5 Best Electric Knives of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Tested by Taylor Murray

An electric knife might sound like the kind of kitchen gadget that only sees the light of day around big holidays, but this clever tool is far more versatile than people realize. With its oscillating, serrated blades and powerful motor, an electric knife makes easy work of everything from thick roasts to crusty breads.

While the average chef's knife requires muscle, skill and a perfectly honed edge, an electric knife delivers results with the push of a button. It's especially handy for anyone who wants clean, uniform slices without wrestling a holiday bird with a dull blade. Beyond the Thanksgiving table, the electric knife has so many uses. Whether you're carving, slicing or meal prepping, a good electric knife can save time, spare effort and improve the quality of many meals. We put some of the top-rated models through their paces to see which ones could truly make the cut.

How We Tested

Before getting to the carving, we started each test with an unboxing and a quick read-through of the manuals. Most electric knives are refreshingly simple, but it's still worth checking the setup diagrams and safety notes. Each knife was weighed, measured, and evaluated for build quality, comfort and storage ease.

Turkey Test: We roasted a whole turkey to mimic a true holiday carving scenario. This test looked at how cleanly and efficiently each knife could slice through both crispy skin and juicy meat, plus how it was able to maneuver around bones and joints. Some knives powered through with ease, while others struggled to get into tight corners. A great electric knife should glide through the breast meat in smooth, even motions without shredding it.

Baguette Test: The next test was to use each knife to cut progressively thinner slices of crusty baguette to see how it handled tough exteriors without smashing the soft, airy interior.

Tomato Test: Next, we used each knife to slice juicy, ripe heirloom tomatoes. We looked for clean, consistent slices that held their shape, even when cut paper-thin. This test revealed which knives had truly sharp, well-designed blades that could handle tasks that require finesse.

Performance Test: In all tests, we made notes on how well the knives performed and how smoothly they cut. If the vibration caused fatigue, we made sure to weigh that against overall power and ease of use. Ultimately, the knives that won the most points struck the right balance between strength and control, with enough power to glide through dense roasts or crusty loaves, yet comfortable enough to handle delicate foods without shredding them.

Afterwards, we cleaned and reassembled each knife to evaluate how easy it was to take apart and wash.

What to Consider When Buying an Electric Knife

Type: All electric knives used to be corded devices, but recent advancements in home appliance technology have allowed cordless electric knives to hit the market. While corded knives are powerful and don't require recharging, the trade-off is a dangling cord that can limit your reach or clutter your workspace. Cordless models offer total flexibility, whether you want to carve at the dinner table or slice on the patio. Just be sure to keep an eye on battery life and plan to limit use to short bursts.

Blades: Most electric knives use dual, serrated stainless steel blades that move back and forth next to each other to create clean, even cuts without the elbow grease. Blade length varies very little between brands, typically ranging between seven and eight inches. Shorter blades are easier to maneuver, and blades that have serration that extends closer to the tip let you use that area to navigate around joints and corners. A few models come with multiple blade sets for different purposes (like bread versus meat), which adds versatility but also gives you more to store.

Accessories: Accessories can turn a simple tool into a full set. A carving fork is a particularly handy inclusion, letting you hold food steady while slicing. Storage cases are another major plus for keeping blades protected and drawers organized. If you plan to use your knife frequently, a case that fits all attachments neatly is worth its weight in gold.

Safety Features: Most electric knives have built-in safety locks or dual-trigger buttons to prevent accidental starts. While dual-trigger buttons can be a little awkward to get the hang of at first, they're worth the learning curve. A finger guard under the blades is a smart addition, though it can make it hard to slice completely flush down to the cutting board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sharpen an electric knife?

No, not in the traditional sense. Electric knife blades are typically made from serrated stainless steel, which doesn't lend itself well to sharpening on a whetstone or pull-through sharpener. If your cuts start to feel rough or ineffective, replacement blades are often available directly from the manufacturer.

How do you clean an electric knife?

Always unplug or power off the unit first. The handles house the electrical components, so wiping them clean with a damp cloth is the only option. From the blades, check the manufacturer's care. Some are dishwasher-safe, while others require handwashing. Either way, it's no more complicated to clean these than any other serrated knife.

What should you not cut with an electric knife?

Avoid hard, frozen or particularly bone items that can dull or warp the blades. While these tools are powerful, they aren't chainsaws. Electric knives are designed for cooked meats, breads and softer foods. Stick to roasts, loaves, fruits or vegetables.

Can you cut raw steak with an electric knife?

You can, but it's not ideal. Electric knives work best when there's a bit of resistance. For butchering or trimming raw steak, a sharp chef's knife or boning knife gives you far more control.

Can an electric knife replace a regular carving knife?

For many home cooks, yes. Electric knives make it easy to create uniform slices of turkey, ham or roast beef without the wrist strain. That said, a traditional carving knife offers more control for decorative cuts or delicate presentation. Think of the electric version as a helper for speed and consistency, not a chef's knife substitute.

Other Electric Knives We Tested

The Black+Decker Electric Carving Knife is a solid budget option with a recognizable name, but the overall construction felt light and slightly flimsy. It handled soft foods well but struggled to maintain control through crusty bread or dense meat.

The Prikoi Electric Knife had a shoddy power button that would cycle on and off despite constant pressure.

Some, like the Homaider Electric Knife, operated well but had bulky construction that would make it hard to store.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon steel pans to food dehydrators.

Why You Should Trust Food Network Shopping Experts

Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real-world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.