Best Poultry Shears: Our 2026 Checklist and Top 3 Picks
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The best poultry shears from OXO, KitchenAid and HENCKELS, with a buyer checklist, red flags and care tips.
Spatchcocking a turkey, splitting a chicken for the grill or trimming wing tips is much easier with a pair of sturdy poultry shears than with a knife. Good shears cut through backbones and joints with controlled, safe pressure and clean up easily afterward, while flimsy kitchen scissors bend or slip. This guide to the best poultry shears lays out the checklist we use to judge them, then names three picks that pass.
We explain each criterion, share our picks, add a quick buyer checklist, red flags, care tips and common questions. Raw poultry can spread germs, so wash shears in hot soapy water right after use, keep them away from ready to eat foods until clean and sanitize your cutting board. Lock shears closed for storage, keep them out of children's reach and cut away from your hands, since spring loaded blades can snap shut quickly.
How We Evaluate the Best Poultry Shears
We score each pair on cutting power, blade design, grip and safety, cleaning, build quality, warranty and value. Here is what good and poor look like.
Intended Use and Who It's For
Dedicated poultry shears, like OXO's spring loaded shears and Wüsthof's 13 inch curved shears, are built for breaking down whole birds. All purpose kitchen shears, like KitchenAid's and iBayam's, handle herbs, packaging and light meat trimming but may struggle with backbones. Multi purpose premium shears, like Shun's and Misen's, bridge both jobs.
Good: shears matched to whether you break down whole birds or just trim. Poor: thin scissors forced through bone.
Blade Design and Cutting Power
Curved, tapered blades, like OXO's, reach around joints and into tight spots. Serrated edges, like Henckels', Zwilling's, Shun's and MITSUMOTO SAKARI's, grip slippery skin and bone. Bone notches, like OXO's and Shun's, hold bones in place while you cut. Thick blades resist flexing: MITSUMOTO SAKARI lists 3.5 mm titanium plated blades hardened to HRC 56.
Grip, Leverage and Spring Action
Leverage decides how hard you squeeze. OXO's spring loaded design reopens the blades for you, which helps on repetitive cuts, and its handle loop and bolster prevent your hand from slipping forward. Long shears, like Wüsthof's 13 inch model, add leverage for big birds. Soft, non slip handles, like KitchenAid's and Shun's over molded grips, stay secure when wet.
Safety Features
Locks keep blades closed in a drawer. OXO, Henckels and Victorinox include locking mechanisms. KitchenAid includes a protective sheath. Non slip handles and finger guards reduce slips on greasy poultry.
Cleaning and Hygiene
Poultry leaves fat and bacteria in pivot joints. Take apart shears, like Shun's, MITSUMOTO SAKARI's and Misen's, separate at the pivot for thorough cleaning. Henckels, Zwilling and KitchenAid list dishwasher safe designs, though KitchenAid recommends hand washing to preserve the edge. OXO recommends hand washing and prompt drying.
Build Quality and Materials
Stainless steel blades resist rust from poultry juices. Shun uses 420J2 stainless steel, Misen uses German stainless steel and MITSUMOTO SAKARI uses titanium plated stainless steel. Zwilling's TWIN Deluxe shears are made in Germany. Solid pivot rivets or bolts keep blades aligned under force.
Warranty and Value
All purpose shears cost around $9 to $13, like iBayam's and KitchenAid's. Dedicated poultry shears cost around $30 to $50, like OXO's, Henckels' and Zwilling's. Premium shears cost around $60 to $71, like Shun's, Wüsthof's and Victorinox's. Many brands offer long warranties on cutlery, so register your purchase.
Size and Length
Shear length affects leverage and control. Compact shears around 8 to 9 inches, like KitchenAid's 8.72 inch pair and HENCKELS' model with 3.5 inch blades, are nimble for trimming and smaller birds. Long poultry shears, like Wüsthof's 13 inch curved model, give more leverage for turkeys and large roasting chickens. Consider your hand size too, since oversized handles can be hard to close fully.
Extra Functions
Some shears double as other tools. Shun's multi purpose shears add a bone notch, bottle opener, nutcracker and multi function tips, and Misen markets its shears for herbs, vegetables and household tasks. Extras add value if you want one pair in the drawer, but a dedicated poultry shear is the better choice for frequent whole bird prep.
3 Picks That Pass Our Checklist
Our picks are the OXO Good Grips Spring Loaded Poultry Shears as the best overall, the KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears as the best value and the HENCKELS 4 Inch Kitchen Shears for Poultry as the best compact pick.
We compared blade shape, serrations, leverage, locks, cleaning, materials and price, along with the overall pattern in owner feedback. We did not cut with these shears ourselves; the notes reflect maker specifications.
Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Spring Loaded Poultry Shears
The OXO poultry shears suit home cooks who break down whole chickens and turkeys, at around $30. OXO lists curved, tapered blades that reach hard to reach places, a blade notch that holds bones securely, a handle loop and bolster that prevent your hand from slipping forward, a spring loaded action and a handle lock that keeps blades closed for storage. OXO recommends hand washing in warm, soapy water and drying promptly.
Two strengths stand out: spring action that reduces hand fatigue and a design made specifically for poultry. It has a large owner review count.
The limitation is hand wash only care.
Best Value: KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears
The KitchenAid shears suit budget cooks who want one pair for herbs, packaging and lighter poultry work, at around $13. KitchenAid lists stainless steel blades with micro serrated edges that grip food, extra thick blades for strength, a soft non slip comfort handle, a protective sheath and dishwasher safe construction, though hand washing is recommended. They measure 8.72 inches long.
Its strengths are a very low price and an extremely large owner review count.
The trade off is that straight all purpose blades are less effective on backbones than dedicated poultry shears.
Best Compact Pick: HENCKELS 4 Inch Kitchen Shears for Poultry
The HENCKELS poultry shears suit smaller kitchens and cooks who want a compact, heavy duty pair, at around $30. HENCKELS lists 3.5 inch serrated steel blades for tough materials, a handle designed for breaking down poultry quickly, locking blades for safe storage and dishwasher safe construction.
The appeal is compact size with serrated cutting power and dishwasher convenience.
The limitation is shorter blades, so large turkeys take more cuts.
Quick Buyer Checklist
Will you cut through bone? Choose dedicated poultry shears.
Are the blades serrated or curved? Both help grip and maneuver.
Is there a lock or sheath? Safer storage.
Do they come apart or go in the dishwasher? Easier hygiene.
Are handles comfortable when wet? Look for non slip grips.
Is there a bone notch? It steadies cuts.
Red Flags to Watch For
Thin, flexible blades. They twist on bone.
Loose pivots. Wobbly blades cut poorly and trap bacteria.
Painted or coated handles that peel. Flakes can end up in food.
No cleaning guidance. Poultry tools must be easy to sanitize.
Rust spots out of the box. Return them right away.
Setup and Care Tips
Wash immediately after cutting raw poultry. Use hot soapy water and a brush at the pivot.
Separate take apart shears. Clean each blade fully.
Dry completely before storing. Moisture causes rust.
Oil the pivot occasionally. Use food safe mineral oil.
Sharpen or replace when dull. Dull shears require more force and slip.
FAQs
Are expensive poultry shears worth it?
Expensive shears are worth it if you break down whole birds often. Premium shears like Shun's, Wüsthof's and Victorinox's use harder steel and stronger pivots. For occasional use, OXO's spring loaded shears at around $30 offer excellent value.
What features matter most when buying poultry shears?
Blade strength, curved or serrated edges, comfortable handles, a lock and easy cleaning matter most. A bone notch and spring action make cutting backbones easier and less tiring.
How long do poultry shears last?
Quality stainless steel shears can last many years with proper care. Replace them if blades become loose, chipped or rusty, or if the spring breaks. Take apart models last longer because they are easier to clean thoroughly.
How do I maintain poultry shears?
Wash and dry right after use, sanitize after raw poultry and oil the pivot with food safe oil occasionally. Store shears locked or sheathed. Follow the maker's dishwasher guidance, since some recommend hand washing.
Can I use kitchen scissors instead of poultry shears?
You can for trimming fat, skin and small bones, but kitchen scissors may bend or slip on backbones. Dedicated poultry shears have stronger blades, curves and notches built for joints and bones, making spatchcocking safer and faster.
How do I spatchcock a chicken with poultry shears?
Place the chicken breast side down, then cut along both sides of the backbone from tail to neck and remove it. Flip the bird, press firmly on the breastbone to flatten it and tuck the wings. Strong, curved shears with a bone notch, like OXO's, make the backbone cuts quick and controlled. Wash the shears and board right away.
Are poultry shears left handed friendly?
Many are usable by left handed cooks, especially shears with symmetrical handles. Misen describes its handle design as ambidextrous. Spring loaded and loop handled shears can feel awkward in the left hand, so check handle shape before buying.
Our Verdict
The best poultry shears combine strong, grippy blades with safe handles and easy cleaning. OXO's spring loaded shears are the best overall, KitchenAid's all purpose shears are the best value and HENCKELS' compact serrated shears are the best compact pick.
For more cutlery guides, see the best carving knives, the best chef's knives, the best knife sets and the best meat thermometer for grilling. Then compare current prices in the product table above.
