Kitchen appliances

Small kitchen appliances are the kind of things you use on repeat, so if they’re annoying, you’ll feel it fast. We put appliances like air fryers, microwaves, and toasters through their paces in our own kitchens to see how they'll actually perform when you’re just trying to get food on the table. That means cooking real meals, testing different settings, and figuring out what’s intuitive versus what requires pulling up the manual every time.

After enough use, the differences become pretty obvious. We pay attention to things like consistency, ease of cleaning, and whether something genuinely saves you time or just takes up counter space. The goal is simple: find the appliances you’ll reach for all the time. See more about how we test kitchen and home products.

group shot of air fryers

The best air fryers of 2026

We put 65 air fryers through the paces to find the best for easy food prep, including crispy fries, wings, and veggies. Our top pick is under $100.
23 min read
a hand inserts a portofilter into an espresso machine

The best home espresso machines of 2026

We tested the best manual, semi-automatic, and super-automatic espresso machines across all budgets to help you make cafe-quality drinks at home.
21 min read
pizza on the Lodge pizza pan, the best pizza stone for grilling

Best pizza stones and steels (2026)

Want a blistering, restaurant-quality pizza crust at home? We rigorously tested the best pizza stones and steels to find the ultimate top picks.
19 min read
breville and dash long slot toasters on an orange gradient background

Best long-slot toasters for bagels and breads

The best long-slot toasters can fit multiple thick slices of homemade bread, bagels, and more. Our top-tested picks are from Breville, Dash, and Smeg.
11 min read
The top three budget espresso machines we tested from Casabrews, De'Longhi, and Bella Pro.

The best budget espresso machines under $250

We tested eight budget espresso machines under $250—only three delivered shots and rich crema. These picks suit beginners and advanced users.
11 min read
4 rice cookers lined up on a a counter

The 3 best rice cookers

Our kitchen expert tested rice cookers for restaurant-quality rice at home. Her top pick is a model she's used in her own kitchen for 10 years.
15 min read
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