Pizza cutters are a deceptively versatile kitchen tool. Their use expands beyond pizza to tortillas, doughs, and pastries. The best pizza cutter fits comfortably in hand and has a razor-sharp blade. It also rocks, rolls, or slices through thick pizza without dragging the toppings. When thinking of a pizza cutter, many people’s thoughts immediately jump to the classic wheeled pizza cutter, but there are many more designs out there, one of which might be perfect for your kitchen and cooking style.
- BEST OVERALL: KitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel, 9-Inch
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Winco 811642000910 Winware Pizza Cutter
- BEST UPGRADE: Premium Pizza Cutter Wheel by Mozzbi
- BEST WHEELED CUTTER: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 4-Inch Pizza Wheel
- BEST ROCKING BLADE: 14” Pizza Cutter by Kitchenstar
- BEST PIZZA SCISSORS: Dreamfarm (Red) Scizza Scissors, Non-Stick Stone Safe
- BEST STAINLESS STEEL: Rösle Stainless Steel Round-Handle Pizza Cutter
- BEST NOVELTY CUTTER: ThinkGeek Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter
- BEST EASY TO USE: Kitchy Pizza Cutter Wheel – Super Sharp
- BEST EASY TO CLEAN: MS WGO Pro Dough Pastry Scraper/Cutter/Chopper
Types of Pizza Cutters
Whether you’re dealing with a stuffed crust or Chicago-style pizza, the pizza cutter needs to slice without hesitation. True pizza gourmets may prefer the ease of a rocking blade, while bakers might be happier with a stainless steel wheeled cutter to use on pastry doughs or breadsticks in addition to pizza. Your available storage space and pizza preferences can help determine the best pizza cutter for you.
Wheeled Cutters
These classic pizza cutters feature a wheel attached to a handle. A wheel presses down on the pizza rather than cutting through it with a sawing action as you would cut with a knife. Consequently, the wheel slices through the pizza without pulling off the toppings.
Stainless steel blades offer cleaning ease and durability, making them a popular choice for wheeled cutters. Some designs also feature stainless steel handles, and others have plastic or rubber handles with easy-grip designs.
Wheeled cutters often have an ergonomic design to ease the pressure on the hand and wrist while applying a downward force on the pizza. Some lack a traditional handle and instead have a rounded cover over the blade that fits into the hand’s natural curves, taking pressure off of the wrist.
Rocking Blade Cutters
Neighborhood pizzerias used to be the territory for finding rocking blade cutters. But for those who frequently eat or make pizza, a rocking blade can slice through pizza with quick efficiency. These cutters feature a single long blade with a curved center that allows it to rock from one side of the blade to the other. Vertical or horizontal handles on the blade’s dull side provide control over the cut.
Straight cuts are easier with these blades because you do not have to press them forward. There’s only a downward rocking motion, leaving behind straight, clean cuts.
These blades are effective and come in different sizes, ranging from 12 inches to 18 inches. Rocking blade cutters are large, so they take up more storage space than the other types of pizza cutters.
Scissors
Pizza scissors are very similar to kitchen shears, with the angle of the blade being the major difference between the two. Pizza scissors have either a curved or flat side that slides underneath the pizza as it cuts. Kitchen shears can be used as pizza cutters to avoid having a single-use item in the kitchen.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pizza Cutter
The best pizza cutter has the right blend of features for your specific needs. For example, some handles may fit your hand better, or your storage space may limit the pizza cutter’s size.
Sharpness
Ripping your way through a pizza crust can strip the pizza of everything that makes it good, namely the toppings. A razor-sharp blade slides through the pizza without pulling the toppings, leaving the deliciousness intact. To maintain that sharpness, the blade needs to be made of a durable, hard material like stainless steel, ceramic, or hard plastic.
When storing the blade, place it in the provided cover or set it somewhere it won’t get bumped by other knives or silverware. Nicks in the blade can dull it over time, reducing its effectiveness and causing it to pull the toppings off the pizza.
Hand Comfort
Handles that keep the hand and wrist in natural positions allow you to maximize the power you put into cutting, easing the pizza cutter through the crust. The pizza cutter’s handle or finger holds should be designed to feel comfortable and secure in your hand. Wheeled cutters with handles may have finger grips or contours to strengthen the grip. Angled ergonomic handles reduce stress on the wrist, making them a great option for those with limited mobility or hand strength. Rocking blade pizza cutters may have a vertical handle on either end of the blade or two horizontal handles that help the user rock the blade.
Design
The pizza cutter’s design makes a big difference in how well it functions for you. Some designs will feel awkward or clumsy in the hand. Others feel almost like an extension of your own arm.
Wheeled cutters require you to put both forward and downward pressure on the blade. Wheeled cutters with a cover are often easier to use because they fit the hand’s shape and directly apply pressure to the blade rather than through a handle to the blade. Rocking pizza cutters are easier on the body but more difficult to store. Ergonomic models, whether scissors, rocking cutters, or wheeled pizza cutters, work to ease the stress put on the body.
Materials
High-quality stainless steel offers one of the most durable options, though blades are made of plastic or ceramic, too. Stainless steel naturally resists rust, has a hard surface, and holds a sharp edge. Most of the time, it can be sharpened, too. However, poor-quality stainless steel can nick or rust.
Plastic or ceramic blades can cut on nonstick surfaces without damaging the nonstick coating. They’re not as durable as stainless steel, and once they lose their edge, they cannot be sharpened. Rubber, silicone, and plastic are common materials used to make pizza cutter handles.
Cleaning Ease
Rocking blade cutters offer a clear, open surface to clean. Many wheeled models have a small portion of the blade where the handle attaches that hides food or pizza, making them more prone to rust or corrosion. Some designs disassemble to provide access to all surfaces. Many models are dishwasher safe, though the pizza cutter may last longer if it’s hand-washed.
Our Top Picks
The pizza cutters on this list offer sharp blades, comfortable handles, and designs that glide through pizza with precision. With proper care, many of these pizza cutters will slice for years.
Photo: amazon.com
The KitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel has a sharp blade made of premium 430 stainless steel that resists rust, corrosion, and nicks. An ergonomically designed ABS plastic handle with a chrome end cap and finger guard gives responsive control as it cuts. The ABS plastic also offers excellent durability, resisting impact and temperature fluctuations. Its design not only feels good in the hand, but it also presses the blade down into the pizza toppings so they don’t get pulled off the pizza. The KitchenAid is also dishwasher safe for fast, easy cleanup.
Photo: amazon.com
The Winco Winware Pizza Cutter offers a simple design at a budget price. The stainless steel blade holds a sharp edge and is dishwasher safe. An edge with the right sharpness allows users to push into the pizza rather than pulling through it, leaving the toppings in place. The lightweight plastic handle is comfortable to hold and responds well to hand movements. It comes in a 2.5-inch or 4-inch blade design.
Photo: amazon.com
The Premium Pizza Cutter Wheel by Mozzbi offers a handle-free ergonomic design that keeps the hand and wrist in a natural position to reduce stress on the joints while maximizing the cutting ability. A laser-sharpened blade holds its edge, further reducing the effort needed to make each cut.
The thermoplastic cover offers texture and grip, while a protective sliding blade cover prevents fingers from sliding across the blade. When not in use, the cover slides over the blade, protecting it from nicks while in storage. The entire cutter disassembles for easier and more efficient cleaning. It’s also dishwasher safe.
Photo: amazon.com
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 4-Inch Pizza Wheel turns smoothly and cuts with precision. An easy-grip handle features thumb and pointer finger holds for a better grip and control. That added comfort helps direct the pressure downward so the pizza cutter doesn’t pull off toppings. The 4-inch blade’s angle to the handle further directs pressure downward, taking pressure off the hand and wrist. The blade is made of stainless steel, and the cutter comes with a thumb guard for extra safety. This model is dishwasher safe for no-hassle cleaning.
Photo: amazon.com
The 14” Pizza Cutter by Kitchenstar features food-grade stainless steel that resists rust and holds a sharp edge. An ergonomic grip on the back side of the blade allows users to comfortably grip it wherever it feels natural and rock the blade through the pizza. The pressure comes from above, helping toppings stay in place as the tool makes precise, straight cuts. That rocking edge and comfortable grip are useful for cutting vegetables and fruits, too.
This model also features a plastic protective cover for easier storage. In addition to the 14-inch blade, Kitchenstar also has available 16- and 18-inch models. This cutter comes in silver or black to fit in with most any kitchen aesthetic.
Photo: amazon.com
Ergonomic design and sharp stainless steel blades allow the Dreamfarm Scizza Scissors to glide and cut easily through the crust while leaving the toppings intact. These scissors offer some creative freedom that traditional pizza cutters don’t. They can cut slices into triangles, squares, or puzzle pieces for extra fun.
The angled handles help the scissors slide underneath the pizza to provide more comfort than traditional kitchen shears while slicing. These pizza scissors have a unique spatula base that slides under the pizza slice to neatly transfer it to a plate, and the nonstick nylon won’t scratch the pizza pan. The blades are fully detachable to provide access to the nooks and crannies at cleaning time, and both the blades and handle are dishwasher safe.
Photo: amazon.com
The Rosle Stainless Steel Round-Handle Pizza Cutter combines function with beauty. High-quality 18/10 stainless steel in the blade and handle offer food-grade quality that resists rust and corrosion. Designed and engineered in Germany, this pizza cutter has balanced construction that helps users put the right forces on the pizza to cut through the toppings and crust without stripping the pizza. An ergonomic shield protects fingers from the blade while giving the user better control over each cut. This model is dishwasher safe.
Photo: amazon.com
The ThinkGeek Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter lets your inner sci-fi nerd have a little fun. Shaped like the original USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), this cutter glides through pizza without a run-in with any Klingons—namely, the toppings. For true Trekkies, the ship’s nacelles aren’t quite to scale, but overall, it will still feel like holding the Enterprise. Don’t let the shape fool you; this pizza cutter is fully functional and deceptively sharp. The body and blade are made of laser-etched chrome-plated stainless steel with a zinc-alloy chromium-plated body, giving it a shiny, classy look. However, this pizza cutter requires extra care: It’s hand-wash only.
Photo: amazon.com
The Kitchy Pizza Cutter Wheel’s ergonomic design was designed to fit in the palm of the hand. Simply hold the ergonomic handle and apply pressure naturally. A sharp blade slices without dragging toppings behind. After the cutter is used, a blade guard slides over the blade to prevent injury and protect the blade while in the drawer. Without a traditional handle, this cutter wheel is smaller and easier to store than either a standard wheel cutter or a rocking pizza cutter. It completely disassembles, providing access to each component when in the dishwasher.
Photo: amazon.com
The Pro Dough Pastry Scraper/Cutter/Chopper by MS WGO is a multipurpose tool that includes use as a pizza cutter. A sharp edge makes quick work of pizza, pastry dough, and brownies. It can be pressed straight down into the pizza, keeping the toppings in place as the blade makes the cut.
This cutter is made of a single piece of heavy-duty stainless steel so there are no cracks, crevices, nooks, or crannies for food to get caught in. It’s dishwasher safe and smaller than a rocking blade, taking up less space in the dishwasher and in storage. The blade also has measurement marks on it to add precision when making rolls or pastries.
FAQs About Pizza Cutters
Even if you’re not new to pizza cutters, there might be a few more details you have questions about. Here are some of the common questions and their answers to help you choose the best pizza cutter for your needs.
Q. What is a pizza cutter made of?
Pizza cutters are usually made with a stainless steel blade and a handle made of stainless steel, wood, rubber, or silicone. However, there are models made with plastic or ceramic blades that protect nonstick or delicate surfaces.
Q. Can I sharpen my pizza cutter?
You can sharpen most stainless steel blades, though how you go about it will depend on the cutter’s design. Wheeled pizza cutters can be sharpened using a whetstone or specially designed pizza cutter sharpener. It does require either immobilizing the wheel or taking apart the pizza cutter. Whetstones can also be used to sharpen rocking blade pizza cutters. Sharpening a rocking blade pizza cutter will require a technique similar to sharpening a standard kitchen knife.
Q. How should I store my pizza cutter?
Some pizza cutters have blade covers that protect them from nicks. These types can be stored in a regular utensil drawer or knife drawer. Those without a cover require more careful storage to maintain the blade’s edge. Some can fit in a knife organizer. Another option is to make a cover of your own, using craft foam or wood. If that’s not an option, store it in a drawer between two pot holders to protect the edge and your hands.
