A pizza that took an hour to preheat for and ten minutes to bake can be spoiled in ten seconds by a dull wheel that drags the cheese off and leaves the slices still joined at the crust. In a restaurant kitchen, the cutter is used all day, on pizza, flatbreads, quesadillas and stacks of tortillas headed for the fryer, so it has to cut cleanly, be comfortable, and survive constant washing.
There are three kinds worth considering: the familiar wheel, the long rocker blade (a mezzaluna), and pizza scissors for cutting inside a pan. This guide names the ones worth buying, with each maker’s blade size, steel, guard and cleaning instructions, and is clear where the maker does not say.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for in a cutting tool, the makers’ own specifications and the product listings, which we cite.
Quick verdict: which pizza cutter to buy
For most home kitchens, the best pizza cutter is the OXO Good Grips 4-inch Pizza Wheel: a large stainless blade that handles thick crusts, a thumb guard, a comfortable handle, and it goes in the dishwasher. For heavy use, the Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe is the pizzeria workhorse. For clean, straight cuts across a large pizza, choose the Checkered Chef 14-inch rocker, and if you bake in nonstick pans, the Dreamfarm Scizza.
The rest of this page explains how wheels, rockers and scissors differ, and which suits the way you make pizza.
Five pizza cutters compared
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the type, blade and cleaning each maker or listing states. All nine are reviewed in full below.
| Product | Best for | Type & blade | Dishwasher-safe | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips 4-inch Pizza WheelBest overall
|
Most home kitchens | Wheel, 4-inch stainless blade | Yes | View on Amazon |
Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe 4-inch Pizza CutterBest commercial-grade
|
Heavy use, pizzeria style | Wheel, 4-inch high-carbon stainless | Hand wash recommended | View on Amazon |
Checkered Chef 14-inch Rocker Pizza CutterBest rocker
|
Clean cuts, toppings stay put | Rocker (mezzaluna), 14-inch blade | Yes | View on Amazon |
Dreamfarm Scizza Pizza ScissorsBest for nonstick pans
|
Nonstick pans, cutting and serving | Scissors with spatula shoe | Yes | View on Amazon |
Kitchy Palm-Grip Pizza Cutter WheelBest compact wheel
|
Small drawers, easy cleaning | Palm-grip wheel | Yes | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Blade sizes and care are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best pizza cutter
These nine cover each style: large and commercial wheels, a palm-grip wheel, a long rocker and a rocker set, and scissors for nonstick pans. Each review gives the blade size and steel where the maker states them, the guard, how to clean it, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. OXO Good Grips 4-inch Pizza Wheel – Big Wheel, Sure Grip
The pizza wheel in most kitchen drawers is too small, too wobbly or both. OXO’s Good Grips wheel is the sensible fix: a 4-inch stainless steel blade, large enough that the listing says it cuts through deep dish and thick-crust pizza, on a big, non-slip handle with a thumb guard between your hand and the blade.
A wheel of this size matters more than it sounds. A larger diameter rides over thick crusts and piled toppings instead of dragging them, and it covers a 14-inch pizza in fewer passes. The same wheel cuts quesadillas into wedges, trims flatbread, and slices a stack of corn tortillas into strips for chips in one push.
OXO lists the wheel as BPA-free and dishwasher safe, and backs it with the OXO Better Guarantee, under which the company offers a repair or replacement if you have a problem. Its one limitation is the same as every wheel: run it hard across a nonstick pan and you can scratch the coating, so cut on a board.
Why we like it
- 4-inch stainless blade for thick crusts
- Thumb guard
- Large non-slip handle
- Dishwasher safe; OXO Better Guarantee
Key specifications
| Model | 11301000 |
|---|---|
| Type | Pizza wheel |
| Blade diameter/length | 4 inches (listing title) |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Guard | Thumb guard |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits most home cooks: comfortable, safe, big enough for deep dish and easy to clean. If you only buy one cutter, this is it.
Skip it if you cut pizza in nonstick pans; the Dreamfarm Scizza is made for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large blade
- Comfortable grip
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Plastic handle, not all-metal
- No blade cover for the drawer
- Not for nonstick pans
2. Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe 4-inch Pizza Cutter – Pizzeria Workhorse, Replaceable Blade
Dexter-Russell designs and builds its Sani-Safe cutters in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and sells them mainly to restaurants. The listing describes a 4-inch high-carbon stainless steel blade, precision ground and mounted on a bushing for smooth, quiet rolling, on a textured, slip-resistant polypropylene handle that stays secure with wet or greasy hands. It is NSF certified and made in the USA, according to the listing.
Dexter-Russell’s own product page adds the details that matter to a heavy user. The wheel is individually ground and honed, and it can be replaced when worn with the P17 replacement blade, so the handle can outlast several edges. The handle’s blade-to-handle seal is designed so food does not get stuck inside.
The maker recommends hand washing and sanitizing to best preserve the blade, which is how a restaurant would treat it anyway. Dexter guarantees its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product.
Why we like it
- 4-inch high-carbon stainless blade
- Replaceable wheel (P17)
- Slip-resistant handle for greasy hands
- Made in the USA; NSF certified
Key specifications
| Model | P177AG-PCP |
|---|---|
| Type | Pizza wheel |
| Blade diameter/length | 4 inches |
| Blade material | High-carbon stainless steel |
| Guard | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Hand washing recommended by Dexter |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who makes pizza often and wants the kind of cutter pizzerias buy, with a blade that can be replaced instead of the whole tool.
Skip it if you want to throw your cutter in the dishwasher; Dexter recommends hand washing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Commercial-grade build
- Replaceable blade
- Lifetime guarantee against defects
Cons
- Hand wash recommended
- No finger guard stated
- Plain, utilitarian handle
3. Checkered Chef 14-inch Rocker Pizza Cutter – One Press Across a Large Pizza
A rocker cutter, or mezzaluna, is a long curved blade you press down and rock, instead of a wheel you roll. Checkered Chef’s is 14 inches of stainless steel, which the listing says gives single-stroke slicing across an entire large pizza. Because it cuts straight down rather than dragging, it tends to leave toppings and cheese where they are.
The blade is a single piece with no hinges or moving parts to trap grease, according to the listing, and a snap-on cover keeps the edge safe in a drawer. It is dishwasher safe on the top rack. Checkered Chef suggests it for herbs, flatbread and naan, quesadillas and portioning brownies or sheet-cake bars straight from the pan.
Two things to know before buying. A 14-inch blade needs a board at least that wide, and it is a two-handed tool: one hand on each end, pressing down. And a rocker will cut a nonstick coating just as a wheel will, so use it on wood or plastic.
Why we like it
- 14-inch blade crosses a large pizza in one press
- One-piece blade, nothing to trap grease
- Snap-on blade cover
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | FBA_COMINHKG080476 |
|---|---|
| Type | Rocker (mezzaluna) |
| Blade diameter/length | 14 inches |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Guard | Snap-on blade cover |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes (top rack) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for sheet-pan and large thin-crust pizzas, flatbreads and anything where you want a straight, clean cut without pulling the cheese.
Skip it if your counter space or cutting board is small; a 14-inch blade needs room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast, straight cuts
- Keeps toppings in place
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Needs a large board
- Two-handed
- Long blade to store
4. Dreamfarm Scizza Pizza Scissors – Cuts and Serves Without Scratching
Dreamfarm’s Scizza is the answer to a specific problem: cutting a pizza that is still in a nonstick pan or on a coated tray. It is a pair of scissors with curved blades on top and a flat spatula shoe underneath. The shoe slides under the pizza and protects the pan, and Dreamfarm says it is heat resistant to 400°F (205°C), so it can go into a hot pan straight from the oven.
The curved blades cut from above, which the maker says keeps toppings in place and your hands away from hot food. After cutting, you pinch the slice between the blades and shoe and lift it out to serve, which no wheel can do. Dreamfarm describes the blades as hardened German stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and its website lists 420J2 stainless steel, nylon and ABS as the materials.
Dreamfarm’s site describes the blades as extra long at 15 cm, and the listing gives a 3-year warranty on manufacturing faults. Scissors are slower than a wheel on a big pizza, but for pan pizza, flatbread or a quesadilla in a skillet they are the safe choice. For general-purpose shears, see our best kitchen shears guide.
Why we like it
- Spatula shoe protects nonstick pans
- Shoe heat resistant to 400°F
- Cuts, then lifts the slice to serve
- Dishwasher safe; 3-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | DFSC2010 |
|---|---|
| Type | Pizza scissors with spatula shoe |
| Blade diameter/length | 15 cm (about 6 inches), per Dreamfarm |
| Blade material | Hardened German stainless steel (420J2, per Dreamfarm) |
| Guard | Shoe sits under the blades; no separate guard |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who bakes in nonstick pans or on coated trays, and families who like to cut and serve with one tool.
Skip it if you mostly cut large pizzas on a board; a wheel or rocker is quicker.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Safe on nonstick
- Serves as well as cuts
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Slower on large pizzas
- Bulkier in the drawer
5. Kitchy Palm-Grip Pizza Cutter Wheel – Palm Grip, Comes Apart to Clean
Kitchy’s cutter turns the usual pizza wheel on its side. Instead of a handle, the wheel sits in a rounded body that fits in the palm of your hand, so you press straight down on the blade. The listing says this stable vertical pressure and the large cutting wheel make for a controlled cut, and that the shape fits easily in a cutlery drawer.
Two practical features stand out. It comes with a blade guard for safe storage, and it takes apart in three steps for a thorough clean before going into the dishwasher, which is where most wheels collect old cheese. Kitchy does not state the blade’s diameter or material in the listing.
The palm grip suits people who find a long handle awkward, and it is easy for older children to use with supervision. On a very thick crust, a long-handled wheel gives more leverage.
Why we like it
- Palm grip for straight-down pressure
- Blade guard for storage
- Takes apart for cleaning
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | PC-01 |
|---|---|
| Type | Palm-grip pizza wheel |
| Blade diameter/length | Not stated |
| Blade material | Not stated in the listing |
| Guard | Blade guard for storage |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for a small kitchen drawer, or if you want a wheel you can take apart and clean properly.
Skip it if you need stated blade specs; Kitchy gives neither diameter nor steel type.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to clean thoroughly
- Comes with a guard
Cons
- Blade size not stated
- Less leverage on thick crusts
- Material not stated
6. KitchenAid Classic Pizza Wheel – Angled Wheel, Built-In Guard
KitchenAid’s classic wheel is a familiar shape done carefully. The listing describes a blade of 430 stainless steel that stays sharp and resists rust, on an angled head that KitchenAid says gives better comfort when slicing hot pizza straight out of the oven. A built-in finger guard protects your hand from both the blade and the heat.
KitchenAid makes the same case for a roller cutter that pizza cooks make: unlike a knife, the wheel presses crust and toppings together as it cuts, so the toppings stay on. The listing suggests it for waffles, pies and cookie dough too.
It is dishwasher safe, and KitchenAid backs it with a 1-year hassle-free replacement and a lifetime limited warranty. The listing gives the tool’s overall size as 9 inches but not the blade diameter.
Why we like it
- 430 stainless steel blade
- Built-in finger guard
- Angled head for comfort
- Dishwasher safe; lifetime limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | KE113OHOBA |
|---|---|
| Type | Pizza wheel |
| Blade diameter/length | Not stated (tool is 9 inches long) |
| Blade material | 430 stainless steel |
| Guard | Built-in finger guard |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a well-guarded, dishwasher-safe wheel from a familiar brand, in several colors.
Skip it if you want a stated blade size; OXO’s 4-inch wheel is the better-documented choice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good hand protection
- Dishwasher safe
- Warranty
Cons
- Blade diameter not stated
- No storage cover
- Not for nonstick pans
7. Zyliss Sharp Edge Pizza Cutter – Removable Wheel and Blade Cover
Zyliss designs its tools around cleaning and storage, and the Sharp Edge pizza cutter shows it. The stainless steel wheel comes off the handle, so cheese and sauce cannot hide in the hub, and the whole thing is dishwasher safe, according to the listing.
A snap-on blade cover and a hanging loop mean it can live in a drawer or on a hook without dulling the edge or catching fingers. The handle is shaped for right- and left-handed use.
The Amazon listing gives a 5-year warranty. Zyliss does not state the wheel’s diameter in the listing, so if you regularly cut thick-crust pizza, a wheel with a stated 4-inch blade is the safer bet.
Why we like it
- Wheel removes for cleaning
- Snap-on blade cover
- Right- or left-handed use
- Dishwasher safe; 5-year warranty (listing)
Key specifications
| Model | E910029U |
|---|---|
| Type | Pizza wheel |
| Blade diameter/length | Not stated |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Guard | Snap-on blade cover |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if hygiene and safe storage matter most, or if you share a kitchen with left-handed cooks.
Skip it if you need a large blade for deep dish; the size is not stated.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to clean
- Safe storage
- Ambidextrous
Cons
- Blade size not stated
- Plastic body
- No finger guard stated
8. Winco 4-inch Pizza Cutter with Wooden Handle – Simple Restaurant-Supply Wheel
Winco sells to restaurants, and this is the plain pizza wheel you see in many of them: a 4-inch stainless steel blade on a wooden handle. The listing says the blade resists rust and stays sharp, that the build handles various pizza sizes and crusts, and that it is made to withstand a fast-paced commercial kitchen.
There is nothing clever about it, which is the point. A 4-inch wheel covers big pizzas, sheet-pan pizzas and flatbreads in a few passes, and the wooden handle gives a warm, secure grip.
Winco’s listing does not say whether the cutter is dishwasher safe. With a wooden handle, hand washing and drying straight away is the cautious choice.
Why we like it
- 4-inch stainless steel blade
- Wooden handle for a secure grip
- Built for commercial kitchens, per Winco
- Simple, few parts
Key specifications
| Model | PWC-4 |
|---|---|
| Type | Pizza wheel |
| Blade diameter/length | 4 inches |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Guard | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated; wooden handle |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who like a traditional wooden-handled wheel and want a restaurant-supply tool without extras.
Skip it if you want dishwasher cleaning or a finger guard; neither is stated.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large blade
- Classic wood handle
- Commercial-kitchen build
Cons
- Dishwasher safety not stated
- No guard stated
- Wood needs drying
9. Henckels Rocker Pizza Cutter and Bench Scraper Set – Cut the Pizza, Portion the Dough
Henckels pairs a stainless steel rocking pizza cutter with a bench scraper, and the two make sense together. The scraper, with etched measurement markings, divides and portions dough before the bake; the rocker cuts the pizza after it. The listing describes both as stainless steel.
The rocker comes with a blade protector for safe drawer storage, both pieces are dishwasher safe, and Henckels backs the set with a lifetime warranty, according to the listing. The listing does not give the rocker’s blade length.
A bench scraper is one of the most-used tools in any kitchen that works with dough. It lifts sticky dough off the counter, cuts it into equal balls and scrapes the board clean afterward, which is as useful for tortilla dough as for pizza.
Why we like it
- Rocker and bench scraper together
- Scraper has etched measurements
- Blade protector included
- Dishwasher safe; lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 1029646 |
|---|---|
| Type | Rocker plus bench scraper |
| Blade diameter/length | Not stated |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Guard | Blade protector |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you make your own dough and want one set for portioning dough and cutting the finished pizza.
Skip it if you want a stated rocker length; the 14-inch Checkered Chef is better documented.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two useful tools
- Lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Blade length not stated
- Rocker needs a large board
- Scraper may duplicate one you own
How to choose a pizza cutter
Five things decide which cutter suits you, and the first one matters most.
1. Wheel, rocker or scissors
- Wheels are quick, familiar and easy to store. A large wheel rolls over thick crusts; a small one drags. KitchenAid notes that a wheel presses crust and toppings together as it cuts, which keeps toppings on.
- Rockers (mezzalunas) cut straight down in one press, so cheese stays put and slices separate cleanly. They need a large board and two hands.
- Scissors such as the Dreamfarm Scizza cut from above with a shoe underneath that protects nonstick pans, and lift the slice out to serve.
2. Blade size
For wheels, about 4 inches is the sweet spot: OXO, Dexter-Russell and Winco all use 4-inch blades, big enough for deep dish and thick crusts. For rockers, the blade should be at least as long as your pizza is wide if you want one-press cuts; Checkered Chef’s is 14 inches.
3. What you cut on
Any sharp blade can scratch a nonstick coating. Cut on a wooden or plastic board, or use scissors with a protective shoe in nonstick pans. If you bake on a coated pan, our best oven pizza pan guide notes which pans are nonstick.
4. Guards and storage
A thumb or finger guard (OXO, KitchenAid) keeps your hand off the blade and away from a hot pizza. A blade cover (Checkered Chef, Kitchy, Zyliss, Henckels) protects fingers reaching into a drawer and keeps the edge from dulling against other tools.
5. Cleaning
Cheese gets into hubs and seams. Wheels that come apart (Kitchy, Zyliss) and one-piece rockers are the easiest to clean thoroughly. Most here are dishwasher safe; Dexter-Russell recommends hand washing to preserve the blade, and Winco does not say.
Cutting pizza without wrecking it
A few kitchen habits make any cutter work better.
- Let it rest a minute or two. Straight from the oven, the cheese is liquid and slides with the blade. A short rest lets it set enough to cut cleanly.
- Move the pizza off the stone or steel first. Slide it onto a board with a peel; our best pizza oven peel guide covers wood and metal peels. Cutting on a hot stone or steel dulls blades quickly.
- Cut in firm, single passes. Sawing back and forth with a wheel drags toppings; a rocker should be pressed, then rocked once.
- Use it for more than pizza. A wheel or rocker cuts quesadillas into wedges, trims flatbreads, and turns a stack of corn tortillas into strips for chips.
How we chose these nine cutters
We started from what a working kitchen expects of a cutter: a blade that cuts in one or two passes, a grip that stays secure with greasy hands, a guard or cover, and cleaning that removes trapped cheese. We then narrowed the field to cutters sold on Amazon in the United States that were in stock when we checked, from identifiable makers, and chose nine that cover each style rather than several near-identical wheels. We left out unbranded rocker blades and cutters whose listings gave little maker information, and Dexter-Russell’s other 4-inch handle colors that showed only future availability.
Specifications come from the maker’s own information where we could read it (Dexter-Russell’s product page, Dreamfarm’s product page) and otherwise from the brand’s Amazon listing; where a maker does not state a blade size or material, we say so rather than guess. We have not used these cutters, and we do not repeat any reviewer’s verdict we could not read for ourselves.
Pizza cutter questions, answered
What type of pizza cutter is best?
For most home cooks, a 4-inch wheel with a thumb guard, such as the OXO Good Grips. A rocker gives cleaner, straighter cuts on large or sheet-pan pizzas, and scissors are best for cutting in nonstick pans.
Is a rocker cutter better than a wheel?
It cuts differently. A rocker presses straight down, so toppings stay in place and slices separate in one move, but it needs a large board and two hands. A wheel is quicker to grab, easier to store and works on any size of pizza.
Which pizza cutter is safe for nonstick pans?
Scissors with a protective shoe, like the Dreamfarm Scizza, whose shoe slides under the pizza and is heat resistant to 400°F. Wheels and rockers can scratch a coating.
Can pizza cutters go in the dishwasher?
Most here can: OXO, Checkered Chef, Dreamfarm, Kitchy, KitchenAid, Zyliss and Henckels all list theirs as dishwasher safe. Dexter-Russell recommends hand washing to preserve the blade, and Winco’s wooden-handled wheel does not state either way.
What size pizza cutter wheel should I buy?
About 4 inches. A larger wheel rolls over thick crusts and heavy toppings without dragging them, and covers a large pizza in fewer passes.
Our final cut
Buy the OXO Good Grips 4-inch wheel if you want one cutter that does everything well. Choose the Dexter-Russell for heavy, pizzeria-style use, the Checkered Chef rocker for clean, straight cuts on big pizzas, the Dreamfarm Scizza for nonstick pans, and the Kitchy if drawer space and easy cleaning matter most. For the oven side of pizza night, see our best pizza oven guide; our pizza stone and pizza steel guides cover the home-oven surfaces.
More for home pizza night: the best pizza steel, the best pizza stone and the best pizza cutter.
On a budget? See our guide to the best cheap pizza cutters.
Related guide: Pizza cutter alternative.
And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.