Best Smart Kitchen Gadgets I’ve Used This Year (and Why I’m Not Going Back)

This year, I quietly upgraded my kitchen—not with a remodel or fancy new backsplash, but with a few clever smart gadgets that completely changed how I cook, snack, and even clean. I didn’t plan on becoming a smart kitchen person, but here we are. Now, I can’t imagine going back.

Let me break down what’s stuck, what surprised me, and one thing I wouldn’t buy again.

1. The Smart Air Fryer That Actually Gets It

I bought the Cosori Smart Air Fryer kind of on a whim. I figured I’d use it to crisp up frozen fries and call it a day. But now? I’m air-frying everything from tofu to leftover pizza. The real kicker: it connects to my phone. Sounds gimmicky, right? But when I’m in another room and it pings me that the food’s ready, or when I schedule it to start while I finish a Zoom call—it’s magic.

Bonus: It got me into batch-cooking. Sunday nights now involve air-fried chickpeas and sweet potatoes for the week. Healthy-ish, fast, and way less cleanup than my oven.

2. The Meater Plus – For the Inner Chef in Me

I’m not a meat snob, but I’ve ruined my share of roasts. The Meater Plus (a wireless smart meat thermometer) changed that. I stuck it in a chicken one night and watched its app track the temperature like it was a NASA launch.

What impressed me: it tells you not just when your meat is done, but when to pull it out so it finishes cooking as it rests. Game-changer. My chicken’s no longer dry, my steak is actually medium-rare, and my confidence in the kitchen shot up.

3. Ember Smart Mug – Sounds Bougie, But Hear Me Out

Okay, this one felt like a splurge. The Ember Mug keeps your coffee at the exact temperature you set, and it does it perfectly. I didn’t think I needed it until I realized how often I microwave half-full mugs. Now, my coffee stays hot without tasting burnt.

It’s small, but it’s made mornings smoother. I sip slower. I finish every cup. And weirdly, I waste less coffee—so I’ve justified the price in my mind.

4. Instant Pot Pro Plus – It’s Got WiFi. Yes, Really.

I’ve had an Instant Pot for years, but this Pro Plus model is next-level. You can control it from your phone, schedule pressure cooking, and release steam remotely. I didn’t think I’d use those features… until I started using them.

There was this one day I prepped lentil stew before work, and on the train ride home, I started the cook timer with the app. I walked in the door to a fully cooked meal. That kind of convenience? Addictive.

It also gets up to pressure faster and cleans easier. It’s my weeknight MVP now.

5. Quirky Miss: Smart Toaster That Tried Too Hard

Not everything was a hit. I picked up the Revolution Smart Toaster, which has a fancy touchscreen and scans your bread type to adjust toasting. Cool idea, but honestly? It overcomplicated something that shouldn’t be this high-tech.

Sometimes I just want toast. Not software updates on my breakfast appliance.

Little Habits That Stuck

I drink more warm tea (thanks Ember).
I stopped hovering over the oven (thanks Meater).
I eat more homemade meals (thank you, Instant Pot).
I use less oil (air fryer wins again).
And yes, I actually look forward to cooking.

Would I Recommend These? Absolutely—with a Few Notes

If you’re building a smart kitchen, start with the gadgets that solve your actual pain points. For me, it was wasted food, overcooked meats, and chaotic evenings. The right smart tech didn’t just fix those problems—it made cooking more enjoyable.

And that’s really the point. Not every device needs to talk to your WiFi, but when one does it well, it becomes part of your rhythm.

Curious what smart kitchen gadgets you swear by—anything I should try next?