Top 10 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets for 2025: My Favorite Kitchen Tools

Discover the top 10 must-have kitchen gadgets of 2025 that I personally rely on. From Instant Pot multi-cookers to silicone utensil sets, find the best kitchen gadgets to upgrade your cooking (with best-rated Amazon picks!).

Why I Love Kitchen Gadgets

I’m a home cook who loves efficiency, and good kitchen gadgets make all the difference. After years of testing tools and watching cooking shows, I agree with Serious Eats that “kitchen gadgets aren’t gimmicky” – the right gadget can actually make cooking easier. For example, they can help you make better homemade pasta, cook a perfect batch of rice, or open a can with one hand. I still remember when I invited friends over and relied on my gadgets: using my Instant Pot to whip up dinner taught me that having the right kitchen gadget is like having a helpful sous-chef by my side. Over the years I’ve tried dozens of kitchen tools, and these are the top 10 kitchen gadgets that I honestly can’t live without. Each one is highly rated, practical, and something I use almost weekly.

My Top 10 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets

1. Instant Pot Duo Plus – The All-in-One Kitchen Gadget

The Instant Pot Duo Plus is my go-to multi-cooker gadget. It functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker and more – essentially replacing several appliances. Good Housekeeping even calls the Duo Plus their top pick, noting it “offers everything the best-selling Duo does … and then some”. In real life, I use it to make soup, stew, rice, and even cakes without babysitting the stove. It has safety features like a sealed lid and automatic pressure release, so I can set it and forget it. The clear control panel and smart programs (for beans, meat, sous vide, etc.) make it easy to press a button and walk away. For example, last week I cooked a pot roast in under an hour, and the meat was perfectly tender. The Instant Pot’s versatility saved me from juggling pots on the stove – a true kitchen lifesaver.

• Functions: Pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice/steam cooking, sauté, yogurt, sous vide, baking, and keep-warm.
• Capacity: 6-quart (feeds 4–6 people); larger sizes also available.
• Feature: Updated LED display and sturdy build.
• Why I love it: It streamlines meal prep – I can sear meat and then pressure-cook it all in one pot. It’s like having a pressure cooker kitchen gadget that does it all.

Product Suggestion: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart 10-in-1 Programmable Cooker (Check it out on Amazon).

2. 6-Quart Air Fryer – The Hot-and-Speedy Kitchen Gadget

Air fryers have become a must-have kitchen gadget. I use mine almost every week for quick sides and snacks. It’s amazing how an air fryer crisps up foods with very little oil – think golden French fries, crispy tofu, or oven-baked chicken tenders. In fact, Serious Eats says, “Air fryers are amazing… cleanup is about a zillion times easier than with a traditional deep fryer,” and their tests crowned the Instant Pot Vortex 6‑Quart as the winner thanks to its wide basket and touchscreen controls. I have an Instant Vortex Plus and it lives up to the hype. It preheats fast and browns food evenly (much better than my old oven), so it really does make healthier “fried” foods without the mess. My trick is to spray veggies lightly with oil and toss them in the air fryer – perfect crispy Brussels sprouts or roasted chickpeas every time.

• Uses: Fry, roast, bake, and reheat. Great for frozen foods, vegetables, and homemade air-fry recipes.
• Capacity: 6 quarts (fits a 2‑3 lb chicken or family-size batch of fries).
• Feature: Convenient touchscreen and nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket.
• Why I love it: It cuts cook time and cleanup. As Serious Eats found, it “efficiently makes crispy food” and was their top air fryer model.

Product Suggestion: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer (Check it out on Amazon).

3. High-Speed Blender – The Super-Charged Kitchen Gadget

A powerful blender is a true kitchen workhorse. I use mine daily to make smoothies, soups, sauces and nut butters. After all, Vitamix blenders consistently top the charts. Serious Eats says high-speed blenders are “worth the investment” and that the Vitamix 5200 “consistently tops our blender tests” with its powerful motor and tapered jar. I own a Vitamix 5200 and can vouch for it – it pulverizes frozen fruit into creamy smoothies or turns carrots and onions into silky soup in minutes. Even though it sits in my cabinet, it’s worth the space for how smoothly it runs (and the fact that it can double as a food processor).

• Uses: Make smoothies, blended soups, sauces, nut milks, or crush ice.
• Power: 2+ horsepower motor and variable speed control (great for chopping vs. pureeing).
• Feature: Durable stainless steel blades and removable lid plug.
• Why I love it: It’s like a mini food processor and drink-maker in one. The powerful motor and design mean I’ve “haven’t fallen out of love with it yet” even after a decade of use.

Product Suggestion: Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender (Check it out on Amazon).

4. Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide – The Precision Cooking Gadget

For precise cooking, a sous vide circulator is an amazing kitchen gadget. I was skeptical at first, but once I tried it, I was hooked. You clamp it to a pot of water, set an exact temperature, and it cooks food evenly (no more over- or under-cooked steaks!). The Breville Joule Turbo is my favorite – it’s compact and powerful. In Serious Eats tests, Breville’s Joule Turbo quickly heated a gallon of cold water in just 22 minutes and held the temperature steady. I use it to cook proteins: simply seal steak or chicken with seasonings in a plastic bag and sous-vide it. The result is perfectly cooked meat edge-to-edge, and I finish it with a quick pan-sear for flavor. It’s like cooking with science, but so easy.

• Uses: Precision cooking for steak, chicken, fish, eggs, and even vegetables.
• Temperature control: Maintains water bath to ±0.1°F (e.g. 135°F for medium-rare steak).
• Feature: Magnetic base for pot attachment, app-controlled recipes, stainless steel body.
• Why I love it: It turns cooking into a set-it-and-forget-it process. I get restaurant-quality results: seared on the outside, and perfectly cooked inside. Serious Eats calls this Breville model a “sleek sous vide machine” and notes its speed and consistency.

Product Suggestion: Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Immersion Circulator (Check it out on Amazon).

5. Silicone Utensil Set – The Versatile Kitchen Gadget Set

Sometimes the simplest gadgets are lifesavers. I always keep a set of silicone cooking utensils handy. Silicone spatulas, spoons, tongs, and whisks let me cook safely on any nonstick pan and are easy to clean. In fact, New York Magazine’s Strategist calls GIR’s Ultimate Spatula set “the best silicone spatulas around” and praises their 10-piece kitchen utensil set. I have a similar set from GIR and love how it includes spatulas of different sizes, a ladle, a spoon, and tongs. With this set I can stir sauces, flip pancakes, whisk batter and more – all without scratching my cookware. It’s a kitchen gadget set that, once you have it, you wonder how you cooked before.

• Includes: Silicone spatulas (multiple sizes), spoonulas, ladle, tongs, whisk, and more (usually 8–12 pieces in a set).
• Material: Heat-resistant silicone (usually up to 600°F) on nylon or stainless handles.
• Feature: Dishwasher-safe and color-coded handles.
• Why I love it: This gadget set covers all the basic tools. The spatulas are super flexible yet sturdy. Whether stirring a risotto or flipping eggs, I reach for these first. As Strategist notes, GIR’s set is editor-approved and truly versatile.

Product Suggestion: GIR Ultimate Silicone Spatula & Kitchen Utensil Set (Check it out on Amazon).

6. OXO Good Grips Garlic Press – The Easy Garlic Mince Gadget

I cook with garlic so often that a good garlic press is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. There’s nothing worse than minced garlic under your nails, and thankfully with this gadget, you don’t have to peel cloves first. Serious Eats raved that the OXO Good Grips Garlic Press crushed whole cloves and made “perfect garlic paste” and that they had “no negative feedback” about it after testing. I own the OXO model and it lives up to its reputation: it’s heavy-duty, with a comfortable grip and a self-cleaning slider that pops out the minced garlic. Just toss in a peeled clove, squeeze, and voila – fine minced garlic (and you can scrape off the underside with a knife). It’s quick, easy, and now I always have fresh garlic flavor in my cooking without the mess.

• Capacity: Large chamber fits full cloves (or two small cloves) at once.
• Material: Die-cast zinc with non-slip handles.
• Feature: Built-in cleaner ejects garlic skins easily.
• Why I love it: It saves time and cleanup. As one reviewer notes, this press can “squish unpeeled cloves and produce perfect garlic paste”. One squeeze gives me fragrant garlic without the hassle – an unsung hero gadget in my kitchen!

Product Suggestion: OXO Good Grips Heavy Duty Garlic Press (Check it out on Amazon).

7. OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer – The Veggie Noodle Gadget

I’m always looking for ways to eat more veggies, and a spiralizer is the fun gadget that does it. It turns zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes and more into long noodles (“zoodles”) or ribbons for salads. I like the handheld style OXO model – it’s small to store and easy to use. CNN Underscored found the OXO Handheld Spiralizer “worked better than its fellow handheld competitors on all veggies tested, delivering long, even, well-formed spirals”. And it’s true: I just quarter a veggie, press the blade at one end, and twist. The blade cuts perfect strands for vegetable pasta dishes or stir-fry. It’s cheaper and more space-efficient than a big countertop spiralizer, making it a genius gadget for anyone curious about veggie noodles.

• Style: Handheld twist spiralizer (stainless-steel blade built into a plastic handle).
• Uses: Create spirals from zucchini, squash, carrots, cucumbers, etc. Great for healthy pasta alternatives.
• Feature: Sharp, stainless blade and a soft-grip handle.
• Why I love it: It’s like a Crayola for vegetables – instant fun with produce! As CNN said, it’s “an excellent option” for spiralizing and was their best handheld pick. It’s quick to clean and I often make “zucchini noodles” as a side dish, thanks to this gadget.

Product Suggestion: OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer (Check it out on Amazon).

8. Mini Food Processor – The Small-But-Mighty Kitchen Gadget

For chopping, pureeing, or salsa-making, a mini food processor is indispensable. I keep a compact 4-cup food processor on my counter for everyday tasks. It’s perfect for chopping onions, making pesto, grinding nuts, or blending dips. Serious Eats suggests getting a mini food processor if you don’t need a full-size one – they designed one just like their favorite full-size model but smaller. My Hamilton Beach 4-cup (similar to what they tested) has a strong motor and pulse function. In practice, I use it so often I almost feel like I have a second pair of hands: pulse, dump ingredient, pulse, and the work is done. No more late-night knife work!

• Capacity: ~4 cups (ideal for 1–2 servings or small prep).
• Uses: Chop vegetables, grind nuts, make salsa/pesto, blend baby food.
• Feature: One-touch pulse and continuous run switch. Sharp S-blade.
• Why I love it: It handles all the small tasks quickly and with little noise. As Serious Eats notes, it “is designed just like our favorite regular food processors” and handles chopping an onion or making a batch of hummus easily.

Product Suggestion: Hamilton Beach 4-Cup Mini Food Processor (Stack & Snap) (Check it out on Amazon).

9. Zojirushi Rice Cooker – The No-Fail Rice Gadget

If you eat rice regularly (like I do), a good rice cooker is a must-have kitchen gadget. In my opinion, it’s worth dedicating a small appliance to perfect rice. I have a Zojirushi micro-computerized rice cooker, and it consistently makes fluffy rice and keeps it warm for hours. In testing, Serious Eats found a rice cooker to be “a must-have gadget for just about anyone” – their pick made rice faster than pricier models and kept it tender on “Keep Warm”. The Zojirushi model I use has fuzzy-logic technology and multiple menu settings (white rice, brown rice, porridge, etc.), and it even cooks a 3-cup portion perfectly. No more burnt bottom or guesswork – I just add rice and water, press “Start,” and it pings when dinner is ready.

• Capacity: Common sizes are 3-cup, 5.5-cup, and 10-cup (uncooked). I use a 5.5-cup for family meals.
• Functions: Cook white, sushi, brown, and mixed rice, plus steam and porridge modes.
• Feature: Fuzzy logic or computerized programming for ideal rice texture. Nonstick pot for easy cleanup.
• Why I love it: It frees me from watching the stove. The convenience is amazing – I can set it in the morning and have perfect rice at dinnertime. Serious Eats’ test praised how my style of cooker “outperformed many pricier competitors” and kept rice tender.

Product Suggestion: Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy 5.5-Cup Rice Cooker (Check it out on Amazon).

10. Instant-Read Thermometer – The Don’t-Guess Cooking Gadget

A quick and accurate meat thermometer is a kitchen gadget I use almost daily. Nothing beats knowing exactly when chicken is 165°F or a pork roast is 145°F. I have the ThermoWorks Thermapen One – it’s super-fast and easy to use. In fact, Serious Eats editors say this Thermapen is a “staff favorite” and that “almost every Serious Eats editor owns one”. It reads in a second: I insert the probe into my meat, and bam – I’ve got the temperature. That means no more undercooked surprises and no more dried-out steaks. For example, I pulled a steak at exactly 130°F for medium-rare perfection. As one editor said, using this thermometer turned me into a “kitchen hero” by ending the guessing game. It’s a small gadget that gives huge peace of mind.

• Speed: Reads temperature in ~1 second.
• Accuracy: ±0.5°F, with wide temperature range (–58 to 572°F).
• Feature: Rotating display and auto-sleep. Built-in magnet and mount for easy storage.
• Why I love it: Instant feedback. I no longer cut into meats to check doneness – which means juicier food and safer cooking. Serious Eats notes this gadget is useful beyond meat – I even use it to check bread or candy temperatures.

Product Suggestion: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE Instant-Read Thermometer (Check it out on Amazon).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Kitchen Gadgets

Q: What kitchen gadgets do I really need as a beginner?
A: From my experience, start with versatile tools. An all-in-one multi-cooker (like an Instant Pot) and a good set of cooking utensils (spatula, tongs) can cover many tasks. A blender and a good knife are also basics. You don’t need every gadget at once – add them as you find recipes that need a specific tool.

Q: Are these kitchen gadgets worth the money?
A: Yes – in most cases they save time and improve results. For example, spending a bit more on an Instant Pot Duo Plus gave me reliable meals and replaced several single-use appliances. Many of these gadgets have dozens of good reviews and last for years, so they pay off in convenience.

Q: Which kitchen gadgets are trending or most popular in 2025?
A: Smart versions of classic gadgets are popular (e.g. app-controlled sous vide or Wi-Fi cookers). But everyday tools like air fryers and silicone utensil sets remain hot sellers. A quick look at Amazon’s best-sellers shows brands like Instant Pot, OXO, and Vitamix dominating the gadget lists.

Q: Can I gift kitchen gadgets? What are good ones to give?
A: Absolutely! Many of these gadgets make great gifts. The Instant Pot, air fryer, or even a high-quality utensil set are appreciated by cooking enthusiasts. For a small but helpful gift, I always recommend a garlic press or a digital meat thermometer – almost every home cook can use them.

Q: How do I choose which kitchen gadgets are worth buying?
A: Think about the tasks you repeat most. If you cook a lot of soup or grains, a multi-cooker is priceless. If you love fried foods, an air fryer earns its space. Read reviews and consider durability. For example, Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping do hands-on testing to help pick winners. Ultimately, try to pick gadgets that have multiple uses – that way you get more bang for your buck.

Each gadget above is something I personally use and trust. They’ve helped me save time, cook more confidently, and make tasty meals. I hope this list of must-have kitchen gadgets inspires you to upgrade your own kitchen – one smart gadget at a time!