What to Buy Knives The Best Electric Knives of 2023, According to a Chef Shoddily shaved roasts are now a thing of the past. By Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick, CNC is a leader in the realm of nutrition and special diets, helping to make healthy eating affordable and easy for all. She has cooked professionally, intermittently, for well over twenty years, and has nearly a decade of professional writing experience. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines and Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products, specifically cookware. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 29, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Amazon Home cooks know the importance of chef’s and butcher’s knives, but sometimes electric knives are overlooked. The earliest version of the electric knife dates back nearly 60 years ago as a solution to cut even slices of meat without damaging the delicate fibers. Not only are they fit for carving beef and poultry, but electric knives are also one of the best ways to slice a soft loaf of bread without squashing it. To determine the best electric knives available, we looked at both corded and cordless models and ones that come with accessories. We also examined the blade’s material, whether they can go in the dishwasher, and how comfortable they are to use. Whether you’re looking to carve a turkey into thick pieces, slice a loaf of challah or brioche evenly for sandwiches, or enjoy your block cheese shaved ultra-thin, these electric knives get the job done right. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Cuisinart Electric Knife Set With Cutting Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: BLACK+DECKER 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cordless: Waring Cordless Rechargeable Electric Knife at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Bread: Hamilton Beach Electric Knife at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Fish: Bubba Knife at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Cuisinart Electric Knife Set With Cutting Board CEK-41 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart Pros: It stores in a compact manner and is easy to use and clean. Cons: The included cutting board isn’t large enough to carve large meats on. It’s our best overall choice because Cuisinart is a trusted brand in the kitchen, and this electric knife is another example of how well they keep consumer needs in mind. Thanks to the included carving fork, storage tray, and cutting board, you’ll be ready to go with all your carving and slicing needs. While the cutting board may not accommodate a holiday turkey, it’s large enough to slice bread on. The knife is suitable for both left and right-handed people, and a trigger lock ensures it can’t turn on accidentally. Once you're done using the knife, you can remove the blade and either wash it by hand or run it through the dishwasher for no-fuss cleanup. Price at time of publish: $50 Blade Material: Stainless steelBlade Length: 8 inchesDishwasher-Safe: Yes Includes: Knife, cutting board, carving fork, storage tray Best Value BLACK+DECKER 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros: It comes with an additional blade, and they never need sharpening. Cons: The blade is slightly shorter than some other options. At scarcely over $20, this affordable Black+Decker electric knife has everything you need to carve and slice with ease. It’s crafted for users to avoid wrist fatigue and has a safety lock to prevent accidents. The blades are dishwasher-safe and pop out with the release button. While the blades won’t need sharpening, the inclusion of a second one allows you to switch from carving meat to slicing bread without pausing for washing, which is a time saver during busy holiday gatherings. Though we typically don’t recommend using kitchen tools for non-kitchen purposes, Black+Decker notes that this electric knife can even be used for craft projects. Price at time of publish: $22 Blade Material: Stainless steelBlade Length: 7 inchesDishwasher-Safe: Yes Includes: Knife, additional blade, blade cover Best Cordless Waring WEK200 Cordless Rechargeable Electric Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros: It works in dim lighting and helps you repeat the same thickness of slices. Cons: The warranty only lasts for a single year, which is short for the price. Ideal for professionals and home cooks alike, this cordless knife features two interchangeable blades, an ergonomic handle, and a built-in LED light for fuss-free slicing in low-light kitchens. We love how easy it is to swap out the slicing and carving blades, depending on what you’re serving. Plus, the quick removal makes it a breeze to clean them. This is an excellent choice for anyone planning to use an electric knife outside their home because it comes with a durable carrying case and a charger. Overall, it’s easy to use, transport, and store. Price at time of publish: $237 Blade Material: Stainless steelBlade Length: 10 inchesDishwasher-Safe: NoIncludes: Knife, carrying case, two blades, thickness guide The 7 Best Knife Sets for 2023, According to Our Tests Best for Bread Hamilton Beach Electric Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Hamiltonbeach.com Pros: You get multiple pieces for a low price, and the carrying case is a space saver. Cons: It runs hot, so you might have to pause and let it cool down. As our top choice for slicing bread, this Hamilton Beach knife is well-priced for a cordless electric knife and works nicely for softer hard-to-cut foods like tomatoes. We appreciate that it comes with a large carving fork for handling sliced meats and a slim carrying case that saves space while keeping things organized. The powerful motor is a win for clean cuts, but it’s important to note that the blade can heat up after several slices. The fork can be washed in the dishwasher, but it is recommended to hand-wash the blade to preserve its sharpness — scrub with mild dishwashing liquid and a sponge and towel dry for best results. Like the Black+Decker model, this knife can also be used for crafts. Price at time of publish: $26 Blade Material: Stainless steelBlade Length: 7.5 inchesDishwasher-Safe: NoIncludes: Knife, carving fork, carrying case Best for Fish Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife Amazon View On Amazon View On Opticsplanet.com Pros: It comes with four blades and can handle most types of fish, including trout and tuna. Cons: It’s not useful for meats or breads. If you frequently prepare fresh fish, this electric fillet knife set is the right choice to take you from the fishing boat to the dining table. It comes with four blades of varying lengths and stiffness, making it suitable for a wide range of fish. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, this cordless model has a longer runtime than most and also features a battery indicator to let you know how much power you have left. The handle is non-slip and ergonomically designed so you can fillet fish comfortably for as long as you need. Price at time of publish: $164 Blade Material: Titanium nitrate-coated stainless steelBlade Length: 7 and 9 inchesDishwasher-Safe: NoIncludes: Knife, four blades, charger, two batteries, carrying case Our Favorite Choosing an electric knife will depend largely on what you're using it for, how you want to store it, and how much you want to spend. The Cuisinart CEK-41 Electric Knife With Cutting Board is an affordable choice for a reliable and steady electric knife. It’s suitable for right- and left-handed people and has a micro-serrated blade for effortless slicing. We also appreciate that the Black+Decker Electric Carving Knife is moderately priced yet works very well. Factors to Consider Corded vs. Cordless A cordless electric knife is ideal if you’ll be traveling with it or using it in circumstances such as camping. For standard home use, a corded model should be just fine, though you may enjoy not worrying about a cord as you carve. With cordless models, you’ll want to remember to charge them before use, especially if taking them on the road. Blades Electric knife blades are generally 8 to 10 inches long and feature serrated edges. Some electric knives come with just one blade, but many come with two, providing one suitable for meats and another ideal for softer foods like bread. The blades are removable for cleaning since you can’t put the base handle under running water. Handles How the knife feels in the hand is one of the most important considerations, since you want to feel secure and in control when using it. Most electric knife handles are small and easy to manage in your hand. The exception is when a larger handle is needed to fillet large fish away from their bones, like the Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife. Safety Features Electric knives can be dangerous, so check for safety features, such as a trigger lock. Also, consider buying one with a storage case to ensure it has a safe place to live when not in use. Frequently Asked Questions Can you sharpen electric knives? Ideally, electric knife blades should be professionally sharpened or entirely replaced. The smooth edge of a chef's knife is easy to sharpen at home, but the serrated blades of an electric knife need to be sharpened individually, making the process tedious and difficult for amateurs. If you still want to sharpen your blades yourself, you can do an at-home sharpening job using a tapered honing rod designed for serrated blades. Can an electric knife cut bone? It depends on the knife. Commercial-grade knives may be powerful enough to do so, but most models are designed only for meats, cheeses, and breads. Check with your knife's manual to verify if cutting through bone is advisable with the model you have. Do chefs use electric knives? Most chefs will rely on their knife skills in the kitchen, but an electric knife can come in handy for caterers and large-scale restaurants specializing in serving prime rib, steak, or roast turkey. An electric knife is also often used to cut gyros, doner kebab, and al pastor, so the slices are very thin and uniform. In a commercial kitchen, you may see a cook using a restaurant-grade electric knife to cut frozen meat or fish, but as a whole, a good chef's knife is used instead. Our Expertise Contributor Ariane Resnick is a special diet private chef, a certified nutritionist, and a lifestyle writer with two decades of culinary and literary experience. Her work has been featured in Simply Recipes, The Spruce Eats, Clean Plates, Huffington Post, Verywell, and more. For this article, she conducted market research and drew on her experience of cheffing many a holiday meal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit