KitchenPicks
Kitchen gear, honestly reviewed.

Best Small Appliances

Countertop appliances are where kitchen budgets go to die. We look for the things spec sheets hide: how evenly they cook, how loud they run, and how annoying they are to clean.

Reviews & roundups

6 in-depth comparisons, updated as prices change.

The Best Air Fryers of 2026, Reviewed
Small Appliances

The Best Air Fryers of 2026, Reviewed

We compared popular air fryers side by side on capacity, cooking performance, and ease of cleanup. Here are the 3 models actually worth buying in 2026.

10 min read
The Best Blenders for Smoothies in 2026, Reviewed
Small Appliances

The Best Blenders for Smoothies in 2026, Reviewed

From compact personal blenders to full-size powerhouses, we compared the top smoothie makers on ice-crushing power, cleanup ease, and daily reliability. Here are our 3 picks at every budget.

10 min read
The Best Toaster Ovens of 2026, Reviewed
Small Appliances

The Best Toaster Ovens of 2026, Reviewed

We compared air fryer toaster ovens on capacity, function count, and cabinet clearance โ€” from a compact five-function model to a 26-quart French door oven with a rotisserie.

9 min read
The Best Immersion Blenders of 2026, Reviewed
Small Appliances

The Best Immersion Blenders of 2026, Reviewed

We compared the top hand blenders on motor power, speed control, and splash resistance โ€” from a mid-range KitchenAid to a 625-watt Vitamix built for daily use.

9 min read

Head-to-head

Direct comparisons between the models people shortlist together.

All comparisonsโ†’

Every small appliances product we've reviewed

Each links to its full review.

1COSORIEditor's Choice

COSORI Air Fryer Pro 5QT

A 5-quart air fryer with 12 one-touch presets, shake reminder, and 100+ recipes in the app โ€” a widely sold model with a long track record.

2NinjaBest Value

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer

A compact 4-quart budget air fryer that crisps evenly without the premium price tag.

3Instant PotMost Versatile

Instant Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook Air Fryer

Six cooking functions in one appliance โ€” air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. ClearCook window lets you watch without opening.

4NinjaBest Personal

Ninja Nutri-Blender Pro BN401 Auto-iQ

A compact 1100-watt personal blender that crushes ice and frozen fruit in under a minute. Perfect for single-serve smoothies on busy mornings.

5VitamixPremium Pick

Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender

The blender that outlasts everything else. Variable 10-speed control, aircraft-grade stainless steel blades, and a 5-year full warranty โ€” the entry point into the Vitamix ecosystem.

6NutriBulletBest Value

NutriBullet Pro Personal Blender 900W

A popular pick for a reason. The 900-watt NutriBullet Pro blends smoothies, nut butters, and sauces with minimal fuss at a fair price.

7VitamixEditor's Choice

Vitamix 5-Speed Immersion Blender 625W

A professional-grade 625-watt immersion blender with 5 speeds, a four-pronged stainless-steel blade, and a 3-year warranty โ€” the most powerful hand blender in this comparison.

8BraunBest Value

Braun MultiQuick 5 Vario MQ5000 Hand Blender

German-engineered 400-watt immersion blender with 21 speeds, PowerBell technology for finer blends, and SplashControl to keep your kitchen clean.

9KitchenAidMost Popular

KitchenAid KHBV53 Variable Speed Hand Blender

A well-known hand blender: variable speed trigger, removable 8-inch blending arm, and a patented pan guard โ€” all at a sensible mid-range price.

10Emeril LagasseEditor's Choice

Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Air Fryer Oven

A 26-quart French door oven with 24 functions and a rotisserie โ€” the most capable countertop oven here by a wide margin.

11GourmiaMost Versatile

Gourmia French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven

A 25-quart French door oven with 19 presets and a 1700W element, at a much lower price than the premium models โ€” though it has a shorter track record.

12BLACK+DECKERBudget Pick

BLACK+DECKER 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven

Air fry plus bake, broil, toast, and keep warm at a budget price, with room for six slices or a 12-inch pizza โ€” the cheapest credible way into a combo oven.

13Instant PotEditor's Choice

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4QT Mini Air Fryer

A 4-quart 6-in-1 mini air fryer with ClearCook window, 1500W power, and up to 4 servings in a 10.2-inch-wide footprint โ€” ideal for couples.

14COSORIBudget Pick

COSORI Lite 2.1QT Small Air Fryer

The smallest air fryer worth buying โ€” a quiet 2.1-quart mini with touch controls, 4 functions, and a square nonstick basket that fits dorms, RVs, and studio kitchens.

15ChefmanBest Value

Chefman TurboFry Touch 4QT Easy-View Air Fryer

A 4-quart air fryer with an easy-view window, 450ยฐF Hi-Fry technology for last-minute crispness, shake reminders, and a compact matte-black design that fits 2โ€“4 servings.

16COSORIEditor's Choice

COSORI Electric Kettle with Temperature Control, 1.7L

A 1.7-liter borosilicate glass kettle with six one-touch temperature presets, a 60-minute keep-warm mode, and a stainless-steel lid and filter.

17Hamilton BeachBudget Pick

Hamilton Beach 1.7L Stainless Steel Electric Kettle 40880

A no-frills 1.7-liter stainless-steel kettle with a 1500-watt element, auto shut-off, boil-dry protection, and a cordless base at a budget price.

18FellowPremium Pick

Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Electric Gooseneck Kettle, 0.9L

A 0.9-liter stainless-steel gooseneck kettle with to-the-degree temperature control, a color LCD, scheduling, hold mode, and a brew stopwatch, built for pour-over coffee.