I asked chefs for the smartest kitchen tool upgrades home cooks should make — these are their 9 picks

From All-Clad, Vitamix, Henckels, and more.

Trendy single-use gadgets may be the first to catch the eye, but professional chefs rely on hardworking, multi-use tools that last. According to them, the right upgrades can transform not only how they cook in their restaurants, but how you cook at home. For the easiest, best-tasting results, we asked chefs to share the smart upgrades that make the biggest difference in everyday meal prep. Their picks include a high-performance instant-read thermometer from ThermoWorks, a workhorse Vitamix blender, a 3-liter box of chef-approved olive oil, and more from Hestan, Henckels, and Staub.

Best Chef-Approved Kitchen Tool Upgrades

• Hestan OvenBond Medium Sheet Pan, $140
• Henckels 3-Piece Kitchen Knife Set, $122
• Corto Truly Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3-Liter, $80
• ThermoWorks Thermapen One Instant-Read Thermometer, $125
• Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, $380

Hestan OvenBond Medium Sheet Pan

According to renowned celebrity chef Tyler Florence, “a great sheet pan is a kitchen essential.” His favorite pick is Hestan’s tri-ply 12- x 15-inch stainless steel model. “These OvenBond sheet pans bake evenly, hold up to heavy use, and handle everything from cookies to roasted vegetables with ease.”

Allsum Bamboo Cutting Board, 18-Inch

“I will never buy a glass cutting board; they destroy knives, and don’t provide any grip when cutting,” said Emmy Clinton, founder of Entirely Emmy. “Instead, I like to use a thick wooden cutting board. They protect your knives and are a lot safer.” Make the switch with this 18-inch board, on sale for just $12 at Amazon.

All-Clad D3 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Clinton said she will never buy a nonstick pan again. “They can’t handle the high heat, they scratch easily, and they never last long. Instead, invest in a nice stainless steel set. They’re better for browning, can handle extremely high heat, and improve over time.” This All-Clad collection includes two frying pans, two saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stockpot — all dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 600°F. 

Henckels 3-Piece Kitchen Knife Set

“Items like an avocado slicer and spiralizer will just take up space,” Clinton noted. “A nice, sharp knife can replace just about any gadget and gives you much more control, yielding better results.” This knife set includes three essentials every starter kitchen needs: an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 6-inch utility knife, and a 4-inch paring knife.

Corto Truly Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3-Liter

“One thing I just can't keep in my kitchen is a poor quality olive oil. If we're not using Corto Truly olive oil, then we're just not using anything!” said Ferrell Alvarez, chef and partner at Proper House Group. Upgrade your everyday oil with this chef-approved 3-liter box of extra virgin olive oil. Corto olive oil is cold-extracted in California, and the box’s clever seal locks in its rich, fresh flavor.

Bee's Wrap Beeswax Wraps for Food, 3 Pack

If you’re looking to keep plastics out of your kitchen, it’s time to toss that roll of plastic wrap. For covering containers and half-eaten produce, chefs recommend upgrading to these Bee’s Wrap beeswax wraps. The sheets are reusable, fully compostable, and won’t leach microplastics into your food.

ThermoWorks Thermapen One Instant-Read Thermometer

“I don't know why home cooks think chefs can cook everything so perfectly without a thermometer. Temperature is precision,” said Tony Reed, executive director of culinary innovation at Spiceology. “Whether you're roasting a chicken, grilling steaks, tempering chocolate, or even double-checking sous vide doneness, an instant-read thermometer takes away the guesswork and elevates results.” Our favorite pick is the ThermoWorks Thermapen One, which aced our accuracy and responsiveness tests.

Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender

“Investing in a high-performance blender like a Vitamix is great for home cooks who want to elevate their meals,” said recipe blogger Jessica Chan. She recommends a classic Vitamix blender for preparing smoothies, soups, sauces, and nut butters. Our favorite model, the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, is a powerful option at a relatively low price for the brand. “Not only does the Vitamix blend, but it can turn anything into an ultra-smooth texture.” 

Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte, 7-Quart

"One of my favorite kitchen tool upgrades has been the 7-quart pink Staub cast iron Dutch oven,” noted Steven Hubbell, co-founder and chef at Lumo Ombro in New York City. “It's excellent for bread making, roasting, braising, stewing, and soup-making. It's nearly indestructible and has a beautiful pink finish." The 5.5-quart version of this cocotte topped our list after extensive testing, thanks to its high performance and durable construction.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.