My Favorite Smart Home Devices for Cooking Like a Pro

Ever since I started outfitting my kitchen with smart home devices for cooking, I’ve felt like my meals got an immediate upgrade. From preheating my oven on my commute to receiving real-time alerts when my roast hits the perfect temperature, connected appliances have transformed the way I cook. In this ultimate guide, I’ll walk you through the basics, the features to prioritize, my favorite gadgets, budgeting advice, setup strategies, troubleshooting tips, and a look at what’s on the horizon. Whether you’re a busy professional, an eco-minded cook, or someone who simply loves convenience, you’ll find plenty of ideas to level up your kitchen.

Understanding smart kitchen basics

What are connected appliances?

Connected appliances refer to kitchen devices that link to your home network via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocols. These Internet-enabled tools range from ovens and multicookers to scales and meat thermometers. Once on your network, they communicate with apps, voice assistants, and each other, creating a seamless cooking ecosystem.

Benefits for modern cooking

Adopting smart kitchen tools delivers advantages that go beyond novelty:

Convenience – Start, stop, or adjust cooking cycles from your phone or smartwatch
Precision – Maintain exact temperatures and timings for consistent results
Efficiency – Optimize energy use and reduce waste
Automation – Create multi-step routines that trigger devices in sequence
Insights – Access cooking logs, usage stats, and recipe guidance

By integrating connected kitchen appliances, I’ve cut down on guesswork, freed up counter space, and even discovered new recipes tailored to my gadgets.

Key features to consider

Remote control and scheduling

The ability to control devices remotely is a game-changer. Look for apps that let you:

Preheat or pre-soak remotely
Schedule cooking cycles around your day
Receive push notifications when tasks finish

Voice assistant compatibility

If you already use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, ensure your appliances support voice commands. I often say, “Hey Google, preheat the oven to 375 degrees,” while unloading the dishwasher, and it’s surprisingly empowering.

Precision and automation

High-end models offer built-in sensors and algorithms that adjust power levels, stirring intervals, or cooking modes automatically. This “set-and-forget” approach has saved me from overcooking roasts and burnt sauces.

Energy efficiency and monitoring

Some smart cookers display real-time energy consumption or estimate costs per cycle. Investing in devices with energy-tracking features helps me stay eco-friendly and keep my electric bill in check—just one example of smart home devices for energy efficiency at work.

My favorite cooking devices

Smart ovens

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

I rely on this countertop powerhouse for everything from air-frying to slow roasting. Key specs:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
App: Breville Home with preset programs
Price: ~$299
Why I love it: The rapid preheat feature and customizable notifications have turned me into an air-fry aficionado.

June Smart Oven

June’s built-in camera and AI algorithms identify foods and recommend cooking profiles. Details:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
App: June Smart Oven
Price: ~$499
Why I love it: It learns my preferences over time and even suggests recipes based on what’s in my fridge.

Smart multicookers

Instant Pot Smart WiFi

This takes all the benefits of the classic Instant Pot and adds remote control:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
App: Instant Pot Cooking
Price: ~$129
Why I love it: I can adjust pressure levels and check progress mid-cook, perfect for weeknight chili.

Breville Fast Slow Pro

With precision temperature probes and hands-free sous vide:

Connectivity: Bluetooth
App: Breville Home
Price: ~$250
Why I love it: The dual sensors give me real-time meat-doneness updates without lifting the lid.

Precision cookers and thermometers

Anova Precision Cooker

Sous vide has never been more accessible:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
App: Anova Culinary
Price: ~$199
Why I love it: The guided cooking modes take the guesswork out of water-bath recipes.

Meater Plus meat thermometer

A fully wireless probe with long-range alerts:

Connectivity: Bluetooth (extends via hub)
App: Meater
Price: ~$69
Why I love it: I can roam the house and still get notifications when my steaks reach medium-rare.

Smart scales

Drop Scale

This Wi-Fi scale integrates recipes and weight tracking:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
App: Drop Recipes
Price: ~$129
Why I love it: The app adjusts ingredient ratios on the fly—baking has never been simpler.

Escali SmartConnect scale

A budget-friendly alternative with app sync:

Connectivity: Wi-Fi
App: Escali SmartConnect
Price: ~$40
Why I love it: It offers nutritional logging and easy measurement conversions.

Comparing my top picks

Device	Type	Connectivity	Price	Standout feature
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro	Oven	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	~$299	Rapid preheat, air-fry modes
June Smart Oven	Oven	Wi-Fi	~$499	Built-in camera, AI recognition
Instant Pot Smart WiFi	Multicooker	Wi-Fi	~$129	Cloud recipes, remote control
Breville Fast Slow Pro	Multicooker	Bluetooth	~$250	Integrated meat probe
Anova Precision Cooker	Sous vide	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	~$199	Precise temperature hold
Meater Plus meat thermometer	Thermometer	Bluetooth	~$69	Fully wireless probe
Drop Scale	Kitchen scale	Wi-Fi	~$129	Guided recipe integration
Escali SmartConnect scale	Kitchen scale	Wi-Fi	~$40	Nutritional logging

Planning your budget

Setting price tiers

I categorize devices into three tiers:

Entry-level (under $100): Basic Wi-Fi meat probes, scales
Mid-range ($100–$300): Multicookers, advanced thermometers, air-fryer ovens
Premium (above $300): AI-driven ovens, full sous vide setups

Calculating total ownership cost

Beyond sticker price, factor in:

App subscription fees (if any)
Replacement probes or filters
Increased electricity usage

Weighing value against features

Ask yourself:

Will remote monitoring save me enough time to justify the cost?
Do I need recipe-guidance apps or am I confident winging it?
Which devices support multiple cooking methods?

Answering those questions has helped me choose the right mix without overspending.

Integrating into your setup

Connecting with voice assistants

Most of my gadgets pair seamlessly with Alexa and Google Home. To get started:

Enable the device’s skill or action in your assistant’s app
Discover new devices and assign them to groups (for example, “Kitchen”)
Use commands like “Alexa, set the oven to bake at 350”

For more on voice-controlled tools, check out smart home devices for voice control.

Creating automated routines

I use home automation products and IFTTT to link devices:

Trigger multicooker “Keep Warm” when oven cycle ends
Flash kitchen lights when a timer goes off
Mute notifications at night

These routines take minutes to set up and save me constant app-switching.

Ensuring privacy and security

To protect your kitchen network:

Change default passwords immediately
Place IoT gadgets on a separate guest network
Enable two-factor authentication in companion apps

A little effort here prevents unauthorized access and keeps your data safe.

Handling common challenges

Resolving connectivity issues

If a device drops offline:

Power-cycle the appliance
Check your router’s 2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz band compatibility
Move the router closer or use a mesh extender

Managing app updates

I set apps to update automatically, but I also:

Review release notes to avoid unwanted UI changes
Keep firmware on appliances current for stability

Ensuring device compatibility

Before buying, I verify:

Supported voice platforms
Network requirements
App store availability

Reading user reviews often uncovers hidden quirks before purchase.

Tips for seamless cooking

Plan your meal workflows

Map out your prep, cook, and hold steps. For example:

Start sous vide first (4 hr cook)
Preheat smart oven 30 min before plating
Set reminders via your smart scale app

Maintain and clean devices

Follow manufacturer guidelines:

Wipe oven interiors with nonabrasive cloths
Replace silicone seals on cookers annually
Store probes in protective cases

Keep firmware updated

Check for updates monthly. Many fixes address:

Connectivity stability
New recipe features
Security patches

Monitor energy usage

Use companion apps or a smart plug to track wattage. I compare monthly usage stats to spot inefficiencies.

Looking to the future

AI and machine learning

Expect ovens that learn your taste profiles and suggest new dishes. Predictive cooking will reduce prep time even further.

Voice and gesture controls

Soon, waving a hand or speaking complex commands will feel as natural as stirring a pot.

Sustainable cooking innovations

Emerging smart gadgets will focus on reducing food waste—think inventory-tracking fridges and compost-bin sensors that guide you on expiration dates.

Conclusion and next steps

Outfitting my kitchen with smart home devices for cooking has made a noticeable difference in convenience, consistency, and creativity. If you’re ready to dive in, start with one or two mid-range gadgets, master their routines, then gradually expand. For a comprehensive list of options, explore our smart home devices list and spark new ideas with these smart home automation ideas. Happy cooking!