Your guide to choosing kitchen appliances

Mornings run so much smoother with the right gear, so this is a great place to start your appliance hunt. A few well-chosen helpers can make breakfast and that first cuppa feel effortless.

Coffee machines

A good coffee machine lets you make café-style coffee at home, any time you like! And when it comes to how to choose a coffee machine, it really comes down to how much effort you feel like putting in

• Pod coffee machines are quick and fuss-free, giving you reliable flavour in an instant.

• Manual espresso machines give you more control, so you can enjoy barista style coffee with every sip.

Think about how many coffees you make a day and how much bench space you have before you decide. You can also pair your new machine with our beautiful mugs and cups range and you're all set for that first brew of the day.

Kettles, toasters and sandwich makers

For everyday routine essentials, there are a few must-haves for every kitchen, and choosing the right option for you comes down to your lifestyle and priorities.

Choosing the right kettle for you

A fast-boiling kettle is a kitchen must-have, whether it's for your morning tea or a quick pot of pasta. But what type of kettle is the right choice for your household? When it comes to choosing a kettle, there are a few key considerations:

• Capacity: around 1L for one or two people, 1.7L (the common max) for a household or frequent entertainers.

• Material and style: stainless steel, glass or colour-matched to your bench; glass lets you see the water level.

• Features: fast-boil, variable temperature settings (handy for tea and pour-over coffee), auto shut-off, removable washable filter, and cordless base for easy pouring.

For breakfast on the go, a toaster handles everything from crumpets to thick raisin bread, so you can enjoy your favourite meals without a second thought.

• Number of slots: two slots for singles or couples, four slots for busy or larger households.

• Slot width and length: wide or long slots handle thick bread, crumpets, bagels and sourdough.

• Style: finish and colour to match your kettle and bench for a coordinated look.

• Features: browning control, defrost and reheat settings, a high-lift lever for small items, and a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning.

If you’re looking for more of a whole meal, a sandwich press, sometimes called a sandwich maker, is a popular choice turning out a hot toastie in minutes.

When you want dinner on the table fast, these are the appliances that earn their spot on the bench. They take the effort out of weeknight cooking without taking over your entire kitchen.

Air fryers

The air fryer is the hero of the modern kitchen, and it's easy to see why! It cooks chips and crumbed favourites with little to no oil for a crispier finish you’re sure to love. It's quick to heat up and simple to use, plus it's a hit with the whole family! Whether you're after a fast weeknight dinner or crispy snacks for the footy, there's an air fryer to suit.

How to choose an air fryer

With so many models out there, picking the right air fryer comes down to a few simple things.

Here's what to weigh up before you buy:

Size first: think about how many people you usually cook for, and how much bench space you have to spare. A compact basket is great for one or two, a mid-size model handles most households, and a dual-basket option is brilliant for a hungry family who want their mains and sides ready together.

Power and presets: higher wattage means faster cooking and crispier results, so it's worth checking before you buy. Built-in presets for chips, chicken or veggies take the guesswork out of everyday meals, so you can set it and walk away.

Functions: some air fryers do far more than fry. Look out for models that also bake, roast, grill or reheat, so one appliance can earn its spot on the bench and free up your oven.

Easy cleaning: a basket that's dishwasher-safe with a non-stick coating makes washing up quick and fuss-free. It sounds small, but it's the difference between reaching for your air fryer every night and leaving it in the cupboard.

We've got an air fryer for every chef

Compact air fryers

A compact air fryer (around 3.5 to 5 litres) is perfect for one or two people, or anyone short on bench space. It heats up fast and tucks neatly into a corner, so it's ideal for smaller kitchens.

Family air fryers

A family air fryer (7 litres and up) is built for larger batches, so you can cook a whole roast chook or enough veggies for everyone in one go. It's the one to choose if you're feeding a crowd.

Dual-basket air fryers

A dual-basket air fryer has two separate compartments, so you can cook two different foods at the same time and have them ready together. It's a clever choice for families who want their mains and sides done at once.

Microwaves, ovens and cooktops

A microwave handles quick reheats and steaming in seconds, making it a true everyday workhorse. For roasts and baking without firing up the main oven, a convection or benchtop oven gets the job done faster and uses a fraction of the power. If you're cooking without a full stovetop, our electric cooking range covers portable cooktops and hot plates that are perfect for small kitchens or extra cooking space when you're entertaining. Stock up on frypans and woks and bakeware to go with them and you're ready for anything, all at our famously low prices.

Some of the tastiest meals practically cook themselves while you get on with your day. These appliances are all about hands-off cooking, so dinner is ready when you are.

Slow and pressure cookers

A slow cooker lets you load it up in the morning and come home to a hot, ready-to-serve dinner. A pressure cooker does the opposite, turning slow-cooked classics like stews and curries into a weeknight-friendly meal in a fraction of the time. Many of our models do both jobs in one, so you get the comfort of slow cooking and the speed of pressure cooking together. Add a few quality cookware basics to round out your setup.

Rice cookers, steamers and multi-function appliances

Love rice done right? A rice cooker takes out the guesswork, and many double as a steamer for veggies and dumplings. If bench space is tight, a multi function appliance combines several jobs in one, so you can do more in a tidy, clutter-free kitchen. A good set of kitchen utensils makes serving up your creations a breeze at low prices.

Prep, blend and whip up a storm

For baking and morning smoothies, prep appliances do the hard work so you don't have to. They're the unsung heroes that make cooking from scratch quick and enjoyable.

Blenders and juicers

A blender is brilliant for morning smoothies and silky soups, and a high-powered one will crush ice with ease. A juicer is perfect for fresh juice at home, making the most of in-season fruit and veg. Take your smoothie with you in one of our reusable drink bottles for breakfast on the run.

Food processors and mixers

A food processor takes the effort out of chopping and grating, so batch cooking comes together faster. Keen baker? A stand mixer or hand mixer whips cream and kneads dough in minutes, so your arms get a break. Pair them with a sturdy set of mixing bowls and a quality knife block for a prep station that's ready for anything at low prices you'll love.

The right appliances make cooking quicker and a whole lot more enjoyable, whatever your kitchen looks like. Start with the jobs you do most, then build out from there as your needs grow. With everything from coffee machines to air fryers in one place at incredibly low prices, kitting out your kitchen has never been easier. Shop our full appliances range today and cook up something great.

Kitchen appliance FAQs

What kitchen appliances do you need?

It depends on how you cook, but a few appliances earn their place in almost every kitchen. A kettle and a toaster cover the basics for breakfast, while an air fryer or a microwave handles fast, everyday meals. From there, a coffee machine is a lovely addition if you're a daily coffee drinker, and a blender or food processor makes prep much quicker. Start with the appliances you'll reach for every day, then add the specialist gear, like a slow cooker or stand mixer, as you need it.

How do I choose the best air fryer?

Choosing the best air fryer starts with size. As a rough guide, a 4 to 5 litre basket suits one or two people, while a 6 to 8 litre model is better for a family. If you cook a lot at once, a dual-basket air fryer lets you cook two things at the same time. Next, look at the wattage and presets: higher wattage means faster cooking, and built-in presets take the guesswork out of common meals. Finally, think about cleaning, as dishwasher-safe baskets make life much easier. Match the size to your household and you'll get plenty of use out of it.

How do I choose a coffee machine?

The right coffee machine comes down to your morning routine. If you want speed and minimal fuss, a pod or capsule machine makes a consistent cup in seconds. If you enjoy the ritual and want control over your brew, a manual espresso machine is worth the extra effort. Drip filter machines are ideal if you make several cups at once for the household. Think about how much bench space you have and how often you'll use it, then pick the style that fits your day.