Best cheap kitchen appliances under $100 for everyday cooking

The appliances that earn their counter space are rarely the fanciest. They are the ones you reach for on a Tuesday night, whether that is the kettle, the toaster or whatever gets dinner started while you do something else.

A good kitchen is built from a handful of those jobs done well.

Must have kitchen appliances under $100

Gadinsider has been looking at how much of that you can now get without a big spend. The under-$100 kitchen appliances on Amazon have devices for cooking, boiling, toasting, weighing and preparing food, and the newer devices use compact designs, quiet motors and rechargeable power sources.

While some perform only one function well, others aim to do the work of three appliances at once. Here’s how these eight stack up on that spectrum.

Before you buy, check the size against your counter and cupboard, because several of these need clear space around them.

1. Crock-Pot 7-quart manual slow cooker

This is a 7-quart slow cooker with a removable stoneware pot and a stainless steel exterior. It has high and low settings and a warm function, so a meal can cook while you are out. The listing says the lid and stoneware are dishwasher safe.

Key features and specs

• Capacity: 7 quarts (the listing gives serving figures of 8+ and 9+ people)
• Settings: High, low and warm
• Power: 210 watts, 120 volts
• Stoneware: Removable, safe in the microwave and in an oven up to 400°F (per the listing)
• Cleaning: Lid and stoneware are dishwasher safe.
• Finish: Stainless steel with black accents and plastic handles

Performance

The slow cooker would be an ideal appliance to use for cooking in a set-and-forget way whereby the stew or roast is made in the morning and just forgotten about. Oven-proof stoneware would allow the pot to be used in either the oven or hob without transferring it to another dish.

Pros

• Large 7-quart capacity
• Removable stoneware that is dishwasher safe
• Stoneware can go in the microwave and oven

Cons

• No timer or programmable settings are listed.
• The listing gives conflicting roast sizes of 6 and 7 pounds.
• No dimensions or weight are given.

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Crock-Pot 7-quart manual slow cooker — View at Amazon

2. Cosori electric kettle (1.7 L, black)

The Cosori kettle holds 1.7 litres and is sold on the idea that the water does not touch plastic. It has a wide opening for cleaning, an auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. Cosori says it heats half a litre in under three minutes.

Key features and specs

• Capacity: 1.7 litres
• Power: 1500 watts, 120 volts
• Speed: 0.5 L (two cups) in under 3 minutes (per Cosori)
• Water contact: No plastic touching the water (per Cosori)
• Safety: Auto shut-off within 30 seconds of boiling and boil-dry protection
• Filter and lid: Stainless steel filter and inner lid, BPA-free
• Design: Wide mouth and a large-angle lid for easy cleaning
• Size: 8.7 x 5.9 x 10.3 inches

Performance

The wide opening makes sure that you have access for descaling, and the specification provides an option for doing this using a vinegar and water solution. The shut-off and boil-dry mechanisms handle most issues associated with the kettle. According to Cosori, some condensation may fall from the base, while hard water may create stains in the steel base.

Pros

• Wide opening that is easy to clean
• Auto shut-off and boil-dry protection
• Stainless steel filter and inner lid

Cons

• The listing gives two different shut-off explanations.
• Minor condensation may drip from the base, per Cosori.
• No warranty details are given.

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Cosori electric kettle — View at Amazon

3. Cosori TurboBlaze 6-quart air fryer

The TurboBlaze is a 6-quart air fryer with a square basket and a PFAS-free ceramic coating. Cosori says it uses a five-speed fan system up to 3600 rpm and a quiet motor. A recipe book and manual are in an envelope inside the box.

Key features and specs

• Capacity: 6 quarts (5.7 litres)
• Power: 1,725 watts
• Temperature: 90°F to 450°F (30°C to 230°C)
• Timer: 1 minute to 24 hours
• Fan: Five speeds, up to 3600 rpm (per Cosori)
• Noise: Under 53 dB at top fan speed (per Cosori)
• Coating: PFAS-free ceramic on the basket and crisper plate; dishwasher safe
• Oil use: Up to 95% less oil than deep frying (per Cosori, from SGS lab analysis)
• Basket space: 9.31 x 9.31 inches, around 20 chicken wings with the crisper plate
• Weight: 13.2 pounds
• Size: 14.37 x 11.81 x 11.85 inches, including the handle
• Extras: Preheat option and automatic pause and resume when the basket is pulled out

Performance

As far as the shape goes, the square shape works much more efficiently with regard to the space used, and therefore food can be placed in a flat position. The auto pause function prevents food from being cooked when the basket is pulled out, which is quite useful for shaking food. Cosori recommends keeping 5 inches of space around the device.

Pros

• Wide temperature range and a long timer
• Dishwasher-safe, PFAS-free coating
• Quiet at full fan speed, per Cosori

Cons

• At 13.2 pounds and nearly 12 inches wide, it needs counter space.
• Needs 5 inches of clearance behind and above
• The "9-in-1" claim is not explained in the listing.

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Cosori turboblaze air fryer — View at Amazon

4. Bella Fits Anywhere 2-Slice Slim Toaster (Oatmilk)

This is a slim toaster with one long, extra-wide slot instead of two. The slot is 10 inches long and takes two slices side by side or bagels, baguettes and thick bread. It comes in five colours, and this listing is Oatmilk.

Key features and specs

• Slot: One 10-inch-long slot for two slices side by side
• Profile: 3.58 inches wide
• Power: 900 watts
• Shade settings: Six, plus cancel and reheat functions
• Handling: High-lift lever for smaller items, auto-centring guides
• Cleaning: Removable crumb tray
• Safety: Anti-jam and auto-shut-off
• Storage: Cord wrap
• Colour: Oatmilk (also available in Surf, Plum, Seaglass and Blossom, per bella)

Performance

A long slot accommodates oversized bread that otherwise gets compressed due to its size in a regular toaster. Slim design occupies less horizontal space compared to other toaster designs. The high lift lever allows you to easily toast small foods such as English muffins.

Pros

• Fits thick breads and bagels
• Slim 3.58-inch profile
• Crumb tray and cord wrap for tidiness

Cons

• A single slot means two slices share one toasting zone.
• The listing gives no length, depth or weight.
• Warranty details are not given.

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Bella fits anywhere. 2-slice slim toaster — View at Amazon

5. Ultrasonic digital kitchen scale (11 lb)

The Ultrane is a slim stainless steel scale with a backlit LCD. It switches between six units, including grams, ounces and milk volume, and has a tare function. Batteries are included.

Key features and specs

• Capacity: 11 pounds (5,000 g)
• Resolution: 1g
• Units: g, kg, lb, oz, ml and milk ml
• Tare: Yes
• Material: 304 stainless steel
• Display: Backlit LCD, with white digits on a dark background
• Sensors: Four high-precision sensors
• Auto-off: After 3 minutes
• Power: Batteries included

Performance

It helps the user easily read in a poorly lit area in the kitchen. It has the tare setting where you can weigh multiple ingredients one at a time in the same bowl. It has a weight capacity of 5,000 g, which is enough for most household baking and cooking activities.

Pros

• Backlit display
• Six units, including milk volume
• Batteries included

Cons

• The 5,000 g capacity is lower than some scales.
• The listing gives no dimensions or weight
• No warranty details are given.

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Ultrean food scale — View at Amazon

6. Hamilton Beach 3-cup electric vegetable chopper

This is a small food processor with a 3-cup bowl and stainless steel blades. Hamilton Beach says its stack-and-press design needs no twist-locking. You press the lid to chop and release it to stop.

Key features and specs

• Capacity: 3 cups
• Power: 350 watts, one speed
• Blades: Stainless steel, removable
• Design: Stack and press, with a safety lock
• Lid: Oil dispenser for emulsifying dressings and sauces
• Cleaning: Bowl, lid and blades are dishwasher safe.
• Storage: Hideaway cord
• Uses: Onions, carrots, nuts, herbs, hummus, dressings and baby food (per Hamilton Beach)

Performance

The press-to-chop technology helps you experience the consistency of the texture from coarse to fine because it is only when pressing that the blade moves. The 3-cup capacity works best for regular use and not large-scale preparation. There is also an oil dispensing function on the lid.

Pros

• Simple stack-and-press operation
• Dishwasher-safe parts
• Compact, with a hideaway cord

Cons

• Only 3 cups, so large batches need several rounds
• One speed only
• The listing gives no dimensions or weight

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Hamilton Beach 3 Cup Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor — View at Amazon

7. Electric salt and pepper grinder set (rechargeable)

This set holds two rechargeable electric grinders with a built-in LED light. The seller says five minutes of charging is enough for a meal. It is sold as a set, but the listing does not name a brand.

Key features and specs

• Charging: 5 minutes for a meal, and a full charge lasts up to 2 months (per the seller).
• Grind settings: Six, adjusted from the outside
• Capacity: 100 ml (3.74 oz) hopper
• Grinding core: Ceramic blades
• Light: Built-in LED
• Use: Operates one-handed
• Cleaning: Wide opening and an included brush
• Set: Salt and pepper grinders

Performance

The outside dial allows you to adjust the coarseness of the grinder without reaching the outlet of the grinders; hence, your hands will always be clean. It has an LED that shows how much you have added. The two months quoted by the seller is just a statement of fact.

Pros

• Rechargeable, so no disposable batteries
• Six coarseness settings
• LED light and cleaning brush included

Cons

• The listing gives no brand or warranty.
• The charging method and cable are not described.
• The 100 ml size is not stated per grinder or for the set.

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Electric salt and pepper grinder set — View at Amazon

8. Dash rapid egg cooker (7 eggs)

The dash cooks up to seven eggs at once and also poaches eggs and makes omelettes. The water level in the measuring cup sets how the eggs cook, so there is no timer to set. A thermal sensor shuts it off and chimes when the water has evaporated.

Key features and specs

• Capacity: Up to 7 eggs
• Cooking styles: soft, medium, or hard-boiled; poached; and omelettes
• Control: Fill the measuring cup to the line for your style.
• Safety: Auto shut-off with a chime when the water evaporates
• Trays: Boiling tray, poaching tray and omelette bowl
• Extras: Measuring cup with an egg-piercing pin, plus a recipe guide
• Storage: Accessories nest under the locking lid.
• Colour: Black

Performance

Since the water determines when it’s done, there’s no need to monitor any pot on the stove. The sharp pin is supposed to prevent the shells from cracking, while the cold water bath aids in peeling, according to Dash. It’s compact enough to fit in a dorm room or even an RV.

Pros

• Boils, poaches and makes omelettes in one unit
• Automatic shut-off with a chime
• Accessories nest inside for storage.

Cons

• Holds only seven eggs
• The listing gives no wattage, size or weight.
• No warranty details are given.

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Dash rapid egg cooker — View at Amazon