Key takeaways
- Fixed-angle plastic frame
- Interchangeable julienne blade inserts
- Adjustable slice thickness
- Includes hand guard
A mandoline slices vegetables into perfectly even, paper-thin pieces far faster and more consistently than a knife, which matters for anything from gratin potatoes to quick-pickled cucumbers where uniform thickness affects cooking time. The tradeoff is a genuinely sharp blade sitting close to a guard, so safety handling (almost always via an included hand guard) matters as much as blade quality when choosing one.
Top 5 Picks
1. Benriner Super Slicer
A long-running, simple Japanese mandoline known for an exceptionally sharp blade and a no-frills design that has barely changed because it already works well.
- Fixed-angle plastic frame
- Interchangeable julienne blade inserts
- Adjustable slice thickness
- Includes hand guard
Pros: blade sharpness and slice quality punch well above its price; simple design has fewer parts to break.
Cons: fewer thickness presets and adjustability than premium adjustable mandolines.
2. OXO Good Grips Chef’s Mandoline 2.0
A premium countertop mandoline with 21 thickness and cut-style settings, aimed at buyers who want fine control over slice thickness without swapping blade inserts.
- 21 adjustable thickness/style settings
- Stainless steel blade
- Folding frame for storage
- Food holder/hand guard included
Pros: the adjustability genuinely covers a wide range of recipes without needing separate blade inserts; sturdy folding frame.
Cons: priced well above basic handheld mandolines for that adjustability.
3. OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer
A compact, budget-friendly handheld mandoline rated a best value pick, aimed at buyers who don’t need adjustable thickness settings or a full countertop frame.
- Fixed-blade handheld design
- Compact, easy storage
- Includes hand guard
- Dishwasher-safe components
Pros: low price and minimal counter/storage footprint; simple to use with no settings to adjust.
Cons: single fixed thickness limits versatility compared to adjustable models.
4. Fullstar XL Vegetable Chopper and Mandoline
A multi-function slicer that combines mandoline-style slicing with interchangeable chopping and dicing blades, aimed at buyers who want one tool for several prep tasks.
- Multiple interchangeable blades
- Large capacity container
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Compact storage case
Pros: covers chopping and dicing in addition to slicing, reducing the number of separate tools needed.
Cons: blade swapping takes more setup time than a dedicated single-purpose mandoline.
5. Kyocera Adjustable Ceramic Slicer
A compact handheld mandoline built around a ceramic blade instead of steel, aimed at buyers who want a blade that never needs oiling and resists rust entirely.
- Ceramic blade (rust-proof)
- Adjustable thickness settings
- Compact handheld frame
- Includes hand guard
Pros: ceramic blade holds an edge well and never rusts, unlike carbon steel blades that need drying immediately; lightweight and easy to store.
Cons: ceramic is more brittle than steel and can chip if dropped or used on very hard, dense vegetables.
Buying Tips
Always use the included hand guard — mandoline blades are sharp enough that this isn’t optional caution, it’s the main safety feature the tool is designed around. If recipes call for a range of thicknesses (thin cucumber for pickling, thicker potato for gratin), an adjustable model like the OXO Chef’s Mandoline 2.0 saves buying multiple fixed-blade tools. For occasional use and simple storage, a basic handheld model covers most home needs without the bulk of a full frame.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake is slicing without the hand guard once a vegetable gets small enough to feel “almost done,” which is exactly when most mandoline injuries happen — the guard should stay in use until the very last slice. Another is using a mandoline on very hard vegetables like whole raw beets without adjusting pressure and expecting knife-level ease; mandolines excel at even slicing but still need steady, controlled pressure. Finally, not drying blades immediately after washing can lead to rust on carbon steel blades like the Benriner’s.
FAQ
Is a mandoline safe to use without the hand guard?
No — the hand guard is the primary safety feature on every mandoline, and skipping it is the leading cause of mandoline-related kitchen injuries.
What is the difference between a fixed and adjustable mandoline?
A fixed-blade mandoline (OXO Handheld) slices at one set thickness; an adjustable model (OXO Chef’s Mandoline 2.0, Benriner with interchangeable inserts) lets you change thickness for different recipes.
Can a mandoline replace a food processor for slicing?
For thin, even slices specifically, yes — a mandoline often produces more consistent slices than a food processor’s slicing disc, though a food processor is faster for large batches.
How do I clean a mandoline safely?
Hand-washing with a brush (not fingers directly on the blade) immediately after use, followed by thorough drying, is the safest way to clean a mandoline and prevent rust on carbon steel blades.
Is a ceramic blade better than a steel blade for a mandoline?
Ceramic blades, like Kyocera’s, never rust and hold an edge for a long time without sharpening, but they’re more brittle than steel and can chip on very hard vegetables or if dropped, so handling care matters more than with steel.
Can a mandoline be used on soft fruit like tomatoes?
Yes, with a steady hand and light pressure — soft fruit slices more easily than firm vegetables but can also be harder to control, so slower, deliberate passes work better than the speed used for firmer produce.
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