We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Food and Kitchen Reviews Cooking Tool Reviews The 10 Best Cheese Graters of 2024 Elevate your home cooked meals with freshly grated cheese. By Belle DuChene Belle DuChene Belle DuChene is an award-winning digital content producer and professor of communications who has a passion for all things lifestyle including fashion, food and French culture. (And wine, of course!) Her career in the fashion industry has taken her to New York City, Chicago, London and Paris. Belle's focus is on demonstrating a can-do, DIY attitude for incorporating artistic elements into one's wardrobe, home, and lifestyle. She currently owns an award-winning content creation agency and teaches at three colleges and universities. She holds a B.A. in French and Textiles and Apparel as well as an M.A. in Communications from the University of Northern Iowa. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Jack Byram Jack Byram Jack is a writer with over five years of writing experience. He has written about everything from tech to sleep, covering everything in between. He has tested numerous products, including vacuum cleaners, blenders, pillows, jeans, blackout blinds, and espresso machines. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 8, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / Brian Kopinski For tried-and-true cheese lovers, there’s no question freshly grated cheese trumps the bagged kind any day. While you can always just grab a bag of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese from the dairy aisle, learning how to shred cheese with a cheese grater will save you money and cut out the preservatives that are added to prevent pre-shredded cheese from clumping. “I always recommend grating your own cheese,” says Yoav Perry, cheesemaker and founder of Perrystead Dairy in Philadelphia. “When you buy pre-shredded cheese, it is often laden with anti-caking agents like silicone dioxide or cellulose gum, which is a tree pulp byproduct, so you are not getting pure cheese.” To find the best cheese graters, we researched a variety of styles, keeping in mind each pick's style, size, material, and maintenance. We also consulted Perry on what to look for in the best cheese grater. What We Researched Style: Cheese graters are offered in several styles: box, rotary, rasp, and flat. We considered each style, as well as if they were electric or manual. Dimensions: Since cheese graters can be large and bulky, we noted their dimensions so you can consider any storage issues. Material and Care: Though many options are dishwasher safe, some brands recommend hand washing the cheese grater for better maintenance. Most styles feature stainless steel blades, so you’ll also have to lookout for rust. Our Top Picks Best Overall: OXO Etched Box Grater with Removable Zester at Amazon ($33) Jump to Review Best Budget: Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Box Grater at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Cuisipro 4-Sided Boxed Grater at Amazon ($33) Jump to Review Best Set: Microplane Home Series 4 Piece Grater Set at Amazon ($58) Jump to Review Best for Bowls: Microplane Mixing Bowl Grater Extra Coarse at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best Handheld: Joseph Joseph 2-in-1 Twist Grater at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review Best Electric: Presto Salad Shooter Electric Slicer/Shredder at Amazon ($50) Jump to Review Best Rotary: Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater at Amazon ($23) Jump to Review Best Zester: Deiss Pro Citrus Zester & Cheese Grater at Amazon ($11) Jump to Review Best Attachment: KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder Attachment at Amazon ($41) Jump to Review Best Overall OXO Etched Box Grater with Removable Zester Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon $33 View On The Container Store View On Oxo $33 Why You Should Get It It has a removable zester, a four-blade design, and a storage cup. Keep in Mind It takes up quite a bit of space in the cupboard. Overall, the best cheese grater is the OXO Good Grips Etched Box Grater with Removable Zester. The multi-functional design features four different etched grating surfaces: a medium grater, coarse grater, slicer, and a removable zester, which makes it a one-stop shop for grating, slicing, shredding, and zesting (or even de-stemming herbs). Part of what makes the OXO Good Grips Etched Box Grater one of the best cheese graters is that it includes a 1-cup container to catch and measure food, which makes it easy to measure, and it cuts down on the amount of mess on your kitchen counter. Just snap the lid on and store it in the refrigerator to have fresh cheese all week. If you need to make more than just 1 cup of shredded cheese, the non-slip base can be placed over a bowl. Its secure grip will keep it stable, and the sharp, etched stainless steel surfaces will do the work for you. All the pieces are top-rack dishwasher safe, so cleanup is incredibly easy. One drawback worth mentioning is that this grater does not fold up, so it takes up a considerable amount of space in the cupboard. Product Details: Style: Box | Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.4 x 12 inches | Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Care: Top-rack dishwasher safe Best Budget Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Box Grater View On Amazon $13 View On Gorillagrip.com Why You Should Get It This grater is dishwasher safe and comes with a container and lid. Keep in Mind The plastic on the base is slippery and doesn’t prevent it from sliding around. This Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Box Grater is the best budget buy if you’re looking for something inexpensive that will still get the job done. The four-sided box grater, which is available in six colors, has sharp stainless sides that make grating, shredding, zesting, and slicing vegetables simple. Its ergonomic design features a comfortable soft grip handle and a rubber guard. Although the guard makes it easy to rest the grater against your countertop for better leverage, it’s not entirely slip-resistant. If you’re food prepping, the included detachable plastic container allows you to catch and store ingredients seamlessly. The measurements on the side of the container will save you from getting a measuring cup dirty. When you’re finished, all the pieces are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Product Details: Style: Box | Dimensions: 10.28 x 5.35 x 3.31 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Care: Dishwasher safe Best Splurge Cuisipro 4-Sided Boxed Grater Amazon View On Amazon $33 View On Walmart $34 View On Sur La Table $46 Why You Should Get It It features a range of blade sizes, and an efficient groove blade design. Keep in Mind Hand washing is recommended. Although it’s more expensive than other options, the Cuisipro Box Grater features a grooved design of the grating surface that we think makes it a worthy investment. The grooved grating surface works to lower the overall resistance of anything being grated, while also working to elongate the length of every blade on the grater. This means that with every stroke of the cheese against the stainless steel grater more food is grated, which means less time and effort on your part. In terms of design, we like the ergonomic and non-slip handle for added safety. Plus, the four sides are designed to handle whatever your grating needs may be. One side is fine for zesting, one is coarse for cheeses and veggies, another is ultra-coarse for the softer cheeses, and the final side is a slicer for vegetables. Plus, it also comes with a ginger grater base that can handle ginger root, separating the fibers in the process. It’s worth noting that while this option is dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends washing it by hand. While this is not uncommon for box graters, it adds an extra step of cleaning after a meal. Product Details: Style: Box | Dimensions: 3.5 x 9.25 x 4.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Care: Dishwasher safe, hand washing recommended Best Set Microplane Home Series 4 Piece Grater Set Amazon View On Amazon $58 View On Microplane.com Why You Should Get It A range of blade styles cover a variety of grating needs. Keep in Mind It doesn’t come with a storage case, so you’ll need additional space in your drawers for all four. If you have a variety of grating needs, we recommend Microplane’s 4-Piece Home Series Cheese Grater Set. To start, it’s a highly versatile set that comes equipped with four unique sets of blades: fine, ribbon, medium/coarse, and extra coarse. All of the graters are made from stainless steel and laser etched for a more sharp finish. Plus, the handle is designed with a softer feel for added comfort while you use it. Though you can use them however you see fit, Microplane suggests the fine blade be used for things like garlic or citrus zests, the medium/coarse option for carrots, apples and hard cheeses, the extra coarse option for potatoes and soft cheeses, and the ribbon grater for chocolate cheddar cheese. Though we highly recommend the set, keep in mind that it doesn’t come with a storage case, so you’ll need to allocate a bit more room in your drawers to store them. Product Details: Style: Paddle | Dimensions: Not listed | Material: Stainless steel | Care: Dishwasher safe, hand washing recommended Best for Bowls Microplane Mixing Bowl Grater Extra Coarse Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Williams-Sonoma $17 View On Microplane.com Why You Should Get It The smart design can work with any size of bowl. Keep in Mind It is not suited toward harder cheeses. Microplane’s Mixing Bowl Grater works well to alleviate some of the mess that comes with cheese grating, in addition to helping to eliminate some of the awkward strain required by holding a grater to use it. This mixing bowl option is uniquely designed to fit inside of any bowl, no matter the size. For smaller bowls, the grater can fit directly on top of the bowl. For medium bowls, it will hug the inside rim of the bowl to suspend it in place. Lastly, it can be angled downward inside of larger bowls. All of these options ensure there’s no spillage. The blades are stainless steel and are designed not to rust, which is a bonus, because the grater is also dishwasher safe. Though not a dealbreaker, keep in mind that blade is designed for medium soft cheeses, like mozzarella and cheddar. Product Details: Style: Flat | Dimensions: 12.6 x 0.98 x 1.18 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Care: Dishwasher safe Best Handheld Joseph Joseph 2-in-1 Twist Grater Amazon View On Amazon $17 View On Macy's $20 Why You Should Get It It has a dual surface for both fine and coarse grating, comes with a protective sheath, and the handle can rotate down to provide additional leverage. Keep in Mind The blade and plastic feel slightly flimsy. There’s a lot to like about the design of the Joseph Joseph Twist Grater 2-in-1 Grater with Adjustable Handle. Its dual-surface features two styles of etched stainless steel blades, so switching from fine to coarse grating is very easy. It's our pick for the best handheld cheese grater because of its non-stick grip—on the handle and the feet. Additionally, the flat grater’s handle can swivel and tilt 90 degrees to be propped up on the counter. This feature means you can get extra leverage when you need it, making this grater a particularly safe option. It also comes with a removable plastic sheath to protect the blade and can be flipped upside down to neatly collect ground nutmeg or the zest of a lemon. Overall, this option has the most features and versatility of all the best graters on our list. The drawback is that the blade and plastic can be a bit flimsy, so it’s not the most durable option—though it is dishwasher safe. Product Details: Style: Flat | Dimensions: 11.5 x 4 x 1 inches | Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Care: Dishwasher safe Best Electric Presto Salad Shooter Electric Slicer/Shredder Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon $50 View On Wayfair $50 View On Walmart $50 Why You Should Get It It has a lightweight and compact design, is easy to clean, and produces even slices in record time. Keep in Mind The motor is very loud. The Presto Salad Shooter Electric Slicer/Shredder is one of the quickest ways to slice or shred vegetables, fruits, and cheese for delicious salads, soups, and more. It is basically a handheld food processor—only better—because it shoots food right into a bowl or pot, so you’ll have fewer dishes to do later. It comes with two medium-grade cones with stainless-steel cutting blades, one for slicing and one for shredding. They are so sharp they can shred an entire block of cheese or slice a carrot into coins in less time than it takes to boil water. Thicker-grade and fine-grade options are available, but they’re sold separately. To use the shredder, simply slip the cone into the main shoot and twist it to lock it in place. You’ll have to cut the food into blocks to fit into the food chamber. If you want shorter slices, place the food upright in the chamber. For elongated slices, place them horizontally. Either way, the slicer will shoot out uniform pieces, which is essential for certain recipes, such as cooking scalloped potatoes evenly. Except for the base, where the motor is stored, all the parts can be washed in the dishwasher, and its small size makes it easy to store. It’s also worth noting that the motor is very loud. Product Details: Style: Electric | Dimensions: 7 x 3.5 x 9.5 inches | Material: Plastic, stainless steel | Care: Dishwasher safe (except for the base) Best Rotary Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater Amazon View On Amazon $23 View On Sur La Table $23 View On Sur La Table $23 Why You Should Get It It’s easy to use for both left- and right-handed cooks, folds up for easy storing, and looks professional enough to be used table-side at a restaurant. Keep in Mind It’s intended for hard cheeses like Parmesan, and softer cheeses like mozzarella could clog it up. The Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater gets our top vote for overall best rotary cheese grater because of its ability to grate Parmesan cheese as a server does in an Italian restaurant. Its classic design makes it ideal for a home cook who wants to recreate a fine dining experience at home. Figuring out exactly how much pressure is needed to use the grater may take a few trials. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that hard cheese, chocolate, and nuts are super easy to grate. Note that the grater is not intended for softer cheeses. Using mozzarella and cheddar could clog it—and make it very hard to clean. The grater has a built-in feature that switches the crank from one direction to the other, so it’s easy to use whether you are left- or right-handed. Plus, the grip is comfortable to use. Once you’re done, the unit can be disassembled and placed on the top rack of the dishwasher. The drum handle can be folded into itself for compact storage. Product Details: Style: Rotary | Dimensions: 6.3 x 3 x 4.4 inches | Material: Plastic, steel | Care: Dishwasher safe Best Zester Deiss Pro Citrus Zester & Cheese Grater Amazon View On Amazon $11 Why You Should Get It It is lightweight with a non-slip ergonomic handle, so it’s comfortable and secure in your hand. Keep in Mind The blade is 15 inches long, which makes it awkward to store. The Deiss PRO is the best zester on our list. The ergonomic handle has a textured grip that feels comfortable and secure in your hand. The stainless steel blade is sharp, lightweight, and durable, plus it’s safe to wash in the dishwasher. Its curved edges allow you to grate and zest upside down, so you can easily see how much you’ve grated as it falls neatly below. The razor-sharp teeth produce finer shreds than a traditional box or rotary grater. Instead of hard granules, it slices through cheeses to produce ribbon-like curls that melt almost instantly on the plate. It can pierce through the exterior of nutmeg and coconut in one swoop. The super fine blades grab the zest of oranges, limes, and lemons without digging into the layers underneath, so you don’t have to worry about bitterness associated with the pith. This grater’s bright yellow color is easy to find in a drawer, and it comes with a protective safety cover, but at 15 inches from tip to tip, it could be cumbersome to store. Product Details: Style: Zester | Dimensions: 15 x 2 x 1.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel, rubber | Care: Dishwasher safe Best Attachment KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder Attachment Amazon View On Amazon $41 View On Walmart $50 View On Best Buy $60 Why You Should Get It It comes with three different blades, works on both hard and soft cheeses, and makes huge batches in minutes. Keep in Mind It requires a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. The KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder is the best cheese grater for those who want high yields with minimal effort and already own a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. The appliance attachment is on the pricier side, but because it does all the work for you to create mountains of perfectly uniform slices or shreds in minutes, it’s well worth the investment. The attachment comes with a food pusher that can handle small and large fruits and vegetables or blocks of cheese that are cut to size. Three stainless steel blades offer a variety of cuts: a 3-millimeter slicing blade that’s ideal for cucumbers and zucchinis, a 4-millimeter medium-sized shredding blade for cheeses and firm vegetables, and a 6-millimeter coarse shredding blade for cabbage and potatoes. The blades will not rust or stain. They are easily interchangeable, making it easy to switch from slicing potatoes to grating cheese. Operating the grater is easy. Simply choose the size you need, select a speed, place a bowl underneath, and insert the food into the tube. When you’re finished, the unit disassembles easily. The blades can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher, then stored in the included storage case. Product Details: Style: Rotary electric | Dimensions: 8.2 x 4 x 6.9 inches | Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Care: Top-rack dishwasher safe The Bottom Line Overall, the OXO Good Grips Etched Box Grater with Removable Zester is our pick for the best cheese grater. Its removable zester is a game-changer. Plus, it comes with a storage cup with a lid, and each side features a different surface: a medium grater, coarse grater, slicer, and removable zester. If you like the idea of a removable storage cup but prefer a less-expensive option, we recommend the Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Box Grater. What to Know About Cheese Graters Before Shopping Style There are four different styles of graters: box, rotary, flat, and rasp (commonly known as a Microplane or zester). A box grater is a standalone tool with four sides, each with different hole sizes to zest, grate, shred, or slice. The blades typically cut from top to bottom, so you should use long, downward strokes for best results. Box graters tend to be the most affordable option, though they aren’t always the sharpest. Most models have a handle on the top and rubber feet at the bottom to ensure a firm grip. Some have a removable storage container to catch and measure the granules of food. A rotary grater is barrel-shaped with blades guarded by a shield to keep your fingers safe. You’ll typically see them table-side at restaurants so servers can offer freshly grated cheese to top pasta dishes. They are also used as attachments for small electric appliances. To use a rotary grater, insert the food into the hopper and close the lid. Hold down the lid with one hand and turn the crank with the other hand. Cheese aficionados swear by rotary graters and often keep them stored in the refrigerator pre-loaded with cheese. A flat grater is the most affordable, but it’s less versatile because it typically only has one hole size. It can be held by hand vertically or horizontally over a cutting board, bowl, or dish, which cuts down on the amount of mess. Plus, it is easy to wash. A rasp grater is more commonly referred to as a Microplane (which is actually a registered trademark). It is typically lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it a favorite for mincing garlic and grating Parmesan. This slim, long mini-grater is razor-sharp with holes that grate or zest foods into fine pieces. Although you could purchase a rasp specifically designed for spices and herbs to turn nutmeg or cinnamon into powder, most standard rasps can handle the job. Size Box graters tend to be the bulkiest of all graters because there’s no way to fold them down. Rotary graters have at least two parts—more if you have multiple-sized cones—so they also take up quite a bit of kitchen space. Most flat graters are long and flat with a hanging loop at the end of the handle, so they don’t have to take up space in your drawer. Rasp-style graters are the thinnest option, though they can be long. Materials Most graters are made with stainless steel blades. It’s safe and easy to pop them into the dishwasher because they are resistant to rust, though hand washing is recommended to keep the blades sharp. Many models also come with parts made of plastic. Care Always check the manufacturer’s suggested instructions. Most graters are safe for the top rack of the dishwasher, but some parts—plastic or motors—need to be cleaned by hand. Rinse off your grater as soon as possible after use to avoid bits of cheese drying in the crevices. If you get some food stuck in the holes, soak the grater in warm, soapy water, then use a small brush to get food bits out of the crevices. Your Questions, Answered Can you shred cheese with a mandoline? You can shred cheese with a mandoline, but if the cheese is too soft or too hard, it is not recommended. “Hard cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano is way too hard and accident-prone with a mandoline,” says Perry. “While softer cheese like mozzarella is too soft or stretchy and sticks.” Instead, he suggests sticking to a four-sided box cutter. (Pro tip: Place your blocks of cheese in the freezer to firm them up so the pieces won’t stick together or melt mid-shred). Is it cheaper to grate your own cheese? Buying blocks of cheese instead of the pre-shredded kind in a bag will save you money. Perry recommends always grating your own cheese, not only to save money but also to steer clear of preservatives. “Pre-shredded softer cheeses often need preservatives not to spoil because of their high moisture,” he says. Plus, without the added chemicals, your cheese will melt and taste better, too. How much can you expect to spend on a cheese grater? While cheese graters fall along a price spectrum, they will generally cost between $14 and $60, with some options existing outside of that range. The price depends on several factors, like the quality of the materials and the features. How do you clean a cheese grater? A cheese grater’s maintenance depends on the manufacturer’s instructions and the materials. While some options may be dishwasher safe, others will require hand washing. Be sure to read the specific instructions for your cheese grater, as certain “dishwasher safe” options will require removing the blade, as that may be the only true dishwasher safe portion. For hand washing options, consider using a scrub brush as the grater may damage a sponge in the process. Additionally, be aware that you are dealing with a blade, so be sure to be cautious and vigilant when cleaning your cheese grater. Who We Are Belle DuChene is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. For this article, she researched important factors to look for in a variety of cheese graters according to quality, performance, usability, and overall value to find the best cheese graters of all shapes and sizes. She also consulted Yoav Perry, cheesemaker and founder of Perrystead Dairy in Philadelphia. This article was updated by Jack Byram, a freelance writer who covers all things home related. Jack has been writing for Better Homes & Gardens since 2023, and has covered several other kitchen tools and appliances, like the best immersion blenders and the best waffle makers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit