Kitchen Upgrades That Are Actually Worth It
Skip the single-use gadgets. These are the tools that earn counter space.
By Henry Ventures Shop Editorial Team · Updated March 3, 2026 · 8 min read
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Most kitchen gadgets end up in a drawer. The upgrades below are the opposite: they get used multiple times a week and make cooking faster, more consistent, and more enjoyable.
One great chef's knife
A sharp, well-balanced 8" chef's knife does more for your cooking than any appliance. German steel is forgiving, easy to hone, and holds up to everyday use. Pair it with a honing rod and keep it off the dishwasher rack.
An air fryer sized for a family
A 6-quart basket fits four portions of vegetables or chicken thighs. It preheats in about three minutes, which is why it replaces the oven on weeknights.
A Dutch oven for the long, slow meals
Enameled cast iron holds steady heat for braises and stews and goes from stovetop to oven to table.
A programmable coffee maker
Set it at night and wake up to fresh coffee. A bold-strength setting and a reusable filter make the difference between fine and good drip coffee.
What we'd skip
Single-purpose tools (avocado slicers, egg cookers), bulky knife blocks with 15 mediocre knives, and nonstick pans under $20 that lose their coating within a year.
How we chose
We weighed frequency of use, ease of cleaning, footprint on the counter, and long-term reliability from verified buyer feedback.
The bottom line
If you buy one thing, buy the knife. If you buy two, add the air fryer.
