7 simple kitchen gadgets for hassle-free cooking – revealed by Which? tests

Kitchen gadgets seem to hit the market at a never-ending pace. If you're shopping for a new one, it's important to choose a product that’s reliable, easy to use and truly worth reaching for.

That's where our expert tests come in. While high-tech models packed with different settings appeal to some, they’re not for everyone, especially if you prefer to focus on cooking rather than deciphering an instruction manual.

At Which?, our experts test products for simplicity as well as performance, so we can recommend straightforward gadgets that make cooking easier.

Below, we've rounded up some high-scoring kitchen tools designed for ease of use, so you can buy with confidence. Keep scrolling for more details, including the lowest prices we've found.

1. Air fryers

For many households, air fryers have become a go-to appliance for midweek meals, thanks to their speedy cooking times, straightforward controls and relatively easy clean-up. When they’re good, they can make crispy chips, juicy chicken and speedy dinners feel almost effortless. But our tests show some models are far more intuitive than others.

To help you find the best fit for your kitchen setup, ease of use accounts for 20% of an air fryer's total test score. Our experts assess everything from how intuitive the controls and instructions are to how easy it is to access and remove your food, so you can choose an air fryer that’s simple to use every day.

We also pay close attention to how straightforward the overall cooking process is, including whether you need to shake or stir food regularly, how easy it is to monitor your food while it cooks and whether the appliance switches off automatically when it's finished.

Below are some of the best-performing air fryers from our tests that scored five stars for ease of use:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best air fryers.

Our expert says:

'We know that Which? members love air fryers simply because they’re really handy kitchen appliances. They take barely any time to preheat, there’s no fuss with too many settings and they're usually quiet and fairly easy to clean, plus they can fry pretty much anything.

'Checking our reviews before buying is a smart move. We've uncovered plenty of underwhelming models in our tests, including air fryers that leave your chips under-fried, even when cooking at the recommended quantity.'

Jamie Darlow, Which? air fryers expert

2. Rice cookers

A rice cooker could be a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a reliable way to make fluffy, evenly cooked rice with minimal effort.

Cooking rice on the hob can involve a fair bit of trial and error with timings and water ratios, but rice cookers are designed to take much of the guesswork out of the process. Many models we’ve tested also switch automatically to a keep-warm setting once cooking is complete, helping prevent rice from overcooking or drying out.

Some rice cookers can prepare enough rice for several people at once, while others are compact enough for smaller households with limited kitchen space. Certain models can also handle additional tasks such as steaming vegetables, slow cooking and making porridge.

Below are some of the best-performing rice cookers from our tests:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best rice cookers.

Our expert says:

'Rice cookers can be really handy for serving up consistently good rice – as long as you get your ratios right.

'Every rice cooker is different, so when you first start using one you'll need to experiment a little to find the right balance of water and rice. Once you've cracked it, though, cooking perfect rice will be a simple case of loading up the right amounts and hitting go. In fact, rice cookers are so simple that most of them just have the one button.

'Once you hit go, you can focus all of your attention on cooking what you'll be serving up alongside your rice.'

Hardeep Channa, Which? rice cookers expert

3. Multi cookers

The best multi cookers can tackle many of the same jobs as an air fryer, while also handling specialist cooking tasks such as pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking. Think of them as the kitchen multitaskers, designed to take on several jobs without demanding extra worktop space.

For busy households, they can help reduce the number of separate appliances cluttering up your kitchen worktop, while also simplifying meal preparation by combining several cooking functions in one machine.

To uncover the best multi cookers, we asked a panel of testers to follow the instruction and recipe booklets provided. They rated how clear and useful the guidance was, along with how easy each model was to operate day to day. We also assess how straightforward it is to programme cooking modes, monitor food while it cooks and switch between different functions.

Below are some of the best-performing multi cookers from our tests that scored highly for ease of use:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best multi cookers.

Our expert says:

'Multi cookers can pack the versatility of a Master Chef kitchen into one machine. The best have lots of useful functions (some upwards of 10 different modes), including automated cooking programs and even handy temperature probes to reduce the guesswork involved in making healthy, appetising meals.

'Some combine types of cooking to make balanced meals (carbohydrate, vegetables and protein) with just a single click. That means less hovering over the hob and more chance of getting dinner right first time. Checking in with our reviews will help you bag a Which? Best Buy model.'

Danny Dougan, Which? multi-cookers expert

4. Bread makers

Freshly baked bread is hard to beat, but making it by hand can be time-consuming, especially once you factor in kneading, proving and baking. A bread maker takes on most of that work for you. Add the ingredients, choose a program and the machine mixes, kneads, proves and bakes the loaf with minimal intervention.

The best models can produce well-risen white, wholemeal and gluten-free loaves with an even crust and light, airy texture. Some also offer extra programs for cakes, jams, dough, yoghurt, sourdough starters and even cheese.

In our tests, we follow each manufacturer’s recipes and assess the rise, texture, colouring and consistency of every loaf. We also check how easy the controls and programs are to understand, how clear the instructions are, how noisy each model is and whether the kneading paddle gets stuck in the bread after baking.

Below are some of the best-performing bread makers from our tests that scored highly for ease of use:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best bread makers.

Our expert says:

'Supermarket bread has come under fire because it contains emulsifiers and preservatives, making it ultra-processed. And while some loaves are better than others – as detailed in our piece is all ultra-processed food bad for you – a home-baked loaf gives you more control over what's in your bread.

'Bread makers are especially handy if you don't like the idea of kneading, folding and proving homemade bread yourself. As a bonus, you'll regularly have the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. The hardest thing is waiting for the bread to cool down enough before eating it!'

Joel Bates, bread maker expert, Which?

5. Coffee machines

The ability to make barista-style coffee at home is as irresistible to many as the aroma of roasting beans. But some coffee machines are more tear-your-hair-out than touch-of-a-button.

The right model depends on how you like your coffee and how hands-on you want to be. Pod machines are usually compact and convenient, traditional espresso machines give you more control, while bean-to-cup models grind beans on demand but can be bulkier and more expensive.

Our expert tests prove a higher price isn't always an indication of quality. We've uncovered impressive-looking, high-end machines costing hundreds of pounds that are tricky to use, slow to dispense drinks or difficult to clean. On the plus side, we've also found cheaper models that are straightforward to set up and capable of making excellent coffee.

Below are some of the best-performing coffee machines from our tests that score highly for ease of use:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best coffee machines.

Our expert says:

'Think about how much effort you want to put into making your coffee before choosing a machine. Pod models are usually the simplest option, while traditional espresso machines give you more control and bean-to-cup models can deliver very fresh coffee with less manual work.

'Regular cleaning and descaling is important whichever type you choose, so look for automatic cleaning programs if you want to keep maintenance to a minimum. If it needs to be cleaned manually, check whether the parts can be removed easily and whether they're dishwasher-safe.'

Brianna Watson, Which? coffee machines expert

6. Soup makers

Preparing soup from scratch isn’t difficult, but a soup maker can make the process even quicker and more convenient. Add your chopped ingredients, stock and seasoning, then choose a smooth or chunky setting and let the appliance heat, cook and blend for you.

They’re particularly useful if you make soup regularly, as you won’t need to transfer hot ingredients into a separate blender or wash up multiple pans and utensils afterwards. Some Which?-tested models also include extra functions, such as sauté, reheat, keep-warm or self-clean settings.

In our rigorous tests, we make both smooth and chunky soups to check texture, cooking time and temperature. Smooth soup should be silky rather than lumpy, while chunky soup should be thick and well cooked without turning mushy. We also check how clear the instructions are, whether the lid and controls are straightforward to use and how easy each soup maker is to clean.

Below are some of the best-performing soup makers from our tests that scored highly for ease of use:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best soup makers.

Our expert says:

'A good soup maker should save you time without creating extra washing-up. The best models we’ve tested produce smooth, well-blended soup or chunky soup with properly cooked ingredients, without needing much attention while they work.

'Look for clear controls, a useful capacity for your household and a self-clean function if you want the quickest clean-up. If you like adding extra flavour at the start, a sauté setting can also be handy.'

Danny Dougan, Which? soup makers expert

7. Food processors

Food processors are designed to take much of the effort out of kitchen prep, whether you're chopping vegetables, slicing potatoes, kneading dough or blitzing breadcrumbs. Many models also come with extra attachments for whisking, whipping, blending soups and smoothies or even crushing ice.

But our tests show there can be huge differences between models. Some excel at producing evenly chopped ingredients and smooth purées, while others struggle with basic tasks, leaving behind large chunks or inconsistent slices. We’ve also found that expensive models don’t always outperform cheaper rivals.

A good food processor should make cooking quicker and easier, not add to the hassle. That’s why our tests assess more than just performance. We also check how straightforward each model is to assemble, how intuitive the controls are, whether attachments are fiddly to swap over and how easy everything is to clean and store afterwards.

Below are some of the best-performing food processors from our tests that scored highly for ease of use:

You can join Which? to unlock the table above and our guide to the best food processors.

Our expert says:

'It might feel like you need a food processor with all the bells and whistles, but the reality is you only need to look for a few key features to ensure great results.

'Firstly, make sure you’ll have the accessories you need – all models come with a knife blade, but keen bakers will want to look out for things like dough hooks, whisks and beaters.

'You can get a variety of different sized mixing bowls too, so pick one that’s large enough for everyone in your household. It’s also worth considering cleaning, so dishwasher-safe attachments are an added bonus.'

Jonny Martin, Which? food processors expert