Compare benchtop, handheld and electric spiralizers and add a unique twist to your kitchen creations.
Spiralizers transform fruit and vegetables into spiral-shaped noodles to give your cooking a fun and healthy twist. They've experienced a spike in popularity in the past couple of years and are now much more widely available.
Depending on the model you choose, spiralizer prices range from $15 for entry-level gadgets all the way up to $200 for electrical models. If you're thinking of buying a spiralizer, our guide will lead you through the different types of spiralizers and their pros and cons to help you choose the best spiralizer for your cooking needs.
Compare some of the best spiralizers
What is a spiralizer?
A spiralizer is a kitchen utensil or appliance that cuts fruit and vegetables into spirals. These pasta-like noodles and ribbons can then form the basis of a healthy main dish (zucchini pasta, anyone?) or the garnish for a salad. Spiralizing food can be a great way to get fussy kids to get their daily serve of fruit and veg.
Basic spiralizers tend to create noodles of one shape and size, but there are plenty of more advanced models available that can make noodles of different widths and shapes, and in some cases even peel vegetables.
Why should I consider a spiralizer?
There are several reasons why a spiralizer could be a useful addition to your kitchen:
- You can get creative. If you're tired of serving up fruit and vegetables to your friends and family in the same old way, a spiralizer can help you mix things up a bit. They allow you to try your hand at a wide range of new recipes you may not otherwise consider.
- Great-looking results. If you fancy yourself as something of a master chef, a good-quality spiralizer can help you create dishes that look quite impressive.
- Healthy habits. Love pasta but want fewer carbs in your diet? We all know the importance of eating fruit and veg, and spiralizers make it easier to incorporate a host of these healthy ingredients into your everyday meals.
- Good for fussy eaters. If you face a daily battle to get your kids to eat fruit and vegetables, a spiralizer can help turn the foods they dread into something unusual, interesting and even fun.
Who shouldn't consider a spiralizer?
Let's face it: there aren't many people that actually need a spiralizer. Sure, spiralizers have their uses and benefits, but they're far from a must-have kitchen utensil. If you're not worried about finding new ways to dish up fruit and veg for your kids, then your money could be better spent elsewhere.
Spiralizers are something of a trendy item at the moment but as any glimpse into the drawers and cupboards of household kitchens around the country will reveal, trends don't always last. Think twice before potentially paying more than $100 for an appliance you might only use a couple of times and then completely forget about.
What types are available?
If you want to buy a spiralizer for your kitchen, there are three main options to consider:
Handheld
- Lightweight and compact, these portable units are typically the cheapest of the bunch. They're a useful entry point for anyone who wants to experiment with spiralizing. Handheld models often come with fixed blades, but some models offer interchangeable blades. However, they're more labour-intensive than benchtop models and may not be suited to firmer vegetables.
Benchtop
- These models sit on your kitchen bench and require you to manually turn a crank to cut your food into spirals. They tend to feature interchangeable blades so you can cut your food into a variety of shapes. Most let you spiralize your fruit and veg horizontally, but some models allow you to feed in your items vertically.
Electric
- At the top end of the price range are electric spiralizers which support interchangeable blades and don't require any effort on your part. Some of these products are dedicated spiralizing appliances, but some food processors and mixers also come with spiralizer attachments. You may want to check out our guide to the best food processors for more information.
How to compare spiralizers
Before choosing a spiralizer, you'll need to think carefully about what you want to use it for, how often you plan on using it and how much you're willing to spend. This will help you choose a spiralizer that's the best fit for your requirements.
Factors to consider when comparing spiralizers include:
Which spiralizer is best for me?
The best spiralizer for you depends on your budget and the type of cooking you do. If you only plan on using your spiralizer occasionally, a cheap and cheerful handheld model may be all you need. But if you're looking for an appliance to use regularly to create a variety of exotic dishes, an electric spiralizer could provide excellent value for money.
You'll need to take some time to consider exactly how you want to use a spiralizer before you start shopping and comparing your options. To help you save time, we've compared five popular spiralizers in the table below:
| The good | The bad | |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 |
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| Paderno 4-Blade |
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| Spiralizer 5-Blade |
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| Lifestyle Dynamics SpiraLife |
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| ScharfPro Vertical Self-Pressure |
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