9 Best Kitchen Countertop Appliances of 2026

This game-changing multi-use appliance packs serious versatility into a sleek, space-saving design. With dual 428°F heating elements and reversible nonstick plates, the Chefman Everything Maker transforms from indoor pizza oven to omelet griddle, quesadilla press, or crepe pan in seconds—no extra gadgets needed. It’s engineered for speed, hitting preheat in under three minutes thanks to LED indicator lights that take the guesswork out of cooking. If you’re tired of cluttering your kitchen with single-purpose gadgets, this all-in-one electric skillet is a breath of fresh air.

In real-world testing, it delivered a crispy, golden pizza crust in just 8 minutes—on par with far more expensive models—while maintaining even heat distribution across the 12-inch surface. The high-heat cooking capability shines when searing quesadillas or browning pancakes, though delicate batters require a light touch to avoid sticking. While it lacks precise temperature dials, the fixed high-heat setting works well for most quick meals but limits slow-cooking options. Its vertical storage design and integrated cord wrap make it ideal for small kitchens or dorm rooms where counter space is at a premium.

When stacked against the Betty Crocker pizza maker, the Chefman offers better build quality and broader functionality, with cETL certification and a 5-year warranty backing its durability. It doesn’t match full-size air fryers or griddles in capacity, but for someone who wants fast, diverse meals without firing up the oven, it’s unmatched. For the price-conscious cook who values versatility, speed, and simplicity, this appliance punches above its weight—offering more features than dedicated pizza presses at a comparable cost.

Step into the future of countertop cooking with the Chefman Digital Air Fryer+, a powerhouse convection oven that redefines what a single appliance can do. Boasting a massive 10-liter capacity, this XL air fryer oven handles whole chickens, full racks of wings, or meal-prepped containers with ease—making it a standout for families or batch cooks. The 17 smart presets take the stress out of cooking, while the rapid air heating system delivers crispy results using up to 98% less oil than traditional frying—perfect for health-conscious households craving crunch without compromise.

Real-world performance proves consistent and impressive: fries come out golden and crisp, roasted vegetables caramelize beautifully, and the rotisserie function produces juicy, evenly browned poultry thanks to 360° airflow and an auto-rotating spit. The extra-large viewing window and interior light let you monitor progress without opening the door and losing heat—a small but meaningful upgrade over budget models. However, the touch screen can be overly sensitive, and the unit’s footprint is substantial, demanding serious counter real estate. Still, its no-preheat advantage over conventional ovens saves time and energy during weekday dinners.

Compared to the BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake, this model offers double the capacity and far more functions, including dehydration and rotisserie—features absent in smaller toaster-style units. While it lacks the Ninja Mega Kitchen System’s blending power, it dominates in family-size cooking flexibility. It’s the ideal pick for those who want restaurant-quality results at home without juggling multiple appliances. With a broader feature set and larger capacity than most rivals, it delivers premium performance without the luxury price tag—making it the top choice for serious air fryer enthusiasts.

The BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake is a budget-friendly air fryer that punches well above its price point, blending toaster oven practicality with modern air frying tech. With 5-in-1 functionality—air fry, bake, broil, toast, and keep warm—it replaces multiple appliances while fitting neatly on most countertops. Its EvenToast technology ensures consistent browning across all four slices, eliminating the half-burnt, half-raw toast syndrome that plagues lesser models. For those upgrading from a basic toaster or microwave, this compact convection oven delivers crispy fries, reheated pizza, and golden pastries with minimal effort.

Testing revealed strong performance for small-batch cooking: a 9-inch pizza crisped evenly in 12 minutes, frozen tater tots turned crunchy without drying out, and toast achieved uniform color in under three minutes. The 30-minute timer adds precision, while the removable crumb tray and mesh air fry basket simplify cleanup. However, the interior is tight for larger dishes or whole chickens, and air circulation lags slightly behind full-size air fryer ovens. It heats up quickly but doesn’t match the speed or capacity of the 10L CHEFMAN model—best suited for couples or solo cooks.

Against the Emeril Lagasse French Door, it’s clearly less powerful and spacious, but it holds its own as an affordable entry point into air frying. It lacks dehydrating or rotisserie functions but excels in everyday simplicity and value. For apartment dwellers or anyone seeking a no-fuss, compact air fryer, this model is a smart, space-saving upgrade. With more features than basic toaster ovens and better air frying than most in its class, it offers the best balance of performance, size, and affordability—making it a standout in the budget segment.

The Elite Gourmet double burner is a portable powerhouse that brings serious cooking power to kitchens, dorms, or tailgating setups. With two cast iron heating elements—6.5” and 5”—and a combined 1500 watts, it delivers consistent, adjustable heat for everything from simmering sauces to boiling pasta water. The variable temperature knob offers precise control across low, medium, and high settings, a rare find at this price point, making it far more functional than basic single-element hot plates. Its non-skid feet and dual power lights ensure safety and stability, even on uneven surfaces.

In practice, it heats up quickly and maintains temperature well, outperforming cheaper coil burners that fluctuate or overheat. We boiled a quart of water in under 6 minutes and simmered chili for over an hour without issue. The nonstick cast iron surface wipes clean easily, though it’s not dishwasher-safe like some griddles. While it doesn’t offer digital presets or smart features, its no-nonsense design is ideal for students, RV travelers, or anyone needing a reliable backup stove. It won’t replace a full kitchen range, but as a supplemental cooker, it’s impressively capable.

Compared to the Chefman XL Electric Griddle, it lacks a dedicated drip tray or sear-to-warm range, but it wins on portability and dual-cook flexibility. It’s not as flashy as multi-function air fryers, but for raw cooking utility, it’s unmatched in value. If you need a durable, no-frills burner that works anywhere with an outlet, this is the one. With better heat control and build quality than most budget hot plates, it offers pro-level functionality at a fraction of the cost—making it the ultimate workhorse for mobile or minimalist cooking.

Breakfast just got a major upgrade with the Chefman XL Electric Griddle, a breakfast cooking beast designed for weekend brunches and family meals. Its expansive 10 x 20-inch nonstick surface gives you room to fry pancakes, bacon, eggs, and burgers all at once—no batch cooking required. The adjustable thermostat (200–420°F) lets you fine-tune heat for delicate crepes or sizzling smash burgers, while the slide-out drip tray captures grease for cleaner, healthier cooking. If you’ve ever juggled multiple pans at once, this flat top grill is a game-changer.

Real-world testing confirmed its even heating across the entire surface, with no cold spots—even at the edges. Bacon crisped uniformly, pancakes rose evenly, and grilled cheese sandwiches developed a perfect golden crust. The fully immersible griddle plate is a rare and welcome feature, allowing for deep cleaning in the sink or dishwasher (after removing the control). However, the unit lacks indicator lights, so you must rely on manual preheating timing. At 1500 watts, it draws serious power but delivers restaurant-style performance on demand.

Next to the Elite Gourmet burner, it offers superior surface area and targeted temperature control, though it’s less portable. It doesn’t match the air fryers’ versatility but dominates in breakfast-specific performance. For pancake lovers, grill masters, or anyone who hosts brunch, this is the ultimate tool. With easy cleanup, precise heat, and massive cooking space, it outperforms most griddles in its class—offering a premium experience at a mid-range price, especially when compared to basic stovetop alternatives.

The BELLA Two Tier Steamer is a healthy cooking essential that makes steaming vegetables, fish, and dumplings faster and more intuitive than ever. With a 7.4-quart capacity and two stackable, dishwasher-safe baskets, it lets you cook multiple foods at once without flavor transfer—perfect for balanced meals with protein and sides. The clear water level indicator eliminates guesswork, while auto shutoff and boil-dry protection ensure safety even if you step away. For anyone focused on nutritious, low-fat meals, this electric food steamer is a must-have.

In testing, it brought water to steam in under 5 minutes and cooked broccoli to crisp-tender in 6, while salmon fillets stayed moist and flaky. The stackable glass baskets are sturdy and easy to handle, and the removable base simplifies cleaning—no scrubbing mineral deposits from built-in tanks. The included steaming guide chart is genuinely helpful for beginners, taking the mystery out of timing. However, it lacks preset programs or timers, requiring manual monitoring. It’s not a multi-cooker, but for pure steaming performance, it’s hard to beat.

Compared to the Chefman air fryer, it doesn’t offer crisping or roasting, but it excels in gentle, nutrient-preserving cooking. It’s more user-friendly than stovetop steamers and safer than microwaving in plastic. Ideal for health-focused families or meal preppers, it delivers consistent, foolproof results. With smart safety features and effortless cleanup, it stands out as the best choice for clean, fast, and healthy cooking—offering more precision and convenience than basic models at a similar price.

The Betty Crocker Countertop Pizza Maker brings homemade pizza night within reach for casual cooks and families alike. At 1440 watts, it heats up fast and delivers a crispy, evenly browned 12-inch crust in under 10 minutes—no oven required. But it’s more than just a pizza oven: flip the plates and it doubles as a sandwich press, quesadilla maker, or pancake griddle, making it a true indoor grill hybrid. With a nonstick surface and simple wipe-clean design, it encourages creativity without the cleanup dread.

In real use, it handled thick dough and loaded toppings without scorching, though very wet sauces could cause slight sogginess on the bottom. The fixed high-heat setting works well for most applications but doesn’t allow low-temp cooking for delicate items like eggs. It lacks indicator lights or precise controls, relying on manual timing—fine for basics, but limiting for advanced users. Still, its compact size and vertical storage make it easy to tuck away, ideal for small kitchens or occasional use.

Against the Chefman Everything Maker, it offers similar functions but fewer safety certifications and a shorter warranty—just one year versus five. It doesn’t match the Ninja’s power or the Emeril’s capacity, but for budget pizza lovers, it’s a fun, functional pick. If you want quick, tasty pizzas with minimal effort, this appliance delivers. With strong performance for the price and broad multi-use appeal, it beats basic models by offering more cooking freedom than a single-purpose press—making it the top budget pizza solution.

The Ninja Mega Kitchen System is a blending and processing titan, engineered for those who demand power, precision, and versatility in one robust unit. With a 1500-watt motor and 2-horsepower output, it obliterates ice, pulverizes frozen fruit, and kneads dough with ease—delivering smoothies, sauces, nut butters, and even pizza crust in seconds. The Total Crushing Technology and stacked blade assembly ensure no chunk is left behind, while the 72-oz. pitcher is perfect for family-sized batches or entertaining.

Testing confirmed its dominance: it crushed ice to snow in under 15 seconds, pureed soups to silk-like consistency, and processed dough in 30 seconds flat. The 8-cup food processor bowl delivers uniform chopping—ideal for salsas, dips, or meal prep—while the two to-go cups with spout lids make morning smoothies effortless. All attachments are dishwasher-safe, and the BPA-free construction adds peace of mind. However, the unit is loud at high speeds and takes up significant counter space—trade-offs for its raw power.

Versus the Emeril Lagasse air fryer, it doesn’t cook, but it outshines in food prep speed and functionality. Compared to basic blenders, it’s a professional-grade upgrade. For smoothie lovers, home chefs, or busy parents, it’s an all-in-one kitchen powerhouse. With unmatched blending performance and dual processor capability, it justifies its premium cost by replacing multiple appliances—offering more value than standalone blenders or food choppers at a similar price point.

The Emeril Lagasse French Door Air Fryer is the undisputed king of countertop cooking, combining restaurant-grade capacity with 24 smart cooking functions in a stunning stainless steel design. With a cavernous 26-quart interior, it can rotisserie a 6-pound chicken, bake a 12-inch pizza, or air fry wings for a crowd—all with 360° superheated air circulation powered by a dual-speed fan. The French door design opens smoothly with one pull, while the interior light and digital controls make monitoring effortless. For serious home chefs, this is a kitchen transformation.

In real-world use, it roasted vegetables with even caramelization, air-fried fries to crispy perfection, and toasted bread without hot spots. The 7 included accessories—rack, pan, rotisserie spit, and more—expand its versatility across cuisines. It preheats faster than a conventional oven and handles large dishes with ease. However, its massive size demands serious counter or cabinet space, and the interface has a learning curve for first-time users. It’s not for minimalists, but for those who host often or cook for families, it’s indispensable.

Compared to the Chefman 10L air fryer, it offers more than double the capacity and twice the functions, including dedicated rotisserie and dehydrate modes. Against the Ninja system, it doesn’t blend, but it dominates in cooking range and scale. This is the best overall appliance for those who want one powerhouse unit to replace oven, air fryer, and rotisserie. With premium build, expansive capacity, and pro-level results, it delivers unmatched performance—justifying its higher cost with sheer utility and culinary freedom.