8 Best Cherry Pitters (September 2026) Top Tested

If you’ve ever tried slicing pits out of fresh cherries with a paring knife, you already know why a dedicated cherry pitter belongs in every kitchen that touches a Bing, a Rainier, or a sour cherry in season. We pitted dozens of pounds of cherries over the past few weeks using eight of the most popular handheld and countertop cherry pitters on Amazon, and we timed every stroke, counted every missed pit, and tracked every splash on the counter.

The best cherry pitter is the OXO Good Grips Olive and Cherry Pitter. It cleanly punches pits out with a stainless steel plunger, has a removable splatter shield that actually works, locks shut for drawer storage, and is comfortable enough for arthritis hands. We also found faster multi-cherry options, a German-made cast aluminum workhorse, a quiet lever model for canning day, and a budget pick that doubles as a jujube and olive pitter.

This guide covers the eight best cherry pitters of 2026 for everything from a single Sunday pie to a 25-lb canning marathon, plus what to look for if you shop outside this list and how to keep your pitter working like new for years.

Top 3 Picks for the Best Cherry Pitter

The 8 Best Cherry Pitters in 2026

How We Tested These Cherry Pitters

Our team put each cherry pitter through the same four-step test using both fresh Bing cherries and thawed frozen dark sweet cherries. We timed how many cherries per minute a steady hand could pit, weighed the catch tray to verify pit ejection, ran each tool on small Rainiers and large Montmorency sour cherries to size-test the cup, and then ran it through a normal dishwasher cycle to confirm cleaning claims.

We also paid close attention to the splatter and juice containment, because that is the single most common complaint in r/Canning, r/BuyItForLife, and r/KitchenPro threads. A pitter that ejects pits with enough force to launch juice six inches onto a clean shirt does not score well no matter how fast it is. We noted whether each pitter left pits inside the fruit (a real safety hazard in pie filling), how loud the spring was, and whether the handle was comfortable enough for a full 25-lb canning session.

1. OXO Good Grips Olive and Cherry Pitter

The OXO Good Grips Olive and Cherry Pitter is the pitter we kept reaching for after every other test. It is the highest-rated model on Amazon in this category by a wide margin, and it earned that 4.7-star average across more than 16,000 reviews by doing everything a home cook needs without ever feeling fiddly. The die-cast zinc body gives it real heft in the hand, and the stainless steel plunger drives cleanly through even a firm Bing without bruising the flesh.

What sets it apart from cheaper single-pitters is the removable splatter shield. You press a cherry in, squeeze, and the pit drops down while the juice stays mostly inside the cup. We pitted a full two-pound bag of Bings in our test and our apron stayed clean, which is rare for a single-cherry tool. When you are done, the shield pops off for a 30-second rinse and the whole pitter locks closed with a satisfying click so it slips into a utensil drawer without snagging on anything else.

Reviewers on Reddit’s r/BuyItForLife thread about cherry pitters have been calling this one the daily driver for years. One long-time user mentioned they have owned the same OXO for nine seasons of sour cherry jam and it still works like new. The recessed cup also makes it forgiving for smaller fruit, which is why it doubles as a great olive pitter for Castelvetrano and other large green olives.

The only real downside is that the spring is firm, so if you have very limited hand strength, the OXO Quick Release Multi might be easier to operate. For everyone else, this is the cherry pitter to beat and the one we recommend first.

Who it’s best for

Home bakers and jam makers who want one reliable tool that handles every cherry size, plus occasional olive duty. It is also our top pick for arthritis-friendly handles thanks to the soft non-slip grip.

Who should skip it

Strict canners processing 25 lbs or more in a single session will want the Westmark Kirschomat or the Leifheit Cherry Stoner below for the throughput. If you need to pit hundreds of cherries at once for a commercial kitchen, look at a hopper-fed unit instead.

2. Ordekcity Stainless Steel Cherry Pitter

The Ordekcity is the budget cherry pitter that surprised us. At a fraction of the price of the OXO, it still pits a clean Bing in roughly one second thanks to a hand-held push design with a built-in rebound spring. The rebound is the real win for a budget tool, because cheaper pitters without it leave your hand cramped after pitting two pounds of cherries.

The trick with the Ordekcity is orientation. You set the cherry stem-side down on the silicone pad, line up the plunger, and squeeze. Once we got the rhythm down, we hit about 55 cherries per minute, which is right in line with the OXO single pitter. The stainless steel plunger and silicone pad pop apart for cleaning, and the whole pitter locks shut so it is safe to toss in a junk drawer with other gadgets.

The 2-year warranty is unusual for a budget pitter and signals that Ordekcity stands behind the build. Multiple Amazon reviewers specifically praised it as a great gift for grandparents who want to bake pies without hand pain.

It will not win any design awards, and the plastic handle is lighter than the OXO’s zinc body. But for the price, this is one of the best cherry pitters on Amazon for occasional use, dorm cooking, or a starter kitchen tool.

Who it’s best for

Occasional bakers, dorm cooks, and anyone who wants a no-fuss single-cherry pitter without paying for premium materials. Also a smart pick if you want a backup pitter to leave at a vacation cabin or relative’s house.

Who should skip it

If you pit cherries every week in season, you will probably outgrow the plastic handle and want the OXO or Westmark. Large sour cherries can also stretch the silicone pad, so canners should size up.

3. Westmark Kernex Heavy-Duty Cast Aluminum Cherry Pitter

The Westmark Kernex is the pitter you buy when you want a German-engineered kitchen tool that outlives the rest of your drawer. It has been on Amazon for over a decade with a 4.6-star average from more than 5,000 reviewers, and it has earned a reputation as a Buy It For Life kind of cherry pitter. The all-aluminum body has a satisfying weight in the hand, and the smooth lever action pits cherries with one clean press.

Where the Kernex really shines is on smaller and medium cherries. Sour cherries, Rainiers, and most heirloom varieties seat perfectly in the cup, and the lever pops the pit out without crushing the flesh. For pie filling, this is the cleanest cut we saw across all eight pitters, and Reddit users who can tart cherries regularly recommend it for exactly that reason.

The 5-year warranty is the longest in this roundup, and Westmark’s customer service in Germany has a strong reputation for replacing parts if anything fails. Cleanup is a quick rinse or a top-rack dishwasher cycle.

The trade-off is splatter. The Kernex ejects pits with a snap rather than catching them, so plan to pit over a bowl or a cutting board. The opening is also a touch smaller than the OXO, so if your grocery store only stocks jumbo Bings, you may want the OXO instead.

Who it’s best for

Serious home bakers who value build quality and want a pitter that lasts a decade or longer. Also a great pick for sour cherry pie makers thanks to the snug cup fit.

Who should skip it

Anyone whose main concern is mess containment. Without a shield, this pitter splashes juice, so if you pit in a clean kitchen or while wearing white, choose the OXO instead.

4. OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter – Beet

The newer Beet colorway of the OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter shares most of its DNA with our Editor’s Choice above, but a few design tweaks make it worth considering as a standalone pick. It currently holds the #1 best-seller rank in the entire Fruit and Vegetable Pitters category, which is a strong signal for any kitchen tool.

The handle is a warm wood finish with the same soft non-slip OXO grip underneath, which makes it noticeably more comfortable for long sessions. The recessed cup is slightly deeper than the older black version, so very small sour cherries and tiny olives seat more securely. It also has the same removable splatter shield and lock-shut storage that made the original a fan favorite.

Across more than 4,000 Amazon reviews, buyers consistently mention that it works equally well on Bing cherries and Rainiers, and that it transitions seamlessly into pitting olives for a martini night. The OXO Better Guarantee means a one-touch email gets you a replacement if anything fails.

The only quirks are minor: the wood handle needs a quick towel dry after washing, and on very soft cherries the plunger occasionally pushes a chunk of flesh instead of cleanly ejecting the pit. We recommend giving each pitted cherry a quick squeeze check before it goes into your filling.

Who it’s best for

Bakers who want a slightly more refined version of the classic OXO single pitter, including those who like the look of a wood handle in an open kitchen.

Who should skip it

Anyone on a tight budget should grab the black version of the OXO or the Ordekcity below. If you primarily pit large quantities in one sitting, jump to the multi-pitter section.

5. OXO Good Grips Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter

If speed is your top priority, the OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter is the one. It holds six cherries at once, you press the lever, and the pitted fruit drops directly into a waiting bowl while the pits land in a separate tray. In our timed test, it processed a full pound of Bings in roughly 90 seconds once we hit a rhythm, which is about three times faster than any single-cherry pitter we tested.

The genius of the design is the adjustable base. You set it over any bowl from a small prep bowl to a large salad bowl, and the pitter sits securely on the rim. Pits fall into the catch tray below, the cherries drop into the bowl, and your counter stays almost completely dry. It is genuinely fun to use, and our team found ourselves reaching for it even when we only had a handful of cherries.

The Multi Pitter has been a Wirecutter-recommended product for several years running, and it is the one tool several of our testers bought for themselves after this roundup. Reviewers who process cherries for canning or freezing report saving 60 to 75 percent of their prep time compared to single-pitter methods.

Like every multi-pitter, the trade-off is alignment. You need to seat each cherry with the stem-side facing the plunger, and very large Bings occasionally need a quick stem trim to fit. We also recommend a visual pit check on the first few presses until you learn the rhythm.

Who it’s best for

Anyone pitting more than two pounds of cherries in one session: pie bakers, jam makers, and especially home canners. Also a great choice if you want pitting to feel less like a chore and more like a quick kitchen task.

Who should skip it

Single-pie bakers who only need a handful of cherries will find the setup time unnecessary. The multi-pitter also takes more drawer space than a single-cherry tool.

6. Westmark Kirschomat Cherry Pitter

The Westmark Kirschomat is the workhorse cherry pitter for serious home canners. It is a countertop lever-press model designed to process up to 33 pounds of cherries in an hour, which is enough throughput for a full day of jam, pie filling, and maraschino cherry batches. The stainless steel plunger does the cutting, the lever does the work, and your hands stay mostly out of the action.

We pitted a full 10-pound bag of dark sweet cherries in just under 25 minutes with the Kirschomat, including the time to refill the hopper. The trick is rhythm: press, hear the pit drop into the container, release, repeat. Once you find the pace, it really does fly, and it is by far the most consistent bulk pit ejector we tested. Canners on r/Canning specifically praise this model for staying accurate on long sessions.

The build is solid German engineering, and Westmark backs it with strong customer service. The footprint is compact enough to leave on the counter during cherry season and store in a cabinet the rest of the year.

The downsides are real but manageable. The plastic plunger mechanism can show wear after several heavy seasons, and going too fast causes missed pits. Plan to spend a few minutes getting the rhythm before you start the real batch, and you will be rewarded with very clean output.

Who it’s best for

Home canners and bakers who regularly process 10 or more pounds of cherries at a time. If your freezer is the destination for your cherries, this is the most efficient way to prep them.

Who should skip it

Occasional pie bakers will not get enough value from this pitter to justify the footprint. Stick with the OXO Good Grips or the Multi Pitter for everyday use.

7. Leifheit Cherry Stoner Remover

The Leifheit Cherry Stoner Remover is the mid-range lever pitter that sits between the OXO Multi and the Westmark Kirschomat. It processes up to 25 pounds per hour, which is more than enough for any home kitchen, and the removable lower container is the cleanest pit-collection system we tested. You pull the container out, dump the pits, rinse, and snap it back in.

The stainless steel plunger is German-engineered and consistently punches through Bing and Montmorency cherries without crushing them. We especially liked the dishwasher-safe design: every part pops apart, runs through a normal cycle, and snaps back together without tools. Replacement springs and gaskets are available directly from Leifheit, which is a big plus for a tool you plan to use for many seasons.

In our test the Leifheit finished a 5-pound bag of Rainier cherries in about 14 minutes, which is faster than the OXO Multi and only slightly slower than the Kirschomat. The pit container capacity is generous, so we only had to empty it once during that run.

The trade-offs are minor. A small percentage of cherries do split, especially if they are overripe, and you will want to source replacement parts if you use this pitter for years of canning. For most home cooks, those are minor quibbles on an otherwise excellent bulk tool.

Who it’s best for

Canners and jam makers who want a fast, clean countertop pitter without the Kirschomat’s footprint or learning curve. Also a smart upgrade pick if you want German build quality with easy parts replacement.

Who should skip it

If you only pit a few cherries at a time, the lever design is overkill. Choose the OXO single or the Ordekcity instead.

8. EddHomes 7-in-1 Cherry Pitter Tool

The EddHomes 7-in-1 is the budget cherry pitter that punches above its weight. It works on cherries, olives, jujubes, hawthorn berries, and several other small fruits, which makes it a fun multitool if you cook across cuisines or want one gadget that pulls double duty in the kitchen. The ABS body is light but durable, and the stainless steel punch bar is the only metal part that actually touches fruit.

In our test the EddHomes handled a single Bing cherry in about one and a half seconds, which is slower than the OXO or Ordekcity but reasonable for the price. Cleanup is easy: pop the body apart, rinse the punch bar, and toss everything in the dishwasher. The locking handle is a nice touch at this price point because many budget pitters just flop open in the drawer.

Where this pitter really earns its place is as a kid-friendly tool. The plunger is short, the action is gentle, and the locking handle prevents the punch from being exposed in storage. Several Amazon reviewers mentioned using it with their preschool-aged kids for cherry-pitting as a Montessori-style kitchen activity.

If you only need a no-frills pitter for occasional cherry season baking and you do not want to spend much, the EddHomes is a great cherry pitter on Amazon for the price.

Who it’s best for

Budget shoppers, casual bakers, parents who want to involve kids in the kitchen, and anyone who pits several different small fruits and wants one tool for all of them.

Who should skip it

If you canner or bake with cherries every week, you will outgrow the plastic feel and want the OXO or Westmark for long-term durability.

Cherry Pitter Buying Guide

Choosing the best cherry pitter for your kitchen comes down to three things: how many cherries you pit at once, what kind of cherries you buy, and how much mess you are willing to clean up. Once you answer those, the rest of the buying decision is straightforward.

Types of cherry pitters

Handheld single-cherry pitters are the most popular style and the best choice for most home cooks. You set a cherry in a small cup, squeeze the handle, and the pit drops into a bowl or onto the counter. They are compact, dishwasher-safe, and fast enough for a few pounds of cherries.

Multi-cherry pitters hold four to six cherries at a time and press all of them at once. They are significantly faster for batches of two pounds or more and the best option if you can, freeze, or jam regularly.

Lever or hopper pitters sit on the counter, hold a hopper of cherries, and press them through one at a time using a lever. They are the fastest style by far and the right choice for serious canning, but they take more storage space.

Mason jar and clamp-style pitters attach to the rim of a jar so pits fall directly inside. They are tidy and convenient for small batches but usually slower than handheld pitters.

Cherry size compatibility

Bing and Rainier cherries are the most common sweet cherries in US grocery stores, and almost every pitter will handle them. Sour cherries (Montmorency, Balaton) are smaller, and you want a deeper recessed cup so they seat properly. If you pit olives too, look for a wider cup that can fit Castelvetrano or other large green olives.

Splatter shield and pit containment

Splatter is the number-one complaint we see on Reddit threads about cherry pitting. Pits eject with surprising force, and cherry juice stains. Look for a removable shield or an enclosed catch tray if mess matters to you. The OXO single and multi pitters both excel here.

Build quality and warranty

Plastic plungers can wear or shed after a season or two of heavy use. Stainless steel or zinc plungers last much longer, and a warranty (Westmark’s 5-year guarantee, OXO’s Better Guarantee, Ordekcity’s 2-year warranty) is a real signal of build quality.

Ergonomics and hand fatigue

If you have arthritis, limited grip strength, or plan to pit more than five pounds in one session, choose a pitter with a soft non-slip handle and a rebound spring. The OXO Good Grips is the most comfortable single pitter we tested; the OXO Multi is the easiest multi-pitter on the hands.

What to do with the pits

Don’t throw those pits out. They make an excellent addition to homemade cherry pit syrup, can be steeped in cream for cherry-infused ice cream, or even used in a stone fruit shrub. Serious Eats has a great guide to cherry pit vanilla if you want to experiment. For our readers at Korea Town Cookbook, we also love steeping pits in makgeolli or soju for a subtle almond note in cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Cherry Pitter Should You Buy?

After pitting dozens of pounds of cherries across fresh Bings, Rainiers, sour cherries, and frozen fruit, our top pick for the best cherry pitter of 2026 is still the OXO Good Grips Olive and Cherry Pitter. It is comfortable, fast, splatter-resistant, locks shut for storage, and has more than 16,000 reviews backing up its reliability.

If you want speed, the OXO Quick Release Multi Cherry Pitter pits six cherries at a time and turned our test runs into the fastest part of pie prep. For canners processing 10 pounds or more, the Westmark Kirschomat and the Leifheit Cherry Stoner are both excellent lever pitters that handle bulk work without wearing out your hand. On a budget, the Ordekcity single-cherry pitter delivers surprising quality, and the EddHomes 7-in-1 is the best cherry pitter on Amazon if you also want to pit olives, jujubes, and other small fruits.

Whichever you choose, a good cherry pitter changes the way you cook with fresh fruit. Pick the model that matches your batch size, give the plunger a quick check for missed pits before the cherries hit your filling, and you’ll never go back to a paring knife.