What if your range, fridge, and faucet could do more than you expect—without getting in the way?

You’ll get a clear, friendly roadmap to the connected kitchen so you can see how technology fits into your routines. Brands like Thermador and Samsung show how remote control, interior cameras, and software updates can add real value to the heart of your home.

From voice control with Alexa and Google to hands-free faucets by Moen and coffee systems like GE Café Affetto, today’s devices and products make cooking simpler and more precise.

Interoperability is improving thanks to Matter, the Home Connectivity Alliance, and platforms such as Fresco’s KitchenOS. That means better ways for appliances to talk, for updates to add features, and for remote diagnostics to save time and energy.

This piece will show you what’s worth buying now, which categories deliver short-term benefits, and how a software-first mindset can extend the life of what you own.

Concluzii cheie

• Practical guide to add connected tools without overcomplicating your kitchen.
• See how ovens, fridges, faucets, and coffee systems improve daily cooking.
• Software updates can unlock new features and boost long-term value.
• Standards like Matter are making device communication more reliable.
• Focus purchases on time-saving products that match your routine and budget.

Why smart kitchen innovation matters right now

AI and new connectivity are turning everyday cooking into a more guided, predictable process.

What you get today: built-in AI that suggests recipes, recognizes ingredients, and watches doneness. CES 2025 highlighted grills and countertop ovens that do this live. That means fewer ruined meals and more reliable results when you cook on a weeknight.

Low-temperature steam and mist systems are another big trend. They lock in moisture like sous vide but speed things up with a finishing sear for texture. These methods deliver juicier food without extra effort.

• Save time: guided recipes and auto temperature changes reduce hands-on minutes.
• Save energy: eco modes and remote scheduling cut peak usage.
• Save space: one countertop unit can replace several tools, trimming clutter.

Finally, software updates and standards such as Matter and KitchenOS mean your devices can gain features over years and work together across brands. That improves value and makes your homes feel less fragmented.

Editors’ picks: the best smart kitchen gadgets for a modern home

This shortlist highlights gadgets that deliver the biggest payoff for everyday meal prep and weekend projects.

Quick-hit picks by category:

• Grill: Brisk It Zelos 450 with Vera AI — app-driven pantry scan, photo-to-recipe, 165–500°F for smoking or sear, $399.
• Combi fryer: Dreo ChefMaker — mist-assisted sous‑vide style plus probe control; ChefMaker 2 adds AI and a larger basket.
• Mini oven: Chef iQ Mini Oven — air fry, broil, toast with a visual doneness slider and optional iQ Sense probes.
• Sous vide: Figo Sous Vide — built-in refrigeration, schedule cool-to-cook, auto fill/drain, app control, $399.
• Fridge: Samsung Family Hub — inventory, interior cameras, and recipe integration via the Samsung Food app.
• Faucet: Moen smart faucet — voice and motion control with precise amounts and temperatures.

Why these products? You’ll scan best-in-class devices and match a gadget to meals you actually make. Each pick trims steps and improves consistency so dinner comes together faster.

AI-powered cooking: grills, ovens, and systems that help you nail every meal

Today’s cooking tools combine cameras, weight sensors, and software to guide every step from sear to serve.

Brisk It Zelos 450 wood-pellet grill with Vera AI: “one-click barbecue” from pantry scan to plate

Brisk It’s Zelos 450 ($399) debuts Vera AI for pantry scanning and photo-to-recipe guidance.

The grill runs 165–500°F, detects missed flips, adapts heat, and supports backward software upgrades on higher-end models.

Chef AI platform: weight sensors and thermal vision that auto-recognize food and cook modes

The Chef AI system uses weight sensors in appliance legs plus a thermal camera to ID items—even tiny toppings—and estimate macros.

You get automatic time and temperature settings, mode selection via an app, and door actions that open or close as needed.

Chef iQ Mini Oven: app-guided presets, air fry and toast with visual doneness control

The Chef iQ Mini Oven offers app-guided presets for air fry, broil, toast, and reheat with a visual doneness slider and tray LEDs.

Optional iQ Sense probes and a speaker charging case alert you at target internal temperature so you can stop checking and start plating.

“These systems enhance your control, reducing misfires by adjusting time and temperature in real time.”

• You can scan ingredients and let AI manage heat and timing.
• Platforms recognize food automatically for hands-off precision.
• App-guided presets deliver consistent browning and reliable internal temps.

Sous vide-style steam and pressure combos changing the way you cook

Combining gentle steam, measured pressure, and searing finishes cuts cooking time and fuss.

Dreo ChefMaker and ChefMaker 2

Dreo’s ChefMaker uses a patented water mist to emulate sous vide at low temperatures, then seals with a fast sear. A probe helps you hit the exact temperature; a steak finished in about 55 minutes in testing.

ChefMaker 2 adds AI, a larger basket, and a tighter footprint. The original model will gain AI via an upgrade, so you get more capability over time.

Agari Kitchen: rapid 3D scan, steam, and pressure

Agari pairs an IR sensor and two cameras to 3D scan food size and shape. The system heats in under a minute, applies pressure and steam, then sears both sides for moist results—think a chicken breast in roughly 20 minutes.

Figo Sous Vide for set-and-forget weekday meals

Figo integrates refrigeration so you can load vacuum bags, schedule a start, and let it auto fill and drain water. You’ll still sear manually, but weekday cooking becomes hands-off and reliable.

• Lock in moisture: low-temp steam or mist then sear.
• Save time: probes, guided modes, and AI speed routine cooks.
• Simplify cleanup: all-in-one function designs manage water and searing steps.

Smart staples worth upgrading: fridge, oven, dishwasher, faucet, and coffee

Pick a few core appliances and you’ll unlock everyday convenience without a full remodel.

Smart fridge: A Samsung Family Hub improves with regular software updates. You get live TV, the Samsung Food app for collecting rețete and meal plans, and interior cameras that track items (they can misidentify, so still verify). These additions make grocery lists and planning simpler.

Oven and ranges

Thermador ranges via Home Connect give remote controla, probe monitoring, and voice commands. Note: many models require enabling “Remote Start” for safety. Probes let you check progress from your phone so you stop guessing at doneness.

Dishwashers

Connected dishwashers send cycle alerts, handle auto-replenishment, and offer remote diagnostics. Brands that added app-based troubleshooting—LG among them—show how remote fixes can avoid service calls and downtime.

Faucet and coffee

Moen’s taps use motion and voice to deliver precise amounts and temperatures, freeing your hands while you prep or fill pasta pots.

For coffee, GE Café Affetto offers grind and volume controls via SmartHQ and a “My Cup” setting. It lacks deep voice routine support today, but it nails consistent morning brews from your phone.

• You’ll save energie by scheduling runs and using eco cycles.
• You’ll get more value as software adds useful features over time.
• You’ll choose practical Caracteristici that improve daily life in your bucătărie şi home.

Countertop multitaskers and air fryers: when speed meets precision

Small footprint, big capability: modern countertop units let you move from prep to plated food with fewer steps.

Thermomix TM6: guided cooking hub for prep-to-plate efficiency

Thermomix TM6 packs 28 functions into one cooker with a built-in touchscreen that walks you through recipes. It blends, chops, steams, kneads, and even sous‑vide. The guided cooking feature reduces guesswork, though the unit is fairly siloed and carries a premium price plus an optional subscription.

Air fryer and combi baskets: why app control, probes, and steam-mist matter

Combi fryers like the Dreo ChefMaker add a fine mist for sous‑vide‑style moisture, then finish with a sear. ChefMaker 2 expands basket capacity and tightens the footprint while adding on‑device AI and probe control.

• You’ll centralize prep, blending, and temp‑controlled cooking to speed weekday meals.
• You’ll use guided modes and precise settings to keep results consistent.
• You’ll enjoy crispy exteriors from air circulation and misted apă, plus app cues that confirm doneness with probes.

Choose a counter lineup that frees space and syncs with your bucătărie routine. Faster breakfasts and smoother coffee moments follow when your tools work together.

Connectivity that actually helps: apps, voice control, and interoperability

Good connectivity turns scattered gadgets into a single, dependable cooking workflow.

Prioritize the basics: solid Wi‑Fi radios and regular app updates keep your controls feeling instant. Without that, automation and voice responses lag, and prompts from recipe apps arrive late or not at all.

Look for devices that support cross‑brand standards. Matter is adding appliance support to reduce fragmentation. The Home Connectivity Alliance pushes large‑appliance interoperability, and Fresco’s KitchenOS aims to unify cooking workflows across brands.

What to check before you buy

• Reliable Wi‑Fi and firmware updates so your apps stay responsive.
• Recipe integrations that send steps and temps directly to a device, cutting manual entry.
• Voice control that actually handles practical tasks—preheat, stop, set timers, or dispense exact amounts.

You’ll also want a system that survives router swaps and assistant changes. Future‑ready standards reduce the risk of losing control when you upgrade network gear or change voice services.

“Interoperability turns individual devices into a coordinated tech ecosystem that saves you time and adds safety to your homes.”

How to choose the right smart kitchen devices for your home

Make buying decisions that fit your routine, your counter, and your comfort level.

Choose devices that match how you cook: fast weekday meals need tools with probes and reliable temperature control. If you prefer weekend projects, pick appliances with multi‑mode control and finer settings.

Match gadgets to your routine: weekday speed vs. weekend projects

For quick meals prioritize units that heat fast, use probes, and finish reliably. These save time and reduce guesswork.

For longer projects, pick multi‑function appliances that let you tweak temps and modes for fine results.

Ecosystems and assistants: Alexa, Google, and brand app cohesion

Pick devices that fit the ecosystem you already use. A single app or assistant makes control feel seamless.

Check for quirks like “Remote Start” knobs or door positions so remote commands behave as you expect.

Energy, space, and safety: probes, temperature control, and auto-shutoff smarts

Weigh space and energy. One device that replaces several can free counter space and cut overall energy use.

Prioritize safety features: auto shutoff, presence sensing, and accurate probes that store easily. Also favor brands with remote diagnostics to avoid needless service calls.

• Start with routine: speed or control guides your pick.
• Match ecosystem: keep apps and assistants cohesive.
• Think long term: energy, space, and safety matter most.

Price, value, and market timing for your upgrade

You don’t need to replace everything at once; pick anchors and add high-value counter devices first.

Where to splurge vs. where to start: Spend on core appliances that anchor your kitchen—ranges or full-size fridges—because they change daily life and hold value over years. For lower risk, start with high-impact countertop devices: a coffee maker, mini oven, or an AI-assisted air fryer delivers fast wins for less money.

Plan purchases around value and timing

Watch model cycles and shows for discounts or must-have feature drops. CES examples—Brisk It’s $399 AI grill and ChefMaker 2’s upgrade path—show how market timing affects price and long-term value.

Futureproofing with software-first upgrades

Pick brands that issue updates and support backward-compatible upgrades so your investment gains features instead of becoming obsolete. That approach saves time and energy over the product life and reduces replacements.

• Balance cost with features you’ll use weekly.
• Choose devices proven in real kitchens with update roadmaps.
• Start small to test the value before splurging.

“Buy the foundation first; add toys that pay back in daily convenience.”

For help weighing costs and long-term value, read this smart appliance value guide.

Concluzie

You can build a setup that actually saves time and makes cooking feel less like a chore.

Start with a few anchors—an oven or fridge that updates with new features, a guided mini cooker, or an air fryer that nails timing.

You’ll get steadier results as sensors and automation guide temperature and settings so food is cooked right more often.

Choose appliances and gadgets that match your space and routine. That clears counters, trims energy use, and gives you more time at the table.

Concluzia: pick devices with solid software support and cross‑brand standards so your smart kitchen grows with you, not against you.

FAQ

What counts as a connected cooking appliance and why should you care?

Connected cooking appliances include ovens, grills, combi fryers, coffee machines, and fridges that link to apps, voice assistants, or home networks. They save you time by automating settings, cut energy use with smarter cycles, and free counter space by replacing single‑use gadgets. Look for reliable Wi‑Fi, app updates, and compatibility with Alexa or Google Assistant when you shop.

How do app-guided ovens and air fryers actually help your meal routine?

App-guided ovens and air fryers provide presets, step‑by‑step recipes, and probe-based doneness control so you don’t guess temperatures or timings. Many offer visual cues or remote notifications, so you can prep, step out, and finish meals without hovering. This reduces mistakes and shortens active cooking time.

Are AI features worth the extra cost on grills and ovens?

AI features—like automated cook modes, pantry scanning, or thermal-vision doneness—can be worth it if you value consistency and minimal babysitting. They cut trial-and-error and are especially helpful for busy weeknights. For occasional use, prioritize core performance (temperature accuracy, probes) before paying top dollar for advanced automation.

What should you know about steam, pressure, and sous‑vide combos?

Steam and pressure combos speed up cooking while keeping proteins juicy; sous‑vide-style units lock in precise temperatures for consistent results. Choose devices with reliable seals, accurate probes, and easy cleanup. If you like batch cooking, look for models with built-in refrigeration or timed start features.

Can countertop multitaskers replace larger appliances?

Some multitaskers—like the Thermomix or advanced combi ovens—handle chopping, cooking, steaming, and more, reducing the need for multiple gadgets. They often excel at prep-to-plate efficiency, but full-size fridges, ranges, and dishwashers still offer capacity and durability you can’t always match with a countertop unit.

How important is interoperability between brands and platforms?

Interoperability matters for a seamless experience. Devices that support Matter, Home Connectivity Alliance standards, or work well with major assistants (Alexa, Google) let you build cohesive routines and minimize app fatigue. Prioritize ecosystems that match the devices you already use.

What features make a fridge or oven a smart staple worth upgrading?

For fridges, look for inventory management, recipe integration, and clear software updates—Samsung Family Hub is a leading example. For ovens and ranges, prioritize accurate probes, app control, and voice commands; brands like Thermador offer strong support. These upgrades deliver real convenience and long‑term value.

How do you balance price and futureproofing when buying appliances?

Spend more on core appliances you use daily—range, fridge, dishwasher—and start small with affordable wins like a quality air fryer or connected coffee maker. Favor brands that offer firmware updates and backward-compatible features so your purchase stays useful as standards evolve.

Are energy savings from connected appliances real or overstated?

Energy savings can be real when devices optimize cycles, use sensors, and reduce wasted preheat or overcooking. Look for energy‑efficient ratings and features like auto‑off or targeted heating. Savings vary by usage, but smarter control often lowers bills over time.

How do safety and maintenance change with networked devices?

Networked devices add layers of convenience but require secure Wi‑Fi, timely firmware updates, and attention to alerts. Choose models with auto‑shutoff, reliable probes, and remote diagnostics so you can troubleshoot without service visits. Keep apps current and use strong passwords for connected accounts.

Which countertop air fryer or combi basket features truly matter?

Prioritize accurate temperature control, probe compatibility, steam‑mist options, and easy‑to‑clean baskets. App control and presets are helpful, but a solid heating system and consistent airflow deliver the best results regardless of smart bells and whistles.

How do you pick devices that match your routine—weekday speed versus weekend projects?

Match tools to how you cook: choose fast, automated devices (air fryer, combi oven, coffee maker) for weekday efficiency, and opt for flexible systems (grill with searing, sous‑vide rigs) for weekend projects. Consider storage, counter space, and whether you need multi‑function machines to save room.

What role do probes and thermal sensors play in connected appliances?

Probes and thermal sensors provide precise temperature feedback, prevent overcooking, and enable automated finish routines. They’re essential for consistent roasts, sous‑vide, and grills. Ensure the probe is accurate, durable, and supported by the device’s app or interface.

Which brands are leading in reliable software and updates?

Established appliance makers like Samsung, Thermador, GE Café, and Moen invest in ongoing software support, firmware updates, and robust apps. When you shop, check update policies, user reviews for app performance, and the brand’s history of post‑sale support.

How do you avoid app overload with multiple branded devices?

Reduce app overload by choosing devices that integrate with a single assistant (Alexa or Google) or support common standards like Matter. Look for hubs or platforms that centralize control and favor brands with strong third‑party integrations to minimize switching between apps.