As someone who loves gadgets and spends a lot of time experimenting in the kitchen, I couldn’t resist diving into the world of smart kitchen tech. There’s a gadget for everything these days: smart scales, app-controlled coffee makers, Wi-Fi-enabled ovens—you name it. But with so many options out there, the real question is: Which of these gadgets are actually useful, and which are just gimmicks?
I decided to test five smart kitchen gadgets that promised to make cooking, cleaning, and organizing easier. Some surprised me with how much they simplified my life. Others? Well, they ended up collecting dust in a drawer. Here’s what I found out and which gadgets are genuinely worth your time (and money).
1. Smart Coffee Maker: The Best Morning Upgrade
My Pick: Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker ($89)
I’ll admit it: I’m useless in the morning until I’ve had my coffee. That’s why the idea of a smart coffee maker that could start brewing before I even got out of bed was too tempting to ignore. This Hamilton Beach model connects to Alexa, letting me start, stop, and schedule brewing with just a voice command or a tap on my phone.
How It Worked
The setup was surprisingly easy. I filled the water reservoir and added coffee grounds the night before, then programmed the brew time using the app. The next morning, I woke up to the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. No fumbling around, no waiting. I could even say, “Alexa, make coffee,” while half-asleep.
What I Loved
- Convenience: Waking up to coffee that’s already brewed is pure bliss.
- Voice Control: Handy when I’m busy or forget to hit the brew button.
- Simple Design: No complicated bells and whistles, just good coffee.
The Drawback
- Price: At $89, it’s not the cheapest coffee maker. But for the convenience, it felt worth it.
Verdict: If you’re a coffee lover who wants to streamline your mornings, this smart coffee maker is a game-changer.
2. Smart Meat Thermometer: Precision Cooking Made Easy
My Pick: MEATER Plus Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer ($99)
I love cooking, but I’ve always struggled with getting meat to the perfect doneness. The MEATER Plus promised to solve that problem with wireless monitoring and real-time temperature updates.
How It Worked
I inserted the thermometer into a chicken breast, set the desired internal temperature on the app, and popped it in the oven. The app tracked the temperature and sent me alerts when the meat was perfectly cooked. No guesswork, no overcooking.
What I Loved
- Accuracy: My chicken, steak, and pork chops came out perfectly cooked.
- Alerts: The app told me exactly when to take the meat out and even factored in resting time.
- Wireless Freedom: No more opening the oven repeatedly to check the temperature.
The Drawback
- Price: At $99, it’s on the pricey side for a thermometer.
- Battery Life: The thermometer needed frequent recharging.
Verdict: If you love cooking meat and want precise results, this gadget is worth the investment.
3. Smart Scale: Useful for Precision Baking
My Pick: Etekcity Smart Nutrition Scale ($40)
I bake a lot, and precision is key when it comes to measuring ingredients. The Etekcity Smart Nutrition Scale connects to an app and provides accurate measurements, calorie tracking, and nutritional information.
How It Worked
I weighed ingredients directly on the scale, and the app displayed exact weights and nutritional breakdowns. It even had a feature to track calories, which was helpful for meal planning.
What I Loved
- Precision: Perfect measurements for baking recipes.
- Nutritional Info: Great for tracking calories and macros.
- Easy to Use: Simple app interface and fast syncing.
The Drawback
- Overkill for Simple Recipes: For everyday cooking, it felt unnecessary.
- App Dependency: If the app glitched, the scale felt less useful.
Verdict: If you’re a serious baker or tracking your diet, this smart scale is incredibly handy. For casual cooking, a regular scale might be enough.
4. Smart Air Fryer: Surprisingly Versatile
My Pick: COSORI Smart Wi-Fi Air Fryer ($99)
I’d heard people rave about air fryers, but adding smart functionality made this gadget even more appealing. The COSORI Smart Air Fryer connects to an app, letting you control temperature, cooking time, and even receive recipe suggestions.
How It Worked
I used the app to choose recipes, set cooking temperatures, and get notifications when the food was ready. I made crispy fries, juicy chicken wings, and even roasted vegetables—all with less oil and mess.
What I Loved
- App Control: Adjust settings remotely and get notifications.
- Crispy Results: Foods turned out crispy without being greasy.
- Recipe Library: The app provided great meal ideas.
The Drawback
- Takes Up Space: Not ideal for tiny kitchens.
- Price: At $99, it’s an investment, but it replaces multiple appliances.
Verdict: If you want quick, crispy meals with less oil, a smart air fryer is worth the hype.
5. Smart Kitchen Timer: More Gimmick Than Game-Changer
My Pick: ThermoPro TM02 Digital Kitchen Timer ($25)
I thought a smart kitchen timer would simplify my cooking. This timer connects to an app and lets you set multiple countdowns, receive alerts, and even track cooking history.
How It Worked
I set timers using the app and received alerts on my phone. It worked fine, but I realized my regular kitchen timer—or even my phone—did the same job.
What I Loved
- Multiple Timers: Good for cooking complex meals.
- App Alerts: Useful if you leave the kitchen.
The Drawback
- Redundant: My phone’s timer worked just as well.
- Not Essential: It felt like a solution to a problem I didn’t have.
Verdict: Save your money. A regular timer or phone app works just fine.
Final Thoughts: The Best Smart Kitchen Gadgets
After testing these gadgets, here are my top picks:
- Smart Coffee Maker: Perfect for streamlining your mornings.
- Smart Meat Thermometer: Great for achieving perfectly cooked meat.
- Smart Air Fryer: Versatile and worth the counter space.
The smart scale is useful for precision tasks, and the smart timer is a pass for most people. Investing in smart kitchen gadgets doesn’t have to mean cluttering your space with gimmicks. The right tools can genuinely make cooking easier, more efficient, and a lot more fun.
