The right small kitchen appliances can make all the difference for home cooks, whether they have a full set of high-end cooking gear or a cramped apartment. These compact kitchen essentials help to streamline meal prep, save time and create tasty, healthy meals. From toaster ovens and mixers to blenders, coffee makers, food processors and air fryers, there's a perfect small appliance for every kitchen.

These essential kitchen gadgets are the workhorses that you use on a regular basis to make the meals and beverages your family enjoys. Some are compact and lightweight enough to take up very little space on your counter while others are larger but still easy to store and operate. You can also find a wide range of colors and finishes for most small appliances to match the style and décor of your kitchen.

Microwaves, mixers, toasters and coffee makers are the most commonly used small appliances in most homes. However, there are many other handy gadgets that make life in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable, from a hand-cranked egg beater to a mandoline slicer. Some of these are more useful than others, but each one has its place in the kitchen.

If you want to create a stylish, modern kitchen, a kettle or teapot is the perfect appliance for your needs. A kettle can boil water quickly, is mess free and comes in a variety of sizes, colours and designs to suit your kitchen. If you need to be more precise with your cooking, a digital kitchen scale is the best way to go. It can be used to weigh ingredients and can be accurate down to 0.1 ounces or 1 gram.

When you're cooking a big meal, it's sometimes not possible to use the stove top and you need to turn to other devices for smaller dishes or snacks. A toaster oven is a versatile small appliance that can be used to heat up leftovers, bake cookies and make toasted sandwiches and bagels. Other types of toaster ovens are designed for baking a whole cake or making pizza.

For those who love to cook but don't have a lot of counter space, a toaster oven or a countertop convection oven is the ideal appliance for your kitchen. These devices can save you time and energy by allowing you to cook meals, sides and desserts in an efficient manner without overheating your kitchen.

A powerful yet compact blender is a must-have for most busy kitchens. Blenders can be used to make smoothies, soups, sauces, cocktails and lemonade. A high-quality, durable blender can serve you for years.

A slow cooker can provide a great alternative to a conventional oven for cooking stews and casseroles. A good-quality model is easy to use and features a clear, digital display that makes it simple to adjust the temperature and setting.