You can’t live without a potato masher in your kitchen. This tool has many uses and can’t be replaced, whether you’re making mashed potatoes or banana bread. We put 12 different mashers to the test by making 12 pounds of our perfect mashed potatoes and mashing everything from avocados and bananas to a lot of refried beans. There are a few things to think about before you decide which one is best for you.
First, you should think about what you’re smashing. Do you mostly make big pots of potatoes or a shallow pan of beans? This is where the first divide comes in, because you can choose between “zig-zag” single-wire mashers and “round-holed” mashers. To decide, think about whether you want your masher to leave bigger chunks for texture or smaller pieces for a smoother mash.
When you have a lot of food to carry, the handle really comes in handy. So, if you make a lot of apple sauce, for example, a good rubber grip and a heavier handle will help you get the job done faster and with less stress on your hand and wrist. We also tried out potato ricers for people who like the fluffy texture of riced potatoes. It’s needed to make gnocchi, pierogies, and a lot of other potato dishes.
- Best Overall: Chef Craft Select Sturdy Masher
- Best Potato Classic: Kitchen Aid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher
- Best New-and-Improved: OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher
- Best Splurge: All-Clad Stainless-Steel Potato Masher
- Best Ricer: Chef’n FreshForce Potato Ricer Press
Tested by Sangram Rana for Kitchenthread
This masher with a vintage look has the best shape and use all around. The grid cuts through potatoes quickly and easily, and whatever you’re mashing comes off cleanly, so you don’t have to keep pushing out food that has built up. The round shape fits into the curves of a pot to reach everything. The holes in the masher also make it a great press for peanut butter cookies and crispy smashed potatoes.
If you usually mash a lot of potatoes or cooked apples for sauce, this wide, sturdy masher is a great choice. We also like how the base is shaped like a zigzag and has a curve that helps scoop the edges of a round pot. The rubberized handle is great for making sure you don’t lose your grip while mashing. But if you want to mash smaller things like a banana or beans, this might be too big.
If you usually mash a lot of potatoes or cooked apples for sauce, this wide and sturdy masher is a great choice. We also like that the base is shaped like a zigzag and has a curve to help scoop the edges of a round pot. The rubberized handle is great for making sure you don’t slip while mashing. But if you want to mash things like a banana or beans, this might be too big of a masher.
Even though it’s pricey, this masher really does a lot. The way this masher’s holes are made makes a fine, fluffy mash. One side is curved up, which helps to cover more surface area for deeper mashes. Also, at a tall 12 inches, this masher is the right size for making big pots of fluffy potatoes to serve to your Thanksgiving guests. The handle is long and has enough weight to help with the hard work.
For the lightest mashed potatoes, you can’t do without a potato ricer. This one in particular is a game-changer because, if you’ve ever had trouble getting a ricer going, you know how hard it can be to push it forward at first. The two-gear system lets you press the potatoes through with little effort to make sure they are soft as angel wings. It works well for making gnocchi, Shepherd’s pie topping, or just a warm bowl of mashed potatoes. The stainless steel cup with fine holes is also easy to take off the device so it can be cleaned, and the whole thing can go in the dishwasher.
