The right zester or grater makes a significant difference in the kitchen. Microplane zesters produce feather-light citrus zest and finely grated Parmesan without any of the bitter white pith. Box graters handle cheese, vegetables and chocolate. A poor quality tool tears rather than grates, producing uneven results and frustrating use.
This guide covers the main types and the best products at every price point.
Types of Grater and Zester
Microplane-style zesters
Long, narrow stainless steel rasps with photo-etched blade holes. Produce extremely fine, fluffy grates – ideal for citrus zest, Parmesan, nutmeg, ginger and dark chocolate. The Microplane brand (a US company) invented this style and remains the benchmark.
Best for: Citrus zest, Parmesan, hard cheeses, nutmeg, ginger, chocolate, garlic
Box graters (four-sided)
Four-sided stainless steel boxes with different grating surfaces on each face: coarse, medium, fine and a slicing or ribbon side. Versatile for larger quantities of cheese, vegetables and potatoes.
Best for: Cheese, courgettes, carrots, potatoes, larger quantities
Flat/paddle graters
A flat surface version of the box grater – similar grating faces but in a handheld paddle format. More compact storage than a box grater.
Best for: Small quantities, compact storage
Rotary graters
A drum-style grater where you place a block of cheese in a hopper and turn a handle. The cheese feeds through a rotating drum with sharp teeth. Good for hard cheeses like Parmesan and Pecorino.
Best for: Hard cheeses, table-side grating, those with limited hand strength
The Best Zesters and Graters in 2026
1. Microplane Classic Zester Grater – Best Overall Zester
Microplane is the definitive brand in zesting and fine grating. Their Classic Zester/Grater (the long handled rasp) is made in the USA from surgical-grade stainless steel with photo-etched cutting edges that stay sharp for years. The result is consistently fine, fluffy grating that no other brand matches.
Use it for: lemon and orange zest (no bitter pith), Parmesan (feather-light flakes), fresh ginger (no fibres), nutmeg (fine powder), dark chocolate (fine shavings), garlic (fine paste without pressing).
Price: Around $15-18
Material: Stainless steel, ergonomic handle
Dishwasher safe: Yes
What we like: Unmatched grating quality, stays sharp for years, versatile for many ingredients, widely available
Worth knowing: Produces a very fine grate – if you want coarser grated Parmesan for pasta, you need a box grater or rotary grater as well
2. Microplane Premium Classic Zester – Best Premium Upgrade
The Premium Classic adds a wider handle with a more ergonomic grip and a slightly wider grating surface – useful when you are grating larger quantities. The blade quality is identical to the standard Classic.
Worth the slight premium if you zest frequently or have any hand discomfort with the narrower standard handle.
Price: Around $25-25
What we like: More comfortable for extended use, wider surface grates slightly faster
Worth knowing: The grating quality is identical to the standard Classic – the premium is for ergonomics only
3. OXO Good Grips Box Grater – Best Box Grater
OXO’s four-sided box grater is the most user-friendly design available. The non-slip base and soft handle make it stable and comfortable, and the four surfaces (coarse, medium, fine and slicer) cover all standard grating tasks. An integrated container catches grated food below.
The grater disassembles for thorough cleaning.
Price: Around $25-30
Sides: 4 (coarse, medium, fine, slicer)
Catches: Integrated container
What we like: Stable non-slip base, catches grated food, comfortable handle, easy to clean
Worth knowing: The Microplane and OXO serve different purposes – buy both if you want both fine zesting and coarse cheese grating
4. Cuisipro Surface Glide Box Grater – Best Premium Box Grater
Cuisipro’s Surface Glide technology uses a different blade geometry that they claim reduces the effort needed for grating. In practice, harder cheeses and root vegetables do feel slightly easier to grate than on standard box graters.
Available in stainless steel with a non-slip ring base. Better build quality than most box graters in its price range.
Price: Around $40-45
Best for: Those who grate large quantities regularly, anyone who finds standard grating effortful
What we like: Reduced grating effort, good build quality, non-slip base
Worth knowing: At twice the price of OXO, the improvement is real but modest for most users
5. Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater – Best Rotary Grater
For hard cheeses (Parmesan, Pecorino, Grana Padano) where you want consistent medium-coarse grating rather than fine flakes, a rotary grater is the practical tool. Zyliss’s Classic is the most popular in the US – the handle mechanism is smooth, the drum is easy to insert and remove, and the result is consistent medium grating at the table or in the kitchen.
Dishwasher safe. The drum is replaceable when worn.
Price: Around $19-25
Best for: Hard cheese, table-side Parmesan grating, those who prefer not to use a rasp
What we like: Easy table-side use, consistent coarse grating, dishwasher safe, replaceable drum
Worth knowing: Not suitable for soft cheeses or vegetables; produces coarser grate than a Microplane
What Each Grater Does Best
| Task | Best tool |
|---|---|
| Lemon/lime/orange zest | Microplane Classic |
| Fine Parmesan for risotto | Microplane Classic |
| Grated Parmesan for pasta (coarser) | Rotary grater or box grater coarse side |
| Grated cheddar for cheese on toast | Box grater coarse side |
| Grated courgette for fritters | Box grater coarse side |
| Grated potato for hash browns | Box grater coarse side |
| Fresh ginger | Microplane Classic |
| Nutmeg | Microplane Classic |
| Dark chocolate for desserts | Microplane Classic |
Cleaning and Care
Microplane rasp graters: The hardest part of cleaning is the residue that sticks behind the blade holes. Clean immediately after use with a stiff brush (a pastry brush works well) under warm water, then dishwasher if preferred. Do not scrub across the blade direction – always brush or rinse in the direction of the blade teeth to avoid dulling them.
Box graters: Rinse immediately after use – dried cheese and grated vegetables are much harder to remove. All major brands are dishwasher safe, but hand washing with a brush preserves the cutting edges better.
FAQ
Is Microplane worth the price over cheaper zesters?
Yes. The difference between a Microplane and a cheap zester is immediately noticeable – the Microplane produces light, fluffy zest without effort; cheaper versions tear and require more passes. At $15-18, it is one of the best value kitchen tools available.
Can I use a Microplane for ginger?
Yes – it is one of the best uses. Microplane grates fresh ginger very finely, separating the fibres from the flesh. Freeze fresh ginger before grating for even easier results.
How do I keep a box grater from sliding?
Place a damp cloth or non-slip mat under the box. OXO’s design with a non-slip base addresses this – one of the main practical advantages over cheaper box graters.
Final Verdict
For zesting and fine grating: Microplane Classic Zester is essential and inexpensive. For coarse grating and everyday kitchen use: OXO Good Grips Box Grater. For table-side hard cheese: Zyliss Rotary Grater. For frequent graters wanting better ergonomics: Microplane Premium Classic or Cuisipro Surface Glide.
Most keen cooks end up owning both a Microplane and a box grater – they serve genuinely different purposes.
