10 best potato peelers for quick and easy food prep

Whilst they may not be the most exciting kitchen utensil purchase, a reliable and efficient potato peeler can be a huge time saver when prepping your evening meal.

If you’ve ever tried peeling potatoes using a knife, you will know that whilst you’ll eventually get the job done, it isn’t particularly straightforward. Unless you’ve fully perfected the technique, peeling potatoes with a knife can take a substantial amount of time and, chances are, you’ll waste half the potato or even peel a finger or two in the process.

A good quality potato peeler is a far more efficient way to prepare your fruit and vegetables. Not only can it reduce the amount of time spent in the kitchen, but it can also allow you to prepare food safely and efficiently with minimal waste.

To help you find the best one to add to your cutlery drawer, we’ve scoured the Mumsnet forums to find the peelers real people love and use everyday, along with checking honest online reviews, bestseller lists and food expert sites to bring you the ultimate kitchen tool round-up.

Here are the best potato peelers on the market today.

1. Best overall potato peeler: OXO Good Grips Y Shaped Peeler

Price £7 | Buy now from Amazon

“The OXO peeler is fantastic. A large, thick handle which is easy to hold. I could peel potatoes for the army if needed and still be smiling!” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Elouera)

With over 48,000 reviews contributing to its five-star rating on Amazon, the bestselling OXO Good Grips Y Shaped Peeler comes highly recommended on both retailer sites and the Mumsnet forums.

With a super sharp stainless steel blade, this handy tool can peel even the hardest food skins with ease and includes a built in eyer for removing any unwanted blemishes or imperfections. With a chunky, non-slip handle, this high-quality peeler is comfortable and easy to hold, ensuring safe peeling even with wet hands.

We love that it’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe, with a hanging hole in the handle for straightforward storage on a hook. While it's not the cheapest peeler on the market, most reviewers felt that it was worth paying a few pounds extra for the quality of the OXO Good Grips range. For peace of mind, it also comes with an OXO Better Guarantee so you can have it repaired or replaced by the brand without question.

Pros

• Suitable for a variety of fruit and vegetables

• Sharp blade for efficient peeling

• Non-slip comfortable handle

Cons

• Very sharp

2. Best budget potato peeler: Lamapee Potato Peeler

Price £3.99 | Buy now from Amazon

At just £3.99, the Lamapee potato peeler is suitable for even the tightest of budgets and, due to its low price point, is a great option for university students or those kitting out their first home.

Whether you’re prepping potatoes, peeling apples or creating thin ribbons of carrots for coleslaw or salad, this lightweight yet durable peeler is really easy to use and offers super efficient food preparation. The sharp swivel blade removes thin layers of peel to help reduce food waste and there is an in-built eyer to assist with the removal of unwanted marks or dark spots.

Pros

• Inexpensive

• Hook design for hanging

Cons

• Some reviewers found pressure was required in order to peel effectively

3. Best traditional potato peeler: Victorinox Single Edge Potato Peeler

Price £7.10 | Buy now from Amazon

“I have a Victorinox solid one. I think the Victorinox peeler has the best cutting action for spuds once you get the hang of it.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Civliz)

Traditional potato peelers come with a fixed blade and whilst creating the perfect peeling action can be tricky for beginners, they can be very efficient when used correctly.

If you have grown up with a traditional peeler and prefer a single blade (as opposed to a swivel blade), then this Victorinox potato peeler is a popular choice. With a sharp stainless steel blade and robust wooden handle, this versatile peeler is ideal for potatoes as well as soft skinned fruit and vegetables.

If you’re left-handed however, it’s worth bearing in mind that its one direction mechanism is unlikely to work for you.

Pros

• Sharp stainless steel blade

• Efficient for fans of traditional peelers

Cons

• Fixed single blade can be tricky

• Right-handed use only

4. Best straight potato peeler: OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler

Price £7 | Buy now from Amazon

“I love my Oxo one. They do Lancashire and straight versions. I find a straight peeler much faster and less likely to peel my thumbs.”  (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user PickAChew)

The second OXO Good Grips peeler to feature in this guide, the Good Grips Swivel Peeler comes with swivelling sharp twin blades which effortlessly peel around curves, making light work of even the most wonky, misshapen fruit and vegetables.

As with the Oxo Good Grips Y Shaped peeler, this peeler offers a comfortable non-slip handle with a hanging hole and rust-proof materials that are built to last the test of time. With a precision eyer at the end, removing marks and blemishes is quick and efficient.

Pros

• Hugs curves of misshapen fruit and vegetables

• Easy and efficient peeling

Cons

• Some may find the Y shaped version easier to master

5. Best potato peeler for fruit and soft vegetables: Kuhn Rikon Piranha Peeler

Price £7.95 | Buy now from Amazon

“Kuhn Rikon - Swiss make, we’ve had it about eight years and every day when I use it I think what a pleasure it is - seriously! I truly LOVE it.” (Vetted by Mumsnet user WritingHome)

Made especially for peeling smooth and fuzzy skins including ripe fruit, tomatoes and peppers, the Kuhn Rikon Piranha peeler comes with a super sharp serrated blade which can create paper thin peels without damaging or misshaping your fruit.

The non-slip curved handle is ergonomically designed, enabling a secure grip with the peeler fitting comfortably in your hand, regardless of whether you are right- or left-handed.

Pros

• Suitable for left- and right-handed users

• Suitable for softer skins

Cons

• Extremely sharp - use with caution

6. Best stainless steel potato peeler: SharpPeel Stainless Steel Potato and Vegetable Y Peeler

Price £6.49 | Buy now from Lakeland

“Lakeland works best for me.”  (Recommended by Mumsnet user JaceLancs)

“My DD described the Lakeland one as 'life-changing'!” (Brand vetted by Mumsnet user Thegreylady)

Part of the SharpPeel range at Lakeland, the stainless steel potato and vegetable peeler is described as having a ‘super sharp precision blade’ and the positive reviews demonstrate that it lives up to its promise. The peels created are very thin, maximising the amount of food you can prepare whilst minimising waste.

With a uniquely shaped handle including indents to rest your fingers during peeling, this stainless steel peeler is easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. It also comes with a Lakeland three year guarantee so you know it will last.

Pros

• Super sharp blade

• Three year guarantee

Cons

• Not the most attractive of designs

7. Best premium potato peeler: Joseph Joseph SafeStore Straight Peeler with Blade Guard

Price £9 | Buy now from Amazon

“Personally I love Joseph Joseph stuff, I have loads of it. Stylish and practical, really well designed.”  (Brand recommended by Mumsnetter Lillipops)

When it comes to high-quality kitchen utensils, Joseph Joseph has an excellent reputation for creating products that solve problems whilst offering style and efficiency.

The Joseph Joseph SafeStore peeler offers a unique feature that other brands don’t - an integrated blade guard. This innovative pull-up blade cover ensures safe and easy storage, with no risk of cutting fingers when rummaging through your kitchen drawer.

With a standout shade of green, this Y-shaped peeler also comes with a large chunky handle, making it comfortable to hold whilst peeling a wide range of fruit and vegetables.

Pros

• Blade guard for safe storage

• Large handle

Cons

• Wide and flat blade may struggle with bumpy veg

8. Best professional potato peeler: ProCook Y Shaped Potato Peeler

Price £7 | Buy now from ProCook

The ProCook Y Shaped Potato Peeler is a sturdy peeler made from stainless steel which not only looks good, but is really easy to clean by hand and safe to use in the dishwasher too.

Designed to be comfortable even during prolonged use preparing large quantities, this comfortable Y-shaped peeler has a long handle to help protect fingers from the blade and an integrated loop so you can store it easily on a kitchen hook if you're low on drawer space.

The ProCook sharp swivel blade peels in both directions, making it suitable for both left- and right- handed users and the year long guarantee means you can buy with confidence.

Pros

• Long handle protects fingers from the blade

• Dishwasher safe

Cons

• Stainless steel may be slippery when wet

9. Best sleek potato peeler: Alessi Sfrido Vegetable Peeler

Price £28 | Buy now from John Lewis

If you’re looking for a more stylish peeler or are prepared to pay more for an attractive design, then the Alessi Sfrido Vegetable Peeler is an excellent choice.

Not only does this sleek stainless steel peeler come with a unique twisted ribbon design, it also arrives gift boxed and well presented - an ideal present for a keen foodie or chef.

There is no risk of style over substance here however. The curved design of the Alessi is no coincidence - this ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hand whilst peeling and provides extra control. With a super sharp blade, the Alessi also effortlessly glides through a variety of fruit and vegetable skins.

Pros:

• Unique, attractive design

• Innovative ergonomic hold

• Great gift

Cons:

• Pricey

• Some might prefer a peeler with a handle

• Not dishwasher-safe

10. Best multi-functional potato peeler: Lantana 3-in-1 Peeler

Price £6.95 | Buy now from Amazon

If you like to get your money's worth, then this 3-in-1 multi-purpose peeler is one of the most versatile options on our list.

Created for simple yet effective peeling, it can tackle everything from soft and fuzzy fruits right through to firm vegetable skins, including sweet potatoes.

It comes with a choice of three blades - one straight edge, one serrated and one julienne slicer, all tailored to suit different tasks in the kitchen. Users can switch between blades quickly and easily using the simple rotating mechanism at the top.

With a non-slip silicone handle, the Lantana combines efficiency and comfort and is easy to clean as it is dishwasher-safe.

Pros

• Suitable for right- and left-handed users

• Extra thin peels for minimal waste

Cons

• More bulky to store due to its rotating blades

How to choose the best potato peeler

When choosing the right potato peeler for you there are a few things you should take into account:

• Shape: Do you want to use a traditional straight peeler or a Y-shaped peeler? Some like a Y-shape for easier peeling, whereas others opt for a straight blade for precision. It’s really down to personal preference.

• Type of blade: Do you want a straight or serrated edge blade? Straight edge blades can be better for potatoes and create a more presentable, smooth finish, but serrated edges can be more efficient for soft and delicate fruits.

• Comfort: Think about how easy the peeler is to hold. Does it have a non-slip or easy grip handle that stays firm even with wet hands?

• Left-handed or right-handed?: Not all peelers work in both directions which can be difficult if you are left-handed. Check the descriptions carefully. Swivel blades tend to work best for left-handed users.

• What are you using it for?: Are you just peeling potatoes or do you intend to use the peeler for other fruit and vegetable skins? Some peelers work better on soft skins, whilst others are more robust and suitable for harder, toughened fruit and vegetables.

• Cleaning: Consider how easy the peeler is to clean. Do you need your peeler to be dishwasher safe?

• Material: Think about the material you want for the handle of the peeler. You may want sleek stainless steel or prefer budget, plastic designs. Look out for non-slip features for safety too.

• Eyer: Do you want an integrated eyer for removing small blemishes and imperfections? While it's not an essential, it is a nice feature to have.

• Storage: How easy is the peeler to store? Does it have a hanging hole or will it lie flat for storing inside your cutlery drawer? Assess the space you have and shop accordingly.

What is the best potato peeler?

The Mumsnet forums and online reviews were fairly unanimous on this one – when it comes to peelers, the OXO Good Grips brand really can do no wrong, having been recommended consistently within the Mumsnet forums over the years.

The OXO Good Grips peelers perform well both in terms of efficiency and ease of use, as well as offering easy cleaning, simple storage and a solid-non slip handle that helps prep food quickly with minimal waste – even with wet hands. With a few different styles available, it all comes down to personal choice of a Y-blade or straight blade peeler.

How we chose our recommendations

To find the best potato peelers we reviewed the Mumsnet forums to find your tried and tested recommendations on the peelers you loved, whether you were peeling spuds or prepping some butternut squash. We researched and considered the Which impartial product reviews, before investigating the bestseller lists from top retailers including Amazon, John Lewis, Lakeland and ProCook. After creating a long list for consideration, we compared our findings with other expert review sites.

Once we’d built up our long list, we extensively researched the brand pages to find in-depth product specifications and weighed up which peelers offered the features that mattered most to you, including ease of use, efficiency, ease of cleaning, storage and cost. We scrutinised the reviews across various retailer sites to ensure our choices' key features (and their limitations) were clear and upfront.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.