Best kitchen appliances that every kitchen needs in 2023
From kettles and toasters to air fryers and slow cookers (and everything in between), we’ve rounded up our picks of the best appliances to kit out your kitchen in style.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Whether cooking is your therapy or your greatest fear, there’s no denying that having the right gadgets on hand can make the job a whole lot easier.
“A man is only as good as his tools,” the saying goes – and equally, we’re of the belief that a cook is only as good as their appliances.
RELATED: We try the internet’s favourite all-in-one appliance
Do-it-all benchtop appliances that reduce cook and clean-up time; everyday essentials that get you out the door quicker while saving you money; special gadgets that rejuvenate your love of cooking: if your kitchen is lacking in these departments, it’s time to start your search, and we’ve got the list to get the ball rolling.
BEST KITCHEN APPLIANCES GUIDE
From kettles and toasters to air fryers and slow cookers (and everything in between), we’ve rounded up our picks of the best appliances to kit out your kitchen in style.
BEST PRESSURE COOKER
Instant Pot Duo Nova Electric Multi-Use Pressure Cooker, Amazon Australia, $179 (down from $299)
The best appliance is one that offers versatility and value for money – and that’s why this cult favourite Instant Pot Duo Nova takes out the top spot of this roundup. It offers seven-in-one functionality, not only allowing you to use it as a pressure cooker to reduce cook times while boosting flavour, but also as a saute pan, steamer, slow cooker, rice cooker, food warmer and yoghurt maker. Buy it in one of three sizes, each of which includes a wide range of one-touch smart auto cook programs that take the work out of your meal prep, and a clear and bright LCD display that makes it easy to keep track of your progress and settings.
The Duo Nova boasts a 4.6-star average rating on Amazon where it’s been reviewed over 1,000 times, but Best Of writer Mariela took the model for a spin herself.
“I love that the Instant Pot has allowed me to do away with a great number of cooking items. Cooking chicken noodle soup? Go ahead and saute your chicken directly in the unit, then switch to the soup function when adding your broth ingredients. The internal pot is removable and easily washed. One appliance for every step of your meal preparation,” she said. “An intuitive interface to the front of the pot allows you to select from different preset programs – rice, soup, chilli and more – meaning you needn’t hover over your stove, and are assured of a perfect dish every time.”
DISCOVER MORE: Top-rated pressure cookers
BEST AIR FRYER
Ninja Airfryer Deluxe, The Good Guys, $179
Air fryers have taken the world by storm in the past few years, thanks to their ability to make fried food healthier, easier and quicker. This Ninja Air Fryer has a stylish and sleek design with a mid-sized 5.2-litre capacity ideal for households of four. It has six preset programs -Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate – that allow you to cook everything from crispy fries to fresh scones. You can also adjust the temperature between 40 and 200 degrees Celsius, set the digital timer as needed, and enjoy the convenience of dishwasher-safe parts.
The machine has a 4.5-star average rating from over 100 reviews, with one reviewer calling it “life-changing” and writing, “basically, this thing cooks beautifully … It works – the kitchen is clean, and the food is better than pan-fried! Less oil is used, it’s quick, it’s easy, it’s crisp outside, moist inside, and delicious”.
DISCOVER MORE: Best air fryers to buy in Australia
BEST SLOW COOKER
Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker Black, Myer, $280
With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from over 2,500 buyers and reviews like “amazing”, “versatile” and the “best appliance ever”, the Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker at the top of our list when it comes to slow cookers.
The single device replaces your pressure cooker, air fryer and slow cooker, saving you a tonne of kitchen bench top space.
Grill, steam, bake, roast, pressure cook, air fry, slow cook and fry your next meal and use the reversible layered rack system to cook multiple food items for the one meal.
We also love the addition of the TenderCrisp technology, as it helps you crisp your food in those final stages before plating.
DISCOVER MORE: Best slow cookers to make you the master of winter meals
BEST RICE COOKER
Kambrook 10 Cup Rice Cooker, The Good Guys, $69
This rice cooker from Kambrook has a super low price tag and a super large capacity, making it the perfect addition to your kitchen line-up. It takes all the guesswork out of cooking, with one simple switch to flip to achieve perfectly tender rice every time. The non-stick bowl is removable for easy cleaning and serving, and it comes with a measuring cup and serving spoon.
It has a 4.5-star average rating, with one reviewer writing, “Excellent – cooks quickly with nice fluffy rice” and another commenting, “Handy, convenient and good bargain”.
DISCOVER MORE: Best rice cookers
BEST TOASTER
Russell Hobbs Brooklyn 4 Slice Toaster, Myer, $89 (down from $109)
Offering good value for money, this Russell Hobbs Toaster can handle up to four slices of bread at once – perfect for getting everyone fed quickly. It has wide, self-centring toasting slots with frozen, bagel, reheat and cancel functions. The high lift feature is perfect for avoiding sore fingers when you retrieve your toast, and the removable crumb tray prevents that lingering burnt toast smell.
“Looks great, cooks well and has a special feature for cooking crumpets and muffins,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “A great toaster for the morning rush,” added another.
DISCOVER MORE: Best toasters for every home
BEST MICROWAVE
Samsung 40L 1000W Stainless Steel Microwave, The Good Guys, $259
This large microwave offers plenty of power and space to reheat and defrost large portions. Dedicated auto defrost settings take the guesswork out of choosing which power and time to set, and the auto sensors prevent overheating. The ceramic interior cooking surface is scratch-resistant and easy to clean, and reduces the growth of common bacteria for hygiene.
It’s been awarded over 370 five-star reviews with a 4.5-star average. “Quiet, light and bright enough to see through the glass door. User friendly panel and heats evenly. Modern look,” wrote a five star reviewer.
DISCOVER MORE: Best microwaves
BEST SANDWICH PRESS
Breville the Toast & Melt Sandwich Press, The Good Guys, $79
This classic four-slice sandwich press is fitted with a 2200-watt heating element that toasts sandwiches evenly and consistently, and the adjustable height control allows you to fit in even the most ambitiously large toasties and squish down to your desired level.
It has a 4.6 star rating from more than 100 reviews on Amazon, with one five-star reviewer commenting, “this is a brilliant product. Particularly love that I can toast a whole range of breads from thin slices to baguettes (even baguettes that have gone hard!) and each time it cooks them perfectly. I also love how easy it is to keep clean – one wipe and you’re done”.
DISCOVER MORE: Best sandwich presses
BEST KETTLE
Russell Hobbs Addison Digital Kettle, The Good Guys, $89
This one’s for the tea enthusiasts. A step above any other kettle you’ve owned, despite its relatively low price tag, the Addison Digital Kettle sits on a smart base that allows you to select the perfect temperature for the tea of your choice. Green tea lovers can choose the 70 degree temperature, black tea drinkers can opt for 100 degrees, and coffee addicts can go for 95 degrees. Best of all is the handy “keep warm” button, in case you need to top up your cuppa.
It has a 4.5-star average rating, with one reviewer commenting, “Love this kettle, with its shape it fits well on the bench. Good range of temperatures – saving a long boil if I don’t need it. Also like the flip lid – do not have to take it off for refilling”.
DISCOVER MORE: Best kettles
BEST COFFEE MACHINE
Breville the Barista Touch Impress, $1949, The Good Guys
Tried and Tested by shopping writer Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito
As someone who uses coffee pods, seeing a portafilter and various grind and temperature settings was definitely intimidating. But this semiautomatic machine is just as quick and simple to use as a capsule machine.
It’s simple to clean and comes with everything you need to get started, with the machine itself also offering plenty of useful step-by-step instructions to help you make your brew and maintain the appliance. Plus, it barely takes any time to heat up.
You can calibrate the unit to suit your specific beans as well as type of milk. The best part is that you don’t need to know much about coffee or espresso machines to get things right. The brand’s latest touch screen espresso machine helps you tailor your settings, depending on whether you’re using oat milk, soy milk, almond milk or dairy.
This espresso machine is the perfect option for beginners who want to delve into manual controls without straying too far away from the safety of automatic features, as well as pros who want something that provides a good balance between convenience and customisation.
And for those who have some skills up their sleeve, you can still add milk texture manually (and even create latte art) as well as experiment with precise grind and temperature settings.
This Breville coffee machine is definitely worth investing in and I can’t recommend it enough.
DISCOVER MORE: Best manual, automatic and capsule coffee machines
BEST STAND MIXER
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, Myer, on sale $891.65
KitchenAid is known for providing premium appliances in an array of gorgeous colours. Think red, cream, pistachio green, matte black and more.
With more than 1,200 reviews on the Myer site and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5, the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is by far one of the most popular and best selling stand mixers on the market.
It features a special power hub where you can use over 10 attachment styles to transform your mixer into a machine that makes pasta, ice cream, salsa and more. We also love the addition of the tilt head design as it gives you clear access to the bowl, reducing the chance of making a mess.
DISCOVER MORE: The best stand mixers according to online shoppers
BEST BLENDER FOR SMOOTHIES
Nutribullet 1200 Series 10-Piece Blender, Amazon Australia, $168
Nutribullet is a household name for a reason. Its 1200 series 10-piece blender set features an Autoblast cycle that shuts off the motor base automatically after optimum extraction of fruits, veg, nuts and seeds into their most absorbable forms. It’s easy to operate and easy to clean, with dishwasher-safe cups. Added accessories include flip-top lids for smoothies on the go, too.
It has a 4.5-star average rating, with one five-star reviewer writing, “The unit is solid and well-made with a strong, fast motor churning out all sorts of combinations of nuts, seeds and smoothies. The Nutribullet takes up very little space on the kitchen counter and is easy to clean”.
DISCOVER MORE: Best smoothie blenders
BEST PASTA MACHINE
Marcato Atlas 150 Pasta Machine, on sale $323.97, Myer
From fettuccine to pita bread, this Marcato Atlas 150mm pasta machine can make a variety of dishes and look good doing it. It can make five pasta shapes: ravioli, spaghetti, lasagne, fettucine (6mm) and tagliolini (1.5mm) and has a regulating knob that lets you adjust dough thickness.
“I’ve never made fresh pasta before getting this but it changes your life! Nothing can beat homemade fresh pasta and this machine is fantastic. Easy to set up, easy to use and easy to clean,” praised an Amazon customer.
You can make five pasta shapes of varying thickness levels, with 10 adjustable thickness settings to choose from. The machine can alternatively make non-pasta dishes such as pita bread, dumplings, noodles and pastelitos.
“This is the best machine ever! Fresh pasta is so easy to make now and once you make it, you can never buy it again from the supermarket,” another reviewer wrote on Kitchen Warehouse.
DISCOVER MORE: Best pasta machines
BEST FRIDGE
LG 420L Bottom Mount Refrigerator, The Good Guys, $1,299
This bottom-mount LG refrigerator comes with a five-star energy rating, making it a great choice for efficient consumption so your bills stay as low as possible. Surround cooling ensures that food is kept fresher for longer, and the LG Inverter Linear Compressor (with a 10 year parts warranty) reduces internal temperature fluctuations. Its sleek black steel design will look chic and modern in your kitchen, and the side-recessed handles make for a flush finish with no fingerprints smudged all over the door – genius.
It has a 4.5-star average rating from reviewers, with one leaving five stars and writing, “love the black finish, it’s like something out of Star Wars. Plenty of space in both the fridge and freezer compartments. Super quiet and keeps everything cool”.
DISCOVER MORE: Best fridge for your household
BEST DISHWASHER
Euromaid Eclipse 60cm 14 Place Setting Freestanding Dishwasher, Harvey Norman, $599
This Euromaid dishwasher offers great value for money. It has six variable wash programs and two auxiliary functions offering customisability for your needs, as well as an adjustable cutlery basket and upper basket height that makes loading oddly-shaped tableware easy. The delay start function allows you to set it off whenever you desire, and it boasts a 4.3-star water and three star energy efficiency rating.
“Does what its supposed to do, that is wash dishes and for the price does it really really well,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
DISCOVER MORE: Dishwashers for every budget or space
WHAT ARE THE MOST USEFUL KITCHEN APPLIANCES?
When kitting out your kitchen, there are a few major appliances that are essential: an oven and a fridge, for starters. Smaller appliances that are useful on an everyday basis include toasters, kettles, and microwaves. Additional benchtop appliances that are worth the investment for their convenience and value for money are coffee machines, food processors, slow cookers, air fryers, sandwich presses, multi-cookers, blenders, and rice cookers.
WHAT ARE THE BEST KITCHEN APPLIANCE BRANDS?
The world of kitchen appliances is a wide one, and there are plenty of brands to choose from. For benchtop appliances, some of the consistently highest-rated options include Philips, Breville, Smeg, Russell Hobbs, Instant Pot, Sunbeam, KitchenAid and Kambrook. For larger appliances, our top picks include Samsung, LG, Fisher & Paykel, and Westinghouse.
HOW TO CHOOSE KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Unsure which appliances to invest in? Here’s what to keep in mind when making your decisions.
• Size: We aren’t all blessed with endless storage space, so consider the size of the appliance you’re buying and make sure you have room for it on your benchtop, if it’s something you’ll use regularly (like a coffee machine or kettle) or if you have adequate space in your cabinets to store it.
• Budget: Spending a little extra can sometimes ensure greater quality and longer lasting durability, however there are also budget-friendly picks for all appliances that can get the job done on a dime.
• Style: If you’re the kind of person who likes the cohesive appearance of matching appliances, consider buying from the same brand or product line, or choose matching materials and colours (like all stainless steel).
• Function: Consider how frequently you plan to use the appliance. Even if it’s only once a week or even once a fortnight, the cost per use will continue to reduce as you continue to use it, so your investment will be worthwhile.
• Warranty: It’s always a good idea to check the warranty period of your appliance, so you can guarantee long-lasting quality and be aware of the terms and situations in which you can receive repairs or replacements.
Looking for more home appliances to make life easier? Check out our guides to the best cordless stick vacuums, best washer dryers, and best robot vacuums.
Make sure you always get the best price on your purchase by visiting the news.com.au Coupons page, where you’ll find the best discounts on top online brands.
Lastly, sign up to the free shopping newsletter to get all the latest sales, shopping tips and guides delivered to your inbox every single week.
Tried & Tested: Gozney Arc XL for ‘perfect’ pizza
The brand behind the beloved portable Roccbox and the luxe Dome pizza oven have finally brought out an oven for the average home user. But does it live up to the hype?
‘Fantastic’: We try the TikTok-viral Ninja Creami
Does it live up to the hype? With millions of views over on TikTok, these are my honest thoughts on the Ninja Creami.
$79 ‘small but mighty’ blender and more top-rated stick mixers
These immersion blenders making cooking so easy you could do it all with one hand.
Top 10 microwaves to buy, including ‘favourite’ for bargain-hunters
Whether you're heating up leftovers or cooking a full three-course meal, these are the microwaves impressing home cooks.