Last Updated on October 22, 2025 by Kathay Lee
Our Expertise
I love fresh pineapple. I eat it almost every week.
But cutting pineapple used to take me 15 minutes. My hands would hurt. The juice went everywhere.
So I decided to test pineapple corers. I wanted to find the best one.
I bought three different stainless steel corers. I used each one at least 10 times. I tried small pineapples and big ones. I tried soft fruit and firm fruit.
I timed how long each tool took. I checked how clean the cuts were. I looked at how easy they were to wash.
I also asked my family to try them. My wife uses one almost daily now. My kids love making pineapple rings for snacks.
This guide shares what I learned. I’ll tell you which corer works best and why.
Our Top Picks
After testing all three corers, here’s what I found:
Best Overall: Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer
- Fastest cutting time
- Comes with eye remover tool
- Lifetime warranty
- Best price
Premium Pick: OXO Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer
- Ratcheting knob is easier on hands
- Measurement markings prevent mistakes
- Best build quality
- Stores flat
Budget Pick: Newness Premium Pineapple Corer
- Good performance for the price
- Thicker blade lasts longer
- Simple design works well
- Easy to clean
Now let me tell you about each one in detail.
1. Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer – Best Overall
This is the corer I use most often. It’s fast. It’s easy. And it works every single time.
Product Features
The Zulay corer has a triple-reinforced stainless steel blade. This blade is strong. It won’t bend or break.
The handle is made of ABS plastic. It’s light but sturdy. The grip has raised bumps so it won’t slip.
The tool is 9.65 inches long. It weighs just 289 grams. That’s less than most corers.
It comes in 20 different colors. I got the black one. My wife wanted the pink one for our second corer.
The best part? It includes a pineapple eye remover. This small tool digs out the brown spots that the corer misses.
What I Like
The blade cuts through pineapple like butter. I can core a whole fruit in less than 30 seconds.
The serrated edge grabs the pineapple flesh. It doesn’t slip. It doesn’t skip sections.
The handle detaches easily. I just twist it and pull. The rings slide right off.
All parts go in the dishwasher. I don’t hand wash anything. I just toss it in and forget it.
The eye remover is genius. Those brown spots used to bother me. Now I remove them in seconds.
Why It’s Better
I compared this to the other two corers. The Zulay was fastest every time.
With the Newness corer, I averaged 45 seconds per pineapple. With the OXO, I averaged 38 seconds.
With the Zulay? Just 28 seconds on average.
The triple-reinforced blade makes a difference. It’s stiffer than other blades. It doesn’t flex or wobble.
The eye remover tool is unique. Neither of the other corers includes one. You have to buy it separately.
How It Performed
I tested this corer on 12 pineapples. Here’s what happened:
Pineapple 1-3 (Small fruits, about 2 pounds each): These went perfectly. The blade cut clean rings. No issues at all.
Pineapple 4-6 (Large fruits, about 4 pounds each): Still great. The blade handled the extra resistance easily.
Pineapple 7-9 (Very ripe, soft fruits): The rings came out a bit ragged. But that’s normal for soft fruit. Every corer does this.
Pineapple 10-12 (Firm, underripe fruits): Perfect again. The blade powered through with no problems.
The shell stayed intact every time. I used the shells as bowls for fruit salad. My kids loved it.
How I Clean It
Cleaning takes about 2 minutes total.
First, I rinse the blade under hot water. Pineapple bits come right off.
Then I put all parts in the top rack of my dishwasher. I run a normal cycle.
The stainless steel doesn’t rust. I’ve washed this corer at least 40 times now. It still looks brand new.
Sometimes pineapple juice dries in the grooves of the handle. When that happens, I use a small brush. A toothbrush works great.
Testing Results
- Average coring time: 28 seconds
- Clean rings: 11 out of 12 pineapples
- Intact shells: 12 out of 12
- Ease of cleaning: 9/10
- Blade sharpness after 12 uses: Still perfect
- Handle comfort: 9/10
- Overall score: 9.2/10
Who Should Buy This
Buy the Zulay corer if you:
- Want the fastest coring time
- Eat pineapple often
- Like having extra tools included
- Want good value for money
- Need something dishwasher safe
Don’t buy it if you:
- Have weak hands or wrist pain (the OXO is easier)
- Want the most premium feel (the OXO feels nicer)
- Only use it once a month (any corer will work)
2. Newness Premium Pineapple Corer – Budget Pick
This corer costs less than the others. But it still works really well.
Product Features
The Newness corer has an upgraded, thicker blade. The company made it stronger after customer feedback.
The blade is stainless steel. It’s rust-proof and food-safe.
The handle is ABS plastic. It’s smooth with no extra grip texture.
The tool is 9.35 inches long. It’s slightly shorter than the Zulay.
It comes in 8 colors. I tested the black version.
What I Like
The thicker blade feels solid. It doesn’t flex when I twist it.
The price is great. It costs about the same as the Zulay. Sometimes less.
The simple design means fewer parts to break. Just a blade and a handle.
It stores easily. I hang it on a hook in my kitchen.
Why It’s Better
This corer has the thickest blade of the three. I measured it with calipers.
The Zulay blade is 1.2mm thick. The OXO blade is 1.3mm. The Newness blade is 1.5mm.
That extra thickness matters. The blade stays straighter. It cuts more evenly.
For the price, you can’t beat it. It performs almost as well as corers that cost twice as much.
How It Performed
I used this corer on 10 pineapples.
Pineapple 1-3: Good results. The rings came out clean. The shell stayed whole.
Pineapple 4-6: Still good. I noticed the blade takes more effort to twist than the Zulay. My wrist got tired.
Pineapple 7-9: One pineapple had a very hard core. The blade got stuck halfway. I had to wiggle it to continue.
Pineapple 10: Back to smooth cutting. No issues.
How I Clean It
I clean this the same way as the Zulay.
Rinse under hot water first. Then put it in the dishwasher.
The smooth handle cleans faster than textured handles. There are no grooves for juice to hide in.
I’ve washed it about 30 times. No rust. No damage.
Testing Results
- Average coring time: 45 seconds
- Clean rings: 9 out of 10 pineapples
- Intact shells: 10 out of 10
- Ease of cleaning: 8.5/10
- Blade sharpness after 10 uses: Still sharp
- Handle comfort: 7/10
- Overall score: 8.1/10
Who Should Buy This
Buy the Newness corer if you:
- Want to save money
- Eat pineapple occasionally
- Prefer simple designs
- Have strong hands and wrists
- Want a thicker, sturdier blade
Don’t buy it if you:
- Eat pineapple every day (get the Zulay)
- Have any hand or wrist issues (get the OXO)
- Want the fastest option (get the Zulay)
3. OXO Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer – Premium Pick
This is the most expensive corer I tested. But it has features the others don’t.
Product Features
The OXO corer has a ratcheting knob. This is the big difference.
Instead of twisting continuously, you twist back and forth. The ratchet clicks. Each click cuts a little deeper.
This design is easier on your hands and wrists. You don’t need to maintain a tight grip.
The shaft has measurement markings. They show how deep you’ve gone. This prevents you from cutting through the bottom.
The blade is medium-sized stainless steel. It’s sharp and well-made.
The knob and shaft separate with a button press. This makes cleaning super easy.
It comes with a safety cap. The cap covers the blade when you store it.
It lays flat in drawers. Most corers stand upright. This one stores horizontally.
What I Like
The ratcheting knob is amazing. My hands don’t get tired at all.
I can core five pineapples in a row without any discomfort. With the other corers, my wrist hurts after two.
The measurement markings are helpful. I never accidentally pierce the bottom of the shell anymore.
The safety cap gives me peace of mind. I have young kids. I don’t want them grabbing a sharp blade.
The build quality is excellent. Everything feels premium. The materials are top-notch.
Why It’s Better
If you have any hand pain, this is the corer to get.
My wife has mild arthritis. She can’t use the Zulay or Newness for more than one pineapple. But she uses the OXO with no problems.
The ratcheting mechanism removes most of the effort. You’re not fighting against resistance the whole time.
The measurement markings saved me twice. I was about to cut through the bottom. The markings warned me to stop.
How It Performed
I tested this on 10 pineapples.
Pineapple 1-3: Excellent results. The ratchet made coring effortless.
Pineapple 4-6: Still great. I noticed the ratcheting takes a few more seconds than continuous twisting. But the comfort is worth it.
Pineapple 7-9: One pineapple was very large. The blade was almost too short. But it worked.
Pineapple 10: Perfect. I’ve gotten better at using the ratchet. My time improved.
How I Clean It
The OXO cleans the easiest of all three.
I press the button to separate the knob from the shaft. They come apart instantly.
I rinse both parts under hot water. Then into the dishwasher they go.
The safety cap also goes in the dishwasher. I wash it every few uses.
After 30+ washes, everything still works perfectly. No rust. No wear.
Testing Results
- Average coring time: 38 seconds
- Clean rings: 10 out of 10 pineapples
- Intact shells: 10 out of 10
- Ease of cleaning: 10/10
- Blade sharpness after 10 uses: Still perfect
- Handle comfort: 10/10
- Overall score: 9.0/10
Who Should Buy This
Buy the OXO corer if you:
- Have hand or wrist pain
- Want the easiest coring experience
- Care about premium build quality
- Have kids and need a safety cap
- Store tools in drawers
- Don’t mind paying extra for comfort
Don’t buy it if you:
- Want the absolute fastest coring (get the Zulay)
- Want to save money (get the Newness)
- Need an eye remover included (get the Zulay)
How to Choose the Right Pineapple Corer
Let me help you decide which corer fits your needs.
Consider Your Hand Strength
Do you have strong hands? Get the Zulay or Newness.
Do you have weak hands, arthritis, or wrist pain? Get the OXO.
The ratcheting knob makes a huge difference. It reduces effort by at least 50%.
Think About Frequency
Eat pineapple every week? Get the Zulay. It’s fastest.
Eat pineapple once a month? Get the Newness. It’s cheaper and works fine for occasional use.
Eat pineapple every day? Get both the Zulay and OXO. Use the Zulay when your hands feel good. Use the OXO when they’re tired.
Check Your Budget
On a tight budget? Get the Newness. It’s the cheapest option that still performs well.
Medium budget? Get the Zulay. It’s the best value. You get speed, quality, and an extra tool.
Money no object? Get the OXO. You’re paying for premium features and build quality.
Storage Space
Limited drawer space? Get the OXO. It stores flat.
Plenty of space? Any of them work. I hang mine on hooks.
Have curious kids? Get the OXO. The safety cap protects little fingers.
How I Test Pineapple Corers
People ask me how I test these tools. Here’s my process.
Speed Test
I time how long it takes to core each pineapple. I start the timer when I put the blade on top. I stop when the last ring comes off.
I do this three times per pineapple. Then I average the results.
Quality Test
I look at the rings. Are they clean? Are they whole? Are they ragged?
I check the shell. Is it intact? Did the blade pierce the bottom?
I examine the core. Did the blade remove all of it? Or is fruit left behind?
Comfort Test
I note how my hands feel during and after coring.
Do my wrists hurt? Do my fingers cramp? Do I lose grip?
I also have my wife test them. She has smaller hands than me. Her feedback is important.
Durability Test
I check the blade after every use. Is it still sharp? Is there rust?
I look at the handle. Are there cracks? Is the plastic degrading?
I test the joints and connections. Do they still twist smoothly? Are they loose?
Cleaning Test
I time how long it takes to clean each corer.
I note how easy food comes off. Does it require scrubbing? Or does it rinse clean?
I check for rust after dishwashing. I inspect every part.
Tips for Using a Pineapple Corer
Here are some tricks I learned while testing.
Prep Your Pineapple
Cut off the leafy top first. Cut it about an inch below the leaves.
Make the cut straight and level. This gives the corer a flat surface to start on.
Don’t remove the bottom yet. The bottom helps stabilize the pineapple.
Find the Center
Look at the cut top of your pineapple. You’ll see a small circle in the center. That’s the core.
Place your corer directly over this circle. Center it carefully.
If you’re off-center, your rings will be uneven. One side will be thick. The other will be thin.
Apply Even Pressure
Push down while you twist. Use steady pressure.
Don’t push too hard. The blade will do the work. Too much pressure bends the blade.
Don’t push too soft. The blade needs some force to cut through fibers.
Stop Before the Bottom
Watch for the measurement markings on the OXO. Stop when you reach the last mark.
For the Zulay and Newness, stop when you feel less resistance. This means you’re close to the bottom.
Leave about half an inch at the bottom. This keeps the shell intact.
Remove the Core
Pull the corer straight up. Don’t twist it as you pull.
Hold the pineapple shell with your other hand. This keeps it stable.
The core and rings will come up together.
Separate the Rings
For the Zulay and Newness, twist off the handle. The rings slide off easily.
For the OXO, press the button to separate the knob. Slide off the rings.
If rings stick, run the blade under warm water. They’ll slide right off.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I made every mistake in the book. Learn from me.
Mistake 1: Using Unripe Pineapples
Unripe pineapples are hard. They’re difficult to core.
The blade fights against tough fibers. It takes longer. It wears out the blade faster.
Wait until your pineapple is ripe. The skin should give slightly when you press it. It should smell sweet at the base.
Mistake 2: Going Too Fast
I tried to rush through my first few pineapples. Bad idea.
I went off-center. I created uneven rings. I even broke through the bottom once.
Take your time. An extra 10 seconds ensures better results.
Mistake 3: Not Cleaning Immediately
Pineapple juice dries fast. It gets sticky.
If you wait to clean your corer, the juice hardens. Then you need to scrub.
Rinse your corer right after use. It takes 30 seconds. You’ll save time later.
Mistake 4: Forcing a Stuck Blade
Sometimes the blade gets stuck. This happens with very hard cores.
Don’t force it. You might bend the blade.
Instead, wiggle it gently back and forth. Or twist it backwards slightly. This usually frees it.
Mistake 5: Ignoring the Eyes
The brown spots on pineapple are called eyes. Corers don’t remove them.
I used to leave them on. My kids wouldn’t eat those pieces.
Now I remove eyes with the Zulay eye remover tool. Or I use a small knife. It takes two minutes and makes the fruit more appealing.
Maintenance and Care
Take care of your corer and it will last for years.
After Each Use
Rinse the blade under hot water immediately. Remove all fruit pieces.
Check the blade for damage. Look for bent teeth or cracks.
Dry thoroughly if you’re not dishwashing right away. Water spots aren’t harmful, but they look bad.
Weekly Maintenance
If you use your corer often, deep clean it once a week.
Soak all parts in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. This loosens any stuck residue.
Use a small brush to clean tight spaces. A toothbrush works perfectly.
Rinse well and let air dry completely.
Storage
Store in a dry place as Knives . Moisture leads to rust over time.
If your corer has a safety cap, use it. It protects the blade and prevents accidents.
Don’t store in a crowded drawer where other tools can damage the blade.
I hang mine on a hook on my kitchen wall. It’s always ready to use.
Long-Term Care
Check screws and connections every few months. Tighten if needed.
Sharpen the blade if it becomes dull. Most blade sharpeners work on serrated edges.
Replace the corer if you see rust, cracks, or other damage. A damaged corer is unsafe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pineapple corers handle all pineapple sizes?
Yes, most can. I tested pineapples from 2 to 4 pounds. All three corers worked.
Very small pineapples (under 2 pounds) might be too narrow. The core will be very thin.
Very large pineapples (over 5 pounds) might be too tall. The blade might not reach the bottom.
For most store-bought pineapples, any of these corers will work fine.
Do I need to remove the skin first?
No. That’s the best part. The corer goes through the flesh and leaves the skin intact.
You just cut off the leafy top. Then core. The skin becomes a bowl.
If you want to remove the skin, you can do that after coring. But it’s not necessary.
How do I know when to stop coring?
Look for measurement markings if your corer has them. The OXO has these.
For corers without markings, feel for reduced resistance. When twisting gets easier, you’re near the bottom.
Stop when you have about half an inch of pineapple left at the base. This keeps the shell intact.
Can I sharpen the blade myself?
Yes, but be careful. The blade is serrated.
Use a serrated knife sharpener. Run it along each tooth of the blade.
Don’t use a regular knife sharpener. It won’t work on serrated edges.
If you’re not comfortable sharpening, most kitchen stores offer sharpening services.
Are these safe for kids to use?
Kids over 12 can use them with supervision. The blade is sharp.
Younger kids should not use these tools. The twisting motion requires coordination and strength.
If you have young kids, store your corer out of reach. Or get the OXO with its safety cap.
Will the blade rust in the dishwasher?
Good quality stainless steel won’t rust. All three of these corers use quality steel.
I’ve dishwashed each one dozens of times. No rust on any of them.
If you see rust spots, they’re likely from other items in the dishwasher. Metal pans can rust and transfer to other items.
Can I use this for other fruits?
Not really. The blade is designed for pineapple.
Watermelon is too soft. The blade will just mush it.
Cantaloupe and honeydew might work, but they’re not ideal. The texture is wrong.
Stick to pineapples. That’s what these tools are made for.
Final Verdict
After testing all three corers extensively, here’s my final recommendation.
Get the Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer if you want the best overall tool. It’s fast, reliable, and comes with an eye remover. The lifetime warranty is a nice bonus.
Get the OXO Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer if you have any hand or wrist issues. The ratcheting knob makes coring effortless. It’s worth the extra money for the comfort.
Get the Newness Premium Pineapple Corer if you’re on a budget or only core pineapples occasionally. It performs well for the price.
I keep both the Zulay and OXO in my kitchen. I use the Zulay most days. I switch to the OXO when my hands are tired.
My wife prefers the OXO. She uses it every single time.
My teenage daughter likes the Zulay. She thinks the ratchet on the OXO is annoying.
The truth? All three are good. You won’t go wrong with any of them.
But if I could only keep one, I’d keep the Zulay. It’s the best combination of speed, features, and value.
Fresh pineapple used to be a chore. Now it’s a quick snack. These corers changed how my family eats fruit.
I hope this guide helps you choose the right one for your kitchen.
Happy coring!