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You don’t need fancy knife skills to get uniform slices. While your chef’s knife comes in handy for most kitchen-prep tasks, sometimes it’s better to use a mandoline slicer. But these kitchen tools aren’t for the faint of heart (or finger). We all remember wincing as Chrissy Teigen shared that she and her husband, John Legend, accidentally cut their fingers during a mandoline mishap a few years ago.

Whether you’re a budding home chef or a seasoned pro, safety isn’t guaranteed with these super-sharp utensils. That’s why we enlisted the help of the Good Housekeeping Institute—including their Director of the Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab, Nicole Papantoniou—to learn about the best mandolines, when it’s worth buying one, and how to use it safely and effectively.

“It’s ideal when presentation is a big priority, but it’s also good to have even pieces in general so your vegetables all cook evenly,” said Papantoniou. “For example, I like to use my mandoline when making thin slices for zucchini chips, frittatas, and eggplant parmesan. The slices fry evenly and have the same mouthfeel. Plus, if you’re cutting your produce really thin, you get a higher yield.”

Though a mandoline slicer's main purpose is to cut up fruits and vegetables, some models can also be used on meats and cheeses to bring your charcuterie boards up to a whole new level. From the safest slicers to the mandolines preferred by professional chefs, our recommendations are a cut above the rest. Read on to learn which is the best option for you.

Can’t get enough of chopping, slicing, and dicing? Check out our recommendations for the best food processors and our favorite food choppers.

To find the best mandolines, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who have identified the highest-rated brands and put them to the test. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust.

From shaving uniform slivers of raw, firm vegetables like potatoes for potatoes au gratin and eggplant for hearty baked eggplant parmesan, to cutting up juicy fruits like tomatoes for caprese salads and BLTs, these Kitchen Tech Experts put a series of slicers through hours of rigorous tests to analyze their safety, ease of use and assembly, cleanability, evenness, and ability to retain seeds and juices. After reviewing their findings and discussing their road tests in-depth with Papantoniou, we’ve determined that these are the best mandoline slicers you can buy.

When it comes to creating smooth, precise, and uniform slices, the Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Plus Mandoline Set is the sharpest tool in the shed… or rather, kitchen drawer. This slicer comes with a storage caddy with a locking clip and three surgical-grade stainless-steel blades in varying sizes: 7mm, 3.5mm, and a thick/thin reversible slicing blade.

The blades and the ABS plastic frame may not be dishwasher-safe, but this utensil is still easy to clean—just rinse it under warm water after each use. And whether you’re a lefty or a righty, the food-safety holder provides complete protection with prongs that secure your produce while the hand guard protects you from any painful mishaps.

“It has the versatility of the Benriner, but it’s easier to adjust the thickness levels,” Papantoniou said. “The nicest thing about this is it’s slim, it comes with several blades, and everything can be stored in the storage case, which is a great perk.”

The uniqueness of the Swissmar Borner lies in its V-shaped blades, which Papantoniou explained is considered to be a better shape “because your produce is being cut on two sides as opposed to a single blade.” However, she pointed out “In my experience, it can sometimes nick your produce.”

The Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Adjustable Mandoline offers premium quality at a low cost, with a lightweight construction that includes rust-proof and acid-resistant ceramic blades made from Kyocera's proprietary zirconia material. You can even choose from four different thickness levels (ranging from 0.5 mm to 3 mm) with just the turn of a dial.

Calling it “super basic” and “nice and slim,” Papantoniou explained that the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testers most appreciated the Kyocera’s user-friendly design: “That’s what we liked the most. The handle is more angled, so you can hold it comfortably and get a good grip. It’s also very sharp—ceramic is known to stay sharper for longer.” This tool’s built-in safety features also include corner notches that securely fasten it over a bowl to catch your slices and a handguard with a food holder. The only caveat? “The teeth on the food holder are very small.”

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes… including straight, crinkle cut, julienne, and waffle cut. No matter how you prefer your French fries, the OXO Steel Chef's Mandoline Slicer 2.0 can make slices in a wide range of thicknesses and styles to suit your fancy.

“As more of OXO's higher-end mandoline, it’s more for the advanced user,” noted Papantoniou. “Overall, it’s more sturdy, and it folds, making it compact enough for storage. You can go from super thin—around 1/16 of an inch—all the way up to half an inch in thickness. It’s very versatile.”

The Steel Chef's Mandoline Slicer 2.0 comes with two blades: A straight blade for cutting through firm fruits and vegetables and a serrated blade that effortlessly glides through soft, hollow, and layered foods. Plus, its user-friendly design includes an easy-turn dial for adjustability and a panel that hides the unused side of the blade for safety.

What does the Mueller Multi Blade Adjustable Mandoline have in common with the likes of Birkenstock, Aldi, Mercedes Benz? That would be the power of German design. Granted, Mueller Austria is an American company, but this sturdy slicer’s German-engineered construction brings true meaning to the phrase “buy it for life.”

Boasting a non-toxic, ABS plastic frame and a thumb dial control to achieve your preferred slice style and thickness levels, it comes equipped with five interchangeable, 420-grade hardened surgical stainless-steel blades for optimal versatility and longevity. (But if that’s not enough to sway you, it’s also backed by a lifetime warranty.)

Though Papantoniou hasn’t tested out this model herself, she noted that “Mueller is a very popular brand among home chefs.” And for good reason: “This is very versatile because it allows you to grate also, which isn’t a common feature you’d find in a mandoline.”

When searching for the most user-friendly mandoline, you’ll want to look for a utensil that’s easy to hold—or, dare we say, a good grip. Like OXO’s Steel Chef's Mandoline Slicer 2.0, their Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer comes with sharp stainless-steel blades that can make straight or crinkle cuts, as well as julienne thin strips. But this model’s design is geared more towards convenience and safety than presentation, making it the best mandoline for beginners.

“It has a rubber grip on all sides and it’s a very protective holder,” Papantoniou explained. “The one thing is that it has a bunch of parts that all snap into place, which can be tough to keep track of, but it’s dishwasher-safe and there’s a blade cover for added safety.” It’s good to note, however, that OXO recommends you hand-wash the blades. Other safety features include a locking mechanism when closed, a secure food holder to protect your fingers, and non-slip feet that fold in for safe and compact storage.

But the OXO Good Grips Mandoline brings more to the table than just safety. It offers an ergonomic handle and a textured surface area keeps food from sticking. You can also select one of the four adjustable slice thickness settings (1.5mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, and 6mm) using the turning knob.

Benriner’s Japanese Mandoline Slicer offers the consistency and precision needed to take on nearly anything, whether that’s preparing some dazzling drink garnishes, a brunch side like hash browns, or a hearty dish like stir fry.

Nestled inside this unit’s BPA-free plastic frame are four interchangeable, handcrafted Japanese stainless-steel blades. Each comes in a different thickness (straight edge, coarse, medium and fine tooth), so you can make everything from wide and chunky cuts to narrow strips and paper-thin slivers with just the turn of a dial.

“Benriner in general is very popular amongst professional chefs. Many carry these mandolines around in their toolkits,” said Papantoniou. “It’s very straightforward and is of great quality.”

For added safety and stability, the Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer features a non-skid rubber base, a large handle, and a hand guard to securely hold smaller pieces of food while protecting your fingers. It even hooks onto bowls to collect slices as you go, so you can fully devote your attention to your prep work. And when you’re done, just disassemble your unit and pop it onto the top rack of your dishwasher for easy cleaning.

If you’re searching for a handheld mandoline, we think you’ll like the Microplane Adjustable Slicer. In addition to being dishwasher safe, its handheld design allows for easy storage, though some may experience some discomfort after prolonged use. And like the Mueller, this handy kitchen tool comes with a limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty.

But while this unit may cramp your hand, it certainly won’t cramp your style. Boasting three adjustable thickness levels (1/32 inch, 1/16 inch, and 1/8 inch), this mandoline comes with both a slicing blade and julienne blade, which is stored on the back of the slicer when it’s not being used. And speaking of storage, the Microplane Adjustable Slicer also comes with a large capacity food holder.

“Microplane is very well known for their graters and blades,” said Papantoniou. “The best thing about this is that it fits into a drawer very easily. The handle is flush, not angled—so you can store it easily—and it offers a stable grip. Plus, it’s easy to adjust.”

As the saying goes, “good things come in small packages.” Or, in the case of the Urban Trend Mistral Slicer, good things come in small, non-toxic, and BPA-free plastic packages.

With a double-sided stainless steel micro-serrated blade and three thickness levels, this mandoline isn’t as versatile as others, but you also won’t have to worry as much about attaching or cleaning blades. Plus, it’s a solid choice if you’re low on storage space and extra time for prep work.

While noting that the Urban Trend Mistral Slicer’s main draw was its “really small” size, Papantoniou said some users may appreciate how “the blade cuts in two directions. Normally, with a mandoline, it’s only one way, but you can also move this one up and down for quicker slicing.” It’s good to keep in mind, however, that this small cutting surface can be a double-edged sword, as the smaller the surface, the more difficult (and dangerous) a mandoline will be to use.

For added safety and convenience, the Urban Trend Mistral Slicer is designed with a hand guard and a non-slip base, and it’s also top-rack dishwasher-safe.

Whether you’re cutting razor-thin slices of taters for cheesy loaded scalloped potatoes or thick wedges for steak fries, not enough can be said about the important role mandoline slicers can play in your kitchen. But as is the case with most kitchen tools, not all are created equal. When shopping for a mandoline, there are two factors you should always keep in mind to ensure it’s worth your time and money:

Safety: “Mandolines can be dangerous, so the biggest thing I would look for is safety features,” Papantoniou advised. But some slicers are safer than others—you just need to know what to keep an eye out for.

“You want your mandoline to be sturdy and durable in the sense that a beginner may want to err on the side of caution, so models with four legs would be safer,” she explained. Some also come with a rubber base or rubberized feet for added stability.

“There are others that are handheld and can be leaned on the counter too, but just always make sure there’s a hand guard so your hands are safe and it’s comfortable enough for you to safely use," Papantoniou said.

Some mandolines also come with cut-resistant safety gloves, which can be especially useful if you’re a beginner. However, if yours doesn’t come with a pair, you can (and should!) pick up your own as well.

Features: Depending on the style you’d prefer—handheld, V-Blade, Japanese-style, and so on—some features may be a great way to show off your mandoline moves, while others can take any complications and guesswork out of the equation.

For handheld mandolines, Papantoniou recommended: “You want a rubber grip or a handle that’s comfortable enough to hold onto. There are ones that are round and ones that are rectangular, but I find that the round ones have a better lip.”

Adjustability may also be of value to you if you plan on using your mandoline for a variety of tasks. For more advanced users, the ability to completely disassemble your slicer can not only offer more versatility when switching out blades, but it can also come in handy for cleaning.

“You also should look for other features like a big food holder so you don’t get distracted and potentially injure yourself, but those are more for professionals and users who are familiar with using a mandoline slicer,” Papantoniou said.

Mandolines are one of the most dangerous kitchen tools, and while it may seem like your slicer is out for blood, chances are you just need to find a safer way to cut. To avoid painful mishaps, be sure to always pay attention to the task at hand.

Another recipe for disaster is misusing your mandoline slicer, from failing to use it as directed (on a flat surface, using proper safety measures, etc.) to attempts at DIY maintenance. “I would advise against sharpening a mandoline,” Papantoniou warned. “Look to your user manual for guidance—some manufacturers may offer programs where you can send in your blades to be sharpened, but I definitely wouldn’t sharpen them yourself at home.”

It can also be tempting to get the most out of your produce by slicing it down to the point that there’s barely a nub left, but try to resist. Doing so is an easy way to cut your fingertips.

As for claims about using a mandoline instead of a vegetable peeler, Papantoniou was quick to put those rumors to rest: “You cannot peel vegetables on a mandoline. It’s designed to slice ingredients into very even pieces. Trying to peel an ingredient evenly on a mandoline could be dangerous.”