40 Items You’d Love If The Kitchen Is Your Happy Place

May 05, 2024

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Must-have kitchen items that'll help you create culinary magic.✨

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising reviews: "I have been looking for a set like this for so long!!! I love them so much, they are so perfect and such good quality. Crate and Barrel has a similar set but the spoons and cups are sold in two different sets and are almost double the price. I’m so happy I bought these!" —Krupa

"These are easy to store, easy to clean, and look nice. Very happy!" —Amengray

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

Promising reviews: "It's everything that it promises in one pot! I can make a lot of meals using this pot, and it's super easy to clean and is a great conversation starter at dinner because it's also beautifully made. I got mine in the Rosa color, and it truly is stunning!!" —Misty M.

"Best pot ever. I got rid of all my other pots/pans once I purchased all my Our Place products. BEST LOOKING, BEST THING TO COOK IN, BEST DISH TO CLEAN, BEST BEST BEST." —Taylor R.

Get it from Our Place for $123 (originally $165; available in 10 colors). Also available in a mini version!

Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. The heart shaped pancakes come out perfect every time. The batter doesn’t leak out from the bottom at all. The size of the pancake you get is pretty good. Overall great product that makes breakfast fun." —Smashly

Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.08.

This colander can expand from 14.5–19.5 inches. It's top-rack dishwasher safe as well!

Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this. I leave it in my sink always. It makes washing fruits or draining pasta so much easier and has such a simple cleanup. It also adds a nice pop of color to my kitchen. I highly recommend it." —Alyssa

Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in six colors and in two-packs).

BTW, this grinder is battery-operated. Make sure to get a few AA batteries too!

Promising reviews: "Nothing like freshly ground spices to add a little snap to your cooking. The pods snap on and off with ease and the grind size is very easy to adjust from barely ground to pulverized... The ability to group commonly used spices together in threes and carry them across the kitchen or outside to the grill just adds to the useability." —Todd Tittle

"I love this thing!!! It works beautifully. I ordered more pods and trays so I could use my various salts. It's easy to switch pods and the triangular tray is perfect!" —cindybeadlady

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (comes with a grinder and three interchangeable pods; also available in four other colors).

The temperature range is 32–197 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, you get access to over 1,000 recipes, so you'll have inspiration for yummy meals!

Promising reviews: "After years of hearing about how great sous vide cooking is I finally pulled the trigger on this unit and it really does live up to the hype. Super easy to set up and the app provides a ton of recipes to use." —PL

"Since I started cooking sous vide, my family says my cooking has gone to a new level. I started with the original Anova, and just recently picked up this Nano. The Nano is awesome because it's much smaller vs. the first Anova, making it easier to store in a drawer or something. It sounds trivial but by making it easier to grab. Setup is so much quicker, and I can cook a beef roast for 30 hours without adding ANY water. If you're just starting out in sous vide, I recommend this cooker." —Jeff Nichols

Get it from Amazon for $148.96.

It makes cooking and baking so much easier, and your measurements will be more accurate! The set comes with 1-cup, 2-cup, and 4-cup angled measuring cups.

Promising review: "This is a very inventive design for something that cooks use every day. I originally purchased the 2-cup model of the Oxo measuring cup and liked it so much that I decided to buy the set. These are so much more usable than the Pyrex or Anchor traditional glass measuring cups because they so much easier to read. I have some Anchor measuring cups that are 20+ years old and the red markings have faded and are really hard to see. Since the Oxo can be read from the top, the measuring cup can rest on the counter for accurate measurement. No more holding it up in the air like a mad scientist measuring out liquids! Even the rubberized handle is well designed. Since these are made from clear plastic, they are very lightweight. The handle goes all the way to the counter to stabilize the measuring cup. It's very well thought out." —Bocaboy

Get the set from Amazon for $23.95.

Promising review: "Is it possible...a toaster can be...this sexy? Yes. Absolutely yes. This sexy toaster fit right in my farmhouse-style kitchen with its cool mint-green color and retro vibes. Pros: four slots, and they are the wide-and-long type, meaning those fancier breads fit without squishing the sides of your slice. It has a bagel setting, as well as a nifty reheat button so your toast doesn't get burnt or overly crispy if you aren't hovering over it and miss it pop up and have to retoast it. It is fairly easy to clean, just dump the tray, so no worries about crumbs or bits of bread burning in the bottom and ruining the perfect taste of your slice. The knobs have a neat texture and are adjustable so you can time it just right for Pop Tarts, toast, or toasted sandwich bread. Cons: My husband is a little jealous of how much I love this toaster, and has been asking me if it is better than him. What could I say? I mean it makes TOAST, all he makes is methane gas so... Maybe consider ordering a couples therapy workbook to go with this toaster when purchasing." —Alice R.

Get it from Amazon for $59.49+ (available in three colors).

Includes a remote that can adjust the brightness.

Promising review "This is a wonderful product; just what I wanted. Super easy to install and I love that it breaks off into sections so you don’t have any hanging over to hide. The remote is awesome and there are lots of brightness settings. I’m going to use these everywhere!" —Queen Halloween

Get the six-piece kit from Amazon for $16.79+ (available in three light colors).

It comes with a small-dice blade, large-dice blade, spiral blade, and ribbon blade that are interchangeable and gives you the option to chop, slice, and julienne vegetables. Plus, you get a lid with a built-in chop and a storage container to hold the veggies.

Promising review: "I’ve had this for a couple of months now, and it makes my life SOOOOO much easier. Anything I’ve thrown at it, it’s sliced with ease. Tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onions, celery, carrots...EASY! I even use to chop the eggs when I make potato salad now since it’s so easy and makes perfect slices...What used to take me three to four mins chopping up an onion and then a face full of ruined makeup, now takes less than one minute and no makeup ruined. The blades are SHARP, definitely be careful when removing them. But the lock on the tray makes it easy and so far I haven’t hurt myself with it. Typically, I’ll use it and then rinse out the top and put it in the dishwasher. It’s been through on the top rack well over 20 times now and still looks brand new. If something ever happens to this one, I’ll be back to get another one. It saves me so much time when cooking dinner!" —Macygrey09

Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in three colors).

The 16-piece set ($184) includes pasta bowls, cereal bowls, salad plates, and dinner plates — four of each! You've also got the option to snag matching mugs and pinch bowls. (Perfect for snacking!)

Promising reviews: "I could not be more pleased with this set. You get all the usual essentials with the addition of the hearty pasta bowl, which I absolutely love. This set is worth every penny and more." —Und3adcadav3r!

"I've been wanting to upgrade my dinnerware for some time now and fell in love with these online. I bought these in grey, blush and olive and I love how all the different colors look together on the table. Plates are a nice weight and actually a little larger than I anticipated. On my own, I'll likely use the salad plates more than the dinner plates. Overall very happy with my new more grown-up dinnerware :)" —Lisa

Get it from Food52 for $40+ (each item available in sets of four, full set is 16 pieces).

Reviewers use this handheld blender for everything from making salsa and soups to beating eggs and frothing milk for coffee! The possibilities are endless with this kitchen gadget.

Promising reviews: "I LOVE it! I've intended to get a hand blender for years and finally just did it. I looked at ones that were much more expensive and was worried that this would be cheaply made (because you often get what you pay for). However, I have been pleasantly surprised with this one. At 500 watts it has serious power and it is super easy to use. I made tomato soup and it blended it in under a minute, then I just popped the bottom off and washed it! Super simple. Super happy with my purchase!" —amazonaddicted

"Worked great, feels sturdy, took on boiling temperature to blend, but the top of the shaft stayed cool. Great buy!" —Nol

Get it from Amazon for $29.97.

Promising reviews: "I’m obsessed with this sprayer!! I think I want to buy a few more because they’re the perfect size and so versatile! 1) The main selling point was how stylish and classy they look… It really upgrades the look of the the typical oil sprays, and makes it look expensive!! 2) It saves a lot of money in the long run! Goodbye the days of me buying $4 olive oil spray and throwing away the canister with about a months use. I can use a giant jug of olive oil for maybe $15 and use this spray to refill about 10 times!! 3) The way it sprays is honestly flawless. The size is perfect to me, small enough to fit with the spices in the spice cabinet but not too small because it can still probably last a good while." —Monica

"This is a great item for lightly spraying salads, roasting vegetables, or adding some oil to a prepared plate of pasta. Avoids using more oil than necessary so that’s a saving right there. I also use it to put a light coating of oil on all my cast iron cookware to prevent rust. Best of all, it looks great on the dinner table. Lots of uses which really makes it an asset in the kitchen. It seems that it should last a while so I think it is worth the few bucks spent." —Clancy

Get it from Amazon for $11.97.

Lucto Pottery is a small biz based in Salvisa, Kentucky. They make gorgeous handmade kitchen items such as spoon rests, salt jars, dishes, teapots, and more.

Promising reviews: "This was the cutest and most perfect egg-separating device I could have purchased. My husband is the baker in our house and he has extremely large hands and struggles even cracking eggs so he was very happy to have this tool. My belly is equally happy!." —Veronica N. Young

"I bought three different colors: Blue Suede, Jade Moss and Northern Woods. I love them! They were exactly as described and the craftsmanship was beautiful. Very well made. I was going to give all 3 away as gifts but I'm keeping one for myself!" —Marianne

Get it from Lucto Pottery on Etsy for $15 (available in 22 colors).

Promising reviews: "This cutting board looks so nice I keep it on my counter all the time. Handy and sturdy. I like that one side has a grooved border that catches any juices from meat or poultry that's resting before carving. I'm very happy with this purchase!" —Joseph G.

"I already own these amazing cutting boards and just bought one for each of my daughters. The slot for your phone is genius, they are very generously sized, and easy to clean and maintain." —Kathy H

Get it from Food52 for $19.99+ (originally $30+; available in five sizes and styles).

If you don't need the cutting board itself, the color-coded cutting mats are sold on their own too! A pack of seven flexible cutting mats are available for $16.99.

Promising review: "LOVE! I absolutely love this cutting board with sleeves. I didn't realize how much time it saves me as I prep for meals. It's so easy to do your cutting and swap out the sleeve and continue on prepping the meal. I don't have to swap and clean the cutting board in-between prepping. A sleeve for all your needs comes included. There is also the small dip around the edges of the cutting board to prevent liquids from spilling down and over the side. The sleeve DOES NOT slip. It sticks very well and I'm confident cutting and chopping even the smallest pieces." —Weezer

Get it from Amazon for $34.99.

This kitchen torch is refillable, but note that the butane gas is not included. Make sure to grab a two-pack for $7.

Promising review: "So we needed a torch just for creme brûlée, and this totally did the trick because...1) Turning this on is a breeze, and the lock frees up your hands, which is incredibly welcome when burning things on purpose inside your own house. Controlling the flame, shifting dishes around, ushering the kids faces away from layers of molten sugar. The other comparable models seem to either require a tighter grip to keep the flame going or lacked this easy lock on, unlock-turn off mechanism. 2) The range of intensity is real, even with just a little fluid/fuel left we could still modulate the flame from tiny to flame thrower... 3) Refueling is a no-brainer... 4) This one also looks kinda cool, which doesn't really matter at all, unless you're on your way to becoming a kitchen tool geek (guilty)... In sum, for a mid-grade kitchen torch, this is totally worth leveling up from total budget options." —ShighBrow

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

Fabberforge is a Nebraska-based, veteran-owned, family-run small business that specializes in 3D-printed home decor and gadgets.

Promising review: "I got a few of these as stocking stuffers (including one for myself!) and I found it to be incredibly accurate. I never know how much pasta to make for meals and always over or under estimate so when I saw this product, I knew I had to have it. I've loved using it for the past couple of months and they were a hit with my family, too." —Amanda Griffiths

Get it from Fabberforge on Etsy for $7 (available in 10 colors).

The 10-speed mixer comes with a flat beater, a coated dough hook, a six-wire whip, a bowl and bowl lid, and a pouring shield. The 5-quart stainless-steel bowl can mix dough for nine dozen cookies or four loaves of bread in a single batch!

I have this particular mixer in the Ice color and honestly can't imagine living without it now — it takes all the manual effort out of whisking ingredients and saves you a bit of time as you can work on other things while it's blending. If you've been on the fence about getting a KitchenAid, let this be the final nudge you needed to pull the trigger.

Promising review: "I have owned a KitchenAid mixer for well over 20 years and just upgraded to this one. We redid the kitchen and my accent color is aqua so this looks spectacular sitting on my counter. I wanted a little more power and this is perfect for me. I do a lot of baking so I couldn't live without a KitchenAid mixer. I also have the spiralizer and pasta making attachments. This is a work horse! I will never use anything but a KitchenAid." —T Jaye Brand

Get it from Amazon for $449.95+ (available in 17 colors).

It's dishwasher-safe!

Promising reviews: "Saw a video of this product on TikTok and knew I had to get it for our kitchen! Makes it a breeze to fill muffin liners!!" —Amazon Customer

"I can’t say enough good things about this little tool! It changed my cupcake game forever! No mess and uniform sized cupcakes every time." —Jillip

Get it from Amazon for $10.49 (available in pink and blue).

Promising review: "A kitchen staple...These are great for so many reasons. We're in a mixed gluten household (one person has celiac and is diabetic, but we are not all doing a gluten-free diet). We can portion control and separate out gluten-free vs none on one pan. Plus, cleanup is just throwing in the dishwasher!" —J Fans

Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99.

Brightland Co. is a small business based in California.

I've used these olive oils for everything from sautéing vegetables to dressing a salad. The taste difference in each is clear and both are SO good. As a person who would usually just grab the first olive oil I saw at Trader Joe's, I can reaaally taste the higher-quality ingredients. I've even ventured off to using their champagne and balsamic vinegar and OMG! It's all just *chef's kiss*. I highly highly recommend trying Brightland Co. for your kitchen endeavors.

Promising reviews: "Smooth and flavorful, these oils are almost magic. You can use them alone or added to whatever you're cooking. They add so much to my avocado and tomato salad…no dressing required!" —Linda C.

Get it from Amazon or straight from Brightland Co. for $74.

Indoor Window Gardens is a small business based in South Carolina! They make beautiful acrylic windows and hanging shelves for the home.

Promising review: "I ordered two shelves and they look fantastic in our sunroom windows. I love that they both provide a bit of privacy screening and, because of the acrylic shelves, allow a lot of light into the room." —Jan Fransen

"I am absolutely OBSESSED with these shelves. I now have two of the 3-shelf no trim mount block shelves and am likely to order more in the future. They look exactly the same in person as they do on the website, are super easy to install (and the instructions are VERY clear and simple), are sturdy/hold a fair amount of weight, and the customer service is fantastic. I just can't say enough about this product and this company." —Kaleigh Schaal

Get it from Indoor Window Gardens on Etsy for $66.60+ (originally $74; available in three sizes and five mounting options).

I've been using my Fellow kettle for YEARS now (that's mine above on the right!) and it's honestly heaven-sent. Easy coffee in the morning, matcha in the afternoon, and tea before bed. It heats up very quickly, the stainless steel interior makes it easy to clean, and it just looks really sleek on my kitchen counter. All you need to do is add water and place the kettle on the included base, press the 'on' button, set your desired temperature on the LCD screen (it goes up to 212 degrees F), and it heats up in *seconds*. It can also keep the water hot for up to an hour which is extremely convenient for when you know you'll be back for more in a short period of time. TL;DR: It's a must for anyone who loves making hot beverages at home!

Get it from our Goodful shop for $165+ (available in five colors and four handle finishes).

This item is designed by Jill Henrietta Davis, an artist based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Promising review: "Love the colors, design, and quality of this product. Dropped it hard on the floor accidentally on the first use, but it did not break or crack — surprisingly sturdy." —AM

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $46 (available in three colors).

I own the cream-colored sauté pan from this set, and OMG the hype is absolutely real. This cookware is gorge in person, but I love that it's actually non-stick! It's so easy to cook on, it's easy to clean, and it's cute enough to leave on top of the stove for all (i.e. me) to see. I'd say it's definitely worth the investment!

Learn more about this cookware set in our full Caraway Pan Set review!

This set includes a 10.5" frying pan, 3-qt. saucepan and lid, 6.5-qt. Dutch oven and lid, 4.5-qt. sauté pan and lid, four modular magnetic pan racks and a canvas lid holder with hooks.

Get the 12-piece set from Amazon for $395 (available in six colors) or straight from Caraway for $395 (originally $545; available in 12 colors).

You can also shop the pots and pans individually on Amazon or Caraway starting at $95.

This machine has 12 settings: French, quick bread (no yeast), sweet, 1.5-pound express, 2-pound express, dough, jam, cake, whole grain, and bake. It allows you to select your loaf size and between a light, medium, or dark crust setting. Includes an interior pan and two kneading paddles that are all dishwasher-safe!

Promising review: "The machine is perfect!!!! I already made two loaves of bread yesterday and am getting ready to make another loaf today. If you are lazy like me and would rather put all the ingredients into a machine and let it do all the work, this is the bread maker for you." —Pam Charmley

Get it from Amazon for $89.99.

Promising review: "Recently started making home flour and corn tortillas, and will never be able to eat store bought again. Recipes are very easy and this cast-iron press perfectly flattens and rounds them very easily. It doesn't require a lot of strength to press down and in my opinion... I'd recommend gently pressing down and then if you open it and see that you want your tortillas thinner, just gently re-press. This is a high-quality tortilla press and I would recommend it if you're looking to purchase one. I ordered another brand which I did find inferior to this one just by inspection. As soon as I received this one, then used it several times, I can attest to it being well made and exactly what I'd hope for: the end result is amazing home-made fresh tortillas. Love this!!" —Honest Critic

Get it from Amazon for $27.50+ (available three sizes).

BTW, you can also use the terracotta bear to keep things like chips and crackers nice and crispy — just use it dry!

Promising reviews: "This is truly everything it's hyped up to be. My husband placed it in an opened bag of hardened brown sugar to see what would happen. It took only 24 hours and when we opened the bag the next day, voilà! It was completely soft. Very nice product that does what it's designed to do and for a small price." —jsaves69

"[It's a] miracle bear! My brown sugar became as hard as concrete in the airtight container that we store it in. I heard that terracotta helped with keeping brown sugar soft over time and I decided to give it a shot. I definitely do not regret getting this little bear! I soaked it for 20 minutes and then pat it dry before I put in the container. I actually forgot about it for two days and...when I checked, the brown sugar was restored back to its soft and beautiful self! I highly recommend buying this bear. You won’t be disappointed! 🐻❤️" —KL

Get it from Amazon for $6.25.

The six seed kits include Genovese and Thai basil, parsley, dill, thyme, and mint.

Get it straight from AeroGarden for $109.95 (originally $164.95; available in three colors and five seed kits) or from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I like to grow herbs and use them in salads, soups, and many other recipes. I received these Jenaluca Herb Scissors as a birthday gift, and I can't believe how fast and easy it is to cut up cilantro, basil, parsley, lovage, etc. My husband tried them today too for the first time while making guacamole, and found that slicing the cilantro went very quickly. The storage case-cleaner is very efficiently designed too. I ordered 4 of these sets to give as gifts." —Lucille P. Nawara

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors).

Stone Won Designs is a small biz based in McKinney, Texas specializing in crafting handmade home decor and storage.

Promising reviews: "Received the cutting board quickly and came in time for making homemade salsa, pizza sauce, and hot Sauce from the vegetables in my garden...It always seems like you never have enough counter space so using the over-the-sink cutting board worked perfectly. Instead of using the metal strainer, I just had the scraps fall through the hole into the smaller side on the sink... So pleased with my purchase. The grain and color in the Black Walnut wood was exquisite." —Heidi Decker

"This is just what my small kitchen needed to add counter space and create an elegant space at my kitchen sink. I love it! The craftsman communicated with me about a special request and the cutting board delivery was speedy. I couldn't love it more! Thank you." —kristaclaire

Get it from Stone Won Designs on Etsy for $230+ (available in two sizes and four wood finishes).

P.S. you can even make soaps and bath bombs with the Levo. All you have to do is fill the herb pod and set your dry or activation cycle, add oil or butter, set your infuse cycle, dispense, and enjoy.

Levo is a woman-owned small business founded in 2016 by Chrissy Bellman and based in Denver, Colorado.

Promising review: "We love our Levo II! Can't imagine a better way to spend time than learning how to make my own infused oils that help our whole family, whatever the need. Want to add zest to a recipe? Make a concoction to help your loved one sleep? Try a new salad dressing without the mess? Whatever the need, LEVO II will help make an oil, a botanical, a new soap, tea or a lotion that is perfect. The app is abundant with recipes and ideas, so I feel supported with each and every step. East fast clean up. End to end customer experience is exceptional!" —Kendall E. Coleman

Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "I bought these to replace the lids on my Pyrex because they were all cracked. I have different size Pyrex including rectangular ones. These lids are thin and stretchy which work perfectly around pretty much any dish. Even though they are all circular they stretch to fit the rectangular ones great!" —Matza

Get a set of 18 from Amazon for $7.19.

Pssst...the roaster also comes with garlic squeezer!

Promising review: "This was purchased as a Christmas gift for my partner, who bakes bread and loves cooking with roasted garlic. This garlic roaster works very well: we were able to fit one of the giant heads of garlic in it and it roasted up perfectly. The end result is a soft, slightly sweet, spreadable garlic that pairs excellently with a crusty toasted bread, some olive oil with Mediterranean herbs, and — for those of us who enjoy this indulgence — a glass of rich red wine. I recommend this as a great gift for the cooks in your life! It's actually useful, and looks cool, too." —Jess Vee

Get it from Amazon for $34.95.

Promising reviews: "I was a little skeptical, but after using it in my kitchen I'm a believer. It lives up to the hype! I cook a lot and have used this bar after dicing onions, smashing garlic, and handling raw chicken — all of which I hate to smell on my hands for hours afterwards. The smells were gone after I used the Rub Away bar. Amazing!" —Dave'nJanna

"Definitely get one of these if you're thinking about it. I was skeptical, but it really works. I do a lot of cooking with garlic and onion and after one wash with this, my hands no longer smell like garlic or onions. Really worth having in the kitchen." —Nos

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

Based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1620 Designs is a small biz making assorted laser-cut and engraved items for home and business use.

Promising review: "It's handy in my kitchen. Helps when I’m cooking and I have to include different measurements." —Scotty Tew

Get it from 1620 Designs on Amazon Handmade for $10.99.

P.S. it works for cutting bagels, chicken breasts, and cheese too! 👏

Promising review: "The Rapid Slicer is a fantastic addition to any cooks kitchen! It is an extremely high quality product that makes cutting so much faster. I really dislike making salad because of all the chopping. Now it is a breeze using the Rapid Slicer. I’m an economy Mom who will purchase meat in larger packages to save money. I use the Rapid Slicer to cut large chicken breasts, pork chops, etc. to make portion size cuts of meat. I don’t have a steady hand so my portion sizes used to be all over the place and now they are all even. I would recommend this product for all of the reasons." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.95

Plus, this Black-owned and invented product fits in all sinks no matter the size or type.

Promising review: "A package of frozen meat would have taken at least two days to thaw in the fridge. I used this for a 2-pound package a couple of days ago, and the meat was thawed within 90 minutes. One of the most practical kitchen gadgets I own." —Llda Schellhase

Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "I actually really like this pasta machine! The other day I made spinach carrot pasta with store bought tomatoes sauce (Fresh Thyme) for my family and it was delicious! This machine is easy to use and pretty easy to clean." —KKuo, Williams Sonoma Customer

Get it from Amazon or from Williams Sonoma for $149.95 (originally $179.95; available in white and black).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.