1. OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press
Key Features
Large capacity garlic chamber
Efficient hole pattern
Built-in cleaner
Sturdy die-cast zinc construction
Non-slip handles
Dishwasher safe
The classic and endlessly dependable OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press is our best choice for the best garlic press you can find. It boasts a large capacity garlic clove chamber and uses an efficient hole pattern to reduce wasted garlic pieces, although you may find a few bits leftover. The built-in cleaner keeps it in excellent condition, even if you forget to clean it immediately, while the non-slip handles offer lasting comfort. It feels a little heavy at first, but you’ll soon get used to this, and it’s really a sign of its quality.
Pros
Easy to use
Stronger construction
Easy to clean
Comfortable and pressure absorbing
Cons
Heavy
It leaves some unminced garlic behind
2. Orblue Garlic Press
Key Features
Professional-grade construction
Heavy-duty design
Easy to clean via faucet or dishwasher
Versatile application
Garlic Peeler included
Robust and durable
The Orblue Garlic Press Stainless Steel Mincer boasts professional-grade construction that indicates its durability and lasting quality. The heavy-duty design makes it a steel garlic press that you can rely on, while its versatile applications deliver plenty of positives. It comes with a convenient garlic peeler to keep juice off your fingers, and once popped into the chamber, it produced finely crushed garlic to add to your favorite meals. There will be a little garlic residue left over, but this is a minor thing you can solve with a quick rinse.
Pros
Ergonomic design
Optimal leverage
Minimal food waste
Produces finely crushed garlic
Cons
Peeler is not stable on wet surfaces
Some garlic residue left behind
3. Alpha Grillers Garlic Press
Key Features
Solid stainless steel construction
Ideal for unpeeled cloves
Suitable for nuts and ginger
Dishwasher safe
Easy to hold and use
Lifetime guarantee
The perfect choice for the leader of the pack, this Alpha Grillers Garlic Press is one of the best garlic presses if you’re looking for durability when working with a peeled or unpeeled garlic clove. Besides this, it’s ideal for both nuts and ginger, enabling you to diversify your meals with something other than the classic onions and garlic combo. It is easy to hold and even easier to use, making it a press made to impress. Despite this, the chamber is a little too small, so you may need to reload more often than you’d like.
Pros
Rust-resistant
Robust heavy-duty construction
Food-grade silicone garlic peeler
Cleaning brush for easy maintenance
Cons
Basket is quite small
Some garlic might splatter in the wrong direction
4. Zulay Premium Garlic Press
Key Features
Multiple color options
Durable construction
Easy to use
Crushes and Minces unpeeled garlic cloves
Easy to clean
Money-back guarantee
The Zulay Kitchen Premium Garlic Press comes with multiple color options for you to match with your existing utensils, while the durable construction and straightforward use makes it ideal for crushing and mincing garlic like the very best of them. It is suitable for more than just garlic, and it also keeps the garlic odor off your fingers while also saving time during food prep. However, things can get a little messy, especially if you apply too much pressure, so you might be better off being gentle when you first use it.
Pros
Multi-use tool
Suitable for other foods
Saves time in the kitchen
No garlic odor on hands
Cons
Slightly messy
Garlic may not be as thin as you want
5. Vantic Garlic Press Rocker
Key Features
Innovative rocking operation
Premium stainless steel
Comfortable handle
Easy to clean
Easy to store
Crush or mince garlic
The Vantic Garlic Press Rocker is a unique option that disregards everything you know about garlic presses and introduces you to a brand new style. The innovative rocking operation crushes garlic with ease, and it’s also fun, while the spacious design makes it easy to clean, similar to a cheese grater, as it’s also dishwasher safe. You will also get a garlic peeler to accelerate your cooking endeavors, which is perfect for those stomach-rumbling days. Despite the cool design to go with your tongs, it will require more pressure than you expect, and it’s also not as large as it appears.
Pros
Garlic peeler and scraper included
Minimizes food waste
Dishwasher safe
Simple rocking motion
Cons
Requires more pressure than you’d expect
Could be a little bigger
6. Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press
Key Features
Powerful lever reduces your workload
Suitable for peeled and unpeeled garlic
Sturdy stainless steel hinges
Easy to clean
Compact for easy storage
Dishwasher safe
If you’re looking for a high-end garlic press, look no further than our premium pick. The impressive Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press delivers quality performance that takes the hassle out of meal prep. The powerful lever reduces your workload, as do the sturdy stainless steel hinges, making it one of the most robust options around. The ergonomic design ensures comfort, and it is suitable for all garlic cloves, as well as being easy to clean. The dishwasher safe construction is part of this, but be careful that it will be a little heavier than you anticipated.
Pros
Requires 60% less effort
Ergonomic design
2 year warranty
Timesaving performance
Cons
Larger than expected
Likely heavier than you might want
7. ZYLISS Susi 3 Garlic Press
Key Features
Sturdy cast aluminum construction
No need to peel cloves
Lightweight ergonomic handle
Accommodates larger cloves
Built-in cleaner performance
5 year manufacturer guarantee
One of the most impressive and useful options when searching for the best garlic press, this ZYLISS Susi 3 Garlic Press provides just about everything you could want. It is durable, with sturdy cast aluminum construction, while the chamber can accommodate large garlic cloves, which sounds perfect for anyone who loves that strong flavor. It also boasts a built-in cleaner, meaning it’s one of those presses that will stand the test of time. However, the tool won’t always get to all the garlic, so you may need to do a little fiddling.
Pros
Suitable for pressing ginger
Easy to use
Convenient built-in cleaning mechanism
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Cleaning tool might not always remove all pieces
Feels a little too lightweight
8. ANERONG 2-in-1 Garlic Press and Garlic Slice
Key Features
Minces or slices garlic
Easy Squeeze design
Dishwasher safe
Premium aluminum alloy
Small cleaning brush included
Garlic peeler included
Ideal for multiple demands, the ANERONG 2-in-1 Garlic Mince and Garlic Slice offers the best of both worlds and gives you a garlic press that will stand up to the competition. Its Easy Squeeze design reduces hand fatigue, and it also comes with a garlic peeler that reduces time spent organizing everything. While some presses can be tricky to look after, this is dishwasher safe, ensuring easy cleanup. However, we wish the blades were just a little thinner, as this would help make the most of however many cloves you put in at a time.
Pros
Comfortable ergonomic design
Easy to maintain
Convenient multifunctional design
No more garlic odor on hands
Cons
Slicer can be a little tricky to clean thoroughly
Blades could be thinner
9. ZESPROKA Garlic Press
Key Features
Suitable for garlic, ginger, nuts
Ergonomic handle
Easy to use
Heavy-duty construction
Food-safe materials
Minimal pressure required
For the best value out of all garlic presses, this ZESPROKA Garlic Press-Mincing & Crushing Tool could be just what you need. It is suitable for more than one thing, and you can also use it for nuts and ginger, while the heavy-duty construction ensures long-lasting performance. While it’s definitely one of the more simple designs, this means it can focus more on quality, but the press hammer might be a little tricky to clean, so you may need to soak it overnight to prevent any residue.
Pros
Eliminates garlic odor
Straightforward operation
Holds a decent number of cloves
Dishwasher safe
Cons
May be a little difficult to clean pressing hammer
Might be too heavy for some
10. AIMAIAIMAI Premium Garlic Press
Key Features
Square hole design
Rust-proof construction
Easy to squeeze
Easy to clean
Reduces loss of garlic juices
Suitable for peeled and unpeeled cloves
The AIMAIAIMAI Premium Garlic Press may look very similar to most of the other garlic presses we’ve identified, but there is a subtle yet effective difference. The square hole design reduces the loss of juice from the crushed cloves, which enhances the flavor and makes it stand out in every dish. Its stainless steel design means it is entirely rust-proof, and therefore suitable for dishwashers, while the cylindrical handle makes it comfortable. It also comes with a cleaning brush, but this isn’t as effective as we’d hoped.
Pros
Easy-hold cylindrical handle
Three-year warranty
Safe, smooth appearance
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Included cleaning brush doesn’t offer much
Some loss of garlic around the sides
11. Rösle Stainless Steel Garlic Press
Key Features
Hygienic stainless steel construction
48 offset holes
Spacious garlic loading chamber
Weighted handle for easier crush
Easy to clean with fold-out sieve
Dishwasher safe
Boasting a hygienic construction and 48 offset holes, the Rösle Stainless Steel Mincing Garlic/Ginger Press with Scraper is one of the finest options for crushing garlic cloves and adding essential flavors to your everyday meals. It comes with a spacious chamber that allows you to pack in more garlic than standard models, while the weighted handle makes it easier to crush, too, increasing efficiency and keeping you on schedule. You might find some garlic seeping out of the gaps, and although it comes with a handy scraper, this is not as effective as we’d hoped, especially for a high-end press.
Pros
Precision hinges for optimal force
Suitable for unpeeled cloves and peeled ginger
Functional and durable
Eliminates contact with garlic juices
Cons
Some garlic squeezes out of other holes
Included scraper could use some improvement
12. i-Venoya Garlic Press Crusher and Mincer
Key Features
Premium zinc alloy construction
Rust-proof
Suitable for garlic, ginger, nuts
Ergonomic user-friendly design
Easy to clean
The i-Venoya Garlic Press Crusher and Mincer offers a premium cast zinc alloy construction that guarantees durability as well as easy, moderately lightweight handling. Its rust-proof design makes it sure to last, and the ergonomic model is comfortable, ideal for hours of continued use. You can use it for nuts and ginger besides garlic, while the strengthened rivet and elaborate grid provide a more satisfying crush. Make sure not to pack the chamber too full, though, as it will be difficult to press through with the same force and quality.
Pros
24 month warranty
Dishwasher safe
Easy to squeeze with crushing teeth design
Strengthened rivet with elaborate grid
Cons
Harder to press with more cloves
A little tedious to clean
13. Kitchen Innovations Garlic-A-Peel Garlic Press
Key Features
Options for peeling, slicing, grating, mincing
Silicone peeler
2 interchangeable blades
No odor left on your hands
Raised teeth for garlic paste
Durable construction
If you’re tired of looking at the same style of garlic press, the Kitchen Innovations Garlic-A-Peel Garlic Press (Crusher, Cutter, Mincer, and Storage Container) will be a breath of fresh air. Here, you can press garlic into a useful little tub that makes it easy to store and distribute into different dishes, while the two interchangeable blades provide excellent versatility. Its raised teeth will make pasting the garlic simple so you can maximize your meals, however, it’s a little tricky to clean, and you can’t crush too many cloves at once.
Pros
Clear container to check garlic
BPA-free materials
Smart cleaning blade
Convenient storage tub
Cons
A little tricky to clean
Doesn’t fit a lot of cloves inside
14. Zulay 2-in-1 Garlic Press Set
Key Features
Heavy duty easy squeeze performance
Minces and slices in one go
Silicone peeler tube included
Cleaning brush
Easy to maintain
Long ergonomic grip handle
Boasting a heavy-duty and easy squeeze performance, the Zulay Kitchen 2-in-1 Garlic Press Set is a fantastic choice if you’re short on time and want to make the most of any garlic that is waiting around and begging for you to use. This efficiency continues when you look at the cleaning brush and silicone peeler tube, which speed up both prep and cleanup to help you get back to relaxing, sufficiently stuffed, and satisfied. It will, however, make a bit of a mess, but as you’ve saved so much time already, a little extra cleanup won’t hurt much.
Pros
Easy to use
Compact design for simple storage
Timesaving kitchen tool
Built-in cleaner
Cons
Makes a bit of a mess
Small pieces of garlic will get stuck if you are not careful
15. JACHI Garlic Press Crusher and Mincer
Key Features
Dual-action crushes and mincer
Zinc alloy construction
Comfortable ergonomic design
Durable material won’t bend, rust, or stain
Scooping cleaning tool spoon included
Well-balanced
The JACHI Garlic Press Crusher and Mincer comes with dependable dual-action performance that offers some variety when it comes to deciding how you want your food prepared. Besides convenience, you can also enjoy cast zinc alloy construction, as well as a comfortable grip to reduce fatigue. It is one of the most well-balanced presses we have ever seen and comes with a long lifespan to ensure confidence. But, you might have some trouble trying to clean the press teeth, even if this is something that can impact all presses.
Pros
Suitable for peeled and unpeeled garlic cloves
Long lifespan
30 day guarantee
Soft handle insert for mammoth tasks
Cons
Crushing teeth might be a little difficult to clean effectively
Plastic inner grip may fall out if washed in the dishwasher too often
Features To Consider With Garlic Presses
Before deciding which is the best garlic press to add to your ever-growing drawer of essentials, make sure you check out these key features to think about to guarantee whichever press you select is the perfect one for you.
Size
The size of your garlic press can impact a lot of things. The most obvious aspect is how much garlic you can fit in the chamber at once. Anyone who loves garlic will want to squeeze as much as possible at once to ensure the garlic is cooked evenly and you can minimize cleanup. However, if you don't use a lot of garlic in your meals, then you may be okay getting one of the best garlic presses on the smaller side.
Larger garlic presses are also likely to be heavier, which might make them slightly more difficult to use.
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Durability
The best garlic presses are made to be used repeatedly. For many people, they will be something that you buy once that you can use in your kitchen for years afterwards. The durability of your garlic press makes this possible, so look out for robust materials such as a stainless steel garlic press or even a cast zinc press if you want to crush or mince garlic regularly.
Not all garlic presses are made from stainless steel or other metals, though, and there are some plastic models. Despite this, they are still durable as long as you don't misuse them, such as trying to crush too much garlic at once, as this could damage the mechanism. The same goes for durable presses, too, as you risk putting too much pressure on the presser hammer, which could affect durability.
Storage
Before purchasing your garlic press, it's important to consider where and how you will store it. Ideally, the best garlic press for you should be one that fits comfortably in the kitchen drawer without cluttering it up too much. Even if you buy a press made to handle heavy-duty demands, which is unlikely to find into all kitchen drawers, it's still possible to store it relatively easily.
Many of the best garlic presses will come with hoops on the handles, which you can hang from the wall. Often, this is more convenient, as it will never get lost in one drawer, and you can access it easily, which is especially useful if you use garlic every day. Whether budget or a more high-end press, you should find a decent range of presses that come with options to hang on the wall.
Grip
Grip is not something everybody thinks about when considering the best garlic press. However, it can be the difference between an enjoyable experience and a terrible one. This is because, without a firm grip, you cannot get the ample purchase to apply the necessary pressure to crush your garlic. Such failure can lead to hand-strain and even damage the plastic, zinc, aluminum, or stainless steel garlic press, potentially breaking it.
The grip will also provide comfort, which is something you should consider with everything you buy. If you are preparing a large meal that demands cloves upon cloves of garlic, you want to ensure your hand is comfortable, as it will make you more willing to use the press in the future.
Efficiency
The more efficient your garlic press, the more joy you will get from it. You need something that will crush the garlic with ease, without the need to add additional pressure that could hinder your food prep. Furthermore, a large chamber enables you to mince and crush several cloves at once, while a straightforward design, whether standard handle-based or the rocking style that may appeal to you. You want to minimize food waste, so one that squeezes out as much garlic as possible should be high on your list.
Everyone wants efficiency for their food prep, especially when it comes to the preparation aspect. If you have a tool that presses garlic with ease, you can get to the good stuff faster.
Cleanup
Now comes the bit that everybody dreads: Cleaning. If you've used a garlic press before, you know that even the best high-end models can be tricky to clean, especially if you leave them too long, which causes the leftover garlic to harden.
Thankfully, the best garlic presses come with plenty of ways to ensure you can clean your kitchen tool easily. These include cleaning tools, such as brushes or small silicone pads that push leftover garlic out. Many are also dishwasher safe as well as suitable for quick rinsing under the faucet to make cleanup just a little easier for everybody involved, even if that everybody is you alone.
Garlic Press FAQ
Q: What does a garlic press do?
As the name suggests, a garlic press is a kitchen tool used to press garlic. If you've ever tried chopping garlic before, especially if you are using knives that are older than you (and have never been sharpened), you know how frustrating it can be to tackle by yourself.
With the best garlic presser, you never need to dread doing it ever again. One of the primary benefits of a garlic press is that you can speed up your kitchen and food preparation, meaning you can spend a few more minutes enjoying the comfort of your sofa.
While traditional garlic presses were only suitable for pressing garlic, modern models can do much more. Depending on what you need, you can find a garlic press that can slice and mince, as well as options suitable for a variety of other foods, including nuts and ginger.
Q: Is using a garlic press the same as mincing?
Yes, kind of, but also no, not really. Many people, even professional chefs and those people who always seem to make themselves gourmet dinners out of nothing will often use the two interchangeably. However, there is a distinction between the two.
While mincing garlic well, minces the cloves in the same way you would mince meat, which is usually achieved by finely chopping the cloves into tiny, but not too tiny, pieces, pressing garlic forces the clove through small holes like a sieve. Some chefs will and have denounced this method. Anthony Bourdain famously remarked that it was disgusting, which we think is a little OTT, but we're not culinary icons, so what do we know?
The finer garlic is crushed and pressed, the more 'offensive' the flavor. It becomes stronger, more garlicky. Some people enjoy this, but it can be a huge turnoff for others. Despite this, using a garlic press for mincing garlic, even if it minces it too finely, can enhance the flavor exponentially, but this is only something you'll want if you adore garlic, or have a bad vampire problem.
Q: Do you need to peel garlic before using a garlic press?
No, you don't need to peel garlic before using your garlic press, especially if you're in a rush. This is because the best garlic press is sturdy enough to handle the additional resistance that the skin offers, although we'll admit that this is not much, anyway.
However, while neglecting to peel the garlic before preparing your meal can save you time initially, it could cause an issue when it comes to cleaning the garlic press. For most garlic presses, you'll need to clear away any leftover garlic immediately, otherwise, it will stick, harden, and block the pressing holes. Leaving the garlic skin on the cloves will only add to this cleanup, and if you don't stay on top of everything, you risk damaging the tool, even if it says it is also dishwasher safe.
Q: Do chefs use a garlic press?
You would think chefs would adore garlic presses, especially when they needed to deal with hectic and busy kitchens. However, as we've mentioned above about Anthony Bourdain, many chefs consider garlic presses something that goes against everything that makes cooking and food preparation the art that has made them famous.
Why, though? Well, these are professionals, and so they take pride in their craft. However, this is not the only reason. Many chefs believe they can prepare and mince garlic just as quickly using their knives, which are much better quality compared to the standard kitchen knives you have.
As minced or pressed garlic are smaller pieces, they can overpower the taste and aroma, which can be too much for some. These small pieces also cook quicker as there is more surface area for the heat to react with. This risks scorching the garlic, rather than gently cooking it. Garlic cooks quickly anyway, so chefs do not want to burn the pieces, which could affect the quality of the food. This is why chefs believe that the best way to prepare and add garlic to food is by using a knife rather than a garlic mincer.
Q: Is it better to chop or crush garlic?
If you speak to professionals, they will tell you that chopping garlic is the best way to use it in your meals, and we've already covered the reasons why pretty succinctly. That being said, for your everyday meal prep, there are no actual rules, so this often comes down to whatever your preference is and how you feel is best for making sauces or seasoning your food to add that delicious garlic flavor.
If you want that strong garlic taste permeating your food, then crushed garlic is superior. It adds more flavor, even if that can sometimes feel like too much. Pressed garlic is also faster for anyone short on time or without quality knives to chop the garlic into small pieces properly. Besides this, you also won't get that sticky garlicky feel on your hands, and your fingers won't smell like garlic for the foreseeable future.
Chopping garlic, however, can give you more control over the flavor of your food, even if it takes some time. This method is useful when you have delicate dishes that need the flavors and aromas to be perfectly balanced. Of course, if you don't have decent knives, this can take some time.
Again, it's all about what you prefer and whether you would rather have the convenience of garlic presses or that professional approach that chopping garlic brings.
Q: Why should I invest in a garlic press?
If you've made it this far, we can only assume that you've not been put off by the claims of professionals. In which case, it's definitely worth investing in the best garlic press. While many people may swear off them, there are plenty of others who consider them an essential addition to their kitchen. Garlic presses help to save time, making them one of the most convenient tools you can have at your disposal.
Even if you still chop garlic regularly, a garlic press can offer some versatility in your kitchen, enabling you to choose whichever method you prefer depending on the demands of the dish, or even your mood.
While cooking is definitely fun, we all have those days where the thought of boiling some pasta feels like too much effort. At least with a quality stainless steel garlic press, you can save some precious time and get back to relaxing much quicker, and without that distracting garlic aroma stinking up your hands.