I test kitchen products for a living — here are my top 10 picks from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, all under $25

A flexible drying rack that can be rolled over your sink? It’s a small kitchen’s dream! This nifty mat is surprisingly sturdy (it holds up to 33 pounds), and its narrow slats also make it ideal for drying washed produce. It could also be used as a trivet (it’s heat-resistant up to 400°F). When it’s not being used, just roll it back up to store it in a drawer. 

“So glad I got this,” shared a blissful buyer. “My kitchen is tiny and has basically no counter space. Getting this dish rack has allowed me to use my limited counter space for fun things like my coffee maker and food prep. I love that it barely takes up physical or visual space. It’s also very easy to clean and actually feels more sanitary than most traditional dish racks. Highly recommend.”

Hate having to clean the tray of your air fryer? Just stick one of these BPA-free silicone liners in before you cook, then toss them into the dishwasher once you’re done! So much easier than trying to scrape off caked-on residue. These fit air fryers with 3- to 5-quart capacities. 

“The only thing I don’t like about my air fryer is having to clean it,” wrote a convert. “This eliminates that issue. The food still got crispy, just like if I cooked it without this.”

Your Starbucks spending is about to go way down, thanks to this powerful handheld milk frother that lets you whip up foamy beverages in no time. Enjoy lattes and cappuccinos in the comfort of your own home — no chaotic line in sight. 

“So easy to use to make a cafe au lait or cappuccino,” wrote a caffeine fiend. “I have also used it to whip eggs quickly for fluffy omelets. If you like frothy milk, save yourself the $5 coffees — this thing pays for itself.”

Yes, this top-seller might technically be called a meat thermometer, but don’t underestimate its value when it comes to liquids and baked goods. The most accurate way to tell whether food is done cooking is by taking its temperature, and this gizmo presents a reading in seconds.

“You remember sticking a fork/toothpick in a pan of brownies to see if they are finished yet? Think of this as a more advanced fork!” joked a home cook. “I’ve found the readings to be very accurate for cooking quiche, baking cakes, as well as cooking steak and chicken. This is a good tool to have in the kitchen for food safety, as well as making better food, since you’ll be less likely to overcook when ensuring food safety temperatures are met. Recommended temperatures are printed on the back as well for quick reference.”

According to the manufacturer, this splatter screen can prevent up to 99% of liquids from escaping your pan as you cook, meaning you’re much less likely to get burned, and your stovetop will be spared from greasy messes. Plus, it’ll help keep odors from consuming your kitchen, and unlike a lid, it’ll still allow steam to be released. Its little feet let it rest on your counter with the mesh part elevated, making it a cute little cooling rack. You could also use it as a strainer.

“Love this product!” exclaimed one thrilled reviewer. “Not only does it keep oil from popping out of the pan and onto the surrounding area, but I haven’t had a splatter burn since I started using it. I can keep the guard on the pan and it doesn’t burn or rupture. It is easy to clean in the dishwasher as well, and holds its strength and shape during cleaning.”

Spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Your feet deserve a cushy surface to stand on during all of that cooking (and dishwashing). This highly-rated anti-fatigue mat is made from a comfy foam to help take some of the pressure off of your muscles and joints, and its nonslip bottom will stay put. The waterproof material couldn’t be easier to wipe clean.

One relieved reviewer called the mat “better than insoles,” adding, “I do a lot of meal prepping for the week on Sundays, so I am on my feet in the kitchen for 8-10 hours a day some weekends, and around an hour each day during the week. I used to wear my gym shoes with cushioned support when I was cooking for long periods, but even then, the resulting back pain was on another level. These mats are a complete game-changer. … I could stand on these mats for hours and still be comfortable.”

Who says kitchen tools can’t be fun? This adorable crab can be used as a utensil rest or be clipped onto the side of a pot to prop open the lid. It’s like having your own little crustacean cheerleader while cooking. 

“Not only did it make me laugh, but it’s also been incredibly useful!” said a fan. “No more dirty spoons laying all over the stove; this is easy to affix to the side of a pot or pan and keep a stirring utensil handy while keeping it out of the way.”

This No. 1 bestselling fridge lazy Susan was designed to maximize space (while minimizing food waste). It’s rectangular to make the best use of your fridge shelves, and it rotates 360 degrees so you can easily see — and remember — everything you have before it spoils. 

“Gone are the days of old sauces, jars and containers getting stuck in the back of the fridge to turn into a forgotten fuzzy science experiment,” shared an impressed shopper. “This amazing turntable makes everything on the tray really easy to grab and find, we are a lot less wasteful because we have access to it all on the turntable. We love it!”

Ina Garten herself is a fan of this No. 1 bestselling pan, made of durable cast iron that’ll last for years. It comes pre-seasoned and can withstand heat from any cooktop — it can even be used over a fire. Nothing’s better when it comes to achieving the perfect sear on your meat — and I can say from personal experience that it makes the best pancakes too.

“It’s already seasoned and I love that!” wrote a Lodge loyalist. “It is my favorite pan now. It’s pretty, so I leave it sitting on my stove all the time. Nothing is sticking to it and it’s super easy to clean, has great heat distribution and is excellent quality. This will be passed down for generations.”

Check out my full Lodge Cast Iron Skillet review for more. 

Slicing and dicing just got way more fun with this colorful knife set from Cuisinart. You’ll get an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 6.5-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife and protective sheaths for each. These days, it’s hard to find a single knife for the price of this entire collection! Since they’re color-coded, you can designate one for meats, one for vegetables — no cross-contamination to see here.

One happy reviewer wrote: “This knife set made me a pro in the kitchen. … They cut like butter. They wash like glass. … I actually purchased these knives for my husband and my son. My husband is the cook in the house, and my son is learning. I wanted them to have good stuff to use and no more of that cheap junk that you have to saw to cut meat. These knives cut in one little slice. Now I’m in the kitchen cutting up stuff, probably for no good reason.”