Finding the best kitchen shears can make a big difference when cooking at home. From basic tasks like opening vacuum packs of meat and cutting meat twine for roasting to trimming herbs and butchering chickens, this basic product is an essential tool. We've rounded up the best options, from budget-friendly purchases to high-end, durable pairs for any task.
The best kitchen shears are sharp, comfortable and easy to use, whether you're cutting butcher's twine or trimming herbs.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
After extensive research, we found that the best overall choice is the Zwilling Kitchen Shears. Zwilling kitchen shears have always been praised for their versatility and durability. If you're looking for a pair under $10, KitchenAid's versatile kitchen shears are a great option, and they come in fun colors. As an upgraded version, the professionally popular He Wüstof pull-apart kitchen scissors are easy to clean and made of high-quality stainless steel. Introducing the best kitchen shears for every home cook.
Best overall kitchen shears: Zwilling kitchen shearsBest budget kitchen shears: KitchenAid all-purpose kitchen shearsBest upgrade kitchen shears: Wüsthof Pull Apart shearsBest durable kitchen shears: Fiskar's Kitchen shearsBest kitchen shears for herbs: cuisinart herb scissors
Amazon
zwilling kitchen shears
Color: 1 | Dimensions: 8 x 2.8 inches.Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Warranty: Limited Warranty
Zwilling consistently produces high-quality cookware and cookware, and these kitchen shears are no exception. From trimming sturdy flower stems to butchering chickens, these breakaway kitchen scissors can handle any task. Made from durable stainless steel using German engineering, these scissors are loved by home cooks and professionals alike for all tasks in the kitchen. The blade is straight on one side and serrated on the other, making it easy to cut through a variety of materials. Users consistently love the sharp, smooth blades, noting that the blades show no rust or other signs of wear even after several months of use.
The black handle is designed with comfort in mind. The ergonomic shape provides a comfortable grip when cutting even the toughest ingredients. As an added bonus, it has a built-in rotary opener to help loosen tight lids.
Strong Points:
Dishwasher safe Built-in rotary opener for loosening lids Includes screw cap opener
Cons:
Hand washing recommended Some users have noticed that the springs wear out over time
Amazon
KitchenAid all-purpose kitchen scissors
Color: 7 | Dimensions: 8.7 x 3.5 inches.Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Warranty: 1 year replacement and lifetime limited warranty
There's a lot to like about these affordable kitchen shears, but first and foremost is that they come in almost every color of the rainbow. From coral orange and aqua green to neutral hues like black and gray, you can choose a shade to match your kitchen. But it's not just for looks. This best-selling product has thousands of positive reviews, with customers praising its quality, ease of cutting, precision, comfort, and overall value. Made of stainless steel, these rust-resistant scissors work quickly for carving large pieces of meat or trimming pastry dough. Protect it with the included plastic sheath to ensure it lasts for years to come.
Strong Points:
Sharp, durable blades allow you to cut and trim almost anything. Comfortable silicone grip handle. It is a metal that does not easily rust.
Cons:
Do not disassemble for easy cleaning. Hand wash only.
Amazon
Wüsthof pull-apart scissors
Color: 3 | Dimensions: 8 inches long | Blade Material: Stainless Steel | Warranty: Lifetime warranty against defects
It's no secret that professionals and home cooks alike love Wüsthof knives for their strength, sharpness, and durability. This brand's disassembly kitchen shears have the same reputation for being practical and accurate. “The scissors that I reach for again and again are the Wüstof Pull Apart Shears. They are used so often in the kitchen that I now own multiple pairs,” says the James Beard Award winner. says cookbook author and food writer Stacey Addimando. “It's lightweight and compact, so you can store it in your messy utensil drawer, and the split blade makes it easy to clean.” What they lack in pizza, they more than make up for in all-round dexterity. Users also like the built-in bottle opener, which makes kitchen drawers a little less cluttered.
Strong Points:
Non-slip grip on comfortable handle Removable for easy cleaning
Cons:
Expensive small and compact handle can be difficult to grip after long periods of use
Color: 1 | Dimensions: 7 x 3.1 inches.Blade Material: Steel | Warranty: 25 Years Warranty
Fiskars makes great scissors for both everyday use and crafts, so it's no surprise that this brand's kitchen scissors are an absolute workhorse. The brand's signature orange handle is only suitable for right-handed cooks, but is durable and ergonomic for easy holding. Use these scissors to cut pizza into individual slices, slice vegetables, and cut meat. When you're done using it, you can easily put it in the dishwasher for cleaning. Despite the somewhat hefty price tag, users consistently praise the level of comfort and precision this pair provides.
Strong Points:
Dual blades with smooth serrations for cutting multiple layers Dishwasher safe
Cons:
Due to its high price, it is not suitable for left-handed people or people with large hands
Amazon
cuisinart herb scissors
Color: 1 | Dimensions: 4.6 inches long | Blade Material: Alloy Steel | Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
If you regularly cut herbs like chives, parsley, and rosemary, herb scissors will make your job much easier. This kitchen essential makes cutting and cutting fresh herbs into a great-looking garnish a breeze. It has 5 blades on each side for extremely sharp cuts. The soft-grip handle also makes it comfortable to use for long periods of time. To protect the blade, be sure to store it in the included cover. They come with a lifetime warranty, so if they wear out, you can easily replace them with another pair.
Strong Points:
Durable, sharp blade for versatile cutting Fits comfortably into most knife blocks
Cons:
Some users complain that the magnetic holder is not strong enough. Not comfortable for people with large hands.
Why trust Forbes' scrutiny?
Forbes' vetted editors, like all consumers, want products that work efficiently, stand up to regular use, and help make their homes and kitchens more functional. In addition to creating articles on how to decorate our personal spaces, our Home & Kitchen team writes about numerous products and appliances that create healthier, cleaner, and more efficient homes. Researched and often tested. This includes everything from the best frying pans, to the best chef knives, to the best knife sharpeners, to the best cookware sets.
The author of this article, Kelly Vaughan, is a regular contributor with experience covering a variety of cookware and kitchenware topics. A former cook, she studied French cooking and pastry techniques and has extensive experience testing kitchen tools. Commerce Her Lifestyle This article was edited by her editor Catherine Louie, who has been covering home and lifestyle topics for over 6 years. Additionally, Vaughn gleaned important insight and guidance from James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and food writer Stacey Addimando.
How to choose the best kitchen shears
To find the best kitchen shears, we evaluated each product considering factors such as comfort, ease of cleaning, sharpness, durability, and size. We carefully considered nearly a dozen different brands before deciding on the five best pairs for home cooking. To understand the various uses for this tool, James also consulted with Beard Award-winning cookbook author and food writer James He. Finally, we evaluated the testimonials of customers who had actually tried the product. The final product of this list reflects the detailed research done by our writers and the meticulous research done by our editorial team.
What to look for in the best kitchen shears
Choosing the best kitchen shears for home cooking depends on several different factors. Here's what to look for:
how to use
Kitchen shears can be used for a variety of purposes. Some of the most common uses include butchering chickens, trimming flower stems, trimming parchment paper or wax paper, and cutting uniform bacon to avoid mess. Also useful for peeling and deveining raw shrimp and lobsters. You can also use it to portion out homemade dough or cut pizza into individual slices. “I use these to cut up raw ingredients like veggies, broccoli, and even proteins and put them directly into the pot or wok while sautéing. This saves me having to take out the knife and mess up the cutting board. '' says Addimando. “I also pull out a pair at the dinner table when I need to cut up food like a bunch of spaghetti or rice noodles into bite-sized pieces for the kids, or when I need to slice a homemade pizza.”
material
Most kitchen shears blades are made of durable stainless steel and are sturdy enough for almost any kitchen task. The handle is usually designed with a comfortable synthetic material, such as silicone, to make it easier to hold. Although kitchen shears are technically made from dishwasher-safe materials, you may want to carefully wash them by hand to prevent rust and discoloration.
comfortable
When buying kitchen shears, consider your handedness. Most scissors are made for right-handed people, so left-handed people should choose scissors that are made to fit the curves of their hands. Also, consider the size of your hands and the width of the scissor handles. People with large hands may find some scissors uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. Finally, choose scissors with a comfortable cushioned grip on the handle.