Little Home Appliance

20 Thoughtful Appliances for Wedding Gifts

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Quick answer

The best appliance wedding gifts are ones the couple will use often but might not buy for themselves: an espresso machine, a stand mixer, an air fryer or a multi-cooker are popular choices. Check the couple's registry first, think about their kitchen space (a small apartment can't fit everything), and include a gift receipt.

Guests holding sparklers at an evening wedding celebration

Appliances make good wedding gifts because they get used every day. A few tips before choosing:

  • Check the registry first. Duplicates are the most common problem with appliance gifts.
  • Think about space. A couple in a small apartment may not have counter room for a stand mixer and an air fryer and an espresso machine.
  • Think about how they cook and eat, not just what’s popular.
  • Include a gift receipt so they can swap it if needed.

Here are twenty ideas, with what to look for in each.

For coffee and tea lovers

1. Espresso machine

Makes espresso, and lattes and cappuccinos if it has a steam wand. Look for: a built-in grinder or a separate burr grinder, a steam wand if they drink milk drinks, and a size that fits under their cabinets. Bean-to-cup machines are easiest; manual machines give more control but take practice.

2. Coffee maker with a grinder

A drip coffee maker that grinds whole beans just before brewing. Look for: a programmable timer, a thermal carafe (keeps coffee hot without a hot plate), and an easy-to-clean grinder.

3. Electric kettle

A fast way to boil water for tea, pour-over coffee, instant noodles and oats. Look for: a variable-temperature kettle for tea lovers, or a gooseneck spout for pour-over coffee. See the different types of kettles and our kettle picks.

For keen cooks

4. Stand mixer

A long-lasting gift for bakers. Look for: a bowl size that matches how much they bake (around 4.5 to 5 quarts suits most households), a tilt-head or bowl-lift design that fits under their cabinets, and optional attachments such as pasta rollers or a meat grinder.

5. Multi-cooker (electric pressure cooker)

Combines a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and steamer. Look for: a size to suit the household (around 6 quarts is common for two to four people) and a stainless steel inner pot.

6. Air fryer

Cooks crispy food with a fraction of the oil of deep frying, using fast-moving hot air. Look for: a basket size to suit two people, dishwasher-safe parts, and a dual-basket model if they like to cook two things at once.

7. Sous vide cooker

Holds a water bath at a precise temperature for perfectly cooked steak, chicken, fish and eggs. A great gift for a couple who like cooking projects. Look for: a clip that fits their pots, and easy controls.

8. Immersion blender

Blends soup in the pot, makes smoothies and sauces, and fits in a drawer. Look for: a stainless steel shaft, several speeds and a chopper or whisk attachment. See do immersion blenders work for smoothies?

9. Food processor

Chops, slices, grates and purées: hummus, pesto, pastry and coleslaw in minutes. Look for: a bowl size of around 8 to 14 cups and slicing and shredding discs.

10. Blender

For smoothies, frozen drinks, soups and sauces. Look for: a powerful motor if they make frozen drinks or green smoothies, and a jug that’s easy to clean.

11. Countertop convection or toaster oven

Toasts, bakes and roasts without heating up the full-size oven. Handy as a second oven for dinner parties. Look for: room for a 12-inch pizza or a small chicken, and an air-fry setting if they don’t already have an air fryer.

12. Toaster

A classic for good reason. Look for: long or wide slots for bakery bread, plus bagel and defrost settings. See why do toasters toast unevenly?

13. Electric griddle

Flat, even cooking for pancakes, eggs and bacon for a crowd. Look for: adjustable temperature and a drip tray.

14. Waffle maker

Belgian-style makers make thicker waffles with deep pockets; flip models help spread the batter. Look for: a non-stick plate that’s easy to clean, or removable plates.

15. Rotisserie or countertop roaster

Frees up the main oven for holiday meals. Look for: a size big enough for the birds and roasts they cook.

16. Ice cream maker

For couples who love desserts. Look for: a freezer-bowl model (cheaper, needs advance freezing) or a self-freezing compressor model (more expensive, makes batch after batch).

For hosting

17. Electric wine opener

A small, fun gift that gets used straight away. Look for: a rechargeable model with a foil cutter.

18. Cocktail or drinks machine

Pod-based drinks machines mix cocktails at the push of a button. They suit couples who entertain a lot, but the pods are an ongoing cost, so check what’s available in their area.

For the home

19. Robot vacuum

Takes care of daily vacuuming. Look for: a self-emptying base, mapping so it can clean specific rooms, and a model that suits their floors and pets.

20. Smart home devices

Smart speakers, smart plugs, video doorbells or smart thermostats. Look for: compatibility with any system they already use. A smart thermostat can also help cut heating and cooling costs, which are the largest electricity users in most homes. See the home appliances that use the most electricity.

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