Our picks at a glance
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For busy families Ninja Foodi DZ201 6-in-1 8-qt 2-Basket Air Fryer Best for families · Typically $129–$199Check Price at Amazon
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For new cooks Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart Best for most kitchens · Typically $79–$99Check Price at Amazon
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For coffee and tea lovers Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle Best for coffee and tea lovers · Typically $149–$195Check Price at Amazon
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For the splurge Breville Barista Express BES870XL Best for beginners who want it all · Typically $549–$749Check Price at Amazon
- Check Price at Amazon
- Check Price at Amazon
Paid link: buttons go to the retailer. Prices change often, so we link to the current price instead of listing one.
Comparison table
| Feature | For busy familiesNinja Foodi DZ201 6-in-1 8-qt 2-Basket Air Fryer | For new cooksInstant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart | For coffee and tea loversFellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle | For the splurgeBreville Barista Express BES870XL | For music at homeSonos Era 100 | For the practical giverShark Stratos Cordless Vacuum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Typical price | $129–$199 | $79–$99 | $149–$195 | $549–$749 | $179–$219 | $299–$429 |
| Best for | Families | Most kitchens | Coffee and tea lovers | Beginners who want it all | Music lovers | Best value |
| Key feature | Two baskets that finish at the same time | The classic multi-cooker for fast meals | Precise temperature and a perfect pour | Built-in grinder and steam wand in one | Rich stereo sound for any room | Self-cleaning brushroll for pet hair |
| Capacity | 8 qt (2 x 4 qt) | 6 qt | 0.9 L | — | — | — |
| Power | 1,690W | — | — | — | — | — |
| Functions | Air fry, broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate | 7-in-1 | — | — | — | — |
| Temperature | — | — | 135–212°F | — | — | — |
| Grinder | — | — | — | Integrated conical burr | — | — |
| Pump | — | — | — | 15 bar | — | — |
| Water tank | — | — | — | 67 oz | — | — |
| Connectivity | — | — | — | — | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 | — |
| Assistant | — | — | — | — | Alexa or Sonos Voice Control | — |
| Run time | — | — | — | — | — | Up to 60 minutes |
| Feature | — | — | — | — | — | DuoClean PowerFins HairPro |
| Where to buy | Check Price at Amazon Paid link | Check Price at Amazon Paid link | Check Price at Amazon Paid link | Check Price at Amazon Paid link | Check Price at Amazon Paid link | Check Price at Amazon Paid link |
Ninja · Air Fryers
Ninja Foodi DZ201 6-in-1 8-qt 2-Basket Air Fryer
Cooks two foods at once and finishes them together.
- Buy it if
- You cook for three or more and want a main and a side ready at the same moment.
- Skip it if
- You have a small kitchen; it takes up a lot of counter space.
Pros
- Two independent 4-qt baskets
- Smart Finish syncs both baskets
- Dishwasher-safe baskets and crisper plates
- Six functions including roast, bake and dehydrate
Cons
- Wide footprint
- Each basket is smaller than one big basket
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 8 qt (2 x 4 qt)
- Power
- 1,690W
- Functions
- Air fry, broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate
Instant · Pressure Cookers
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart
Soups, rice and stews with little effort.
- Buy it if
- You want fast soups, stews, rice and beans from a proven, easy multi-cooker.
- Skip it if
- You want air frying in the same pot.
Pros
- Pressure cooks, slow cooks, makes rice and yogurt
- Stainless steel inner pot
- Huge recipe community
Cons
- Basic display
- Sealing ring holds odors
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 6 qt
- Functions
- 7-in-1
Fellow · Electric Kettles
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
Precise temperature and a beautiful pour.
- Buy it if
- You brew pour-over coffee or delicate teas and want exact temperature and a precise gooseneck.
- Skip it if
- You just need to boil water fast for a crowd.
Pros
- Holds temperature to the degree
- Precise gooseneck spout
- Beautiful design
Cons
- Expensive
- Smaller 0.9 L capacity
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 0.9 L
- Temperature
- 135–212°F
Breville · Espresso Machines
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Café-style espresso with a built-in grinder.
- Buy it if
- You want to learn real espresso at home with a built-in grinder and a proper steam wand.
- Skip it if
- You want push-button lattes with no learning curve.
Pros
- Built-in conical burr grinder
- Manual steam wand for latte art
- Pressure gauge helps you dial in
- Everything you need in the box
Cons
- Learning curve
- Grinder range limits light roasts
Key specifications
- Grinder
- Integrated conical burr
- Pump
- 15 bar
- Water tank
- 67 oz
Sonos · Smart Speakers
Sonos Era 100
Rich sound for a kitchen or living room.
- Buy it if
- You care about music quality and want a compact speaker that can grow into a multiroom system.
- Skip it if
- You mainly want a cheap voice assistant.
Pros
- Excellent sound for its size
- Stereo drivers
- Works with AirPlay 2 and Alexa
- Bluetooth and USB-C line in
Cons
- Sonos app has had reliability issues
- No Google Assistant
Key specifications
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2
- Assistant
- Alexa or Sonos Voice Control
Shark · Cordless Vacuums
Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum
A cordless vacuum people actually use.
- Buy it if
- You have pets or long hair at home and want a strong cordless vacuum that resists hair wrap.
- Skip it if
- You want the lightest possible stick.
Pros
- Self-cleaning brushroll resists hair wrap
- Odor neutralizer
- Strong carpet cleaning
Cons
- Heavier than rivals
- Bulky charging setup
Key specifications
- Run time
- Up to 60 minutes
- Feature
- DuoClean PowerFins HairPro
Compare more air fryers on Amazon Paid link
How we chose
Every idea is something we would recommend outside of gift season too, with a clear reason it suits the person you’re buying for. Prices are typical US ranges; check the current price before you buy.