Kitchen Counter
Espresso machines and grinders, blenders, stand mixers, rice cookers and knives, compared model by model so you buy the right one in a lineup, not just the brand.
Ad disclosure: we earn a commission on Amazon links, at no cost to you. It never decides our picks. How this works
Buying guides
Each names a best overall, budget and premium pick and says who should skip each.
-
Espresso Machines for Beginners
- Best overall Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)
- Best budget Casabrews 5418 Pro
- Best premium Breville Barista Express (BES870)
- Best for pairing with a separate grinder Breville Bambino (BES450)
-
Espresso Machines With a Built-In Grinder
- Best overall Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
- Best budget De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo (EC9255M)
- Best premium Breville Barista Touch Impress (BES881)
- Best for push-button drinks KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 (KES8556)
-
Espresso Grinders Under $300
- Best overall DF54 Single-Dose Coffee Grinder (V4)
- Best budget Baratza Encore ESP
- Best premium Baratza Sette 30
- Best for switching between espresso and drip Breville Smart Grinder Pro (BCG820)
-
Air Fryers
- Best overall Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer (CAF-DC601)
- Best budget Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, 5-Quart (AF141)
- Best premium Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer
- Best for families (dual-zone) Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-Quart XL 2-Basket Air Fryer with DualZone (DZ401)
-
Blenders
- Best overall Vitamix 5200
- Best budget Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)
- Best premium Vitamix Ascent X2
- Best for small kitchens Vitamix Explorian E310
-
Stand Mixers
- Best overall KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (KSM150PS)
- Best budget Hamilton Beach 7 Speed Stand Mixer, 4 Quart (63397)
- Best premium KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (KSM70SKXX)
- Best for beginners and small kitchens KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (K45SS)
-
Drip Coffee Makers
- Best overall OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
- Best budget Ninja Fresh Brew 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE451
- Best premium Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
- Best programmable Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal
-
Rice Cookers
- Best overall Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer NS-ZCC10 (5.5 cup)
- Best budget Toshiba 6-Cup Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic (TRCS01)
- Best premium Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer NP-HCC10 (5.5 cup)
- Best for mixed grains and Korean rice Cuckoo 6-Cup Micom Rice Cooker CR-0655F
-
Chef's Knives
- Best overall MAC Professional Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife with Dimples (MTH-80)
- Best budget Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife (5.2063.20)
- Best premium Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (1040100120)
- Best for thin-edge Japanese cutting on a mid budget Tojiro DP Gyuto 210 mm (F-808)
-
Nugget Ice Makers
- Best overall GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank (XPIO13SWSS)
- Best budget Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
- Best premium GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro (H8120)
- Best for small counters GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker (P4NM20KZLG)
-
Outdoor Pizza Ovens
- Best overall Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven (14 in)
- Best budget Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven (12 in)
- Best premium Ooni Koda 2 Pro Gas-Powered Pizza Oven (18 in)
- Best for wood-fired flavor Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven (12 in)
-
Food Processors
- Best overall Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY)
- Best budget Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor, 10 Cup, White (70733)
- Best premium Breville Sous Chef 16 Food Processor (BFP810)
- Best for small households Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor (DLC-8SY)
-
Toaster Ovens and Countertop Air Fryer Ovens
- Best overall Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS)
- Best budget Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill (TOA-70)
- Best for air frying Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Toaster (FO101)
- Best for small kitchens Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven (NB-G110P)
The top pick from every guide
-
Best overall · Espresso Machines With a Built-In Grinder
Breville Barista Pro (BES878)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Barista Pro (BES878) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Espresso Grinders Under $300
DF54 Single-Dose Coffee Grinder (V4)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for DF54 Single-Dose Coffee Grinder (V4) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Air Fryers
Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer (CAF-DC601)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer (CAF-DC601) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Blenders
Vitamix 5200
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Vitamix 5200 (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Stand Mixers
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (KSM150PS)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (KSM150PS) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Drip Coffee Makers
OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Rice Cookers
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer NS-ZCC10 (5.5 cup)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer NS-ZCC10 (5.5 cup) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Chef's Knives
MAC Professional Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife with Dimples (MTH-80)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for MAC Professional Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife with Dimples (MTH-80) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Nugget Ice Makers
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank (XPIO13SWSS)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank (XPIO13SWSS) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Outdoor Pizza Ovens
Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven (14 in)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven (14 in) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Food Processors
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY) (opens in a new tab) -
Best overall · Toaster Ovens and Countertop Air Fryer Ovens
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS)
Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) (opens in a new tab)
Comparisons and explainers
- Head to headBaratza Encore ESP vs DF54: Which Espresso Grinder Under $300?Buy the Baratza Encore ESP if you drink medium or dark roasts, want a hopper you can top up, and value a grinder that can be repaired for a decade.
- Head to headBaratza Sette 30 vs DF54: Speed or Stepless Control?Buy the Sette 30 if you pull the same medium or dark roast every morning, want a hopper and a timer, and care most about getting a clean dose into the basket in seconds with Baratza's US repair support behind it.
- Head to headBreville Bambino Plus vs Casabrews 5418 Pro: Which Beginner Espresso Machine Should You Buy?Buy the Casabrews 5418 Pro if you will brew pre-ground or use a basic grinder, mostly drink milk coffee and want a small, fast machine to find out whether espresso is for you.
- Head to headBreville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro vs Ninja FO101: Room or Speed?Buy the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro if you bake and roast as much as you air fry, want the simplest controls of the pair and have room for a 21-inch-wide oven.
- Head to headCosori TurboBlaze vs Ninja AF141: Bigger Basket or Faster Cook?Buy the Cosori TurboBlaze if you cook for three or more, want the crispest fries and wings of the pair, or want to proof, dehydrate or broil.
- Head to headGE Opal 2.0 Ultra vs GoveeLife Pro: Which Nugget Ice Maker?Buy the GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro if you run out of ice, host often or want a week between refills, and you have a deep counter and a second pair of hands to set it up.
- Head to headKitchenAid Artisan vs Classic: Which Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Should You Buy?Buy the Classic K45SS if you bake cookies and cakes a few times a month, the counter is small and the budget is the first constraint; it whips nearly as fast and takes every attachment.
- Head to headZojirushi NS-ZCC10 vs NP-HCC10: Micom or Induction Heating?Buy the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 if rice is a few-times-a-week dish, you cook mostly Japanese white or sushi rice, and you want the cooker owners keep for a decade.
- ExplainerComplete Home Espresso Setup Under $500: Which Machine, Grinder and Scale to PairA first espresso setup is a machine, a grinder and a handful of small tools, and the order you spend in decides how the coffee tastes.
- ExplainerVitamix Lineup Explained: 5200 vs Explorian vs Propel vs Ascent, Which to BuyVitamix sells four families of full-size blender, and the names tell you almost nothing about what separates them.
Every product we cover in Kitchen Counter
Research-based reviews: who each product is for, who should skip it and how it compares.
Espresso machines 8
-
Breville Bambino (BES450)6.1 in wide, 3 s readyCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Bambino (BES450) (opens in a new tab)
-
Breville Bambino Plus (BES500)3 s heat-up, auto milkCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Bambino Plus (BES500) (opens in a new tab)
-
Breville Barista Express (BES870)16-setting grinderCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Barista Express (BES870) (opens in a new tab)
-
Breville Barista Pro (BES878)30-step burr grinderCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Barista Pro (BES878) (opens in a new tab)
-
Breville Barista Touch Impress (BES881)Auto tamp + auto milkCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Barista Touch Impress (BES881) (opens in a new tab)
-
Casabrews 5418 Pro5 s heat, 3 s to steamCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Casabrews 5418 Pro (opens in a new tab)
-
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo (EC9255M)8-setting burr grinderCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo (EC9255M) (opens in a new tab)
-
KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 (KES8556)Fully automatic, quietCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 (KES8556) (opens in a new tab)
Coffee grinders 4
-
Baratza Encore ESP20 espresso stepsCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Baratza Encore ESP (opens in a new tab)
-
Baratza Sette 3018 g in about 5 sCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Baratza Sette 30 (opens in a new tab)
-
Breville Smart Grinder Pro (BCG820)60 grind settingsCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Smart Grinder Pro (BCG820) (opens in a new tab)
-
DF54 Single-Dose Coffee Grinder (V4)54 mm flat, steplessCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for DF54 Single-Dose Coffee Grinder (V4) (opens in a new tab)
Air fryers 4
-
Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer (CAF-DC601)6 qt, 5 fan speedsCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer (CAF-DC601) (opens in a new tab)
-
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, 5-Quart (AF141)5 qt, 1,750 WCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, 5-Quart (AF141) (opens in a new tab)
- Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-Quart XL 2-Basket Air Fryer with DualZone (DZ401) (opens in a new tab)
-
Typhur Dome 2 Air FryerFits a 12-inch pizzaCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer (opens in a new tab)
Blenders 4
-
Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701)72 oz pitcher, 1,400 WCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto-iQ (BN701) (opens in a new tab)
-
Vitamix 52002 hp, 64 oz containerCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Vitamix 5200 (opens in a new tab)
-
Vitamix Ascent X210-year warrantyCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Vitamix Ascent X2 (opens in a new tab)
-
Vitamix Explorian E31018 in tall, 48 oz jarCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Vitamix Explorian E310 (opens in a new tab)
Stand mixers 4
-
Hamilton Beach 7 Speed Stand Mixer, 4 Quart (63397)8.3 lb, 4 qt bowlCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Hamilton Beach 7 Speed Stand Mixer, 4 Quart (63397) (opens in a new tab)
-
KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (KSM70SKXX)7 qt, all-metal gearsCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (KSM70SKXX) (opens in a new tab)
-
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (KSM150PS)92/100 at TechGearLabCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (KSM150PS) (opens in a new tab)
-
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (K45SS)80/100 at TechGearLabCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (K45SS) (opens in a new tab)
Drip coffee makers 4
-
Breville Luxe Brewer ThermalSCA certified + timerCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal (opens in a new tab)
-
Ninja Fresh Brew 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE45124-hour delay brewCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Ninja Fresh Brew 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE451 (opens in a new tab)
-
OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee MakerSCA certified, thermalCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker (opens in a new tab)
-
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select5-year warrantyCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select (opens in a new tab)
Rice cookers 4
-
Cuckoo 6-Cup Micom Rice Cooker CR-0655F12 menus incl. GABACheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Cuckoo 6-Cup Micom Rice Cooker CR-0655F (opens in a new tab)
-
Toshiba 6-Cup Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic (TRCS01)Fuzzy logic + steamerCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Toshiba 6-Cup Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic (TRCS01) (opens in a new tab)
- Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer NP-HCC10 (5.5 cup) (opens in a new tab)
-
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer NS-ZCC10 (5.5 cup)Neuro Fuzzy, 10 menusCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer NS-ZCC10 (5.5 cup) (opens in a new tab)
Chef's knives 4
-
MAC Professional Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife with Dimples (MTH-80)2.5 mm blade, 6.5 ozCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for MAC Professional Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife with Dimples (MTH-80) (opens in a new tab)
-
Tojiro DP Gyuto 210 mm (F-808)VG-10 core, 60 HRCCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Tojiro DP Gyuto 210 mm (F-808) (opens in a new tab)
-
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife (5.2063.20)6.4 oz, NSF certifiedCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef's Knife (5.2063.20) (opens in a new tab)
-
Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (1040100120)91/100 at TechGearLabCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (1040100120) (opens in a new tab)
Nugget ice makers 4
-
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker44 lb/day ratedCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker (opens in a new tab)
-
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank (XPIO13SWSS)38 lb/day, 3 lb binCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for GE Profile Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank (XPIO13SWSS) (opens in a new tab)
-
GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker (P4NM20KZLG)8.6 in wide, 36 lb/dayCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for GE Profile Opal Mini Nugget Ice Maker (P4NM20KZLG) (opens in a new tab)
-
GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro (H8120)60 lb/day, 3.5 lb binCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro (H8120) (opens in a new tab)
Outdoor pizza ovens 4
-
Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven (14 in)14 in, rolling flameCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Gozney Arc Propane Pizza Oven (14 in) (opens in a new tab)
-
Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven (12 in)Wood, charcoal or gasCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven (12 in) (opens in a new tab)
-
Ooni Koda 2 Pro Gas-Powered Pizza Oven (18 in)Up to 18 in, 2 burnersCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Ooni Koda 2 Pro Gas-Powered Pizza Oven (18 in) (opens in a new tab)
-
Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven (12 in)30 lb, 15-min preheatCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Solo Stove Pi Prime Propane Pizza Oven (12 in) (opens in a new tab)
Food processors 4
-
Breville Sous Chef 16 Food Processor (BFP810)16 cups + 2.5-cup miniCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Sous Chef 16 Food Processor (BFP810) (opens in a new tab)
-
Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY)14 cups, 720 W motorCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor (DFP-14BCNY) (opens in a new tab)
-
Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor (DLC-8SY)11 cups, 625 W motorCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Cuisinart Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor (DLC-8SY) (opens in a new tab)
-
Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor, 10 Cup, White (70733)10 cups + bowl scraperCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper Food Processor, 10 Cup, White (70733) (opens in a new tab)
Toaster ovens 4
-
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS)1 cu ft, 9 slicesCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) (opens in a new tab)
-
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill (TOA-70)6 slices, 12-in pizzaCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill (TOA-70) (opens in a new tab)
- Check price on Amazon(paid link) for Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Toaster (FO101) (opens in a new tab)
-
Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven (NB-G110P)No preheat, 13 in wideCheck price on Amazon(paid link) for Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven (NB-G110P) (opens in a new tab)