Looking for a great way to achieve those perfectly thin-sliced tomatoes or scalloped potatoes even if you don't have expert knife skills (or the best knives)? Try a mandoline.

In short, yes. If you’re serious about cooking, a mandoline slicer can be helpful in the kitchen for its ability to add consistency to your cooking and make your presentation more professional. Before using your mandoline, be sure to read the instructions that come with your kitchen tool so you know how to properly use it. This OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer is a best friend for the high-volume cook, but it also handily churns out neat, versatile cuts for the occasional one. When opened, it's propped up at an angle which helps with leverage, and the holder keeps your fingers safe.For this reason, it is always best to hand wash any sharp objects in the kitchen – from mandoline blades to knives. While you might want to try your hardest to slide every last bit of your produce past the blade, please don’t risk it. Espresso, drip, pour-over; we can tell you which coffee maker to get no matter what kind of coffee you drink. Finally, the V-shaped blade – the most prevalent style among home-use mandolines – capitalizes on the benefits of the diagonal blade times two. If you are an experienced home chef looking to enhance your slicing game—and maybe willing to spend more on a quality mandoline—our choice for the best mandoline to splurge on is the Benriner Mandoline Slicer.

Having said that, perhaps this model would in fact be a better fit among the basic models recommended above. Nonetheless, for its basic function, this slicer is a standout with countless fans and dedicated users.

Other mandolines we tested

Safety is paramount when using mandolines, and this one doesn't disappoint. It comes with a safety guard that keeps your fingers out of harm's way while ensuring you can use every last bit of your produce. Also, many users reported problems with slicing more delicate items like tomatoes. But this is not uncommon, and you’re generally better off using a mandoline with a Japanese-style diagonal blade to slice juicy, ripe produce like tomatoes, or a different tool altogether that’s better-suited to this purpose. If you’re seeking paper-thin slices of roast beef or ham, then a mandoline can accomplish that goal. That said, mandolines aren’t nearly as efficient as dedicated meat slicers, due to their comparatively small surface area. If you’re determined to cut meat with a mandoline, be sure to chill the meat before slicing; the cold temperature will provide you with greater control over the slicing. From Benriner, the brand that popularized Japanese-style diagonal mandolines starting over 70 years ago, this razor-sharp tool can slice through anything that’s thrown its way.kdk Since your desired use will determine whether you prioritize a simple mechanism or one with a wide array of capabilities, we’ve divided our roundup into two different categories: basic and multi-use.