Smart home technology is gradually finding its way into every corner of our homes, promising to free us from the mundane tasks and give us more time to enjoy what we love. The kitchen, in particular, has witnessed significant improvements in recent years, thanks to a wave of innovative smart devices that offer better connectivity and useful features. While it’s true that almost every kitchen appliance can be upgraded with smart technology to some extent, figuring out which ones are worth the investment can be a bit tricky. Whether you’re a passionate baker, a grill enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a morning cup of coffee, there’s likely a smart kitchen gadget out there that could revolutionize your culinary experience.
It’s important to keep in mind that many of these smart home gadgets come with a higher price tag compared to their traditional counterparts. So, before you decide to splurge, make sure you’re comfortable with paying a little extra for the added convenience. Nevertheless, if you can justify the investment, these smart kitchen devices are currently leading the pack in their respective categories.
1. Meater Plus Meat Thermometer
When it comes to cooking meat, getting it just right is crucial to avoid any unpleasant consequences of undercooking. That’s where a meat thermometer becomes your best kitchen companion, especially if you’re a fan of grilling or roasting. Among the top-notch smart thermometers on the market, the Meater Plus stands out as a fantastic choice.
The Meater Plus boasts a wireless design with a sleek stainless steel appearance, but here’s the twist: it doesn’t have a built-in screen to show you the temperatures. Instead, all your temperature readings are conveniently displayed through a companion app. This app not only gives you real-time temperature updates but also provides a handy list of recommended temperatures for various types of meat. Plus, it doesn’t stop at just measuring the internal temperature of your meat; it also features a separate sensor to monitor the temperature inside your oven or grill.
What sets the Meater Plus apart is its ability to calculate when your meat will reach its target temperature, factoring in carryover heat to prevent overcooking. It’s a sophisticated solution for perfecting your meat dishes. Admittedly, this level of convenience does come with a price tag. The Meater Plus is available for $99.95, but for those who appreciate both functionality and aesthetics, it’s worth the investment. This thermometer is the epitome of sleek and smart cooking technology.
2. De’Longhi Dinamica Plus Coffeemaker
You might have heard it referred to as “Brad Pitt’s Coffee Machine” in commercials, but the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is more than just a celebrity-endorsed appliance; it’s a genuinely impressive bean-to-cup coffee maker loaded with smart features.
With the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, you have the power to customize every aspect of your coffee experience, from the type of coffee to the frothiness of the milk and even the temperature. You can do this effortlessly through the 3.5-inch touchscreen on the machine or via a smartphone app. The app takes your coffee customization to the next level by allowing you to specify the exact amount of coffee you want in milliliters. And here’s the kicker: assuming you’ve already placed your cup in position, you can start brewing your coffee right from the app without having to get up.
This feature is a game-changer, especially for those who can’t function without their morning coffee but are also perennially short on time. Simply kickstart the machine through the app when you wake up, and by the time you make your way to the kitchen, your coffee should be ready and waiting for you.
Now, it’s true that smart kitchen technology often comes with a hefty price tag, and the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is no exception. At a retail price of $1,649.99, it’s undoubtedly an investment. However, for the convenience of having hassle-free, barista-style coffee at your fingertips, it’s well worth considering if you’re a coffee aficionado.
3. Panasonic NN-SV79MS Microwave
The world of smart kitchen technology has extended its reach even to the humble microwave, and Panasonic’s NN-SV79MS is a prime example, boasting compatibility with Alexa for convenient hands-free cooking. To make this magic happen, you’ll need an Alexa smart speaker in your kitchen, but assuming you already have one, this microwave can respond to over 100 voice commands. It’s not just about starting and setting cooking times either; you can ask it to perform tasks like defrosting veggies or reheating a cup of tea, and it will intelligently adjust its timer accordingly.
But that’s not all – this microwave also boasts a nifty feature called the Genius Sensor. This sensor can gauge the humidity levels of common food items and knows exactly when they’re perfectly cooked. It even offers specific settings for tasks like melting butter or cooking potatoes, which means you can focus on other aspects of your meal preparation while it takes care of the microwave-related tasks.
Of course, all this smart technology comes at a cost. The Panasonic NN-SV79MS is definitely on the higher end of the price spectrum for microwaves, retailing at $299.99. However, it’s worth keeping an eye out for discounts on platforms like Amazon, where you might be able to snag this intelligent microwave at a more wallet-friendly price.
4. Proscenic T22 Air Fryer
Air fryers are currently the talk of the town in the kitchen gadget world, and the Proscenic T22 stands out as a feature-packed option that offers a hassle-free cooking experience, thanks to its built-in recipes.
What sets the Proscenic T22 apart is its user-friendly approach to cooking. When you select a recipe on the accompanying app, it not only provides you with a list of ingredients but also specifies the required cooking time. This means you can simply gather your ingredients, place them in the fryer, and let the appliance take care of the rest. Additionally, there’s a handy custom recipe option for those meals you prepare frequently but aren’t already listed in the app’s recipe book.
With a generous basket capacity of 5.3 quarts, the Proscenic T22 is suitable for families, making meal preparation a breeze. Plus, it’s compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, making it a valuable addition for busy parents who may have their hands full.
It’s worth mentioning that some users have noted that the preset cooking times can be a bit conservative, and occasionally adding a few extra minutes can result in a better outcome. However, this is a minor issue, especially considering the competitive retail price of $129.00 for this air fryer. All in all, the Proscenic T22 is a fantastic choice for those looking to simplify their cooking process with smart technology.
5. Govee Smart Kettle
For those of us who start our mornings with a comforting cup of tea rather than a coffee, the world of smart drink tech has something in store, like the Govee smart kettle. This clever kettle can be controlled effortlessly through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Plus, it comes with a nifty smartphone app that lets you boil water without having to leave your current task. The app also offers a timer feature, allowing you to set it up so that when your morning alarm goes off, you’ll have hot water ready and waiting in the kitchen.
Now, it’s fair to argue that most people could manage just fine without a smart kettle, especially considering its price tag of $79.99. There are other kettles out there that do an equally good job of boiling water for less than half the price. However, if you’re fully committed to the smart home lifestyle and the idea of those extra few minutes in bed is too tempting to pass up, then the added cost might just be worthwhile. The choice ultimately depends on how much you value the convenience and automation that smart tech brings to your daily routine.
6. Anova Precision Oven
Despite its name, the Anova Precision Oven is much more than just your average oven. It’s a versatile cooking appliance that goes beyond traditional baking and roasting. What sets it apart is its ability to handle bread baking and sous vide cooking, thanks to its adjustable steam levels within the cooking chamber. The steam is produced from water stored in a built-in tank and can be fine-tuned from 0% to 100% humidity to cater to various cooking methods.
When it comes to sous vide cooking, the Anova Precision Oven shines. It maximizes humidity while keeping the temperature below boiling point, creating sous vide conditions without the need for vacuum-sealed bags. This opens up the possibility of sous vide cooking for larger food items, like family-sized cuts of meat, that wouldn’t typically fit in a bag. As if that weren’t enough, this oven also functions perfectly as a conventional oven for your regular baking and roasting needs. Plus, like many other smart kitchen gadgets, it’s compatible with voice control through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
The Anova Precision Oven is available for $699.99 on the Anova website. While it may come with a higher price tag, its versatility and innovative features make it a valuable addition to any kitchen for those looking to elevate their culinary game.
7. Smart Mixer With Auto Sense
For bakers who want to infuse some smart technology into their home kitchen, the GE Profile Smart Mixer is a compelling option. It leverages a range of sensors to ensure precision when following recipes. What sets it apart is its built-in scale, which comes in handy for precisely measuring ingredients as they go into the mixing bowl. Moreover, it incorporates a torque monitoring system that can detect changes in your mixture by monitoring the strain on the whisk motor. By entering your recipe details into the accompanying app, the mixer can pinpoint the exact moment when your mixture reaches optimal consistency.
While the mixer can also be controlled via Alexa, its functionality in this regard is somewhat limited. For most users, manually operating the mixer with its controls might be more practical, especially since you’ll likely be close to the mixer when adding ingredients. The voice control, while a nice addition, might not be the primary selling point. Nevertheless, the mixer’s other tech features make it a worthy contender against longstanding rivals like the KitchenAid line, even though the retail price of $799.00 places it in the category of a significant investment. If you’re a serious baker looking to up your game, though, it’s worth considering for the precision and convenience it offers.
8. U By Moen Smart Faucet
While upgrading your kitchen with smart technology might not be the first thing that comes to mind for tech enthusiasts, making the switch to a smart faucet can offer some compelling advantages. The U By Moen stands out as a top-tier smart faucet, boasting hands-free control thanks to its seamless integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It might seem like a small convenience, but being able to turn on the tap when your hands are full is undeniably handy. However, the U By Moen takes it a step further by allowing you to dispense precise measurements of water or heat it to specific temperatures, all through simple voice commands.
Of course, smart technology is only valuable if the product itself meets the basic requirements, and the U By Moen excels in that department as well. Its retractable nozzle can reach every corner of your sink, and it offers various spray settings, making the task of cleaning tricky kitchen items much less of a hassle. In terms of aesthetics, the faucet exudes a high-end look and feel.
However, it’s worth noting that quality comes at a price, and the U By Moen is no exception. It’s available in several styles, with prices starting at around $450 on Amazon and increasing from there. While some might hesitate at investing that much in what is essentially a faucet, it can be a valuable addition to your kitchen, especially if you can justify the initial cost for the convenience and efficiency it brings.
9. Etekcity Smart Kitchen Scale
You don’t need to break the bank to embrace smart kitchen technology, especially if your goal is to adopt a healthier eating lifestyle. The Etekcity Smart kitchen scale is an affordable option that can help you keep track of nutritional information. While it may not have the most seamless system, it’s quite handy.
Here’s how it works: as you weigh your food, the scale displays readouts for various nutritional components like fat, sugar, and sodium levels on its screen. However, this system requires you to open the corresponding smartphone app and input the type of food you’re weighing. It might seem a bit clunky, but it’s certainly better than guessing portion sizes and hoping for the best.
Once you’ve measured the food, the scale can even sync with your Fitbit, automatically tracking your caloric intake. Admittedly, most of us don’t measure every morsel of food before eating it, but for those on strict diets or focused on controlling their consumption of indulgent snacks, this feature can be a helpful way to stay on track.
The Etekcity Smart kitchen scale is attractively priced at just $39.99, making it a budget-friendly choice for those who want to introduce some smart tech into their culinary routine without breaking the bank.
10. Revolution R180S Smart Toaster
Even for the most ardent smart home tech enthusiasts, upgrading a simple toaster might seem like a stretch. However, for those seeking the ultimate smart kitchen experience, even toasting can get an upgrade. Enter the Revolution R180S toaster, which brings a touch of high-tech flair to your morning routine.
What sets this toaster apart is its touchscreen interface, offering settings for various toasting items, from waffles to bagels. And when it’s not crisping up your breakfast, the screen can be personalized to display either a digital or analog clock. Beyond the flashy screen, the toaster boasts advanced heating elements designed to minimize energy consumption and reduce toasting time, elevating it above your standard toaster.
Admittedly, the smart toaster might be considered a splurge for all but the most serious toast and bagel enthusiasts. With a hefty retail price of $349.95, yes, you read that right, $350 for a toaster, it’s undoubtedly a unique way to enhance your kitchen. Whether it’s a worthwhile investment depends on your dedication to smart kitchen gadgets and your appreciation for perfectly toasted bread.