Fortunately, Amazon is celebrating the season with a bunch of Ninja appliance deals. From high-quality blenders and air fryers to pizza ovens and coffee makers, there are some discounts here that you definitely don't want to miss — especially since the best deals are currently up to 40% off.

I've been scouring the sale and have found the best cooking deals to help you in the kitchen this holiday season and beyond. I've listed all my favorites below, so keep scrolling to check them out.

Quick Links

• shop all Ninja deals at Amazon
• Ninja Blast Max: was $99 now $59
• Ninja Professional Blender: was $109 now $79
• Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1: was $129 now $79
• Ninja Iced Coffee Maker: was $129 now $89
• Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer: was $249 now $139
• Ninja Mega Kitchen System: was $219 now $159
• Ninja Artisan Pizza Oven: was $299 now $249

Ninja Deals

I've found the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus, Ninja Fresh Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Casabrews 3700 Essential, and the Kismile 8-Cup Coffee Maker all discounted ahead of the main event. I've reviewed all but one of these models (the Kismile) and I can wholeheartedly say they won't disappoint you — especially not at these discounts.

The Casabrews espresso machine? Sub-$100. Yep, an espresso machine for less than three figures. Although it's not the number one best espresso machine, it's definitely up there as one of the best budgets. I'm a tough cookie when it comes to reviewing coffee machines, but I awarded the Casabrews four stars. Here's my cheat code to getting barista coffee at home, for even less than you thought.

Early Black Friday coffee maker deals: Quick links

• Ninja Fresh Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker: was $89 now $69 @ Amazon
• Casabrews 3700 Essential: was $129 now $98 @ Amazon
• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ with Aeroccino 3: was $179 now $129 @ Amazon
• Kismile 8-Cup Drip Coffee Maker: was $189 now $159 @ Amazon
• Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus: was $499 now $449 @ Amazon

Best early Black Friday coffee maker deals

What's the difference between a drip machine and espresso machine?

Of the five machines I've recommended above, two are espresso machines, one is a pod machine, and two are drip machines.

However, one of those machines can do it all: espresso, drip, and milk. The Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus can brew true pressurized espresso, easy drip coffee, and steam milk to perfection. This is the best option if you like all types of coffee, have a lot of space, or just like experimenting. When I reviewed it, I loved how easy it was to use, even for total beginners — and I ended up convincing my coffee beginner sister to get one! Now she sends me photos of her coffee concoctions, and I'm basically a proud mom.

Another espresso machine on this list is the Casabrews 3700 Essential. This is a super cheap model, ideal for complete beginners, gifts, or if you're not sure if you really want to get into nerdy coffee just quite yet. Even though it's ridiculously cheap, it still makes a great brew. I'm a hard-to-please coffee snob, and I awarded it four stars. The only major drawback is that it's a little flimsy and doesn't feel like it'll last for more than a couple of years.

Next, we have the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+. This is a pod machine, so it makes espresso-like drinks without you needing to buy coffee, a grinder, and actually pull the shots yourself. Unlike standard Nespresso machines, the Vertuo line has different pod types. You can get standard 40ml espresso pods, but some are full-cup 10-ounce amounts. Just make sure you know what kind of drinks you want before you buy and read the box! I'm a huge Nespresso defender. When I actually tasted a Nespresso drink, I was extremely pleasantly surprised — and promptly ate my words.

Drip machines make a completely different type of coffee, with zero pressure involved. While espresso is extracted for a short amount of time at a huge amount of pressure, drip machines are, well, drip. You just grind the coffee and pour water over the top, which trickles through the filter and into a carafe. It's coffee in its purest form.

As for drips, the Ninja makes drip coffee in minutes, can keep warm for up to four hours, and even has a delayed brew start, so you can prep your coffee the night before and wake up to a hot pot of Joe.

Last, but certainly not least, the Kismile 8-Cup Coffee Maker. This machine is just as easy to use as the Ninja — it is a drip machine after all — but this one has a few coffee-snob-approved features. Firstly, it's accredited by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means it meets extremely high temperature and brewing standards, and can make both cold brew and has adjustable flow rate so you can make pour-over-like drip.

In short: espresso machines are better if you want the bold, punchy flavor of espresso or like milk drinks, and drip machines are easier if you want to make one pot of coffee in the morning and drink it throughout the day.

More from Tom's Guide

• My cats tested two smart pet feeders — this is the one they thought was purrrfect
• Don’t waste your tomatoes: 5 end-of-season steps every gardener needs to know
• Make delicious pizzeria-quality pies at home with Ninja’s Artisan Pizza Oven — and save $50 ahead of Black Friday

Ninja’s Artisan Electric Pizza Oven has just dropped by $50 to $249 at Amazon, making it easier and cheaper to enjoy pizzeria-quality pies at home without relying on pizza delivery.

Whether you’re hosting a weekend pizza party or settling in for movie night, beat the holiday rush and save $50 on this exceptional pizza oven right now.

Upgrade your pizza game

Ninja’s Artisan Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven is basically a sleek countertop oven that happens to live outside, according to my colleague, Kelly Woo, who reviewed the appliance for Tom’s Guide. She said it “delivers fast, hot, bubbling pies” and is easy to use, with no assembly required.

Hassle-free pizza in 3 minutes
OK, you won’t get wood-smoke flavor from a wood pellet pizza oven, but you get hassle-free pizza ready in three minutes, without the flame or fuss. And that's why we recommend it as the best electric pizza oven in our buying guide. “It’s a solid choice for those who don’t want to spend too much — or think too hard — when you have guests over,” adds Woo.

So what do you get for $249? The 12” x 12” interior is spacious enough for a full-size pizza stone or baking tray and offers 5 crust options: thin, pan, Neapolitan, New York, and a custom setting. With temperatures up to 700°F after an 18-minute preheat, it stays hot once it's hot.

But it’s not just a pizza oven; it also offers bake, broil, warm and proof. I love that it offers the dough proof function — speeding up what can be a slow process when the temperature drops.

Keep your eye on your pie
You also get a Chef’s View Window, so you can keep an eye on your pies and watch the crust rise and cheese bubble, without opening the door and letting all the heat escape.

If you're after fast, consistent pizza that delivers exceptional pies, snap up the Ninja Artisan Electric Pizza Oven right now and start enjoying homemade pizza before the holidays begin.

More from Tom's Guide

• Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer Review
• Ooni Volt vs Ninja Artisan: which electric pizza oven should you buy?
• Ninja just dropped its first propane grill — the FlexFlame can smoke, roast, griddle, and even replace your pizza oven

So while I wouldn’t recommend it for espresso fanatics or coffee nerds, there’s definitely an audience here. If you’re the kind of coffee drinker who’d rather press a button for hot bean juice in seconds, you might just be that audience. No, it’s not going to win any taste or design awards — but have you seen that price? Yes, $59. No, that’s not a typo. $59!

Might the Keurig K-Mini Mate be the perfect small coffee maker for you? I’ll go through everything in this Keurig K-Mini Mate review.

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: Specs

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: Price & availability

The Keurig K-Mini Mate is extremely affordable — just $59 from Amazon. Keurig also makes the K-Mini Mate in three trendy colors, pastel pink, terracotta, and sage green, but this’ll cost $89.

The black model is the cheapest coffee maker Keurig sells. There’s the $88 Keurig K-Express, $99 Keurig K-Compact, $119 Keurig K-Mini Plus, and $149 Keurig K-Slim. Obviously, none are quite so affordable as the K-Mini Mate.

Other pod machines are also much pricier. Nespresso’s cheapest machine is the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, $129. However, as someone who’s used both Nespresso and Keurig machines, Nespresso tends to taste better due to the espresso-like pressure extraction.

With the Keurig K-Mini Mate, you get what you pay for. Don’t expect anything other than “fine” — because “fine” is precisely how I’d describe this machine.

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: Design

The Keurig K-Mini Mate is the perfect single-serve coffee maker for small spaces. I’m thinking studio apartments, college dorms, even on your office desk. It’s just 4 inches wide, 9 inches tall, and 9 inches deep. I’ve seriously never even seen a coffee maker smaller than this (other than a manual one, like the AeroPress Clear Color).

Even the Keurig K-Slim is 0.7 inches wider than the K-Mini Mate. (Not so slim, now, eh?) Again, if you need the smallest coffee maker on the market, I completely recommend the K-Mini Mate.

As you might expect from a 4-inch-wide coffee maker, the water reservoir is a pretty small 12 ounces. This is enough for one cup at a time, or two small 6-ounce cups. I actually preferred the flavor of 6-ounce brews over 12-ounce brews, so take from that what you will.

Looks-wise, I mean, it’s $59. It’s a plasticky-yet-somehow-still-sleek machine. It does the job it says on the tin: brews coffee quickly with zero headache. Of course, you could opt for the prettier color versions, but this will cost you an extra $30. I am kind of frothing at the mouth looking at the terracotta one, though. I would probably go for that model if I were buying this for myself (or for my child at college).

While the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ looks better, it’s also double the price. Obviously, I can’t tell you which machine will suit your needs, but if you have a little more money to spend and value aesthetics, I’d recommend looking into the Nespresso.

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: Performance

The K-Mini Mate is almost impossible to mess up. There’s one button. That’s it. All you need to do is put the K-Pod in the pod hole, press the single button, and put a cup under the spout. There’s no room for error here.

Here’s a photo of the K-Mini Mate during use. It takes two minutes to brew one cup, which is ready at drinking temperature. You don’t have to wait for it to cool. Also, you fill the water reservoir with however much you need. If you want a 12-ounce cup, you fill 12 ounces. Want a small or stronger cup? Just use less water.

As you can see, there’s really not much to it. One button, one spout, one mug for coffee in seconds. This is just as easy to use as any other Keurig and any Nespresso machine.

But how does it taste? Well, it’s $59. I wouldn’t recommend this for coffee snobs, but you get what you pay for here. I tested using Colombian and Italian roast pods. The Italian pods were richer and stronger, whereas the Colombian pods tasted a little more tea-like. In the office, three out of four people preferred the Italian pods.

Of course, not all pods taste the same. The beauty of Keurig machines is that you can get tons of different pods. You can get ten Starbucks pods for $9.99, which works out at $.99 per pod. You can also get 48 Keurig-branded donut shop pods for $25, $.53 per pod. Not to mention 96 McDonald’s-branded coffee pods for $45, $.47 per pod. So on and so forth — you get the picture. Keurig machines are versatile: you can adjust the flavor profile easily by buying different pods.

While both the pods I tried carried a vague plasticky taste, again, you get what you pay for here. You’re not going to find a pod machine this easy and this small for cheaper. The cheapest Nespresso is $129, and the next-cheapest Keurig is $88.

If you value ease of use over nuanced coffee flavors, the K-Mini Mate is for you. If not, I’d recommend getting something pricier like the Moccamaster Cup-One ($259), which makes single-serve drip coffee — and is accredited by the Specialty Coffee Association, meaning it brews to strict standards.

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: Storage & maintenance

As it’s less than four inches wide, storing the K-Mini Mate is as easy as making coffee on it. If you’ve got a palm-width of space in your kitchen, you’re good to go.

In terms of maintenance, the machine has a little “descale” light on the top. This will flash when the machine considers itself requiring a descale — between 3 and 6 months — but you’ll need to descale more often if you live in a hard water area. For context, I live in one of the hardest-water areas in the U.K., and I descale my Breville Bambino Plus once a month.

Keurig sells a 14-ounce bottle of descaling solution for $13.99. Durgol descaler, which Moccamaster recommends for its machines, is $13.95 for 8.2 ounces on Amazon, so the branded one is actually cheaper here.

Alright, now let’s address the elephant in the room: sustainability. How does one dispose of K-Pods without upsetting Mother Earth?

Keurig actually runs a pod recycling scheme. Obviously, you need to empty out the ground coffee and clean the pods first, but you can send the pods back to Keurig for recycling. This is great! Until you realize it’s $9.99 for a 96-pod bag. Yes, you need to pay for the privilege of recycling your pods.

This is outrageous. Keurig should not force recycling costs onto consumers — it should be absorbing these costs itself. People buy Keurig machines because they’re cheap, so why should these people also pay $10 to recycle their pods? This encourages plastic waste.

Nespresso’s pod recycling is completely free. You fill a prepaid bag with pods and send it back. That’s it. If you live in New York, you can even recycle the pods directly in your normal bin.

I was shocked when I saw that Keurig not only charges for recycling, but charges $10 per bag. Honestly? Because of this, I’d recommend Nespresso all the way. Within seven recycling bags, you’ve made your money back on the $129 Vertuo Up+.

However, Keurig also makes a reusable coffee filter ($14 at Amazon) you can refill with your preferred coffee, which is a much more environmentally friendly option.

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: How does it compare?

As the K-Mini Mate’s main competitors are other Keurig machines, let’s chat Keurigs. Which Keurig model is best for you?

The K-Mini Mate is the narrowest — it’s under 4 inches. The old K-Mini is just under 5 inches, so the Mate is considerably smaller. Every little helps! Next up is the K-Slim, which is 4.7 inches wide.

However, the K-Mini Mate is single-serve in every sense of the word. You’ll need to refill the water reservoir after every use, and it can only store one pod at once (the one you’re using). Unlike the Keurig K-Mini Plus, which has 9-pod storage in the machine itself, you’ll need to install and remove each pod.

If you’re looking for a Keurig with a bigger water tank (so you can make multiple drinks without needing to refill), you’d need to spend a little more on the bigger, pricier Keurig K-Supreme ($189).

Other Keurigs can make iced drinks (K-Brew+Chill, $199); some you can control the brewing temperature (K-Supreme Gen 2, $169); some dispense hot water for things like tea (Keurig K-Elite, $209). However, these are naturally much bigger (the Keurig K-Elite is 10 inches wide) and pricier.

Keurig K-Mini Mate review: Verdict

The Keurig K-Mini Mate is exactly what you’d expect from a $59 Keurig machine. It’s fine. No, it won’t impress serious coffee nerds, but that’s literally not the point. This is a machine for small apartments, college dorms, or offices.

If you’re low on space but want to make hot coffee easily every morning, I’d recommend the K-Mini Mate. For best-tasting brews, I’d also recommend grabbing the reusable K-Cup and filling it with your own coffee. This also means you don’t have to pay Keurig’s outrageous $10 pod recycling fee.

Small space, small budget? K-Mini Mate won’t let you down.

It’s no surprise that such a premium brand comes with a premium price tag, which is why I was so excited to spot this rare, standout deal just ahead of Black Friday.

Right now, the Le Creuset 3.5-qt Signature Cast Iron Round Wide Oven has crashed to just $219 from $355 on QVC. That’s an incredible discount of $138 — saving you serious cash.

And if you're a fan of Le Creuset's iconic colorways, you'll be glad to know that this deal comes in eight bold and beautiful colors, including my favorite — Cerise. These hot deals will sell out fast — here’s why you’ll want to snap one up right now!

Why I'll be picking up a Le Creuset oven

Whether you're after superior cooking results or simply want to upgrade your cookware, Le Creuset is right at the top of my wishlist.

Crafted from premium enameled cast iron, it ensures exceptional heat distribution for optimal cooking temperatures. This allows you to achieve tender, flavorful dishes without any risk of over- or undercooking.

Since I'm all about the aesthetics, Le Creuset cookware will certainly add vibrant color to spruce up any kitchen. And I love its iconic design and different colorways to suit your style.

My favorite (Cerise), is one of the brand's classic and much-loved colors and is perfect for fall. But this also comes in Nuit, Flame, Nectar, Sea Salt, amongst many others.

Plus, if you're hosting for the festive season, these will certainly impress your guests and spruce up your table.

And at such a great price, you'll need to grab one (or two) now, before they sell out fast.

More from Tom's Guide

• Le Creuset just relaunched an iconic limited edition color after 6 years
• Cast iron skillet vs Dutch oven — which is better?
• What is a Dutch oven — everything you need to know about this kitchen essential

If you're new here, I'm an ex-Starbucks barista. I loved working at Starbucks — honestly, of my three barista jobs, it was my favorite. Maybe because I was a Supervisor, meaning I got to boss people around and no longer had to mop the floor at the end of the day, but it was still my favorite.

But despite not donning the famous green apron for five years now, Starbucks holiday drinks still have a special place in my heart. The moment Pumpkin Spice Lattes launch, I'm there, paying an eye-watering £5.70 ($7.52 at time of writing) for what is essentially hot milk, automatic machine espresso, and sugar.

So I thought to myself... why don't I make my own? For research? Can I, an ex-Starbucks barista, make a better PSL? Let's find out. If you want to replicate this, you'll need one of the best espresso machines — or even just instant espresso.

The PSL recipe

Now, I'm not going to pretend I know Starbucks' famous pumpkin sauce recipe. Even though there's no written recipe online, you can find a full list of ingredients on Starbucks' website. Theoretically, you could tinker with these ingredients and make a full-on copycat (The Coffee Lab, fall 2027; watch this space).

However, for your convenience, I bought pumpkin syrup from Amazon. This is the exact syrup I used.

For the rest of the beverage, I made a standard latte using my KitchenAid KF3, as it's the machine I'm testing right now. Then I added pumpkin syrup to taste—I started with two teaspoons, but you can add as much as you like. Starbucks adds whipped cream on top, but I skipped it because I don't like it.

So... can I tell a Starbucks PSL and a homemade PSL apart? Let's find out...

If you haven't seen the video embedded above, go watch it! Otherwise, there'll be some spoilers below.

The taste test

I identified the Starbucks PSL immediately.

I really, really wanted mine to be just as good, but it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't Starbucks.

My PSL was sweet, warming, and cozy. It tasted more of cinnamon than pumpkin, which is fine if that's your preference, but I personally love the earthy pumpkin flavor. The espresso flavor and milk textures were almost identical, though, so it's not all bad news! With a homemade Starbucks-dupe syrup, this could be genuinely comparable.

The Starbucks PSL honestly tastes like fall in a cup. The cinnamon and nutmeg flavors danced across my tongue, and the silky-smooth, condensed-milk-based sauce gave a luxurious mouthfeel. It was much richer. I couldn't drink a Venti, but that Tall was oh-so-satisfying.

However, the Starbucks PSL costs £5.70. (Mine actually cost me almost £15 ($19.78) because I ordered it on Uber Eats...) Obviously, the homemade latte initially cost much more than that — you've got to factor in the machine, after all — but every Starbucks drink adds up.

Which latte do you think looked better? Do you agree with my taste analysis? Have you got an even better syrup recommendation? Remember, I'm in the U.K., so I don't have access to some U.S.-only brands!

More from Tom's Guide

• Overwhelmed by coffee jargon? Here are the 5 key espresso terms you need to know
• I'm an ex-Starbucks barista — you can make the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso at home for a fraction of the cost
• People are mixing coffee with Diet Coke (yes, really) — I'm an ex-barista, and I tried the viral 'fridge cigarette'

It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, though. Of course, it’s incredibly fun to use and relatively compact, making it a great choice for hands-on baristas with cosy kitchens. While it takes a decent amount of trial and error, this isn’t markedly unusual for a lever or enthusiast espresso maker. The main drawback is the price. As I’ll get into more, it’s a pretty hefty $349 — for a completely manual machine. No power, ergo: no self-heating, no milk steaming.

Is that a price you’d be willing to pay? Is the Flair 49 Pro one of the best espresso machines for enthusiasts? If you’re willing to part with well over $300 (and buy a milk steamer and gooseneck kettle separately…), definitely. To find out if it’s right for you, keep reading this Flair 49 Pro review.

Flair 49 Pro review: Specs

Flair 49 Pro review: Price & availability

The Flair 49 Pro is $349 from Amazon U.S. and £295 from Sigma Coffee in the U.K. Despite being a manual lever espresso machine, this is, unfortunately, par for the course. Flair also makes the $159 Flair Classic, which lacks the traditional group handle/portafilter and requires disassembly after every shot.

For those needing fresh espresso anywhere, the $169 Flair 2Go is a collapsible, portable lever machine with its own carry case. This model also comes with two screw-in portafilters rather than handled portafilters.

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s the $699 Flair 58 Plus 2, which heats the water and comes with a shot mirror. Because the Flair 49 Pro has no self-heating but doesn’t require disassembly, it’s obviously between the premium 58 Plus 2 and the entry-level Classic. Even so, the $349 price tag is weird — surely it should be a maximum of around $250. You still need to buy a kettle (ideally gooseneck) to use it properly, so I think Flair should reflect that in its pricing.

If you’d like a manual espresso machine by an alternate brand, check out the $699 9Barista Espresso Machine Mk. 2, which is more like a Moka pot-style stovetop espresso maker.

Flair 49 Pro review: Design

As it’s a manual lever machine, the Flair 49 Pro is super simple. It comes disassembled, but setup is straightforward. I screwed the lever attachment into the base and the pressure gauge into the valve housing, and I was good to go. The Flair 49 Pro replaces the now-discontinued Flair Pro 2 and Flair 3 Pro, neither of which I had the opportunity to test. Other users report the 49 Pro is much easier to use than the Pro 2 and 3 because it doesn’t require disassembly between shots. You can pull back-to-back espressos like a pump espresso machine.

Unlike a pump espresso machine, there’s zero plastic in the brew path. If you’re on the anti-plastic train (I am a recent convert), it’s worth checking out.

I’m a little displeased with the plastic drip tray. The rest of the machine is metal, so I’m not sure why Flair provided such a cheap-looking, flimsy plastic drip tray. Plastic is, of course, cheaper and lighter, but this isn’t a portable espresso machine. I’d like to see a matching black metal drip tray to help justify the $359 price tag, like the Flair 58 Plus 2. I suppose it’s better than the Flair 2Go, which doesn’t come with a drip tray at all.

Flair 49 Pro review: Espresso

Now, let’s get into the good stuff: performance. How does the espresso taste?

It’s utterly delicious.

Flair recommends you use 10-15g of coffee. I used 18g and no espresso came out, so I’d listen to Flair here. For the rest of my testing, I used exactly 15g. Flair also provides a pressurized portafilter if you buy pre-ground coffee, but it’s worth noting you won’t get anywhere near as much flavor with this basket.

This shot weighed 25.5g, which isn’t quite the optimal ratio of 1:2, but it was delicious. As you can see, the crema is velvety and thick, and the body is a deep brown. This shot tasted bright and fruity, with an almost peppery bitterness rounding it out, like a high-quality red wine.

I gave an espresso to my colleague Harry, who reported it was “extremely flavorful, like it extracted all of the flavor from the beans, providing a full-bodied, rich drinking experience”. My colleague Nikita said it was “smooth and full-bodied”, but a touch too bitter for her palate.

Now, onto my complaints. As a lever machine, it’s a given that the 49 Pro would require a decent amount of trial and error. This is a completely different style of espresso maker than most people are used to. Even so, I’m an ex-professional barista and Tom’s Guide’s resident coffee expert, and it took me about fifteen minutes to tease one drop of coffee out. Usually, I’m pulling shots within five minutes of unboxing a new machine.

Flair advertizes that the 49mm portafilter basket makes dialing in more forgiving, particularly at coarser grind sizes. Let me say, I did not experience any of this “forgiving”. As always, I used the best coffee grinder, the Mazzer Philos, to grind all my beans. I tested the 49 Pro on every grind size from 7 to 25: the optimal grind size was 19. Anything over or under — even by a couple of steps — resulted in a sour, watery brew pulled at well below 5 bars, or no brew at all.

I used half of a bag of coffee to find the ideal grind size, so I wouldn’t describe it as “forgiving” at all.

If you’re a coffee nerd, you probably wouldn’t balk at this anyway. However, it’s worth mentioning that any total newbies will need a decent amount of practice before offering beverages to friends and family.

Flair 49 Pro review: Storage & maintenance

Ideal for smaller kitchens, the Flair 49 Pro is just 7.5 inches wide, 11 inches tall, and 13 inches deep. Because it’s a metal stand rather than a bulky machine, it doesn’t look big in real life at all. I’d have no issues using this in my small apartment kitchen.

Cleaning is easy: I washed the drip tray by hand and poured boiling water through the empty water valve to clean before and after each use.

As with other Flair machines, the 49 Pro comes with a 3-year warranty as standard. 9Barista offers a 5-year warranty on its Mk.2 model, but only a 2-year warranty on the original. 3 years isn’t too bad, but because there’s no vibratory pump — the mechanism in electric espresso machines with a maximum life expectancy of around eight years — I’d hope the 49 Pro lasts longer than three years.

Flair 49 Pro review: Verdict

After testing the 49 Pro, I’m not sure why Flair made it so expensive. The only difference between the 49 Pro and the Classic is that the 49 Pro can make back-to-back shots. If you’re the only barista in your house, I’d recommend the Classic to save $190. If you want the best of the best, I’d invest in the powered $699 58 Plus 2.

As you can see, I’ve awarded the machine 4 stars because it’s nowhere near as finicky as the Classic, it’s fun, and most importantly, makes a delicious espresso. However, two things can be true at once: it’s a great product, yet overpriced. $349 for no shot mirror or self-heating water valve is a lot.

Nitpicking aside, though, the Flair 49 Pro is seriously fun. Naturally, it takes a few tries to get right, and this isn’t for casual coffee drinkers. I enjoyed fiddling with grind size and pressure level to get the best espresso — and when I got perfect espresso, I got perfect espresso. The taste is unique; brighter and more energetic than a pump espresso machine. While you’re getting less bang for your buck with the 49 Pro, it’s a must-try for serious coffee nerds.

Yes, the KitchenAid KF3 is pretty slender for an automatic, but how does it actually taste? As you might be able to guess from the “Pros + Cons” above, that entirely depends on the drink you make. Latte macchiato and cappuccino? Weirdly bitter and acrid. Cafe latte? One of the yummiest drinks I’ve ever tasted from a superautomatic machine.

Is this enough to make the KitchenAid KF3 one of the best espresso machines? Well, you’ll have to keep reading to find out. I’ll go over everything in this KitchenAid KF3 review.

KitchenAid KF3 review: Specs

KitchenAid KF3 review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid KF3 is $999 from Amazon U.S. and £749 from Amazon U.K. While objectively a huge amount of money, for a superautomatic machine, this is pretty well-trodden ground. The KF3 is neither under- nor over-priced.

KitchenAid recently launched the KF2, KF3, and KF4 — $799, $999, and $1,299, respectively. Don’t think they stop here, though… KitchenAid’s helping you count all the way to KF8 ($1,999). I reviewed the KF8 a couple of years ago, and l was surprised by how much I loved it, but of course it comes with that premium price tag.

De’Longhi’s no stranger to superautomatic coffee machines, either. I’ve tested the De’Longhi Magnifica Duo ($799), Rivelia ($1,499), and PrimaDonna Aromatic ($2,499). See? The $999 KitchenAid KF3 doesn’t seem so expensive now, does it?

If you’re trying to save as much money as possible, I’d also recommend the Smeg BCC13 ($799) — I tested its predecessor and loved it.

KitchenAid KF3 review: Design

As with every other superautomatic espresso machine I’ve reviewed, the KF3 is, essentially, a big box. It’s nowhere near as bulky as the rest, though. At just under eight inches wide, it could fit in a relatively compact kitchen. However, at fourteen inches tall and almost nineteen inches deep, you’ll need enough clearance space under counters. The water tank is removed upwards, so bear that in mind, too.

In terms of aesthetics, I like the KF3 a lot. It’s not as eye-catching as the De’Longhi Rivelia or Smeg BCC13 — the prettiest superautomatic espresso machines, in my humble opinion — but it’s not as bulky as the PrimaDonna Aromatic.

The KF3 also has a lovely little screen, which is full-color and incredibly bright. It announces when you need to clean (more on that later) and lets you customize your drink. Of course, each drink has its own set recipe, but you can pretty much adapt this to your preferences. Want a weak cappuccino with 200ml milk? You got it. A 110ml latte with intense coffee flavor? You also got it.

Now onto the bad: unfortunately, the KF3 doesn’t come with a milk carafe. You need to buy the $1,299 for milk carafe privileges. Your plebeian $1K won’t do. This is outrageous and my biggest con with this machine. Sorry, $1,000 doesn’t get me a milk carafe — do you want me to shine your shoes and massage your feet, too, KitchenAid?

During my week-long testing period, I just poured milk into espresso machine milk jugs. You could also use a mug, or even the milk bottle if that suits. Come on, KitchenAid. People are spending a grand on this machine. Not providing a milk carafe is insulting at this point.

KitchenAid KF3 review: Espresso

As the KF3 is a superautomatic espresso machine, you can’t really customize the espresso. But that’s okay! That’s exactly what a superautomatic machine is supposed to do. Yes, you can customize it insofar as you can increase the intensity (using cute little bean graphics on the screen), volume, and flavor profile. You can also save these to user profiles.

Espresso on this machine was a little weak; less of the ideal opaque dark amber, more like a really strong black tea — but not bitter at all.

Honestly, it just tasted like every other superautomatic machine coffee. They all taste the same. Get a $700 or a $3,000 machine — it’ll make the same kind of espresso at the end of the day.

While the KF3 says it makes “iced coffee”, it does not. The iced coffee is just… hot coffee, over ice. Oh, and you have to put the ice in the glass — obviously. I wish coffee machines actually made iced coffee when they promise they make iced coffee.

I’ll give you a pro tip: don’t make the “cappuccino” or “latte macchiato” drinks on the KF3. Both are overly bitter and almost acrid. But the “cafe latte” recipe? Absolutely delicious. I even tried to increase the milk volume and decrease espresso intensity on the latte macchiato recipe, but it was still incredibly bitter. If you stick to the standard latte, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a mystery.

KitchenAid KF3 review: Milk

You already know how I feel about the lack of a milk carafe, so I won’t flog a dead horse, and we won’t mention it here. I’ll only talk about taste and texture here.

Despite no dedicated plant-based milk mode, I used oat and dairy milk, and the KF3 texturized both wonderfully. Although the pictures don’t make the coffee look as good as my latte art on a manual machine, this is one of the trade-offs with a superautomatic machine. These drinks are made to the “cafe latte” preset — as mentioned earlier, cappuccino and latte macchiato were nasty.

While the dairy texture was smoother and velvetier, the plant-based texture was still great. The foam was satisfying and dense without watering down the coffee flavor.

The milk pipe itself isn’t wide enough to froth inclusions like hot chocolate, matcha, or chai powder, so bear that in mind if you were hoping to use the machine for non-coffee drinks.

KitchenAid KF3 review: Storage & maintenance

As touched upon briefly, the KF3 is relatively slender for a superautomatic machine — just eight inches. Even so, it’s a whopping fourteen inches tall and eighteen inches deep, so you still need a decent amount of counter space. On top of that, the water tank is removable from above rather than the side, so you need even more clearance (unless you pour water into the tank, of course).

While the machine doesn’t have a milk carafe (...), it does have a milk pipe. This needs to be rinsed after every use — you can click “ignore” if you’re trying to make drinks in quick succession, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that often. You really want gross old milk trapped in a silicone pipe? I know I don’t.

It’s also worth noting that the KF3 uses an entire water tank (1.28L) for five milk drinks and five rinses, which is a lot. While every superautomatic machine I’ve tested is seemingly thirstier than an AI data center, so the KF3 isn’t an outlier here, it’s still a lot of water.

KitchenAid provides you with a water filter to prevent limescale buildup, but I’d still recommend descaling every time the machine alerts you. After using the initial provided pack, you can buy KitchenAid cleaning tablets for $29 from Amazon, but KitchenAid doesn’t sell a branded descaler. In this case, I’d recommend De’Longhi’s, $19 from Amazon, or Durgol, also $19 from Amazon.

Finally: warranty. KitchenAid offers a 2-year warranty as standard, an additional 3 years for the grinder parts, then a 10-year repairability and parts commitment, which is pretty nice. I’d like to see the standard warranty increase to 5 years, but this is better than De’Longhi and Ninja’s 2-year blanket warranty.

KitchenAid KF3 review: Verdict

I find it very hard to give a superautomatic coffee machine anything over a 3.5-star rating. There’s always one major thing wrong with it: no milk carafe (sigh), burnt or weak espresso flavor, too big, overpriced…

In the KF3’s case, the combination of the nonexistent milk carafe and the cappuccino and latte macchiato’s bitter coffee flavor held it back. The café latte tastes amazing, so this is extremely perplexing, but I suppose stranger things have happened.

In general, though, if you can overlook the absent carafe and you stick to the cafe latte recipe (or Americano), you won’t be disappointed. I enjoyed every single latte made by this machine, and so did everyone else in the Tom’s Guide offices. It won’t revolutionize your morning cup, but that’s okay.

If you couldn't tell by the photo, the underrated kitchen appliance is stunning and belongs on my kitchen countertop. I was instantly mesmerised by the LED lights illuminating the hardened glass bowl as it spun away — yes, those lights are part of the appliance and not just a photography trick. But one thing that stopped me in my tracks from adding it to my cart was the AU$1,249 price tag.

Sure, KitchenAid stand mixers are expensive, and IMO as an amateur home baker, are worth the investment. It's no secret, however, that these machines rarely receive a considerable discount. Even when discounted, the machines can cost around AU$800 or more, which isn't the best deal on the coveted appliance.

That said, while my hopes of getting the Luminaire for less are slim (at least any time soon), there's another way to score savings on a new KitchenAid stand mixer. Right now, on Amazon, there's up to 46% off the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer KSM195 in a variety of colourways. The deepest discount is exclusive to the Empire Red and Almond Cream options.

If you've already nabbed a KitchenAid stand mixer and want to explore more of what the brand has to offer, I've compiled some of my top-rated products below. From the Cordless Go range, which is powered by an interchangeable battery, to hand mixers and more, there are plenty of great KitchenAid bargains available right now.

Whatever new product Ninja launches, it always causes a stir, as it did with the Ninja Crispi air fryer. The brand can’t seem to miss the mark with consumers. Everyone just raves about Ninja.

That’s why I was excited to try Ninja’s Crispi Microwave, launched in the U.K. in September, just a couple of months after its July U.S. release. It's Ninja’s first entry into the microwave market, but instead of playing it safe, the company has created a multifunction appliance that uses FusionCrisp technology to not only heat but crisp your food on demand.

I've been taking it through its paces to discover whether it's worth a place on your countertop.

Ninja Crispi Microwave: Price and availability

The Ninja Crispi Microwave launched at $449 in the U.S. and £359 in the U.K. However, do look around, as it’s currently reduced to $399 at Amazon, but if you’re in the U.K., it’s still £359 at Amazon

Looking at the microwaves recommended in our buying guide, Toshiba’s EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave takes the top spot, and you’ll pay $149 at Amazon for it. Meanwhile, the best combi microwave is IKEA’s GÅTEBO 3-in-1 microwave, which can heat, grill and air fry and costs $199 at IKEA.

While the Ninja is more expensive, you do get two-in-one appliances, so don't dismiss this product just because of the price.

Ninja Crispi Microwave: Unboxing and setup

Don’t underestimate how big this appliance is. It’s a two-man job to get it out of its box. In fact, I was surprised by how much countertop space it took up.

The product is securely packaged, and apart from the microwave, it comes packed with a large 5.5-quart glass dish and a crisper plate. You also get an owner’s guide and a quick start guide — including recipes, charts and instructions. Keep hold of these as they’re invaluable when you first get going.

They also explain how to use the glass dish and crisper plate, which mustn’t be used when using the standard microwave function. You’ll also learn when to place the dish in the lower or upper position; it depends on the mode you’re using and what you are cooking.

But this microwave doesn’t have a turntable. Unlike most microwaves, Ninja’s version foregoes the turntable for a flatbed design, which gives you 20% more usable cooking space than a standard turntable. Plus, that’s one less thing to wash!

Ninja Crispi Microwave: Design

Did I mention it was large? Beyond taking up more depth, width and height in my kitchen than my usual microwave, you’ll need to make sure you have enough safe clearance around the appliance to keep its air vents clear.

You’ll need 11.81 inches of clearance from the top of the appliance to any cabinets or shelves above it, and it shouldn’t be wall-mounted or placed inside a cabinet.

It has a smart design and looks like any other microwave, except it is bigger. You can also choose from three colors — Silver, Cyberspace and Black. However, when you peek inside, you’ll see it’s missing the standard microwave turntable. You’ll also notice shelf runners at the top; they help the glass dish slide into the top position.

Ninja Crispi Microwave: Ease of use

It didn’t take me long to get the microwave up and running, but since it’s a multifunctional appliance, give yourself time to read the instructions. Beyond standard air fry and microwave modes, it offers a lot of functionality, including presets and FusionCrisp.

It has eight microwave presets (Defrost, Beverage, Soup, Popcorn, Potato, Soup, Soften Butter, Frozen Vegetable, and Porridge) and five Air Fry presets (Air Fry, Max Crisp, Air Roast, Air Bake, and Air Grill).

At first, it might seem a bit complicated, but after a few goes, I was confident I was using it proficiently.

However, one recurring issue is knowing what times to set when using the FusionCrisp function. I could follow recipes in the quick start guide, and there are also guidelines for cooking a wide range of other dishes, but I couldn’t always find the timings for what I wanted to cook. In these instances, I searched online for advice.

Another issue I had was the weight of the glass dish. I found it was very heavy, especially when full, and removing it from the top position was tricky. It was difficult to grab with oven mitts, which was essential once the food had been cooked. However, when the glass dish was placed in the bottom position, it wasn’t as much of an issue.

Ninja Crispi Microwave: Performance

As I've already mentioned, there's lots of scope with how you use Ninja's Crispi Microwave. During my testing I used the microwave and air fry functions independently and combined them both using the FusionCrisp mode. Here's how I got on heating, reheating and crisping food.

FusionCrisp

The standout feature of this microwave is its FusionCrisp technology — the ability to microwave and air fry. Beyond ending soggy microwave reheats, it can do much more.

Fruit crumble
With a sweet tooth, I couldn’t help but notice a fruit crumble recipe in the quick start guide, and it seemed like a good place to start. Crumble is one of my favorite desserts; it has plenty of fruit, is quick to make, and I love the richness of the crumbly topping. What’s more, it seemed like a fitting way to see just how well FusionCrisp mode works.

I’ve already covered making the fruit crumble in my first impressions of the Ninja Crispi Microwave, where I explain how large and heavy the glass bowl is. It will allow you to make a huge serving, but this might not be what you want.

When baking the crumble, I placed the bowl in the top position and pressed the FusionCrisp button. I then set the microwave time to 20 minutes, followed by the air fry time to 10 minutes, as the recipe directed.

You'll hear the appliance beep when the microwave finishes and before the air frying starts. Then, once complete, 'Cool' appears on the digital display. This is when the internal fan runs to dissipate residual heat.

I was really pleased with the result. The fruit was cooked through and piping hot, and the crumble was just how it would be if I’d cooked it in my oven. With a total cook time of 30 minutes, it saved me 10 minutes on my usual oven bake.

Would I make this again in the Ninja Crispi Microwave? Definitely.

Baked potatoes

Who doesn’t love a baked potato with a crispy skin? I usually start by microwaving my potatoes, then leaving them to crisp in the oven, but that takes ages, and it's too long for a quick lunch. However, using the FusionCrisp mode makes it feasible when you are short on time.

I started by pricking my potatoes all over with a fork, and then gave them a light coating with sunflower oil. I couldn’t find the cooking times for baked potatoes in the guide, so I searched online and placed two potatoes (weighing between 250-300g each) on the crisper plate in the glass dish in the top position. I set the microwave for 14 minutes and the air fryer for 10 minutes.

Baking potatoes and how crisp you like the skin is a personal preference — I like mine on the extra-crispy side, enough to give your jaw a workout. So, you’ll probably need to play around with the air fryer timings, depending on your own taste. However, these were a real winner, and although I’d extend the air-frying time, the inside of the potatoes were soft and cooked through.

A whole chicken

Since using the Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer, I’ve swapped cooking whole chickens in my oven for using my air fryer. I find it’s quicker, and my air fryer basket is easier to clean than my oven.

So, I was keen to discover how my regular chicken would look and taste after using the FusionCrisp mode. I followed the recipe in the quick start guide for a 1.5 kg chicken (3.3 lb); I lightly coated the chicken in vegetable oil, seasoned it and placed it on the crisper plate in the glass dish.

Although everything I had previously cooked using the FusionCrisp mode had been placed in the top position, the size of the chicken called for it to be cooked in the bottom position.

I set the microwave time to 30 minutes and the air fry dial to 45 minutes. The recipe didn’t specify turning the chicken, like I normally do when I air-fry protein this size, so I skipped this step.

Once the microwave stage was complete and the appliance beeped, I removed the chicken to check on its progress. As expected, it still looked pale and unappetizing. However, once the air-frying cook time was up, I checked the temperature of the chicken with my Thermoworks Thermapen One thermometer and it was above the recommended temperature for cooked chicken.

However, when I turned the chicken over, it still looked pale, and after inserting the thermometer, it was not at a safe temperature to eat. I therefore returned the chicken, uncooked side up, to the microwave and gave it a few more minutes on the air fry setting.

This wouldn't stop me from cooking a whole chicken in the microwave; I'd just return to my normal practice and turn the chicken halfway through the cook.

What about the clean-up? I took a cloth, rinsed it in warm, soapy water and wiped over the internal surface of the microwave to remove the splatters of chicken fat. It was easy to remove, since I hadn't let the fat settle.

Vegetable lasagna

One of my favorite recipes is pesto lasagna, made with pesto, spinach, pine nuts and mascarpone — try it, you’ll be surprised!

Since the quick start guide includes a vegetable lasagna recipe, I thought I’d use the same cooking times. I made the lasagna in the glass bowl, then placed it in the top position in the microwave, setting the microwave time to 20 minutes and the air fry time to 8 minutes.

I was pretty pleased with this bake. The lasagna was well-cooked, the filling hot and the top crispy — if not a little too dark. Since making this lasagna, I've continued to use the microwave for other pasta bakes, as it makes an easy, quick win during the week

Air fryer

Since I'd already used the air fry mode within the FusionCrisp mode, I didn't test the stand alone air fry function as extensively as I would a normal air fryer — to me, it had already proofed that's it's more than capable.

Grilled cheese toasty

To go with the soup I heated in the microwave (see below), I made a grilled cheese toasty. I spread butter on the outside of two slices of granary bread and filled the inside with grated cheddar cheese. I placed the bread on the crisper plate in the glass dish and used the top position in the microwave.

I checked online to get an idea of timings, and set the temperature to 240°C for 8 minutes, flipping the toasty over at the halfway point.

The toasty was incredibly moreish, with oozing cheese and a crispy texture. Since making this in the microwave, I've been eating cheese toasties on repeat.

Thick-cut frozen chips

Frozen chips are a staple in my house for quick dinners, and it was a no-brainer to try them in the air fryer. I placed them on the crisper tray in the glass dish (there’s plenty of room for large portions), selected the Max Crisp Air Fry setting and set the timer for 20 minutes.

I checked them after nine minutes, gave them a shake and saw they were cooking faster than I thought. So, after 12 minutes, I checked again, and they were baked.

Beef burgers
To go with the thick chips, I used the air fryer mode to cook frozen beef burgers. Although the quick start guide does give you timings for using the FUSIONCRISP mode (5 minutes microwave, 10-12 minutes air fry).

I placed two quarter-pounders on the crisper plate in the top glass bowl and set the air fry time to 14 mins at 180°C/356°F, flipping them halfway through. I was pleased with the result, but I will try using the FUSIONCRISP mode next time to see if it makes a difference.

Microwave

My normal microwave is very basic and lacks functions, so I was excited to try the Ninja and work through the presets; plus, it was handy for reheating dinners after I went to the gym.

Overall, I was impressed with the microwave’s functionality, its ability to heat without cold spots, and how easy it is to adjust the timing with the control knob or in 30+/- intervals, as well as the power level.

Melting butter
I tend to keep my butter in the fridge, especially in summer, when it can start to go rancid. This means my butter is often too hard to spread and definitely not soft enough for cake batters. I found this function really handy, and it meant I didn’t have to think about how long to microwave my butter or which temperature setting to use. It was a surprise to open the microwave and find softened butter instead of my usual melted mess. The preset is set to 30 seconds, but you can adjust this either way.

Heating soup
With cozy season upon us, I've started to enjoy warming lunches, so I used the preset to heat through some chicken and vegetable soup. I placed my bowl of soup in the base of the microwave and kept it in for the full 2 1/2 minutes. Once complete, I gave the soup a stir, and it was piping hot.

Porridge
With the mornings getting cooler, I was able to make the most of the porridge preset and make myself a bowl of steaming oats. I put 1/2 cup of oats in a bowl with 1 cup of milk, stirred and selected the porridge preset. After two minutes, I removed my oats (though they had boiled over the sides a little), and my breakfast was steaming hot with no cold spots.

OK, so I had a bit of leakage; normally I'd remove the turntable from my microwave and wash it by hand or put it in my dishwasher. However, with the Ninja, I simply took a damp cloth and wiped up the mess. I found the inner design makes it easy to clean up messes, with no ridges to hold a turntable.

Ninja Crispi Microwave: Verdict

I’m in love with the Ninja Crispi Microwave, and I don’t want this to disappear from my kitchen. It’s great for baking pasta bakes and crumbles, and it does a good job with whole chickens (just remember to flip the food halfway through). Plus, the presets are super handy, and the best bit is that it’s fun to use.

So why haven’t I given it 5 stars? It’s got nothing to do with its prowess as a cooking appliance; it’s simply its size. You need serious space in your kitchen for this microwave, not to mention the clearance headroom above it, and the large glass dish is heavy to handle, especially when it’s placed in the top position. If you can work around these issues, it’s well worth considering.

Naturally, that also means it’s hot chocolate season — not that I really need an excuse — and I’ll be treating myself to a luxurious mug of velvety hot chocolate while I cozy up.

If you’re a hot chocolate fan like me, you’ll be excited to discover that the viral Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser has dropped in price by 30% to $115 at Amazon. That’s an epic saving of $50, which would be a shame to miss on Prime Day.

Treat yourself to the Hotel Chocolate Velvetiser

This new version of the Velvetiser launched last year and can brew both hot and cold chocolate drinks, unlike the original model, which only has a cold-mixing mode.

The second-generation Velvetiser features an elegant sculptural design and comes in three attractive colorways — Pewter, Chalk, and my favorite, Pebble. It also features a stylish wooden handle for a high-end look.

So what else does the new Velvetiser offer that makes it worth the upgrade? According to our Velvetiser review it features a custom-designed whisk "shaped with petal-like edges inspired by the cacao flower," and it spins to generate a vortex that can integrate both hot and cold chocolate.

The hot chocolate setting melds real chocolate flakes at 155-157°F — the optimum melting point for chocolate. The cold setting pulses at the beginning to gently meld finely milled chocolate with pre-chilled milk.

To tempt you further, you can choose a whole host of delicious Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Mixes, including dark chocolate, salted caramel and raspberry praline, among a few, from $25 at Amazon.

Still undecided about pressing Add to basket? If you feel guilty buying the Velvetiser for yourself, why not buy it for the foodie in your life? With a $50 price drop on this premium product, it’s worth finding an excuse to grab the deal before it’s gone.

• shop all October Prime day deals
• YETI sale: deals from $10
• Amazon devices: deals from $12
• Anker Smart Display Charger: was $39 now $23
• Skechers: from $25
• TV sale: deals from $69

There are too many espresso machines on the market — I know. I agree. I said it first! Even as a professional reviewer, I get overwhelmed with the amount of new releases, updates, and innovative features.

So if you're overwhelmed, don't fret. I'd recommend a bean-to-cup machine for home baristas either just starting out or not fussed about complex specialty functions. For this type of home barista, two of the best espresso machines are: the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine — $499 at Amazon right now— and the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier 3-in-1 — also $499 at Amazon right now.

But don't think these machines are perfect for everyone, because that's not true. The Breville and Ninja are intended for entirely different audiences — so which model suits your needs more? I'm an ex-barista; I've reviewed over 50 coffee machines, so let me help you choose.

Different strokes for different folks

The Breville Barista Express and the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier 3-in-1 are different types of espresso machines for different types of home baristas. I wouldn't classify these as interchangeable products at all.

Are you a passionate home barista looking to dive further into the world of artisan coffee? The Breville is for you.

Are you a coffee lover who wants consistently delicious espresso, filter, or cold brew without needing to fuss over the machine? Then you're perfect for the Ninja.

But ease of use is one of the most important considerations when shopping for a new espresso machine. As much as I love the Breville Barista Express, it's not as easy to use as the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier.

Thanks to Ninja's "Barista Assist" technology, the machine itself helps configure grind size, which makes dialing in a breeze. If you've not heard that term before, dialing in refers to grinding your beans correctly. Different types of beans require a different grind size, and the only way you can do this is by trial and error — meaning you might waste a lot of beans if you're not confident in what you're doing.

In our 4.5-star review of the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier, reviewer Camryn wrote, "The machine automatically weighs the basket and tells you what setting to put the grinder on, which is adjusted by a dial on the side of the machine."

The Ninja also has a PID controller — temperature controller — to ensure your coffee is never burned or weak.

In comparison, the Barista Express's grinder is completely manual — you need to use the on-machine pressure gauge and your barista eye to finagle grind size.

We've also reviewed the Breville Barista Express — our reviewer Mike said, "the Breville Barista Express makes an excellent cuppa, making it one of the best espresso machines around."

Although it requires a little more fuss, the PID controller (water-temperature controller) and customizable pre-infusion are appealing features for coffee snobs in the making.

Personally, I would get the Breville Barista Express because I'm not overly concerned with making drip coffee or cold brew with my espresso machine. Even so, if you value these use cases, the Ninja might be better for you.

In short: you're not going to be disappointed by either machine. Both perform admirably — and would look pretty in your kitchen.

Savings Squad Widget

It’s officially cozy season, and instead of looking forward to an iced latte to cool me down in the summer heat, I’m dreaming of scrumptious cookies and cakes to enjoy with a warming cappuccino.

What’s more, as Tom’s Guide's resident baker-in-chief, I’ve been keeping my eye on stand mixer deals this Prime Day, and have spotted some top appliances at great prices.

For starters, you can save an epic 57% on Cuisinart’s Precision Master Stand Mixer that I recommend in our best stand mixer buying guide. It’s on sale for $139 at Amazon— that’s an unbeatable saving for a great performer at an affordable price.

But if you’re a KitchenAid fan and nothing else will do, I’ve found three other exceptional deals this October Prime Day, including the KitchenAid Artisan, now $379 at Amazon. Plus, the super-stylish Smeg Forte stand mixer, which is bound to turn heads, has also dropped in price by 18%.

Keep scrolling to decide which stand mixer deal is right for you, and happy baking!

Quick Links

• shop today's best October Prime Day deals
• Smeg Forte 5-quart Stand Mixer: was $549 now $459
• KitchenAid Bowl Lift 7-quart Stand Mixer: was $649 now $529
• KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: was $499 now $379
• KitchenAid Classic 4.5-quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: was $399 now $299
• Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer, in red: was $319 now $139

Stand mixer deals I recommend

Shop more deals

Whether you’re after one of the best air fryers, or want to upgrade your appliances on a budget, Amazon’s Prime Day is the ideal time to bag a great deal.

Short on time or countertop space? I’ve just spotted a versatile, all-in-one air fryer that handles it all — and it’s currently 50% off.

Right now, the Chefman Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ has crashed to just $70 from $139 at Amazon. That’s an incredible 50% off, and a decent saving.

What’s more, the Chefman is equipped with five cooking functions and 17 presets, which means you don’t have to worry about splurging on separate appliances. Here's why.

Cooking made easy

Perhaps what I like most about the Chefman Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ is its incredible versatility.

Far more than a standard air fryer, it functions as a rotisserie oven, baker, dehydrator, and roaster to deliver crispy, delicious results every time. Plus, it offers a healthier alternative to traditional frying while keeping cleanup to a minimum.

It also comes with a large 10L capacity and three racks, adequate for large families, meal-prepping, or hosting Thanksgiving or holiday parties.

What’s more, it has 17 preset options, which you can program at just the touch of a button — meaning that you don’t have to worry about over- or undercooking anything.

Plus, I like the idea of checking your food's progress through the oven’s glass window and interior light.

Better still, there’s no need to buy separate appliances, as this Chefman will literally cover every base. And at 50% off, this incredible deal will fly off the shelves (I’m putting one in my basket right now!).

Shop more deals

• See all deals in the Prime Day sale
• Sign up for Amazon Prime

More from Tom's Guide

• 7 clever ways to make your backyard look bigger
• Best outdoor pizza ovens
• 5 rude habits your neighbors hate

Ice cream isn’t just for summer; in my house, it’s a sweet staple we enjoy year-round. That’s why I kept a close eye on ice cream makers this Prime Day and have rounded up the best seven deals available right now.

While one of my go-to brands, Ninja, has savings of up to 23% on the popular Creami and Creami Scoop & Swirl at Amazon, I also noticed that GreenPan stole the show with $124 off the price of its Ice Cream Maker and Slushie Machine. I reviewed this machine myself, so I know it produces some great results.

I’ve found some great deals on both premium and wallet-friendly brands; here are the top ice cream maker deals to grab before Prime Day ends.

Quick Links

• Shop all Amazon deals
• Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl 13-in-1 Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker: was $349 now $279
• GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine: was $399 now $275
• Chefman Iceman Trio Ice Cream Maker: was $249 now $189
• Ninja Creami 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker: was $219 now $169
• Black & Decker Perfect Pint Ice Cream Maker: was $169 now $129
• Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Ice Cream Maker: was $99 now $79
• DashMy Mug Ice Cream Make, 2 pack: was $44 now $31

7 best ice cream maker Prime Day deals

I’ll let you in on a secret — I really hate cooking. If it takes longer than ten minutes to prepare, I’m out. I wish I were the kind of parent who found it fun spending hours prepping meals for my toddler, who would live off pesto pasta if he could, but I don’t. Yet when I became a single mom a year ago, one thing became clear — I needed to learn how to build my own flat-pack furniture, and, well, cook.

Where did I start? By downloading some simple recipe apps and upgrading my kitchen setup to make things simpler. I opted for the Our Place Always Pan, which is a ceramic, non-stick pan that is oven-safe and comes with a handy strainer. My new flat has a tiny kitchen, so I also added the Wonder Oven to my shopping list, which is a toaster, oven, air fryer, and can reheat your food, all in one.

The best part is, whether you’ve lived through a massive life transition or you’re just keen to upgrade your cookware, Our Place is part of the Prime Day sale, and right now the 10.5-inch Always Pan is down to $83 from $135, and the Wonder Oven is discounted to $139 from $185.

Quick links

• Our Place Always Pan 8.5”: was $109 now $70
• Our Place Always Pan 10.5”: was $135 now $83
• Our Place Always Pan 12.5”: was $159 now $134
• Our Place Wonder Oven: was $185 now $139

Best Our Place Prime Day deals

Can I cook Michelin-star meals yet? No. But am I getting better at planning and prepping food? Definitely. The Always Plan is a dream to cook in and clean, especially if you’ve been known to burn pasta to the bottom of the pan before (just me?)

The Wonder Oven, however, is the item I use every single day. It heats up in no time, and it saves so much space in my kitchen as I no longer need a separate toaster, air fryer, and microwave.

It also looks beautiful, and while it’s pretty compact, cooking for me and my son, I’ve now lived in this apartment for two months, and am yet to turn the oven on.

Grab these deals while you can — you won’t regret it.

The average kitchen contains a lot more than 5g of the stuff. Take a look at your kitchen appliances: which are constructed entirely from plastic, and which are metal or glass? Refrigerators, air fryers, blenders, coffee machines — they’re all plastic.

Slowly but surely, though, the attitude towards plastics is changing. According to Google Trends, 2026 alone has seen a 5,000% increase in searches for “plastic-free coffee maker”. To put this into perspective, let’s compare: an increase of 5,000 is the size difference between a mouse (7cm long) and the Eiffel Tower (33,000cm tall).

So what’s causing this shift, and why? I spoke to Moccamaster, a leading coffee maker brand, and Beth Gardiner, author of Plastic Inc., to find out.

What is plastic?

Beth Gardiner describes plastic as an “incredibly complicated petrochemical, meaning it's a chemical that comes from petroleum products.”

“The raw ingredients of plastic are basically derivatives and byproducts of oil and gas. We use the word plastic as a singular, but there are many different kinds of plastics.”

“What you end up with is a petrochemical.”

Essentially, plastic is fossil fuels that have been heated, pressurized, had molecules reconfigured via a series of highly complex chemical processes, and been added to.

Despite this, plastic isn’t inherently evil. In some cases, it’s the only plausible material — single-use medical equipment, for example.

What’s a microplastic?

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic. Anything from 5mm to 1 nanometer counts as microplastic. Most microplastics are invisible to the naked eye — 1 nanometer is 10 million times smaller than a centimeter (25.4 million times smaller than an inch).

Contrary to popular belief, microplastics can shed from any type of plastic. Even proudly BPA-free or PFAS-free plastics can degrade, eventually becoming microscopic microplastics. And when you introduce hot water or heating elements into the equation? BPA-free, virgin plastics might not leach carcinogenic compounds into the water, but they will degrade over time.

While researching for this article, I discovered my trusty tea bags leach billions of nanoplastics and microplastics, according to a 2019 study at McGill University. Honestly, I’m still reeling. How many microplastics are floating around inside me thanks to my English Breakfast tea addiction?

I’ll have my coffee with creamer, sugar, and… plastic?

How many cups of coffee have you consumed today? Four? Five? Do you know how many microplastics were in each one? No, of course not. But that doesn't mean plastic coffee makers are inherently wrong.

Take Moccamaster, for example. If Moccamaster were to make a glass brewer, I’m guessing shipping costs from production in the Netherlands would be astronomical. Plastic is light, durable, and cheap. Glass is heavy, delicate, and expensive. Would the average person be able to afford it?

Even so, other brands are offering low-plastic machines. Simply Good Coffee, Aarke, and Ratio are brands already whetting the appetite of the anti-plastic brigade, and I don’t blame them.

As evidenced, the general hunger for “plastic-free coffee maker” is experiencing the highest spike.

Even though consumers seemingly want plastic-free products, the onus shouldn’t be on consumers to reduce plastic usage. We’re not asking for plastic in all our appliances — we’re served it. “Plastic is being pushed into markets,” says Beth Gardiner, author of Plastic Inc. “If you go to the supermarket to buy some bananas, they're wrapped in a plastic bag, and you buy them.

Economically speaking, you did not demand a plastic bag. Your economic demand was for bananas.”

Of course, consumers can find completely plastic-free bananas, but this produce is often double, triple, or quadruple the price and much less convenient.

“The reason why plastic is in such wide use, particularly in terms of packaging and cheap products, like toys and appliances, is that it is super, super cheap.”

Moccamaster isn’t shying away from using plastic, though. Will Etherington, Director of Sales at Moccamaster, says that the “plastic components in the coffee and water-brew path comply with European food-contact requirements, including EU Regulation 10/2011.”

This means that all the virgin plastics used in Moccamaster’s line — including my favorite drip brewer, the KBGV Select — are “evaluated for chemical and material migration under repeated boiling-water-use conditions, using standardized tests designed to represent, and, where applicable, exceed, the time and temperature encountered during daily brewing."

So what are we supposed to do?

Unfortunately, as consumers, there’s very little we can do. If we want a coffee maker, we go and buy one. More often than not, we’re restricted by how much we can spend on said coffee maker.

“Moccamaster does not introduce products simply to follow trends,” says Will Etherington. This comes in light of the huge uptick in plastic-free brewers released recently — the aforementioned Ratio Four (Series 2, 2025), Simply Good Coffee Plastic-Free Brewer (2026), and the low-plastic Aarke Coffee Maker (released in 2024). However, none of these brewers are accredited by the SCA, while the Moccamaster is.

“The current narrative can sometimes suggest that any product containing plastic is inherently harmful, unsafe, or poorly made, but that is simply not the case," says Etherington.

"What matters is how the material is selected, where it is used, whether it complies with applicable food-safety standards, and how it contributes to the product’s performance, durability, and longevity.”

Gardiner corroborates this, stating that the fundamental problem is disposability. “Disposability in the broad sense, not just throwaway cups and packages, but also the sort of approach to consumerism where goods are so short-lived and so incredibly abundant.”

“If you're substituting wooden forks instead of plastic forks, pretty quickly you're chopping down forests to make more wooden forks.”

“Why not use a metal fork and wash it and use it a thousand times?”

Simply put, why not buy something once and use it over and over?

I believe that plastic coffee machines aren’t any worse than all the plastic most of us ingest every day. Take Moccamaster, for example: The plastic brew basket is replaceable. On top of that, the Moccamaster is produced in the EU, which has extremely tight health regulations.

My takeaway

First things first, I’m going to look into my teabags. That statistic has made me feel nauseous. Am I inviting billions of microplastics into my precious body just by drinking tea?

I’ve already replaced most of my food storage boxes with glass. I bought a 10-pack of glass containers in July and now shudder whenever I remember my old predilection for heating soup in plastic bowls.

The bottom line is this: to be as safe as possible, you should buy plastic-free products, especially if those products involve heating. However, plastic isn’t inherently evil. It’s how it’s used and maintained.

I put petrol-derived Aquaphor on my lips every single day. There’s no such thing as a plastic-free world anymore. At this point, everything we do is merely harm reduction. And investing in a well-made, durable product is the best thing you can do for yourself. Whether that’s the lifetime-repair-warranty Moccamaster or the plastic-free Ratio Four is up to you.

More from Tom's Guide

• 47 early October Prime Day Deals I'd shop now — save 50% or more on Asics, Blink and Ninja
• I tested the iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max side-by-side: Should you upgrade?
• 9 new movies and shows to stream this weekend on Netflix, HBO Max and more (Oct. 2-4)

All I need to do is convince my husband it’s worth the real estate on my kitchen countertop, and the $449 price tag.

I’m currently testing Ninja’s first-ever microwave with an air frying function, and I’m impressed so far. The No. 1 selling point is the FusionCrisp feature. It lets you heat food in microwave mode, then switch to air fry so your meal doesn't turn out soggy.

You’ll have to wait a little longer for my full review, where I’ll get hands-on with cooking a whole chicken and other dishes. But for now, here are my first impressions of Ninja’s Crispi Microwave.

Make some room...

My current microwave sits quite innocently on my countertop and measures 17 (W) x 12.5 (D) x 10 (H). However, the Ninja is over three inches wider, five inches deeper and four inches taller. You can’t help but notice it.

If you lack countertop space in your kitchen, I recommend checking your measurements before investing. You also need to think about clearance space. SharkNinja recommends six inches on the sides and 12 inches on the top.

The appliance I’m testing is currently sitting below a wall cabinet, with only five inches of clearance. I think I can get away with it, since I'm not using the appliance long-term, but do make sure you've got enough surrounding space for safe operation.

The controls look complicated, but they're not

At first, I was a bit concerned that the appliance seemed complicated to use. You can choose FusionCrisp — a combo of microwaving and air frying — or use the microwave and air fryer separately.

You’ll need to sit down for a few minutes with the instructions, or watch the setup guide that you can find by scanning the QR code on the appliance.

It walks you through reheating pizza, cooking baked potatoes and using the controls.

After using the appliance just once, I felt confident and have only referred to the Quick Start Guide to check timings. That can be an issue when using FusionCrisp. Unless I followed a recipe, I wasn’t sure how long to microwave and then air-fry the food. I expect this will get easier with time.

Cooking a fruit crumble using FusionCrisp

For me, the main attraction of Ninja’s Crispi Microwave is the FusionCrisp function. It lets you heat food in microwave mode, then switch to air fry to get a crisp texture.

The appliance comes with a fairly comprehensive Quick Start Guide, including recipes. I was instantly drawn to the classic apple berry crumble recipe — one of my favorite cozy-season puddings.

I used the recipe in the guide, swapped the apples and berries for plums, and made my first crumble in the appliance.

Using the glass basket

You need to use the accompanying glass basket with the FusionCrisp function, and place it on either the bottom or top shelf of the appliance. If you’re cooking something of height, such as a whole chicken, place the basket in the base, but since my crumble had a low profile, it was fine to put it on the top shelf.

I did find that the glass basket was really heavy; you’ll need two hands to hold it. What’s more, it’s also substantial. If you’re using it to make a recipe for one or two, you’ll end up with a huge portion. My family is still eating its way through the crumble!

And there lies another problem. If you’ve got leftovers and don’t want to transfer them out of the glass basket (some meals are messy), you’ll need a spare if you want to cook again before you finish everything.

It ditches the turntable

You’ll notice when you look inside the appliance that it ditches the turntable. This gives you even more space for cooking. Ninja claims it offers 40% more space than a standard microwave, and that it will fit an 8lb chicken. That’s ½ lb larger than the maximum size chicken that you can fit in the Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer, with a 6-quart container.

I already regularly cook whole chicken in my Corsori TurboBlaze air fryer, and will try it out in the Ninja Crispi Microwave over the coming days.

It can microwave and air fry too

Besides using the FusionCrisp function, don’t forget this appliance still offers a separate microwave and air fry function.

I tested it out by using the microwave to heat chicken soup. It has a handy preset function that ran for 2 ⅕ minutes. The soup came out piping hot, and I didn’t even pause and stir it halfway through.

I then used the air fry function to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I placed the crisper plate in the glass dish and positioned it on the top shelf. To save guessing the time and temperature I had a look online, before choosing the Max Crisp setting, at 240°C for 8 minutes. I paused the appliance and turned the sandwich over halfway through.

I was pretty pleased with the result, well my son was, and the bread was crispy, and the cheese was beautifully melted.

I’ve since played around with more grilled cheese toasties and have used the Air Grill Air Fryer setting, which needed a little less time.

My verdict so far

I’m enjoying using the Ninja Crispi Microwave and discovering what it can do. I’m still not sure whether it’s worth ditching your current microwave and air fryer for one appliance, so I’d love to know your thoughts if you’ve already made the investment (you can leave your comments below).

It is a large appliance, so if you are looking to save space, don’t underestimate the real estate it will take up.

For now, I'm going to get back to testing, and hopefully convince my family that it's one to keep.

Discover what I really think of the Ninja Crispi Microwave in my full review.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tested the Ninja Crispi for a week and it made me rethink everything I knew about air fryers
• The Ninja Creami makes it so easy to make ice cream, it’s dangerous
• Best microwaves in 2026

I’m impressed by the level of control you get with this blender, which has become my go-to for everything from meal prep to daily breakfast smoothies. It has exceptional blending performance that takes on the toughest ingredients. It’s very stable when blending at full speed, has a large capacity and is easy to clean.

What more do you want? You can find out more by reading my full Ninja CrushBOSS review.

Ninja CrushBOSS review: Specs

Ninja CrushBOSS review: Price & availability

The Ninja CrushBOSS is available to purchase from Amazon U.S. for $169 and from Amazon U.K. for £154. The blender comes in a variety of colors, including Midnight Blue & Gunmetal, Onyx, Emerald Green & Champagne, Stone & Gold, Mocha & Gold.

You can also buy the blender as part of a three-in-one bundle with a tumbler and food processor, as well as the large pitcher. This version of the blender will cost you $279 from Amazon U.S. and £239 from Amazon U.K. The additional blend cups are a good option for anyone who will be dealing with small quantities or using the blender for meal prep.

The Ninja Detect Power Pro is also around the same price at $179 and is incredibly powerful too. This blender comes with smaller blend cups and has similar controls, with a dial at the front and the same preset modes, but the CrushBOSS is just a little more powerful and costs less. Why would you spend more?

I recently tested the Nutribullet Power Core, which is priced at $99, and for $70 more, I can’t believe the step up in performance you can get with the CrushBOSS. If you can’t tell, I’m in awe of this blender.

For something with more control, such as the 10 variable speeds that come with the CrushBOSS, I would usually recommend something like the Vitamix Ascent X2. However, that will cost you $549, and you can’t justify paying that when the CrushBOSS is ripping through ice and creating the smoothest hummus I’ve ever seen with complete ease.

Ninja CrushBOSS review: Design

The Ninja CrushBOSS looks futuristic, but so are its capabilities. The blender is pretty tall, measuring 17.87 x 10.16 x 8.98 inches. I found it easy to move around since it only weighs four and a half pounds. The blade in the pitcher is tall, kind of like a tree with six blades.

The pitcher has handy measurements on the side so you can see how much liquid you’re adding to your smoothies and mixtures. The lid has a release button, and a handle pops up, making it easy to remove. The corner of the lid also lifts up to reveal a pour spout.

The motor base has suction cups on the bottom to keep the machine glued to the countertop, and trust me, this thing is not moving an inch. I even struggled to remove it when I was done, but that’s much better than having a blender that jumps around on your countertop.

Controls

The controls of the Ninja CrushBOSS are very easy to get to grips with. The blender has two small buttons for power and pulse at the top of the motor base and a large dial with an LED screen, which you twist to select the mode you want from the smart menu.

You can select prepIQ, which has presets for all sorts of meal prep, including mince, small chop and large chop. I liked having these settings because they gave me a lot of control, and more than I’d get from the pulse button. Smooth Sense uses smart sensing to determine how long the pitcher's contents need to be blended to become smooth, which I found most useful for frozen ingredients. You can also choose from 10 variable speeds if you want to be in control of the blending.

Ninja CrushBOSS review: Blending performance

To test out the blending performance of the Ninja CrushBOSS, I carried out my usual blender tests of smoothies, sorbet and hummus. This time I also added a quick chop side salad to test out the preset modes.

I was blown away by the blender. It’s so fast, and those blades are so sharp I’m convinced it could obliterate anything you throw at it. It made light work of completely frozen fruit and more tricky ingredients such as dates.

Smoothie

Firstly, I made a batch of tropical smoothie which consisted of frozen mango, peaches, pineapple and passionfruit, and I added two bananas and four dates with a splash of oat milk. I used the Smooth Sense setting, and this only took 90 seconds to fully blend and displayed a handy countdown on the screen.

As you can imagine, it tasted amazing, but I’m worried about how it felt. All of the fruit was completely broken down. Not a seed or pip in sight, and the dates were blended so small that they could easily move through a straw. It’s difficult to blend dates because of their sticky texture that gets stuck in the blades, but that wasn’t an issue for the CrushBOSS.

Sorbet

Next, I made sorbet using the Smooth Sense setting to see how well the blender copes with completely frozen ingredients and no liquid. It absolutely obliterated the mango. It was very impressive, and I’ve never seen a blender work so quickly before.

Even though I knew it wouldn’t hurt me since the lid was off, after what it did to the frozen mango, I was wary each time I reached my hand into the blender. In under two minutes, I had a smooth sorbet with no lumps or clumps.

Chop salad

To test out the chopping presets, I made a quick chopped salad to go on the side of meals. This included cucumber, red onion and tomato. I used the Small Chop setting, and the blender made light work of the ingredients.

It took less than 10 seconds to blend. It was pulsing, and in just 1, 2, 3, it was all done. An incredibly fast meal prep that I’ve been able to use to top my meals and add to wraps with minimal cleanup.

Hummus

Finally, I made a quick hummus. This included two tins of chickpeas, olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper. I decided to use the Custom Speed settings here, as making hummus requires more control, and went with speed 4.

This is the smoothest hummus I have ever made. I’m talking grocery-store-smooth. It was seriously impressive to watch, and since the blades climb the pitcher, no chickpeas were missed.

Ninja CrushBOSS review: Storage & maintenance

I found the Ninja CrushBOSS surprisingly easy to clean despite its large size. Everything except for the motor base is top rack dishwasher safe. This means that once you're done, you can throw it in the dishwasher and forget about it, making the cleanup process feel non-existent.

I opted to clean the pitcher by hand since it’s so big, and this was very easy to do. My only advice is that if you decide to clean the blades by hand too, you should be careful with your hands, as the blades are very, very sharp.

Ninja CrushBOSS review: Verdict

After some thorough testing and serious thinking, I don’t have a bad word to say about the Ninja CrushBOSS. In fact, I can’t think of anything negative about it at all.

It has an exceptional blending performance, making light work of tough ingredients like sticky dates and frozen fruit. The controls are also versatile, with variable speeds that give you the final say over your blends and presets that make prepping for cooking faster than ever. The suction on the bottom of the motor base makes it incredibly stable while blending, and the cleanup process is easy. It also helps to have a large 72-ounce capacity so I can make large quantities, but performance isn’t hindered even if you make small batches.

The CrushBOSS does everything a blender should do, does it exceptionally well, and won’t break the bank.

The KitchenAid Pro Line offers some impressive features to back up its enormous price tag. It boasts a premium design, promises even toasting, and packs a range of features like hands-free lowering/rising and an automatic keep warm mode.

Alas, it isn’t perfect. While it’s a good toaster, I wouldn’t say it toasts bread any better than a toaster half the price. And the included toasted sandwich cage kinda sucks.

Still, if you value ease of use and have some cash to spare, this has to be one of the best toasters out there.

KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster review: Price & availability

There’s no getting around it, the KitchenAid Pro Line is extremely pricey, at $299 for the two-slot toaster — the only model available in the States. Here in the U.K., the Pro Line is called the Artisan, with the two-slot model costing £269 and a four-slot model (unavailable in the U.S.), costing £399.

While pricey, the Pro Line is more or less on par with other premium toasters, namely the Dualit two-slice Classic, which costs $299. The KitchenAid Pro Line offers way more features than the Dualit Classic, so is the better option if you want reheating, auto up/down, and a bagel mode. In my experience, though, the Dualit Classic tends to toast more evenly, and unlike KitchenAid, Dualit offers the four-slice model Stateside — if those are priorities, it’s Dualit all the way.

The Pro Line is available in various colors: white, black, red and silver (which is essentially gray). In the U.K., the Artisan is available in a whopping 10 colors, including a rather fetching pistachio green. There’s also an “empire” red, ‘cos y’know… we are the British after all. Somewhat tone deaf naming there, KitchenAid.

KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster review: Design

The Pro Line is, in my opinion, absolutely beautiful, sporting a timeless art-deco design. It’s simultaneously stately yet understated, adding a touch of class to your counter but never drawing too much attention. Every time I notice it, I think “huh, now that is a pretty toaster.”

Size wise, the Pro Line is an absolute unit. The four-slice measures 12 x 13 x 9 inches and weighs 18.7lbs — it’s definitely one to be avoided if you’re short on space. The two-slice measures a slightly more manageable 7x 13 x 9 x inches and 12lbs, but it’s still large for a two-slice toaster. As you can see, neither is a featherweight either, and I genuinely had difficulty getting both out of their styrofoam packaging.

The upside to all this is that the Pro Line is built like a tank. There’s barely a hint of plastic in sight. Everything is essentially either enamel-clad steel or shiny chrome. I’m not sure I could break it even if I wanted to. This is a toaster to pass down to your grandkids.

KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster review: Performance

My favorite thing about the Pro Line is its array of automatic features and useful cooking modes. It has an automatic up/down mechanism that senses when food is in a slot and lowers/raises it accordingly, with a satisfying ping to let you know your toast has begun and ended. There’s not much use to this, although it’s a very smooth, steady mechanism, so avoids the classic ‘toast popping out and landing on the floor’ scenario.

Much more useful is the ‘keep warm’ setting. If the sensor detects that toast hasn’t been removed after cooking, the Pro Line will automatically lower it back down on a gentle heat to keep it warm. So no more spreading butter over cold toast if you happen to be busy or away from the toaster when it pops up. This will cook the toast ever so slightly, but I haven’t yet had burnt toast from a previously unburnt piece on account of keeping warm.

There’s a bagel mode, which is handy, only toasting one side of each bagel half, while only warming the top. You need to ensure you’ve got your bagel the correct way round, though, lest you cook the top and just warm the bread side. Thankfully there's a diagram on top of the toaster showing you which way to insert the bagel.

Naturally, there’s a defrost mode for heating frozen bread. And there’s a fourth mode which, confusingly, KitchenAid’s marketing images don’t show. On the promo shots, the toaster has a mode called “A little longer” to toast for a short time. On my two- and four-slice units, however, there’s a toasted sandwich setting instead. I guess the model online is an older version.

Anyway, the toasted sandwich setting is sucks, even using the sandwich cage — in all my tests, it simply burnt the outside of the bread while leaving innards cold and cheese unmelted.

I really like that the Pro Line’s slots are deliberately capacious, though, allowing you to toast lots of different bread styles and thicknesses. Often I struggle getting extra thick slices of bread into my parents’ Dualit Classic, but with the Pro Line I had no issues with super thick granary bread. I still had to cut flatter, longer sourdough slices in half, but that’s to be expected.

Finally, I love the toast setting slider. It's smooth, with no hard stops on each setting, so you can dial in your exact cooking time. And it features LED cooking lights, which count down to zero so you can see how long is left before your toast pops up — handy for time management when doing other stuff in the kitchen.

Toasting tests

Alas, the Pro Line’s core toasting performance was a little disappointing. Not awful, but for this much money, I want perfectly cooked toast. I ran my tests on the four-slice unit, at the middle setting of '4'.

With thinner slices of bread, the Pro Line cooked pretty evenly on both sides, with each slice of bread in each slot looking similarly toasted. As you can see, though, the toaster left the upper half and top corners less cooked. I'd expect to see less cooking at the top, as it's cooler near the opening. But there's quite a big discrepancy here with the upper section being undercooked cor my liking. These weren't tall slices of bread, either — the crusts were well and truly submerged into the toaster.

To see if this was just an issue with the elements not having time to heat up properly, solvable by longer cooks, I left two slices in the toaster until they burned — as a sort of stress test. As you can see below, the top elements will start to cook the upper areas of bread, but a corner still gets left undercooked in comparison.

With thicker slices of bread, I found the Pro Line always heated the sides unevenly, resulting in toast being perfect on one side and either under- of overcooked on the other, depending on the slots used. Slots 1-2 tended to undercook a side while slots 3-4 tended to burn a side. As you can see below, there was always a discrepancy between sides. Now, you want this for a bagel, but for normal toasted bread I wish the Pro Line cooked more evenly. The Dualit Classic is much better in this regard.

Time-wise, the Pro Line takes just over 2 mins to cook at the middle setting of 4. At the lowest setting of 1, it took just under 30 seconds and at the highest of 7 it took just under 2-minutes 45 seconds.

I wouldn’t say this is particularly quick, but it isn’t slow like those awful conveyor belt toasters you find at European hotels. The combined cooking and buttering time was about right for brewing and steeping a cup of tea to wash down my toast.

KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster review: Storage & maintenance

The Pro Line is very easy to keep clean externally. The sturdy, premium design and enamel finish don’t hold onto fingerprints and grime, and are easy to wipe down. I have the toaster positioned next to my stovetop, meaning it’s constantly getting sprayed with food and oil. My old toaster held onto this and its body needed degreasing regularly. The Pro Line’s enamel looks as good as new with a quick wipe.

Unfortunately, the crumb tray is a little laughable. It’s tiny and super shallow, meaning it gets full up very quickly and can be fiddly to remove if there are big crumbs in it. It’s also easy to spill crumbs when moving the tray from toaster to food waste.

KitchenAid Pro Line Toaster review: Verdict

The KitchenAid Pro Line (or Artisan in the U.K.) is a decent enough toaster. It’s styled and built beautifully, easy to clean and packs tons of useful features — the keep warm setting is a total gamechanger for those who perennially forget about their toast.

Holding the Pro Line back from our top scores are some major annoyances, though. It’s pricey, and for this money I’d expect evenly cooked toast on both sides. The crumb tray is also inexplicably small for a toaster this bulky. But if you value convenience and features over pure toasting performance, the Pro Line is still definitely one to shortlist.

My biggest recommendation today is the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series Espresso Maker for $499 at Amazon. We awarded it 4.5 stars in our Ninja Luxe Café coffee maker review, and if that wasn't enough to convince you, it's now on sale for its lowest price ever with $100 off.

• shop early Prime Day deals at Amazon

In her Ninja Luxe Café coffee maker review, our tester said: "Hands down, this is the best beginner-friendly espresso machine I’ve ever tested." So if you're just getting into making espresso for the first time, there's pretty much no better deal to pick up this year on International Coffee Day.

This machine does it all — espresso, milk steaming, and cold brews — and is extremely easy to use, delivering near-perfect results every time. It consistently produced a rich, flavorful espresso with a healthy layer of crema in our tests.

It also deserves props for its quieter-than-average running volume, and its cold foam feature. It'll froth up espresso into a super thick cold foam that won't heat up milk, and is perfect for experimenting with delicious new drinks. Our reviewer, Camryn, wrote: "I could make an amazing caramel macchiato using these features, and I think it’s actually better than the ones I get at the coffee shop."

That's right, better than the coffee shop! If you're a regular visitor to Starbucks or Dunkin', this machine will get you better drinks and save you money in the long run. Make sure to snap up this deal before it sells out.

IKEA’s newest introduction is its new VARDAGEN series of cookware, bakeware and dinnerware — served up just in time for those hearty fall and winter suppers. I already know which item I’ll add to my basket.

IKEA has added three new enameled cast-iron pots to its VARDAGEN collection, which is dedicated to providing “traditionally designed cookware and dinnerware that is perfect for everyday use”. They also come at everyday prices — an attractive proposition, since you won’t find much under $200 at Le Creuset.

My favorite addition is the light pink VARDAGEN enameled cast iron pot with lid, $34 at IKEA. I can definitely picture this shallow 2.6-quart pot on my own induction cooktop.

That’s the beauty of cast iron: you can use it on multiple cooking surfaces, and since the material is magnetic and conducts heat, it's also suitable for induction cooking.

If you’re looking for something a little larger, IKEA has also launched a 3.2-quart, round, dark-gray-green oval enameled cast iron pot with a lid, retailing for $39, and a 4.2-quart, light yellow, oval enameled cast iron pot with a lid, retailing for $49.

All three new cast iron pots have sizeable handles and matching silver knobs, with an attractive ridged design on the lids, and since they are enameled, there’s no need to season the pans before use.

If your budget won't stretch to Le Creuset prices, I think these IKEA cast iron pots could be a winner this season.

More from Tom's Guide

• The best cast iron skillets: Tested and rated
• I ditched my non-stick pans for cast iron cookware — here's why I’m not going back
• I tested IKEA's portable induction cooktop — and it's a game changer for small spaces

There are more than 120 species of coffee plant, but only two dominate the market: arabica and robusta. Spend a few minutes perusing the coffee aisle in your local store, however, and you’ll observe that only one is worn as a badge of pride.

Many brands proudly proclaim their 100% arabica origin. By contrast, robusta is conspicuous by its absence; a term relegated to shadowy small print, if at all.

Let's dive into the differences and explain a little bit about this ongoing debate across the coffee community.

Is arabica inherently better than robusta?

Traditionally, the two were deemed to be yin and yang. Arabica became shorthand for fancy coffee. Robusta for the cheap stuff. Historically, that stuck — of the two species, arabica has always been considered to be the more refined option of the two.

But as the two names became a differentiator of quality, a vicious circle emerged: producers simply put less effort into the cultivation of robusta and so its tastier talents were never truly appreciated. It was mass-produced, quality control was low and the end product was relegated to jars of instant coffee — or blended with arabica beans to cut costs.

And it does taste different: whereas arabica can produce a wide spectrum of wonderfully sweet, floral and complex fruit flavours, robusta tends towards more intense flavours. Think huge, thick, smoky, dark chocolate nuttiness. But with the right soil, careful farming and judicious roasting, be in no doubt: it can be every bit as satisfying as a top-class arabica.

The reality is that growing great quality coffee takes time, care and effort – skimp on any of these factors, and any species of coffee will fail to reach its potential. And both species can taste terrible: work your way through that supermarket shelf and you’ll find bags of both arabica and robusta beans which, if the tasting notes were honest, would feature descriptors such as “bottom of the ashtray” or “soggy bonfire”.

Why is robusta becoming popular again?

Its name provides a clue. Discovered in the 1800s, it earned its name because of its resilience to both climate and pests. It’s a plant that also thrives at lower altitudes; a complete contrast to the mountain-loving arabica varieties. In today’s shifting climate, that explains why producers in some parts of the world are beginning to shift their crops to hardier robusta plants. They can grow in lower altitude fields that are easier to access, and the crops are less liable to fail when the weather goes bad — or when pests and fungus attack.

Naturally, the bulk of that crop still goes towards mass-produced blends and instant coffee. However, the steady increase in production means that an increasing number of artisanal coffee roasters are beginning to rehabilitate its reputation by producing coffees from the increased supply of high-quality robusta beans. You can identify these by looking for the terms Fine Robusta or Super Fine Robusta. These are the beans that have been selected for professional grading by the producers.

The process is rigorous. A certified grader from the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) inspects the green, unroasted beans for defects such as mould, stones or sour fruit — if it passes that stage, the beans are lightly roasted, brewed and taste-tested to a specific range of scored criteria. Depending on the final tally, the highest scoring beans will be designated as "Fine Robusta" — and the exceptional as "Super Fine Robusta". In short, if you see those terms on a bag, or featured in a roaster’s marketing spiel, you know you’re looking at the good stuff.

How do I find the best quality robusta coffee?

Ultimately, the key to buying good coffee is far less about species and much more about where you buy your coffee. In the main, that means abandoning your chain stores entirely. Seek out your local coffee roasters, or take your search online, and find the roasteries that take time and care to select great quality beans and roast them to perfection.

There’s a simple test: if a bag of coffee is inscribed with a roasting date, then it’s probably good coffee — and it means that the roaster cares enough about coffee to tell you exactly how fresh it is. If a packet has nothing more than a best before, then you best beware — as it means the producer doesn’t want to admit how stale it is. In all likelihood, it could be months old and well past its prime.

So don’t make that mistake: start every cup with coffee that’s been grown, graded and roasted with care, and you’re already on the path to a better-tasting cup. And if you like the idea of a big, creamy, chocolatey espresso-style kick, then add a good-quality robusta in your next order — you might be pleasantly surprised.

More from Tom's Guide

• 5 coffee makers worth swiping up before October Prime Day: up to 28% off my top picks
• Best coffee maker 2026: we tested over 90 machines, and these are the top 7
• What's the difference between drip and espresso? Ask Tom's Guide's coffee expert in live Q&A

Yet that’s exactly how I got my first look at HexClad’s new Hybrid Bakeware collection. The $399 6-piece set, available as of October 1, is the brand’s first attempt at transferring the same stainless steel-meets-nonstick technology from its very recognizable frying pans to the oven.

The new 6-piece Hybrid Bakeware Set includes a 10 x 15-inch medium baking sheet, a 9 x 13-inch rectangular pan, an 8 x 8-inch square pan, two 9-inch round cake pans and a stainless steel cooling rack.

Look, this is not casual bakeware. And I am, at best, a casual baker. So I wanted to know whether HexClad’s hybrid construction actually makes a noticeable difference in the oven — and, more importantly, whether it feels worth the premium.

What makes HexClad bakeware different?

HexClad Bakeware uses the same general hybrid concept popularized by the brand’s high-heat pans, featuring stainless steel peaks sitting above nonstick valleys. (Although the bakeware has a medium-gray finish rather than the distinct darker surface used on HexClad’s cookware.)

As with the cookware, you can use metal baking tools directly on the surface without worrying about scratching the pan, but HexClad says they also lift food ever so slightly off the surface. The idea is that this creates a tiny amount of airflow underneath whatever you’re baking, helping heat circulate more evenly and reducing the chance of scorched bottoms.

The tri-ply construction also gives the pans a nice heft, while the curved handles are designed to be gripped more comfortably while wearing oven mitts. In other words, these do not feel like the flimsy sheet pans you accidentally bend and warp while pulling them out of a jam-packed kitchen cabinet.

And these pans can take some heat. They’re oven-safe up to 900°F, which is obviously far beyond anything you’d need for cookies, but does make them useful for everything from cakes to high-heat roasting and focaccia.

Putting HexClad Bakeware to the test with Nancy Silverton

A lot of the use-case suggestions came from Nancy Silverton during our demo session. The chef, baker, restaurateur and frequent Top Chef guest judge (which I only mention as it is my all-time favorite reality TV show) released her cookbook The Cookie That Changed My Life in 2023 inspired by the very peanut butter cookie we baked on HexClad's sheet pan.

The cookies came out evenly golden across the batch, including on the bottoms, with nicely baked edges and soft centers.

Although the taste is, quite arguably, life-changing, what impressed me even more was how easily they came off the pan. Cleanup was equally painless.

HexClad specifically said not to use PAM or other aerosol cooking sprays on its bakeware. Those sprays can build up a residue and compromise the nonstick performance. If you do need to grease the pan, HexClad said to use a stick with butter or a neutral oil instead.

Is HexClad bakeware worth $399?

There's no doubt that this is expensive bakeware. So if you bake twice a year and your current sheet pan is doing just fine, I don’t think you suddenly upgrade your gear.

But I can see the appeal for someone who bakes or entertains often and is tired of buying pans that warp, scratch or lose their nonstick coating with regular use. Furthermore, if I were making any kind of gift registry, I'd add this immediately.

The whole collection feels substantial and extremely well made, and the combination of easy release, metal-utensil compatibility and HexClad’s lifetime warranty gives it a much stronger longevity argument than your average nonstick baking set. After actually baking with it, I understand the appeal more than I expected to.

HexClad says it plans to expand the collection, too. There’s no Bundt pan on the roadmap right now, but personally, I think that needs to change.

More from Tom's Guide

• I cooked every meal over an open fire for 2 days with Hexclad pans
• My honest verdict on HexClad pans after 3 years of use
• Cast iron versus carbon steel cookware: Everything you need to know

But now I'm Tom's Guide's in-house coffee expert, meaning I've tested over 50 coffee makers, tried all the weird "hacks", and consumed enough cups of coffee to give even an elephant the caffeine shakes. Of course, I'm going to share all that knowledge with you, our readers and members, on International Coffee Day.

Ever wondered if the famed Moccamaster is worth the investment? What the difference between a light roast and a dark roast bean really is? If the best coffee grinder truly is the most important part of your coffee setup? How to get delicious, thick crema like all those TikToks? I'll answer all of that — and anything and everything else you might want to know — right here, right now.

I'll be here today (Oct 1) answering questions live until 12 pm ET, and I'll be back tomorrow (Oct 2) to answer everything else. You can submit questions any time until midnight on Oct 1 (ET).

You can ask anything you want: which espresso machines are actually worth it, the best camping coffee setup, what coffee jargon actually means, or even how to choose the right beans!

As a reminder, please keep all questions appropriate and on-topic. We want this to be a space where everyone feels safe and respected, regardless of whether you're a coffee expert or a total beginner.

If you've never commented on Tom's Guide before, then you may need to sign up to ask questions. Signing up is free and will unlock a multitude of Tom's Club member benefits, like rewards and savings, the ability to earn badges and enter giveaways, participate in popular conversations and all Live Q&As, and reveal hints for our quizzes and puzzles.

I can't wait to hear your questions.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’ve just found a better way to remove bathtub stains fast, and you just need these two items in your kitchen
• 5 coffee makers worth swiping up before October Prime Day: up to 28% off my top picks
• Love Fall color spotting? Test your knowledge of this season's trees, plants and blooms in our photo quiz

De'Longhi is a brand synonymous with great automatic and manual coffee makers, and this particular Prime Big Deal Days discount on its stunning La Specialista Arte has me reaching for my wallet. Not only is it an impressive 41% off, but it also comes in a vibrant yellow colourway that will be the centrepiece of any kitchen it lives in.

• Shop Amazon's Prime Day sale here

If you're keen on nabbing a new coffee machine, this De'Longhi deal is hard to beat. Better yet, it's International Coffee Day, so now's the perfect time to invest in a new caffeine crafter.

Do note, though, that this De'Longhi discount won't last long, and it will only stick around while stocks last or until Prime Day comes to a close next Monday, October 5.

Now, I know yellow isn't everyone's favourite colour — it comes in Black Metal and White too — but this sunshine-inspired option is the only one that scores the full discount.

That said, if a fully automatic machine is more your speed, or you want to browse more of De'Longhi's range, I've selected six of the best Prime Day deals below.

One of the brands to look out for is Casabrews, which specializes in making compact, well-built coffee machines that don't cost the Earth. As it is now International Coffee Day, we thought it made sense to round up some of our favorite models, such as the Casabrews Tornado Basic Conical Burr Coffee Grinder which comes in at under $100, or the more feature-packed Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine with its handy steam wand.

Check out these six machines below and have a happy International Coffee Day!

But, it turns out there's always room for improvement as the 'Classic Charlie' has a newer sibling that's just been released, simply called the 'New Charlie'.

There's some hefty upgrades to talk about, building on what Copper has already carved out in this futuristic cookery space. The most notable new feature is its ability to plug it into both 120-volt and 240-volt outlets, giving homeowners more flexibility; the Classic Charlie only works with 120-volt outlets.

And while that's certainly one of the best upgrades of the New Charlie, it's also not the only way its bringing the heat to kitchens. Here's what else you can expect from the New Charlie.

More heat, less waiting

The New Charlie's induction coils have also received an upgrade to 3000 Watts, up from 2800 Watts on the original stove. The broiler, too, is also more powerful: it's now 3000 Watts, up from 2700 Watts in the Classic Charlie.

As a result, the company says that the time to preheat to 350°F has been reduced from 4 minutes 30 seconds down to just 3 minutes 50 seconds.

Though the new model ships with the 120-volt plug, it can be replaced with a 240 VAC field-wireable attachment plug, if desired.

Like the Classic Charlie, the New Charlie still has the built-in battery, meaning it'll cook for you even if you're in a blackout.

Availability

While all of these new upgrades are impressive, it's worth bearing in mind the price. The Classic Charlie already came with an expensive price tag of $5,999 for the Inkwell Black Polymer design. And you'll see this bump up to $6,399 for the Black Walnut detailing.

For the New Charlie then, you're looking at a base rate of $6,799 at copperhome.com, jumping to $7,199 for the Black Walnut. That's $800 more for these powerful improvements.

It's a hard sell at this price, even with all its seriously impressive features, but if you're making the investment, Copper is bringing the heat.

More from Tom's Guide

• I've always been tempted by induction cooktops, but I'd never buy one for my small kitchen — here's why
• I’ve swapped to an induction cooktop from gas — 3 things I love, and 1 thing you need to know
• Are you damaging your induction cooktop? Here’s what you should do to protect it

I’ve handpicked my 5 favorite coffee makers with big savings ahead of Prime Day — so why wait for the rush when you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee at home while everyone else is frantically searching for the best deals?

From three of the best espresso machines to a drip machine and a manual coffee maker — my top 5 picks have got you covered, whatever your coffee-making preference.

Quick Links

• Espresso machines
• Breville Bambino Plus: was $499 now $399
• Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima: was $529 now $379
• Breville Bambino: was $299 now $249
• Drip machine
• Technivorm Moccamaster KGBV Select: was $369 now $309
• Manual machine
• AeroPress Go: was $49 now $39

Espresso machines

Drip machine

Manual coffee maker

I know I'm not the only Ninja fan out there — we've reviewed plenty of its great appliances here at Tom's Guide — but sometimes, seeing the brand's price tags makes me want to close my eyes. Because I know deep down that no matter the cost, I'm probably going to love my next Ninja appliance, despite my wallet's protests.

• Shop Amazon's full Prime Day sale

Thankfully for my credit card, Ninja's great kitchen appliances have gotten their prices slashed at Amazon during the retailer's massive Prime Big Deal Day sale. From now until Monday, October 5, there are plenty of discounts on Ninja's Amazon storefront.

From summer essentials like the Slushi, Creami and BlendBoss tumbler to kitchen staples like the Crispi air fryer and the Ninja Luxe Cafe coffee machine, there's up to 66% off.

I've gathered my top-recommended deals from Ninja for your perusal below. You'll need to act fast to nab these deals, though, as they will finish up on Monday, October 5.

Best Ninja Prime Day deals

If your usual antibacterial kitchen spray isn't making a dent, don't panic. yYou aren't dealing with permanent damage, and you don't need expensive specialty products to fix it. That stubborn haze is simply baked-on residue that requires a slightly different approach.

It’s surprisingly easy to lift that film using a couple of basic household items you likely already have. Read on to learn what causes the mystery haze, the common cleaning mistake that can permanently ruin your cooktop, and how to get it looking brand new again.

What’s actually causing that mysterious white haze?

There are a few common culprits behind a cloudy induction cooktop. The most frequent issue is metal transfer.

When you use cookware over high heat, microscopic metal particles from the bottom of your pots and pans can embed in the smooth glass-ceramic surface — a process known as displacement. The result is a foggy or milky stain that resists basic kitchen cleaners.

Other common causes include cooked-on food splatters, mineral deposits from hard tap water, and even dried soap residue from regular kitchen sprays.

Every time you turn on an induction zone, these leftover films bake deeper into the glass, creating a dull, milky surface even after a thorough wipe-down.

The cleaning mistake that causes permanent damage

Frustrated when your efforts to clean the cooktop have no results, you might be tempted to grab a Magic Eraser, SOS pad, or steel wool to tackle the problem. Don't do it.

The smooth surface of an induction cooktop is quite vulnerable to abrasive damage. Scrubbing pads cause micro-scratches that permanently dull the glass and trap even more grease over time.

Always stick strictly to non-abrasive sponges, microfiber cloths, or soft towels.

How to safely remove white film from your induction cooktop

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried this genius dryer sheet trick on my baseboards, and it got rid of all the dust in 30 seconds
• My dishwasher was leaving a cloudy film on glasses — here’s the quick fix that cleared them
• I removed stubborn water stains from my glass shower door — without using vinegar

Although the device comes with a $299 price tag, it’s currently on sale for $249 at Amazon ahead of October Prime Day. That’s $50 off a versatile cooking appliance with six different cooking functions, precise and consistent cooking capabilities and snap-lock lids that make it easy to take leftovers straight from the counter to the fridge in one simple step. It's also the Ninja Crispi Pro's lowest price to date!

In our Ninja Crispi Pro review, we gave it 4-stars, as we found it was a bit pricey to justify at full cost. However, this $50 discount nips that problem in the bud.

According to Ninja, the Crispi Pro can cook an entire eight-pound chicken, with vegetables, for 10 people. It now has an XL eight-quart capacity, but still works with the 2.5 and four-quart containers included with the original, meaning it's able to expand on your existing modular setup. Although it loses the portability claim of its predecessor, it now offers an excellent meal prep setup for larger households (and plenty of room for leftovers).

While I haven't got my hands on the Crispi Pro quite yet, what I'm most looking forward to is its simplicity and convenience. Cooking is a part of my daily routine — from frying up chicken cutlets to roasting vegetables, I'm assuming the Ninja Crispi would make the entire process a total breeze. And what's more is the fact that I can pop a lid on my leftovers and simply store them in the fridge.

If you're in the market for a new air fryer, the Ninja Crispi Pro is basically a no-brainer — especially right now with its $50 discount. We don't know how long this discount will last, so we recommend grabbing the deal ahead of Prime Day. I know I certainly will be adding to cart!

And while that's big news in itself, what's really special about Caraway's first-ever entry into a busy coffee maker world is that it's taking its non-toxic ethos and planting it firmly into the brewing process.

In fact, the Caraway 10-Cup Coffee Maker has eliminated plastic from the brew path altogether.

Using a 'first-of-its-kind Clean Brew System', this coffee maker uses stainless steel and glass, meaning your coffee is brewed entirely plastic-free.

For a drip coffee maker, that's a pretty big deal, unless you're planning to brew it all manually (which I'm certainly not).

Why I'll be picking one up

It's hard to ask for a coffee maker that's entirely plastic-free when the market is saturated with options that use plastics for internal components.

But everything in Caraway's coffee maker is focused on eliminating their use.

From the water path, shower head, brew basket, and even the reusable coffee filter, each part of the brewing process is made from stainless steel – and it all leads to a durable glass carafe for a cleaner-tasting cup all the way from brew to pour.

It's clear Caraway has really focused in on this plastic-free innovation (and I heard it has spent 5 years doing just that), but plenty of thought has also gone into its design.

I'm a huge fan of the clean lines and minimalist, yet stylish design of Caraway's cookware. Seeing this translated into a coffee maker is a dreamy countertop addition.

Plus, it's available in four colors; Cream, Midnight, Stone, and Clay, which all integrate nicely with the rest of Caraway's range, in keeping with its iconic muted palette.

And, there are plenty more features to enjoy with the 10-Cup Coffee Maker, including precise temperature control, the ability to brew 2-10 cups, a keep-warm function for up to 90 minutes, and a lovely compact and quiet footprint.

It also includes a built-in cleaning and descaling cycle, plus dishwasher-safe removable components. Coffee lovers may be intrigued by the one-dial control, too, that switches between brewing and cleaning.

If you're looking for a more detailed and in-depth coffee brewing system, there's no big screen with options here. But for me, that's not a deal-breaker.

Availability

Caraway's 10-Cup Coffee Maker is now available to buy exclusively for $495 at CarawayHome.com and Crate & Barrel stores and online. Caraway states that shipping commences 10/30, though "quantities are limited".

Whether it makes its way into our best coffee makers, we'll have to wait until we get our hands on one for a full review.

More from Tom's Guide

• 7 ways to create a barista-style coffee bar in your kitchen
• Coffee doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby — here’s my 5 favorite cheap accessories
• How to make coffee without a coffee maker — 5 easy techniques

Fortunately, Amazon is knocking up to 40% off select Ninja and Shark appliances. We're talking air fryers, blenders, vacuums, air purifiers and much more. Plus, with fall right around the corner, it's the perfect excuse to give your home and kitchen a little seasonal refresh.

I've been scouring the early sale and have rounded up the best home and kitchen deals to snag ahead of Prime Day. Keep scrolling to check out all the Shark and Ninja deals on my wishlist.

Quick Links

• shop all Ninja deals at Amazon
• shop all Shark deals at Amazon
• Shark Steam Pocket Mop: was $99 now $69
• Ninja Professional Blender: was $109 now $89
• Ninja Iced Coffee Maker: was $129 now $99
• Shark NeverChange Air Purifier: was $249 now $179
• Shark HydroVac MessMaster: was $299 now $199
• Shark FlexStyle: was $314 now $199
• Ninja Woodfire Oven & Smoker: was $399 now $274
• Ninja FlexFlame Propane Grill: was $1,119 now $999

Ninja Deals

Shark Deals

More Deals

On this list we've picked out a selection of high-quality skillets, metal spatulas for flipping, presses for getting that perfect smash burger shape, seasoning, and more. All you need to add now is the meat, veggies, and cheese of your choice.

Of course, cheeseburgers are for life, not just for today so when you buy these products you're investing in gear that will last for many years to come.

Even though $999.95 is still an objectively large amount of money, especially in 2026, it’s actually pretty affordable for an automatic coffee machine. Other De’Longhi models go for up to $2,500 (coughElettaExplorecough) with, honestly, not that much difference in performance.

So, is the Magnifica Duo one of the best espresso machines in 2026? It depends on what you’re after. Want something that can make you a fresh, hot (or cold) beverage in seconds without you lifting a finger? Then it’s definitely a contender. To find out more, keep reading this De’Longhi Magnifica Duo review.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Specs

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Price & availability

The De’Longhi Magnifica Duo is $999 from Amazon U.S. and £699 from Amazon U.K. While this is a lot to swallow, most other automatic espresso machines will set you back almost double that. For example, the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic, the KitchenAid KF8, or the De’Longhi Eletta Explore, which are $2,500, $2,000, and $2,000, respectively.

If you want to save as much money as possible but still want an automatic machine, the Magnifica Duo would be your best bet. The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo is $100 cheaper, but it can’t make iced drinks. I’ve also tested the De’Longhi Rivelia, which is still my favorite automatic espresso machine, but it’s a little pricier at $1,499.

For an automatic espresso machine capable of brewing hot and cold drinks, the Magnifica Duo is actually reasonably priced. I hate writing that about a machine three times the price of my first car, but it is what it is.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Design

Just like other De’Longhi automatic espresso machines, the Magnifica Duo is effectively a huge metal/plastic box. This one is particularly massive, too. It’s almost 18 inches deep and 14 inches tall, so ensure you have enough space in your kitchen before purchasing. I test a lot of espresso machines, and my first thought upon unboxing was, “Wow. That’s huge.”

In terms of looks, it’s also average. The brushed silver exterior is a pretty nice touch, and there’s a well-lit LED screen on the top. I do wish the machine was either less plasticky or smaller, though. As it’s so large, your eye is automatically drawn to it. Then all you can do is notice the plastic embellishments.

If you value looks over cost-effectiveness, I’d recommend checking out the aforementioned De’Longhi Rivelia, which comes in an array of pretty colors and is a touch smaller. It’s around six inches shallower than the Magnifica Duo, but the same height and width. Even so, every little helps, and in the grand scheme of things, the Rivelia is still smaller.

Now, the LED screen. Like the De’Longhi Rivelia and the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic, the Magnifica Duo has a nice little LED screen for selecting drinks, maintenance, and everything in between. While it’s smaller and a little less detailed than the PrimaDonna Aromatic’s, you are saving $1,500, so I really can’t complain. The Magnifica Duo’s screen still manages everything you’d want it to: 20-drink selection, customization, and even walks you through tutorials if necessary.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Espresso

As mentioned earlier, the De’Longhi Magnifica Duo makes a whopping twenty drinks. This includes hot and cold beverages: you can make a flat white or iced cappuccino in one click. Just like other De’Longhi automatics, the Magnifica Duo is incredibly easy to use. You only need to press one button for a super speedy drink.

However, it’s not all perfect. Like other De’Longhi automatic machines, there’s no low water warning. This means the machine will sputter out halfway through making a coffee, leaving you with a half-full mug or simply abandoning the espresso extraction altogether. Yes, this wastes beans.

What I’d like to see is for the machine to warn you before making a beverage. If this machine knows its water is below the minimum amount, why does it let you proceed with making a coffee?

Alright, now let’s get into the most important thing: taste. How does the De’Longhi Magnifica Duo actually taste?

Well, like every other automatic machine. Unfortunately, there’s really no distinction between this machine, the Rivelia, the PrimaDonna Aromatic (the list goes on). Some people will love the taste-versus-ease tradeoff; some would rather have more power over their final brew.

As an automatic machine, the Magnifica Duo uses relatively high pump pressure (15 bar) and dual-walled (pressurized) portafilters, so you’re not going to get as much nuance or complexity as you would with a manual machine. This isn’t a Magnifica Duo issue, but an inherent flaw with this kind of coffee machine. Is it for you? I can’t tell you. It’s not really for me, but I have a Breville Bambino Plus and a hand grinder, the Comandante C40 MK4.

Here’s a shot of espresso brewed on the Magnifica Duo.

As you can see, it’s a little pale, and the crema is relatively aerated. Again, this won’t impress coffee nerds, but it’s decent for how little effort it required. This shot tasted quite acidic, but not bitter at all. As stated earlier, automatic machines naturally remove most nuanced and delicate flavors due to the pressurized extraction process, so this shot didn’t taste as it would on, say, a De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro.

My colleague Harry said the coffee tasted a little weak, but it wasn’t bitter or unpleasant. However, my colleague Nikita couldn’t taste the coffee at all. I thought my oat flat white was acceptable, with a delicate coffee flavor and good milk texture, but it didn’t do the $50 coffee beans any favors.

The Magnifica Duo can also make iced drinks, so of course I made a cold brew. Here’s a photo of said cold brew.

This cold brew was… interesting. In a bad way. It tasted overly acidic and weak simultaneously. I wouldn’t recommend using the cold brew setting at all. The rest of the cold drinks from this machine are decent, though.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Milk

One of the best things about the De’Longhi Magnifica Duo is milk texture. The machine comes with both hot and cold milk carafes: De’Longhi’s LatteCrema and LatteCrema Cool. Both milk systems create gorgeous milk texture, with delicate bubbles or smooth micro(ish)foam. Sure, this doesn’t replicate a skilled barista, but that’s not the point of this machine.

Here’s a close-up of a flat white made on the Magnifica Duo.

As you can see, the bubbles are controlled and smooth. My colleague Harry said the dairy texture was “nice and creamy”. I thought the plant-based milk was also great; soft yet dense, like perfectly whipped egg whites (gross image, but you get the gist).

The LatteCrema Cool also makes a gorgeous milk texture. Here’s a photo of a cold brew latte.

As you can see, the texture strikes the balance between cold foam and plain milk really well. The drink is layered beautifully without an overwhelming amount of froth.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Storage & maintenance

As mentioned above, the Magnifica Duo is large. Please make sure there’s enough space in your kitchen before buying; it’s one of the deepest machines I’ve ever tested.

Thankfully, both milk carafes are dishwasher-safe and force-purge after every use. This is great for easy, mindless cleaning. The machine also comes with a water filter and cleaning tablets — replacements are $20 from De’Longhi and $15 from De’Longhi, respectively — and walks you through cleaning cycles when required.

De’Longhi offers a two-year warranty as standard, which is the same as Ninja and Breville and better than Casabrews’s measly one-year. Even so, none of these brands can match SimplyGoodCoffee or Moccamaster — both give you a five-year warranty by default.

De'Longhi Magnifica Duo review: Verdict

The De’Longhi Magnifica Duo is a decent automatic coffee machine. Is it revolutionary? No. Does it make award-winning coffee? No. Is it supremely easy to use? Yes. Does it make coffee in seconds, with zero input from you? Also, yes.

At $999, this is on the cheaper end of automatic coffee machines (yeouch), so I’d recommend it over the De’Longhi Eletta Explore or De’Longhi PrimaDonna Aromatic. If you can part with a little extra, though, I’d go for the De’Longhi Rivelia as it looks prettier, takes up less space (and can also make cold drinks with an extra $129 purchase).

As far as automatic coffee machines go, the Magnifica Duo is relatively affordable. It’s not life-changing, but if you want a decent amount of bang for a (somewhat) lower amount of buck, I’d go for it.