CULINARY & TECH
xBloom Studio Coffee Machine
For pour-over enthusiasts, this is love at first sight. The device features a grinder, brewer, and scale all seamlessly integrated into its design. Better still, it offers three levels of operation: autopilot, copilot, and freesolo. Equally noteworthy, the machine allows users to pick from three styles of brewing (circular, centered, and spiral), which ensures a customized level of flavor extraction. $500; xbloom.com
Balmuda The Kettle
The appeal here is all about simplistic design and exceptional performance. Lightweight and ergonomically engineered for comfortable, smooth pours, this electric kettle holds just enough water for three standard cups of tea. And thanks to its compact size, Balmuda’s painted stainless-steel kettle quickly brings water to a boil. $150; balmuda.com
Smeg Espresso Machine
Boasting the Italian company’s retro 1950s aesthetic, this Smeg appliance is designed to perform just as it looks. That is to say, the slim machine doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles. Instead, it brews perfect espresso shots using either ground coffee or coffee pods. A Thermoblock system ensures the machine heats up fast; the auto shutoff feature saves energy; and a flow-stop function allows users to customize the length of their pours. $530; smeg.com
Cuisinart Soho Collection Personal Blender
Recognizing that many city residences are limited in counter space and storage, Cuisinart created its Soho Collection of appliances with space efficiency in mind. This blender, for example, is notably streamlined, but still allows users to create up to 24 ounces of juices and smoothies with a push of a button. The device offers two modes—blend or pulse—and its travel cup features an airtight lid. The blender’s blade is also easily removable for user-friendly cleanup. $80; cuisinart.com
Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide
If you’ve discovered sous vide cooking, you understand the appeal: efficient, foolproof preparation of a vast array of foods. Using proprietary algorithms and technology, this version takes that process to the next level with an immersion circulator that operates faster than most standard sous vide devices. It’s also enhanced by an app offering access to recipes that have been tested by professional chefs, as well as a visual doneness feature that helps users cook with even more confidence. $200; breville.com
Vinci Hands-Free Citrus Juicer
Juicing citrus is typically a tedious process, but this appliance makes quick work of it. Capable of accommodating small limes and large grapefruits (and every sized fruit in between), it relies on patented, pressure-sensitive technology to extract flavorful juice without the bitterness that can sometimes come from rind scraping. The juicer also offers two settings—high or low pulp—with interchangeable filters. $100; vincihousewares.com
Our Place Wonder Oven
Capable of air frying, baking, roasting, toasting, broiling, and reheating, this countertop oven does it all with the brand’s steam-infusion technology, which locks in moisture. That means you can revive stale baked goods and reheat leftover pizza to its fresh-from-the-brick-oven state. The oven also preheats up to 75 percent faster than traditional ovens and can cook up to 30 percent quicker too. $195; fromourplace.com
Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Hollow Edge Santoku
Japanese chef knives are alluring for their performance, but for home cooks, making the upgrade can be intimidating given the blades’ more curvaceous forms and the specific functionality of certain shapes and designs. These forged versions are the perfect compromise, as their shape, weight, and tapered edge make them ideal tools whether you’re chopping vegetables, cutting fish and meat, or mincing herbs. $170; wusthof.com
Breville Fast Slow Pro Cooker
Pressure cookers can be a valuable tool in the kitchen, but many can be challenging to use or master. Not the Fast Slow Pro Cooker. Equipped with a 6-quart bowl that doubles as a serving vessel, it intuitively adjusts temperature, pressure, and cooking time, which ensures perfect results every use. Home cooks can choose among 11 settings for both pressure cooking and slow cooking, not to mention eight pressure levels. $300; breville.com
Thermapen One
The name of this digital cooking thermometer is noteworthy, as the gadget registers full readings in a single second or less. Those readings aren’t just fast, they’re also remarkably accurate (to within half a degree Fahrenheit)—and they’re easy to read thanks to a backlight display that automatically adjusts to ambient conditions. $109; thermoworks.com
