Best Electric Knives
We all love a bit of convenience in the kitchen, especially on family occasions like Christmas, so what better way to make carving the turkey easier than buying an electric knife? Which electric knives deserve our attention, though, and how good are they compared to conventional knives?
In this article we put electric knives under the spotlight to see which ones, in our opinion, are the best. Read on to help you hone in on your next electric knife purchase.
- Cordless for convenience and means no trailing leads
- 20-minute runtime should be ample for all your carving need
- One-touch operation for ease and simplicity
- 30-minute quick charge
- Ergonomic handle for comfort and grip
- Dimensions: 13.2 x 3 x 10.2
- Weight: 3.39 lbs
- Cordless for ease and convenience
- Rechargeable
- Powerful Lithium Ion batteries for durability and a longer life
- Comes with a 6” blade as well as a 7.5” blade for versatility
- Also comes with a wall charger for easy storage
- Dimensions: 1 x 13 x 8
- Weight: 3.4 lbs
- One-touch operation means it’s simple to use
- Dishwasher safe removable parts
- The dual blades have multiple uses
- Comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind
- Comes with a handy storage case to keep the blades safely away from children
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 4.4 x 3.3
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
- Dual blades make light work of carving
- Great for chicken, pork, beef, steak, and lamb
- Cordless means that there are no restrictions on where it gets used
- Amazing price makes this our budget pick
- Dishwasher safe blades for easy cleaning
- Dimensions: 7.8 x 3.9 x 2
- Weight: 0.88 lbs
- This shawarma slicer works by rotating the blade
- Comes with a 100mm diameter blade
- Portable and easy to use, making it convenient
- 80-watts of slicing power
- Super-sharp blade makes light work of most meats
- Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 7
- Weight: 3.55 lbs
- Serrated blades for fast cutting action
- Ergonomic design makes handling easy and comfortable
- Easy blade removal with one click.
- 8.9” cutting blade
- Simple button operation
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 5.5 x 2.5
- Weight: 1.75 lbs
This Cuisinart knife is by far the biggest seller on Amazon. It has a 30-minute recharge time, so you won’t have to wait too long between charges, and the ergonomically designed handle means that there won’t be any strain on your hand while using it.
Pros
- 20-minute run time between charges
- Cordless for go-anywhere use
- Ergonomic design
- Lithium ion batteries for longer life
Cons
- Storage case poorly designed
- The knife feels cheaply made
This cordless fillet knife by Rapala is as useful in the home for filleting as it is on the go. It has reliable Lithium Ion batteries, a wall mounted charger, and it comes with two sizes (a 6” and 7.5” blade). In addition, there’s no need to worry about it overheating because it has advanced airflow technology to keep the motor cool.
Pros
- Lithium Ion batteries
- Two blade sizes
- Comes in a handy case
- Wall charger for easy storage
Cons
- The blades are difficult to change
- Build quality issues
- The knife isn’t as sharp as others in its class
This Chefman knife comes with a bonus carving fork and a carry case for easy storage. The motor has 120 watts, so it is powerful enough to handle most tasks. The one-touch on/off safety lock is also great, especially if there are small children around.
Pros
- Built-in safety features
- Powerful motor
- Comes with bonus accessories
- Dishwasher safe blades
Cons
- Feels more cumbersome than others in its class
- The blades are quite short
This Hura steak knife is battery powered and has a large, balanced handle to make carving even easier. The blades are dishwasher safe, and the one-touch operation makes it easy to use.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe blades
- Lightweight
- Battery powered
- One-touch operation
Cons
- Feels cheaply made
This Keytop is a shawarma or gyro slicer that is better suited to slicing large cuts of meat. It has a 100mm diameter spinning blade that slices through most meats. It comes with accessories and spare blades, and the 80-watt motor generates enough power to slice 60 kg maximum per day.
Pros
- Gyro slicer
- Comes with accessories
- Easy to use
- 80-watt motor
Cons
- Temperamental motor prone to failing
- Blades dull quickly
This Nutrichef knife is ergonomically designed to be comfortable to use. It has an easy blade removal system that means they unclip with one touch. The body of the knife is designed to be balanced and lightweight, so you won’t get hand strain when carving the family turkey.
Pros
- Long cord
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Easy blade removal
- Dishwasher safe blades
Cons
- Feels cheaply made
- Poor grip on the handle when it gets wet
Electric Knife Buyer’s Guide
To select the best electric knife, consider whether you want a corded or cordless model. If you’re thinking of carving the holiday roast at the dinner table and the lead doesn’t reach, then think about a cordless model. You should also look at the knife’s included accessories and blaze sizes.
In addition, you should consider the following aspects:
Functions
Useful functions include one-touch operation and easy-to-remove blades. The last thing you want is to sustain an injury while wrestling the blades from their housing.
Power
These electric knives operate on about 80 to 100 watts. Some, like the battery powered models, have considerably less power; if you’re thinking about buying a cordless model you should confirm its running time per charge.
Styling
What can you say about the styling of an electric knife? Generally speaking, they all look the same and perform the same tasks.
Clever Technology
Most of the smart things in modern electric knives relate to the rechargeable batteries. Newer models have Lithium Ion batteries that are robust and long-lasting, giving you longer between charges and quicker charge times.
Product Warranty
Don’t expect anything more than a 12-month warranty on these knives, as the manufacturers haven’t been very generous. In addition, you shouldn’t expect a money back guarantee.
Reliable Brands
There are some well-known brands, like Cuisinart and Chefman, in the electric knife market. Cuisinart is by far the biggest seller on Amazon and gets a high approval rating from their customers. Just look at the reviews to get a sense of what is so good about their knife.
FAQ
Should I buy replacement blades or get the existing blades sharpened?
The blades are incredibly hard-wearing and should last for the lifetime of the unit. If the blades have dulled (which is unusual unless you’ve been sawing wood with them), it’s advisable to buy replacements. They are reasonably cheap to replace, and you’re guaranteed super-sharp blades from the outset.
How noisy are these knives?
It depends on the brand, and what you’re carving, but don’t switch it on late at night, or early in the morning, unless you want to wake the entire household.
Can you use these knives to cut foam?
While the manufacturers absolutely will not recommend it, you can cut foam easily with an electric knife. The serrated blades, along with the cutting motion, make these knives the perfect tool to use.
Final Thoughts
Trying to compete in the crowded knife market is tough, especially for the electric variety. Investing hard-earned money in an electric knife is to say that you want the most convenient way of carving your meats without the hassle of continually sharpening an expensive kitchen knife.
Our top pick for the best electric knife is easily the Cuisinart CEK-50. It has the pedigree, the quality, and it is a big seller.
