Step-Up guides

One tool, two picks, one verdict. Filter by what we concluded.

Chef's knifeIt depends

Chef's knife: is forged worth it?

A stamped Victorinox against a forged Wüsthof. The extra money buys edge life and heft, not better cuts on day one.

Cutting boardSpend

A small OXO plastic board against an 18 × 12 Boos maple slab. Size matters more than material.

Nonstick skilletSave

Tramontina's aluminum pan against All-Clad's tri-ply nonstick. The coatings wear alike; only the bodies differ.

Dutch ovenIt depends

Two enameled cast iron pots. The cooking is close; the handles, interior and weight are not.

Electric kettleSave

A plain 1.7-liter Hamilton Beach against a Fellow Stagg EKG Pro gooseneck. One boils; the other aims.

Burr coffee grinderSave

OXO's conical-burr hopper grinder against Fellow's 64mm flat-burr Ode Gen 2, for brewed coffee at home.

Countertop blenderIt depends

Ninja's 1000-watt BL610 against the Vitamix 5200. Ice is a tie; thick blends and warranty are not.

Hand mixerSave

Hamilton Beach's six-speed against KitchenAid's nine-speed KHM926. Range and attachments, not raw power.

Glass food storageIt depends

Pyrex Simply Store against Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass, 18 pieces each. The glass is similar; the lids are not.

Dish rackIt depends

OXO's compact rack against simplehuman's compact steel frame. You are paying to stop emptying the tray.