The 30 Best Gifts Under $25, Including a Few of Our Tested Favorites

OXO Kitchen and Herb Scissors

$20 $19 at Amazon $12 at Target $20 at Wayfair

These super-sharp shears are sleek and versatile. Dainty enough to snip herbs or cut lettuces, they're heavy-duty and durable enough to cut through a whole chicken, too. The lightweight shears are made from stainless steel with a serrated edge to prevent slipping and sliding, and they’re easily the best kitchen shears we’ve tested. The best part? Unlike most pieces of cutlery, these shears are dishwasher-safe for easier cleanup.

OXO 2 Piece Silicone Spatula Set

$12 at Amazon

“No one ever has enough tiny spatulas,” says Drew Record of Chezchez in San Francisco. “They are cute, they are inexpensive, and they can save you thousands of dollars in food waste annually at the restaurant.” Plus, they are made to last. Carlo Lamagna, Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2021, has been toting his OXO mini rubber spatula in his chef kit for over 10 years. 

W&P Store Extra Large Ice Cube Tray

$16 at Amazon View on Burkedecor.com $16 at Urban Outfitters

Give the gift of slow-melting extra-large ice in cocktails with this silicone ice cube mold. “Ice can make or break a good drink,” says Denetrias Charlemagne, co-founder of AVEC, an artisanal cocktail mixer brand. “This is a favorite among my collection of ice trays with a very good reason,” says deputy editor Melanie Hansche, “It makes the most perfectly formed big-ass cubes of them all to chill my Negroni slowly.” 

Momofuku Tingly Seasoned Salt

$20 at Amazon View on Momofuku.com

David Chang's collection of pantry staples packs powerful flavor in small, convenient containers. This umami-packed salt is meant for sprinkling over rice, fish, chicken, or noodles. Made with garlic, tamari, kelp, and mushrooms, the restaurant-grade seasoning is an easy way to upgrade any dish. If tingly salt isn't their favorite, there are two other flavors in this collection — savory and spicy.

Hydro Flask 6 Oz. Mug

$23 at Amazon View on Hydroflask.com

On busy cooking days — like holidays or birthdays — the chef needs a good cup of coffee. This insulated travel coffee mug lets you drink your coffee throughout the day, especially on days when you don’t have time to sit down and drink it leisurely. This on-the-go coffee cup is available in 10 colors, and the stainless steel construction helps keep drinks piping hot or ice cold. This is one of the most practical gifts under $25 out there, especially for coffee lovers.

Graza Sizzle Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

$19 $15 at Amazon View on Graza.co $15 at FreshDirect

This editor-loved olive oil is the perfect stocking stuffer for any home chef. The squeezable bottle adds efficiency so you can squeeze and drizzle with little-to-no mess. Not only is it easy to use, but the single-origin Spanish olive oil also tastes fresh and delicious. Available in two sizes and styles, the bold flavor can be drizzled over pasta, bread, popcorn, or even ice cream.

Eve Coupe Dessert Glass Set of 4

$20 at CB2

Yes, we all love a classic coupe for martinis or bubbly champagne, but this set of four dessert coupes are even more fun — and a little bit unexpected. The short stem elevates any sweet dish, and for an extra bonus, bring a pint of your favorite ice cream flavor to serve along with it.

GIR Premium Silicone Baking Mat

$10 at Amazon $14 at Walmart View on Gir.co

Baking mats are an efficient and versatile way to streamline the baking process: They provide a nonstick surface and eliminate the need for baking sprays or parchment paper. Just place it on a baking sheet and add cookies, biscuits, or scones — no oil required. These durable silicone baking mats are flexible yet sturdy and they’re one of our editors’ favorite options available.

Pulltap’s Professional Waiter’s Corkscrew

$10 at Amazon

Any host or hostess will love this professional-grade corkscrew — even more so if they've also just received a wine gift basket. The manual wine key is lightweight yet durable, with an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to pull and pop even the toughest corks. The built-in, serrated foil cutter effortlessly slices through the foil, and the included bottle opener makes it easy to open beer, too. This was the best corkscrew of all the options we’ve tested, and it makes a super affordable gift for any wine drinker.

Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp

$10 at Amazon $11 at Target $13 at Thrive Market

For a sweet, savory, and spicy stocking stuffer that your favorite home cook won't be able to put down, try Fly by Jing's Sichuan Chili Crisp. Packed with soy sauce, brown sugar, and dried chilis, this crunchy sauce is vegan, all-natural, MSG-free, and non-GMO. Drizzle it on everything from dumplings to salmon. The petite jar packs a powerful punch of umami flavor that's a delightful addition to any meal.

Utopia Towels Kitchen Towels Dish Cloth

$26 $18 at Amazon

Having the right dish towels can be an easy solution to a cleaner kitchen. These professional-grade towels can be found in restaurant kitchens throughout the country because they’re versatile enough to serve multiple purposes. You can use them to clean countertops, dry dishes, or even prevent your cutting board from sliding around on the countertop.

Our expert chefs recommended them as one of the best gifts under $25. These are the best kitchen towels to buy when you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck.

OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder Pepper Mill

$15 at Amazon $15 at Oxo

Fresh ground pepper makes for a flavorful addition to any savory meal, so a sturdy pepper grinder makes a fantastic gift for home cooks of all kinds. During our tests of the best pepper grinders, we loved this manual option because it’s durable, comfortable to hold, and easy to use. It’s lightweight enough to use every day, so you can say goodbye to stale, flavorless pre-ground pepper. 

Weleda Ultra-Rich Cream

$14 at Amazon $18 at Target $20 at Dermstore

Long days in the kitchen mean lots of dirty dishes, which also means dry, cracked hands and skin. For a hydration boost, thick, nourishing hand creams are the way to do it. This option from Weleda is heavy without being greasy, so hands feel sufficiently moisturized and revitalized after each use.

Axe Sickle Spaghetti Measurer Tool

$7 $6 at Amazon

Knowing how much pasta to make is challenging, whether you're cooking for one, two, or four people. This handy pasta measuring tool takes away any of the guesswork from cooking pasta. Four measuring holes make it easy to decide just how much dry spaghetti to prepare for the amount of people you're serving. It's a sleek and simple Italian cooking tool that fits perfectly into any home cook's stocking.

Runamok Beekeeper's Cut

$15 at Amazon

This raw autumn blossom honey from editor-favorite maple syrup brand Runamok is rich, sweet, and just about as close as you can get to tasting honey straight from the hive. This artisanal honey is perfect for drizzling over toast, yogurt, or cottage cheese, and it's also the perfect addition to any charcuterie board.

Victoria Cast Iron Cast-Iron Grill Press

$15 at Food52

If you've got a griller on your list, a grill press is a perfect gift. This heavy-duty press features a gorgeous wooden handle and perforated bottom for perfectly smashed burgers, tortillas, vegetables, and more. We trust the brand Victoria when it comes to cast iron (including tortilla presses), and it comes pre-seasoned and ready to go.

Momo & Nashi Chart Magnet

$15 $10 at Amazon

If you struggle with culinary math, having a handy conversion chart is an easy way to keep on top of measurements and make sure you're working with precise quantities. This convenient chart can convert ounces to teaspoons and grams to cups. It also has an egg timer for perfectly boiled eggs and a temperature chart to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius. It's an affordable gift under $25 that also makes for an easy stocking stuffer.

Swissmar Oyster Knife

$20 at Amazon

Oyster lovers know how challenging it can be to crack into the juicy, slippery mollusks. Your best bet for safe shucking is a heavy-duty oyster knife like this one that our editors love. It’s ergonomically shaped to fit into the palm of your hand, so you can grip it tightly while wedging the blade into the tight corners of an oyster. 

BeeGreen Reusable Grocery Bag

$32 $18 at Amazon

Forget plastic bags — these reusable grocery bags are made from heavy-duty polyester so they can be used over and over again. This 10-pack of bags can accommodate all types of produce, like shallots, garlic, carrots, or kale. They’re a sustainable way to transport produce and other groceries and one of the best gifts under $25 for home cooks.

Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, Pack of 3

$14 at Amazon

The ultimate stocking stuffer, this ultra-sharp colorful Swiss vegetable peeler is easy to use, clean, and store. “Every cook needs these instead of that old-fashioned rusty peeler our parents have at home,” says Scott Franqueza, Executive Chef at High Hampton Cashiers, North Carolina. “This is the essential peeler in any home, bar, or professional kitchen,” agrees chef Steven Satterfield of Miller Union in Atlanta.

Fletchers' Mill French Rolling Pin

$25 at Amazon

For avid bakers looking to achieve perfectly shaped pie dough, a sturdy rolling pin is essential. We love this rolling pin because the lightweight and slender silhouette allows you to achieve a great deal of precision, especially when working with thin dough. The narrow sides allow for easy pivoting and make working through a pile of dough seamless and efficient. 

Zyliss Comfort 2-Piece Paring Knife Set

$18 at Amazon $28 at Walmart View on Zyliss.com

A paring knife is a versatile tool that can streamline any cook’s vegetable prep. During our tests of the best paring knives, we loved this affordable set because it’s durable and lightweight. With one standard knife and one serrated knife, each piece comes with a sheath for safety, while helping to keep the blades sharp. The rubberized handles provide a stable non-slip grip for easy maneuvering.

Microplane Classic Series Zester

$18 $17 at Amazon $18 at Williams Sonoma $18 at Sur La Table

Whether you're zesting a lemon, grating a garlic clove, or grinding nutmeg, a microplane is a multifunctional tool that can do it all. This full-size microplane is perfect for larger ingredients, like citrus and parmesan cheese, but it’s also great for smaller items like spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Named one of our picks for the best citrus zesters, we love these rasp graters because they have super-sharp blades that won't rust or dull.

Antonki Digital Kitchen Timer, 2-Pack

$8 at Amazon $12 at Walmart

This kitchen timer is super simple and functional, so home bakers can display it on their countertops without taking up too much space. The streamlined design is easy to use and operate, and we love that it comes in a pack of two. Lightweight, convenient, and portable, it even has a silent mode that lets you cook and bake even while on the phone or minding a sleeping baby.  

Frieling Magnetic Retro Kitchen Timer

$25 at Food52

If analog is more your giftee's style, we adore this magnetic kitchen timer. Choose from ten different colors, from classic cream and white to retro mint and light blue to modern navy or olive. It could not be simpler to use — simply turn the dial to start the timer. Oh, and since it's magnetic, you can place it on the fridge or oven for optimal display.

Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer

$27 at Amazon $29 at Wayfair $35 $29 at Walmart

One of the most useful gifts you can get for a home cook is a manual citrus juicer. “Never having to squeeze a citrus with my hands is nice,” says Patrick Miller, chef at Rucola in Brooklyn. Paul Einbud of The Morris in San Francisco agrees: “Use one of these and get the most out of your citrus.” Useful in the kitchen or at the bar, “it’s the ultimate tool to make fresh cocktails at home,” says Lynette Marrero, who, as the founder of Speed Rack, the world’s first all-female speed bartending competition, should know.

CucinaPro Pasta Drying Rack

$23 at Amazon $25 at Walmart View on Cucinapro.com

Making pasta at home is one of the best cooking projects. It’s fun for the whole family, and it yields a delicious result that’s easy to devour. If you love making pasta at home as much as we do, this drying rack is a fantastic way to dry fresh spaghetti, fettuccine, and linguine at home. It’s the best pasta drying rack out of all the options we tested because it’s affordable and sturdy. 

BS Bamboo Sushi Rolling Mat

$4 at Amazon

For any home cook who loves sushi, a bamboo sushi mat is a must-have. This super-affordable item makes it clean and easy to roll DIY sushi at home. It’s easy to use and clean, but for even better results, try wrapping it in plastic wrap before each use. 

Brightland Individual Mini Olive Oil and Vinegar

View on Brightland.co

Whether you're looking for a great host gift or something that's small enough to fit in a stocking, these miniature bottles of oil and vinegar from editor-loved brand Brightland are just the ticket. One of our editors was lucky enough to receive some samples to test out and loved them so much that they're getting them for family and friends as well. The 3.4-ounce containers come already "wrapped" in cute drawstring totes and slip right into stockings without stretching them out or weighing them down too much.

Le Creuset Stackable Ramekin

$18 at Amazon View on Le Creuset

While we'd love to be able to gift our loved ones with new Le Creuset Dutch ovens whenever we're invited over, that's not totally realistic. We like these little ramekins as perfect host gifts or stocking stuffers. Any busy cook knows you can never have enough small dishes lying around, and these ultra-durable ramekins can be used for anything from housing delicious dips to baking soufflé.