Quick Answer
Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater

The Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater is our top pick for Box Graters. Razor-sharp American steel blades. For budget shoppers, the OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater offers solid value at a lower price.

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At a Glance

#ProductAwardPriceOur Score
1
Microplane Classic Series Zester GraterMicroplane Classic Series Zester Grater
Our Top Pick $12 9.5 Buy →
2
OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box GraterOXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater
Best Premium $17 8.9 Buy →

Showing 2 of 2 products

Our Top Pick
Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater

Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater

$12
at Amazon
Best for: Fine grating of hard cheeses and citrus zesting

“Microplane's zester grater is the professional kitchen standard for hard cheeses and citrus. The razor-sharp photochemically etched steel produces effortlessly light parmesan with minimal pressure.”

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What we like

  • Razor-sharp American steel blades
  • Produces light fluffy parmesan
  • Comfortable soft-grip handle
  • Dishwasher safe

Watch out for

  • Single fine grating surface only
  • Not ideal for coarse shredding
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Full Specs & Measurements
Upc692193988403 692193988410 098399400204 087989675467
UseHard cheese and citrus
AsinB00004S7V8
BladePhoto-etched American steel
ColorBlack
ShapeRectangular
HandleSoft-grip
Brand NameMicroplane
DishwasherSafe
Style NameClassic
Unit Count1.0 Count
Item Weight0.13 Pounds
ManufacturerMicroplane
Model Number40020
Material TypeStainless Steel
Item Type NameMicroplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater
Best Sellers Rank#3,735 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #16 in Graters
Included ComponentsMicroplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater
Manufacturer Part Number40020
Item Dimensions L X W X H12"L x 1.3"W x 1.3"H
Is The Item Dishwasher Safe?Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Description1 Year
Global Trade Identification Number00098399400204
Best Premium
OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater

OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater

$17
at Amazon
Best for: Ergonomic handle and non-slip base for comfortable grating

“OXO's ergonomic box grater has the most comfortable top handle — the soft-grip reduces pressure on your palm during extended grating sessions, and the non-slip base provides stable control.”

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What we like

  • OXO soft-grip top handle
  • Non-slip base
  • 4 sides including fine grater
  • Dishwasher safe

Watch out for

  • Standard stamped blades — not as sharp as etched
  • No container
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Full Specs & Measurements
Upc719812005973
AsinB0007VO0CQ
BaseNon-slip
ColorBlack
Shapeshape
Sides4 grating surfaces
HandleOXO soft-grip
Brand NameOXO
DishwasherSafe
Style NameBox Grater
Unit Count1.0 Count
ManufacturerOXO International Ltd.
Model Number1057961
Material TypeStainless Steel
Manufacture Year2015
Best Sellers Rank#5,202 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #22 in Graters
Included ComponentsEMW6165179
Manufacturer Part Number1057961V3
Item Dimensions L X W X H12"L x 5"W x 12.4"H
Is The Item Dishwasher Safe?Yes
Manufacturer Warranty DescriptionSatisfaction Guaranteed. If for any reason you are not satisfied with an OXO product return for replacement or refund.
Global Trade Identification Number00719812005973

Box Graters (2026) Buying Guide

Best Box Graters (2026)Photo by www.kaboompics.com / Pexels

Best Box Grater: OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater

OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater
OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater
$24.99
See Full Review →

The OXO Good Grips box grater costs around $18-22 and is the everyday grater that handles cheese, vegetables, citrus zest, and chocolate in one tool. The four sides each have a different blade pattern: coarse grate for cheddar and mozzarella, fine shred for Parmesan and carrots, fine grate for zesting and nutmeg, and slice for cucumber and potato. The non-slip base keeps the grater stable on wet cutting boards without holding it with the second hand. The rubberized handle on top provides a secure grip during the downward pressure stroke. The wide base collects grated food without overfilling. For a kitchen that grates cheese and vegetables regularly, a quality box grater eliminates the food processor setup for small tasks.

Box Grater vs. Microplane vs. Rotary Grater

The Best Kitchen Graters
The Best Kitchen Graters

Box grater: The all-purpose tool. Four grating surfaces, stable base, handles large volumes. Best for: block cheese, carrots, zucchini, potatoes, larger quantities. The right tool for 80% of grating tasks.

Microplane rasp grater: Ultra-sharp blades produce extremely fine, fluffy shreds — the standard for Parmesan over pasta, citrus zest, and fresh ginger. The sharp cut produces a lighter texture than the tearing action of box grater fine holes. Microplane at $15 is the specialist tool for zesting and finely shredding hard cheeses. Most serious home cooks own both a box grater and a Microplane.

Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater
Microplane Classic Series Zester Grater
$12.99
See Full Review →

Rotary grater (Zyliss): Cheese is placed in a drum and cranked — produces thin even shreds with no knuckle risk. Best for hard cheeses at the table (Parmesan, Romano). Slower for large quantities. High cleanup effort relative to output.

Stainless Steel Blade Quality

Budget box graters use thinner stainless that dull within months — you can feel the difference in how much pressure is required to grate. Sharp graters cut cleanly and require minimal force; dull ones tear and require more pressure that increases knuckle injury risk. OXO and Rösle use thicker stainless with etched holes rather than punched holes — etched blades have sharper edges that last longer. Replace any grater where you are working hard to get results from what should be easy grating.

The Bottom Line

Gadget Expert's Top Picks for Graters
Gadget Expert's Top Picks for Graters

OXO Good Grips Box Grater for the best everyday grater at $20. Microplane Premium Zester for Parmesan and citrus zest — own both. Cuisipro Surface Glide for a premium grater with sharper blades at $35. Buy pre-shredded cheese only when convenience justifies the premium — block cheese grated fresh melts better and has no cellulose anti-caking coating that affects sauce texture.

Related Guides

Best Box Grater Reviews – How to Choose the Best Box Grater
Best Box Grater Reviews – How to Choose the Best Box Grater

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four sides of a box grater for?
Coarse side: shredding cheddar, mozzarella, and hard cheeses for topping. Medium side: vegetables (zucchini, carrots) and softer cheeses. Fine side: Parmesan, hard ginger, chocolate, and citrus zest. Slicer side: thin cucumber and potato slices. Most users primarily use the coarse and fine sides.
Can box graters go in the dishwasher?
Stainless steel box graters are generally dishwasher safe, but sharp blades can dull faster in dishwashers over time. Hand washing with a bottle brush inside the box is safer for longevity. Always clean immediately after use — dried cheese is very difficult to remove.
What is the difference between a box grater and a Microplane?
Box graters offer multiple grating sizes and shred larger quantities. Microplane graters (rasp-style) have razor-sharp etched blades for fine zesting and delicate work. Professional kitchens use both. For general grating, a box grater is more versatile. For fine work like citrus zest and hard spices, a Microplane is superior.
What should I look for when buying box graters?
The most important factors when buying box graters are build quality, value for money, and fit for your specific use case. Read verified buyer reviews to understand real-world performance. Our comparison above ranks the top options based on quality, price, and user satisfaction.
How much should I expect to spend on box graters?
Price varies widely by brand, materials, and features. Our top picks represent the best value at each price tier. Spending more generally gets you better build quality and longer lifespan, but mid-range options often hit the best balance for most buyers.

How We Analyze Products

We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 18,749+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.

Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.

We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.

Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →

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