Best kitchen scissors 2026, tried and tested

The best kitchen scissors make prep simple, combining comfortable handles, sharp blades and a design that’s easy to clean.

We’ve tested the most popular kitchen scissors from well-known brands, including Joseph Joseph, John Lewis and Ninja. After precisely measuring their sharpness, assessing comfort for left and right-handers, and snipping and slicing our way through a range of household tasks, we can reveal the best kitchen scissors for your drawer. 

With prices ranging from £10 to £30, two pairs made the cut and bagged our Best Buy recommendation – chopping through tough ingredients with minimal effort. 

The kitchen scissors we tested

Only logged-in Which? members and free account owners can view our results. 

Register for free to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations for kitchen scissors.

The kitchen scissors we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members and free account owners can view our results. 

Register for free to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Brabantia Tasty+ Kitchen Scissors

Blade size 9cm

Need to know 110g, plastic and silicone handle, not dishwasher-safe, no take-apart hinge

Fiskars 18cm Kitchen Scissors

Blade size 18cm; also available as 21cm and 24cm

Need to know 80g, plastic handle, dishwasher-safe, no take-apart hinge

John Lewis Professional Stainless Steel Scissors

Blade size 9cm

Need to know 150g, plastic and rubber handle, dishwasher-safe, no take-apart hinge, built-in bottle opener and nutcracker, scissor cover

Joseph Joseph PowerGrip Kitchen Scissors

Blade size 10cm

Need to know 155g, plastic and rubber handle, dishwasher-safe, take-apart hinge, built-in herb stripper

Oxo Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors

Blade size 10cm

Need to know 180g, plastic and rubber handle, dishwasher-safe, take-apart hinge, built-in herb stripper

Complete your kitchen drawer with our guide to the best tin openers

ProCook Multi-Purpose Scissors

Available from ProCook (£7)

Blade size 9.5cm

Need to know 144g, plastic handle, dishwasher-safe, take-apart hinge, built-in bottle opener, nutcracker and herb stripper

Shark Ninja StaySharp Kitchen & Herb Scissors

Blade size 9.5cm

Need to know 160g, plastic handle, dishwasher-safe, take-apart hinge, built-in herb stripper

Victorinox Multi-Purpose Kitchen Scissors

Blade size 9.5cm

Need to know 90g, plastic handle, dishwasher-safe, no take-apart hinge, built-in bottle opener and nutcracker

Wüsthof Kitchen Shears

Blade size 9.5cm; also available as 21cm

Need to know 110g, plastic handle, not dishwasher-safe, take-apart hinge, built-in bottle opener and nutcracker

Zwilling Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Shears

Blade size 9.5cm

Need to know 110g, plastic handle, dishwasher-safe, no take-apart hinge, built-in bottle opener

How we test kitchen scissors

We buy the bestselling kitchen scissors and put them through our tough tests. We don’t accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. 

We regularly revisit the kitchen scissors on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them we do. 

• Ease of use We test how easily each pair cuts through tough bamboo skewers and woody rosemary stems, and whether the blades have enough grip to slice slippery raw chicken cleanly. 
• Cutting precision We measure how uniformly the blades snip delicate foods like spring onions, looking for clean cuts that don’t crush or bruise. 
• Comfort A panel of left and right-handers break down cardboard packaging with each pair, rating how comfortable the scissors feel before voting for their favourites. 
• Sharpness out of the box Before testing, we measure the sharpness of both blades out of the box using a sharpness tester scale. 
• Sharpness after use After the cutting tasks are complete, we measure the sharpness of each blade again using a sharpness tester scale. We calculate the difference between the sharpness out of the box and the sharpness after use to assess blade-edge durability. 
• Ease of cleaning Every pair is handwashed. The best have detachable blades for thorough cleaning around the hinge. We also check if they're dishwasher-safe. 
• We also test How well built each pair is and whether extra features, like herb strippers or bottle openers, actually work. Our expert testers also continue to use our Best Buy recommendations at home to see if the scissors are hard-wearing. 

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

How to sharpen kitchen scissors

Keeping your kitchen scissors sharp makes them easier and safer to use. And if you're using them regularly, we recommend sharpening them every six to 12 months. 

How to use a whetstone

Whetstones, also known as sharpening stones, can be used to sharpen scissors as well as knives. They're basically a two-sided block of coarse stone (one side coarser than the other) and a base/holder.  

1. Soak your whetstone in water for 10 minutes. Place it on a damp towel so it doesn't slide.
2. Prepare the scissors: if detachable, separate the blades. If not, open as wide as possible and place the stone at the edge of the counter so the blade you're not sharpening can hang over the side.
3. Sharpen the flat inner side (detachable scissors only): lay the flat inner surface flush to the stone and push forward two to three times to clean rust or uneven spots. Skip this step if your scissors don't separate and go straight to step four.
4. Sharpen the angled edge (for all scissors): match the blade's edge to the stone. Push the blade across from the hinge to the tip about 10 times using light pressure.
5. Repeat steps three (if detachable) and four on the other blade, before reassembling the scissors.
6. Open and close the scissors around five times so the blades naturally strip off any remaining burrs.
7. Wash with soap and warm water then dry thoroughly.

How to use a knife sharpener

If you want an easier option, you can choose a knife sharpener with a dedicated slot for scissors. 

There are a few different types, including manual pull-through sharpeners where you gently draw the blades back through the slot, and electric ones where the motor does the work for you.

We’ve found two Best Buy knife sharpeners that can also sharpen kitchen scissors. To find out which they are, log in or register for free.

For easy and effective sharpening, see the best knife sharpeners

Can kitchen scissors go in the dishwasher?

Many of the kitchen scissors we tested say they’re dishwasher-safe, but handwashing is always best. High temperatures and detergents can dull the blades over time, while trapped moisture around the hinge causes rust.

If you do use the dishwasher, separate the blades if they're detachable. After washing, make sure the scissors are completely dry, paying particular attention to the hinge. 

Discover the surprising items that can and can’t go in the dishwasher

What’s the difference between kitchen scissors and regular scissors?

Unlike regular scissors, kitchen scissors (also known as kitchen shears) are built for heavy-duty kitchen prep. They feature thick, micro-serrated blades to grip slippery raw meat and can handle small bones without dulling quickly. 

When buying kitchen scissors, we recommend looking for these key features: 

• Take-apart blades Handles that separate at the hinge are essential for thoroughly washing away food bacteria and preventing hidden rust.
• Micro-serrated edges Tiny ridges on the blade hold slippery foods like chicken skin in place so they don't slide around as you cut.
• Comfortable handles Soft, cushioned handles prevent hand strain when using extra force.
• Built-in extra Handy extras like herb strippers and bottle openers save you having to reach for another utensil.