Best safe mandolin slicers under $40

Top pick: OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline. OXO's hand-held design is the safest bet for most kitchens: a stainless blade, a non-slip grip, and a food holder that keeps fingers back while you slice. It's compact, easy to rinse, and the brand's build quality is why it's the one I'd hand to a first-time user.

Who the others suit:

• OXO Adjustable Hand Held — same safety approach, but with three set thicknesses (1, 2.5 and 4 mm) if you want repeatable slices.
• PrepSolutions Easy Adjustable — the crowd favourite for value; a good pick if you slice a lot and want a bigger, rated-by-many option.
• Machify 5-in-1 with safe hand guard — best for someone who wants julienne and multiple blades on a tight budget.
• PrepSolutions Mini / Cook with Color — small jobs, small drawers, small spend.
• Swayvoo — a longer rail for bigger vegetables.

Whatever you choose, use the guard every time — mandolines are the classic kitchen finger-slicer.