Labor Day weekend is approaching, and Amazon’s sale section is brimming with kitchen deals worth celebrating. There are thousands of discounts to choose from, so if you’re not sure which items are worth buying, you’re in good company. Luckily, our editors spend hours every week shopping for knives, food storage containers, cookware, and appliances, meaning we know a good kitchen deal when we see one. We’ve determined the four products you should absolutely avoid when shopping 2025 Labor Day sales. Shop these editor-approved alternatives instead, starting at $3.
Don’t Buy: Ice Cube Trays
Buy Instead: Countertop Ice Maker
Stiff, plastic ice cube trays have always been the bane of my existence. Not only do they take up prime real estate in my tiny freezer, but they’re hard to empty. If you’re sick of twisting and smacking your tray against the counter just to free a lone cube or two, grab one of these countertop ice makers while they’re on sale for Labor Day. These clever machines churn out enough ice to serve water, cocktails, or cold brew coffee to a crowd. They make ice in minutes, and some models even let you customize the shape and size of your cubes.
- Silonn Countertop Ice Maker$80, originally $110
- Ecozy Portable Countertop Ice Maker$75, originally $90
- Gavasto Countertop Ice Maker$62, originally $80
- Euhomy Nugget Ice Maker$170, originally $190
- Sweetcrispy Countertop Ice Maker$50, originally $70
Silonn Countertop Ice Maker
Amazon
At 8.7 x 11.4 x 11.6 inches, this compact ice maker is a great fit for small kitchens like mine. It’s a bestseller, with over 3,400 five-star ratings, and it’s 27% off right now. The mini machine churns out nine cubes in six minutes, according to the brand, and can make up to 26 pounds of ice per day. Best of all, it cleans itself at the touch of a button in 30 minutes.
Ecozy Portable Countertop Ice Maker
Amazon
This sleek and quiet ice maker lets you choose between two ice cube sizes, which comes in handy if you love hosting cocktail hour. “If you entertain guests — even occasionally — this machine is a game-changer,” noted one happy shopperwho appreciates the “perfectly shaped ice spheres” the portable ice maker creates.
Don’t Buy: Garlic Press
Buy Instead: Zester
I recently broke up with my garlic press, and it’s one of the best kitchen decisions I’ve ever made. Most garlic presses are difficult to clean, with bits getting stuck in tiny nooks and crannies, and they serve one purpose in the kitchen. To make the most of my (extremely limited) kitchen space, I swapped it for a Microplane zester, which I can also use for citrus, hard cheeses, whole spices, chocolate, and more. It’s easier to clean, easier to store, and you’ll reach for it daily.
Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester
Amazon
The Microplane zester is a favorite among our editors, professional chefs, and Amazon shoppers alike. During our extensive tests, the fine, ultra-sharp teeth produced “perfectly minced garlic.”
Rainspire Zester
Amazon
Don’t miss your chance to snag this popular stainless steel zester while it’s only $3. Reviewers say“It finely grates garlic to a nice paste” in a matter of seconds. Over 1,000 shoppers bought theirs in the last month, and now’s the time to join them.
Don’t Buy: Pizza Cutter
Buy Instead: Kitchen Shears
Pizza could be its own food group in my diet, so it might surprise you to hear that I don’t own a pizza cutter. In my opinion, standard pizza wheels are dull, tough to maneuver, and difficult to clean. In search of a multifunctional alternative, I landed on an item I already own: a sharp pair of kitchen shears. The ultimate multitasker, these kitchen scissors slice through crust faster than a rolling wheel, plus they come in handy for snipping herbs, breaking down poultry, cutting parchment paper, and so much more.
- Wüsthof Come-Apart Kitchen Shears$25, originally $29
- OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Scissors$17, originally $20
- ELephas Professional Kitchen Scissors$22, originally $45
- Joyce Chen Original Unlimited Kitchen Scissors$20, originally $25
- Cuisinart Utility Shears$10, originally $13
Wüsthof Come-Apart Kitchen Shears
Amazon
These top-rated kitchen shears are made from sharp stainless steel and come apart for easy cleaning. “I have been using these shears for years,” claimed one customer. “I use them for many things — like cutting pizza into strips or small pieces.”
OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Scissors
Amazon
With their micro-serrated blades, OXO’s all-purpose kitchen scissors easily grip and slice through tough ingredients like herb stems, meat, and thick crusts. One shopper uses their set “to cut everything from Amazon boxes to pizza.
Don’t Buy: Bulky Coffee Maker
Buy Instead: French Press
I couldn’t go a day without a cup of coffee, but I’ve always felt my machine takes up too much space on my countertop. While large coffee makers are ideal for households with multiple coffee drinkers, they’re overkill in a single-bedroom apartment. Instead, grab a compact French press like the ones we’ve listed below. They’re easy to use — just add grounds and water, steep, press, and pour — and can additionally brew loose-leaf tea. Many are even attractive enough to double as kitchen decor. Upgrade your coffee routine with these picks from Le Creuset, Bodum, Stanley, and more.
- Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker$20, originally $28
- Le Creuset Stoneware French Press$68, originally $85
- Stanley Classic Stay-Hot French Press Coffee Maker$53, originally $70
- Utopia Kitchen French Press Coffee Maker$14, originally $18
- Bodum Java French Press Coffee Maker$20, originally $28
Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker
Amazon
With over 14,600 five-star ratings, this Bodum French press is a clear shopper-favorite. The borosilicate glass carafe retains heat well and doesn’t stain, while the stainless steel filter and plunger prevent grounds from escaping into your coffee. One reviewer called it the “best press out there, hands down, all at a fantastic price.”
Le Creuset Stoneware French Press
Amazon
It’s impossible not to feel elegant when brewing coffee in this gorgeous Le Creuset press. The stoneware French press retains heat for extended periods. According to one shopperit “keeps coffee hotter than metal or glass.” Get it for 20% off in Caribbean blue.
