We Peeled More Than 20 Pounds of Potatoes to Find the 5 Best Vegetable Peelers

Our Favorite Vegetable Peeler

The best vegetable peeler for you is sharp, durable, comfortable in your hand, and easily peels the foods you love to prepare and eat. We named OXO Good Grips Y-Peeler our top choice for its smart design, reliably sharp blade, and fair price. For an effective peeler at ultra-low cost, try the Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, which comes in a set of two for just $10.

How We Tested Vegetable Peelers

Based on the results of previous tests along with extensive research, we chose eight peelers to compare head-to-head for this round. We examined each model and rated its general design, handle comfort, and weight balance, before performing a series of specific tests.

• Potato test: We used each peeler to remove the peel from both sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes. In addition to recording the total amount of time needed, we also noted any problems with the blade slipping, uneven peeling, or any other performance issues.
• Lemon test: We used each peeler to remove pieces of lemon rind, trying to create as long a strip as possible without breaking into the bitter white pith. This was a good test of accuracy and control.
• Chocolate test: As a test of sharpness and ability to work on harder items, we used each peeler to shave chocolate curls over a dessert. We looked at how smoothly the blades could cut the chocolate, and how much effort was required.
• Cleaning: Between rounds of testing, we washed the peelers by hand, and ran the dishwasher-safe ones through the dishwasher at least once. We noted how easy it was to scrub the blades safely, and whether there were any nooks and crannies that could hold onto food bits. We also looked for any cracks, chips, and other damage at the end of testing.

After completing our tests, we revealed the retail prices of the peelers to consider value. The tested peelers ranged in price from $10 (which included two peelers) to $31, with an average of $20.

Factors to Consider

Shape

There are two main designs for vegetable peelers: A Y-shaped peeler holds the blade perpendicular to the handle, while a straight peeler has a blade parallel to the handle. (Straight peelers are often called swivel peelers, as the blade can swivel back and forth to better follow irregular shapes.)

In our testing, we generally found the Y-shaped peeler to be more effective and less likely to slip. Depending on how you orient it, you can use it to peel in a circular motion around an item or in individual strokes toward and away from you. However, not all Y-shaped peelers are designed with lefties in mind. A left-handed user has to hold a Y-peeler "backwards," and if it's not completely symmetrical in shape, this is often awkward. Since a straight peeler can peel in either direction, it's typically universal.

There's also the julienne peeler, which adds an extra blade to that turns the single wide slice of a standard peeler into multiple narrow strips. It's a very helpful tool, but it serves a different food-prep purpose.

Blade Material

Like knives, most peelers have blades made of stainless steel. The hard material can hold a good edge and resists corrosion. Some models use carbon steel or ceramic blades instead, which are sharper but more expensive and more delicate — carbon steel is prone to rusting if it's not thoroughly dried, while ceramic can chip when it knocks against other tools in a drawer. No matter what, it's not easy to sharpen a peeler blade; you might be better off replacing either the blade or the entire tool when it gets dull.

Handle

A peeler has a sharp blade, and to use it safely, you need to be able to keep a firm grip on the handle. Silicone, rubber, and textured plastic all help avoid slipping, but the exact shape and size of the handle determine how comfortable it will feel in your hand. Weight and balance are important, too, as a heavier handle gives you better control. Metal handles have nice weight, but their smooth surface might not offer as much grip.

Other Peelers We Tested

While the Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler performed well in our tests, it didn't make the list because the other Kuhn Rikon above surpassed it in control and value. It is still a great peeler that is very light and easy to clean. We also tested the KitchenAid Classic Y Peeler, but it was not a favorite during our testing. It was bulky, slippery, and quite heavy in hand. It was hard to use with smaller items, like lemons, during tests, so we don't recommend it.

Our Expertise

• Jennifer Zyman is a Senior Commerce Writer for Food & Wine and a recovering restaurant critic with a culinary school degree and over 15 years of food writing experience. Her work has appeared in Atlanta Magazine, Bon Appetit, Eater Atlanta, The Kitchn, Local Palate, National Geographic, Simply Recipes, Southern Living, and Thrillist. To write this story, she tested peelers side by side in order to find the best ones on the market.
• Julia Skinner, Ph.D., a writer, culinary educator, avid gardener, food preserver, and author of Our Fermented Lives, also contributed to this piece. She writes about and teaches fermentation, cooking, and food preservation through her business, Root, and through her newsletter.