7 Best Microplane Cheese Graters of 2026

The Microplane Home Series Coarse Grater punches well above its weight, delivering restaurant-grade grating performance at a fraction of the cost. With ultra-sharp USA-made stainless steel blades, it slices through hard cheeses like Parmesan and aged cheddar with minimal effort, producing light, fluffy shreds that melt instantly. The soft-touch handle offers a secure, comfortable grip—ideal for users who hate hand fatigue—while its flat paddle design makes storage a breeze in tight drawers.

In real-world testing, this grater excels with firm ingredients like carrots, ginger, and chocolate, yielding consistent, small gratings perfect for garnishes or baking. The coarse blade isn’t meant for powdery finishes, so don’t expect Parmesan dust—this is a texture-focused tool best for dishes where you want visible, delicate strands. It holds up well over time, though fine particles can occasionally get stuck in the mesh, requiring a quick brush under warm water. Still, it’s durable, efficient, and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup hassle-free.

Compared to the Gourmet and Professional Series, this model trades some blade width and stability for affordability and simplicity. It’s not the best for large-volume prep, but for everyday grating tasks, it’s a budget-friendly powerhouse. Home cooks who need reliable performance without overspending will find this the sweet spot. While it lacks the non-slip base of pricier models, it outperforms many in its class and delivers the core Microplane experience at a wallet-friendly price.

If you crave powdery, snow-like cheese that dissolves into sauces or finishes pasta with elegance, the Microplane Gourmet Fine Grater is a game-changer. Its precision-cut fine blade transforms hard cheeses like Parmesan and Manchego into a delicate dust that blends seamlessly—no clumps, no texture. It’s equally brilliant on garlic, ginger, and citrus zest, where it extracts maximum flavor without pulling bitter pith. This is the secret weapon for chefs who demand finesse in every sprinkle.

During testing, the fine teeth proved unmatched for creating silky textures—ideal for finishing risottos, dusting soups, or infusing butter with garlic. The compact paddle design fits comfortably in hand, though extended grating can cause slight hand strain due to the smaller handle. It’s not built for bulk work, and softer cheeses like mozzarella tend to clog the blade. Still, for targeted, high-precision grating, it’s incredibly effective and consistent.

Pitted against the Professional Series, this model lacks the reinforced handle and non-slip end, making it less stable on hard surfaces. However, it delivers the same surgical-grade sharpness at a lower cost. It’s best suited for home cooks and foodies who prioritize texture over volume. While it doesn’t offer the durability upgrades of the Elite or Professional lines, it nails the fine-grate niche better than most and remains a top pick for flavor-forward applications.

The Microplane Gourmet Ultra Coarse Grater is built for high-volume prep and tough ingredients, making it a standout for cooks who regularly tackle potatoes, cabbage, or large blocks of cheese. Its 4-inch-wide ultra-coarse blade shreds hash browns in seconds and powers through dense vegetables with minimal clogging. The non-slip base keeps it anchored on countertops, while the ergonomic soft-touch handle reduces strain during prolonged use—perfect for weekend brunch prep or coleslaw for a crowd.

Real-world testing showed it excels in tasks where speed and quantity matter. Grating two pounds of potato for latkes took less than a minute, with long, even strands that crisp up beautifully. It also handles soft cheeses and butter surprisingly well, thanks to the wide blade and stable base. However, the fine particles can get trapped, requiring a brush for cleaning, and it’s too bulky for small grating jobs like garlic or zest. It’s also not ideal for powdery finishes, but that’s not its purpose.

Compared to the Home Series, this model offers far greater efficiency and stability, though at nearly double the price. Against the Elite Five-Blade Box Grater, it lacks multiple surfaces but outperforms in sheer speed and comfort for coarse tasks. It’s the go-to for home chefs who need professional-level output without complexity. If you’re making hash browns weekly or shredding cabbage for slaw, this grater delivers unmatched performance for its category.

The Microplane Professional Series Fine Grater is the gold standard for precision, durability, and safety, earning its title as the best overall. Crafted with all-stainless-steel construction and surgical-grade USA-made blades, it delivers razor-sharp performance that lasts years without rust or dulling. The reinforced handle provides exceptional control, while the non-slip end piece keeps it stable on any surface—eliminating the dreaded slip-and-slice moment. This is the tool serious cooks reach for when consistency and safety are non-negotiable.

In daily use, it shines across a wide range of tasks: grating hard cheese into fine clouds, zesting citrus without bitterness, and mincing garlic into a paste with minimal effort. The blade stays sharp even after repeated use, and cleanup is straightforward—just rinse or toss it in the dishwasher. The protective cover is a thoughtful touch, preserving the edge and protecting fingers in drawers. It’s not the widest grater, so large batches take time, but the quality of the grate is unmatched.

Stacked against the Gourmet Fine model, it offers superior build quality, stability, and longevity. Compared to the Elite Box Grater, it lacks multiple surfaces but excels in ergonomics and blade sharpness. It’s ideal for home chefs and pros who want one exceptional tool rather than a multi-function compromise. While it’s the most expensive paddle grater here, it justifies the cost with performance, safety, and durability that outlasts the rest.

The Microplane Premium Classic Zester is a flavor powerhouse, engineered to extract the essence of citrus, spices, and cheese with elegance and precision. Its photo-etched surgical steel blade glides through lemon and lime rinds, removing only the aromatic zest while leaving behind the bitter pith—making it indispensable for cocktails, desserts, and sauces. It also transforms hard cheeses into airy, melt-in-your-mouth piles and grates fresh nutmeg or cinnamon into fragrant dust that elevates any dish.

In practical use, this zester is surprisingly versatile—ideal for small-batch grating where flavor intensity matters. It’s magnetic, so it sticks neatly to knife strips, and the non-scratch end tabs protect countertops during use. The narrow blade isn’t meant for large quantities, and soft cheeses can gum up the teeth. Still, for tasks like mincing ginger paste or zesting a single orange, it’s fast, efficient, and incredibly effective.

Compared to the Gourmet Fine Grater, it offers similar performance but with a sleeker, more compact profile and added magnetic storage. It lacks the non-slip base of the Professional Series but excels in portability and precision. It’s perfect for bakers, cocktail enthusiasts, and cooks who value flavor depth over volume. If you want one tool that does zest, cheese, and spices beautifully, this delivers more culinary impact per inch than almost any other grater.

The Microplane Elite Five-Blade Box Grater is the ultimate all-in-one solution, designed for cooks who want maximum versatility without switching tools. With five distinct grating surfaces—fine, coarse, ultra-coarse, ribbon, and slicer—it handles everything from powdered Parmesan to thick potato shreds and delicate chocolate curls. The removable 2.5-cup base catches and measures ingredients, eliminating extra bowls and reducing mess—perfect for multitasking in a busy kitchen.

In real-world use, it shines during meal prep where variety matters: slicing cucumbers for salads, shredding cheese for casseroles, and grating carrots for cakes—all with one tool. The rubber feet and ergonomic grip keep it stable, even when applying heavy pressure. However, the multiple blades make cleaning tedious, and the fine grater can clog with moist ingredients. It’s also bulky for small kitchens, but the trade-off is unmatched functionality.

Compared to the Professional Series paddle grater, it offers far more options but less comfort for extended use. Against the Ultra Coarse Gourmet model, it’s less efficient for single-task grating but dominates in flexibility. It’s ideal for home chefs who cook diverse meals and hate cluttering drawers with single-use tools. While it’s the most expensive option, it justifies its place as the most capable grater in the lineup—delivering five tools in one with professional-grade durability.