We Tested the 17 Best Cooking Utensils for a Fully-Stocked Kitchen

Best Instant-Read Thermometer

Taylor Precision Products Thermocouple Thermometer

Orig. $98 $62 at Amazon View on Webstaurantstore.com $166 at Katom.com

This two-in-one thermometer measures internal temperatures with a probe and surface temperature using infrared. It can measure up to 626 degrees with the probe, so it can be used for baked goods, meat, or even melted sugar for candy making or simmering oil for frying. The infrared measures from -67 to 482 degrees, so you can check the temperature in your freezer and then check the pizza stone in your oven. During testing, we found that it gets a read on temperatures quickly, and although it's costly, it's worth the price due to its convenience and accuracy.

The hold setting lets you freeze the last temperature measured, so you can remove your hand from the heat and read the display in comfort, and the probe is 5 inches long, so you can reach the center of a roast or dip the probe into a pot. Meanwhile, the step-down tip makes a smaller puncture hole. This thermometer even has an automatic shut-off feature timed at 10 minutes to preserve its AAA batteries.

The only minor qualm we have with this product is that the display isn’t backlit, so if you’re grilling on a dark evening, you’ll have trouble reading the temperature. Also, when the probe is fully extended, the display will be upside down; Sticking it into the meat sideways will solve this problem.

Batteries: 2 AAA | Temperature Range: -67 to 626 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 6.37 x 1.5 x 1 inches

Best Can Opener

Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener

$20 at Amazon $22 at Target $22 at Wayfair

Everyone needs a can opener, because, let’s face it, there’s no other reasonable way to get cans opened in the kitchen. This manual can opener locks easily onto cans of all sizes and the smooth-turning stainless steel cutting mechanism makes fast work of that can of soup or tomato sauce. Plus, it won’t rust or corrode and can be used either right- or left-handed.

We found this can opener easy to hold onto, thanks to the soft-grip handle that's designed to be less tiring to hold. It also has a magnet that holds onto the lid and a lever that releases it easily for safe disposal, so you never need to touch it. This should not be immersed in water. Just wipe clean by hand.

Blade Material: Stainless steel | Grip Material: Nylon and POM | Dimensions: 3.15 x 2.24 x 7.08 inches

Best Baster

Tovolo Dripless Baster

$13 at Amazon $25 at Walmart $15 at Williams-Sonoma

When you’re basting a turkey, it’s almost inevitable that the baster will either drip or squirt liquid where you don’t want it to go. This baster is designed to be dripless, so you can actually get the liquid onto the turkey instead of onto the floor or walls of the oven.

We not only used this tool to baste chicken, but also to fill cupcake tins, dispense pancake batter, remove excess grease from a pan of grilled beef, skim fat from the top of soup stock, drizzle caramel and chocolate, and more—all without drips, causing us to ask, "What sorcery is this?" The bulb of the baster even acts as a suction-style egg yolk separator.

Material: Plastic, silicone | Heat Resistance: 600 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 11.5 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches

Best Rubber Spatula

OXO Good Grips Spatula Set

$21 at Amazon View on Webstaurantstore.com $21 at Sur La Table

Three is better than one when it comes to something as useful as spatulas, and this set includes a trio you’ll reach for over and over. It includes a medium silicone spatula, a silicone spoon spatula, and a small silicone spatula. The medium spatula is designed for stirring, scraping bowls and pots, and pushing batter into the corners of bakeware (for something like fudge brownies). The spoon spatula has a shallow bowl that makes it perfect for scooping and transferring ingredients from bowl to pot, while it’s also great for stirring. The small spatula is surprisingly useful for stirring small amounts or scraping the last bits of mayonnaise from the jar.

This three-piece silicone spatula set is an upgrade from Oxo's previous models which had plastic handles and a silicone blade, making it easy for food residue to build up under the blade head. Each spatula in this updated set is made of one solid piece of silicone, so there are no hiding spots for food to get stuck or mold to grow. We found these spatulas great for scooping, scraping, spooning, and spreading with a variety of ingredients and recipes since they are comfortable to hold and use, resistant to heat, and easy to clean via machine or hand wash. They are also safe for all nonstick cookware and bakeware, and won’t discolor, warp, or melt.

Material: Nylon core, silicone | Handle Type: Straight | Sizes: 10 inches, 12 inches, 12.5 inches | Pieces in Set: 3

Best Peeler

OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler

$16 at Amazon $16 at Macy's View on Webstaurantstore.com

This upgraded version of the classic Oxo peeler features a slightly better grip, sharper blade, and sturdier construction. The swivel blade moves at just the right angle to make quick work of peeling vegetables, which we confirmed after peeling tons of white potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, and tomatoes. We even zested limes, and in all, it cut easily and smoothly.

The handle was comfortable to hold—even after a long session with potatoes—and the blade cut flawlessly in both directions, making it perfect for both left- and right-handed users. It took an average of 30 seconds to peel an average-sized potato, and the metal eye at the top allows you to remove potato eyes without reaching for a knife. There's also a hole in the middle that can be used for hanging. As far as cleaning goes, this peeler can be washed by hand or thrown in the dishwasher.

Blade Material: Hardened stainless steel | Handle Material: Thermoplastic rubber | Dimensions: 10.4 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches

Best Wooden Spoon

Sabatier 14-inch Olivewood Slotted Spoon

$31 at Amazon $31 at Wayfair

A solid wooden spoon is a must-have in the kitchen—and this one from Sabatier is one of our favorites. It's made of sturdy olive wood, which is known for its strength, durability, and swirling grain pattern. The rounded handle makes it comfortable to hold, and the rustic leather cord at the end makes it easy to hang up to dry or store.

We love the smooth finish and the overall look of this wooden spoon, from the tapered slots along the deep bowl to the natural aesthetic that's so characteristic of olive wood. Although it was a little messy while serving dishes with smaller components that slipped through the slots (think: pad thai), it was strong enough to stir thicker batters and doughs where other wooden spoons would've fallen short.

Material: Olivewood | Length: 13.5 inches | Spoon Head Width: 2.7 inches

Best Garlic Press

OXO Good Grips Garlic Press

$27 at Amazon $12 at Target $32 at Wayfair

OXO believes in well-designed kitchen gear, creating products with the greatest possible utility. Probably its most famous design legacy has been the improvement of handles, resulting in tools that are easier to use for those with smaller hands or reduced grip strength. This garlic press presses all those buttons. It’s easy to use, with nicely grippy handles that help keep the whole thing from slipping out of your grasp when pressing cloves.

During testing, we found that pushing through a garlic clove took moderate pressure, but it didn’t leave the hand cramped afterward. This OXO press did leave quite a bit of garlic or skins in the press chamber, but that’s typical of most garlic presses and easily solved—just flip the handles in the opposite direction, and a built-in cleaner loosens the peels. Those peels can then be removed completely by gently knocking the press against a cutting board or prying them out with a small knife or toothpick. This press is dishwasher safe, and although some customers have reported that it can snap in half after long-term use, we had no such issues during the testing window.

Material: Zinc, plastic | Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 7 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Grater

OXO Good Grips Multi-Grater

$15 at Amazon $15 at Wayfair View on Oxo

This grater from Oxo comes with two stainless steel grating surfaces, a pressure-absorbing, easy-to-grip handle, and non-slip feet. It can be used in two positions—anchored over a plate or perched over a bowl—and snapped open for easy cleaning (by hand or via dishwasher) or easier grating. Just slide it apart at the handle/hinge when it's in the closed position, and when you're done, fold it up again for compact storage.

We grated parmesan cheese both standing up and flat over a bowl and found it worked well both ways. Although the plastic may not last forever and the grating area was a bit smaller than some others, the low price point and versatility are totally worth these minor qualms. When tested with mozzarella, it worked well and didn't gum up as much as anticipated. Perhaps best of all, we could feel the easy-grip handle absorbing pressure. The non-slip feet were nice, too. Apart from cheese, this grater will stand up to vegetables, cold butter, hard-boiled eggs, and more.

Material: Plastic, stainless steel | Dimensions: 9.38 x 3.38 x 6 inches Grating Surfaces: 2 | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Soup Ladle

Rösle Stainless Steel Ladle

$39 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Target

This durable stainless steel ladle has a long handle with a central groove for more comfortable and stable handling as well as a hooked end that can hang on the rim of a pot—to avoid the ladle sliding into your soup—or a kitchen rail for storage. The handle is angled, making it easier to balance the ladle while serving and pouring, and the bowl has a curved rim to facilitate drip-free pouring in any direction. This solid, single-piece tool is dishwasher safe and comes with a lifetime warranty. 

During testing, the ladle’s smooth surface was comfortable to hold even when repeatedly lifting scoops of soup filled to the brim. Waiting just a couple of seconds after lifting the ladle from a pot of stock was enough to prevent dripping and ensure the entire ladleful poured into a bowl without dripping. It felt balanced in hand when empty, and at almost 8 ounces, it felt sturdy, as well, but could become tiresome if you’re dishing out an entire pot of soup.

Overall, you can feel the quality in the weight of the Rösle ladle the moment you pick it up: It’s balanced, smooth, sturdy, and sparkling. The elegant ladle has a price tag to match, but it should outlast many other kitchen tools.

Material: Stainless steel | Length: 12.8 inches | Capacity: 5.4 ounces | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Kitchen Shears

OXO Kitchen and Herb Scissors

Orig. $20 $19 at Amazon $12 at Target $20 at Wayfair

Sure, you can use a pair of office scissors in the kitchen to open a bag of rice, but kitchen shears are specifically meant to be used for food. This pair features a micro-serrated blade that works on meat, vegetables, twine, and more. There's an herb stripper above the handles specially designed for removing the tough stems from herbs, and the handles are soft and cushioned for a comfortable grip. Plus, the blades separate to make cleaning easier. While they are dishwasher safe, it's best to wash these by hand.

Testing found that these shears were very effective for all kinds of cutting tasks. They glided through pizza, sliced up an entire chicken easily, and quickly snipped away at herbs. Additionally, we loved the overall design of these kitchen shears—the blades come apart for sharpening and they work well for left-handed use too.

Dimensions: 10.48 x 4.76 x 1.14 inches | Weight: 3.52 ounces

Best Flipping Spatula

OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Flexible Turner

$14 at Amazon $15 at Wayfair $14 at Oxo

While all-metal turners are still being sold, flexible silicone turners are becoming more popular since they can be used in nonstick pans without worrying about scratching. This large turner can handle a big burger or pancake with ease and is flexible enough to sneak under cookies, even if they’re a little close together. The handle has the standard OXO soft grip that’s easy to hang onto.

We loved how the blade is wonderfully designed to be thin and flexible enough to reach under delicate items like eggs and pancakes but also plenty sturdy for transferring large batches of veggies. The 6 x 4-inch blade is the perfect size for fitting an impressive portion of food and transferring them easily.

Material: Silicone, thermoplastic rubber | Weight: 4.8 ounces | Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.5 x 12.75 inches

Best Tongs

OXO 9-Inch Tongs With Silicone Heads

Orig. $16 $14 at Amazon $20 at Wayfair $16 at Oxo

These tongs from Oxo are sturdy, so you can lift heavy food, such as a small chicken, without bending or warping. They are heat safe up to 600 degrees and have a nonslip handle and a comfortable thumb rest, so you won't be achy with prolonged use. A silicone head with a scalloped edge makes it easy to grab onto food firmly without scratching nonstick cookware and bakeware. They also lock closed for storage and are dishwasher safe.

We used these to grill steaks, pull noodles from boiling water, and pick up roasted vegetables from a baking tray. There were no major limitations, though we could see them being considered “heavy” if you’re cooking with them for an extended period—your hand might need a break after a while.

The angled head means that you don’t have to squeeze as hard to get a good grip on steaks or veggies as you move them from pan to plate, and the thumb rests are a nice touch, so the tongs sit just right in your hand. The scalloped edges assist in gripping, though the edges are a little thick to slide under certain items, but it’s nothing too noticeable. The silicone heads make it safe for use with nonstick pans and are easy to clean. A run through the dishwasher makes these tongs look just like new.

Length: 9 inches | Weight: 5.1 ounces | Material: Stainless steel, silicone | Heat-Safe Temperature: 600 degrees Fahrenheit | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Measuring Spoon

U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons

Orig. $26 $18 at Amazon Orig. $21 $17 at Walmart $29 at Wayfair

If it’s your first set of measuring spoons, this one from U-Taste offers every possible measurement. With the smaller increments, this set of spoons can come in especially handy for cooks who cut recipes in half and need to be more exacting, whether because they are cutting recipes or just to be extra careful in baking and seasoning. It’s a delight to find the precision of the smaller measures where you otherwise might have to estimate, such as the 1/3 tablespoon.

These spoons are stainless steel and dishwasher safe. They can be kept together on their detachable ring, hung by the hole at the end of each handle, or nested for drawer storage. This set includes 1/16 teaspoon, 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, 1/3 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 3/4 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon. You might not think multiple measuring spoons or an extra set is worth it, but many cooks and bakers will tell you that for the little bit of space measuring spoons take up, it’s often handy to have extras, especially when you’re switching between dry and wet ingredients, where having extras saves washing and drying between uses.

Material: Stainless steel | Includes: 1/16 teaspoon, 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, 1/3 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 3/4 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Wet Measuring Cups

Oxo Good Grips 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cup Set

$24 at Amazon $24 at Williams-Sonoma $24 at Home Depot

Especially in baking, exact measurements can be crucial, and careful bakers often use scales, but even for other cooking applications, it helps to get the measurement of ingredients right. The best measuring cups for dry ingredients are always those with a cup and long handle. With this set, you can read measurements from the side and top, so you don't have to bend down while measuring your ingredients on the countertop.

There are three sizes in this set (1 cup, 2 cups, and 4 cups), and they nest for storage. They’re marked with both standard and metric measures, and the non-slip handles are wonderful for when your hands get wet. These are safe for the dishwasher, though the top rack is recommended.

We used these cups to measure milk, stock, and tomato sauce, and noticed several standout features that make them easy, mess-free, and comfortable to use. Firstly, they have wide mouths, so they're easy to fill, and a tapered spout makes pouring entirely drip-free. There's also plenty of clearance between the filled capacity and brim of the cup, so it's easy to transfer liquids without worrying about any sloshing over the sides. The measurement markings on the interior of the cup helped get an exact pour without bending over to get on eye level with the liquid, and the handles are extra-grippy with a contour to place your thumb for extra comfort and support. The plastic felt thick and high-quality, erasing any concern about cracking or staining. While this set is infinitely practical, it isn't the most stylish we've used.

What's Included: 1 cup, 2 cups, and 4 cups | Material: BPA-free plastic | Uses: Wet ingredients | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Whisk

OXO Good Grips Balloon Whisk

Orig. $12 $11 at Amazon $12 at Target $13 at Wayfair

This 11-inch balloon whisk from Oxo has strong metal wires that hold up to thick batters, but are still flexible enough for whipping and fluffing. We loved the ergonomic handle that fit comfortably in even smaller hands. The lightweight design also allowed for vigorous whisking without hand fatigue.

When mixing a pumpkin pie batter, the wide body easily incorporated pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, and spices, and the result came out smooth. We also appreciated the non-slip handle, which offered stability during mixing. After finishing the pie, a run through the dishwasher made it good as new after the cycle finished. Just note that the silicone handle isn't heat-safe and will melt if left resting on the edge of a hot pan.

Wire Material: Stainless steel | Grip Material: Thermoplastic rubber | Dimensions: 11 x 2 x 11 inches

Best Pastry Brush

OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting and Pastry Brush

Orig. $14 $11 at Amazon $13 at Wayfair $11 at Oxo

A pastry brush is handy for brushing milk, egg wash, cream, or melted butter on the top of your pie crust, dinner rolls, or biscuits. Even if you’re not baking from scratch, that extra touch makes a difference in presentation, and it’s simple to do. You can also use the brush to remove extra flour from dough or brush crumbs from a cake. The unique bristle design won’t clump and the gaps in the center hold onto liquids better, so you won’t need to dip as often when you’re brushing on that butter.

Made from silicone, the bristles won’t discolor or retain odors, and the tapered outer bristles won’t damage delicate pastries. During testing, we found that this silicone construction did not retain liquid as well as boar bristle did. However, OXO designed this brush with a row of flat bristles with holes in it, which definitely helped hold liquid better. Additionally, since this is heat resistant to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, you don’t need to worry about brushing coatings onto a hot pan or using hot liquids for basting. When you’re done with that pie, you can even use this for brushing barbecue sauce onto your chicken wings.

Handle: Plastic | Bristles: Natural boar hair | Size: 1.5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Dry Measuring Cups

Bellemain 6-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set

Orig. $25 $20 at Amazon

This six-piece stainless steel measuring cup set is a great addition to any kitchen because it offers the most common measures—1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup—as well as two sizes that aren’t always included in basic sets: a 2/3-cup measure and a 3/4-cup measure. They feature metric and U.S. sizes etched on the handles, which makes it easy to grab the right one no matter what recipe you're whipping up. The measurement markings may be slightly difficult for some to read, though, due to the shiny stainless steel exterior.

We used these to measure flour, sugar, and shredded coconut for a cookie recipe. The cups have somewhat short handles, which may be a little uncomfortable for larger hands or individuals with arthritis to grip, but we didn't have any trouble with the size. However, the rectangular shape of the handle is a little awkward to grip, and we wished the handles were a bit more ergonomically designed for comfort.

Each cup is made from durable, 18/8 stainless steel that looks sleek, nests easily for storage (we fit them in a shallow kitchen drawer with no problem), and has a flat bottom, so they sit upright without tipping. The set features smooth edges and no welds, so you don't have to worry about anything sharp. Plus, they're dishwasher safe and attractive to boot.

Includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, 1 cup