We Tested 10 Mandoline Slicers to Find the 4 Best Picks

Our Favorite Mandoline Slicers

For its versatility in cutting and configuration, performance, and value, we stand behind the Mueller Austria Multi Blade Adjustable Mandoline Slicer as our favorite. The OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer is an excellent value for its compact size and sharp blade.

How We Tested Mandoline Slicers

To evaluate our group of 10 mandolines, we tested them in the following categories: design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and value.

• Potato test: We sliced three potatoes on each mandoline: one at the thickest setting, one at the thinnest setting, and one at a setting in the middle, depending on the available settings for each slicer. This gave us valuable information on how much force is needed for each slicer and how well and cleanly the blades sliced tougher vegetables. If the slicer had other blades, such as a julienne or waffle cutter, we sliced an additional potato per blade.
• Tomato test: We then sliced tomatoes in the thinnest setting possible to test the sharpness of the blade and assess how well each slicer handled something soft and delicate.
• Cleaning test: Finally, we carefully cleaned the mandolines according to the manufacturer's instructions, paying particular attention to how easy or difficult it was to remove debris from the blade.

Subjectively, we evaluated the design, from the construction to the quality of the blades, to rate their durability and perceived longevity. During the slicing tests, we observed the mandoline's comfort level. Did it feel natural to use, or was it clumsy? After testing, we revealed each mandoline's cost to determine its value. At the time of testing, the least expensive mandoline was $19, and the most expensive was $181, with an average cost of about $73.

Factors to Consider

Handheld vs. Kickstand 

The best mandoline is the one you're most comfortable using, whether that's a handheld or kickstand slicer. After much testing, we ended up with winners of both types. A kickstand mandoline will set the slope for slicing somewhere near a 45-degree angle, which makes slicing easier. The tradeoffs are there’s usually no cutting directly into a bowl, and because the kickstand folds, the mandoline body is generally thicker, which makes them bulkier to store.

Handheld mandolines are useful for most cutting jobs. They tend to be thinner than kickstand designs, making storage easier in a drawer. Many handheld models allow you to cut directly into a bowl thanks to notches that can attach to the rim and minimize slipping. The drawback is that cutting on a horizontal surface is more complicated than cutting on an angle. If you want that angle, you’ll have to provide it yourself by elevating the handled end and holding it in place.

Mandoline Blades

Do you see yourself thinly slicing potatoes only? Or would you use the julienne or grater blades, too? For those who want to use additional blades, we noted how easy or difficult changing blades was in our tests. Slicers have either angled or V-shaped blades. Both are great for slicing; V-shaped blades usually have less drag but can make it more challenging to get an even cut. Angled blades are better for smaller foods like cucumbers for salad, while V-shapes excel with larger items like cabbage for slaw. Either blade is a great choice for an all-purpose slicer, provided the blade is sharp.

Blade Adjustments

Adjustments are either fixed increments or controlled by a slider or set screw. Some mandolines we tested have precision thickness settings in increments as small as a half millimeter, and others have up to four fixed-width settings. Still, others have set screws or sliders that allow you to customize your thickness to your liking.

Safety Features

Mandolines can be dangerous, and you should exercise caution when pushing food across a sharp cutting blade. Almost all mandolines come with a finger guard that attaches to your food via spikes or something similar, but the quality and effectiveness of those guards vary, and you should consider that when deciding your comfort level in using a mandoline.

Other Mandoline Slicers We Tested

Strong Contenders

OXO V-Blade Mandoline Slicer ($50 at Amazon)

The OXO V-Blade is very similar to our top pick, and while it performed well, it didn't outperform the Mueller.

Bron Coucke Original Stainless Steel Classic Chef's Mandoline ($181 at Amazon)

This classic French-design stainless steel mandoline is durable and built for speed and high volume. However, as a professional model, it has a steep learning curve to use safely, so it might be outside the average home user’s comfort zone.

OXO Chef's Mandoline Slicer 2.0 ($100 at Amazon)

The Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 is the plastic cousin of OXO’s SteeL model, with the same blades and precision setting for cutting depth. The only difference is the plastic construction, but we feel for a few dollars more, the SteeL has better durability and longevity.

What Didn't Make the List

Unfortunately, not every mandoline we tested made the list for our recommendations. Some had issues with how much pressure we had to exert to slice hard veggies like potatoes, while others gave inconsistent cuts. Others had finger guards that were hard to use, and one sliced off the guard's teeth while we were using it. Lastly, others didn't offer the versatility of thicknesses or blade types that we would like to see, especially at higher prices.

Our Expertise

Greg Baker is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and food writer with four decades of experience in the food industry. His written work appears in Food & Wine, Tasting Table, Serious Eats, and other publications.