A 2-4 cup manual food processor is really great for mincing veggies, garlic, herbs, etc. I've even used one to make hummus, though that is definitely harder than using an electric one. The manual food processor I have is easy to use & wash, and much smaller and lighter than an electric one of a similar size. It's my favorite knife alternative for ease of use / ease of cleaning.
Sharp knives are easier and safer to use. A knife sharpener that's easy to use makes a huge difference.
This is my favorite spatula. It's sturdy enough to replace a wooden spoon for most uses, and is way easier to clean. It scrapes bowls better than standard scraper spatulas. It's the perfect amount of flexible for pushing cranberries through a strainer when making sauce. It's overall just pleasant to use.
We care enough about tea to warrant an adjustable-temperature kettle. We originally had one with the controls on the handle, but it broke because the controls couldn't handle the heat from using the kettle. So we needed something with controls on the base instead. The dial stays cool when the kettle is heating, and the kettle heats FAST. When we got this kettle, the Oxo was the cheapest option in this general design (which no longer appears to be the case) and it's held up the best of any electric kettle I've ever had.
Specifically, not the cheapest toaster oven. I got the cheapest toaster oven and broke it pretty quickly just through using it. I got a mid-range one that has airfry (convection), toast, bake, and broil and it has lasted very well with frequent use. We even use it instead of our pop-up toaster. It's great for anything single-serving because with the small size you don't have to worry about preheating.
The quality & durability of the pots & pans at the restaurant supply store far surpasses that of pots & pans at the same price point anywhere else. They're even easier to wash. And they're easier to use (e.g. being shaped properly for tossing food). There's just no comparison.
The color-coded cutting boards from the restaurant supply store are bigger, thicker, and sturdier than what you can get elsewhere. Plus they were cheaper!
Not magic bullet brand - something sturdier. It's great for anything that doesn't require a high-powered blender, and (for the one I have) anything that gets food on it is dishwasher safe.
My mom got this for me after I burnt out the motors of 2 or 3 cheaper blenders. I haven't burnt out the motor of this one yet! The one downside is that is harder to clean than most other blenders I've had. While I prefer the bullet blender for everyday blending, when you need this you need it & having it keeps me from burning out the bullet blender. I also use this for making sorbet using the double freeze method!
A rice cooker is great for anything that you basically just boil. I really got into cooking with a rice cooker in college, when we had a gas stove & oven but didn't have gas for an entire semester. In addition to rice & steaming things, in my experience rice cookers are great for soups. When you have a working stove, a rice cooker frees up a burner / keeps your stove clean.
I got a manicure stool that has rollerblade-style wheels & is height adjustable to my standing height (actually even taller. if I put it the whole way up, my feet dangle.) It's easy to move around the kitchen, it's a great task chair for the kitchen table (more comfortable than our regular chairs, especially when concentrating), and it's perfect for "standing" in front of the stove stirring things.
I have a variety of sizes of prep bowls - having the right size for whatever you need really saves counter space with mise en place. The deep shape is also great for sauces, yogurt, applesauce, etc.