What is the best box grater?

If you want one box grater that does almost everything well, I’d buy the Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater.

• Cuisipro 4 Sided Box Grater - $47.99 (Abt Electronics, Inc.)

Why it’s my top pick

• Extremely sharp etched blades — noticeably less effort for cheese, carrots, potatoes, and zucchini.
• Excellent coarse and fine grating, plus slicing and zesting.
• The grooved “Surface Glide” design helps food move across the blade smoothly.
• Stable rubber base and comfortable handle.
• Multiple independent tests have ranked it at or near the top, including Serious Eats and Milk Street.

The main downside is price: it's more expensive than a basic box grater, generally around $45–$50 currently.

Best alternatives

• OXO SoftWorks Box Grater - $19.99 (Target)

• Cuisinart Box Grater - $18.99 (Wayfair)

• KitchenAid Gourmet Box Grater - $19.99 (Walmart)

• Farberware Professional 4-Sided Box Grater - $10.97 (Walmart)

• Best value: Cuisinart Box Grater — inexpensive, sharp, straightforward, and very good at cheese and vegetables. Epicurious actually selected it as its best box grater.

• Best for convenience: OXO — particularly nice if you want a container to catch, measure, and store the grated food.

• Best budget: Farberware — basic four-sided stainless model at roughly $11 currently.

• Best overall performance: Cuisipro — the one I'd choose if you grate frequently.

My ranking: Cuisipro > Cuisinart > OXO > KitchenAid.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $20, under $30, or “money no object”), I can narrow it down to the single best buy.

When looking for the best box grater, expert testing across major culinary publications consistently points to a couple of standout models that balance ultra-sharp blades, stability, and thoughtful design.

The top-rated box graters on the market include:

1. Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Why it wins: Widely regarded as the sharpest and most efficient model available (frequently topping tests by Wirecutter ). It uses unique "Surface Glide Technology"—a grooved pattern on the etched stainless steel blades that reduces friction, allowing you to grate more food with less effort. [1][2]
• Key features: Features 5 distinct surfaces (including ultra-coarse, coarse, fine, shaver, and a small ginger grater at the base), an ergonomic soft-touch non-slip handle, and measurement markings right on the side of the frame.[1]

1. OXO Good Grips Etched Box Grater with Removable Zester Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Why it wins: If you love smart, highly functional kitchen tools, this OXO model is a favorite. It transitions from a traditional multi-sided grater to a standalone tool with ease, earning high praise from testers at Serious Eats.[1][2]
• Key features: It comes with four sharp, etched stainless steel sides (coarse, medium, slicer) plus a clever removable microplane zester that you can detach to use directly over plates or bowls. It also includes a convenient catch-container with measurement markings and a storage lid.[1]

1. Cuisinart Boxed Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Why it wins: If you want stellar performance without extra bells and whistles (or a lower price tag), this classic model delivers exceptionally sharp blades that rival high-end competitors.
• Key features: Simple, sturdy stainless steel construction that gracefully handles blocks of cheese, vegetables, and chocolate without clogging or tearing.

Would you prefer a grater with extra attachments (like a storage container or removable zester) , or are you looking for a heavy-duty, classic stainless steel model built strictly for maximum sharpness?

The "best" box grater depends on whether you prioritize maximum sharpness, comfort, or handy built-in storage accessories. Leading culinary testing publications and home cooks generally point to a few standout options:

• OXO Good Grips Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. : Widely considered the best overall for everyday home cooks. It features four stainless steel surfaces (coarse, medium, fine, and a slicer), a comfortable soft-grip handle, and comes with a convenient plastic storage container that nests right into the base with measurement markings and a lid. [1][2]
• Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. : Frequently touted as the "buy-it-for-life" and sharpest option by equipment reviewers. It uses a unique grooved pattern and photo-etched razor-sharp blades (Surface Glide Technology) that make shredding hard cheeses and vegetables effortless with less friction. It also includes a handy ginger-grating base.[1][2]
• Microplane 4-Sided Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. : Exceptional if your primary focus is performance on fine grating and zesting. It features ultra-coarse, fine/zester, medium ribbon, and slicing blades with a removable side panel that makes cleaning the inside significantly easier than a traditional solid box grater.
• Cuisinart Boxed Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. : A fantastic budget-friendly pick that punches well above its weight. It provides remarkably sharp blades and uniform shreds for a fraction of the cost of high-end specialty models.

If you let me know what you plan to grate most often (e.g., blocks of cheddar, soft mozzarella, delicate citrus zest, or root vegetables) and your budget , I can recommend the exact model that fits your kitchen routine.

Best overall: Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater

• Cuisipro Box Grater - $48.00 (Milk Street Store)

If you want the best-performing traditional box grater, I'd pick the Cuisipro Surface Glide 4-Sided Box Grater. Its etched blades are exceptionally sharp, so it takes less effort and produces clean, uniform shreds. Both Milk Street and TechGearLab rated the Cuisipro as their top box-style grater.

Best alternatives

• Best everyday/value choice: OXO Good Grips Box Grater — easier to find, comfortable handle, nonslip base, and an attached measuring/catching container.

• OXO SoftWorks Box Grater - $19.97 (Walmart)

• Best budget: Cuisinart CTG-00-BG — simple stainless-steel four-sided design at around $19.

• Best if you want maximum versatility: Cuisipro 6-Sided — adds more grating surfaces, including finer options. Food Network named it its best box grater in its 2026 testing.

My pick: Spend the extra money on the Cuisipro 4-sided if you grate cheese and vegetables frequently. If you just want a very good grater for everyday cooking without spending ~$45–50, get the OXO.

• Cuisipro Box Grater - $48.00 (Milk Street Store)
• OXO SoftWorks Box Grater - $19.97 (Walmart)
• Cuisinart Box Grater - $18.99 (Walmart)
• Cuisipro 6-Sided Box Grater - $86.37 (The Essential Utensil)

If you want one box grater that does almost everything well, I’d pick the OXO Good Grips Box Grater.

• OXO SoftWorks Box Grater - $19.99 (Target)

Why it’s my top pick

• Four useful surfaces: coarse, medium, fine, and slicing.
• Sharp stainless-steel blades that handle cheese, vegetables, and chocolate well.
• Non-slip handle and feet make it safer and more comfortable to use.
• The detachable catch container is genuinely useful for reducing mess.
• Around $20, so it’s a good value rather than an expensive specialty tool.

Other excellent choices

• Best premium:

• Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater - $47.99 (Abt Electronics, Inc.)

— particularly good if you grate frequently; its Surface Glide Technology and five grating surfaces make it a serious upgrade.

• Best ultra-sharp/premium:

• Microplane Box Grater - $64.95 (Williams-Sonoma)

— excellent if you want very sharp blades and more specialized grating options.

• Best budget:

• Farberware Professional Stainless Steel 4-Sided Box Grater - $10.97 (Walmart)

— roughly $11 and covers the basic four functions.

My verdict: For most home cooks, buy the OXO. If you cook a lot and want the sharpest, most premium experience, I'd spend extra on the Cuisipro or Microplane.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $20, $30, or “money no object”), I can narrow it to the single best one.

The Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely rated as the best overall and best value box grater for its exceptional sharpness, lightweight feel, and effortless multi-surface performance.

Top-performing box graters feature distinct strengths depending on your kitchen needs:

Best overall value. It features extremely sharp etched teeth that shred cheese, vegetables, and potatoes smoothly without tearing.

Best for versatility. It includes a comfortable grip, a stable base, a handy storage container, and a pop-off rasp-style panel that actually works well for zesting. [1][2]

Best premium option. It features surgical-grade stainless steel blades made in the USA, a removable fine-grating side, and a bi-directional ribbon blade that makes quick work of tough blocks of cheese and produce.[1]

If you'd like, let me know:

• What you plan to grate most often (hard cheeses, soft cheeses, or vegetables)
• Your budget range

I can help you pick the exact model that fits your cooking style.

The OXO Good Grips Etched Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and the Microplane 4-Sided Box Grater Go to product viewer dialog for this item. are widely considered the best overall box graters due to their ultra-sharp blades, stability, and smart design features. [1][2]

Top Recommendations

This model uses sharp, photo-etched blades instead of traditional punched holes, meaning it slices cleanly through cheese and vegetables rather than tearing them. It also features a removable fine-grating rasp that doubles as a standalone handheld zester. [1][2]

Built with ultra-sharp, surgical-grade USA-made blades, this heavy-duty grater makes quick work of hard blocks of cheese, root vegetables, and citrus. One side pops out completely to use as a handheld tool, and the non-slip rubber base keeps it securely anchored to your counter.[1]

A budget-friendly favorite that comes with a convenient snap-in storage container featuring clear measurement markings, reducing mess and making it easy to measure ingredients directly for recipes.[1]

If you'd like, let me know:

• What you plan to grate most often (soft cheese, hard parmesan, vegetables?)
• Whether you prefer having a catch container included

I can help you narrow down the best choice for your kitchen.

If you want one box grater that will last and work well for almost everything, I’d pick:

— Best overall

• Extremely sharp etched blades that grate cheese and vegetables quickly with less effort.
• Comfortable shape and stable base.
• Excellent for cheddar, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and hard cheeses.
• The main downside: it costs more than basic graters.

Other strong choices:

— Best for most home cooks

• Comfortable grip, non-slip base, and a removable catch container.
• A great balance of price, convenience, and performance.

— Best value

• Simple, sturdy, sharp, and inexpensive.
• A good choice if you don’t need a storage container or extra features.

— Best with built-in storage

• Useful if you like grating directly into a container and saving leftovers.

My quick recommendation:

• Frequent cooking / want the nicest one: Cuisipro
• Everyday family kitchen: OXO
• Under ~$25: Cuisinart
• Mostly cheese for pasta: consider a separate rasp-style grater like a Microplane instead of relying on a box grater.

A good box grater should have sharp etched stainless-steel blades, a stable rubber base, and a comfortable handle—those matter more than having six different sides.

If you want the best box grater overall, I’d buy the Cuisipro 4-Sided Box Grater.

• Cuisipro Box Grater - $48.00 (Milk Street Store)

Why it’s my pick

• Extremely sharp etched blades — noticeably less effort when shredding cheese, potatoes, carrots, etc.
• Four genuinely useful sides: coarse, medium, fine/zest, and slicing.
• Stable and comfortable thanks to the grippy handle and base.
• It has consistently ranked at or near the top in hands-on testing, including tests from Serious Eats and Milk Street.
• It is particularly good if you want one grater that can do almost everything rather than buying separate tools.

The main downside is price—it's considerably more expensive than a basic box grater.

Best alternatives

• OXO SoftWorks Stainless Steel Box Grater - $19.97 (Walmart)

• Cuisinart Box Grater - $18.99 (Walmart)

• KitchenAid Gourmet 4-Sided Box Grater - $19.99 (Walmart)

• Best value: Cuisinart Box Grater. Epicurious found it exceptionally capable despite its low price, particularly for cheese and vegetables.

• Best convenient option: OXO SoftWorks Box Grater. It has a comfortable nonslip handle and a removable container for catching and measuring what you grate.

• Best if you want a larger, feature-rich model: KitchenAid Gourmet.

My bottom line: If you grate frequently and don't mind spending ~$45–50, get the Cuisipro. If you just want a very good grater without spending much, get the Cuisinart.

When choosing the best box grater, top picks from major testing publications share a few key features: ultra-sharp stamped or etched blades, stable bases, and comfortable non-slip grips.

The top-rated box graters on the market stand out for specific reasons:

Add to list Selected as a top pick by The New York Times - Wirecutter , this model is widely praised for having some of the sharpest, most efficient blades available. It glides effortlessly through hard cheeses, potatoes, and root vegetables without tearing or clogging, and features a "surface glide" technology that reduces resistance.

Cuisinart Boxed Grater

Highlighted as a favorite by America's Test Kitchen and Epicurious , this budget-friendly option delivers high-end performance. It provides exceptionally sharp teeth, a sturdy upright stance, and reliable coarse/fine shredding surfaces without unnecessary bells and whistles.

Add to list Known for setting the gold standard with razor-sharp photo-etched rasp blades, Microplane’s box grater incorporates their signature micro-teeth alongside standard coarse and slicing blades. A major plus of this model is a removable side panel, making it vastly easier to clean out trapped cheese and safely reach the blades.

Add to list A great ergonomic choice that features soft, comfortable handles and a removable zester blade attachment. It provides a secure non-slip base and handles tough grating tasks with minimal hand fatigue.

If you'd like to narrow it down, let me know:

• What you plan to grate most often (e.g., blocks of hard cheese, soft cheese, vegetables for slaws, or citrus zest)
• Whether you prefer a removable side/zester for easy cleaning or a traditional all-in-one body

I can help you choose the ideal model for your kitchen.