4 Deals to Skip During Cyber Monday Sales—and What to Buy Instead

Don’t Buy: A Pod-Style Coffee Maker

What to Buy Instead: A Coffee or Espresso Machine That Brews to Impress

Listen, I’m not judging Keurig and Nespresso fans. I’ve tested both, and I understand their appeal: They dispense coffee in seconds, don’t need to be cleaned often, and are dead simple to operate. But the little plastic pods they use are pricey and tough to recycle, and they aren’t exactly winning awards for their flavor.

Instead of a pod-style brewer, opt for an easy-to-operate machine that can turn the freshest beans into a cup that’s actually exciting to drink. We have tested and approved recommendations for an impressive drip coffee maker capable of making single servings as well as a straightforward, wallet-friendly espresso machine. I’ve included our picks for coffee and espresso grinders, too, in case you’re looking for extra credit.

OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

This machine can brew a carafe for a crowd or dispense a single cup’s worth of coffee directly into your mug. It comes with an additional filter basket that's thoughtfully designed to produce individual servings that actually taste great—a feature that led former Serious Eats writer and hard-to-impress coffee aficionado Jesse Raub to call it “the only brewer” he’d recommend for smaller volumes. 

Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine

Want an option that can grind the beans, brew the espresso, and steam the milk, all in one appliance? Get this. It's Breville's most popular espresso machine because it has an automatic (and adjustable) grinder and doser built in, along with the brand's signature easy-to-use interface. During Cyber Monday sales, you can get it for $200 off.

De'Longhi Stilosa Espresso Machine

For beginners and those on a budget, this is the most affordable espresso machine we recommend. It has a super simple interface (just one dial!) that switches it between brewing and frothing. It's the best you can get at this price range, and you can get it for even less during Cyber Monday.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

There’s no shame in buying pre-ground coffee, but if you really want to customize the experience, try grinding your own beans to brew. This OXO grinder is affordable and intuitive to use, making it our go-to recommendation for most casual coffee drinkers. 

Baratza ZCG495 Encore ESP Coffee Grinder

We’ve recommended this grinder to espresso drinkers and coffee hobbyists for years. It’s ideal for people who want to grind each portafilter’s worth of beans à la minute (right before brewing) and has 40 grind settings to cover a range of brewing styles, including pour-over.

Don’t Buy: A Bulky Air Fryer That’s a Pain to Store

What to Buy Instead: A Countertop Oven You’ll Use Constantly

Air fryer devotees may disagree, but I’ll always recommend a multipurpose air fry-capable toaster oven over a hulking single-purpose appliance I have to clear out a cabinet to store. Our favorite air fry-capable toaster ovens can also do a variety of other tasks, like broiling, baking, dehydrating, keeping food warm, and, of course, toasting bread. Sure, the toaster oven may be bigger than an air fryer alone, but it replaces several other appliances, and I use it multiple times a day, every day.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

This is the model I own, and it’s almost completely replaced my “big oven” for most of my daily tasks. If my word isn’t enough, it also won our tests because it has an intuitive interface and makes crispy, golden brown fries in minutes, thanks to its super convection air frying mode. 

Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer Compact

The countertop is valuable real estate, so if you’re looking for a smaller appliance that can still do a lot, this is the one I’d recommend. In addition to air frying, it can also bake, roast, broil, cook pizza, and toast bagels and bread. It would make a great gift for apartment dwellers and college students. 

Don’t Buy: Nonstick Cookware That You’ll Have to Replace

What to Buy Instead: Non-Toxic Cookware to Last You a Lifetime

Nonstick pans coated with polytetrafluoroethylene—also known as PTFE or by its genericized name, Teflon—may pose risks to our health and the environment. They’re generally considered safe to use until they get scratched or their coatings start breaking down from heat, so you’re lucky to get a year of use out of them before they need to be tossed. Even ceramic pans, which promise to be non-toxic (though it’s hard to say for sure, given their proprietary coatings and a general lack of cookware research), are prone to chipping and scratching, and they're pricier to replace. Instead, opt for stainless steel, cast iron, enameled cast iron, or carbon steel cookware that can last for decades with the proper care.

All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Pans, Set of 2

All-Clad is known for its high-quality stainless steel cookware, so it’s no surprise its D3 skillet came out on top during our testing. It heated quickly and evenly and could go from stove to oven without a hitch. During Cyber Monday, you can get this 10- and 12-inch duo for $50 off. 

Staub Cast Iron 4-Quart Round Cocotte

I had to do a double take when I saw this deal. Staub is a time-tested brand that makes some of the best Dutch ovens on the market, and the opportunity to save 60% on one of its cocottes really shouldn’t be missed. Not only is it a gorgeous piece of cooking equipment, but it’s also impressively functional and comes with a lifetime warranty. 

Made In Stainless Clad Saucier

A saucier is like a saucepan, but better. It has rounded bottom edges that make it easy to stir, so you don’t have to worry about macaroni noodles or pastry cream getting stuck and burnt in the corners. This model from Made In is our favorite one because it heats evenly and has a well-balanced, comfortable handle.

Misen Pre-Seasoned 10 Inch Carbon Steel Pan

Our favorite carbon steel pan (that's this one!) comes pre-seasoned, so you don't have to worry about applying the first smoky layers yourself. It's approachable for carbon steel newbies, but we think experienced users will appreciate its nearly nonstick surface and grippy silicone-sleeved handle, too.

Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet

This lightweight cast iron skillet has a surprisingly smooth surface that released steak, eggs, and cornbread without a hitch in our tests. It's an investment piece that, with the right care, you can cook with for decades and pass on to generations to come. Get it for 20% while it's on sale for Cyber Monday now.

Made In Stainless Clad Saucepan

A 2-quart saucepan is helpful for melting butter, heating a few mugs of hot chocolate, or simmering a lunchtime packet of ramen. Like its saucier sibling, it won my tests with its stay-cool handle and smooth interior that was a snap to clean.

Don’t Buy: Smallware That Stinks

What to Buy Instead: Budget-Friendly Gear That Makes a Difference

Investment cookware pieces and snazzy appliances might get all the attention during big sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but don’t overlook the small stuff. Inexpensive tools like tested-and-approved vegetable peelers, instant-read thermometers, and kitchen towels can make a huge impact on your day-to-day cooking. They also make for lovely stocking stuffers that your giftees can use every day.

KitchenAid Classic Y Peeler

I may have grown up using a straight, swivel-style vegetable peeler, but I am a total Y peeler convert now. They’re more ergonomic, precise, and quicker to use, peeling potatoes nearly twice as fast as other styles in our tests. This one has a particularly comfortable handle, and it’s dishwasher-safe.

ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

When it comes to precision, speed, and ease of use, you really can’t beat ThermoWorks' meat thermometers. The ThermoPop 2 is the brand’s most affordable instant-read model and comes with an easy-to-read backlit screen that automatically rotates when you’re reading at an angle. If you have the budget to spend a little more, we’d recommend checking out the $40 off deal on the Thermopen One, our all-time favorite instant-read thermometer.

KitchenAid Citrus Squeezer

This citrus juicer has a built-in cup to hold the juice as you squeeze, preventing splashes and spills. We also liked that its curved bottom handle kept our wrists stable and comfortable, and that it could be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Superscandi 10-Pack Swedish Dishcloths

Swedish dishcloths have become my go-to kitchen wipes, helping me reduce my paper towel waste significantly. I love that I can toss them into the laundry or the dishwasher between uses. These tied for the best absorption rate during our tests by soaking up their weight in liquid, and they can be reused up to 200 times. 

Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels

A reliable set of kitchen towels is an underrated treasure. These editor-favorite cloths are 100% cotton, fold up to become makeshift pot holders (a classic restaurant trick), are capable of soaking up big messes, and can dry glassware without leaving any annoying lint behind. They come in a 15-pack, so you won’t have to worry about running out between washes. 

Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener

Can openers that strain your hands and leave jagged, rough edges? No, thanks. This electric model aced our tests, whirring around small cans of tomato paste and large cans of whole tomatoes with the press of a button, leaving smooth edges each time. Unlike other electric openers, it's also small enough to tuck into a drawer when not in use.

OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer

There are few kitchen tools chefs fear more than mandolines; one slip of the machine, and say buh-bye to the tip of your finger. This one won our tests because it had a sharp blade that reduced resistance (the most common culprit for slicing accidents), a sturdy foldout stand, and a wide hand guard. It also comes with a handy thickness adjuster knob and attachments for cutting thin and thick julienne, and a wavy blade for waffle fries.