Best Kitchen Products in 2023 (March Reviews)

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Last Updated 10:58 pm
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After more than 28 hours of research and testing, our top pick for the best kitchen product – and a must have – goes to the Shun Classic 10” Chef’s Knife. This kitchen knife is an absolute dynamo, featuring a narrow 16″ cutting angle blade, lightweight pakkawood handle, and some of the smoothest slicing you will ever see.

Choosing the best kitchen products could mean the difference between plenty of aggravation cooking your favorite meals and whipping up a masterpiece. Our evaluation focused on design, ease of use, multi-purpose ability, safety, and length of warranty. Keep reading to learn more about the Shun Classic 10” Chef’s Knife and six others that met our strict grading criteria.

Top 7 Best Kitchen Products

#1 Shun Classic 10” Chef’s Knife

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best kitchen knife, offering a long 10-inch super durable VG-MAX steel blade and narrower 16″ cutting angle, making it a great all-around kitchen knife to cut all types of foods, including meat and vegetables.

Pros
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Very durable and lightweight VG-10 steel
  • Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Not dishwasher safe & high cost
  • Some users reported light chipping on hard surfaces
  • Does not include blade guard or cover

We were really impressed with this chef knife’s design. It is super sharp with a narrower cutting angle (16″) and lighter blade than traditional knives, requiring less pressure to cut. While testing, our knives expertly sliced through thick slabs of pork like butter with no more than three or four passes to fully cut through.

Related: Check out our best spatulas.

Thanks to its ridged, lightweight pakkawood handle, comfortable grip and even weight distribution throughout the knife, this chef knife is easy to use, even for beginners. Though it cuts well, this knife does not include a blade guard or sheath, so handle with care. Bonus points for its limited lifetime warranty which protects against manufacturer defects as well as a free knife sharpening service. If you’re looking for a knife that’s a bit more niche, check out the best oyster knife too.

#2 Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: This 12-piece stainless steel cookware set features a triple-ply construction and tight fitting pouring rims to retain moisture – a great choice for people using induction cooktops.

Pros
  • Great for all cooktops, including induction
  • Heat Distribution Technology for even cooking
  • Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Effective non-stick
  • Handles could have better feel
  • Customer service could be better

This 12-piece stainless steel cookware set comes with all of what we consider essentials, including two saucepans, two skillets, a steamer insert, and three saute pans. These work well with most meats, including braised meat, stews, and good ole’ fashioned scramble eggs. Stainless steel covers also completely seals each rim to retain moisture and cool grip handles make them safe on skin. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty for peace in mind in case of any manufacturer defects.

Related: Keep your culinary storage organized with our best kitchen cart.

Kudos to each piece’s triple-ply design and construction, which uses bonded aluminum and stainless steel for great heat distribution. Taped rims also make it very easy to pour. It uses Heat Distribution technology, which ensures no hot or cold spots along the sidewalls and bottom. For your kitchen cleaning needs, take a look at the best extension squeegee.

#3 KitchenAid KSM150PSGA Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer

Award: BEST MIXER

WHY WE LIKE IT: This stand mixer is compatible with 12 attachments, making it a great all-around dynamo for shredding, mixing, beating, and whipping your favorite sauces into shape.

Pros
  • Most trusted brand
  • Heat Distribution Technology for even cooking
  • Compatible with 12 attachments
Cons
  • A bit heavy
  • So-so one-year replacement warranty

We love this stand mixer’s rotation ability, which uses 59-point planetary mixing to launch each attachment around the bowl for thorough mixing. A separate 10-speed power hub can connect different attachments to instantly turn your mixer from a dough beater to a pasta stretcher. We also love this unit’s focus on usability with a tilt-head design making it easy to add ingredients without having to lift the bowl off.

This stand mixer’s included 5-quart stainless steel bowl offers a lot of capacity for large household cooking needs, accommodating large batches of dough and bread to serve a large family in one sitting. The bowl finish is polished stainless steel, and its handle is also comfortable. Safety is also on point with an overheating guard. Though this mixer excels in many areas, we wish its one-year replacement warranty was longer and that additional coverage did not have to cost extra. Overall, this is the best KitchenAid mixer on the market.

#4 Blendtec Designer 725 Blender

Award: BEST BLENDER

WHY WE LIKE IT: This versatile, smart blender comes with a powerful 1800 watt motor and six different pre-programmed settings to blend all types of foods, including yogurt, smoothies, and soup.

Pros
  • Ultra powerful motor
  • 100-speed settings & 6 pre programmed cycles
  • BPA-free & generous 8-year warranty
Cons
  • Plastic jar is not scratch-resistant
  • Can be loud

This blender is very powerful, running at 3.8 peak horsepower which cuts through thick batter and dough with ease. It is also very intuitively designed with a 100-speed setting touch slider, allowing users to control the spin just the way they like. Bonus points for its generous 8-year warranty and BPA-free jar, a common additive found in plastics known to cause health defects.

We found most blending jobs to be stunningly quick. While testing, mixing pancake batter (oil, eggs, and batter) turned it into a constantly smooth texture in just seconds. It did an equally awesome job of pureeing, mixing, and stirring. 6 pre-programmed settings are optimized for certain foods, which eliminates the need to experiment with different speeds. To that end, it can detect when there are air bubbles and adjust the blade (not sharp btw) accordingly.

#5 Technivorm Moccamaster 59691 KB Coffee Brewer

Award: BEST COFFEE MAKER

WHY WE LIKE IT: This coffee brewer, constantly hailed as the best on the market, comes with a powerful 1475 watt motor, brewing a full carafe in 6 minutes or less, perfect as a daily coffee maker.

Pros
  • Automated superb drip coffee taste
  • Two setting hot plate
  • BPA/BPS/BPF-free & 5-year warranty
Cons
  • High cost
  • Some users reporting water arm leaking
  • Not ideal for large offices

This coffee brewer is really fast, brewing 10 cups of coffee in six minutes or less. Brewing temperatures are pretty consistent, regularly hitting between 196 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit using a quick copper boiler. A manual brew basket also allows users to adjust the speed at which coffee enters the pot, making it easier to control. While testing, we noticed a smooth and even flavor with no deterioration.

This is one of the best kitchen tools thanks to a two-setting hot plate, keeping your coffee heated to t 175° or 185° F for 100 minutes before shutting off automatically. This is more than enough coffee to remain on the ready for a family of four. Big shout for a BPA and phthalate-free metal and plastic construction, which have been known to cause serious health defects.

#6 Panasonic NN-SN966S Microwave Oven

Award: BEST MICROWAVE

WHY WE LIKE IT: This 1250-watt microwave oven comes with a massive 2.2 cubic foot of capacity, making it a great choice for large families looking for evenly cooked food in less time.

Pros
  • Great for families
  • Automatic sensors and 14 presets
  • Large 16.5-inch turntable
Cons
  • 1-year warranty could be longer
  • So-so customer service
  • Flimsy door button

Thanks to this microwave oven’s 14 auto cook settings, it can cook all kinds of foods without dialing specific times, such as oatmeal, pizza, and pasta. While testing, we really noticed its inverter technology ‘s power in cooking foods evenly and consistently with no hot or cold spots.

We also like this microwave ove’s design and ease of use with 2.2 cubic feet of space, which is on the higher end for larger families. It can easily fit two plates at a time. A large rotating 16.5 turntable also allows foods to be evenly cooked. Bonus points for its automatic sensors which adjust power and time in real-time to prevent overheating.

#7 Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Award: BEST MULTI COOKER

WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to 14 pre programmed settings, this electric pressure cooker is a great choice for anyone looking to cut down on cooking time.

Pros
  • 7-in-1 functionality; rice, slow cooker, etc
  • 14 smart settings and 10 safety features
  • Great for batch cooking & UL-certified
Cons
  • Customer service could be better
  • Metal top can get hot to the touch
  • Slight learning curve to use even with automatic functions

Aside from the Instant Pot name, we really enjoyed this electric pressure cooker’s versatility It has seven different functions, working as a pressure cooker, warmer, steamer, rice cooker, saute pot, yogurt maker, and slow cooker with enough capacity to feed 6 people at a time. It is super easy to use, with buttons labeled based on food type (e.g. meat/stew). It even has an automatic warmer that keeps food ready until served.

This is one of the best kitchen gadgets thanks to its UL certification, which vouches for adherence to strict safety standards with more than 10 mechanisms, such as safety lid locks, automatic temperature controls, and electric fuse management. It even has leaky lid detection, which prevents burnt food due to loose of steam. This cooker is as close to artificial intelligence as it gets. This cooker is so nice, you’ll be grabbing your best salt and pepper shakers to decorate the table.

How We Decided

In determining the best kitchen accessories to buy, we explored design, ease of use, multi-purpose ability, safety, and warranty. Design and ease of use focus on strong ergonomics, whether they be non-slip handles like the Shun Classic 10” Chef’s Knife or super intuitive one-touch programs like the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker with its clearly labeled buttons for different food types.

We prefer must-have kitchen appliances that could be used in different ways. For example, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, warm, and create yogurt. This helps eliminate the need for multiple pots and pans and saves time. The Blendtec Designer 725 Blender-WildSide Jar also works similarly, using six preprogramming cycles to prepare different types of liquids including juices and smoothies.

Safety for kitchen utensils and equipment is critical. Any safety mechanisms that are designed to protect health and operation were key. Arguably our safest product is the Instant Pot 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker which has more than 10 safety mechanisms such as electric fuse, overheat protection, and automatic temperature controls to prevent burnt food and electrical issues.

Warranty is very important. They help provide peace of mind in case of any manufacturer defects. The longer the warranty, the better. Of our seven picks, the Shun Classic Knife and Cuisinart Microwaves have limited lifetime warranties. Any list of all kitchen utensils should carry a minimum 1-year warranty.

Best Kitchen Products Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Design/Ease of Use
    Our preference goes to kitchen products with solid ergonomics, intuitive button layouts, and other features that make it easier to use. The Shun Classic 10” Chef’s Knife’s contoured, non-slip handle, and the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker’s one-touch operation with more than 14 preprogrammed settings make them excel in this area.
  2. Multi-purpose Ability
    The best kitchen products have room for many uses besides what is obvious. For example, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker has y in 1 functionality that allows it to prepare all types of foods.
  3. Safety
    Look for kitchen products with one or more certifications that vouch for their safety and usability. For example, our #4 pick Blendtec Designer 725 Blender and #5 pick Technivorm Moccamaster 59691 KB Coffee Brewer is a shining example with a BPA-free construction, a commonly used chemical found in plastics that are known to cause serious health defects. Another winner is the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker with more than 10 safety mechanisms that prevent things like overheating and excess pressure.
  4. Warranty
    The longer the warranty, the greater the peace of mind. Two picks (Shun Classic Knife and Cuisinart Microwave) have limited lifetime warranties.

Kitchen Products FAQs

What are the best kitchen gadgets?

The best kitchen gadgets depend on what your needs are. If you are a beginner cook with little time to prepare meals, the Instant Pot could be a good choice. If you are an experienced cook with a large family, the Panasonic NN-SN966S Microwave Oven may be better suited for you.

What should I buy for my new kitchen?

There are many kitchen essentials list of equipment you can review online to determine this. However, our list focuses mostly on the cooking side, with a speed cooker (Instant Pot), quality knife (Shun Classic 10” Chef’s Knife), and everyone's favorite morning brew with the Technivorm Moccamaster 59691 KB Coffee Brewer.

What every kitchen should have?

In our opinion, kitchens can do no wrong by purchasing each for the items above. They offer a good mix of functionality with coffee making, cooking , cutting, and blending, which we feel come at the core of most kitchen activities. Any of these also make the best kitchen gifts.

What are the best kitchen utensil brands?

Some of the most widely recognized and respected kitchen brands include Wusthof Cutlery for knives (hello, Jamie Oliver), the Instant Pot for fast cooking, Blendtec for blenders, and Kitchenaid for their diverse set of cooking products. They are all well known for their durability, lengthy warranties, and ease of use. On occasion, one of them will even knock it out of the park with a highly memorable marketing campaign, most notably with the Blendtec’s “Will It Blend” campaign with company founder Tom Dickson using everyday gadgets to prove its mettle.