The Best Potato Mashers to Buy In 2020, According to Reviewers

Behind every good batch of mashed potatoes is a quality potato masher. We scoured the internet to find the best of the best mashers on the market—here’s what we found:

Before we get into the nitty gritty of what makes these tools so great, let’s explore what a simple potato masher can do:

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The aptly named potato masher is a utensil designed to, well, mash potatoes.

So why the heck do you need a device that exists solely for mashing? Can’t you do that with just your hands? Well, you could—but the results wouldn’t be as light and fluffy. Using a masher reduces cell damage, so the potatoes release less starch. More starch means denser and tougher potatoes.

There are all sorts of potato mashers on the market (more on that in a minute), but most consist of a sturdy handle attached to a mashing head.

Related: How Long Should You Boil Potatoes For Mashing?

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A good masher shouldn’t be limited to just potatoes. With this handy dandy tool, you can easily crush:

• Stewed apples for applesauce
• Fresh avocados for guacamole
• Cooked rutabagas for mashed rutabagas
• Cooked sweet potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes
• Cooked beans for refried beans
• Canned chickpeas for hummus
• Boiled eggs for egg salad

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Potato mashers and ricers serve a similar purpose, but they go about it in different ways.

Potato mashers work by simply crushing cooked potatoes. They deliver textured results and allow you to experiment with potato skins.

Potato ricers, meanwhile, force cooked potatoes through small holes and produce tiny, rice-like pieces. This tool incorporates more air, so it creates the lightest, fluffiest results.

Both utensils are effective—the best option for you depends on how you like your mashed potatoes.

WATCH: 6 Uses For Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Depending on the shape of their heads, most potato mashers fall into two categories:

• Branding Iron or S-Shaped Masher: You’re probably most familiar with this type of masher. It’s a staple for good reason: The serpentine head prevents over-mashing. To use a branding iron masher, just push and twist.
• Round Masher: Here’s another popular kitchen tool. Instead of an s-shaped wire, the round masher’s head is a circular disc with holes drilled throughout. While this is an easy style to use, you should be careful of over-mashing.

Best All-Around: KitchenAid Gourmet Wire Masher

Wayfair

Buy it! Wayfair, $15.85

This KitchenAid tool is, quite simply, everything a potato masher should be. The rust-resistant, stainless steel head is made from thick wire that will stand up to heavy use, while the ergonomically designed handle features a loop for easy hanging storage. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, but who needs them? This wire utensil gets the job done exceedingly well, and that’s all you can really ask of a potato masher.

“I ordered this masher right before Thanksgiving based off of a recipe recommendation and I am so glad I did! It worked like a champ,” raves one reviewer. “We used to have a plastic one, the metal one makes a huge difference! Best mashed potatoes ever!”

“It's exactly what you think it is ... a potato masher,” sums up another. “This one looks awesome with the stainless steel in my kitchen. Stop reading reviews about mashers, buy this, and go live your life.”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 14.8 x 3 x 3.5 inches

Runner-Up: OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher

OXO

Buy it! Bed Bath & Beyond, $13.99

This round masher takes the load off your hands, which is a huge deal when you’re mashing large amounts of potatoes (like during the holidays).

A horizontal handle allows you to press straight down as it absorbs pressure. If you’re prone to hand-cramping and weakness, you might want to consider this design.

“I have severe arthritis in my hands,” a reviewer explains. “This masher is much easier for me to hold and use than any other I have ever had—and it does a great job.”

“Great item, performs better than I expected,” according to another. “Much easier on my hand than the old stick handle masher I was using. The slight curve in the mash head conforms to my pot nicely.”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe stainless steel head
• 6'' x 4'' x 3''

Best Multitasker: Dual Bladed Potato Masher

Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy it! Bed Bath & Beyond, $14.99

This dual-bladed tool is for serious mashers only. It features not one, but two heads—one ricer and one branding iron masher.

If you want fluffy mashed potatoes quickly, this multitasking utensil has your name written all over it.

“This is the best potato masher I have ever used,” a 5-star review says. “I don't like to use my electric mixer to mash potatoes because I like the texture of hand mashing better and this is perfect.”

This is hands down, the best way to make mashed potatoes, applesauce, or anything you need smooth in texture,” raves another reviewer. “I used to use an electric mixer, but as you know if you over mix potatoes get kinda gummy. This masher is super easy to use, and gives you complete control over how many lumps to leave in, or how creamy your potatoes come out.”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 9”

Top-Rated Round Masher: Jamie Oliver Stainless Steel Masher

Wayfair

Buy it! Wayfair, $37.99

Instead of uniform holes, this round head features holes of varying sizes. This allows for easy, quick, and lump-free mashing, according to the manufacturer.

It also comes with a built-in silicone bowl scraper, so you don’t have to break out any extra equipment to get the job done.

“I just LOVE this masher,” says one happy customer. “It fits (into) your hand very well and the curved rubber on the side for scraping the bowl is AWESOME! You leave nothing behind in the bowl. Mashed potatoes come out silky.”

Another reviewer says this tool is so easy to use, even a toddler can do it: “I bought this for my 3-year-old nephew. He was becoming a picky eater so we thought getting him involved in cooking would increase his food selections. This device is perfect for mashing potatoes.”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 11'' x 3.66''

Top-Rated Slotted Masher: Henckels International Potato Masher

Wayfair

Buy it! Wayfair, $17.47 (was $21)

A slotted head makes this masher a little bit different from the other products on this list. While the s-shaped and round heads may be more popular nowadays, this type of tool may have been the secret to your grandmother’s famous mashed potatoes.

Reviewers love the classic look of this stainless steel utensil, as well as its heavy duty design:

“This masher mashes potatoes with ease, and doesn’t require too much hand pressure. The design is exquisite and it is definitely built to last.”

“I really like this potato masher. It's a very good quality, strong utensil. Nice and heavy. Gets the job done well. I'm very happy with it.”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 13.75''

Best Nonstick Masher: Norpro Grip-Ez Masher

Wayfair

This affordable product is easy-to-grip and works well with nonstick cookware.

Certain Wayfair customers prefer the nylon material to other mashers’ stainless steel designs:

“Works great, and not flimsy! I recommend this over the metal style.”

Others noted that this masher is much easier to clean than other styles: “Most mashers are pretty straight forward but the great thing about this one is how easy it is to clean! Potatoes don't stick and wash right off.”

Details:

• 11'' x 3.75''

Best For Small Spaces: Prepara Collapsible Potato Masher

Sur La Table

Buy it! Sur La Table, $15

Most potato mashers are made with non-flexible material that makes them tough to store.

Sur La Table solves that pesky problem with this collapsible design that allows the tool to lie flat in shallow drawers.

“I was sold on the fact the masher collapses flat,” one reviewer explains. “Easy to store in a drawer. It is heavy duty and works great! Happy I bought it.”

“Has anyone NOT ever (had) to deal with bulky tools in drawers?!” asks another. “Such a great great idea. Thanks, inventor!“

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 11.75" x 4.25" x 1.25"

Honorable Mention: Dreamfarm Smood Potato Masher

Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy it! Bed Bath & Beyond, $29.99

Reviewers say this funny looking little tool mashes potatoes like a dream: “The best potato masher ever!! Just amazing,” says one 5-star review.

It works by trapping the potatoes and forcing them through the thin gaps between the collapsing spring coils—according to the manufacturer, this method gives you the smoothest results possible.

Other reviewers say they’re impressed with the hard-to-find design: “Just like the potato masher I grew up with. I can't find them anywhere else. Thanks!”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 11-1/2" L x 4-1/3" W x 3-3/4" H

Honorable Mention: Nature Home Decor Rainbow Elite Stainless Steel Potato Masher

Wayfair

Buy it! Wayfair, $21.99

This tool’s hammered stainless steel handle would look right at home in any modern kitchen.

Wayfair customers love its sleek and sturdy design.

“I make a ton of mashed potatoes! I am confident that I will never have to buy another masher,” one impressed customer raves.

“So pretty and very good looking,” according to another. “Love mashing potatoes with this stainless steel masher.”

Details:

• 10”

Honorable Mention: Farberware Stainless Steel Masher

Wayfair

Buy it! Wayfair, $15.99

Here’s another classic branded iron design that gets the job done well.

The stainless steel wire head provides strength and durability, according to the manufacturer.

“I love this! Such good quality and so easy to clean,” says a 5-star review.

“Great masher,” says another. “Love this style, (it’s) hard to find in stores.”

Details:

• Dishwasher-safe
• 11.1'' x 4.04''