Find the right kitchen countertop appliances, without the guesswork
Countertop Picks cuts through spec sheets and marketing claims with honest "best for" picks, real trade-offs, and buying guides you can actually trust.
Best Air Fryers
Our current shortlist at a glance. Tap any pick to check the live Amazon price, or read the full breakdown.
Shop by category
Each category page breaks down what actually matters when buying, then links to our in-depth roundups and guides.
Air Fryers
Air fryers are convection ovens in a smaller shell — a heating element and a fan push hot air around food fast…
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Blenders
Blender performance comes down to motor torque and blade geometry, not just top-line horsepower claims. A well…
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Coffee Makers
A good drip coffee maker holds water at 195-205°F during the brew cycle and saturates the grounds evenly — mos…
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Espresso Machines
Home espresso is a steeper learning curve than drip coffee: grind size, dose, tamp pressure, and shot timing a…
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Stand Mixers
A stand mixer is a long-term kitchen investment — the good ones run for decades. The main differences between …
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Toaster Ovens
A toaster oven's usefulness comes down to even heat distribution and interior capacity — a unit that scorches …
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Food Processors
A food processor earns counter space by replacing a lot of knife work — slicing discs, shredding discs, and a …
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Electric Pressure Cookers
Electric pressure cookers took off because they turn a 3-hour braise into 45 minutes, safely, without watching…
Explore Electric Pressure Cookers →Best-of roundups
Our most in-depth pages: honest "best for" picks with pros, cons, and buying advice for each product type.
Best Air Fryers
RoundupBest Blender 2026: The 6 Best Blenders, Tested and Compared
RoundupBest Coffee Makers
RoundupBest Single-Serve Coffee Makers 2026: Single-Cup Brewers for One Person
RoundupBest Espresso Machines
RoundupBest Espresso Machines Under $200
RoundupBest Stand Mixers
RoundupBest KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachments
RoundupBest Toaster Ovens
RoundupBest Food Processors
RoundupBest Affordable Burr Coffee Grinders Under $100 (2026)
RoundupBest Countertop Pressure Cookers (2026)
RoundupBest Air Fryer Accessories: Liners, Pans, and Racks Worth Buying
RoundupBest Espresso Machine Accessories: Tampers, WDT Tools, and Puck Screens Worth Buying
RoundupBest Electric Pressure Cooker Accessories: Sealing Rings, Egg Bite Molds, and More Worth Buying
Buying guides
Not sure what you need yet? Start here before diving into product picks.
Air Fryer Buying Guide
GuideBlender Buying Guide
GuideCoffee Maker Buying Guide
GuideEspresso Machine Buying Guide
GuideStand Mixer Buying Guide
GuideToaster Oven Buying Guide
GuideFood Processor Buying Guide
GuideElectric Pressure Cooker Buying Guide
GuideHow to Descale a Coffee Maker (or Coffee Pot): Step-by-Step
GuideHow to Descale an Espresso Machine
GuideHow to Clean an Air Fryer (and Get Rid of the Smell)
GuideHow to Clean a Blender (Base, Jar, Blades, and the Smell)
GuideAir Fryer Time and Temperature Chart for Frozen Foods
GuideHow to Clean a Food Processor (Bowl, Blade Hub, and Lid Seal)
GuideHow to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer (Crispy Crust, No Soggy Microwave Texture)
GuideHow to Make Yogurt in an Electric Pressure Cooker (Step-by-Step)
GuideHow to Clean a Stand Mixer (Bowl, Beaters, and the Attachment Hub)
GuideHow to Knead Bread Dough in a Stand Mixer (Speed, Time, and the Windowpane Test)
GuideHow to Clean a Burr Coffee Grinder (Burrs, Chute, and Static)
GuideHow to Clean an Electric Pressure Cooker (Sealing Ring, Lid, and Smell)
GuideHow to Clean a Toaster Oven (Crumb Tray, Interior, and Door Glass)
GuideHow to Make Pie Dough in a Food Processor (Flaky Crust, No Overworking)
GuideHow to Make Nut Butter in a Blender (Peanut, Almond, Cashew)
Guide5 Easy Blender Smoothie Recipes (and How to Get the Ratio Right)
GuideHow to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer (Time, Temperature, and No Grease Splatter)
GuideToaster Oven Time and Temperature Chart for Frozen Food, Toast, and Reheating
GuideHow to Cook Rice in an Electric Pressure Cooker (Water Ratios for White, Brown, and Jasmine Rice)
GuideHow to Make Hard-Boiled Eggs in an Electric Pressure Cooker (the 5-5-5 Method)
GuideHow to Make Hummus in a Food Processor (Smooth, Not Grainy)
GuideHow to Make Whipped Cream in a Stand Mixer (Soft, Medium, and Stiff Peaks)
GuideHow to Shred Chicken in a Food Processor (Fast, Even Shreds for Tacos and Meal Prep)
GuideHow to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast in an Electric Pressure Cooker (Times & Safety)
GuideHow to Make Iced Coffee at Home (No Special Equipment Needed)
GuideHow to Reheat French Fries in an Air Fryer (So They're Crispy, Not Limp)
GuideHow to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer (Time, Temperature, and a Seared Crust)
GuideHow to Reheat Pizza in a Toaster Oven (Crispy Crust, No Soggy Microwave Texture)
From the blog
Practical how-tos and tips for getting the most from your gear.