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Al Dente, the singing pasta timer, will ensure your penne never overcooks and turns into gloop again.

I'm a seasoned Shopping Editor with more than 10 years of experience covering travel (my favorite), home decor, fashion, and pet products.

Cooking isn't for everyone... I mean, it sure as hell isn't for me. Alas, with the cost of DoorDash and Uber Eats these days, trying your hand in the kitchen is worth the savings. From all-in-one pans and microwave pasta cookers to combination cutting/defrosting boards, these easy-to-use items will make the task of feeding yourself a little less intimidating. 

Promising review: "I love this little thing. It's like rice R2D2! I am not good at cooking rice on the stove. I bought this little rice cooker, and it makes it significantly easier not to burn my rice, not to screw up my pans, and not to do anything wrong. Total win! Sometimes the little timer might be a little bit much for whatever you're cooking, so you might have to pull it off a little early. Just make sure you check it and stir once in a while to make sure it's not getting stiff or burned on the bottom. I also recommend not letting stuff sit there on warming mode, it does work, but I feel like it dries the rice out, and it's not my preference." —Richard C.

Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in four colors).

Alpha Grillers is a family-owned small business in Nevada that sells BBQ and grilling tools. 

Promising review: "I really like this unit. It turns on when you unfold it and turns off after a time or when you fold it back up. It reads super fast and, so far, seems to be right on the money for accuracy. I use it almost every day, and the length makes it easy to check your turkey or roast. It is quick to change from F to C. Just push a button, and you will be ready to go. It also has the safe range of temps for the different types of meat on the handle, so you have a quick reference in hand." —K Hamby

Fullstar is a small business established in 2017 that specializes in kitchen gadgets. Check out a TikTok of their veggie chopper in action. 

Promising review: "I was skeptical at first, 'til I opened the box and found a very sturdy, very well-built kitchen tool inside. I read the pamphlet that comes with it, and it explained all I needed to know when first using it. And, it was very easy to use. I bought it for a specific recipe I was going to make, and it called for lots of chopped onions and potatoes. It went through them like a champ and did exactly what I wanted. A very good deal and a good product. Would buy it again." —W.L. Shute

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in six colors). 

It also doubles as a strainer, and you can use the holes in the lid to portion out long pastas.

Promising review: "I bought this microwave pasta cooker at a time when I did not have a stove. Even though I have a stove now, I still use this cooker for dinner for myself sometimes because it works so well and quickly! There are lines to indicate how much water to put in the cooker versus the amount of pasta you intend to cook. The pasta comes out very soft and perfectly cooked when the instructions are followed. When the pasta is done, the lid is used to drain the water from the cooker, and it works very well. Pasta is the only thing I have cooked in this product, but there are a lot of other things you can cook in it. I highly recommend this to any college student or adult who needs a fast microwave pasta cooker!" —Kelsi

Promising reviews: "I like to bake, but I’m so bad at math. Having this right on the fridge makes the conversion so easy! I love it. My first cake, a chocolate Swiss roll, came out beautifully." —Catherine Farrell

"I love this baking conversion chart! Makes going from cups to grams much easier." —Diane Hansen

Anyday is a small modern cookware brand founded by Steph Chen.

Promising review: "I love my Anyday cookware! I mostly use it to steam small portions of food for my baby, but it’s incredibly versatile — I’ve used it for vegetables, salmon, pasta, lentils, and more. The biggest benefit for me is how fast and easy it is. Since it starts cooking as soon as the microwave turns on, it’s way quicker than waiting for a pot to heat up on the stove. Cleanup is faster, too, since it's just one compact dish. It’s also amazing for multitasking in the kitchen. For example, I can steam broccoli in the Anyday while sautéing chicken on the stovetop. It saves time and lets me finish dinner faster without juggling several pans. It also reduces the number of pots and pans I have to clean later — huge win. One small note: if you're cooking something with a lot of water (like boiling pasta), it can sometimes overflow through the lid vent. You may need to tinker with your microwave power level to get the best results. But overall, I’d absolutely recommend these — especially to parents or anyone who wants to simplify their cooking routine." —Clarice

Get a four-piece set from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

Each air fryer comes with the "PowerPod," two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. The PowerPod has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. The "feet" are heat-safe, so you can prop it on any surface without worrying! 

Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. It was like it just came out of the oven the first time. Nice and crispy outside, but the inside heated just right. I love that the bottom glass can be covered with the lid that comes with it. They come with a metal plate you can put in the glass bottom part, and it actually fits into the lid, so it doesn't get lost. The glass makes a difference in the taste, too. It is a great product and well worth it." —Jennifer 

Get it from Amazon for $169.95+ (available in seven colors). 

The new-and-improved Brio air fryer has a full-digital display with large, easy-to-read letters and numbers. You can cook at temps ranging from 50–400 degrees F with precise 5-degree increments (very useful) and five different cooking functions: air fryer, toast, bake, roast, and dehydrate — so she's ~versatile~ too.

Promising review: "I'm not a big cook, but I was looking for a way to not use my oven this summer because we don't have AC and it heats up the whole house! Got this and it's certainly intimidating with all of the options, but it is SO AMAZING!!! From air frying (great for eating healthier) to grilling to dehydrating fruit, it's so much fun!! It's easy to clean and comes with a detailed manual with recipes too!!! Get this, you won't regret it! Happy cooking!" —Heather Tomoyasu

Get it from Amazon for $118.99+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I use this air fryer cheat sheet constantly. This is a must-have if you use an air fryer. Clearly shows times and temperatures for so many foods that you never have to guess. Even a separate sheet for FROZEN food. It's magnetic, so I stuck it on the side of my refrigerator for easy access (also, I never misplace it). If need be, wipe with a damp cloth for easy cleaning, and with the plastic coating, it's good as new. Even experienced air fryer cooks will find it simplifies cooking. I definitely recommend!" —Kasey

Get it from Amazon for $12.95+ (available in six colors).

FYI: These can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Promising review: "Perfect for a quick clean up. The package mentions placing food items along the edges so the liner doesn't curl up during cooking. I didn't quite do that and noticed they indeed will fold in on themselves if you don't spread things all the way to the edge, but it didn't interfere with cooking, though. Great item that makes using the air fryer even easier than it already is!" —Carla

Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four sizes and packs of 125 or 250).

Promising review: "Fun little kitchen gadget — it really works. Bought this as a gift last January and ended up keeping it with the plan of buying several more to give as Christmas gifts this year." —KW

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors).

Check out a TikTok of the double-sided cutting board in action. 

Promising review: "This cutting board is perfect! One side is for meat, the other for fruits and vegetables. There is no need for two separate boards. It's very stylish, made of sturdy materials, and easy to clean. It's so pretty, I just leave it on the counter, but it does have a handle for hanging." —Jowana Lamb 

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two sizes). 

Promising review: "This is so well engineered. There are rubber stoppers on the bottom so it does not move — even when pushed — and there is a carved-out place holder for the mats, which is genius. They also stay put. The perfect size. And the storage compartment for the six mats is brilliant. No more trying to work with two or three cutting boards or having to scrub between items. If you like to cook and have a small kitchen or know someone who does, this checks all the boxes." —Maximillian Havre

Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in three finishes). 

Promising review: "I hate getting the big colander out all the time when I'm just cooking a small pot of pasta or something that needs to be drained. This clips on the side of the pot and definitely stays in place. I was a little skeptical at first, but it works very well. It's a great purchase for the price. I use mine so many times a week, and I bought one for my daughter, and she loves it, too. Would definitely buy it again." —Denise Chamberlain

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I first ran across the Chopula at a little kitchen store in North Carolina. I was so impressed with all the ways it can be used, I came back to Amazon and ordered another for myself and one each for my kids. I really do love how easy it is to get underneath fried eggs to flip them with this gadget. I had other spatulas, but they always seemed too thick, or they were metal, and I couldn't use them on my nonstick pans. I find myself using it instead of a wooden spoon for a lot of things I stir on the stovetop. You can chop pounds of ground beef with the side of it, too. Nice product for sure!" —Lois Thurston

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in eight colors).

The nifty tool can also be used to cook corn on the cob or revive old tortillas and bread. 

Promising review: "My husband bought this for us one day, and I was skeptical at first, but when I actually tried it myself, I loved it! It only takes me a few minutes to cook potatoes! And in the microwave... not in the conventional oven, where it will take me like 45 minutes to cook them!" —David Hemphill

Promising review: "What an amazing idea that I wish I had had and created! It really was a genius investment and is saving my paper plate and paper towel usage. The magnets on top, I think, are my favorite part. We just leave it in the microwave when not in use. The microwave is clean, and it has really done a great job heating our leftovers!!!!! My husband even loves it!!!!!" —GrohFam18

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).

Promising reviews: "Aside from a paring knife and a filet knife, this is the ONLY knife I own. I've used it just about every day for the last two months, and only now does it seem to be losing its edge. Since I primarily cook from scratch, I've put it through quite a bit! It's survived pounds upon pounds of potatoes, onions, garlic, a few acorn squash, and carving a whole chicken. I'd say it's a sound investment for the price." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $21 (available in several sizes/types).

Promising reviews: "This was actually given to me as a gift, and I loved it so much I bought one as a gift for my mother. I usually used a double boiler when I needed to steam anything, and size was always an issue. I prefer to steam my vegetables, and this not only makes it incredibly easy but also lets me steam several things at once with the two separate containers. It works incredibly fast and efficiently. I would highly recommend it for anyone in need of a good steamer." —James F

"Works well, good if you hate cooking and you want something you can just sit off to the side and cook while you work. You can't really burn food in a steamer unless you try." —JJ

Promising review: "I love this sandwich maker. It is so versatile...easy to clean and a quality product. I can make a breakfast sandwich, a grilled cheese, or invent my own sandwich. The size is perfect, and it is easy to store....or keep it out on your counter. I found that a quick spritz of food release spray prevents the food from sticking." —Alice M. Grove

Promising review: "Every couple of years, my wife needs new baking sheets, except for these. So when another set from a famous TV chef with the initials R. R. wore out, I suggested getting more USA pans. In the picture, the ones on the right were bought in 2013. Eleven years later, they're definitely seasoned from use, but they're just as sturdy as when they were new. I expect that when this new set on the left is 11 years old, we'll still be using the older ones. It's a shame that not everything is built like these things are. Even at a higher price, I'd still buy this brand, knowing how many years I'll get out of them." —D. Sabo

Get it from Amazon for $22.54+ (available individually or in a set of two). 

The tool is safe to use with nonstick cookware, and you can throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Promising review: "This does the trick! Easy to use and easy to clean! Love the handle and the quality. Make your life easier when mixing meat or mashing potatoes!" —ERICWEMERY

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "This colander has it all. You can strain and pour from it. You can grate into it. And there's a lid you can put on it to mix without getting stuff everywhere." —Elisa H.

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "I absolutely love these oven mitts! It's one of those kitchen items that are a MUST, but always put off purchasing. I had a criterion of what I wanted in mitts and found them. The mitts do everything they say they do, and that's keeping my hands and arms safe. I highly recommend them." —Amazon Customer

Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 13 colors).

The 1-pound appliance has room for six eggs and an auto-shutoff function, which prevents overcooking.

Promising review: "I love hard-boiled eggs for protein, especially when I’m on the go as a student/worker, but it’s hard to wait for the water to boil, then put in the eggs and get ready all at the same time. This cooker is amazing!! Saves me time, it’s quick and I don’t have to watch it while it cooks — I can go get ready and then I hear a loud buzzer notifying me when the eggs are done! (The buzzer is really loud; it sounds like a basketball game buzzer.) I was surprised how fast the eggs cooked." —OnAJourney

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in eight colors).

Want to know a little more? Read through our full review of the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker.

Psst — a lot of folks also use these for pancake and protein pancake bites, too! 

Promising review: "I bought this in hopes of making egg bites similar to Starbucks, and I have not been disappointed. I chose this one after reading reviews on the smaller four-bite size. I have used it many times and have had excellent results each time. I followed the recipe in the booklet and used a tip from another reviewer that suggested tripling the cottage cheese amount. It’s very easy to use and clean." —April124

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors). 

Promising review: "This is among my favorite purchases. Simple as can be and makes the best sandwiches, quesadillas, etc I have yet to grill a steak, but turkey burgers came out perfect! All in all, a great little grill." —Patti Lee

Promising review: "I waited to write a review until I'd actually tested the pan and after using it for 2 months, I can honestly say that it is amazing! It's the best cookware product that I've ever used, as it heats up evenly and cleans so easily (even the bottom of the pan still looks new). I am currently looking at other Goodful products to replace my other pots, so YES, I'd highly recommend this product!" —Johnny O

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in five colors). 

Prep'd, the small biz that created these handy dividers, was founded in 2015 by two industrial engineers who believed cooking should be simple, easy, and ultimately fun.

Promising review: "These are great for so many reasons. We're in a mixed gluten household (one person has celiac and is diabetic, but we are not all doing a gluten-free diet). We can portion control for carb counting and separate out gluten-free vs. non-gluten-free on one pan. Plus, cleanup is just throwing in the dishwasher!" —J Fans

Get a set of four from Amazon for $34.99.

The utensils can withstand temperatures of -40 degrees F up to 446 degrees F. Each set includes 24 tools and a holder.

Promising review: "I don't normally write reviews, but I went out of my way to share this! I love these; they are super cute and really nice to cook with! I went through and threw away all of my plastic spoons and spatulas after using these. I'm definitely a fan!" —Patricia B.

Get them from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in eight color combos).

Promising review: "They're great (I've used them on a chuck roast and chicken so far) and pretty fun to use. They make quick work of needing to shred whatever you need shredded." —CoyKoiCourtney

Promising review: "This scale with a built-in cup is the best thing for my baking tools. No more whipping out 1,000,000 cups. Also, [rather than] always trying to figure out grams or cups, now I just press a button, and it tells me I love this." —Corin lonigro

Get it from Amazon for $21.98+ (available in two colors).

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Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.