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The best small kitchen appliance depends on the job you do most often. For most homes, the strongest starting points are the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer for one- or two-person air frying, the Cuisinart TOA-26 for compact countertop versatility, the Vitamix Ascent X5 for exceptionally smooth blending, the Breville Luxe Brewer for premium drip coffee, and the Zojirushi 3-cup induction rice cooker for consistently good rice.
This guide covers 15 tested or professionally reviewed appliances across air frying, countertop cooking, blending, food processing, coffee, rice cooking, slow cooking, espresso, and baking. The selections are based on named testing by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab and Epicurious. They were not personally tested by this publication, so claims below are attributed to those outlets rather than presented as first-hand testing.
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Quick comparison: the 15 best small appliances
| Appliance | Best for | Main strength | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja AF101 Air Fryer | One or two people | Fast heating and well-browned wings and fries | Basket is not the smallest, and opening it does not stop the timer or heat |
| Ninja Crispi Air Fryer | Portable glass cooking | Visibility and easy small-batch reheating | Temperature is selected by range, not an exact degree |
| Cuisinart TOA-26 | A compact air-fryer toaster oven | Credible toast and air-frying in one small machine | Less suitable for large batches than a full-size countertop oven |
| Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro | Maximum countertop versatility | Strong results across 13 cooking functions | Large, heavy, expensive, and excessive for simple tasks |
| Panasonic FlashXpress | Simple, small toaster-oven cooking | Quick cooking from infrared heating elements | 25-minute automatic shutoff, one rack position, Celsius display |
| Vitamix Ascent X5 | Premium blending | Exceptionally smooth smoothies, drinks, soups, and shakes | Peanut butter may remain chunkier without added oil |
| Ninja Twisti Blender Duo | Value and thick blends | Built-in tamper and compact personal cups | Its 34-ounce pitcher is small for large batches |
| Breville BFP810 Sous Chef 16-Cup | Serious meal preparation | Excellent chopping, slicing, shredding, grinding, and dough work | Heavy, with many accessories to store and clean |
| Breville Luxe Brewer | Customizable drip coffee | Fast brewing, high temperatures, and strong taste-test results | Learning curve; thermal carafe requires hand-washing |
| Breville Grind Control | Bean-to-carafe convenience | Integrated grinding plus single-cup and full-carafe brewing | Oily beans and very fine grinds can clog the grinder |
| Zojirushi 3-Cup Induction Rice Cooker | Frequent rice cooking in a small household | Strong results across several rice styles | Brown rice can take about 90 minutes and the cooker costs more |
| Breville Barista Pro | Hands-on espresso | Fine control over grind, temperature, and steaming | Many options can overwhelm beginners |
| Cuisinart 6-Quart High Pressure Multi-Cooker | Pressure cooking plus slow cooking | Clear controls and a useful slow-cook mode | Slow-cooked beef was less tender than pressure-cooked beef; lid gets hot |
| All-Clad 7-Quart Slow Cooker | Family-size slow cooking | Dedicated, hands-off braising and batch meals | Uses more storage space than a compact multicooker |
| KitchenAid Artisan Plus | Everyday baking | Strong kneading and whipping in a relatively approachable mixer | Testers noticed some splattering |
Capacities and functions are included to explain fit, not to imply that a larger number automatically means better performance. Current prices, availability, warranty terms, dimensions, and included accessories can change; verify those details on the product page before buying.
How these appliances were selected
A small appliance is a countertop or easily stored electric appliance that handles a recurring kitchen task. That definition includes genuinely compact machines such as a three-cup rice cooker, but it also includes larger countertop tools when their function can replace or consolidate several appliances. The Breville Joule Oven, for example, is a countertop appliance but is not especially small in physical terms.
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- ALL-IN-ONE KITCHEN SYSTEM: Blend, chop, crush and more in this powerhouse blender and food processor combo.
- POWERFUL MOTOR:1500-watt motor base to crush ice, blend frozen fruit, and power through tough ingredients with the 2-horsepower motor, designed for professional results.
- BLENDING TECHNOLOGY: The XL 72-oz.* pitcher, ideal for large batches and entertaining, features Total Crushing Blades that crush ice to snow in seconds and powers through tough ingredients. *64-oz. max liquid capacity.
- FOOD PROCESSING: 8-cup food processing bowl delivers consistent, even vegetable chopping, pureeing, and mixing. Includes a dedicated chopping blade, plus dough blade, capable of mixing up to 2 pounds of dough in just 30 seconds.
- ON-THE-GO CONVENIENCE: Includes two 16-oz. Nutri Ninja Cups with To-Go Lids, perfect for personalized shakes and smoothies.
The list prioritizes three things:
- Test-backed performance: whether the appliance produced good food in the cited outlet’s testing rather than merely offering an impressive specification sheet.
- Useful specialization: whether it solves a real cooking problem particularly well, such as small-batch rice, thick smoothies, or hands-off family meals.
- Replacement value: whether one machine can reasonably reduce the need for separate countertop appliances without asking the buyer to accept too many compromises.
Good Housekeeping’s standardized work included air-fryer tests with fries, wings, grilled cheese, mozzarella sticks, controls, basket operation, and cleaning. Its blender testing covered smoothies, frozen drinks, nut butter, soup, staining, and ease of use. Food processors were assessed for chopping, mincing, grinding, shredding, slicing, dough kneading, speed, unprocessed remnants, assembly, controls, and cleaning. Coffee makers were evaluated for brewing time, temperature, heat retention, and taste-panel feedback. Slow cookers were tested with stew, soup, whole chickens, temperature monitoring, searing, tenderness, flavor, safety, and controls.
Epicurious tested more than a dozen countertop ovens using toast, pizza, chicken, baking, roasting, proofing, broiling, air frying, ease of use, size, and accessories. The result is a list informed by comparative testing, not a ranking based only on presets, wattage, capacity, or brand familiarity.
1. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer: best small air fryer
Best for: One or two people who want a dedicated air fryer without moving to a large oven-style model.
The Ninja AF101 is Good Housekeeping’s best overall small air fryer. Its four-quart basket supports air frying, roasting, reheating, and dehydrating, making it more useful than a single-purpose crisping appliance while remaining manageable for smaller households.
In Good Housekeeping’s testing, the AF101 heated quickly and produced wings and fries that were crisp, browned, and evenly cooked. Testers also liked the straightforward control panel and the basket design, which was easier to load into a dishwasher than some competing models. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
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Skip it if: You want a toaster oven, need to cook large family-size batches, or strongly prefer a machine that automatically pauses when the basket opens.
2. Ninja Crispi Air Fryer: best portable compact alternative
Best for: People who value portability, glass cooking vessels, and visible small-batch cooking more than maximum crispness.
The Ninja Crispi takes a different approach from a conventional drawer-style air fryer. Attachable heating elements work with a four-quart or six-cup glass container, allowing you to see the food while it cooks and move the vessel more easily for serving or storage.
Good Housekeeping highlighted the Crispi’s portability and visibility. Its testing produced tender wings and fries, but the results were not the darkest or crispest in the group. The appliance also uses temperature ranges rather than letting you choose an exact temperature, which reduces precision for recipes that call for a specific setting. Ninja Crispi Air Fryer
That makes the Crispi a useful alternative rather than a direct performance upgrade over the AF101. It is especially appealing for reheating modest portions or for kitchens where a glass cooking container is more convenient than a traditional nonstick basket.
Skip it if: Your first priority is the crispiest possible fries and wings, or you need exact temperature control for recipe development.
3. Cuisinart TOA-26 Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven: best compact air-fryer toaster oven
Best for: A small kitchen that needs toast, countertop cooking, and air frying from one appliance.
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Good Housekeeping reported that the TOA-26 was one of the few small models that competed credibly with both a standalone air fryer and a toaster oven. Its main appeal is therefore consolidation. Someone who wants toast in the morning and a small batch of air-fried food later may not need two separate machines. Cuisinart TOA-26
It should not be confused with the Breville Joule Oven below. The Cuisinart is the space-conscious choice; the Breville is a substantially larger and heavier countertop cooking system with more functions and greater replacement potential.
Skip it if: You only want the fastest, most concentrated air-frying performance, or you regularly cook large portions that need a full-size oven cavity.
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- POWERFUL CRUSHING: Stacked Blade Assembly and high-performance Pro Extractor Blades Assembly powers through frozen ingredients and ice with ease.
- FOOD PROCESSING: Includes a 5-cup Precision Processor Bowl, Chopping and Dough Blade Assembly for added versatility and functionality.
- 3 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: Blender, ice crusher, and food processor combined that utilizes 1200 watts of performance power to truly customize your drink-making experience.
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that combine unique timed pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns that do the work for you.
- ON-THE-GO CONVENIENCE: Blend directly in the 18-oz. single-serve cup and attach spout lid to take your creations on the go.
4. Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro: best multifunction countertop oven
Best for: Households that want one premium countertop machine to cover many cooking jobs.
The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro was Epicurious’s best overall toaster oven and best air-fryer toaster oven after testing more than a dozen countertop cookers. It offers 13 cooking functions, two convection settings, a temperature range of 80°F to 480°F, a companion app, and a slow-cook mode that can run for up to 72 hours.
Epicurious reported strong results in toast, pizza, chicken thighs, proofing, baking, roasting, and broiling tests. This is the appliance on the list with the greatest potential to consolidate equipment: depending on your habits, it may cover the work of a toaster, air fryer, dehydrator, and slow cooker. Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro
Versatility is also its weakness. The Joule Oven is big, heavy, and expensive compared with a simple toaster oven or compact air fryer. Its slow-cook and air-fry functions do not mean it universally replaces a microwave; Epicurious presents countertop-oven reheating as a preference for some users, not a guarantee that every microwave task can be replaced.
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5. Panasonic FlashXpress: best budget countertop oven
Best for: Small spaces and buyers who want a relatively simple toaster oven for toast, reheating, and modest countertop cooking.
Epicurious names the Panasonic FlashXpress its best small toaster oven and budget pick. It uses two infrared heating elements, cooks quickly, and has a comparatively uncomplicated interface. For a reader who does not need air frying, slow cooking, app control, or a large cavity, that simplicity is the point.
The FlashXpress has meaningful limitations. Its automatic shutoff is set to 25 minutes, it offers only one rack position, and its accessory set is limited. The control panel displays Celsius rather than Fahrenheit, so American recipe users may need to convert temperatures or adapt to the display. Panasonic FlashXpress
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Skip it if: You need extended unattended cooking, multiple rack positions, broad air-frying capability, or a large enough interior for family-size meals.
6. Vitamix Ascent X5: best premium blender
Best for: Buyers who prioritize texture, frozen drinks, soups, and long-term blending versatility over the lowest price or smallest footprint.
Good Housekeeping names the Vitamix Ascent X5 its best overall full-size blender. It replaces the discontinued A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender and combines a 48-ounce jar with 10 presets, variable speed, pulse, a programmable timer, and a tamper-alert feature.
In standardized testing, the Ascent X5 produced the smoothest textures among the tested blenders for smoothies, margaritas, milkshakes, and soup. That makes it a strong choice for households that regularly blend fibrous produce, frozen ingredients, hot soup, or thick drinks and do not want to stop repeatedly to scrape down the container. The reported weakness was chunkier peanut butter unless oil was added. Vitamix Ascent X5
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The X5 is a full-size premium machine, not the choice for someone whose only need is an occasional smoothie. Its strengths are consistency and breadth, while its drawbacks are the price and the counter space required.
Skip it if: You primarily make single servings, have very limited storage, or want a lower-cost blender for light-duty use.
7. Ninja Twisti Blender Duo: best-value blender
Best for: Space-conscious households that make thick blends and want personal cups without buying a premium full-size blender.
The Ninja Twisti Blender Duo pairs a 34-ounce power pitcher with a built-in tamper and timer. It also includes 24-ounce and 18-ounce personal cups and five presets, giving it a useful combination of family-style and single-serve functions.
Good Housekeeping calls it the best-value blender. Testing produced an ultra-creamy margarita and smooth peanut butter, suggesting that the built-in tamper is more than a decorative feature for dense mixtures. The compact design is easier to justify in a smaller kitchen than a large premium blender. Ninja Twisti Blender Duo
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- 5-IN-1 DAILY PREP: Built for parents, family cooks, and small kitchens. Make shakes, sauces, salsa, minced meat, ground coffee, spices, and simple daily meals.
- 4-CUP SETUP: Includes BPA-free 47oz pitcher, 2.5-cup chopper bowl, 18oz cup, and 11oz cup for drinks, chopping, grinding, and small recipes.
- 3 BLADE OPTIONS: Cross blade blends liquid recipes. Flat blade grinds coffee and dry spices. S-blade chops meat, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and sauces.
- 2 SPEEDS + PULSE: Choose low, high, or pulse for different foods. Pulse supports quick bursts, instant start, self-cleaning with water, and smoother blending when adding liquid for frozen fruit or thick shakes.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Removable cups, bowl, pitcher, lids, and blades are simple to rinse and dishwasher safe except the motor base. Handle blades with care.
The 34-ounce pitcher is the compromise. It is adequate for many everyday batches but less suitable for a household that blends large quantities of soup, sauces, or frozen drinks at once.
Skip it if: You routinely make large batches or want the broadest possible capacity and texture performance.
8. Breville BFP810 Sous Chef 16-Cup Food Processor: best food processor
Best for: Serious meal preparation involving chopping, slicing, shredding, grating, grinding, or bread dough.
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This is the machine for people who want a food processor to do substantial prep rather than only make occasional salsa. The testing scope is important: the high marks cover both fine work such as mincing and larger jobs such as slicing and dough kneading. Breville Sous Chef 16-Cup Food Processor
The BFP810 is heavy, and the large accessory collection creates its own storage and cleaning workload. A 16-cup processor can also be excessive for someone who cooks small portions or already owns a useful hand tool.
Skip it if: Your kitchen has little cabinet space, you mostly prepare one- or two-person meals, or you want a lightweight processor that can stay out of sight.
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9. Breville Luxe Brewer: best drip coffee maker
Best for: Coffee drinkers who want premium drip brewing and customization without moving into espresso preparation.
Good Housekeeping’s February 2026 coffee-maker roundup names the Breville Luxe Brewer its best overall coffee maker. It has a 10-cup thermal carafe, both cone and flat filter baskets, adjustable bloom time, and a customizable control panel.
The outlet reports quick brewing, high temperatures, and strong taste-test results. The cone and flat basket options are particularly useful for coffee drinkers who want to experiment with brewing variables rather than accept a single fixed program. Breville Luxe Brewer
There is a learning curve, so this is not necessarily the best choice for someone who wants one obvious button. The carafe also requires hand-washing, an important daily-maintenance detail that can matter more than an extra setting.
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Skip it if: You want the simplest possible coffee maker, prefer single-serve pods, or do not want to hand-wash the carafe.
10. Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker: best coffee maker with a built-in grinder
Best for: Whole-bean coffee drinkers who want to remove a separate grinder from the countertop.
The Breville Grind Control performed strongly in both grinding and brewing tests reported by Good Housekeeping. It offers multiple grind settings, a half-pound hopper, eight strength settings, and brewing from a single cup through a full carafe. A front-facing water display makes refilling and checking the reservoir easier than on some rear-access designs.
Testers found the coffee hot and full-bodied. The integrated workflow is the main advantage: beans can be ground and brewed without measuring into a separate machine. Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
Grinder convenience does not eliminate maintenance. Good Housekeeping cautions that oily beans and very fine grinds may clog the grinder. Buyers who prefer very oily dark roasts should treat that as a practical compatibility concern, not a minor footnote.
Skip it if: You already own a grinder you like, use only pre-ground coffee, or primarily buy oily beans that may challenge the grinder.
11. Zojirushi 3-Cup Induction Rice Cooker: best small rice cooker
Best for: One- to three-person households that eat rice often and value consistent texture more than the lowest purchase price.
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- POWERFUL CRUSHING: Ninja Total Crushing Blades give you perfectly crushed ice for your smoothies and frozen drinks with 1400 peak watts of professional power.
- FOOD PROCESSING: The 8-cup Precision Processor Bowl provides precision processing for even chopping and smooth purees.
- 5 VERSATILE FUNCTIONS: 5 preset Auto-iQ programs allow you to create smoothies, frozen drinks, nutrient extractions, chopped mixtures, and dough, all at the touch of a button. Extract a drink containing vitamins and nutrients from fruits and vegetables.
- AUTO-IQ TECHNOLOGY: take the guesswork out of drink making with intelligent programs that combine unique timed pulsing, blending, and pausing patterns that do the work for you.
- ON-THE-GO CONVENIENCE: Two 24-oz. single-serve cups with spout lids make it easy to take delicious nutrient-rich smoothies on the go.
Good Housekeeping tested 13 rice cookers in a broader evaluation and found particularly strong results from this three-cup induction model. It produced good white rice, brown rice, porridge, and sticky rice and includes settings for multiple rice types, keep-warm, delayed start, and quick cooking.
Induction heating and dedicated rice programs make this a specialist appliance rather than a generic heated pot. It is especially sensible for people who cook rice several times a week and want repeatable results without monitoring a stovetop saucepan. Zojirushi 3-cup induction rice cooker
The principal trade-off is time and cost. Brown rice can take about 90 minutes, and the cooker costs more than basic models. A three-cup unit also makes less sense for a large family that needs several batches for one meal.
Skip it if: You rarely eat rice, need large quantities at once, or want the least expensive possible cooker.
12. Breville Barista Pro: best espresso machine for enthusiasts
Best for: Coffee hobbyists who want control over espresso preparation rather than a one-button beverage machine.
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The Breville Barista Pro combines a built-in grinder with 30 grind sizes, five temperature options, four filter baskets, an LCD interface, and a manual steam wand. Good Housekeeping’s testing emphasized quick heat-up and easy-to-clean parts.
The controls support experimentation with grind, temperature, dose, extraction, and milk texture. That makes the Barista Pro a more engaging choice for someone who wants to learn espresso technique and adjust the drink to different beans. Breville Barista Pro
The same flexibility can be intimidating. Thirty grind sizes and several temperature and basket choices create more decisions than a convenience-focused buyer may want. A manual steam wand also requires practice, unlike a fully automatic milk system.
Skip it if: You want espresso with almost no learning curve or do not want to grind, tamp, steam, and clean manually.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors13. Cuisinart 6-Quart High Pressure Multi-Cooker: best multicooker for slow cooking
Best for: People who want pressure cooking and slow cooking in a relatively straightforward appliance.
Good Housekeeping identifies this Cuisinart as its best multicooker for slow cooking. Testers liked the large LCD, clearly labeled controls, twist handle, and countertop-friendly appearance. It also pressure-cooks, so it offers a faster alternative when a recipe does not need the long, hands-off approach of slow cooking.
The important distinction is that the slow-cook setting is useful but not identical to pressure cooking. Good Housekeeping found that slow-cooked beef was less tender than beef cooked under pressure. The outer lid also becomes hot, so the cooker needs a safe placement away from edges and casual contact. Cuisinart 6-Quart High Pressure Multi-Cooker
This is a good compromise for buyers who do not want a feature-heavy pressure cooker but still want both cooking methods. It is less compelling if slow cooking is your only priority.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.14. All-Clad 7-Quart Slow Cooker with Aluminum Insert: best traditional slow cooker
Best for: Families and batch cooks who want a dedicated appliance for hands-off braising, soups, stews, and large meals.
Good Housekeeping names the All-Clad seven-quart slow cooker its best overall slow cooker. Its evaluation included chicken soup, beef stew, whole chickens, temperature monitoring, searing performance, tenderness, flavor development, design, safety, and ease of use.
The dedicated format is its advantage. Instead of sharing space with pressure cooking and a long list of specialty programs, it is designed around steady, unattended cooking and generous batches. The aluminum insert adds useful searing capability before the slow-cook stage. All-Clad 7-Quart Slow Cooker
Seven quarts is helpful for family meals but inefficient in a small kitchen. If storage is tight or you often cook for one or two people, a multicooker or smaller slow cooker may be easier to live with.
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- No More Lumpy Chunks: Equipped with a strength 1100W full copper motor, providing for several times significantly stronger blending and chopping capabilities in seconds to create velvety smooth puree results
- Easy-to-use Variable Speed Trigger Design: With a pulse-activated sensor, just follow your intuition to control over the recipe and reduce splattering. Getting a switch from low to high speed quickly for easy puréeing, emulsifying or whipping with just one touch
- Effortless Clean-Up, Scratch-Free: Features a unique food-grade nylon blade guard designed to minimize suction, preventing scratches on your pots and pans and keeping splashes at bay for a cleaner kitchen and hassle-free clean-up
- Comfort At Its Best: Stylish and ergonomic grip offers a non-slip and comfortable grip when continuously blending ingredients. A perfect gift for mom, grandparents, camper or all the food lovers on housewarming parties, weddings, birthdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas
- Versatile and Easy to Clean, Lifeime Support: Comes with multiple attachments that detach and swap out with a single click for swift cleaning. UL approved with advanced safety technology for long-lasting durability. If you have any questions, please contact us
Skip it if: You need pressure cooking, have little cabinet space, or rarely make meals large enough to justify a seven-quart vessel.
15. KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer: best stand mixer
Best for: Everyday bakers who want strong kneading and whipping performance without stepping up to a heavy professional mixer.
Good Housekeeping’s July 2026 stand-mixer roundup names the KitchenAid Artisan Plus its best overall model. The four-quart tilt-head mixer received high marks for kneading and whipping, has a top handle, and suctions to the counter for stability.
In testing, it handled egg whites and bread dough effectively. Its familiar attachment ecosystem also gives owners a path to add capabilities later, although attachments are not a reason to ignore the mixer’s capacity and storage requirements. KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer
Testers noted some splattering, so the bowl should not be treated as perfectly mess-free when mixing loose or liquid ingredients. A four-quart bowl is approachable for everyday recipes but less suitable for very large batches of dough.
Skip it if: You bake in commercial-size quantities, need a larger bowl, or have no stable counter space for a mixer that works best when left accessible.
Two specialty swaps worth considering
The 15 picks above favor appliances with broad or frequent household use. If your cooking habits are more specialized, two products from Good Housekeeping’s testing can replace—not add to—the least relevant item on your personal list.
Cuisinart Cool Creations 2-Quart Ice Cream Maker
Good Housekeeping named the Cuisinart Cool Creations its best overall ice-cream maker after testing more than 25 machines. It has 12 hardness settings and performed especially well for both ice cream and sorbet. It is the more broadly useful of the two specialty alternatives if frozen desserts are a regular part of your cooking.
Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Good Housekeeping named the Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker its best overall nugget-ice machine after testing nine models. The evaluation included ice quality, melting time, ease of use, and margarita performance; the machine produced more than 40 pounds of ice. It is distinctive and entertaining, but demand is narrower than for an ice-cream maker, rice cooker, or blender.
How to choose the right appliance for your kitchen
Start with the task, not the appliance category
Write down the three kitchen jobs you repeat most often. If they are reheating and crisping, begin with the AF101, Crispi, or TOA-26. If they are toast, baking, roasting, and broiling, consider a countertop oven. If they are smoothies and soups, compare the Vitamix and Ninja blender profiles. If coffee is the daily priority, decide first whether you want pre-ground, whole-bean, drip, or espresso coffee.
Measure the complete setup
Measure counter depth, available width, vertical clearance, door swing, and the cabinet or shelf where the appliance will be stored. Leave room for ventilation and for removing hot baskets, bowls, carafes, or lids. A countertop oven may be physically larger than a dedicated air fryer; a food processor may take less daily counter space but more cabinet space because of its discs and bowls.
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A machine with many programs is not automatically a better purchase. The Breville Joule Oven’s 13 functions are valuable if they replace several appliances, but unnecessary if you only need toast. Likewise, the Barista Pro’s many grind and temperature controls suit an enthusiast but can slow down someone who wants coffee immediately.
Consider cleaning before buying
- Air-fryer baskets and toaster-oven trays need room for cleaning and drying.
- The Breville Luxe Brewer’s carafe requires hand-washing.
- The Breville BFP810’s large accessory set adds cleaning and storage work.
- Integrated coffee grinders need attention if you use oily beans or very fine grinds.
- Blenders used for nut butter or thick mixtures may need scraping, oil, or careful cleaning around the blade assembly.
Check volatile details immediately before purchase
Confirm current price, stock status, model availability, warranty terms, dimensions, included accessories, voltage, and cleaning instructions on the manufacturer or retailer page. These details can change even when the underlying test results remain useful. Product recommendations should be reviewed at least quarterly, and immediately before publication when the article uses current, best, or sale-related language.
What not to use as a shortcut
- Preset count: More programs do not prove better cooking.
- Wattage: A power rating alone does not establish speed, texture, heat retention, or ease of use.
- Capacity: A larger bowl or carafe may be helpful, but it can also increase storage and cleaning demands.
- The word compact: Countertop does not necessarily mean small. The Joule Oven and BFP810 require particular attention to footprint and storage.
- Brand familiarity: A well-known brand still needs to fit the reader’s task, batch size, controls, and maintenance tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were these appliances personally tested by this publication?
No. The recommendations are based on named laboratory or hands-on testing by Good Housekeeping and Epicurious, including Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. The article does not claim first-hand testing by this publication.
Can a countertop oven replace a microwave?
Not universally. A countertop oven may be preferable for some reheating and crisping tasks, but Epicurious treats microwave replacement as a user preference rather than a guarantee that every microwave function can be duplicated.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Which appliance is best for a very small kitchen?
Start with the appliance that solves a daily problem and measure before buying. The Panasonic FlashXpress, Ninja AF101, Ninja Twisti Blender Duo, and Zojirushi three-cup rice cooker are relatively focused options, while the Breville Joule Oven and Breville BFP810 offer more capability but demand more counter or storage space.
Should I buy a multicooker or a traditional slow cooker?
Choose the Cuisinart six-quart multicooker if you want both pressure cooking and slow cooking with clearly labeled controls. Choose the All-Clad seven-quart slow cooker if dedicated, hands-off slow cooking and family-size batches matter more than space efficiency or pressure cooking.
The Bottom Line
For most smaller households, buy the appliance that matches a repeated task rather than the one with the longest feature list. The Ninja AF101 is the strongest compact air-fryer default; the Panasonic FlashXpress is the simpler small oven; the Vitamix Ascent X5 is the premium blending choice; the Breville Luxe Brewer is the premium drip-coffee pick; and the Zojirushi three-cup induction cooker is the specialist choice for frequent rice eaters. If you want one machine to consolidate several countertop jobs and can accommodate its size and price, the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro offers the broadest tested versatility.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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