OXO makes hundreds of kitchen tools, and it would be easy to fill a page with them on the strength of the soft black handle alone. We didn’t want to do that. A good brand still makes some tools that are merely fine, and a few that testers actively marked down.
So this page has one rule: every tool here has a named, published verdict that we read. All seven come from America’s Test Kitchen. Three are the outright winner of their review and four are Recommended, and we say which is which. We also list the OXO tools that the same reviewers did not like, and what they chose instead.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. We have not used these tools ourselves. Every recommendation rests on a published America’s Test Kitchen verdict, which we name, along with OXO’s stated specifications.
Quick verdict: which OXO kitchen tools to buy
If you buy one, the best of the OXO kitchen tools here is the 12-inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs, the longtime favorite and current winner in America’s Test Kitchen’s tongs review. Next, get the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner, also a winner, and the 11-inch Silicone Balloon Whisk if you cook in coated pans. Don’t buy on the logo alone: the same reviewers marked OXO’s nylon potato masher Not Recommended, and they gave its POP container, its garlic press and its splatter screen only Recommended with Reservations.
Five OXO tools side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of job. The rating is America’s Test Kitchen’s own category. All seven are reviewed below.
| Tool | Best for | Rating at America’s Test Kitchen | Why it stands out | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everything in a skillet | Winner | Precise scalloped pincers | View on Amazon | |
OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Silicone Balloon WhiskBest for nonstick
|
Sauces in coated pans | Winner | Most efficient, comfortable nonstick whisk tested | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Salad SpinnerBest for greens
|
Washing greens and herbs | Winner | Removed the most water in the lineup | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Thermocouple ThermometerBest for meat
|
Checking meat fast | Recommended | Accurate and relatively fast | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips 11 lb Everyday Glass Food ScaleBest for baking and masa
|
Weighing masa and flour | Recommended | Accurate, compact, easy to clean | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Ratings are as published when we read them and can change when a review is updated.
Our picks for the best OXO kitchen tools
Seven tools, each with a verdict we read. We kept to listings that aren’t already on another page of ours where we could, so a few famous OXO wins are linked rather than repeated. Those are named further down.
1. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs – The Longtime Test Winner
America’s Test Kitchen calls these its longtime favorite tongs, rates them the winner and praises the scalloped, uncoated pincers as very precise. If you have ever tried to turn a thin slice of carne asada with clumsy tongs, you know why precision is the thing to look for.
The tongs lock closed for storage, the grips are soft and non-slip, and the brushed stainless construction goes in the dishwasher, according to OXO. At twelve inches, they keep your hand back from the heat of a skillet or a grill.
Bare metal is the one limit. These can mark a coated pan. For nonstick, the same review rated the silicone-headed versions Recommended.
Why we like it
- Winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s tongs review
- Scalloped pincers praised as very precise
- Locks closed for the drawer
Key specifications
| Model | 28581 |
|---|---|
| Size | 12 in |
| Main material | Brushed stainless steel |
| Best use | Turning, lifting, tossing |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen tongs review |
| Rating there | Winner |
| Maker guarantee | OXO Better Guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits nearly every cook, since a good pair of tongs does the work of a spatula, a fork and a spoon at the stove.
Skip it if you cook mostly in nonstick. Metal heads can mark a coating, so look at a silicone-headed pair.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top-rated in the review we read
- Long reach
- Locks for storage
Cons
- Not for coated pans
- Sold by a third party on this listing at check time
- Long for very small pans
2. OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner – It Removed the Most Water
America’s Test Kitchen’s winner, and the reason is simple: it was the most effective of the lineup at removing water from a variety of greens. Dry leaves take dressing better, and dry cilantro chops rather than clumps, which matters in any kitchen where salsa is a daily thing.
It holds 6.22 quarts, with a pump you can work one-handed, a brake that stops the basket, and a non-slip base. The bowl works for serving, the basket works as a colander, and all parts go in the top rack, according to OXO.
The same spinner sits in our salad spinner guide in its standard listing. We kept this green listing because no honest OXO page could leave out one of its clearest wins.
Why we like it
- Winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s review
- One-handed pump and a brake
- Bowl doubles for serving
Key specifications
| Model | 1155901 |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.22 qt |
| Main material | Clear bowl; material not stated on this listing |
| Best use | Washing and drying greens |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, top rack, per the listing |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen salad spinner review |
| Rating there | Winner |
| Maker guarantee | OXO Better Guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who washes greens or herbs more than occasionally, and especially anyone with a bunch of cilantro in the fridge every week.
Skip it if you rarely make salad. A 6-quart bowl is a lot of cupboard space, and the Little Salad and Herb Spinner on our spinner page performed on par in the same review.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most water removed in the lineup
- Easy with one hand
- Serves as a bowl too
Cons
- Large in a cupboard
- The smaller Little version performed on par in the same review
- Same model as our spinner guide, in another listing
3. OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Silicone Balloon Whisk – The Whisk That Is Safe on Coated Pans
America’s Test Kitchen names this the winner of its nonstick whisk review, calling it the most efficient, comfortable nonstick whisk it tested, and rates it Highly Recommended. The review we read lists no drawbacks.
OXO says the silicone wires suit whisking, blending and deglazing in coated pans, with a high-heat-resistant head and a soft handle shaped to sit in your palm. It goes in the dishwasher. That makes it a useful tool for finishing a pan sauce or a roux for a white queso in a nonstick pot, where a metal whisk would mark the surface.
If your pots are bare steel, you don’t need silicone. A plain metal balloon whisk does the job, and our molinillo and whisk guide covers the difference for hot chocolate.
Why we like it
- Winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s nonstick whisk review
- Silicone wires safe on coated pans, per OXO
- Dishwasher safe, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 1244780 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11 in |
| Main material | Silicone wires |
| Best use | Whisking in coated pans |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen nonstick whisk review |
| Rating there | Winner, Highly Recommended |
| Maker guarantee | Satisfaction guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who cooks sauces, gravies or custards in coated pots and wants a whisk that won’t mark them.
Skip it if you cook in stainless and whip a lot of cream by hand. A metal balloon whisk is the simpler tool for bare steel.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Top pick in the review we read
- Comfortable handle
- Safe on nonstick
Cons
- Only needed if you own coated pans
- Sold by a third party on this listing at check time
- Listing shows it in red
4. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner – A Bowl Worth Putting Out
This version swaps the clear bowl for a stainless one, which is the real reason to buy it: it looks at home on a dinner table. America’s Test Kitchen rates the OXO Steel Salad Spinner Recommended and says it removed slightly less water than the clear-bowl winner.
Otherwise it works much the same, with the same 6.22-quart capacity, one-handed pump, brake button and non-slip base. All parts go on the top rack, according to OXO.
The review’s other OXO comparison is worth knowing: the Glass Salad Spinner was only Recommended with Reservations because it slid on the counter, so we left that one out even though it’s the prettiest of the three.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Stainless bowl for serving
- Same pump and brake design as the winner
Key specifications
| Model | 1071497 |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.22 qt |
| Main material | Stainless steel bowl |
| Best use | Drying greens, serving |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, top rack, per the listing |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen salad spinner review |
| Rating there | Recommended |
| Maker guarantee | OXO Better Guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who will serve from the bowl and likes it to look good there.
Skip it if drying power is all you care about. The clear-bowl version won.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handsome serving bowl
- Same 6.22-quart capacity as the winner
- Same easy mechanism
Cons
- Removed slightly less water than the clear-bowl winner
- Can’t see the leaves through it
- Bulky to store
5. OXO Good Grips 1 Cup Angled Measuring Cup – You Read It From Above
The angled strip inside lets you read the measure from above, without crouching to the counter. OXO says that removes the need to fill, check and adjust. It’s marked in cups, ounces and milliliters, with a soft non-slip handle.
America’s Test Kitchen rates it Recommended and praises its lightweight construction, comfortable handle and clever design. Its winner, though, was the Pyrex 1 Cup Measuring Cup, so OXO doesn’t hold the top spot here.
This is useful for small pours, like lime juice and vanilla, or the water for a tortilla dough.
Why we like it
- Reads from above
- Light, with a comfortable handle, per America’s Test Kitchen
- Standard and metric markings
Key specifications
| Model | 70881 |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 cup |
| Main material | Tritan Renew plastic |
| Best use | Small liquid measures |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the listing |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen liquid measuring cups review |
| Rating there | Recommended |
| Maker guarantee | OXO Better Guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who measures small amounts of liquid often and would like to stop bending down to do it.
Skip it if you want the top-rated cup. America’s Test Kitchen’s winner is the Pyrex.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clever angled strip
- Light and comfortable
- BPA-free, per OXO
Cons
- Only holds a cup
- Not the review’s winner
- Small for batch cooking
6. OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer – Accurate and Relatively Fast
America’s Test Kitchen rates this Recommended, calling it accurate and relatively fast. It noted a probe that opens to 225 degrees and a screen with white digits on black, the only one like that in the review, and it faulted the stiff probe and slick handle.
OXO states readings in 2 to 3 seconds, accuracy of ±0.9°F, a range from -58°F to 572°F, and an IP66 waterproof body. That covers a thick steak, a pork shoulder for carnitas and a pot of oil.
The review’s winner is the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, and it costs considerably more. This OXO is the choice for buyers who want a thermocouple without paying for the top.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Readings in 2 to 3 seconds, per OXO
- Waterproof to IP66, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 11204300 |
|---|---|
| Size | Not stated |
| Main material | Not stated |
| Best use | Meat, oil, candy |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated; body is IP66 |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen instant-read thermometer review |
| Rating there | Recommended |
| Maker guarantee | OXO Better Guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home cook who cooks meat by temperature and wants a real thermocouple at a lower cost than the top model.
Skip it if you can stretch to the Thermapen ONE. It’s the review’s winner.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast and accurate, per the review
- Readable screen
- Easy to rinse
Cons
- Stiff probe, per the review
- Slick handle, per the review
- Sold by a third party on this listing at check time
7. OXO Good Grips 11 lb Everyday Glass Food Scale – A Compact Scale That Wipes Clean
America’s Test Kitchen rates this Recommended, saying the compact scale was accurate and very easy to clean. It also notes its thin, lightweight build is less secure on the counter and that its touchscreen buttons were sometimes unresponsive.
It weighs up to 11 pounds, switches between ounces, pounds, grams, kilograms and milliliters, and tares out your bowl. The tempered glass top wipes clean, which is a real plus when you are weighing sticky masa.
The review’s longtime winner is OXO’s own 11 lb Food Scale with Pull Out Display. That one wasn’t available as a plain in-stock listing when we checked. If you see it in stock, it is the one to get, and our kitchen scale guide covers other options.
Why we like it
- Accurate, per America’s Test Kitchen
- Very easy to clean, per the same review
- Tare function and five units, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 11345800 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11 lb capacity |
| Main material | Tempered glass top |
| Best use | Baking, masa, portioning |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Named review | America’s Test Kitchen digital scale review |
| Rating there | Recommended |
| Maker guarantee | OXO Better Guarantee, per listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants an accurate scale that lies flat and hides in a drawer, and who is fine with touch buttons.
Skip it if you weigh big, heavy bowls often. America’s Test Kitchen found its thin build less secure on the counter, and it preferred the stainless pull-out model.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Slim and easy to store
- Wipes clean
- Accurate in the review
Cons
- Touch buttons sometimes unresponsive, per the review
- Less secure on the counter, per the review
- Sold by a third party on this listing at check time
Where OXO falls short, and what the reviewers chose instead
This is the part that matters most on a brand page. All of these come from the same America’s Test Kitchen reviews:
- Potato masher: the OXO Good Grips Nylon Potato Masher was Not Recommended, and the Smooth Potato Masher only Recommended with Reservations. The winner was the Zyliss Potato Masher.
- Garlic press: both OXO presses were Recommended with Reservations, citing loose arms. The winner was the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press.
- Dry storage: the OXO POP Big Square Tall 6 Qt held a seal, but its lid popped off every time it was dropped. The reviewers chose the Cambro CamSquares and Progressive ProKeeper+.
- Splatter screen: OXO’s was Recommended with Reservations because the holes were too big. The winners were the Frywall and the BergKoch.
- Metal spatula: two OXO turners were marked down for handling. The top pick was the Wüsthof Gourmet 7″ Slotted Fish Spatula.
- Liquid measure: the OXO angled cup was Recommended, while the Pyrex 1 Cup won.
That is not a bad brand. It is a brand whose ratings vary, and if you are buying an OXO tool on a shelf with no review to go by, the handle tells you it will be comfortable. It doesn’t tell you the tool will be the best at its job.
Famous OXO wins we link rather than repeat
Several more tools earned top marks in reviews we read, and they are already on other pages of ours, so we point you there rather than list the same item twice. The OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs were Highly Recommended as the best smaller pair; see our kitchen tongs guide. The OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Knife won its offset spatula review; see our offset spatula guide. The OXO Good Grips Soft Handled Can Opener was America’s Test Kitchen’s top traditional pick, Highly Recommended, though it leaves sharp edges on the lid and can; see our can opener guide. The OXO Good Grips Everyday Silicone Spatula was a co-winner in its review; see our silicone spatula guide. The Little Salad and Herb Spinner performed on par with the full-size version; it’s in our salad spinner guide.
Three other wins weren’t available to buy as plain in-stock listings when we checked, so they aren’t picks: the OXO Julienne Prep Y-Peeler, winner and Best Overall in its julienne peeler review; the 11 lb Food Scale with Pull Out Display, the longtime scale winner; and the Silicone Pastry Brush, which won its review despite a handle that melted on contact with a hot pan and bristles that stained. Keep an eye out for those.
How to choose OXO tools without overbuying
Start with what you do every day. Tongs and a good thermometer earn their place in any kitchen. A cherry pitter might not.
Check the head, not just the handle. The comfort comes from the Good Grips handle, which most of the line shares. The performance comes from the working end, and that is where OXO’s ratings vary.
Match the material to your pans. Metal tongs are for steel and cast iron. Use silicone or nylon on coated pans.
Watch the seller. OXO tools are often sold by third parties on Amazon. Check who ships it and that it’s new, since OXO’s guarantee may depend on where you bought it.
Don’t buy a set for one tool. Bundles look like good value, but you’ll end up with pieces you don’t need. Our utensil set guide compares complete sets if you’re starting from nothing.
How we picked these seven OXO kitchen tools
We read America’s Test Kitchen’s reviews of tongs, nonstick whisks, offset spatulas, pastry brushes, salad spinners, liquid measuring cups, digital scales, instant-read thermometers, potato mashers, garlic presses, metal and nonstick spatulas, dry storage containers, splatter screens, can openers and julienne peelers. We kept only OXO tools with a rating of Recommended or better that were plainly in stock, and we skipped listings already on our other pages where we could. We did not test these tools ourselves.
This page rests on a single publication. That is a real limit: one team’s preferences shape every verdict here. We chose it because it publishes its ratings and reasons by model, including the unflattering ones. CPSC’s recall database, searched by brand, returned only a 2015 recall of an OXO Nest booster seat, which isn’t a kitchen tool.
OXO kitchen tool questions, answered
What are the best OXO kitchen tools?
In the reviews we read, the clearest wins are the 12-inch tongs, the salad spinner and the silicone whisk. The 9-inch tongs, the can opener and the Everyday Silicone Spatula also rated highly.
Are OXO Good Grips tools worth it?
Many are, but not all. America’s Test Kitchen marked some OXO tools down, including its nylon potato masher, while naming others outright winners. Check the verdict on the specific tool rather than trusting the line.
Are OXO tools dishwasher safe?
Many are, according to OXO, including the tongs, whisk, spinners and measuring cup here, with the spinners on the top rack. Check the listing for each tool. The thermometer and the scale aren’t listed as dishwasher safe.
Does OXO have a warranty?
The listings here state the OXO Better Guarantee, which offers a repair or replacement if you have an issue. Sellers vary on Amazon, so check with OXO if your tool came from a third party.
Which OXO tools should I skip?
Based on the reviews we read, skip the nylon potato masher, and think twice about the garlic press, the POP Big Square Tall and the splatter screen with folding handle.
Our final word on the best OXO kitchen tools
Buy the 12-inch tongs first, and see what else your kitchen is actually missing before buying more. If you’re filling out a whole kitchen, our utensil set guide and our list of Mexican cooking tools are good places to go next.
And if the tools can stay in the drawer tonight, see the menu or call to order.