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Maybe you’re looking to spice up your day-to-day cooking routine, or you want to simplify your setup with workhorse gear that still looks nice on a countertop. Wherever you’re coming from, a new kitchen tool or two can be the solution to a more streamlined, fuss-free, and fun cooking experience — and the secret ingredient to tastier meals to boot.
Keep reading for a list of our team’s favorite kitchen upgrades, including eye-catching colored glass bowls, splurge-worthy gadgets, and even a set of “pasta monster” servers.
The Basics
Zwilling Knife Block Set
Whether you’re chopping, minching, or slicing, this 15-piece knife set provides a solid array of options to cut through veggies, bread, meats, cheese, you name it. It also includes kitchen shears and a sharpening steel — so you can forget the frustration of working with dull knives. Want a little extra power on that front? Grab this electric knife sharpener.
Maison Plus Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Calling all bakers! Skip the plastic measuring cups and opt for these stainless steel ones coated in PVD gold. They feature sturdy handles that feel good in the hand, and they add a dash of glam even when covered in flour. Take them for a spin with the Nice News team’s fave chocolate chip cookie recipe.
W&P Porter Seal-Tight Glass Bowls
Stash your leftovers or lunches in these pretty glass bowls available in nine colors. With 16- or 24-ounce capacity, they’re airtight, leakproof, and microwave- and dishwasher-safe. We find they tend to keep everything fresher for longer — and they’re so cute, they make us more likely to meal prep overnight oats, soups, and salads.
John Boos & Co. Cutting Board
The Boos Block cutting board is a tried-and-true piece in this writer’s home — and arguably the kitchen tool that gets the most everyday use. Made of solid American maple, the reversible boards are worth the investment: They’re known for being well-made, easy to clean, long-lasting, and beautiful to keep out on a countertop.
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Bakeware Set
Check off all your bakeware needs with this 11-piece set from Caraway, including baking sheets and pans for homemade bread, brownies, muffins, and more. Aside from being functional and aesthetically designed, all of the pieces are naturally nonstick (less elbow grease required) and made with a nontoxic coating, so you can feel even better about your treats.
GreenPan Reserve Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan Set
Cooking for one? Or 10? Either way, these nonstick frying pans make it easy to not only whip up eggs, pancakes, and stir fry dishes, but also clean up afterward. They’re also often-safe up to 600 degrees, scratch-resistant, and made with a coating that’s free of “forever chemicals.” Choose from five hues (we’re partial to the cream color).
Mosser 3-Piece Colored Glass Mixing Bowl Set
Made in Ohio by a small family-owned company, this attractive tinted glass set (available in six colors) is perfect for mixing, stirring, and serving. In addition to being dishwasher- and microwave-safe, the bowls are a good swap for anyone seeking to use less plastic and incorporate more long-lasting pieces in their home. Check out more of Mosser’s handcrafted products.
Joyful Accessories
Maxjoy Danish Dough Whisk
Not just any whisk, this guy is specially designed to mix dough thoroughly with less food peskily sticking to the tines. While it’s often used for bread baking, it can also aid in whipping up stews, sauces, and eggs. Added bonus: It double duties in the role of a rubber spoon without dirtying a second tool.
East Fork Bitty Bowls
If you love cooking with a “mise en place” approach, you’ll love East Fork’s elegant, pottery bitty bowls. This writer loves using them to lay out spices, herbs, garlic, and dips. Outside of kitchen prep, they’re also useful for stashing olive pits, tea bags, extra soy sauce, or small servings of sweets. Choose from a variety of colors, and expect variations in the glazes — a perk of human-made pieces.
Anthropologie’s Nathalie Lete Helena Apron
Craving a pop of color in your kitchen? Look no further than this flower-filled apron designed by French artist Nathalie Lete. When you’re not wearing it while cooking, it still adds cheery vibes when hanging on a hook. We’re longtime fans of the designer, check out some of her other dreamy, nature-inspired home goods.
Dot and Army Reusable Pot Scrubbers
A great alternative to steel wool, these reusable pot scrubbers are secret weapons to cleaning cookware effectively yet gently (meaning they won’t scratch your nice plates and pans. Plus, they can be tossed in the washing machine when they get dirty so you can keep using them over and over again.
GIR Silicone Oven Mitts
Soft on the inside and grippy on the outside, this set of two eye-catching silicone oven mitts will keep your hands protected and cozy, thanks to the inner terry cotton lining. They’re available in red and a pretty denim color, and beyond being heatproof (of course), they’re a breeze to wash.
Ototo Pasta Monsters and Salad Servers
Why not serve your spaghetti and salad with these silly pasta monsters? They’re cute and clever, and they do the job — or they’ll motivate your kiddos do do the job for you! Consider pairing them with the spaghetti monster strainer for an extra serving of smiles.
Workhorse Kitchen Gadgets
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
Rice is an all-star meal component, and this computerized rice cooker and warmer ensures the perfect batch every single time. It’s also versatile, with different settings for white rice, mixed rice, porridge, sweet rice, semi-brown, brown, rinse-free, and quick-cooking rice.
GreenPan Ceramic Nonstick Smart Skillet
When it comes to multipurpose gadgets, this smart skillet is tough to beat. With 10 settings that take it from 160 F to 450 F, you can do everything from sear and sauté to stir-fry, steam, and simmer — all right on your countertop. The 6-quart pot insert is designed to a tee: It’s removable with high sides to prevent splatter and has a ceramic nonstick coating for easy cleaning..
Philips Premium Air Fryer
If you haven’t yet gotten on the air fryer train, consider this your sign to hop aboard. In addition to using “fat removal technology” that extracts and captures excess fat, the tool is a standout for its efficiency: It doesn’t require preheating, the meals come out four times faster than if cooked in a traditional oven, and it’s capacious enough to serve six (hungry) people . Plus, all the removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
NutriBullet Pro 900 Watt Personal Blender
Nutribullet is a heavy hitter in health and nutrition circles. The brand’s Pro 900 personal blender features a powerful motor and efficient design at a reasonable price. It makes adding more fruits and veggies to your diet a breeze, and it’s easy to clean too.
KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer
If you have enough real estate for a stand mixer, it’s a splurgy purchase that lives up to the hype. KitchenAid is the holy grail of mixers — and the artisan series ticks all the boxes (and more). You’ll have a range of 10 speeds at your fingertips and it’s made with a special “tilt-head” design, so you can easily access the bowl to add ingredients. Assistant editor Rebekah Brandes received the aqua teal color as a wedding present and considers it her favorite piece of “kitchen jewelry”!
Lavatools Digital Instant Thermometer
The humble kitchen thermometer may not be the most exciting, but it’s so important to ensure your food is safe and ready to eat. Take the guesswork out with this digital device that takes only seconds and gives precise intel on whether or not it’s time to start noshing.
Read more: 14 Cleaning Products for the Ultimate Refresh — From an Electric Scrubber to Fancy Room Spray
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