A little garlic story to get you in the mood.
Our Top Picks: The Winners
How you prepare garlic changes everything. A rough chop gives you sweetness, but a fine crush delivers that unmistakable sharp, pungent kick.
If you’re after intensity and speed, a good garlic press is hard to beat. But not all garlic presses are created equal. Some waste cloves, some are uncomfortable to use, and almost all claim to be “easy to clean” when few actually are.
We tested a range of garlic presses, from budget-friendly options to premium designs, to find out which ones are genuinely worth using. Our top picks include the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean for best overall performance, the Soft Touch Contour for budget-conscious cooks, the Männkitchen for sheer power, and the OXO Good Grips for comfort.
Best Overall: Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press
If there’s one garlic press that consistently outperforms the rest, it’s this one. The curved ergonomic handles generate serious leverage, meaning garlic glides through with minimal effort, even unpeeled cloves. The result is a uniform, efficient press with very little waste left behind in the chamber.
What sets it apart is consistency; while many presses leave chunks or require multiple squeezes, this one produces an even mince every time. It’s also built from solid stainless steel, giving it a durable, long-lasting feel. We loved its exceptional pressing power, minimal garlic waste, and its ability to work with unpeeled cloves.
The only downside is that it's bulkier than most. However, if you cook with garlic often and demand performance, this is the one that actually delivers.
Best Budget: Soft Touch Contour Garlic Press
For the price, this press punches well above its weight. The soft-grip handles make it comfortable to use, especially for quick, everyday cooking. It’s lightweight but sturdy enough to handle standard cloves without much effort.
While it doesn’t match the precision or power of premium models, it gets the job done efficiently enough and at a fraction of the cost. We liked its comfortable ergonomic grip, its affordable and accessible price point, and its simple, no-fuss design.
On the downside, it requires more force for larger cloves and provides a slightly less consistent output. Still, it's a solid choice if you want convenience without overthinking it.
Best for Power: Männkitchen Stainless Steel Garlic Press
This is the heavy-duty option for serious garlic enthusiasts. With its multi-leverage hinge system, it amplifies force, making pressing garlic almost effortless.
It’s particularly useful if you’re working with large quantities of garlic or exceptionally tough cloves. The clever design also makes cleaning easier than expected for such a robust tool.
The main drawbacks are the high price, especially for a product with only a single use, and its weight. It’s heavy and clunky, so it’s not as nimble for quick, everyday use.
Best for Comfort: OXO Good Grips Garlic Press
The wide, rubberised handles on the OXO Good Grips Garlic Press are designed to reduce strain on your hands, making it ideal for those who use a press frequently.
It delivers a balanced mince which is not too fine and not too chunky. It performs reliably across different clove sizes, making it a dependable tool in the kitchen.
However, it does have its disadvantages. It is bulky and can be difficult to store, it feels less precise in smaller hands, and its pressing efficiency and smoothness don't quite match the top-tier models.
What to Look for in a Garlic Press
When choosing a garlic press, several factors make a noticeable difference. First, consider ease of use; large, ergonomic handles make pressing much more comfortable and efficient.
Second, look for output consistency, as an even press means better flavour control in your cooking. Third, think about cleaning, as simpler designs without complex nooks and crannies are always easier to rinse clean.
Finally, check the capacity of the chamber. Larger chambers save time if you cook with garlic often and typically use more than two cloves at once.
Final Verdict
While many garlic presses get the job done, only a few stand out as being truly exceptional. These are the tools that offer a superior experience in terms of power, ease, and results.
The Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press is the clear winner, combining power, efficiency, and consistency in a way most presses simply don’t, making it a worthwhile investment for any serious cook.
If you’re looking for something more affordable that still performs well, the Soft Touch Contour Garlic Press is a reliable everyday option that delivers solid results and great value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are garlic presses worth it? If you cook with garlic regularly, they save a significant amount of time and effort, especially for recipes requiring a fine, potent mince.
Do you need to peel garlic first? Not always. Higher-end presses, like the reviewed Kuhn Rikon, are powerful enough to handle unpeeled cloves, saving you an extra prep step.
Is a garlic press better than chopping? It’s different. A press is faster and produces a stronger, more pungent flavour due to the intense crushing action, while chopping results in a milder, sweeter taste.
