The 5 Best Electric Knives of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama–based food writer who covers everything from cooking techniques to gadget reviews. She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content.

In This Article

Allrecipes / Russell Kilgore

The choice between a traditional carving knife and an electric knife largely comes down to personal preference, but the latter certainly has a few points in its favor. Electric knives work by quickly moving blades back and forth—with the help of a motor—so that you can slice through meats, bread, and even large batches of produce in a fraction of the time and effort it takes to do it manually.

Modern-day electric knives are far superior to their early predecessors since they won't rip your roast to shreds or give out mid-way through a leg of lamb. Plus, it doesn't require much of an investment to acquire a top-rated electric knife. To find the best ones, we tested some of the best electric knives available. After doing research, carving a whole lot of meat, and slicing enough crostini to feed an army, we've determined our favorites.

We wanted to get an idea of how this knife would work for a variety of tasks, which is why Allrecipes product tester Samantha Lande put several knives to the test by carving a rotisserie chicken, slicing through a baguette, and slicing through beef tenderloin or brisket.

During testing, Samantha paid special attention to the following metrics:

Why It's Great: Versatile; ergonomic handle; easy to clean; doesn't overheat

Grain of Salt: No safety lock

If you are looking for an electric knife that cuts meat and bread well and is easy to store, the Hamilton Beach is the best choice. It has a good weight, looks sleek, and is one of the easiest knives to hold for an extended period of time without feeling like your hand is going to vibrate right off. "The knife didn't get hot quickly either, which was a problem with some of the other knives," says Samantha.

The knife had a trigger pull—making it more ergonomically correct than some of the other knives—plus two different blades for bread and meat. The long cord on this knife leaves plenty of leeway to move it around as you maneuver the knife.

It comes complete with a storage case so you can keep everything in one place, either a drawer or a cabinet. Its only downfall is the lack of a child safety lock.

The knife is easy to wash by hand–simply release the blades and gently wash in soap or water—but it's also dishwasher safe. Although we didn't try it in our testing, the description says you can also use the knife to carve foam, which is perfect for cake making or arts and crafts projects.

The Details: Stainless steel; 3.25 x 4.63 x 11.75 inches; includes two blades and storage case

Why It's Great: Compact; safety lock; low vibration

Grain of Salt: No carrying case

Although it costs only slightly less than our top pick, if you are looking for something simple but effective, the Black + Decker would be our pick. It does have a safety lock, "a big plus for parents of small children," says Samantha.

There is a single blade and no carrying case, but the circumference is slightly smaller than the Hamilton Beach, making it easier to store in smaller spaces if that's a concern. It cuts well, with low vibration too.

The Details: Stainless steel; ‎11.61 x 3.9 x 3.46 inches; includes one blade

Why It's Great: Good value; blades are easy to release; includes two blades

Grain of Salt: Bulky handle

There's nothing worse than navigating around an annoying power cord while slicing up an entire Thanksgiving turkey. This electric knife from Elite Gourmet solves this problem with a cordless, rechargeable design that boasts 70 minutes of continuous use and takes only 1.5 hours to charge fully.

The knife includes two serrated blades complete with safety finger guards that eject easily at the push of a button. With two dishwasher-safe blades, you're prepared for cutting different types of meat and other uses like slicing loaves of bread or vegetables. Although the handle is a bit bulky to account for the rechargeable motor, it's relatively lightweight in size.

The Details: Stainless steel; 6.75 inches; includes two blades

Why It's Great: Includes storage; durable blade; compact

Grain of Salt: Cutting board is small

This comprehensive set includes everything you need to cut and carve, including a stainless steel blade, power handle, carving and serving fork, bamboo cutting board, and storage tray to keep it all organized.

In tests, the Cuisinart electric knife did a good job cutting both bread and meat, and we appreciated the hearty blade it came with. It has a safety lock and trigger release that makes it easy to hold. However, this set may not be worth it if you already have some of the items included in the collection. "The cutting board and serving fork are likely items that may already be in your drawer, and although nice as a gift set, we didn't feel they were necessary to have," says Samantha.

The Details: Stainless steel; 12.5 inches; includes blade, power handle, carving/serving fork, bamboo cutting board, storage tray

Why It's Great: Design dampens vibration; works fast; comfortable grip

Grain of Salt: Expensive

If you love fishing or routinely prepare whole fish at home, this filet knife will save a ton of time and effort. Its heavy-duty, dishwasher-safe blade is made using alloy steel that's tough enough to cut through fish bones and quickly break down whole salmon, trout, and other large fish.

The quiet motor features an advanced airflow body design that dampens vibration and keeps the motor running smoothly without overheating. There's also an 8-inch power cord to provide enough reach while working with larger ingredients. Even better, the handle is ergonomically shaped for a comfortable, relaxed grip.

The Details: Alloy steel; 9 inches; includes one blade

Our top pick, the Hamilton Beach Electric Knife with Storage Case, wowed us with its ergonomic design and versatility. For a budget-conscious pick, we also love the Black + Decker ComfortGrip 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife.

All but one of the electric knives tested in this review are corded; the reason being that they are far more affordable and popular than their cordless counterparts. It's easy to see the appeal behind cordless electric knives: they eliminate the need to have access to an outlet, and give the freedom to maneuver the knife without the worry of pulling the cord out of the wall.

But you also have the issue of battery life when it comes to cordless models. Nobody wants to prepare a holiday roast only to find their knife's battery is depleted when it comes time to carve. If you're someone who regularly carves meats like brisket or roasts, or you'd like to have the ability to carve outdoors, then a cordless option is probably your best bet. Just be sure it has a long-lasting battery.

Corded electric knives are far more common and affordable (ranging from $15 to $50). Look for one with a fairly lengthy cord so you have freedom to maneuver the knife as needed.

A comfortable handle can really set an electric knife apart from the rest. Nobody wants an electric knife that aggressively vibrates their hand as they carve. Even with a low-vibration knife, holding a knife for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable, so an ergonomic handle is also going to make a huge difference.

Most electric knives come with just one blade, usually about eight to 10 inches long, although some models will include additional blades for different kitchen tasks. For the once- or twice-per-year user, there's little need for these extras. The blades are usually detachable and often dishwasher safe.

Although the NutriChef Portable Electrical Food Knife cut well, the button on the top was difficult to push and the vibration was almost too much to handle. "It felt like the jolt of starting a lawn mower," says Samantha. We did like that the wooden storage board locked on the blades, but it didn't make up for the knife itself.

The Cuisinart CEK-30 Electric Knife offered far less than its other Cuisinart counterpart. There is no safety lock on this version, and not only did it vibrate quite a bit, but it also got hot very quickly.

After letting the turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes, start by removing the legs. Then, slice along each side of the center breast bone to remove the breast meat. Cut through the joint where the wing connects to the breast to detach the wing on both sides. Once all the meat is separated from the carcass, you can slice the turkey breast into thin or thick slices (depending on your preference) and separate the drumsticks from the thighs. Tip: Don't toss out that turkey carcass! Turn it into broth or a hearty, satisfying turkey soup.

We don't suggest using your at-home knife sharpener on electric knife blades since they are serrated and much thinner than chef's knives or other kitchen knives. Instead, send them to a professional knife sharpening service or replace them entirely. Some models offer single replacement blades, so you won't have to buy a completely new knife.

Samantha Lande, who tested all of the electric knives on this list, is the former associate editor of Eater Chicago. She has experience in product testing and reviewing kitchen tools, and has also developed content for leading food brands. Melanie Fincher, an Alabama-based food writer with nearly seven years of experience writing news and lifestyle content, used Samantha's insights to write this article.