The 26 Best Splurge Gifts for Cooks

A Wooden Cutting Board

The BoardSmith Maple End-Grain Cutting Board

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Every cook should own a quality wooden cutting board. And by quality, we mean a board that will last for years to come (and look good doing it). The BoardSmith Maple End-Grain board is an admirable piece of woodwork and comes in a variety of useful sizes. We can attest to the fact that it holds up well over time, and love that it can be special ordered to add finger grooves, a perimeter juice groove, and/or remove the attached feet.

Price at time of publish: $325

Easy to Grow Herbs at Home

AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Garden

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The AeroGarden really is the gift that keeps on giving: it makes growing fresh herbs at home all year long foolproof. Sow the seeds (the garden comes with a starter pack of Genovese basil, curly parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint), add water, and let the notifications tell you when to next add more water or nutrients to keep your greens thriving. Never again will your giftee have wilting bags of herbs in their fridge—they can pluck them fresh from the source.

Price at time of publish: $165

A Versatile Toaster Oven

Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven

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How many other apparatuses can toast up to six slices of toast at a time, reheat pizza, bake cookies, and cook salmon? We’ll wait. But while you’re trying to come up with an alternative, might we introduce you to the Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven. It flawlessly cooks all of the above, plus it’s straight-forward to use and its stainless steel veneer is pretty easy on the eyes.

Price at time of publish: $265

A Well-Deserved Caffeine Boost

Ratio Six Coffee Maker

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Price at time of publish: $365

Breville The Smart Grinder Pro

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Price at time of publish: $350

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

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Cooking a large meal can feel draining, especially around the holidays. As such, granting a cook some extra energy to fuel their passion just may be the most thoughtful gift you can give. An automatic drip coffee maker is one way to make good on this promise, and the Ratio Six Coffee Maker is one of the best in the brewing scene. It features a sleek design and it consistently delivers a mean cuppa steaming, full-flavored joe.

And if your giftee is a coffee connoisseur who likes to experiment with their java, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder may be a good pick. From the finest espresso to the coarsest French Press grind, the Breville has 60 precise grind settings to choose from as well as an 18-ounce hopper capacity. For more budget-friendly pick, we also like this grinder from OXO.

Price at time of publish: $100

The Best Immersion Blender

All-Clad Stainless Steel Immersion Blender

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The immersion blender—or as some may know it by it’s more colloquial name, the hand blender—offers a convenient, space-saving alternative to some of the kitchen’s bulkiest appliances. Though a well-equipped cook will never part with their countertop blender or food processor, they’ll be glad to have this compact tool on hand to whip up a quick hollandaise sauce or puree some butternut squash soup. The All-Clad immersion blender stood out amongst the competition through multiple rounds of testing. We also were impressed with its sleek design and powerful blending abilities.

Price at time of publish: $120

A Sturdy, 12-Quart Stock Pot

Cuisinart 12-Quart MultiClad Pro Stainless Stock Pot With Cover

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No, it's not the flashiest of kitchen equipment, but if you're in the habit of making stock, boiling pasta, or feeling fancy and want to host a lobster boil, you'll need a large-capacity, sturdy-bottomed stock pot. Our winner, from Cuisinart, ain't cheap but it also won't warp when simmering for hours, and the snug fitting lid ensures whatever's inside doesn't evaporate.

Price at time of publish: $140

No-Fuss Homemade Ice Cream

Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato Maker

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Price at time of publish: $288

Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor

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As kids, being able to push a button and have ice cream always seemed like a pipe dream — surely this fantasy didn’t exist outside of ice cream parlors and trucks? But turns out you can have your cake (er, ice cream?) and eat it too with a home ice cream machine. Just find a recipe you like, pour the base custard into the machine, and bam, freshly churned ice cream. We like the Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor for it's self-freezing capabilities and smaller, easy-to-store design. Another favorite is the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor which boasts a myriad of options including 12 hardness settings and pre-cool and keep-cool options (plus its very own ice cream truck melody notifications, cute!).

Price at time of publish: $484

An Outdoor Pizza Oven for Pro-Level Pies

Gozney Roccbox Portable Wood and Gas Pizza Oven

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Price at time of publish: $499

Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven

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Encourage someone’s inner pizzaiolo with an outdoor pizza oven. The Roccbox Portable Wood and Gas Pizza Oven is a steady and reliable choice and can be fired up using either gas, wood, or charcoal. After about half an hour, the oven hits temperatures above 900°F and cooks pizza in under 90 seconds. 

The Ooni Koda 16 Inch Gas Oven, though, gives the Roccbox a run for its money with the promise of reaching 950°F in just 15 minutes and cooking authentic stone baked pizza in just 60 seconds. It’s also incredibly easy to use right out of the box: just unfold the legs, insert the pizza stone baking board, hook it up to a gas tank and you’re good to go. Check out our article about all the different Ooni ovens to learn more about each's pros and cons.

Price at time of publish: $600

A Dutch Oven That Will Last a Lifetime

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven

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Price at time of publish: $420

Staub Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte

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A good Dutch oven can last a lifetime and is endlessly versatile. We use ours to braise, stew, fry, and even bake bread. And while the price tags on our favorites from Le Creuset and Staub are high, these are two trusted brands whose offerings we've tested and loved time after time; and we think you will, too.

Price at time of publish: $464

A Sleek Waffle Maker

All-Clad Belgian-Style Waffle Maker

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What’s better than going out to brunch? Why, staying in for brunch, of course. A homemade morning meal cuts out the need for reservations or cute attire or driving after one too many mimosas—you can have your brunch and eat it too, all in the comfort of your favorite PJs. And with our favorite All-Clad waffle maker, you can even bring crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside waffles to the home brunch table.

Price at time of publish: $180

The Most-Powerful Kitchen Stand Mixer

KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

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Though it’s one of the pricier items on this list, the KitchenAid Pro 600 Series 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer’s worth cannot be overstated. Adding this iconic kitchen staple to your giftee’s arsenal will up their recipe potential tenfold. (Don’t believe us? We break down all the possibilities here.) Think one bowl cinnamon buns (ideal for a holiday breakfast), effortless angel food cake, and, with the right attachments, loads of fresh pasta.

Price at time of publish: $600

An Impressive Hand Mixer

Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer

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If you’re not looking to spend quite as much, or your giftee doesn’t have quite as much space as a stand mixer requires, a hand mixer is a suitable alternative for simple tasks like beating butter and sugar for cookies or whipping up egg whites. Our pick, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer, is light, compact, and versatile with a comfortable handle, six attachments, and 9 speed settings.

Price at time of publish: $150

The Cadillac of Blenders

Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender

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A Vitamix is one culinary trend that will never go out of style. And our team will forever stand by the Vitamix 5200 Blender for its no-frills interface and powerful blending capabilities that easily blitz smoothies, soups, purees, and even nut butters. Any passionate cook will be thrilled to let it take up real estate on their counter.

Price at time of publish: $550

Live-Fire Cooking Gear

Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit with Stand

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Solo Stove Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Top + Hub

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Solo Stove Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Top + Hub

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Whether it’s a warm summer night or a cool winter’s eve, lighting up a bonfire (safely) is a fun way to kick back and relax. The Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit with Stand makes it easy. Just put the base on the ground (or on a fire-safe table), place the stove on it, add some kindling and kiln-dried wood, top off with the rim, grab your lighter, and voila! A smokeless (safe) fire is at your fingertips. Plus, if your giftee is an avid outdoor cook (you know the type: they swear by charcoal grills and just invested in a smoker), there’s also the opportunity for some live-fire cooking: when paired with the Solo Cast Iron Grill Top and Hub, we were surprised and delighted by how easy (and fun!) it was to cook whole meals over an open fire. Maybe your giftee will also be pleasantly surprised.

Price at time of publish: $225

Chic Steak Knives

Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

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Behold, a convincing quote from former senior editor Sho Spaeth: "As a person who has never owned a nice set of steak knives in his life, and probably never will, this is a very personal pick. Nice steak knives make me think of nice restaurants, nice houses, nice dining room tables—well, dining rooms, period—basically, all the stuff I have very little experience with and have no hope for in my future, which is bleak because I work in media." If that doesn’t convince you to buy a set of steak knives, we don’t know what will. Plus, one of our favorite steak knives—Laguiole En Aubrac Set of 4 Olivewood Steak Knives—are French and will make your giftee feel ultra luxe as they slice into their holiday prime rib.

Price at time of publish: $320

A High-Quality Juicer

NutriBullet Juicer Pro Centrifugal Juicer Machine

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We all know that person who can’t start their day without a shot of wheatgrass juice. So why not save them a few bucks while also letting them explore their passion for liquid produce further? NutriBullet Juicer Pro Centrifugal Juicer Machine should do the trick. It extracts a good amount of juice with every use, is easy to clean for a juicer, and is relatively quiet, so your giftee’s partner/roommates/pets hopefully won’t resent you for it.

Price at time of publish: $160

A Smooth-Stirring Saucier

Made In Stainless Clad Saucier

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Many people go their whole lives using a simple saucepan for their gravies and demi-glaces, never knowing or experiencing the advantages of a saucier. But you can help the cook in your life avoid such a sad fate and see the light with a Made In Stainless Clad Saucier. It is a highly responsive pan with a wide surface area and a comfortable handle that makes whisking and stirring a breeze.

Price at time of publish: $129

A Precise Sous Vide Machine

Breville Joule Sous Vide

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Price at time of publish: $248

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker

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As you may be well aware, sous vide cooking is no longer reserved for professional chefs or fine dining establishments: it’s now a beloved regular in many homes thanks to its set-and-forget premise. At the moment, our favorites on the market are the Breville Joule Sous Vide and Anova Precision Cooker. The former is sleek, lightweight and compact yet packed with impressive mechanisms that deliver quick and quiet yet precise results and innovative features like a magnetic base that securely clings to most pots. We also liked that it could be controlled by an app—the ultimate set-and-forget cooking experience. The Anova has an on-board display, should you prefer it.

Price at time of publish: $219

A Vacuum Sealer (for Sous Vide!)

Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer

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Price at time of publish: $135

Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro

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If your giftee has recently gotten into sous vide cooking and/or are frequently frustrated with how quickly ingredients spoil, a suction vacuum sealer is worth adding to your to-buy list. We’re partial to both the Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer and the Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro. Each is simple by design and offers a wide range of useful settings and functions.

Price at time of publish: $150

A Soda Machine for Unlimited Bubbles

Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker

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Who says the seltzer boom is fizzling out? Once a bubbly fan, always a bubbly fan. If your giftee falls into that category, you can make their day with a countertop soda machine. One of our favorites, the Drinkmate Sparkling Water Maker, can safely carbonate any pulp-free liquid, including fruit juices, wines, and cocktails.

Price at time of publish: $150

Copper Cookware

Mauviel 1.9-Quart Copper Saucepan

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We know copper cookware is a bit of a divisive kitchen addition due to its—some would say, outrageous—price tag, but hear us out. Despite being fairly high maintenance, copper has 11,000 years of cooking history to back it up, it has a solid reputation for heating quickly and evenly, and, frankly, it looks really nice. While we don’t recommend purchasing a full set, we do think a cook would enjoy adding a quality piece like the Mauviel 1.9-Quart Copper Saucepan to their collection. Plus, when the light hits just right, this baby is pure glamor.

Price at time of publish: $220 for 1 1/4 -Qt.

A Cute Casserole Dish Set

Staub Ceramic Baking Dish Set

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A baking dish set is essential to a frequent cook. As written in our review of the best casserole dishes, they are, “the perfect vessel for bubbling casseroles, cheesy lasagnas, and roasting meat and vegetables. Unlike many roasting dishes or sheet trays, a deep baking dish can go directly from the oven to the dining table, then to the refrigerator with whatever leftovers remain, without skipping a beat.” And while function is obviously important, the aesthetic is equally essential when it comes to serving during the holidays. That’s why we recommend the Staub Ceramic Baking Dish Set. The dishes come in three serving sizes, look great, heat evenly, and keep warm long after they’re taken out of the oven.

Price at time of publish: $100

An Accurate Electric Kettle

Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle

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Can you boil water for a tea in an old pot or even, dare we say, a microwave (we know, we know, it’s sacrilege)? Sure you can. But can you control the precise temperature of said water with either? You sure can’t. Why is the temperature relevant? Well, because different tea varieties can actually benefit from brewing at different temperatures. That’s why the avid tea drinker in your life will love this kettle from Fellow. It bested 12 other models in our recent testing and has an LED screen that allows you to easily toggle from 135 to 212°F (down to the degree!).

Price at time of publish: $165

A Multi-Tasking Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

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Price at time of publish: $190

Breville Fast Slow Pro Cooker

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Instant Pot is easily the most well-known multi-cooker of the many brands on the market today, and for good reason. Of all the appliances we tested, the Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker  worked the quickest, sauteed and browned to our standards, and had a number of impressive added features. (It’s worth noting that this particular model also stood its ground in our guide to Instant Pot’s many offerings). We also like this non-Instant Pot: the Breville BPR700BSS Fast-Slow Pro Cooker. It allows the user to select the exact level of pressure in 0.5 psi increments, perfect for someone who geeks out when cooking.

Price at time of publish: $245

A Powerful Food Processor

Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor

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Price at time of publish: $449

Breville 16-Cup Sous Chef Peel & Dice Food Processor

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Only a few food processors have managed to earn the “worth-buying” title in our books, but they definitely make a case for themselves. For instance, the Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor’s design elements are as effective as they are innovative while the Breville 16-Cup Sous Chef Peel & Dice Food Processor is incredibly intuitive to assemble and use.

Price at time of publish: $539

New Knife Storage

Jonathan Alden Magnetic Wooden Knife Bar Holder Strip

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A magnetic knife holder is one of our favorite knife storage solutions. And this one from Jonathan Alden pairs performance with a sleek look that'll be at home in pretty much any kitchen. Win-win.

Price at time of publish: $64