Summer has arrived. Whether you’re thinking about hosting a pizza party in the backyard or picnicking with a group of friends at the beach, it’s time to make sure you have the gear you need. Maybe your old pair of grill tongs needs to be replaced, or treat yourself to a tool or gadget you’ve been eyeing for years.
The ATK Reviews team wants you to cook with confidence in your kitchen—and outside. We put together a list of items to achieve that goal. These products will make grilling and outdoor cooking easier, more successful, and more fun too. Each item on our list aced a rigorous product review, so you can cruise into summer feeling ready.
Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
If you’re looking for a new project to try this summer, may we suggest making ice cream at home? Our winning canister-style ice cream maker will help make it happen with its lightweight, compact design and simple one-button operation. Read our review.
YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler
This top-of-the-line wheeled cooler aced our testing with its durable construction, portable design, and unparalleled cold retention (it kept cans of soda cold for five days). It’s spacious enough to accommodate 36 cans of soda plus ice packs and can be wheeled everywhere. Our Best Buy, the Coleman 50 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler, is also spacious and portable and can keep food cold for a weekend, though it’s less rugged than our winner. Read our review.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler, 40 oz
These oversized water bottles continue to be one of our favorite options for carrying a lot of water (or other drinks) and keeping it cold for a long time. Our winner is famously durable, surviving drops from a height of 6 feet. It has a large, looped handle, which makes it easy to carry around. Read our review.
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
Looking to spend this summer cooking outside? You’ll need a grill you can count on, and a reliable charcoal grill is more affordable—and usually imparts more flavor—than a gas model. Our top-rated model is simple to assemble, move, and operate, and it shone in our tests by making delicious salmon, ribs, burgers, and more. Read our review.
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OXO Good Grips Grilling Tongs
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: You deserve better grill tongs. Our winning tongs are nimble, precise, and incredibly easy to use. They’re also only about $17—way less expensive than those pricey, badly designed grill tools you see everywhere these days. Read our review.
Sunflora Picnic Backpack for 4
Our top-performing picnic backpack has wide, comfortable carrying straps, and it comes stocked with all the dishes and flatware you need for that outdoor concert or afternoon in the park. We especially liked the side pouches, which securely held the included picnic blanket and a chilled bottle of wine. Read our review.
Barebones Cowboy Fire Pit Grill - 23"
A fire pit is the ultimate centerpiece for outdoor fun, and our Best Portable model comes with everything you need to master open-fire cooking, even on the go. Imagine perfectly grilled steaks, beautifully charred veggies, or even a whole grilled fish at your next car campout—this fire pit will make it all easier than ever. Read our review.
Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet
A cast-iron skillet is the most versatile vessel for cooking outdoors; you can perch it on your grill grates or lay it directly amid a fire pit’s hot coals. Our Best Buy skillet by Lodge is an American icon that stands the test of time. Excellent heat retention and an easy-to-maintain preseasoned finish has earned it top marks in our tests for decades. Read our review.
Ooni Koda 2
Maybe you’ve always wanted an outdoor pizza oven? Well, this could be the summer you go for it. Our winner beat out 13 other models during testing with its professional-level, high-heat output and portable design. This oven cranks out perfect pizzas with ease, and we think it’s a pizza-lover’s dream. Read our review.
Beast Mega 1200
Our top-rated personal blender is truly a beast, in all the best ways. It turns even the toughest ingredients into a smooth beverage or a dip within seconds. It was easy and intuitive to use and had one of the largest capacities we’ve encountered. An upgraded version of the same blender comes with a stainless-steel jar in addition to the standard plastic jar, for those who want to minimize their use of plastic. Read our review.
FireBoard 2
For beginners (and experienced grillers too), a remote or wireless thermometer helps grilling and smoking projects go smoothly and easily. Our favorite upgrade pick is extremely precise at tracking the internal temperatures of the meat and is easy to set up and use. With the right thermometer, you’re prepped for success. Read our review.
GE 2-Slice Toaster
A toaster on a summer gear guide? We want you ready for tomato sandwich season! This top-rated model is just the right size for toasting sandwich bread (our favorite for summer sandwiches). It’s simple to use—and it can toast bagels too. Read our review.
Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe 8 x 3" Cake Turner
This extra-wide spatula isn’t just for cakes—it can be your secret weapon behind an unforgettable smashburger party. The long, grippy handle and the relatively broad and long turner picked up lots of food with ease; plus, it can smash two burgers at once. Read our review.
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