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There isn’t one cheese grater that is best for every job. Food Network named the Progressive International Grate, Slice & Store Set its overall pick in 2026, while Reviewed chose the Microplane Four Blade Four Sided Box Grater as its best overall. For a rotary design, Food Network picked the Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater; Reviewed’s value choice was the Cuisinart CTG-00-BG Box Grater; and Bon Appétit’s 2025 guide recommends the Microplane Classic Zester for fine work. Those are each publisher’s picks—not results of a single head-to-head test.
What is the best cheese grater in 2026?
The best choice depends on the food, the texture you want, and how much you plan to grate. A box grater offers several cutting surfaces in one tool; a rotary grater encloses food against a blade and turns it with a crank; and a rasp-style zester is suited to fine finishing, such as grating hard cheese or zesting citrus.
The recommendations below come from separate guides and tests, so their winners should not be read as a single ranked list. The publications also used different test foods and criteria.
| Pick | Best for | What the publisher reported |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive International Grate, Slice & Store Set | Multi-purpose grating and slicing | Food Network’s 2026 overall pick; removable grating and slicing faces, a storage container and lid, and a finger guard. |
| Microplane Four Blade Four Sided Box Grater | Versatile box-grater use | Reviewed’s 2026 best overall; it performed above average across its four sides. |
| Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater | Rotary grating, including hard cheese | Food Network’s rotary pick; its test found it effective on hard cheese and frozen butter. |
| Cuisinart CTG-00-BG Box Grater | Value-oriented box grater | Reviewed’s value pick; the publication praised its speed, sharpness, stability and comfort. |
| Microplane Classic Zester | Fine grating and citrus zest | Bon Appétit’s 2025 fine-task recommendation; the guide cautions against using it for soft cheese. |
How the published tests differ
Food Network’s 2026 grater test
Food Network says it tested cheddar, Parmesan, fresh mozzarella and a frozen stick of butter. It evaluated effort, time, comfort, texture, consistency, appearance and cleanup. In its review, the Progressive set’s grating faces worked on Parmesan and cheddar, while mozzarella was messier. Food Network also noted that its removable faces are dishwasher-safe and easier to clean.
#1 Best Overall
- Three Blades: Coarse shredding blade, fine shredding blade with different diameter ; One slicing blades; A pound of cheese is only 30 seconds, avoid contact between fingers and blades
- Material Safety: All plastic parts are food grade materials, Bpa Free, safe to use. No electricity required. 430 stainless steel blade, more robust, no rust
- Suitable Desktop: The base adopts suction cup mode, suitable for marble, glass desktop, chassis suction is very large, safe and strong operation, will not produce slip
- Applicable Cheese: Chedder,Mozzarella Cheese , Parmesan Cheese , Romano , Mascarpone cheese and a variety of moderately firm cheeses; Radishes, carrots, cucumbers, carrots, chocolate, broccoli, cauliflower, peanuts, almonds also has a good effect
- Cleaning and Storage: Dishwasher top safe, hand washing is also acceptable. Separate parts can be placed in drawers without taking up too much space
Food Network described the Cambom as having a suction base, hand crank, covered blades and three interchangeable drums. In its testing, it did well with hard cheese and frozen butter and was less messy with mozzarella than box graters. The suction was not foolproof, however, and its shreds were less precise or fine than some alternatives.
Reviewed’s eight-grater comparison
Reviewed tested eight graters with potatoes, carrots, mozzarella, Parmesan and lemon zest. Its criteria included sharpness, efficiency, waste, comfort, stability and ease of use. It reported that the Microplane Four Blade Four Sided Box Grater performed above average on all four sides, producing airy Parmesan, lemon zest and long coarse shreds. Reviewed lists a removable blade and dishwasher-safe cleaning among its advantages.
Rank #2
- Durable Sharp, 304 Stainless Steel - Made of 304 stainless steel (95%), the heavy-duty cheese graters provide rugged strength and long-lasting performance
- Box Gratters with Sharp Blades on 4 Sides - Coarse, medium, and fine grating surfaces, and slicing surface. Sharp stainless-steel shredding holes on 4 sides allow for efficient grating of a variety of foods, including cheese, vegetables, chocolate, and more
- Vegetable Grater with Ergonomic Comfortable Handle - the comfortable non-slip handle provides a safe, secure grip and ultimate control
- Non-slip Base & Detachable Container - Black TPE material (5%) on the base helps keep the grater securely in place while in use. Attachable container for catching, measuring, and storing freshly grated foods
- Multipurpose Versatility - The grater works well for grating cheese and hard or soft vegetables, like cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes, zucchini, and more. Dishwasher-safe for quick cleanup
Reviewed calls the Cuisinart CTG-00-BG sharp, fast, sturdy and comfortable to hold, and notes its no-slip feet. It also says the finest grate could be better.
Bon Appétit’s task-based recommendation
Bon Appétit’s 2025 guide recommends the Microplane Classic Zester for hard cheese and citrus zest. It warns that this rasp-style tool is not suitable for soft cheeses.
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Rank #3
- Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged cheese! Only turn the handle for several times and get fresh shredded cheese, cutting the food twelve time faster and saving more time. Go ahead for your favourite recipes with this cheese grater
- Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese grater are made of food grade ABS material, no BPA. The three blades are made of stainless steel, never dull or rust. Our rotary grater provides safe choice and ensures you can enjoy healthy food
- Three Option Grater : The parmesan cheese grater finishes food preparation with slicing, shredding and grinding blade easily, which is perfect for grating cheese, cookie, peanuts, almonds, etc. for salad, hash brown, taco, smoothie and so on
- Safe To Use : The cheese grater with handle protects your hands from all sides during use: the handle replaces your hands in rotating and the food pusher keeps your hands away from the blades
- Subtle Design : The powerful suction base keeps the cheese grater firm on a clean or smooth counter-tops like marble, glass. Plus, the transparent barrel with an inclined curvature reduce jamming in the cheese shredder
Which kind of grater should you choose?
Choose a box grater for several textures in one tool
Box graters provide multiple faces, which can make them useful when one meal calls for coarse shreds, finer grating or slicing. The Progressive set adds a container for catching and storing food, removable faces and a finger guard. A box grater’s open teeth still require careful handling.
Choose a rotary grater when you want an enclosed crank mechanism
With the Cambom, food is held against an enclosed blade while you turn a crank. Food Network’s test found it useful for hard cheese and less messy on mozzarella than box graters, though the suction base could lose its hold and the output was not always as fine or precise as competing options. The covered grating surface keeps fingers away from the blade during operation, as Food Network describes it.
Rank #4
- Efficient Cheese Grater: This crank cheese grater requires little pressure and folds for compact storage, so your meal prep is a breeze when you are making dinner.
- Versatile Food Shredder: This handheld grater is ideal to use for hard cheeses, chocolate and nuts, so you can use the food grater for healthy meals and tasty treats.
- Compact Kitchen Grater: The non-slip knob and easy disassembly is ideal for this kitchen grater and this cheese grater is made for both left and right handed use.
- NSF Restaurant Certified: The Zyliss cheese and vegetable grader meets standards to protect public health.
- Zyliss Kitchen Accessories: The Zyliss kitchen tools are favored by everyday cooks and gourmet chefs alike.
Choose a rasp for fine finishing
A rasp-style grater is a narrow tool for fine results such as Parmesan dust or citrus zest. Bon Appétit’s recommendation is specifically for hard cheese and zest, not soft cheese. Its exposed teeth call for careful handling.
What to consider before buying
- Food and texture: Think about whether you mostly grate hard Parmesan, softer mozzarella, or vegetables, and whether you want long coarse shreds or fine zest.
- Quantity: A crank mechanism may suit larger or repeated batches; a rasp is designed for smaller finishing tasks. Choose a box grater if you want several surfaces available in one tool.
- Stability and hand exposure: Consider whether the base stays put on your counter and whether you prefer a covered mechanism or are comfortable working carefully around exposed teeth.
- Cleanup and storage: Removable faces, a collection container and a storage lid may be useful if you want to reduce loose parts or keep grated ingredients in the same vessel. Check the exact product’s current care instructions rather than assuming that all graters are dishwasher-safe.
- Price and availability: Retail prices and stock change, and the cited guides do not establish a current price that should be treated as lasting.
Rotary grater vs. box grater: which is better?
Neither is universally better. A rotary grater encloses the food at the blade and uses a crank, which can reduce direct finger contact with the cutting surface. Food Network found the Cambom less messy on mozzarella than box graters, but noted imperfect suction and less precise shreds. A box grater offers multiple surfaces without a crank and can handle varied tasks; the Progressive set also combines grating and slicing faces with a catch-and-store container. Choose based on your usual ingredients, desired output and comfort with the mechanism.
Best Value
- SAFE TO USE CHEESE GRATER: No more injuries! This rotary cheese grater is designed with easy to install blades that don’t require you to touch the blade directly. It also comes with a food pusher that keeps your hand away from the blades and lets you add more food into the wide hopper. This vegetable shredder is made from BPA-free, food-grade materials, making it safe to use.
- SAVE TIME AND EFFORT: If you love freshly grated cheese but don't want to put in a lot of effort, then this cheese grater with handle is just what you need. Simply rotate the handle to shred cheese 18 times faster than cutting cheese by hand; it is designed for both left and right handed people. Grate like a pro with our easy-to-use rotary cheese grater with handle.
- GRATE, SLICE, AND SHRED: With 5 interchangeable stainless steel blades, this rotary grater is perfect for thin and wavy vegetable slicing, coarse shredding, and fine and coarse julienne. The sharp blades of this multifunctional grater are perfect for grating with carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, nuts, cookies, and even a soft block of cheese.
- EASY TO CLEAN AND STORE: The hopper and blades, which handle most of the mess, are dishwasher safe for hassle-free cleaning. The base, handle, and food pusher can be quickly wiped clean. Plus, it comes with a compact storage box, keeping everything neatly organized and easily accessible in your kitchen cabinet.
- FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: The powerful suction base securely attaches to a clean and dry surface, preventing the food shredder from falling over. The transparent barrel is slightly inclined to prevent clogging and allow the food to come out smoothly.
Grater vs. mandoline slicer
A grater cuts food into shreds or fine particles, depending on its surface. A mandoline slicer is designed to cut slices. The Progressive set includes regular and julienne slicing faces alongside its grating faces, but that does not make every grater a mandoline or establish that it replaces a dedicated slicer. If you need slices, select a tool with an appropriate slicing surface and use its guard and care guidance.
Care and safety notes
Follow the manufacturer’s current instructions for the exact model you own. Care claims can differ: the available publisher information conflicts on whether the Cuisipro four-sided grater is dishwasher-safe, so no definitive dishwasher recommendation is warranted here. For any open box or rasp grater, handle the sharp teeth carefully; on a rotary model, keep the mechanism assembled and use it as directed.
Food Network and Reviewed linked some named products to retailer listings in their guides, but those listings do not establish current pricing or stock. Check the exact model and current listing before buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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