The 8 Best Rolling Pins of 2021

Shop for the best rolling pins for making pie crusts, cinnamon rolls, and more

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Despite what you might think, not all rolling pins are created equal. And depending on what you like to bake, getting the right one can be the difference between a perfect pie crust or one that falls flat. When shopping for a rolling pin you'll want to consider the length of the barrel, the material it's made of, whether you need to roll your dough to a specific thickness, and how easy it is for you to handle. While many of these are personal preferences—like choosing between a French-style rolling pin and one with handles—there are a few good rules, like using a marble one for puff pastry since the rolling pin itself can be chilled.

Here are the best rolling pins on the market to help you find the one that's best for you.

Our Top Picks

A classic—this 12-inch rolling pin is made in Vermont of solid maple and the barrel is waxed to prevent your dough from sticking.

Read Review

This no-nonsense rolling pin even rivals our budget pick in price.

Read Review

The barrel has engraved measurements so you can tell just how long your pastry measures without having to break out the ruler.

Read Review

Comes with a matching wooden base to make it easier to store in a cabinet or on your open shelving.

Read Review

This rolling pin is one of the longest on our list measuring more than 20 inches.

Read Review

You can rest assured that you won't break the bank.

Read Review

This pin is 19 inches long, has no handles to get in the way, and was handmade in Vermont from local sustainably-grown maple.

Read Review

This kid's rolling pin gives you 7 inches of rolling space, and measures just over 11 ½ inches handle to handle.

Read Review

J.K. Adams 12-Inch-by-2-3/4-Inch Maple Wood Medium Gourmet Rolling Pin

What We Like

  • Comfortable size and weight

  • Will last decades with proper care

  • Rolls through thick doughs

What We Don't Like

  • Needs occasional oiling if used often

  • Hand wash only

This style of rolling pin, also called a baker's or American rolling pin, is most likely the one you are familiar with. It has a wooden barrel that rotates around a dowel attached to two handles, usually wooden as well. This is by far the most common style you'll find in home kitchens.

The 12-inch rolling pin is made in Vermont of solid maple, and the barrel is waxed to prevent sticking when you're rolling out your dough. The rolling pin is easy to care for thanks to the steel axel that runs through the middle. To clean it, scrape off as much dough as you can then wash it with warm soapy water and dry it immediately.

The one complaint from consumers has been that J.K. Adams puts a sticker on the rolling pin and it can sometimes be challenging to remove all the residue. Thankfully, a bit of vegetable oil or an adhesive remover like GooGone should take care of it. Just be sure to wash it before using for the first time. If anything does go wrong with your rolling pin, you'll be happy to know it's covered by a lifetime warranty.

Length: 12 inches | Style: American | Weight: 1.2 Pounds

Farberware Classic Wood Rolling Pin

What We Like

  • Great low price

  • Moisture resistant hardwood

  • Great for small to medium-sized doughs

What We Don't Like

  • Hand wash only

Made from moisture-resistant hardwood, this no-nonsense rolling pin is a solid choice for any kitchen. The barrel portion of the rolling pin measures 10 inches, which is pretty standard for most rolling pins. This model even rivals our budget pick in price, so even if you aren't sure how often you'll use it, you won't have to worry about spending too much on this pin.

Even though this model has Nylon bearings which should be rust-proof, it's still best to hand wash this rolling pin and dry it immediately after to prevent any warping or cracking of the wood.

Customers have praised the minimal finish on the barrel saying it prevents sticking, but as with all rolling pins you'll need to add some flour to make it completely non-stick.

The one complaint from customers is that the handles are a bit stiff at first making it hard to roll until the pin loosens up a bit. But once you've used it a couple of times the bearings start rolling more smoothly.

Length: 17.7 inches | Style: American | Weight: 1.04 Pounds

Good to Know

Using a rolling pin correctly might feel awkward at first, but a little practice will make for smooth and even doughs in the long run. Beginning in the center of your dough, roll the dough towards you with even pressure across the pin. Lift the rolling pin and return it to the center of the dough. Continue moving towards yourself a handful of times before repeating the rolling motion in the opposite direction. After stretching the dough forward and then back several times, turn your dough 90 degrees, and repeat rolling towards and then away from yourself for the most consistent results.

Joseph Joseph 20085 Adjustable Rolling Pin Removable Rings Beech Wood Classic for Baking Dough Pizza Pie Cookies, Multicolored

What We Like

  • Great for precise dough thicknesses

  • Diameter measurements on pin

  • Long barrel length

What We Don't Like

  • Slight learning curve

For bakers who like to be precise, but might not be the best at eyeballing how wide or thick their dough is, the Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin is the ideal solution. The barrel of the pin, has engraved measurements so you can tell just how long your pastry measures without having to break out the ruler. Just as importantly, this pin will help you measure out the thickness of your dough as well. Simply put one set of the colorful silicone rings on the ends of the pin, and it will help you measure your dough to 1/16-inch, 1/6-inch, ¼-inch, or 3/8-inch by keeping the pin raised to those heights.

Of course, if the thickness doesn't matter that much, simply remove the rings and you'll have a completely straight dowel or Shaker style rolling pin that is similar to the French style, but without the tapered ends.

The pin itself is made from solid beech and measures 16 ½ inches long. Be sure to hand wash the rolling pin to keep it in good condition for the longest amount of time.

Length: 17.13 inches | Style: Straight Dowel | Weight: 1.23 Pounds

Fox Run 4050 Marble Rolling Pin and Base, White

What We Like

  • Keeps dough cold while rolling

  • Powers through thick and heavy dough

  • Includes a base/stand

What We Don't Like

  • Much heavier than other rolling pins

  • May pick up oils and colors

Aside from being aesthetically pleasing a marble rolling pin has a couple of major benefits. First, unlike wood, a marble pin can be chilled in the fridge or freezer, which is ideal for working with temperature sensitive doughs like puff pastry or pie crust. Second, marble pins are generally heavier than their wooden counterparts, so they can help flatten a stiff dough with ease.

This model from Fox run, has a 10-inch pin, and 4-inch wooden handles on each end. It also comes with a matching wooden base to make it easier to store in a cabinet or on your open shelving. No more worrying about a heavy 5-pound marble pin rolling off the shelf and on to your toes.

As with all our rolling pin picks, this one should be hand washed with soapy water and dried immediately. Fox Run also makes a black marble version, but it is more than double the price of the white marble.

Length: 18 inches | Style: American | Weight: 4.6 Pounds

J.K. Adams FRP-2 Maple French Rolling Pin, Brown

What We Like

  • Extra long rolling surface

  • Lighter weight

  • Award winning design

What We Don't Like

  • Slight learning curve

A staple in many restaurant kitchens and in the home kitchens of professional chefs, the French style rolling pin made from a single dowel with tapered ends and no handles is gaining popularity among cooks of all types. Why? Because the lack of handles gives you more control over the pin and makes it easier to get a feel for the texture of the dough.

This French style model from J.K. Adams is made of maple and is handcrafted in Vermont. It's the same brand as our best overall rolling pin—J.K. Adams knows a thing or two about rolling pins thanks to their more than 60 years in business in New England. Available in two thicknesses, the fatter FRP-1 and the thinner FRP-2, this rolling pin is one of the longest on our list measuring more than 20 inches. That means you can roll out a full rectangle of cinnamon roll dough without having to work in sections and worry about getting everything even.

This pin should be hand washed and treated with mineral oil occasionally. If the surface gets too rough, you can sand it lightly and then wash and apply oil again to restore the finish.

Length: 20.5 inches | Style: French | Weight: 11.2 ounces

What Our Experts Say

"For most baking projects, I prefer to use a French rolling pin because of the wide range of motion it gives me in every direction, as well as more barrel length for slightly larger projects." - Jenny Kellerhals, Baking Expert for The Spruce Eats

Good Cook Classic Wood Rolling Pin

What We Like

  • Very low price

  • Nylon bearings don't rust

What We Don't Like

  • Not heavy enough for rolling denser dough

For anyone who only needs a rolling pin once a year for making holiday pie crusts, a budget model like this one from Good Cook will probably do just fine.

This model is fairly basic. It is made from a single piece of hardwood, although the type is not specified, and has Nylon bearings to make the rolling pin glide smoothly and avoid rusting. Even with that, the pin should still be hand washed and dried immediately.

The main complaint with this model is that the label, which is almost as large as the barrel itself, comes stuck to the wood directly, and is a bit difficult to remove. You'll need some elbow grease and possibly even some vegetable oil to get the residue off completely.

Length: 17.75 inches | Style: American | Weight: 0.7 Pounds

J.K. Adams 19-Inch-by-2-Inch Maple Wood Rolling Dowel

What We Like

  • Long barrel length

  • Straight pin great for even rolled cookies

  • Sustainably-sourced wood

What We Don't Like

  • Slight learning curve

If you're making large pizzas, or you need to roll out large sheets of pastry or cookie dough, a long rolling pin makes it easier to get an even thickness. This straight rolling pin is 19 inches long and has no handles to get in the way. It's made by hand in Vermont, from sustainably-grown maple wood from local trees.

The pin is 2 inches in diameter and weighs just under 1 ½ pounds, so it's heavy enough to handle dough, but not so heavy to make it difficult to use. It is not dishwasher safe and should be washed with warm, soapy water and dried immediately. Because this pin is so long, you might not be able to fit it into a standard-sized kitchen drawer.

Length: 19 inches | Style: Straight Dowel | Weight: 1.43 pounds

Mrs. Anderson's Baking Children's Rolling Pin

What We Like

  • Fantastic for tiny hands

  • Actual working rolling pin, not a toy

  • Appropriate for children as young as three

What We Don't Like

  • Might outgrow this size quickly

  • Very lightweight, for very light doughs

Instill a love of baking in your kids by making it easy for them to participate. An adult rolling pin can be difficult for little hands to maneuver, so a child-size option is a worthwhile investment. Plus, it will come in handy even for adults when making mini pies or rolling out personal size pizza crusts.

This kid's rolling pin gives you 7 inches of rolling space, and measures just over 11 ½ inches handle to handle. It is made of solid wood but is still incredibly light to handle. That's good for kids, but it also means you won't have the weight of the pin helping flatten the dough. So it's best to use this pin with dough that has warmed up a bit before you try to roll it out.

Reviewers have gotten this pin for children as young as three, and have reported that it is a hit. Like all of the pins on our list, hand wash and dry this one after use to increase its lifespan.

Length: 11.5 inches | Style: American | Weight: 8 ounces

Final Verdict

For an all-purpose work-horse rolling pin that can roll out everything from sugar cookies to cinnamon rolls, the J.K. Adams Maple Wood Gourmet Rolling Pin is the perfect baking companion. For bakers who stress over getting the perfect result every time, the Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin will relieve any doubts you may have about if your dough is thick enough or wide enough. If you find yourself wanting a little more control when handling delicate doughs, try the J.K. Adams French Dowel Rolling Pin for perfectly rounded tart and pie shells.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Anthony Irizarry is a New York City-based freelance writer who has extensive experience testing and writing about home and kitchen products for The Spruce and The Spruce Eats. Previously, he covered new appliance releases, reviews, and roundups as an editor for several online appliance review publications.

This roundup was edited by Jenny Kellerhals. Jenny is a food and beverage writer with over a decade of experience as a professional pastry chef in NYC under her belt.

Continue to 5 of 8 below.