The best potato masher for most people is the OXO Good Grips Stainless — sturdy, comfortable, and it mashes smooth with less effort. A good masher (or ricer) turns boiled potatoes into fluffy, lump-free mash without a workout or a bent, flimsy head. Below are the best potato mashers we’d actually use, from a stainless everyday masher to a fluffy-mash ricer — every one confirmed in stock.
How we chose the best potato mashers
Every pick was scored against the same criteria, and we confirmed each product is currently in stock on Amazon before including it:
- Real-world quality — materials, construction, and durability, not marketing claims.
- Fit for purpose — sound design and the right fit for the job each product is meant to do.
- Value across budgets — from a solid budget pick to a premium best-in-class option.
- Owner consensus — thousands of verified reviews and Amazon’s Choice standing, cross-checked against known failure points.
Potato mashers: the 3 best, compared
The 3 best potato mashers, ranked
1OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Best overall
A sturdy stainless masher head that won’t bend under pressure, with a wide, cushioned, non-slip handle that absorbs the force so your hand doesn’t ache through a big batch. Mashes potatoes, squash, beans, and more smoothly. Durable and comfortable. The potato masher most kitchens should buy.
- Great for mashing potatoes, root vegetables and fruit
- Sturdy, stainless steel wire head
- Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle absorbs pressure
- Dishwasher safe
2OXO Nylon (Non-Stick Safe) Best for nonstick
A heat-resistant nylon masher that won’t scratch nonstick pots — so you can boil and mash right in the same coated pan without damaging it, with OXO’s comfortable non-slip handle, for around twelve dollars. The pick for anyone who mashes in nonstick cookware and wants to protect the coating.
- Great for mashing potatoes, root vegetables and fruit
- Sturdy nylon is safe for non-stick cookware
- High-heat resistant nylon
- Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle absorbs pressure
3OXO Stainless Steel Potato Ricer Best for fluffy mash
For the smoothest, fluffiest, lump-free mashed potatoes, a ricer wins — press cooked potatoes through the fine holes and they come out light and airy, never gluey. This sturdy stainless OXO ricer also handles spaetzle, baby food, and squash. The pick for restaurant-quality, ultra-smooth mash.
- Perfect for making smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes
- Durable stainless steel body with soft handles; Dishwasher safe
- Nonslip knob holds Ricer in place over bowl or pot
- Also great for ricing carrots, cauliflower, yams and baby food
Potato mashers: buyer’s guide & FAQ
Masher or ricer — which makes better mashed potatoes?
Why do my mashed potatoes turn out gluey?
What can I use a potato masher for besides potatoes?
Stainless steel or nylon potato masher — which should I get?
Are potato mashers and ricers dishwasher safe?
More kitchen gear, ranked
I’ve spent years writing about and recommending the products people actually live with — the kitchen gear, home goods, and beauty finds that earn their place on a shelf. At Golden’s List I lead editorial across Home, Kitchen, Beauty, and Fitness, digging through reviews, specs, and real owner feedback to separate the genuinely great from the merely popular — and making sure every pick is in stock with a live price before it makes a list. Meet the whole team →