Best Garlic Presses

best garlic presses

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Garlic is perhaps one of the most widely-used ingredients in cuisine all across the world. It tastes great, but it can also be pretty unpleasant to prepare. The potent smell easily sticks to the skin, leaving a nasty odour that can be difficult to remove. Garlic presses offer a convenient solution. These products quickly mince garlic for you without having to touch it directly, so you can keep your fingers smelling fresh.

How We Compared Garlic Presses

To find the right garlic presses, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Material
  • Ergonomics
  • Capacity
  • Ease of Use
  • Cleaning

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Garlic Press Reviews

Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker (Editor’s Choice)

Our top pick and Editor’s Choice is this feature-packed model that makes preparing garlic a breeze. The curved design ensures you don’t have to touch the raw cloves and get any odour on your hands. 

Crafted from a single piece of stainless steel, the Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker is a must-have in any kitchen. Several mesh holes in the bottom of the device easily crush the clove into a ready-to-use mince. All you need to do is place it over the garlic, press down gently and rock back and forth. 

When you have finished pulverising, take a teaspoon and scoop up the garlic mince to use in your favourite recipes. Thanks to its metal design, no nasty smells will reach your skin, and you can simply clean it in the dishwasher for added convenience. 

Pros:

  • Ergonomic curved design 
  • Mesh holes in the base
  • Easy and comfortable to use
  • It prevents odour on hands
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons:

  • It may not create a smooth mixture
  • It can be time-consuming if mincing several cloves

Kuhn Rikon Epicurean (Luxury Choice)

If you need a sturdy and reliable garlic press that is built to last, then check out our Luxury Choice. It uses premium-quality stainless steel and boasts several convenient features that make cooking with garlic a pleasure. 

The Kuhn Rikon Epicurean is both attractive and efficient to use. All you need to do is open up the device and place a peeled garlic clove inside, then squeeze the handles together to press the garlic through the fine, bevelled holes and create a mince. The lever is very powerful, so even large cloves will be mashed easily. 

The handles are crafted with ergonomics in mind, so it’s a comfortable option if you have weak wrists or poor dexterity. As a bonus, this model can be washed in the dishwasher, although it’s recommended that you clean it by hand and air dry it for improved longevity.  

Pros:

  • Made from stainless steel
  • Highly durable
  • Powerful lever
  • Ergonomic handles
  • Dishwasher friendly

Cons:

  • Sometimes garlic may squeeze out the sides
  • It could be too bulky for some users

OXO Good Grips (Best Value)

Our best value pick offers a range of handy features for effortless, mess-free garlic preparation. This product is crafted from die-cast zinc, making it a sturdy option suitable for all cooks.

The OXO Good Grips has a generously-sized chamber that can accommodate several garlic cloves at once. This is perfect if you tend to batch cook or have a large family to feed. Its non-slip handles are ergonomically shaped, making them comfortable to grip. They’re also slightly cushioned to absorb pressure as you squeeze them, thus reducing strain on your wrists.

Another welcome benefit of this model is its built-in cleaning feature. Once you have minced your garlic cloves, the chamber lid can be flipped open, easily ejecting any skins that may be stuck inside. This saves you from picking them out yourself and getting garlic odour on your fingers. 

Pros:

  • Made from die-cast zinc
  • Large garlic chamber
  • Ergonomically shaped handles
  • Cushioned design
  • Self-cleaning feature

Cons:

  • Some garlic may be left uncrushed
  • It can feel heavy

FREETOO Garlic Press (Best for Ergonomics)

This tool is perfect if you have weakness in your wrists and hands or limited mobility. It is designed to make crushing garlic cloves smooth and easy, with minimal effort required. 

The FREETOO garlic press is crafted from a high grade of zinc alloy, making it tough, durable and resistant to rust. Both sides of the device are made from a single piece of metal, so it won’t warp or break. The cleverly designed handles have a moulded shape, which, combined with their 6.2-inch length, makes squeezing and mincing garlic a breeze. 

Great for saving time preparing meals, it has a large-capacity chamber, so you can prep up to three cloves at once. The small holes crush the garlic finely into a smooth pump, which can be easily scraped off with a knife, keeping your hands clean. Simply rinse the press under the tap to wash off any residue when you have finished. This model is also dishwasher safe if you’d prefer a deeper clean. 

Pros:

  • High-quality materials
  • Very durable
  • Ergonomic design
  • Low effort
  • Large capacity

Cons:

  • Some garlic may remain in the chamber
  • The hinge can pinch skin if not careful

Oliver’s Kitchen Premium (Best for Durability)

If you’re a passionate cook, this robust model could be just what you need. Easy to use and with a beautiful design, it is crafted from zinc alloy for enhanced longevity. The manufacturers even claim it will be “your forever garlic press”. 

The Oliver’s Kitchen Premium has a large chamber that can accommodate more than one clove at a time for quick meal prep. It’s so efficient you can even leave the skin on the garlic, saving your fingers from nasty odours. The plates squeeze tightly together and leave little space, ensuring no garlic is wasted in the process. 

With its sleek shape, this model is comfortable to hold and will make a great addition to any kitchen. It comes in attractive packaging suitable for gifting and can be easily cleaned under the tap or in the dishwasher after use.  

Pros:

  • Highly durable
  • Large chamber
  • Limits waste
  • Comfortable to hold
  • Attractive design

Cons:

  • Your skin may get pinched between handles
  • It can require some effort to operate

Zyliss Easy Release (Best for Ease of Use)

This model could be your perfect match if you hate touching raw garlic. Brilliantly designed to keep your hands smelling good, it will make preparing garlic a hassle-free task. 

The Zyliss Easy Release has a specially-shaped handle for a comfortable operation, so it’s a good option for elderly users or those with weak hands or wrists. The press minimises wastage, ensuring you get the most out of every clove. Its chamber is generously-sized to allow more than one piece of garlic at a time, and you don’t need to pre-peel them before use. 

Once you have crushed the garlic, open up the chamber and lift out the pressing plate to remove the waste touch-free. When you have finished using it, this model can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning or rinsed under the tap as desired. 

Pros:

  • Specially-shaped design
  • Minimises waste
  • Keeps hands clean
  • Easy waste disposal
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons:

  • It may have a lower yield when skin left on
  • The plastic insert could be more durable

Jamie Oliver JB6300 (Best Dual Purpose)

Some recipes require garlic slices, while others are better suited to minced. As it can do both, our favourite dual-purpose pick stands out from the crowd. This model is a great option for both budding and experienced cooks looking for ways to streamline their meal prep toolkits. 

Designed in collaboration with well-known chef Jamie Oliver, the JB6300 model is simple and effective. It is made from durable cast zinc to ensure longevity and has a large chamber suitable for various garlic clove sizes. This has two levels: the top acts as a standard mincer, while the bottom presses through a slicer, creating thin slivers of garlic.

To make the process even easier, you don’t need to remove the peel before use – ideal for keeping your fingers free from nasty smells. It is lightweight, comfortable to hold, and dishwasher-safe for simple cleaning.   

Pros:

  • Designed in collaboration with Jamie Oliver
  • Durable cast zinc material
  • Minces and slices in one
  • Large chamber
  • No need to remove skin

Cons:

  • It could leave some garlic in the chamber
  • The handles may be quite tough to squeeze

How to Choose a Garlic Press

With a wide range of options to choose from, selecting the best garlic press can be difficult. Here’s our guide on what to consider before making your purchase.

Material

Construction material is essential, as it indicates how long it will last. For additional strength, the best options will be made from tough materials, such as stainless steel or die-cast zinc alloy. Models with plastic components are unlikely to be as durable and may break quickly with heavy use. 

Ergonomics

Squeezing garlic cloves through a press can require a surprising amount of effort. This action could put pressure on your hands and wrists, especially if you have weaknesses in these areas already. We recommend looking for a model designed with this limitation in mind. Some have ergonomically-shaped handles which feel comfortable in the hands, while others have special levers that reduce strain and make them easier to operate. 

Capacity

If you regularly cook with lots of garlic, options that can only fit one clove in the chamber will become frustrating and waste precious preparation time. When shopping, take a moment to think about your intended use before purchasing. If you only cook with garlic now and then, a smaller capacity model will likely suit you just fine. However, if you usually put several cloves in your recipes, opt for one with a larger chamber. 

Ease of Use

Can the garlic press crush cloves with the skin still on? Does the pulp smoothly exit through the holes, or does it tend to get trapped inside? Can this option slice as well as mince? Do the plates meet tightly, or is there likely to be wastage? You should ask yourself all of these questions before buying. Make sure to read customer reviews to see if there are any potential frustrations with a model that may not be obvious at first glance. 

Cleaning

Most people opt for a garlic press to prevent their hands from unpleasant odours. However, if it is awkward to clean, you may end up getting garlic fingers anyway. Some products can be rinsed out under a tap, while others may need to be washed in the dishwasher to remove all the residue after use. If you really hate touching garlic, consider getting a dishwasher-safe model for hands-free cleaning. 

Summary

Our top pick and Editor’s Choice is the Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker. This model impressed us thanks to its simple design and efficient action. The curved shape is comfortable to use, while the stainless steel construction prevents odour from reaching your hands. The holes in the base make short work of cloves with just a little pressure and a gentle rocking motion. Then, simply rinse it under the tap or place it in the dishwasher for hassle-free cleaning.

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