A hands-free can opener, Stanley cooler and more winners from the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Awards

Nearly 300 products were tested — and these award-winning picks checked every box.
Paige Mays

Paige Mays

Kara Birnbaum / TODAY

Whether you're a seasoned host or new to the scene, it's no secret the kitchen is the heart of the home. This means that ensuring your space is elevated, innovative and efficient should always be a top priority.

That said, acquiring amazing products to create the kitchen you desire and deserve can take time. Luckily, Good Housekeeping has just released its 2024 Kitchen Gear Awards. They tested nearly 300 products to determine the winners, judging their performance, construction and value.

Nicole Papantoniou, the director of Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, stopped by Studio 1A to share some of the winning picks.

From a hands-free can opener to an Oprah-approved kitchen set, these essentials help make life in the kitchen simpler and more enjoyable. Plus, these award-winning picks come just in time for the holidays, so you might just find some gifting inspiration, too.

Seen on TODAY | More 2024 winners | 2023 winners | Shop TODAY SMS | Meet the expert | Why trust Shop TODAY

Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award winners 2024, as seen on TODAY

Proctor Silex Smooth Edge Cordless Can Opener

This cordless can opener makes opening tough cans easier — and it’s all in one step. According to the brand, simply press start, and the device will self-align to perfectly open the can. And it’s all hands-free!

Bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster

Toasters can take up too much counter space. Most designs are bulky, but Bella’s 2-Slice Slim Toaster has a profile that's less than four inches to fit in the tightest spaces. Plus, it is extra-wide to accommodate two toasts while keeping your space clutter-free.

MiiR New Standard Carafe

Want your morning brew to remain hotter for longer? You might’ve just found your answer: MiiR’s New Standard Carafe. It is created from double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel to trap heat. The carafe is also designed with no new plastic, so it is entirely shatter-proof, claims the brand. 

KitchenAid Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum

Clean hard-to-reach spaces and unexpected spills with this cordless, portable vacuum from KitchenAid. The device is handheld with two attachments — a wide mouth and scraping tool — for more precise cleaning without the limitations of wires and hard-to-reach outlets. Expect up to 20 minutes of continuous runtime. 

Stanley Julienne Mini Cooler 

For your work lunch or a park picnic (or for when the summer comes…the beach!), this mini Stanley cooler with shoulder straps promises to keep food and drinks cool for up to 12 hours. For size reference, the brand says the cooler can fit up to 10 cans; perfect for daily use or travel. 

GreenPan Nova 10-Piece Cookware Pots and Pans Set

Not only did this pots and pans set get approved by Good Housekeeping, it was one of Oprah’s Favorite Things this year, too. Each piece is PFAS-free and has a diamond-infused nonstick coating (yes, really!) for better durability, even heating and easier clean-up. 

More Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award 2024 winners

OXO Good Grips 2-Cup Angled Measuring Cup

This measuring cup is perfectly angled so you can measure without having to check as you fill. But the convenience doesn't stop there: The markings are meant to be extra bright, plus the handle is soft and non-slip for a firm grasp.

KitchenAid KQ909 Dual Platform Digital Kitchen and Food Scale

If you or someone you know is a baker, they'll appreciate the duality of KitchenAid's Dual Platform food scale. You can calculate multiple measurements on both scales. The scale even has a Tare feature to weigh all ingredients in one container and zero out weights in-between additions.

Ozeri Deluxe Milk Frother & Whisk in Stainless Steel

Whip up the perfect foam in just seconds with this frother, suggests the brand. With the frothing attachment, it's ideal for lattes, shakes, frappes and other frothy beverages no matter the milk use. But here's another perk: The tool also comes with an egg beater, cocktail mixer, whisks and a stand to make any sort of drink no matter where you are.

Nutribullet Ultra Personal Blender

From apartments to small spaces, Nutribullet's Ultra Personal Blender impressively whips up a single serving without taking up much space in your home. The brand also raves that this version, in particular, is one of their quietest and most powerful single serving blenders yet.

Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven

AirFry, bake, broil, grill and more with just Cuisinart's Air Fryer and Convection Oven. It claims to be able to cook everything from a 12 inch pizza to a four pound chicken, and has all of the essentials to do it: An AirFry basket, oven rack, baking pan, oven light and grill.

Good Housekeeping 2023 Kitchen Gear Award winners

Papantoniou previously stopped by the show to share some of the winners from their 2023 Kitchen Gear Awards.

Victorinox Wood Carving Knife

Everyone needs at least one good carving knife in their home to easily cut into meat and other foods safely. Not only is this product coated in “wear-resistant stainless steel,” but it also allows for a smooth glide through any food due to its wood-carved handle, providing balance and control over the knife. According to a Good Housekeeping tester, “they were amazed they could use the same knife to cut cherry tomatoes, crusty bread and grilled chicken with very little pressure.”

Drinkmate Omnifizz

Fans of fizzy, carbonated drinks will love this next pick. This product works with a variety of liquids, making it easier to consume a bubbly refreshment during any time of the day. Some Good Housekeeping testers use the unit so frequently they no longer need to buy sparkling water as often.

Goodcook Divided Sheet Pan

If multitasking were a kitchen appliance, it would be this GoodCook Divided Sheet Pan. This product makes it easier to cook numerous foods simultaneously without worrying about cross-contamination, mixing or altering flavors. Good Housekeeping testers said, “that cooking on these pans was quick and meats came out juicy.”

Farberware Eco Advantage 13-piece set

The most seasoned kitchens always seem to be fully stocked when it comes to cookware. This 13-piece set includes a variety of cooking products that shouldn’t wear down quickly and will fulfill all your needs. Good Housekeeping says the skillet heated quickly and evenly, making a perfect browned steak. The set is also made from 100 percent recycled aluminum and has scratch-resistant features.

Everything Organizer Collection Egg Holder

While purchasing an egg holder may not come to mind when thinking of kitchen necessities, this egg holder is something that shouldn't go overlooked. It has multi-uses, as you can store more items on top of it and it is equipped with drawers. According to a Good Housekeeping tester, "several liked the size and thought it was compact but still held a lot of eggs."

CDN Digital Candy/Deep Fry Thermometer

Most recipes require precise measurements and temperatures, especially when cooking meat or sweets. This thermometer helps with just that as it has pre-programmed settings intended to make cooking easier. According to Good Housekeeping testers, you can also use the thermometer for deep-frying.

Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker

This next product is perfect for waffle lovers. According to Good Housekeeping, the waffles come out thick and fluffy, and the appliance has anti-spill features.

Proctor Silex Double Dish Slow Cooker

Multi-tasking just got easier as this slow cooker can both cook the food you desire and keep it warm once it's finished. Good Housekeeping says their resident slow cooker taster, Deputy Editor Sarah Wharton "kept black beans and queso warm in it for four hours without noticing any scorching."

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The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.

Meet the expert

  • Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute‘s Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab.

Why trust Shop TODAY

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.

As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.