8 of the best meat thermometers, tried and tested
Want to achieve succulent meat, cooked exactly to your liking, every time? Discover our guide to the top meat thermometers on the market, from smart wireless gadgets to low-tech options
For juicy, succulent roasts, a meat thermometer is a kitchen must. It takes the guesswork out of reaching that perfect level of doneness, so if you're looking forward to a medium-rare fillet of beef, that's exactly what you get. When hosting visitors for Sunday lunch, you can also check a big bird is cooked, taking the stress out of whether it's safe to eat, with the knowledge that the meat will still be tender and moist. Our expert reviews team has put a range of meat thermometers to the test. Read on to find out which models made the cut, and discover roast dinner essentials in our guides to the best roasting tins, best baking trays, best casserole dishes, and best cast-iron cookware. The latest additions were tested and reviewed by Annie Collyer. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best meat thermometers at a glance Best meat thermometer for app compatibility: Meater Pro, £129 Best meat thermometer: Chef iQ Sense double-probe meat thermometer, from £59.99 Best wireless meat thermometer: Ninja ProChef wireless thermometer, £89.99 Best meat thermometer for ease of use: Cosori Smart wireless meat thermometer, £99.99 Best instant-read meat thermometer: Thermapen Professional, £79.99 Best leave-in meat thermometer: Meater+, £84.99 Best budget meat thermometer: OXO Good Grips digital thermometer, £21.25 Best basic meat thermometer: Heston Blumenthal Precision by Salter meat thermometer, £20 Jump to: Best meat thermometers to buy in 2026 Which type of meat thermometer should you buy? How to use a digital thermometer for meat How we tested meat thermometers We tested 12 meat thermometers in total, putting each one through the same set of tests. All were used to cook a classic roast chicken and a roasted salmon fillet following our own Good Food recipes, so results were comparable across the board. To assess responsiveness and accuracy, we inserted each probe into boiling water - a known reference point of 100C - then immediately transferred it to cold water, timing how quickly the temperature reading changed with a stopwatch. We scored each thermometer on the following criteria: Accuracy: Each thermometer was tested against the 100C boiling water benchmark to see how precise the readings were Readability: We looked for thermometers where the display was clear and easy to read at a glance, particularly important for instant-read models mid-cook Ease of use: A meat thermometer is a kitchen staple and shouldn't require poring over the instructions Storage: With kitchen drawers already crowded, we favoured designs that were slim and practical to store Value for money: Our sample ranged from £3 to £129 and we gave extra points to thermometers that delivered strong results relative to their cost Best meat thermometers to buy in 2026 Meater Pro Available from Meater (£129), Currys (£129.99) Best meat thermometer for app compatibility Pros: Slim design – perfect for a drawer Magnetic bamboo charging case included Dishwasher-safe Recipes on offer in app Max temperature 550°C Cons: No temperature display – only via app High RRP at £129 Star rating: 5/5 At £129 this is the most expensive thermometer in this guide, but it's a genuinely impressive piece of kit. The slim stainless steel probe houses six smart sensors and comes with a magnetic bamboo charging case - just five minutes in the case gives enough power for a two-hour cook. It's also dishwasher-safe, which at this price feels like a thoughtful touch. The Meater app is where it earns its badge. It guides you through the entire cook, estimating time, sending alerts when you're nearly done, when to take the meat out and when to rest it - removing the guesswork entirely. It does take a little while to generate the cooking time estimate initially, which can make planning sides tricky, but once it does the guidance is precise. Tested on a whole chicken and salmon, results were excellent - juicy, evenly cooked and with temperature recommendations tailored to your preference. With a maximum ambient temperature of 550C it can handle open-fire and barbecue cooking too, which sets it apart from more straightforward kitchen thermometers. A serious tool for serious cooks. Specifications: Leave in oven - Up to 550C Analogue or digital - Digital Needs an app - Yes Available from: Meater (£129) Currys (£129.99) Chef iQ Sense meat thermometer Available from Amazon (from £59.99) Best meat thermometer Pros: Includes two probes Intuitive app with thorough guidance 40-hour battery life with ultra-fast charging Visual and audible alerts Cons: Unable to see detailed view of both probes simultaneously within the app Star rating: 5/5 It's rare to find a dual-probe meat thermometer that allows you to track two food items at once, but this clever Chef iQ gadget is more than up to the task. It's operated via the Chef iQ app, which is packed with customisable features, how-to videos, recipes and step-by-step instructions, with options for poultry, red meat, veggies, plant-based proteins and even wild game. From there, you can select a specific cut of meat, fish or vegetable and the level of 'doneness' you'd like to achieve, with the recommended temperature listed next to it. As the probes are wireless, the Smart Hub (in which the probes sit) will need a quick charge when you unbox it. However, when we say quick, we really mean it: after less than 10 minutes, we found both probes were almost at full power. Both probes are 12cm long, have sharp ends and are slimline enough that they don't leave gaping holes behind. They're safe to use in an oven, air fryer or deep fryer, and can handle temperatures up to 400C. In test, we found tracking the temperature and resting time of two different cuts of steak remarkably simple, and with audible and visual alerts all the way through, we felt comfortable putting our trust in the on-screen guidance rather than following the packet instructions. To our delight, both probes were spot on. If we're being very picky, we'd like to be able to see a detailed view of both probes at the same time while using the app, but that's really nitpicking. The Chef iQ Sense thermometer was a joy to use, and should you prefer it, there's also a single-probe set and a triple-probe set available. Specifications: Leave in oven – yes, up to 400C Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Amazon (from £59.99) undefined Ninja ProChef wireless thermometer Available from Amazon (£89.99) Best wireless meat thermometer Pros: 30-hour battery life with rechargeable case Easy to clean Suitable for outdoor use Heat-resistant up to 370C Compatible app with live updates Cons: More expensive than others on the market Material around the charging portal scratches easily Star rating: 5/5 This wireless thermometer from Ninja comes with a rechargeable case and compatible app, where you'll find settings for chicken, beef, pork, turkey, lamb, veal, fish, duck and plant-based ingredients, plus a manual mode. We used a coin to twist open the charging portal, as is suggested in the manual, but found it was quite stiff and the material scratched easily. A battery is included and you'll need to charge the probe at least an hour before use, though conveniently it will stay charged for up to 30 hours. We put the thermometer to the test by cooking a small whole chicken, then a rump steak, and had no trouble inserting the sharp probe into each piece of meat. Whenever you leave the thermometer in, the app will give live updates on the current temperature of the food as it cooks. In test we found it had some trouble identifying how much cooking time was left, but the probe was able to correctly identify when both pieces of meat were perfectly done. Specifications: Leave in oven – yes, up to 370C Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Amazon (£89.99) undefined Cosori Smart wireless meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£94.99), Cosori (£99.99) Best meat thermometer for ease of use Pros: Intuitive app with visible and audible alerts Fast, accurate reading Compact design Heat-resistant up to 300C Cons: More expensive than similar models Star rating: 4.5/5 As smart meat thermometers go, this model from Cosori is by far one of the easiest we've ever used. It connects to and is controlled via the VeSync app, which is simple to navigate and comes with a range of options for different types and cuts of meat, plus a manual mode. You can adjust various settings in the app, like audible alerts, unit of measurement (celsius or fahrenheit) and whether you want to keep the screen on during cooking. There are also reminders for flipping and resting that can be switched on/off, plus clear safety instructions that flash up before you start cooking. In test, we had some trouble getting the app to calculate the time remaining, but the internal food temperature and ambient temperature are displayed very clearly. You can even change the target temperature after you've started. The results were excellent. Our steak was medium-rare as intended, while the whole chicken we roasted was juicy and perfectly cooked through. Our only niggle with this thermometer is the price: the RRP is higher than other, potentially flashier models on the market, and doesn't appear to offer anything extra. This aside, it's an impressive piece of kit that's reliable and accurate. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Amazon (£94.99) Cosori (£99.99) undefined Thermapen Professional Available from Amazon (£79.99) Best instant-read meat thermometer Pros: Quick and easy to read Straightforward Accurate Cons: Limited features This thermometer simply reads the temperature of meat. There's no on/off button; it springs into life when you open the probe, and turns itself off when you close it or after a couple of minutes of inactivity to save the battery. The probe extends out of the body and folds back easily into place for storage. Thermapens are individually calibrated for extra reassurance and we found it consistently accurate. We would have liked a guide to suggested temperature for meats on the thermometer, however. The thermometer boasts a very clear display, which takes just a few seconds to find the temperature. The display rotates (like a smartphone) so you can always read it easily without having to crane your neck. It only needs to go 3mm into the meat so worked effectively on smaller pieces likes chicken thighs. We also liked the fact that the tip is very small, so you're not left with a big hole in the meat. This is nice to hold and satisfyingly chunky in the hand. It wouldn't take up much space in the drawer but wouldn't be easy to lose either as it comes in a range of vibrant colours (ours was red). There's a sensor that turns on if the ambient light is too dim. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – no Available from: Amazon (£79.99) Latest Deals Meater+ meat thermometer Available from Currys (£84.99), Robert Dyas (£90.99) Best leave-in meat thermometer Pros: Wireless Great app Cons: Very expensive You can get an app for just about everything these days – yes, even one that measures the temperature of roast meat. When not in use, the clever little thermometer that goes with it sits in a box that charges the battery. When you want to use it, you have to connect it to the app. Tap the screen to choose your meat and how well you want it done and it will select the temperature it needs to be cooked at. You can also choose the temperature manually, if you prefer. The rather dinky probe needs to be inserted deeply into the meat, and from there, it relays readings wirelessly. We placed it at the top of a joint of beef and pushed it into the side of a chicken leg. The app tells you the current temperature of the meat as it's cooking, the target temperature, the oven temperature and how long there is to go, although it took a few minutes to calculate the latter. You'll get a five-minute warning before your meat is ready, and an alert to tell you when it's done (as it cheerily wishes you 'happy eating'). We were particularly impressed with the results of our roast beef, as it saved us from overcooking it – we decided to trust it, rather than the instructions on the packaging. Specifications: Leave in oven – yes, up to 275C Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Currys (£84.99) Robert Dyas (£90.99) OXO Good Grips Chef's Precision digital instant-read thermometer Available from Amazon (£16.68), Argos (£18), Harts of Stur (£21.25) Best budget meat thermometer Pros: Speedy reading Affordable price Thin probe Cons: Battery awkward to change This is a fast-acting digital thermometer that we found consistently accurate when testing beef, roast chicken thighs and a whole chicken. The head tilts into three different positions, making it easy to read, and the digital display is large and clear. Press a button at the top to turn it on or off and another at the back to switch between fahrenheit and celsius. We liked the size of this thermometer. The probe is thin but the chunky head means it's hard to lose in your utensil drawer, despite taking up minimal space. There's a protective sheath to slot it into for safety. The cover has cooking temperatures for red meat, ground meat, pork, ham and poultry, with different temperatures for different levels of doneness. There are also different temperature settings for thigh and breast meat when cooking poultry. General cooking times are listed on the other side for a ballpark figure. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – no Available from: Amazon (£16.68) Argos (£18) Harts of Stur (£21.25) Latest Deals Heston Blumenthal Precision Kitchen BBQ meat thermometer by Salter Available from Argos (£20) Best basic meat thermometer Pros: Good all-rounder Cons: Hard to switch between celsius and fahrenheit This is a straightforward instant-read digital thermometer that is designed to work on everything from your Sunday roast to a barbecue. Its long probe means you don't need to get too close to the heat on a barbie, and its removable waterproof silicone covering protects it from rain. The digital display is easy to read and the main part of the unit is satisfyingly chunky in the hand and comfortable to hold. There's a big, easy to use on/off button and the probe comes with a protective sheath. The thermometer itself was pretty speedy to use and, overall, this is a well designed piece of kit. The only downside is the difficulty of changing between celsius and fahrenheit. The switch is located in the battery compartment, so you need to remove the silicone cover, take off the back of the battery compartment and remove the batteries to access it. This will only be a problem is you like to know both temperatures; if you usually work in one or the other, you can just set it and leave it. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – no Available from: Argos (£20) Latest Deals Which type of meat thermometer should you buy? We tested a variety of types, and which one you choose depends on what you like to cook. In-oven thermometers: These can be ideal if you want to be able to see what the temperature is without having to take things in and out of the oven. Analogue models: These tend to be bulky so aren't as good for small pieces of meat like chicken thighs. You'll need to have an oven with a working light to be able to read these (or open the oven door). Probe thermometers: These come with a probe which you insert when you put your meat in the oven and are attached by heat-resistant wire to the unit, which stays outside (they are usually magnetic so attach to the oven). This means you can read the temperature at any time just by glancing at the unit. They will show you the temperature of your meat and beep when it’s ready. If you are constantly opening the oven, for instance to baste, these can get in the way. Instant read thermometers: Take your meat out the oven and insert the thermometer. These come in both analogue and digital. Some simply tell you the temperature, while others show requirements for different meats so you can see at a glance if your turkey, for instance, is cooked. Most show you the temperature in both celsius and fahrenheit, or allow you to switch between them. Thermometers with apps: These are probes you put in the oven and connect to an app on your phone. You can set your desired temperature through the app. How to use a meat thermometer To get the most accurate reading with a digital thermometer, it needs to be inserted into the middle of the thickest part of the meat. If inserted too little or too far, the reading won't be accurate. For joints of meat that are on the bone, like a rib of beef or leg of lamb, make sure the tip of the thermometer isn’t in contact with the bone, or you'll get the temperature of the bone rather than the meat. For pieces of meat cooking on the barbecue or in a pan, it’s best to measure the temperature out of the pan, so you don’t get the residual temperature from the hot surface. For whole chickens and other birds, the most accurate place to take the temperature is the thickest part of the thigh, in the gap between the thigh and the breast, again, avoiding the bone. Once you are happy with where you've placed your thermometer, always wait for the temperature to stop fluctuating to get an accurate reading. Another thing to take into consideration, especially with large joints of meat or whole birds, is that the temperature will rise by at least another 5C as the meat rests, so if you're after a certain temperature, you're better to be slightly under. Related reviews Best roasting tins Best baking trays Best air fryers Best casserole dishes Best cast-iron skillets and pans Best cast-iron cookware Best gas barbecues Best charcoal barbecues Best pressure cookers Best slow cookers Best toasters Best dehydrators Best hand blenders Best oven thermometers Do you swear by your meat thermometer? Leave a comment below...
Save yourself money by bringing a packed lunch to work or school every day with these tried-and-tested leakproof lunch boxes
If you regularly take lunch to work or pack one when you’re on a day trip, a lunch box is infinitely superior to wrapping your sarnie in foil or using a single-use sandwich bag. Insulated lunch boxes will also keep food cooler, safer temperatures for longer; great for picnics or chilled bottles. Using a lunch box is better for the environment, will save you money in the long run and avoids the annoyance of squashed sandwiches. You don’t have to think about borrowing your kids' Star Wars lunch box either – there are lots of stylish or just plain effective options for adults. There is no right or wrong type of lunch box to buy, but try to make sure that you get one made without BPA and one that doesn't leak is crucial. Read on to discover our best lunch boxes to buy, and visit our product reviews hub to find reviews of reusable coffee cups, water bottles and personalised water bottles. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best lunch boxes at a glance Best lunch box overall: Black + Blum stainless-steel lunch box, £29.99 Best multi-compartment lunch box: Tefal MasterSeal To Go food storage 1.2-litre lunch box, £15.48 Best stainless-steel lunch box: Life's a Beach Stainless Steel Lunch Box, £15 Best insulated lunch box: Tatay 5-Piece Urban Lunch Pack with 4 Food Containers, £17.59 Best lunch box for hot food: Mepal Ellipse Leak-Proof Lunch Pot, £16.99 How we tested lunch boxes No leaks: We filled each box with salad and olive oil before shaking and turning them upside down. We also put the boxes in bags and swung them about as we walked before checking them for leaks. Clever features: Does the box have removable compartments, keep your lunch cold, or come with a knife and fork? Easy to use: No one wants to waste precious lunchtime minutes wrestling to open their lunch box. We checked for easy-to-open clasps and smoothly opening boxes. Size: We looked for lunch boxes that were big enough to hold a grown-up lunch, and gave bonus points to ones that managed to do that without being too bulky. Style: We were pleasantly surprised by how attractive some of the lunch boxes were and awarded marks for this. Value for money: There was a big price range, but the most important question was whether the boxes merited their price tag. Jump to: Best lunch boxes to buy in 2026 How to choose a lunch box Best lunch boxes to buy in 2026 Black + Blum stainless steel lunch box Available from Amazon (£29.99) Best lunch box overall Pros: Stylish with great features Leakproof design Freezer-safe Cons: Pricey This lunch box is really cleverly designed. It's stainless steel, with a brightly coloured silicone strap (we had an orange one, but it also comes in blue or green). The strap also holds a stainless steel fork on the outside of the box. There's a removable divider that slides up and down to make two compartments of whatever size you fancy. Unusually, you can put the base section in the oven. It's also safe to use in the freezer, so when not pressed into service as a lunch box, it can be used for freezer meals. However, it's not microwaveable, and is only partially dishwasher-safe (the lid and strap should be hand-washed). The box is lovely to look at and despite having no clips, is leakproof. It seals with a valve that you open and close. We packed a salad and liberally drizzled olive oil over it before turning the lunch box upside down and swinging it about a bit, but it didn’t leak a drop. We also checked to see if it was big enough for a sandwich. It needed to be cut in half, but the box was tall enough for the sandwich halves to be stacked on top of each other. There was room for a small salad too. undefined Tefal MasterSeal To Go food storage 1.2-litre lunch box Available from Amazon (£15.48) Best multi-compartment lunch box Pros: Good size Versatile Dishwasher-safe Cons: No individual lids on compartments This multi-compartment lunch box is designed for flexibility. There's one large compartment and two smaller ones. All of these sit inside the main box, so you can remove some or all of the compartments if you want a bigger space. The whole lunch box sits on a plate, which helps stop crumbs getting all over your keyboard when you’re eating at your desk. The box is sealed with four long clasps, and a very broad strap keeps it together. The lunch box passed our drip test admirably, with not a drop of olive oil seeping through – living up to the '100% leakproof' claim on the packaging. It also comes with a 30-year guarantee for good measure. It ticks all the boxes, as it’s BPA-free and is safe to use in the freezer, microwave and dishwasher. We fitted a sizeable homemade roll in the main compartment, with carrot and dried apricots in the other two. It’s easy to open and close, and the lime-coloured compartments, plate and seal are eye-catching too. Available from: Amazon (£15.48) Life's a Beach stainless-steel lunch box Available from ProCook (£15) Best stainless-steel lunch box Pros: Durable Generous 1.25 litre capacity Silicone band holds the lid shut for lasting freshness and no leakage 10% goes to help keep Britain's beaches and waterways clean 1-year guarantee Cons: Only one compartment Not dishwasher or microwave safe This simple and stylish lunch box is designed with a generous 1.25 litre capacity. The lunch box container is made from stainless steel, making it durable. However, it only has one compartment, making it perfect for lunches such as sandwiches, but not great if you want to hold multiple food items. If you wanted a salad for lunch, you would need to store any salad dressings separately to prevent soggy leaves. The silicone band that holds the lid to the bottom of the container allows for lasting freshness and ensures no leakage when you’re on-the-go. The lid is made of bamboo, which is considered a highly sustainable resource due to its growth rate. 10% of the sales on ‘Life’s a Beach’ brand also go towards keeping Britain’s beaches and waterways clean, so you’re helping out by not adding to the growing waste of single use-plastic implements, and you’re also investing in finding a solution to the problem. Available from: ProCook (£15) undefined Tatay 5-piece urban lunch pack with 4 food containers Available from Lakeland (£17.59) Best insulated lunch box Pros: Contains four food containers Tough outer fabric Twin zips and shoulder strap Bag has 3-litre capacity Lakeland 3-year guarantee included Freezer, microwave (with lid off) and dishwasher-safe Cons: Bulky If you’re looking for a lunch box that could double as your bag, then this urban black lunch bag by Tatay is the one for you. Practicality meets elegance with the woven carry handle and adjustable shoulder strap, making the Urban Lunch Pack effortlessly portable. The mesh pocket holds your cutlery or napkins, while the exterior pocket (with a secure hook and loop strip) keeps your phone or wallet accessible and safe. However, it could be a lot to carry if you’re already sporting a work bag with a laptop. Inside, there's four robust food canisters. Keep your sweet treats separate from savoury with two 500ml oblong tubs featuring press-on/peel-off lids. Additionally, two 200ml round pots with secure screw-top lids ensure leak-free transportation of your favourite sauces or dressings. Tatay's attention-to-detail shines through in the triple-layer insulation, ensuring your lunch maintains its desired temperature. Plus, the tough woven polyester exterior adds durability to your daily companion. Enhance its cooling capabilities by adding a freezer block, so your meals will stay fresh for hours. Available from: Lakeland (£17.59) undefined Mepal Ellipse Leak-Proof Lunch Pot Available from John Lewis & Partners (£16.99) Best lunch box for hot food Pros: Can be stored in the fridge or freezer The large compartment is microwave safe Made from 100% BPA-free plastic Cons: Can't fit sandwiches Lid is very small Embrace the convenience of the Mepal lunch pot's fridge and freezer storage capabilities. Your meals stay fresher for longer, ready to be heated in the microwave's spacious compartment when hunger strikes. It's not just a lunch container, it's a complete meal solution. Cleaning up is a breeze with its dishwasher-safe design, making it a perfect fit for busy lifestyles. Whether it's a work lunch, on-the-go meal or picnic, this lunch pot has you covered. An effortless twist reveals a smaller compartment, which is a great way to keep your foods separate and flavours intact. The lid is perfect for holding accompaniments to soup too, such as croutons or dried chickpeas. However, it’s too small to store a separate course, such as a salad. Crafted in the Netherlands with the highest standards, the Mepal lunch pot is proudly made from 100% BPA-free plastic, prioritising your health and the environment too. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£16.99) undefined How to choose a lunchbox Use: First of all, think about what you will use it for. If it’s just for a sandwich, you don’t need to worry too much about leaks, but if you like a salad with dressing, it’s important to find one that is airtight. Capacity: How big is your average lunch? Larger boxes will hold more substantial lunches, but also take up more space in your bag. Compartments: Fancy a sandwich, salad and some fruit too? If you don’t want it all mixed up together, search for one with compartments. Some of the boxes in our sample had adjustable dividers so you could move them around to make the compartments work for you. We also tested bento boxes, which often have two or three completely separate containers. Insulation: Some lunch boxes are insulated, so if you tend to have lunches that need to be kept cool, opt for one of these. Do you like taking leftovers to work? If you want to take last night’s curry to the office, find a lunch box that can go in the microwave. Style: Finally, think about style. If you’re going to use it every day, you might as well find a lunch box that you find attractive. You might prefer a no-nonsense, rugged lunch box, or you might prefer a model that’s so sophisticated, you become the envy of the office. Do you want one with a pretty pattern, or a see-through box so you can gaze hungrily at its contents? Lunch box recipes Inspirational lunch box recipes How to pack the ultimate lunch box Top 10 things to put in your lunch box How to pack a healthy lunch box School packed lunch inspiration Quick lunch ideas for work Related reviews Best personalised water bottles Best kids' lunch boxes Best water bottles Best microwaves Do you have a trusty lunch box you can't live without? Leave a comment below...
8 of the best picnic rucksacks to buy in 2025
Comfortable and convenient, a great-quality picnic rucksack is essential for al fresco dining on the go. Read our review of the best picnic rucksacks to buy
Whether you're spending quality time with family or catching up with friends, al fresco dining is an easy way to stay sociable. A picnic rucksack is a great fuss-free option if you’re looking for something to hold all the goods and sling over your shoulder. Or, perhaps you’re an outdoorsy type looking to get a few miles of hiking in before you stop for food. Whatever your needs, a picnic rucksack is a hands-free, travel-friendly alternative to picnic hampers. The rucksacks we tested include, as standard, cutlery and plates. But many also offer useful extras such as cups, bottle openers, napkins, cheese boards and knives, and even salt and pepper shakers. Some also come with picnic blankets, too. If you’re looking for something larger than a backpack or something more traditional, take a look at our best picnic baskets and hampers. Picnic rucksacks are a sustainable choice as there's no need to buy single-use cutlery or plates, ideal if you're looking to cut down or cut out your plastic use, or browse our picks of the best sustainable picnicware. For inspiration on what to include in your picnic rucksack take a look at our collection of picnic recipes, including vegetarian picnic recipes and vegan picnic recipes. You’ll also need something sturdy and leak-proof to store food in, so check out our roundup of the best food storage containers and best lunch boxes. Best picnic rucksacks at a glance Best picnic rucksack: VonShef Ash 2-person picnic backpack with blanket, £39.99 Best for big groups: VonShef 6-person navy tartan holdall, £44.99 Best picnic rucksack for feasts: VonShef 4-person picnic backpack, £44.99 Best compact rucksack: Regatta Stamford 4-person picnic cool bag, £43.50 Best blow-the-budget picnic rucksack: Fortnum’s 2-person canvas picnic backpack, £195 Best mid-priced rucksack: ProCook insulated picnic backpack, £34.30 Jump to: Best picnic rucksacks to buy in 2025 How to choose the best picnic rucksack How we tested picnic rucksacks Best picnic rucksacks to buy in 2025 VonShef 2-person picnic backpack with blanket Available from VonHaus (£39.99) Best picnic rucksack Pros: Blanket with waterproof lining Insulated pocket for drinks Lots of pockets Cons: Cutlery wrapped in plastic Star rating: 5/5 Not showy or garish, this rucksack has been designed purely with functionality in mind. Different tones of grey and brown faux leather accents make up the design. Padding on the handles make this backpack comfortable to wear, even on longer walks. The most impressive part of the design is the many pockets – ranging from the large insulated cool bag at the back to smaller zipped ones, ideal for valuables and keys. It’s designed for two people and comes with the requisite cutlery and tableware, though we were disappointed to find that every piece of cutlery had a plastic covering, which seemed wasteful. We loved the extras like salt and pepper shakers, a cheese board and cheese knife, napkins and a bottle opener – this is a backpack designed for people who take their picnicking seriously. The cool bag isn’t the biggest, but we were still able to comfortably fit one large Tupperware box and two smaller boxes inside. Plus all those other secret pockets offer plenty of space for extra snacks. On the front of the bag sits a pouch for a bottle of wine or water bottle – while this isn’t insulated, it does have a drawstring feature at the top to keep it secure. A soft, striped picnic blanket is also provided and there are straps to secure it to the side of the bag. Usefully, the blanket also has a waterproof backing and it's large enough for two to sit on it comfortably, or even lie down post-picnic. Spills are easy to clean up as the outer bag has a waterproof coating so nothing seeps through. The lining of the cool bag is equally easy to clean. Cutlery and tableware should be hand-washed. Price, pockets and practicality make this a winning picnic rucksack. Available from: VonHaus (£39.99) VonShef 6-person navy tartan holdall undefined Best picnic rucksack for big families or groups Pros: Great size Easy to access the food compartment Cons: Quite bulky Star rating: 5/5 If you’re picnicking with a crowd, this spacious holdall has everything you need. The main compartment, which is insulated, holds plenty – we fit in seven containers including two large (3 litre), or five and a couple of water bottles. You access it from the top and the wide opening means you can pull out your boxes and food easily. This is a different shape to most we tested – it’s wide rather than tall. There’s a shoulder strap so you can sling it over your shoulder, but you can also carry it by hand if you prefer. It isn’t too heavy (which is impressive considering how many it caters for) and everything inside is well-secured, as are the compartments themselves, which close with twin zips. The top of the front pouch has Velcro. Crockery is stored in three different compartments (two at the side and one at the front) all of which open flat. The sides each have three glasses, one set of cutlery (we were pleased to see full-sized spoons), with a waiter’s friend on one side and salt and pepper shakers on the other. This is an advantage if you have more than one meal, or don’t want to wash up everything when you get home, as you can separate dirty from clean crockery. A minor inconvenience is that you have to guess which side the salt and pepper is in. In the front pouch is the rest of the cutlery, plates, a dinky cheeseboard and a cheese knife. There are also cotton napkins which match the trim on the side of the bag. The materials feel good quality. Although it’s big, you can squash the sides in for easier storage. We were disappointed that the cruet and goblets came in bubble wrap – we would have preferred more sustainable packaging. The holdall comes with a list of what can go into the dishwasher (cutlery and cutting board, though hand-washing is advised). undefined Sunnylife Luxe picnic backpack undefined Best for a romantic picnic for two Pros: Stylish Great freezable divider Comes with picnic blanket Cons: Pricey Star rating: 4.5/5 Designed for two people, this is a very stylish and well-designed canvas rucksack from Australian brand Sunnylife. The main compartment has a removable divider in the middle so you can keep anything you need to separate, be it hot and cold food or main course and pudding. The divider doubles up as a removable gel pack which you can freeze and then replace in the bag to keep the contents cool. Another plus of this is that it’s lighter than a standard freezer block. Because the gel pack is vertical, it kept the top of our bottles cooler than some other bags. The rucksack is plenty big enough for a picnic à deux. We fitted in two large and three smaller boxes, though we had to remove the divider. Unusually, there are pockets on either side so you can both carry a different drink, or a flask and a bottle, though these aren’t insulated. Another unusual feature is the closure of this main compartment, which is with a drawstring rather than the traditional zip. The front flap also has a clasp for extra security. The second compartment – which does have a zip all the way around – is well equipped. Inside you get a full set of stainless-steel cutlery, two tumblers held in place with elasticated straps and a bottle opener (but no salt and pepper or cheese board). The plates (effectively shallow bowls) are secured with a cross of Velcro-fastened material. The contents arrived with plastic bags covering the tumblers and knives. At the bottom of the rucksack is the real bonus – a good sized matching picnic blanket secured to the main part of the bag with buckles. It’s light so doesn’t add much to the overall weight. At the same time however, this does make the bag quite long so it isn’t ideal if you are particularly short. Overall, the bag is easy to carry with comfortable padded adjustable straps. undefined VonShef 4-person picnic backpack undefined Best picnic rucksack for feasts Pros: Two bottle holders Picnic blanket included Lots of pockets Cons: Individually wrapped cutlery Blanket is small Star rating: 4.5/5 This VonShef backpack is the four person equivalent of our top-scoring picnic rucksack. Like our first-place VonShef, this backpack also comes with a wealth of pockets for extra snacks and valuables. Made up of tones of grey with brown faux leather accents, this backpack is simply designed. It comes with not one, but two insulated bottle holders that sit either side of the backpack. These can be removed for easy serving once picnicking. The main body of the rucksack is made up of a cool bag. We fitted one large Tupperware box and two smaller boxes inside, and there was still a little bit of space for malleable extras. Like all of the other cool bags on this list, this one is also wipe clean. On the front of the backpack is a pocket for picnicware. There are four sets of cutlery (knives, forks, spoons) as well as melamine plates, tumblers and napkins. Ideal for big meals, salt and pepper shakers, a chopping board and cheese knife are also included. We also found there was a little bit of extra space for another Tupperware box here. A picnic blanket is provided too – the same one that’s included with the first-place VonHaus backpack. While the waterproof layer is useful and the blanket itself is cosy, it was too small for four adults to sit on it comfortably. With knees touching, there was no space for the food, so we’d recommend bringing a second blanket. When the backpack was full to the brim it does give a pretty large silhouette, but this is understandable considering how much food and drink we were able to carry. Thankfully, the backpack straps are padded, making for a comfortable journey. undefined Regatta Stamford 4-person picnic cool bag undefined Best for compact design Pros: Attractive and neat Cons: The shoulder strap could have done with some padding Star rating: 4/5 At first glance, this doesn’t look big enough for four people, but it has been cleverly designed and is deceptively spacious. We fitted five medium sized containers inside. Neat and compact, it covers all the basics and has added touches like a bottle holder on the side – giving you more space for food items. There’s a broad adjustable shoulder strap and a handle if you prefer to carry it. The main, insulated compartment is big enough to hold five containers of different sizes. There’s another side compartment holding four tumblers which come individually wrapped in plastic (as are the knives and forks). This side compartment is insulated too so you could always put a drink in instead and, if you’ve room, move the cups to the main compartment. The front pouch – secured by easy Velcro rather than a zip – comes with standard picnic items of four plates, cutlery (including full-sized spoons) and a bottle opener/corkscrew. These are held in individual straps so are easy to pull in and out. Cutlery is a deep blue colour which makes a change from the usual white and the knife easily passed the apple-cutting test. This rucksack gained brownie points for being made from recycled polyester. There’s a reinforced base and a wipe-clean interior. We felt this was just about big enough for four, especially if you wrap sandwiches rather than take lots of salads in boxes. It’s light and easy to carry with a double shoulder strap, though this would have benefited from extra padding for comfort. undefined Fortnum’s 2-person canvas picnic backpack, Eau de Nil Available from Fortnum & Mason (£195) Best blow-the-budget picnic rucksack Pros Stylish Compact Well designed Good quality contents Cons: Spoons are small No external bottle holders. Star rating: 4/5 As you would expect from a Fortnum & Mason picnic item, this oozes style. Designed for two people, you’ll find good quality items inside. There are two enamel plates in an inside pocket which is secured with a Velcro strap. Cutlery, green-handled to match the bag, comes wrapped in two white cotton napkins which in turn go into their own detachable drawstring bag, secured inside with a leather-trimmed strap. You’ll find wine goblets, two salt and pepper grinders and a corkscrew/ bottle opener that has its own holding hook at the top. There’s also a useful separate bag which you can use for empties or additional storage. The rucksack itself is on the compact side – though you can get some small containers in, it’s best for items like wrapped sandwiches and crisps. There’s a useful extra internal pocket and two elasticated loops to keep drinks securely inside, but this does take up space. You can choose how you want to carry it - there’s a leather hand strap or two comfy well-padded main straps to carry on your back. This one fitted particularly snugly. The rucksack also scored well for sustainability. The bag is made from recycled materials and there’s a pleasing lack of plastic covers inside. Even the labels are printed on recycled paper. Overall, the bag feels high quality and very secure – there are two zips on each compartment and inside everything is kept neatly and firmly in place. One downside is both plates and napkins are hand-wash only. The picnicware is slightly heavier than some of the others but as the rucksack is only designed for two people, it isn’t a problem to carry it even when it’s full and the weight is well distributed. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£195) ProCook insulated picnic backpack Available from ProCook (£39) Best mid-priced backpack Pros: Compact Easy to carry Cons: Might not be big enough for some Star rating: 3.5/5 This is a well-designed, no-nonsense backpack that has all the essentials for four people. Even the colour – navy blue – is practical, though the contrasting navy and white cover flap adds some extra style. The padded shoulder straps are adjustable and we liked the fact that the base of the crockery section lies flat when you open it, to make getting the crockery out simpler. The plates, cutlery and glasses can go in the dishwasher – a definite bonus if you don’t want to have to hand-wash wash everything at the end of a day out. The backpack has two sections – an insulated 15 litre compartment for food and a separate, smaller one for crockery. The main compartment, which is wipe-clean, wasn’t wide enough for our biggest containers but we comfortably fit five medium ones or four with a couple of bottles. The front flap has adjustable buckles which really add to the look. The clasps they fit on to are attached to the body of bag magnetically and we found they fell off a couple of times when we were filling the bag. Inside the other section is the crockery with everything you need. Inside, packaging is minimal with just some paper sheets between the plates. You get four plastic plates, which are described as dinner plates though in reality you won’t get much more than a sandwich on them. These are kept in place with a Velcro strap. There are also wine goblets, stainless steel cutlery (though the spoons are small), a cheese/ chopping board and a waiter’s friend bottle opener/ corkscrew. These are also kept securely in place with elasticated straps. The knife is sharp enough to chop an apple. We found this light and comfortable to wear and it kept food cold. Available from: ProCook (£39) How to choose the best picnic rucksack What is a picnic rucksack? Picnic rucksacks look just like normal rucksacks, but they come with extra features such as compartments for cutlery, melamine plates and napkins, as well as larger cool-bag style compartments. Some even come with additional cooler pockets for bottles of wine or other drinks. What can a picnic rucksack be used for? A picnic rucksack is easy to carry and often small and compact, making it a great alternative to a classic picnic hamper. The rucksack design means it's comfortable to carry for longer periods of time, so you can easily work up an appetite over a long walk before you stop to eat. They’re suited to any weather, terrain and type of picnic, whether it's lunch on the beach or a mid-hike refuel. What to look out for in a picnic rucksack Size: All of the picnic rucksacks we’ve tested are designed for two to four people. Consider how many people will be joining you before you buy. Storage options: Some picnic backpacks come with one single pocket for storage, others come with lots of pockets as well as extra features like wine coolers. Work out how much space you’re likely to need. Cool bag: Think about how big you need the cool bag pocket to be. Do you need extra space for warm or ambient foods? Blanket: Usefully, some picnic bags come with a picnic blanket. Think about whether this is something you need. How we tested picnic rucksacks We took our filled picnic rucksacks on a walk to a local park, to test how comfortable the shoulder straps were when wearing the rucksack and how heavy it was when full to the brim. Our picnic food consisted of classic dishes, including cheese and bread, pasta salads, hummus and crudités, fruit and cakes all inspired by Good Food’s picnic recipes. We tested the quality of the picnicware when eating and the quality and quantity of accessories. The capacity of the cool bag/storage space was tested by using a variety of different-sized filled Tupperware – we’ve noted what we could fit in each bag above. We questioned whether there were enough pockets provided and what measures were in place to secure them. For example, was there space for valuables, or will you need to bring another bag with you? If a picnic blanket was provided, we noted the quality and if it was the right size for the number of people the backpack had been designed for. What to put in a picnic basket How to pack the perfect picnic Best picnic tips and tricks Picnic recipes Next level picnic recipes Best family picnic recipes Top 10 healthy picnic recipes Picnic recipes you can make in minutes Picnic recipe collection Kids’ picnic recipes Sandwich recipes Related reviews Best picnic gadgets Best canned wine Best melamine plates Best cool boxes Best portable barbecues Best gas barbecues Best reusable straws Best lunchbox gadgets Best charcoal for BBQs This review was last updated in January 2024.
From luxury blades to the best budget buys, use your loaf and read the Good Food review of specialist serrated bread knives for your kitchen
A good set of kitchen knives will transform how you cook, and if you buy unsliced loaves or rolls or make your own bread, you’re going to need a bread knife. Trying to hack through a loaf with a paring or carving knife will end in tears and a ruined loaf. Bread knives are designed to cut easily through the crust of a loaf and the soft crumb inside without tearing or squashing it, so a good-quality bread knife is a crucial piece of kit in any kitchen. Read on for our recommendations, and for more on knives, read our guides to the best paring knives, best chef's knives, best knife sets and best knife sharpeners. Best bread knives at a glance Best budget bread knife: Kuhn Rikon Colori bread and baguette knife, £26.95 Best blowout bread knife: Kai Shun bread knife, classic range, £210 Best lightweight bread knife: Swibo Victorinox serrated slicer 10in, £47.99 Best top range: Zwilling Pro bread knife, £94.95 Best-value bread knife: Lakeland select-grip bread knife, £29.99 Best bread knives to buy in 2025 Kuhn Rikon Colori bread and baguette knife Available from Amazon (£18.95), Kuhn Rikon (£26.95) Best budget bread knife Shaped and coloured to look like a baguette, this knife stands out thanks to its tongue-in-cheek design, but it also has other useful features. Though the plastic handle is a little light in weight, the blade cuts efficiently, and at 26cm, it can tackle the largest loaves. The blade has a non-stick coating and friction-reducing slits that help it glide through the bread, producing even slices. The knife comes with a blade cover too, making it a good option for taking on picnics. Available from: Amazon (£18.95) Kuhn Rikon (£26.95) Kai Shun bread knife, classic range Latest Prices Best blowout bread knife Made from 32 layers, the beautiful Damascus steel blade is very hard-wearing. The knife is full tang with a smooth pakkawood (wood/resin composite) handle in a classic Japanese D-shaped design. The serrated teeth point in different directions – at the front half, they face forward, while at the other end, they face backwards. This means equal cutting performance in each direction for noticeably efficient slicing. The wide serrations are very sharp, requiring little pressure for a smooth cut. Latest Prices Swibo Victorinox Swiss classic bread knife Available from Amazon (£47.99) Best lightweight bread knife This bread knife is perfect for anyone who prefers a lighter knife but doesn’t want to have to sacrifice any cutting ability. The knife is long (10in) but fairly thin and the bright orange handle is easy to grip, even with wet hands. There’s a curved end for added comfort. We like the coloured handle for something different to the array of black in our sample. Its bright colour will cheer you up when you’re cutting bread for toast in the morning. The Swiss-made blade is gently serrated with an unusual rounded top, which makes it look less fierce than some on test, but don’t be fooled: it cuts smoothly and effortlessly. This comes with a flexible sleeve that’s transparent on one side to keep it safe in the cutlery drawer. Available from: Amazon (£47.99) Zwilling Pro bread knife Available from Zwilling (£94.95) Best top range bread knife This German-made full tang knife has a traditional appearance and oozes quality. It’s long, fairly heavy and very solid, with small, wavy serrations interspersed regularly with sharper teeth. The knife, which has an ice-hardened stainless steel blade for durability and corrosion resistance, has a slight 'wedge' shape, tapering at the top. One big advantage of this over other knives in our sample is that it can go in the dishwasher, though hand-washing is advised. Cutting performance is good, sliding easily through our crusty white loaf. We find the shaped handle with its three rivets very comfortable to hold and easy to grip. The lifetime guarantee is an added bonus. Available from: Zwilling (£94.95) Lakeland select-grip bread knife Available from Lakeland (£29.99) Best-value bread knife While many of the bread knives on test are long (around 10in), this is designed for those who prefer a shorter bread knife that feels easier to control. At 20cm (8in), the shorter length makes it easier to store in the cutlery drawer, too. There’s also a protective safety sheath for when it isn’t in use to avoid accidental injury. The knife has regular serrations and the blade is made from ice-hardened Japanese stainless steel – the ice hardening process is designed to keep it sharper for longer. The soft-grip handle is ergonomic and non-slip. The instructions on the box say this is also ideal for pastries and shredding lettuce or cabbage, and we can vouch for this. It also slices well through cheddar – very handy when making a cheese sandwich as one knife does both jobs. Available from: Lakeland (£29.99) How to choose the best bread knife Bread knives vary widely in price, so that will be a key consideration when choosing one. They differ in size, too: shorter blades might give you extra control, but longer ones can deal more easily with bigger loaves. If you’re a roll fan rather than a loaf lover, a short blade might be easier, too. And, think about the weight: do you prefer a lighter knife or one that feels more solid in your hand? The ‘tang’ is the part of the metal blade that becomes the handle of a knife. The strongest knives are full tang, which means the blade and handle are forged from the same bit of metal from tip to end, with the handle bolted on. Full tang is a sign of quality in general knife-making, but not a deal-breaker when it comes to choosing a bread knife. Some bread knives come as part of a range, so that might be important to you aesthetically if you prefer ones that are all the same. If you have a knife block, you will ideally choose a knife that fits neatly into a slot. Read on to discover our top buys. For over 200 buyer’s guides, visit our product review section and find guides to everything from the best chopping boards and best toasters to the best food processors. <h2 id="search-1520278420984" data-config='{"shopId": 823, "isoCurrencyCode": "GBP", "isoLanguageCode": "en", "categoryIds": "", "merchantIds": "", "geolocation": false, "templateId": 1218, "price": "", "priceMin": "", "priceMax": "", "percentOffMin": "", "percentOffMax": "", "sortingField": "PRICE", "sortingOrder": "asc", "keywords": "victorinox bread knife", "delta": "", "merchantFilter": true, "merchantNumber": 1, "sid":"", "shortenTitle":""}'>How we test bread knives We test bread knives from a number of brands. We put them through their paces on a very crusty homemade white loaf as well as hard rolls and home-baked baguettes. The most important thing is the effectiveness of the knife – we're looking for one that slices easily through the crust as well as the softer inside. Comfort is ranked highly too – we look for handles that are easy hold and grip. We look for value for money – whatever the price point – and any extra features. And, because knives are often on display, we comment on the aesthetics of each one. More on knives Which knife should I buy? Best knives for under £40 Best paring knives Best cook’s knives Video: How to sharpen a knife Infographic: How to chop Guide to the anatomy of a knife How to sharpen knives Related reviews Best knife sets Best chopping boards Best food processors Best saucepans Best toasters Best whisks
Best mixing bowls for essential kitchen tasks
Whether you're baking a cake or whipping up a sauce, a good mixing bowl makes life easier in the kitchen – especially when it's dishwasher-safe. Here are our favourites
A mixing bowl is a kitchen must-have for all manner of tasks, from baking cakes to making mayonnaise. It’s a useful holding vessel, too, for when you’re soaking beans or shelling peas, for example. When buying a mixing bowl, think about the kinds of tasks for which you might need to use it. Are you making massive cakes, or just the odd batch of fairy cakes? Do you prefer high or shallow sides? Do you want one that can withstand heat? One important thing to take into account, too, is the weight of the bowls – some are heavyweight, and some much lighter. Also, think about whether you prefer to grip it by the side or with a handle. If you’re short on space, nesting bowls (with or without other utensils) are a great solution, but only if you will actually use them. Some of the bowls on our list were massive, so you might need to opt for a smaller one for practical reasons. Read on to discover which bowls are best. For more than 400 buyer's guides, visit our product reviews section and find reviews of the best food processors, best stand mixers, best cake tins and much more. Best mixing bowls at a glance Best mixing bowl set: Falcon Prep Set, £80 Best mixing bowl design: Mason Cash innovative kitchen mixing bowl, £24.50 Most stylish mixing bowl: Cornishware Cornish standard mixing bowl, £70 Best traditional mixing bowl: Tala mixing bowl, £25 Most innovative mixing bowl: Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Plus, £60 Best mixing bowl for batch baking and big cakes: Rosle stainless steel mixing bowl, £59 Best stainless steel set of mixing bowls: ProCook stainless steel mixing bowl set, £34 Best all-rounder mixing bowl: ProCook glass mixing bowl with lid, £15 Best mixing bowls to buy in 2025 Falcon Prep Set Available from Falcon (£80) Best mixing bowl set Pros: Stackable design Available in three colour-ways Colander included Dishwasher safe Good range of sizes Oven safe Cons: None Truly, there's nothing we disliked about this mixing bowl set. It's sturdy, stackable and comes in three different colour-ways: classic white and blue, pillarbox red and pigeon grey. There are five bowls in the set, in: 12cm, 14cm, 16cm, 18cm and 24cm diameter, plus a 24cm colander. For added ease, these are dishwasher safe, hob safe, freezer-friendly and oven safe up to 270C. The different sized bowls are ideal for all kinds of prep. Whether you're beating two eggs for your morning omelette or making a cake for a friend's birthday, the kit contains everything you need. The gently sloping sides of the bowl make it easy to whisk and scrape down. undefined Mason Cash innovative kitchen mixing bowl Latest Deals Best mixing bowl design Pros: Dishwasher-proof Microwave-proof Tilts on side for mixing Cons: Stoneware is heavy and more prone to chipping Heavy, solid and sturdy, this 29cm bowl is perfect for large families, or anyone making big cakes on a regular basis. What makes this one particularly clever is that you can tilt it on its side on the worktop to get extra air in it while mixing (note to self: don’t do this until the eggs are mixed in!). The tilting also really helps when scraping cake mixture out. This one is microwave-proof – however, make sure to measure your microwave first as the bowl is so large it may not fit through the door. It also goes in the dishwasher, but it washes easily by hand. Latest Deals Cornishware Cornish standard mixing bowl Available from Cornishware (£70) Most stylish mixing bowl Pros: Dishwasher- and microwave-safe 3.5-litre capacity Cons: Limited size options Too good-looking to hide in a cupboard, this medium mixing bowl could easily double up as a fruit bowl or anything else. There is a small but useful handle on either side (well, more of a thick edge). It's also available in yellow and red, and there’s a pudding basin available in three colours, too. This is weightier than stainless steel bowls, but lighter than some of the other ceramic ones, so it’s a good compromise if you want something more solid but not too heavy. The shallow sides make it easy to scrape mixture down. Available from: Cornishware (£60) Tala mixing bowl Latest Deals Best traditional mixing bowl Pros: High-quality stoneware Pretty floral detail Generous 5-litre capacity Microwave-, dishwasher- and freezer-safe Oven safe to 220C Cons: Heavy This traditional stoneware bowl is a whopper. The sides are a perfect size: tall enough to stop ingredients like cocoa powder flying out of the bowl when mixing on a high speed while low enough to ensure your hand mixer can still drip over the sides. The Tala bowl is everything-proof, including freezer and, unusually, the oven (up to 220C). It can also go in the microwave, which can be useful for tasks like softening butter, or reheating if you’ve used it as a storage bowl. However, measure your microwave first, as it might be too large to fit. With an embossed design, it scores highly for looks, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything sturdier – though this means it’s quite heavy to lift with one hand. It’s the kind of bowl you can imagine being handed from parent to child with much reminiscing about what it’s been used to make. Latest Deals Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Plus undefined Most innovative mixing bowl Pros: Efficient space-saving design Comprehensive food-prep set Variety of sizes Measurements inside the bowls (metric and imperial) Pouring spout Dishwasher-safe and BPA-free Cons: Not microwave-safe This is several kitchen essentials in one, and is ideal for small kitchens or to give to a student leaving home for the first time, with several colourways to choose from. There are two bowls, a colander and sieve, as well as measuring cups and spoons. It all stacks neatly together, including the measuring spoons, so will take up minimal space, and it’s lightweight, too. The bowls have handles to grip, and non-slip bottoms. The largest is a roomy 4.5 litres, and it’s well designed – it isn’t too tall, despite its size, so the beaters from our hand mixer can be left to drip into it while fetching the next ingredient. We also like the flat bottoms on the measuring cups that mean they can sit unaided on the worktop, leaving an extra hand free. The smallest measuring spoon has markings for both teaspoons and tablespoons. The smaller bowl is 0.5 litres, and is good for tasks like making a sauce. It has interior measurements, too. The colander and sieve are good quality, with handles at the side. Latest Deals Rosle stainless steel mixing bowl Available from Borough Kitchen (£69) Best mixing bowl for batch baking and big cakes Pros: Durable Easy to clean Generous capacity Pouring rim 2-year warranty Cons: Not the most attractive This Rosle stainless steel mixing bowl is crafted from stainless steel, ensuring durability, a lifetime of use and easy cleaning, even after tough mixing or cooking jobs. It's also dishwasher-safe, adding to its convenience. Plus, there are six sizes to choose from, from 8cm to 28cm. The bowl is highly resistant to heat, allowing you to use it for various cooking techniques without worry. Thanks to its stainless steel composition, it is also highly rust-resistant, ensuring it maintains its pristine appearance over time. We tested the largest size, with a 28cm diameter. With an 8-litre capacity, this bowl can handle large quantities of ingredients, making it suitable for preparing meals for a crowd or large cakes for celebrations. The bowl is equipped with a pouring rim, helping the easy and mess-free transfer of liquids. You can purchase a stay-fresh silicone and glass lid separately, further enhancing the bowl's versatility for storage and transport. Available from: Borough Kitchen (£59) ProCook stainless steel mixing bowl set Latest Deals Best stainless steel set of mixing bowls Pros: Variety of sizes Space-saving design Durable Internal measurements Non-slip base Individual purchase option 1-year warranty Cons: Smallest bowl isn't very small This set offers three capacities (2, 3 and 6 litres), catering to various cooking and baking tasks, from mixing cake ingredients to marinating meat. The bowls nest neatly together for convenient storage, helping you save space in your kitchen. Crafted from durable stainless steel, these bowls are built to last, ensuring they can handle the rigours of everyday cooking. Each lightweight bowl has handy internal measurements, making it easier to follow recipes accurately. The non-slip silicone base ensures that the bowl stays securely in place during mixing, providing stability and safety. If you need additional bowls or want to replace one, these stainless steel mixing bowls are also available for individual purchase, providing flexibility. Latest Deals ProCook glass mixing bowl with lid Available from ProCook (£15) Best all-rounder mixing bowl Pros: Versatile Convenient lid Microwave-, freezer- and oven-safe Dishwasher-safe 10-year guarantee Cons: Lid not oven-safe This glass mixing bowl with a lid serves a dual purpose, making it perfect for food preparation and storage, reducing the need for additional containers. They are made from high-quality borosilicate glass, known for its exceptional resistance against heat, stains and scratches, ensuring long-lasting durability and maintaining its pristine appearance. The lid makes it easy to keep food fresh when stored in the fridge or freezer and allows hassle-free microwave reheating. These glass mixing bowls are microwave- and freezer-safe, providing flexibility in preparing and storing food. They are also oven-safe up to 300C, adding versatility to your cooking options. The high-quality materials and construction ensure that these bowls will look as good as new for many years, providing excellent value for your investment; confidence in this promise is shown through ProCook’s 10-year guarantee. Latest Deals What to consider when buying a mixing bowl Versatility: Is the bowl dishwasher-safe? Does it offer extra features, for example, a pouring lip, handle and lid? Is it also safe for the microwave, freezer and oven? Sturdiness vs weight: We have two criteria: lightweight but non-slip or heavy-based. Durability: Does the bowl mark easily? Can it withstand kitchen knocks? Capacity: The bowl has to be big enough for standard kitchen tasks, such as making a cake. High sides are a plus. Ease of storage: We opt for stackable bowls and ones without an excessive footprint. Easy washing: Mixing bowls are inevitably messy, so it needs to wash up well and go in the dishwasher. Related reviews Best trifle bowls Best casserole dishes Best cool kitchen gadgets Best kitchen weighing scales Best measuring spoons What equipment do they use in The Great British Bake Off? Do you have a mixing bowl you can't live without? Leave a comment below...
Yum Asia Panda mini advanced Fuzzy Logic ceramic rice cooker
This compact and versatile rice cooker has a host of nifty pre-sets up its sleeve. Read our full review.
Panda mini advanced Fuzzy Logic ceramic rice cooker Designed to make rice for up to three people, the Panda is a dinky but very versatile machine that has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. There are four rice cooker functions – long grain, short grain, brown and quick cook – plus four additional functions for porridge, slow-cooking, steaming and cakes. Latest Deals The Panda comes with a spatula, soup ladle, measuring cup and steam basket. A thoughtful spatula holder at the side means you can leave this there for easy access. Read our full guide to the best rice cookers Setting up the Panda mini advanced rice cooker It’s always good to see a quick-start guide, as it means you can get on with using it pretty much straightaway. The main instruction book is reassuringly weighty and comes with some recipes, with more available on the website. The quick-start guide tells you to measure using the cup that comes with the cooker, then rinse, put the rice in the inner bowl, add water up to the relevant line, select the function using the menu button and hit start. And – if you just want rice – that’s it. The instruction book gives further detail of how to adjust water levels to cook sticky or glutinous rice. You can also use “preset” to delay the cooking for up to 24 hours, and you can adjust the cooking times for non-rice foods by pressing the hour and minute buttons. We tested the cake function and produced a small vegan chocolate cake in 30 minutes. It saved putting the oven on, which is a major bonus when you’re looking to save on energy costs. How easy was it to use? The machine has a timer, but it only starts when there are 10 minutes left to count down. Once the rice is cooked, it beeps – rather weakly, we thought – and then switches to “keep warm”. You wouldn’t be able to hear this in a different room, but if you use a rice cooker regularly, you’ll know to use it differently to a pan. The trick is to put it on well before you need it, then leave it to do its thing while you cook the rest of the meal/go off and do something else. The machine will keep your rice hot until needed, so you don’t need to worry about to-the-minute timing. Of course, cooking time does depend on the type of rice – and even, as the instructions explain, the batch. We tested the quick function for white rice and it took 32 minutes (the instructions suggested 22). Obviously, the rice type will make a big difference, so we are happy to accept other varieties will be quicker. Brown rice was an 1 hour 2 minutes on the standard programme (exactly the time stated in the instructions) and a scoop of long-grain white took 36, slightly quicker than the instructions. Cooking results Rice was pretty much perfect, with all the water absorbed. After 1 hour 30 minutes, it was still piping hot and just the slightest bit dry. (If you’re leaving it for longer, the instructions suggest adding a little water, though.) The “fuzzy logic” in the name refers to the machine’s multi-phased cooking, adjusting the temperature according to the weight, type of rice, temperature and more to ensure the rice is cooked just right. The rice cooker is available in arctic white, cobalt grey or a mixture of the two colours to suit your kitchen colour scheme. It’s a very quiet machine and light, too. Conclusion Overall, this is a very effective, intuitive machine that goes about its job quietly. It’s perfect for smaller households and ideal if you want to cut down on oven use. Latest Deals Panda mini advanced Fuzzy Logic ceramic rice cooker specifications Serial number: YUMEN06 Warranty: 2 years Wattage: 350w Product weight: 2.36k Preset functions: four rice (long grain, short grain, brown and quick cook) and four additional (steam, porridge, slow cook, cake) Capacity / bowls: (ml) 3.5 cup/0.6 litres Extra accessories: spatula, soup ladle, measuring cup and steam basket Appliance deals Coffee machine deals Air-fryer deals Slow cooker deals Microwave deals Pizza oven deals BBQ deals The best kitchen kit tried and tested Best multi-cookers Best blenders Best pressure cookers Best food processors Best slow cookers
The best picnic hampers and baskets for summer
A good picnic basket or hamper will make al fresco eating a whole lot more convenient this summer. Discover our top product picks.
You can't beat a traditional picnic, especially if you find the perfect picnic basket. Whether you need a simple basket for transporting food, or something to hold the full works, including glasses, plates, cutlery, a bottle opener, cool bags and more, a good-quality picnic hamper should make eating al fresco a breeze. We have complied our list of the best picnic hampers and baskets for various needs, whether you’re looking for a small hamper for two or a basket with top sustainability credentials. Get inspired, too, with our comprehensive collection of picnic recipes that includes our crispy chicken & avocado baps, plus we highlight meat-free ideas in our vegetarian picnic recipes and vegan picnic recipes alongside twists on traditional favourites. Or for more impartial buyer's advice from BBC Good Food experts, visit our reviews section. Best picnic baskets and hampers at a glance Best luxury picnic hamper for two: Fortnum & Mason Stripe two-person picnic hamper, £365 Best picnic hamper for four people: The Colourful Garden Company personalised four-person picnic basket, £119 Best contemporary picnic basket: Joules Silver Editions two-person nautical hamper, £129 Best basic picnic basket for extra capacity: Lifestyle rectangular four-person picnic hamper, £99.99 Best picnic rucksack: Greenfield Super Deluxe Picnic Rucksack for four, £74.99 Best picnic basket for wine lovers: Les Jardins de la Comtesse Saint Germain picnic basket, £159 Best picnic basket for keeping food and drink cold: Woodluv Luxury four-person wicker chiller picnic hamper, £54.99 Best mid-priced picnic basket: ProCook four-person picnic basket, £79 Best designed picnic basket: Charles Bentley two-person wicker picnic basket, £62.69 Best small picnic basket: VonShef Deluxe picnic basket, £55.99 Best for a bigger group: Tower Heritage six-person wicker picnic hamper, £74.99 11 best picnic baskets and hampers to buy for summer Fortnum & Mason Stripe two-person picnic hamper Available from Fortnum & Mason (£365) Best luxury picnic hamper for two Pros: Subtly wire-reinforced for added strength Cons: Expensive Hand-wash-only components No rug Star rating: 5/5 If there’s any brand that knows how to help you channel quintessential British luxury into your picnics, it’s Fortnum & Mason. The brand is synonymous with luxurious al fresco dining, and this chestnut-coloured wicker has the iconic F&M branding across its side. You pay a premium for the name – this is the Le Creuset of picnic hampers – but quality underpins the key characteristics here. Aesthetically, it’s pristine. The fastenings are made of real leather with sturdy metal buckles, and on lifting the lid you reveal an extra monogrammed leather tag. It comes assembled, so there’s no faffing around with, for example, removing every piece of cutlery from its own plastic sleeve. Two ceramic plates and sets of cutlery are nicely presented and secured with the same gold popper design as the rivets on the outside. As you’d hope for the price, every individual component is quality, and could be used in your kitchen. The two mugs and plates are made from bone china, the bottle opener features a crested thumb rest and the miniature salt and pepper grinders actually twist to grind. There's also a freezable gel bottle holder with a carry strap to easily keep drinks cool, plus a separate small cool bag that’s wipe-clean and also has a handle – it's just large enough to contain a traybake. The hamper also contains a 750ml flask – this had a new-product smell on unscrewing, and isn’t recommended for transporting ice cubes but for simple hot drinks. It keeps liquids hot for a full eight hours. The small wicker holder for the wine glasses and mugs are a nice extra touch, as is the wipe-clean drawstring bag for transporting your dirties post-picnic. The only thing missing is a waterproof picnic mat. It's unlikely that you’d use everything in this hamper all in one go, but whether you’re off for a bottle of bubbly with some snacks or a hot coffee with cake, there should be space to add your own additions. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£365) The Colourful Garden Company personalised four-person picnic basket Available from The Colourful Garden Company (£119) Best picnic hamper for four people Pros: High-quality components Can be monogrammed with initials to make for a personal gift Cons: No accompanying picnic rug Needed to trim wicker to fit all glasses Star rating: 4.5/5 If you’re not straying too far from the boot of your car, this willow hamper for four people is a luxurious ode to the traditional picnic and provides all the trappings. It has classic woven styling, but unlike traditional hampers, its double-lidded design means it can sit and store things upright, an arguably more practical shape. Three aspects set this picnic basket apart from the rest. Firstly is the quality of each component. They’re the kind you’d buy to furnish your new kitchen and wouldn’t look out of place on a dining table. Four sets of cutlery and a steel bottle opener are slotted into leather loops inside one of the lids, while four miniature plates and the salt and pepper shakers are secured in the other. Linen napkins that match the light interior are also provided. The central section has been purposed well for holding food for four people. Three-quarters of the space is an integrated cool bag with a wipe-clean interior. The remaining space has been split into four individual holders for the small wine glasses (made of glass rather than plastic). We had to trim the wicker inside one of these holders to fit the final glass. The last thing you want is to break anything by firmly closing the lid. Once loaded up with food and bottles, the hamper is weighty and has a sturdy handle, thanks to the tightly weaved willow. A nice touch is that this hamper can be personalised with initials across one side – something that would make it a great gift for weddings or purely just because you love picnics. It also comes nicely gift-wrapped, although if the brand were to swap the cellophane for a more sustainable way of presentation, this would be a five-star hamper. Available from: The Colourful Garden Company (£119) Joules Silver Editions two-person nautical hamper Available from Joules (£129) Best contemporary picnic hamper Pros: practical canvas carry straps Cons: impractical light-coloured fabric outer Star rating: 4/5 With a woven willow lid and a fabric-covered wooden body, this nautical-inspired addition to our best list is a contemporary take on the traditional picnic basket. It’s noticeably lightweight thanks to components like plastic wine glasses and the white-handled sets of cutlery. There’s something to be said for the practicality and safety credentials of plastic glasses. Both are robustly made and secured in with two Velcro straps. Each cutlery item slots into its own elasticated pouch, which is also a great feature. The interior is Breton-inspired in keeping with the hamper’s nautical theme. The hamper includes a navy picnic rug which has space for four and is secured with its own Velcro fastener and carry strap. This can be laid on top of the removable cool bag if the hamper is full, thanks to the hamper’s height. Two large Tupperware boxes can be fitted inside the cool bag. The hamper's canvas carry straps are robust and mean it can be carried upright, but also tucked away so the hamper can be stacked for easy storage, something not possible with rigid wicker handles. However, the hamper does have some practicality flaws. If you happen to knock it with jam on your knife, the outer covering can’t be washed. It also wouldn’t fair well on damp ground, so luckily there’s a waterproof picnic mat inside. Overall, although you forfeit a couple of elements like a quality bottle opener, this hamper offers everything else you need for a great picnic out. Available from: Joules (£129) Lifestyle rectangular four-person picnic hamper Available from Garden Street (£99.99) Best basic picnic basket for extra capacity Pros: Well-designed handles Extra wicker glasses holder Cons: Individually plastic-wrapped cutlery No accompanying picnic rug or cool bag Star rating: 3.5/5 On first glance, this looks like a picnic hamper for six or even eight due to its large size. It warrants three handles – one in the traditional briefcase style plus one on either end, both padded and faux leather. These are immensely practical if you take advantage of its cavernous room and fully load it with food. The size of it means that, when not in use, you could easily use it for storage around the house. The fastenings are twist-to-open, practical and faff-free. On opening, each component is individually wrapped so you build up the hamper. One particular irk of this is that every item of cutlery had its own plastic wrapping which feels unnecessary and particularly unsustainable. The cutlery itself is stainless steel and lightweight, and is accompanied by an ergonomic wood and metal bottle opener, a set of salt and pepper shakers and four soft napkins. The four ceramic plates are dishwasher-safe. A real stand-out feature of this hamper is the separate willow wine glass holder, offering practical protection for the glasses. It also matches the hamper weave, but would benefit from a more robust lid. For the price, this hamper is just lacking its own picnic blanket and a removable cool bag. Available from: Garden Street (£99.99) Greenfield Super Deluxe picnic rucksack for four people Available from Amazon (£74.99), The Greenfield Collection (£74.99) Best picnic rucksack Pros: Packed with everything you need Thermos and tumblers included Cons: Old-fashioned design Picnic rug sold separately Star rating: 4/5 Picnic rucksacks are immensely practical. While wicker hampers can limit you on how far you can go, just load this up, throw it on your back and you’re ready for an adventure. What this picnic bag lacks in contemporary design, it more than makes up for in sheer practicality. All the essential bits of picnic kit and some added extras have a place. The bag is made up of two main compartments. The front section contains four sets of cutlery (dishwasher-safe, but recommended hand-wash only to keep their original ‘lustre’), four plastic wine glasses, a corkscrew and bottle opener, tablecloth and napkins (both machine-washable) and four medium-sized melamine plates that would survive knocks and drops. Some useful additions for making picnics easier also make this bag stand out. The rucksack includes a bottle stopper for saving the rest of your bubbly for later, plus a sharp serrated knife and small bamboo chopping board for slicing up sandwiches. At the end of a picnic, there’s always the question of what to do with the dirty things – how are you going to transport them without getting it all over the inside of your picnic hamper? An additional reusable bag proved invaluable for holding all the dirties. The bag’s back compartment is larger and insulated - great for helping keep your food cool. Two lidded stacker boxes come with the bag but you could easily stack five in there and still have additional room. Four stainless steel insulated tumblers fit in the back section and pair with the flask, which has its own insulated pocket at the side. The rucksack we tested did not come with a blanket, but they are available to purchase separately. The materials used throughout have been used to achieve a relatively lightweight picnic rucksack and for what you get, this is a reasonably priced picnic companion. Available from: Amazon (£74.99) The Greenfield Collection (£74.99) Les Jardins de la Comtesse Saint Germain picnic basket Available from Sous Chef (£159) <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2022/07/Les-Jardins-de-la-Comtesse-Saint-Germain-Picnic-Basket-4-Person-Green-P-20001-145590-1-copy-0b2954e.jpg" width="2577" height="1718" alt="Les Jardins de la Comtesse Saint Germain Picnic Basket - 4 Person - Green P-20001 145590 (1) copy" title="Les Jardins de la Comtesse Saint Germain Picnic Basket - 4 Person - Green P-20001 145590 (1) copy" /> Best for wine lovers Pros: Stylish Quality contents Insulated cold section Cons: Heavy Not much room for food Score: 4/5 There is no doubt that this looks the part. If you’re going punting in Cambridge or off to watch an opera at Glyndebourne, this classy hamper will see you picnic in style. It’s also ideal for anyone planning a boozy picnic as the open middle section has space for three full-sized bottles of wine. The contents are comprehensive and stylish. You get four small white ceramic plates (complete with emblem), cutlery, wine glasses (made from glass not plastic) and napkins for four along with a rubbish bag, salt and pepper shakers and a corkscrew/bottle opener. There are leather trimmings and an attractive gingham lining. The basket has two covered sections, one of which is insulated to keep food cold and closes with a zip. Both compartments buckle up at both sides so the contents feel very secure. There are six slots for knives, forks and spoons so you need to put two in each one, which is a little fiddly. The insulated section is a little small but we still fitted in three medium containers. Plates and glasses strap in on the side of the other compartment, taking up most of the space. It’s perfect for wine and nibbles rather than a huge picnic. The quality of the items means that this is quite heavy, especially if you decide to fill all three compartments with wine bottles. It’s better suited as a basket to take just a short walk from the car rather than one to take on a long hike – and one for the grown-ups rather than a family with children. Available from: Sous Chef (£159) Woodluv Luxury Wicker Chiller four-person picnic hamper with removable bottle cooler Available from Amazon (£54.99) Best for keeping food and drink cold Pros: Stylish Useful chiller compartment Separate bottle holder Cons: Would feel more secure with two straps Score: 5/5 This is a picnic hamper that screams summer. The grey and beige trimmings give it a light and cheerful look and this theme continues once you open it up. There’s a beige lining with a sweet cherry pattern on it. The small ceramic plates are white as are the handles of the cutlery, giving the basket a bright and fresh appearance. While the cutlery, plates and bottle opener fit into the lid, the whole of the main section is one big chiller compartment. Add in a freezer block and the insulated compartment will keep your food cool. Glasses (which are plastic) slot into the corners, which does reduce the space but we still fitted in four containers of different sizes. You can’t overfill this compartment or the basket won’t do up. You could easily remove the glasses and slip them into another bag if you need more room. The hamper also comes with a separate bottle bag. It’s insulated and big enough for a whole wine bottle so you can take along a chilled white or rosé. This has a strap so you can sling it over your shoulder. It’s adjustable and comfortable and you secure it with Velcro so it does feel nice and safe. This basket has a PU leather handle which makes it comfortable and the whole thing is reasonably lightweight, even when full. It secures with one central clasp which works fine, but we’d have felt slightly more confident if this had two like most. Available from: Amazon (£54.99) ProCook two-person picnic basket Available from ProCook (£59) Best mid-priced picnic basket Pros: Comfortable to carry Cons: Plates on the small side Score: 4.5/5 This well-designed hamper has all the essentials for two people and plenty of space inside in an insulated compartment to keep food cool, which zips shut inside the wicker basket. It is compact, at 25 x 40 x 40 cm, but should be able to hold essentials for two. The basket has just one compartment, but it’s nice and roomy. Ceramic plates, stainless steel cutlery and a bottle opener/corkscrew fit neatly into the lid, secured with straps. Wine goblets go into elasticated loops in the main section. This arrangement leaves a good amount of space for your all-important food. Plates and spoons are on the small side, but not ridiculously so. As a bonus, cutlery, glasses and plates can all go into the dishwasher so at the end of a day out you can just load it into the machine rather than having to wash and dry everything by hand. The wicker hamper has a cheerful blue and white striped interior. It is pleasantly light to carry. It also feels very secure – the basket closes efficiently with a central buckle. We also thought that the handle is very well designed: made of faux-leather, it is broad and very comfortable – it’s much easier to hold for a long period than classic wicker. Available from: ProCook (£59) Charles Bentley two-person wicker picnic basket Available from OnBuy (£62.69), Amazon (£62.69) Best designed picnic basket Pros: Plenty of space for two Good-quality glasses and plates Looks great Cons: Salt and pepper shakers are tricky to remove Score: 4.5/5 If you’re heading out for a picnic with just one other person, this is a decent-sized hamper with good-quality contents. It makes for a basket that has the wow factor as well as being practical. It’s simple and stylish, with a blue-and-white checked pattern inside. The central strap opens to reveal two sections, which open separately. One inner section is insulated and designed to keep food cool for four to six hours. This section is pleasingly deep and big enough to carry food for a pair. In the lid on this side is the cutlery – with each item held in a separate strap – plus corkscrew. The other compartment isn’t insulated so it’s somewhere to keep your fruit and crisps. Glasses also go in here, strapped to the side. Ceramic plates are stored securely in the lid of this section and so are the salt and pepper shakers. The latter are held rather too securely though – we struggled to get them out. You also get two napkins. This basket comes with a very useful information sheet, advising that plates, glasses and cutlery can go in the dishwasher. You are also advised to use ice packs in the insulated section, and there bare essential hygiene tips and knife safety. We thought this basket makes very good use of space and particularly liked the quality of the contents. Goblets are made of glass rather than plastic and plates are ceramic. Although these are slightly heavier than plastic options, because it’s only for two people, the hamper doesn’t weigh too much and isn’t hard to carry. VonShef Deluxe picnic basket Available from Wayfair (£55.99), VonShef (£59.99), Amazon (£59.99) Best small picnic basket Pros: Comes with picnic rug Affordable Cons: Plastic packaging round the glasses, cutlery and cruet Score: 4/5 Designed for two people, this dinky little picnic basket comes with a good-sized picnic rug inside, though you will have to carry it separately if you want to leave enough space inside for food. The rug has a waterproof backing so is fine for dewy mornings or if the grass hasn’t dried after a rain shower. Inside the basket you get a good range of contents – a pair of melamine plates, plastic glasses, cutlery, a waiter’s friend, two cotton napkins, and salt and pepper shakers. Most of the contents strap securely into the lid and there is a separate slot for each piece of cutlery which makes it easy to put in and get out. The salt and pepper shakers, unlike some we tested, also came smoothly out of their slots. Wine goblets go in the main body of the basket. The leather strap that secures them has a Velcro opening – no struggling to push the glass in here. The single compartment closes with two buckle-up leather straps. The carry handle is also leather, which is much more comfortable on the hand than wicker. We were disappointed with the amount of plastic packaging but there were lots of good things about this hamper. It’s big enough for two (once you’ve removed the rug) but won’t take up masses of space in the car. Cutlery can go in the dishwasher after your day out, though hand-washing is advised to prevent tarnishing. Available from: Wayfair (£55.99) VonShef (£59.99) Amazon (£59.99) Tower Heritage six-person wicker picnic hamper Available from Tower Housewares (£74.99), Amazon (£58.60) Best for a bigger group or family Pros: Larger basket Comfortable to carry Cons: Tricky to fit cutlery into the slots Score: 4/5 Most picnic hampers are for four people, which means bigger groups or larger families would need to cart two of them about, or pack extra plates and glasses. This six-person hamper is aimed at a bigger crowd. We particularly liked the fact that it’s carefully designed so it doesn’t feel massive to carry, despite the extra requirements. Inside, you get six small ceramic plates, which are secured in the lid with leather straps in two sets of three. Stainless steel cutlery has an attractive wood effect handle, the colour echoing the internal leather fittings on the basket. Cutlery comes in cardboard boxes rather than being pre-loaded into the basket, which means you have to figure out how to place it into the horizontal and vertical straps – this involved a bit of trial and error. A downside is that each cutlery item came covered in a plastic wrapper. Plastic wine goblets strap into the main compartment, secured with Velcro making them easy to put in and take out. There’s also a good-quality bottle opener/corkscrew. There isn't dedicated space for non-essentials, such as napkins and salt and pepper shakers. Once all the crockery and cutlery are inside, there is still a decent amount of space for food, especially if you pack carefully and avoid too many containers. The whole thing secures with two leather buckles and is carried with a broad and comfortable leather handle. It’s lighter than you might expect given the contents. With a smart tartan lining, this traditional-looking picnic hamper is well equipped for a day out. As a bonus, it comes with a confident warranty – one year standard, which you can extend for an extra two years for free on the Tower website. Available from: Tower Housewares (£74.99) Amazon (£58.60) Which picnic hamper should I buy? Before buying, you should think carefully about how you'll be using your picnic hamper to ensure you choose the right one. Where are you most likely to go for your picnic? Will you drive to the picnic spot or will there be a hike involved? What type of food and drink will you be taking on your picnic? Chilled items will warrant a cool bag. We looked for a wide range of picnic baskets at a variety of price points, that could hold enough to serve from two to six people. So which are the best picnic baskets? Here is our line-up of best buys. How we tested picnic baskets Our reviewer filled the hampers with picnic recipes and tested the picnic hampers in local parks, as well as their own garden. The food varied between mid-morning brunches with cheese and crusty bread and coffee, to grab-and-go feasts of tomato and potato salads, hummus dips with crudités, watermelon slices, homemade cakes and spreads using our foolproof picnic recipes. While testing, we looked carefully at handle comfort, capacity, the practicality of the design and quality of build, the quality and quantity of accessories, the ease of using the fastening mechanisms and how secure they were. We questioned whether the basket made our picnic stress-free and more pleasurable or proved more a hindrance than a help. What we looked for in a picnic hamper Functionality Large baskets without a durable handle or shoulder strap to take the weight may result in handles pulling free from their rivets after a few heavy picnics. It's important to consider how long they will last under duress. Accessories are fun and add to the occasion, but if you have kids, will those glasses really be the best thing to drink from? If you plan to walk to your favourite picnic spot, make sure you consider how bulky and easy-to-carry your basket will be. Insulated compartments or separate cool bags will mean your food stays cold and safe to eat on a hot day. All those straps and buckles can be tiresome to undo and redo, and while the elastic straps don’t look so attractive, they are definitely a swift solution to securing accessories. Value for money Picnic hampers can get expensive, so you’ll want to ensure you're getting the best value for money in terms of quality of the basket and accessories. Materials vary from cheaper plastic to glass and fine bone china, so make sure you consider how you’ll be using the basket before deciding how much to invest. Capacity The appetite of your party or the occasions you'll most often use your basket for will have an impact on which one you choose. It’s all very well having lots of accessories lining your basket, but if it means you have to sacrifice a sandwich or two, then it might not be the basket for you. Quality of materials If you want your picnic basket to last and look good, you will want a well-made basket with quality wicker and sturdy handles and straps. The quality of any insulation will determine how long it will keep your food cold and safe. Better-quality materials can also make for a more cumbersome basket, so you need to prioritise and weigh up the ease of carrying against more expensive, quality materials. Good looks Whether you prefer a traditional, classic picnic hamper or something a little more fun and playful, you’ll want your picnic hamper to look good while you’re out and about. What to put in a picnic basket How to pack the perfect picnic The best picnic tips and tricks Picnic recipes Next level picnic recipes Best family picnic recipes Top 10 healthy picnic recipes Picnic recipes you can make in minutes Picnic recipe collection Kids' picnic recipes Related reviews The best picnic gadgets The best canned wine The best melamine plates The best cool boxes The best portable barbecues The best supermarket picnic food 10 of the best picnic rucksacks The best gas barbecues Best sustainable picnicware The best reusable straws This review was last updated in July 2022. Do you have a favourite picnic basket? We'd love to hear your product suggestions…
Read our full review of the Morphy Richards Hive kettle, with its unusual lid and honeycomb pattern.
Morphy Richards Hive kettle summary Echoing its name, the Hive has a honeycomb pattern. The kettle comes in four colourways – grey, white, cream and black – and there are matching toasters, too. There’s a transparent switch with a white light that shows when the kettle is on. Unusually, the stand-out feature of this kettle is the lid. When you’re buying a kettle, you usually have a choice between two kinds – a pull off style or one where you press a button to open the hinged lid. The lid in the Morphy Richards Hive kettle doesn’t need to be removed at all (though you can still pull it off if you like to be conventional). Instead, it has an ‘easy fill system’: a specially designed lid with a hole in so you can pour water in directly. This does make filling particularly easy and quick. Despite our concerns with this innovation, water doesn’t spurt out when you’re boiling it, even if you fill it to the max like we did during testing. We did feel the water level indicator could be clearer – it’s very hard to see as the markings are pale and it doesn’t illuminate when boiling. The kettle boiled quickly, averaging at around 2:12 for a litre. We felt that overall, this is a well-priced, effective kettle that’s light to use, with a nice innovative touch. Read our full review of the best kettles Morphy Richards Hive kettle specifications Choice of temperature: no Temperature indicator: no Keep warm function: no Water level indicator: yes Removable limescale filter: yes Lid type: pull off / run through Capacity: 1.5l Dimensions: 20.3 x 15.8 x 23.7 cm (H x W x D) Weight: 0.81k Finished beep: no
Read our full review of Bosch's fast-boiling silicone kettle.
Bosch silicone kettle summary Perched on a square base and with a silicone ‘coat’, this is an eye-catching kettle that would sit well on the worktop of any contemporary kitchen. The base, main body and lid are stainless steel. The kettle has a grey ribbed covering, a black handle and a clearly contrasting red ‘on’ switch. There’s also a version with a red silicone cover for those wanting something even more striking. Features are well thought-out – the 360 degree base means the kettle is easy to pick up for both right and left handers. The power cord is stored in the base and there’s a removable filter. You press a button to flip up the lid and can push it back a little further to make it easier to fill if you want to. Although it holds 1.7 litres, it's fairly compact on the worktop. Even with the standout design, this kettle performed well in our speed trials, boiling a litre in an impressive average of 2.08 minutes. It has a pleasantly smooth pour, too. Available from: Curries (£79.99) Read our full review of the best kettles Bosch Silicone specifications Choice of temperature: no Temperature indicator: no Keep warm function: no Water level indicator: yes Removable limescale filter: yes Lid type: flip-up Capacity: 1.7l Dimensions: 23.6 x 24 x 18.7cm Weight: 1.2k Finished beep: no
Breville high gloss electric kettle review
Read our full review of the sleek Breville high gloss electric kettle
Breville high gloss electric kettle first impressions This kettle tested highly for us in the mid-budget range as it has everything you could want in a non-variable temperature kettle. The kettle is available in white and cream, with matching toasters available too. It is noticeably sleek and modern looking, with its grey exterior complemented by a stainless steel mesh effect trim near the bottom. The square-ish handle is in a contrasting black and the ‘on’ switch is pleasingly chunky. We also liked the feel of the textured lid button which sits flush in the handle. How easy is it to use? The water gauge illuminates when the kettle starts working, so you can see at a glance that it is on. The short, wide spout makes for a smooth and easy pour. The base is neat and has the same footprint as the kettle, which is important if worktop space is at a premium. There’s a good-sized lead, too. Summary Functionally, the kettle performed well. It was pretty speedy to boil, averaging 2 minutes 11 seconds for a litre of water straight from the tap. Read our full review of the best kettles Breville high gloss specifications: Choice of temperature: no Temperature indicator: no Keep warm function: no Water level indicator: yes Removable limescale filter: yes Lid type: flip-up Capacity: 1.7l Dimensions: 29 x 21 x 21 cm (H x W x D) Weight: 1.46k Finished beep: no More gadget reviews Best espresso machines Best coffee machines Best coffee pod machines Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best cafetières Best coffee grinders Best coffee gadgets Best toasters Best bullet blenders Best bread makers Best food processors Visit our reviews section