If you want to upgrade your kitchen or buy a product that makes specific cooking tasks less tedious without breaking the bank, we have product recommendations running the kitchen gamut. Luckily, many products make meal prep much more fun, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite kitchen gadgets under $50 that don’t sacrifice quality or performance. With many of these products boasting impressive ratings and raking in thousands of reviews, we’re not the only ones obsessed with them. Ahead, you’ll find 41 highly reviewed kitchen gadgets demonstrating that the best kitchen tools don’t have to be overpriced—like the viral Dash mini waffle maker, the Peugeot pepper mill, some innovative herb scissors, and plenty more you’ll want to check out.
This pepper mill that will bring a level of sophistication to your meals
Whether you’re seasoning your favorite steak or experimenting with new recipes, freshly ground pepper can elevate your meal. A high-quality pepper mill, like this one from Peugeot, offers six adjustable settings, from extra fine to very coarse, beautifully grinding whole peppercorns. And its eye-catching, sleek design is just a bonus.
This Cuisinart food processor is mini yet mighty
If you’re a busy individual, you’ll want to treat yourself to this Cuisnart Food Processor. It has a 9-inch base, so it’s easy to store even in small kitchens. Plus, it comes with everything you need to chop and grind ingredients like nuts and onions—a 24-ounce bowl, a motor base, a cover, and a removable stainless steel blade.
Slice thick, cheesy crusts with this ergonomic pizza cutter
Elevate any pizza night with the help of this TikTok-favorite pizza cutter. Not only does it fit in the palm of your hand, allowing you to apply steady vertical pressure for greater control, but it’s also hailed as one of the most convenient pizza cutters on the market, with a disassemblable design for hassle-free cleaning in the dishwasher.
A cocktail shaker that can hold 2 cocktails
This OXO Cocktail Shaker is a must for perfectly mixed drinks at home. This 24-oz cobbler shaker is designed with a tight seal and can hold two cocktails. Reviewers love it because it strikes the right balance between affordable and good-looking—no wonder it’s five-star rated.
This Amazon’s Choice bar spoon that doubles as a muddle
A few bar tools are as iconic as this bar spoon from Barfly, which doubles as a muddler. Having been around for years, it boasts a nearly perfect five-star rating for its practical and thoughtful design. Buyers rely on it because they know it’s excellent for everything from “stirring martinis to muddling fresh herbs for mojitos,”
This salad spinner allows for maximum drying with minimum effort
This OXO Salad Spinner couldn’t be more convenient for hassle-free prep. It has almost 34,000 five-star reviews with an average rating of 4.7 stars because it’s easy to use and removes the bother of washing vegetables. It comprises three parts: a removable colander, a lid with a pump mechanism, and an outer bowl.
A peeler that has 3 types of blades to choose from
For a thoughtful and efficient kitchen tool with high ratings, you have to try this multi-blade peeler. It has three stainless steel blades—standard, serrated, and julienne—that you can easily switch between by spinning the blade wheel and locking it in place. Plus, it comes with a cleaning brush.
This granite mortar and pestle set that does a lot of the hard work for you
If you’re looking to elevate your recipes, this compact mortar and pestle set delivers. Reviewers love this granite option because it powers through most of their recipes without blinking, and it’s as practical as it is stylish on your countertop at an exceptional price point.
This guillotine perfectly cuts bagels down the middle
When you’re dealing with messy bagel slices, save yourself the hassle by using this handy bagel guillotine. Even more precise than a knife, this guillotine features a V-shaped serrated blade and a base that holds the bagel in place. The top handle and acrylic shield keep your hands away from the blade.
This avocado slicer simplifies every step for guacamole
If you’re always looking forward to Taco Tuesdays, this all-in-one tool avocado slicer is worth a try. It features a knife on one end for slicing, stainless steel blades in the middle to remove pits and a slicer on the other that creates even avocado pieces.
Extend the life of your foods with this mini vacuum sealer
This compact vacuum sealer from Anova is handy for sous vide cooking and keeping food fresh. Its palm-sized design fits easily in a drawer, while its long-lasting battery allows up to 150 seals on a single charge. And unlike chamber sealers, this handheld option is currently under $50.
Open your cans with a press of button with this electric can opener
Looking for a can opener that makes meal prep effortless on a budget? You can’t miss this electric option from Kitchen Mama. It has more than 108,900 reviews and a 4.3 rating. It attaches to the can, and with the press of a button, it glides around the edges until the lid pops off. Better yet, reviewers said it leaves behind smooth edges.
Whip up your morning egg white omelette effortlessly with this unique egg separator
This viral egg separator is ideal for separating yolks from whites in under 20 seconds. And it’s genius: just clip it onto a bowl, crack an egg into the basket, then lift it out and pour the yolk into another bowl. Cleaning is just as simple—rinse it with dish soap and warm water.
This satisfying ice cube tray with a lid and a bin
What better way to show your parties extra love than with an ice cube tray that’s fun and practical? This one makes popping out ice cubes feel like the satisfying experience of popping bubble wrap—but with the bonus of perfect ice cubes. It also comes with a storage bin so that you can make loads of ice at once.
This bestselling vegetable chopper that saves buyers so much time when prepping
Good meal prep is about proper chopping, and that’s why we recommend investing in an efficient vegetable chopper like this viral model. The chopper has four interchangeable blades that allow you to chop ingredients into perfectly even pieces. Its lid lets you chop food directly into the collection tray that doubles as a container.
This dusting wand that helps keep the mess to a minimum
Small but mighty, this OXO Dusting Wand is an absolute must for anyone who regularly bakes. We love its clever design, which features a globe that opens and closes with a twist of the handle, so you can fill the wand without dumping ingredients out. Take it from this five-star reviewer: “Works perfectly. The dusting wand spreads the sugar evenly and is an ingenious design.”
This garlic press that outperforms its price point
Who isn’t lusting over a reliable garlic press? This one from OXO is worth keeping around if you’re a busy individual, as it features a large-capacity chamber that fits multiple garlic cloves. “Strong and works well, holds a nice amount of garlic,” wrote Portly.
Leave no cooked kernel behind with this kernel remover
Whenever corn on the cob feels like too much effort, this handy kernel remover is a lifesaver. The product is designed with a circular stainless steel blade that easily glides around the cob, cutting off kernels as you twist and pull. Take it from Karen: “This little gadget makes it so much easier than cutting the kernels with a knife.”
This mini Hamilton Beach food processor is just as versatile as a full-sized model
We have major heart eyes for this mighty mini Hamilton Beach Food Processor. Despite its diminutive proportions, it’s a kitchen workhorse that can easily dice, chop, slice, and puree, just as a standard-sized one. Plus, it comes with a reversible slicing and shredding disk.
This citrus juicer that’s an Amazon’s Choice product
Just when we thought squeezing limes couldn’t get any easier, we discovered this handheld juicer. Its dual-gear design allows you to apply even pressure, so you can extract every last drop of juice without squeezing its handles super hard.
You’ll find tons of uses for this innovative and versatile spoon
Cooking with this innovative spoon will ensure a smooth cooking experience while also helping you keep your countertops mess-free. Best of all, it’s not only designed with a handle that sits upright—so you don’t need a spoon rest—but also features a flexible silicone head that lets you scrape, scoop, serve, and stir. Plus, it has one-teaspoon and one-tablespoon measurement lines written into its head.
Follow your recipes without interruptions with this wooden cookbook stand
We’ll always say yes to a clever kitchen tool, especially when it’s gorgeous—just like this wooden cookbook stand. This one is designed to look like a cutting board, but it keeps your cookbook open and your pages in place as you cook. Better yet, it’s made from high-quality walnut wood.
Crush garlic in seconds with this mincer
If your usual method for preparing garlic feels like too much work, it might be time to try this handy Joseph Joseph Garlic Mincer. Buyers love its trigger mechanism, which wipes the crushed garlic directly into your bowl or pan, and the attached cleaning tool inside one of the handles removes garlic skin from the mincer’s head.
Enjoy movie-quality popcorn at home with this popcorn popper
This epic popcorn popper can also make your movie nights even more enjoyable with fresh popcorn. All you have to do is add kernels, pop it in the microwave, and you’ll have a warm snack in minutes. The glass body lets you watch the kernels as they pop, and its removable lid doubles as a measuring cup and butter dispenser.
Keep your coffee warm for 60 minutes longer than glass with this French press
This French press comes highly recommended by almost 10,000 five-star reviewers. Its dual filter keeps grit to a minimum, while its stainless steel construction keeps your coffee warm and nice. Take it from Michelle: “This makes a great cup of coffee every time and keeps it hot until you get ready.”
This coffee press combines 3-in-1 Brew methods
AeroPress’s latest coffee innovation is an impressive clear coffee press for brewing a single serving of exceptional coffee on the go. It went viral thanks to its three-in-one brew technology that provides a manual method of making a perfect cup of coffee. Plus, it’s super lightweight, making it highly portable.
This mini Dash waffle maker makes adorable bite-sized breakfasts in minutes
This mini Dash Waffle Maker has taken TikTok by storm. It’s hailed for its nonstick plates, which are only four inches in diameter, allowing cooked waffles to release easily. Not only does it heat up in minutes, but you can also use it to make hash browns and more.
This Danish dough whisk that’s an Amazon’s Choice product
If you love to stock your kitchen with the best tools for effortless baking, this Danish dough whisk should be on your radar. This one makes stirring water and flour a pleasure, preventing sticky clumps. Its open-wire design makes it perfect for mixing batters or even folding in egg whites.
This KitchenAid box grater with 4 different grating patterns
You don’t have to be a professional chef to love this stainless steel KitchenAid Box Grater—though reviewers argued that its thoughtful design made them feel like one. With four grating patterns, including coarse, medium, fine, and a slicer, it is sure to be a kitchen savior. Better yet, it comes with a detachable container that fits underneath to catch the ingredients.
Say goodbye to food spilling into the sink with this viral strainer
With this viral silicone strainer, you can easily drain your ingredients in seconds. All you have to do is snap it onto the edge of your cookware using the built-in clips, and the spout helps guide water straight into the sink. Plus, it’s heat-resistant up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit and foldable.
This dough-scoring lame that “cuts beautifully”
If you’d prefer a straightforward tool for perfecting your bread baking, this one’s Amazon shopper-approved. This dough-scoring lame stands out for its simple design, which makes scoring dough a snap. Plus, it comes with a petite storage box to keep the 10 included blades safe when not in use.
An oil sprayer to evenly coat food
This TikTok-famous oil sprayer allows users to evenly coat ingredients with precision and ease. Buyers like the wide coverage thanks to its trigger-controlled sprayer head, which releases oil in a continuous fan shape. It has a large opening, so you can quickly fill it with your favorite oil.
This apple corer is safer and quicker than coring apples with a knife
Looking for a gadget that can help you prep apples with little to no effort? Look no further than this apple corer. This gadget cuts down frustration and prep time, thanks to its clever design that features stainless steel blades and a sharp blade to easily push it through apples. Plus, its built-in lever lets you quickly release the core.
These reusable bags are a household must
Take your food storage game to the next level with these reusable bags, which offer a practical and eco-friendly alternative to conventional containers. Reviewers said that these bags tick all the boxes for multipurpose portability. They stand upright and are free of hard-to-clean corners. You get five leakproof pieces.
These unique herb scissors with 5 blades
These herb scissors are a kitchen essential for foodies and pro chefs alike. Thanks to their innovative design with five sharp stainless steel blades, the scissors let you cut green onions and fresh herbs directly into your dishes. They come with a cleaning brush and a protective sheath.
These magnetic measuring spoons are 4.9-star rated
Compared to other measuring tools on the market, this set of stainless steel magnetic measuring spoons is 4.9-star rated—which is even more unbelievable considering how efficient it is, too. The seven-piece set includes spoons ranging from 1/8 teaspoon to one tablespoon that lay flat to prevent spills. Plus, the included leveler will help you measure precisely.
ThermoPop 2 is the #1 rated instant-read thermometer
If you’ve spent time scrolling through your favorite cooking TikToks, chances are you’ve seen this thermometer featured all over your feed—and for good reason. The ThermoPop 2 is a trusted instant thermometer for precise temperature measurements that features a large, easy-to-read face and, most importantly, has been recognized for its exceptional performance by experts.
This herb keeper that hydrates and protects herbs
The beauty of this OXO Herb Keeper is that it helps prolong the freshness of your herbs with minimal effort. By maintaining optimal humidity and keeping herbs hydrated, it keeps them crisp and bright green for longer. Just add water to the outer container and let the lid trap humidity inside.
Have popcorn ready in minutes with this microwave popper
For an easy and oil-free way to enjoy freshly popped popcorn, it doesn’t get better than this silicone popper. This one can make up to 15 buttery, salty cups of popcorn in minutes. And it’s super easy to clean—just toss it in the dishwasher.
A digital scale that’s praised for its straightforward use and accuracy
Every household should have a reliable digital scale on hand for when precision matters most (baking), and this Amazon’s Choice one is considered one of the very best. Buyers labeled it the best for its intuitive two-button control panel, accuracy, and reasonable price tag.