Whether you're trying to spend more time in the kitchen this year, or you're just looking to have the feeling of some extra help, sometimes a cool gadget is all you need. Thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to find useful kitchen tools you never knew were missing from your life. The hard part is searching for the best choices out there — but not to worry, because we're here to help.
Ahead, we curated a list of the hottest devices and products out there right now to make your life easier. From a cutting board that'll make meal prep easy to a smart egg cooker and a handy knife sharpener, these will make your cooking and meal-prep experience a little easier and more enjoyable. Keep reading to shop and snag a few.
A true home chef knows that sharp knives are important to meal prepping, which is why the Chef's Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener ($170) is a smart investment. It can sharpen anything from a chef's knife to a pocket knife. The three-stage sharpener is made to give you a longer-lasting 15-degree edge, and it does the math for you.
Traditional sponges can be filled with dirt and bacteria, so we vote it's time to upgrade to something better. The Silicone Dish Scrubber ($10) are at the top of our list, because they get the job done and last so much longer. Plus, the scrubbers flexible design makes it easy to clean cups, glasses, and other small items.
Because making eggs should be easy, get the Dash Express Egg Cooker ($20). It can hard- and soft-boil eggs, make poached eggs, and even make an omelette. Plus, the blue shade is just cute, and it's fun to use.
If straining is always a pain for you, then we've found your match. All you have to do is clip the Strainer With Two Clips ($14) to your pot, and finally you can do it with one hand. The set comes with two different size clips, one that works for each pasta or vegetables.
Cuisinart's original food processor launched in 1973, and the new Elemental Food Processor ($100-$200) is the modern upgrade. From making salsa, to working dough, and shredding cheese, it'll save you tons of time.
You'll never misread a measurement again with this handy Digital Kitchen Food Scale and Measuring Cup ($25). The smart device is great for baking and getting specific measurements.
If you're trying to reduce your household waste, then the Vitamix Food Cycler FC-50 ($400) is a great investment. From apple cores to banana peels and even chicken bones, it breaks down old food scraps and turns them into fertilizer. It's easy to throw stuff in while you're cooking, and you'll have far less smelly trash.
If you're tired of searching for lids in your kitchen cabinets, we have a seriously good solution. The Five Two Airtight Silicone Lids ($40) are made to work and stick onto anything. So all you need is your favorite bowl, pot, pan . . . you name it, and it'll work with it. This saves you so much time on having to match up a bowl and lid combination. Plus, it makes storing leftovers or keeping something on the pan warm easier.
You won't believe how many things this Coolmade 8-in-1 Kitchen Tool Set ($15) can do. It works as a juicer, spice grater, funnel, egg masher, cheese grater, egg separator, measuring cup, and can opener. It'll replace half of your junk drawer contents with just one item.
Getting organized is a lot easier said than done these days, and the iDesign Customizable Pantry Essentials Kit ($43, originally $61) is great way to start. The kit has so many helpful products in it that range from a spice rack to a lazy susan organizer. The good part is you can buy it as a set or as separates, so you'll get exactly what your space needs.
You've likely seen the Beast Blender ($155) on your Instagram feed, and there's no denying that it's seriously stylish, but it also works like a charm. It can process food and make amazing smoothies, all while looking minimal and sleek on your countertop. Plus, its easy twist-on design can easily be removed and you can add a travel top to it to take your creation on the go.
The Echo Show 8 HD Smart Display With Alexa ($110) is like the personal assistant you always wished you had. Just place it in a convenient part of your kitchen, and it'll help you follow along with recipes, take video calls, and even use Alexa. All these handy tools will allow you to cook and use this device hands-free.
If you're still boiling water on a stovetop, then we think it's time for a serious upgrade. Look no further than the Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle ($159-$189), a customer favorite. The kettle has a digital gauge that can heat up water to your ideal temperature, and hold it at that temp for up to an hour. Plus, it looks stylish and comes in several colors, what else can you ask for?
Make washing fruit and vegetables so much quicker and cleaner with this Kibee Dish Stainless Steel Drying Rack ($17). All you have to do is simply place it over your sink and it'll save your countertops from getting wet and messy.
It's no secret that spreading butter can be a pain, thankfully, the Ginkgo Japanese Butter Knife ($30) exists to make it easy, and honestly, kind of fun. The knifes' tiny perforations make it easy slice right through a cube, and then easily give it a melty texture that spreads right into bread, or whatever you want.
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to make your own coffee at home, then invest in a gadget you'll love to use. We love the Williams Sonoma Cafe Affetto Automatic Espresso Machine & Frother ($730). Not only does it make amazing espressos with your choice of beans and has a handy and easy-to-use frother, but it also looks stylish on display. What's not to love?
Say goodbye to steel-wool pads and annoying scrubbing, because the Ringer Cleaner ($18) will help keep your cast-iron skillet feeling like new. The cleaner is also dishwasher safe, so you won't have any problem cleaning your cleaner.
If you're trying to be more sustainable and cut down on single use plastic bags, then the Food Huggers Reusable Silicone Food Savers ($29) are a great buy. These take away the use for bags all together, and you can use them for leftover fruits and veggies. The set comes with eight different size huggers for all types of foods. It even comes in four cute color choices too.
Make rice without even having to think about it with the GreenLife Go Grains Electric Rice Cooker ($60). Simply fill it up and press start, and your dinner will be ready in no time. It comes with four different settings to make white rice, brown rice, quinoa, and steel-cut oats. The best part? The smart technology can automatically adjust things to perfectly cook them all. The inner bowl has a ceramic nonstick coating and is even dishwasher-friendly.
Bakers knows that having the right size rolling pin is always a must, that's why the Five Two Adjustable Rolling Pin ($39) is here to help. You'll no longer have to guess when you're rolling something out, because this pin has a measuring tool on it. Plus, it comes with silicone rings that give you five measuring options. Made from water-resistant teak, it'll make anything from dough, to perfectly-even crusts, pastas, and cookies in no time.
There are so many types of cutting boards you can use these days, so why not get one that has all the right features? We're loving the Five Two Bamboo Cutting Board ($29–$119) because the double-sided board does it all. On one side there's a moat that catches and drains liquids easily. On the other side there's even a handy stand for your phone, so you can easily follow recipes. When this cutting board first launched, it sold out in just three days, and we see why.
You can store foods easier, and they'll last much longer with the Zwilling Fresh & Save Vacuum Sealer Food Storage System ($15–$99). The small device can vacuum seal bags and bowls in just seconds. The brand boosts that this helps food last five times longer, and it saves room in the fridge. The device itself is mini and easy to store, and all the containers are dishwasher-friendly.