There's a certain kind of kitchen gadget that promises to change your life and ends up living in the back of a drawer within a fortnight. We've all bought one. We're not doing that here.
This list is the result of testing, using, and actually cooking with budget kitchen tools available from Aussie retailers — Kmart, Aldi, Target, Amazon AU and the supermarkets. Every pick on this list earns its drawer space.
All under $50. Most under $30. All genuinely useful.
1. Digital Kitchen Scale — $12–$18
Where to buy: Kmart, Amazon AU
A kitchen scale is the single most useful tool for becoming a better cook and baker. Measuring by weight instead of cups is faster, more accurate, and means less washing up. A basic digital scale from Kmart does everything you need — tare function, grams and ounces, and a flat surface that's easy to clean.
If you bake at all — bread, cakes, biscuits — this is non-negotiable.
What to look for: At least 1g precision, tare function, a surface big enough for a bowl.
2. Microplane Grater / Fine Zester — $15–$25
Where to buy: Kitchen Warehouse, Amazon AU, Harris Scarfe
This is one of those tools that seems unnecessary until you use it and then wonder how you managed without it. A fine microplane turns hard parmesan into a cloud of cheese, zests citrus in seconds, and grates ginger and garlic so fine it practically melts into whatever you're cooking.
The cheap flat graters from the supermarket do none of these things well. A proper microplane is worth every cent.
Best budget pick: Amazon AU has well-reviewed options from $15.
3. Silicone Spatula Set — $10–$16
Where to buy: Kmart, Target, Aldi
A good silicone spatula does three jobs: scrapes bowls clean (saves so much batter and sauce), folds ingredients gently, and handles heat without melting. Buy a set with at least two sizes — a small one for jars and a large one for mixing bowls and pans.
The Kmart silicone spatula set is legitimately one of the best value kitchen purchases you can make. They've lasted multiple years of daily use.
4. Instant-Read Thermometer — $15–$30
Where to buy: Kmart, Amazon AU, Big W
Stop guessing whether chicken is cooked through. An instant-read thermometer removes all the anxiety from cooking meat and means you'll never serve undercooked chicken or overdone steak again. Probe in, three seconds, done.
They're also brilliant for candy making, bread baking (checking dough temperature), and deep frying (checking oil temperature).
Quick reference: Chicken is safe at 75°C internal. Medium steak is around 58–60°C. Medium-well is 65–68°C.
5. Vegetable Peeler — $4–$10
Where to buy: Kmart, Woolworths, Coles, Target
This sounds obvious but the peeler you already own might be making your life harder than it needs to be. A sharp Y-peeler (the kind shaped like a U, not a straight blade) is dramatically faster and more comfortable than a traditional straight peeler, especially for large vegetables like pumpkin and sweet potato.
Replace your old peeler. It costs $4 and it'll change how much you enjoy prep work.
6. Garlic Press — $8–$20
Where to buy: Kmart, Target, Amazon AU
Mincing garlic with a knife takes skill and time. A garlic press gives you uniformly fine garlic in five seconds with almost no mess. The better ones don't even require you to peel the clove first — you just chuck it in and press.
Look for one with a cleaning brush or teeth on the back of the pressing plate — these are far easier to clean.
7. Mandoline Slicer — $20–$40
Where to buy: Kmart, Amazon AU, Kitchen Warehouse
Thin, uniform slices of potato for a gratin, cucumber for a salad, or zucchini for a stir-fry — a mandoline does in 30 seconds what takes five minutes with a knife. They're one of those tools that feels unnecessary until you use one.
Important: Use the hand guard. Every time. Mandolines are genuinely sharp and the injuries are not worth it.
Budget pick: The Kmart mandoline at around $20 is solid for home use.
8. Silicone Baking Mat — $12–$20
Where to buy: Kmart, Amazon AU, Target
If you bake anything — biscuits, roasted vegetables, pastry — a silicone baking mat replaces baking paper entirely. Nothing sticks, it cleans with a quick wipe, and it lasts for years. The environmental and cost savings over disposable baking paper add up quickly.
Buy one that fits your oven tray exactly — measure before you order.
9. Bench Scraper — $8–$15
Where to buy: Kitchen Warehouse, Amazon AU
Ask any professional baker what their most-used tool is and a surprising number will say a bench scraper. It moves and portions dough, cleans your bench by scraping flour and debris straight into the bin, cuts soft things like butter and soft cheese cleanly, and transfers chopped vegetables from board to pan in one swipe.
It's one of those tools that has no obvious single use but ends up being used constantly.
10. Salad Spinner — $15–$30
Where to buy: Kmart, Target, Big W
Wet lettuce makes sad salad. A salad spinner dries leaves in seconds and — this is the lesser-known benefit — stores them in the fridge in the same bowl, keeping them crisp for days. The Kmart one at around $15 is genuinely good and takes up minimal space.
If you eat salad at all, this is worth it.
11. Kitchen Scissors — $10–$20
Where to buy: Kmart, Target, Amazon AU
Not craft scissors. Proper kitchen scissors with a strong blade and a comfortable grip. Good kitchen scissors cut pizza faster than a wheel, snip herbs directly into a dish, cut spring onions and chives without a board, break down a whole chicken far more easily than a knife, and cut bacon into lardons cleanly.
Look for ones that come apart for washing — this matters more than you'd think.
12. Compact Stick Blender — $25–$45
Where to buy: Kmart, Big W, Target, Harvey Norman
A stick blender (also called an immersion blender) blends soups and sauces directly in the pot, makes smoothies, whips cream, and blends salad dressings in a jar without the faff of a full blender and all its washing up. The Kmart stick blender at around $25 is genuinely capable for everyday use.
If you make soup even twice a year it pays for itself in convenience. If you make soup weekly it's one of the best kitchen investments you can make.
Where to Buy Budget Kitchen Gadgets in Australia
Kmart is the first stop for most items — their homeware and kitchen range has improved significantly and the prices are unbeatable for everyday tools. Target and Big W fill similar territory with slightly different ranges.
Kitchen Warehouse is worth checking for specific tools like microplanes, bench scrapers and baking equipment — they run frequent sales and have a wider specialist range than the majors.
Amazon AU is best for anything specific you can't find locally and often has competitive pricing with fast delivery, especially if you have Prime.
Aldi special buys occasionally include excellent kitchen tools at very low prices — it's worth watching the weekly catalogue.
Do You Really Need More Gadgets?
Honest answer: you need fewer gadgets than you think, but the right ones make a real difference. The list above is deliberately focused on tools that earn daily use rather than single-purpose appliances that look exciting and sit unused.
If you're starting from scratch, buy in this order: scale, silicone spatulas, thermometer, good peeler. Everything else adds up over time.
Happy cooking. 🍳
What kitchen gadgets are worth buying in Australia on a budget?
A digital scale, silicone spatula set, instant-read thermometer and a good Y-peeler are the four tools that will make the biggest difference to everyday cooking for the least money. All are available from Kmart or Big W for under $15 each.
Where can I buy cheap kitchen gadgets in Australia?
Kmart, Target, Big W and Aldi are the best starting points for budget kitchen tools. Kitchen Warehouse is worth checking for specialist items, and Amazon AU often has good prices with fast delivery.
What is the most useful cheap kitchen gadget?
A digital kitchen scale is consistently the most useful affordable tool — it makes baking more accurate, cooking faster and washing up lighter. Available from Kmart for around $12.
Are Kmart kitchen gadgets good quality?
For everyday home cooking, yes. Kmart's kitchen tools are solid for the price point — particularly their scales, silicone spatulas, mandoline and stick blender. They won't last decades like a premium brand but they perform well for several years of regular use.
How do I choose the best cheap version of popular kitchen gadgets in Australia?
Focus on the function, not the brand. For most tools — peelers, spatulas, scales, graters — a $10 version from Kmart does 90% of what a $60 version does. The exceptions where it's worth spending more: knives, pans and anything with a motor.
Which kitchen gadgets are the best value for money for home cooks in Australia?
The best value kitchen gadgets for Australian home cooks are a digital scale ($12–$18 at Kmart), silicone spatula set ($10–$16), instant-read meat thermometer ($15–$30), and a Y-shaped vegetable peeler ($4–$10). These four tools cover the most common cooking tasks and are available from any major Australian retailer.
What are the best affordable kitchen gadgets for everyday cooking in Australia?
For everyday cooking, the most useful affordable gadgets are: a silicone spatula set for frying and baking, kitchen scissors for prep work, a stick blender for soups and sauces, a salad spinner for fresh salads, and a garlic press. All are available from Kmart, Target or Big W for under $30 each.
🛍️ Shop These Kitchen Gadgets
Everything on this list is available from Kmart, Big W, Target or Amazon AU. Click through to find the best current price.
📌 Affiliate disclosure: Tuckara may earn a small commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you.