10 vegetable peelers to try and maybe buy

The right peeler can make life a whole lot easier, especially if you're partial to mashed potatoes, apple pie, and any other dishes that call for skinless fruits and vegetables. Consumer Reports evaluated 10 peelers on comfort and competence and found some real differences.

Chef ‘N FreshForce Popout Peeler, $10
Pros: Has a two-sided blade that retracts for safer storage, good control, and required minimal pressure to peel.
Con: Testers with smaller hands found it a bit long and bulky.

Chef ‘N Vibe Palm Hand Peeler, $6
Pro: It fits in the palm of your hand.
Cons: A person with big fingers may have trouble slipping it on, the limited visibility takes some getting used to, and the blade took off too much meat from apples and potatoes in our tests.

Joseph & Joseph 3-in-1 Design Rotary Peeler, $12
Pro: This peeler earns points for originality, offering three blades in one—straight, serrated and julienne—in a unique rotating dial.
Cons: Holding the 2 1/2-inch-diameter tool was awkward for large-handed testers, and peels collected in the blades.

KitchenAid Cook's Series Swivel Peeler, $8
Pro: The handle on this KitchenAid peeler was judged comfortable by our testers.
Cons: The blade was dull and required a lot of pressure, making the peeler harder to maneuver than others. Also, the hollow handle could hold water after washing, causing corrosion.

Kuhn Rikon Dual Peeler #22024, $8
Pros: Its two blades—straight and serrated—were sharp and handled well around the nooks of a potato. Testers found it to be lightweight and comfortable.
Con: The peeler's square plastic edges could get uncomfortable during extended peeling jobs.

Kyocera Perfect Peeler CP-20 RD, $18
Pro: The ceramic blade was very sharp and able to cleanly remove peels without taking off any of the underlying meat. The blade can be adjusted to the left, right, or horizontal position, making it a versatile tool.
Con: The price, which is higher than most.

Michael Graves Y Peeler Non-Serrated, $2
Pro: The price!
Cons: Our testers judged it awkward to handle, and the blade was dull and jammed easily with peels.

Microplane Straight Blade Peeler, $10
Pros: Umm...
Cons: The Microplane peeler makes ergonomic claims in its ads, but it felt awkward and hard-to-control to our testers. Plus the blade took off a lot of the meat of the foods we peeled, rather than a thin layer of the skin.

Oxo Good Grips Serrated Peeler, $8
Pros: Testers described a smooth cutting action with the two-sided serrated blade on this swivel peeler. It was able to peel cleanly without a lot of pressure. Testers also found the peeler comfortable to use.
Cons: None that we found.

Prepara Trio Blade Peeler, $10
Pros: This peeler has three retractable blades: straight, serrated, and julienne. It had a smooth cutting action.
Cons: Testers with smaller hands found it bulky, and it can be hard to tell where the blade is in relation to your hand.

Bottom line: Since personal preference and comfort are so important with this tool, always handle a peeler before purchasing—one reason to shop in stores for this kitchen item, rather than online.

—Daniel DiClerico