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Smart kitchen

Smart Kitchen Appliances, Compared Like Air Fryers

Multicookers, coffee makers, scales, thermometers, smart plugs — one method, one standard.

After putting air fryers under the microscope, we apply the same rigorous scoring grid to everything around them: appliances that cook, weigh, measure and can be run remotely. The goal: skip the gimmicks and keep what actually makes everyday life easier.

Our 5 categories

01 · Category

Smart multicookers

The automated heart of the kitchen: Wi-Fi programs, guided recipes, all-in-one cooking.

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02 · Category

Automatic coffee makers

From super-automatic espresso machines to simpler espresso makers — everyday reliability first, showroom features second.

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03 · Category

Kitchen scales

Accuracy, app sync, nutrition tracking — the foundation of precise cooking.

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04 · Category

Smart meat thermometers

Perfect doneness to the degree, whether you grill, air-fry or roast.

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05 · Category

Smart plugs

Control any appliance remotely — your air fryer included.

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Compare up to 3 models side by side, across every category.

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F · A · Q

Frequently asked questions

Yes. For small and medium portions, an air fryer usually uses less electricity than a full-size oven, because its compact chamber heats up fast and needs little preheating. For big batches or large dishes, the oven is still the better tool. Check the wattage on the spec sheet and weigh it against the actual cooking time.

Plan on roughly 3 to 4 quarts for one or two people and 5 to 6 quarts for a family of three or four. Beyond that, a dual-basket model lets you cook two foods at once. A basket that's too small means cooking in batches, which wipes out the time and energy savings.

No. Most smart kitchen appliances can also be run from the controls on the unit; Wi-Fi mainly adds guided recipes, notifications and firmware updates. Before you buy, check which features still work offline, and read the app's privacy policy to see what data it collects and how that data is used.

Yes, as long as the smart plug is rated for more power than the appliance draws (the wattage is printed on its label). High-draw appliances such as electric kettles and air fryers often need a smart plug rated for the full 15 A (1,800 W) of a standard 120 V outlet, so compare the plug's maximum load with the appliance's wattage. Don't leave a heating appliance running unattended, even if you can control it remotely.

A multicooker is more versatile: it typically combines pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing and steaming in one pot, while a slow cooker only cooks low and slow over several hours. Get a multicooker if you want fast, varied meals, and a slow cooker if slow-simmered dishes are all you need and you'd rather spend less.