For every single equipment review, we on the ATK Reviews team spend weeks (and often months) researching and testing products to ultimately decide on what the best Dutch oven or charcoal grill is. Sometimes, our favorite is a bit, well, pricey—and not affordable for everyone. Which is why we also name Best Buys: equipment that still works great and costs considerably less than the overall winner.
Equipment
All of Our Favorite Budget-Friendly Equipment Recommendations
These 70-plus recommendations deliver great results without you having to spend a lot on them.
By Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Published Aug. 20, 2020.
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We rounded up all of our Best Buy equipment recommendations, including our budget-friendly top picks as well. We also linked to the full reviews on our site and listed the prices we paid at the time of testing. (Note: since prices fluctuate on Amazon, they’re likely to be currently different than what we paid for them.)
Pots, Pans & Dishes
- 12-Inch Cast-Iron Skillets: Lodge Classic Cast Iron Skillet, 12" ($33.31) - Top Pick
- 12-Inch Cast-Iron Skillets: Lodge Enamel Coated Cast Iron Skillet, 11" ($48.90)
- 12-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Skillets: Kyocera Ceramic-Coated 12" Nonstick Frypan ($40.98)
- Braisers: Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron Covered Braiser ($61.97)
- Cookware Sets: Potluck Cookware Set ($160)
- Grill Pans: Lodge Chef Collection 11 Inch Cast Iron Square Grill Pan ($35.99) - Top Pick
- Large Dutch Ovens: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Covered Casserole ($83.70)
- Medium Dutch Ovens: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron Cookware 5 Quart Round Covered Casserole ($79.47)
- Mini Prep Bowl Sets: Anchor Hocking Custard Cups ($5.49)
- Ramekins: Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Souffle (also sold as HIC Souffle Ramekin) ($22.52 for set of 6, $3.75 per ramekin)
- Roasting Pans with Racks: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless 16" Roasting Pan with Rack ($129.95)
- Saucepans: Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 4 Qt. Covered Sauce Pan ($89.95)
- Saute Pans: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless 3 1/2-Quart Sauté Pan with Helper and Cover ($78.13)
- Small Dutch Ovens: Cuisinart 3 Quart Round Covered Casserole ($67.09)
- Small Saucepans: Tramontina Gourmet Stainless Steel Induction-Ready Tri-Ply Clad Covered Sauce Pan, 2-Quart ($44.63)
- Vertical Roasters: Elizabeth Karmel’s Grill Friends Porcelain Chicken Sitter ($11.99)
Appliances
- Air Fryers: GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart 7-in-1 Air Fryer ($75.15)
- Air-Fryer Toaster Ovens: Oster Black Countertop Toaster Oven with Air Fryer ($119.99)
- Electric Citrus Juicers: Dash Go Dual Citrus Juicer ($19.99)
- Electric Griddles: Presto 19-Inch Electric Tilt-n-Fold Griddle ($43.99)
- Electric Kettles: Capresso Silver H2O Electric Kettle ($55.69)
- Electric Waffle Makers (Waffle Irons): Presto Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker ($45.89)
- Food Dehydrators: Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator ($74.47)
- Long-Slot Toasters: Dash Clear View Toaster ($36.03)
- Multicookers (Electric Pressure Cookers): Crock-Pot 8-Quart Express Crock XL Pressure Cooker ($100.99)
- Small Slow Cookers: Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 4-Quart Slow Cooker ($26.99)
- Spiralizers: Paderno World Cuisine Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer ($33.24) - Top Pick
- Stand Mixers (High-End): KitchenAid Classic Plus Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ($229.99)
- Stovetop Pressure Cookers: Zavor Duo 8.4 Quart Pressure Cooker ($119.95)
Baking
- Bakings Stones and Steels: Outset Pizza Grill Stone Tiles, Set of 4 ($28.99) - Top Pick
- Biscuit Cutters: Ateco 5357 11-Piece Plain Round Cutter Set ($14.95) - Top Pick
- Bread Lames for Baguette: Breadtopia Bread Lame ($9.50) - Top Pick
- Offset Spatulas: OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Knife ($9.99) - Top Pick
- Mini Offset Spatulas: Wilton 9-inch Angled Spatula ($4.79) - Top Pick
- Muffin Tins: OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 12-Cup Muffin Pan ($24.99) - Top Pick
- Pastry Brushes: Winco Flat Pastry and Basting Brush, 1½ Inch ($6.93) - Top Pick
- Pie Carriers: Pyrex Portables Pie Carrier with 9" Pie Plate ($11.88)
- Pie Plates: Williams-Sonoma Goldtouch Nonstick Pie Dish ($18.95) - Top Pick
- Pie Servers: OXO SteeL Pie Server ($9.99) - Top Pick
- Popover Pans: Chicago Metallic 6-Cup Popover Pan, Non-Stick ($13.21) - Top Pick
- Rimmed Baking Sheets: Nordic Ware Baker’s Half Sheet ($14.97) - Top Pick
- Springform Pans: Nordic Ware 9" Leakproof Springform Pan ($16.22)
Tools & Utensils
- Can Openers: EZ-DUZ-IT Can Opener ($10) - Top Pick
- Clip-On Probe Thermometers for Meat, Deep-Frying, and Candy Making: Polder Classic Digital Thermometer/Timer ($24.99)
- Fruit/Vegetable Peelers: Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler ($3.50) - Top Pick
- Jar Spatulas: OXO Good Grips Silicone Jar Spatula ($5.95)
- Kitchen Shears: J.A. Henckels International Take-Apart Kitchen Shears ($14.94)
- Kitchen Tongs: OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs ($12.95) - Top Pick
- Liquid Measuring Cups: OXO Good Grips 1 Cup Angled Measuring Cup ($6.99) - Top Pick
- Liquid Measuring Cups: Pyrex 1 Cup Measuring Cup ($10.05) - Top Pick
- Measuring Spoons: Cuisipro Stainless Steel 5-Piece Measuring Spoons ($12.33) - Top Pick
- Metal Spatulas: MIU France Flexible Fish Turner–Slotted ($16.57)
- Mortars and Pestles: ImportFood.com Solid Granite Thai Mortar and Pestle ($25.95)
- Offset Turners: Mercer Culinary M18310 Hell’s Handle High Heat 8" x 3" Perforated Rounded Edge Turner ($13.99)
- Oven Thermometers: CDN Pro Accurate Oven Thermometer ($8.70) - Top Pick
- Potato Mashers: Zyliss Stainless Steel Potato Masher ($12.99) - Top Pick
- Potato Ricers: RSVP International Potato Ricer ($13.95) - Top Pick
- Rasp-Style Graters: Microplane Premium Classic Zester/Grater ($14.95) - Top Pick
- Remote-Probe Thermometers: NutriChef Bluetooth Wireless BBQ Grill Thermometer ($43.99)
- Soup Ladles: OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Ladle ($9.99)
- Silicone Spatulas: Di Oro Living Seamless Silicone Spatula—Large ($10.97) - Top Pick
- Silicone Spatulas: Rubbermaid 13.5" High-Heat Scraper ($14.50) - Top Pick
- Slotted Spoons: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon ($9.12) - Top Pick
- Spider Skimmer: WMF Profi Plus Spider Strainer 14” (5” dia.) ($19.95)
- Tortilla Presses: Victoria 8in Tortilla Press($19.59)
- Tortilla Warmers: Imusa 12" Cloth Tortilla Warmer ($19.99) - Top Pick
- Wine Openers (Waiter’s Corkscrews): Trudeau Double Lever Corkscrew ($12.99)
Knives
- Carbon-Steel Knives: Togiharu Virgin Carbon Steel Gyutou, 8.2" ($98.50)
- Chef’s Knives: Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife ($39.95) - Top Pick
- Flexible Boning Knives: Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 6” Flexible Boning Knife ($26.95)
- Honing Rods: Idahone Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod, 12" ($34.99)
- Knife Sharpeners: Chef'sChoice Diamond Sharpener for Asian Knives ($79.99)
- Paring Knives: Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 3 1/4" Spear Point Paring Knife ($9.47) - Top Pick
- Santoku Knives: MAC Superior Santoku 6 1/2" ($74.95)
- Serrated Knives: Mercer Culinary Millennia 10" Wide Bread Knife ($22.10) - Top Pick
- Serrated Paring Knives: Victorinox Swiss Army 4” Serrated Paring Knife ($5.95)
- Steak Knives: Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition 4-Piece Steak Knife Set ($17.95)
- Universal Knife Blocks: Schmidt Brothers Midtown Block ($67.99)
Grilling
- Charcoal Grills: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch ($149)
- Chimney Starters: Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter ($14.99) - Top Pick
- Grill Brushes: Weber 12 Inch Grill Brush ($7.99) - Top Pick
- Grill Tongs: OXO Good Grips 16" Locking Tongs ($14.93) - Top Pick
- Planchas (Grill Griddles): Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Cast Iron Plancha ($39.99)
Coffee/Beverages
- Best Coffee Maker (Automatic Drip): Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe ($189.99)
- Blade Grinders: Krups Coffee and Spice Grinder ($17.99) - Top Pick
- Burr Grinders: Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder, Black ($99.99)
- French Press Coffee Makers: Bodum Chambord French Press, 8-Cup ($39.95)
- Thermal Carafes: Genuine Thermos Brand 51-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Carafe ($42.70)
Miscellaneous
- Digital Kitchen Scales: Ozeri Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale ($11.79)
- Ice Packs: Freez Pak, Extra Large ($11.38)
- Innovative Dish Drying Racks: Rubbermaid Antimicrobial Sink Drainer, Large and Antimicrobial Drain Board, Large ($10.99 for basket, $7.38 for mat, $18.37 total)
- Large Coolers: Coleman 50 QT Xtreme Wheeled Cooler ($45.99)
- New Generation Kitchen Trash Cans: Sterilite Lift-Top Wastebasket ($17.99)
- Plastic Wrap: Stretch-Tite Premium Plastic Food Wrap ($5.99)
- Recipe Holder: Recipe Rock by Architec ($9.99) - Top Pick
- Salt Storage Containers: Totally Bamboo Round Salt Box ($8.99)
- Plastic Wrap: Stretch-Tite Premium Plastic Food Wrap ($5.99)
- Pot Holders: OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder ($13.96) - Top Pick
Access our complete list of equipment reviews and taste tests as a member of our websites, and check out these articles with some of our team's other picks:
- 10 Pieces of Kitchen Equipment I’ve Upgraded Since Joining the ATK Reviews Team
- The Best Cooking Gear for the Solo Cook
- Our Favorite Cocktail Equipment: The Essentials
- I test kitchen equipment for a living. Here’s what’s going on my wedding registry.
- What a Professional Kitchen Equipment Tester Keeps in Her Utensil Crock