Best Kitchen Shears

A sharp pair of kitchen shears quietly becomes one of the most used tools in the kitchen. They spatchcock a chicken, snip fresh herbs, open stubborn packaging, trim pie dough, and cut pizza without dragging toppings around. The best shears feel balanced, cut cleanly all the way to the tip, and come apart for a thorough wash. Here are five pairs that handle daily kitchen work with ease.

Top Picks

1. KitchenAid All-Purpose Kitchen Shears

These all-purpose shears combine stainless steel blades with a soft, comfortable grip and a protective sheath for safe storage. They are dishwasher safe and handle the everyday jobs most cooks reach for, from snipping herbs to opening bags, which makes them an easy first pick.

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2. OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors

OXO’s micro-serrated blades slice through everything from meat and vegetables to twine and cardboard, and the comfortable non-slip handles are a hallmark of the brand. They are a smart choice if grip comfort matters to you during longer prep sessions.

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3. Wusthof Come-Apart Kitchen Shears

Forged from high-carbon stainless steel, these Wusthof shears separate into two halves so you can clean every surface and avoid trapped food. They feel substantial in the hand and are built to last, which appeals to cooks who want a long-term tool.

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4. KitchenAid Poultry Shears

When you regularly break down whole chickens, dedicated poultry shears earn their keep. These feature heavy-duty stainless steel blades with micro serrations to grip and cut through joints and small bones more confidently than standard scissors.

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5. Joyce Chen Multi-Use Scissors

The spring-loaded Joyce Chen shears are a longtime favorite for their light action and versatility. They tackle kitchen tasks and craft projects alike, and the spring return reduces hand fatigue during repetitive cutting.

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What Makes a Good Pair of Kitchen Shears

Blade material comes first. Stainless steel resists rust and holds a usable edge, and micro-serrations help grip slippery foods like chicken skin. Look for blades that meet cleanly at the tip, because shears that only cut well near the pivot will frustrate you on delicate jobs. A comfortable handle matters more than most people expect; if the loops dig into your fingers, you will avoid using them. Finally, a come-apart design lets you clean both blades fully, which is important for any tool that cuts raw meat.

All-Purpose vs. Poultry Shears

All-purpose shears are the everyday workhorse: light, nimble, and good for herbs, packaging, and general snipping. Poultry shears are heavier, with stronger blades and often a curved jaw and spring, designed to power through joints and cartilage when breaking down a bird. If you cook a lot of whole poultry, owning both is worthwhile, but if you only buy one pair, a sturdy all-purpose model covers the widest range of tasks.

Care and Cleaning Tips

Hand-washing is gentler on the edge and the pivot than a dishwasher, even when a model is labeled dishwasher safe. Take come-apart shears apart after cutting raw meat and dry them fully to prevent rust at the joint. A drop of food-safe mineral oil on the pivot keeps the action smooth. If the blades ever lose their bite, a sharpener such as the best knife sharpeners with a shears slot can bring the edge back.

Features That Set Good Shears Apart

Beyond the blades, small design details make a real difference in daily use. A built-in bottle opener or jar gripper in the handle turns a single tool into several, which is handy in a compact kitchen. Spring-loaded shears, like the Joyce Chen pair, reduce the effort needed to open the blades after each cut, easing hand fatigue during repetitive tasks such as snipping a big bunch of herbs. A protective sheath or blade cover keeps the edge sharp in a crowded drawer and protects your fingers when you reach in. Some shears also include micro-serrations on one blade, which grip slippery items like chicken skin so they do not slide away as you cut. None of these features is essential, but together they explain why one pair feels like a joy to use and another ends up at the back of the drawer.

Who Each Pair Is Best For

For most households, a comfortable all-purpose pair like the KitchenAid or OXO covers the widest range of jobs and is the right first purchase. Cooks who regularly break down whole chickens or game birds should add dedicated poultry shears with heavier blades and a stronger pivot. Bakers and gardeners who do a lot of repetitive snipping will appreciate the lighter action of spring-loaded shears. And anyone who values longevity and easy sanitizing should prioritize a come-apart design, such as the Wusthof, so both blades can be washed and dried completely after every use. If you are outfitting a kitchen from scratch, it is reasonable to start with one quality all-purpose pair and add specialized shears later as your cooking habits become clear. Many cooks find that a single well-made pair handles everything they need for years, while others gradually build a small collection for specific tasks. Either approach works, so let your actual cooking, rather than marketing, guide what you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kitchen shears go in the dishwasher?

Many are labeled dishwasher safe, but hand-washing protects the edge and prevents rust at the pivot. Drying them right away is the most important step.

What is the difference between kitchen shears and regular scissors?

Kitchen shears use food-safe materials, often have micro-serrated blades for grip, and frequently come apart for cleaning. Regular scissors are not designed for raw food contact.

Can I cut chicken bones with kitchen shears?

Standard shears handle small joints and cartilage, but for regular bone cutting choose dedicated poultry shears with heavier blades. Avoid forcing thin all-purpose shears through dense bone.

How do I sharpen kitchen shears?

Some electric sharpeners include a shears slot, and there are handheld scissor sharpeners as well. Sharpen each blade separately along its bevel and avoid the inner flat side.

Do I need separate shears for raw meat?

It is good practice to wash shears thoroughly after raw meat, especially come-apart models. Some cooks keep a dedicated pair for poultry to simplify cleanup.

Shears round out a well-equipped kitchen alongside great chef’s knives, paring knives, and a durable cutting board. If you are upgrading your whole cutlery drawer, start with our best kitchen knife sets and best wood cutting boards guides.