Soup season is almost upon us – these are the 3 must-have appliances I swear by for fall cooking

I'm not shy about proclaiming myself as a soup expert. Aside from my culinary training and experience testing the best blenders, I had jaw surgery back in 2020, which meant I had to eat nothing but soup for three months straight. I've tried every flavor, technique and topping you can think of – and I'm still not tired of soup.

Whether you're whipping up a chunky chicken soup or the creamiest velouté, the right kitchen appliances make all the difference. These are my top, professionally-rated appliances that are sure to elevate your soup this season – and stand you in good stead for years to come.

1. The KitchenAid Hand Blender

The secret to velvety, smooth soups without lumps and bumps? It's all down to using the best hand blender. If I had to choose just one soup-making gadget, it would be the KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender.

This affordable, powerful blender is designed to puree soups directly in the pot. It gives you complete control with a variable speed button, allowing you to achieve the exact texture you desire, whether you want a chunky vegetable soup or silky, creamy bisque.

KitchenAid have recently launched a beautiful cordless option, which gives you the freedom to blend wherever you like, without proximity to a plug. Both models are thoughtfully designed to protect your favorite pans, thanks to the scratch guard, which covers the sharp metallic edges of the blending blade. The blender arms are dishwasher-safe and I love the lidded cups included – they're great for storing any leftovers in the fridge.

Read more details in our full review here.

2. The Instant Pot Slow Cooker

In summer, I find myself juggling multiple appliances – spiralizers, salad spinners, dressing mixers. For fall and winter, I prefer to let my gadgets do the hard work for me. The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a trusty sidekick for soup season. This slow cooker allows you to set it and forget it, perfect for big batches of hearty soups, stews, and chilis.

The Instant Pot Duo Plus features a soup/broth preset that simplifies the process. You can toss raw vegetables and meats into the pot, set it to the soup setting, and let it simmer until everything is tender and flavorful. The built-in pressure cooker speeds up the process significantly, reducing cooking times for those busy days when you need an easy meal. Once your ingredients are cooked, you can use an immersion blender to blitz the soup to your desired consistency.

The Instant Pot’s large capacity makes it ideal for making soup for a crowd or preparing leftovers for the week. The keep-warm function ensures that your soup remains hot and ready to serve until you’re ready to enjoy it.

Read more details in our full review here.

3. Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender

The Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender is a standout appliance for any soup enthusiast. Our testers were impressed by the built-in heating element, which allows you to cook, blend, and simmer ingredients in one container. If you hate washing up or don’t have access to a stovetop, this will streamline your soup-making process.

Our testers were pleasantly surprised by how well the blender performed. They chopped and sautéed onions directly in the blender (something I'd be skeptical about) but the results were soft and golden. The pre-programmed settings include ‘Chunky Soup’ and ‘Smooth Soup,’ so you have a basic level of control over the texture – just not as much as you get with a variable-speed hand blender.

Unlike a slow cooker, which relies on long, slow cooking to develop deep flavors, the Ninja Foodi offers convenient, quick cooking. You can prepare a freshly made, flavorful soup in around 30 minutes, thanks to its efficient heating and blending capabilities. I think it's an ideal choice for busy weeknights or quick lunches, when you want a homemade soup without the wait.

Read more details in our full review here.

My must-have soup accessories

These tools make soup season effortless and joyful. They'd make great gifts for food-lovers, too.

Depending on your soup style, any of these appliances will elevate your soup-making experience. If you're looking for perfectly textured soups, I'd choose the KitchenAid Variable Speed Hand Blender. If you're craving rich stews and hands-off cooking, opt for the Instant Pot. Or if you want to make quick soups without any pots, pans or extensive chopping – try the Ninja Foodi Blender. Happy soup season.