Best Kitchen Shears: 6 Ranked for 2026

The best kitchen shears cut through poultry, herbs, twine, and stubborn packaging with sharp blades that come apart to clean, which is exactly why a dedicated pair beats grabbing a knife or office scissors. I use my shears almost as much as a knife, spatchcocking chicken, snipping herbs, and opening bags, and a good pair earns its spot fast. The choice comes down to blade sharpness and steel, whether they take apart for cleaning, extra features like a herb stripper or bottle opener, and whether you want heavy-duty poultry shears. We ranked six kitchen shears on sharpness, versatility, and value. Here’s the one to buy.

Last updated: August 17, 2026. Product availability re-checked.

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What to Look for in the Best Kitchen Shears

Four things separate great kitchen shears from a floppy pair:

• Sharp, sturdy blades. Rust-resistant stainless steel with micro-serrated edges grips food so it doesn’t slip, and cuts everything from herbs to chicken bones.
• Come-apart design. Shears that separate at the pivot let you wash both blades thoroughly, which matters because they touch raw meat. Fixed shears trap gunk.
• Poultry power. Heavy-duty poultry shears, often spring-loaded with a safety lock, cut through bones and joints for spatchcocking and butchering.
• Comfort and extras. A comfortable grip and bonus features, like a herb stripper, bottle opener, or nutcracker, add value. Pair shears with our best knives under $100 set.

1. OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears

This is the pair I’d recommend to most people. The OXO Good Grips multi-purpose shears have a stainless steel design that slices through cardboard, twine, meat, vegetables, and more, and their micro-serrated blades grip items securely to prevent slipping, so herbs and chicken skin don’t skate away from the blade. They come with an integrated herb stripper, take apart for thorough cleaning, and have OXO’s comfortable, non-slip grip. That combination of sharp gripping blades, easy cleaning, and comfort is exactly what makes shears you’ll actually reach for. It’s fairly priced. Between the versatile cutting, the come-apart design, and OXO’s quality, I think it’s the clear starting point.

Pros:
– Cuts meat, veg, twine, and cardboard
– Micro-serrated blades grip securely
– Comes apart to clean
– Built-in herb stripper
– Comfortable OXO grip

Cons:
– Not the heaviest-duty for big bones
– Mid-range price

2. MAD SHARK Heavy Duty Poultry Shears

If you break down whole chickens, the MAD SHARK poultry shears are my pick. They’re forged with rust-proof molybdenum-vanadium steel, the same class of steel used in quality knives, so they’re strong enough to cut through poultry bones and joints, and they’re spring-loaded to open automatically, which reduces hand fatigue during heavy cutting. A thumb-activated safety lock clicks shut for safe storage and enables confident one-handed use. That heavy-duty steel and spring action make spatchcocking and butchering genuinely easy. It sits at a fair price. If you cut poultry, ribs, or tough meat often, these are the shears I’d choose. The spring-loaded action saves your hand on a big batch.

Pros:
– Strong molybdenum-vanadium steel
– Cuts through poultry bones and joints
– Spring-loaded to reduce fatigue
– Thumb-activated safety lock
– One-handed operation

Cons:
– Heftier than all-purpose shears
– Overkill for light snipping

3. Henckels Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears

For a trusted brand that does more than cut, the Henckels shears are my pick. They’re built with quality manufacturing from high-quality corrosion-resistant stainless steel, so they stay sharp and rust-free, and they’re multi-purpose beyond snipping food: you can use them as a nutcracker or to open screw caps and bottle tops with the built-in features. Henckels is a respected German cutlery name, which shows in the quality. That combination of durable steel and handy bonus tools is the draw. It sits at a fair mid price. If you want dependable, do-it-all shears from a trusted cutlery brand, this is the pair I’d choose. The bottle and jar openers get used more than you’d think.

Pros:
– Trusted Henckels cutlery brand
– Corrosion-resistant stainless steel
– Nutcracker and cap-opener features
– Stays sharp
– Multi-purpose everyday use

Cons:
– Not spring-loaded for heavy bones
– No herb stripper

4. Gidli Kitchen Shears and Seafood Scissors Set

If you want a set backed by a guarantee, the Gidli is my pick. It elevates your kitchen essentials with a reliable pair of cooking shears plus dedicated seafood scissors, so you’re covered for general cutting and for cracking crab and lobster shells, and it’s crafted from heavy-duty, rust-resistant 3Cr13 stainless steel for unrivaled sharpness. Best of all, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, making it a buy-once purchase. That combination of a two-piece set, quality steel, and a lifetime warranty is the draw. It’s the priciest option here, and the set and guarantee earn it. If you cook seafood or want a warrantied set, this is the one I’d choose. The seafood scissors are genuinely handy for shellfish.

Pros:
– Includes seafood scissors
– Heavy-duty 3Cr13 stainless steel
– Lifetime guarantee
– Sharp, rust-resistant blades
– Two-piece set

Cons:
– Most expensive on the list
– Two pairs to store

5. iBayam All Purpose Kitchen Shears (2-Pack)

For value, the iBayam 2-pack is my pick. These are heavy-duty 8.66-inch super-sharp kitchen shears sold as a valued 2-pack with comfort-grip handles, and their quality hardened stainless steel blades easily cut through cardboard, twine, chicken, and more. Getting two sharp, sturdy pairs for under eight dollars means you can keep one in the kitchen and one in the garage or junk drawer. That combination of real cutting power and a two-pack at a low price is the draw. If you want capable all-purpose shears and like having a spare, this is the one I’d choose. Two pairs mean you always have a clean, sharp one handy.

Pros:
– Two pairs in the pack
– Super-sharp 8.66-inch blades
– Hardened stainless steel
– Comfort-grip handles
– Excellent value

Cons:
– Lesser-known brand
– No herb stripper or extras

6. KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears

The KitchenAid shears round out the list as the budget single pick. They have premium stainless steel blades built to resist rust and maintain sharpness, with micro-serrated edges for enhanced cutting performance and a superior grip on food, and they come with a protective sheath for safe storage. It’s a sharp, dependable single pair from a trusted brand at the lowest price here. That combination of a familiar name, micro-serrated blades, and a protective sheath at a budget price is the appeal. If you just want one reliable, sharp pair of kitchen shears for the least money, this is where I’d start. The sheath keeps them safe in a crowded drawer.

Pros:
– Lowest price on the list
– Rust-resistant premium stainless
– Micro-serrated gripping edges
– Protective storage sheath
– Trusted KitchenAid brand

Cons:
– Single pair
– Lighter duty for big bones

Which Kitchen Shears Should You Buy?

For most people I’d start with the OXO Good Grips at #1: micro-serrated gripping blades, a come-apart design for easy cleaning, and a comfortable grip. Break down poultry, want a warrantied set, or the lowest price? The MAD SHARK, Gidli, and KitchenAid cover those. Whatever you pick, choose shears that take apart to clean, since they touch raw meat. For cutting tools, see our best butcher knife set and best knife sharpener guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you cut with kitchen shears?

Kitchen shears handle far more than you’d expect: snipping herbs, trimming fat, spatchcocking and cutting up chicken, opening food packaging, cutting twine and parchment, trimming pizza, and even cracking nuts or opening bottles on models with those features. Heavy-duty poultry shears also cut through bones and joints.

Should kitchen shears come apart for cleaning?

Yes, ideally. Shears that separate at the pivot let you wash both blades thoroughly, which is important since they touch raw meat and can trap food and bacteria at the joint. Fixed-blade shears are harder to clean fully. Many quality shears, including the OXO, are designed to take apart.

What is the difference between kitchen shears and poultry shears?

General kitchen shears are all-purpose, handling herbs, packaging, and light meat cutting. Poultry shears are heavier-duty, often spring-loaded with a curved blade and safety lock, and built to cut through poultry bones and joints for spatchcocking and butchering. If you break down whole birds often, dedicated poultry shears are worth it.

Are kitchen shears dishwasher safe?

Some are, but hand washing and drying is usually best, since dishwasher detergent and heat can dull blades and cause spotting over time, and shears that come apart clean thoroughly by hand. Always dry them fully before storing to prevent rust, and use a sheath or the come-apart design for safe storage.