Slicing foods evenly is a skill that chefs learn in school and perfect over time. Some home cooks can handle a knife skillfully, though most don’t have as much practice as professional chefs, so their cuts are less likely to be identical. While uniform cuts make food look more presentable, they also mean that the food will cook evenly, so some bits won’t be soft while others are still crunchy. A mandoline replaces a knife for making those perfectly even cuts, and it’s particularly useful for making super-thin cuts for potato chips that are difficult with a knife.
To help you find which mandoline is right for your kitchen endeavors, we tested them side by side and evaluated each on design, ease of use, convenience, size, cleaning, and overall value. Dozens of tomatoes, radishes, potatoes, carrots, zucchinis, and bell peppers were sliced into various sizes and styles, from straight and julienne to crinkle-cut and wavy, to test their multitasking capabilities and make sure these tools are truly the best mandolines on the market.
Best Overall
Benriner Jumbo Hand-Held 13 x 6.5 Mandoline
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- Larger-format slicer
- Dishwasher safe
- Blade is replaceable
- No snags during cutting
- Only does straight cuts
There’s a reason why Benriner is often mentioned as the mandoline of choice in many professional kitchens: This Japanese-built slicer is simple in design, but it’s also a real workhorse. If your kitchen needs include slicing bigger vegetables, like extra-large russet potatoes for chips or heads of cabbage for a coleslaw recipe, this is the tool for you.
Boasting a 6.5-inch-wide cutting surface, this mandoline has a large stainless steel blade that slices right through just about anything. The variable knob underneath allows you to select a variety of thicknesses, though there are no markings on the dial for precise measurements. We love it for slicing cabbages and daikon, but it still works well for smaller vegetables—even little radishes and potatoes (just be sure to use the included hand guard). The wide-body construction allows you to cut without feeling restricted, and the hand guard isn’t limiting. Cuts are even and consistent, with no snagging, because the blade is very sharp.
The only caveat is that this Benriner model doesn’t come with a variety of blade options, but if you are just looking for straight cuts, it will suit you just fine. This is top-rack dishwasher safe, but hand washing will help preserve the blade’s sharpness. Replacement blades can be purchased separately, as well, so you will be able to keep using your mandoline for years.
Blade Style: Japanese | Thickness Settings: Variable knob | Blades Included: Straight
Best Budget
OXO Good Grips Mandoline Slicer
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- Non-slip handle and “foot”
- Hand guard that stabilizes food
- Great for quick and small projects
- No julienne or French fry cutting options
This hand-held OXO mandoline slicer adjusts to three different thicknesses for fruits and vegetables. It has a non-slip handle, and the non-slip “foot” on the end keeps it from slipping around on the work surface. Since part of the mandoline is clear, it’s easy to see the slices below and know how much you’ve cut. It is dishwasher safe, and it comes with a hand guard. Unlike other models, this one does not make julienne, wavy, or French fry cuts.
While testing out this mandoline, we noticed that it was actually easier to slice firmer produce, whereas softer produce was occasionally more difficult to handle. We found that it made for nice thin slices of potato, and we were able to slice a full-size cucumber in about 30 seconds. With tomatoes, the slices were a bit uneven but still solid. We also like how secure and comfortable the mandoline was to grip for being so small. Overall, the three slicing options covered all of our tasks with very little difficulty. The non-slip “feet” are another nice touch that makes slicing over a bowl or cutting board even easier.
Blade Style: Japanese | Thickness Settings: 3 | Blades Included: Straight
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Best Multi-Function
fullstar Mandoline Slicer Spiralizer Vegetable Slicer
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- Great multi-purpose tool
- All parts are dishwasher safe
- Convenient drawer catches vegetables
- Dicer requires extra strength to use
Not just a mandoline, this can also chop, grate, spiralize, and store, so it’s a handy tool for cooks who love their vegetarian food recipes—and makes a great gift for a vegetarian. This model features five easily interchangeable blades and a dial to adjust cutting thickness, so your cuts are always the right size. The standalone spiralizer can cut large or small julienne strips or ribbon slices, while the dicer blades offer two different sizes. The mandoline can do julienne cuts or straight cuts along with grating.
We used the slicing blade to cut through all types of vegetables and found the cuts to be quick and even. The hand guard was easy to use on medium-sized to smaller veggies, but might feel awkward and unnecessary for larger, bulkier items—luckily, this set also includes a cut-resistant glove to use as well. For smaller veggies, such as radishes and small potatoes, the hand guard worked really well, but it does leave about 1/4-inch of unused product at the end.
The mandoline and dicers fit on top of a catch tray inside a nonslip base that keeps it stable during cutting. The catch tray is removable and can be used for storing foods that have been prepped ahead. When cutting is done, all the parts are top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Blade Style: Japanese | Thickness Settings: 3 | Blades Included: Straight, julienne, grater, and dicing
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Best for Safe Cutting
OXO Good Grips Chef’s Mandoline Slicer 2.0
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- Stable tabletop design
- Straight and julienne blade
- Wide range of thickness settings
- Bulky to clean
This single unit does everything you’d want a mandoline to do—straight cuts, waffle and wavy cuts, small julienne cuts, and larger french fry cuts. In total, there are 21 different thickness cuts ranging from 1 to 9 millimeters, in half-millimeter increments. There is a straight blade for cutting through hard foods like carrots or potatoes and a serrated blade that’s better for tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. The cutting thickness is adjustable with the turn of a knob, and the julienne and French fry cutters stay covered when out of use.
This particular mandoline is a little bulkier than some of the handheld models, but the additional stability and multi-functionality are worth it. During testing, we found that the hand protector held foods snugly while slicing and protected hands to avoid any injuries. We also really appreciate the millimeter adjustment slider and how accurate it was in slice thickness without wasting any product.
This model is made of angled Japanese stainless steel, so it’s built to last. It comes with a hand guard for safety and has sturdy legs to hold it at a comfortable angle while slicing. The blades are easy to remove for cleaning. Hand-washing is recommended.
Blade Style: Japanese | Thickness Settings: 17+ | Blades Included: Straight, julienne, fry, and crinkle cut
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Best Professional
Bron Coucke Original Stainless Steel Mandolin Slicer
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- Very sturdy stainless steel design
- Multiple cutting blades
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Slight learning curve
- Risk of injury when making waffle cuts
Produced by the company that created the original mandoline, this can make straight, wavy, and julienne cuts from paper-thin to 1/2-inch thick. There are additional blades available separately for making julienne cuts of different sizes. It is a large, well-built unit that weighs 5 pounds, so it might be a little bit too hefty for those who want a more compact unit. However, it does fold up nicely when not in use and we were surprised at how little space it takes up in storage despite its weight.
Admittedly, there is a bit of a learning curve to setting up and using this mandoline. The instructions are slightly vague, and the levers to adjust the blades feel tight but should ease up after the first few uses. The included hand guard is made from stainless steel and rides on rails on the mandoline, so it feels very safe, although it also felt awkward at first and made metal-on-metal scraping sounds as it slid up and down the tracks of the machine (likely because it was brand new and needed a “breaking in” period). Getting comfortable with using this tool may take some practice, but it cuts evenly and feels very sturdy on the table.
This mandoline works best with peeled vegetables, but some larger ones (like potatoes) will need to be pre-cut to fit the chute. We didn’t feel comfortable slicing very small radishes, as the hand guard didn’t seem to hold them well, and when slicing a bell pepper, the skin got caught, and it wasn’t as easy to slice through as some of the other models. Furthermore, if you want to make waffle cuts, you can’t use the guard because you can’t turn the vegetable to make the second cut. Extreme care should be taken, or cut-resistant gloves should be used. Since this is stainless steel, it should be dishwasher safe, but hand washing is likely to be easier and will keep the blades sharper for longer.
Blade Style: French | Thickness Settings: Variable | Blades Included: Straight, julienne, and wavy
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Best for Beginners
Progressive International Prepworks Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline
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- Easily adjustable thickness
- Includes julienne blade
- Hand guard that stabilizes food
- Julienne blade may need hand washing
If you don’t need a lot of fancy options or are still learning how to use a mandoline, this model will make short work of vegetables without breaking the bank. It adjusts to three different thicknesses and has julienne blades that pop up for cutting zucchini, carrots, and other vegetables for salads and stir-fries. The tool also comes with a hand guard and features a non-skid base for safety. It is dishwasher safe, but it might be easier to hand wash to clean all of the nooks and crannies.
We found that the blades were just as sharp as some of the more expensive models and made quick work of denser foods like sweet potatoes, radishes, and carrots. The julienne function was able to slice through onions easily and was super simple to adjust, as well.
Blade Style: Japanese | Thickness Settings: 3 | Blades Included: Straight and julienne
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Best for Neat Storage
KitchenAid Mandoline Slicer
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- Legs keep mandoline at comfortable slicing angle
- Five different cuts and thicknesses
- Hand guard feels secure
- Some parts aren’t dishwasher safe
We love a kitchen appliance that stores neatly, and this mandoline from KitchenAid certainly does just that. It’s been designed so that the legs tuck away, the main blade is covered, and additional pieces (an extra blade and oversized pusher) nestle underneath for safe, secure storage.
This mandoline cuts both straight and julienne slices in five different thicknesses: 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, and 5/16 inches. We like the dedicated thickness settings allowing you to choose just the right size for a Provencal tian and then the ability to switch sizes to prepare thinner potato slices for homemade chips. The razor-sharp blades cut through bell peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes without snagging and handled extra-large potatoes, radishes, and onions effortlessly. During testing, the hand guard gripped food securely and was very easy to use, leaving little waste behind.
The slicing table and blades are cutlery-grade stainless steel for long life and an attractive appearance. While the julienne storage case and blade cover should be washed by hand, all of the other components are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Blade Style: V-shaped | Thickness Settings: 5 | Blades Included: Straight and julienne
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Best Compact
Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Hand-Held Mandoline
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- Multiple slicing blades and thicknesses
- Style better for softer foods
- Compact holder for storage
- Should be washed by hand
As far as compact mandolines go, this model from Swissmar is a great choice. It comes with a selection of blades for julienne, straight, and French fry cuts. This model features a V-style blade, which gives it an edge over straight-blade slicers for cutting softer foods, like tomatoes, but it works well on a variety of other fruits and vegetables, too.
We like the simplicity of this design. It has grooves to fit over a bowl, eliminating the need to transfer food from a cutting surface to a receptacle. Cutting through peppers and tomatoes was easy as we tested, while larger potatoes required a little more force to push through. Since this mandoline only has two thickness settings for straight cuts (3.5 and 7 millimeters), you can’t use it to make paper-thin chips or translucent radish slices, but it does a great job for cucumbers, carrots, and more for potato gratin recipes or salad toppings.
To clean, wash this mandoline by hand. The blades are easy to remove and replace, and all of the pieces fit together in a compact holder for easy storage.
Blade Style: V-shaped | Thickness Settings: 2 | Blades Included: Straight, julienne, and fine shred
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Final Verdict
We love the Benriner Jumbo Hand-Held Mandoline—it scored 5/5 in all categories during testing—for its numerous thickness settings, clean cuts, and for being dishwasher-safe. If you’re looking for a more heavy-duty, professional mandoline, we recommend the Bron Coucke Original Stainless Steel Mandolin Slicer, by the company that produced the original mandoline model.
How We Tested
We sent 10 mandolines to our experienced home chefs and product testers, who tried each one out with different types of vegetables—potatoes, radishes, tomatoes, zucchinis, carrots, bell peppers, and more—using their various blade sizes and styles. Each mandoline was rated on design, ease of use, convenience, size, cleaning, and overall value. Our testers then offered additional insights on each mandoline’s strengths and weaknesses.
Other Options We Tested
- Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Adjustable Mandoline Vegetable Slicer: This ceramic mandoline was previously featured in our roundup, but after testing, we found that it ultimately fell short. Overall, the mandoline felt flimsy, and the hand guard was not very effective. Slices were also uneven and messy.
- DASH Safe Slice Mandoline: In theory, this mandoline is great—its spring-loaded handle and chute design are supposed to protect your hands from getting cut. However, the chute is too small for certain foods, requiring you to do some pre-cutting. Another issue we found was that the juices leaked beyond the catch tray with some more watery food items.
What to Look for in a Mandoline
Blade Type
The most important feature of any mandoline is, of course, its blade. The three-blade varieties are French, Japanese, and V-shaped, and they all offer different capabilities. The types of food you’ll be cutting, how frequently you’ll use the tool, and whether you plan to use specialty-shaped blades (like julienne or waffle-cut) will determine which blade type to look for.
While having extra blades certainly isn’t necessary, it’s a fun way to find more exciting uses for this tool and breathe new life into your fruit and vegetable prep. It’s always a bonus if you pick a mandoline that has a removable and replaceable blade: You won’t need to replace your entire mandoline when the blade dulls. Keep in mind that some mandolines are designed at a fixed thickness, while others are adjustable. If you want control over the range of thickness that you can slice, make sure to look for a model that’s adjustable.
Handheld vs. Kickstand
One design feature to make note of is whether the mandoline is handheld or has a kickstand. These two options typically lend themselves to personal preferences. Some cooks prefer to hold the tool in their non-dominant hand, while others prefer to prop up a stand that supports the mandoline. Handheld mandolines typically offer more control because you can decide the angle at which you want to slice. Plus, you can position it directly over a bowl to avoid having to transfer your sliced product from the cutting board to the bowl.
The kickstand model (which is often offered in a French mandoline) allows your non-dominant hand to be free while slicing. Many feel that this is safer, but ultimately, this design feature is something to feel out for yourself. Some cooks feel that the rubber stand that secures the kickstand can be a little faulty, which is why handheld can offer more control.
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Size
When it comes to a mandoline, wider and smaller models are typically better, because they’re easier to store and handle. The larger a mandoline, the more difficult it can be to navigate, increasing the chances of an accident. A wide blade will accommodate most vegetables; however, if the vegetable is larger than the blade, you’ll need to cut it down. And if you’re buying a mandoline that comes with a variety of interchangeable blades, you’ll want a low-traffic place to store the mandoline, so the blades won’t get knocked around.
Accessories
Depending on the model you select, there might be some options for you to purchase additional, interchangeable blades for different types of cuts, like julienne, waffle, french fry, and straight cuts. If the mandoline doesn’t come with a hand guard, it’s a great idea to invest in a mesh protection glove for your slicing hand. You can also buy a hand guard separately.
FAQs
What are the different styles of mandolines?
The most classic and traditional design for a mandoline is the French mandoline. These mandolines are typically made up of several metal parts and a straight blade that needs to be assembled before use, which can prove to be a bit cumbersome at times, but can be a great option if you are planning to use a wide variety of blades.
In comparison to French mandolines, Japanese mandolines are lighter, smaller, and easier to use. The blade sits at a diagonal angle, which makes for slightly more control and accuracy. The blade is super sharp and will last you a long time, and its compact size makes it a great option for a home kitchen with limited space.
French and Japanese mandolines both have one angled blade, though a V-shaped mandoline blade is slowly growing in popularity. This version has two entry points for vegetables, which means you don’t have to apply as much pressure, making it a great option when slicing larger, rounder veggies. Because of the shape of the blade, it is often not interchangeable with other shapes (like waffle-cut or julienne), but you can usually adjust the thickness of the slices.
How do you clean a mandoline?
Just like a chef’s knife, mandoline blades are super delicate, so it’s best to avoid sending them through the dishwasher. Hand-wash with hot, soapy water, but make sure to get in the blades with a gentle brush if there are residual food particles. Always wipe the blade in the opposite direction of its sharpness, just like you would a knife.
Additionally, it’s important to put some thought into where you’re storing this tool. If it’s stored in a place where it’s constantly bumped, you risk dulling or hurting the blade. If you are disassembling a mandoline or switching out blades, work slowly and carefully, avoiding the sharp blade with your bare hands. The better you care for the blades, the longer they’ll last.
How do you use a mandoline safely?
Most mandolines offer some sort of food holder or hand guard, which clips onto the food you’re slicing to avoid unwanted slippage when you’re sending food through the blade. This allows your fingers to stay inches away from the blade. Hand guards come in plastic, rubber, and metal; however, the simpler plastic ones seem to do the trick, because the metal ones can be a bit cumbersome.
If a mandoline doesn’t come with a hand guard, you can always swap in a clean kitchen towel or a mesh, protective glove. Either way, it bears repeating that a mandoline blade is extremely sharp. Even if you’re comfortable with the tool, it’s never a bad idea to take extra precautions.
