“Mandolines help to ensure you can get evenly cut slices with every piece, therefore creating an end product that will cook evenly and precisely,” says Chef Megan Dow of More Momma Cooking School. “They are also very helpful for the homecook to get a perfect julienne.” Our overall best pick for the best mandoline slicer is the Benriner Mandoline Super Slicer. It is a favorite of industry pros for its professional quality with precision. It also has a large open handle for comfort with a non-skid rubber base for stability and to prevent injury. Here are the eight best mandoline slicers. Keep in Mind: It’s not for true beginners and cut-resistant gloves are recommended. Its BPA-free and dishwasher-safe plastic frame features four interchangeable stainless steel blades (straight edge, coarse, medium, and fine) with an easy-turn dial on the underside. A quick turn adjusts the thickness of the cuts, making it versatile enough to slice wide chunks of potatoes for a gratin and pivot easily to cut paper-thin slivers of radishes for a salad. The mandoline hooks onto the side of a mixing bowl, so slices fall down into the bowl and never pile up or get in the way. When you’re done slicing, it can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher. In addition to a non-skid base for stability and a secure grip handle, it comes with a safety guard to protect your fingers. Note, however, that you might need a little practice at first and cut-resistant gloves are recommended. Price at time of publish: $77 Product Details: Style: Handheld | Thickness Settings: Four | Blade Style: Japanese | Dimensions: 12.60 x 4.72 x 1.57 inches | Care: Dishwasher-safe (top rack) Keep in Mind: It’s smaller than most mandoline slicers on our list. This mandoline features a ceramic blade that is acid-resistant, rust-proof, and dishwasher-safe. An adjustable dial allows you to choose from four different sizes so you can choose the thickness or thinness your particular dish needs, whether you are slicing cucumbers for cucumber salad or homemade potato chips. For added convenience, a plastic hand guard helps keep your fingers safe from the sharp blade. Notches on each corner help it to fit securely over the edge of bowls, so fruits and vegetables will drop into your bowl instead of rolling off the counter or onto your floor. It’s also compact with a short, ergonomic handle so it won’t take up all the space in your kitchen drawer. This mandoline slicer is a bit smaller than other mandoline slicers on our list, but because of its affordability and simplicity, it’s the best mandoline slicer for those looking for an affordable option. Price at time of publish: $25 Product Details: Style: Handheld | Thickness Settings: Four | Blade Style: Japanese | Dimensions: 4 x 1 x 11 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe Keep in Mind: Cut-resistant gloves are recommended. To change the setting to cut julienne, turn the dial to reveal blades—just remember to put them back down before storing so you don’t cut your hand. Because the blades are so sharp, cut-resistant gloves are recommended. An indicator window shows each thickness setting in inches and millimeters with clear labels from above, so you can prep with as much precision and speed as a chef in a professional kitchen. The top surface area is constructed with a surface texture that prevents food from sticking and getting in your way. The mandoline slicer is also equipped with a non-slip handle, and the stable stand prevents the kitchen tool from slipping. The food holder helps secure your food while you move it up and down the slicer. Its three prongs hold onto the produce while a spring inside adjusts with each pass to slice all the way to the end so you have less food waste. Price at time of publish: $105 Product Details: Style: Countertop | Thickness Settings: 21 | Blade Style: Japanese | Dimensions: 16 x 7 x 6.25 inches | Care: Hand wash Keep in Mind: It is dishwasher safe, but hand washing the mandoline will extend its life. The mandoline features a sliding button that clicks to adjust between three thicknesses (thin, medium, and thick) to slice carrots, onions, apples, tomatoes, and more to the thickness best suited for all your different recipes. For added convenience, it has a wide slicing surface to fit larger fruits and vegetables, eliminating the risk of needing a second tool to slice hearty harvest-time apples. The finger guard secures food while sliding it over the blade to help keep you safe. A non-skid base with ridges on the underside makes it easy to balance on the bowl instead of having to hold it up the whole time, which keeps your hands free for other tasks. The mandoline slicer also has a safety that locks the blade so you can safely clean and store the slicer. Keep in mind that while it’s dishwasher-safe, washing it by hand will add to its longevity and keep the blade razor-sharp. Because of its space-saving design, it’s the best mandoline slicer for a small kitchen. Price at time of publish: From $18 Product Details: Style: Handheld | Thickness Settings: Three | Blade Style: Japanese | Dimensions: 13 x 5.2 x 2.2 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe Keep in Mind: Longer foods like carrots and zucchini may need to be cut in half to fit in the chute. There’s a slicing dial to adjust the thickness setting between 0.5 and 8 millimeters for a choice of six slicing styles (thick, thin, big dice, small dice, matchstick, and julienne). Once the food pusher guides produce down the chute, a spring-loaded pump lever chops the food, and the slices are released into a food container in the back so there’s next to no mess on the counter. The purchase includes the mandoline with a stainless steel blade, a food press cup to push produce down the chute, a food bin to catch the slices on the other side, a cleaning brush for food debris, and a recipe guide. The fold-down design is surprisingly compact for easy storage and the plastic is heavy-duty. The mandoline slicer is available in several colors, including gray, aqua, black, yellow, navy, and red. The only downside is the chute is short, so longer foods like carrots and zucchini may need to be cut down in size to fit. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Style: Standing | Thickness Settings: Six | Blade Style: Japanese | Dimensions: 6.51 x 4.7 x 14 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe Keep in Mind: V-shaped blades cannot be sharpened, though OXO does sell replacements. The mandoline slicer has four easily adjustable thickness settings and interchangeable blades that cut straight, wavy, and julienne styles. The V-shaped, hardened stainless steel blade is sharp enough to slice through hard vegetables like potatoes and carrots. It cuts through soft fruits like tomatoes too, so it’s a versatile kitchen tool for savory and sweet recipes. Features like the food holder that firmly holds food will protect fingers from getting sliced on the blades and the textured surface prevents food from sticking and holding you up. It’s also easy to clean in the dishwasher and has a lifetime satisfaction guarantee. Keep in mind that the V-shaped blades cannot be sharpened, so replacements will need to be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Price at time of publish: $45 Product Details: Style: Standing | Thickness Settings: Four | Blade Style: V-shaped | Dimensions: 5.5 x 6 x 15.5 inches | Care: Dishwasher-safe top rack only Keep in Mind: You may want to wear cut-resistant gloves if you haven’t used a mandoline before. It comes with five interchangeable blades: a standard mandoline blade, a wavy slicer, a coarse grater, a fine grater, and a shredder. The blades are made from sharp surgical stainless steel blades that are LFGB standard-approved. When not in use, the blades are stored in a caddy for safety and to prevent one of them from getting lost. The adjustable slicer makes it easy to slice fruit and vegetables as thick or as thin as needed. The thickness settings are adjustable with a thumb dial that doesn’t stop at set increments like other models, so it’s one of the best mandoline slicers you can buy for versatility. You can adjust the dial to any size between 1 and 9 millimeters. A slicing guard with stainless steel prongs is also included to keep your fingers safe—but cut-resistant gloves can also help protect your hands. Because of the different thickness options it offers, the Mueller Multi Blade Adjustable Mandoline is one of our top picks. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Style: Standing | Thickness Settings: Undefined | Blade Style: V-Shaped | Dimensions: 13 x 5 x 5 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe Keep in Mind: The thickness of the slicer can’t be changed. The set comes with 11 inserts including one large and one small chopping blade plus a one-quart tray to catch produce as you julienne, slice, grate, cut, chop and spiralize. It’s perfect for zoodles, vegetable pastas, and other heart-healthy recipes. It’s important to note that what you see is what you get—there’s no way to change the size of the chopping inserts, so if you want finer onions, you’ll need to get out your chef’s knife. The best thing about the slicer set is how easy it is to use. Because the blades are razor-sharp, this device makes it simple to chop vegetables and fruits. The one-quart, non-slip tray catches the food as it falls and it’s dishwasher-safe, making dinner prep and clean-up a breeze. We love the bonus items the set comes with including a fingerguard and protective glove, handheld peeler, juicer, egg separator, and slicer bonus items. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Style: Countertop | Thickness Settings: NA | Blade Style: Various | Dimensions: 12.1 x 5.8 x 5.2 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe When shopping online for the best mandoline slicers, it’s essential to now only choose a price point that makes sense for your budget, but to also pay attention to the safety aspect and the features that fit your lifestyle, cooking abilities, and kitchen space. After our research, the best overall mandoline slicer was the Benriner Mandoline Super Slicer.
What to Know About Mandoline Slicers Before Shopping
Style
The main styles of mandoline slicers are handheld and standing. Standing mandolines are more stable, but may be more difficult to clean. Conversely, handheld mandoline slicers can be easier to use, but may not be as stable. When choosing a style, consider how often you will use your mandoline slicer and what types of food you will be slicing. If you plan on using one often, it may be better to get a countertop or standing mandoline so you can rely on its stability. However, if you plan on just using it occasionally for salads or potatoes, a handheld one will be sufficient.
Thickness Settings
The ability to adjust the thickness of a potato from super wide to paper-thin is an important aspect of the cooking process as well as a dish’s presentation. “Mandolines are definitely worth it when cutting items that need to be cut precisely and evenly,” Chef Dow says. “Especially for things like homemade potato chips where the thickness of the potato will determine cooking time.” Four-time James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Eric Gabrynowicz advises to find a setting that you like for the most work you do with it and mark the setting screw with a permanent marker so you can get it right every time.
Blade Style
French mandolines have one blade that goes all the way across. They are bulky, require some patience to set up, but allow you to set thickness levels with precision. Most students learn with them while in culinary school but home cooks tend to stay clear due to the higher price tag and level of difficulty. If you need a visual, think French guillotine.Japanese mandolines are typically lighter, smaller, and easier to use. The blade sits at a diagonal angle, which is better for accuracy. They are the go-to for many professionals like Chef Gabrynowicz who find them quick, easy, and precise with practice.V-Shaped mandolines have a V-shaped blade with two separate surfaces, which makes it easier to get even slices every time—even with the most delicate of foods. This makes it great for amateurs or cooking enthusiasts as long as the exercise caution around the sharp blades. These sharp blades are typically not interchangeable, but you can easily adjust the thickness of the cuts.
Dimensions
When shopping for the best mandoline slicer, consider how often it will be used and how much storage or counter space you have to spare. If you will only be using your mandoline occasionally or have limited space, a handheld slicer will be best. However, if you have more space in your kitchen and plan on utilizing your mandoline often, opt for a larger, standing one. Be sure to measure where you plan on storing your mandoline slicer before you purchase one to make sure you have plenty of room for storage in your drawer or cabinet.
Care
In general, with so many parts, slicers with small grids or lots of moving parts will be tougher to clean. Stainless steel models require more maintenance but can last longer. They must be cleaned after every use and dried completely. They may even require oil to keep it in great shape. Plastic models are easier to maintain because they can be tossed in the dishwasher, but they are more likely to break sooner. Chef Donald Young, Michelen-star chef and owner of Duck Sel, suggests washing a mandoline after every use and to periodically sharpen the blade. “With proper care, this top-of-the-line slicer will last longer than all the other ones on the market. In the long run, this is the cheapest option over time,” he says.
Your Questions, Answered
How much does a mandoline cost?
The average mandoline slicer starts around $30 and can go up to $200 for professional-grade models. If you plan on using a mandoline on a regular basis, it may be worth the splurge to opt for a more expensive model with more features. If you think you will use one less frequently, start out with a more affordable option.
What kind of mandoline is best?
According to Chef Gabrynowicz, the best mandoline is the French mandoline because of its quality and sturdiness. “But with the amount a home cook would use one, they are much better off with a Japanese mandoline,” he says. “They accomplish the same goals, are more easily stored, and are much cheaper.”
Is a mandoline worth it?
In short, yes. If you’re serious about cooking, a mandoline slicer can be downright life-changing in the kitchen for its ability to add consistency to your cooking and make your presentation more professional. “I would say a mandolin is absolutely worth it if having uniformed knife cuts is important to you,” says Chef Gabrynowicz. “It makes dicing and slicing so much easier than freehand with a knife. It also makes it so much easier to add vegetables to a home made salad.” Before using your mandoline, be sure to read the instructions that come with your kitchen tool so you know how to properly use it.
Who We Are
Belle DuChene is an award-winning digital content producer and stylist who is often seen in Better Homes & Gardens home and garden videos. She is the agency director of a micro-influencer talent agency and teaches strategic digital communications at three colleges and universities. For this article, Belle researched a variety of mandoline slicers, looking at blade style, settings, performance, and overall value to find the best pie pans. She also consulted four-time James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Eric Gabrynowicz of Tupelo Honey Cafe; Chef Megan Dow of More Momma Cooking School; and Chef Donald Young, one of the industry’s youngest Michelen Star Chefs and owner of Duck Sel in Chicago.
