The Ambiano Capsule Coffee Machine has returned to Aldi's Specialbuys as of today, Thursday 1st October. It's also suitable for original Nespresso-compatible capsules, so you've got plenty of choice when it comes to finding pods.

Measuring just 31 x 8 x 21cm and with a 650ml water tank, it's similar in size to the Nespresso Vertuo Up, which recently scored five stars in our review. That said, the Vertuo Up costs just under £180, making it around £144 more expensive than Aldi's offering.

You can pick up the Ambiano Capsule Coffee Machine for just £34.99 in Aldi stores today, although, as usual with Specialbuys, I'd check the stock checker for your local store before heading out just in case.

The listing also mentions a fast heat-up time and, judging by the images, there appears to be a choice between shorter espresso-style coffees and longer coffees, depending on the pod you've chosen.

As mentioned, the machine works with original Nespresso-compatible capsules, meaning there's plenty of affordable pod options, including Aldi's own Barissimo Lungo Coffee Pods for £2.79. However, just make sure you don't buy Nespresso's Vertuo pods, as these aren't compatible with the Ambiano machine.

Loewe, the electronics brand best known for its line-up of TVs and soundbars, has just announced its latest bean to cup coffee machine, and it might be the most stylish model I’ve ever seen.

Loewe launched its first-ever espresso machine back in 2024. The Loewe aura.pure featured an integrated grinder with over 60 settings, and real wood on the base of the machine and tamper handle. It was described as the ‘ultimate luxury espresso machine for coffee connoisseurs’, but Loewe’s latest coffee machine has definitely taken that crown from its predecessor.

The new Loewe aura.matic is a serious advancement on the aura.pure, although it does keep some of its style choices, like the wooden accents. Made from aluminium, the Loewe aura.matic has a 360-degree design that includes a real wood frame, and a glass door which closes over the front of the coffee maker when not in use.

As an automatic coffee machine, the Loewe aura.matic takes care of the entire coffee-making process for you. It has a 7-inch touchscreen where you can select your drinks, and it’s compatible with the Loewe app.

Personally, I’ve never enjoyed using an app with a coffee machine, and I’ve tried many in my time as T3’s Home Editor. But the dedicated Loewe aura.matic app seems promising, as it allows you to make your coffee remotely, and lets you save up to six user profiles with your preferred drinks.

Considering the sleek design and compact size of the Loewe aura.matic, it has a lot under its hood. It features a dual-bean system with two separate bean grinders, so you can switch between regular and decaf coffees, or make your own coffee blends.

The Loewe aura.matic has 18 different drinks to choose from which you can adjust to your tastes, and an integrated milk system for frothy coffees. Its dual thermoblock system offers precise temperature control for both your coffee and milk, and it has a 20g brewing unit that enhances your coffee’s flavour and ensures consistent extraction.

My favourite feature of the Loewe aura.matic is its integrated cup sensor that detects when your cup is positioned on the coffee machine before brewing. It’s a handy function to use if you’re making your morning coffee remotely – although you’ll want to remember to put a mug on the machine before going to bed!

What surprised me most about the Loewe aura.matic is its price. Expected to launch later in the year, the Loewe aura.matic is priced at £5,000 / €5,000. This is a pretty steep price compared to its competitors, and it’s much more expensive than its previous aura.pure machine which costs £1,999.

It may look the part, but will the Loewe aura.matic make delicious coffee and live up to its hefty price tag? We’ll have to wait and try it.

Breville’s latest bean-to-cup coffee machine might have the most drink options I’ve ever seen from an espresso maker. The new Breville Prima Latte AutoLuxe Espresso Maker has over 200 hot and cold drink combinations to choose from, and plenty of customisation options to help you make the perfect coffee every time.

As a fully automatic coffee machine, the Breville Prima Latte AutoLuxe Espresso Maker handles every step of the coffee-making process, from grinding the beans to dispensing your drink. It’s a great model for beginners and experts, as the Breville AutoLuxe also comes with manual controls for you to choose brew strength, milk type, cup size and temperature.

The best part of the Breville AutoLuxe is its many extensive drink options. It has over 200 hot and cold drink combinations to choose from, which is the most I’ve seen compared to other coffee machines.

These drinks include americanos, lattes, and cappuccinos, plus you can brew drinks over ice to make cold brew and other iced coffees. The milk frother can also make hot or cold foam to complement your drinks.

These drinks can be selected and personalised via the touchscreen at the front of the machine. To make your morning coffee routine run smoother, you can create four user profiles and save your preferences. The Breville AutoLuxe will adapt to your preferred programme, and make your drink in a quick touch of a button.

Considering everything it’s got under its hood, the Breville AutoLuxe is surprisingly compact. It’s been given a front-facing design, meaning every part of the coffee machine – including the water tank and integrated grinder – is located at the front, so it can sit flush against your kitchen without taking up too much space.

At the top of the Breville AutoLuxe is EasySwitch Dual Bean Hoppers, which is one of my favourite coffee machine features from recent years. Each bean hopper can hold two choices of coffee beans, and the EasySwitch system will switch between them. It’s great if you and your partner have different tastes, or if you like a regular coffee in the morning and a decaf option in the afternoon.

The Breville Prima Latte AutoLuxe Espresso Maker comes in black and white, and is available to buy at £649 at Breville and select retailers, like Amazon. As of writing, no official US pricing and availability has been announced.

IKEA has just launched its new VARDAGEN series, full of Le Creuset dupes that are a fraction of the price. The IKEA VARDAGEN line-up is a collection of cookware, bakeware and dinnerware designed for autumnal cooking, hosting and serving – and I can’t decide what I want the most.

IKEA is one of my go-to brands for kitchenware, especially plates, bowls and utensils. They’re affordable, stylish and high quality, and IKEA’s new VARDAGEN collection is no exception – and it’s giving Le Creuset a serious run for its money.

Within the new IKEA VARDAGEN collection is ‘traditionally designed cookware and dinnerware that is perfect for everyday use’. It covers every aspect of the kitchen you can think of, including pots and pans, griddles, utensils – like whisks, ladles, spoons and spatulas – jars, mixing bowls and more.

The main product that caught my eye was its enamelled cast iron pots with lids. Available in sizes from 2.5 to 5-litres, the IKEA VARDAGEN pots are a mixture of wide and tall casserole dishes, that are ideal for cooking and serving all your favourite autumn meals.

Similar to Le Creuset, the IKEA VARDAGEN pots have oversized handles and accompanying lids with silver or matching-coloured knobs. The colours available include pastel spring-like pink, yellow and blue, and a matte black shade that almost makes the tall pot look like a cauldron.

Made from enamelled cast iron – like Le Creuset – the IKEA VARDAGEN pots offer even heat distribution for delicious and consistent cooking results every time. They’re also compatible with gas, cast iron, glass ceramic and induction hobs, and are oven-safe.

Autumn is my time to shine in the kitchen, and the IKEA VARDAGEN pots look like the perfect models to cook meals like stews, soups, casseroles, hotpots, and more. Prices on the VARDAGEN pots start at just £35 which is significantly cheaper than the Le Creuset versions.

IKEA isn’t the only brand to make their own version of Le Creuset’s iconic casserole dishes. Lidl has also added a Silvercrest line-up of casserole dishes, cast iron pans and griddles to its stores, and we have a full guide on the best best Le Creuset alternatives you can buy today.

It might feel too early to talk about Christmas, but Nespresso’s latest collaboration has got me excited for the festive season. Nespresso and Swarovski have just teamed up on an exclusive, limited edition festive collection, and it features the most stylish pod coffee machine I’ve ever seen.

There’s a lot to like about the Nespresso x Swarovski festive collection. The main event is the CitiZ Platinum coffee machine that’s been bejewelled with crystal decorations to give it some extra sparkle. The Nespresso CitiZ Platinum machine still comes with its expert brewing skills, but now has a silvery shade, and Swarovski jewels dotted around the border.

To go with the CitiZ coffee machine, Nespresso has announced its latest advent calendar. Within the Nespresso x Swarovski advent calendar are pods for its Original and Vertuo machines, and on some days, you’ll get two capsules instead of one so you can enjoy a coffee with another person.

Speaking of pods, the Nespresso x Swarovski collection comes with three new and exclusive pod flavours, and as a flavoured coffee fan, they sound absolutely delicious. Available as Original and Vertuo pods, the new flavours include Blueberry Cheesecake, Hazelnut Brownie and Crystal Spark Espresso.

The coffee pods are blended from Brazilian and Colombian Arabicas, so they’re rich, warm, and balance out the stronger flavours of the hazelnut from the Hazelnut Brownie, and the blueberries from the Blueberry Cheesecake.

But that’s not all – the Nespresso x Swarovski range also features a Pixie travel cup. It’s crafted from stainless steel and has a bright green colour. It’s decorated in Swarovski’s signature pattern and comes with a matching holder which is studded with 36 green crystals – it’ll be hard to miss, that’s for sure.

Finally, the brands have launched two collectible crystal ornaments for your Christmas tree. Inspired by Nespresso’s Original and Vertuo capsules, the ornaments add a bit of sparkle to your festive decorations – not that Christmas decorations are ever lacking in sparkle, but you know what I mean.

The Nespresso x Swarovski advent calendars and select accessories are available from today, before the full collection launches on 19th October. The festive collection is available to buy in select Nespresso stores and on the Nespresso website and app.

I moved into my house three years ago, and when I did, I had to give away almost all of my existing pots and pans because of my kitchen’s induction hob. Since then, I’ve become somewhat of a fanatic at finding the perfect pots and pans sets that are high quality, durable and work with all hob types – especially induction.

As a kitchen expert and T3’s Home Editor, I’m lucky enough to try lots of different appliances, from air fryers to microwaves, but the things I use the most are pots and pans. I cook everyday, and do most of my cooking on the hob, so I have collected a trusty collection of pots, pans, skillets and casserole dishes that give me the best results week on week.

If you’re on the lookout for a good set of saucepans, frying pans and more, below are the three cookware sets I use every single week – and why you should too.

1. Ninja Extended Life Ceramic 3-Piece Saucepan Set

Despite being a big-name appliance manufacturer, Ninja probably isn’t the first name you’d think of when it comes to cookware. But having owned and used the Ninja Extended Life Ceramic 3-Piece Saucepan Set for a couple of years now, I can confidently say that this set is one of the best I’ve ever used.

In this 3-Piece Saucepan Set, you get 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans, and their accompanying glass lids. The pans are made of dual-bonded ceramic and aluminium materials which gives the interior a non-stick, scratch-resistant surface. I typically use these saucepans for boiling pasta, vegetables, and eggs, but I’ve found them to be good with making sauces, too.

2. HexClad Hybrid Cookware

Dubbed as ‘Gordon Ramsay cookware’, HexClad really does live up to its reputation, or at least that’s what I’ve found. I own the 30cm HexClad Hybrid Pan and the 2 Litre Hybrid Pot with Lid, both of which are made of cast iron and stainless steel, and feature HexClad’s signature hexagonal design on the interior and exterior.

The HexClad Hybrid Pan is the pan I use the most, and I probably use it every day. It’s great for frying, heats up quickly on an induction hob, and gives a great sear on meats. It’s quite shallow, but I’ve found it to hold a lot of food, especially pasta dishes, fajitas, stir fries and more.

3. Le Creuset Shallow Casserole & Square Grillit

I’m a huge fan of Le Creuset, and I’m slowly but surely building my collection of Le Creuset cookware. At the moment, I have the Le Creuset Cast Iron Shallow Casserole – which is technically my husband’s as he got it for his 30th birthday, but what’s his is mine – and the Le Creuset Cast Iron Square Grillit.

The Le Creuset Cast Iron Shallow Casserole has shallow sides and a large surface area that’s great for frying meats and vegetables, and making dishes like stir fries, orzo and pasta, casseroles and hot pots. As expected from Le Creuset, it looks beautiful, and it can be used on the hob, in the oven and under the grill.

The Le Creuset Cast Iron Square Grillit is a newer addition to my collection, but it’s definitely earned its place. It gives those authentic griddle marks on meat and fish, and the grooves catch excess oil to make food a little healthier and less greasy. The red Casserole and green Grillit clash immensely, but hey, if you’re going to buy a Le Creuset product, it’s only right to choose something really colourful!

Summer 2026 may be over but Tower certainly doesn’t think so with the launch of its new ice cream maker. The Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip Soft Serve & Frozen Drinks Maker makes frozen desserts and slushies in just 30 minutes – and there’s no ice or pre-freezing required.

Ninja has become a serious trendsetter in the world of appliances, and ice cream and slushie makers are no exception. Ninja’s soft serve ice cream maker, the Swirl, came out in 2025, and since then, many appliance brands have introduced their own – and that now includes Tower.

The new Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip Soft Serve & Frozen Drinks Maker does exactly what it says on the tin. It makes frozen drinks and desserts in just one stylish machine. While soft serve and slushies are its main focus, it can also make regular ice cream, frappes, sorbetto and frozen cocktails.

Available in a lilac colour, the Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip has simple button controls on the front where you can select dedicated soft serve and slushie functions. The controls also allow you to personalise the consistency of your drink or ice cream, with three thickness options to choose from.

The Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip is powered by Chill-Core Duo technology which uses an ultra-quiet dual compressor to chill and mix your ingredients, without the use of ice or pre-freezing. Once you pour your mixture into the 1.5-litre container, the Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip immediately starts working to make your treat in just 30 minutes.

The Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip also uses FreezeIQ Intelligent Cooling which detects and monitors the sugar or alcohol content in your ingredients throughout the chilling or freezing process. This ensures the machine achieves the right texture and doesn’t overfreeze your drink or dessert.

I love the look of the Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip, and I think I prefer it to the design of the Ninja Swirl. The latter looks a bit chunkier as it has the dispenser on one side, and its controls and tub attachment on the other, while the Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip is much more compact.

To serve your treats, the Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip has a dispense tap at the front which feels quite nostalgic – it reminds me of the Mr Whippy machine in the local ice cream vans from when I was a kid. It has dual drip trays to prevent any spills, and there’s a self-clean function that makes tidying up much quicker.

The Tower Slush ‘n’ Whip Soft Serve & Frozen Drinks Maker is available to buy for £349.99 at Tower. It’s definitely made me hold onto summer a little longer!

Dualit has added a new kettle to its Stealth collection, bringing the same sophisticated, black and super-matte finish. Following the launch of the Stealth Classic Toasters last year, the new kettle feels like a perfect addition for autumn.

The 1.7-litre kettle can make up to six cups and comes with a powerful 3kW element for rapid boiling. It also features Dualit’s patented Whisper Boil technology, which is designed to reduce the noise that usually comes with boiling the kettle, as well as the brand’s Pure Pour non-drip spout.

It’s priced at £164.99 (around $220) and is available to buy from Dualit’s online store and John Lewis. Dualit is also offering a free Bird and Blend Teabag gift alongside purchases as well.

As you’d expect from one of the best kettles, there are also plenty of features built in. There are dual cup and litre measuring windows, making it easier to boil only the amount of water you actually need, whilst automatic switch-off and boil-dry protection add extra peace of mind.

There’s also a removable and washable limescale filter, which should help keep the kettle clean, alongside a cordless 360-degree base.

I was pretty excited when De’Longhi decided to shrink one of my favourite coffee machines, especially as someone who values their kitchen counter space. The original Rivelia scored five stars in my review back in 2024, so let’s just say my hopes for the new Rivelia Start were high.

A few weeks after launch, it appeared on my doorstep and I’ve been testing it ever since. You’ll find my full thoughts below.

Price and availability

The Rivelia Start is priced at £599 and can be purchased from De’Longhi’s online store, as well as John Lewis, Currys and Amazon. It comes in five colourways – Onyx Black, Sand Beige, Umber Brown, Jade Green and Arctic White.

It’s not yet available in the US, but is expected to arrive at around $799 if it does.

Design and features

As mentioned, the Rivelia Start is a more compact version of the original Rivelia, so a lot of the features are similar. For example, it retains the brand’s Bean Switch System, meaning it comes with two interchangeable 250g hoppers, so you can keep different beans ready to go and switch between them. There’s also a Switch mode that empties the grinder before changing beans, helping to avoid mixing the two varieties together.

On the front, you’ll find a simple touch interface, allowing you to choose from 10 one-touch drinks, including Espresso, Coffee, Filter Coffee, Cappuccino, Flat White and Latte Macchiato, as well as iced options such as Iced Coffee, Iced Espresso and Cold Brew. De’Longhi says its Cold Brew can be prepared in under five minutes, which is considerably quicker than traditional methods.

For milk drinks, the Rivelia Start uses LatteCrema Hot, which automatically creates the milk foam and adds it to your drink, so there’s no need to manually steam or froth the milk. There’s also the option to add De’Longhi’s LatteCrema Cool carafe, which unlocks six additional cold milk drinks if you want to lean further into iced coffees, but this is sold separately to keep costs down.

The machine itself grinds the beans fresh immediately before brewing, and it has a 15-bar pump (compared to the original’s 19 bar). Its 250 x 430 x 390mm footprint keeps it compact, but it still has a 1.4-litre water tank and a 10-serving grounds container, so you shouldn’t need to refill it constantly.

The other main difference to note is that the original has the brand’s Bean Adapt Technology, whereas the Start doesn’t, but we'll get into this more shortly,

Performance

I’ll be honest, when I first saw an image of the Start, I initially thought there wouldn’t be that much difference between the two models. However, when it actually arrived, I was really surprised by just how much De’Longhi had managed to shrink it without making it feel compromised.

You still get a decent-sized bean hopper and water tank, but it makes the machine feel much easier to live with day to day. The drip trays are easier to remove and clean in the dishwasher, and the smaller overall design makes the machine itself much easier to wipe down and keep looking clean.

In terms of performance, there’s really not much missing either. The interchangeable hoppers are still there, which is arguably one of the best things about De’Longhi machines, especially if you enjoy both caffeinated and decaf options, or there are multiple people in your household who enjoy different beans. They’re easy to use as always, and the different coloured lids mean you can keep on top of what’s in which one.

The range of drinks is also impressive, and whilst there are a few missing compared to the original, all the key ones are there. I also like that the extra shot button is there too, as this is a go-to for me.

It’s a shame you need to purchase the LatteCrema Cool carafe separately, but if you’re like me and prefer hot drinks anyway, it’s really not much of an issue. There’s also nothing stopping you from frothing your own iced milk in a separate frother, or just filling a cup with milk and then brewing an espresso over it.

I was also impressed with the speed of the machine, and it’s not too loud either. I’ll pop a TikTok below showing it in action so you can see, although please note it’s been slightly sped up.

As mentioned, the Start doesn’t have De’Longhi’s Bean Adapt Technology, which automatically adjusts the grinding, dose and temperature to match the specific coffee beans you’re using.

The Start instead relies on manual adjustments and standard user profiles rather than automated software calibration when swapping beans, with the adjustments made on the hoppers themselves. This wasn’t a problem for me, and it’s something I’ve been used to whilst testing all kinds of manual machines. It was a very quick process, but if this is something you think you’ll struggle with, it’s important to note.

Verdict

The De’Longhi Rivelia Start is an impressively compact bean-to-cup machine, and after spending several weeks with it, I can see why you’d choose it over the original. It manages to squeeze in most of the features I love about the Rivelia – including the interchangeable bean hoppers and generous drink selection – whilst taking up noticeably less space. There are a few compromises, most notably the lack of Bean Adapt Technology and the separately sold LatteCrema Cool carafe, but neither bothered me during testing. If you’re short on space but don’t want to compromise too much on what your coffee machine can do, the Rivelia Start is an easy one to recommend.

Alternatives to consider

The obvious alternative here is the original Rivelia, especially if you have the space and budget to do so. However, for the core features, the Rivelia Start is a brilliant way to cut down on both of those things.

If you want to start small, another alternative to consider would be the Smeg BCC02. It’s compact, but it’s still able to pack in a 1.4-litre water container, a decent-sized bean hopper and a frothing wand, although there’s no LCD screen and only three drinks to choose from.

Beko has just launched its latest oven air fryer hybrid, and the price will seriously shock you. The – deep breath, everyone – Beko 60cm Built-In Pyro Multi-Function Oven with AeroPerfect AirFry Technology combines multiple appliances in one surprisingly compact device.

Ovens with integrated air fryers are definitely here to stay. Offering the best of both worlds, appliance brands like Smeg, AEG and Miele have all introduced their own versions, but Beko’s 60cm Built-In Pyro Multi-Function Oven with AeroPerfect AirFry Technology is definitely the model that should be on your radar.

Designed for oven and air fryer fans who want to increase their worktop space, the Beko Multi-Function Oven with AeroPerfect AirFry is a built-in oven that offers fan, oven, grill and air fryer cooking in one. The stand out feature is its AirFry mode which uses a special AirFry tray and AeroPerfect technology to cook like an air fryer.

Once you place your meal on the AirFry tray, the AeroPerfect technology evenly distributes hot air around the oven to cook food with moist interiors and crispy exteriors. Like a standalone air fryer, you don’t have to use a lot of oil, so your meal is healthier than traditional oven or deep fat frying methods, and the temperature remains consistent throughout cooking for fast, even results.

Another handy feature of the Beko Multi-Function Oven with AeroPerfect AirFry is its Pyrolytic Cleaning. Anyone who’s cleaned an oven knows what a tedious – and quite frankly, disgusting – job it can be but this feature makes it much easier. How it works is the oven heats up to an intense 480°C to burn away dirt and grease, and turn it into ash which you can then simply wipe away.

Finally, the Beko Multi-Function Oven with AeroPerfect AirFry is easy to use, with its LED touchscreen display. With energy saving in mind, the oven is made from RecycledNet materials, and it has an A+ energy rating.

The Beko 60cm Built-In Pyro Multi-Function Oven with AeroPerfect AirFry Technology is available to buy for £369 at Beko and select retailers, like AO.com. Most ovens cost at least double this price, so I was genuinely surprised by how affordable this Beko oven is – and since it doubles as an air fryer, you’re getting multiple appliances for a seriously low price.

AEG is upgrading its 7000 - 9000 oven range with its popular PizzaExpert feature – and it’s an update you’ll definitely want to have. The AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert Pyrolytic Self-Clean Built-in Oven can be used as a regular oven as well as a pizza oven to make delicious, authentic pizzas in under three minutes.

AEG’s PizzaExpert ovens were originally announced during IFA 2025, but it’s now being made more available to its other ovens. The PizzaExpert feature is endorsed by Scuola Italian Pizzaiolo, the internationally recognised Italian pizza school, so if it’s restaurant-quality pizza you’re after, you can make your own with the AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert Pyrolytic Self-Clean Built-in Oven.

To make authentic pizzas, the AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert gets up to 340° to cook your pizza in just 2.5 minutes. For beginners and experts, the touchscreen display of the oven guides you through the steps to making the perfect pizza, and offers advice on heat-up time, tray level and when to add or remove the pizza to the oven.

The AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert connects to the AEG app to offer more personalised advice and recipe suggestions for pizza dough and sauce. The oven also comes with a specially designed tray and pizza peel – AEG has covered all bases with this oven.

Aside from its pizza-making skills, the AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert has lots of other handy cooking functions, including grill, bread proving and baking, defrosting, dehydrating, plate warming, and more. It heats up quickly using its powerful fan and it has a generous 72 litre capacity.

One of its best features is actually its self-cleaning system, called Pyrolytic Cleaning. If you’ve ever cleaned your oven, you know what a big – and gross – task it is but the AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert makes it easy.

With the Pyrolytic Cleaning function, the oven heats to the highest temperature to turn grease and food residue into ash. From there, you can quickly and easily wipe away all dirt and grease without creating any excess mess – or covering yourself in oven goop.

The AEG 7000 MealAssist with PizzaExpert Pyrolytic Self-Clean Built-in Oven is available to buy for £949.99 at AEG and select retailers, like Marks Electrical and Appliance City. If you have an existing 7000 - 9000 oven from AEG – featuring CookSmart Touch and Touch+ displays, you should be able to add a PizzaExpert Kit to it.

There’s a distinct chill in the air which can only mean one thing – autumn is coming! While summer is my favourite season, autumn is where I really shine in the kitchen as I’m a classic British girl and love to make (and eat) hearty, comforting meals.

When I say comfort food, I mean meals like soups, pies, stews, casseroles, hotpots and crumbles. The list goes on, but essentially, I’ve made myself an expert in all things autumnal cooking, and I’ve stocked my kitchen accordingly to make the best comfort food during the autumn-winter season.

From slow cookers and soup makers to roasting dishes and pumpkin-shaped serving bowls, these 15 appliances, cookware and bakeware essentials are everything I use for autumn-winter cooking.

IKEA has launched a new 2-in-1 clock with a playful speech bubble design, combining a clock with both timer and stopwatch functions. This makes it particularly useful for the kitchen when you're cooking or doing chores.

The Ljungpipare joins IKEA's growing lineup of analogue and digital clocks, including the Örnvråk, a new 3-in-1 clock that also displays temperature and humidity. IKEA says the range is designed to help reduce screen time and give users "quality time in more ways than one".

It's available to buy now for just £2 in the UK and $3.99 in the US, either online or in IKEA stores.

The clock has a magnetic backing, so you can attach it to metal surfaces around the home. It's also powered by a single AAA battery, so there's no need to worry about cables or wires.

The display can be set to either a 12- or 24-hour format via buttons, whilst the whole unit measures just 7 x 8 x 2cm, making it small enough to place almost anywhere.

When it comes to coffee machines, I’ve tried every type you can think of – bean-to-cup, drip, pods, manual, you name it. But I recently became an AeroPress convert after trying its new Steel coffee maker and Manual Coffee Grinder – here’s why.

For those new to AeroPress, it’s a 3-in-1 coffee maker that combines immersion, micro-filtration and air pressure to brew, extract and dispense your coffee. To use it, you simply boil your kettle and add a paper filter into the AeroPress’ filter cap and attach it to the main chamber. Once your kettle is boiled, you position the AeroPress atop your mug, add coffee grounds to the chamber and pour over boiling water.

From there, you simply stir the grounds before inserting the plunger into the chamber to create a vacuum. Similar to a French press, you then push down the plunger to get the coffee to pass through the filter and into your mug – simple!

This is AeroPress’ tried and tested method of making coffee, so much so that the ‘technology’ and features of every AeroPress is the same. There are multiple versions, like the Original, Go, XL and Clear – which I gave five stars in my AeroPress Clear review – but the main differences between them is the material.

Earlier this year, AeroPress launched a steel version of its popular manual coffee maker, called the AeroPress Steel. As mentioned, it’s the same as its predecessors, but it’s made from stainless steel, including the chamber, plunger, filter cap, scoop and stirrer. It has a larger capacity of 360ml and double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your brew hot inside and the exterior cool outside.

Considering that it works the same as the Clear and Original, I wasn’t originally going to test the AeroPress Steel. However, that was until I got my hands on the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder, and the two matched so perfectly, I had to give them both a try.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, AeroPress came out with its first-ever coffee grinder in late 2025. The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder is a 3-in-1 coffee press that has 60 adjustable settings to grind coffee beans to go in your AeroPress – or in my case, the AeroPress Steel.

The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder works by adding coffee beans directly to its main chamber at the top. At the bottom, you can adjust your grind settings before reattaching the cup which catches the grounds. Next, you attach the magnetic Easy-Grind handle and you manually wind it like a hand crank to grind your beans into smooth or coarse grounds.

Using the AeroPress Steel and Manual Coffee Grinder: performance

As mentioned, I’ve used an AeroPress before so using the AeroPress Steel was easy and a method I was already used to. It goes without saying that making coffee with an AeroPress is longer than simply boiling a kettle or even using a coffee machine, but it feels more rewarding, especially when using the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder.

After I’d filled the grinder with beans and adjusted the settings to a medium-fine grind, I got to work – and it was work. Attaching the handle was simple, and its magnetised body was handy to attach and remove. I thought it might slip off easily while I was cranking it, but the handle stayed nicely in place. The circular shape handle felt odd at first but it was easy enough to hold and work with.

The part where it felt like work was grinding the beans. It needs some serious elbow grease, that’s for sure! I’d been to an intense HIIT class the night before using the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder, and wow, did my arms hurt. After a minute or so of grinding, my arm was thoroughly sore, but the grounds came out perfect!

From there, I used the AeroPress Steel scoop to measure the grinds into the coffee maker, and I followed the normal coffee-making process. I actually found the dispensing to work faster with my own pre-ground beans than store bought ones, and the coffee tasted delicious – as expected.

Should you buy the AeroPress Steel?

So, should you buy the AeroPress Steel? I’d have to say yes to this. The one thing I didn’t love about the Clear was its plasticky build and as the Steel is made from stainless steel, it doesn’t have that. It looks and feels a lot more high quality, and it works incredibly well, too.

The double-wall insulation is definitely impressive. It doesn’t get hot at all on the outside, although it does get hot on the bottom. When you go to dispose of the coffee puck, you’ll want to wait for it to cool or use a cloth to screw it off but that’s somewhat expected and not something to write home about.

At £159.99, the AeroPress Steel is more expensive than other AeroPress coffee makers (apart from the Premium). But if you want the looks and a good, reliable coffee maker which is sure to last a while, I’d really recommend the AeroPress Steel.

Should you buy the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder?

On to the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder – should you buy it? I would also say yes to this but with some conditions in place.

The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder works exceptionally well, produces perfectly ground beans, and gives you a little arm workout in the morning. But personally – and you can call me lazy if you like – I don’t know if I’d want to manually grind my own beans every day. But if you can get over the arm ache, it’s a very fun machine to use.

I could see the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder becoming a big part of coffee-making set-ups for outdoor adventures, especially camping. At £199.99, it will cost you, but I can see the AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder lasting a long time, so you really will get your money’s worth.

KitchenAid just launched its new Design Series stand mixer, and it’s my favourite version yet. The – deep breath, everyone – KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Artisan Plus 4.7L Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Fluted Glass Bowl comes in a stunning Blue Peppercorn colour, and has a redesigned bowl with an integrated LED light.

KitchenAid is best known for its Artisan Stand Mixer, and in 2026, the brand introduced the Artisan Plus, an upgraded version of its iconic stand mixer with new colours, speed settings and an LED bowl light. The Artisan Plus style is what the new Design Series stand mixer is based on, and it’s a true work of art.

The KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Stand Mixer is the latest addition to the brand’s Design Series collection. In 2021, KitchenAid introduced Light and Shadow, a stand mixer with a white body and black bowl, while in 2022, Blossom in thyme green and a copper bowl was launched.

The most recent 2024 model was Evergreen, a forest green mixer with a walnut wooden bowl. But 2026’s launch has to be my favourite to date. Steering away from the more natural colours that KitchenAid has favoured in the past, the KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Stand Mixer has an inky blue colourway which the brand is calling Blue Peppercorn.

Aside from the beautiful Blue Peppercorn colour, the main body of the KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Stand Mixer has a crinkly velvet-like finish which makes it look like it’s sparkly. It also has a colour-matched trim band and control knob, and metallic accents. My favourite ‘hidden’ detail is the little sparkle decoration on the band.

But that’s not all. The Artisan Plus mixer comes with an integrated LED bowl light, and the new KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Stand Mixer does too. This feature looks even more impressive with the Luminaire’s new fluted glass bowl as when the light is on, it makes light patterns around the room.

Aside from the new colour and bowl, the KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Stand Mixer comes with 11 speeds, including soft start and half-speed fold settings. It also comes with stainless steel accessories, including the Flat Beater, Flex Edge Beater, Whisk and Dough Hook.

The KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Artisan Plus 4.7L Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Fluted Glass Bowl is available to buy for £899 at KitchenAid. Stand mixers from KitchenAid are quite expensive, but the Design Series models tend to have an even higher price tag, as the new Luminaire model shows.

If I had £900 lying around, I honestly would buy the KitchenAid Luminaire Design Series Stand Mixer. Despite being a special edition, it still has a beautiful colour that blends in nicely to all kitchen aesthetics – I just better start saving up now!

Ovens and cookers are making a comeback in a big way this year – and Smeg is making sure of it. Despite having just launched its first-ever single air fryer, Smeg has also just announced its new generation of Opera range cookers, with an updated, stylish design, and enhanced functionality.

Within the new Smeg Opera cookers range are four models – the Opera Gas Cooker in 90cm and 100cm, and the Opera Induction Cooker in 90cm and 100cm. An Opera Dual Fuel Cooker is also available in the same sizes, and all are crafted from stainless steel with a touch display and level controls.

The new Smeg Opera cookers have huge capacities with the 90cm offering 115 litres of space. The real star is the 100cm sizes, as they can have two compartments, one with a 70 litre capacity, and the other with 35 litres, so you can cook multiple meals at the same time – just like an air fryer!

With a twin fan system, the Smeg Opera cookers heat up quickly and evenly, and its Circulaire function ensures consistent cooking across multiple shelves. I’ve seen this feature in action when I visited Smeg HQ, and it’s extremely impressive as you can cook different types of food at the same time but Circulaire mode keeps smells and flavours separate – so you really could cook a fish next to a cake and not have any issues!

Another handy feature is built-in cooking modes which are only available in the 100cm sizes of the Smeg Opera cookers. The built-in modes include BBQ, air fry and pizza, so the Opera cooker could really replace any appliance you have in your kitchen.

The Smeg Opera Induction cookers feature a five-zone induction hob on the top of the cooker. The hob comes with Flex/Multizone, Eco and Booster options so you can cook quickly across all zones. Each zone is spacious and can cater to all compatible pots and pans. If you have an Auto-Vent 2.0 cooker hood, the induction hob on the Opera cooker can also communicate with it to manage extraction.

The Smeg Opera Dual Fuel cooker is what I think people will be most excited about. It combines a gas hob with an electric oven for versatile cooking power. The hob has six gas burners and visible flame control, plus it comes with a thermocouple that ensures the gas supply cuts off if the flame goes out.

Prices on the Smeg Opera Cookers start at £2,939 / €3,409, and are available to buy at Smeg and in select stores.

If, like me, you can’t wait for the next season of the Great British Bake Off to start, then you’ll be happy to know that Aldi just made it easier – and cheaper – to bake along with the programme. The global supermarket retailer just launched its Home Baking range in its middle aisle, so you can become Star Baker at a much lower price.

As mentioned, I’m a big GBBO fan, and have watched it since it was first on the BBC, and we had Mel and Sue as presenters. I’ve even hunted down the best Great British Bake Off appliances but as you may expect, they come with a pretty hefty price tag.

But with ‘baking fever’ set to hit the UK in late September when the new series starts, Aldi has brought back its popular Home Baking range. With prices starting at just £2.69, the Aldi Home Baking range has everything you need to get started or continue your baking journey, including cake tins, choppers, measuring spoons and more.

The standout of the range is definitely the Ambiano Classic Stand Mixer. Aldi originally introduced this stand mixer in March 2026 for springtime baking, but it’s now back and in two bright new colours – red and green.

The Ambiano Classic Stand Mixer is a clear dupe of the iconic KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer which is actually used by bakers on Great British Bake Off. As you’d imagine, the Aldi version is significantly cheaper – you can get it for just £34.99.

Aside from its stylish colours and cheap price, the Ambiano Classic Stand Mixer is a handy mixer for mixing, whisking, kneading and beating. It comes with a beater, whisk, dough hook and splash guard, as well as a large 5-litre stainless steel bowl.

With eight speed settings to choose from, the Ambiano Classic Stand Mixer is quick and easy to use. It also has a pulse function for more intense blitzing, and its swivelling motor head offers expert mixing and easier access to adding ingredients to your bowl, and removing it from the base when needed.

Aside from the stand mixer, the Aldi Home Baking range has a full collection of baking essentials, including a Hand Mixer and Food Chopper for just £11.99. Shoppers can also buy measuring spoon sets, metal bakeware, cake tins, and cake covers.

Sage has launched its new Eye Q Toaster, which lets you choose your ideal toast by colour, then uses a sensor to monitor the bread and stop the cycle when it reaches your selected shade.

It's powered by Sage's patent-protected Eye Q Optic Sensor technology, which monitors the bread up to 10 times per second, automatically stopping when the selected shade is reached. The idea is to deliver more consistent results across different types of bread, rather than relying purely on a timer.

It's available now from Sage's online store, priced at £249.95/$299.95 for the two-slice model and £349.95/$399.95 for the four-slice version. It also comes in either Brushed Stainless Steel or Noir, which is a launch edition.

The Eye Q is the latest addition to Sage's range of best toasters, which already includes the Sage The Smart Toast. That toaster introduced features such as Quick Look, which lets you check on your toast without interrupting the cycle, and A Bit More, for when your toast needs a little extra browning.

The Eye Q has dedicated Sourdough and Crumpet modes, along with automatic lift-and-lower functionality and the familiar A Bit More setting. There's also a Timer Mode, just in case you'd rather stick to the numbers.

Sage has also included a Clearway Cavity, Catch All Crumb Tray and a non-stick ceramic-coated top, all designed to make the toaster easier to keep clean.

Cosori – the kitchen appliance brand best known for its affordable range of air fryers – has just launched its first-ever coffee maker. The Cosori Juni is a pour-over drip-style coffee machine which uses clever temperature controls, pour patterns and vibrations to extract your coffee – and it’s truly hypnotising to watch.

I’ve never been much impressed by drip coffee machines, despite having tested some great models. Due to the advancements in bean-to-cup and pod machines, I just find pour-over coffee makers to be quite old fashioned and I don’t love the taste of the coffee it makes.

However, the Cosori Juni Automatic Pour-Over Machine might have just changed my mind, mainly due to its clever coffee-making process. It looks like a traditional drip coffee maker that you’d find in an office, but it features two brew baskets – one with a cone bottom and the other with a flat bottom – that optimise coffee extraction for single cups or large batches.

Depending on the basket, the Cosori Juni can make up to 600ml of coffee with the cone brew basket, or 1.5 litres with the flat bottom brew basket. But what has most impressed me most with the Cosori Juni is its pour patterns and vibrations.

When you add ground coffee to the basket, the Cosori Juni gently vibrates it during the brewing process to evenly coat the grounds with water and extract the perfect flavour. The machine adds water via its nozzle as the basket spins to ensure coverage.

During brewing, the nozzle of the Cosori Juni moves in spiral, circular or centre pour patterns to replicate the pour-over movement of actual baristas – it’s very fun to look at! Water is also poured in stages to get the maximum amount of flavour and to control extraction while maintaining a precise temperature.

The Cosori Juni comes with a built-in display and controls, but to make the most out of your coffee making, the machine can also be connected to the VeSync app. The app offers personalised recipe suggestions and smart scheduling, and it uses AI to give you recommendations on your brew.

After you make a cup or batch of coffee, the Cosori Juni will ask you to rate your brew in the app. You can give feedback on its sweetness or bitterness, acidity and body. Using AI, the Cosori Juni will then offer improvements you could make for your next coffee, including temperature and pouring phases.

I like the idea of getting suggestions to improve your brewing process, although it’ll be interesting to see how many people will use the AI functionality. I’m sure it’ll be a divisive feature – do coffee machines, especially a pour-over maker, really need AI?! – but being able to understand and make quick changes to your morning coffee will be invaluable to some.

The Cosori Juni Automatic Pour-Over Machine is available to buy for $299.99 at Cosori. As of writing, it’s not yet available in the UK.

Watch out, Ninja – Smeg has just launched its first-ever air fryer, and it’s easily the most stylish air fryer I’ve ever seen. The new Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer has a generous capacity, and multiple pre-sets and modes, but it’s the price that you’ll be most surprised by.

Smeg is known for many different small and large appliances, but air fryers is something it has rarely ventured into. Instead, Smeg has favoured adding air fryer functions into its oven line-up.

The brand even launched an oven-sized 10-in-1 air fryer last year – see our Smeg 10-in-1 Countertop Oven review for more details – but this is the furthest Smeg has gone into making an actual standalone air fryer… until now.

I originally spotted the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer at Milan Design Week earlier this year but other than what it looked like, I didn’t know anything about it – and I was even sure if it was real. Now that Smeg has officially announced the new model, I’m so glad it is real as I absolutely love the look of it.

Let’s face it – while air fryers may be practical, they’re not the nicest things to look at. That is until the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer. Smeg has given its single basket air fryer its iconic retro-inspired style, with a main matte coloured body, and silver Smeg lettering at the front.

As mentioned, the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer doesn’t look much like a ‘normal’ air fryer, and it also has a different way of opening. While most air fryers have handles so you can pull the baskets out from the front, the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer ‘opens’ at the top – in fact, almost everything happens at the top of this air fryer.

At the top of the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer is its touchscreen display and a large viewing window with integrated light so you can check on your food’s progress. To open it, the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer has a flip-open system that’s operated by a central button at the front.

When you press the button, the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer pops open and you can quickly and easily add or remove the basket. The basket itself is made from non-stick ceramic coating which is dishwasher safe, and has silicone handles for safety and practicality. It also has a generous 7.3-litre capacity.

Enough about the looks – how does it work? The Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer has two cooking modes – Crispy and Juicy+Crispy. Crispy cooks food evenly and gives a golden brown colour and crunch, which Smeg recommends for cooking vegetables and breaded meals.

The Juicy+Crispy mode builds off this setting and combines hot air circulation with internal steaming, so your food gets crispy on the outside, and moist and flavourful on the inside. Both modes use little to no oil, and can be used alongside manual temperature and time controls, or seven pre-set programmes.

Available in black, white, storm blue or emerald green, the Smeg AFC01 Dual Flavour Air Fryer is priced at £199.95. The reason this price surprised me is that while this is a standard cost for most air fryers, this is actually one of the cheapest appliances you’ll find from Smeg – I can’t wait to try it!

IFA 2026 may have taken place a week ago, but new product releases just keep coming! Haier announced a huge range of large and small appliances at the event, including a three model vacuum cleaner line-up, but it’s the brand’s newest oven that has got me excited.

Despite the rise of air fryers, ovens are having a resurgence, mainly due to the introduction of AI. I’ll be honest, I think it’s slightly ridiculous to have AI in appliances as it’s not always necessary or really saving you time, but Haier’s new ID Ultimate Series 6 Oven could potentially change my mind.

The new Haier ID Series 6 range are built-in large appliances, including an oven, induction hob and extractor hood. Designed to enhance your food preparation and cooking experience, the collection can be bought together as a whole kitchen solution or separately.

The Haier ID Ultimate Series 6 Oven immediately caught my attention when it was introduced at IFA. With its sleek, minimalist design, the Haier ID Ultimate Series 6 Oven has a PartLight light bar at the front which flashes blue to show you the status of your oven, and its cooking progress.

Inside the Haier ID Ultimate Series 6 Oven is its AI Vision internal camera. When you put food inside it, the camera recognises food and monitors its cooking. Once cooked, the Haier ID Ultimate Series 6 Oven stops the cooking programme to prevent burning and so you can serve your food at the perfect temperature and texture.

With its 78-litre capacity, the Haier ID Ultimate Series 6 Oven has a lot of room inside, including seven different shelf levels. The oven also has a Pure Flavour Steam setting and sous-vide programme, so you can steam and cook foods at lower temperatures to preserve its flavours, textures and moisture levels.

Moving on to the hob, the ID Hob Series 6 is dubbed by Haier as a ‘fully active induction hob’. The surface can cater for up to six pots and pans, and it automatically recognises where you put them to deliver precise power. It also has a Power Follows the Pan feature, so you can move your pan to a different position, and the cooking settings follow it.

The ID Series 6 range is expected to launch soon at Haier.

A morning cup of tea or coffee is a staple of many people’s morning routines. But if (like me) it takes a lot to get you out of bed in the morning, the Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle will make your morning cuppa a lot quicker and easier, thanks to its Alexa compatibility.

One of the last things I expected to be upgraded with smart technology was the humble kettle. But smart kettles have been on the rise in the past few years, as you can remotely control them using an app or your voice, so you can have boiling water at the ready for when you finally get out of bed for your morning brew.

Morphy Richards is the latest manufacturer to join the smart kettle party with the recent launch of its new Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle. It can connect to your Alexa app or Echo smart speaker, so you can ask Alexa to boil the kettle, schedule timings and adjust the temperature.

The Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle looks like an ordinary kettle for all intents and purposes. It has a matt black colour with a 360° cordless base, but where it differs is its LED touchscreen display which you can manually adjust and check your boil’s progress.

With six temperature settings to choose from, the Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle can be boiled between 40°C and 100°C, depending on the drink you’re making. It has a generous 1.5-litre capacity, and a digital water level indicator which shows you how much water you have in the kettle.

But as a smart kettle, the best part of the Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle is its smart controls. Being able to say “Alexa, boil the kettle” is a game changer, especially if you want to save yourself time waiting around – a watched pot never boils, after all!

With the Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle, you can also use your voice to set schedules and temperatures. For example, you can say “Alexa, boil the kettle at 7pm” and it’ll do this for you at exactly the time you’ve requested, or you can say “Alexa, set the temperature to 80°C” to get the right heat for your drink.

Other handy features of the Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle is its keep warm function which will keep your water hot for up to an hour after boiling. It’s a great appliance to add to your smart home ecosystem, especially if you’re an Alexa user, and it’s sure to become a big part of your morning routine.

The Morphy Richards Halo 1.5L Alexa Kettle is available to buy for £119.99 at Morphy Richards.

After a few months of waiting, Lavazza has finally launched its Tablì coffee machine in the UK. Expanding its line-up of pod coffee machines, the real star of the new Lavazza Tablì coffee system is its coffee ‘tabs’ which, unlike normal pods or capsules, have absolutely no plastic, and are instead made of 100% coffee.

I’ve tested many pod coffee machines in my time as T3’s Home Editor, and have always championed them as being a quick, easy and convenient way to make your morning coffee. My one negative about these types of machines is its pod waste. While most can be recycled, they still generate a lot of plastic and aluminium waste.

Lavazza has clearly thought of this, and ‘invented’ a new type of coffee pod to go with its new Lavazza Tablì single serve, capsule-free coffee machine. Instead of a pod, it uses a coffee tab made entirely of coffee without any protective coating or binders.

The Lavazza Tablì is specifically designed to use this type of coffee tab so you get the full flavour and aroma in each cup. Once brewed, the coffee tab can be disposed of with your food waste instead of ending up in landfill like older types of coffee pods.

The design of the Lavazza Tablì is similar to its other pod coffee machines. Available in white, black or brown, it has a bean-shaped slider and piston system which allows you to easily and quickly insert and remove each coffee tab. It also comes with Wi-Fi support so you can connect it to other compatible devices in your smart home via Alexa or Google Home.

The Lavazza Tablì has an intelligent brewing system which is best at making espresso, double espresso and lungo. The machine uses Lavazza’s Crema Plus technology to expertly brew your coffee to bring out the coffee’s flavours and create a crema on top of your drink.

When asked about the Lavazza Tablì, Emanuele Pellegrino, Regional Director of Lavazza UK & Nordics said “Tablì represents a major breakthrough not only for Lavazza, but for the coffee industry as a whole. By combining a 100% coffee tab with a specially designed machine and unique brewing technology, we are introducing an entirely new product category and a coffee experience that, until now, simply didn’t exist on the market.”

The Lavazza Tablì is available to buy for £199 / $129 at Lavazza. Its coffee tabs start at £5.49 for 12 single doses.

Le Creuset and Star Trek might not be the most obvious pairing, but the two brands have come together for a fun limited-edition collection celebrating 60 years of the iconic sci-fi franchise.

The Le Creuset x Star Trek collection brings some of the franchise’s most recognisable characters and symbols into the kitchen, with everything from Enterprise-inspired cast-iron cookware to Spock-themed mugs and Klingon knobs.

Le Creuset has also gone one step further to mark the launch, sending a cast-iron casserole into the stratosphere. The Enterprise-inspired dish launched from Derbyshire attached to a sustainable hydrogen-filled balloon, reaching an altitude of 110,095 feet (33.5km). It spent 1 hour, 19 minutes and 4 seconds in the stratosphere before returning safely to Earth by parachute.

That said, you don't need to send your Le Creuset into the stratosphere to enjoy the collection. There are plenty of much more practical – and considerably cheaper – options to choose from.

Leading the range is the Enterprise Round Casserole with Starfleet Insignia Knob, priced at £425 – around $500. The Signature Round Casserole features the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 across its surface, emerging from Le Creuset's signature rings.

Then there's the Klingon Shallow Casserole with Klingon Knob, priced at £385 or $450. It's a considerably bolder-looking piece, taking inspiration from one of the more formidable forces in the Star Trek universe.

There's also the Galileo Shuttlecraft Rectangular Casserole Dish, priced at £130 or $150. The 1.6-litre baking dish takes its design cues from the shuttlecraft used to explore the unknown and comes in a rather lovely warm Brioche finish.

If you don't fancy spending hundreds on cookware, there are plenty of smaller accessories to choose from. The Starfleet Insignia Knob and Klingon Knob cost £40 each (around $50) and offer an easy way to add a little Star Trek personality to compatible Le Creuset cookware.

The Spock Ear Mug is priced at £31 ($40) and features a sculpted handle inspired by Spock's famous ears, complete with real gold detailing around the rim. There's also a Spock Hand Spoon Rest in Bleu Riviera for £36 (around $45), adding another subtle nod.

Rounding things off are a Star Trek Oven Mitt in Star Trek Blue for £36 ($45) and a Communicator Grater for £52 or $65. So, alongside the more collectible cookware, there are a few useful everyday kitchen accessories in the mix too.

Nespresso has brought back its autumn coffee pod collection for 2026, and this year there’s a brand new flavour joining the lineup. Cinnamon Apple Crisp combines cooked apple and cinnamon flavours with spicy notes, made using 100% Arabica beans from Brazil.

Nespresso recommends enjoying Cinnamon Apple Crisp as a Reverso, which involves adding hot or cold milk to your glass first before brewing the coffee over the top. However, you can also drink it hot or over ice depending on what the increasingly unpredictable autumn weather is doing.

The new flavour is available exclusively for Vertuo machines as a 230ml Mug pod, priced at £8.50 (around $10) for a sleeve of 10.

As mentioned, two familiar autumn favourites are also making a comeback, starting with Pumpkin Spice Cake, which also appeared last year. As you’d expect, it combines sweet pumpkin with warming notes of cinnamon, clove and cardamom, all layered over a lightly roasted South American Arabica coffee base.

There's also Maple Pecan, which combines the sweetness of maple with nutty pecan notes. Nespresso says it works particularly well as a creamy cappuccino or served over ice, so there's a little more flexibility if you're not quite ready to embrace hot drinks again.

Unlike Cinnamon Apple Crisp, both returning flavours are available for Vertuo and Original machines. Vertuo sleeves cost £8.50 ($10) for 10 pods, whilst Original sleeves are priced at £5.50 (around $7.50) for 10.

If you own a compatible Vertuo machine, you can also use its Coffee Creations mode with the seasonal pods. This shortens the extraction to produce a smaller, more concentrated coffee, which should help bring out more of those autumnal flavours.

The Cinnamon Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Spice Cake and Maple Pecan pods are available now for a limited time from Nespresso boutiques and via Nespresso's website, whilst stocks last.

Due to the intense heatwaves, summer 2026 has been a very long season. Personally, I’ve loved the hot weather, but after seeing Le Creuset’s new Autumn collection, the new cookware and dining essentials have got me excited for the colder months of the year – something I never thought possible!

The Le Creuset Autumn collection has always been popular, due to its cute and whimsical pumpkin designs. Last year, the brand introduced new colours for its Fall Into Autumn range, including volcanic, garnet, thyme and chambray colours, but this year, I’ve spotted a few new designs that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

I’m a huge Le Creuset fan, so I’d like to say I’m fairly familiar with its collections. But in the new Autumn collection, I noticed that it has some products that have been available in the US for years, and they’re now finally here in the UK.

Starting with the iconic pumpkin cast iron casserole dishes, the Le Creuset Autumn collection now has them in a full 24cm / 3.7-litre size, as well as a shallow version. The full sized dishes come in volcanic, black, white and sea salt, and I recently spotted it in nectar, its bright yellow colourway which makes it look more autumnal.

For me, the lids of the pumpkin dishes are always the star of the show. They now have an updated curly gold stem handle on the lid, and there’s also a stainless steel option.

Straight from the US, the Autumn range now has leaf serving dishes and bowls available. Previously, Le Creuset had – and still has – Halloween-inspired serving dishes, including a ghost, cat, mummy and pumpkin – but the new leaf sets feel much more autumnal. I spotted them on the US site a year ago, so I’m very excited to get these in my kitchen.

Completing the Le Creuset Autumn collection is pumpkin-shaped serving bowls, butter dishes and gravy boats. Once again, the mugs are my favourite from the new line-up, especially the mini pumpkins with lids. There are also black and orange mugs with bat decorations on them, perfect for Halloween.

Prices on the Le Creuset Autumn collection range from £26 - £315.

Vitamix is taking on Nutribullet with its first-ever personal blender. The new Vitamix Nano has a slim, streamlined design, and is packed with clever features, including a SmoothiePilot programme – although UK customers will have to wait a while to get it.

Personal blenders have become exceedingly popular over the past few years. Due to the size, personal blenders make single-serve smoothies rather than one that feeds a small village. Aside from cutting down food waste and saving time, being able to take your smoothie with you in the blending vessel instead of decanting it into another container is immensely helpful, and commuter friendly.

Brands like Nutribullet, Ninja and Beast have all created their own personal blenders, and now, it’s Vitamix’s turn. The new Vitamix Nano is a corded, personal blender that’s powered by a 1000W motor and stainless steel blades which cut through fresh and frozen ingredients, including ice.

While the base looks quite chunky, the Vitamix Nano measures 15.3 inches in height, 8.5 inches in length and 5.5 inches in width. Available in black or white, it’s designed to take up minimal countertop space in your kitchen. The controls of the Vitamix Nano are incredibly simple, with just a single-dial interface.

By twisting the dial, you can adjust your own speeds to personalise your blends, or you can use the SmoothiePilot programme which is my favourite Vitamix Nano feature. Dubbed Vitamix’s first adaptive smoothie programme, the Vitamix Nano senses the ingredients in your cup, and automatically selects the right blend.

When in action, SmoothiePilot adjusts the Nano’s speed and blend time to deliver the perfect consistency and texture of your smoothie. It can also be used to make frozen drinks, like cocktails, and it has a generous 20 ounce capacity.

The Vitamix Nano is available to buy for $199.95 at Vitamix. As of writing, UK pricing and availability has yet to be announced.

The Philips 1000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer has arrived in Lidl, and there's a pretty big saving to be had on this best air fryer. Despite carrying an RRP of £169.99, Lidl is selling it for just £79.99, knocking a huge £90 off the usual price.

It has a total capacity of 7.1 litres, with a removable divider that lets you switch between two 3.55-litre cooking zones and one larger MegaBasket. That makes it particularly handy for families, or anyone who uses their air fryer for more than one part of a meal.

As mentioned, it's available in Lidl stores from today. Given the size of the discount, I'd definitely check Lidl's stock checker before making a special journey, especially if previous middle-aisle deals are anything to go by.

We're seeing plenty of affordable home appliances appearing at Lidl and Aldi at the moment, including Lidl's recent £6.99 alternative to Philips' OneUp mop and a range of student-friendly kitchen buys from Aldi. However, this one stands out because it's actually a Philips product rather than a cheaper alternative or dupe, yet the price still feels very middle aisle.

The 1000 Series also comes with 10 cooking functions and six preset programmes, alongside a temperature range of 400-200°C and a 60-minute timer. We haven't reviewed this exact model at T3, but it's similar in concept to the larger Philips 5000 Series MegaBasket, which recently earned five stars in our review. That said, the 1000 Series is the more compact option, measuring 29.5 x 43.7 x 30.1cm.

Despite being T3’s resident air fryer expert, it took a lot to convince me to actually have an air fryer in my kitchen. But now that I have one, it’s quickly become one of my favourite kitchen appliances, thanks to these three features – and in spite of this one setting.

The ever-growing popularity of air fryers has always surprised me, and I initially held off getting one as I saw them as something that took the joy out of cooking. My kitchen also has two ovens, so it seemed a waste not to use them. However, after testing a few models, I came to appreciate the speed and convenience of using an air fryer, as well as the quick clean-up.

This summer is what’s really turned me into an air fryer convert, as both of my ovens have recently had issues, and the heatwaves have made it too hot to cook. I’ve been using mine constantly, and have found three air fryer features that I love and one that I never use, and quite frankly, don’t see the point of!

Air fryer features I love

1. Viewing windows

If I had to recommend any style of air fryer, I’d always say to go with a viewing window. Having a viewing window at the front or top of your air fryer allows you to quickly check on your food’s progress without disrupting the cooking by opening the drawers. Most models come with built-in lights to illuminate everything which enhances visibility.

This is the one feature that I felt was missing from air fryers, and for me, it gave ovens an edge. But now that viewing windows are more common, it definitely puts air fryers ahead of the traditional oven more than before.

2. Max Crisp

Available on select Ninja, Cuisinart and Philips air fryers, Max Crisp adds an intense burst of high heat towards the end of cooking to give your food an extra crispy texture. Most Max Crisp settings deliver temperatures up to 240°C / 450°F, and they also increase the fan speed so your food cooks quicker.

I’ve found Max Crisp to be especially helpful with cooking frozen foods. I’ve often had inconsistent results with chips and chicken goujons as they never come out as crispy as I’d like them to be, so Max Crisp has really helped with this.

3. Sync & Match

The Sync & Match feature is a real game changer. For dual basket air fryers, both drawers can be used to cook independently or at the same time, so you can make two different foods using different settings. But what makes this feature invaluable is Sync & Match which automatically sets both compartments to finish cooking at the same time.

For meal prepping or large family meals, Sync & Match means there’s no waiting around for everything to finish cooking. It also ensures your food comes out as fresh and hot as possible.

The air fryer feature I never use

1. Shake reminder

I might get some backlash for this, but I really don’t see the point of the Shake Reminder feature, and in fact, I rarely use it. On the air fryers I’ve tried, I haven’t found it to be very precise, and oftentimes, the Shake Reminder hasn’t sounded at all.

I, of course, understand the appeal of the Shake Reminder feature, especially if you chuck food in your air fryer and then go about doing other household tasks. However, I tend to stay in my kitchen while my air fryer is on to fix other parts of my meal, so I can clearly see when my food’s cooking time is at the halfway point.

Essentially, I haven’t had the best luck with the Shake Reminder feature, so it’s not a setting I’m excited about or would look for when buying an air fryer.

For more air fryer advice, check out these 7 common air fryer settings, what they mean and what foods they’re best for.

August is slowly but surely coming to an end, and for many, that means returning to school or university. For students, the word ‘budget’ is about to become a staple word in your vocabulary, and if it’s budget appliances you’re after for your university kitchen, Aldi has you covered.

Aldi has recently launched its Student Kitchen Essentials range, featuring must-have appliances and food preparation gadgets at an extremely affordable price. The collection caters to most food tasks, including cooking, chopping, blending and more, so you can deck out your university kitchen on a budget.

Below, I’ve listed the top appliances from the Aldi Student Kitchen Essentials range that are worth buying. But I wanted to highlight a couple of standout gadgets from the collection which I wish I would have had when I went to university 10+ years ago.

First, the Ambiano Mini Air Fryer has a 1.9-litre capacity for quick and simple solo meals. It has a digital LED panel which is easy to use and has adjustable temperature controls, including a 60 minute timer. At just £19.99, it’s the cheapest air fryer you’ll find on the market, and it’ll be your favourite companion for quick lunches and dinners.

Another handy appliance is the Ambiano Rice Cooker. Due to its cheap price, rice is a students’ best friend, and this Rice Cooker is simple to use, and makes perfectly fluffy rice each time. It has a removable inner pot, a tempered glass lid and it comes with a measuring cup and spatula. Available in three colours, the Ambiano Rice Cooker is just £9.99.

For more back to school advice, check out these 21 university dorm essentials.

Another day, another Ninja launch! Ninja has just announced its new CrushBOSS 3-in-1 Kitchen System which combines a blender, food processor and personal blender in one sleek gadget.

Ninja has an extensive line-up of blenders and food preparation devices under its belt, but the Ninja CrushBOSS is the first time it’s blended – no pun intended – them together. How it does that is with its smart and powerful motor base which is where you clip on the blender or food processor accessories.

The base of the Ninja CrushBOSS uses 1200 watts of power to blend, mix, grind and process foods. With its touchscreen display and dial, the Ninja CrushBOSS has three smart pre-sets – SmoothSense, PrepIQ and Custom – which automatically blends or mixes, according to your ingredients.

SmoothSense blends expertly and is best used for smoothies and sauces, while PrepIQ is for chopping and mincing foods like a food processor does. Custom is where you can manually adjust the Ninja CrushBOSS yourself, and there’s 10 speed settings to choose from.

The display of the Ninja CrushBOSS is simple to use, and you simply twist the dial to look through the SmartMenu. Alongside showing the different programmes, the screen shows your settings and adjustments as well as blending progress.

To be used as three different appliances, the Ninja CrushBOSS comes with an XL jug and a 13cm feed chute which works best with its TotalPrepBOSS Food Process Bowl. The large jug has a maximum capacity of 1.9-litres, and has a lid and pour spout for easy dispensing.

For the blender, the Ninja CrushBOSS has a TotalCrushing & Chopping Blade. I was actually surprised by how many blades the Ninja CrushBOSS comes with, as you also get a CrushBlade, Dough Blade and a MultiBlade 3-in-1 Disc & Spindle. Essentially, if you ever need to chop anything, the Ninja CrushBOSS has you covered.

Where I think the Ninja CrushBOSS stands out against its competitors is its BlendBOSS Tumbler which is for the personal blender function. I tested the Ninja BlendBOSS and while I loved its quick and powerful blending, I didn’t love the shape of the base.

I already found the base of the BlendBOSS to be speedy but being able to clip it onto the Ninja CrushBOSS is a gamechanger. The BlendBOSS tumbler also comes with its to-go lid and straw, and has a generous 710ml capacity.

The Ninja CrushBOSS is available to buy now for £239.99 / $319.99 at SharkNinja and select retailers, like John Lewis.

Compared to old timers such as Sage and De'Longhi, who've been churning out espresso machines for years, Ninja is relatively new to the world of barista-style coffee makers.

After launching its first barista style espresso machine – the original Luxe Café – back in 2024, it’s safe to say Ninja has made waves in this space and in a surprisingly short space of time (probably thanks to the consumer trust the brand has on the back of its successful line of air fryers). The "Pro" version followed in 2025, adding an integrated tamper, independent hot water dispenser and an upgraded milk frother to an already impressive package.

Now, the brand's latest release comes in the form of a limited edition David Beckham collaboration, which hit the market earlier this year. The result of a six-month creative process between Ninja and the former England captain, it takes the existing Pro and wraps it in a new matte black stainless steel finish with shiny gold accents and black chestnut wood grain detailing on the portafilter and milk jug handles.

Everything under the surface is functionally the same as the standard Luxe Café Pro, so this review is about two things: is the Pro still worth the money, and does the Beckham edition add enough to justify the extra cost? I've been using it as my daily coffee machine for the past few weeks to find out.

Ninja Luxe Café Pro review: price and availability

The Ninja Luxe Café Pro David Beckham Edition is available now direct from Ninja and big retailers such as Amazon.

When researching prices, I found (rather oddly) that RRP varies dramatically across different regions. In the UK, you’ll find it for £879.99, but in the US you can pick it up for just $749, which converts to around £550. Down under gets an even better deal, with an RRP of AU$999.99, which is around £520. And you can save even more if you decide to drop the David Beckham design.

The standard Luxe Café Pro is the exact same machine, just with a different look, available in Stainless Steel, Oat Milk or Onyx colourways. It’s listed on Ninja’s webstore for £729.99 in the UK - a difference of £150 - and has the same $749.99 (about £550) price tag in the US, although the standard model isn’t available in Australia.

Interestingly, while there’s essentially no Beckham premium across the pond, you’re paying an extra £150 in the UK just for the limited-edition design.

In terms of competition, there’s no shortage of coffee machines of this calibre in the market. The five-star Sage Barista Touch Impress is arguably the Ninja's closest rival when it comes to feature set and target audience, but it does have a slightly higher price tag of around £1,049 / $999.95, AU$1,900 making the Ninja notably cheaper.

Then there’s the T3 Platinum Award-winning De'Longhi La Specialista Opera, which is another strong competitor since it offers the same functionality and arguably better build quality. This sits at around £799 / $749.95 / AU$1,199 mark, so the Beckham Edition slots in just above it price-wise.

Whether the Beckham tax is worth it depends entirely on whether the design really floats your boat or not. The machine itself is functionally identical to the standard Pro model, so you're only really paying for the colourway, the wood accents and (let's be honest) the name. If none of that matters to you, the standard Pro in its regular finishes is a smarter buy as it will save you a good £150!

Ninja Luxe Café Pro review: set up

Getting the Luxe Café Pro up and running is refreshingly quick. After slipping it out of its box, you slot in the drip tray, fill the water tank, pop some beans in the hopper, and you're brewing within about ten minutes.

The machine comes with single, double and even quadruple baskets (more on that later), a portafilter, an XL milk jug, cleaning tablets, descaling powder, a cleaning brush, cleaning disc and even a hard water testing kit, most of which slot neatly into a nifty accessory drawer that opens on the right-hand side of the unit.

Once it’s plugged in, the Barista Assist technology walks you through your first brew, suggesting a grind size based on the drink you've selected, and the integrated scale weighs your dose automatically. It's about as close to plug-and-play as a machine like this can get, and if you've never used a semi-automatic espresso machine before, it does a good job of making the whole process feel less intimidating than ever.

Ninja Luxe Café Pro review: design and build

On paper, the Beckham Edition of this coffee machine sounds like the bees knees: a matte black stainless steel body with gold accents and black chestnut wood grain on the handles. In reality, I can’t help but think it’s not what it’s cracked up to be. The gold and black finish, for example, just looks a bit naff: think regional luxury à la Cheshire beauty salon or Dubai influencer apartment.

If the gold had been a deeper tone, or even bronze and in a matte or brushed finish, it would feel a lot more premium. As it stands, the gold has a sheen to it that looks a bit cheap, and doesn't quite match Ninja’s very own "refined meets rebellious" marketing. The brand was clearly going for a luxurious, aspirational look here, but instead it comes across a bit try-hard and wannabe “bougie”.

Don’t get me wrong, the wood grain handles on the portafilter and milk jug are a nice touch, and they do add some sophistication and warmth to the overall look. But as with any design choice, I guess it’s subjective, and I can certainly see how it will grab attention.

My bigger concern is the build quality. At nearly 900 quid, I was expecting something that felt substantial and solid. Instead, much of the construction is plastic, and in places it feels a little flimsy. The removable drip tray, in particular, can literally be flexed and bent in your hand, which doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

Coming from a Sage, which has a noticeably more robust, metal-heavy build, it feels like Ninja has cut some corners on materials here, maybe to hit its price point? Still, it's perfectly functional and nothing feels like it's going to break, but the weight and feel of it just doesn't match the price tag.

That said, the machine is surprisingly compact for everything it does. You get three brewing methods (espresso, filter coffee and cold brew), plus an integrated grinder, tamper, scale and milk frother, all in a footprint that doesn't dominate the worktop. It looks the part sitting in the kitchen, even if the gold and black won't be to everyone's taste.

Ninja Luxe Café Pro review: performance and features

Whatever reservations I have about the Luxe Café Pro’s design, they all feel a bit trivial once I start making coffee. This machine produces excellent espresso. The 19-bar pump delivers proper pressure, the conical burr grinder offers 25 settings for dialling in your preferred grind, and the integrated tamper applies consistent pressure every time via a simple lever press. Tamps are therefore flat and compact, making for way less mess.

As for the Barista Assist technology, this suggests a grind setting based on your chosen drink, which is useful as a starting point. I did find, though, that following its suggestion sometimes produced a slightly runny espresso. Dropping the grind level a notch or two below the recommendation gave me a thicker, richer shot with a lovely crema on top. But this is the kind of thing you’ll figure out after a few days of use, and once you've found your sweet spot, the results are consistently good.

Weight-based dosing is another standout feature. The built-in scale automatically weighs the coffee as it's ground into the portafilter, stopping when it hits the target dose. It removes one of the biggest variables in home espresso and means you get consistent results every morning without faffing around with a separate scale.

When it comes to milk frothing, Ninja’s system isn’t the kind you’d normally find on a conventional semi-automatic barista machine. Rather than a standard steam wand, it uses a jug with a spinning whisk inside (akin to what’s inside the Nespresso “Aeroccino“ milk frother gadgets) that heats and froths the milk simultaneously.

While it’s a different approach to the norm, it actually produces better microfoam than I expected, with a smooth, velvety texture that works well for lattes and flat whites.

The trade-off, however, is speed. Compared to my Sage, the Ninja's frothing system takes noticeably longer to heat and froth the milk. It's not a huge wait, maybe an extra 30 seconds or so, but it's enough to notice during your morning routine. The other slight frustration is that you can only adjust the froth level (across five settings), not the actual milk temperature. My Sage Oracle Jet lets me dial in temperature by the degree, but then again, that machine costs almost double, so I shouldn’t really compare.

As for other modes, such as filter coffee making, this produces a well-balanced, smooth cup, and the cold brew function is a nice bonus, delivering a concentrated cold brew in around 20 minutes rather than the overnight steeping most methods require. Having all three brewing methods in a single machine, plus a dedicated hot water dispenser for tea and americanos, makes the Luxe Café Pro one of the most versatile coffee machines I've used - especially for the price!

Ninja Luxe Café Pro review: verdict

With or without the Beckham design and the divisive gold trim, the Ninja Luxe Café Pro is one of the most capable and user-friendly all-in-one coffee machines on the market. The espresso is top notch, the Barista Assist technology makes it easy to use from the get-go, and having espresso, filter and cold brew in a single compact unit is hard to beat at this price.

Rather ironically, it’s the design which is supposed to be the headline feature of this limited edition machine that will split opinion. The gold finish doesn't look as premium as I think Ninja intended, and the plastic-heavy construction feels a little cheap for an £880 unit, especially when compared to rivals like Sage. But these are only cosmetic and material concerns, and when it comes to performance, the Luxe Café Pro delivers every time.

If you love the Beckham colourway, then I say go for it. But if you're less bothered about the aesthetics and just want the same brilliant machine for £150 less, the standard Luxe Café Pro in one of its other finishes is definitely a smarter buy. Either way, Ninja is offering something here that’s certainly giving the competition a run for its money.

Slushie machines might still feel like a relatively new phenomenon for the at-home hosts amongst us, but there's no denying how popular they've become – especially with the string of heatwaves we've had recently. In fact, they've recently become one of my favourite categories of gadget to test, aside from the best fans, of course.

The Ninja Slushi Twist arrived back in May this year, designed as a dual-vessel frozen drinks maker that can create two different flavours at the same time before twisting them together into one drink.

After multiple gatherings – and forcing plenty of friends to get involved in the testing process – my full thoughts are finally in.

Price and availability

The Ninja Slushi Twist is priced at £419.99/$399.99 and is available through Ninja's online store, as well as Currys, John Lewis and Amazon. It comes in three colours – Mocha, Potion Purple and Green – and I've been testing the Mocha version.

Ninja also sells a selection of accessories designed to accompany the Slushi range, including insulated cocktail cups and an insulated bubble cup. Replacement parts for the machine can also be purchased separately, which is useful if anything gets lost or damaged over time.

Design and features

The Ninja Slushi Twist takes the idea behind the original Slushi and makes one very obvious change – there are now two separate frozen drink vessels sitting side by side. Together, they have a total capacity of 2,840ml, allowing you to make two completely different flavours at once before dispensing them separately or twisting them together.

The two transparent vessels sit either side of a central control panel, with separate augers and chilling systems allowing each side to work independently. The clear design also means you can watch both mixtures gradually freeze, which is handy when you're impatiently waiting for the first round.

Rather than simply applying the same settings to both sides, the Ninja Slushi Twist uses Dual SlushAssist Technology to sense what's inside each vessel and adjust the temperature and freezing process accordingly. This means you can have two very different drinks on the go without having to manually work out the right settings for each one.

Interestingly, Ninja has also moved away from the five named presets found on the original Slushi, which included Slush, Frozen Cocktail, Frappé, Milkshake and Frozen Juice. Instead, the Ninja Slushi Twist relies much more heavily on SlushAssist to detect what you've added and make the necessary adjustments automatically. However, you can still make your drink softer or firmer using the temperature controls if you want more say over the final consistency.

The Ninja Slushi Twist also works with drinks containing up to 20% alcohol, compared with the original Slushi's 16% limit.

There's a difference between individual and Dual SlushAssist too. When you're using one vessel or dispensing the two flavours separately, the individual setting creates a smoother, more drinkable consistency. Dual SlushAssist makes things slightly thicker, helping the two mixtures hold their shape when they're dispensed together rather than immediately blending into one.

You also get straight and angled dispensing spouts, depending on how you want to serve your drinks. The straight spouts dispense each flavour separately, whilst the angled pair brings both together in the centre. There's also a rotating platform underneath the glass, which turns as you pour to create the two-colour twisted effect.

Performance

There's no getting around the fact that the Ninja Slushi Twist is a sizeable machine, but after using it for a few different occasions, I've really come to appreciate having those two separate vessels. The obvious appeal is twisting two flavours together, but I've actually found the ability to make two completely separate drinks at the same time just as useful. Better still, it's easy to switch between the two depending on what you're serving.

For one batch, I made an alcoholic strawberry daiquiri on one side and frozen peach juice on the other, twisting them together to create a cocktail that wasn't quite as strong. At a party, I filled each side with a different frozen cocktail so everyone could choose between the two, and whilst at a family barbecue, I had a frozen mojito for the adults on one side and a non-alcoholic slush for the kids on the other. It's this flexibility that I've ended up liking most about the Ninja Slushi Twist.

SlushAssist also makes the whole process very straightforward. Instead of working out which preset or temperature you need, you can pour in your mixture and let the machine make most of those decisions for you. Each vessel can be adjusted individually when you're making separate drinks, whilst Dual SlushAssist changes the consistency when you're planning to twist them together.

The machine will even let you know if your mixture needs more sugar or more water to reach the right consistency, which really helps when you're experimenting with your own recipes. It's also particularly useful with cocktails, where changing the amount of alcohol can easily affect how well everything freezes.

I was also impressed by the speed. Most of the frozen cocktails I made were ready in around 25 minutes, whilst some of the non-alcoholic mixtures were finished even sooner. Obviously, timings will vary depending on what you pour in and its starting temperature, but I rarely felt like I was waiting particularly long.

The different spouts might seem like a small detail, but they also make a lot more sense once you start using the machine regularly. You can go from serving two individual drinks to creating a twisted combination without having to empty either vessel or start again, which is exactly what I ended up doing when people wanted different things.

Cleaning is probably my least favourite part, although that's something I found with the original Ninja Slushi too. Sugary mixtures get sticky very quickly, particularly if you leave everything sitting around after serving. The removable parts can go in the dishwasher or be washed by hand, but there are quite a few components to deal with when you're giving it a proper clean.

There is a built-in Rinse option, which flushes water through the system to clear leftover syrup, sugar and drink residue between batches. I found it useful when switching drinks or doing a quick clean after use, but I wouldn't rely on it completely. Mine was still slightly sticky afterwards, so I'd recommend giving everything a proper wash once you're finished for the day.

Verdict

The Ninja Slushi Twist is sizeable, pricey and still a little fiddly to clean, but the dual-vessel design gives it a level of versatility I wasn't expecting. Twisting two flavours together is undeniably fun, but having two completely different frozen drinks ready at the same time is where it really earns its place. For parties, barbecues or simply households with very different tastes, having that extra choice makes a surprisingly big difference.

Alternatives to consider

The original Ninja Slushi will always be where it all started, but Ninja has released a few newer models that could make more sense depending on what you're looking for. The Ninja Slushi Max is worth considering if the twisted drinks aren't particularly important to you and you'd rather prioritise capacity. It can make up to 12 drinks, compared with up to 10 from the Ninja Slushi Twist.

If you're working with a smaller budget but still want something that'll impress guests, the Inoviva 2.6L Slush Machine is another option to consider. It's obviously much simpler than the Ninja Slushi Twist and is closer in concept to the original Slushi, but its lower price makes it an appealing alternative if you don't need two flavours on the go at once.

As T3’s Home Editor, I’ve tried my fair share of bean to cup coffee machines, and I have to say that the KitchenAid KF4 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is the easiest and cleanest model I’ve ever tried.

KitchenAid is best known for its collection of stand mixers, but it has since become known for its coffee makers. Its first coffee brewer was launched back in 2014, but 2024 was a big year for KitchenAid with the brand launching a full range of fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines.

One of KitchenAid’s newest models, the KitchenAid KF4 joined the line-up in 2026 as a mid-range option. I’ve spent the past month testing the KitchenAid KF4, and it’s made my morning coffees exceptionally more tasty, although it does have some quirks under its hood.

KitchenAid KF4 review: price and availability

The KitchenAid KF4 is available to buy for £899 / $1,299 at KitchenAid and select retailers like John Lewis. It comes in matte black or porcelain white, as well as a two year guarantee and 10 year reparability.

KitchenAid KF4 review: unboxing and set up

The KitchenAid KF4 arrived in a large cardboard box which contained the main espresso machine, 1.8-litre water tank, milk container with hose and lid, water filter, cleaning tablets and a coffee spoon. It came assembled so it didn’t require much set up other than removing packaging and stickers.

To use the KitchenAid KF4, I simply added the water filter into the water tank before filling it up. After turning it on via the on/off button on the side, the KitchenAid KF4’s screen takes you through the entire machine and explains all the controls, making it extremely beginner friendly.

Before its first use, the KitchenAid KF4 runs through the water filter and cleans it out, before pulling four shots of espresso. The screen will then prompt you to empty the drip tray and puck box, but then you’re ready to go.

KitchenAid KF4 review: design and features

Measuring 36cm in height, 19.5cm in width and 47cm in depth, and weighing 9kg, the KitchenAid KF4 isn’t a small machine by any means, but it doesn’t take up a huge amount of space. It’s more long than it is bulky, so take this into account if you have shallow countertops.

As a fully automatic espresso machine, the KitchenAid KF4 makes pre-programmed coffees. It has over 20 hot and over-ice recipes available, including lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, americanos, and iced coffees. When you select your drink, the KitchenAid KF4 offers recommended settings, but you can also personalise them by strength, temperature and volume, which you can then save as a pre-set.

At the back of the KitchenAid KF4 is its large water tank. At the top is a conical burr grinder where you can store and grind your own coffee beans, and a small container next to it for pre-ground coffee. Using its Intelligrind system, the KitchenAid KF4 detects beans and automatically adjusts its settings to bean type, roast and dose. It also has Quiet Grinding technology so it’s not too loud.

The KitchenAid KF4 has a 8.8cm colour touchscreen at the front. It’s easy to use, intuitive and displays drink options, user profiles, cleaning cycles and settings. The screen talks you through every aspect of the brewing process, and pops up with reminders to clean your machine, add more beans, refill the tank and so on.

The drip tray and puck box slots in at the bottom of the machine. It’s spacious, although due to the rigorous cleaning that the KitchenAid KF4 goes through, the drip tray can fill up quite quickly.

Speaking of cleaning, the KitchenAid KF4 goes through a lengthy cleaning process every time you use it. When you turn it on, it has a quick rinse before making your drink. If you make milky coffees, the KitchenAid KF4 will prompt you to clean the milk system which it does by flushing out the tubes in the drip tray, although you’ll have to manually clean the container. When you turn the KitchenAid KF4 off, the machine has another rinse and cools itself down.

As an automatic machine, the KitchenAid KF4 froths your milk for you, so latte art isn’t really an option with this model. It uses AutoMilk technology to adjust to your milk’s texture and volume. The container connects to the machine via its milk hose in the container lid, and the side of the coffee dispenser.

KitchenAid KF4 review: performance

KitchenAid never misses when it comes to design, and the KitchenAid KF4 is a perfect example of that. I tried the black version and I loved the look of it, with its black and silver detailings. Everything was packed away neatly, including the tank, built-in grinder and drip tray, although the separate milk container felt like a bit of an afterthought.

The touchscreen controls were great to use, and extremely easy. Beginners and experts will definitely be able to use the KitchenAid KF4, as its controls are extremely intuitive and self-explanatory. Setting user profiles was quick and simple – although you can only set four – and there was a good amountof drink options.

As a latte lover, I enjoyed the latte macchiato setting on the KitchenAid KF4. The machine had automatic settings for the drink, but I customised its strength, temperature and amount of milk, and received tasty results. Its flat white setting was also impressive, as was its iced espresso which the KitchenAid KF4 brews at a lower temperature to avoid over-extraction and dilution.

The built-in grinder was quick and surprisingly quiet. I found it ground coffee beans exceptionally well, and I had consistent espresso flavour and strength every time. I also tried the KitchenAid KF4 with pre-ground coffee and enjoyed the results, too, although I’d recommend using the grinder as it performs the best.

One quirk I found with the KitchenAid KF4 was if you pick a double shot drink, it grinds and dispenses them one at a time. This isn’t something I’d experienced before with a coffee machine, and I couldn’t – and still can’t – decide if I liked that method. The plus is that you get consistently pulled double shots which are strong and rich in flavour, but the negative is that it takes more time to make your drink.

The KitchenAid KF4 heated up very quickly and produced a lot of steam. I found it to heat milk well but it doesn’t froth as expertly as I’d like for lattes. While it doesn’t have an option to change milk type, its AutoMilk system worked very well with both dairy and plant-based milks.

What I was most impressed by was the KitchenAid KF4’s cleaning processes. Easily the most hygienic coffee machine I’ve ever used, the KitchenAid KF4 cleans itself regularly and even takes time to cool itself down. It does all the cleaning for you, and explains everything along the way, too.

KitchenAid KF4 review: verdict

I don’t have many negative things to say about the KitchenAid KF4, because I thoroughly enjoyed using it. Its touchscreen and overall design is stylish, tidy and intuitive, plus the fact that it’s a fully automatic machine means it leaves no room for error.

I’m used to semi-automatic machines where I have to be more involved in the grind and milk settings, so using the KitchenAid KF4 felt like I was having a break! It took care of absolutely everything, and made consistently delicious coffees every time. Its shot pulling, while odd at first, just proves how precise the KitchenAid KF4 is.

At £899 / $1,299, the KitchenAid KF4 isn’t cheap, but it could be the only coffee machine you could ever need.

KitchenAid KF4 review: alternatives to consider

Another automatic bean to cup coffee machine – and another from KitchenAid – is the KitchenAid KF8. A step up from the KitchenAid KF4 (or I suppose, four steps up), the KF8 looks beautiful, and has a lot of coffee options and settings to play with. The JURA E8 makes tasty and reliable coffee, and it has a much slimmer and more compact style than the KitchenAid KF4.

Bosch has just announced its new air fryer line-up, featuring three new exciting models. The standout from the new range is the Bosch Series 6 Stacked Air Fryer, featuring a double stacked basket design to save countertop room but double the cooking space.

Double stacked air fryers have become exceedingly popular after Ninja launched its Double Stack Air Fryer in 2024. Lots of other brands, including Philips and Cosori have launched their own versions, and now Bosch is joining the party.

A new version of its Series 6 model – which we gave four stars in our Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer review – the Bosch Series 6 Stacked Air Fryer is designed to maximise your cooking capacity while taking up minimal space in your kitchen, thanks to its 41cm x 28.5cm x 42.5cm dimensions.

Featuring two vertically stacked six-litre baskets, the Bosch Series 6 Stack Drawer Air Fryer has a combined 12-litre capacity. It reaches temperatures between 40-230°C and with its 2800W power, the Bosch Series 6 Stacked Air Fryer uses its next-generation air circulation technology to deliver even heat distribution to both drawers.

Each basket has its own independent cooking zones, so it can cook different foods at different settings. With its Match & Sync feature, the Bosch Series 6 Stacked Air Fryer can finish cooking different dishes simultaneously so they’re ready to serve at the same time.

At the top of the two baskets is its touchscreen display which offers both manual and automatic controls, including roast, reheat, defrost and keep warm. With six pre-sets to choose from, including French fries, vegetables, poultry, fish, small pastries and MyFry, the Bosch Series 6 Stacked Air Fryer will cook at the perfect temperature and time for you, or you can adjust this yourself.

The MyFry settings are the highlight of the Bosch Series 6 Stacked Air Fryer. Similar to most of today’s coffee machines, the MyFry setting lets you save your favourite cooking settings so you can quickly make your go-to weeknight meals quicker than before.

The Bosch Series 6 Stack Drawer Air Fryer is available to buy for £209.99 at Bosch and select retailers, like John Lewis. As of writing, it’s been discounted to £159.99, saving you £50 on this new stacked air fryer.

Sometimes you want the results of an outdoor cooking appliance without all the hassle that comes with actually cooking outside – especially when summer is drawing to an end. It's why indoor grills remain so popular, and indoor pizza ovens are starting to make a pretty convincing case for themselves too.

The Kenwood My Pizzeria arrived earlier this year as an option for anyone without the outdoor space – or budget – for one of the best outdoor pizza ovens. Despite its compact size, it can reach seriously high temperatures and isn't limited to pizza either, with Kenwood suggesting everything from quesadillas and flatbreads to toasties and pastries.

I couldn't wait to see whether it could actually deliver a proper pizza-oven experience from the comfort of my kitchen, and you'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The Kenwood My Pizzeria has an RRP of £150 and comes in either black or a metallic Storm Blue, the latter matching the colour found across Kenwood's Go collection.

However, it's already possible to find it for considerably less, including through Kenwood's own website and Argos, where it's currently priced at £99.

Design and features

The My Pizzeria measures 35.2 x 36 x 18.5cm and weighs just 4.7kg, so it's relatively compact. The body combines metal and plastic, and whilst it's still going to take up a decent amount of worktop space, it's light enough to move into a cupboard when you're not using it.

There are just two physical dials on the front, with one controlling the temperature and the other the cooking time. A ClearView window in the lid also means you can watch your pizza cook without constantly opening it and losing heat.

Inside, dual-sided heating elements allow the My Pizzeria to reach temperatures of up to 400°C. Having heat coming from above and below is designed to crisp the base whilst cooking the toppings at the same time, with Kenwood claiming pizzas can be ready in just a few minutes.

At the bottom sits a 30cm removable ceramic pizza stone, helping create the crispier base you'd expect from a dedicated pizza oven. Kenwood actually recommends allowing the stone to season naturally over time rather than trying to scrub it clean after every use. When it does need a clean, it can be removed and wiped down with a damp cloth.

You also get two split stainless-steel pizza peels in the box, which help with getting your pizza onto and off the hot stone, and they can also be used to scrape away any stubborn bits left behind afterwards.

As mentioned, Kenwood also suggests using the My Pizzeria for flatbreads, quesadillas, toasties, pastries and even s'mores, and it'll happily accommodate homemade, chilled and frozen pizzas. Whether you'll actually start baking s'mores in it every weekend is another matter, but it's good to have the option.

Performance

The Kenwood My Pizzeria is incredibly easy to use, and I think that's going to be one of its biggest appeals. You simply choose your temperature with one dial, set the cooking time with the other and let it get on with the job. Some people might prefer more precise digital controls, but I quite liked how straightforward everything was.

I was also pleased to see the ClearView window built into the top, although in practice I couldn't actually see a huge amount through it once everything was cooking. You can get a general idea of what's happening inside – and, crucially, whether your pizza is starting to burn – but don't expect a crystal-clear view as the name suggests.

There's a large handle across the top, which makes opening the oven easy, whilst the pizza stone itself has two handles so it can be lifted out when you need to clean it. There's plenty of room inside too, with the 30cm stone giving you enough space for even a large pizza.

For testing, I made my dough using the Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer, which I've covered in much more detail in my full review. Once proved, rolled out, topped and transferred into the My Pizzeria, I was particularly interested to see whether Kenwood's claimed four-minute cooking time would actually be enough.

Thankfully, I was really impressed with how evenly the pizza cooked, particularly underneath. Four minutes doesn't sound like much, and I've used pizza ovens before where the toppings start burning long before the dough underneath has properly cooked, but I didn't have that problem here. The stone did a great job of cooking the base through whilst the upper heating element took care of the toppings, leaving me with a crisp bottom rather than an unpleasantly doughy centre.

My first pizza was delicious, although four minutes was slightly too long for my personal preference. The crust had a little more charring than I usually like, so for my second attempt I dropped the cooking time to around three to three-and-a-half minutes. That was the sweet spot, giving me a nicely cooked base, melted toppings and just enough colour around the crust.

I'm also not someone who particularly enjoys the idea of seasoning pizza stones, cast-iron pans or anything else you're encouraged not to clean too thoroughly, so I decided I was going to give the ceramic stone a proper clean after its first use. By that point, it was covered in melted cheese, crumbs and burnt-on bits, and I was fully expecting a bit of a scrubbing session once everything had hardened.

Thankfully, it was far easier to clean than I expected. Once the stone had completely cooled, some warm water and a cloth lifted almost everything away with very little effort. The built-in handles make a difference too, as you can lift the whole stone out of the oven and clean it separately rather than awkwardly reaching inside.

Verdict

The Kenwood My Pizzeria doesn't try to overcomplicate things, and that's exactly why I enjoyed using it. However, most importantly, it produced a properly cooked pizza base without burning the toppings before the dough was ready. The viewing window could be better, but the removable stone is easy to clean and the whole experience requires very little effort. It's a great-value indoor option for anyone who wants speedy homemade pizza without investing in – or finding space for – a larger outdoor oven.

Alternatives to consider

If you like the idea of an indoor pizza oven but want something a little sleeker, the Caso Design PizzaChef 430 is another option. It can reach temperatures of up to 430°C using top and bottom heating elements and has a similarly compact footprint. However, its touchscreen display gives it a more contemporary feel compared to Kenwood's dials.

At the more premium end, there's the Ooni Volt 12. It's a considerably bigger investment, but it's worth considering if you want something slightly more advanced.

Global supermarket chain Lidl has just updated its middle aisle with a new colourful range of Silvercrest kitchen appliances. Following the Pastel Kitchen range’s success, Lidl has brought it back to its stores this week with prices starting from just £4.99.

Despite still being in the height of the summer holidays, many people are thinking about starting or returning to university. Aside from the standard university dorm essentials like stationary and cutlery, you’d be surprised how quickly things start to add up, especially if you’re living in self-catered accommodation.

With this in mind, Lidl’s Pastel Kitchen range is an affordable and colourful collection that’s perfect for students who want to deck out their university kitchen on a budget. The line-up of Silvercrest appliances now comes in mint or pink colours to add a pop of colour to your kitchen – and it helps determine what is yours when that annoying housemate tries to use your things without asking!

As someone who graduated university almost 10 years ago, there’s plenty of appliances I’d recommend taking with you. For starters, a good air fryer like the Silvercrest 4.7L Air Fryer (£29.99) offers speedy cooking, and is a great choice for beginner cooks.

Your university kitchen will likely have a kettle and toaster set but there’s no harm in having a kettle for your room to get you through late-night study sessions. The Silvercrest Kettle (£16.99) has a 1.7-litre capacity, 360-degree swivel base and quick boiling so you can get your caffeine fix quickly.

I don’t think I would have gotten through university without my pod coffee machine, but had it been around back then, I’d have picked up Silvercrest’s Espresso Machine (£59.99). This coffee machine has 15-bar pump pressure and a 2-in-1 steam nozzle for hot water and milk frothing. It’s easy to use, looks pretty in its pink or mint colourway, and it comes with a 2-in-1 coffee scoop and tamper for quick espresso shots.

To match your coffee machine, Lidl is also selling a Milk Frother (£14.99) and Electric Coffee Grinder (£9.99) to complete the set. A full coffee machine set-up is usually much more expensive than this but at Lidl, this will cost you around £85 which is significantly cheaper.

Other products to watch out for include a stand mixer, toaster, jug and hand blenders, microwave and pots and pans. With prices starting as little as £4.99, Lidl has just made it much easier to stock your university kitchen.

Despite what many people believe, the (not so) humble air fryer can’t actually cook everything – no matter how hard you try. Despite how quick, convenient and time-saving an air fryer is, sometimes using your hob or oven is more efficient, especially if you’re looking to cook these three foods.

I’ve covered foods you should never cook in your air fryer a few years ago in 2023. At the time, I received a surprising amount of angry emails telling me I was wrong. Looking back now that we’re in 2026 and air fryers have become more advanced, I have to agree that some of the foods in that list can in fact be cooked in an air fryer.

But now, experts at Philips a.k.a the original inventors of the air fryer are advising Brits to avoid using them to cook three common foods. According to Martin Senders, Philips’ in-house air fryer chef, “air fryers are incredibly versatile but they’re not suitable for absolutely everything.”

Senders goes on to say that “foods that are very lightweight, produce a lot of grease, or melt quickly can cause problems inside the basket because they can disrupt the hot-air circulation, leading to uneven cooking, excess smoke or a messy clean-up." Here are the three foods you should never cook in your air fryer, according to Philips.

1. Popcorn

Popcorn is very easy to make, and can be made on your stovetop or in the microwave. But in an air fryer? Senders gives that a big no. The reason is air fryers “don't circulate heat in the same way as a popcorn machine. Many kernels won't pop at all, while others can burn. Loose kernels can also be blown around the appliance and become lodged near the heating element."

2. Poppadoms

As mentioned above, foods that are lightweight don’t fare too well inside an air fryer, which is mainly down to the powerful fan that can send them flying around the basket. This is the case with poppadoms which Senders explains "often curl up, cook unevenly or burn in patches before they've had a chance to crisp properly. For the best results, stick to the cooking method recommended on the packaging."

3. Sliced cheese

Finally, placing slices of cheese in your air fryer basket is asking for trouble, especially if you want a quick clean-up – see how to clean an air fryer for the best results. “As soon as the cheese melts, it drips through the gaps, burns onto the base and creates smoke and stubborn residue that's difficult to clean,” states Senders. “Cheese works much better when it's contained inside another recipe, such as a toastie or burger."

Melitta just added a new accessory for its line-up of coffee machines, and it might be its most impressive yet. The new Melitta Linea coffee grinder is a great addition to your at-home coffee set-up, especially for those who love espresso, filter and French Press coffee.

I’ve tested many coffee machines for T3, and have become somewhat of a coffee snob. If budget wasn’t an issue, I’d have a full café-level coffee station in my house, complete with an individual coffee grinder, main coffee machine, tampers, milk frothers and more.

Grinding your own beans is an easy way to level up your coffee-making process, and the Melitta Linea coffee grinder is a new model that’s designed to make freshly ground coffee in an easy and cleaner way. It doesn’t look like your traditional grinder, but it has a more modern design, including a hopper to hold the beans and a container to store the grounds.

At the top of the Melitta Linea is an LCD touch display where you can adjust the 13 grind settings to different fineness and strength levels. To keep everything as fresh as possible, the Melitta Linea has an AromaSafe lid that ensures freshness and scents of your beans and grounds.

As a stainless steel conical grinder, the Melitta Linea uses Ionizer technology to grind your beans while preventing static charging from causing your grinds to fly around when in action. This ensures the grinding process is clean and tidy, so you have minimal clean-up to worry about.

To achieve the perfect grind, the Melitta Linea draws coffee beans from above and grinds them between an inner conical burr and outer burred wall. Once ground, the coffee container holds the power and has a precise dosing spout for adding to your coffee machine or cafetiere. It can also be used to make between 1-10 cups of filter coffee which you can select on the grinder.

The Melitta Linea grinder is available to buy for £74.99 at Melitta. Having covered coffee machines and accessories for a while now, I was surprised to see this price from a luxury brand like Melitta.

Is £75 a bit pricey for a coffee grinder? For some, yes, but this is actually one of the more affordable models you’ll find on the market – and for espresso lovers, it’s a no-brainer.

Panasonic has expanded its air fryer microwave range with the new NN-CD58RS Slimline 4-in-1 Combination Microwave, bringing air frying, microwaving, grilling and convection cooking together in one appliance. It's designed to provide the versatility of several kitchen appliances without sacrificing worktop space.

Sitting at the top of Panasonic's new Slimline lineup, the NN-CD58RS has a full stainless-steel exterior that gives it a more premium finish than the other models. Inside, there's a 27-litre capacity and an easy-clean stainless-steel interior, putting it up there with the best microwaves available today.

It's priced at £269.99 and is available from Panasonic's online store, Argos, Currys and Amazon, making it considerably cheaper than larger models such as the Panasonic NN-CD88. You also get a grill rack, enamel tray and air fry basket, all of which are dishwasher-safe.

The microwave features a powerful fan positioned at the top that circulates hot air around food to create a crispy finish. The included basket can hold up to 800g of frozen chips, so despite the more compact design, there's still plenty of room for family-sized portions.

However, users can also combine cooking functions to speed things up even further. Pairing Air Fry with microwave power can cook jacket potatoes up to 40% quicker and a whole chicken up to 36% faster than using Air Fry alone, according to Panasonic's internal testing. Panasonic also claims that combining convection, grill or air fry with microwave power can cut cooking times by up to 70% and energy use by up to 50% compared to conventional ovens.

The NN-CD58RS has a 1000W microwave with seven power levels, a 1300W Quartz Grill and convection cooking up to 220°C. Air frying can be set between 180°C and 220°C, and there are 19 automatic programmes to choose from as well.

Tefal has launched its first-ever stacked air fryer, joining the likes of Ninja, Philips and Salter. The new Tefal Ingenio Dual Stack Air Fryer has a generous 10-litre capacity alongside six preset programmes, including settings for fries, chicken, dough proving and desserts.

Despite its capacity, the Ingenio is 40% smaller than Tefal's Dual Easy Fry & Grill, making it a much better fit for kitchens with limited worktop space. However, one of the features that caught my attention most is its detachable front panels, which can be removed to make the baskets easier to fit inside the dishwasher. It's the first time Tefal has introduced the feature on one of its best air fryers, so it's particularly interesting to see it debut on the brand's first stacked model.

The Tefal Ingenio Dual Stack Air Fryer is available in black or grey with an RRP of £229.99, and can be purchased from Tefal's online store, Amazon and John Lewis.

Tefal's EvenFry technology uses a top heating element to circulate hot air and deliver evenly cooked and crispy results. The Ingenio also offers up to four cooking zones across two drawers and two racks, so you can prepare different parts of a meal at the same time.

The air fryer also comes included with two storage lids, so leftovers can be covered and stored directly in the fridge.

A stand mixer has always been a brilliant kitchen tool for anyone who bakes regularly, especially when it comes to achieving consistent batters and mixes. However, for those who'd rather steer clear of cakes and focus on dough, there hasn't always been something quite as purpose-built. That was until Ooni launched its Halo Pro Spiral Mixer.

First launched last year, the Ooni Halo Pro quickly stood out for its ability to tackle pizza, flatbread and bread dough, whilst still handling more traditional stand mixer jobs. Fast-forward to 2026 and the Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer has arrived as a smaller and lighter alternative. Importantly, though, it keeps the professional-style spiral mixing technology that made the original so interesting.

I've been putting it to the test with plenty of dough-based experiments, and you'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The Ooni Halo Core is priced at £499/$599 and is available from Ooni's online store, Amazon and John Lewis. For comparison, the Ooni Halo Pro is priced at £699/$799.

The Halo Core comes in black or white, and there are a number of optional accessories available too, including the Ooni Dough Tool Set and Dual Platform Digital Scales.

Design and features

The Halo Core is 25% smaller and 30% lighter than the Halo Pro, making it much easier to keep permanently on a kitchen worktop or move around when needed. Despite shrinking things down, Ooni has retained the recognisable Halo design as well as its tilt-head mechanism. This lets you lift the top of the mixer to remove the bowl and easily switch between attachments.

It features a removable 4.5-litre stainless-steel bowl, down from the Halo Pro's 7-litre capacity. It's smaller, but is still capable of handling up to 2.5kg of dough in a single batch. According to Ooni, that's enough for around ten 12-inch pizzas or three large sourdough loaves – but we'll get onto this later.

Unlike a conventional stand mixer, where an attachment moves around a stationary bowl, the Core combines a rotating bowl with a rotating Spiral Dough Hook and stationary removable breaker bar.

Together, these create what Ooni calls a dual-kneading action. Dough is continuously stretched and worked between the hook, bowl and breaker bar, helping to develop a stronger gluten network without generating excessive heat. This makes it particularly well suited to pizza, bread and sourdough, especially recipes that require longer kneading times. The breaker bar also helps stop dough climbing and bunching around the hook, but it can be removed when you want to use the mixer for more conventional baking jobs.

There are 20 speed settings, reaching up to 300 RPM. That's considerably fewer than the Halo Pro's 58, but still gives you plenty of control for different recipes and dough types. There's also built-in motor protection, which can automatically adjust the speed when necessary to help prevent overheating during tougher mixing sessions.

Like its predecessor, dual LED lights illuminate the mixture whilst the machine is running, making it easier to keep an eye on dough consistency and gluten development. There's also a separate LED indicator which clearly displays your selected speed.

One feature you don't get from the Halo Pro is its set-and-forget auto-stop timer, so the Core does require slightly more supervision.

Attachments

You get three main attachments, giving it much more versatility than a traditional commercial spiral mixer.

Alongside the Spiral Dough Hook and removable breaker bar, there's a Dual-Geared Whisk for whipping and lighter mixtures, as well as an Angled Silicone-Edge Beater for batters and everyday baking. This means you can still turn to it for cakes, creams and other recipes when you're not making dough.

The included clear splash guard also has a pouring spout, so you can add ingredients whilst mixing without sending flour across the kitchen.

There's an airtight silicone lid for the bowl too, allowing you to leave dough to prove inside rather than transferring it to another container. A pop-out vent can be opened when airflow is needed, and all of the attachments are removable and dishwasher-safe.

Performance

The first thing that stood out during testing was just how premium the Ooni Halo Core feels, and despite testing plenty of stand mixers before, very few have felt quite as high-quality as this. Everything from the finish and weight to the illuminated controls felt deluxe, and it looked fantastic left out on the kitchen counter.

The attachments are equally as impressive and, whilst £499 is undeniably a lot of money, you do get plenty for it. Each attachment is easy to fit, remove and swap, and cleaning couldn't be simpler either. Mine came out of the dishwasher spotless, even after dealing with sticky dough and batter.

I also particularly loved the rotating bowl and LED illumination, which are exactly the kind of premium details that set the Halo Core apart from your average stand mixer.

For my first test, I deliberately used an M&S pizza base mix that I've struggled with when kneading by hand in the past. Using the Spiral Dough Hook and breaker bar, the dough came together in around six minutes with very little intervention from me. Most impressively, it didn't climb up the hook or sides of the bowl, with the breaker bar keeping everything moving nicely.

Once it was ready, I simply removed the attachments, popped the included silicone lid over the bowl and left the dough to prove for around an hour. Being able to mix and prove in the same bowl made the whole process noticeably easier, not to mention cutting down on the clean up afterwards.

I also wanted to see whether the Halo Core could take the place of a more conventional stand mixer, so I used it to make banana bread batter a few days later. The whisk worked brilliantly, combining everything quickly and evenly, and switching between attachments was effortless. Dough may be its speciality, but it's certainly not all the Halo Core can do.

That said, there are a few small things to be aware of. Ooni says the 4.5-litre bowl can handle enough dough for around ten 12-inch pizzas or three large sourdough loaves, but once proved, my dough for just three pizzas was already nearly at the top. Of course, mixing and proving capacities aren't quite the same thing, but it did make me wonder how comfortably the mixer would handle enough dough for ten pizzas at once, and whether everything would knead as evenly. If you're planning on making large batches, I'd recommend starting smaller and transferring the dough to another container for proving if needed.

My other small issue the speed dial. There are 20 settings to choose from, but there aren't 20 individual markings or numbers around the control, so selecting a precise speed can feel like a bit of a guessing game at first. That said, the illuminated dial looks fantastic and fits perfectly with the Halo Core's premium design, so it's certainly not something that would put me off buying it.

Verdict

The Ooni Halo Core may be designed with dough in mind, but it's far more versatile than that suggests. It made light work of pizza dough, handled cake batter just as confidently and felt incredibly premium throughout testing. The smaller 4.5-litre bowl and slightly unclear speed dial leave room for improvement, but neither took away from the overall experience. It's certainly an investment, but the excellent build quality, range of attachments and incredible results make it a fantastic option for anyone who regularly bakes at home.

Alternatives to consider

The Ooni Halo Pro is the obvious alternative, particularly if you think you'll benefit from its larger 7-litre bowl, 58 speed settings and automatic timer. However, I personally think the Halo Core offers more than enough capacity and control for the average household, especially if kitchen space is limited.

If you want something even more compact and geared towards general baking, the Kenwood Go Stand Mixer is another great option. It doesn't have the specialist spiral dough-mixing setup found on the Ooni range, but its smaller design and versatility make it particularly well suited to compact kitchens.

If you’re looking to take your latte art skills to the next level, the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer could be the product to help you do just that. As an electric standalone milk steaming wand, the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer is a great addition to your coffee machine set-up, especially if yours doesn’t have a milk frother attachment – but it’ll set you back £250.

Flair is known for its manual espresso machine which uses a lever to extract and ‘pull’ rich shots of coffee. The brand also has a range of milk steamers, including its Wizard Stovetop Milk Steamer that heats milk using dry steam while sitting on your gas, induction or coil stoves.

But its latest Flair eWizard Milk Steamer removes this stovetop action as it uses a 110V electric power to froth your milk instead. Featuring a cool-touch wand, two nozzles and an electric base, tank and lid with gauge, the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer quickly and expertly heats up your milk to make expert-level microfoam.

The design of the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer is quite unusual, but that’s what Flair is best known for. When I first saw it, I thought it looked like a miniature Tardis from Doctor Who! But while it might look a little complicated, Flair states that it’s the perfect milk frothing accessory for both beginners and baristas.

To use the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer, you simply turn it on via its power cord, and it heats up in roughly five minutes. Using dry steam via its steam wand which gets up to 270°, its pressure management system keeps it at the right temperature to create froth for cappuccinos, lattes and more.

The Flair eWizard Milk Steamer comes with two nozzles – a one hole and a three hole. Beginners are encouraged to use the one hole nozzle as it gives easier control over the steam. Once you get the hang of it, the three hole nozzle is for more manual and customisable steaming that makes you feel like you’re a barista in a café.

The Flair eWizard Milk Steamer is available to buy for £248 at Flair Espresso. It doesn’t come with a milk jug which you’ll need to use the steamer, but you can buy the Flair Milk Steaming Pitcher separately for £23.

Is the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer the cheapest option on the market? No, and you’ll likely want a coffee machine that comes with a milk frothing wand integrated into the design to save money and space on your countertop.

But I can see the Flair eWizard Milk Steamer being something baristas and coffee enthusiasts will want to incorporate into their coffee set-up to take their skills to the next level.

I think I just found my new favourite coffee machine. The Terra Kaffe TK Demi, which launched in late 2025, is the brand’s most intuitive, fully automatic espresso machine that will surely turn you into a barista-level espresso expert – if you have $800 spare, that is.

For homes with small kitchens, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi is described as ‘mini but mighty’ by the brand. Weighing just 17 pounds and measuring 12.8 inches in height, 7.5 inches in width and 15.7 inches in diameter, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi takes up minimal room yet its design is so eye-catching that you wouldn’t mind if it did.

The Terra Kaffe TK Demi is available in four earth-inspired colours, including slate, forest, dune and cloud. It has a bean hopper at the top so the machine grinds beans fresh, and a stainless steel analog dial on the side which allows you to adjust temperature, strength and volume of your drinks.

As an espresso machine, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi makes espresso-based drinks, including Americanos, lungos and drip coffee. My favourite part of the machine is when you select your drink, the name of it flashes up in pixel-like dots at the front, making the minimalist design look smarter and more premium.

While it might look a little intimidating at first, the Terra Kaffe TK Demi is completely automatic, so while you can customise your drink, the machine takes care of everything for you. The stainless steel spout handle of the Terra Kaffe TK Demi can also be adjusted to fit different mug sizes, and the waste bin and drip tray is easy to clean and empty.

There are many things to like about the Terra Kaffe TK Demi, although I do wish it came with a milk frothing attachment. As someone who loves lattes and cappuccinos, this is a feature I think the Terra Kaffe TK Demi is missing out on, although Terra Kaffe does offer the TK-02 which comes with a milk carafe.

The Terra Kaffe TK Demi is available to buy for $795 at Terra Kaffe. I’ll be honest, when I saw the price, I was incredibly surprised, despite most bean to cup coffee makers coming with this sort of expensive price tag.

Having said that, the TK Demi’s design and automatic features make it one of the most stylish and advanced models I’ve ever seen. I like that the TK Demi can be used by both beginners and baristas (although the price does take it out of many people’s budgets) but if you’re an espresso fan, it's definitely something you’ll want to save up for – myself included.

Forget air fryers – Ninja has just made the countertop oven more exciting with its new Double Oven Pro Countertop Oven and Air Fryer. As a 12-in-1 appliance, the Ninja Double Oven Pro can replace almost every cooking gadget in your kitchen, and gives you two ovens for the price and space of one.

Air fryers have almost completely replaced ovens, mainly due to their smaller sizes and reduced costs. But sometimes, the best option for cooking quickly and intensely is an oven, so if you want my advice, I wouldn’t look at getting rid of your oven just yet.

However, the new Ninja Double Oven Pro Countertop Oven and Air Fryer could be a game changer as it combines two ovens in an air fryer-sized design, much like traditional toaster ovens. Measuring 21.42 inches in length, 19.76 inches in width and 15.94 inches in height, the Ninja Double Oven Pro is surprisingly compact and can comfortably fit on any countertop in your kitchen.

Like most of Ninja’s air fryers, the Ninja Double Oven Pro has two cooking zones which you can use independently or simultaneously. The top and bottom ovens use DualZone technology so you can cook two different meals in two different ways at the same time.

Both ovens can be customised by function, time and temperature. With SmartFinish, the Ninja Double Oven Pro can also finish cooking meals at the same time for quicker results.

Inside, the Ninja Double Oven Pro has a huge capacity which can fit a 4.5 pound chicken, and it has 12 cooking functions to choose from, including air fry, bake, roast, grill, broil, toast, pizza, reheat and more. It can effectively replace your air fryer, oven, toaster and grill which is especially handy if you have limited kitchen space.

The Ninja Double Oven Pro looks like a cross between a microwave and toaster oven, and it has individual button and dial controls for both the top and bottom ovens. Its handles pull down like a normal oven, and there are clear viewing windows at the front so you can check on your cooking’s progress without having to open the doors.

Available in a stylish silver colour, the Ninja Double Oven Pro comes with two sheet pans, two wire racks, an air fryer basket, thermometer and a crumb tray. It’s priced at $429.99 and available to buy at SharkNinja. As of writing, it’s been discounted to $349.99 and it’s not yet available in the UK or Europe.

Considering this style of air fryer-oven is typically more US-centric, I have my doubts over whether the Ninja Double Oven Pro Cook Countertop Oven and Air Fryer will come to the UK. But if it does, I think it’ll definitely appeal to big families and those who want one appliance to do everything.

Around six months ago, I got my hands on an electric pizza oven (the Pizzaiolo, from Sage), and it's been a thrilling game-changer in terms of how I've made pizza at home. The only real downside to getting one of the very few pizza ovens that can work indoors is that it still takes up a massive chunk of storage in my not particularly huge top-floor London flat.

So, it's been with some trepidation that I've also been looking out for a stand mixer, a notoriously sizeable part of any chef's lineup of appliances, to help upgrade my dough-making. After graduating past store-bought dough a while ago, my hands were getting tired of self-kneading everything.

It was this storage issue that made the Morphy Richards MixStar so attractive, and after my first batch of dough-making, I'm really pleased with how it's slotted into my cooking and my cupboards.

This stand mixer doesn't look like many others on the market. Rather than a bowl with a large arm over it, Morphy Richards has put the mixing circulator into the bowl itself, more like the inside of a food processor.

Crucially, it's also designed so that when you're not using it, all the attachments and parts nest within that bowl, giving you a far less bulky overall device to hide away in your cupboards. It's hard to convey how much of a boon that is, but as someone whose kitchen can only accommodate an under-counter fridge, for instance, it's quite a major point.

The MixStar comes with attachments for whisking, frothing and more, but I've so far only used the dough mixer, and it's performed ably – although I did immediately run up against an obvious limitation. The instructions are quite clear that my standard batch of dough, enough for four pizzas, would overload the advised weight limits for the bowl.

So, I did two batches instead, and that hardly added much time to my process. Still, it's possibly a reminder that this compact design does come with some compromises compared to something weightier like a KitchenAid Artisan, which has a way higher maximum weight for dough.

That said, a KitchenAid Artisan is also about twice as expensive, way heavier and more awkward to store, so the comparison doesn't bear too much weight. If I had a bigger kitchen, I'd probably pine after a higher-capacity mixer, but in my situation the MixStar is quite clearly a sensible option.

The other thing I was interested to assess was whether its lighter weight and interesting design made the MixStar more liable to move around in use. Suction cups underneath the main body have seen to it that it's stable enough in my experience, but I might be cheeky and overload it at some point to see how it fares on both the mixing and moving front.

The last check from my end was cleaning up after my mixing, something that's a big part of why I wanted a mixer in the first place. Scraping lost dough bits and flour off my kitchen surface got old quickly, whereas the MixStar was easy to scrub thanks to its stainless steel bowl.

I'm thoroughly impressed, basically, and looking forward to seeing what other baking options it's going to unlock. Pizza might have been the reason I needed it, but who knows what creations I'll be baking up in the months to come?

It was back in June that Ninja launched a smaller version of its bestselling coffee machine, the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus. Despite being 30% more compact than the original, it still includes many of the same features, including a built-in grinder, precision scale, assisted tamper and steam wand.

Naturally, that raises the question of what has actually changed apart from the size and the £50 price difference. More importantly, are the extra features on the original worth paying for, or is the Mini Plus the smarter buy?

To find out, I compared the Ninja Luxe Café Premier and the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus. These are the two middle models in Ninja's Luxe Café lineup, sitting between the entry-level Luxe Café Mini and the flagship Luxe Café Pro, making them the closest rivals in terms of features and price

1. Drinks choice

When it comes to drink options, it's probably no surprise that the Luxe Café Premier is the more versatile of the two. It offers 19 drink presets, including Espresso, Americano, Cold Pressed Espresso, Classic Coffee, Rich Coffee, Over Ice Coffee and Cold Brew.

The Mini Plus drops the Cold Brew and Cold Pressed Espresso functions, instead focusing on Espresso, Classic Coffee, Rich Coffee and Over Ice Coffee. If you're someone who regularly enjoys cold brew or chilled espresso drinks, the Premier is the clear winner.

2. Milk frothing

The same applies to milk frothing. Thankfully, both machines include Ninja's excellent assisted milk frothing system, but the Mini Plus comes with fewer presets. The Premier offers Steamed Milk, Thin Froth, Thick Froth and Cold Froth, whereas the Mini Plus misses out on the Cold Froth setting.

It's not a huge omission, but it does make the Premier more versatile if you prefer iced coffees.

3. Brewing capacity

Another difference is brewing capacity, as the Mini Plus is aimed more at solo coffee drinkers, brewing single and double espressos alongside smaller coffee servings.

The Premier can also brew larger filter coffees and travel mug-sized drinks, making it a better fit for busy households or anyone who gets through several coffees a day.

What are the similarities?

That said, the similarities between the two machines are what really stand out. Both machines include a built-in conical burr grinder, Barista Assist Technology, automatic grind recommendations, an assisted tamper and an integrated precision scale. They also both use the same 1650W heating system, so the core coffee-making performance should be very similar.

Which one should you choose?

Personally, I'd still lean towards the Luxe Café Premier, especially if you have the space on your worktop. The extra £50 feels like money well spent for the additional drink presets, larger serving sizes and extra milk frothing options, particularly if you enjoy cold coffee.

However, if you're tight on space and don't think you'll miss cold brew or cold foam, the Mini Plus remains an excellent alternative.

Nespresso has launched a deal that gives customers 50 free coffee pods and a travel mug when buying a qualifying machine. The offer applies to a selection of Vertuo models, including the recently launched Vertuo Up.

Nespresso is known for running generous promotions, but this is certainly one of the better offers I've seen from the brand in a while. It's also available directly via Nespresso, so you'll have access to the usual benefits of buying from the brand, including its membership portal, warranty support and other services.

The offer is valid until 1st September, so there's still around four weeks to take advantage of it.

The free pods include a choice of Mild or Intense coffee assortments, with the available options shown below. All you need to do is select your qualifying machine on the Nespresso website, add it to your basket and choose which pod assortment you'd like.

You'll also receive the usual 12 Vertuo Pod Discovery Box at checkout, meaning you're actually getting 62 pods for free in total. Depending on the selection, that's potentially around £40 worth of coffee in total.

The only part of the offer you don't get to choose is the travel mug, as the model and colour will vary depending on availability and stock levels. It also won't necessarily appear during checkout, so don't worry if you don't see it listed alongside your other freebies. Nespresso says the mug will be shipped with your order, subject to availability.

This week, I jumped on the train to London to attend a Panasonic Cooking Masterclass. It was the perfect event for a hot summer’s day – thankfully, the AC was blasting – and I got to see Panasonic’s new line-up of kitchen appliances and try them out for myself.

Before I put on my apron and started cooking, I got to have a tour of the new range from Panasonic, which included air fryers, multi-cookers, breadmakers and more. The product that caught my eye the most was its new air fryer microwave hybrid which has a traditional microwave design with air fryer-inspired settings.

Many brands are combining air fryers and microwaves together to add both appliance’s functions in one space-saving design. Brands like Smeg and Ninja have had success with this style of product, and since Panasonic invented the microwave, it only seems right that it would introduce its own model.

The Panasonic NN-CT55RW is a 4-in-1 appliance that has air fry, convection oven, inverter microwave and quartz grill functionalities. With 19 auto programmes to choose from, it’s easy to use both manually and automatically, and it gets up to an impressively high heat.

As a microwave, the Panasonic NN-CT55RW uses 1000W with seven power levels, and it has the same traditional microwave design that we all know and have in our kitchens. Inside, it has a 34cm turntable and 27 litres of space, and can reach temperatures between 30°C to 220°C.

The air fryer setting on the Panasonic NN-CT55RW is the most exciting part. Unlike a traditional microwave which has a fan at the back, the Panasonic NN-CT55RW has a top fan which circulates hot air around the appliance, just like how an air fryer works.

Instead of using a drawer, the Panasonic NN-CT55RW comes with its own version of an air fryer basket and an enamel tray which slots into the microwave on top of the turntable. The basket measures 31.6cm wide and can hold up to 800g of fries, or in my case when I tested it, a surprising amount of chicken!

During the cooking class, we made crispy chicken – a recipe I’ll definitely be trying again – as well as cheesecake bars. I was most impressed by the chicken as after coating them in crushed up cornflakes, I popped them in the Panasonic NN-CT55RW and set it to the Microwave Combi 5 setting.

To my surprise, the chef running the demonstration said it should only take six minutes to cook the chicken. Even though I cook all the time, I always get nervous about cooking chicken so I didn’t believe this timing one bit.

But I was proven wrong as the Panasonic NN-CT55RW cooked the chicken in just six minutes, and it came out fully cooked and really crispy.

I’m a very recent air fryer convert – despite having tested many and being T3’s resident air fryer expert – but I think the Panasonic NN-CT55RW has convinced me to get an air fryer microwave hybrid. I use both my air fryer and microwave on a daily basis, so having one appliance to take care of everything is a game changer.

Cuisinart has expanded its kitchen appliance range with the new 10-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Arriving just a few months after the Cuisinart ClearView Air Fryer, the new model is designed to combine multiple appliances into one countertop unit.

The new air fryer offers six core cooking functions – Air Fry, Roast, Toast, Bake, Broil and Keep Warm – alongside four presets for fries, wings, vegetables and nuggets, all with no preheating required.

For now, it's exclusive to the US, where it's available for $249.95 from Amazon and Cuisinart's website. However, given that many of Cuisinart's best air fryers launch in the UK too, we'd expect this one to follow in the near future.

The air fryer can fit a whole chicken, six slices of toast or a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, making it suitable for large families. Other features include a touchscreen control panel, a stainless steel interior, a hidden handle, an integrated cooking guide and a large viewing window with an interior light.

Commenting on the launch, Spencer Helmrich, Product Marketing Manager at Cuisinart, said: "The 10-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven expands our lineup with a versatile combination of capacity, functionality and modern design, giving consumers even more ways to enjoy the performance and reliability they expect from Cuisinart."