10 Best Electric Knives in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed)
When choosing an electric knife, though, there are many factors to consider and you have to know what you plan on using it for. In our buying guide below reviewed by a professional chef, we’ll help you find an electric knife that’s perfect for you. To lead you in the right direction, we've also got a list of the 10 best products available online, with our favorite choice by Cuisinart at the top. Read on for more great options!
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
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How to Choose an Electric Knife – Buying Guide
Choose Your Blade Based on What You Want to Cut
Carving Blades for Slicing Tough Meats Neatly
Carving knives have a thick blade, and though they can be straight or serrated, electric knives almost always go the serrated route.
The serration on these knives differs slightly from bread knives, and the blades tend to be longer in order to accommodate wider cuts of meat, like Thanksgiving turkeys or Christmas hams.
Serrated Bread Blades for Cutting Clean Slices
Serrated blades also work well for smaller pieces of meat, like beef or tuna steaks, but for carving you’ll want to go with the larger blade. Some electric knives come with a mix of carving and bread blades, so if you're unsure of which one to go with, find a set that includes both!
Curved Filleting Knives for Fish and Smaller Produce
Longer Blades for Carving Meat, Shorter Blades for Filleting
Again, what you’ll be cutting determines which knife you need. For filleting fish, cutting small produce, or chopping up smaller pieces of tender meat, a seven to eight-inch blade is ideal.
For bigger foods requiring more power, like that Thanksgiving turkey, roasted pig, or tougher vegetables like acorn squash, go with a blade that is at least nine to 10 inches.
Make Sure it Has Enough Power to Do the Job
When it comes to corded knives, we suggest picking one with at least 100 watts of power. As a rule of thumb, the more watts, the more powerful a corded knife is. A knife with a power of 100 watts can help you slide through tender foods. But if you want a knife that can cut through bones, go for one that has 350 to 450 watts.
If you decide to go for a cordless knife, pick one based on how long you'll need the knife to run. For two to three-day fishing or camping trips, look for knives with a battery run time of at least 1 hour. It may not seem like a long time, but ideally, you won't be cutting food for an hour straight.
If you’re doing most of your cooking next to a power source, 20 to 30 minutes is fine. Knives with this short battery run time will also have a much shorter charging time, as well (typically around 30 minutes).
Go for Ergonomic Handles to Protect Your Hands
"Ergonomic" is a keyword these days as more people are cluing in on the need to adjust their environment to fit their body’s natural movements. It’s no different with food prep, especially if you use the blade often—your point of contact with the knife is the handle, so you want an ergonomic handle that will fit the contour of your hand.
To tell whether a handle is ergonomic, it should not have any squared-off or sharp angles but should have naturally curved contours that match the contours of your hand. These handles will also be longer, as most of your grip strength comes from your ring and pinky fingers, making a short handle not healthy to use for long periods of time.
Ergonomic handles are also “ambidextrous”—that is, they can be held comfortably in either the left or the right hand—this is especially important if you’re a leftie!
Buying online means you can’t see or feel the length or contours of the handle, but product descriptions should always note if the handle is ergonomic or not. If in doubt, read the reviews, as customers will usually praise a comfortable handle and complain about a painful one.
Evaluate the Safety Features to Keep You Protected
With all knives, you have to take safety precautions, but it's even more important to do so with electric knives. After all, these knives have more power than your typical kitchen knife. When selecting your electric knife, make sure it has all the safety features you need.
You should choose a knife with switch and control buttons close to the handle. By having these buttons close to the handle, you can easily switch the knife on and off, meaning there’s less risk of hurting your hand or accidentally cutting through a cord on the counter or anything else.
We also suggest picking a product with a frame locking mechanism. It will safely lock the blade into the base to prevent unwanted accidents.
Find a Cord Length That's at Least 3 Feet for Corded Knives
When purchasing a corded electric knife, cord length is one of the most important features to check out. In general, a cord over 3 feet (36 inches) is best. Of course, this will depend on the build of your kitchen, but you always just want to make sure that it will be able to stretch from your wall socket to the place you intend to cut your meat or bread on.
You should also have a bit of extra cord to wrap around your hand or wrist while using the knife; this is considered a safety practice. Make sure you'll have some extra slack.
Look for Extras Like Storage Cases and Carving Forks
Many electric knives come with accessories like a carving fork or a storage case to keep the knife safe from dust or scratches. Some also come with a mount to keep everything organized together. Some manufacturers even include an extra charging cord or replacement battery for your convenience.
On top of that, there are products that come with extra blades to carry out different tasks. Having extras on hand also means you won't have to purchase a replacement blade anytime soon, and you'll be able to cut a greater variety of foods.
10 Best Electric Knives
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AC Electric Knife｜CEK-41 Cuisinart |  | No.1 | |
2 | Electric Knife｜74250R Hamilton Beach |  | No.2 | |
3 | Fillet Knife with Non-Slip Grip｜1095705 Bubba |  | No.3 | |
4 | 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife｜EK500B Black+Decker |  | No.4 | |
5 | Portable Electrical Food Cutter Knife Set｜PKELKN16 NutriChef |  | No.5 | |
6 | Electric Carving Knife Mueller Austria |  | No.6 | |
7 | Rapala |  | No.7 | |
8 | MT-1201 Mister Twister |  | No.8 | |
9 | Easy Slice Electric Knife Proctor Silex |  | No.9 | |
10 | Commercial Rechargeable/Cordless Electric Knife｜WEK200 Waring |  | No.10 |
Pros:
This corded blade by Cuisinart comes with a ton of extras, including a carving fork, a cutting board, and a storage tray for the whole kit. The blade is easy to take off of the handle with just the push of a button and it's dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. It's micro-serrated and perfect for cutting meat and bread.
A couple of users mention that this electric knife is pretty heavy and is difficult to hold. Nonetheless, most praise its sturdy construction and safety feature. They also say that it cuts and carves well. Many further comment that the blades are easy to clean.
Hamilton BeachElectric Knife ｜ 74250R
Pros:
Cons:
Hamilton Beach's corded knife has a plastic frame, so it's quite lightweight and durable. The handle is ergonomic and the blade is made of stainless steel. It also comes with a dishwasher-safe carving fork, an extra blade, and a storage case. But do keep in mind that the blades should be washed by hand in hot, soapy water.
Some reviewers mention that the power switch is very awkward to hold onto as you have to hold it back to keep the knife's power on. On another note, the majority say it performs very well and makes carving a turkey or any other meat quick and easy. They also like the included storage case as it helps keep everything organized.
BubbaFillet Knife with Non-Slip Grip ｜ 1095705
Pros:
Cons:
This cordless fillet knife by Bubba is created for all your fish filleting needs. It comes with four stainless steel blades in three different lengths, allowing you to effectively cut any fresh catch. The handle is made to be non-slip and ergonomic for extra safety and comfort, plus there is a trigger guard so you won't turn it on by accident.
Critical reviewers say that the battery does not receive a complete charge. On the other hand, most like the selection of blades and further mention that they are very sharp and can easily cut through fish. Many reviewers also find the handle comfortable to hold. Another plus point for buyers is the included carrying case.
Black+Decker9-Inch Electric Carving Knife ｜ EK500B
Pros:
Cons:
Black+Decker's knife has a variety of safety features attached to them. It has a safety lock button, so you can be assured that it won't turn on by itself, even when plugged in. Furthermore, the blades have non-slip grip tabs that you can hold when placing the blades in or taking them off, so you won't have to worry about cutting yourself.
Some reviewers mention that because of the safety features, you do have to hold down the button to get it to operate, which can be a bit inconvenient. But on a more positive note, many reviewers say it works well for meats and is easy to use. Some buyers even use it for other uses like cutting Styrofoam and boxes.
NutriChef Portable Electrical Food Cutter Knife Set ｜ PKELKN16
Pros:
This knife comes with two blades. One is for carving meats, while the other is for bread and cheeses, and both are made of durable stainless steel. It comes with a safety lock to ensure that the blade does not fall out when operating it. Plus, it comes with a storage block for both blades and the handle.
A few reviewers complain that it's difficult to insert the blades into the handle. Meanwhile, many others say that it slices amazingly, is easy to clean, and is comfortable to hold. They also say that the cord is long enough.
Mueller Austria Electric Carving Knife
Pros:
Cons:
This electric knife from Mueller Austria is easy to operate thanks to the one-touch button on the handle. The handle is contoured to feel great in your hand. The stainless steel blade is sharp and can easily slice through meat and crusty bread. What's more, the non-slip tabs guarantee safety while you're cutting your foods.
Some reviewers find it hard to insert the blade into the handle, and a few others say the handle is quite big for small hands. Yet, most say this electric knife is durable and easy to use. It also cuts through hard pieces of meat smoothly, buyers mention.
Pros:
Cons:
As the name “fillet knife” suggests, this electric knife from Rapala is best for fish. It boasts two 7.5-inch reciprocating blades and a powerful 110-watt motor. So, it can cut through fish bones easily. With a relaxed-grip handle, it minimizes fatigue whilst maximizing comfort. The cord is 96 inches long to provide freedom of movement during use.
Some reviewers mention that the locking trigger breaks easily. On the other hand, many say the electric knife is powerful and produces quick cuts. They confirm that it's the perfect knife for filleting fish. Another bonus for reviewers is the long cord.
Pros:
This electric knife is lightweight and has a relaxed handle for greater comfort while you use the knife. It's powered by a 120-watt motor and is the ideal knife for filleting fish. Another great design is the safety lock button that prevents the knife from turning on while it's not in use.
The major complaint about this electric knife is the short cord. A few reviewers also comment that it doesn't last a long time. Nevertheless, the majority like that this knife can cut through meat, fish, and bread with ease. What's more, the handle is ergonomic and feels comfortable in the hand, many reviewers mention.
Proctor SilexEasy Slice Electric Knife
Pros:
This electric knife comes with two serrated blades that are reciprocating to cut effectively through bread (or foam, if you need one for DIY purposes). The handle is comfortable and easy to grip. The knife overall is lightweight, and it's easy to operate. On top of that, the cord is 60 inches long, making it easy for you to reach the outlet.
A few reviewers find that this electric knife is not that durable and is rather underpowered. Some say that it isn't suitable for cutting meat. Yet, many buyers comment that it slices through foam and bread very well. There are also reports mentioning that the knife is easy to hold.
WaringCommercial Rechargeable/Cordless Electric Knife ｜ WEK200
Pros:
This knife set comes with two blades—one for cutting bread and the other for carving meats, a convenient carrying case, and a cutting guide. What's more, it has an integrated LED light to illuminate your work area even in low-lit places. It's also designed with a safety lock to prevent injuries.
It's said that this electric knife can be a bit inconvenient to use. However, most reviewers say this knife has great cutting power and works as a bread knife or on turkey, ham, as well as prime rib.
Frequently Asked Questions
And now we’ll answer a couple of common questions about electric knives, so you can make the most informed decision possible.
What's the difference between cordless and corded electric knives?
With a cordless knife, though it does have a limited charge, you can move from room to room if you wanted, and you can take a cordless knife with you for camping, fishing, or general travel. There's also a bit more freedom of movement since you don't have to worry about getting the cord getting tangled. However, there aren't many options for cordless on the market.
Because corded blades are plugged in when used, they're more consistent in their cut and power. Their performance and motor tend to be better, as well.
Should I use an electric knife for all food prep?
You shouldn't necessarily use an electric knife for all food preparation. Electric knives are most beneficial for cutting those harder-to-slice foods, such as in-bone meat, bread, and tough veggies like acorn squash. For tender foods such as strawberries or bananas, electric knives can be too powerful and you’d run the risk of making a mess of your food.
If it’s important to you to cut smaller, more delicate foods with an electric knife, consider buying a knife with less power so it’ll be more gentle with your food.
Can I use an electric knife to cut frozen meat?
Yes, it is technically possible to cut through frozen meat with an electric knife. However, we advise against doing so, since the blade might become dull or damaged. So, try to soften the meat under running water a little bit before cutting to make things easier for both you and your knife.
Looking for Something More Traditional?
If you're looking for a knife more on the traditional side, then look no further. We've got buying guides covering Japanese knives, kitchen knives, and bread knives, so check them out based on your specific needs!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
