Whether you're a reluctant home chef or a passionate foodie, having the right tools in your kitchen can make cooking so much easier and faster. On that note, if you haven't invested in a good-quality pair of kitchen shears yet, it's high time that you did. Take it from me: for years I'd been using the same slightly-rusted pair of scissors to do all my cutting tasks in the kitchen, and a word to the wise: this is definitely not recommended. One day, though, I finally saw the light. I bought my first pair of kitchen shears, and the difference between these and my old scissors was like night and day. Finally, I could cut through tough herbs, slippery fish, and food packaging with total ease and precision. It made for such a better, more pleasant kitchen experience, and I want everyone else to have that experience, too. Pick from any of the few products on this list and you'll never go back to using mere scissors again. (Now if only I could replace my knives...) Kitchen Aid Classic Kitchen Shears The Gold StandardThe Kitchen Aid Classic Shears are the best on all counts.Best OverallFind on Amazon When it comes to the perfect kitchen shears – razor-sharp, light, and smooth to handle – nobody does it better than the Kitchen Aid. With sharp, micro-serrated blades crafted from rust-resistant stainless steel, these shears slice cleanly through pretty much anything, from woody herbs to chicken bones to thick paper and cardboard. They’re super-smooth to use, too, thanks to the ergonomic handle that features a soft-grip coating. And, these shears come with a plastic protective guard, so it’s easy to keep them in pristine shape for as long as possible. Pros: Blades are crafted from high-quality stainless steel Blades are extra-thick and the handle is ergonomic, allowing for a comfy user experience Features micro-serrations for enhanced cutting performance Comes in a wide array of cute colors Dishwasher-safe Comes with a plastic protective guard Cons: You do have to be careful to only use these in the kitchen; otherwise, they may get rusty if you try to use them outdoors Acelone Kitchen Shears A Shear DelightWhen you need to slice and dice through the thick stuff, it's best to have a pair of Acelone Kitchen Shears on hand.Best Heavy DutyFind on Amazon For those times when you need to swiftly, cleanly slice through meat and bone like butter, the Acelone Kitchen Shears are exactly what you’ll want on hand. The blades are extra-sharp and precise (and forged from premium-quality, durable stainless steel), providing you with some serious force as you cut – with very little effort on your end, too. They adapt well to virtually any kind of kitchen work and can be used for a multitude of other purposes in addition to cutting. And, these scissors have an anti-skid handle that provides a great grip for both right and left hands. Pros: Great for kitchen tasks that require a lot of cutting force These have a lot of extra-functionality: they also work as a bottle opener, nutcracker, and a jar opener, among other things Crafted from premium-grade, rust-resistant stainless steel Anti-skid handle that fits nicely in your hand Great grip for right and left hands Excellent value Cons: It would be nice if these came apart to make them easier to clean Spring Chef Store Kitchen Shears Solid as A RockThese Spring Chef shears are made from the highest-quality stainless steel. They're the definition of powerful. Best Stainless SteelFind on Amazon The Spring Chef Store Kitchen Shears are up to any cutting task your kitchen endeavors might throw at you. This is because their precision-forged stainless steel blades can gracefully slice through vegetables, meat, fish, pizza, and even string without mangling what you’re cutting. This steel is definitely of the highest-caliber, too; it’s extremely solid and won’t rust. Often dubbed the “Swiss Army knife” of kitchen shears, these scissors also function as a bottle opener, jar opener, and nutcracker, and they can easily cut through cardboard, milk jugs, and other tough packaging. Plus, these shears have perfectly symmetrical, roomy handles that fit equally well in left and right hands. Pros: Made from the highest-quality stainless steel Blades are extremely powerful and built to cut through virtually anything A removable blade cover is included Dishwasher-safe Right- and left-handed modes work equally well Cons: The finger holes could stand to be a tad bigger Zwilling J.A. Henckels International Kitchen Shears Razor-Sharp and ReadyNo other scissors cut through different materials quite like these.Sharpest BladesFind on Amazon With razor-sharp blades handcrafted from corrosion-resistant steel, these shears are a fantastic tool for cutting through food and packaging material alike. The micro-serrated edge keeps a firm hold on whatever you’re cutting so that it doesn’t slip out of your grasp, and the serrated area in the handle can be used to open screw caps. Sharp enough to handle virtually any kitchen task, these shears are the real deal. Pros: Premium-quality, corrosion-resistant stainless steel Fine-edged blades results in the most precise cutting imaginable, with minimal effort Micro-serrated blade edge allows for slip-proof slicing and dicing The center area between the handle and blade opens bottle caps Cons: They can go in the dishwasher, but it would be great if these also came apart so you could spot-clean them Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears A Cut Above the RestYou get what you pay for with these shears.Best SplurgeFind on Amazon Luxurious in every way, this pair makes for one of the most useful kitchen tools to have at your disposal. More than just a mere pair of scissors, these shears function as more of a multi-tool. They can cleanly and smoothly snip through anything with the greatest of ease. Because of the straight, serrated blade and padded handle, you won’t have to endure any awkward wrist movements when using these scissors; rather, the ergonomic design provides a comfortable user experience for all. Once you use these shears, there’s no going back. You’ll wonder what you ever did without them. Pros: One of the world’s oldest and most trusted kitchen brands Boasts a cutting-edge, ergonomic design Made with one straight, serrated blade that allows for super-easy cutting Comes with a built-in rotary that loosens stiff lids Cons: An inaccessible price point for some Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between kitchen shears and regular scissors? Can’t I just use scissors in the kitchen? Technically, you could use regular scissors in the kitchen, but this isn’t recommended. Kitchen shears differ from scissors in that they’re much, much more heavy-duty and can therefore cut things more easily. Whether you’re preparing to roast a chicken (or dealing with other raw poultry), snipping fresh herbs, or cutting open packaging, you’ll need a good pair of kitchen shears on hand. What are some features to look for in a good pair of kitchen shears? A decent pair of kitchen shears should be easy to clean (as in, easy to disassemble so that you can wash them), and have extra-sharp, serrated blades and a thick, ergonomic handle. Consider it a bonus if you can find shears that have a built-in bottle opener and screwdriver head.