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Kitchen Picksby Smart Home Shields
Updated October 2026

5 Kitchen Appliances Worth the Counter Space in 2026

Counter space is limited, so every appliance on it should earn its spot. These five are steady bestsellers on Amazon, each backed by thousands of buyer reviews. Each one does a specific job well, and below we explain who it suits and who should skip it.

Illustration of five kitchen appliances on a counter: an espresso machine, a stand mixer, a countertop oven, a frozen drink maker and an air fryer

The short list

  1. Best for espresso at home: Breville Barista Express
  2. Best for home bakers: KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
  3. Best countertop oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
  4. Best for frozen drinks: Ninja SLUSHi Frozen Drink Maker
  5. Best value: Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Qt Air Fryer
Illustration of an espresso machine with a bean hopper on top, a portafilter, a steam wand and a cup on the drip tray
PICK 01

Breville Barista Express

Best for: café-style espresso and lattes at home

The Barista Express combines a burr grinder, an espresso machine and a steam wand in one unit. You go from whole beans to a latte without buying a separate grinder. It has been one of Amazon's top-selling semi-automatic espresso machines for years.

What stands out

  • Built-in conical burr grinder with a grind size dial that grinds straight into the portafilter.
  • Digital temperature control (PID) and low-pressure pre-infusion for a more even, balanced shot.
  • Manual steam wand for silky milk foam and latte art.
  • Half-pound bean hopper and a 67 oz water tank. The box includes a tamper, milk jug, filter baskets and cleaning tools.

Keep in mind

Expect a learning curve while you dial in the grind and dose. Some owners report grinder problems after a few years, and the warranty is 1 year. If you want one-touch coffee, a pod machine is simpler.

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Illustration of a sage green tilt-head stand mixer with a stainless steel bowl
PICK 02

KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Best for: anyone who bakes bread, cookies or cakes regularly

The Artisan is the classic tilt-head stand mixer. It has a metal body, a 5-quart stainless steel bowl and 10 speeds, from a slow stir for dry ingredients to fast whipping for cream. It consistently ranks among Amazon's best-selling stand mixers, and it comes in more than 20 colors.

What stands out

  • 5-quart dishwasher-safe bowl. KitchenAid says it handles about 9 dozen cookies in one batch.
  • 10 speeds and 59 touchpoints around the bowl for thorough mixing.
  • The tilt-head design gives easy access to the bowl. A pouring shield is included.
  • The power hub works with more than 10 optional attachments (sold separately), such as a pasta roller or a food grinder.

Keep in mind

It is heavy, around 24 lb, so plan to keep it on the counter. A minority of reviewers report units that stopped working. Check the clearance under your upper cabinets, because the head tilts up.

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Illustration of a stainless steel countertop oven with a pizza inside, glowing heating elements and a control panel with knobs
PICK 03

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Best for: replacing a toaster, an air fryer and a second oven with one appliance

This is a large countertop convection oven with 13 cooking functions, including air fry, dehydrate and slow cook. Breville's Element iQ system steers power between five independent quartz elements, and digital temperature control helps avoid cold spots. It is designed to take over most everyday oven jobs.

What stands out

  • 13 functions: toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook and dehydrate.
  • Super convection, which Breville says cuts cooking time by up to 30%.
  • The interior fits 9 slices of bread, a 14 lb turkey, a 13-inch pizza, and most 9x13 pans or 12-cup muffin trays.
  • Interior light, LCD display and a 2-year limited warranty.

Keep in mind

It is big, about 21.5 inches wide and 17.5 inches deep. Some owners find toasting slow or the temperature a little off, and there are scattered reports of cracked glass or failed elements. At 1800 W, it should not share a circuit with other high-power appliances.

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Illustration of a frozen drink maker with a clear vessel of peach-colored slush and a filled glass beside it
PICK 04

Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker

Best for: parties, summer afternoons and frozen coffee or cocktails

The SLUSHi turns juice, soda, coffee, milk or cocktails into slush without ice. A built-in compressor chills the vessel, and an auger keeps the mix moving so it freezes evenly. It has become a popular choice for home entertaining.

What stands out

  • No ice needed. The built-in cooling system does the freezing.
  • 5 preset programs, plus a control to make the texture thicker or thinner.
  • 88 oz vessel (64 oz max liquid) that keeps drinks frozen for up to 12 hours.
  • Dishwasher-safe parts, with a detachable lid and drip tray for easy cleanup.

Keep in mind

Drinks need sugar, or one of Ninja's recommended sugar substitutes, to slush properly. A full batch can take 15 to 60 minutes. It does one job, so make sure you have room to store it.

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Illustration of a dark gray basket air fryer with a digital display and a plate of fries beside it
PICK 05

Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Qt Air Fryer

Best for: quick weeknight meals on a budget

If you want one affordable appliance that changes how you cook every day, start here. The TurboBlaze pairs a 3600 rpm fan with temperatures up to 450°F for crispy outsides and juicy insides. It is one of the best-selling air fryers on Amazon, with a very high average rating.

What stands out

  • 9 cooking functions, 5 fan speeds and a 90°F to 450°F temperature range.
  • 6-quart square basket that is wide enough for family portions.
  • PFAS-free ceramic nonstick basket and crisper plate, both dishwasher safe.
  • Cosori rates it under 53 dB even at the highest fan speed. A recipe book is included.

Keep in mind

A 6-quart basket suits about 2 to 4 people. Larger families who cook two foods at once may prefer a dual-basket model. Like any basket air fryer, it needs a permanent spot on the counter.

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Head-to-head comparisons

Deciding between two models? These side-by-side guides compare specs, strengths and who each one suits.

How we chose these 5

We started with Amazon's best-seller rankings in Kitchen & Dining and kept products that sell in high volume month after month, not just during a short-lived trend. We then looked at average ratings and the number of reviews, read through the most common praise and complaints, and checked each manufacturer's specifications. Finally, we picked one product per job, so the five do not compete with each other.

We have not lab-tested these appliances ourselves. This page is a research summary based on manufacturer information and buyer reviews on Amazon, and we update it when the picks or the details change.

Before you buy

Measure your counter

Measure the space, including the clearance under your upper cabinets. Countertop ovens and tilt-head mixers need more room than you might expect.

Check your outlets

Ovens, air fryers and espresso machines draw a lot of power. Running two of them on one kitchen circuit can trip the breaker.

Count the running costs

Coffee beans, cleaning tablets and replacement parts add up over time. Factor them in, not just the sticker price.

FAQ

Does buying through these links cost me more?

No. You pay the same price as you would going to Amazon directly. We receive a small commission from Amazon, which helps keep this site running.

Why don't you list prices?

Amazon prices change often, sometimes several times a day, and deals come and go. The "Check price on Amazon" buttons always show the current price.

Are the pictures on this page product photos?

No. The images are our own illustrations, made for this page. You can see the official product photos on each Amazon listing.

Which one should I buy first?

For the most everyday value at the lowest cost, start with the air fryer. If coffee is your daily habit, the espresso machine can pay off over time compared with daily café visits. If you bake every week, the stand mixer will save you the most time.