If you spend enough time testing and comparing pans, knives, and air fryers, you will eventually reach the conclusion that it is genuinely difficult to make something for the kitchen that is both genuinely new and exceptional. That is the exact conclusion reached by shopping and reviews editors after years of rigorous evaluation. There is a strict limit to how slick the surface of a pan can be made, or how many presets can be added to an appliance before they transform into an everyday nuisance. Yet, every single year, manufacturing brands attempt to upgrade their product lines, and a select few actually succeed.
As part of an ongoing project to discover ways to make work in the home kitchen easier and culinary results more delicious, the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen put the year’s newest releases through an intense gauntlet of evaluations. The result of countless hours of chopping, searing, and mixing is the publication’s second annual Gear of the Year list. Reviewers considered more than 200 distinct appliances, pieces of cookware, culinary tools, and storage containers, with only 20 making the final cut. From inexpensive, simple yet brilliant redesigns to the smartest new smart appliances, these are the newcomers that managed to genuinely impress the test kitchen staff.
Eligible products for consideration were required to be released between January 2025 and September 2026, and must remain available for purchase throughout 2026. New colorways of existing products that featured no functional changes, mechanical modifications, or structural additions were strictly excluded from consideration. Testing methods were carefully designed to evaluate each item across its full range of functions, varying appropriately by product type and category. The winning selections are presented across several established categories, reflecting the diverse landscape of modern culinary equipment.
Appliances
KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer
The Artisan Plus represents KitchenAid’s most significant improvement to its classic tilt-head mixer since 1955 and serves as the first major addition to its core stand mixer lineup in decades. Given that the brand name is practically synonymous with the stand mixer category as a whole, the Artisan Plus carried a heavy legacy to live up to, and it delivers impressively. It functions as KitchenAid’s direct response to modern innovations introduced by competing brands, successfully pairing the iconic tilt-head design with thoughtful new features that elevate the baking experience.
Those newly integrated features include precision speed control, a more powerful motor, an integrated bowl light, and upgraded stainless-steel accessories that feel noticeably more luxurious. Crucially, the new model maintains full backward compatibility with KitchenAid’s vast ecosystem of attachments, allowing home cooks to continue churning ice cream, grinding meat, rolling pasta, or preparing vegetables effortlessly.
Fellow Espresso Series 1
Home espresso machines traditionally fall into one of two distinct categories: foolproof caffeine delivery systems or complex objects of professional espresso artistry. Fellow’s first official entry into the espresso brewing space manages to bridge both worlds. When desired, the machine guides users step-by-step through an almost fully automated brewing process that yields coffee-shop-quality shots and cappuccinos. However, by exploring deeper into the machine’s digital menu, users unlock advanced options to customize pressure profiles, precise brewing temperatures, and exact extraction times.
The Espresso Series 1 is intentionally designed to resolve minor inconveniences frequently overlooked in high-end home equipment. A compact auxiliary boiler integrated directly inside the grouphead allows the machine to heat up in a fraction of the time required by traditional models, which often demand a 20-minute warmup. Furthermore, its squatter body fits comfortably beneath standard kitchen cabinets while leaving sufficient clearance to access the rear water reservoir without sliding the heavy machine across the countertop.
Vitamix VX1
Vitamix has long maintained a reputation as the premier name in high-performance blending, carrying a top-tier performance profile alongside a corresponding price tag. Consequently, the introduction of the VX1 represents a major milestone, as the brand’s newest full-size model is both more affordable and more powerful than the iconic 5200. Its upgraded 2.2-horsepower, 1,440-watt motor eclipses the original model’s 2-horsepower, 1,380-watt configuration, while retaining a nearly identical footprint, shape, and overall capacity.
The blending efficiency stems from the expertly tapered base of the container, which generates an exceptionally forceful vortex capable of pulverizing fibrous ingredients like raw nuts, whole citrus fruits, dates, and dense kale leaves. The analog control interface maintains a traditional aesthetic featuring a physical dial and toggle switches, avoiding temperamental touchscreens and unnecessary presets.
Vitamix Nano
Marking a historic shift for the brand, the Vitamix Nano introduces the company’s first-ever personal blender to the market. Equipped with a robust 1,000-watt motor, it delivers exceptionally smooth blending results. What truly distinguishes the Nano from competing personal blenders is its variable speed control, operated via a physical dial that provides unrestricted speed adjustments for maximum culinary versatility.
Ninja Crispi Countertop Microwave and Air Fryer
Ninja’s latest multifunctional countertop appliance merges an air fryer and a microwave into a single cohesive unit, capable of popping traditional popcorn just as effectively as it roasts a whole chicken, bakes a potato, or reheats soup. Operating across three primary modes—Air Frying, Microwaving, and FusionCrisp—the machine provides extensive manual controls alongside preprogrammed settings. The innovative Fusion mode combines the rapid cooking speed of microwave technology with the crisp-yet-juicy exterior results characteristic of air frying. Utilizing a proprietary superheated cyclonic air system rather than a traditional rotating turntable, the unit delivers 40% more usable cooking space while ensuring even heat distribution.
Breville Spiral Luxe Pour-Over
Designed to automate the intricate pour-over coffee ritual, the Breville Spiral Luxe recreates the precise blooming and spiral pouring patterns typically achieved with a specialized gooseneck kettle. Featuring an integrated flat burr grinder, the machine eliminates the daily friction of manual bean grinding while offering advanced users the ability to fine-tune coffee-to-water ratios and precise brew temperatures to match specific bean origins.
GE Profile Opal Mini
Bringing the highly sought-after soft, chewable nugget ice format to more compact kitchen layouts, the GE Profile Opal Mini delivers the performance of its larger predecessor within a housing standing under 15 inches tall. Designed to fit easily beneath standard upper cabinetry, the compact ice maker begins producing fresh batches of ice within five minutes of startup.
Brezi Cold
Addressing the specific demands of cold coffee enthusiasts, the Brezi automates the flash-brewing method—a technique involving brewing hot coffee directly over ice using a reduced water volume to capture vibrant flavor profiles without dilution. The machine supports multiple cold beverage preparations, ranging from rapid flash-brewed coffee ready in five minutes to concentrated cold brew and traditional slow-steeped cold coffee.
Tools
Ember 3 Self-Heating Coffee Mug
Building upon the temperature-control technology of previous iterations, the Ember 3 introduces critical physical updates requested by everyday users. Most notably, the mug now features a direct physical control button on its base, allowing users to manually cycle through precise temperature ranges between 125 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit without relying on a smartphone application. Furthermore, the redesigned electronic housing makes the mug fully dishwasher safe.
ThermoWorks Thermapen Nano
Representing a leap forward in instant-read thermometer technology, ThermoWorks’ latest flagship device provides nearly instantaneous, stable temperature readouts the moment the probe contacts food. Upgraded features include an enhanced backlight and integrated mounting magnets for convenient kitchen placement.
Subminimal Nanofoamer Go
Breaking away from the standard design of handheld milk frothers, the Subminimal Nanofoamer Go includes three interchangeable attachments capable of generating professional microfoam, whisking eggs, emulsifying salad dressings, and frothing matcha. Its high-powered motor operates smoothly without splashing liquid, and the portable unit packs neatly into an included travel case.
Kuhn Rikon Essential Splatter Guard
Addressing the common shortcomings of standard circular splatter screens, Kuhn Rikon’s innovative guard features a three-section folding design. This configuration allows users to lift a small section of the screen to add ingredients or stir the contents of a pan while keeping the surrounding stovetop protected from oil splatters.
Cleaning and Organization
Misenware Storage Containers
Engineered from durable stainless steel, Misenware food storage containers offer a unique combination of features: they are space-saving, leakproof, and fully microwave-safe. Designed with rounded edges to prevent electrical sparking during microwave use, the containers also feature a universal tempered-glass lid equipped with a secure silicone gasket and pressure-release valve.
Coway Airmega Mighty2
Optimized for compact, ventless, or high-odor kitchen environments, the Coway Airmega Mighty2 air purifier features a streamlined profile designed to sit flush against a wall. Equipped with an easily removable pre-filter, a sensitive airborne particulate sensor, and an exceptionally quiet operational fan, the unit effectively mitigates lingering cooking odors.
Mitts Wine Sponge
Designed primarily for cleaning delicate glassware, Mitts wine sponges utilize an open-cell foam construction shaped with ergonomic finger divots. The design prevents scratching while effectively removing stubborn stains from stemware, sharp kitchen knives, thermometer probes, and detailed measuring equipment.
Anyday Anydeli Containers
Reimagining the classic disposable deli container format, Anyday has introduced durable, reusable, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe cylindrical glass and silicone alternatives. Featuring secure, leak-resistant lids, these containers maximize refrigerator storage efficiency while offering a sustainable option for meal storage.
Outdoor
Fontana Forni Volta Pizza Oven
While traditional outdoor pizza ovens frequently operate at extreme temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring constant supervision to prevent burning, the Fontana Forni Volta introduces precise temperature control. Equipped with a built-in digital thermostat adjustable in five-degree increments, the oven automatically regulates its flame to maintain steady temperatures ranging from 300 to high heat levels, functioning effectively as both a pizza oven and a conventional outdoor oven.
Owala The Puffer
Designed for transporting perishable food items and groceries, Owala’s The Puffer utilizes an inflatable air-insulation system within its flexible walls to maintain cold temperatures for hours. The 13-liter tote features comfortable shoulder straps and collapses completely flat when deflated for easy storage.
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Solo Stove Steelfire Griddle
Addressing common pain points associated with outdoor flat-top griddles—specifically uneven heat distribution and difficult maintenance—the Solo Stove Steelfire utilizes custom-shaped burners that follow the contours of the cooktop. Fabricated from stainless steel rather than carbon steel, the cooking surface resists rust and requires no seasoning, allowing for easy cleanup.
Oyster Tempo Pro Cooler
Weighing just 12 pounds while offering a 23-liter capacity, the Oyster Tempo Pro portable aluminum cooler is engineered for rapid thermal retention. During test evaluations, the interior temperature dropped to 36 degrees Fahrenheit within an hour of adding ice and maintained its cooling performance over extended travel periods, supported by an accurate integrated digital thermometer display.