Charcuterie boards, cookbooks, and decorative bowls are all great, but smart kitchen tools can actually make your family and friends’ lives easier (and much more fun). Touchscreen toasters are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the best smart kitchen tools I’ve seen on TikTok. To make your shopping easier, I’ve rounded up the best kitchen tools to gift your family and friends. I’ve personally tested many of these appliances, but I considered different diets and price points to help you find the best cooking present this year. Must read:
The best cheap tech gifts for under $100The best cheap tech gifts under $75The best cheap tech gifts under $50The best cheap tech gifts under $25
The best kitchen gifts
Below I’ve rounded up 14 smart kitchen tools that will make your favorite foodies smile.
The best kitchen tool deals available
Below are six kitchen tool deals I found happening right now. And if sparkling water isn’t exciting enough, you can flavor your beverage with SodaStream flavors, like diet cola, diet tonic, and other fruity flavors. Plus, SodaStream has a partnership with Bubly, so you can add your favorite Bubly sparkling water flavors like grapefruit, peach, and blackberry. The SodaStream Terra bundle includes the sparkling water maker, 2 cylinders, 3 carbonating bottles, and 2 Bubly drop flavors of your choice. It’s the perfect gift for the carbonation lover who simply can’t live without bubbly beverages. And if there’s a mixologist in your life, you can save them time and energy lugging the good stuff home from the store. The Ooni Karu 12 can reach 950 degrees Fahrenheit in only 15 minutes, and it cooks authentic stone 12-inch pizzas in just 60 seconds. Plus, the pizza oven is portable, weighing only 26.4 pounds, so you can take it to a holiday party and feed the whole neighborhood. With the Ooni Karu 12, you’ll never bake pizza in the oven again. It’s the perfect kitchen gift for pizza lovers who enjoy hosting backyard kickbacks, and adventurous eaters who love to experiment with food at home. Capsule recognition and one-touch technology make your morning coffee process a breeze. Besides that, the removable water tank is convenient for easy refills and the occasional rinse. The kitchen tool is also Bluetooth-compatible. You can pair the luxury machine with the Nespresso app to receive notifications when something is wrong, whether the machine needs an update or a water refill. The set includes four knives and four cutting boards inside the smart heating and drying holder. Plus, each color-coded cutting board and knife is designed for handling a specific type of ingredient: slippery fish, cooked food, meat, and fruits/vegetables. Each piece has a dedicated spot inside the smart holder, where you can store them away immediately after washing – no drying required. The holder uses UV sterilization to disinfect your cooking tools, and it comes with a dedicated charger. You can choose your desired level of toastiness on a scale of one to seven, and the toaster adjusts the slot size and heat settings depending on the type of bread. The toaster features a countdown clock, so you’ll know exactly when your English muffin, bagel, or toaster pastry is ready. Plus, it heats on the front and back, too, so you’ll have an uneven frozen waffle again. The stainless-steel construction is sleek, and the 6.5-inch width barely takes up space atop kitchen counters. When not in use, the touchscreen displays an analog clock. The Instaglo R180 will also remind you when it’s time to empty the convenient crumb tray. The Revolution Instaglo R180 is the perfect kitchen tool gift for any toast lover, aspiring influencer, or big family. If you can stomach the steep $350 price, the sleek touchscreen design is Instagram-worthy and sure to impress. Once you’ve added your ingredients, you can adjust the speed in real-time using the speed dial, which ranges from one to ten (slow to fast). The blender also features a pulse button along with five program settings for consistent results. Plus, the stainless-steel blades and high-performance motor ensure the blender will last you a lifetime – or at least a decade or two. The self-cleaning setting is a lifesaver. Simply add a drop of dish soap and a few cups of warm water, and the machine will blend itself clean with a soapy concoction. Voila, you’ll never find chunks of food stuck in the blade again. The recipe possibilities are endless, but homemade nut butter, seasoned hummus, and popsicle puree are a few of my favorites. Whether I’m making frozen margaritas or vegetable lasagna, Vitamix is one of my go-to kitchen tools. Air fryers can give you the crispy fried-food crunch you crave without added fat and oil. Whether you want a healthier diet or a fun way to reheat cold pizza, the Ninja Air Fryer will change the way you cook for the better. I use my air fryer every week to “boil” eggs, roast vegetables, and crisp up leftover French fries. But really, there’s no wrong way to use an air fryer. You can toss food in and see what happens or prepare specific recipes – like chicken wings and buffalo cauliflower, to name a few. The PantryChic Smart Storage System automatically measures and dispenses ingredients with less mess. It comes with airtight containers to keep ingredients fresh, and the containers are stackable for convenient storage. You can select your measurement units of choice, and the dispensing device will neatly pour ingredients into a bowl on command. And the kitchen tool isn’t just for meat, either. You can also use the waterproof thermometer to check the temperature of liquids, like frying oil, baby formula, and even a cup of coffee. But remember to handwash it in running water, because the device is not dishwasher safe. Also: The 5 best electric smokers I use this Kizen thermometer weekly to avoid giving myself food poisoning with an undercooked turkey burger. The handle features a temperature chart for popular meats, so you’ll never undercook poultry or overcook fish again. Even my dad, an advanced grill master, uses the device to perfect his grilled pork tenderloin. This smart kitchen gift is perfect for anyone who regularly cooks meat – especially that friend, partner, or relative who dreads undercooked poultry. Plus, it’s under $20. During your next party, you can also use the warm setting to keep queso and other warm dips ready to eat at the snack table. The lid and removable stoneware are dishwasher-safe, and with one pot, you’ll have fewer dishes to clean – that way, you can spend less time scrubbing and more time relaxing. Plus, the stoneware is oven and microwave-safe. The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker is the perfect present for an egg-lover, big family, or busybody. And of course, it’s easy to use and comes with a recipe guide. The multi-purpose blender comes with a frother and whisk head, and it features nine speed options, so you’ll have constant control over the blending process. The powerful motor is made of copper, and the device comes with a one-year warranty, so your purchase will be protected. Plus, the detachable shaft is dishwasher safe, so it’s easier to clean than a full-body blender. The Mueller Immersion Handheld Blender is an excellent gift for your friends and family who love to make quick, simple meals with the touch of a button. Plus, new parents will love the ability to blend baby food right at home. The kitchen tool holds 1.7L (7 cups) of water, so big families can enjoy oatmeal together every morning with just one pot. Plus, you don’t need to worry about safety, because the electric kettle automatically shuts off 30 seconds after it finishes boiling. The Cosori Electric Kettle is an excellent gift for avid tea drinkers, French press coffee lovers, and big families looking for a more convenient way to have breakfast. The 4-inch nonstick surface is easy to clean, and it won’t take up too much kitchen countertop space. Plus, you can easily store it in a cabinet when it’s not in use. The indicator light tells you when the device is finished preheating, and non-slip feet are an added safety measure. Whether you want to make Eggo-size waffles with your grandchildren or create pizza lunches for your busy schedule, the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is an excellent tool that makes life in the kitchen more fun. It’s the perfect cooking gift for families, keto dieters, and waffle lovers alike.
Gone viral: Some of my favorite kitchen tools have gone viral on TikTok. I use the blender, meat thermometer, and air fryer on a weekly basis. These smart kitchen tools have improved my quality of food, and therefore life. Though some gimmicky kitchen tools have also gone viral on TikTok, I still conducted extensive research to eliminate single-purpose tools that most people will toss in a kitchen drawer and forget about until spring cleaning.
Novelty & trends: I chose some gift ideas, like the Revolution Instaglo Touchscreen Toaster, based on novelty and trending popularity. TikTok is an excellent platform filled with creative recipes and health advice, but it’s also home to trending tech. After all, who doesn’t want to open a surprising new gift?
Reviews & opinions: I selected other smart kitchen gift ideas based on excellent customer reviews and opinions of my family and friends who rave about the tools. The Nespresso Vertuo Next and Crock-Pot Slow Cooker fall into this category, and I actually gifted my brother a Crock-Pot last year (it’s a winner).
Price: I selected gifts that fit into a variety of price points. Not everyone wants to buy a $350 toaster, but a $17 egg cooker may not feel right either. This gift guide offers a variety of gift ideas so you can find the right smart kitchen tool for your gift recipient and budget.
The Cosori Electric Kettle is a wire-free way to boil water faster than a normal pot and stove. If a tool is newly electric, or if it simply works faster and more efficiently than previous technology, then it may be considered “smart.” Of course, many things these days are considered smart: our phones, our homes, and maybe even our dogs’ kennels. At the end of the day, perhaps it’s up to you as a tech enthusiast to determine whether a device is truly worthy of the “smart” adjective. When you’re looking for a good kitchen gift, think about who you’re buying it for: A health nut, adventurous chef, or low-effort eater? Consider your gift recipient’s personality and cooking habits when choosing the best smart kitchen gift. Not all kitchen appliances are created equal, but the most important factors can help you weed out the junk. Ease of cleaning is a major consideration – is the tool dishwasher safe, or does it have a self-cleaning mode like the Vitamix? Plus, you’ll need to weigh novelty (i.e. the touchscreen toaster) against price, and consider how often your recipient will realistically use the tool. Plus, cooking meals at home is often healthier than dining in or taking out from restaurants, because you can control the ingredients, especially when it comes to added fats and sugar. We all want our friends and family to live forever and gifting the best cooking tools can help you spend time making healthy meals in the kitchen together. Next, consider your significant other’s hobbies and personal preferences – after all, food can be deeply personal. Your companion could be bummed to receive an egg cooker but stoked about firing up their new pan stirrer during next week’s pasta adventure. With so many options on the market, you can surely find the perfect smart kitchen gift for your budget and wants. If these highly-rated cooking tools don’t speak to you, then consider this list a starting point for your own brainstorming process. TikTok is filled with millions of culinary content creators, so there’s no shortage of recipe ideas. And if you find a recipe or cooking profile that you love, I suggest saving it – it’ll come in handy when you’re making a grocery list. But gifts can come in all shapes and sizes, so we also rounded up the best gifts by category, price, and retailer – plus, the hottest tech toys for kids in 2023. Gifts by category
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Gifts by price
The best cheap tech gifts under $100The best cheap tech gifts under $75The best cheap tech gifts under $50The best cheap tech gifts under $25
Gifts by retailer Gifts for kids
