What Are the Best Cheap Kitchen Tools Under $20 That Work Great?

You know that feeling when you want to upgrade your kitchen, but you don’t have a big budget—and you’re not sure which cheap gadgets are actually worth buying.

The good news is you don’t need expensive equipment to cook better. Many of the most useful kitchen tools cost less than $20. This guide covers practical, affordable gadgets that solve real cooking problems—without wasting your money on things you’ll never use.

TL;DR

You can upgrade your kitchen for under $20 with smart, practical tools. Key picks include a clip-on pasta strainer ($9-17), a bench scraper ($6-7), a vegetable chopper ($13), kitchen shears ($9 for a 2-pack), and a digital meat thermometer ($16-20). These tools save time, reduce mess, and solve everyday cooking frustrations.

Key Takeaways

A clip-on pasta strainer replaces a bulky colander, saves cabinet space, and makes draining pasta mess-free .
A bench scraper is a chef’s secret weapon—it transfers chopped food, cleans cutting boards, and portions dough for about $7 .
Kitchen shears handle everything from cutting herbs to breaking down chicken—and a good pair costs under $10 .
A digital meat thermometer prevents overcooking and costs as little as $16 .
A vegetable chopper can cut prep time in half for around $13 .

The Real Reasons Cheap Kitchen Tools Fail (And How to Choose the Right Ones)

Mistake #1: Buying Single-Use Gadgets

Avocado slicers, egg separators, and herb scissors look clever but often end up in the back of a drawer. Some are genuinely useful—like a $12 avocado slicer that pits, slices, and scoops . But ask yourself: will you use it weekly? If not, skip it.

Mistake #2: Overlooking Simple, Multi-Tasking Tools

The most useful cheap tools are often the most basic. A $7 bench scraper from OXO or $6 from Alltop does the work of several tools . A $13 silicone spatula set handles stirring, scraping, and mixing .

Mistake #3: Spending on Features You Don’t Need

An electric can opener might seem convenient, but a manual one costs less, takes up less space, and rarely breaks . Choose simple, durable tools over fancy ones.

Best Kitchen Gadgets Under $20

1. Clip-On Pasta Strainer ($9-17)

This clever gadget clips onto your pot, letting you drain pasta without a bulky colander. It saves cabinet space, fits most pots, and is dishwasher-safe .

Why it’s great: No more juggling a heavy pot over the sink. One reviewer called it “surprisingly useful” and said it “makes everything faster and less messy” .

2. Bench Scraper ($6-7)

A flat metal or plastic blade that transfers chopped ingredients from cutting board to pan, cleans your workspace, and divides dough. Chefs call it a “third hand” . The OXO Stainless Steel Bench Scraper costs about $7 and is a top pick .

3. Kitchen Shears ($9 for a 2-pack)

Cut herbs, open packages, break down chicken, or slice pizza for kids—all with one tool . The Ibayam Kitchen Shears Set is comfortable, durable, and has lasted reviewers for years .

4. Digital Meat Thermometer ($16-20)

Cook meat to the perfect temperature every time. The TempPro TP605W is waterproof, foldable, and has a magnet for storage .

5. Vegetable Chopper ($12-13)

This “perfect kitchen buddy” uses swappable blades to cube, chop, and grate vegetables—capturing everything in an attached bin . It’s “far better than having to completely break down and clean a food processor” .

6. Garlic Press ($8)

If you cook with garlic often, a stainless steel press saves time and mess. The IKEA KONCIS garlic press is a solid budget pick .

7. Salad Spinner ($20)

Wash and dry lettuce, herbs, and vegetables quickly. The GoodCook Deluxe Salad Spinner has a convenient handle and pour spout for draining . It’s worth the cabinet space if you eat salads regularly .

8. OXO Vegetable Peeler ($10-15)

A sharp, comfortable peeler that handles potatoes, carrots, squash, and even chocolate . The OXO Good Grips Y-Peeler has a sharp Japanese stainless steel blade and is dishwasher-safe .

9. Magnetic Measuring Spoons ($14)

These snap together for storage and come apart individually, so you never lose a spoon . The magnetic design is “genius” because you can take one spoon off at a time and snap them all back together when clean .

10. Splatter Screen ($6)

Place this mesh screen over your pan to catch oil splatters while cooking. The IKEA KLOCKREN 13-inch splatter screen is dishwasher-safe and fits most pans .

Comparison Table: Best Kitchen Tools Under $20

Tool	Price	Best For	Why It’s Worth It
Clip-On Strainer	$9-17	Draining pasta without a colander	Saves space, less cleanup
Bench Scraper	$6-7	Transferring food, cleaning boards	Chef’s “third hand”
Kitchen Shears	$9 (2-pack)	Cutting herbs, meat, packages	Multi-functional, dishwasher-safe
Meat Thermometer	$16-20	Cooking meat to perfect temp	Prevents overcooking
Vegetable Chopper	$12-13	Dicing vegetables quickly	Cuts prep time in half
Garlic Press	$8	Mincing garlic quickly	Saves time and mess
Salad Spinner	$20	Washing and drying greens	Removes water for crisp salads
OXO Peeler	$10-15	Peeling vegetables and fruit	Sharp, comfortable, dishwasher-safe
Magnetic Spoons	$14	Precise measuring	Stay organized, don’t get lost
Splatter Screen	$6	Catching oil splatters	Prevents burns and mess

What to Avoid

Some cheap gadgets aren’t worth the money, even under $20:

Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner: Requires vinegar, creates a strong smell, and you still have to wipe down the microwave .
Egg separators: They work, but you can separate eggs with your hands or the shell .
Single-use tools you won’t use weekly: Avocado slicers and herb scissors are useful if you use them often—otherwise, skip them.

Pro Tips for Shopping on a Budget

Focus on multi-taskers. A tool that does several jobs is almost always a better value than a single-use gadget .

Check reviews. Look for tools with hundreds or thousands of positive ratings .

Buy from trusted brands. OXO, KitchenAid, and Rachael Ray make reliable budget tools .

Think about storage. A clip-on strainer takes up far less space than a colander. Magnetic measuring spoons snap together neatly .

FAQ Section

What’s the best kitchen tool under $20 for saving space?
A clip-on pasta strainer. It replaces a bulky colander and clips onto any pot .

Which cheap kitchen tool do chefs actually use?
A bench scraper. Professional chefs use it daily to transfer food and clean cutting boards .

What’s the best budget knife set?
The Granitestone 4-piece stainless steel set includes a chef knife, paring knife, and two utility knives for under $20 .

Is a salad spinner worth buying?
Yes, if you eat salads regularly. It removes water from greens, keeping them crisp .

Are magnetic measuring spoons better than regular ones?
Yes. They snap together for storage and come apart individually, so you don’t lose spoons .

What kitchen tool should I avoid buying?
Single-use gadgets you won’t use weekly. The Angry Mama microwave cleaner is also not highly recommended .

References

More Budget Kitchen Gadgets & Tool Guides:

What’s the best kitchen tool you’ve bought for under $20? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Best Kitchen Tools and Gadgets Under $20: A Practical Guide