:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-pizza-cutters-4175132-166e0682784346d4a34ada4c72ad30d1.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
Pizza cutters aren’t quite the one-trick ponies they sound like. Not only are they the perfect tool for the job when you’ve got a fresh, homemade pizza to cut, but they also come in handy for slicing pastry dough, tortillas, biscuit dough, quesadillas, pasta dough, and thin breads, like focaccia. Depending on the type of cutter, you might find other uses, as well, like neatly cutting brownies, fudge, or sheet cakes.
To help you find the best pizza cutter for your kitchen, we tested them side by side and evaluated each on its design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Thin and thick pizzas were cut into slices to make sure these models are truly the best pizza cutters available.
Best Overall
Oxo Good Grips 4-Inch Pizza Wheel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/oxo-good-grips-stainless-steel-4-inch-pizza-wheel-and-cutter-cd24911369c94d2e918dae5c6b87e148.jpg)
Amazon
No disassembly for cleaning
Dishwasher safe
Comfortable handle with thumb guard
No blade guard for storage
Could be a bit sharper
This cutter has a 4-inch wheel that can cut through thin or thick pizzas and has a sharp blade that can handle any crisp or chewy crust. A die-cast thumb guard keeps your thumb out of the way of the blade and allows you to apply extra pressure while cutting. When it came to testing, we appreciated the sturdiness of the blade and the comfortable grip while not having to worry about getting sliced, thanks to the guard.
The handle is similar to those on other Oxo tools, with a large, soft grip that’s easy to hold onto even if your hands are wet or greasy. We were able to slice through a thin-crust pizza with ease. When cutting a thicker pizza, it took a couple of passes to get through to the bottom, but it wasn't a struggle. When pizza making is done, this will also come in handy for cutting pastry or pasta dough as well as other types of thin breads.
If you own other Oxo Good Grips tools, you know how easy they are to care for. Just toss them in the dishwasher and put them away once they’re clean. This pizza cutter is no exception. Even if you choose to hand-wash it, it’s a breeze.
Price at time of publish: $17
Material: Stainless steel and rubber | Dimensions: 9.38 x 4.13 x 0.63 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"I appreciated how large the wheel was and the sturdiness of the blade. It sliced through fairly well, although it feels like it could have been sharper. The grip was quite comfortable to hold."
Best Budget
Winco Winware Pizza Cutter With Handle
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/winco-811642000910-winware-pizza-cutter-4-inch-blade-with-handle-stainless-steel-19fcba63f05445c0b14b7e88cf26af25.jpg)
Amazon
Super inexpensive
No disassembly for cleaning
Dishwasher safe
No blade guard for storage
This wallet-friendly cutter is inexpensive enough to keep at a vacation home or take to a potluck without worrying about leaving it behind, yet it does the job well. The blade is 4 inches in diameter, so it’s large enough to cut either thick or thin pizzas, and the plastic handle is durable and easy to hold. We found this blade a little less sharp than the others but still effective, especially for the price. For easy cleaning, it’s dishwasher safe, so you can simply toss it in with all the other gadgets and utensils.
Price at time of publish: $5
Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 9 x 4 x 0.5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"This may not be the best cutter for someone who eats Sicilian or Chicago-style pizza often, but for the average consumer on a budget, I think it's a solid option. It does take a couple of times to cut through a pizza, but it's also not sharp enough to accidentally cut you."
Best Set
Checkered Chef Premium Pizza Cutter and Cutting Board Set
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/checkered-chef-premium-pizza-cutter-and-cutting-board-set---rocker-pizza-cutter-and-135-inch-round-wooden-pizza-board-06d5c49948064a708aed676f79d4a934.jpg)
Amazon
Blade guard included
Round board with cutting grooves
Dishwasher safe
Cutting board slides a bit on counter
Rocking pizza cutters can cut pizza from side to side in one smooth motion, creating straight cuts every time. The included cutting board takes that precision one step further, since the board has grooves that cradle the blade to help make eight identical slices of pizza. The wood also protects the blade’s edge, so it will stay sharp longer. The opposite side of the board is flat and can be used for cutting pizza into squares or for general cutting and chopping use in the kitchen.
We found this pizza cutter to work exactly as promised. The blade wasn’t quite as sharp as some of the other cutters, but the cutting board grooves helped make the process easier. It did take a couple goes to get through the thicker crust, but it felt sturdy and easy enough to use. We noted that we would probably sharpen the blade at some point if we were to continue to use this. The cutting board also slid a bit on the counter for the thick-crust pizza, which was the only thing we didn't like.
This rocking cutter is good for more than pizza, too. It can be used for cutting bar cookies and brownies or pasta dough, chopping herbs, and much more. The blade is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning (just make sure to wash the board by hand), and it comes with a plastic blade cover for safe storage in a drawer.
Price at time of publish: $35
Material: Stainless steel and rubberwood | Dimensions: 15.24 x 13.78 x 2.13 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Cutter is, board is not
"If you really care about each pizza slice being completely even, this is definitely the slicer set you should get. The rocker is easy to use, and the cutting board was helpful, despite sliding a bit."—Christine Clark, Product Tester
Best Splurge
Dreamfarm Scizza Pizza Scissors
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dreamfarm-scizza--non-stick-pizza-scissors-with-protective-server--stainless-steel-pizza-cutter-scissors--all-in-one-pizza-slicer-and-pizza-server--easy-to-use--easy-to-clean-pizza-cutters--red-d7c065b5de4f43368bb704072fb360c9.jpg)
Amazon
Safe for nonstick or delicate surfaces
Good for tortillas
Dishwasher safe
Blades could be a little longer
While buying a pair of specialty scissors made for cutting pizza might seem just a little bit extravagant, these scissors have one major benefit over other styles of cutters. They can be used on any surface, including on delicate nonstick pizza pans or serving platters, so you don’t have to transfer your pizza to a cutting board for portioning. We enjoyed using this for thinner crust more than a thicker crust, as it could become a bit of a mess slicing through a lot of sauce and cheese.
These scissors are designed so that the bottom blade slides easily under the pizza, with a nonstick “shoe” that protects the surface below. That nonstick shoe is heat-safe to 400 F, so you don’t need to worry about it melting when it makes contact with the hot pizza or pan. The familiar scissors action slices neatly through crust and toppings without putting pressure on the pan or plate below, so you’ll never scratch your pizza pan, mar your favorite pizza stone, or crack your favorite serving plate.
These scissors can also be used for slicing any thin breads like focaccia or tortillas. If you plan to hand-wash them, it’ll be easier to do so immediately after using them, before any cheese is able to dry. However, they are dishwasher safe, so feel free to just pop them in the dishwasher if you have one.
Price at time of publish: $26
Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 11.5 x 1 x 4 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Top rack only, but hand-wash recommended
"I wish the blades had been a tiny bit longer; it took a lot of snips to make it all the way through, but they did slice well and felt sharp. The scissors felt super sturdy to hold, and I appreciated that I could use these with a pizza stone. The protective bottom edge was a nice touch."
Best Handle-Free Wheel
Kitchy Pizza Cutter Wheel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kitchy-pizza-cutter-wheel---no-effort-pizza-slicer-with-protective-blade-guard-and-ergonomic-handle---super-sharp-and-dishwasher-safe-green-8aaf074dd33441e288b99318c61a55bd.jpg)
Amazon
Inexpensive
Blade guard for safe storage
Super sharp blade
Needs disassembly for cleaning
Nontraditional grip
This large pizza wheel gives perfect—and safe—control of cutting with an ergonomic grip above the handle, making it easy to apply downward pressure and precise steering. The handle-free design also makes this easy to tuck into a drawer, and a blade guard keeps the sharp cutting edge covered for safe storage. The blade is extremely sharp, according to our tests, and cut through both thick and thin crusts in just one pass. We found the grip a little unwieldy (perhaps it would be easier with larger hands), but the sharpness of the blade made up for that.
To clean, this comes apart easily and is dishwasher safe, so there’s no need to handle the sharp blade with soapy hands. While there are similar models available, it’s hard to ignore the large number of satisfied buyers who love this cutter. This is available in several colors, as well, in case it’s important that it matches the kitchen décor. Be careful of the sharp blade, but there is little else to be worried about with this effective cutter.
Price at time of publish: $10
Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 4.88 x 4.65 x 1.18 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
"The blade on this was SO sharp—it went through the pizza crust in one easy pass. It did not wobble at all, and the grip felt fine. This was one of the few cutters where I was more impressed by the blade than by the easiness of the grip."
Best for Gifting
Robe Factory Star Trek USS Enterprise Pizza Cutter
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/star-trek-the-original-series-uss-enterprise-ncc-1701-pizza-cutter-utensil-d9d7792b78af4614a554ef6ba045151c.jpg)
Amazon
Unique design
Heavy duty
Perfect for "Star Trek" fans
Hand wash only
The perfect pizza cutter for fans of "Star Trek," this cutter isn’t just for looks—it actually works well to cut pizza, pasta dough, cookie dough, and more. When it’s not in use, it will look great sitting on a shelf or hanging nearby, ready to fly in when pizza needs to be attacked. During testing, we praised its durability as well as the sharp blade that rolls well and does a fine job cutting pizza. We also found this sturdy and effective in every test setting but a bit more of a pain to clean than the others. Not only is this great for your own kitchen, but it’s also the perfect gift for sci-fi fans who love pizza.
Price at time of publish: $38
Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 9.7 x 2.3 x 4.8 inches | Dishwasher Safe: No
"For the pizza-loving Trekkie, this would be a totally great cutter. I respect joy being sparked by everyday items, and it performed better than I expected."
We awarded the OXO Good Grips Pizza Wheel the No. 1 spot because it has a super comfortable handle and a sharp blade that slices through different thicknesses of pizza in one swift motion. If a budget-friendly pick is in the stars, go for the Winco Winware Pizza Cutter With Handle.
How We Tested
We sent all of the pizza cutters on this roundup to our cheese expert and seasoned product tester, who tried each out by slicing through both thin- and thick-crust pizzas. Each pizza cutter was rated on design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Our tester then offered additional insights on each pizza cutter's strengths and weaknesses.
What to Look for in a Pizza Cutter
Size
Pizza cutters come in a variety of sizes, from compact rollers to long, thin rockers. Since a cutter is going to spend most of its time in storage, it’s wise to consider where it will be stored and how well it will fit among the other kitchen tools.
Versatility
If pizza is a weekly meal, a single-use cutter will do enough work in the kitchen to justify the space it takes. If pizza is an occasional treat, the other tasks the tool can handle are important. In fact, they may be the deciding factor. Whether it’s neatly dividing brownies or cutting pasta, your new pizza cutter could be the perfect tool for one of those jobs.
Sharpening Ability
Cutting tools eventually get dull, no matter what they’re cutting. And if you make a habit of cutting pizza on a baking stone, the pizza cutter is going to get dull fast. If you have a way to sharpen your pizza cutter, it won’t need to be replaced as often and will always give neat cuts whether you’re cutting hot pizza or cool pie dough.
FAQs
How do you sharpen a pizza cutter?
The answer depends on the type of cutter purchased. For rocker models, sharpening is similar to sharpening a knife. A handheld honing steel also works well for rocker blades, as you can control the angle while sharpening.
With a pizza wheel, you must be careful because of the rotating movement. If you have a knife sharpener that sharpens while you slide the blade through, you can grasp the wheel by the flat portion and pull it through a few times until sharpened. This takes great care and focus so your fingers don’t slip while sharpening. The rotating blade makes using a sharpener difficult.
Whetstones are another tool used to sharpen knives. You can apply the same principle with whetstones as knife sharpeners, except you will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about soaking the stone. The circular edge of the wheel will present the same issues as sharpeners.
If you want a more powerful option, the belt grinder fits the bill. They are expensive, but belt grinders are the tool used for sharpening and finishing blades. Caution is necessary as they have spinning edges. All that said, most pizza cutters really aren't that expensive, so if it feels unsafe to sharpen the blade on your own, you may be better off just purchasing a replacement cutter.
Can you use a pizza cutter on a pizza stone?
To preserve your cutter and stone, you shouldn't use a pizza cutter on a pizza stone. It’s best to transfer the pie to a pizza peel (a flat wooden or metal paddle) before cutting because a pizza stone that is too hot or too cold can be damaged from contact with the sharp pizza cutter.
What else can a pizza cutter be used for?
Pizza cutters actually can serve multiple functions, and because of their design, they are a relatively safe tool to get kids into the kitchen routine. Below are some suggestions:
- Trim crust off toast or sandwiches
- Sub in for pastry wheel when trimming dough or pasta
- Create tortilla strips for salad toppings
- Chop herbs and lettuce
- Slice quesadillas, biscuits, and brownies
- Cut up mini marshmallows for hot chocolate
- Slice spaghetti, grapes, and other kid-friendly snacks into bite-sized portions
- Divide play dough
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a freelance food writer who specializes in product reviews and recipes. Her love of kitchen gadgets and cooking led to a recipe blog, Cookistry, and a cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread."
Carrie Honaker is a food writer who has wielded many cutting tools over the years. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she knows the importance of maintaining steady, sharp edges. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.