The 6 Best Vegetable Peelers of 2023, According to Our Tests
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Our top picks for peeling perfection.
Food & Wine / Material
Chances are, you've got a vegetable peeler in your kitchen drawer due for an upgrade. Vegetable peelers do more than take the tough skin off your butternut squash or help you get that perfect strip of zest for a cocktail. Having the right kitchen tools can be life-changing, and since vegetable peelers are one of the most versatile tools in your kitchen, you'll benefit much more from a peeler you enjoy using than one that's dulled or difficult to work with. Indeed, peelers don't have a long shelf life: they need to be replaced yearly for safe, easy peeling, according to Ina Garten.
Thankfully, vegetable peelers are also one of the most affordable kitchen tools, so you may even choose to try out a few. We tested vegetable peelers with various tasks in mind, peeling over 20 pounds of potatoes and countless lemons to find the best on the market. Read on to learn about our picks, from a swivel peeler to the best peeler for large eggplant slices. We found and tested them all.
Best Overall: Oxo Good Grips Pro Y-Peeler
Pros
It is good for both small and large hands.
Cons
It can be awkward for left-handed users.
The Oxo Y-Peeler has an ergonomic design and sharp stainless steel blade, which makes peeling vegetables a breeze. The Y-shaped handle fits comfortably in any hand, whether large or small, reducing fatigue during extended use. What sets this peeler apart is its precision and efficiency. It effortlessly glides through potatoes, carrots, and even delicate items like tomatoes, producing thin and even peels. The built-in potato eyer adds extra convenience. You can easily clean the peeler by removing the blade, which you can leave off for storage if you have little hands that poke around in kitchen drawers. Like many of Oxo's products, its durable construction ensures it's a worthwhile investment.
Price at time of publish: $16
Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.25 x .5 inches
Materials: stainless steel and zinc
Best Splurge: Material Forever Peeler
Pros
It comes in a cute box with a spare blade packed in a bag.
Cons
It might be too small for larger hands.
The Material Forever Vegetable Peeler is a sleek and functional tool, which is a testament to thoughtful design and high-quality craftsmanship. It's no wonder we awarded it Best Splurge. The sharp stainless steel blade effortlessly glides through various vegetables, making peeling tasks quick and efficient. Its handle provides a comfortable grip and minimizes hand fatigue, even during extended use. I especially love the built-in potato eye remover, which adds to its versatility. It feels sturdy and well-balanced in the hand, ensuring it can easily handle tough vegetables. Cleaning is a breeze. The minimalist aesthetic makes it a stylish addition to any kitchen. It's not just a functional tool; it's a piece of kitchen art.
Price at time of publish: $28
Dimensions: 4.75 x 2.75 inches
Materials: Stainless steel
Best Swivel: Rösle Stainless Steel Wide Crosswise Swivel Peeler
Pros
It is easy to clean thanks to its stainless steel construction.
Cons
It might be too narrow and need more stroked for some larger vegetables.
The Rösle Vegetable Peeler effortlessly peels long vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and zucchini. What sets this peeler apart is the dual-ended, point-sharpened side, perfect for efficiently tackling imperfections. Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, the peeler combines rustproof elegance with exceptional durability, ensuring it lasts a long time. The round handle's satin finish conceals fingerprints. Its hanging loop allows for convenient storage on hooks in your kitchen. The Rösle Vegetable Peeler delivers exceptional comfort with its sturdy, well-balanced construction. It's also dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 6.7 x 3 x 1 inches
Materials: stainless steel
Best Value: Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler
Pros
Affordable, lightweight, and easy to use, this set of three peelers is up for large and small peeling tasks.
Cons
As the blades are made of carbon steel instead of stainless, they're prone to rust.
The Kuhn Rikon peeler has been a longstanding favorite in our kitchens, helping us peel potatoes (make sure to save those peels for later!) and shave garnishes from a block of Parmesan. It is so easy to control, and it's a favorite of most chefs due to its exceptional precision. As a bonus, this peeler is affordable, meaning you always have a clean, sharp peeler at the ready. They even sell them in sets of three. While rust can form on the carbon steel blades, proper cleaning will prevent it: wash and dry your peeler immediately after use, and make sure it's completely dry before stashing it in the drawer.
Price at time of publish: $9
Dimensions: 6.3 x 3 x 1.5 inches
Materials: Carbon steel and plastic
Best for Large Vegetables: OXO Good Grips Large Vegetable Y Prep Peeler
Pros
In addition to an extra wide blade that easily tackles large peeling tasks, it has an ergonomic handle.
Cons
Using it for smaller, delicate peeling tasks may feel awkward.
With this peeler, Oxo Good Grips lives up to its name: the non-slip handle stays put and comfortable in your hand even as you peel unwieldy butternut squashes or other large vegetables. If you've ever wanted to make vegetable lasagna with eggplant "noodles," this is the best peeler for you. It's easy to use and easy to clean. Its blade remains sharp even after many uses. Our one issue with this peeler is versatility: if you plan to only have one peeler in your drawer, this one may not peel smaller, more delicate foods as cleanly as other models.
Price at time of publish: $10
Dimensions: 0.9 x 4.5 x 8 inches
Materials: Stainless steel and plastic
Best for Lefties: Oxo Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler
Pros
It features an ergonomic, non-slip handle, and the blade has a special tip for removing potato eyes.
Cons
Some may find the handle bulky.
This peeler has many of the qualities we look for in a vegetable peeler: easy to use, comfortable to hold, dishwasher safe, and durable. OXO has many devoted followers for its ergonomic, well-made products; this peeler is a good example. It is good for left-handed and right-handed users, making it a great tool for the whole household. Our favorite feature, though, is the little metal divet on the end. If you've ever been tasked with peeling potatoes that are covered in eyes, you know what a pain it can be to dig them out with a paring knife. The tip on this peeler makes removing potato eyes a breeze. At the same time, it's another place food could get trapped, so make sure to clean your peeler thoroughly before storing it.
Price at time of publish: $16
Dimensions: 1.5 x 1 x 7.5 inches
Materials: Stainless steel, die-cast zinc, and plastic
Our Favorite
The best vegetable peeler for you is one that is sharp, durable, comfortable in your hand, and easily peels the foods you love to prepare and eat. We named the Oxo Y-Peeler the Best Overall for its price point, versatility, and durability. The peeler is also easy to clean and widely available, so you can easily replace your set if it gets dull.
How We Tested Vegetable Peelers
To find the best vegetable peelers, we compared dozens of models to find those that fit our criteria: ergonomic, durable, and sharp. We tested them by peeling Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, and lemon rinds. We also used them to shave chocolate on desserts.
Factors to Consider
Blade Design
Peelers come in a few styles, and choosing the right one has a lot to do with how you intend to use them. Standard straight peelers can be right- or left-handed, or ambidextrous, and can have fixed or swivel blades — especially important to consider if you're shopping for left-handed kitchen tools. These are designed to be used in a straight line away from you. The swivel feature can be nice for produce with rougher shapes. Y-shaped peelers can be used either away from you or towards you, or in a circular movement around an object. Many chefs prefer the control and dexterity of a Y-shaped peeler, but they can take some time to get used to if you have traditionally used a standard straight peeler.
Blade Material
Most peelers are either stainless steel blades or ceramic. Both materials work well on most standard vegetables, but metal blades will have an advantage on tougher skins and peels like those of hard squashes. Ceramic blades will not rust and can retain a good edge, but they can be prone to chipping or cracking if they are loose in a drawer or bang against something in your dishwasher.
Handle
You want a handle that is comfortable to use, non-slip, and preferably dishwasher-safe. Metal handles have a good weight for control, but silicone or rubber handles often have the best grip to prevent slipping during use.
Other Peelers We Tested
While the Kuhn Rikon Piranha Y Peeler performed well in our tests, it didn't make the list because its sister peeler surpassed it in control. It is still a great peeler that is very light and easy to clean. We alsotested 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sharpen a vegetable peeler?
In short, yes. "If you are trying to sharpen a peeler with a swiveled blade, you can place a rolled piece of cardboard or a small amount of Styrofoam under the blade to hold it steady and keep it from moving," says Sarah Blair, a chef, culinary producer, and blogger. "Next – the same step applies to sharpening a blade that does not swivel – you want to use a steel file, the handle of a spoon, or even the backend of a knife, and sweep it across the blade. You want to slightly angle your sharpening agent of choice against the blade and make long, fluid strokes. Repeat this motion 10 to 12 times away from your body and then back towards your body to hone both sides of the beveled edge." Some peelers, like those made by Rösle, have removable blades that can be sharpened or replaced entirely.
How do you clean a vegetable peeler?
"To clean a vegetable peeler, you want to run it under warm water and use a soft surface to brush away any food or debris. You don't want to use anything abrasive that might scratch or chip the blade. Once the edge is properly cleaned, you want to dry it thoroughly before putting it away so the blade does not rust," says Blair. Avoid putting it in the dishwasher, as the detergent can dull the blade.
What is the difference between a potato peeler and a vegetable peeler?
"There is no real difference between a potato peeler and a vegetable peeler," says Blair. "Because there are many different types of peelers, it's best to find the one you feel most comfortable with to execute the peeling task at hand."
What kind of peeler is best?
The best peeler depends on the task at hand and personal preference. We recommend having a couple of hand for different tasks, and try out various styles until you find one that suits your taste.
What are the different styles of peelers?
There are various styles of peelers, but the main ones are swivel, y-shaped, serrated, straight, and more. There are even electric ones and special ones to make julienned vegetables.
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.
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