15 Kitchen Appliances You No Longer Need In 2026

Usable kitchen space is a luxury that's in short supply in many homes. That's why, when it comes to appliances, you need to be picky. New designs and fun gadgets pop up all the time, but if you're quick to jump on trends, you'll likely end up with a cabinet full of equipment you thought you would get around to using and never touched again after an initial trial run. Juicers, stand mixers, soda makers, and more feel like they will make your life easier, but really they just cost money and fill up your space with niche, single-purpose items.

While some people may find a few of the tools on this list useful, the average homeowner won't pull these appliances out enough to keep around. For example, if you make rice every day, a dedicated cooker is pretty handy. But if you only use the starch a few times a month, it's just taking up space you could free up for something else, like a more multipurpose tool. So if you're looking to clean up your kitchen in 2026, go through this list and see which appliances you have sitting around unused. You might be able to swap out several products for just one that can do it all. 

Toasters can be handy tools. They can be used to reheat food, cook small meals, and more without having to turn on your oven. Unfortunately, pop-up toaster models are rather limited. Because of the shape of the slots, they can only really toast a few foods, like bread, waffles, and bagels. There are hacks all across the internet on different ways to use these appliances so they are a little more multipurpose, but many of them are actually fire hazards and should be avoided, like turning it sideways or putting in cheese, which can melt onto the coils.

A bread machine is one of those tools that is only useful for a small group of people — those who make bread all the time, but don't have the free time to fully prep and bake loaves in the oven. However, for the average person, it isn't all that handy. It's easier and requires less preparation to buy bread from the store. And if you want fresh rolls and loaves, making them in the oven usually makes nicer crusts, feels more like an accomplishment, and gives you much more flexibility with the type of bread you make.

When it comes to kitchen gadgets that needlessly clutter your countertop, juicers are near the top of the list. Often, you buy one in the hopes of being a little healthier, but then realize that the effort of using it and cleaning it is just too much. While fresh juice is tasty, eating fruits and veggies whole or blended up into smoothies is more beneficial and provides more nutrients than just drinking the juice. And you don't need a bulky appliance to make a smoothie or include a few more veggies in your next meal.

It's nice to be able to make your own ice cream with all your favorite mix-ins and complete control over the ingredients. However, a compressor ice cream machine that both mixes and freezes is a bulky appliance that is too heavy to easily move around. If you really need an ice cream maker, try a canister ice cream machine, which requires a bit more preparation and planning to get your delicious frozen dessert, but takes up far less space and can easily be stored away. Plus, the ones without the compressor are often cheaper.

It's easy to get swept up in new cooking trends. The sous vide cooking method started to grow more popular in restaurants in the aughts, and soon enough, it moved to the home kitchen. Machines to make food via sous vide began to pop up. If you grabbed one to try this cooking method and ended up never using it, it is time to toss it out and free up space in your cabinets. Though the machine isn't the bulkiest, it relies on using lots of single-use plastic. Plus, it's a slow cooking method that requires a lot of preparation and extra steps.

Crock pots are handy, but only for two things: cooking food slowly throughout the day and keeping items warm. If you want something that serves those same functions, plus more, you need a multifunctional and space-saving appliances like an Instant Pot. You can also just cook food on the stove. Although slow cookers are convenient for getting meals prepped and ready to go when you aren't home, there's also the stress of what happens if you forget to start it and the risk of leaving an appliance unattended all day.

Stand mixers are wonderful tools that make baking a breeze. But they're also heavy and bulky. Unless you struggle with holding an electric mixer or you bake all the time, you may not use it enough to make up for the money it costs and the space it takes up. If you don't already have one, buy a simple electric hand mixer first instead. If you use it regularly over several months, and feel like it may be time for an upgrade, then you can consider a stand mixer. Otherwise, stick to the handheld one.

For some people, dehydrators are pushed heavily, such as those who eat a raw diet or who go hiking and camping a lot. But while these large, pricey appliances do make fun snacks and lightweight meals, they're not something the average homeowner needs. You can dehydrate and create foods like fruit leather in your regular oven. And, for the most part, there are other lightweight meals you can pack when going out into the wilderness. So while fun, most people can skip this appliance and save themselves money in 2026. 

You may think that something like a microwave range hood could be useful for space-saving. Unfortunately, these tend to fail in their secondary purpose of venting heat, grease, and smoke out of the home when cooking. Moreover, you may want to consider getting rid of any microwave, even just for casual warming up of your food. There's not much need for microwaves with modern 8-in-1 appliances like, for example, the Ninja Flip. With so many new and useful gadgets out there that can heat up food more evenly and nearly as fast, a microwave might just be an outdated kitchen tool.

Drink fridges are a classic way to show off your bottles of wine and keep them cool without sacrificing normal fridge space. However, they are ultimately a kitchen appliance you shouldn't waste your money on. Unless you live in a home with pretty dramatic temperature fluctuations, you don't really need a wine cooler. Stick your bottles in a cool, dark place until you're ready to drink them. This can help save you a ton of space in your kitchen.

Deep fryers are one kitchen appliance that is becoming less popular over time, and for good reason. They are messy tools — you have to worry about splatters and find ways to discard the oil when you're done. Plus, deep frying is becoming a little less desirable as people aim to eat healthier. Air fryers are slowly taking the place of this tool, thanks to being much easier to clean up and resulting in a less greasy meal. So if you've been holding on to your deep fryer, this may be the sign it's time to let go.

A blender can handle mixing up soups, smoothies, and more; the bulky shape may seem to be worth it for such a powerful appliance. However, there is an alternative that does a blender's job better, with fewer dishes and no heavy equipment to worry about — immersion blenders. When blending a soup, you don't have to struggle to transfer hot liquid or blend in small batches. Just stick the wand in and mix until you're happy. It can complete nearly any task that a regular blender can, with far less cleanup.

To be fair, a breakfast sandwich maker fits in cabinets and on countertops much easier than some of the other bulky appliances on this list, but if you aren't using it regularly, it's still not much more than a gimmicky tool. And though it's a neat idea, it does only one job. When kitchens are already crowded with the essentials, anything else you add should be something you will use all the time and that serves multiple purposes.

Countertop ice makers had a moment in the limelight when people realized these appliances could make that beloved crunchy ice. However, though these can outshine standard freezers and their built-in ice makers, they aren't worth getting for many people. They take up space, require regular maintenance, and the cubes tend to melt a little, which means that after they refreeze, you may be stuck with clumps of ice you have to break apart to fit in your glass.

Sure, soda makers have a pretty compact design, but do you really need one in your home? In addition to finding a spot for the machine itself, but you have to find a place to store the bottles, the syrups, and the extra CO₂ canisters. Plus, they are a costly initial purchase you may not earn back. If you only drink two 1-liter bottles a week, it can take up to two years to make it worth the investment, according to Consumer Reports. Additionally, some people struggle to balance the syrup flavor and get the perfect amount of bubbles.