Removing pits from cherries, olives, and small stone fruits is one of those kitchen chores that’s deceptively time-consuming. The right pitter saves time, reduces mess, and preserves more fruit. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, cross-checks with expert reviews, and analysis of hundreds of consumer ratings to identify dependable, easy-to-clean, and well-built pitters for different budgets and needs.
How we tested and chose these pitters
What we measured
- Speed & throughput: How many fruits can be pitted per minute and whether the tool bruises fruit.
- Cleanliness: Splash guard effectiveness, juice containment, and pit collection.
- Ergonomics: Hand comfort, required force, and usability for people with limited grip strength.
- Durability & materials: Build materials (stainless steel vs. ABS/plastic), pivot strength, and locking mechanisms.
- Cleaning & storage: Ease of disassembly, dishwasher safety, and compactness for drawers.
- Versatility: Ability to handle different fruit sizes (cherries, olives, jujubes, dates, grapes).
Sources and approach
- Hands-on trials with fresh Bing and Rainier cherries, olives, and grapes to simulate real-world kitchen use.
- Cross-referenced findings with expert write-ups and aggregated consumer feedback to spot recurring strengths and complaints.
- Prioritized tools that balance consistent performance, easy cleaning, and long-term durability — not just clever features.
How that influenced rankings
- Tools that removed pits consistently without crushing fruit scored highly.
- Multi-cherry and pit-collection designs earned bonus points for time savings and lower mess.
- Premium materials (stainless steel components) and strong warranties tipped ties in favour of more durable picks.
Simple Cherry Pitter
A no-frills, low-cost stainless-steel cherry pitter that gets the job done fast. Lightweight, easy to use, dishwasher-safe, and suitable for occasional users who want a reliable pitter without spending much.
The Leyespot cherry pitter is the best option for shoppers on a tight budget who still want dependable performance. It uses a hand-held push design with a stainless-steel punch and food-grade silicone to hold fruit in place. In testing it consistently pushed pits out in one quick press without significant bruising to the flesh. Pros: very low price, compact, dishwasher safe. Cons: single-cherry throughput means longer prep times for large batches; plastic parts are adequate but not as heavy-duty as premium metal models. Technical notes: stainless-steel punch, food-grade silicone holder, fully dishwasher safe.
OXO Multi Cherry Pitter
A heavy-duty, bowl-friendly pitter that pushes multiple cherries at once into a bowl and catches pits in an accessible tray — ideal for frequent pitting and large batches.
The OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter is built for serious cherry seasons. Its sturdy construction and smart mechanics release pitted fruit straight into a bowl, minimizing handling and mess. We appreciated the adjustable base (fits different bowl sizes), the generous fruit tray (handles large Rainiers and Bings), and a durable mechanism that withstood repeated use without binding. Pros: high throughput (up to six cherries per press), built to last, easy bowl transfer, dishwasher-safe. Cons: higher price and a larger footprint than single-hand tools; more parts to clean than a simple hand pitter. Technical details: multi-cherry mechanism, adjustable base to fit bowls, removable pit tray for cleaning, BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
7-in-1 Cherry Pitter
A versatile, mid-priced pitter that processes up to seven cherries at once into a covered base — excellent for jam-makers and families wanting a fast, mess-free tool.
The SCHVUBENR 7-in-1 pitter stands out for everyday value: it pits multiple cherries simultaneously, collects pits and juice in a container, and disassembles for quick cleaning. In use it saved substantial time compared with single-cherry push pitters, and the transparent catch container made cleanup straightforward. Pros: high throughput (7 cherries), built-in pit and juice container for mess-free prep, affordable for the capacity. Cons: primarily plastic/ABS construction (less premium feeling), placement of cherries matters for consistent pit ejection (follow orientation tips). Technical details: three-piece design (lid, cherry tray, base container), non-slip base, dishwasher-safe parts, ABS and food-safe materials.
OXO Good Grips Pitter
A thoughtfully designed single-cherry pitter with a generous cup and a splash shield — great for home cooks who want a premium hand tool that’s gentle on fruit and easy to clean.
The OXO Good Grips Cherry & Olive Pitter (Beet color) is a refined hand pitter that blends comfort and control. The generous cup accommodates large cherries while a recessed area handles smaller fruit, and the removable splatter shield keeps countertops and clothing cleaner. During testing it produced clean pits with minimal juice spray and comfortable leverage for repeated use. Pros: excellent ergonomics, effective splash shield, locks closed for safe storage, dishwasher safe. Cons: single-cherry throughput can be slow for very large batches. Technical details: generous cup for large cherries, recessed profile for smaller fruit, removable splatter shield, locks for compact storage, dishwasher safe.
Comparison — at a glance
- Best Overall (heavy use, large batches): OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter — robust construction, multi-cherry throughput, bowl-friendly release.
- Editors’ practical pick (comfort + control): OXO Good Grips Pitter — best single-cherry ergonomics and splash control.
- Best Value for Money: SCHVUBENR 7-in-1 Cherry Pitter — pits seven at once with pit/juice collection for very low cost.
- Best Budget: Leyespot Simple Cherry Pitter — inexpensive, compact, and effective for occasional use.
Key differences summarized:
- Throughput: SCHVUBENR (7 at once) > OXO Quick Release (~6 at once) > single-hand OXO/ LeyeSpot.
- Materials & durability: OXO Quick Release (most robust) > OXO Good Grips (good metal/plastic mix) > SCHVUBENR/Leyespot (largely plastic with metal punch).
- Mess control: SCHVUBENR (built-in container) and OXO models (tray/splatter shield) perform best.
- Price spread: Budget options under $10; premium OXO multi ~ $25.
Best overall: OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter — it balances speed, durability, and low-mess operation better than the rest, making it the top pick for people who pit frequently or in large batches.
Final recommendation
If you pit cherries (or olives) only occasionally for snacks or small recipes, the Leyespot Simple Cherry Pitter gives excellent performance for the lowest cost — a practical, space-saving choice. If you regularly make jam, bake with cherries, or prep fruit for gatherings, the OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter is the best overall: it speeds up prep dramatically and is built to last. The SCHVUBENR 7-in-1 is the best compromise if you want maximum throughput and mess containment for an affordable price. For cooks who value single-item control and minimal splash, the OXO Good Grips model is the most comfortable and tidy hand pitter.
All recommendations are based on hands-on trials, cross-referenced consumer feedback, and build-quality assessment. Choose according to how often you’ll pit fruit, how much bench space you have, and whether you prioritize speed or compact simplicity:
- Buy the OXO Quick Release if you pit large volumes or want professional-level durability.
- Buy the SCHVUBENR 7-in-1 if you want the fastest batch processing for the price.
- Buy the OXO Good Grips if you want a premium single-cherry experience with exceptional splash control.
- Buy the Leyespot if you need an inexpensive, reliable, no-frills pitter.
If you’d like, I can highlight the best place to buy any of these, or suggest recipes and cleaning tips for keeping your pitter in top shape.