25 Best Kitchen Shears

Finding the best kitchen shears means matching a tool’s design to your most common tasks, whether that’s spatchcocking a chicken, finely chopping herbs, or simply opening packages. With so many options, it can be hard to know which features matter most. To help you choose, we compared the manufacturer listings and specifications for 25 widely used kitchen shears available on Amazon, looking at materials, blade design, handle comfort, and special features.

Quick picks

• Overall Pick: KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears (see on Amazon)
• Best for Poultry: OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears (see on Amazon)
• Best for Easy Cleaning: WÜSTHOF Brushed Stainless Kitchen Shears (see on Amazon)
• Best with Built-in Tools: ZWILLING TWIN L Kitchen Shears (see on Amazon)
• Best Multi-Pack: Astercook 3-Pack Kitchen Scissors (see on Amazon)

25 Best Kitchen Shears compared

How we chose

Our picks come from comparing manufacturer listings and specifications on Amazon as of October 2026. We did not test, use, or review these products hands-on. We focused on comparing key attributes like blade material and thickness, handle design, dishwasher safety, and special features like bottle openers or detachable blades for cleaning.

Best for Heavy-Duty Tasks

These shears are built with thicker blades or specialized designs for cutting through bones and tough materials.

1. Best spring-loaded shears for poultry: OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears

The OXO Good Grips Poultry Shears have a curved, tapered design and micro-serrated blades with a notch to hold bones. They feature spring-loaded handles for extra leverage and reduced hand strain and come apart for easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher.

Best for: Breaking down poultry and cutting meat with less hand fatigue.

2. Best detachable blades for thorough cleaning: MITSUMOTO SAKARI Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears

The MITSUMOTO SAKARI Japanese Kitchen Shears have 3.5mm thick titanium-plated stainless steel blades and a split-apart design that fully separates for cleaning. They feature a serrated non-slip cutting edge and are designed for heavy-duty tasks like cutting chicken bones.

Best for: Those who want maximum hygiene with fully detachable blades.

3. Best with a fast safety lock: MAD SHARK Heavy Duty Poultry Shears

The MAD SHARK Poultry Shears are made from rust-proof molybdenum-vanadium steel with 3.5mm blades. They feature a thumb-activated safety lock, a spring-loaded mechanism, a built-in nutcracker, and are dishwasher safe.

Best for: Fast, secure cutting of poultry with added safety features.

4. Best with ultra-thick 8mm German steel blades: MAD SHARK 8mm German Steel Shears

These MAD SHARK Kitchen Shears feature extra-thick 8mm blades made from high-carbon German molybdenum-vanadium steel. They are designed as all-purpose scissors for poultry, vegetables, seafood, and even have a nutcracker function. The handles are ergonomic for both hands.

Best for: The most demanding cutting tasks requiring extreme blade strength and thickness.

5. Best spring-loaded with multiple tools: Jkrycyf Poultry Shears

The Jkrycyf Poultry Shears are made from 3Cr13 stainless steel and feature a spring-loaded mechanism for effortless cutting. They are multi-purpose with a bottle opener, fish scaler, and nutcracker, and have non-slip handles with a safety lock. The listing states they are dishwasher safe.

Best for: Repetitive cutting tasks with the convenience of a spring and multiple tools.

6. Best with anti-slip ergonomic handle: SimCoker Poultry Shears

SimCoker Poultry Shears are made from durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel (3CR14) and feature a spring-loaded design. They have an anti-slip ergonomic handle and a safety lock, and are designed for cutting vegetables, meats, bones, and more. The listing states they are dishwasher safe.

Best for: Secure, comfortable grip during extended cutting sessions.

Best for Versatility & Multi-Purpose Use

These models often include extra tools like bottle openers or nutcrackers and are designed for a wide range of kitchen jobs.

7. Best with a built-in bottle opener: ZWILLING TWIN L Kitchen Shears

The ZWILLING TWIN L Kitchen Shears are made with a special formula steel for durability. They feature a built-in rotary bottle opener for loosening lids. The listing states they are dishwasher safe but recommends hand washing.

Best for: Those who want a multi-purpose tool with a convenient bottle opener.

8. Best compact multi-purpose shears: Henckels Multi-purpose Kitchen Scissors

These Henckels kitchen shears are made in Japan from corrosion-resistant stainless steel with a micro-serrated blade. They are multi-purpose and can be used as a nutcracker or to open screw caps. The listing states they are dishwasher safe but recommends hand washing.

Best for: Those needing a compact, multi-functional tool for small tasks and packages.

9. Best with multiple built-in tools: Shun Multi Purpose Kitchen Shears

The Shun Multi Purpose Kitchen Shears have durable 420J2 stainless steel blades with a serrated edge. They feature a bone notch, bottle opener, nutcracker, and multi-function tips for opening jars. The blades come apart for easy cleaning and the handles have a non-slip grip.

Best for: Cooks who want one tool with several built-in functions beyond cutting.

10. Best all-stainless-steel construction: Gidli Premium All Stainless Steel Shears

The Gidli Kitchen Shears are made from all stainless steel and are heavy duty for tasks like cutting chicken and seafood. They have built-in extras like a bottle opener, peeler, and fish scaler. They are dishwasher safe and come apart for easy cleaning.

Best for: Cooks who prefer a fully metal tool with several integrated extras.

11. Best for left- or right-handed comfort: Joyce Chen Unlimited Kitchen Scissors

The Joyce Chen Unlimited Kitchen Scissors have chrome/molybdenum/stainless-steel blades and are designed for heavy-duty use, including cutting chicken bones. The handles are flexible and designed for comfortable use by both left- and right-handed users.

Best for: Households with both left- and right-handed users who need durable shears.

12. Best with a stylish faux wood handle: Farberware Shears with Faux Wood Handle

These Farberware Kitchen Shears have precision-ground stainless steel blades and a comfortable, secure faux wood handle. They are described as all-purpose for trimming poultry, snipping herbs, opening packages, and cutting pizza.

Best for: Adding a tool with a classic wood-look handle to your kitchen.

13. Best with a modern seamless look: Farberware All-Purpose Kitchen Shears

The Farberware All-Purpose Kitchen Shears feature high-carbon, fine-edge stainless steel blades. They have ergonomic comfort grip handles with a silver color that blends seamlessly into the blades for a modern look.

Best for: A sleek, all-metal appearance in a versatile pair of shears.

Best for Easy Maintenance

These shears feature detachable or come-apart blades designed for thorough cleaning.

14. Best come-apart design: WÜSTHOF Brushed Stainless Kitchen Shears

The WÜSTHOF 8.5-inch Brushed Stainless Kitchen Shears have a come-apart design for cleaning. They are made from stainless steel and are described as versatile for tasks like taking apart poultry, snipping herbs, and cutting flowers.

Best for: Cooks who prioritize being able to thoroughly clean their shears.

15. Best pull-apart shears for simple cleaning: WÜSTHOF Come Apart Kitchen Shears, Black

These black WÜSTHOF shears are designed to come apart, which simplifies cleaning. They are suitable for a multitude of kitchen tasks including snipping herbs, cutting twine, and trimming chicken skin.

Best for: Anyone who wants easy-to-clean shears for general kitchen use.

16. Best for tough shells and packages: Shun Kitchen Shears

These Shun Kitchen Shears feature durable 420J2 stainless steel blades and are designed for a variety of tasks, including opening packages and cutting lobster shells. They have a notch for cutting flower stems, non-slip grips, and blades that come apart for cleaning.

Best for: Handling tough materials like shellfish shells and thick packaging.

17. Best fully forged stainless steel shears: Sunnecko Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors

Sunnecko Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors are fully forged from stainless steel with fine serrations for sharpness and control. They have a full tang construction with all-metal handles and can come apart with a simple rotation for easy cleaning.

Best for: Durability from a fully forged, full-tang construction.

Best for Comfort & Control

These shears prioritize ergonomic handles, soft grips, or spring-loaded mechanisms to reduce hand fatigue.

18. Best overall: KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears

The KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears feature premium stainless steel blades with micro-serrated edges for a superior grip. They have a soft, non-slip comfort grip handle designed to reduce hand fatigue and include a protective plastic sheath for safe storage. The listing states they are dishwasher safe.

Best for: Home cooks looking for a versatile, comfortable pair of shears with a protective cover.

19. Best with an herb stripper: OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Shears

The OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears have stainless steel, micro-serrated blades and include an herb stripper to remove herbs from stems. The grip has cushioning pads to absorb pressure while cutting.

Best for: Gardeners and cooks who frequently work with fresh herbs.

20. Best color-coded set for task separation: Astercook 3-Pack Kitchen Scissors

This Astercook set includes three pairs of heavy-duty kitchen shears with different colored handles for separating tasks. They have stainless steel blades, soft non-slip handles, and come with blade covers. The listing states they are dishwasher safe.

Best for: Keeping separate shears for meat, produce, and packaging to avoid cross-contamination.

21. Best with a Pakkawood handle: HOSHANHO Kitchen Scissors Heavy Duty

HOSHANHO Kitchen Shears are made from 5Cr15MoV stainless steel and feature a Pakkawood handle with full-tang construction for balance. They have a built-in safety lock and are designed for multi-purpose use on poultry, meat, and vegetables.

Best for: Those who appreciate the look and feel of a wood-style handle.

22. Best with artisan-grade Japanese steel: Huusk Japanese Steel Kitchen Shears

Huusk Kitchen Shears feature blades made from 2.0mm premium SK5 Japanese steel. They have ergonomic handles for left or right-handed use, detach for compact storage, and come in a gift box. They are designed for cutting poultry, fish, and bones.

Best for: Those seeking shears made with specific Japanese steel and a gift-ready presentation.

23. Best two-pack: SZHLUX 2-Pack Kitchen Scissors

The SZHLUX 2-Pack includes heavy-duty kitchen shears with 2.5mm thick stainless steel blades. They are multi-purpose, include a protective cover, and are listed as dishwasher safe with ergonomic, non-slip handles.

Best for: Getting two durable pairs of shears for different areas of the kitchen.

24. Best with Japanese AUS-8 steel: TONMA Kitchen Scissors, TK-2

The TONMA TK-2 Kitchen Scissors are made in Japan with 4mm thick blades of Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel. They have micro-serrated edges and are designed for restaurant-grade performance on seafood, meat, and vegetables. The listing states they are dishwasher safe.

Best for: Seeking out shears made with specific Japanese blade steel.

25. Best with extra-thick 4mm blades: TONMA Kitchen Scissors, TK-20

The TONMA TK-20 Kitchen Scissors are made in Japan with 4mm thick Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel blades with a mirror finish. They have micro-serrated edges for a variety of kitchen tasks and are listed as dishwasher safe.

Best for: Heavy-duty cutting where maximum blade thickness is a priority.

How to choose the best kitchen shears

Kitchen shears are more than just heavy-duty scissors; their design dictates what they can handle comfortably. The right pair can make tasks like breaking down a chicken, finely mincing herbs, or opening a stubborn plastic clamshell much easier. Your primary tasks should guide your choice. If you frequently spatchcock poultry or cut through small bones, look for shears described as ‘heavy-duty’ or ‘poultry shears,’ which often have thicker blades, a curved design, and sometimes a notch to hold bone in place. For general-purpose use like snipping herbs, cutting twine, and opening packages, a standard pair of all-purpose kitchen shears will suffice.

Always handle sharp tools with care and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, cleaning, and storage. For more on safe food handling, see our guide on home cooking basics.

FAQ

Can kitchen shears go in the dishwasher?

Many kitchen shears are listed as dishwasher safe, but some manufacturers recommend hand washing to preserve the blades or handle materials. Always check the specific product listing for cleaning instructions. For shears used on raw meat, a dishwasher’s high heat can provide sanitization, but detachable blades that are thoroughly cleaned by hand are also effective.

What’s the difference between kitchen shears and poultry shears?

Poultry shears are a specialized type of kitchen shear. They are typically more heavy-duty, with thicker, stronger blades often designed to cut through bone and cartilage. They may have a curved or tapered design to navigate around joints and a spring-loaded mechanism to reduce hand strain. Standard all-purpose kitchen shears can handle many tasks but may not be as effective or durable for breaking down whole birds.

Why would I need shears that come apart?

Shears that come apart or have detachable blades are much easier to clean thoroughly. Food particles, especially from meat or poultry, can get trapped in the pivot joint. Being able to separate the two halves allows you to wash and dry all surfaces completely, which is important for food safety and preventing rust or bacterial growth.

Are kitchen shears left-handed?

Many kitchen shears are designed with symmetrical or ambidextrous handles that can be used comfortably by both left- and right-handed people. Some listings specifically mention ‘ambidextrous’ or ‘for left or right hand.’ If handedness is a major concern, look for this feature in the product description.