The Finest Vegetable Peelers of 2023

Each kitchen wants a trusty peeler, whether or not you’re batch-peeling for mashed potatoes or attempting to get the right shavings of parmesan to high a kale salad. Whereas a paring knife might do the trick, it may be time consuming (and a wee bit harmful!).

The choices for peelers are seemingly infinite, so we examined 14 fashions—together with Y-peelers and straight swivel peelers—to search out the most effective ones. We peeled our method by means of potatoes, lemons, butternut squash, and parmesan cheese to search out peelers that carried out properly whereas nonetheless being simple to make use of. Y-peelers outperformed swivel peelers at each step when it got here to hurry, ease of use, and efficiency.  

The Winners, at a Look

The Finest General Vegetable Peeler: Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler

Our longtime favourite reasonably priced peeler was a workhorse throughout our testing, with a design that was easy and efficient. It was simple to make use of, peeled easily and shortly, and sported an eye fixed scooper.

One other Implausible Vegetable Peeler: Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler

This was one of many quickest of the peelers we examined. It peeled two giant Russet potatoes in a little bit over one minute, and dispatched a big butternut squash in a single minute flat— twice as quick as a few of our different profitable picks. The ergonomic deal with felt gentle and agile whereas transferring round nooks and crannies.

The Finest Grippy Vegetable Peeler: KitchenAid Basic Y Peeler

For many who are on the lookout for a considerable deal with, the KitchenAid Basic Y Peeler provided a snug huge grip, which was particularly useful in the event you’re tackling one thing giant and unruly (like a butternut squash!).

The Finest Fancy Vegetable Peeler: Rösle Stainless Metal Broad Crosswise Swivel Peeler

In the event you’re trying to splurge on a present for somebody —or for your self—this selection from Rösle is a lovely, purposeful peeler. The chrome steel physique was simple to wash and had a pleasant weight to it, for individuals who benefit from the little particulars. And in the event you can’t go with out an eye fixed scooper for potatoes, the one on this mannequin was good and sharp for clear, fast scooping.

The Assessments

• Peel Potatoes Take a look at: To look at the final use of every mannequin and to learn the way cleanly and shortly each peeled a potato, we timed how lengthy it took to peel two giant Russet potatoes. We famous how simple the peeler was to grip, how cleanly it peeled the potato, and if there was any resistance. We additionally took word of how simple it was to wash every peeler.
• Peel Lemon Rind Take a look at: We used every peeler to take away strips of lemon peel from one lemon, attempting to not catch pith. We noticed and famous how a lot pith was captured versus peel.
• Peel Butternut Squash Take a look at (Winners-Solely): Pitting our main peelers towards a hardy, harder pores and skin, we peeled one butternut squash per peeler, noting how cleanly the peeler reduce by means of the pores and skin and the way sturdy the blade was.
• Shave Parmesan Cheese Take a look at (Winners-Solely): To see how every peeler might peel delicate shavings of parmesan cheese, we used our favorites to take away strips of parmesan, noting how cleanly and simply every peeler was in a position to slice by means of the cheese.

What We Realized

Y-peelers Outperformed Straight Swivel Peelers

On common, the Y-peelers we examined peeled potatoes almost twice as shortly because the straight swivel competitors. Y-peelers additionally maneuvered extra simply across the potatoes’ nooks and crannies, and had much less situations of pores and skin getting caught contained in the blade. Our profitable picks, the  Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler and the Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler, peeled potatoes the cleanest, leaving little to no clean-up wanted. We appreciated the ergonomically designed deal with on the Piranha choice, which had a slight dip in direction of the peeler finish, giving the hand some additional leverage when transferring the blade round a vegetable. The KitchenAid and Rösle all carried out properly with potatoes, too. Whereas it might take some transitioning to embrace Y-peelers in the event you’re used to swivel peelers, it’ll be extra environment friendly (and comfy!) ultimately to make use of Y-peelers within the kitchen. In our assessments, swivel peelers had been extra vulnerable to skidding throughout the floor of a vegetable and had been much less agile when it got here to getting across the nooks and crannies of potatoes. Moreover, we discovered that potato pores and skin received trapped extra typically in swivel peeler blades. 

Y-Peelers Excelled At Delicate Duties

When it got here to lemons, Y-peelers usually carried out higher at procuring a fragile garnish of lemon rind with out catching an excessive amount of pith. Whereas we had been initially skeptical of how the serrated blade on the Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler would carry out with such a fragile job, this mannequin was in a position to get clear, complete items of lemon rind that had been almost translucent, whereas nonetheless holding their form. Our different picks additionally peeled lemon rinds properly with minimal pith, although it was harder to get one complete piece with the Rösle. And when it got here to our parmesan check, each Kuhn Rikon choices pulled dainty curled shavings.

Blade Materials and Form Mattered

General, blades with a serrated edge tended to get a greater chew on no matter they had been peeling. Within the case of considered one of our high picks, the Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler, its serrated edge was notably useful through the butternut squash check. It was in a position to catch onto the thick, robust pores and skin instantly and peel it away easily and with out a lot resistance. The Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler, was additionally fairly sharp, attributable to its carbon metal blade. This materials additionally meant it can probably keep sharper longer, although carbon metal is thought to rust simply. We might suggest instantly cleansing and drying it after use to maintain it in good situation.

Whereas Not Obligatory, an Eye Scooper Was Good to Have

It’s true that stopping each few seconds to scoop out blemishes on greens is tedious. Peelers with built-in eye scoopers helped streamline this course of, permitting you to oscillate seamlessly between peeling and scooping. The Rösle and Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler each sported good, sharp scoopers connected to the blade facet, making fast work of potato eyes.

The Standards: What to Search for In a Vegetable Peeler

An ideal peeler ought to simply take away pores and skin from greens and fruits, whether or not it’s thick, tough pores and skin or delicate, delicate rinds. It ought to be capable of peel delicately with out digging an excessive amount of into the vegetable or fruit, and have a blade sharp sufficient to chop into thick pores and skin straight away with out skidding off the floor. It must also be simple to wash, with out too many nooks and crannies the place vegetable or fruit pores and skin might get trapped.

The Finest General Vegetable Peeler: Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler

What we appreciated: The Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler was one of many extra reasonably priced peelers in our lineup, and comes from a trusted model—what’s to not like? It stored up the tempo when it got here to potatoes and shaved very delicate lemon peels with minimal pith. You possibly can even purchase a set of three for lower than $20.

What we didn’t like: Not like our different picks, it takes a bit extra care relating to cleansing. As a result of carbon metal blade (which supplies it an extended lifespan) you’ll have to wash and wipe it dry instantly after use to maintain it in good situation; this additionally means it isn’t dishwasher-safe.

Worth at time of publish: $10.

Key Specs

• Model: Y-peeler
• Materials: Plastic, carbon metal
• Blade form: Straight-edge
• Weight: 0.4 ounces 
• Dimensions: 6 x 0.75 x 2.75 inches 
• Cleansing/Care: Not dishwasher-safe; hand wash and towel dry solely; don’t soak

One other Implausible Vegetable Peeler: Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler

What we appreciated: This peeler was quick, simple to make use of, and surprisingly sturdy for a mannequin so gentle and skinny. Its slim profile additionally makes it simple to retailer. Whether or not it was potatoes or butternut squash, it persistently peeled easily and cleanly with out skidding throughout the surfaces.

What we didn’t like: The one draw back is that this mannequin doesn’t have an eye fixed scooper, which will be useful for cleansing greens as you go, particularly in the event you’re batch-peeling for a big recipe.

Worth at time of publish: $14.

Key Specs

• Model: Y-peeler
• Materials: Plastic, chrome steel
• Blade form: Serrated
• Weight: 1.1 ounces 
• Dimensions: 6.25 x 3 x 1 inches 
• Cleansing/Care: Dishwasher-safe

The Finest Grippy Vegetable Peeler: KitchenAid Basic Y Peeler

What we appreciated: The KitchenAid Basic Y Peeler was very comfy to carry attributable to its bigger deal with that afforded an excellent grip. This mannequin carried out shortly and easily in our assessments, and took minimal effort to wash. It’s nice for on a regular basis peeling and may energy by means of greens and fruits with out a lot friction. Bonus: it’s dishwasher-safe.

What we didn’t like: In the event you’re on the lookout for one thing that may delicately shave parmesan cheese, this peeler would possibly disappoint. It has a larger-than-average hole in its blade, pulling thicker shavings of cheese. 

Worth at time of publish: $9.

Key Specs

• Model: Y-peeler
• Materials: Plastic, chrome steel
• Blade form: Straight
• Weight: 4.2 ounces 
• Dimensions: 2.95 x 0.98 x 7.48 inches 
• Cleansing/Care: Dishwasher-safe

The Finest Fancy Vegetable Peeler: Rösle Stainless Metal Broad Crosswise Swivel Peeler

What we appreciated: Utilizing the Rösle was as joyful because it was environment friendly. The mannequin’s all-stainless metal physique, which gave it a pleasant heft, made peeling potatoes and lemon rinds clear, clean, and environment friendly. The hefty physique virtually helped push our hand straight alongside no matter we peeled.

What we didn’t like: Whereas it breezed by means of potatoes and procured clean shavings of lemon rind, it confronted extra problem when it got here to our butternut squash check. Pitted towards the thick pores and skin of butternut squash, this peeler noticed only a marginally increased quantity of skidding. It’s additionally probably the most costly fashions we examined, alongside the Materials Kitchen Endlessly Peeler. And it’s not left-hand pleasant.

Worth at time of publish: $28.

Key Specs

• Model: Y-peeler
• Materials: Chrome steel
• Blade form: Straight
• Weight: 4 ounces 
• Dimensions: 6.7 x 3 x 1 inches 
• Cleansing/Care: Dishwasher-safe

The Competitors

• KitchenAid Basic Euro Peeler: This swivel peeler had a mean efficiency. With potatoes, it generally skidded throughout peeling, and because of the straight swivel motion, peeled pores and skin would typically get trapped within the blade.
• OXO Good Grips Professional Swivel Peeler: One other swivel peeler, the OXO Good Grips Professional Swivel Peeler had a snug deal with and peeled easily, however had a troublesome time getting round nooks and crannies. That mentioned, in the event you’re loyal to swivel peelers, that is the mannequin to go for. 
• OXO Good Grips Prep Y-Peeler: We actually loved the huge deal with on this mannequin; It was comfy to make use of and easily peeled greens and fruits. It additionally has an eye fixed scooper. General, it carried out properly however wasn’t as quick as our high picks, and it picked up quite a lot of pith through the lemon rind check.
• OXO Good Grips Y-Peeler: This isn’t too completely different from the above mannequin, however felt much less comfy in hand regardless of having a blade that carried out shortly and easily. When it got here to lemons, this mannequin pulled an excessive amount of pith from the lemon rind.
• Misen Peeler: The Misen Peeler had a beautiful weight to it and peeled easily. Nevertheless, when it got here to lemons, this mannequin received an excessive amount of pith from the lemon rind. It wasn’t in a position to carry out the extra delicate job with out tearing the rind to bits as a substitute of peeling one full piece.
• Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler: We don’t suggest this peeler; it was the slowest mannequin and sometimes received items of potato pores and skin caught in its blade. When it got here to lemon rind, this mannequin didn’t peel easily in comparison with our profitable picks.
• Precision Kitchenware – Extremely Sharp Stainless Metal Twin Julienne & Vegetable Peeler: This was the bulkiest mannequin that we examined, with two sides: a peeler blade and a julienne blade. It was unruly to maneuver and didn’t peel as easily as different fashions. As well as, it didn’t peel lemon rinds cleanly. On this occasion, the serrated blade created little bits of lemon rind as a substitute of getting one clear piece.
• Materials Kitchen Endlessly Peeler: Whereas undeniably lovely, the Materials Kitchen Endlessly Peeler was additionally probably the most costly fashions. It was additionally awkward to grip with smaller palms because of the design of its physique and, whereas it feels fairly fancy, it didn’t carry out in addition to our profitable picks.
• Opinel T-DUO: This was the opposite mannequin with twin blades, providing a peeler facet and julienne facet. Whereas it was comfy to deal with and straightforward on the eyes with its heat picket deal with, it didn’t carry out as shortly because the profitable picks. Nevertheless, it nonetheless peeled cleanly and easily regardless of being a bit slower. The julienne facet additionally labored properly in case you’re on the lookout for a peeler that may do a number of duties.

FAQs

Which form of vegetable peeler is finest?

In all of our assessments, Y-peelers carried out higher on common in comparison with swivel peelers. Y-peelers moved cleanly, maneuvered properly round nooks and crannies, and allowed for clean, frictionless peeling motion.

What are the completely different types of vegetable peelers?

There are two principal types: Y-peelers, which have a deal with main as much as a horizontal blade (they’re formed just like the letter Y, therefore the title), and straight swivel peelers, which have a blade that’s vertically aligned with the deal with itself. Amongst these, some Y-peelers are double-sided, providing each a peeler facet and a julienne facet for twin motion.

How typically do you have to substitute a vegetable peeler?

Some specialists suggest changing your peeler yearly, whereas others say you possibly can go just a few years earlier than needing a alternative. Nevertheless, just a few of our fashions, such because the Materials Kitchen Endlessly Peeler, enable for blade replacements, so that you don’t have to interchange your complete physique itself.

Are you able to sharpen a vegetable peeler?

No. As soon as a vegetable peeler begins to change into boring, it’s time to put money into a brand new one

What’s the easiest way to wash a vegetable peeler?

Whereas all however considered one of our fashions examined are dishwasher-safe, it’s usually finest follow to hand-wash vegetable peelers, particularly when you’ve got one which has extra nooks and crannies—such because the double-sided peeler and julienne fashions. And if the blade is fabricated from carbon metal, as it’s on the Kuhn Rikon Authentic Swiss Peeler, it’s finest at hand wash it after which dry the blade instantly after, to keep away from rusting.