A spiralizer turns zucchini, squash, sweet potato, and more into long curly noodles, a fun, low-carb swap for pasta and a fast way to add vegetables to dinner. Spiralizers come in two main styles: compact handhelds you twist over a bowl, and tabletop crank models that power through bigger vegetables. This guide compares the best of both so you can match the tool to how much you spiralize.
The best spiralizers cut clean, consistent noodles, stay put while you work, and come apart easily for cleaning. Here are five dependable picks.
| Rank | Product | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer | Quick single-veg zoodles | View on Amazon |
| 2 | OXO Good Grips 3-Blade Hand-Held Spiralizer | Three noodle sizes, no counter space | View on Amazon |
| 3 | OXO Good Grips 3-Blade Tabletop Spiralizer | Large batches with leverage | View on Amazon |
| 4 | OXO Good Grips 2-Blade Handheld Spiralizer | Two sizes in a simple body | View on Amazon |
| 5 | Fullstar 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper & Spiralizer | Spiralize plus chop and julienne | View on Amazon |
Top Picks
1. OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer
This pocket-sized handheld twists zucchini and cucumber into curly noodles right over a bowl. It stores in a drawer, rinses clean fast, and is the easiest entry point if you just want occasional zoodles.
2. OXO Good Grips 3-Blade Hand-Held Spiralizer
Step up to three interchangeable blades for spaghetti, fettuccine, and ribbon cuts, all in a compact handheld body. Great for small kitchens that still want variety in noodle shapes.
3. OXO Good Grips 3-Blade Tabletop Spiralizer
The tabletop model uses a strong suction base and a hand crank, so you get long, even noodles from bigger or tougher vegetables with far less effort than a handheld.
4. OXO Good Grips 2-Blade Handheld Spiralizer
A middle-ground handheld with two blade options. It is light, easy to store, and covers the two most useful noodle widths without the bulk of a tabletop unit.
5. Fullstar 4-in-1 Vegetable Chopper & Spiralizer
This multi-tool spiralizes and also dices and juliennes, catching everything in an attached container. Pick it if you want noodles and chopped veg from one gadget during meal prep.
Handheld vs Tabletop Spiralizers
A handheld spiralizer is small, cheap, and ideal for the occasional bowl of zoodles. You hold the vegetable and twist it against the blade, much like a giant pencil sharpener. A tabletop spiralizer clamps or suctions to the counter and uses a crank, giving you leverage to handle firm produce like sweet potato and beets, plus longer, more uniform strands. If you spiralize a few times a month, a handheld is plenty; if it is a weekly habit or you cook for a family, the tabletop saves real effort.
Best Vegetables to Spiralize
- Zucchini: The classic zoodle; soft enough for any spiralizer.
- Sweet potato and butternut squash: Firm and best handled by a tabletop crank model.
- Cucumber: Refreshing in salads; spiralize just before serving so it stays crisp.
- Carrots and beets: Colorful garnishes; choose fat, straight ones for the longest strands.
Tips for Better Veggie Noodles
Trim both ends flat so the vegetable centers on the blade. For zucchini noodles, salt them lightly and let them drain for a few minutes, then pat dry, so they do not water down your sauce. Cook zoodles briefly, just a minute or two, since they go from firm to mushy quickly. Rinse blades right after use before pulp dries on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cook spiralized zucchini noodles?
Not necessarily. You can eat them raw in salads, or saute them for one to two minutes for a warm, pasta-like texture. Avoid overcooking or they turn watery.
What vegetables work best in a handheld spiralizer?
Softer, narrower vegetables like zucchini and cucumber. Firm produce like sweet potato is much easier in a tabletop crank model.
How do I keep spiralized noodles from getting soggy?
Salt zucchini noodles, let them sit a few minutes, then pat them dry before cooking. Serve promptly and use minimal heat.
Are spiralizers hard to clean?
Most come apart into a few pieces and rinse quickly. A small brush helps clear pulp from the blade teeth. Many parts are dishwasher safe.
Can a spiralizer replace a julienne peeler?
They overlap but differ: a spiralizer makes long round noodles, while a julienne peeler makes flat matchstick strips. Many cooks own both.
Cleaning and Storing Your Spiralizer
The blades are the part that needs the most attention. Rinse them immediately after use, before pulp dries and hardens between the teeth, and use the small brush most spiralizers include to clear any stuck fibers. For tabletop models, wipe down the suction base and check that no scraps are trapped in the crank mechanism. Store handheld spiralizers with the blade caps on so the teeth stay sharp and nobody catches a finger in the drawer. Tabletop units usually disassemble into a few pieces that nest together, which keeps the blades organized and protected between uses.
Recipe Ideas Beyond Zoodles
Spiralizers do far more than zucchini noodles. Try curly sweet potato fries roasted with a little oil and paprika, beet ribbons tossed into a goat cheese salad, or cucumber spirals dressed with rice vinegar for a quick side. Apple spirals make a fun base for a slaw or a kid-friendly snack, and spiralized potato can be crisped into nests for eggs. Because the long strands cook fast and look impressive, a spiralizer is an easy way to make vegetables more appealing and to stretch produce across more meals during the week.
The Bottom Line
Choose a handheld spiralizer if you make the occasional bowl of zoodles and want something cheap and easy to store, or a tabletop crank model if you spiralize often or tackle firm produce like sweet potato. Either way, clean the blades right after use and cook the noodles briefly so they stay firm. A spiralizer is a fun, low-effort way to eat more vegetables and shake up weeknight dinners.
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