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Amazon Prime Day is winding down — so now’s your moment to take in all the deals I’ve found for you. I know: There’s a massive amount of stuff and it’s not always easy to tell what’s actually a good markdown, which means scrolling, sorting, and decision-making can be a challenge. But my personal area of expertise is the kitchen, and I’ve spent days curating the items I think are truly worth it.
I’ve pulled some of the top picks from my Best in Class guides, like the high-end electric Technivorm Moccamaster coffee maker, which is the lowest price it’s been all year. I cross-checked items I use in my own kitchen, like the Anova vacuum sealer that turned me into a vacuum-sealer convert. I dug deep into our archives to find the tools and cookware professional chefs and recipe developers swear by, like a set of super-durable stainless-steel All-Clad skillets and a robust knife set with every blade you could need (and more). I kept my eyes peeled for all-time Strategist favorites (shout-out to the reusable silicone Stasher bags we’ve been writing about for years). And I selected some intriguing pieces that we haven’t featured before but that caught my eye for one reason or another (like a strawberry huller from a brand that really nails kitchen uni-taskers).
There are sizable discounts on high-ticket items, like a Vitamix blender and Instant air fryer. My advice: Take the plunge now, because it won’t get any better. There are also some essentials it makes sense to stock up on, like a salad spinner and citrus juicer. In every case, I’ve made sure the deal is truly worthwhile.
While I’m logging off for the day, you can still shop these deals until 2:59 a.m. And if you want more — for your kitchen or otherwise — check out our hub of all the best Prime Day deals, as well as this roundup of select picks of the very best Prime Day deals from each of the Strategist writers (who, of course, really know their stuff in their given departments). And in the meantime, sign up for our newsletter so you never miss out on a good sale on any day.
The Deals I Personally Think Are the Best
I’ve been covering Prime Day for three years, so I know that now is the best time to invest in these truly top-quality kitchen essentials that are rarely on sale. I’ve picked out a couple of expert-approved appliances for more than 30 percent off, some standout pieces of cookware that you’ll have in your collection forever, a top-quality chef’s knife for a very good price, and the kitchen trash can I’m obsessed with.
Appliances
Breville’s espresso machines are built at the perfect intersection of user-friendly and pro-approved (meaning, they make top-notch shots). This one comes with a built-in coffee grinder and milk frother for a full setup. They’re also usually very expensive — so Prime Day is the opportune time to get one.
Vitamix has quite a few good deals on its blenders. This one comes recommended by multiple pros who prefer a manual dial that lets them have optimal control (as opposed to a digital interface that also features preset functions, as is the case with some other models). No matter which you go with, these powerful and durable machines will last you years.
This is my favorite air fryer, and I’ve tried many. It’s quite sleek looking for such a big machine, features an easy-to-use interface, heats evenly, and has a clear window so you can peek at your food as it’s cooking.
I initially tried this vacuum sealer to test it out for a story, but I loved it so much that I’ve kept it around. (And that’s really saying something, as my kitchen real estate is limited and precious.) The machine is so easy to use, even if you’ve never touched a vacuum sealer before. It allows me to freeze various portions of meat and fish, and it can be used to extend the shelf life of dry goods and to sous vide.
If you’re a tea drinker, I love this electric kettle for its preset buttons that brew water at various temperatures for particular types: delicate, white, green, oolong, and black, plus a coffee setting. If you only care about boiled water, you can also buy this similar version with one switch that takes it all the way, on sale for 25 percent off.
Not all electric coffee makers are created equal, and many coffee experts love this one, pointing to its stable temperature control and even water distribution, meaning it brews a balanced-but-still-nuanced pot. (Not to mention it comes in so many pretty colors.) Right now, at more than 30 percent off, it’s the lowest price we’ve seen all year.
If you’re more interested in a pod-based machine, this single-serve Keurig is a very good deal, marked down 40 percent. It’ll fit snugly on your counter, brews in a matter of minutes, and can fit up to a 12-ounce travel mug for taking coffee on the go.
This thoughtfully designed coffee grinder from OXO has an integrated scale that allows you to weigh the exact amount of beans you need: You simply fill the hopper, set your desired weight, set your grind size, and press a button.
Or opt for this simpler version. The Krups doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but it still features a burr blade that grinds beans consistently (a nonnegotiable according to professionals). At only $38, you really can’t ask for a better deal on a solid grinder.
An immersion blender is useful for blending soups directly in a pot, whisking salad dressings, making quick work of emulsions like aïoli, and more. This one is ultra-durable and strong (one chef told me he uses it in his restaurant kitchen regularly and even prefers it to the larger blender they have there).
All food processors let you chop and dice, but this one, on sale for nearly 40 percent off, gives a dialed-in level of control. You can vary the speed and drop foods through a small or large chute at the top. It also comes with a variable-thickness slicing disk and a compatible mini bowl for smaller tasks.
This is definitely a fun purchase (as opposed to a necessary one), but it’s summer, which means ice cream is on my mind 24/7. The Cuisinart machine works simply with the turn of a dial and comes with a double-insulated freezer bowl for storing your homemade frozen treats.
“Mini” is a bit of a misnomer here: At 3.5 quarts, this stand mixer is big enough to handle most tasks, suitable for anyone who likes to bake but isn’t consistently doubling recipes or making huge layer cakes. The smaller size is also easier to store. Right now, it’s the lowest price it’s been all year.
Breville’s toaster ovens are incredibly reliable: Multiple professional cooks told me they use one model or another from the brand on the regular. While this is technically the compact size, it’s still large enough to fit four pieces of toast and features eight settings, including roast, broil, and bake — so there’s pretty much nothing you can’t cook in it.
Or opt for a more compact — and way cheaper — hand mixer, which can easily be stored away when not in use. It’s not quite as powerful (and can’t be used for tasks like kneading dough). But if you’re the type who just bakes cookies or simple cakes, this will get the job done very well.
At this point, the Instant Pot needs no explaining. (But gentle reminder that it makes quick, set-it-and-forget-it work of dinner.) Now’s your moment to buy one for 35 percent off.
This expert-recommended juicer features a wide tube (so you don’t have to do too much chopping or cubing). There’s a centrifugal blade that shreds your produce into pulp before pushing the separated juice through a mesh screen. And it handles several pieces of fruit at once and works quickly.
Nugget ice is my very favorite type, usually reserved for soda machines. But with this machine, discounted $200, you can make some in your very own home. Fun.
This Krups waffle-maker makes four waffles at a time — useful if you’re consistently turning them out for more than just yourself. It has plates that pop out and can go in the dishwasher, and one recipe developer told me this hasn’t degraded them at all, even with years of use.
Cookware, tools, and utensils
All-Clad is the best of the best in stainless-steel cookware, the most common brand used in restaurant kitchens, and beloved by recipe developers and cookbook authors, too. You’ll get tons of mileage out of this set of two skillets.
If you’re in the market for a nonstick collection, consider this (pretty green!) ceramic-coated one from Caraway, also marked down 20 percent. My colleague has owned the skillet for over a year and says the surface is sleek as can be, still in perfect shape — so all the other pieces are bound to be, as well.
I’ve heard time and time again from pastry chefs that these are the preferred cake pans for an even bake.
Don’t let the size of these kitchen shears fool you: They’re strong and sharp enough to cut through fish and chicken-rib bones. Still, the short blades and stout handles make them nimble enough for delicate tasks, like snipping herbs. And of course they come in handy for random tasks like cutting through plastic food packages, twine, and kitchen tape for labels.
This is an incredibly good deal on a robust knife set. It has all the essentials: a paring knife, chef’s knife, and bread knife. There’s a santoku knife (similar to a chef’s but slightly smaller and thinner and therefore easier to wield on subtler cuts), as well as a shorter serrated knife perfect for slicing through tomatoes and baked goods. It also includes six steak knives, a honing steel, and a pair of kitchen shears.
While this set is a bit smaller and more expensive than the one above, it’s great quality: Wüsthof is beloved by many professional chefs and makes our top two picks for knife sets. It includes a trimming knife, paring knife, spear-point paring knife, utility knife, serrated utility knife, and chef’s knife — plus a bonus spreader, honing steel, and kitchen shears. The mix is a bit more unusual than the one above but still includes everything you need to cook and then some.
If you don’t need a full set, this is a great chef’s knife: It’s fully forged, which means it’s made from a single bar of steel that is heated and then pounded into shape for true durability. The butcher who recommended it to me has been using his for over 15 years.
A braiser is an extremely useful pan — basically a wide, lower-sided Dutch oven. It can go from stovetop to oven and is great for braising, of course, as well as searing and roasting (especially dishes to which you add some liquid, as in a pan sauce). Plus, it’s beautiful enough to take right to the table and serve directly from it.
One of my fellow Strategist writers — who absolutely loves garlic — is obsessed with this garlic chopper that works by wheeling the gadget around your counter and spinning two blades in an inside chamber. It’s safer than chopping by hand, cleaner than a press, and more efficient than a mini food processor
A strawberry huller may not come up as a need as much as a garlic chopper, but Chef’n makes some of our favorite less-obvious unitaskers around, too (we’re also fans of its greens stripper, which is on sale as well). For a few bucks, it’s a nice tool to have around.
If you’re outfitting your kitchen from scratch, or still living with the dinky kitchen utensils from your first apartment, consider this highly discounted set from OXO. It comes with all the essentials (whisk, rasp grater, tongs, spatulas, can opener, vegetable peeler), plus some fun extras like a potato masher, pizza cutter, and ice-cream scoop.
Miscellaneous
While it’s nice to have a few cute kitchen towels on hand for display (and maybe drying your clean hands), the bulk of what you own should fall into the category of boring household essentials. I like to stock up, so I’m not precious about stains and can rotate through them with abandon. Right now, these come out to a just over a dollar a piece.
These super-absorbent dishcloths are a perennial favorite Strategist product. They act more like a paper towel than a dishcloth, but are still reusable.
Zojirushi’s insulated stainless-steel travel mug can be used for keeping drinks ice cold or hot for hours on end. (Carla Lalli Music has used hers as a water bottle at the beach and says the ice didn’t melt, even after a full day in the direct sun.)
Hydro Flask also makes great insulated lunch boxes for kids, like this one that comes fully lined for easy cleaning and features a soft and flexible handle so it’s comfortable to carry.
This set of ultrasharp Zwilling steak knives is marked down more than 70 percent, making them only $50 for eight. They’re fully stainless steel, including the handles, so they’ll clean up easily and should last a very long time.
If you find yourself using the cork to save wine, grab this set of bottle stoppers. I’ve had mine for years and they seal the opening well, hold up to cleaning, and don’t require too much clearance for a fridge shelf.
Everyone in my life knows I’m obsessed with this kitchen trash can. I’ve owned mine for a couple of years now and it’s still in great shape (guests compliment me on it all the time). I love the sleek white and stainless-steel design. And the best part? It hides extra garbage bags.
If you find your oven to be unreliable, chances are the temperature is off (really, most ovens vary a bit, which can make it tricky to nail cook times — especially when it comes to baked goods). A cheap oven thermometer will give you an accurate read. Problem solved.
Certain items are undeniably part of the Strategist canon — and Stasher’s reusable bags, which we’ve written about so many times over the years, are one of them. They come in a bunch of useful sizes (all of which are on sale, either individually or in bundles), they don’t leak or stain, and you can throw them in the dishwasher.
If you’re interested in a set of hard-sided food storage containers, I really like these from OXO. They have clip-down lids to secure tightly, feature a silicone ring so they’re airtight, and are otherwise made of glass so they clean up well and won’t degrade over time.
These bag sealers were recommended to us several years ago and have remained part of the Strategist kitchen canon ever since. Unlike traditional chip clips, they sit across the entire open threshold of a bag and seal it completely, ensuring your food actually stays fresh. (They even keep food airtight enough to put in the freezer without it getting freezer burn.)
There are many fancy meat thermometers out there that have tons of sensors or are compatible with an app on your phone. But I prefer this one: a simple model that gets the job done. It takes an accurate read, is compact, works on the grill over live fire, and has a backlight for easy reading.
Yes, this is an exceedingly expensive pepper mill, and yes, it’s worth it (especially now that it’s 20 percent off). I first spotted it in several kitchens of recipe developers and cooks I admire, and one Strategist staffer recommends it too. It delivers an impressive ten times more pepper per twist, and the grinds are dialed in to your preferred size and very consistent.
Our deputy editor uses these bamboo dinner plates for her kids and loves them. But they’ll also work for outdoor dining, no matter your age.
I have several random items in my kitchen made by Fortessa, and I find its stuff to be very well made. Right now, the company is offering discounts on quite a few styles of flatware (a notoriously expensive purchase), recommended several times by designers and avid hosts (notoriously expensive). I think this particular set reads classic but not boring.
A grill press comes in handy for smashing burgers and potatoes, grilling sandwiches, getting crispy skin on fish, searing meat, and more. This one has a wood handle that stays cool to the touch.
Any great cook knows that labeling your food (fridge leftovers, decanted dry ingredients, freezer items) and adding the date with a Sharpie is the best way to stay organized. And you’ll want some easily removable masking tape for that, too.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.