8 Smart Gadgets That Connect to Your Phone and Save Time

Review
By Molly Morgan

Technology has transformed our kitchens into smart cooking spaces that work harder so we don’t have to. Modern appliances now connect directly to your smartphone, letting you control cooking from anywhere in your home. Gone are the days of standing over hot stoves or guessing when food is ready. These connected devices handle the timing, temperature control, and monitoring while you focus on other important tasks throughout your day.

1. Smart Air Fryer / Smart Oven Combo

© 9to5Toys

Smart air fryer ovens make this dream a reality by connecting to dedicated mobile apps that control every cooking function.

You can preheat the unit, adjust temperatures, set timers, and even receive notifications when your meal reaches perfection. Many models include preset cooking programs for popular foods like chicken wings, french fries, and vegetables.

The convenience factor skyrockets when you realize you can monitor cooking progress through your phone’s camera integration, ensuring nothing burns while you help kids with homework upstairs.

2. Smart Instant Pot / WiFi Pressure Cooker

© Epicurious

Meal prep becomes effortless when your pressure cooker thinks ahead for you. WiFi-enabled Instant Pots connect to your smartphone, allowing remote control of cooking cycles from anywhere with internet access.

Start slow-cooking a roast during your lunch break, and arrive home to perfectly tender meat. The app sends push notifications when cooking phases complete, preventing overcooking disasters that ruin expensive ingredients.

Built-in recipe databases suggest cooking times and temperatures based on ingredients you select. Safety features include automatic pressure release and temperature monitoring, giving you peace of mind while multitasking around the house.

3. Smart Coffee Makers

© CNET

Morning routines get smoother when your coffee maker anticipates your wake-up schedule. Smart coffee machines connect to phone apps that let you program brewing times, adjust strength settings, and start fresh pots remotely.

Set your coffee to begin brewing five minutes before your alarm goes off, ensuring hot coffee waits when you stumble to the kitchen. Some models integrate with smart home systems, automatically starting when your phone’s GPS detects you’re heading home.

Advanced features include water level monitoring, filter replacement reminders, and custom brewing profiles for different family members. Never face a morning without perfectly brewed coffee again.

4. Smart Scale / Digital Measuring Scale

© Alibaba.com

Precision cooking reaches new heights when your kitchen scale talks directly to recipe apps on your phone. Smart scales eliminate guesswork by connecting to databases of ingredients and nutritional information.

Place ingredients on the scale, and your phone automatically calculates nutritional values, adjusts recipe portions, and tracks dietary goals. Many scales work with popular cooking apps, highlighting exactly how much of each ingredient to add.

Baking becomes foolproof since these devices measure ingredients to the gram, ensuring consistent results every time. Some models even suggest ingredient substitutions when you’re missing items, making last-minute cooking decisions stress-free and efficient.

5. WiFi-Enabled Microwave or Countertop Oven

© The New York Times

Reheating leftovers transforms from guesswork into precision science with WiFi-connected microwaves and countertop ovens. These appliances connect to smartphone apps that store optimal heating settings for different food types.

Scan barcodes of frozen meals, and your microwave automatically selects perfect power levels and timing. Voice control integration lets you start cooking while your hands stay busy with other kitchen tasks.

Advanced models include internal cameras that let you monitor food through your phone screen, preventing overcooking mishaps. Smart sensors detect moisture levels and adjust cooking times automatically, ensuring evenly heated meals without cold spots or dried-out edges every single time.

6. Smart Meat Thermometer (Bluetooth or WiFi)

© Serious Eats

Grilling anxiety disappears when wireless thermometers monitor meat temperatures while you socialize with guests. Bluetooth and WiFi meat thermometers send real-time temperature data directly to your smartphone.

Set target temperatures for different cuts of meat, and receive alerts when food reaches perfect doneness levels. Multiple probe models let you monitor several items simultaneously, perfect for large family gatherings.

Temperature graphs show cooking progress over time, helping you understand heat patterns and improve future cooking sessions. Range extends up to 300 feet for some wireless models, letting you check steak temperatures while relaxing indoors during long smoking sessions.

7. Smart Sous-Vide Immersion Circulator

© Serious Eats

Restaurant-quality cooking becomes accessible when immersion circulators maintain precise water temperatures through smartphone control. Sous-vide cooking ensures perfectly cooked proteins every single time by eliminating temperature fluctuations.

Start cooking from work by remotely activating your circulator, timing arrival with meal completion. Built-in recipe databases suggest optimal temperatures and cooking times for various ingredients, taking guesswork out of this precision cooking method.

Notifications alert you when water reaches target temperature and when cooking cycles complete. Some models include timer functions that automatically shut off heating elements, preventing overcooking even if you get distracted by other activities around the house.

8. Smart Kitchen Inventory / Smart Fridge Monitoring

© Kartik Mehta’s Blog

Grocery shopping becomes strategic when smart sensors track food inventory and expiration dates automatically. Smart fridge monitors and pantry sensors connect to phone apps that maintain real-time lists of available ingredients.

Receive notifications before milk expires or when you’re running low on frequently used items. Barcode scanning features let you quickly add new purchases to your digital inventory system.

Meal planning apps integrate with inventory data, suggesting recipes based on ingredients you already own. Some systems connect to grocery delivery services, automatically ordering replacements for items running low. Never waste food due to forgotten expiration dates or make unnecessary duplicate purchases again.