5 Tools Not to Buy on Prime Day, and 25 to Buy Instead

I look forward to Amazon Prime Day all summer. It’s one of the best sales of the season, with discounts on everything from luxury cookware brands to small kitchen appliances. The downside of seeing so many good deals is that it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement, causing you to buy things you will never use. Take it from me, someone who tests kitchen gear for a living: It’s better to buy products you know you need instead of trendy tools that will break in a month. 

If you keep scrolling, you’ll find 25 products that are actually worth your money, and five products that absolutely aren’t. These smart purchases will last longer than flimsy alternatives, paying dividends in your kitchen. Plus, they start at just $9.   

 What to Buy on Amazon Prime Day, According to a Food Writer

• Caraway Wooden Utensils, Set of 5, $116, originally $145 
• Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, $298, originally $420 
• Shun Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife, $66, originally $144
• Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, $25, originally $45
• John Boos Block Large Reversible Wood Chopping Board, $252, originally $296

Don’t Buy: Plastic Kitchen Utensils 

Buy Instead: Wooden, Silicone, and Stainless Steel Tools

Not only do black plastic kitchen utensils melt if left on a hot pan for too long, but they are also potentially filled with cancer-causing flame retardants. Rather than risk your health to save a few dollars, switch to non-toxic wooden, stainless steel, and silicone models. These spoons will last longer than their plastic counterparts without shedding plastic into your food. Whether you’re looking for a full suite of wooden spoons or a single metal spatula, Amazon Prime Day has the tools you need at prices you want.     

• Caraway Wooden Utensils, Set of 5, $116, originally $145 
• KitchenAid Stainless Steel Utility Tongs, $13, originally $17
• Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Metal Spatula, $17, originally $22 
• ChefAide Silicone Spatulas, Set of 5, $9, originally $13 
• FunCee Wooden Spatulas, Set of 2, $12, originally $15

Don’t Buy: Toxic Cookware 

Buy Instead: Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, and PFAS-Free Pots and Pans 

If Teflon flu is getting you down, now is the perfect time to invest in non-toxic cookware. I scoured Amazon’s digital aisles, rounding up discounted pieces from luxury brands, including Le Creuset, All-Clad, and Caraway. Score stainless steel skillets, cast iron cookware, and more while they’re up to over $120 off for Prime Day.  

• Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, $298, originally $420 
• Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware, Set of 10, $230, originally $370
• Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Saucepan, $100, originally $125  
• Joyce Chen Classic Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok, $33, originally $40
• Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle, $40, originally $60

Don’t Buy: Vegetable Chopper 

Buy Instead: Razor-Sharp Knives  

While a trendy tool like a vegetable chopper can cut an onion faster than a knife, it also takes up more space, breaks more easily, and can be difficult to clean. A sharp knife, on the other hand, has a million and one uses in a kitchen and will never go out of style. With Prime Day 2025 in full-swing, you can score up to 57% off popular styles, including chef’s, steak, and paring. 

• Shun Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife, $66, originally $144
• Miyabi Kaizen II 9.5-Inch Bread Knife, $185, originally $225 
• Imarku 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, $40, originally $62   
• Henckels Forged Accent Paring Knives, Set of 2, $26, originally $35 
• Henckels Prime Steak Knives, Set of 4, $20, originally $47  

Don’t Buy: Disposable Water Bottles 

Buy Instead: Reusable Water Bottles

The best way to get through a hot summer day is with a steady source of ice-cold water nearby. Enter: reusable water bottles. Soaring temperatures have met their match in these large-capacity tumblers, allowing you to stay hydrated for hours at a time. Whether you add a colorful Yeti water bottle to your cart or a new version of the same Nalgene you grew up with, this is one purchase you won’t regret.      

Don’t Buy: Plastic Cutting Boards

Buy Instead: Microplastic-Free Cutting Boards 

New research suggests that plastic cutting boards may pose a risk to our health by shedding millions of microplastic particles into our food. To ensure you’re as safe as possible in the kitchen, it’s a good idea to replace your worn-out boards with materials like wood and bamboo. With their striking designs and natural antiseptic properties, you likely won’t even care that they have to be washed by hand.   

Don’t let the allure of high discounts trick you into buying things you don’t need. Instead, use Amazon Prime Day as a way to refresh your favorite kitchen tools and invest in the premium brands you’ve been eyeing. You’ll thank yourself later.