The Best Small Kitchen Appliance Gift Guide

Some of the best-ever gifts are those that are practical. With that, useful appliances can be great to both give and receive. Perfect for talented home cooks, aspiring chefs, and keen bakers alike, kitchen tools are an excellent example. Products from famous brands like KitchenAid and Smeg, in particular, are sure to delight.

This year’s holiday season is now fast approaching. On which note, what better time to look at some of today’s top ideas for kitchen-focused gifts? Accordingly, we’ve delved into a variety of the most popular appliances from a number of much-loved manufacturers to create our 2021 kitchen appliance gift guide.

A particular favorite of bakers, stand mixers are an obvious choice when thinking about kitchen appliance gifts. And there’s a good reason for that! With prices varying from under $50 to $600 or more, there are plenty of choices out there. Popular models include the $50 Dash Everyday 6-Speed Stand Mixer, the $120 Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer, and the $430 KitchenAid Artisan Series 10-Speed Stand Mixer.

Toward the top of the range, a stand mixer can, of course, represent a sizable gift in terms of value. Potentially costing several hundred dollars, a top-tier stand mixer may also be something that an individual would love to own but hasn’t spent money on personally. It’s an ideal gift, then, especially where the giver has a healthy budget.

With smoothies as popular as ever, and fresh, hot soups perfect for the colder winter months, blenders are similarly great as gifts at this time of the year. KitchenAid offers a choice of products, all designed with power and precision firmly in mind. Many of their blenders can also be used to create homemade nut milks, for example, in addition to comforting soups, healthy smoothies, and flavorful salsas.

Two other popular brands in the blender market right now are rival companies Vitamix and Ninja. Each boasts a loaded lineup of models, with many representing an ideal gift option for the holidays. Vitamix, in particular, is famed for its expensive but robust and capable blenders. Stylish, too, they’ve been a frequent entry on gift guides across the board for many years now.

Thankfully, the brand is becoming more and more budget-conscious lately – somewhere that Ninja also continues to excel. So, whichever brand you’re considering, the good news is that, right now, there’s bound to be a product out there that’s perfect from either Vitamix or Ninja. From under $70 to closer to $450, why not take a look at our recent blender battle to find out, is Vitamix or Ninja a better choice?

Less of an appliance in the traditional sense and more of a kitchen luxury (at least in the US), espresso machines are another great gift idea. Much like a stand mixer, an espresso machine is a great gift for coffee lovers. However, many of the most luxurious options cost hundreds of dollars.

The 1950s-style Smeg Espresso Manual Coffee Machine is among our favorites, albeit at a somewhat high cost of $499. However, a hallmark of almost all Smeg appliances is that they’re available in an array of beautiful and stylish colors. As such, a gift can be perfectly tailored to a recipient’s taste.

Another popular pick is the Breville Barista Espresso Machine. It has a built-in grinder for beans and a great frother. However, you’ll pay for the additional functionality.

Countless other options are available, too, including both espresso machines and more general coffee makers. According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, among this year’s very best overall coffee makers is the 12-cup Breville Precision Brewer Thermal at $299.95. Meanwhile, The Spruce Eats has rated the Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker among its favorites, and it’s something of a bargain at just $99.95.

Popular kitchen appliances from prestigious brands like Smeg and KitchenAid also make fantastic gifts for other occasions, such as weddings, housewarmings, birthdays, and anniversaries. Moreover, they’re an equally great way to treat yourself. Accordingly, and when purchasing one or more items for your own kitchen, be sure to pick up an extended appliance warranty at the same time.

Extended warranties are among the best ways to prolong any kitchen appliance’s life, including:

Better still Upsie saves you up to 70 percent on the cost of small appliance warranty coverage by cutting out the middleman.

Protection with Upsie is designed to be accessible, affordable, and easy to understand. It’s also comprehensive, covering manufacturer defects, mechanical failures, power faults, heating and cooling issues, and all manner of other conceivable eventualities.

A range of two- and three-year warranty policies are available, and, best of all, every Upsie appliance warranty boasts a $0 deductible. As such, there’s nothing to pay in the event of a claim, with fast, free, local repairs covered in full, including all parts and labor.