The best mixing bowls

The OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set is lightweight and easy to manage with non-slip bottoms and easy-grip handles.

Each of these OXO Good Grips mixing bowls is made of durable BPA-free plastic with grippy bases and handles. The sizes of the bowls are the same as the Cuisinart set above: 1.5 quarts, 3 quarts, and 5 quarts. Each bowl has a wide lip and large spout for easy pouring. And, as with most OXO products, the mixing bowl set comes with a satisfaction guarantee.

The bowls are dishwasher safe, stable, and have a versatile design that is ideal for tossing, serving, and mixing ingredients. The soft, easy-grip handles make it easy to hold the bowl in place while you whisk away, plus, OXO offers a lifetime warranty.

Several expert sites rated the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set as the best overall mixing bowl. Thoroughly Reviewed liked the non-skid base, the substantial lip for spill-free pouring, and the fact that the heavy-duty plastic is shatterproof.

Some buyer reviews mention that you should not put these bowls in the microwave (which OXO also points out).

Pros: Non-skid base, dishwasher safe, lifetime warranty, easy-grip handles

Cons: Not microwave safe

If you prefer short and wide mixing bowls that you can purchase piecemeal rather than in a set, we recommend the Vollrath Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl.

Unlike the other mixing bowls in our guide, the Vollrath Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl is offered on its own. You do not need to buy a set. It's available in package quantities of one, two, and twelve and sizes ranging from 0.75 quarts to 20 quarts. The 1.5-quart and 5-quart bowls are the most popular options.

Because each bowl is sold separately, you can create your own ideal set of mixing bowls. Each bowl is made of bright mirror-finished stainless steel. The edges are beaded and feature a wide lip, and they are dishwasher safe.

There are few expert reviews of the Vollrath Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls. Cook's Illustrated liked that the bowls were affordable, broad, and shallow, and that they put the ingredients within easy reach for wide turns of a spatula. The reviewers offered no criticism for these bowls, which received high scores for performance, ease of use, and durability.

Pros: Inexpensive, shallow and broad design

Cons: Batter may fly everywhere if you are wild with your mixing

The Pyrex 8 Piece Smart Essentials Bowl Set is ideal for home chefs who enjoy the versatility of glass bowls in all of the most commonly used sizes.

The Pyrex 8-piece set consists of four mixing bowls and four lids. The bowls are made in the USA of nonporous glass and are designed to stay odor and stain-free. The glass is safe for use in the dishwasher, freezer, fridge, microwave, and preheated oven.

The bowls come in 1-quart, 1.5-quart, 2.5-quart, and 4-quart sizes. Each has a uniquely colored BPA-free plastic lid that can be cleaned on the top rack of the dishwasher. The overall weight of the four containers with lids is about 10.6 pounds, which is much heavier than any of the other sets on our list.

Expert reviewers give the Pyrex bowls high marks. Cook's Illustrated found that the lids kept food well protected, and the bowls didn't break when dropped. However, the testers noted that the bowls were quite heavy. The Wirecutter liked that the set came with all the functional sizes you need, and the bowls are microwave safe.

We came across a couple of complaints while browsing online reviews. First, the lids can be difficult to put on. Secondly, the largest bowl is rather massive and may be hard for some users to store.

Pros: 2-year warranty, microwave and oven safe, easy to clean

Cons: Heavy, the lids may be hard to use

With the Wildone Stainless Steel Nesting Bowls, you not only get five mixing bowls with lids, but the set also includes three graters.

At first glance, it may seem strange that a set of mixing bowls comes with disc grater attachments that fit into the lids of the bowls. Yet, when most home chefs are grating cheeses, vegetables, or other ingredients, they generally do so over a mixing bowl. The Wildone Stainless Steel Nesting Bowls just make the process easier.

The stainless steel mixing bowls come in .63-quart, 1.5-quart, 2-quart, 3-quart and 5-quart sizes. They each have a lightweight design with a flat base covered in non-skid silicone. Every bowl comes with a lid, which means you can use them for food storage as well. The largest bowl has a removable disc in its lid that fits the included graters. And, unlike the other sets we've covered, these bowls have measurement markings on their interiors.

We should note that while the bowls are dishwasher safe, the plastic lids and grater attachments should be hand-washed.

Pros: Measurement markings, non-skid rubber bottoms, comes with three grater discs

Cons: Lids and grater attachments require hand-washing

The best bread machines

We combed through hundreds of reviews and ratings from home bakers and experts alike as we searched for the best bread machines. The units we chose can make a variety of different bread types, require minimal user oversight, and have a track record of dependability and performance. These are the best bread machines you can buy:

• Best overall: Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker
• Best budget bread machine #1: Oster 2-Pound Expressbake Bread Maker
• Best convection machine: Convection Bread Maker by Cuisinart
• Best machine for unique breads: Breville Custom Loaf Bread Maker

The best cookie cutters

A great set of cookie cutters makes those delicious holiday treats even more of a pleasure to make and share. These are the best cookie cutters you can buy:

• Best overall: Ann Clark Cookie Cutter Set
• Best on a budget: Winblo 40-Piece Cookie Cutter Set
• Best for Chanukah: Rite Lite LTD Metal Chanukah Cookie Cutters
• Best 3D cutters: 3D Christmas Cookie Cutters Set
• Best indestructible set: Ateco Cookie Cutter Set in Various Shapes
• Best for kids: Wilton 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set

The best loaf pans

If you like to bake bread in the oven or meatloaf is one of your go-to meals, a top-quality loaf pan is a must. These pans are generally 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep, though the exact measurements vary brand-to-brand. Since the breads, cakes, and other baked goods are so thick, it's crucial that the loaf pan cooks slowly and evenly without burning. With all that in mind, these are the best loaf pans you can buy:

• Best loaf pan overall: Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan
• Best aluminized steel loaf pan: USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
• Best glass loaf pan: Pyrex 1.5-Quart Clear Basics Glass Loaf Pan
• Best loaf pan with handles: Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pan
• Best meatloaf pan: Chicago Metallic Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set