Building a Smart Kitchen: The Must-Have Gadgets and Appliances

The “smart home” has been a buzzword for years, but nowhere is its promise of a more convenient and efficient life coming true more than in the kitchen. The modern smart kitchen has moved beyond simple novelties like a fridge with a screen. It’s now a cohesive, intelligent ecosystem designed to save you time, reduce food waste, and help you become a better cook.

Building a smart kitchen isn’t about replacing every appliance you own. It’s about adding a few key, connected pieces that work together to streamline the entire process of planning, prepping, and cooking your meals.

If you’re ready to upgrade the heart of your home, here are the must-have gadgets and appliances for building a truly smart kitchen in 2025.

1. The Command Center: The Smart Display

Before you buy any major appliance, you need a central hub to control everything. While you can use your phone, a dedicated smart display is a hands-free game-changer in a busy, messy kitchen.

• Our Pick: Google Nest Hub Max (3rd Gen)
• Why it’s essential: Its large screen is perfect for watching recipe videos, managing timers, and making video calls while you cook. But its real power is the Google Assistant. You can add items to your shopping list, convert measurements, or ask “how long do I bake chicken at 400 degrees?”—all with your voice. It acts as the brain for the rest of your smart kitchen devices.

2. The Mainframe: The AI-Powered Refrigerator

The smart fridge is finally living up to its potential. It’s no longer just a fridge with a giant tablet slapped on the front; it’s an intelligent food management system.

• Our Pick: Samsung Family Hub+ (2025 Edition)
• Why it’s essential: The latest models feature internal computer-vision cameras powered by AI. When you close the door, the fridge scans your inventory. The companion app can then tell you what you have while you’re at the grocery store. More impressively, it can now suggest recipes based on the ingredients you have on hand, helping you use up food before it goes bad. It’s a powerful tool for meal planning and reducing food waste.

3. The Perfect Chef: The Smart Oven

A smart oven provides a level of precision and convenience that can make anyone a better cook, especially for weeknight meals.

• Our Pick: LG InstaView Smart Oven with Air Sous Vide
• Why it’s essential: These ovens connect to your Wi-Fi and can be controlled via an app or voice assistant. You can preheat the oven on your way home from work. But the killer feature is the “scan-to-cook” technology. You can use your phone to scan the barcode on a frozen pizza or packaged food item, and the oven will automatically set the correct temperature and cooking time. Newer models also have built-in cameras, allowing you to check on your food’s progress from your phone without opening the oven door and letting heat escape.

4. The Supporting Cast: Essential Smart Gadgets

You don’t need to replace every major appliance to get a smarter kitchen. These smaller gadgets add a ton of value.

• The Smart Coffee Maker: Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. A smart coffee maker (like the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker) connects to your Wi-Fi and can be programmed to start brewing based on your morning alarm or with a simple voice command from bed.
• The Smart Food Scale: For anyone who is serious about baking or nutrition, a smart food scale (like the Perfect Bake Pro) is a must. It connects to an app on your phone, and as you add ingredients, it measures by weight for perfect accuracy. The app can scale recipes up or down and automatically adjust the ingredient weights for you.

Building a smart kitchen is an incremental process. By starting with a central hub and adding a few key, connected appliances, you can create a kitchen that is not only more futuristic but also more functional and efficient in your everyday life.