Introduction
Best kitchen shears under $20 — if you’ve ever struggled to cut through chicken bones with a knife, fought with stubborn herb stems, or wrestled with tough packaging, you already know why a good pair of kitchen shears is a game-changer.
Unlike regular scissors, kitchen shears are built specifically for food prep. They make snipping herbs, spatchcocking chicken, trimming fat, opening packages, and cutting pizza effortless and safe.
In this guide, we compared the top options to find the best kitchen shears under $20 that are sharp, comfortable, durable, and actually worth buying in 2026.
Best kitchen shears under $20 — if you’ve ever struggled to cut through chicken bones with a knife or fought with tough packaging, you’re not alone. According to Serious Eats, a good pair of kitchen shears is one of the most useful and underrated tools in any kitchen.
These kitchen shears work beautifully alongside the Best Kitchen Knife Under $20 and the Best Cheese Grater Under $20 for a complete and efficient prep setup.
Table of Contents
- Why Every Kitchen Needs a Good Pair of Shears
- Our Top Pick: OXO Good Grips Kitchen & Herb Scissors
- What Makes These Shears Stand Out
- What We Love About Them
- Any Downsides?
- What to Look for in Kitchen Shears Under $20
- How to Use Kitchen Shears Like a Pro
- Other Kitchen Shears Worth Considering
- Final Verdict
Why Every Kitchen Needs a Good Pair of Shears
Best kitchen shears under $20 — if you’ve ever struggled to cut through chicken bones with a knife, fought with stubborn herb stems, or wrestled with tough packaging, you already know why a good pair of kitchen shears is essential.
They handle everything from snipping fresh herbs directly into the pan to spatchcocking a whole chicken safely and efficiently.
Once you start using a quality pair, you’ll reach for them almost every day. They save time, reduce mess, and make many tasks much safer than using a knife.
In this guide, we compared the top options to find the best kitchen shears under $20 that are sharp, comfortable, durable, and truly worth buying in 2026.
Our Top Pick: OXO Good Grips Kitchen & Herb Scissors
Our top recommendation for the best kitchen shears under $20 is the OXO Good Grips Kitchen & Herb Scissors.
OXO is known for creating smart, ergonomic kitchen tools, and these shears deliver exactly what home cooks need — reliable performance at an affordable price.
Price: Under $20. Check the current price on Amazon before buying.
What Makes These Shears Stand Out
- Soft Non-Slip Grips — Cushioned handles that stay comfortable even with wet or greasy hands
- Sharp Stainless Steel Blades — Cut cleanly through meat, herbs, packaging, and more
- Micro-Serrated Edge — Helps grip slippery foods like chicken skin and fish
- Built-in Herb Stripper — Multiple hole sizes for stripping rosemary, thyme, and other herbs in seconds
- Separable Blades — Easy to take apart for thorough cleaning
- Dishwasher Safe — Makes cleanup effortless after cutting raw meat
The OXO Good Grips Kitchen Shears are well reviewed by home cooks. For independent testing of this category, see Wirecutter’s guide.
What We Love About Them
- Extremely comfortable soft-grip handles that reduce hand fatigue
- Sharp blades that stay effective for a long time
- Built-in herb stripper is surprisingly useful and time-saving
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Excellent value for the price
- Trusted OXO build quality that lasts for years
Any Downsides?
- Slightly heavier than ultra-light models (a trade-off for durability)
- The herb stripper works best on thinner stems
- Top-cut design can leave slightly sharp edges on some cans (not dangerous, but worth noting)
These are very minor issues for a pair at this price point.
What to Look for in Kitchen Shears Under $20
When shopping for the best kitchen shears under $20, focus on these key features:
- Stainless steel blades with micro-serrations
- Comfortable non-slip, ergonomic handles
- Separable blades for easy cleaning
- Bonus features like herb strippers or bottle openers
- Strong pivot point that doesn’t loosen over time
How to Use Kitchen Shears Like a Pro
- Spatchcock chicken — Cut along both sides of the backbone for faster, even roasting
- Snip herbs directly into the pan or bowl — no cutting board needed
- Cut pizza or flatbreads — Cleaner cuts and better portion control than a pizza wheel
- Devein shrimp — Much faster and safer than using a paring knife
- Open tough packaging — Vacuum-sealed bags, plastic clamshells, and more become easy
Other Kitchen Shears Worth Considering
The OXO Kitchen & Herb Scissors are my top pick, especially if you snip a lot of herbs. For heavier jobs like breaking down chicken, or if you’d like separate pairs for raw meat and produce, these three are worth comparing. All sit comfortably under $20.
| Shears | Blades | Extras | Dishwasher Safe | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Kitchen & Herb Scissors (top pick) | Stainless steel | Herb stripper | Yes | Herbs and everyday snipping |
| KitchenAid All Purpose Shears | Micro-serrated stainless steel | Protective sheath | Yes (hand wash recommended) | Everyday cutting with safe storage |
| iBayam All Purpose Shears | Hardened stainless steel, 8.66 in | Color-coded handles | Yes (hand wash recommended) | Heavy-duty jobs on a budget |
| Astercook 3-Pack Shears | Stainless steel, 8.86 in | Three color-coded pairs | Yes | Separating meat, fish and produce |
KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears
KitchenAid’s shears have rust-resistant stainless steel blades with micro-serrated edges that grip slippery foods like chicken skin, and a soft, comfortable handle for longer jobs. They come with a sturdy plastic sheath, so they can go in a drawer without dulling or nicking anything, and they’re dishwasher safe.
Worth knowing: KitchenAid still recommends hand washing to keep the edge sharp longer.
iBayam All Purpose Kitchen Scissors
At 8.66 inches with hardened stainless steel blades, iBayam’s shears are built for heavier work like cutting poultry, trimming meat and opening tough packaging. The handle is shaped for comfort, and the color-coded handle options make it easy to keep one pair for raw meat.
Worth knowing: Hand washing is recommended to protect the edge, even though they can go in the dishwasher.
Astercook Kitchen Scissors (3-Pack)
If you’d like a dedicated pair for each job, Astercook gives you three heavy-duty stainless steel shears with different colored handles, for example one for raw meat, one for vegetables and one for packaging. Each pair is 8.86 inches, works in either hand and is dishwasher safe.
Worth knowing: Three pairs need more storage space, and none comes with a blade cover.
Final Verdict
The OXO Good Grips Kitchen & Herb Scissors are the best kitchen shears under $20 you can buy right now. They’re sharp, comfortable, versatile, and built to last — everything a great pair of kitchen shears should be.
If you cook regularly, this is one of the smartest and most useful small upgrades you can make in your kitchen.
For cleaner counters while cooking, pair them with the Zulay Kitchen Silicone Spoon Rest. You might also like the Best Kitchen Knife Under $20 for a complete prep upgrade.
Rating: 9.3 / 10 Highly Recommended.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen tools? Let us know which pair you choose in the comments!
For more expert recommendations on kitchen tools, check this detailed guide by America’s Test Kitchen.
The OXO Good Grips Kitchen & Herb Scissors are our top pick for the best kitchen shears under $20.
If you want to keep your counters clean while cooking, pair them with the Zulay Kitchen Silicone Spoon Rest — it’s the easiest way to catch drips and shreds.
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Please note that prices on Amazon change frequently. We do our best to feature products under $20, but we apologize if the price has changed since this article was published. Always check the current price before purchasing.