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Cook like a top chef with smart gadgets that add high-tech convenience to your culinary repertoire. The best connected kitchen appliances we've tested can help you with every step of the cooking process.
ByWill Greenwald
Will Greenwald
Lead Analyst, Consumer Electronics
My Experience
I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).
Read Full Bio
&Alex Colon
Alex Colon
Executive Editor, Reviews
My Experience
I’m PCMag’s executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we're testing the products you're interested in buying and telling you whether they're worth it. I've been here for more than 10 years. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom.
Read Full Bio
UpdatedNovember 28, 2023
- RELATED:
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- Best Meal-Kit Delivery Services
- Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services
Our Top 8 Picks
Best Smart Oven Jump ToDetails Best Companion Meal Kits Jump ToDetails Best for Sous Vide Cooking Jump ToDetails Best Smart Air Fryer Jump ToDetails Best Nugget Ice Maker Jump ToDetails Best Indoor Herb Garden Jump ToDetails Best Smart Pressure Cooker Jump ToDetails Best Smart Thermometer Jump ToDetails 
Anova Precision Oven
Tovala Smart Oven
Anova Precision Cooker
Cosori Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
AeroGarden Bounty Elite
Instant Pot Pro Plus
Meater+
If you love cooking and technology, connected appliances and kitchen devices are ideal gadgets for yoursmart home. They can automate parts of the cooking process, keep you updated on the progress of your food, or simply make sure you're following a recipe correctly whether you're using your own ingredients or cooking from a meal kit.
Smart kitchen gadgets are as varied as any kind of kitchen appliance: You can find everything from multipurpose ovens to simple coffee makers. And then there are the devices that you might not even know you need, like immersion circulators. Whether you live in the kitchen or just brew coffee and toast bagels, there's a smart appliance that can make your culinary life easier. We've gathered our top picks here to help you get started and cover some other ways to embrace smart tech in your home.
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Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.Read our editorial mission & see how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Anova Precision Oven
Best Smart Oven
4.5 Outstanding
Why We Picked It
The Anova Precision Oven is a countertop combi oven that combines conventional convection technology with steam cooking and a precise low-temperature mode for water- and bag-free sous vide cooking. In addition, it bakes, roasts, slow cooks, and steams food to chef-level results, making it one of thesmartest applianceswe've tested.
Who It's For
In the market for a smart oven that can nearly do it all at a reasonable price? The Precision Oven is an excellent countertop device for cooking just about anything to perfection. It doesn’t have the $1,100Bravaoven’s air frying or dehydrating functions, but the addition of steam and low-temperature cooking more than make up for it.
PROS
- Precise temperature control for sous vide results
- Customizable steam cooking
- Multiple conventional heat options
- Integrated temperature probe
CONS
- App and touch controls are a bit clunky
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Learn More
Anova Precision Oven Review
Tovala Smart Oven
Best Companion Meal Kits
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Tovala Smart Oven is a super-functional, multi-purpose smart oven capable of baking, broiling, roasting, and steaming foods through app control and QR codes. Tovala's prefab meal kits are also excellent and offer some sophisticated flavors, though they're a bit pricey. Whether you subscribe to the meals or not, the Tovala works well for various cooking methods. That makes it a powerful appliance to keep on the counter.
Who It's For
This is an ideal cooking appliance for individuals or couples. Its multiple cooking modes and extensive, multi-step cooking programs make it incredibly useful for whipping up nearly any meal. The optional meal kits can save you a lot of time, and though expensive, they're still cheaper than most takeout.
PROS
- Multiple cooking modes
- Good automatic cooking
- Scans groceries for instant oven settings
- Tovala meals cook exceptionally well
CONS
- Doesn't fit a 12-inch frozen pizza
- Limited selection of groceries in database
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Category | Connected Kitchen, Appliances |
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Learn More
Tovala Smart Oven Review
Anova Precision Cooker
Best for Sous Vide Cooking
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
Sous video cooking is a simple process that makes it easy for anyone to prepare meals perfectly. You seal food in plastic and immerse it in a water bath heated to a precise temperature, made possible by immersion circulators like the Anova Precision Cooker. Thanks to both onboard controls and Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control the cooking process using the Anova itself or your phone.
Who It's For
The Anova Precision Cooker is an excellent immersion circulator for anyone looking to cook sous vide. The onboard controls let you cook manually, and with the app, you can automate and remotely monitor the cooking process. The Anova Precision Cooker Nano is available for a bit less money, but its 750-watt power is just over half that of this model.
PROS
- Cooks food perfectly
- Easy to use
- App control lets you monitor and automate cooking
- Onboard display and controls
CONS
- Finicky Wi-Fi setup
- Touch controls are slightly slow for temperature adjustments
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Learn More
Anova Precision Cooker Review
Cosori Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer
Best Smart Air Fryer
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The Cosori Smart Air Fryer costs a bit more than the standard model, but for the difference in price, you get an LED touch screen with 11 presets for one-touch cooking, as well as connectivity with an app that lets you control cooking and browse recipes from your phone. The smart model also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can automate the cooking process with your voice. Its bulky size makes it less than ideal for small kitchens, but if you have the space, it's easy to recommend.
Who It's For
Home chefs searching for low-cost, connected convenience and reduced-fat cooking, take note: The Cosori Smart Air Fryer is easy to use, heats up much faster than an oven, crisps fresh and frozen foods with little to no added oil, and is easy to clean. It also works with a companion app and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, though we found these smart features to be more of an added bonus than essential.
PROS
- Touch screen with numerous presets for fresh and frozen foods
- Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
- Preheats and cooks quickly
CONS
- Bulky
- Occasionally gets smoky
- Screw on test unit basket came loose
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Learn More
Cosori Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer Review
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Best Nugget Ice Maker
4.0 Excellent
Why We Picked It
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is more expensive than its predecessor, but it brings several improvements to thesmart kitchentable, including Wi-Fi connectivity, an extra water reservoir, improved status indicators, and much quieter operation. Connect it to your home Wi-Fi network to see when the ice bin is full and when it’s time to add water, and you can create ice-making schedules to ensure that you always have plenty of nugget ice on hand.
Who It's For
Whether you’re a devoted ice chewer or just prefer chilling your drinks with crunchy little cubes, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker provides you with all of the nugget ice you can handle. It doesn't come cheap, but it’s still more affordable than a commercial model, and it’ll fit on your countertop, making it a must-have kitchen companion for nugget ice lovers.
PROS
- Makes nugget ice quickly
- Equipped with Wi-Fi
- Side water reservoir
- Quiet operation
- Sleek design
CONS
- Expensive
- No app push notifications or light scheduling
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Learn More
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker Review
AeroGarden Bounty Elite
Best Indoor Herb Garden
3.5 Good
Why We Picked It
The AeroGarden Bounty Elite is a hydroponic system that lets you easily grow up to nine plants at a time indoors, without sunlight or soil. It supports Wi-Fi, so it can send alerts to your phone when it needs water or plant food. In testing, our lettuce garden grew within weeks and produced enough for daily harvests. Although it's pricey, the AeroGarden Bounty Elite is a reliable and relatively low-effort gardening system that makes it easy to grow herbs, vegetables, or flowers indoors, no matter the time of year.
Who It's For
If you have a black thumb or live in an apartment, gardening might seem out of the question. But for those who yearn to grow their own herbs and vegetables, there's another option: hydroponics. The Bounty Elite takes the guesswork out of gardening, guiding you through the planting process with step-by-step instructions on its color touch screen, and keeping track of water and nutrient levels. Its companion app offers helpful tips, instructing you when and how to harvest your bounty.
PROS
- Grows plants quickly and bountifully
- No soil or sunlight needed
- Helpful companion app offers alerts for low water and plant food
- Vacation mode helps keep plants alive while you're away
CONS
- Expensive
- Alexa connectivity didn't work in testing
- Can bring bugs indoors
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Learn More
AeroGarden Bounty Elite Review
Instant Pot Pro Plus
Best Smart Pressure Cooker
3.5 Good
Why We Picked It
The Instant Pot is useful for making soups and stews in a fraction of the time that a slow cooker requires. The Instant Pot Pro Plus, Instant Brands’ latest advanced model, can do sous vide cooking, and it works with a mobile app, letting you control the cooking process from your phone.
Who It's For
If you're in the market for a multitasking cooker, the Instant Pot Pro Plus can do pressure cooking, slow cooking, and even sous vide. It's simple to use and delivers reliable, delicious results. The app doesn't offer many operational controls, but is useful for step-by-step recipes.
PROS
- Many cooking modes
- Food comes out as intended
- Easy to use
CONS
- App doesn't add much functionality
- Pricier than non-connected model
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Learn More
Instant Pot Pro Plus Review
Meater+
Best Smart Thermometer
3.5 Good
Why We Picked It
The Meater+ wireless meat thermometer packs internal and ambient temperature sensors into one probe. In conjunction with a companion app, it estimates your cooking time and sends a notification to your phone when your food is ready. It's super sleek and works well in the oven, though it's more difficult to use accurately on top of the stove.
Who It's For
Omnivores: The Meater+ makes cooking meat or fish a breeze, as long as you're doing it in the oven. If you don't need the extended range, you can also pick up the original Meater for a bit less money.
PROS
- Sleek, compact design.
- Easy setup.
- App sends notifications to your phone when food is done.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa.
CONS
- Pricey.
- Tricky to use on the stove.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Category | Connected Kitchen |
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Learn More
Meater+ Review
Buying Guide: The Best Smart Kitchen Appliances for 2024
Go Bigger: Smart Refrigerators and Beyond
If you have the money to spend, you can get smart versions of appliances even larger than those we shared above. Companies including LG and Samsung have been working on connected refrigerators and ovens for a few years now. Some let you check their status through your phone so you can make sure things are working properly and that you have enough ice. Others have touch screens and can function as a communication hub for your home. Still others feature cameras inside that let you see which foods you're low on while you're out shopping.
These larger smart appliances carry a significant premium, and you can expect to spend several thousand dollars for each. On the bright side, they tend to be just as capable and premium as the highest-end non-smart appliances from manufacturers. You can expect stainless steel finishes and other convenient touches you won't find on cheaper options.
For cooking in the great outdoors, head over to our picks for the best smart grilling and BBQ gadgets. If you want to improve your skills in the kitchen without having to step foot in the grocery store, check out our list ofthe best meal-kit delivery services. And for haute cuisine without all the commotion, read up on the best prepared meal delivery services.
Recommended by Our Editors
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How to Set Up Your Smart Home: A Beginner's Guide
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Editors' Choice
I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).
Read Will's full bio
Read the latest from Will Greenwald
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I’m PCMag’s executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we're testing the products you're interested in buying and telling you whether they're worth it. I've been here for more than 10 years. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom.
Read Alex's full bio
Read the latest from Alex Colon
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