There are few dishes that are as beloved or classic as mashed potatoes. But achieving the perfect texture is tricky. Tossing boiled potatoes into a food processor or blender might seem the way to go, but they overwork the potato and release an excess of starch, leading to gummy and unappealing mashed potatoes. Potato ricers, however, are another story. Their mechanism is similar to a garlic press, pushing the potato through a perforated disk so you break down the potato without releasing too much starch. As an added plus, you can put the potatoes with the skin on, and the ricer will remove the skin in the process. Here are our favorite potato ricers on the market so you can wow your guests with creamy, lump-free mashed potatoes. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Ricer The GOAT Potato RicerOur top pick is an all-around performer that's foolproof for achieving perfectly mashed foods.Best OverallFind on Amazon In our eyes, the OXO potato ricer is pretty close to ideal. For one, it’s perfectly sized: not too large that it’s unwieldy to handle, but not too small that you need multiple rounds to mash your potatoes. And it’s simple to use. Just load your potato into the “hopper” and press down. You don’t even need to peel the potato beforehand since the ricer will leave the skins behind. Best of all, OXO’s ricer features the soft, non-slip handles that the brand is known and loved for. Overall, this ricer handles smoothly and squeezes out your potatoes (or carrots, yams, apples, etc.) without you breaking a sweat. Pros: A non-slip knob at the end of the ricer holds it in place over a bowl or pot Made of stainless steel, so it won’t rust easily Knob doubles as a hook to hang up and conveniently store The ergonomic, non-slip handles absorb pressure and relieve tension in your hands Cons: Does not include other discs Tundras Stainless Steel Potato Ricer Small but MightyDon't let the size fool you with this durable tool.Most CompactFind on Amazon The Tundras potato ricer is ideal for those who have smaller portions of food to mash. The size of this ricer feels especially convenient since it’s easy to keep with the rest of your spatulas and spoons in your utensil crock. Despite being smaller than some other ricers on the market, all the joints are secure and durable. We like that this ricer comes with three changeable discs so you have the freedom to decide how fine or coarse you want your food to be. Pros: The different discs are greater for mashing baby food Can also be used as a garlic press The compact size also means better control as you’re pressing Discs are easy to swap in and out The non-slip knob holds the ricer in place and doubles as a place to hook it Cons: The handle has no cushion for a softer or firmer grip Bellemain Stainless Steel Potato Ricer Mashed Potatoes for DummiesYou'll feel like a pro with these easy-to-use interchangeable discs. Easiest To UseFind on Amazon Sleek and stylish are two words that come to mind with Bellenmain’s potato ricer. If we’re talking about form, we love the eye-catching red rubber grip and knob at the end. When it comes to function, it’s impressively sturdy and crafted of food-safe, rust-free stainless steel. This ricer also comes with three different discs so you can mash your food to a coarse, medium, or fine texture. The 4″ diameter of the cylinder is an ideal size for easy handling, so think of this as a solid mid-sized ricer. Pros: Cushioned handles that allow for comfortable handling Handy insert holds discs in place Designed to minimize spaces that food can get into, making it easy to clean Cons: Need to be careful if hand washing the ricer because of the steel insert MyLifeUNIT Heavy Duty Commercial Potato Ricer Ready for the PartyIf you're always cooking for a party, this is the heavy-duty ricer for you.Most Heavy DutyFind on Amazon If you’re looking for a potato ricer that’s built for heavier loads, go with this pick from MyLifeUNIT. Its design is different than most of the ricers you’ve seen. Rather than a cylinder hopper, the basket is shaped more like an inverted triangle, so you have two perforated sides that you push food through. And although it’s a jumbo size, it’s still easy to grip and work with thanks to the extended 11.5-inch handle. Those extra inches provide greater leverage and control. Pros: Durable construction Can be disassembled for easy cleaning Easy to load, as you won’t need to slice the potatoes in half before placing them in this ricer Ideal if you’re cooking larger-than-average servings or for big gatherings Cons: No cushion on handles RSVP International Potato Ricer Who Says Plastic Has to Have a Bad Rap?Roomy but sturdy, this plastic ricer can hold its own in the kitchen.Best Plastic OptionFind on Amazon Though many potato ricers feature a mostly stainless-steel design, the RSVP ricer is constructed of plastic. Don’t let that deter you, though; this plastic is heavy-duty and sturdy to the touch. The plastic contoured handles are comfortable in the palm of your hand, and the stainless steel discs come in two different styles. It’s quite roomy in the hopper as well, so it’s great for families who are looking to mash larger portions of food but don’t want something that feels commercial grade. Pros: Resting extension for more convenience Plastic handles are more comfortable and forgiving than metal ones Can handle larger loads Cons: Many ricers come with three interchangeable discs, but this model comes with two Frequently Asked Questions Is a ricer the same as a masher? It’s easy to confuse the two, but they’re very different. A ricer will essentially push the potato through holes so that the potato is shredded into small pieces. A masher is a tool with a handle and perforated or “wave” construction at the end. You use these to quickly smash potatoes (or bananas for banana bread). A ricer will give you more uniform, effortless results. Is it worth it to get a potato ricer if I hardly ever make mashed potatoes? Potatoes are only the start — the sky’s the limit with potato ricers. They’re great for any food you want mashed, whether it’s carrots for carrot cake, apples for baby food, or filling for ravioli. Some people even use these tools to lightly squeeze out water from vegetables. Related posts: The Best Sweet Potato Dog Treats The Best Hermit Crab Shells The Best Pooper Scooper Rakes