7 cool kitchen gadgets

The kitchen gadgets we love to shout about on Which? have one thing in common – they do the job they’re designed for exceptionally well.

But there are some that have also captured our hearts based on their looks – a clever design, an innovative feature or a beautiful colour scheme.

With space at a premium in many kitchens, you’ll want the appliances you buy to be worth their spot on your countertop.

Here are seven cool kitchen gadgets that would enhance the look of any kitchen.

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1. Smeg TSF01 Pastel Blue two-slice toaster

If you love the look of a traditional kitchen, chances are you’ll be seeking to fill it with some retro appliances. Retro ranges have been finding a place on worktops for several years, combining the classic looks of the past with the technology of the present. 

Not all have hit the mark in our testing, but this Smeg two-slice toaster in pastel blue is one to admire. The vintage look and charming chrome details give it plenty of fifties appeal but with modern functionality, such as bagel functions, defrost and reheat options and 11 browning levels.

It also comes in a range of colours including white, black, cream, red, green, pink and rose gold.

Team it with soft neutral storage jars, as here, for a look that brings vintage charm bang up to date.

To find out all about this toaster, including how evenly it browns toast, read the full Smeg TSF01 Pastel Blue review.

• Smeg TSF01 Pastel Blue SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021724  

2. Ninja Foodie PossibleCooker 8L 8-in-1 Slow Cooker

Ninja’s kitchen appliances have drawn a huge following among gadget fans thanks to their multiple functions and well-crafted designs.  

The Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker 8-in-1 Slow Cooker MC1001UK is no exception. It has an ingenious design with a serving spoon rest on top of the handle, a removeable pot and a soft blue-grey colour. It's perfect for simmering mouthwatering stews on your worktop or carrying to the table so everyone can dig in. It can slow cook for up to 12 hours, as well as searing, steaming and simmering, among other functions.

If you're curious how it fared in our rigorous testing, read the full Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker 8-in-1 Slow Cooker MC1001UK review.

3. Joseph Joseph Milltop No Spill Salt & Pepper Mills

So many salt and pepper grinders are a case of style over substance, but our testing uncovered several good-looking pairings that would complement any kitchen. 

These Joseph Joseph Mill Top Salt and Pepper Mills have a quirky, inverted design – intended to keep your worktops free from the mess of stray salt flakes – and come in a range of stylish tones, including muted greys and blues, and fresh greens.

If you’re cultivating a more classic kitchen look, the smooth wooden Peugeot Paris u' Select Salt and Pepper Mill set has become an iconic gadget among foodies.

The manufacturer has made pepper mills for more than a century – even longer than it's been making the cars it's more famous for. The Peugeot mills are available in beechwood or chocolate shades. 

To find out if either of these are Best Buys, head to our guide to the best salt and pepper grinders.

•  Joseph Joseph Milltop No Spill Salt & Pepper Mills SQUIRREL_TEXT_50000271
  
•  Peugeot Paris Salt and Pepper Mill Set SQUIRREL_TEXT_50025197 

4.  Philips3000 Series NA342/09

Air fryers are known for their functional appearance – and when it comes to colour, it’s often a case of Henry Ford’s famous mantra: any colour you like, as long as it’s black. 

However, we love the clean lines and the rose gold trim of this Philips model.

A viewing window at the top of the basket means you can see how food is doing without opening the drawer and it's easy to clean, making it a stylish addition to most worktops. It could be the ideal choice if you're after an air fryer that will fit in seamlessly with a modern kitchen.

How does it compare with other air fryers? Read our Philips 3000 Series review.

5. KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER

The ultimate statement kitchen accessory is the stand mixer, made famous on TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off. 

Provided you've got room on your bench, these machines take the hard work out of mixing cake batter, kneading dough and whisking egg whites. Kenwood and KitchenAid are two of the big-name brands in this area. 

KitchenAid’s stylish Artisan mixer comes in a range of shades, including empire red, fresh linen and pistachio, meaning you can choose a colour that complements the look of your kitchen, while the brush-steel trim is intended to be easy to wipe down and clean. Stand mixers can be quite heavy to move around but we think, when they look this good, why tuck them away in a cupboard out of sight?

How did it score in our tests? Read the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER review to find out.

6. Niche Zero Premium Conical Burr Coffee Grinder 

This sculptural coffee grinder looks so good, you're unlikely to want to keep it tucked away in a cupboard.

The oak trim and sleek aluminium body make it an attractive addition to your kitchen worktop.

It’s a stepless model, meaning you can choose from an infinite number of grind settings. And while it is on the pricey side, its distinctive design certainly helps it stand out from your average kitchen gadget.

If you're looking for something more reasonably priced, this 1Zpresso X-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder is a manual model with a quirky design and and smooth wooden trim.

There's something relaxing and almost meditative about grinding coffee by hand – particularly with a gadget that looks this good.

But how did these models perform? Read our reviews of the Niche Zero Premium Conical Burr Coffee Grinder and 1Zpresso X-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder.

• Niche Zero Premium Conical Burr Coffee Grinder Available from Niche Coffee
• 1Zpresso X-Ultra Manual Coffee Grinder SQUIRREL_TEXT_50026700

7. Braun MultiQuick 9 MQ9138XI Hand Blender 

The innovative design of this hand blender helps it reach the parts other blenders can’t.

It features what Braun calls ActiveBlade technology – a mechanism that allows the blade to pulse up and down (similar to the movement of a plunger) without the need to lift the blender.

According to the manufacturer, this helps it blend more thoroughly while also minimising splatters. 

Its design is functional but appealing. Thoughtful touches such as a rubberised handle are designed to make it comfortable to hold and give you a better grip, whether you're making a morning smoothie or a delicious houmous.

But did it live up to the promise of its design? Read our review of the Braun MultiQuick 9 MQ9138XI Hand Blender to find out.

• Braun MultiQuick 9 MQ9138XI Hand Blender SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023186