Lifestyle Kitchen 25 Top-Rated Kitchen Products Under $25 Every Home Cook Should Own Go for the Checkered Chef Cooling Racks. By Amy Schulman Amy Schulman Website Amy Schulman's work has appeared in a variety of publications including Food & Wine, PEOPLE, and Travel & Leisure. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 18, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon These days, there's a laundry list of single-use gadgets and life-changing appliances that are seemingly poised to change the way we all cook. There are microwaveable popcorn poppers that allow for speedy snacks, pricey smart toasters for perfectly browned bagels and waffles, and nifty reusable storage bags that keep leftovers fresh—and that's just skimming the surface. And while these gadgets certainly do make a difference in the kitchen (and are arguably quite fun), there are other, more pressing products that you may ultimately rely on and use more regularly. If it's these you're after, Amazon boasts a slew of essential tools, appliances, knives, and cookware that will fundamentally alter the way you cook. One of our favorite products, the Checkered Chef Cooling Racks come in a set of two small, versatile units making them more useful than a single large version. Read on for more of our top picks under $25. Our Top Picks Checkered Chef Cooling Racks at Amazon Jump to Review Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mat at Amazon Jump to Review FineDine Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls at Amazon Jump to Review Zulay Ultra Premium Gift Milk Frother at Amazon Jump to Review Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet at Amazon Jump to Review Ball 12 Mason Jar with Lid at Amazon Jump to Review Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press at Amazon Jump to Review Pyrex Easy Grab 2-Qt Glass Baking Dish at Amazon Jump to Review KitchenAid Kitchen Scissors at Amazon Jump to Review Joseph Joseph Compact Cutlery Organizer at Amazon Jump to Review Checkered Chef Cooling Rack Set Checkered Chef View On Amazon These stainless steel cooling racks are the perfect size for letting hot brownies rest. They're small enough to insert into a sheet pan—to bake chicken wings or broil fish—and are designed with small crosswire spacing, so nothing falls through the cracks. Thanks to their durable construction, these racks won't warp. And could clean up be any easier than popping them in the dishwasher? A good cooling rack should be lightweight and sturdy and these are highly rated on both. Price at time of publish: $18 Amazon Basics Silicone Non-Stick Food Safe Baking Mat Amazon Basics View On Amazon There's no need to waste parchment paper when you can pull out a reusable nonstick baking mat. Designed to fit half-sheet pans, the silicone mats can hold everything from dinner rolls to cookies. Price at time of publish: $17 FineDine Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Everyone needs a sturdy set of mixing bowls, and this one includes six different sizes, ideal for prepping, mixing, stirring, and kneading dough. Amazon shoppers agree, seeing as they've given it nearly 16,000 five-star reviews, with customers noting how lightweight and high-quality the bowls are. Price at time of publish: $39 Zulay Executive Series Ultra Premium Gift Milk Frother Zulay Executive Series Ultra Premium Gift Milk Frother. Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Making coffee at home no longer has to feel inferior to the barista version thanks to this handheld milk frother. Simply make your preferred beverage and let the battery-operated tool froth everything up—no expensive espresso machine required. Price at time of publish: $30 Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target If you're working with nonstick cookware, a cast iron skillet will absolutely upgrade your cooking to the point where you'll taste the difference. Sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, fry, and grill like a pro with the even heat retention of this model from Lodge, a shopper-favored brand. Price at time of publish: $35 Ball 12 Mason Jar with Lid Ball 12 Mason Jar with Lid. Amazon View On Amazon Preserve fruits, pickles, salsas, syrups, and sauces in these freezer-safe Mason jars, which come complete with lids and bands. If you aren't into canning, the jars can be used to whip up salad dressings and store leftovers—or simply repurposed as drinking glasses. Price at time of publish: $22 Cuisinart Smashed Burger Cast Iron Press Cuisinart Smashed Burger Cast Iron Press. Amazon View On Amazon Mimic diner- and fast food-style burgers with this cast iron burger press, which helps smash patties into a 6-inch flat shape. The raised edges lock in juice and fats, enhancing the flavor and allowing for cracked edges and a juicy center. Price at time of publish: $20 Pyrex Easy Grab 2-Qt Glass Baking Dish Pyrex Easy Grab 2-Qt Glass Baking Dish. Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair This Pyrex casserole dish with extra-large handles doubles as storage thanks to the included lid. Roast vegetables, bake the TikTok-famous feta pasta, and warm up food in this all-purpose container, which is dishwasher-, freezer-, microwave-, and oven-safe. Price at time of publish: $22 KitchenAid All Purpose Shears Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Snip herbs, butterfly chicken, and open up plastic-sealed food with these all-purpose kitchen shears. The blades are crafted from stainless steel that resists rusting, and the handle is comfortable, featuring a soft grip that allows for stability while cutting. Price at time of publish: $12 Joseph Joseph Compact Cutlery Organizer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target This cutlery organizer has picked up over 37,000 five-star ratings, with shoppers raving that it's perfect for small kitchens. The unique design actually creates more space in a drawer, stacking forks and knives in different compartments for easy identification. Price at time of publish: $12 Gorilla Grip Durable Cutting Board Set Gorilla Grip View On Amazon These durable cutting boards come in small, medium, and large sizes and are outfitted with rubber borders that prevent them from sliding all over the place. The handy grooves catch juices and other mess so that the counter stays clean. Price at time of publish: $40 Mercer Culinary Millennia Wide Wavy Edge Bread Knife 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Webstaurantstore.com This 10-inch bread knife easily glides through even the crustiest of bread thanks to the highest-quality Japanese steel and razor-sharp edges it boasts. The ergonomic handle and textured finger points allow for comfort while slicing and prevents slips. Price at time of publish: $19 Linwnil Cheese Knife Set Linwnil Cheese Knife Set. Amazon View On Amazon Cheese deserves to be sliced with a tool designed to do just that—not a flimsy butter knife—and this 12-piece set beyond fits the bill. Spread, slice, and grab hard and soft cheeses during gatherings or simply while you're by yourself. Price at time of publish: $15 Dash Mini Maker for Individual Waffles Amazon View On Amazon There's a reason this handy appliance has picked up nearly 100,000 five-star reviews: The compact and lightweight machine can quickly make anything from paninis and hash browns to biscuits and waffles. Price at time of publish: $10 Greater Goods Digital Food Kitchen Scale Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Never rely on measuring cups again with this digital kitchen scale, which weighs in grams, pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, and milliliters. The four sensors are accurate within 1 gram or .1 ounce, so you know you can trust it, and the scale also has a tare function. Plus, a portion of every purchase goes to the Global Orphan Project. Price at time of publish: $14 ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Thermometer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Buythermopro.com You'll no longer have to guess whether a whole chicken or steak is cooked through thanks to this digital meat thermometer. Simply jab it and get a readout within three to five seconds. Price at time of publish: $14 Deiss Pro Citrus Zester & Cheese Grater 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Grate and zest just about anything with this tool, from citrus and garlic to ginger and chocolate—along with Parmesan cheese, of course. The razor-sharp blade can slice through even the toughest ingredients, and the curved edge allows you to rest the grater on the counter while you work. Price at time of publish: $12 Oxo Good Grips Swivel Peeler Courtesy of Amazon.com. View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart Easily peel potatoes, carrots, apples, and other tough-skinned fruits and vegetables with this swivel peeler. The non-slip grip is comfortable to hold—even after barreling through a pound of potatoes—and is finished off with a built-in potato eye remover for blemishes and other unsightly spots. Price at time of publish: $12 Pro Dough Pastry Scraper with Measuring Scale Pro Dough Pastry Scraper with Measuring Scale. Amazon View On Amazon This bench hook is actually multiple tools in one: Use it to slice through pizza, split dough into equal pieces, carry chopped ingredients from a cutting board to a hot pan, and even scrape extra bits off the counter. Plus, a ruler is drawn onto one edge, perfect for anyone measuring fresh pasta. Price at time of publish: $10 Spring Chef Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Metal Measuring Spoons 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Accurately measure spices and baking ingredients with these metal measuring spoons, complete with six sizes ranging from ⅛ teaspoon to 1 tablespoon. The set includes a handy leveler to allow for the highest accuracy. Price at time of publish: $30 Hiware 5.4-Inch Stainless Steel Skimmer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Scoop out French fries, doughnuts, boiled eggs, cooked pasta, and more—without taking excess oil and water along with you—when using this stainless steel spider skimmer. The long handle keeps hands away from a hot pot, preventing burns and oil splashes. Price at time of publish: $14 Hotec Silicone Rubber Spatula Set Hotec Silicone Rubber Spatula Set. Amazon View On Amazon These soft spatulas can support you in a number of ways. Wield the large spoon to stir onions, grab the rubber spatula to gently fold dry ingredients into wet, and scatter frosting onto cake with the spatula spreader. Price at time of publish: $19 Oxo Good Grips Chef's Squeeze Bottle Set Oxo Good Grips Chef's Squeeze Bottle Set. Amazon View On Amazon Fill these chef-approved squeeze bottles with everything from olive oil and syrup to homemade salad dressing for easy pouring. The set contains one medium and one large bottle, complete with thick and thin tips. Price at time of publish: $12 OXO Good Grips Steel Double Jigger liquor.com store View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Precisely measure martinis and whiskey sours with this trusty double jigger. The jigger has quarter-ounce line measures on both sides to ensure an exact pour. Price at time of publish: $11 Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Coffee Grinder Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart This quiet coffee grinder can pulverize up to 9 tablespoons of beans—enough for 12 cups of coffee. Just pop out the removable grinding chamber, fill with beans, and press the power button. It can even be used to grind whole spices and nuts. Price at time of publish: $20 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit