5 of the 7 smart appliances below plug into an outlet you already have.
No remodel. No new wiring.
The other 2, a gas range and a fridge, are the big jobs, so they sit at the bottom. I ranked these smart appliances for kitchen use from easiest to add to biggest commitment.
Frozen meals on weeknights point straight to #1.
If you already talk to Alexa, #2 and #5 work as a pair.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GE Smart Countertop Microwave | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 2 | Amazon Echo Show 8 | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 3 | Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 | CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 | Crock-Pot 6-Quart Alexa Slow Cooker | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 | GE Profile Smart Gas Range | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 | LG Signature InstaView Fridge | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
Picking the Right Smart Kitchen Appliance
A smart kitchen appliance is one you control from your smartphone, through its own app, a voice assistant or a wider home automation setup.
New to the idea? Start with how a smart kitchen setup works.
I judged each pick on 3 things:
- It works from an app, a voice assistant or both.
- Its basic controls still work on the appliance.
- It fits a typical American kitchen, except #6 and #7.
1. GE Smart Countertop Microwave
GE Smart Countertop Microwave
A 900-watt microwave that sets cook times from food barcodes.
Pros
- Barcode sets cook time
- Voice adds time or power
- Plugs into any outlet
Cons
- Small cavity
- Scanning needs the app
The GE Smart Countertop Microwave is best if you heat frozen food most nights: scan the box with the SmartHQ app on your smartphone, and it sets its own cook time. Setup starts with connecting GE appliances to Wi-Fi.
One catch: Energy.gov found electric kettles heat water faster and with less energy than microwaves, as the Constellation energy blog reports.
2. Amazon Echo Show 8
Amazon Echo Show 8
An 8.7-inch Alexa touchscreen with a built-in smart home hub.
Pros
- Runs Works with Alexa gear
- Recipes and timers on screen
- No separate hub
Cons
- Cooks nothing itself
- Alexa only
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is best for a kitchen with several smart appliances, since its hub runs Alexa-compatible devices like #1 and #5 and its touchscreen keeps your grocery store list. The Echo Show 8 review covers its screen and sound.
3. Anova Precision Cooker 3.0
Anova Precision Cooker 3.0
A 1,100-watt Wi-Fi sous vide cooker that clamps to a pot.
Pros
- Free app sets time and temp
- Buttons work on the cooker
- Dishwasher-safe skirt
Cons
- Guided recipes cost extra
- Needs a deep pot
The Anova Precision Cooker 3.0 is best for steak or fish cooked to an exact temperature, set in the free Anova app. It’s the third generation of a cooker Anova first launched in 2014, and it does one job where #4 does 10.
4. CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker
CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker
A 6-quart, 10-in-1 Wi-Fi pressure cooker with a scale.
Pros
- Weighs food in the pot
- Pressure, rice and slow cooks
- Guided app recipes
Cons
- Large footprint
- Modes take learning
The CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker is best for a small kitchen, like the ones these smart home devices for apartments suit. Its built-in scale weighs ingredients straight into the pot while the app guides you.
5. Crock-Pot 6-Quart Alexa Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Alexa Slow Cooker
A 6-quart programmable slow cooker that works with Alexa.
Pros
- Voice control by Alexa
- Programmable cook and warm
- Familiar controls
Cons
- No Google support
- Slow cooks only
The Crock-Pot 6-Quart Alexa Slow Cooker is best if you already own an Alexa speaker, because you control it by voice. It skips Google, so weigh Alexa vs Google Home first.
6. GE Profile Smart Gas Range
GE Profile Smart Gas Range
A 30-inch, 5-burner gas range with two ovens and Wi-Fi.
Pros
- Check ovens from your phone
- Two ovens, two temperatures
- Temperature probe
Cons
- Needs a gas line
- Replaces your range
The GE Profile Smart Gas Range is best when your range is due for replacement, and the SmartHQ app checks both ovens from your phone.
Its air fry needs no preheat, and an NIH study cited by Constellation found most recipes need only 5 more minutes in an oven you didn’t preheat.
7. LG Signature InstaView Fridge
LG Signature InstaView Fridge
A 31 cu. ft. smart French door fridge with InstaView.
Pros
- See inside without opening
- Room for big households
- Smart features built in
Cons
- Biggest commitment here
- Needs space planning
The LG Signature InstaView Fridge is best for a remodel, and InstaView lets you see inside without opening the door. Samsung Family Hub models are missing because Amazon lists only their accessories.
Smart refrigerators are the biggest step, so weigh the pros and cons of a smart fridge first. More picks are in the smart home device roundups.
Do Smart Kitchen Appliances Save Energy?
Smart kitchen appliances save energy only when the appliance itself is efficient, because an app adds control, not efficiency. Constellation advises reading the EnergyGuide label on any appliance before you buy.
Constellation also reports an energy-saving dishwasher saves an average of 1,000 gallons of water a year. A smart plug adds scheduling to an old coffee maker, but smart plug energy savings are small.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are smart kitchen appliances worth it?
Smart kitchen appliances are worth it when the app does a job you repeat, like barcode cooking or exact sous vide temperatures.
Do smart kitchen appliances need Wi-Fi to work?
Smart kitchen appliances need Wi-Fi only for app control, alerts and voice commands. The Anova listing says you can also set it on the cooker itself.
Do smart kitchen appliances work with Alexa or Google Home?
Many smart kitchen appliances work with Alexa, Google Home or both: the GE microwave here supports both, the Crock-Pot only Alexa.
Can a smart plug make a regular kitchen appliance smart?
Yes, Constellation says a smart plug can make any kitchen gadget smart by switching its power from your phone. It suits appliances that start when power returns, like a basic slow cooker.
Final Thoughts
Start on the counter, not with the fridge.
This week, check which voice assistant you use, then buy the one countertop pick you’d use daily.
