Every kitchen should have an electric knife sharpener. Keeping your kitchen knives sharp is a priority if you love cooking. Blunt knives are difficult to work with, and can ruin quality products like expensive cuts of meat.
In recent years, electric knife sharpeners have become a popular alternative to manual sharpening tools like whetstones. Whilst manual knife sharpeners give the user greater control and accuracy, they can be fiddly to use and require more skill to get a good result. For the average person at home, an electric knife sharpener makes the job quicker, easier, and less likely to go wrong.
In this review, we will give the rundown of the top 10 best electric knife sharpeners on the market today. We start with a list of features to consider when looking for the best electric knife sharpener, before reviewing and ranking 10 best-selling products. Following this, our buyers’ guide aims to take you through the basics of the benefits of electric knife sharpeners and how they work. Finally, our FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about electric knife sharpeners.
If you’re looking to purchase an electric knife sharpener but don’t know where to start, this review is for you!
What to Consider When Purchasing An Electric Knife Sharpener
The choice of electric knife sharpeners on the market can be overwhelming. Below are the main, basic things to consider before you purchase one to make the buying process a bit easier.
Budget
First, you need to set yourself a budget. Knife sharpeners can range from under $20 to hundreds of dollars. Very basic versions can be found online, as well as professional-grade knife sharpening equipment used by famous chefs around the world. Set a budget for your purchase to narrow down your options.
Manual vs Electric
Is an electric knife sharpener the right type of product for you? Both electric and manual knife sharpeners have their pros and cons. Check out our buyers’ guide to work out what will work best for you.
Grit Types
Most electric knife sharpeners have different slots for sharpening knives with different grit levels to achieve various levels of sharpness. A high quality sharpener with a decent range of options will be more flexible to a range of knife sharpening needs.
Size
Electric knife sharpeners can really vary in size. The amount of space you have to store your appliance either on a kitchen worktop or in a cupboard should help determine which product to go for.
Versatility
Consider what you need your knife sharpener to work on. If you have a lot of serrated knives, it’s no good buying a sharpener that can only be used on straight blades, for example. Opt for the model which does the most for your budget where possible.
Best Overall
1. Chef’sChoice 250 Hone Hybrid Sharpening
Key Features
2.65 pounds, dimensions 11 x 6 x 5.25 inches
3 stage sharpening with manual stage 3
100% diamond abrasives
Our Rating
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Our Take
First, of all, we have our third chef’s choice knife sharpener. This time it’s the Chef’sChoice 250 Hone Hybrid which can be used for electric and manual sharpening of straight and serrated knives at a 20-degree angle. It includes diamond abrasives and 3-stage sharpening and comes in a neat black design that won’t look too bulky in the kitchen. For under $70, this is a durable and advanced product that is flexible to different needs.
The manufacturer states that you can use this sharpener on kitchen knives, pocket knives, and light sporting knives. The ultra-fine abrasives in stage 3 ensure an extremely sharp and polished edge on your knives. Users say this product is a little complex to use but works great and comes in at a good-value price for the quality of results you get. If you specifically want to buy Chef’s Choice but don’t have the budget for spending over $100 on a knife sharpener, then this is the product for you. You get the same great results and high-quality for less money.
Best Runner-Up
2. Narcissus Knife Sharpener
Key Features
2.55 pounds, dimensions 10 x 4.9 x 4.9 inches
2 stage sharpening
Corundum abrasive wheels
Includes a set of replaceable grinding wheels
600W motor
Multipurpose
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Our Take
Narcissus’s Electric Knife Sharpener, intended for home use, is a small, compact tool that claims professional results. It has a 2-stage sharpening system which sharpens at 15-degrees using Corundum abrasive wheels. You can sharpen for up to 5 minutes but must let the machine rest for 10 minutes after to cool down before another use.
One massive advantage of this product is that it is multipurpose. You can sharpen knives, scissors, and slotted screwdrivers with it. They also throw in a set of replaceable grinding wheels so your purchase should last for a while. For a similar price to the Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener, you can get a tool that sharpens more than just straight knives.
Most Affordable
3. Smith’s 50005 Edge Pro Compact Electric Knife Sharpener
Key Features
4.25 pounds, dimensions 10 x 4.25 x 4.25 inches
3 stage sharpening
100% diamond abrasives
Noise between 65 and 75 decibels
3 year warranty
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Our Take
This Chef’s Choice Trizor XV EdgeSelect Knife Sharpener is a professional-grade tool at a high price point. It boasts a 3-stage sharpening system with 100% diamond abrasives in stages 1 and 2. These stages can be used to sharpen a range of blades, including straight edge and serrated. Stage 3 is a patented flexible abrasive system that can be used to polish your knives. This is especially useful on serrated knives, as it helps to prolong their life. It sharpens at a fine 15-degree edge.
Being a slightly bigger, heavier, and more expensive product at nearly $200, this knife sharpener won’t be for everyone. However, as an investment piece for the enthusiastic home cook or an aspiring chef, it is a brilliant tool. Customers rate the 3-year warranty and customer service highly, so you’re in safe hands when you purchase from Chef’s Choice.
Best Professional Quality
4. Chef’sChoice Trizor XV EdgeSelect Professional Electric Knife Sharpener
Key Features
2.73 pounds, dimensions 8.3 x 3.6 x 4 inches
2 stage sharpening
Removable magnet to catch metal shavings
120V motor
Diamond-coated sharpening wheels
Fine-edge blades only
1 year limited warranty
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Our Take
Another model under $40 is the EdgeKeeper Electric Knife Sharpener. This product is a brilliant deal for the quality. Coming in a retro-style design and available in a range of colors including blue, black, and red, this is the model to go for if you want something sleek that will look great displayed in your kitchen.
It’s relatively light and compact so won’t take up too much space either. This design boasts diamond-coated sharpening wheels which are unusual for such a low price, and includes a removable magnet to catch metal shavings that makes it easy to clean. No-slip feet add extra stability to the design.
This sharpener is a relatively basic tool, other than the sleek design. It is suitable for sharpening fine-edge blades only, and ideal for most carbon steel or stainless steel American and European style kitchen knives. The manufacturer advises against using it on sporting, serrated, ceramic, and other types of knives. Users rate this product very highly, and if you want something a bit more fashionable in your kitchen but aren’t bothered about fancy extras, this might be the product for you.
Best Design
5. EdgeKeeper Electric Knife Sharpener
Key Features
1.25 pounds, dimensions 3.5 x 9.8 x 8.5 inches
120V motor
Synthetic abrasive wheel
Includes ceramic rods
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Our Take
Smith’s 50005 Edge Pro Compact Electric Knife Sharpener is even cheaper than the Grocery Art Knife Sharpener Electric 3-in-1 Tool, at under $30. It is light and compact and includes non-slip rubber feet and a soft-grip rubber handle for ease and comfort during use. The abrasive grade on this machine is coarse or fine, and it comes with ceramic rods for quick sharpening touch-ups.
Users recommend Smith’s knife sharpener for straight knives but warn against damage on serrated knives. The stones sharpen knives well and create nice, smooth edges. However, it isn’t that powerful, and users say it takes a while to sharpen dull blades. At the lowest price listed in this review, regardless of the limitations, Smith’s knife sharpener is a solid choice if you don’t want to spend much and aren’t looking for professional quality.
Best Multipurpose
6. Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener
Key Features
1.9 pounds, dimensions 5 x 9 x 5 inches
110V motor
3 abrasive belts included
Multipurpose
1 year warranty
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Our Take
The Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener is again a more expensive product, but it does have its advantages. It’s relatively light and reasonably compact, coming with 3 abrasive belts. You get a coarse, medium, and fine belt for precision-guided sharpening to either a 40-degree (for kitchen knives) or 50-degree angle (for outdoor knives).
This Work Sharp product is also multipurpose. This time, however, it can be used to sharpen a range of bladed tools, for example, lawnmower blades, shears, and shovels, as well as kitchen knives. You also get a 1-year warranty to cover your purchase. Although it’s a bit more expensive, this versatile tool is highly rated. Definitely check this out if you want something that works for a wide range of indoor and outdoor needs.
7. Chef’sChoice Hone EdgeSelect Professional Electric Knife Sharpener
Key Features
4.7 pounds, dimensions 12 x 6.2 x 6.2 inches
3 stage sharpening
100% diamond abrasives
3 year household warranty
Our Rating
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Our Take
The Chef’s Choice Hone EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener is another great Chef’s Choice product costing slightly less (around $130). It is once again a professional-grade piece of kitchen equipment with diamond abrasives for high-quality results.
Working on straight or serrated knives made in the USA, this model should cover most domestic sharpening needs. It has a 3-stage sharpening system in which stage 3 is a unique stropping and polishing stage for extreme sharpness. It sharpens at a 20-degree edge.
Easy to use and brilliant for expensive knives like gourmet chef’s and butcher’s knives as well as ordinary kitchen and pocket knives, Chef’s Choice is a guaranteed great product. If you’re looking to pay a little more for high quality but don’t want to buy the most expensive knife sharpener out there, you can’t go wrong with the Chef’s Choice Hone EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener.
8. Presto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener
Key Features
2.95 pounds, dimensions 9.9 x 7.2 x 4.8 inches
2 stage sharpening
120V motor
No guess sharpening
Sapphirite sharpening wheels
1 year warranty
Our Rating
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Our Take
Presto’s 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener is a basic, mid-range product that will be suitable for most domestic use. It is a 2 stage sharpener powered at 120 Volts, that can be used on most non-serrated blades. Precision blade guides make sure your knives are sharpened at a precise angle.
Coming with a 1 year manufacturer warranty, users rate this product as easy to operate and good value. It can be operated simply with one hand, and works best on medium-to-large chef’s knives. It works in around 5 minutes depending on knife size and bluntness. Overall, if you want a reasonably priced product that does the basics, Presto’s 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener is ideal!
9. Work Sharp – WSCMB Combo Knife Sharpener
Key Features
1.2 pounds, dimensions 5 x 7 x 4.5 inches
Synthetic abrasive belts
2 abrasive belts and ceramic rod included
1 year domestic warranty
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Our Take
This is Work Sharp’s less expensive knife sharpener for home use. It comes with 2 abrasive belts and ceramic rods for sharpening and honing and is quite light and compact compared to the other Work Sharp model reviewed here. Not quite as versatile as the more expensive model, this Work Sharp knife sharpener can be used on pocket knives, kitchen knives, and serrations on some knives. It sharpens at a 25-degree angle, so is better for chunkier knives than fine ones.
This is a decent, not too expensive product for a reasonable range of outdoor and indoor needs. However, it isn’t your best option if you want something that’s more suitable for the kitchen than outdoors. That said, customers rate it quite highly, and say the sharpener belts are durable and long-lasting.
10. Knife Sharpener Electric 3-in-1 Tool
Key Features
1.57 pounds, dimensions 6 x 6 x 4 inches
2 stage sharpening
3-in-1 sharpener for knives, scissors, and screwdrivers
120V motor
Our Rating
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Our Take
Next up on the more budget end is the Grocery Art Knife Sharpener Electric 3-in-1 Tool. If you don’t want to splash the cash but you still want something practical to get the job done, look no further. With basic 2-stage sharpening and a small, compact design, this knife sharpener will be easy to store and can give you decent results on a budget.
It includes four separate sharpening slots for coarse knife sharpening, fine knife sharpening, screwdrivers, and scissors, making it ideal for a range of kitchen needs. Use time is around 3 minutes, with a 20 minute cooling-off period between uses.
Although the uses for this item are limited, such as not working for serrated or ceramic knives and the angle of sharpening not being very accurate, for the money it’s hard to complain. Coming in at under $40 with a high number of 4- and 5-star ratings, this is a good choice for reasonable results on a budget. However, we have other options in this price range which are better.
Electric Knife Sharpener Buyers’ Guide
Why Do You Need To Sharpen Your Kitchen Knives?
Many people don’t bother to sharpen their kitchen knives, but there are several reasons this is bad practice. It can seem like a tricky task to sharpen knives, but it’s increasingly simple with the availability of electric knife sharpeners and online how-to guides.
It’s important to keep knives sharp to maintain control when cutting food in the kitchen. If the blade is blunt, it can slide around. You might end up cutting yourself or damaging a surface if your blade slips. So, keeping knives sharp is ultimately a safety issue.
Additionally, sharp knives make cleaner cuts in food. This means you can prepare food more easily, and present it in a more neat manner. You want your food presentation to be effortless and tidy, especially if you’re hosting dinner parties!
Benefits Of Electric Knife Sharpeners
Although manual knife sharpeners are widely available and can be inexpensive, sometimes investing in an electric model is a smart decision.
Electric knife sharpeners are extremely quick to use compared to manually sharpening knives. Think of seconds compared to ten to fifteen minutes to sharpen a blunt knife by hand. Plus, they are instantly usable. Whetstones need to be soaked before use, whereas electric knife sharpeners can be used straight away.
Furthermore, electric knife sharpeners are more simple to use (especially for beginners) and have less safety risks associated with them. They have pre-set angle guides to make sure you sharpen your knives to the correct degree, and the slots stop any slipping which could cause harm to the user. Plus, you get a much smoother finish as a beginner that you couldn’t achieve sharpening by hand. Manual knife sharpeners don’t have these advantages.
Inexperienced sharpeners can ruin expensive knives with whetstones and manual sharpeners, and overall, electric sharpeners are easier for everyday use. However, there are some unmistakeable advantages to manual knife sharpeners.
Benefits Of Manual Knife Sharpeners
Whilst electric knife sharpeners have many advantages, there are reasons you might want to go manual. If you’re a more experienced chef with a love for cooking, sharpening your knives by hand is pretty satisfying and professional. Learning to use a whetstone is a brilliant skill to have if you cook a lot.
Adding to this, manual knife sharpeners give the user significantly more control over the angle and sharpness than electric models. This can be more tricky for beginners, but if you have the time and patience to practice, then a manual sharpener can work wonders. Plus, if you’re trying to save some kitchen space, a small whetstone or manual sharpener might be preferable.
Furthermore, you can’t use an electric knife sharpener on all types of knives. Some specialist knives, such as Japanese models, might have blades which aren’t compatible with most American knife sharpeners. Blades with bevelled edges also can’t be sharpened like this. It’s important to check whether your knife can be re-sharpened at all before putting it in an electric knife sharpener, or even a manual one.
How Much Should Be Spent On Knife Sharpeners?
The answer to this question really depends on what you want to get out of your purchase. Knife sharpeners can range from under $30 to around $200 in most cases. This is why it’s so important to set a budget for your purchase, and know what features you’re looking for.
If you need a professional-grade knife sharpener because you have expensive chef’s knives, then you must be prepared to spend more. However, if you have cheap knives and are just looking for a quick and basic option, there’s no real need to go over the $40 mark.
When making your choice, check out the warranty offered on each product and what reviewers say about it. The quality of customer service or the length of time your product is covered for might just sway your choice. It’s usually worth a few extra dollars to guarantee quality and help if something goes wrong.
FAQs
Are Electric Knife Sharpeners Any Good?
Many people will tell you that electric knife sharpeners do a terrible job. This was true of many early models. They weren’t especially well-made and could chip your knives. However, as technology has advanced, the product has improved significantly. If you’ve read through our review and think an electric knife sharpener will be ideal for you, then go for it! It’s very much based on personal preference.
Are Electric Knife Sharpeners Easy To Use?
Generally, yes they are. They usually have built-in sharpening guides or slots, and require no more than for you to put the knife in. Most cooks of any ability should find them easy to use.
How Long Does It Take To Sharpen A Knife?
With an electric knife sharpener, it can take a few seconds to a few minutes to sharpen a knife. This will partially depend on how powerful your model is, and how blunt your knives are.
Can You Move Between Different Grit Levels On An Electric Knife Sharpener?
Many models have different slots for different sharpening grains. You should get instructions for which to use on which knives, but you can also look this up online for additional help. Some electric sharpeners allow you to shift between the different grains easily.
