14 Small Luxury Kitchen Appliances That Are Worth Every Penny
Updated: Aug. 07, 2024
Life's little moments feel even more deluxe thanks to these luxury kitchen appliances. Discover a smart oven, automatic coffee machine, retro-looking mini fridge and other genius kitchen additions.
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The culinary world is a vast one, even for home cooks. Your kitchen is a place where you can make every meal—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—as well as all the treats and snacks that don’t quite fit into those different categories. That being said, your standard appliances might not be able to get the job done on their own. In that case, you could always buy some additional, complementary, auxiliary devices—what we’re calling luxury small kitchen appliances.
They’re not necessities, per se, but they can greatly expand your kitchen options (and enjoyment) by expanding the list of things you can make in your own home. From pizza ovens to ice cream makers and everything in between, we’ve rounded up our favorite luxury small kitchen appliances for you and yours to enjoy.
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Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
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Ice Cream Maker
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Nugget Ice Maker
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Professional-Grade Blender
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Touchscreen Toaster
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Automatic Coffee Machine
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Advanced Water Filter Pitcher
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Pizza Oven
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Nut Milk Maker
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Retro-Inspired Mini Fridge
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Smart Oven
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Cocktail Maker
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FoodCycler
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Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Though every KitchenAid is eye-catching, we’re convinced the Blossom stand mixer is the prettiest of them all. Look at that hammered copper bowl and soft thyme green color! The KitchenAid Blossom stand mixer boasts all the features we love about the brand’s luxury kitchen appliances, and this pick includes 10 speeds and four accessories for perfecting any cookie, cake or bread recipe. KitchenAid makes one of the best stand mixers you’ll ever own, so this botanical-inspired beauty will grace your countertops for decades.
Ice Cream Maker
If you’ve ever tried to make homemade ice cream, you understand it’s quite difficult to perfect the consistency of your favorite parlor shop pints—until now. The Ninja Creami is all anyone can talk about this summer, including our Shopping Editor whose Ninja Creami review confirms the kitchen gadget is totally worth it. Though it’s not a blender, the machine’s supersonic power churns up luxuriously thick ice cream concoctions in just a few simple steps. The best part? You control every ingredient, from the base to the mix-ins. Seriously, it turns a whole can of pineapples into sorbet without any elbow grease on your end—it’s that simple. Um, yum!
Nugget Ice Maker
Before you ask, “Is a luxury ice maker really worth it?” you’re going to want to read our GE Profile Opal nugget ice maker review. Spoiler alert: we’re in love. Not only does this nugget ice maker keep plenty of nuggets at the ready (aka the best ice in the world), the speed at which it pumps out ice is incredible. It’s certainly an investment, but we’re positive it’s the only ice maker you’ll ever need. Consider it a little treat for the bar area.
Professional-Grade Blender
Not only does Vitamix make one of the best blenders, their blenders are made to last, saving you from buying a new one every few years. The Professional Series blender is the most luxurious Vitamix of them all. It boasts pre-programmed speeds for whipping up delectably smooth smoothies, hot soups, frozen desserts and so. much. more. Not to mention the large 64-ounce capacity—it’s ideal for bigger batches. File it under luxury kitchen appliances to add to your Christmas list.
Touchscreen Toaster
We didn’t know a toaster could be luxurious until we met the Revolution touchscreen toaster. It proves the need for technology that knows exactly how to toast baked goods to perfection, whether it’s a bagel, slice of bread, toaster pastry or waffle. The touchscreen interface is where the toaster really shines. Just tap the item you’re toasting and select if it’s frozen, fresh or needs to be reheated. Then, select the toast level you wish to achieve, based on seven crisp levels. It’s the most customizable toaster ever. Oh, and if it looks familiar? You’ve likely seen it on TikTok.
Automatic Coffee Machine
Here’s a small kitchen appliance that makes life’s little luxuries feel even more deluxe. The Jura automatic coffee machine has all the bells and whistles, like built-in bean storage, a grinder, a powder chute for ground coffee, a detachable water tank and height adjustable coffee spout, to name a few. Our Test Kitchen’s Culinary Assistant, Mark Neufang, tested this luxury coffee maker and loves that it doubles as a brewer for a regular cup of Joe and espresso.
Plus, it doesn’t require extra accessories like coffee filters. The final verdict? “This one is for the die-hard coffee aficionado,” says Mark. “It’s worth it if you want a slick machine.” It’s one of those coffee products to be your own barista—just pair it with your favorite beans and cute coffee mugs!
Advanced Water Filter Pitcher
Yes, a water filter pitcher is worth the investment, especially if you live in a home with old pipes or funky-smelling water. The Larq pitcher takes it to the next level with its two-step filtering process. It eliminates contaminants better than traditional pitchers, ridding drinking water of unwanted stuff like lead, mercury, PFAS/PFOS and VOCs. If you’re particular about clean, fresh water (who isn’t?), Larq is 100% worth it.
Pizza Oven
Outdoor pizza ovens are always a good idea. Even if you’ve mastered your at-home pie-making technique, it’s hard to make it like the pros in a standard oven. The Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven makes it possible to create restaurant-worthy pies at home. And it cooks so much more than pizza. We tried the Ooni pizza oven and appreciate its portability for transporting it to tailgates or camping adventures. It’s one of those fun luxury kitchen appliances the whole family will enjoy when Friday pizza night rolls around.
Nut Milk Maker
Sure, there are plenty of nut milk options at the grocery store, but many contain preservatives and additives that can irritate the gut. That’s why making homemade nut milk is ideal—especially if you have a sensitive tummy. Though blending nuts with water and filtering the milk out is an option, an Almond Cow simplifies the process.
All it requires is your plant-based ingredients of choice, water and the click of a button to whip up milk. No filtering or blending on your end. Our Home Editor, Bryce Gruber, tried the Almond Cow and swears by the taste. Trust us, it’ll change the way you eat and shop.
Retro-Inspired Mini Fridge
This Smeg appliance is no ordinary mini fridge. Statement-worthy and built to last, the retro appeal of this beauty is ideal for outfitting your bar area or garage—or adding extra fridge space to your kitchen. It’s the prettiest fridge you’ll ever own, and trust us, the compliments will flow when guests get a peek.
Smart Oven
Remember Easy Bake Ovens? Well, the Brava oven is basically that, but for adults. The Brava smart oven cooks meals in mere minutes, which is ideal for nights when all you want to do is kick back with a frozen pizza. It roasts, toasts, reheats, slow cooks and air fries. And it’s compact enough to sit on the counter (about the size of a large air fryer). It also connects to WiFi and the Brava smartphone app, making it one of the best luxury small kitchen appliances for tech-obsessed foodies.
Cocktail Maker
The Keurig of cocktail machines, the Bartesian cocktail maker is like having a bartender on demand. With reservoirs for four different liquors, this cocktail machine is superior when it comes to customizations. The ability to choose the drink’s strength sets it apart (there’s even a mocktail option), and it’s the easiest way to hone your mixology skills without needing to buy all the individual ingredients when you want to try something new. Margaritaville awaits!
FoodCycler
What’s that? A composter? Nope! It’s the Vitamix FoodCycler. Combining the powerful force of Vitamix blenders, it turns food scraps into fertilizer in just four to eight hours. As a compact luxury kitchen appliance, it sits pretty on the counter, in the garage or in the mudroom.
What really sets it apart is the way it cuts down on food waste. Once food scraps are turned into fine grounds, they double as fertilizer for house plants or outdoor gardens. If your New Year’s resolution is to become more sustainable in the kitchen, a FoodCycler is your new best friend.
Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
An air fryer, steamer, broiler, dehydrator and slow cooker all in one? That’s exactly what you’ll enjoy with the Ninja Foodi (aka the best multi-use pressure cooker). And even though it’s a luxury kitchen appliance, you’ll actually save money by not needing an air fryer or slow cooker—the Ninja Foodi does it all! The hardest part is deciding what recipe you’ll cook first.
What to Look for in Luxury Small Kitchen Appliances
Even small kitchen appliances can be an investment in time, money, space, and more. When thinking about shopping for them, here are some factors you’ll want to keep in mind:
Product Quality
It needs to be said that price alone does not make for a good product. While shopping, pay attention not just to price and name but also to material quality, quality of construction, etc. A lot of this information can also be gleaned from user and professional reviews. If you’re ever curious about a product’s overall value, turn to those testimonials before you decide if it is worth it. Never purchase something like this based on brand name or price alone.
Versatility/Usefulness
Ultimately, you want your small kitchen appliances to be things that you regularly use, especially luxury items, as they can be quite expensive. Ask yourself if you’re actually going to use that ice cream maker. If you’re not a regular ice cream eater, the answer might be no. It’s also important to ask yourself if you can get alternative uses out of them. A blender, for instance, might be a purchase you make for smoothie-making. However, you can also use them to make sauces, soups, emulsions, etc. That makes a blender a much more versatile product than a dedicated smoothie-maker.
Counter Space/Storage
“Small” can be a relative term. Even if an appliance qualifies as small, it will take up space. That means you’ll need a place to keep it if you use it often or to store it between uses if you don’t plan to use it often. If you can’t reasonably find a home for your next appliance purchase, you may want to ask yourself if you’ll really use it or if this is just a fleeting desire.
Style
A luxury small kitchen appliance might look gorgeous on its own, but it could clash horribly with your kitchen. That’s not necessarily a deal breaker, especially if you stash it between uses. But you might want to think about it before buying, especially if you want your kitchen to have a cohesive look.
How We Found the Best Luxury Small Kitchen Appliances
The world of kitchen appliances, even small ones, is as wide as the day is long. To ensure we were doing the category justice and offering the best selection to our readers, we turned to brands we know and love, as well as products we personally have used and tested. Then, we pared down that list based on the popularity of the small appliance categories before choosing a list that’s as versatile and varied as it comprises top-notch products, paying special attention to the appliances’ overall quality, budget-friendliness, reliability, etc. We also turned to both professional and user-generated testimonials to confirm/affirm our selections.
Why You Should Trust Us
Madi Koetting has reviewed hundreds of products in the home space, including kitchen appliances, cooking gear, cleaning gadgets, furniture and home decor. Her work can be seen across lifestyle brands, including Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest and Family Handyman. She is also a founding member of the Taste of Home shopping team. Her extensive personal and professional experience (including hands-on testimonials) makes her especially qualified to speak on luxury small kitchen appliances, among numerous others.
FAQ
Are expensive kitchen appliances worth it?
That’s going to depend on the item and whether or not you actually make use of it. Some products may not be worth it, especially if you just let them sit there, accruing a patina of dust. However, if you get a quality product from a trusted brand and use it to its fullest extent, yes, it will be worth it.
Where should small kitchen appliances be stored?
This will depend more on your space and usage than anything else. Most of these devices are perfectly suited to leave out on the counter, serving to show them off and making them convenient to use. However, there’s nothing wrong with stashing them away in a cabinet or closet if you don’t actively use them all the time (or they’re more seasonally appropriate, like an ice cream maker).
What is considered a small kitchen appliance?
That’s more opinion than anything else, but devices around the same size or smaller than a microwave are usually considered small kitchen appliances. Large devices, like full-size refrigerators and ovens, would generally not qualify.
Do more expensive appliances last longer?
Price alone will not make a product last longer. However, if that price is due to premium materials and technologies, it would not be unreasonable to expect your appliances to last longer.
Originally Published: November 16, 2022
