14 Kitchen Upgrades Home Cooks Say Are Worth the Splurge — and 3 You’ll Regret

Let’s be honest: In the world of home cooking, there’s no shortage of gadgets, appliances, and renovations that promise to change your life. But are they really worth the price tag? I decided to go straight to the source and ask real home cooks to share the splurges they honestly swear by.

From smart appliances that make meal prep a breeze to a bigger sink that changed their kitchen for the better, these are the best splurges that are worth every penny. And because every great chef has a few regrets, I’ve also included just a few splurges that didn’t quite live up to the hype.

“One splurge I thought I’d regret but has become one of my favorite things is my slushy machine. I picked up a Ninja SLUSHi last fall and was impatiently waiting all winter for it to shine, and shine it has. Can you imagine a frosé machine in your house? Not only does it make great adult beverages, but it’s also an easy win for the kids. We make slush juice, milkshakes, and a variety of other treats. Such an easy summer treat!” —Nicole Johnson

“Another splurge that became an essential was a good knife sharpener. I use a TUMBLER Pro, and it has totally changed the game.” —Nicole Johnson

“One of my best purchases is an under-counter refrigerated drawer. It has put many meal ingredients in arm’s reach without having to open the main fridge numerous times, saving time and energy.” —Doug Crawford

“Another good splurge has been a heavy-duty 14-inch carbon steel wok. It costs around $80 but heats evenly and also changes between stir-frying or deep-frying to steaming without losing the process.” —Doug Crawford

“Having no need to move the big pots all around the kitchen and fill them up has relieved the burden — and pasta night goes much quicker!” —Doug Crawford

“Cristel’s Strate Removable Handle cookware line has stolen my heart! Not only are the pans nontoxic and should last a lifetime, which makes them ultra sustainable, but they also have removable handles! The handles make the pans super versatile. Just switch them out for the stunning wooden handles if you want a sleek look for a family-style dinner. The beechwood handles are my personal favorite! The other benefit of the removable handles is that they nestle neatly in your drawers and are perfect even for smaller kitchens. In my opinion, a total must-buy!” —Sophie Sadler 

“You can’t beat the instant heat control of an induction cooktop compared to gas, which can be fickle, especially when you’re cooking several dishes simultaneously at different heat levels. Besides how effective my induction cooktop is, I love the cooktop surface. It is a smooth flat surface and super easy to clean. I no longer have to be on the lookout for greasy grates and dirty spills to get out after cooking!” —Karen Watts

“For many years, I chopped vegetables or prepared food by low light in the kitchen, always squinting or leaning over to find the right angle to see my cutting board. Once I added high-quality LED under-cabinet lighting, everything changed! This was the kind of upgrade you don’t even know you need until you have it. Now my kitchen is definitely brighter than before, and I can see exactly what I’m doing, whether I’m mincing garlic or prepping dinner salads. It’s definitely improved how I work in the kitchen when I have several tasks going on at once.” —Karen Watts

“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve struggled to maneuver awkward pans in a cramped sink, cursing the whole process. The farmhouse sink just eliminates that. What’s more, they’re built to last. They’re made of durable materials like fireclay, stainless steel, and cast iron that can withstand heavy use. Fireclay is extremely durable and doesn’t stain easily. It can handle all the acid from cooking without any issues. Stainless steel is similar; it won’t corrode or dent as long as you choose the right gauge. It’s practical and holds up over the years.” —Karen Watts

“A lifesaver during holidays and batch baking. I can bake dinner, dessert, and sides simultaneously, or crank out a whole batch of cookies in one go.” —Madison Reid 

“I have invested years in the kitchen cooking for my family and taking care of my daughter and my husband. So when I say that this kitchen splurge altered how I prepare our food, I mean it. The cost of a commercial-grade faucet complete with a pull-down sprayer was about $260, and I would purchase it again if I had to. It helps me clean the dishes effortlessly. I knew I needed things that would allow me to work in the kitchen more efficiently.” —Kira Byrd 

“As an avid home baker, my favorite splurge is the KitchenAid stand mixer. I use mine for everything, like kneading bread; making batters for cakes, cupcakes, and macarons; and even shredding chicken (just mix your cooked chicken breast on low with the paddle attachment!). There are so many different attachments that go with it, like the pasta roller, veggie spiralizer, and ice cream maker, so the possibilities are endless.” —Megan Weimer

“A fancy deep fryer sits on a shelf in my pantry because my Dutch oven does the job better and takes up less space. That and my ice cream machine. It’s been sitting in a cabinet gathering dust for years.” —David “Chef Fig” Figueroa  

“It was great, but it was also too big, too noisy, and made simple tasks too complicated. I ended up going back to a basic heavy-duty model, as I wanted something ready to go and easy to clean.” —Karen Watts

“I’m a coffee lover, but not all coffee makers are worth their price tag. After spending a considerable amount of money on a ‘top-of-the-line’ espresso machine, I found myself wondering if it was worth it, considering the incidental expenses related to maintaining it and the constant cleaning cycles.” —Karen Watts

Do you have any kitchen splurges you swear by in your home? Let us know in the comments below!