The Best Tools Under $50 for Prep, Cooking, and Baking

Upgrading your kitchen can be expensive and overwhelming. There's so much out there that you could buy, but more importantly, there's so much out there that you don't need. With our equipment reviews and recommendations, we do our best to sort through the clutter, so you can outfit your kitchen with cookware you can rely on. We've put together a pretty sizable list of cookware—all of it under $50—to help you prime your kitchen for successful culinary adventures.. Grab 'em all or start slow. In good time, your kitchen may start to look just like ours.

For Better, Faster Prep

Shears

We reviewed the best shears on the market and, sadly, our top pick has been discontinued. The good news is our runner-up works just as well, just with fewer bells and whistles. And should you want to pick up a pair of poultry shears, too, we love these super-sharp affordable ones from OXO.

Spice Grinder

Grinding whole spices when you need them ensures you get the best flavor. We reviewed a wide range of spice grinders out there and picked two that are easy to use and easy to clean. Pick one up, and then do yourself a favor and toss out any spices in your cabinet that you can't remember buying.

For Cooking Like a Pro

Immersion Blender

We tested quite a few immersion blenders, and while the All-Clad version reigned supreme, the Hamilton Beach one—at just $31 (a third of the price of the All-Clad)—did a helluva job. It will definitely serve you well.

Cast Iron Pan

Keeping a cast iron pan in your kitchen can require a little maintenance, but it's well worth it. A 12-inch skillet is useful for all manner of sweet and savory recipes, whether you're looking to sear the perfect steak or throw together a comforting pasta dish.

For Baking Like BraveTart

Angel Food Cake Pan

While you might be tempted to buy a nonstick pan to make angel food cakes, don't! It won't offer enough traction for your batter to climb and rise properly. Along with being affordable, this aluminum pan has a removable bottom, so you can simply remove the cake when it's cool.

Brownie Pan

Stella raves about this brownie pan. Why? Well, it's anodized aluminum (meaning it's nonreactive), so when you're making something acidic, you won't need to worry about them picking up a gross metallic flavor. It also has a removable bottom, so you can easily extract all sorts of delicate desserts.

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