Sometimes the best ingredient isn’t an ingredient at all — it’s a super useful kitchen tool that you’ll use nearly every day. And if you’re looking for your new favorite gadget, we rounded up the top kitchen-related top-selling items with HuffPost readers.
From kitchen shears to coffee makers, we curated HuffPost reader’s favorite appliances, tools and general food-prep products. They range in price, size and style, but all of them are popular items that make for great additions to any kitchen.
We hope you snag some new favorites of your own to keep your kitchen feeling fresh.
HuffPost receives compensation from one or more retailers on this page, and HuffPost and its publishing partners may also receive a commission for purchases made via links. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
A consistently top-selling item this year has been multi-slot, pull-through knife sharpeners similar to this highly-rated option from Zwilling. With coarse and fine ceramic slots for Japanese and Western knives and a section for your shears, it’s a versatile sharpener with a contoured handle and non-slip rubberized bottom that’s steady on the table as your sharpen.
Promising review: “Easy to use. Purchased for basic knife sharpening at home. Simple directions and made knives very sharp. Would recommend.” — MLK2345
Whether you’re trying to limit your paper towel usage or just want a heavy-duty dishcloth that’s small and mighty, this set of sponge cloths are great for cleaning plates, food messes, ovens and everything else. You can even throw them in the dishwasher when they’re getting funky. HuffPost readers love cloths similar to this set from Everspring, Target’s in-house brand of eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
Promising review: “These are everything I ever dreamed of in a dish cloth, plus the opposite side includes a paper towel texture in horizontal lines. They are perfect in every way and dry out quickly!” — Customer
Even if you have a dishwasher, you likely have to wash some pants or utensils by hand. This continuous spray from Dawn packs a big punch, while still being gentle on ceramics and metals. When food is caked and stuck on, simply spray it, leave it for a minute or two, then easily wipe it all away. If you hate doing dishes, you’ll be happy to have this — it cuts down cleaning time and makes scrubbing a lot easier. Powerwash was one of HuffPost’s top-selling products during October Prime Day and has remained a fan favorite ever since.
Promising review: “This stuff works like a dream!! I love Dawn anyway and was reluctant to buy another of their products when I’m so satisfied with the dishes soap but wow! I have an electric grill that’s grill plate sat a while with lots of grease build up. (Shame on me!) I bought this, sprayed it on and within minutes the grease was dissolved and gone! It made a messy chores really easy. I can’t wait to see what else I can try it on. It cleaned the grease trap beautifully too. You don’t need tons so I’d say it’s a good value too. It takes all the work out of those big jobs.” — TargetFreak
A hands-free can opener, this speedy tool automatically cuts the sides of cans with the push of a button. It leaves smooth edges, keeping your fingers safe and ensures your food doesn’t touch the blades. Find it in four colors. Note: you need four AA batteries, which you need to get separately. This is a longtime HuffPost bestseller, but readers especially loved this item in our roundup of kitchen tools for folks with limited dexterity or arthritis pain.
Promising review: “I received this auto electric can opener as a gift, and absolutely LOVE it! I am a senior with arthritis and this has been a life saver for me. Easy to use, no hand cranking, easy to stop, leaves no sharp edges on the can, removes the lid, and fits easily in the kitchen drawer. I have purchased two more openers to give as gifts.” — Swell Mom
Box veggie choppers (like the Fullstar model that HuffPost readers love) are incredibly popular, and this option from Cuisinart is high-quality and user-friendly. The non-slip base gives you stability as you chop and the interchangeable grates give you a ton of options.
Promising review: “This device is pretty darn amazing! I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I had gotten it as a gift and was unfamiliar with how it worked. I usually spend 15 minutes cubing potatoes for roasting; this made that task take about 3 minutes! Then I used the smaller dicer for a red onion and it was done so fast, my eyes didn’t even have time to tear up. This is already a staple in my kitchen!” — STAR Family
Kitchen shears are a great addition to any kitchen for big and small tasks alike. Chop herbs, cut pizza and do other tiny jobs with easy-to-use slides with a solid handle. Reviews recommend washing these by hand and drying them quickly. Readers are big fans of this pair from KitchenAid after reading about them in a roundup authored by HuffPost’s food editor.
Promising review: “I have owned these scissors for years and they are a necessity in anyones kitchen. They are durable and cut through just about everything.” — Jack
Create airy foam to top your homemade lattes and cappuccinos with this compact handheld milk frother similar to this longtime HuffPost bestseller. It comes in a bunch of fun colors and with a stand, so it doesn’t take up a ton of valuable space in your kitchen. We bet you’ll use it every day.
Promising review: “This frother really does have power. Very happy I chose this one.” — Joey
Keurig coffee machines are always popular for their convenience and ease — yet they can be hard to clean. These helpful rinse pods run in your machine as a usual K-cup would, and help to banish residue and oils in your machine, preventing potential clogs and ensuring every cup tastes fresh (and not like the hot cocoa your kid made last night). HuffPost readers love similar products for cleaning their coffee machines.
Promising review: “Does the job, keeps the inside of the machine looking nice and the coffee tasting fresh” — BernieDeuce
While it’s not an appliance itself, it’s a super smart outlet add-on that can help you better control all your plug-in kitchen needs. This little gadget turns any outlet into a smart plug that you can control with your phone, set on timers or even connect with Alexa or Google Home to use it with voice control. If your blender is in a hard-to-reach corner or you always forget if you turned the coffee pot off, this baby can ease your mind. Similar smart outlets rank in some of HuffPost’s bestselling tech products of all time.
Promising review: “These are great,. We have about 5 around the house and scheduling them is a breeze.” — JBL
No, you’re not misreading: These cleaning pods are not for dirty dishes, they’re for cleaning the dishwasher itself. Beat limescale, grease and general funk and ensure your cups and plates get as clean as they can be with this set of Cascade dishwasher cleaner. Similar tablets are among HuffPost readers’ favorite cleaning products. Note: be sure to run these with an empty dishwasher!
Promising review: “Great product! Use often! Cleans scum and built up residue out! Use once a month! Easy to Use!” — Miss Mary
A food processor is a workhorse kitchen device that once you get, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. (HuffPost readers certainly love similar speed-chopping options.) Chop, shred, slice, puree all sorts of eats from salsa to pie crust to homemade pesto. This popular option holds 7 cups and can be easily taken apart.
Promising review: “This food processor is fantastic – especially for larger quantities such as sauces and salsas! Its quieter than I thought. Very easy to deconstruct and clean when finished!” — emilyd467
Love the taste of freshly popped corn but want less oil and mess? This ingenious, collapsible silicone bowl lets you pop dried kernels right in the microwave, without needing to use an open flame or buy the packaged bags. After you make your popcorn, you can eat it from the bowl and when you’re ready to put it away it folds easily into itself. A similar option from Popco was one of HuffPost’s top-selling gifts this year.
Promising review: “The popcorn is easy to make, no oil needed. Just add you kernels, cover and microwave to pop. I added butter and salt after popping right in the bowl. Very convenient. Easy to clean too. Stores small.” — Rose Wylde
The TikTok-beloved Ninja Creami is known for it’s almost magical ability to turn fruits and veggies into delicious ice cream, and HuffPost readers shop it frequently on sale. (You can make traditional milk-based ice cream with it too.) Users love how customizable it is, enabling you to put in whatever mix-ins you desire making slush, milkshakes, sorbets and more.
Promising review: “I bought this on a whim, and now my whole family loves it and we use it just about every day. It is fun finding new recipes. My brother especially loves making ones with his protein powder, it’s an easy and delicious way to get the nutrients you need.” — courtneys
Perhaps HuffPost readers’ favorite air fryer, this Vortex model from Instant lets you roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate with a clear window that lets you observe your food as it cooks. Set the machine to ping when you need to turn your food as it’s cooking, with customizable programs you can pre-set to your favorite cooking. It heats fast, goes up to 400 degrees and holds four to six servings with a dishwasher-safe air fry basket and tray.
Promising review: “The BEST air fryer! I don’t usually leave reviews but this blows all the other air fryers out of the water! Mind blowingly silent and love having the window so you can watch your food as it cooks!” — alisha444
If smoothies and fruit bowls are more your style, this powerful machine breaks down frozen produce with ease, according to our food editor. Also make nut butters, spreads and shakes to the exact texture you like. It comes with two blender cups and one bowl that you can blend into then take on the go.
Promising review: “This is the first higher priced blender I’ve ever purchased and it was well worth it. This Ninja blender powers through frozen fruit and ice while staying firmly placed on the countertop. Excellent.” — ncam
The breakout coffee maker of the year, this versatile machine from Ninja does it all. Makes cold brew in 10 minutes and piping hot coffee in less than that. It has a variety of brew sizes from a single cup to a carafe with styles like rich, classics and over ice. The keep-warm option lets you enjoy a hot cup a while after you make it and the 24-hour delay lets you set tomorrow you up for greatness.
Promising review: “I love this coffee maker! My husband drinks hot coffee & I drink iced & cold brew! Now we only have 1 coffee maker on our counter! Love this machine so much!” — Taiy