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Peelers might be one of the most common kitchen gadgets, right alongside wooden spoons. Unlike spoons, though, there are a lot of differences between models. From the general shape of the peeler and the blade material to the handle material and the color, there’s a lot to choose from. There are two basic shapes for handheld peelers: straight or Y-shaped. Which shape you choose is all about personal preference.
With a few exceptions, peelers are among the least expensive kitchen gadgets, so it’s not unusual to see several different peelers in the gadget drawer, each with its own purpose, because peeling carrots is much different than peeling tomatoes. Since they’re inexpensive, it’s also nice to have a spare, so you’re not waiting for the dishwasher to finish before you can peel the carrots. Unlike knives, peelers usually can’t be resharpened, so if peeling carrots has become a bit of a struggle, maybe it’s time to splurge on a sharp new kitchen gadget. We researched top-rated potato peelers to help you find one that's best for you.
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Blade is sharp
Peels smoothly and easily
Blade is replaceable
Comfortable to hold
Slightly pricier than competitors
Some say handwashing it is better
The upgraded version of a classic OXO peeler, this one has a slightly better grip, a sharper blade, and is built to be even sturdier than the original. The swiveling blade moves at exactly the right angle to peel vegetables with ease. A few highlights from happy customers: the handle is comfortable to hold, the blade has two sharp edges so you can cut towards or away from you, and it can easily be used by left- or right-handed cooks. The metal eye at the top lets you remove eyes from potatoes without reaching for a knife, and the hole in the handle can be used for hanging this peeler on a hook. For easy cleaning, it can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. If the blade ever gets damaged or dull, replaceable blades are available.
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Swiveling blade peels smoothly
Solid, comfortable ridged handle
Peels soft fruits well
Great customer service
Doesn't come with a protective sleeve
Highly rated by users, there’s a lot to love about this peeler. The super-sharp dual blades make short work potatoes, carrots, and more, while the ridged handle positions your fingers for a safe, comfortable grip, even if your hands are wet or greasy. It also does great work with softer foods like kiwis, users say. Swivel action positions the blade at exactly the right angle for cutting, no matter what you’re cutting. When you’re done peeling all the potatoes, carrots, and turnips, this is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning is a breeze.
Peels and cores quickly
Fun to use
Rubber suction on the bottom is sturdy
Directions could be clearer
If potatoes are your passion, this hand-cranked peeler will peel your spuds almost effortlessly. When you’re done with dinner, this can also be used to peel and core apples or spiralize vegetables. The rubber bottom will seal itself to your counter with the twist of a lever, so you can crank the handle without worrying about the peeler wandering across your workspace. Plus, as many users say, it's fun to use! Kids will love helping in the kitchen, cranking the handle to do the peeling, but adults should set up the machine. When you’re done, this should be hand-washed.
Very sharp, rust-resistant blade
Left- and right-handed
Easy to use
Compact, classic design
Some say handle is too small
Made entirely from stainless steel, this classic-looking peeler isn’t the same as the rusty peeler in the back of your gadget drawer. This is made in Sweden from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, and it’s guaranteed not to rust for 10 years. Not only will it resist rust, but the blade will remain sharp, even if you opt to wash it in the dishwasher. The slim design is great for small kitchens with limited storage space. Several users say that despite its slim design, this peeler is comfortable to hold and use, though a few say it was a bit too small in their hand. Since it has two sharp cutting edges, you can cut in either direction, and it’s great for both left- and right-handed users.
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Easy to attach to power hub
Includes storage case
Fits all KitchenAid mixer models
Sharp blades
Difficult to remove blades
Peeler skips
Folks who already own a stand mixer will love this multifunction peeler, spiralizer, and slicer. Much like hand-cranked peelers, but motorized by the mixer’s power hub, this will make short work of a pile of potatoes. When it’s apple season, you can peel, core, and slice bushels of apples with little effort. In fact, our tester successfully made two apple crisps using this attachment—one with spiralized apples and one with sliced apples. Change the blade, and you can spiralize potatoes, zucchini, beets, and more. "I thought using this product was much faster than spiralizing and slicing by hand," she says.
While you might not want to bother with an attachment when you’ve got a single vegetable to peel, this will come in handy for large families. Plus, it’s just fun to use, and kids will enjoy watching the magic happen. The blades are top-rack dishwasher safe, but they’re small, so washing by hand may be a better option. The rest of the device doesn’t make direct contact with food, so it’s simple to wipe down after use.
"None of the blades had trouble cutting any fruit or veggie I tried—even sweet potatoes, which are hard and dense." — Stacey L. Nash, Product Tester
Blade is sharp and works smoothly
Solid construction
Doesn't take up much space
Comes with blade cover and hanging hole
Food may get stuck in blade
While you might not peel your potatoes with a julienne peeler (unless you wanted to use the peels), the julienne version can come in handy for turning a potato into hash brown shreds. This type of peeler is also the tool you need for turning carrots into a garnish for salads or adding to cabbage slaw. When it’s cocktail time, this will make lovely garnishes, from lemon, lime, or orange peels. When it’s time for dessert, you can use it to shave strands from a chocolate bar to add a special touch to your cake or ice cream. Users love how smoothly this tool operates due to its sharpness, easily sliding down vegetables—one even says it's still "cutting like butter" after almost five years of use.
Made entirely from stainless steel with a handy hanging hole on the handle, this won’t rust or corrode, and it can be washed in the dishwasher when cooking is done. To keep your fingers safe from the peeler’s sharp teeth while it’s in storage, this includes a plastic blade cover.
Peels even soft, smooth fruits and veggies
Blade is very sharp and operates smoothly
Stays sharp for a long time
Not great for making thick cuts
Large loop looks a bit awkward
Like serrated knives, serrated peelers are experts at cutting specific foods. The serrations on this peeler grab onto slick skins rather than skidding across, and they can handle softer vegetables with tough skins. This is the tool you reach for when you need to peel tomatoes, eggplants, and even peaches and plums. Of course, you can also use it for potatoes, apples, and parsnips, just like a straight-bladed peeler. The blade is made from durable 18/8 stainless steel that won’t rust or corrode, while the handle is made from a soft-grip material that is easy to hold. Several users who have been using this peeler regularly—and using it anywhere from 6 months to 3 years—say it has stayed sharp. When peeling is done, this is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Very sharp, rust-resistant blade
Lightweight
Easy to hold and use
Easy to break when dropped or used roughly
Kyocera is known for its incredibly sharp ceramic knives, so it’s no surprise that it also offers peelers with ceramic blades. This Y-shaped peeler won’t rust or corrode, and the ceramic material minimizes food browning, which is great when you’re peeling large quantities of apples or potatoes. Like Kyocera’s ceramic knives, the blade on this peeler is made from the company’s proprietary zirconia material that will stay sharp much longer than similar metal knives. Plus, the razor sharpness will let you peel difficult foods like tomatoes without the need for a serrated blade. The blade's sharpness and smooth operation, as well as the comfortable grip, garnered this peeler top marks from users, especially those with arthritis and other grip issues. There are potato eye removers on both sides of the blade, so you can use whichever is comfortable for you. When you’ve accumulated a pile of potato, apple, tomato, and zucchini peels, you can wash this in the dishwasher.
Easy to use and clean
Small footprint
Includes spiralizer and cleaning brush
Doesn't work as consistently on tougher or very large vegetables
Vremi offers affordable, basic vegetable peelers, but this package really takes it to the next level. This budget-friendly bundle includes a three-blade spiralizer for turning your fruits and vegetables into fun swirls, as well as a peeler and custom cleaning brush. Peel and spiralize your way to curly fries or hash brown potatoes, as well as zoodles, cucumber spiral garnishes for salads, and much more.
The peeler is made with ceramic blades and a BPA-free plastic body, while the spiralizer features stainless steel blades. The mini cleaning brush is perfect for removing tiny veggie bits, according to several users.
Our top pick is the left- and right-hand compatible OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler because it has a comfortable grip, sharp blade, potato eye remover, and hanging hook. It also has a nice swiveling action to achieve all the angles for easy cutting. We also recommend the Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler with dual, straight blades; a ridged handle for optimal, non-slip finger placement; and prime swivel action.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a product tester and writer for The Spruce Eats. She's also a cookbook author and lover of kitchen gadgets—the KitchenAid Spiralizer Plus, which she reviewed for us, is one of her favorites. Check out her take on the best kitchen gadgets of the year.
What to Look for When Buying a Potato Peeler
Type of peeler: There are two types of manual potato peelers: straight and Y-shaped. Straight peelers have vertical blades that can usually swivel, and they peel in a back-and-forth motion. This type is ideal for peeling around potato ends and handling smaller produce. Y-shaped peelers, on the other hand, have horizontal, fixed blades (hence their slingshot look), and they peel from one end of the potato towards yourself. This type gives you more control, thus putting less strain on the wrist. There are also electric peelers, which are the easiest to use but have a larger footprint.
Blade and handle grip: Potato peelers typically have either a stainless steel or carbon steel blade, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Stainless steel blades are rust-resistant and less prone to breakage, but they can dull faster than carbon steel. The latter is a pro favorite due to how sharp it is, but it's also easy to break when dropped and can rust if not dried properly after washing. When it comes to peeler handles, they come either flat or rounded and are made of either plastic or metal—though many do come with a rubber cushion.
Uses: The best way to know which potato peeler is right for you is to figure out what you're mainly going to use it for and how often. If you're mainly using it to peel potatoes, perhaps a swiveling one with a comfortable rubber grip works best. If you're going to use your peeler for other purposes, such as julienning, something dual-purpose with extra-sharp blades may be more your speed. If you'd rather the tool do all the work (and you have the kitchen space), consider an electric peeler.
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