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…
Explore Air Fryers →Blenders
Blender performance comes down to motor torque and blade geometry, not just top-line horsepower claims. A well…
Explore Blenders →Coffee Makers
A good drip coffee maker holds water at 195-205°F during the brew cycle and saturates the grounds evenly — mos…
Explore Coffee Makers →Espresso Machines
Home espresso is a steeper learning curve than drip coffee: grind size, dose, tamp pressure, and shot timing a…
Explore Espresso Machines →Stand Mixers
A stand mixer is a long-term kitchen investment — the good ones run for decades. The main differences between …
Explore Stand Mixers →Toaster Ovens
A toaster oven's usefulness comes down to even heat distribution and interior capacity — a unit that scorches …
Explore Toaster Ovens →Food Processors
A food processor earns counter space by replacing a lot of knife work — slicing discs, shredding discs, and a …
Explore Food Processors →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.
Buying guides
Not sure what you need yet? Start here before diving into product picks.
From the blog
Practical how-tos and tips for getting the most from your gear.