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I never fully realized my kitchen appliance problem until a recent spring cleaning session when my husband was going through our corner cabinet and asked, while holding up an ice cream machine: “What even is this thing?” Whoops.
As apartment dwellers, we don’t exactly have the space for one-off products. (And ask me how many times we’ve made ice cream. Actually, don’t ask!) And yet, we have a KitchenAid mixer and a juicer and an old waffle iron and a toaster and a sparkling water maker and a Moccamaster and an Instantpot and an electric kettle. And those are the things I can think of off the top of my head.
So when I stumbled across Bella, a line of space-saving appliances, I was intrigued. Many of the products, like their griddle and waffle iron, fold up in half so you can store them vertically like books on a shelf. Other products serve dual purposes, like the stand mixer that also transforms into a hand mixer—genius. They’re also remarkably inexpensive across the board: Compared to my PowerXL Smart Pro Blender, which goes for $137, Bella’s is just $36.
But an appliance can’t just be cute or cleverly designed; it also has to work. So I put the entire line, most of which comes in 5 soothing shades, to the test. These were my three favorite small wonders.
Bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster
During the pandemic, I invested in an expensive touch-screen toaster for—don’t judge me—$350. But at just 3.5-inches wide, Bella’s long and sleek one (just $20!) just makes more sense on my crowded countertop. Instead of the two pieces of bread sitting parallel, like most traditional versions, two slices can toast side by side in one line—or one long slice of sourdough without having to cut it in half first. The controls include a dial for toastiness (I prefer a level three for a light brown), and a cancel button. Plus, it’s a breeze to clean—you just push in a panel to release the crumb tray.
Bella Flip & Store Waffle Maker
Did I think a waffle maker would be my favorite of all the things I tested? Definitely not, but since heating up this vertically-stored appliance for the first time, I have officially become a waffle person. (Trader Joe’s Ube Mochi Pancake Mix helped, too.)
I just fill the little gadget with batter, flip it, and watch the steam rise until the red light turns white. The result? A perfectly cooked, crispy-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside waffle. The PFAS-free ceramic coating doesn’t require any cooking spray and there’s zero cleanup, unless I add a little too much. When it’s time to store the appliance, I just hit the lock button and slide it into our under cabinet storage, where it only takes up four inches of width.
Bella Flip & Store Blender
I adore this small and mighty blender—and it’s officially replaced our bigger and bulkier one for good. The genius lies in the way the pitcher flips upside down and rests on the base, saving us several inches of aerial space. Things to note: The pitcher is plastic, but its smaller size (6 cups) makes it easier to clean than our heavy glass one. And it’s powerful, even if that means it’s loud enough to wake me up in the mornings. There are 10 settings for pulsing and pureeing everything from soups to smoothies. I’ve also used it to make marinades, where it blends through entire cloves of garlic like a dream.
Our Favorite Bella Appliances
