How to Choose Countertop Cooking
Start with your available space, intended use, cleaning requirements and the manufacturer's specifications. These products are examples to compare, not a claim that we tested or ranked them by sales.
Want the full comparison? Read our complete countertop cooking buying guide.
Products and practical buying considerations
Heats in a couple of minutes and makes one four-inch waffle at a time, which suits a weekday breakfast better than hauling out a full-size iron. It stores standing up in a narrow cabinet gap and also crisps hash browns, chaffles, and biscuit-dough sandwiches.
Who it may suit: For a weekday breakfast for one or two, where hauling out a full-size iron is too much. It makes one four-inch waffle at a time and heats in a couple of minutes.
What to check: Because it cooks one small waffle at a time, feeding a crowd takes a while. It stores standing up in a narrow gap and also crisps hash browns, chaffles and biscuit-dough sandwiches.
Sized for dinner for two or a batch of dip, so you are not running a six-quart cooker half empty. The stoneware crock lifts out for the dishwasher, and the Warm setting holds queso or meatballs steady through a long afternoon.
Who it may suit: Sized for dinner for two or a batch of dip, so you are not running a six-quart cooker half empty. The Warm setting holds queso or meatballs through an afternoon.
What to check: Two quarts is small by design, so it will not feed a crowd. The stoneware crock lifts out for the dishwasher. This is a manual model, so you set the heat yourself.
A 6-quart square basket fits a family-size batch while keeping the footprint compact on the counter. Temperature runs from 90°F to 450°F across five fan speeds, and the basket and crisper tray use a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating.
Who it may suit: Fits a family-size batch in a 6-quart square basket while keeping the footprint compact. The temperature range is 90°F to 450°F with five fan speeds.
What to check: Measure your counter and the clearance above it, because air fryers need space around them while they run. The basket and crisper tray use a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating, so check the listing for care instructions.
Boiling a pot of water and watching the timer is a hassle on busy mornings. This compact cooker steams up to six eggs soft, medium or hard (or poaches them) and shuts itself off when they are done.
Who it may suit: Suits busy mornings and meal preppers who want hard-boiled eggs without watching a pot. It steams up to six eggs soft, medium or hard, or poaches them, and shuts itself off.
What to check: It is a countertop appliance with a plug, so check where it will live. Six eggs per batch is plenty for one household but not for a crowd.
Feeding a crowd or cooking for the week means a pot big enough for a whole roast or a double batch of chili. This 7-quart slow cooker has high, low and warm settings, and the removable stoneware can go in the oven up to 400°F or straight into the dishwasher.
Who it may suit: For families, holiday hosts and anyone who batch-cooks soups, roasts or chili for the week.
What to check: It's a manual model with no timer, so it won't switch to warm on its own, and a 7-quart pot needs a good-sized spot on the counter and in the cabinet.
Cooking holiday breakfast in one frying pan means the first pancakes go cold before the last are done. This Chefman griddle gives you a 10 x 20 inch nonstick surface with adjustable heat from 200 to 420°F and a drip tray for grease.
Who it may suit: For families and hosts making pancakes, eggs, bacon or burgers for a crowd, or anyone short on stovetop space.
What to check: Check your counter space for a 10 x 20 inch cooking surface plus room for the drip tray.
Before you buy
Measure the installation or storage area, check compatibility and dimensions on the current product listing, and read recent customer feedback. Product specifications and availability can change.
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