Best Kitchen Gadgets and Home Products I’m Excited About in 2026

I’m always on the hunt for kitchen and home gear that actually makes my life easier, and 2026 is bringing some seriously game-changing stuff to the table. These aren’t just the best kitchen gadgets and home items because they’re trendy or pretty (though some of them are adorable) — they’re the tools I’m genuinely excited to use, the ones that solve real cooking and life problems, and the ones I keep recommending to friends who text me asking “what should I buy?” And since you’re my friends too, I’m sharing my yearly list with you!

I’ve tested a LOT of kitchen gadgets over the years, and these 28 items are the ones I’m most pumped about heading into the new year. From nonstick cookware that’s actually chemical-free to a thermometer that predicts when your chicken will be done (yes, really), this list has everything you need to level up your cooking game without breaking the bank or cluttering your kitchen with useless junk. Oh, and I’m also including a few home products that have made my life easier, too!

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You can use this as a year-long resource for ktichen and home tools you may not need now, but might want later.

Best Appliances and Electronics

1. Our Place Wonder Oven

A 6-in-1 Countertop Cooker that almost looks like decor on its own! I hate lugging my air fryer out from the bottom shelf in my pantry, so this multi-cooker quickly earned a permanent spot on my countertop. Air fry, toast, roast, bake, reheat, and broil—all in one. It’s made by Our Place, so I know it’s made well with a solid brand backing its function long-term. Perfect for giving kids a little kitchen independence, too. Buy it Here.

2. Our Place Dream Cooker – 6 Quart

I’m excited to replace my current slug cooker for this gorgeous Our Place Pressure Cooker! Simple touchscreen controls, hands-free auto steam release, and a chemical-free ceramic nonstick pot that makes everything from rice to pot roast ridiculously easy. The 6-quart capacity is perfect for family dinners and meal prep, and honestly you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it! Buy it Here.

3. Our Place Splendor Blender

Did I mention I hate lugging out giant appliances? My high-speed Vitamix counts! I swapped my big boy for this more aesthetic Splendor Blender with a tiny footprint for everyday use. Unless I’m making a high-volume dish or recipe or need the serious power of the Vitamix, I’m using the Splendor Blender now, and she lives on my countertop. Buy it Here.

4. Crockpot Electric Lunch Box

Since I’ve discovered this beauty during the holidays, I’ve already bought eighteen Crockpot Lunch Warmers for all my kids’ teachers, my sports friends, and for every gift exchange I have to go to (you think I’m exaggerating; you’re wrong). So convenient for busy lives, this adorbs crock pot warms up leftovers on the go and looks chic doing it. No microwaves needed! Buy it Here.

5. Dual-Zone Heating Mat for Food

Okay, so I have a giant, heavy version of this Food Warmer Mat, but this one has dual-zone heating, AND it rolls up like a yoga mat?? Fans self because this is genius! You can set different temperatures for different dishes (hello, Thanksgiving dinner!), it heats up in 10 seconds, and when you’re done it rolls into compact storage instead of being a massive countertop hog! Buy it Here.

6. Combustion Inc. Predictive Thermometer

This smarty pants Predictive Thermometer doesn’t require you to find the core of what you’re cooking for accuracy… and it predicts when it’ll be done using actual science and 8 temperature sensors working together! No more hovering over the grill or oven — the WiFi display lets you monitor everything from your phone anywhere in the house (or the world!), and it even tells you when your food meets USDA safety standards while still being tender and delicious. Buy it Here.

Best Cookware and Bakeware

7. Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro – 10.6”

This Titanium Pan makes me want to write sonnets! I had such trouble finding a workhorse skillet after I gave up our nonstick-coated pans, but this is the holy grail. I much prefer it to the ceramic Always Pan, and I’m even wild about the metal spatula that comes with it. Buy it Here.

8. Our Place Fearless Fry

Hello, it’s me — I’m obsessed with Our Place cookware but also deeply hate bacon grease popping on me, so this splatter guard is basically a kitchen miracle. The Fearless Fry fits perfectly on the Always Pan or Perfect Pot and lets you fry chicken, bacon, dumplings, whatever, without turning your stovetop (or yourself!) into an oil-splattered disaster zone. Buy it Here.

9. Our Place Griddle Pan

This AMAZING Griddle Pan does so many things — it’s a sheet pan AND a big ol’ griddle that works on the stovetop across two burners, which means I can finally stop cooking in batches. The nonstick ceramic coating is chemical-free, the size is perfect for feeding a crowd (or meal prepping for the week), and honestly, this beautiful baby is about to become my most-used piece of cookware. It comes in two sizes: a mini at 11.4″ x 8.6″ and a large at 17.3″ x 11.4″. I’m obviously getting the large one! Buy it Here.

10. Quince Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan: – 3 Quart

We’re all done with nonstick coatings, right? But things are still… sticky. This gorgeous Ceramic Saucepan is a must for me, since it’s naturally nonstick and cute, too. Also just a great, versatile size for everyday use! Buy it Here.

11. Quince Ceramic Nonstick Soup Pot – 6 Quart

This SUPER Nonstick Soup Pan is completely chemical-free with a ceramic coating that makes cooking and cleanup ridiculously easy. It’s the perfect size for soups, stews, and big one-pot meals, works on any cooktop (including induction), and it’s actually cute enough to leave on the stove. Buy it Here.

12. Anyday 4-Piece Glass Food Storage Set with Glass Lids

We just love this Anyday Set because it actually works — the bowls are right, the steam-releasing lid is right, it’s all great. I bought a set for my niece when she went to college and then got one for us too, and now these glass containers are our hands-down go-to for storing leftovers, steaming vegetables, and reheating meals without any weird microwave texture issues! Buy it Here.

Best Kitchen Accessories

13. Chicken Shredder

I talked about this Chicken Shredder a while ago in the 40 Aprons newsletter, and it was a bestseller! It shreds cooked chicken, pork, or beef in seconds without the mess or burnt fingertips. It’s one of those quirky little kitchen gadgets that actually works so well, making weeknight meal prep (think tacos, BBQ sandwiches, casseroles) wayyy faster and easier! Buy it Here.

14. Quince Japanese Damascus Steel 8″ Chef’s Knife

We all know a really great knife is the chef’s most beloved tool, but it can be hard to find top quality at a remotely affordable price. Quince, however, does a fantastic job at offering high-quality products at affordable prices, and this Japanese Chef’s Knife is a great example. I love the length and shape of the blade, and it’s my go-to for everyday cooking in my kitchen. Buy it Here.

15. Quince Magnetic Knife Block

I cannot WAIT to replace my hideous knife block with this gorgeous Walnut Magnetic Version — it’s sleek, compact, and actually looks like a piece of art on the counter instead of an eyesore. The internal magnets keep your knives secure and easy to grab, plus it’s way better for your blades than those traditional blocks with slots that dull your knives over time. Buy it Here.

16. Titanium Cutting Board Set of 3

No more microplastics or bacteria-laden wood cutting boards that, let’s be honest, hold water (and god knows what else) and start to smell funky after a few months. These sleek Titanium Boards are completely non-porous, naturally antimicrobial, dishwasher-safe, and they’ll literally last forever without warping, staining, or harboring any gross bacteria — it’s the most hygienic cutting surface you can get. Buy it Here.

17. Target Seasoning Box Set

I’m low-key obsessed with seasonings, and this little Spice Organizer Set keeps everything I use constantly within easy reach — no more digging through cabinets while something’s burning on the stove. Plus, it’s CUTE, which means I don’t mind leaving it out on the counter where it actually belongs! Buy it Here.

18. Quince Electric Salt and Pepper Shakers

Freshly cracked black pepper and salt without any muscle required. These Automatic Shakers are a must for any regular home cook. And they’re soooo purdy to have set on your dining table! Buy it Here.

19. Mueller Vegetable Chopper

This Veggie Chopper is all about smarter, not harder. At a gift-exchange price point, it’s a perfect choice for any home chefs. Pico de gallo? Done in a flash. Mirepoix? Already chopped. I love it so much, and it’s so dang satisfying to crack that lid closed. Poof, prep is finished. Buy it Here.

20. Food Huggers – Cheese Huggers Set of 4

Say goodbye to mystery cheeses stuck in plastic bags — these Stretchy Silicone Huggers fit snugly around cheese blocks to keep them fresh and let them stand upright in your fridge. You’ll finally be able to see exactly what cheese you have at a glance, and the airtight seal means no more dried-out cheddar or moldy corners! Buy it Here.

21. Food Huggers – 2pc Reusable Silicone Citrus Savers

No more dried-out lemon halves turning into sad, shriveled little hockey pucks in the back of your fridge! These cute Silicone Holders seal tight over cut citrus (lemons, limes, oranges, you name it) to keep them juicy and fresh, plus they work on onions, tomatoes, avocados, and basically any round produce you need to save for later. Buy it Here.

22. Unicorn Pepperstick

I saw a server using this Pepperstick at a restaurant and literally had to stop her to ask where she got it because it’s that good — it’s SO easy to use, takes up no space, and the fast-grinding mechanism means you can season food tableside without the clunky pepper mill dance. I love her so much; she lives clipped to my apron when I’m cooking and makes me feel like a fancy restaurant chef in my own kitchen! Buy it Here.

23. VoChill Stemmed Wine Glass Chiller

I bought this Chiller for my mom because chilling while it’s in the glass?? Revolutionary! But then I bought one for myself too because I’m a big fan — it keeps your wine at the perfect temperature for over an hour without watering it down or making you use some weird metal tumbler, and it’s so precious looking! Buy it Here.

24. Host Modern Thermal Serving Dish

My friend had one of these Thermal Serving Dishes, and it finally converted me — this thing keeps food hot (or cold!) for hours thanks to double-wall insulation and a spill-proof lid. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or just keeping dinner warm while everyone trickles to the table! Buy it Here.

Best Home Products

25. Amazon Echo Show 5

My kitchen Alexa is named sous chef, and for a reason — she’s my absolute go-to when cooking, mainly for hands-free timers, but I also use her for recipe conversions, playing music while I cook, and setting multiple timers at once without getting flour all over my phone. Couldn’t do it without you Lexie! The Echo Show 5 is perfect for the kitchen because the screen lets you see your timers at a glance, follow along with recipe videos, and it’s compact enough to fit on your counter without taking up precious prep space. Buy it Here.

26. Amazon Fire HD Tablet 10″

Stop trying to scroll through recipes on your phone with greasy fingers — this Fire HD 10 is the perfect dedicated kitchen tablet for following along with blog recipes, watching technique videos, and keeping your grocery lists organized. The 10-inch screen is big enough to actually see what you’re doing, built-in Alexa handles timers and conversions hands-free, and at this price point you won’t panic when it inevitably gets splattered with tomato sauce or dusted with flour! Buy it Here.

Also, if you need a tablet stand, this LISEN Stand folds flat for traveling, and is super customizable and durable!

27. Quince Grapefruit Candle

This gorgeous Grapefruit Candle smells like you just sliced into the freshest, juiciest citrus — bright, zesty, and totally invigorating. It’s the perfect kitchen candle because it cuts through cooking odors and leaves the whole space smelling clean, crisp, and a little gourmet. You can also burn it during a cozy dinner! Buy it Here.

28. Chilewich Easy-Care Rectangular Placemats

Un-fussy placemats that don’t feel like the cheesy vinyl placemats of yesteryear?? Yesssss! These Chilewich Placemats are made from a textured, antimicrobial vinyl that’s surprisingly elegant and modern-looking, plus they wipe clean in seconds, work indoors or outdoors, and are totally free of phthalates and heavy metals. Buy it Here.

I’d love to know, what home or kitchen products are you loving right now? Share in the comments!