By MyAwesomeBuy Research Team · Updated April 9, 2026 · Our Methodology
18,749+ reviews analyzed
No manufacturer paid for placement. Rankings based on verified buyer review data.
Quick Answer
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.
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.”
#3,735 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining) #16 in Graters
Included Components
Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater
Manufacturer Part Number
40020
Item Dimensions L X W X H
12"L x 1.3"W x 1.3"H
Is The Item Dishwasher Safe?
Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Description
1 Year
Global Trade Identification Number
00098399400204
Best Premium
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.”
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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because a company asked us to feature them.
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