When Martha Stewart says she likes something, we listen — and we java good feeling about this one. (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)(Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)More
Rise and grind! Oh, what's that? You buy your lattes from a cafe every morning? That must add up. If the idea of enjoying a pro-level espresso drink without having to get in the car sounds appealing to you, here's what none other than Martha Stewart herself recommends: the Breville Barista Express. An Amazon No. 1 bestseller, this mighty appliance was thoughtfully designed with crafting the perfect cup in mind. And while the promise of sipping on homemade caffeinated beverages on a cold day is enough to wake us right up, the fact that it's currently $200 off is the whipped cream on the mocha.
Yard in need of some heavy-duty pruning? This small but mighty chainsaw is powerful enough to take down tree branches, yet weighs under 2.5 pounds. Plus, this top-seller is cordless for even more convenience.
One Yahoo editor gave it a try, writing, "While testing the Saker, I first noticed that it was very easy to hold in one hand. I also appreciated the safety features, including a safety lock that must be pressed before the saw activates. This gave me some comfort that it wouldn't just 'go off' if I squeezed it too tight while walking between locations. It's also easier to use than something like pruning shears, which can be heavy and unwieldy and take much longer to get the same job done."
Check out our full Saker Mini Chainsaw review for more.
An air fryer is just the ticket when you want a hot meal without turning on the oven. This top-rated model heats up quickly and holds up to 2.5 pounds of fries or 14 wings at a time. Plus, it can be used to dehydrate food, proof bread and even bake desserts. This price is one of the best we've seen it marked down to.
Check out our roundup of the best air fryers for more.
One Yahoo editor awarded this blade the title of best budget chef's knife after testing a slew of them. She says, "When I started culinary school, I was issued a curated set of knives and tools we would need to work with through our 600 hours of training in order to graduate. This Mercer Culinary chef's knife was the one we received that day and what we would use for 90% of our daily tasks. That should give you an idea of what this knife is capable of — and of its durability.
The Genesis may not be a flashy knife, but it is a real workhorse in the kitchen. This Western-style knife is forged from a single piece of high-carbon German steel and features a handle made from Santoprene (a rubbery material) that ensures a firm grip even in damp hands."
It only dropped lower in price once this year ... so chop chop!
Been in a bit of a slump (literally)? Having a supportive yet comfortable work chair can help improve your posture while relieving pressure. This one has a curved shape that's meant to conform to your back, while the base of the seat offers lumbar support to help take some pressure off. Hey, your job might cause a lot of stress, but your bum's resting place shouldn't!
Mesh backing allows for increased airflow and breathability for added comfort, and you'll be able to recline and rock back at a customized angle that feels good to you. Prefer to sit cross-legged? Just flip up the armrests so they're not in the way.
Juice, frozen cocktails, soups, smoothies ... the possibilities are endless with this multitasker in your kitchen.
At $550 (down from $750), this machine is on sale for one of its lowest prices all year, and we're not seeing it for less anywhere else on the web. Is it still an investment? Absolutely, but because it has Martha Stewart's endorsement, you know it's a top-tier product. And let's do some math, shall we? Say you spend about $5 on an espresso drink five days a week (before tip!). That's $25 per week, or $100 per month — meaning $1,200 per year. In six months, this appliance will more than pay for itself!
Stewart recently included the Breville Barista Express in her holiday gift guide for US Weekly, calling it "the best" and saying it'll inspire recipients to "get rid of those pods and make real coffee." Of course, the best gifts are often the ones we treat ourselves to, and if you appreciate a good cup o' joe, you can't do much better than this.
Equipped with a grinder that has 16 (!) settings, the machine allows you to customize your brew to make your ideal cup. There's also a built-in steam wand to froth up milk for foamy lattes and cappuccinos — cold weather comfort right in your own kitchen. A combo of low water pressure pre-infusion and a digital temperature control help ensure you're getting the most flavor out of your beans. No bitter mud water to see here!
Martha Stewart's in good company — more than 20,000 Amazon customers thought the Breville was worthy of a perfect five-star rating.
"I’ve had this for a few weeks and I am blown away," shared one convert. "Once you tune this just right, your espresso will be perfect every time ... Perfecting the grind and the steamer on this will bring your barista abilities up to [a] professional level. The only reason I go to Starbucks now is to resupply my espresso beans, saving me about $120 per month."
"I've had various espresso machines over the past 36 years, some of them worked well, some did not," said another. "I'm pleased to say that our new Breville is absolutely the best machine I've had. It was easy to set up, and following several YouTube videos on how to dial it in helped me quickly get to the right grind to draw the perfect espresso ... And it looks beautiful on our countertop!"
"My husband and I had been searching for a compact and durable espresso machine that would make excellent coffee for a while now, and this is it," raved a third. "The machine heats up quickly so we can have morning espresso shots ... and it is relatively easy to clean. We’ve had iced lattes, americanos and Vietnamese coconut coffees that all taste excellent. Should last us many years, definitely worth the investment!"
"Must have saved us thousands!" exclaimed a generally satisfied shopper. "My only minor design complaint is that it is difficult to see the water level, as the tank is on the back, so sometimes the water runs out during the coffee making. It is still five stars!"
"Really good for your daily cup of coffee," wrote a final fan, noting, "You can’t pull shots and use the steam wand at the same time. But it’s understandable why. [The] steam wand is a little weaker than expected, but I just applied more air than normal to create latte foam. It takes a few tries to adjust to your liking, but overall I really like this new addition to the house."
Another of Stewart's faves from Breville? This juicer-blender hybrid:
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
