Kitchen appliances can make or break your home’s overall design. So whether you’re just looking to upgrade some of your current appliances or are planning a complete kitchen remodel, we’ve rounded up the best modern kitchen appliances for every budget.
Whether you want to keep your perishables safe or keep your beverages chilled, a refrigerator is a must-have in any modern kitchen. And if you’re looking for an appliance that is also stylish, we recommend opting for a stainless steel option, as it can stand out in a room.
Refrigerator & Freezer
The refrigerator and freezer are two of the most important appliances in any modern kitchen. They can help you keep perishable foods fresh for days or weeks and frozen food fresh indefinitely, which helps prevent illness from foodborne bacteria.
Refrigerators and freezers come in a range of sizes. Among the smallest are Peltier-type refrigerators designed to chill beverages, while the largest domestic refrigerator stands as tall as a person and can hold up to 600 L of food.
Many modern fridges and freezers have multiple compartments, including humidity-controlled crisper drawers for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh. They also offer door bins and adjustable shelves that make it easy to organize a variety of foods and drinks.
Refrigerators and freezers are the most widely sold household appliances in the United States. They account for a substantial percentage of the total home appliance sales and have a strong correlation with the trajectory of the housing market.
Microwave
Whether you just want to reheat leftovers or cook an entire meal, a microwave is an essential kitchen appliance that can save you time and energy while adding value to your kitchen. Today’s best microwaves have a lot to offer, from large internal volumes with multiple presets for different types of food to high-powered inverter technology that heats foods up thoroughly and evenly.
Modern microwaves are an essential part of most kitchens, but they should be placed somewhere that’s easily accessible yet discreet within your decor. Over-the-range microwaves can hang above your stovetop, but these can be hard to reach for shorter people. Built-in models are flush with your cabinetry and can be incorporated into your design, but they require special wiring and precise measurements to fit correctly.
Range Hood
A range hood is an essential appliance in any kitchen, helping to remove smoke and fumes from the cooking surface. It’s also an attention-drawing design element, so it’s important to choose a hood that complements the rest of your kitchen.
The hood should be sized appropriately for the cooktop’s width and depth to ensure effective trapping and venting. It should also fit comfortably in the ducting pipes beneath your kitchen floor.
There are a few different types of range hoods to consider. The main types are ducted and conducted.
Ducted hoods mount underneath a wall cabinet above your cooktop and exhaust the steam, heat, and smoke via ductwork inside an adjoining wall, ceiling, or soffit. They’re effective at removing smoke, but CR’s past range hood tests have found them to be among the least efficient at capturing and exhausting contaminants outside.
The best-ducted range hoods will have a high CFM (at least three or more fan speeds) and be quiet enough to operate for long periods of time. They’re a great choice for home chefs who cook frequently, though they won’t do as good of a job if you’re only cooking small meals once or twice a week.
Double Oven
If you’re an avid cook, the best double oven appliances are a must-have for your modern kitchen. They give you more flexibility when it comes to cooking and can be a lifesaver when entertaining guests or preparing large meals for the family.
A double oven can help you cook multiple dishes simultaneously, saving you time and energy while ensuring that each dish is cooked at the same temperature and within the same amount of cooking time. This can be particularly useful if you are hosting a dinner party and need to keep food warm until everyone arrives to eat.
Some double ovens even offer a steam function, which can be very helpful when reheating or retaining moisture in dry foods like cookies or cakes. In addition, some models have a dedicated warming drawer so you can keep the food warm until you’re ready to serve it. The key is to choose a double oven that has all the features you need and fits your kitchen space and budget.