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Pill cutters are one of those products that you probably don’t think too much about until you really need one. You may have tried splitting your pills with knives or scissors or other household tools and have found out that it’s not exactly the best or safest method of cutting pills in half because you can end up with inexact halves and inaccurate dosages. Nevermind that you can get injured trying to split them with a knife or could lose a broken pill piece for a pet or child to find on the ground.
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That’s where pill cutters come in handy. These are useful tools for people who have to organize their pills and cut them in half to make them easier to swallow. Most pill cutters use a stainless steel blade to cut the pills and have storage areas to keep the tablet pieces secure while splitting them. If you take a lot of pills every day, you might prefer a pill splitter, which can cut more than one pill at a time. Pill grinders can be used to grind pills down into a powder, a preferable option for people who might have a hard time swallowing pills
Jump To: Best Overall | Best For Multiple Pills | Best For Large Pills | Best For Small Pills | Best Pill Crusher | Best For Clean Cuts And Minimal Waste | Best Centered Cuts
As with all things involving medications, be sure to check with your doctor about whether you should be splitting your pills in the first place and to ensure that splitting them won’t lose their effectiveness. Take a look below at some of our top-recommended pill cutters across the internet.
What To Look For
Pill Size
Most pill cutters will work for both small and large pills, but if you have specialty sized pills or overly large pills that you’re concerned about splitting, you’ll want to check that the cutter you’re considering can handle the pills you need to cut. .
Pill Capacity
Some pill cutters can be used to split one pill at a time, which is a good option for those who only need to split a pill occasionally. Others can do multiple pills at a time, which is a better choice for those who take many pills. We highlight the pill capacity of each of our picks below.
Other Features
You’ll often find that pill cutters have storage chambers that double as a pill box, a useful design if you’re looking to cut and store pills in one space. It’s also a secure way to ensure that split pills don’t go flying or lost during the splitting process. Some pill cutters also have additional features such as doubling as a drinking glass. We call out these special features in our recommendations below.
Main Types of Pill Cutters
What’s the difference between a pill cutter, a pill splitter and a pill crusher?
A pill cutter and a pill splitter are the same thing, while a pill crusher can be used to grind pills down into a powder to make it easier to consume. Not all pills can be crushed or split, so be sure to talk to your doctor about which of your medications are suitable for this beforehand.
Why would someone need a pill crusher or pill splitter?
Some people struggle with swallowing pills whole, and instead find it easier to swallow pills in split or crushed form. Be sure to talk to your doctor about which of your medications are safe to consume in a crushed or split form.
What types of pills cannot be cut with a pill cutter?
You’ll obviously want to avoid cutting tablets and capsules that contain powdered medication inside of them to prevent the medication from spilling out. You should always speak with your doctor before tampering with or splitting any of your medications.
Our Recommendations for Best Pill Cutters
1. Best Overall Pick — Ezy Dose Pill Cutter and Splitter with Dispenser
Pill Size: Small and large pills | Pill Capacity: Cuts one pill at a time | Other Features: Portable; stores and dispenses pills | Cost: $2-$9 (Amazon and Walmart)
For a general purpose, no-frills pill cutter, the Ezy Dose is our best pick thanks to its compact design and ease of use. Many of the brand’s products are endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation, and this cutter only requires light pressure to split a pill in half.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Stores and dispenses pills a small number of pills
Cons:
- Only cuts one pill at a time
- Doesn’t store a large number of pills on-the-go
2. Best For Multiple Pills— DEPAD Multiple Pill Cutter for Small Pills
Pill Size: Cuts pills from 2mm to 15mm in size | Pill Capacity: Cuts 5 pills at once | Other Features: Adjustable spacing bars to accommodate pills of any size or shape | Cost: $10 (Amazon)
If cutting several pills at once is your priority, then we recommend this option. It’s made with stainless steel blades and has two adjustable alignment bars to ensure a clean cut every time. It’s good at cutting pills of different shapes and sizes, but reviewers do note that it’s not great with extremely small pills.
Pros:
- Cuts several pills at once
- Cuts pills of different sizes
- Cuts pills of different shapes
Cons:
- Cuts aren’t precisely even
- Can crush smaller pills rather than cut them
3. Best For Large Pills — Auvon Scissors-Shaped Pill Cutter
Pill Size: Any pill size up to 15mm | Pill Capacity: One pill at a time | Other Features: Manual; easy to clean | Cost: $6 (Amazon)
For those who need a quick, no-frills way to cut vitamins, medications and other pills in half, these scissor-shaped pill cutters are a solid choice. This pill cutter requires both hands for cutting pills — one to hold the pill steady and the other for using the scissors to cut the pill. Please note that this pill cutter is not recommended for those with poor eyesight and limited mobility.
Pros:
- Stainless steel blade
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Not precise dose cuts
- Needs two hands to cut pills
- No chamber for catching split pills
4. Best For Small Pills — JohnBee Pill Cutter
Pill Size: Cuts pills small and large pills; cuts pills as small as a quarter inch | Pill Capacity: Cuts one pill at a time | Other Features: Doubles as a small pill box; includes a keychain pill holder and a cleaning brush for pill dust | Cost: $6 (Amazon)
For a pill cutter that can handle small pills, the JohnBee Pill Cutter is a solid choice, as it can handle pills as small as a quarter inch. What’s unique about this pill cutter is that it comes with a handy pill keychain, as well as a small cleaning brush to sweep away pill dust and powder. It’s designed in the U.S., and is also one of the best pill cutters to protect fingers while splitting pills.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Doubles as a pill box
- Includes additional pill splitting accessories
- Protects fingers while splitting is in progress
Cons:
- Cuts one pill at a time
- Not recommend for “tiny” pills
5. Best Pill Crusher — EZY DOSE Pill Crusher and Grinder
Pill Size: Can crush small and large pills | Pill Capacity: Holds up to four pills | Other Features: Pill storage; easy grip handle; dark colored base to aid with visual impairment | Cost: $9 (Amazon)
This easy-grip pill crusher is ideal for those who need vitamins, tablets and other pills crushed using a grinder, and is especially recommended for those with dexterity issues. They’re available in multiple sizes and styles, including new ones with darker colored bases to make it easier to see crushed pills at the bottom. It also takes minimal effort on the user’s end to crush pills. Many reviewers use this to grind up medications for their dogs, cats and other pets, too.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Doubles as a pill holder
- Handles large pills
Cons:
- Messy
- Crushes and grinds pills, does not cut them
6. Best For Clean Cuts And Minimal Waste — Equadose Pill Splitter
Pill Size: Small and large pills | Pill Capacity: Cuts one pill at a time | Other Features: Twin blades from different sides for cleaner cuts | Cost: $30 (Amazon)
The Equadose Pill Splitter is one of the most expensive picks on our list, but it’s also one of the best pill cutters we found for reducing dust and powder waste from split pills. The twin blades clamp the pill in place from two pressure points, creating quick and even cuts nearly every time. The two chambers are designed to hold split pills as well, so you can carry your Equadose splitter with you on-the-go, just in case. It’s worth noting, however, that the manufacturer does not recommend this product for those with limited eyesight or dexterity.
Pros:
- Clean cuts with little powder and dust waste
- Twin blades for better cuts
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not recommend for those with poor eyesight or limited dexterity
- Cuts one pill at a time
7. Best For Centered Cuts — Equadose Pill Cutter V2
Pill Size: Adjustable sizes | Pill Capacity: One pill at a time | Other Features: Twins blades for event cuts; Centering device for centered cuts | Cost: $18 (Amazon)
If centering your pills for an even cut is your biggest concern, then the Equadose Pill Cutter V2 is probably the best pill cutter for you. It’s designed with a unique centering device that ensures the pill, no matter the size or shape, is centered among the cutter’s blades before splitting. The double blade mechanism unique to Equadose’s tools makes quick and clean work of splitting pills in halves and quarters
Pros:
- Makes centering pills easy
- Twin blades for better cuts
- Clean cuts with little powder and dust waste
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Expensive
- Bulky
- Limited portable pill storage
Other Pill Cutters And Grinders We Recommend:
- Ezy Dose Pill Crusher With Drinking Cup ($10 at Amazon)
- Avid Ace Pill Cutters, 2-pack ($7 at Amazon)
- Dub Star Small Portable Pill Cutter ($10 at Amazon)
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