Thanksgiving Dinner Essentials: The Best Kitchen Gadgets of 2025

During our review the Ninja Double Oven impressed with its ability to cook two dishes at once using separate settings and 12 cooking functions, from air frying to roasting, which cut overall cooking time thanks to quick preheating. We found the modern stainless-steel dual-compartment look is attractive, but it demands significant counter real estate and the exterior can become very hot during operation. Cleaning proved challenging—especially the lower compartment—so plan for extra cleanup time when you’re juggling multiple Thanksgiving dishes.

If you’re planning professional-level frozen or ultra-smooth preparations for your feast, the Pacojet 4 System dazzled us in testing with its large touchscreen and animated guidance that make advanced techniques approachable. We found the Jet® mode can produce certain recipes in just 90 seconds and the overpressure setting boosts volume and airiness by 20–30 percent, but our experience shows the 22.5 kg weight hampers portability and the price will be prohibitive for most home cooks. Also expect to freeze bases at -20°C for at least 24 hours to get the best results.

If you’re after a versatile countertop powerhouse, the Dome 2 Air Fryer impressed us with 15 cooking modes, dual heating elements and cyclonic airflow that cut cook times and broadened what you can make for the holiday table. During our review the self-cleaning high-heat mode was a standout for dealing with grease, though our experience shows the large footprint demands significant counter space and the lack of a viewing window means you’ll need to open the basket to check food. The app has a learning curve, but the futuristic dome design gives pro-like results once you dial it in.

During our review the Samurai Series 6.5" Boning Knife impressed with exceptional edge retention and a balance that makes precise trimming effortless, while the ergonomic Pakkawood handle and signature mosaic pin feel comfortable in hand. We found it excels at detailed meat and poultry work and reduces wrist fatigue during extended prep. Our experience shows the blade can chip for some users and requires regular honing to stay razor-sharp, and be cautious because the handle may become slippery when wet.

During our review the Brine Some Turkey Brine Kit was refreshingly approachable for first-time briners: the included brining bag and clear instructions made the process tidy and nearly mess-free. We found the all-natural brine mix and herb dry rub genuinely brightened turkey flavor and improved juiciness. Our experience shows the bag can be too small for larger birds and the mix tends to run salty if you don’t dilute carefully, and some shoppers may feel the kit is pricey compared with simpler brine options.

We appreciated the iQ Sense 1-Probe Set for reliably accurate temperature readings and the intuitive app that lets you monitor roasts remotely — in our testing the long battery life meant uninterrupted holiday cooks. During our review we did see connectivity hiccups, especially when moving away from the hub, and some users may find the app interface less friendly than expected. It’s a well-designed, ultra-thin wireless probe with useful real-time alerts, though it’s pricier than basic meat thermometers.

We found the Electric Knife Set is lightweight and easy to handle, making carving turkey and slicing large roasts far less tiring during our testing, and the powerful motor cut through sizable pieces of meat with minimal effort. During our review the included storage case was a helpful organizational touch, but our experience shows the switch placement can be awkward to operate, the blades and motor get hot after prolonged use, and the cord may be too short for some kitchens. It’s a solid budget option if you prioritize ease of slicing over premium ergonomics.

If you like hands-on basting and occasional flavor injections, the KAYCROWN Turkey Baster pairs a stainless-steel body with a food-grade silicone bulb and includes two injector needles for extra versatility. In our testing the included cleaning brush made maintenance straightforward and the metal construction felt durable enough for holiday use, so it’s an affordable, practical tool for basting, injecting brines, and finishing roasts. Our experience shows a common quirk: the silicone bulb can be loose and occasionally fall off, so seat it firmly before use or keep a spare bulb handy.

Our experience shows the Williams Sonoma Fat Separator is a useful tool for gravy and sauce work: the lever system enables one-handed pouring and the integrated silicone strainer helps remove solids so your drippings stay clear. We found the 4-cup capacity suits most holiday needs and the Tritan® construction is marketed as shatter- and scratch-resistant. During our review we noticed the unit can still feel delicate, the handle may be a bit slippery, and cleaning the spout without a fine bottle brush is fiddly.

If mashed potatoes are your Thanksgiving pride, the Potato Ricer and Masher’s ergonomic handle design made heavy-duty mashing feel effortless in our testing, letting you process several potatoes at once without wrist strain. During our review we noticed the thin handles feel a bit weak and could be a longevity concern, and the small holes mean it struggles with cauliflower or other softer veg. Overall, we found it easy to use and clean and handy for silky, lump-free mash when you’re feeding a crowd.

In our testing the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer proved indispensable for holiday prep, not just for baking but for shredding cooked meats and mixing sandwich fillings with basic attachments. We found its retro design in over 45 colors brings real style to the counter while ease of use, durability and easy cleaning made maintenance straightforward. During our review the mixer’s roughly 30-pound weight made high storage impractical and risky for surfaces, and the speed lever’s sharp edges and resistance sometimes caused unintended speed changes.

During our review the Nylon Pie Server proved handy for everyday dessert duty: its flexible nylon head is safe on non-stick bakeware, the serrated edges work for softer crusts on either hand, and the soft non-slip handle offers a secure grip. We found it’s light and easy to clean, making it a good buffet or potluck tool. Our experience shows the flexibility is a double-edged sword—it can feel flimsy with tall or heavy slices—and the serrations struggle with thicker pastries or sturdy pie crusts.

In our testing the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer excelled at kneading bread and pizza dough, producing light, tender results with its spiral action and handling up to 11 pounds thanks to a roomy 7.3-quart capacity. We found it runs quietly without overheating and its cast-aluminum body with glass-top styling looks premium on the counter. During our review it was less capable at whipping cream or creaming butter than traditional mixers, and the $799 price tag plus heavy weight are important considerations for casual bakers.

If you want a smart, modern stand mixer for holiday baking, the GE Profile Smart Stand Mixer mixed consistently and was easy to clean in our testing, with a sleek front-facing digital display that looks great on the counter. We found the built-in scale and app integration promising for precision, but our experience shows the scale reacts slowly and measures in coarse 5-gram increments, while the app can be buggy and disconnect unexpectedly. It’s a capable, attractive mixer for serious home bakers if you don’t mind a heavy unit and occasional software frustrations.

In our testing the Chef'sChoice 615A Electric Meat Slicer stands out as a compact, easy-to-use appliance that handled various meats with consistent slices while being straightforward to clean. We found it offers enough power for home kitchens and is great for deli-style sandwich prep or carving cheese boards. During our review durability concerns surfaced—some users reported early failures—and our experience shows you’ll want a separate sharpener because it lacks an integrated one, so factor maintenance into your purchase decision.

In our testing the Bluevua RO100ROPOT-UV countertop filter delivered noticeably cleaner, better-tasting water thanks to a 6-stage system that includes UV sterilization and remineralization, and the high borosilicate glass carafe keeps things looking elegant. We found installation refreshingly simple since no plumbing is required, which is ideal for renters or busy cooks who want plug-and-play filtration. During our review the downsides were clear: it occupies considerable counter space, produces filtration wastewater, and carries higher upfront and annual costs than basic filters.

If you want a practical, budget-friendly workhorse for holiday prep, the Hamilton Beach Food Processor is a great grab — in our testing the powerful motor and sharp blades made chopping, slicing and shredding a breeze and the large feed chute sped things up. We found the built-in bowl scraper genuinely saves time and improves consistency, though our experience shows that the scraper can leave fine scratches on the plastic bowl and the unit is pretty loud during operation. For everyday Thanksgiving tasks it’s easy to use and clean, but don’t expect commercial-grade durability.

We liked the Smart Stick Hand Blender’s ergonomically designed grip and 8-inch stainless steel shaft for blending hot soups safely — in our testing it cleaned up by hand easily and handled crushed ice decently. Our experience shows it’s versatile for purees and sauces, but it struggles with hard ice cubes and the two-speed control can feel limiting when you need more precision. It’s not the sturdiest build, so if you’re blitzing dense mixtures often you may want something more heavy duty.

For serious holiday prep the Pro Custom 11 Cup Food Processor stood out in our testing for its powerful 625-watt motor and extra-large feed tube that handled whole fruits and vegetables and cut prep time dramatically. We found the brushed chrome finish and sturdy, heavy base deliver stability and longevity, but our experience shows the unit is bulky and the heavy base reduces portability while assembly and cleaning can feel cumbersome. If you have the counter space and want a durable, high-capacity processor, this one earns its keep.

We found the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale is an inexpensive, reliable tool for precise Thanksgiving baking with multiple unit options (g, oz, lb:oz, ml) that make following recipes simple. In our testing the compact stainless-steel design and clear LCD make it easy to use and clean, though the backlight shuts off quickly which can be annoying in dim kitchens and the scale can be inaccurate under about 3 grams. For most home cooks it’s a compact, everyday scale that covers the essentials affordably.

In our testing mberry Miracle Berry Tablets are a playful, portable way to transform sour and bitter Thanksgiving bites into surprisingly sweet flavors, and the compact packaging makes them easy to bring to gatherings. We found they work especially well on citrus and vinegar-forward foods, creating a memorable tasting experience for curious guests. Our experience shows the effect is temporary—typically 15 minutes to a couple of hours—and results vary, with some users reporting minimal change in taste perception.

For an easy, cordless solution to table-side gravy, That! Warming Gravy Boat and Hot Plate uses a microwave-activated warming base and a modern, functional design. In our testing we found it keeps sauces hot for well over 60 minutes in many cases, which is great for long meals and buffet-style serving. Our experience shows results can vary — some users report the sauce cooling before an hour despite the pad remaining warm — but it's versatile for gravies, dips, and easy to clean.

If you want a statement serving piece, the VIETRI Wildlife Quail Scallop Bowl is handpainted in Tuscany on Terra Bianca earthenware and the quail motif brings old-world charm to your Thanksgiving table. In our testing the glaze holds vivid color and smaller sizes are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup, which helps when you’re juggling dishes. Our experience shows the earthenware can chip and larger pieces are best hand-washed, and the niche wildlife motif won’t match every table — but for artisan Tuscan pottery lovers it’s a charming pick.