re looking for here.
If the products listed here don’t quite fit the bill, then there are quick links to our dedicated kitchen appliance and gadget round-ups just underneath each entry, where you’ll find a wide selection of products suitable for any budget.
The best kitchen gadgets to buy
Lakeland Touchscreen Soup Maker: The best soup maker under £150
Price:£125 | Buy now from Amazon for £124.99
Lakeland’s Touchscreen Soup Maker doesn’t offer sauté or reheat features, but this smart touchscreen machine does cut, blend (including slow blending for chunkier soups), cook, simmer and stir, creating tasty soups from scratch in its robust two litre glass jug. There are four automatic cooking programmes, which mean you can bung everything in and simply walk away to return to hot tasty soup, plus manual options for those who like more control. It also crushes ice. Margarita, anyone?
Click here for our guide to buying the best soup maker
Key specs – Capacity: 2 litre jug, makes max 1.4 litres of soup; Programmes: Smooth, chunky, sauce; Functions: 3 blending speeds, low and high temp settings, 60-min timer, 20-min keep warm, ice, auto clean; Power: 1,000W heating, 500W motor
Morphy Richards Total Control Hand Blender Collection 402051: The best hand blender under £40
Price:£34 | Buy now from Amazon for £29.99
There are no annoying fiddly buttons with this hand blender – you simply press harder for faster blending. With eight speeds plus a turbo boost mode it certainly packs a punch, and thankfully the anti-splash head does its bit to help protect your clothes. It’s not going to win any awards in the design-world, but it has a good grip, is quiet and has an exceptional masher and chopper, and the instructions are wonderfully clear. A stand-out hand blender.
Click here for our guide to buying the best hand blender
Key specs – Power: 650W; Speed settings: 8 speeds (and turbo boost); Accessories: Potato masher leg, chopping vessel, 750ml blending beaker and heel rest; Warranty: 2 years
Sage by Heston Blumenthal the Boss To Go: The best blender under £100
Price:£85 | Buy now from Amazon for £84.99
The Boss To Go looks sleek and smart, and feels reassuringly well-engineered. It comes with two exceptionally durable plastic blending cups, and once fired up, the 1,000W motor blitzes through fruit and veg in record time, creating the yummiest, smoothest smoothies you’re ever likely to drink. It’s not the cheapest blender, but it is genuinely worth every penny.
Click here for our guide to buying the best blender
De'Longhi Dedica EC685.M: The best coffee machine under £200
Price:£159 | Buy now from Amazon for £139.00
Not only does this make a great cup of espresso, it also slots into the tightest spots on your worktop. Key features include the cup warming tray, removable 1 litre reservoir, and handy double drip tray which allows you to brew directly into your favourite mug. The results are great for the money, and with a bit of practice – and good quality coffee beans – you’ll be making cracking espresso, cappuccino and macchiatos in no time at all.
Click here for our guide to buying the best coffee machine
Key specs - Dimensions (HxWxD): 303 x 149 x 330mm; Water capacity: 1L; Cup warmer: Yes; Milk frothing: Yes (steamer wand); Coffee type: Ground
Müeller Spiral-Pro Professional 4-Blade Spiralizer: The best spiralizer
Price:£27 | Buy now from Amazon for £26.95
The Müeller doesn’t look very different to the other spiralizers on the market, but it’s great value. You get four changeable blades to create varying sizes of ribbons and spirals, plus a covered storage area to protect unused blades from juices. The build-quality is robust and durable, and it can be used left or right handed. It also produces minimal waste. The instructions aren’t the best, but then that’s no deal-breaker – online videos can help with that.
Click here for our guide to buying the best spiralizer
Braun Multiquick 5: The best juicer
Price:£125 | Buy now from Amazon for £84.99
Braun’s Multiquick 5 is a centrifugal juicer that produces lump-free juicing with zero waste. Originally launched in 2013, it’s not their newest offering but it’s still our favourite because it devours whole fruits via the extra-large chute, and the juice comes out silky smooth. It’s easy to assemble, use, and clean, and it’s quiet too.
Click here for our guide to buying the best juicer
Key specs – Motor: 900W; Speed settings: Two; Accessories included: 1.25 litre jug, 2 litre pulp container; Warranty: 2 years
Breville Deep Fill 2 Slice Sandwich Toaster: The best sandwich toaster
Price:£26 | Buy now from John Lewis
Back in the 1980s, the brand Breville was synonymous with sandwich toasters. The Deep Fill 2 Slice shows they are still ahead of the game three decades later. With well-made, removable and dishwasher friendly non-stick plates, and a cut and seal system that results in two neat triangles of toasties, it also deserves brownie points for the golden brown finish and the great recipe suggestions. The only annoyance is that, despite the name, it doesn’t fill quite as deeply as some other models.
Key specs – Model number: VST074; Dimensions (WDH): 27.6 x 23.5 x 9.4cm; Plates removable?: Yes; Warranty: 2 years
Tower T17005 Healthier Oil Free Rapid Air Fryer: The best air fryer
Price:£50 | Buy now from Amazon for £49.99
There are pricier, bigger – and arguably better – air fryers around, but the Tower T17005 is the best value one for everyday use. Not only is it affordable, but it’s robust, easy to get going and use, and crisps everything from chicken to chips with a wonderful golden hue on the outside and succulence on the inside. It’s capacious enough to feed a family of four, and dramatically healthier than other frying methods: it requires less than 80% fat than traditional fryers.
Click here for our guide to buying the best air fryer
Key specs – Power: 1,350 watts; Capacity: 3.2-litres; Washable?: Dishwasher-safe; Warranty: 3 years
Andrew James Ice Cream Maker: The best ice cream maker
Price:£28 | Buy now from Amazon for £20.00
Ice cream makers come in two types – the more expensive ones with a in-built freezer and the cheaper ones where you have to pre-freeze the bowl for at least 24 hours first. This one falls into the latter category, but still manages to make smooth ice-cream, sorbet or frozen yoghurt in under half-an-hour. It’s a doddle to assemble and they include some great recipes, but it isn’t quiet and it can be messy. For under thirty quid, though, it’s a steal.
Click here for our guide to buying the best ice cream maker
Key specs – Built-in freezer?: No; Size of bowl: 1.5 litre; Accessories: None; Dimensions (WDH): 17.8 x 17.8 x 15cm; Warranty: 2 years
Kenwood KM337 Classic Chef : The best stand mixer
Price:£182 | Buy now from Amazon for £181.99
Mary Berry, eat your heart out. This Kenwood Chef is affordable, yet has serious oomph, great build quality and is built to last. There’s the legendary K-beater, balloon whisk for eggs and dough hook for making bread. Unlike with many stand mixers, you don’t get food clinging and sticking to the sides and you turn the dial to adjust the speed or use the pulse setting for quick bursts. You can also buy accessories separately including food processor, blender and ice cream maker.
Click here for our guide to buying the best stand mixer
Key specs – Power: 800W; Capacity: 4.6 litres; Speeds: Variable speed; Attachments: 3 non-stick attachments (K-beater, whisk, dough hook); Warranty: 1 year
Morphy Richards 460005 Digital Slow Cooker: The best slow cooker
Price:£45 | Buy now from Amazon for £44.99
Morphy Richards’ 460005 Digital Slow Cooker is a little different to some of its peers: it lets you sear the meat or saute the onions, garlics and other veg first. Simply pop the non-stick bowl on the hob (not induction though) and then pop it back into the slow cooker when you’re ready for the next stage. We also like the digital controls, timer and keep warm setting, although the pot is made of lightweight metal which doesn’t retain its heat as well as traditional crock pots.
Click here for our guide to buying the best slow cooker
Key specs – Capacity: 3.5 litres; Pot type: Hob-safe, non-stick, dishwasher-safe; Controls: Digital
Panasonic SD-ZB2512: The ultimate bread maker
Price:£214 | Buy now from Amazon for £203.40
This is Panasonic’s top-of-the-range model. It’s sleek, tall and narrow, which is great for smaller kitchens, and has automatic dispensers for both the fruit and yeast so it can drop them in at the ultimate moment for tasty, textured bread. It’s simple to use and makes bread with just the right consistency – it’s dramatically better than many of its competitors, so is worth paying a premium for.
Click here for our guide to buying the best bread maker
Key specs – Fruit and nut dispenser: Yes (+ yeast dispenser); Number of programmes: 33; Time to make standard medium white loaf: 4hrs
Magimix Mini Chopper: The best miniature food processor
Price:£55 | Buy now from John Lewis
If you want a smart looking machine that can squeeze into tight corners, but will do you proud when it comes to chopping and pureeing at speed, the Magimix Mini Chopper is a steal. It races through herbs, as well as the likes of onions and garlic - and although you’ll need a little more patience with harder items like nuts, it still gives evenly chopped, lump-free results. You’ll have it set up in no time and it’s very easy to use and to keep clean, thanks to the dishwasher-friendly parts. You can even use it to make sauces like mayonnaise. Shame it’s so heavy and loud, though.
Joseph Joseph Tri Scale: Seriously stylish kitchen scales
Price:£28 | Buy now from Amazon for £27.99
The Tri Scale won’t appeal to those who display their kitchen scales as a sign that, yes, they really are very serious about their cooking. But it will appeal to those who genuinely want to measure out ingredients with an accurate and reliable bit of kit that will handily store away into a kitchen drawer afterwards. Folding away into a miniscule version of its unfolded self, it has a remarkably small footprint, yet is refreshingly free from compromises. Durability is beyond reproach, the touch-sensitive buttons are responsive, the screen easy to read – and it couldn’t be simpler to use. It’s available in green or white, too.
Mastrad Digital Thermostat spoon: A superbly versatile kitchen thermometer
Price:£34 | Buy now from Amazon for £33.99
This is another kitchen gadget you never knew you needed, but if you make jam or Sunday roasts on a regular basis, it’s simply a must-have. The spoon, which is made from a nylon/silicone combo with built-in thermostat probe means you can stir, say, your fruit and sugar mixture, in the knowledge that it will tell you the exact moment it reaches the optimum temperature. Alternatively, slide the handle apart from the spoon to transform it into a probe for testing meats and other dishes in the oven. There’s a feature which memorises the temperatures from your last use and, best of all, it’s easy to read from any angle.
Tefal Cook4Me Connect: The best multi-cooker
Price:£315 | Buy now from Amazon for £249.00
The Cook4Me Connect ticks a lot of boxes – digital controls, six-litre family-friendly capacity and five cook settings so you can steam, brown, simmer, pressure cook or reheat all in the same machine. And unlike many multi-cookers, it does them all quickly and effectively, with a particularly speedy pressure cooker. The best bit, though, is the app connectivity which means you can keep virtual tabs on your cooking whilst at work or out shopping – and it also comes with some great wholesome recipes using everyday ingredients that are likely to be in your store cupboard already. Choose to cook your one-pot meal for two, four or six people, then adjust quantities accordingly. It’s quiet too. Our only quibble? You’ll need plenty of workspace, so those with smaller kitchens need not apply.
OXO Good Grips Apple Divider
Price:£7 | Buy now from Lakeland
My kids call this the ‘magic apple thing’ and are visibly upset if ever I use it without offering them the chance to watch. One neat push down of the soft-touch handles and voila, your fruit is neatly cut into eight segments, with the central core a tidy thin tube ready to chuck away. Incredibly satisfying for adults and literally captivating for kids, you can even pop it in the dishwasher afterwards. With a lifetime guarantee, it’s a bargain for under a tenner, but do be careful with the blades as they are very sharp.
Microplane Grater: The best kitchen grater
Price: From £15 | Buy now from Lakeland
Available in fine, coarse and extra-coarse versions, these graters are sharper than any other. This makes them a breeze to use, and they seem to last forever – even if you do regularly wash them in the dishwasher. The fine one is perfect for zesting citrus fruit or finely grating parmesan, chocolate, spices, garlic, ginger to release intense flavours, and the coarse one is ideal for carrots, onions, apples and cheese. For potatoes, cabbage for coleslaw or thicker pieces of cheese, the extra coarse one works a treat. They are comfy to hold and come with their own protective plastic cover so nobody cuts their knuckles by accident when opening the drawer.
Bodum 11520-01UK Bistro Hand Mixer: The best cheap hand mixer
Price:£31 | Buy now from Amazon for £34.20
If a stand mixer is too big for your needs, or too big for your kitchen, then this smart looking, rubber-coated hand mixer is a great buy. Attach the beater, whisks or dough hooks, depending on your needs, then switch on the control buttons to mix, whip, knead or whisk to your heart’s content. It’s got five speed settings – any more would be unnecessary – and even on the highest it’s nice and quiet. It could be a bit lighter, but unless you’re going to be standing with it for more than 10 minutes at a time, it’s not a deal-breaker.
OXO Good Grips’ Gravy Separator Fat separator: Does what it says on the tin
Price:£14 | Buy now from Lakeland
If you make a lot of roast dinners, this is a truly life-changing gadget. Just pop the stopper in the spout, pour the hot meat juices from your roasting tin into the heat-proof jug, and watch the fat rise to the top. A clever shield then prevents it from reaching the spout when you pour it out again, which means no more greasy gravy on your potatoes and Yorkshire puds. There’s a detachable strainer lid to catch all the lumps, and clear markings on the jug (which is available in two sizes). Once you’re all done with it, you can bung all the parts in the dishwasher. Simple, effective, and you even get a lifetime guarantee.
Le Creuset wine opener: The ultimate corkscrew
Price:£169 | Buy now from Amazon for £156.00
If you’ve had your fill of ineffective corkscrews, and just so happen to have the best part of £200 stashed in a kitchen drawer, then Le Creuset would like to assist you in your bottle opening endeavours. With this extravagantly-priced example you simply put the corkscrew on the wine bottle, squeeze together the levers (there’s no real pressure needed), then push and pull. Pop! It’s a one-handed, smooth operating opener – and we defy anyone to find anything easier to use. Yes, this beautifully finished and weighty corkscrew is hugely expensive (and therefore better for serious wine drinkers), but it couldn’t be easier to use and, looked after well, should see you through a lifetime of boozing. Naturally, it comes with an accompanying foil cutter too.
