Kitchen Gadgets for Christmas: What to Buy, What to Skip, and What’s Actually Useful

Kitchen gadgets are one of the most popular Christmas gift categories, and they’re also one of the most likely to end up in the back of a drawer. The problem is that most kitchen gadgets are single-use tools that do one job that a basic tool already does. A banana slicer, an avocado pit remover, a strawberry huller. These are gadgets that sound clever and are actually useless. The right kitchen gadgets are the ones that are used every day, that replace a worse tool, or that make a common task significantly easier. This guide covers the best kitchen gadgets for Christmas, what to skip, and how to choose.

Kitchen gadgets for Christmas covers small kitchen tools and devices given as holiday gifts, including useful tools, single-use gadgets, and small appliances. The best kitchen gadgets are useful, high-quality, and used regularly. The worst are single-use, poorly made, and end up in a drawer.

The right kitchen gadget is one that gets used, not stored. Here’s what to buy, what to skip, and how to choose.

The Best Kitchen Gadgets for Christmas

Quality Cutting Tools

Quality cutting tools are the kitchen gadgets that get used every day. They’re the tools that make cooking faster and easier.

Good picks:

• A good chef’s knife (Victorinox, Wusthof, or Shun, $30 to $100)
• A good paring knife (for small tasks, $10 to $30)
• A good cutting board (wood or bamboo, $15 to $40)
• A good set of kitchen shears (for cutting herbs, opening packages, $10 to $25)
• A good vegetable peeler (Oxo or Kuhn Rikon, $5 to $15)
• A good mandoline (for slicing, Benriner or Oxo, $15 to $40)

What to skip:

• A knife set with 15 pieces (you only need 3 to 4 knives)
• A cheap, dull knife (it’s more dangerous than a sharp one)
• A glass cutting board (it dulls knives)

Useful Prep Tools

Useful prep tools are the gadgets that make common prep tasks faster and easier.

Good picks:

• A good garlic press (Oxo or Kuhn Rikon, $15 to $25)
• A good citrus juicer (a hand press or a reamer, $10 to $25)
• A good box grater (for cheese, vegetables, $10 to $20)
• A good set of measuring cups and spoons (stainless steel, $10 to $20)
• A good digital kitchen scale (for baking, $15 to $30)
• A good instant-read thermometer (Thermapen or ThermoPro, $15 to $80)
• A good set of mixing bowls (stainless steel or glass, $15 to $40)
• A good colander (for draining pasta and washing vegetables, $10 to $20)

What to skip:

• A garlic peeler (you can use the side of a knife)
• An egg separator (you can use the shell)
• A strawberry huller (you can use a paring knife)
• An herb stripper (you can use your fingers)

Small Appliances

Small appliances are the kitchen gadgets that are worth the counter space. They’re the tools that do a job better than a basic tool.

Good picks:

• A good air fryer (Ninja, Cosori, or Instant Pot, $80 to $150)
• A good immersion blender (for soups and sauces, Cuisinart or Braun, $30 to $80)
• A good food processor (for chopping and shredding, Cuisinart, $40 to $100)
• A good stand mixer (for baking, KitchenAid, $200 to $400)
• A good espresso machine (for coffee lovers, Breville or DeLonghi, $100 to $500)
• A good coffee grinder (for fresh coffee, Baratza or Capresso, $30 to $100)
• A good slow cooker (for easy meals, Crock-Pot, $25 to $50)
• A good rice cooker (for perfect rice, Zojirushi, $30 to $100)

What to skip:

• A small appliance that does only one thing (a quesadilla maker, a s’mores maker)
• A small appliance that’s too similar to what they already have
• A small appliance that’s too complicated (a gadget they won’t figure out)
• A small appliance that takes up too much counter space

Quality Cookware

Quality cookware is the gift that upgrades the kitchen. It’s the pots, pans, and bakeware that make cooking better.

Good picks:

• A good cast iron skillet (Lodge, $15 to $30)
• A good Dutch oven (Le Creuset or Lodge, $40 to $300)
• A good non-stick skillet (for eggs and delicate items, $20 to $50)
• A good set of pots and pans (stainless steel or non-stick, $50 to $200)
• A good baking sheet (half-sheet, Nordic Ware, $15 to $25)
• A good set of baking pans (cake, muffin, loaf, $20 to $50)
• A good set of glass containers (for storage and baking, Pyrex, $20 to $40)

What to skip:

• A cheap, non-stick pan (the coating wears off quickly)
• A set with 15 pieces (you only need 3 to 5 pots and pans)
• A cookware set that’s too heavy (it’s hard to use)

Useful Kitchen Accessories

Useful kitchen accessories are the small items that make the kitchen more functional.

Good picks:

• A good set of dish towels (cotton or linen, $10 to $20)
• A good set of pot holders or oven mitts (silicone or cotton, $10 to $20)
• A good apron (canvas or cotton, $15 to $30)
• A good set of food storage containers (glass or BPA-free plastic, $20 to $40)
• A good set of reusable silicone bags (for food storage, $15 to $30)
• A good set of beeswax wraps (for food storage, $15 to $25)
• A good set of measuring cups and spoons (stainless steel, $10 to $20)
• A good set of cooking utensils (silicone or stainless steel, $15 to $30)

What to skip:

• Cheap, thin dish towels (they don’t absorb)
• Pot holders that are too thin (they don’t protect)
• Food storage containers that aren’t airtight

How to Choose a Kitchen Gadget for Christmas

Think about what they cook. Do they bake? A stand mixer or a good baking pan is the answer. Do they cook a lot of stir-fries? A good wok or a good chef’s knife is the answer. Do they make a lot of soups? An immersion blender is the answer.

Think about what they complain about. Do they complain about their dull knife? A good chef’s knife is the answer. Do they complain about their old coffee maker? A good coffee maker is the answer. Do they complain about their slow cooker? A new one is the answer.

Think about what they already have. Don’t buy a food processor if they already have one. Don’t buy a stand mixer if they already have one. Check before you buy.

Choose quality over quantity. One $50 knife they’ll use every day beats five $10 gadgets they’ll never use.

Choose useful over novel. A good chef’s knife is useful. A banana slicer is novel. Choose useful.

Consider the counter space. A small kitchen can’t handle a lot of small appliances. Choose gadgets that are small, versatile, or easy to store.

What to Skip Entirely

Single-use gadgets. A banana slicer, an avocado pit remover, a strawberry huller, an egg separator, an herb stripper. These are gadgets that do one job that a basic tool already does. Skip them.

Gadgets that are too cheap. A cheap, poorly made gadget will break or wear out quickly. Choose quality.

Gadgets that are too complicated. A gadget with 20 settings and a complicated interface is more of a burden than a tool. Choose simple.

Gadgets that take up too much space. A large appliance that takes up half the counter is not worth it for a small kitchen. Choose gadgets that are small or easy to store.

Gadgets that are too similar to what they already have. A second food processor, a second stand mixer, or a gadget that does the same thing as one they already have is not a gift. Check before you buy.

Novelty kitchen items. A funny mug, a novelty oven mitt, or a gag gift is funny for 10 seconds and then it’s useless. Skip it.

FAQ

What are the best kitchen gadgets for Christmas? The best kitchen gadgets are a good chef’s knife ($30 to $100), a good air fryer ($80 to $150), a good immersion blender ($30 to $80), a good cast iron skillet ($15 to $30), a good instant-read thermometer ($15 to $80), a good Dutch oven ($40 to $300), and a good set of glass food storage containers ($20 to $40). Choose quality over quantity.

What kitchen gadgets should I avoid? Avoid single-use gadgets (banana slicers, avocado pit removers, strawberry hullers), gadgets that are too cheap (they break), gadgets that are too complicated (they won’t use them), gadgets that take up too much counter space, gadgets that are too similar to what they already have, and novelty kitchen items (funny mugs, gag gifts).

How do I choose a kitchen gadget for Christmas? Think about what they cook (baking, stir-fries, soups), what they complain about (dull knife, old coffee maker), what they already have (check before you buy), and choose quality over quantity, useful over novel, and consider the counter space.

How much should I spend on a kitchen gadget for Christmas? $10 to $25 for a small tool (a good peeler, a good garlic press). $25 to $50 for a quality tool (a good knife, a good cutting board). $50 to $150 for a small appliance (an air fryer, an immersion blender). $200+ for a major appliance (a stand mixer, an espresso machine). Choose quality over quantity.

Are air fryers a good Christmas gift? Yes, if the person would use one. An air fryer is one of the most popular and useful kitchen gadgets. It’s versatile (frying, roasting, baking), it’s easy to use, and it’s affordable ($80 to $150). Choose a quality brand (Ninja, Cosori, Instant Pot).

What are good stocking stuffer kitchen gadgets? Good stocking stuffer kitchen gadgets include a good vegetable peeler ($5 to $15), a good garlic press ($15 to $25), a good set of measuring spoons ($10 to $20), a good instant-read thermometer ($15 to $25), a good set of dish towels ($10 to $20), a good citrus juicer ($10 to $25), and a good set of pot holders ($10 to $20). These are all under $25.

What are the most useful kitchen tools? The most useful kitchen tools are a good chef’s knife, a good cutting board, a good paring knife, a good set of measuring cups and spoons, a good cast iron skillet, a good set of pots and pans, a good baking sheet, and a good set of glass food storage containers. These are the tools that get used every day.

References

• New York Times Wirecutter. “Best Kitchen Tools.” https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen/best-kitchen-tools/
• America’s Test Kitchen. “Best Kitchen Gadgets.” https://www.americastestkitchen.com/guides/best-kitchen-gadgets
• Amazon. “Kitchen Gadgets.” Check on Amazon