Small appliances with big impact

With big-ticket items out of financial reach, some homeowners are sprucing up their kitchens with stylish small appliances that make a statement on the counter. And to the delight of manufacturers, they’re willing to pay more for small kitchen wares. The happy result has been a wider selection of coffeemakers, food processors and even toasters.

At Consumer Reports, we found some pricey products that performed well and some lower cost models that did too.

For example, you can pay $600 for a single-serve espresso machine or choose a $90 model that makes coffee too. Here are some high-end favorites from our tests matched with superb performers that cost less.

Blenders

High end: Vita-Mix 5200, $450 (shown)
It makes superb frozen drinks, smoothies, and purées, and it crushes ice with ease.

For less: Ninja, $60
You get almost the same performance for about $400 less, and it’s also a bit quieter.

Coffeemakers

High end: DeLonghi EN680, $600
This single-serve espresso machine scored an excellent for taste and makes coffee, espresso, latte, and cappuccino. But you must use capsules.

For less: Emerson CCM901, $90 (shown)
This dual espresso/coffeemaker offers fine coffee brewing, and its steam nozzle froths milk for latte and cappuccino.

Food processors

High end: Breville Sous Chef BFP800XL, $400
It’s the best chopper by far in our tests, and it also excels at slicing, shredding, and grating.

For less: Cuisinart DLC-2011CHB, $200 (shown)
It costs half as much but is impressive at most tasks, except for chopping.

Kitchen knives

High end: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Profection #33049, $600 (shown)
These premium knives are forged from a single piece of steel for maximum sharpness and precision.

For less: Ginsu Chikara, $75
This set is affordable yet high-performing. And like the Zwilling, it includes a santoku knife, a cross between a chef’s knife and a cleaver that’s great for chopping.

Toasters

High end: Magimix Vision Toaster, $250 (shown)
Seeing is believing with this Williams-Sonoma exclusive. Its clear walls let you watch your bread or bagel brown evenly with almost every batch.

For less: Cuisinart CPT-170, $70
Our top-scoring two-slice toaster turns out consistent, evenly browned batches. Paying $20 more gets you its four-slice brandmate.

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