Compiled by Claire Reilly

Mother’s Day is always a big time of year for small appliance sales, but with the 12 May date popping up on the calendar so close to the start of winter, benchtop cooking products always garner a bit of extra attention.

Slow cookers, pressure cookers and multi-function appliances continue to be popular across the board, with the major suppliers adding new features and cooking programs to boost their offerings. The main selling point is time-saving cooking – when consumers come in looking for an appliance for Mum, retailers should really focus on how products will make life in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable.

Here's our pick of the best benchtop cooking appliances for this Mother’s Day.

Kenwood Cooking Chef (KM080) – RRP $1,999

Billed by Kenwood as “the first ever total mixing kitchen machine to cook your meal” the Cooking Chef does the mixing and stirring, and also allows you to cook in the same stainless steel bowl. With plenty of attachments (including a blender and food processor) as well as chopping and slicing discs, this is really an investment purchase designed to last for many Mother’s Days.

Kambrook Pressure Express Digital Pressure Cooker (KPR800) – RRP $119

Tying in with Kambrook’s ‘One Pot Wonders’ small appliance message for Mother’s Day, the Pressure Express has sauté, pressure cook and slow cook functions allowing consumers to make a variety of meals in the one appliance. As an added bonus, pressure cooking is good for time-poor Mums.

Philips HomeCooker (HR1050) – RRP $529

Part chopper, part cooking appliance, the Philips HomeCooker includes a chopping tower that cuts up ingredients directly into a cooking bowl, which can then be set to automatically cook and stir meals. The appliance also gets the tick of approval from Jamie Oliver.

Sunbeam Duos Sous Vide (MU4000) – RRP $199

This sous vide machine can be used to cook vacuum-sealed foods in water at very precise temperatures, or it can be used as a regular slow cooker. It features a 5.5-litre capacity and electronic temperature controls that can be set between 40 and 90° Celsius.

Tefal Cook4Me (CY7018) – RRP $349

There’s an interactive control panel as well as over 80 pre-programmed recipes including starters, mains and desserts. Best of all, over 50 recipes can be cooked in less than 12 minutes, making it an easy sell for most consumers.

Breville Original ’74 (BSG1974) – RRP $99.95

A Current.com.au favourite for its sheer retro appeal, the Original ’74 jaffle maker is based on Breville’s original design from 1974, and makes toasted sandwiches the old-fashioned way (complete with sealed edges for maximum cheese retention). It also comes in at a good gift-giving price point.