The 2023 Tasting Table Awards
The 2023 Tasting Table Awards have arrived. We all know that a kitchen doesn't feel complete without the proper equipment on hand, and there are countless instruments that come in handy for home cooks. From frying pans to food processors, these tools make meals easier to prep and can fundamentally alter the feel, appearance, and taste of your food and beverage.
With that in mind, we tested a number of different appliances and devices and selected the ones most worth adding to your kitchen lineup. Read on to learn more about this year's recipients.
Methodology
The Tasting Table Awards are a mark of distinction given to exceptional kitchen tools, accessories, and appliances. For each of our 10 categories, we researched and tested a wide range of potential candidates with a consumer price range of $20 to $230. From there, we determined the award recipients using criteria tailored to each category, but among the primary factors we considered were performance, value, and versatility.
Based on our rigorous evaluation, we determined an overall favorite for each category. Specialty awards were also given to other notable products. Our overall goal is to ensure that our readers are fully informed about their next kitchen product purchase and that the item they ultimately select best suits their specific needs.
Best affordable coffee maker
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to making a morning cup of coffee, and that's where the Ninja CE251 delivers time and again. It also helps that the java this machine produces is exceptional, and the stainless steel finish makes it an easy-on-the-eyes addition to your kitchen countertop. Good coffee and intuitive, attractive design — what more can you ask for?
Best air fryer
Air fryers are all the rage these days, but in a saturated market, the Ninja DZ401 Foodi stands clear above the competition. With its dual baskets, customizable settings, and multiple cooking options, you can literally prepare two completely different dishes at once in this mammoth machine. Everybody wins with that kind of setup. Tackle easy air fryer recipes in half the time.
Best blender
A blender needs to do a lot of things well, and the Cuisinart Smartpower Duet offers plenty of versatility. Complete with a separate food processing chamber and seven speeds, you can crush ice, mince herbs, and easily blend fruit in this simple, sturdy appliance. You've got plenty of room for sauces and smoothies, and its intuitive design makes use even easier.
Best chef's knife
Sleek, powerful, sharp — the Hast is essentially the Dwayne Johnson of chef's knives. It slices and dices both hard and soft vegetables with aplomb and handles difficult chopping tasks wonderfully. You'll be hard-pressed to find a knife that feels more natural in your hand as you make quick work of kitchen prep duties.
Read more about the Hast Chef Knife and the other standouts in this category here.
Best cutting board
What you cut with is important, but what you cut on isn't far behind — and the John Boos Block Maple Wood Oval Cutting Board is as good as it gets. It's got the sturdy assuredness of a big brand with a gorgeous design you'll be happy to make use of day after day. Don't expect to find any loose parts or wood filler in this absolute behemoth.
Best food processor
The Ninja BN601 Professional Plus Food Processor wears many hats and pulls them all off with style. You can chop, mince, purée, and even knead dough in this absolute workhorse. Once it's in your kitchen, it'll become a quick addition to your everyday cooking rotation with its quiet-yet-powerful motor and straightforward interface. This machine makes kitchen work smarter and easier.
Best juicer
We normally don't like it when kitchen appliances take things slow, but the NutriBullet Slow Juicer is an exception. It's the best juicer we tested, complete with a massive masticating auger that pulverizes both soft citrus and hard root vegetables alike. The juice it produces is smooth and exceedingly drinkable — the kind worth taking your time with. Bottoms up.
Read more about the NutriBullet Slow Juicer and the other standouts in this category here.
Best nonstick pan
Made In is a brand trusted by renowned chefs and home cooks alike, so it's no wonder the brand's nonstick pan earned our top honor. This thing can sear a burger as easily as it can slide crispy fried eggs across its smooth, five-ply aluminum surface. It's also oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the kind of utility we can't get enough of.
Best rice cooker
The Zojirushi NS-TSC18 is the best rice cooker we tested, and it's not difficult to understand why. Its directions are clear, its settings are customizable based on the kind of rice you're making (and what dish you're making it for), and it even comes with a retractable power cord to reduce space in cluttered kitchens. Rice cookers are already a brilliant culinary convenience, but this machine takes easy to the next level.
Read more about the Zojirushi NS-TSC18 and the other standouts in this category here.
Best wok
Ready to crank up the heat? Well, Helen's Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel Wok is here to deliver. Its ergonomic handle stays cool and makes it a breeze to use, and its carbon steel finish brings a delicious, unmistakable smoky flavor to any vegetable stir fry. You can also braise, steam, and deep-fry to your heart's desire in this accessible, powerful pan.