In another article this week I’m talking about storing garlic. It’s an important herb to learn to use. But don’t we all hate peeling and mincing it? And that dislike can actually deter us from using it as often as we should.

With that issue in mind, I found some information you might appreciate if you can relate to my garlic peeling/mincing-whining. Best Reviews (www.bestreviews.com), a site I go to often, spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. Here are their favorite picks for the best garlic presses on the market:

KUHN RIKON. Pros: Features sleek yet wide handles that provide good leverage. Made of solid stainless steel and is easy to use and clean. Cons: A few reports of breakage. Many owners complained of large amounts of garlic coming out the sides. Chamber is fairly small. It’s expensive. Bottom line: Some had rave reviews about its looks and performance, others had disappointing experiences with this pricey press.

THE PAMPERED CHEF. Pros: An updated model that features sturdy handles and a useful cleaning brush that conveniently stores in the unit when closed. Cons: Users with small hands find it somewhat difficult to squeeze, but it still garners of praise from happy customers. Bottom line: A well-made press by a brand cooks trust—with the exception of those with small hands, or limited strength. It’s a solid choice.

ALPHA GRILLERS. Pros: Earns a lot of praise for its rugged stainless steel build and outstanding unconditional lifetime guarantee. Comes with a peeler. Falls on the middle of the price scale. Cons: Garlic tends to get stuck in it, and it’s difficult to clean. It also takes quite a bit of pressure to squeeze. Bottom line: In spite of some issues, the quality, price, and warranty make it worth considering.

ORBLUE. Pros: Durable product; simple but powerful design. Extra large press box can press multiple cloves. Dishwasher friendly. Also works with other produce. Cons: Dishwasher cleaning is sometimes not enough to clean in between the holes. Bottom line: Convenient, efficient, high quality product with a budget price. Very well designed, delivers quality results with little effort. Considered BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!

ROSLE. Pros: Extremely sturdy stainless steel build and precisely engineered pressing unit. Sports a useful and attractive hanging ring and brushed finish handles. It stands up to years of reliable use. Lifetime warranty. Cons: A bit pricey, but you are paying for quality. Takes a little extra effort to clean by hand (garlic tends to get stuck in the crevices), but cleans nicely in the dishwasher. Bottom line: Crafted to perform and last long term. Company-backed against defects.

I’d love to hear if you already have a garlic press you are pleased with. Share the brand with us, please. And if you’re a reader who just can’t or doesn’t want to invest in a garlic press right now, that’s OK. My son, a chef in Jackson, WY, says he and his colleagues prefer mashing their garlic with the side of their large chef’s knife. I’ve used that approach and it absolutely works.

So really, the bottom line for me would be, however you can, just get more garlic into your diet. It’s a powerful herb that not only adds immense flavor and dimension to our cooking, but it’s also a powerful health protector. Why not make this coming year, the year of garlic!