Amazon’s October Prime sales are a chance to outfit your kitchen with sought-after items without paying full price. With everything more expensive, you’d be wise to take advantage of discounts if you’re hoping to upgrade your coffee maker, air fryer, blender and other helpful cooking equipment.
There’s a lot to parse, with thousands of deals on Amazon and plenty of knock-offs that look tempting but may not be worth it even at a discount. I’ve been testing kitchen gear for years and know how to spot a great kitchen deal through the smoke and mirrors. Of the hundreds I sifted through, these are the four I’d recommend to friends, family or anyone gift shopping for a home cook — established or aspiring.
$295 (save $205)
Vitamix Propel Series 510 blender
All Vitamix blenders pack big power, but the Propel Series has a little extra — at least compared to the VX series (formerly called the Explorian). It has 2.2 peak horsepower, so it can handle just about anything you drop inside. Unlike the manual-only VX, the Propel has three built-in automatic programs for smoothies, frozen desserts and hot soups for hands-off blending. It’s also one of the quietest and lightest Vitamix blenders, which makes it feel user-friendly. These blenders aren’t cheap, but as CNET’s Anna Gragert, who uses a 19-year-old Vitamix without issue, can attest, they really last.
This is the cheapest we’ve ever seen the Vitamix Propel 510 drop on Amazon. The powerful blender retails for $500 with an average tag of $433 on Amazon. It’s only been down to $300 twice before during flash sales. It comes with a five-year warranty.
$153 (save $27)
Ninja Crispi glass-bowl air fryer
Simply put, this is the best air fryer we’ve tested, and it’s currently at its lowest price ever on Amazon. The Crispi broke the air fryer mold when it launched, with a modular build that’s easier to store and a glass bowl cooking chamber that’s easy to clean and PFAS-free. If you’ve used a nonstick air fryer basket, you know how quickly it accumulates a layer of gunk that’s hard to remove. Not so with the Crispi. As a bonus, the cooking chamber comes with a tight-fitting lid that makes storing leftover food simple and intuitive.
The Crispi has as much power as you’ll ever need from an air fryer and features uncomplicated cooking controls. If there is one ding on this model, it’s that the cooking chamber is lower than some we’ve tested, meaning you might struggle to fit a whole chicken or large cut of meat without breaking it down first. For more cooking capacity, try the Ninja Crispi Pro — also on sale for Prime Day.
Our favorite air fryer at its lowest price ever on Amazon — what’s not to love? The Ninja Crispi has significant advantages over pod-style nonstick air fryers, and thanks to its outsized popularity, it rarely goes on sale.
$270 (save $100)
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV coffee maker
The Dutch coffee maker company Technivorm has sold exceptional brewers for decades, earning it cult status among coffee snobs. The KBGV drip coffee machine has clean lines and sharp angles that give off both a vintage and laboratory feel. Retro design aside, in our testing, this brewer consistently delivers perfectly balanced coffee, heating water up to a precise temperature as it hits the grounds.
Technivorm’s brewers often sell for $400, so snatching up one of its most popular models for $270 is a no-brainer if you were already planning to upgrade your home setup. The KBGV is currently listed for $366 on Amazon and seldom drops below $300.
The BlendBoss launched earlier this year and quickly won us over. / Ninja/CNET
$88 (save $42)
Ninja Blendboss personal blender
The BlendBoss is the latest addition to Ninja’s blender lineup, and it quickly became our top pick. When we tested it against several others, we found it pulverized ice into snow in 15 seconds — as fast as any — and made quick work of turning dense frozen fruit into healthy smoothies. The blender comes in a range of colors — great for gifting — and has a quirky design unlike any other personal blender I’ve seen.
This is one of few times the BlendBoss has been discounted since it launched earlier this year. The small and powerful blender typically sells for $130 but it’s down to $88 for Prime Day.
What’s the single best kitchen deal?
That largely depends on your kitchen needs. For me, the powerful Vitamix Propel 510 for $295 is simply one of the best prices we’ve seen on any of the brand’s iconic blenders in some time. I fully expect that deal to expire or sell out long before Prime Day ends.
Is Prime Day a good time to buy kitchen gadgets?
Absolutely. The kitchen category really pops off during Prime Day sales, and we’re seeing discounts of 40% to 60% on some of our favorite gear, making them easy to recommend right now. The next opportunity to save big will be Black Friday, but price hikes can happen at any time, so there’s no guarantee we’ll see deals as good as today’s again.
David Watsky
