8 useful kitchen appliances for 2024 - they're on trend too

8 useful kitchen appliances 2024
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Are you buying something new or replacing the old one? Useful kitchen appliances are essential purchases that'll make your kitchen a stress-free environment to be in, especially in the morning, as they take the hassle out of simple everyday tasks, saving you both time and effort. This means you can just relax and read the news while these handy small and major appliances take care of everything else, from brewing your coffee to washing the dishes.

Whether you're going for a full kitchen reno or you're just looking to upgrade what you already have, we've put together our picks of eight useful kitchen appliances that are both innovative, convenient, and trendy. 

We've gone for appliances in stainless steel, which is a continuing color trend for kitchen appliances, along with metallic shades in silver and black; these classic colorways look great in any kitchen and stay fresh for years to come, too. 

So if you've been looking for one of the best coffee makers, best toasters, or best electric double wall ovens - we've got you covered, as our list encompasses these products and more, from an over-the-range microwave, a kettle, and an air fryer oven, to a built-in refrigerator and a built-in dishwasher.

8 useful kitchen appliances for 2024

We're honest here at TTR - we always prefer to review the products that we recommend in person, and there are some great reviews peppered throughout the list below. But where we've not been able to review a product in person, we'll always let you know, as well as using our research on the brand and product - as well as our knowledge of similar products - to bring you great buying advice. 

1. Breville Barista Touch Impress coffee maker

A stylish premium coffee maker in stainless steel and metallic finishes

Specifications

Type: Espresso
Brew time: 3 sec. heat-up, 40-50 seconds brewing
Frother?: Yes
Noise: N/A
Dimensions: 16.4" x 14.1" x 13.5"

Reasons to buy

+
Has an easy to use touch screen
+
Remembers your settings for grinding
+
Can froth milk/alternative milks well

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than other machines
-
Could be complicated for coffee newbies

This coffee and espresso maker may be towards the more expensive end of the price scale. However, it's worth it, as our reviewer found that it creates high-quality barista-style coffee that makes coffee shop stuff pale in comparison. For a more in-depth analysis, you can read our review of the Breville Barista Touch Impress to see if it's right for you.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is priced pretty highly at $1,499.95 and is currently available to purchase directly and from other major retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy. For a smaller, less expensive model, you could go for the Breville Barista Touch

You can, of course, get the machine directly from the Breville brand's website, where it's available in eye-catching modern metallic colors such as brushed stainless steel, 'black truffle' black, 'sea salt' white, and 'damson blue.' Note that the color options are only available when buying direct, not through Best Buy, and Amazon only has the steel, black, and blue options. 

2. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

A beautifully designed smart air fryer oven

Specifications

Power: 1800W
Capacity: 21.5 x 17.1 x 12.7-inch: 5qt dutch oven or 14lb turkey
Display: Digital
Presets: 13

Reasons to buy

+
Super convection speeds up cooking times
+
13 cooking functions 
+
Bright LCD display, easy to use 
+
Excellent design

Reasons to avoid

-
Parts aren't dishwasher safe
-
Very expensive

Another expensive product from Breville, however, this brand knows its way around a quality product and delivers on value and style. In the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro review, our reviewer found this air fryer oven to be stylish, well-designed, and with enough features and clever functionality that it could actually replace a traditional standard oven, so it landed itself firmly in our best air fryers list, too. 

This product comes in only one size, but it is available in several design finishes: The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro has a list price of $399.95 for the silver/stainless steel finish, whereas the limited edition Dhuuyaay 'Fire Stick Farming' version that features in our review will set you back $699.95. Although it's almost double the price, we think this limited edition version and the matching appliances from that range are really cool. 

Both the stainless steel finish and the hand-painted 'Fire Stick Farming' finish can be bought directly from Breville. Alternatively, the stainless steel finish can be bought through select resellers such as AmazonBest Buy, and Walmart.

Extremely similar, and for slightly less money, is the similarly named Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer for just $349.95. 

3. Smeg 2 Slice TSF01PGUS toaster

A stylish, retro inspired toaster that has great design elements

Specifications

No. slices: 2
No. of functions: 4
No. of browning levels: 6
Dimensions: 7.5 x 12.5 x 7.87in (h x l x d)
Available colors: Cream, red, black, chrome, blue, pink, pastel blue, and pastel green

Reasons to buy

+
Good-looking retro design
+
Great for making bagels
+
Available in several colors

Reasons to avoid

-
Gets hot after repeated use

This neat-looking toaster got our vote for 'most stylish' in our best toasters buying guide, and we stand by it. Aside from looking great, this two-slice toaster performs well, too, and in our review, our tester claimed it does a great job at toasting bagels.

Although its looks are a call-back to the past, this toaster has great modern features, like a removable crumb tray and a reheat setting, as well as the option to get it in one of seven colors; luckily, they have standard finishes in stainless steel, black and red, as well as the cutesy pastel colors. The list price at most retailers is $199.95.

You can buy it directly from the Smeg website, or from other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy - both have it listed as $199.95. It's currently at Walmart, too, although weirdly, they have it listed as $216.33. 

4. GE Profile PTD9000SNSS Electric Double Wall Oven

Rated the best electric double wall oven overall by us

Specifications

Capacity (CU. FT): 5.0 Upper / 5.0 Lower
Wattage: 2400W
Configuration: Double
Control type: 7" Full-Color Touch LCD Screen
Dimensions: 53(H) x 29 3/4(W) x 26 3/4(D)in

Reasons to buy

+
 In-oven camera 
+
 Self-cleaning mode 
+
 Large capacity  

Reasons to avoid

-
Only one color option 
-
One-year warranty  

Whilst we haven't been able to review this particular model in person, we voted it our 'best overall' in our best electric double wall ovens buying guide due to its amazing smart features, such as air frying abilities, self-cleaning, easy-to-use touch controls via touchscreen, and gliding racks. Best of all, it even has an in-oven camera that connects to your phone, so you can keep a close eye on whatever you're cooking/baking to prevent any accidental burning.

This oven is pretty spacious, with six racks spread over the two ovens, so it's perfect for a family kitchen with lots of hungry mouths to feed or those who like to entertain, with plenty of space to cook big meals.

Although it only has one color option, it looks great in standard stainless steel and black glass - a timeless design for any kitchen. This model came out on top due to its premium features and smart-enabled tech, without the premium price tag in comparison to other electric double wall oven models.

It can be bought directly from the GE appliances website for $3,332.00 - this is a discounted price, currently down from $4,665.00, saving you $1,333.00 (29%).

It's also on sale at The Home Depot, Lowe's, and  Best Buy for roughly $2998.00. 

5. LG LMHM2237ST over-the-range microwave

Selected as our best over-the-range microwave overall

Specifications

Capacity (cubic feet): 2.2 cubic feet
Power (W): 1000
Fan speed (CFM): 400
Sensor Cooking: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Generous capacity at 2.2cf
+
Sensor Cooking detects when food is done
+
Fan and ventilation minimizes odors

Reasons to avoid

-
Only comes in two colors
-
Expensive

Our team hasn't reviewed this microwave in person. However, we've used our research on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best over-the-range microwaves to rate this model as the best over-the-range microwave overall.

The $500 price tag may be high, but for what this model offers - sensor cooking, a 400 CFM fan speed, and built-in ventilation to reduce odor - this premium price is worth it. With its generous 2.2 cubic feet capacity, the LG LMHM2237ST is not just for re-heating small portions and leftovers but can be used to cook large meals/portions, and the Sensor Cook technology detects the humidity levels within the microwave and turns off the power before your food overcooks. With all these features, this is more than your average microwave. 

This microwave only comes in stainless steel or black steel - pretty solid color choices that are on trend, instead of the usual white for appliances that we're all used to.

It's available online at several major retailers and directly from the LG electronics website, where it's currently listed for $499.99. It's also in clearance at Best Buy, where it's on sale for $349.99, down from $549.99, so you save $200. Lowe's has it, too, for the higher price of $549.00. If you're a Prime member, unfortunately, it's currently unavailable on Amazon.

6. LG Signature LUDP8908SN built-in dishwasher

6. LG Signature LUDP8908SN

Named our best premium dishwasher

Specifications

Model number: LUDP8908SN
No. of racks: 3
Dishwasher cycles: 10
Wireless connectivity: Y
Dimensions: 23.75 x 33.62 x 24.6 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Steam cleaning for prewash
+
Quiet when running
+
Water saving features
+
Wi-fi enabled, compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Touch pad might lose sensitivity over time

Although we've no in-person review of this model, the LG Signature LUDP8908SN dishwasher ranked as the best premium dishwasher in our best dishwashers category for several reasons, like it's stylish minimal design in trendy stainless steel, and the quiet running/operation - so quiet, you could even run it overnight.

It even has smart features like smartphone connectivity, enabling you to start and keep track of wash cycles while on the go. We feel it's these extras that justify the more premium price tag.

The LG Signature LUDP8908SN dishwasher is available direct from the LG website for $1,499.00, and for the same price at Lowe's and The Home Depot. Best Buy has it, too, but for $1,899.99. 

7. Frigidaire GRMC2273BF Refrigerator

7. Frigidaire GRMC2273BF Refrigerator

A great French door-style refrigerator with ample storage

Specifications

Capacity: 21.5 cubic feet
Installation type: Freestanding
Refrigerator shelves: 4
Dispensers: Water
Color finish: Stainless steel

Reasons to buy

+
Good family size 
+
Temperature controlled wine drawer 

Reasons to avoid

-
No through-door ice dispenser

We've not got an in-person review of this Frigidaire model. However, it's still on our list of best French-door refrigerators. This is a family-friendly choice that has an impressive capacity, as well as impressive extra smart features, like a SpaceWise system, a handy custom-flex temp drawer, and an OpenAccess door, so you can quickly grab snacks when on the go, while the water filter gives you safer water at the click of a button. All these features and an attractive, modern French door design in stainless steel? Perfect.

This model is available directly from Frigidaire for $1,998.00 and can also be found at Best Buy and for slightly less at Walmart and Amazon - their price is a steal at $1,799.00. Note that this model is no longer available at Lowe's. 

8. Cuisinart PerfecTemp® 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle

8. Cuisinart PerfecTemp® 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle

An easy to use electric kettle with clever features

Specifications

Capacity: 1.7 Liters
Voltage: 110V
Wattage: 1500 watts
Dimensions: 8.8"L x 6.1"W x 9.7"H

Reasons to buy

+
6 Preset Temperatures
+
One-touch Controls
+
30-Minute Keep Warm Option
+
Blue Backlit Water Window

Reasons to avoid

-
Fill window hard to see till lit up

We may not have reviewed it in person, but this PerfecTemp kettle is pretty impressive. This is because not only does it have a cool stainless steel design and blue LEDs, but it also has some good-looking smart features, such as 6 pre-set heat settings for making the perfect cup of tea without overboiling or scorching your tea, 'One-touch' controls with blue LED indicators, a 30-minute Keep Warm option and 2-minute memory feature. 

You can find this model on Amazon for $69.99, where there are other colors available too, like 'brushed graphite gray' and white - but note, these other color options are more expensive. It is, of course, available to buy direct from Cuisinart for $99.95, however it is down from that price over at Best Buy for a discounted $75.99. Walmart also has it for the same price as Amazon. 

Olivia Bevan
TTR Staff Writer

Olivia Bevan, a 2020 Durham University graduate in Modern Languages & Cultures, is a former staff writer on Top Ten Reviews. She lived in Heidelberg and Strasbourg during her studies, developing a love for languages. She enjoys writing reviews, watching a variety of films, and dreams of owning a Ragdoll or Maine Coon cat.