These Appliances Deserve Your Precious Counter Space

People love to be opinionated about appliances. Some see the Instant Pot and air fryers as ways to get dinner on the table better and faster; others consider them expensive, wasteful, and unnecessary.

Well, you couldn’t pull the plugs from our kitchens if you tried. Listen in on the chatter before a staff meeting and you’ll hear editors passionately extolling the virtues of their favorite electric kettle. Food processors sit right alongside knives and cutting boards at our test kitchen stations.

But that doesn’t mean we love just any appliance—each piece of equipment needs to earn its precious countertop real estate. If it doesn’t make cooking easier, more joyful, and more delicious, we don’t want it.

So we’re sharing our food editors’ highly opinionated picks for the appliances they couldn’t live without and the recipes that show off their full potential. We’ll also speculate on when AI will come for your crisper drawer, and suggest a few gadgets you definitely don’t need—but might want anyway. —Kelsey Youngman

What Kitchen Appliances Will Look Like in 50 Years

Illustration by Hazel Zavala

A Toaster With a View

This See-Through Toaster Makes Toasting Fun

It's my favorite view of golden hour.

Cinnamon Toast Is Better as an Ice Cream Sandwich

There isn’t a better afternoon snack in the summer.

Process, Then Proof

The Best Food Processors, According to BA Editors

This kitchen workhorse deserves a spot on your countertop.

For Easy Bread Dough, Use Your Food Processor

Ditch your stand mixer—this is speedier.

Air-Fry Away

These Are the Best Air Fryers

Do you need one? Probably not. Should you get one? Almost certainly.

Air Fryer Garlic-Nori Fries

Frozen fries get the ultimate makeover thanks to a sweet-salty-umami mix.

Our Favorite Frozen French Fries

We tried seven frozen french fry brands to see which ones are worthy of your air fryer.

The Almond Cow Is Your Ticket to Better Non-Dairy Milks

Photograph by Almond Cow

Waffle Everything

The Best Waffle Maker, According to Bon Appétit Editors

Wake up and smell the butter and syrup.

Yeasted Waffles Are Worth Waiting For

Rest the batter overnight for crisp, airy waffles in the morning.

For the Best Grilled Cheese, Use Your Waffle Iron

It's better than any panini press.

Pulse, Pureé, Blitz, Blend

The Best Blenders for Smoothies, Soups, and Slushy Cocktails

From professional Vitamix blenders to compact personal blenders, these are the appliances our test kitchen loves.

Actually-Vegan Cream of Tomato Soup

A very rich, very creamy tomato soup made entirely in a blender—no pot or stove needed.

Churn, Baby, Churn

The Best Ice Cream Maker Makes Ice Cream, Frozen Margs, and More

Invest in an ice cream maker to churn all the weird, wild, homemade pints of your dreams.

Homemade Cannoli Ice Cream

A homemade ricotta ice cream chock-full of crushed sugar cones, chocolate, and pistachios.