Last Updated on November 5, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Our Expertise
My kitchen has seen hundreds of gadgets come and go. But scissors? They’re something I use every single day.
I cut herbs for morning eggs. I trim chicken for dinner. I open stubborn packages that refuse to tear. A good pair of shears makes all of this easier.
For this guide, I spent three months testing three popular kitchen shears. I cut through meat, vegetables, cardboard, and more. I washed them dozens of times. I used them until my hands got tired.
I know what works and what doesn’t. This isn’t just product research. It’s hands-on experience from real kitchen use.
Our Top Picks
After all my testing, here’s what I found:
Best Overall: KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears
- Sharp micro-serrated blades
- Comfortable grip for long use
- Great price at under $10
- View Price on Amazon
Best Value: iBayam Kitchen Scissors (2-Pack)
- Two pairs for one low price
- Multiple color options
- Heavy-duty construction
- View Price on Amazon
Best Premium Set: Gidli Kitchen Shears with Seafood Scissors
- Includes bonus seafood scissors
- Lifetime replacement warranty
- Professional-grade sharpness
- View Price on Amazon
Why Kitchen Shears Matter
Most people don’t think twice about kitchen scissors. They grab whatever’s cheap at the store. Then they struggle to cut through chicken skin. Or they can’t trim herbs without crushing them.
I used to be the same way. I had a pair of old scissors that barely worked. Cutting meat was a workout. My hand would cramp after two minutes.
Good kitchen shears changed everything for me. Now I can prep meals faster. My cuts are cleaner. My hands don’t hurt.
Here’s what quality shears should do:
- Cut through raw chicken easily
- Trim fresh herbs without bruising
- Open tough packaging
- Stay sharp after months of use
- Clean up quickly
If your current scissors can’t do these things, it’s time to upgrade.
How I Tested These Kitchen Shears
I didn’t just cut a few things and call it done. I put these shears through real kitchen use for three months.
My Testing Process
Week 1-4: Daily Cooking Tasks
- Cut raw chicken breasts and thighs
- Trimmed fat from pork chops
- Chopped fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley)
- Opened food packaging
- Cut pizza into slices
Week 5-8: Tough Materials
- Trimmed chicken bones
- Cut through cardboard boxes
- Opened plastic clamshell packages
- Snipped kitchen twine
- Cut vegetables like green beans
Week 9-12: Long-Term Testing
- Checked for rust or damage
- Tested blade sharpness over time
- Evaluated handle comfort after extended use
- Washed in dishwasher multiple times
- Looked for loose screws or wear
I also timed how long each task took. I counted how many cuts before my hand felt tired. I measured how clean each cut was.
1. KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears: Best Overall
This is the pair I reach for most often. At under $8, it punches way above its weight.
Product Features
Size: 8.72 inches long
Material: Stainless steel blades
Handle: Soft grip with non-slip coating
Special Features: Micro-serrated edges, protective sheath included
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Blade Thickness: Extra thick for durability
How It Performed
The KitchenAid shears cut through everything I threw at them. Raw chicken? Easy. Thick cardboard? No problem. Fresh herbs? Clean cuts every time.
The micro-serrated edge made a huge difference. Food didn’t slip while I was cutting. This was especially helpful with slippery chicken skin.
I used these shears at least once a day for three months. They stayed sharp the entire time. No dulling. No struggle cuts.
The blade thickness impressed me too. These aren’t flimsy scissors. They feel solid in your hand. When I cut through chicken bones, they didn’t bend or flex.
What I Like
The grip is amazing. I cooked a big meal for 12 people last month. I used these shears for 45 minutes straight. My hand never cramped. The soft coating really does reduce fatigue.
They’re sharp right out of the box. Some scissors need a “break-in” period. Not these. First cut was perfect.
The sheath is actually useful. I know it sounds boring, but hear me out. I store these in a drawer with other tools. The sheath protects the blades. It also keeps me from cutting myself when I reach in.
They clean up fast. I usually hand wash them. Takes 20 seconds. But I’ve also run them through the dishwasher about 15 times. No rust. No damage.
Why It’s Better
Most kitchen shears at this price point feel cheap. Thin blades. Uncomfortable handles. These don’t.
The micro-serrations are the real winner. Regular smooth blades let food slip. You have to squeeze harder. Your hand gets tired faster.
With these serrated edges, everything grips. I can make smooth, controlled cuts with less effort.
The handle design also beats the competition. Some scissors have hard plastic that digs into your palm. Others are too small for my hands. The KitchenAid hits the sweet spot.
How I Clean It
After each use, I rinse them under hot water. If I cut raw meat, I use dish soap and scrub both sides of the blade.
I dry them immediately with a dish towel. This prevents water spots.
Every few weeks, I toss them in the dishwasher. Top rack. They come out perfect every time.
I’ve never oiled these shears. They don’t need it. The pivot point stays smooth on its own.
Testing Results
- Chicken cutting: 5/5 (effortless)
- Herb trimming: 5/5 (clean, no bruising)
- Package opening: 5/5 (cuts plastic easily)
- Comfort: 5/5 (no hand fatigue)
- Durability: 5/5 (looks new after 3 months)
- Sharpness retention: 5/5 (still razor sharp)
- Overall Score: 30/30
Who Should Buy This
Get the KitchenAid shears if you want:
- A reliable everyday pair
- Something that won’t hurt your budget
- Scissors that stay sharp
- Comfortable extended use
Skip it if you:
- Need multiple pairs right away
- Want specialty features like a bottle opener
- Prefer scissors with bright colors
2. iBayam Kitchen Scissors (2-Pack): Best Value
Two pairs for under $10? I was skeptical. But these surprised me.
Product Features
Size: 8.66 inches long
Material: Hardened stainless steel
Handle: Ergonomic with cushioned grip pads
Special Features: Comfort grip coating, protective sheath
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Package: 2-pack in different colors
How It Performed
I kept one pair in my main kitchen. The other went to my outdoor grilling area.
Both pairs handled daily tasks well. They cut through chicken, vegetables, and packaging without issue.
The blades are slightly thinner than the KitchenAid. I noticed this when cutting through very thick cardboard. They flexed a tiny bit. But for normal kitchen use, this wasn’t a problem.
Sharpness was good out of the box. After three months, they’re still cutting well. I did notice they’re not quite as sharp as day one. But they’re still very usable.
What I Like
You get two pairs. This is huge. I can use one for raw meat and one for vegetables. No cross-contamination worries. When one pair is in the dishwasher, I have a backup.
The color options are fun. I got black/red and black/grey. My wife uses the red ones. I use the grey ones. No fighting over scissors anymore.
The grip pads work. There are little cushions where your fingers rest. They do absorb pressure. My hand feels less strain compared to scissors without these pads.
Great for gifting. I actually bought a second set for my sister. At this price, you can give one pair as a gift and keep one for yourself.
Why It’s Better
The two-pack design is the main advantage here. Most people need more than one pair of kitchen scissors anyway.
Think about it. You’re cutting raw chicken. Now you want to snip some herbs for garnish. Do you want to stop, wash the scissors, dry them, then continue? No.
With two pairs, you just grab the second one. Keep cooking. Wash everything later.
The handle width also deserves mention. It fits different hand sizes. My wife has smaller hands than me. We both find these comfortable.
How I Clean It
Same routine as the KitchenAid. Hot water rinse after every use. Soap if I cut meat. Immediate drying.
These also go in the dishwasher fine. I’ve run each pair through about 20 times. No rust issues.
One thing I noticed: the grip coating can trap tiny food particles. I use a soft brush to clean around the edges. Takes an extra 10 seconds. Not a big deal.
Testing Results
- Chicken cutting: 4/5 (good, slight flex on thick cuts)
- Herb trimming: 5/5 (clean cuts)
- Package opening: 4/5 (works well)
- Comfort: 5/5 (cushion pads help)
- Durability: 4/5 (slight dulling after 3 months)
- Sharpness retention: 4/5 (still sharp, but less than new)
- Overall Score: 26/30
Who Should Buy This
Get the iBayam scissors if you:
- Want two pairs for different uses
- Like having color-coded options
- Need scissors for both kitchen and outdoor use
- Want the best value per dollar
Skip it if you:
- Only need one pair
- Want the absolute sharpest blades
- Prefer premium construction
3. Gidli Kitchen Shears with Seafood Scissors: Best Premium Set
This is the premium option. Higher price, but you get a lot for your money.
Product Features
Size: 8 inches long (main shears)
Material: 3Cr13 rust-resistant stainless steel
Handle: Ergonomic PP and TPR material
Special Features: Includes 7-inch seafood scissors, lifetime replacement warranty
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
How It Performed
These are the sharpest scissors I tested. The 3Cr13 steel is noticeably better than standard stainless.
I cut through a raw chicken breast in 15 seconds. Clean, smooth cuts. No sawing motion needed. The blade just glides through.
The seafood scissors are a game-changer if you eat shellfish. I tested them on shrimp, crab legs, and lobster tail. They cut through shells easily. No mess. No struggling with nutcrackers.
After three months, these shears are still razor sharp. Zero dulling. They perform exactly like day one.
What I Like
The sharpness is incredible. Every cut feels effortless. I’m not fighting with the food. I’m not squeezing hard. The scissors do the work.
The seafood scissors are actually useful. I thought this would be a gimmick. But I’ve used them dozens of times. They make eating crab so much easier. My hands stay clean. The shells come off in seconds.
Lifetime replacement warranty. If anything goes wrong, Gidli will replace them once for free. That peace of mind is worth something.
They feel professional. The weight. The balance. The build quality. These feel like what you’d find in a restaurant kitchen.
Why It’s Better
The steel quality makes the biggest difference. 3Cr13 is harder and holds an edge longer than standard stainless.
For comparison, I tested all three scissors on the same chicken thigh. The Gidli cut through in 4 cuts. The KitchenAid took 5 cuts. The iBayam took 6 cuts.
That might not sound like much. But multiply it across weeks of cooking. You’re saving time and effort every single day.
The seafood scissors also set this apart. If you buy shears for all-purpose use, you get that plus a specialty tool. It’s like buying a knife set instead of just one knife.
How I Clean It
Hand washing is recommended for these. I follow that advice. The steel is so good, I want to take care of it.
I’ve put them in the dishwasher about 5 times. They came out fine. But I prefer hand washing to extend their life.
The seafood scissors also get hand washed. They have more crevices than regular shears. A quick scrub with a brush keeps them clean.
Both dry quickly with a towel. No water spots. No rust.
Testing Results
- Chicken cutting: 5/5 (fastest, cleanest cuts)
- Herb trimming: 5/5 (surgical precision)
- Package opening: 5/5 (effortless)
- Comfort: 5/5 (excellent ergonomics)
- Durability: 5/5 (perfect after 3 months)
- Sharpness retention: 5/5 (no dulling at all)
- Bonus tool value: 5/5 (seafood scissors are great)
- Overall Score: 35/35
Who Should Buy This
Get the Gidli set if you:
- Want the sharpest possible blades
- Eat seafood regularly
- Don’t mind spending more for quality
- Want a lifetime warranty
- Cook frequently and need professional-grade tools
Skip it if you:
- Rarely cook at home
- Never eat shellfish
- Need to stay under $15
- Want multiple pairs instead of one premium set
Comparison: Which One Should You Choose?
All three scissors are good. But they serve different needs.
Choose KitchenAid If…
You want one reliable pair for everyday use. Best balance of quality and price. This is what most people should buy.
Choose iBayam If…
You want two pairs. Great for keeping one dedicated to vegetables and one for meat. Also good if you grill outdoors and need scissors in two locations.
Choose Gidli If…
You’re serious about cooking. You want the best tools. You eat seafood. The higher price is worth it for the quality and warranty.
What to Look for When Buying Kitchen Shears
After testing these three models, I learned what matters most.
Blade Material
Stainless steel is the minimum. It resists rust and stays reasonably sharp.
Higher grades like 3Cr13 are better. They hold an edge longer. They cut smoother.
Avoid scissors that don’t specify blade material. They’re usually cheap alloy that rusts quickly.
Handle Comfort
You’ll use these scissors for several minutes at a time. Uncomfortable handles cause hand fatigue.
Look for:
- Soft grip coating
- Ergonomic shape
- Wide enough for your hand
- Cushioned areas where fingers rest
Blade Features
Micro-serrations help a lot. They grip food better. You use less force. Your hand doesn’t tire as fast.
Extra thick blades add strength. Thin blades bend when cutting hard materials.
Maintenance
Dishwasher safe is convenient. But hand washing is usually better for blade longevity.
Check if the scissors come apart for cleaning. This helps remove stuck food.
Size
Most kitchen shears are 8 to 9 inches long. This works for most people.
Shorter scissors (6 to 7 inches) are good for small hands or delicate work.
Longer scissors (10+ inches) give you more leverage for tough jobs.
How I Use Kitchen Shears Every Day
Let me walk you through a typical day in my kitchen.
Morning
I make scrambled eggs with fresh herbs. I grab my scissors and snip chives directly over the pan. Takes 10 seconds. No cutting board needed. No knife to wash.
Lunch Prep
I’m making chicken salad. I use scissors to cut cooked chicken into small pieces. It’s faster than a knife. The pieces come out more uniform.
I also trim the stems off spinach leaves. Scissors are perfect for this. One snip per leaf. Done in a minute.
Dinner
Tonight is grilled chicken and vegetables. I use scissors to:
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs
- Cut chicken into smaller pieces for even cooking
- Snip green beans into bite-sized pieces
- Open the seasoning packet
After grilling, I cut the chicken into strips for serving. Scissors again. No need to transfer to a cutting board.
Other Uses
Throughout the day, I also use kitchen shears for:
- Opening stubborn plastic packaging
- Cutting parchment paper to fit pans
- Trimming pizza into squares
- Cutting dried fruit for snacks
- Opening flour bags cleanly
One tool. Dozens of uses. That’s why good kitchen shears matter.
Common Mistakes People Make
I’ve watched friends and family use kitchen scissors. Here are mistakes I see often.
Using Regular Scissors for Food
Don’t do this. Regular scissors aren’t designed for food. They’re harder to clean. They can harbor bacteria.
Kitchen shears are made to be food-safe. They’re easier to sanitize. Many come apart for thorough cleaning.
Not Washing Immediately
Letting food dry on scissors makes them hard to clean. Chicken fat gets sticky. Herbs stain the blades.
I rinse my shears right after use. Takes 15 seconds. Saves me scrubbing time later.
Cutting Through Bones
Kitchen shears are strong, but they’re not bone cutters. Small bones like chicken ribs are fine. But don’t try to cut through thick beef bones or pork chops.
Use a knife or cleaver for that. Your scissors will thank you.
Storing Them Loose in a Drawer
Blades get dinged when they bang against other tools. They can also cut you when you reach in the drawer.
Use the protective sheath. Or get a magnetic knife strip and hang them up.
Never Sharpening
Even good scissors eventually dull. When I notice mine struggling, I sharpen them.
You can use a knife sharpener. Or take them to a professional. Most kitchenware stores offer sharpening services.
How to Make Your Kitchen Shears Last Longer
I want these tools to last for years. Here’s how I take care of them.
Clean After Every Use
I already mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating. Food residue causes damage over time.
Hot water and dish soap. Every single time. No exceptions.
Dry Immediately
Water spots aren’t just ugly. They can lead to rust on lower-quality scissors.
I keep a dedicated dish towel near the sink. Scissors get dried as soon as they’re washed.
Oil the Pivot Point
Every few months, I put a tiny drop of food-grade mineral oil on the screw that holds the blades together.
This keeps the scissors opening and closing smoothly. It also prevents rust in that area.
Don’t Leave Them in Water
Some people soak dirty dishes in the sink. Don’t include your scissors in that pile.
Extended water exposure isn’t good for any cutting tool. Wash them and put them away.
Use Them for Their Intended Purpose
These are food scissors. Don’t cut wire, plastic ties, or cardboard for moving boxes.
Those tasks dull the blades faster. Save your kitchen shears for kitchen tasks.
FAQs
Can I sharpen kitchen shears at home?
Yes. You can use a knife sharpener or a sharpening stone. Run each blade along the sharpener at a 20-degree angle. Do this 5 to 10 times per blade. Test on paper to check sharpness.
How often should I replace kitchen shears?
Good quality shears last 5 to 10 years with proper care. Replace them when sharpening no longer helps or if the pivot becomes loose and wobbly.
Are kitchen shears safe in the dishwasher?
Most modern kitchen shears are dishwasher safe. But hand washing is better for blade longevity. Dishwasher detergent is harsh and can dull blades faster over time.
Can I cut raw meat and vegetables with the same scissors?
Not recommended. Use separate pairs or wash thoroughly between uses. I keep two pairs to avoid cross-contamination. One for meat, one for everything else.
What’s the difference between kitchen shears and regular scissors?
Kitchen shears have thicker, stronger blades made from food-safe materials. They often have features like micro-serrations and come-apart design for easy cleaning. Regular scissors aren’t built for food use.
Do I need expensive kitchen shears?
Not necessarily. The KitchenAid shears cost under $10 and work great. But premium shears like the Gidli offer better steel and stay sharp longer. It depends on how much you cook.
Can kitchen shears cut through chicken bones?
Yes, quality kitchen shears can cut through small chicken bones like ribs and wing joints. But don’t try cutting through thick leg bones or beef bones. That requires a cleaver.
Final Thoughts
Kitchen shears changed how I cook. They save me time every single day.
The KitchenAid shears are my top pick for most people. Great quality at a low price. They do everything you need.
If you want two pairs or like having options, get the iBayam set. Best value for your money.
And if you cook often or love seafood, the Gidli set is worth the investment. Professional quality that will last for years.
Any of these three choices will serve you well. Pick based on your needs and budget.
Stop fighting with dull scissors. Get a good pair. Your hands will thank you.