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If you have ever grated a block of cheese on a flat grater and ended up with shredded knuckles, you already know the appeal of a box grater. A box grater stands on the counter and gives you several grating surfaces in one tool, so you can shred cheese, slice vegetables, zest citrus, and more without holding the grater at an angle. The five picks below were chosen by comparing the listed specifications and features of popular box graters; we have not tested them ourselves.
Each of the five picks below is a four-sided box grater with stainless steel grating surfaces, but they differ in container options, handle and base design, and cleaning instructions. Prices and product listings change, so check each listing for current details before you buy. For a broader look at grater types and how to use them, see our peelers and graters guide.
Our Picks at a Glance
To choose these five, we read the manufacturer and seller listings for each box grater and compared the surfaces, containers, handles, bases, materials, and care instructions. We have not used any of these graters in a kitchen, so this roundup is based on the specifications and features stated in the listings rather than hands-on experience. Check the current listing for up-to-date pricing, availability, and any product details that are not included here.
The Five Picks in More Detail
Urbanstrive Stainless Steel Box Grater: Best for All-Purpose Grating with a Detachable Container
The Urbanstrive box grater is made mostly of 304 stainless steel, with a black TPE base that helps keep it secure on the counter. It has four sides: coarse, medium, fine, and slicing, so it can grate cheese, hard or soft vegetables like cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes, and zucchini, plus chocolate and other foods. The handle is described as ergonomic and non-slip.
A detachable container attaches to the grater to catch, measure, and store freshly grated food, and the entire grater is dishwasher-safe. The listing calls it a compact style, though no dimensions are given.
Specs that matter: 304 stainless steel construction (95%) with a black TPE non-slip base (5%); coarse, medium, fine, and slicing surfaces; detachable container; ergonomic non-slip handle; dishwasher-safe; model XSMP-HEI.
Best for: Cooks who want a stainless steel box grater with a catch-and-store container and a non-slip base for everyday cheese and vegetable grating.
Amazon Basics 4-Sided Box Grater: Best for Simple, Handheld Grating
The Amazon Basics 4-sided box grater has sharp perforations on each side and is listed for grating cheese, zesting lemons, and grating vegetables. The stainless steel grater comes with an ergonomic stainless steel handle for a secure grip and a non-slip base to keep it in place while you work.
It is dishwasher-safe for quick cleanup. The listing describes it as rectangular and black, with a listed size of 9 inches, but does not list a container or measuring cup.
Specs that matter: four-sided design with sharp perforations; stainless steel; ergonomic stainless steel handle; non-slip base; dishwasher-safe; listed at 9 inches; model KL324CB-9S.
Best for: Shoppers who want a simple, no-container box grater with a secure handle and non-slip base.
OXO Good Grips 4-Sided Box Grater: Best for Slim Storage with a Detachable Container
The OXO Good Grips box grater offers coarse, medium, and fine stainless steel grating surfaces plus a slicing surface. Its slim construction is designed to fit conveniently into drawers, which makes it a good option for compact kitchens. The handle is soft, comfortable, and non-slip, and the detachable container can catch, measure, dispense, and store grated ingredients.
According to the listing, you can grate onto a plate, a cutting board, or directly into the container. OXO also includes a satisfaction guarantee on this model: if you are not satisfied for any reason, you can return it for replacement or refund. The listing does not state whether it is dishwasher-safe.
Specs that matter: coarse, medium, fine, and slicing surfaces; detachable container; soft non-slip handle; slim construction for drawer storage; manufacturer satisfaction guarantee; model 1057961.
Best for: Kitchens with limited drawer space and anyone who wants a grater with a detachable container for measuring and storing grated food.
Spring Chef Stainless Steel Box Grater: Best for Stable, Comfortable Vegetable Prep
The Spring Chef box grater is built from stainless steel with four grating sides: coarse, medium, fine/zester, and slicer. It works for cheese, parmesan, potatoes, squash, zucchini, carrots, lemons, cucumbers, and other foods, and its sharp blades are designed to cut cleanly with minimal effort. The handle is comfortable and gives you control while grating.
A removable rubber bottom keeps the grater from slipping and sliding on the counter, cutting board, or plate, and also helps prevent food from escaping out the bottom. This grater is dishwasher-safe, and its listed dimensions are 5.5 inches long, 4.75 inches wide, and 9.5 inches high.
Specs that matter: coarse, medium, fine/zester, and slicing surfaces; stainless steel; comfortable handle; removable rubber non-slip bottom; dishwasher-safe; dimensions 5.5″L x 4.75″W x 9.5″H.
Best for: Home cooks who grate a lot of vegetables and want a stable base plus a comfortable handle.
KitchenAid Gourmet Box Grater: Best for Measuring and Storing Grated Food
The KitchenAid Gourmet box grater is a rectangular 10-inch grater with coarse, medium, and fine grating surfaces plus a slicer. Its detachable container catches food inside the grater and has measurement markings at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, and 2 cups, so you can measure grated or sliced ingredients directly. A lid is included for easy storage in the refrigerator or pantry.
The stainless steel grating surface and slicing blade are made for frequent use, and the soft-grip handle is designed for comfort. For care, the grater is dishwasher-safe, and the container and lid are both freezer-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.
Specs that matter: coarse, medium, fine, and slicing surfaces; detachable container with 1/2- to 2-cup markings; lid included; soft-grip handle; dishwasher-safe grater; freezer, microwave, and dishwasher-safe container and lid; listed at 10 inches; model KN300OSCGA.
Best for: Anyone who wants a large box grater with built-in measuring marks and a lid for storing freshly grated food.
How to Choose
When you compare box graters, most listings focus on the same handful of specs. Here is what to look for, based on the five picks above and the features they include.
Grating Surfaces
A typical four-sided box grater has coarse, medium, fine, and slicing surfaces. In this roundup, the Urbanstrive, OXO, Spring Chef, and KitchenAid list those four surfaces explicitly. The Amazon Basics listing says only that it has four sides with sharp perforations and can be used for shredding, zesting, and grating, so check its listing if you need to know the exact hole pattern.
Container and Measuring Marks
Some box graters come with a detachable container that catches what you grate, and others do not. The Urbanstrive, OXO, and KitchenAid models include containers. The KitchenAid container has labeled cup markings and a lid, the Urbanstrive container catches, measures, and stores food, and the OXO container catches, measures, dispenses, and stores food. The Amazon Basics and Spring Chef graters do not list a container, so you would grate directly onto a plate or cutting board. If measuring precise amounts matters to you, see our measuring cups and spoons guide for tips on getting accurate measurements.
Handle and Base
A non-slip base can keep the grater stable while you push food down, and a comfortable handle makes grating less tiring. The Urbanstrive lists a non-slip TPE base, the Amazon Basics lists a non-slip base, and the Spring Chef lists a removable rubber bottom. The OXO listing mentions a soft, non-slip handle but does not mention a base, and the KitchenAid listing mentions a soft-grip handle but no base. Every pick here has some type of comfortable or ergonomic handle.
Material, Cleaning, and Size
All five picks list stainless steel somewhere in their construction: the Urbanstrive is 304 stainless steel with a TPE base, the Amazon Basics is stainless steel, the OXO has stainless steel grating surfaces, the Spring Chef is stainless steel, and the KitchenAid has a stainless steel grating surface and slicing blade. For cleaning, the Urbanstrive, Amazon Basics, Spring Chef, and KitchenAid are listed as dishwasher-safe; the OXO listing does not include care instructions.
Sizes vary: the Amazon Basics is listed at 9 inches, the KitchenAid at 10 inches, and the Spring Chef at 5.5 by 4.75 by 9.5 inches. The Urbanstrive and OXO listings do not include dimensions, so check the listing for size details if you need to match drawer space.
| Product | Grating Surfaces | Container | Base | Dishwasher Safe | Size / Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbanstrive | Coarse, medium, fine, slicing | Detachable (catch, measure, store) | Non-slip TPE | Yes | Model XSMP-HEI |
| Amazon Basics | Four sides with sharp perforations | None listed | Non-slip | Yes | 9 inches; model KL324CB-9S |
| OXO | Coarse, medium, fine, slicing | Detachable (catch, measure, dispense, store) | Not listed | Not listed | Model 1057961 |
| Spring Chef | Coarse, medium, fine/zester, slicer | None listed | Removable rubber bottom | Yes | 5.5″L x 4.75″W x 9.5″H |
| KitchenAid | Coarse, medium, fine, slicer | Detachable with 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 2 cup marks; lid included | Not listed | Yes (grater, container, and lid) | 10 inches; model KN300OSCGA |
FAQ
What is a box grater?
A box grater is a multi-sided kitchen tool with different grating and slicing surfaces on each side. The five graters in this roundup are all four-sided box graters with stainless steel grating areas, but their container options, handles, bases, and care instructions differ.
Do all box graters come with a container?
No. Among the picks above, the Urbanstrive, OXO, and KitchenAid list detachable containers, while the Amazon Basics and Spring Chef do not list a container. If you want to catch and measure grated food, check whether a container is included before buying.
Are box graters dishwasher-safe?
It depends on the model. The Urbanstrive, Amazon Basics, Spring Chef, and KitchenAid list dishwasher-safe cleaning. The OXO listing does not mention dishwasher safety, so check its listing or the manufacturer’s care instructions before placing it in the dishwasher.
How do I choose between the different grating surfaces?
Coarse surfaces are generally for larger shreds, medium for standard grating, fine for zesting or finely grated cheese, and slicing for cut-like pieces. Four of the five graters here list those surfaces; the Amazon Basics listing describes four sides with sharp perforations but does not name the surfaces individually.
Before you decide, check the current listing of each grater for price, availability, and any details not in this roundup. If you are still filling out your kitchen tool drawer, our kitchen utensils checklist can help you see what else a home kitchen really needs.
