Few kitchen tools divide home cooks like the mandoline slicer. Some people swear by them for paper-thin potato gratin, razor-sharp cucumber ribbons, and perfectly even onion rings. Others buy one, nick a knuckle once, and shove it to the back of the cupboard forever. After spending weeks testing 9 of the best mandoline slicers on the market in 2026, I can tell you the right model makes all the difference between a tool you reach for daily and one that collects dust.
I sliced my way through crates of potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apples, and even hard-boiled eggs to see which mandolines actually deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results. I looked at blade sharpness out of the box and after heavy use, thickness consistency across a full batch, safety features that actually protect your fingers, and how easy each model is to clean and store. The best mandoline slicers I tested combined a genuinely sharp blade with thoughtful safety engineering and a design that feels stable on the counter.
What surprised me most was how much variation exists between models that look nearly identical on paper. Two mandolines might both claim a 1mm to 8mm thickness range, but one produces glassy, even slices while the other jams, tears, and leaves you with a pile of uneven scraps. The Japanese-style Benriner and the feature-packed DASH Safe Slice could not feel more different in the hand, yet both have passionate followings. My goal here is to help you figure out which style matches your cooking habits, skill level, and kitchen storage situation.
Whether you want a simple handheld slicer for occasional salad prep or a professional-grade mandoline that can handle julienne, waffle cuts, and crinkle cuts for serious meal prep, I have broken down exactly what each of these 9 models does well and where they fall short. I also included a buying guide covering blade types, safety features, and maintenance tips that no competitor is talking about yet.
Our Top 3 Mandoline Slicers for 2026
Benriner Mandoline...
- ✓Japanese stainless steel blades
- ✓4 interchangeable blades
- ✓0.5-8mm thickness
The Benriner earned my Editor’s Choice because its handcrafted Japanese stainless steel blades slice through everything from soft tomatoes to dense daikon radish without tearing or jamming. The Mueller Austria takes Best Value with 5 interchangeable blades, an adjustable thickness dial reaching 9mm, and over 37,000 customer reviews backing its performance. For a no-fuss budget option, the OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline keeps things simple with three fixed thickness settings and a stable foot that lets you slice directly over a bowl.
Comparing All 9 Mandoline Slicers Side by Side
Before getting into individual reviews, here is a quick comparison of every mandoline I tested. This table covers the core specs so you can narrow down your options at a glance.
| Product | Features | Action |
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| Benriner Mandoline Slicer |
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 Mueller Austria Mandoline |
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 OXO Handheld Mandoline |
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 DASH Safe Slice Mandoline |
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 OXO V-Blade Mandoline |
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 Gramercy Adjustable Mandoline |
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 Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip |
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 PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice |
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 OXO SteeL Chef's Mandoline 2.0 |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Benriner Mandoline Slicer with 4 Blades – Razor-Sharp Japanese Craftsmanship
- ✓Handcrafted Japanese stainless steel stays sharp through heavy use
- ✓4 interchangeable blades for slices coarse medium and fine julienne
- ✓Hooks onto bowls for mess-free slice collection
- ✓Non-skid rubber base keeps it planted during aggressive slicing
- ✓Thickness dial adjusts from paper-thin 0.5mm to chunky 8mm
- ✕Hand wash only despite some listings claiming dishwasher safe
- ✕Safety guard is basic compared to enclosed designs
Japanese stainless steel blades
4 interchangeable blades
0.5-8mm thickness
BPA-free body
This is the mandoline that serious cooks and professional chefs keep recommending, and after testing one I understand why. The Benriner has been a Japanese kitchen staple for decades, and the design has barely changed because it works. The handcrafted stainless steel blade arrived sharper than any other model I tested, gliding through ripe tomatoes without crushing them and producing translucent cucumber slices that you can nearly see through.
The classic beige plastic body feels lightweight but not flimsy. What matters is the blade quality and the simplicity of operation. You get one fixed straight blade plus three interchangeable blades for coarse, medium, and fine julienne cuts. The thickness dial on the side adjusts smoothly from 0.5mm paper-thin slices up to 8mm chunky cuts, and the settings hold steady without drifting mid-batch.
Blade Quality and Sharpness Over Time
The Japanese stainless steel blades on this Benriner are the standout feature. Out of the box, they sliced through firm carrots and soft tomatoes with equal ease, producing clean edges with no tearing or bruising. After weeks of heavy testing across dozens of vegetables, the main blade retained its edge far better than the stainless blades on cheaper models.
Reddit’s r/Cooking and r/Chefit communities consistently recommend Benriner for one reason: the blades stay sharp. Forum users report years of regular use before needing a replacement blade, which Benriner sells separately. That kind of longevity matters when you are investing in a tool you plan to keep for years.
Julienne Versatility and Interchangeable Blades
Swapping blades on the Benriner is straightforward. You lift the blade guard frame, slide out the current insert, and drop in whichever julienne blade you need. The coarse blade produces thick matchstick cuts perfect for stir-fries. The medium blade handles standard julienne for salads and garnishes. The fine blade creates delicate shreds ideal for slaws and garnishes.
I found the julienne blades particularly effective on firm vegetables like carrots, daikon, and zucchini. Softer produce like tomatoes does not work well with julienne attachments on any mandoline, so temper your expectations there. For straight slicing, the 2.5-inch wide surface handles most vegetables without requiring you to pre-cut them down.
Safety Guard and Stability
The included safety guard does its job but is basic compared to enclosed designs like the DASH Safe Slice. It holds smaller pieces of food and keeps your fingers away from the blade, but you still need to stay focused. The non-skid rubber base is excellent, gripping the counter or the rim of a bowl securely so the mandoline does not slide during use.
Forum users strongly recommend pairing any open-blade mandoline like the Benriner with a cut-resistant glove for maximum safety. I agree with this advice, especially when you are slicing down to the last inch of a vegetable. The Benriner rewards confident, smooth strokes and punishes careless ones.
2. Mueller Austria Mandoline Slicer – Best All-Around Value
- ✓5 interchangeable blades handle slicing julienne and grating
- ✓Thickness dial covers a wide 1 to 9mm range
- ✓Safety food pusher keeps fingers away from blade
- ✓Foldable legs let you slice over a bowl or board
- ✓Top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleanup
- ✕Plastic construction may not match premium metal models
- ✕Some users report blade dulling after extended use
5 interchangeable blades
1-9mm thickness
Julienne 6-9mm
Foldable legs
With over 37,000 customer reviews, the Mueller Austria Mandoline is one of the most popular mandoline slicers on the market, and my testing confirmed why. It packs an impressive amount of functionality into a design that remains approachable for beginners. The five interchangeable blades cover straight slicing, two julienne sizes, a grater, and a waffle-style cutter, giving you far more cutting options than most mandolines at this level.
The foldable legs are a clever touch. Fold them out and the mandoline sits at a comfortable angled position over a cutting board. Fold them flat and you can hook the base over a bowl to collect slices directly. The thickness dial rotates smoothly from 1mm up to 9mm, which is one of the widest ranges I tested. That extra thickness capacity matters if you want chunky cuts for fries or thick vegetable planks.
Thickness Range and Cut Consistency
The 1-9mm thickness range on the Mueller Austria is broader than most competitors. At the thin end, I produced delicate apple slices thin enough to see through. At the thick end, the 9mm setting carved out substantial potato planks that would work well for thick-cut fries or gratin layers.
Consistency across a full batch was solid. I sliced a dozen potatoes at the 3mm setting and measured the results with a caliper. Variation stayed within about half a millimeter across the entire batch, which is comparable to the Benriner and better than several cheaper models I tested. The julienne settings at 6mm and 9mm produced clean, even sticks without ragged edges.
Blade Selection and Swapping
Swapping between the five blades takes a few seconds. The insert blades slide into a slot beneath the main deck, and a retaining clip holds them securely. I appreciated that each blade type is clearly labeled, so you do not have to guess which julienne size is which.
The included safety food pusher is a plastic plunger with metal prongs that grip the food and push it across the blade. It works well for the final few slices when your fingers would otherwise be too close to the blade. For larger vegetables, you can slice freely until the piece gets small, then switch to the pusher.
Build Quality and Long-Term Durability
The Mueller Austria uses a plastic body with stainless steel blades, which keeps the weight manageable at 2.2 pounds but raises questions about long-term durability. The plastic deck and legs feel sturdy enough for regular home use. The foldable leg mechanism has held up through my testing without developing any wobble.
The most common complaint in customer reviews is blade dulling over time, which is true of virtually every stainless steel blade at this level. The good news is that replacement blade sets are available and affordable. For most home cooks, the Mueller Austria delivers more cutting versatility per dollar than anything else I tested.
3. OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer – Best Budget Handheld
- ✓Three precise thickness settings at 1mm 2.5mm and 4mm
- ✓Large non-slip handle and stable foot for secure slicing
- ✓Volume window lets you see slices accumulating
- ✓Slices directly onto plate board or over bowl
- ✓Dishwasher safe and backed by OXO satisfaction guarantee
- ✕No julienne or waffle cut capability
- ✕Fixed blade not interchangeable
3 thickness settings 1-4mm
Non-slip handle
Volume window
Dishwasher safe
The OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline is the simplest tool in this roundup, and that simplicity is its greatest strength. With over 20,000 reviews and a top-three ranking in the mandoline category, this is the slicer most home cooks actually buy. You get three fixed thickness settings, a comfortable grip, and a blade sharp enough to handle everyday vegetables. No complicated blade swaps, no fragile parts to lose.
I found myself reaching for this OXO more than any other mandoline during testing for quick tasks. Slicing cucumbers for a salad, shaving radishes for tacos, or prepping potatoes for a gratin all took seconds rather than minutes. The onboard thickness selector slides between 1mm, 2.5mm, and 4mm with a firm click, and the settings do not drift during use.
Thickness Settings and Slice Precision
Three thickness settings might sound limiting, but OXO chose the right ones. The 1mm setting produces translucent slices perfect for garnishes and potato chips. The 2.5mm setting is the everyday sweet spot for cucumbers, onions, and apples. The 4mm setting handles thicker cuts for gratins, roasted vegetables, and coleslaw.
Slice consistency impressed me across all three settings. I ran through tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, and onions, and every batch came out uniform. The blade is stainless steel and held its edge well through my testing period. The textured runway helps prevent food from sticking, which is a common problem on smoother mandoline decks.
Handle Design and Stability
OXO built its reputation on comfortable, ergonomic handles, and this mandoline is no exception. The large non-slip handle fills the hand comfortably and provides a secure grip even when wet. The stable foot at the base of the slicer lets you rest it on a cutting board or hook it over the edge of a bowl.
The viewing window along the side is a small but genuinely useful feature. You can see your slices accumulating in real time, which helps you gauge when you have cut enough. For anyone who has ever over-sliced because they could not see the pile growing, this window solves that problem elegantly.
Who This Mandoline Is Perfect For
If you want straightforward slicing without the complexity of interchangeable blades, julienne attachments, or thickness dials, this OXO is the ideal choice. It is the mandoline I would hand to someone who has never used one before. There is virtually no learning curve, and the safety profile is solid thanks to the stable design and the way you naturally hold food away from the blade.
Where it falls short is versatility. If you need julienne cuts, waffle cuts, or crinkle cuts, you will need a different tool. But for pure slicing performance at a budget level, the OXO Good Grips Handheld is hard to beat.
4. DASH Safe Slice Mandoline – Best for Safety-Conscious Cooks
- ✓30 plus presets cover julienne matchstick and dicing cuts
- ✓Unique safety design keeps hands completely away from blades
- ✓Folding design collapses flat for compact storage
- ✓Includes cleaning brush for blade maintenance
- ✓Food catch container keeps countertops clean
- ✕Hand wash only not dishwasher safe
- ✕More complex design means more parts to manage
30+ slicing presets
1-8mm thickness
V-shape blade
Folding design
Safety is the number one concern people raise about mandoline slicers, and the DASH Safe Slice was designed from the ground up to address that fear. The enclosed blade design means your hands physically cannot reach the cutting edge during normal operation. After testing it extensively, I can confirm that the safety engineering works without sacrificing cutting performance.
With over 20,000 reviews, the DASH Safe Slice has clearly struck a nerve with home cooks who want mandoline results without the anxiety. The 30-plus preset combinations cover straight slices, julienne strips, matchsticks, and dicing, all adjustable via a straightforward dial system. The folding design collapses the entire unit flat for storage, which solves another common mandoline complaint.
Safety Design and Enclosed Blade Engineering
The core innovation here is the enclosed cutting chamber. The food pusher travels along a track that holds the vegetable against the blade while keeping your hand on the handle side of a fixed barrier. You push down and slide, and the blade does its work inside the housing. Your fingers never approach the blade edge.
I tested this with my hands in various positions and could not find a way to contact the blade during normal use. For cooks who have been nicked by a mandoline before, or for anyone teaching teenagers to help in the kitchen, this design removes the fear factor entirely. Reddit forums consistently praise the DASH Safe Slice for this exact reason.
30 Plus Presets and Cutting Variety
The preset dial lets you select from straight slices at multiple thicknesses, thin and thick julienne, matchsticks, and even dicing options. Each preset clicks into place with a positive feel, and the blade configuration adjusts internally so you do not have to swap physical blades. This is the most versatile mandoline I tested in terms of cut variety.
Thickness ranges from 1mm to 8mm, which covers everything from paper-thin garnish slices to substantial planks. The julienne and matchstick presets produced clean, even cuts on carrots, zucchini, and potatoes. Dicing worked reasonably well on firm vegetables, though softer items like tomatoes are not ideal for the dicing function on any mandoline.
Storage and Cleaning Convenience
The folding design is one of my favorite features. When you are done slicing, the entire mandoline folds flat into a compact shape that fits in a kitchen drawer. This is a significant advantage over bulkier models like the OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline, which demands dedicated cabinet space.
DASH includes a cleaning brush that fits between the blade teeth and around the housing, which is essential since this mandoline is hand wash only. The food catch container that snaps onto the base collects slices as you go and doubles as a storage lid when the unit is folded. Thoughtful design details like this make the DASH a pleasure to use.
5. OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer – Best V-Blade Design
- ✓Sharp V-shaped blade handles firm and soft foods equally well
- ✓Four thickness settings from 1.5mm to 6mm
- ✓Straight wavy and julienne blades included
- ✓Food holder protects fingers during slicing
- ✓Textured runway prevents food from sticking
- ✕Hand wash only recommended
- ✕Some users report blade sharpness declining over time
V-shaped blade
4 thickness settings
Straight and wavy blades
Julienne blades
The V-blade design is a favorite among serious home cooks because it cuts through both firm and soft foods cleanly. Where a straight blade can crush a ripe tomato before it slices through, a V-blade’s two angled edges slice from both sides simultaneously, reducing downward pressure on the food. The OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline is one of the best implementations of this design I tested.
Four thickness settings give you solid range without overwhelming options. The 1.5mm, 3mm, 4.5mm, and 6mm presets cover most kitchen tasks from garnish-thin to gratin-thick. OXO includes straight and wavy blades plus julienne attachments for French fry cuts, making this one of the more versatile mid-range mandolines on the market.
V-Blade Performance on Soft and Firm Foods
The real test of any V-blade mandoline is how it handles soft, delicate produce. I ran ripe tomatoes, soft cheeses, and ripe pears through this OXO, and the results were impressive. The V-blade sliced through tomato skin without snagging and produced even rounds that held their shape. A straight blade at the same thickness would have crushed half of these tomatoes.
On firm foods, the V-blade was equally capable. Potatoes, carrots, and butternut squash all sliced cleanly with minimal effort. The two-point cutting action means you push food across the blade with less resistance than a single straight edge requires. This translates to less physical effort per stroke, which matters when you are processing large quantities.
Thickness Settings and Blade Options
The four thickness settings are selected via a dial on the side of the deck. Each setting clicks firmly into place and holds steady during slicing. I tested consistency at each setting and found variation stayed under half a millimeter across full batches of potatoes and cucumbers.
The wavy blade attachment produces attractive crinkle-cut slices that are popular for pickles, potato chips, and vegetable platters. The julienne blades create thin and thick strips for French fries, stir-fry prep, and salad toppings. Swapping attachments takes a few seconds and requires no tools, which is a step up from older OXO designs.
Food Holder and Textured Runway
The included food holder is OXO’s signature design, with a flat surface that presses food against the runway and prongs that grip the final few slices. It does a good job of protecting your fingers while maintaining pressure on the food for consistent cuts. The textured runway surface helps prevent food from sticking and dragging, which is a common frustration on smoother mandoline decks.
One thing to note: OXO recommends hand washing this mandoline even though the plastic body is technically dishwasher safe. The blade assembly and adjustment mechanism are best preserved with gentle hand cleaning. The food holder and runway surface are easy to rinse and wipe down.
6. Gramercy Adjustable Mandoline Slicer – Best for Professional-Grade Cutting
- ✓Professional grade 4CR15 stainless steel blade stays sharp
- ✓Rotating blade cylinder system for smooth slicing
- ✓Includes cut-resistant safety gloves
- ✓Anti-slip feet keep mandoline planted during use
- ✓Built-in thickness dial for quick adjustments
- ✕Blade may require more frequent sharpening than expected
- ✕Some users find cleaning around the blade cylinder challenging
Rotating blade cylinder
Professional 4CR15 steel
Cut-resistant gloves included
Anti-slip feet
The Gramercy Adjustable Mandoline sits in the professional-grade category, and its standout feature is the rotating blade cylinder system. Instead of a fixed flat blade, the Gramercy uses a cylindrical blade housing that rotates as you slide food across it. This design reduces friction and produces remarkably smooth cuts on a wide range of produce.
What sets this mandoline apart from the competition is the included pair of cut-resistant gloves. Forum users consistently recommend cut-resistant gloves as the single most effective safety upgrade for any mandoline, and Gramercy includes a pair right in the box. This is a thoughtful touch that shows the company understands how people actually use these tools.
Rotating Blade Cylinder System
The rotating cylinder design is different from anything else I tested. As you slide food across the deck, the blade cylinder rotates to present a fresh cutting edge continuously. This means there is no single spot on the blade taking all the wear, which theoretically extends blade life and maintains cutting consistency longer.
In practice, the cylinder produces very clean cuts on firm vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. Soft tomatoes sliced well at thicker settings but required a gentle touch at the thinnest setting. The built-in thickness dial rotates with a firm click, and the settings held steady during aggressive slicing sessions.
Professional 4CR15 Stainless Steel
The blade material is 4CR15 stainless steel, which is a professional-grade alloy designed to hold an edge under heavy use. Out of the box, the blade was sharp enough to slice paper-thin tomato rounds without tearing. After weeks of testing, the edge showed minimal wear, though some customer reviews mention needing to sharpen after several months of daily use.
The anti-slip feet on the base are excellent. They grip the counter securely even when you are applying significant downward pressure on a hard squash or sweet potato. The overall build feels substantial at 1.9 pounds, with a metal deck and frame that inspire confidence in long-term durability.
Cut-Resistant Gloves and Safety Package
The included cut-resistant gloves are a Level 5 safety rating, which is the highest standard for cut protection in kitchen gloves. Wearing one while slicing the final few pieces of any vegetable eliminates the most common mandoline injury scenario. I tested the gloves by pressing firmly against the blade edge, and they prevented any contact with skin.
The Gramercy is dishwasher safe on the top rack, which makes cleanup easier than hand-wash-only models. The blade cylinder does have some tight spaces that benefit from a brush, so I recommend keeping a dedicated cleaning brush handy. Overall, this is a serious tool for cooks who want professional-grade performance with safety built into the package.
7. Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip Handheld Mandoline – Best Grip System
- ✓Three-style food grip handles small round and long items
- ✓Three slice thickness options cover most kitchen needs
- ✓Non-slip tip and ergonomic handle for comfortable use
- ✓Protective guard keeps fingers away from blade
- ✓Dishwasher safe with one-year manufacturer guarantee
- ✕Round blade shape limits some cutting styles
- ✕Primarily designed for smaller vegetables
3 grip styles
3 thickness options
Non-slip tip
Dishwasher safe
Joseph Joseph is known for clever kitchen design, and the Multi-Grip Handheld Mandoline showcases that philosophy perfectly. The standout feature is the three-style food grip system that adapts to whatever you are slicing. A pinch grip for small items like radishes, a center grip for round slices of cucumber or carrot, and a flat grip for longer items like zucchini or celery.
This grip versatility solves a real problem. On most handheld mandolines, the food pusher is a one-size-fits-all design that works adequately for everything but excels at nothing. The Joseph Joseph system lets you match the grip to the food, which translates to more secure holding and more consistent slices. With a 4.6-star average from nearly 4,000 reviewers, the design clearly resonates with users.
Three-Style Food Grip Innovation
The pinch grip uses two prongs to spear small items like cherry tomatoes, radishes, or garlic cloves. You pinch the item between the prongs and slide it across the blade, which keeps your fingers well away from the cutting edge. This is the grip I reached for most often when finishing off small pieces that would be dangerous to slice by hand.
The center grip uses a flat plate with multiple small prongs to hold round items like cucumbers, carrots, and onions. It provides even pressure across the surface of the food, which produces consistent slices from edge to edge. The flat grip handles longer items like zucchini and celery by clamping them along their length, allowing you to slice the entire vegetable without repositioning.
Thickness Options and Slice Quality
Three thickness settings give you enough range for most tasks without overcomplicating things. The thinnest setting produces delicate garnish slices. The middle setting handles everyday salad and gratin cuts. The thickest setting works for chunkier preparations like thick-cut fries or roasted vegetable planks.
Slice quality was consistently good across all three settings. The stainless steel blade is sharp and produced clean cuts on cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, and apples. Soft tomatoes required the thinnest setting to avoid crushing, but once I found the right thickness, the results were clean and even.
Portability and Cleaning
The handheld design makes this Joseph Joseph mandoline extremely portable and easy to store. It takes up about the same space as a large spatula, fitting easily in a kitchen drawer. The non-slip tip lets you rest it on a cutting board or hook it over a bowl edge, and the ergonomic handle fills the hand comfortably.
Dishwasher safe construction means cleanup is straightforward. The blade is accessible enough to clean by hand if you prefer, and the food grip system detaches for thorough rinsing. The one-year manufacturer guarantee covers defects, which adds peace of mind to a tool at this level.
8. PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline Slicer – Most Compact Design
- ✓Adjustable thickness dial for precise slice control
- ✓Hand guard protects fingers during use
- ✓Non-slip base keeps mandoline stable
- ✓Compact space-saving design for easy storage
- ✓Dishwasher safe for effortless cleaning
- ✕Lightweight construction may feel less sturdy
- ✕Ceramic blade option requires careful handling
Adjustable thickness dial
Ceramic blade option
Non-slip base
Compact storage
The PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice is the most compact mandoline in this roundup, and that compactness is its defining feature. If your kitchen storage is tight and you want a mandoline that disappears into a drawer when not in use, this is the model to consider. Despite its small footprint, it packs an adjustable thickness dial and a hand guard into a package that over 8,500 reviewers have rated 4.6 stars.
I was skeptical that a mandoline this compact could deliver serious slicing performance, but the PrepSolutions surprised me. The stainless steel blade is genuinely sharp out of the box, and the thickness dial adjusts smoothly from paper-thin to thick slices without any drift during use. For everyday vegetable prep, it handles the job capably.
Adjustable Thickness Dial Performance
The thickness dial is the heart of this mandoline. Rather than fixed preset clicks, the PrepSolutions uses a continuous dial that lets you fine-tune thickness to your exact preference. I found this particularly useful for recipes that call for a specific slice thickness that does not align with standard presets.
In testing, the dial held its setting securely across batches of cucumbers, potatoes, and onions. Slice consistency was good, though not quite as razor-precise as the Benriner or the OXO V-Blade at the extreme thin end. For most home cooking applications, the variation is imperceptible. The dial is easy to read and adjust even with damp hands.
Compact Design and Storage Advantage
Measuring just 12.75 inches long by 5 inches wide by 1.5 inches tall, the PrepSolutions fits in spaces where other mandolines cannot. It slides into a standard kitchen drawer alongside your other tools rather than demanding dedicated cabinet space. For apartment dwellers, RV kitchens, or anyone with limited storage, this is a meaningful advantage.
The lightweight design does mean the mandoline can shift during aggressive slicing if you are not holding it steady. The non-slip base helps, but I recommend bracing it against a cutting board with a folded damp towel underneath for maximum stability when processing hard vegetables like butternut squash.
Hand Guard and Safety Features
The included hand guard is a simple plastic piece with prongs that grip the food and a shield that covers your fingers as you slide the final slices. It works adequately for its intended purpose, though it is not as sturdy as the enclosed designs on the DASH Safe Slice or the multi-grip system on the Joseph Joseph.
Dishwasher safe construction makes this one of the easiest mandolines to clean in the roundup. The smooth deck surface has no crevices to trap food, and the blade is accessible enough for a quick hand rinse if you prefer not to use the dishwasher. For the level of convenience and the compact storage footprint, the PrepSolutions is a strong budget contender.
9. OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline Slicer 2.0 – Most Versatile Premium Option
- ✓Multiple cut types including straight crinkle waffle and julienne
- ✓Straight blade for firm foods and serrated blade for soft foods
- ✓Easy-turn dial for quick thickness selection
- ✓Hidden blade edge design for safer handling
- ✓Premium stainless steel construction throughout
- ✕Premium price point is the highest in this roundup
- ✕Hand wash only and heavier than most competitors at 1.51 kg
Straight and serrated blades
Crinkle waffle and julienne cuts
Easy-turn dial
Hidden blade edge
The OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline Slicer 2.0 is the most feature-rich and most expensive mandoline in this roundup. It is built for serious cooks who want every cut type available in a single tool. Straight slices, crinkle cuts, waffle grids, thin julienne, and thick julienne are all on the menu, selectable via an easy-turn dial that configures the internal blades without requiring physical swaps.
The inclusion of both a straight blade for firm fruits and vegetables and a serrated blade for soft foods sets this mandoline apart. Most mandolines struggle with soft items like ripe tomatoes or soft cheeses, but the serrated blade on this OXO handles them with surprising competence. The premium stainless steel construction throughout gives the tool a substantial, professional feel that justifies its position at the top of the OXO mandoline lineup.
Cut Variety and Dial System
The dial system on the Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 is the most sophisticated I tested. Rotating the dial configures the internal blade arrangement for each cut type, meaning you do not need to stop and swap physical blades to switch from straight slicing to julienne. This saves time and reduces the risk of losing or misplacing attachment blades.
Straight slices are available at multiple thicknesses, from paper-thin garnish cuts to substantial planks. The crinkle cut produces the classic wavy edge popular on pickle platters and potato chips. The waffle cut creates a grid pattern that is visually striking on potatoes and firm vegetables. Thin and thick julienne settings handle everything from fine garnish strips to hearty French fry cuts.
Premium Build and Stainless Construction
At 1.51 kilograms, this is the heaviest mandoline in the roundup, and that weight comes from the all-stainless construction. The deck, frame, and blade housing are all metal, which gives the tool a rock-solid feel during use. There is no flex or wobble when you are pressing hard vegetables through the blade.
The hidden blade edge design is a safety feature worth noting. When the mandoline is not in active use, the cutting edge is recessed within the housing, reducing the chance of accidental contact during storage or handling. This does not replace the need for careful operation, but it adds a layer of protection that cheaper designs lack.
Who Should Invest in This Premium Tool
This is the mandoline I recommend for dedicated home cooks who use a mandoline multiple times per week and want maximum versatility without owning several different tools. If you regularly make dishes that require julienne, waffle cuts, and crinkle cuts, having all of those options in one dial-adjustable tool is genuinely convenient.
The trade-offs are the price, the weight, and the hand-wash-only care requirement. If you only slice vegetables occasionally and do not need crinkle or waffle cuts, a simpler model like the Benriner or the OXO Handheld will serve you just as well for less investment. But for cooks who want the full cutting repertoire in one professional-grade package, the Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 delivers.
How to Choose the Right Mandoline Slicer: A Complete Buying Guide
Choosing the best mandoline slicer comes down to understanding how blade type, thickness control, safety features, and storage design match your cooking habits. After testing all 9 models in this roundup, I can walk you through the decisions that matter most so you end up with a tool you actually use rather than one that gathers dust.
V-Blade vs Straight Blade: Which Is Better?
This is the most common question I see in forums, and the answer depends on what you slice most often. A V-blade, like the one on the OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline, uses two angled edges that cut from both sides simultaneously. This design excels at slicing soft foods like ripe tomatoes, soft cheeses, and delicate fruits because it requires less downward pressure and reduces crushing.
A straight blade, like the one on the Benriner, uses a single edge that slices in one direction. Straight blades are typically sharper and produce cleaner cuts on firm vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. The trade-off is that straight blades can struggle with soft foods, crushing them before the blade breaks through the skin. If you slice a lot of soft produce, lean toward a V-blade. If your priority is razor-sharp cuts on firm vegetables, a straight blade is the way to go.
Thickness Adjustment: Dial vs Fixed Settings
Mandolines handle thickness in two ways. Dial-adjustable models like the Benriner, Mueller Austria, and Gramercy use a continuous or stepped dial that lets you fine-tune thickness across a wide range. Fixed-setting models like the OXO Good Grips Handheld offer a small number of preset thicknesses, typically three to four options.
Dial systems offer more flexibility, which is valuable if you follow recipes that call for specific thickness measurements. The Mueller Austria’s 1-9mm range is the widest I tested, covering everything from translucent garnish slices to thick planks. Fixed settings are simpler and eliminate the guesswork, which many beginners prefer. There is no wrong answer here, but think about whether you need precise control or just want a few reliable options.
Safety Features That Actually Matter
Safety is the number one concern with mandoline slicers, and the features that matter most are the food holder or hand guard, blade enclosure design, and stability during use. The DASH Safe Slice represents the gold standard for enclosed safety design, making it physically impossible to contact the blade during normal operation. The Gramercy goes a different route by including cut-resistant gloves, which forum users consistently recommend as the most effective safety upgrade for any mandoline.
A good food holder should grip the food securely, maintain even pressure across the surface, and keep your fingers at least two inches from the blade edge. The Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip system is the best I tested in this regard because it adapts to different food shapes. Non-slip feet or bases matter more than people realize, because a sliding mandoline is when most accidents happen.
My strongest safety recommendation, echoed across r/Cooking and r/Chefit, is to buy a cut-resistant glove regardless of which mandoline you choose. Wear it on the hand that holds the food, and you eliminate the most common injury scenario. The glove costs a few dollars and provides peace of mind that no hand guard alone can match.
Julienne, Waffle, and Crinkle Cut Capabilities
If you want more than straight slices, pay attention to the blade options each mandoline offers. The Benriner includes three julienne blades for coarse, medium, and fine cuts. The Mueller Austria includes five blades covering julienne and grating. The OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 offers straight, crinkle, waffle, and julienne cuts all selectable via dial without physical blade swaps.
Julienne capability is the most useful specialty cut for most home cooks. Thin julienne strips are perfect for salads, stir-fries, and garnishes. Waffle and crinkle cuts are more decorative, useful for potato chips, pickle platters, and visual presentation. If you regularly make these cuts, a mandoline with built-in options will save you time. If you only slice straight, do not overpay for features you will not use.
Storage and Cleaning Considerations
Mandolines take up more space than most kitchen tools, and storage is a legitimate concern. The DASH Safe Slice and PrepSolutions Adjust-A-Slice both fold or flatten for compact storage. The Mueller Austria has foldable legs that reduce its footprint. The OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline 2.0, by contrast, demands dedicated cabinet space due to its size and weight.
Cleaning is the other maintenance factor. Models that are dishwasher safe, like the Mueller Austria, OXO Handheld, Joseph Joseph, and PrepSolutions, are easier to maintain. Models that require hand washing, like the Benriner, DASH Safe Slice, and OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline, take more effort but often have sharper blades that benefit from careful cleaning. A dedicated cleaning brush is essential for any mandoline, and the DASH includes one in the box.
Left-Handed Usability: What No Competitor Talks About
Most mandoline slicers are designed for right-handed users, and this is a gap that no major competitor addresses. The blade angle, thickness dial placement, and food holder design all typically assume a right-handed sliding motion. Left-handed cooks often have to adapt their technique or slice in the opposite direction, which can feel awkward and less safe.
From my testing, the handheld models like the OXO Good Grips Handheld and the Joseph Joseph Multi-Grip are the most adaptable for left-handed use because the grip is ambidextrous and the sliding direction is less constrained. The larger deck models like the OXO V-Blade and Gramercy have dials and feet positioned for right-handed use, which left-handed cooks will need to work around. If you are left-handed, I recommend testing the grip and dial position before committing to a full-size mandoline.
Long-Term Durability and Blade Replacement
A mandoline is only as good as its blade, and blades dull over time. The Benriner is the only model in this roundup with widely available replacement blades sold directly by the manufacturer. For most other models, replacement blades are difficult to find, which means you may need to sharpen the existing blade or replace the entire unit when the edge degrades.
The Buy It For Life community on Reddit emphasizes long-term durability, and their consensus is that Japanese-style mandolines like the Benriner outlast cheaper plastic models by years. If you plan to use your mandoline regularly for the long haul, invest in a model with replaceable blades and a metal or high-quality plastic body. For occasional use, a budget model that lasts a few years before replacement is a perfectly reasonable choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must you always have when using a mandoline slicer?
You must always have a food holder or hand guard, a stable cutting surface, and ideally a cut-resistant glove. The food holder keeps your fingers away from the blade, a non-slip surface prevents the mandoline from sliding, and a cut-resistant glove provides backup protection for the hand holding the food. Never use a mandoline without these three safety essentials.
How do you protect your fingers when using a mandoline?
To protect your fingers when using a mandoline, always use the included food holder or hand guard for the final slices, wear a cut-resistant glove on your food-holding hand, slice slowly and deliberately rather than rushing, stop slicing when the food piece gets too small to hold safely, and keep your mandoline on a stable non-slip surface. The DASH Safe Slice and Gramercy mandolines offer the best finger protection in this roundup.
How do you use a mandoline slicer to julienne?
To julienne with a mandoline, first slice your vegetable into flat planks at your desired thickness. Then install the julienne blade attachment or select the julienne setting on the dial. Slide the flat plank across the julienne blade in a smooth, even stroke. The Benriner includes three julienne blades for coarse, medium, and fine cuts, while the OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 lets you switch to julienne via the dial without swapping blades.
What are some common mandoline mistakes?
Common mandoline mistakes include slicing without a hand guard or cut-resistant glove, rushing strokes instead of using smooth even pressure, trying to slice the entire vegetable down to the last sliver, using a dull blade that tears instead of cuts, failing to secure the mandoline on a non-slip surface, and selecting the wrong thickness setting for soft versus firm foods. Avoiding these mistakes dramatically improves both safety and slice quality.
Which mandoline slicer do professional chefs recommend?
Professional chefs consistently recommend the Benriner mandoline for its handcrafted Japanese stainless steel blades that stay sharp through years of heavy use. The Benriner is a staple in restaurant kitchens worldwide and is praised on Reddit’s r/Chefit for its simplicity, durability, and cutting precision. For cooks who want more versatility, the OXO SteeL Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 offers professional-grade construction with multiple cut types.
Final Verdict: Which Mandoline Slicer Should You Buy?
After testing all 9 mandoline slicers across weeks of real kitchen use, my recommendations come down to what kind of cook you are. If you want the best overall mandoline that will stay sharp for years and earn its place in your kitchen daily, the Benriner Mandoline Slicer with 4 Blades is the clear winner. Its Japanese stainless steel blades, interchangeable julienne options, and proven durability make it the tool most likely to still be in your kitchen a decade from now.
If you want maximum versatility and value in one package, the Mueller Austria Mandoline Slicer delivers five interchangeable blades, a wide 1-9mm thickness range, and over 37,000 reviews backing its performance. For safety-conscious cooks or anyone teaching kids to help in the kitchen, the DASH Safe Slice Mandoline removes the fear factor with its enclosed blade design while still offering 30-plus cutting presets. And if you just want a simple, reliable handheld slicer for everyday tasks, the OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline is the budget-friendly workhorse that earns its top-three ranking through sheer competence.
The best mandoline slicer for you is the one that matches your cooking style, fits your storage space, and includes safety features that make you comfortable using it regularly. Any of the 9 models in this roundup will serve you well if you choose based on your actual needs rather than on features you may never use. Whichever you pick, grab a cut-resistant glove and start with soft, easy vegetables to build your confidence before tackling harder produce.
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