The Short Version
Best Espresso: Breville Barista Express — Best Air Fryer: Ninja DZ201 — Best Blender: Vitamix 5200 — Best Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Pro
Tested 18 small appliances. Last updated October 2024.
| # | Model | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breville Barista Express (Espresso) Editor's Choice | ~$699 | 9.2 |
| 2 | Vitamix 5200 (Blender) Best Blender | ~$549 | 9.0 |
| 3 | Ninja DZ201 (Air Fryer) Best Air Fryer | ~$199 | 8.8 |
| 4 | Breville Smart Oven Pro (Toaster Oven) Best Toaster Oven | ~$249 | 8.7 |
| 5 | Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (Pressure Cooker) Best Value | ~$99 | 8.5 |
| 6 | KitchenAid Stand Mixer (5 Qt.) Best Stand Mixer | ~$449 | 9.0 |
Built-in conical burr grinder, 15-bar pressure pump, PID temperature control, and a steam wand that can texture milk to latte quality. At $699 it eliminates the need for a separate grinder and produces café-quality shots in a home kitchen. Nothing in this price range competes.
Score: 9.2/10
Vitamix blenders last 10–15+ years with regular use. The 5200 at $549 blends harder ingredients than any other residential blender tested — frozen fruit, nuts, raw vegetables — without heating the liquid or straining the motor. If you use a blender daily, the Vitamix is the last one you'll ever buy.
Score: 9.0/10
Two independent baskets that can run different foods at different temperatures simultaneously, synced to finish at the same time. The best feature in any air fryer I've tested. Chicken wings crispy in 22 minutes. Fries crispy in 18 minutes. No compromise on timing between two foods.
Score: 8.8/10
Small Appliance Buying Philosophy
Buy fewer, better appliances. A countertop full of $50 appliances you use once a month is worse than two $200 appliances you use every day. The blender and the coffee maker are the two appliances most worth spending on — you'll use them daily for years.
Which Small Appliances Are Worth Buying?
Worth it: Stand mixer (if you bake), espresso machine (if you drink espresso daily), Vitamix (if you blend daily), quality toaster oven (replaces a microwave for many tasks). Usually not worth it: Quesadilla makers, hot dog steamers, single-function gadgets. Test the rule: how many times per month will you use it?