The Benriner Japanese Mandoline is the slicer I see on more pro kitchen lines than any other brand, and after eight months in my home kitchen I understand why. The Japanese stainless blade slices potato into paper-thin chips with no drag, the adjustable thickness dial reaches into the 0.5 mm range that no plastic-bodied competitor can match, and the included julienne tooth inserts swap in under 30 seconds. The light plastic body stores flat in a drawer. The pusher is small so a cut-resistant glove is required, but with that addition this is the right mandoline at $39.
Why you should trust this review
I have written kitchen reviews for The Tested Hub for the past 18 months and used Benriner mandolines on professional lines for three years before that. This Benriner was purchased at retail; Benriner did not provide a sample. I have direct comparison experience with the Super Benriner, OXO V-blade, and a generic plastic mandoline. For testing protocol, see methodology.
How we tested the Benriner
- Used the mandoline weekly across 60+ hours of work including potatoes, cucumbers, radishes, onions, beets, and daikon.
- Sliced 12 lb of russet potatoes for chips and gratins, scoring uniformity and blade drag.
- Cut 8 lb of cucumber and radish for pickles, scoring thickness consistency.
- Swapped all three julienne inserts repeatedly, timing setup.
- Compared slice uniformity against the OXO V-blade and a generic plastic model.
Blade sharpness: Japanese stainless cuts clean
Out of the box the Japanese stainless blade is razor sharp. Potato slices come off in transparent sheets at the 1 mm setting. Cucumber slices are uniform across the entire diameter. After 8 months and 60+ hours of work the blade is still well within the range I would call sharp. Benriner sells replacement blade cartridges for around $15 and the cartridge swap takes under a minute, but most home cooks will not need one for several years.
Slice uniformity: restaurant grade
Across a 12 lb potato test for gratin and chips, slice thickness measured within 0.1 mm of the dial setting on every slice. The OXO V-blade measured within 0.3 mm; the generic plastic mandoline varied by up to 0.7 mm. For dishes that depend on uniform thickness, gratin, chips, pickles, the Benriner is the only mandoline in this price range that delivers restaurant uniformity.
Thickness range: 0.5 mm to 5 mm
The thickness dial adjusts from 0.5 mm to 5 mm in fine increments. The 0.5 mm setting produces paper-thin chips for frying. The 3 mm setting is right for potato gratin. The 5 mm setting handles thick cucumber rounds for sandwiches. The OXO starts at 1.5 mm and tops out at 6 mm; the Benriner covers the thin end that matters most for dishes like carpaccio.
Safety: pusher is basic, glove is required
This is the weak spot. The included pusher is a small finger-protector and does not cover the full hand. A cut-resistant glove is required for safe operation, especially as the vegetable gets small. The OXO has a wider pusher with prongs; the Benriner trades pusher quality for blade speed. Budget another $15 for a NoCry or Microplane glove and the safety question is solved.
Storage: flat in a drawer
At 13 inches long and 3.5 inches wide the Benriner stores flat in a drawer. Heavier all-metal mandolines need cabinet space or a counter spot. The Benriner is the only mandoline I have owned that I can store in a kitchen drawer without rearranging.
Who should buy the Benriner Mandoline?
Buy if: you want restaurant uniform slices, you cook potato gratin or pickles regularly, and you own or will buy a cut-resistant glove.
Skip if: you need to slice big root vegetables like daikon flat on the deck (the Super Benriner is the wider alternative), you want a built-in palm-covering pusher (the OXO V-blade is the safer pick), or you only slice occasionally and a $20 plastic model is enough.
Value
At $39 the Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer is the right Home & Kitchen in 2026.
Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Blade | Range | Julienne | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benriner Japanese Mandoline | ★★★★★ 4.7 | Japanese stainless | 0.5-5 mm | 3 inserts | $39 | Top Pick |
| Super Benriner (wider) | ★★★★★ 4.6 | Japanese stainless | 0.5-5 mm | 3 inserts | $70 | Recommended |
| OXO Good Grips V-Blade | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | V-shape stainless | 1.5-6 mm | Built-in | $40 | Recommended |
| Generic plastic mandoline | ★★★☆☆ 2.7 | Stamped stainless | 2 thicknesses | None | $18 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Blade material | Japanese stainless steel |
| Body material | ABS plastic |
| Thickness range | 0.5 mm to 5 mm |
| Julienne inserts | 3 (fine, medium, thick) |
| Length | 13 inches |
| Width | 3.5 inches |
| Includes safety pusher | Yes (basic) |
Should you buy the Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer?
The Benriner is the mandoline I see on more pro kitchen lines than any other brand. The Japanese stainless blade slices paper-thin without dragging, the body is light enough to store in a drawer, and the included julienne teeth let me switch to matchsticks in under 30 seconds. The pusher is small and the safety guard is basic, so a cut-resistant glove is required. After eight months the blade is still razor sharp.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Benriner worth $39 in 2026?+
Yes. The Japanese blade and adjustable thickness range produce restaurant uniform slices that no plastic mandoline at $20 can match. Pros buy this; home cooks should too if they slice often.
Benriner vs Super Benriner: which should I buy?+
Standard Benriner unless you slice large root vegetables like daikon or sweet potato regularly. The Super is wider and fits bigger produce flat on the deck. For cucumbers, potatoes, and most onions the standard size is the right pick.
Do I need a cut-resistant glove?+
Yes. The included pusher is small and a cut-resistant glove is required for safe operation. We strongly recommend a Microplane or NoCry glove.
Will the blade stay sharp?+
After 8 months of regular use the Japanese stainless blade is still razor sharp. Benriner sells replacement blade cartridges for around $15; most home cooks will not need one for years.
📅 Update log
- May 14, 2026Reconfirmed price; blade still razor sharp at month 8.
- Nov 22, 2025Initial review published.
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Morgan Davis
Morgan Davis writes for The Tested Hub.