Tongs

Good tongs should be precise enough to pinch a cherry tomato, yet strong enough to flip a pork chop. But not all deliver that balance of finesse and strength. To find the best pair, we tested seven models, scoring them on materials, build quality, locking mechanism, ease of cleaning, and performance across a range of kitchen tasks.

Our favorite was the Rösle Locking Tongs ($43), which has a gravity-locking mechanism that's intuitive and smooth. The slightly cupped ends offered excellent control. Testers noted they could even pluck a single strand of spaghetti with ease. They felt solid and comfortable, though the highly polished finish and lack of grippy texture made them a touch slick.

We also liked Messermeister Locking Tongs ($12.95). With a classic pull-tab lock and responsive spring, these tongs were universally liked for their comfort and control. They were slightly less precise than the Rösle, but still performed exceptionally well across all tasks.

Edlund’s Heavy-Duty Gripper Tongs ($8.99) placed third. One tester swore by them, but others found their squared-off edges too harsh, often scraping pans or damaging delicate foods.

Tongs from OXO were not built for the long haul. Their silicone grips tended to loosen with time and frequent use. Tongs from Misen also disappointed. Multiple testers cited their bulky yet weak spring and poor handling. Meanwhile, Suncraft's featherlight design and lack of a lock made them feel more like takeout utensils than kitchen tools.