Best cheese graters for everyday kitchen use

Top pick: OXO Good Grips box grater. It's the one most kitchens settle on: a comfortable soft handle, four sides covering coarse shredding for cheddar and mozzarella down to fine grating for parmesan and zest, and stainless steel that holds up to daily use. Easy to hold steady on a board, and simple to rinse or run through the dishwasher.

Who the others suit:

• Cuisinart box grater — if you want a plain, sturdy stamped-blade grater with nothing extra to break.
• Cuisipro 4-sided — if you grate ginger and want a dedicated side for it.
• OXO etched with removable zester — if you zest citrus often and want a detachable zester.
• Gorilla Grip — a budget-friendly starter grater for light use.
• Microplane Nature Series — if you'd rather have a bamboo-and-steel grater that looks good on the counter.

Skip the five-blade models with measuring cups: more parts to wash, and the ratings are weaker.