7 Small Appliances That Pull Their Weight Daily

Tiny appliances can either clutter your counters or quietly take work off your plate every single day. The key is picking ones that earn their spot—not one-trick gadgets you use twice and then shove in a cabinet.

These are the small appliances that actually make life easier in a real, busy house.

A reliable drip coffee maker with a programmable timer

If you’re a coffee household, a solid programmable drip maker is almost non-negotiable. Being able to set it up the night before and wake up to a ready pot is a simple thing that changes your whole morning energy. No waiting around half-asleep, no fumbling with scoops while kids are already asking for breakfast.

Look for one that’s easy to clean, with a removable basket and a clear water reservoir. Skip the super fussy ones with a million tiny parts. The goal is something you’ll actually use every day, not a science experiment that makes you reach for drive-thru coffee instead.

A workhorse air fryer or toaster oven combo

A good air fryer or toaster oven with an air-fry setting earns its keep fast. It reheats leftovers so they taste like they’re fresh again, crisps up frozen fries and nuggets, and bakes small batches without turning on the big oven.

It’s especially handy on busy nights or when you’re feeding kids something simple while you eat later. You can toss in veggies, wings, or salmon and have dinner on the table in minutes. If it’s big enough for a sheet-pan style basket, you’ll reach for it multiple times a week without thinking about it.

A dependable slow cooker

A basic slow cooker is still one of the best “set it and walk away” tools you can own. You throw in meat, broth, and a few pantry ingredients in the morning, and by dinner, the house smells good and food is ready.

It’s perfect for cheaper cuts of meat that need time to get tender, and it keeps dinner warm if your schedule is unpredictable. Look for one with a removable crock, simple settings (low, high, warm), and a size that fits your usual meals—often 6 quarts for families. It’s not fancy, but it quietly keeps you from hitting the drive-thru on long days.

An immersion blender for soups, sauces, and baby food

Instead of dragging out a full-size blender every time you want smooth soup or sauce, an immersion blender does it right in the pot. Fewer dishes, less mess, and you’re not pouring hot liquid into a tall blender and praying it doesn’t explode.

You can also use it for smoothies, baby food, pancake batter, and even whipping cream if yours comes with a whisk attachment. It tucks into a drawer and earns its spot because you’ll reach for it way more than you think once you get used to having it around.

A compact rice cooker or multi-cooker

If rice is even an occasional side at your house, a small rice cooker or multi-cooker is worth it. You measure, push a button, and it cooks without boiling over or sticking to the pot. Most keep rice warm until you’re ready, which takes one more thing off your mental stove timer.

Many of the small ones can also handle quinoa, oats, or even steamed veggies with a basket. Having a hands-off way to cook a starch makes dinner feel more pulled together with almost zero extra work.

A handheld or small stick vacuum for daily crumbs

Dragging out a full-size vacuum for every crumb pile is how floors stay dirty “until later.” A handheld or small stick vacuum earns its keep by making quick passes easy—under the table after meals, around the entry where dirt collects, or across the rug where the dog always naps.

Choose one that’s lightweight and easy to empty. If it’s cordless and lives on a charging dock, even better—you’ll actually use it. It’s not meant to replace your main vacuum, but it fills the gap between “ignore it” and “haul out the big one.”

An electric kettle for more than tea

An electric kettle seems like a tea thing, but it’s secretly a time-saver for cooking. It heats water faster than your stove, so you can start pasta, rice, oatmeal, or even a quick cup of broth way quicker.

If you drink coffee with a pour-over or French press, it also makes that routine easier and more consistent. Look for one with an auto-shutoff and a simple base. You’ll find yourself using it all day—for drinks, cooking, and even speeding up soaking and cleaning jobs. It’s one of those quiet helpers you don’t realize you needed until you have it.