WIRED has updated its 2026 gift guide for cooks, and the useful bit for shoppers is the split: some picks are old-school kitchen hardware, while others are appliances with actual sensing and control systems rather than countertop theater.
The July 2026 update, according to WIRED, added Panasonic’s Japanese Microwave NN-SF57RM, a Keeki cleaning cloth for bakers, a baking cookbook, Totally Bamboo’s salt cellar, Great Jones’ handled cutting board and a kitchen lighter from Luma Flume. WIRED also said it trimmed the list and revised prices and listings.
The guide is aimed at home cooks who care about the process, not just the meal. That shows in the picks WIRED highlighted: cast iron, carbon steel, cutting surfaces and one microwave that tries to solve the classic problem of guessing cook times and then cleaning up the evidence.
The appliance pick does more than blink
Panasonic’s Japanese Microwave NN-SF57RM is listed at $430 through Panasonic and Amazon. WIRED’s Matthew Korfhage said the oven uses an infrared “Genius 2.0” sensor to read food temperature at 64 points inside the chamber. The microwave stops when the food reaches temperature, so the user does not have to enter a cook time.
Korfhage said he tested the microwave with frozen meals, leftovers, marshmallows, infrared thermometers and thermal paper. His finding: the middle of the oven stayed within 5 degrees, despite the lack of a turntable. He also reported that it melted butter without making it erupt and defrosted meat without cooking it. That is the kind of claim that deserves testing, and WIRED says it did some.
The classics still dominate
WIRED’s top classic cookware pick is the Staub La Cocotte 4-quart Dutch oven, listed at $249 at Amazon, with a 7-quart version listed at $380 at Williams Sonoma. Korfhage pointed to the pot’s cast-iron build, familiar shape and self-basting cones under the lid. WIRED described it as durable and versatile, with the sort of lifespan that can run for decades.
For cast iron in skillet form, WIRED recommends the Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet, listed at $165 at Amazon and Field Company. Scott Gilbertson wrote that Field Company machines the skillet after casting, giving it balance while keeping weight lower than many competitors. He also noted that it arrives preseasoned, though users still need to build up a smoother seasoning layer with use. Cast iron is still not magic, despite what pan people on the internet imply.
WIRED also mentioned Finex’s cast-iron pan, listed at $250 with a lid, as a more distinctive alternative. Gilbertson cited its polished and preseasoned finish, octagonal shape for pouring from multiple angles and spiral handle, which he said stayed cool for at least half an hour in his use.
Smaller tools get attention
Totally Bamboo’s Salt Cellar, listed at $12 at Amazon, is one of the cheaper additions. Gilbertson said a salt box near the stove can improve day-to-day cooking, and he preferred bamboo after cracking a porcelain salt cellar and finding a chip in the salt.
Great Jones’ All Aboard Cutting Board, listed at $60, made the list for more practical reasons. WIRED’s Louryn Strampe said it is oversized but still fits shallow counters and narrow cupboards. She cited its textured surface, juice groove and handle, which lets her carry chopped vegetables to the stove without repeated trips.
At the high end, WIRED picked Steelport’s 8-inch carbon steel chef’s knife, listed at $400. Korfhage said its blade reaches 65 HRC hardness for edge retention, while the spine is kept softer for durability. He also noted the blade’s two-tone patina from a coffee cure. WIRED’s caveat is the obvious one: carbon steel needs prompt wiping and drying to avoid rust.
The through line is plain enough. WIRED’s guide favors gifts cooks may not buy for themselves: a better pan, a sharper knife, a less dumb microwave or a small counter tool that removes friction from dinner. That is more useful than another gadget pretending Bluetooth belongs in soup.
This story draws on original reporting from WIRED.
