12 Of The Most Affordable Kitchen Appliances On Amazon, Ranked Worst To Best

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Brand new kitchen appliances don't have to always cost an arm and a leg. You can upgrade your devices on a budget, too, from the comfort of your home. Simply hop onto Amazon and set the filter for the cheapest products in each category to stretch your dollar to the last penny. But to ensure you get your money's worth (even if you're spending only $10), factor in the appliance's performance first. Does it do what it's intended to? Are there hidden maintenance tasks that will take up too much of your time? And, perhaps, most importantly: Is the product reliable and safe to use?

To help you make the most of your hard-earned money, we have compiled a list of the 12 most affordable kitchen appliances. From there, we earmarked the pieces that are better left alone and the ones you should wishlist or buy without qualms. To round out the list, we also included a few average products that work as advertised, so are relatively reliable buys, but don't stand out according to reviews. Since the theme is affordability, we stuck to pieces whose retail price doesn't exceed $100, with the majority falling under $50. For a more detailed explanation, you can refer to the methodology paragraph at the end of this article.

If you're looking for an affordable blender for your morning or pre-workout smoothies, you might come across Gdor's 52 Ounce Blender on Amazon. Its economical price (below $50) and 700-watt motor will hook you in right off the bat. Factor in its glass jar, stainless steel blades, hands-free cleaning cycle, along with nine blending functions, and it may seem like a no-brainer option. However, you'd be better off leaving it on the shelf if you'd like a decent ROI (return on investment). Verified users have complained about the blender having a short lifespan and the motor dying out within a month. A few even received a non-functional model and had to deal with a leaking glass jar from the get-go. Its design is also inconvenient and it's quite a hassle to remove the jar without accidentally spilling the blended liquid.

Given these drawbacks, it's no surprise that 27% of consumers gave the blender just 1 star. It also has only a 3.5 average star rating after garnering over 135 reviews. Relaying their experience, a user wrote, "Very poor quality. It did not worked when I switched it ON for the first time. Also the glass blender is a bit heavy in weight."

Waffle makers are one of those kitchen appliances that seem handy, but you shouldn't waste your money on. That being said, if you like having waffles for breakfast, purchasing Elite Gourmet's Maxi-Matic Waffle Iron for less than $15 might seem like quite a steal. However, you'd be trading even heat distribution for convenience. To elaborate, one-half of your waffle could remain undercooked, while the remaining portion will get burnt. Since the compact appliance doesn't come with a temperature control, there's no way for you to get crispy brown waffles. Further, it's made of plastic, but that's to be expected at this price point.

With over 2,100 reviews, the electric iron has an average star rating of 3.9 and 13% 1-star reviews. Besides the hot spots, cleaning the iron will be a time-consuming chore, too. A user noted, "The poor design of the hinge is in the worst place. It's a coil/spring type hinge, if you will. And it's exposed [to] the smallest amount of overflow batter which, in turn, is extremely hard to clean. This makes for an unhealthy situation."

A hand mixer is a vital kitchen appliance if you love baking and cooking. But if you're looking for an economical device on Amazon, give Showvigor's Hand Mixer a skip. Retailing for less than $17, it's powered by a 120-watt motor and promises a quiet operation. Its adjustable speed controls and easy-to-eject attachments further sweeten the deal. Yet, it's one of the worst hand mixers from a safety perspective. A few customers have pointed out that the motor burns out quickly and the mixer begins emitting smoke, which is a) scary, and b) an indication that this appliance isn't safe for use.

So, don't fall for its 4.2 average star rating (after being reviewed over 160 times) or 69% 5-star reviews. It isn't worth your peace of mind. Agreeing with this sentiment, a user reported, "It was working fine. Suddenly smoke started coming out from the back end where the power cord is located. It smells like rubber burning. I unplugged the mixer and threw it in the trash. I was only able to enjoy the item for less than 3 minutes. I won't recommend this item. Yes it may be cheap but not your money." Anything that could turn a fun baking activity into a safety hazard just isn't worth it.

Looking for a reliable drip coffee maker on a budget? Gourmia's 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker costs about $18 at the time of writing, and might fit the bill. Now, don't have wild expectations from the appliance. It won't brew you barista-style fancy cappuccinos like high-end models. Still, it's a handy product for preparing your regular cup of joe. Moreover, customers like its nifty "Brew Later" program that keeps a fresh pot ready at the scheduled time. And if you brew more than you can consume, the manufacturer claims your coffee will remain warm for up to four hours. Its transparent reservoir, one-touch control, compact size, and auto-stop drip function are appreciated, too.

After being reviewed more than 530 times, the coffee maker has an average star rating of 4 with 58% of consumers giving it a 5-star review. Pitting it against other models in the price range, a user mentioned, "The Gourmia works fine for an inexpensive small coffee maker. I tried several inexpensive models and the Gourmia works best – temperature setting, auto shut-off." However, a few people complain about the pot leaking when the coffee is poured. Someone also had an issue with the spring-loaded stopper's alignment and found grounds in their cup of coffee.

Don't have a built-in ice maker in your refrigerator? Or, perhaps, you have a big family or host often and need to constantly run out for ice. Either way, purchasing an ice maker might be worth it. Still, if you'd rather not spend a lot on these machines, Sweetcrispy's Countertop Ice Maker Machine might be worth a try. Currently priced at $50, it can produce around 26 ½ pounds of ice every 24 hours. In case you need a few chunks immediately, the device will give you nine bullet-shaped pieces of ice within six minutes. You just need to fill in filtered water whenever the "Add Water" sign comes on. The self-cleaning function is a nice touch.

With almost 1,100 reviews, the ice maker has an average star rating of 4 stars and has received 60% 5-star ratings. Despite the glowing reviews, be prepared to empty the bucket (or the ice will melt), and for a slight noise when the machine is in use. A reviewer shared, "It is easy to use and operate except it is hard to turn it off. I unplug like the instructions say, so it is not a real big deal. The ice maker does not keep the ice cold so you will have to empty the bucket pretty soon after it is full."

Love having toasted bread for breakfast? Then, it's necessary for you to own a reliable electric toaster. But if your old one is giving you trouble, you might want to check out Ovente's Electric Toaster, a budget-friendly (below $13 at the time of writing) model. Outfitted with a 700-watt heating element, the two-slice toaster comes with a browning control knob, so you can toast each bread per your preferences. Plus, the manufacturer offers local support and a one-year warranty from the purchase date in case the toaster malfunctions.

The electric toaster has an average star rating of 4.1 after being reviewed close to 3,800 times. It even has 62% 5-star ratings to its name, with an impressed user noting, "So far so good! I like it, it's sleek and pretty. Setting 3.5 is perfect for golden toast. I like that it has a cancel option if I want to remove toast before it's done." However, if you intend to toast thick slices of bread or half-cut bagels, be prepared to force them in since they may have trouble fitting in the narrow slots.

Whether you like buying groceries in bulk or meal prep for the week in advance, keeping your food items fresh and safe from freezer burn can prove challenging. Fortunately, there's a lesser known appliance you never realized you're missing out on: Amazing Flower's Vacuum Sealer for Food. Competitively priced at about $17, the wireless handheld device requires USB charging and provides multiple uses on a single charge. Additionally, it suctions at the rate of 40 kilopascals and the package includes 30 BPA-free reusable vacuum bags in varied sizes.

The compact food vacuum sealer has over 140 reviews and has an average star rating of 4.2, with 67% of consumers giving it 5 stars. Detailing why they like the appliance, a verified Amazon user mentioned, "This works amazing — SO much better than the bigger relics. Comes with several different sizes of bags, there's a good amount! The best part is, you can put it right in the drawer. One less appliance that takes up space. It really has a fast suction and the bags come with a little clip to glide along the top to make sure it's secure and closed before you start sucking." With that said, a customer said they received a faulty model that stopped working after one use, so nothing is guaranteed.

Do you have to fish out a foil cutter as well as a corkscrew or wine key for every new bottle you open at home? Consider upgrading to an electric wine opener. In case you don't want to invest in an expensive device right now, Cokunst's Electric Wine Opener is an affordable alternative. For about $9 (the price varies based on the color you pick) at the time of this reporting, you can open your wine bottles in a jiffy without sacrificing the cork. Just insert four AA batteries (they aren't included in the package) to get started.

This electric wine opener has amassed about 9,500 reviews, with an average star rating of 4.3 stars and 70% 5-star reviews. Happy with the appliance, one customer wrote, "It works exactly like advertised, as long as you insert the correct number of AA batteries in it (I initially only inserted two, not noticing the requirement for four). We were amazed at how quickly it pulled the cork and then released it into our hands." Despite the pros, a few consumers have warned that the device doesn't seem too sturdy. Also, make sure it has a home in your drawer, or it could become one of those kitchen gadgets that clutter your countertop.

A rice cooker is an easy to use home appliance that everyone should have. However, if you're on a tight budget, it can be difficult to spring money for something you can cook the traditional way. That being said, if you lead a busy life and can spare about $20, Aroma's Mini Rice Cooker can save some guess work in the kitchen. Add in 2 cups of rice and water (using the included plastic cup, not a standard measuring cup), power it on, and it'll automatically shift to "Warm" mode once the grains are cooked — meaning you don't have to keep an eye on the device. It can also help you prepare other dishes, including soup, oatmeal, jambalaya, and chili. Cleanup is easier, too, as you can just remove the inner pot and wash it in your dishwasher.

The small but mighty rice cooker has an average star rating of 4.3 and has been reviewed over 14,000 times. And satisfied with its performance, 69% of users left 5-star reviews. One such user penned, "My husband loves rice but hates the wait of cooking it and so I do. This little rice maker is a gem. He read the directions, hit the button, and checked it around 15 minutes later and it was on warm. It was done. It makes a good four cups and rice comes out great. The little pan it is in is so easy to pull out and clean and just put back in."

A kitchen isn't complete without a microwave. Alas, the top-rated microwaves of 2025 can be a little expensive, with most models racking up a bill of hundreds. But this is not the case with the Chefman's Countertop Microwave Oven. Costing less than $70 (it's discounted at the time of writing), it has a capacity of 0.7 cubic feet. The heating element can draw up to 700 watts of energy and is ideal for heating leftovers, preparing quick meals, and thawing frozen goods. It also features six cooking presets, and you have the option to program in most-used functions for one-click convenience.

The low-power microwave has an average star rating of 4.4 and has over 1,300 reviews, with 72% users giving it 5 stars. Relating their experience with the appliance, a customer shared, "I've been using this microwave for a few weeks now, and it has exceeded my expectations. It heats food quickly and evenly, whether I'm warming up leftovers or defrosting frozen items. The controls are very intuitive — just a few buttons and I can get everything done without confusion." Just remember, it's on the smaller side, so don't expect it to cook full-blown meals like higher-wattage and higher-capacity microwaves can.

Ovente's Electric Kettle is BPA-free and will cost you less than $13 (provided the white one is still on discount), and offers a two-year warranty from the purchase date. It can heat 1.7 liters of water in one go, and is faster than a stove since it draws 1100 watts of energy. The spout also sports a detachable filter, so unwanted materials can't make their way to your cup. Plus, its auto shut-off technology will minimize accidents.

With over 55,500 reviews, this electric kettle has a 4.4 average star rating and boasts 75% 5-star reviews. "I can't say enough good things about this kettle! I tossed my old stove top tea kettle and modernized with this electric kettle and am really pleased. It heats up very quickly and automatically shuts off. If I don't get to it right away, the water stays hot inside the stainless steel interior," wrote a delighted user. That being said, a few mentioned that the kettle takes longer than expected to boil water, so we suppose that's for you to judge.

Air fryers are all the rage currently. Case in point, a recent CNET survey reveals that 70% of U.S. households own a model. And if you're itching to get your hands on one, Comfee's Compact 2.1 Quart Air Fryer is the best in the affordability segment — it'll cost you merely $35 (it's on discount right now). Since it has a 360-degree hot air circulation system, you don't have to worry about uneven heat distribution. Its 12 menu options promises to simplify cooking, while its compact size (10-inch width by 15-inch height) makes it ideal for small kitchens and RVs. Moreover, it shuts off automatically when the food is cooked or you take out the basket.

The air fryer has a 4.6 average star rating and has been reviewed over 880 times, with 77% users giving it 5 stars. Listing the reasons they like the device, a reviewer mentioned, "Very nice. Very pretty. Good size ... big enough basket to make food for two, yet small enough to not take up the entire counter. Fries food perfectly. Has soft ding and turns itself off at the end of timer. I like that I can choose the fry level and time of frying." In short: It's a straightforward air fryer that customers find super easy to use.

To find the most affordable kitchen appliances on Amazon, we made a list of the popular small devices for households. Then, we set about picking the top economical option in every category. To ensure all the products hit the affordability angle, we set a hard limit of $100, with most appliances falling under $50. We also only picked pieces that had a minimum of 100 customer reviews. This helped us gauge how each tool was actually performing in a given category, in spite of what the manufacturer claimed. Additionally, we considered Amazon's average star rating to rank the appliances from worst to best.