What to Buy Gift Guides The 25 Best Tech Gifts for Home Cooks Who Love Smart Gadgets Our list includes a touchscreen toaster, a digital coffee scale, and plenty more picks we've tested and loved. By Alyssa Longobucco Alyssa Longobucco Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York with over a decade of experience in the food, home, and lifestyle categories. When she's not diving into the latest trends and products, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and children. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on September 13, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Williams Sonoma When it comes to home cooks, people typically fall into two camps: the old-school sticklers and the innovators. On one hand, you have people who learned how to whip up a souffle or sear a steak years ago and are going to do it that same way for the rest of their lives with the same trusty gear. On the other hand, you have free-spirited home chefs who aren’t beholden to one method — their preferences and favorite kitchen gadgets change and adapt, and they’re constantly on the lookout for the next big thing to help them innovate, multitask, and save time in the kitchen. With the right smart appliances and gadgets, you can easily churn out meals that are quicker, healthier, more delicious, and more creative than you ever thought possible. Below, we’re rounding up 25 of our favorite tech gifts for home cooks, many of which we've tested and now rely on for our daily meal prep. From a meat thermometer that will help them nail the perfect medium rare filet to a pressure cooker that does it all, these picks will help even the most novice home cook find more flavor and fun in the kitchen than ever before — and truly, what’s a better gift than that? Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Academy.com We can confidently say that the Anova Sous Vide is the one gadget we think everyone needs in their kitchen. The smart device — which won top honors on our list of the best sous vide machines — relies on circulated water to cook food evenly and precisely, all without much intervention on your part. While the device itself comes with a digital display on the top that you can set manually, we highly recommend taking advantage of the app. With it, you can set the precise temperature and cooking time or browse thousands of sous vide recipes (super helpful as you first discover the many things you can sous vide) for step-by-step instructions to some truly epic meals. Price at time of publish: $219 Vitamix A2500 Ascent Series Smart Blender Amazon View On Amazon View On Sur La Table View On Wayfair It's no surprise that Vitamix tops pretty much every list — the brand is practically synonymous with perfectly blended berry smoothies and velvety soups. The A2500 Ascent Series Smart model bottles everything home and pro cooks love from the brand, with a tech-forward twist that earned it a top spot on our best Vitamix list. We love the easy-to-read LED screen and wireless connectivity, which allows the machine to instantly detect the type of container you’ve chosen and adjust the program settings accordingly. Choose from three pre-programmed settings (one for smoothies, one for hot soups, and one for frozen desserts) or opt to fine-tune your desired texture with 10 variable speed controls. Price at time of publish: $550 Miele CM 5310 Silence Automatic Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table As anyone who shares a space with a coffee fan knows, there’s nothing worse than the jarring sound of grinding beans at sunrise. This high-end Miele machine — which made our list of best coffee makers with grinders — promises to put an end to all that auditory chaos with a whisper-quiet grinding mechanism that makes this an ideal gift for you both. But that’s not even the best part. Beloved for its versatility and ability to make a really good cup of coffee, this sleek machine can make two drinks simultaneously, as well as warm and froth milk for the perfect foamy cappuccino. During our tests, we found this machine easy to use, thanks to the clear touchscreen display that makes it simple to pick from pre-programmed drinks or store individual settings. Price at time of publish: $1,799 ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE King Arthur Baking View On Kingarthurbaking.com View On Thermoworks.com Ask any professional cook what one of their most-used items is and you’ll undoubtedly hear about how much they love their thermometer. Useful for more than just perfecting the perfect medium rare on a steak (though great for that too), the inconspicuous kitchen gadget is key to gaining confidence in the kitchen, whether you’re baking up bread or attempting a tricky poached salmon recipe. ThermoWorks’ Thermapen ONE was named our top pick in our best instant-read thermometer test, thanks to its accurate and fast read on a variety of different proteins and dishes. We also loved the fold-out to power-on feature of the thermometer, which makes for no frustrating “Is this thing on?” moments. Price at time of publish: $100 Cuisinart CPT-T40 4-Slice Touchscreen Toaster Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Weekday mornings can be tough, so we’re all for anything that can make them a little bit easier. This Cuisinart touchscreen toaster promises to do just that, with illuminated touchpad controls that automate your cook and disappear into the modern black front when not in use. During our testing of the best 4-slice toasters, this Cuisinart model won major points for its sleek design and user-friendly programming, with settings designated for defrosting bread or toasting up the perfect bagel recipe. As a bonus, it will look pretty great on your countertop, with a modern design we call “a head turner.” Price at time of publish: $70 GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Williams-Sonoma It’s perhaps a bit weird to say that an ice maker lives rent-free in my mind — but that’s exactly where this GE beauty resides. I’ve had this coveted nugget ice maker on my wishlist for ages, and I’m certainly not the only one. We awarded it top honors in our countertop ice maker testing. Not only will it churn out batch after batch of everyone’s favorite ice shape, but it has many tech-forward features that make using the gadget a chinch, like built-in WiFi and voice control, plus the ability to schedule fresh ice using the SmartHQ app. Translation: If you need ample cubes for an upcoming dinner party, this time-saving machine can make it happen. Price at time of publish: $649 Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Target These days groceries are increasingly expensive, encouraging many home cooks to find easy ways to prolong the lifespan of their food and cut down on waste. One key to doing so? A vacuum sealer. This Anova device — which won Best Splurge on our list of the best vacuum sealers — works to remove excess air and lock in freshness, preserving everything from bulk cuts of meat to marinated fish with ease. We gave the gadget a near-perfect score, noting how the various seal settings (including moist, dry, seal, and pulse) work on even the most delicate items and the sleek design looks great on any countertop. Price at time of publish: $150 Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Sur La Table Nothing says “I care about you” quite like the gift of perpetually warm coffee or tea. Ember’s smart mug warmer makes it easy to achieve just that, with an impressive battery life that will keep liquids at your desired temperature for 80 minutes off the charging dock (or all day while on it). The device’s synced app offers even more possibilities like the ability to set and change the temperature and customizable presets that will ensure their sip stays steamy through their morning meeting or getting the kids out the door to school. Price at time of publish: $150 Acacia Pearl Scale Blue Bottle Coffee View On Acaia.co View On Bluebottlecoffee.com A digital scale is a must-have for achieving the perfect brew, making the gift an ideal way to spoil the coffee purist in your life. This barista-favorite device from Acaia has all the features you need, packed into a simple scale that gets the job done. In our tested roundup of best coffee scales, we loved the scale’s “outstanding” speed and accuracy, noting how it could monitor both weight and time for a precise pour cup after cup. The best part? The barely-there design is sleek and streamlined and will look great on your countertop. Price at time of publish: $150 Aarke Carbonator III Premium Sparkling & Seltzer Water Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Williams-Sonoma We all have our little luxuries — and if sparkling water is one of yours, then you’re in for a treat with Aarke’s Carbonator 3. Awarded top honors as the Best Splurge during our rigorous testing of the best soda makers on the market, Aarke’s easy-to-use device will add delicious bubbles to your beverage with just the push of a handle. It takes up very little counter space compared to other options on the market and features a stainless steel precision nozzle for a controlled spray of CO2 that delivers delicate carbonation to water, which you can then flavor with various syrups or juices During our tests, we loved the size of the bubbles produced by this sleek machine, noting how they left a pleasant tingle from the front to the back of the mouth. Price at time of publish: $229 Kamado Joe Konnected Joe 18-Inch Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker BBQ Guys View On Amazon View On Abt.com View On Ajmadison.com Even novice grillers will be able to use the Kamado Joe Konnected model like a true pro, which is a testament to just how easily the tech-enabled charcoal grill and smoker functions. We asked a professional chef to weigh in on our Kamado Joe Konected review earlier this year, and he was wowed by nearly every step of the process, from the easy setup to the intuitive app. WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities help you monitor the temperature of the grill and the food you’re cooking up, while a genius “Divide and Conquer” grilling system allows for multiple configurations and heating zones, letting you tackle everything from steak to veggies in one fell swoop. Price at time of publish: $1,699 Samsung Bespoke Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum with All in One Clean Station Amazon View On Amazon View On Appliancesconnection.com View On Samsung Cooking can be a messy business, so it’s a good idea to keep a versatile vacuum on hand for those post-dinner cleanups. This cordless design from Samsung won rave reviews in our extensive test of the best cordless vacuums. We boldly called it “possibly the greatest vacuum ever created.” Backing that impressive claim is a sleek, lightweight profile and powerful 280-air-watt motor, which helps you make quick work of messes on a variety of surfaces, including tile, wood, and carpet. AI technology takes things up another notch, with built-in sensors that help the vacuum detect the type of floor and debris level and automatically adjust the settings for the most effective clean. From cleaning up cous cous by the stove to eliminating crumbs under the dinner table, this versatile gadget does it all. Price at time of publish: $800 OXO 11-lb Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull out Display Amazon View On Amazon View On Sur La Table View On Williams-Sonoma Food scales are an essential addition to any well-stocked kitchen, helping bakers measure out the exact amount of flour needed for their sourdough and coffee fans to determine the proper amount of grounds for their pour-over. Named the best kitchen scale in our rigorous test, this streamlined OXO gadget boasts precise accuracy and a pull-out screen that’s easy to read, even when weighing the most bulky items. You can also seamlessly switch between various units of measurement, which means no more frantic Googling for a cup-to-grams conversion chart. Price at time of publish: $55 Yoder Smokers YS640S Pellet Grill All Things Barbecue View On Atbbq.com Serious grillers deserve serious tailgating gear, and this splurge-worthy Yoder smoker is certainly a serious piece of equipment. It won the accolade of Best Professional Grade Grill on our list of best pellet grills, making it the ideal pick for anyone who fancies themselves a pro pit master. We loved the excellent heat retention and behemoth size, which allowed us to smoke 10 pounds of chicken wings with room to spare. The Adaptive Control System (ACS) grants the user precise temperature control and food monitoring, which can mean the difference between a perfectly smoked rack of ribs and an astringent, dried-out mess. Price at time of publish: $2,399 Breville The Smart Grinder Pro Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table This barista-worthy smart grinder from Breville is perfect for your friend who continuously waxes poetic about the nuanced difference between Costa Rican and Colombian beans. It’s designed to extract maximum flavor from your roast, with 60 precise grind settings that cater to a variety of brewing methods, from pour-over to French press. During our comprehensive audit of the best coffee grinders on the market, we appreciated this gadget's intuitive user interface, noting how easy it was to navigate the digital display to customize the grind to our exact needs. Price at time of publish: $198 Zojirushi NS-TSC18 Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart When deciding what kitchen gadgets to splurge on (or gift to someone else), it’s always helpful to take a look at the types of meals and cuisine you most often cook. For households that have rice or grains as a big cornerstone of their menu, a reliable rice cooker is a worthy investment. This big-batch appliance from Zojirushi makes scoring fluffy rice a cinch, with an impressive 10-cup capacity that makes it ideal for larger households. In our tests, we loved the user-friendly tech features of the Zojirushi, which include a variety of pre-programmed settings for different types of grains and foods. Price at time of publish: $220 Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 6-Quart Pressure Cooker Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Wayfair If versatility, ease, and space-saving functionality are a top priority, look no further than the Instant Pot Duo Plus WiFI Pressure Cooker. The editor-favorite device (it won a spot on our list of best Instant Pots) combines a variety of cooking methods — including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, and more — into a single gadget, saving you time and space in the kitchen. Convenient WiFi capability means you can set it up from anywhere, whether that’s your desk at work or the living room couch. There’s also an app with over 1,000 recipes on it, so inspiration for dinner is just a tap away. Price at time of publish: $200 Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Sur La Table No tech-forward kitchen is complete without a do-it-all air fryer, and this Breville version is top-of-the-line when it comes to both versatility and appearance. Not only will it look sleek and sophisticated on the countertop, but it will help time-crunched cooks tackle a variety of tasks, including toasting, baking, roasting, air frying, and slow cooking. The multi-tool — our splurge-worthy best air fryer pick — features a smart Element iQ system, which helps direct heat and hot air for the most precise cooking environment every time. Price at time of publish: $450 eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid Home Depot View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Eufy.com Post-dinner cleanup duty just got a lot easier thanks to this two-in-one Eufy vacuum. Instead of manually cleaning up the crumbs and chaos left behind by a meal, Eufy can go to work on the mess, utilizing powerful twin-turbine technology to vacuum up every last bit of dust, dirt, and debris then mopping up any spills or stains afterward. The impressive device — which won top honors on our list of the best robot vacuums — even uses AI to create a detailed map of your home, which you can then use to set cleaning zones and schedule sessions via your Smartphone. Price at time of publish: $500 Tribest Sedona Express Digital Food Dehydrator Amazon View On Amazon View On Bloomingdales View On Home Depot Creating dried fruit or perfectly moist beef jerky used to mean sitting in front of a full-sized oven closely monitoring the happenings within — but not anymore. This Tribest device takes the guesswork out of dehydrating your favorite foods, with a quiet and dishwasher-friendly design that has 11 trays roomy enough for everything from herbs to produce. During our testing, this top food dehydrator pick wowed us with its aesthetically pleasing exterior and user-focused features, like an easy-to-read digital display and glass front display that allows you to watch the magic happen. Price at time of publish: $550 Breville BGR820XL The Smart Grill Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Breville.com Grilling outside is the dream, but it’s not always an achievable reality, especially if you live in an apartment building or an area where chilly temps make cooking outside seem less than appealing. Enter this Breville device, which puts the best aspects of grilling at your fingertips, with a convertible setup that can adapt to three settings: an open grill, a flat griddle, or a closed panini press. During our testing of the best electric grills, we loved the gadget’s large cooking surface and dishwasher-safe plates, which create the perfect sear on everything from steak and burgers to a crispy caprese panini. Price at time of publish: $320 Simplehuman Motion Sensor Semi-Round Can Simplehuman View On Target View On Williams-Sonoma View On Wayfair Newsflash: You never have to touch your kitchen trash can again (well, almost). It’s true — when you have Simplehuman’s motion-sensor can in your kitchen, tossing trash is as easy as waving your hand above the motion-sensor lid and waiting for it to open. A discrete pod on the lid of the can also helps quell odors, masking everything from decaying food scraps to the fish you had for dinner last night, so your kitchen stays looking (and smelling) clean. Price at time of publish: $200 Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 XL Ice Cream Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Walmart It’s probably not the first time you’ve seen a Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker mentioned lately — the device was the gadget of summer, earning legions of fans across Instagram and TikTok. The secret to its popularity? It’s just so darn easy. With the push of a button, you can make custom ice cream, rich gelato, frozen yogurt, Italian ice, slushies, and more, all with your choice of base and mix-ins. It’s the ideal gift for your pal with an insatiable sweet tooth. Price at time of publish: $250 AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Cooking with fresh herbs is an easy way to make even the most basic meal feel restaurant-worthy, but growing them often feels like an elusive task for those not blessed with a green thumb. AeroGarden's hydroponic system is an herb garden tool that aims to make harvesting fresh herbs easy, with a six-plant system that automates nearly every part of the process, from a water well to a full-spectrum LED grow light setup that mimics the benefits of natural sunlight. This version comes with gourmet herb seed pods to help you kick things off (including basil, parsley, dill, thyme, and mint) but you can also buy flower and veggie pods if you want to grow your own garden. Price at time of publish: $98 Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Williams-Sonoma Composting is one of the best ways to make use of your food scraps and give back to the earth, but it’s not always the easiest thing to achieve — especially if you live in a city and don’t have a backyard accessible. This Vitamix device is a compact, smart food composting bin that can live on your countertop. It has a 2-liter capacity and carbon filter lid that traps odors so you can use it to score scraps, too. When you’re ready, a quiet composting cycle breaks down your waste into usable fertilizer that can then be recycled into your garden or indoor plants for added nutrients. Price at time of publish: $400 Our Expertise Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York with over a decade of experience in the food, home, and lifestyle categories. When she's not diving into the latest trends and products, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and children. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit