An electric carving knife can make your life easier when cutting roasts or bigger cuts of meat. It can also simplify slicing bread and cutting up whole fish. Although large carving knives may sometimes do the trick, an electric carving knife is more precise, creating even, clean pieces of whatever you are slicing.
Electric knives should be simple to use, comfortable to hold, and easy to clean. Consider the shape of the handles and whether or not you'll prefer a corded or cordless model for convenience. Of course, the quality of the blade is also important when it comes to long-term use and making uniform, exact cuts.
While electric knives can seem intimidating to the uninitiated, most models are equipped with safety features such as trigger guards and safety locks, and the best ones are a cinch to use. From high-end to budget, and multipurpose to complete sets, we researched the best electric carving knives available.
Our Top Picks
Best Carving Set:
Best Kit for Roasts:
Best Budget:
Best Multipurpose:
Best Cordless:
Best for Fish:
Best Overall
Cuisinart Electric Knife Set With Cutting Board
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What We Like
Convenient set
Dishwasher-safe blade
Simple trigger operation
What We Don't Like
Plastic handle casing can crack
The latest version of the popular Cuisinart carving knife has an efficient blade shape and an ergonomic handle. It is available as a single blade, double blade, or in a set that includes a carving fork and a bamboo cutting board. For easy storage, the handle, blade, and fork fit into the included storage tray, and the cutting board stores below, so the whole set can sit on a pantry shelf or in a kitchen cabinet where it’s organized and easy to grab when needed.
Great for cutting meat, poultry, and bread, this electric knife is easy to use, even when it’s time to carve a roast for a large party. With a comfortable handle and ultra-sharp blade, the knife lets users slice uniform pieces over and over. It operates with a simple trigger—just squeeze to cut and release to stop. When stopped, the blade is locked for safety. After all the carving is done, the blade releases from the handle with the press of a button and can go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Just be aware that over time the plastic handle casing can crack.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Power: 130 watts | Weight: 3.67 pounds
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What We Like
Convenient storage case
Affordable price
Fork can be used for serving as well
What We Don't Like
Must hand wash blades
While you can certainly hold your roast beef in place with a spare dinner fork while you carve, a nice carving fork comes in handy and looks more professional, whether you’re slicing beef for sandwiches or carving a turkey for a celebration. This set includes two stainless steel blades and one carving fork; the blades are serrated and the fork is nice enough looking to use when serving.
In addition to meat and poultry, the knife comes in handy for slicing bread, vegetables, and cheeses—everything you need for an attractive deli platter. The handle is designed for comfort, no matter how much carving you need to do. A simple trigger turns the knife on for easy slicing.
When the carving is done, the fork can be washed in the dishwasher, but the blades should be cleaned by hand. To keep all the parts together when not in use, this set comes with a plastic storage case with foam cutouts to hold the knife and fork in place.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Power: 100 watts | Weight: 2.07 pounds
The 7 Best Carving Knives of 2024
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What We Like
Comes with a wooden storage block
Comfortable handle
Multiple blades
What We Don't Like
Vibrates a lot
Nothing quite beats cutting into a juicy roast. Of course, it helps if that cut is an easy one. NutriChef’s electric knife promises to carve without needing to saw back and forth or add too much pressure. This set comes with four stainless steel detachable blades. Two are designed for cutting bread and two are meant for carving chicken or other meats.
A flat wooden storage block is included with the order, doubling as an attractive display stand for the set. Though the motor may vibrate a lot, according to reviewers, the blades stay firmly in place thanks to a sturdy rivet and keyhole slot. The handle is curved to fit your palm comfortably. You can focus on carving while the knife does all the hard work.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Power: 100 watts | Weight: 2.65 pounds
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What We Like
Uses double blades for sharp cutting
Dishwasher-safe blades
Long blade
What We Don't Like
Does not include a storage case
Safety lock can be difficult to operate
The modest price of this electric knife makes it a great purchase for those who are skeptical about how often they’ll use an electric knife rather than a standard blade. The two 9-inch serrated stainless steel blades cut through not only meat easily, but also pieces of foam when working on craft or school projects.
The handle is designed to be ergonomic, and a safety lock button keeps it from turning on accidentally when it’s plugged in but not in use. (Note, the lock can sometimes be difficult to operate). A small foot on the handle lets you set the knife down in a safe position when you’ve paused carving for a short time. For easy cleaning, the blades are dishwasher safe. You'll want to find a place to store this, as it doesn't come with a storage case.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Power: 100 watts | Weight: 0.75 pounds
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What We Like
Serrated blade
Low noise
Dishwasher-safe
What We Don't Like
Blades are not labeled
Ever heard the phrase “The right tool for the right job”? VonShef kept that idea in mind while designing its electric knife set. It comes with two specialized blades, both made of serrated stainless steel. One is heavy-duty, made for carving raw, frozen, or fully cooked meats. The other blade is a little lighter, perfect for breads and fruits of all kinds. These interchangeable blades are even dishwasher safe, but unfortunately, they are not labeled.
The electric knife keeps both noise and vibration to a minimum so you can focus on the perfect cut. An ergonomic handle makes it easier to carve for a long time. There’s also a dual safety switch to keep you from accidentally turning the blade on. VonShef includes a case for easy storage as well.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Power: 150 watts | Weight: 2.4 pounds
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What We Like
Good, all-purpose use
Fast recharge time
Lightweight
What We Don't Like
Can't slice bigger meats as easily
For a cordless knife that you can charge up and use almost anywhere, the Elite Gourmet is a viable option. It's made of stainless steel and features buttons that feel easy to operate and smooth, whether it's for turning the knife on or changing the blades. The knife feels lightweight yet still substantive, and the handle is ergonomically designed; it's easy to operate if regular knives feel clunky or heavy to you.
This knife takes about 90 minutes to charge and holds a charge for about that length of time. It comes with two sets of dishwasher-safe blades, one for bread and one for meats. That means this knife can cut through everything from vegetables to beef jerky, too. The only downside we can see is that the blade's length (just about seven inches) means it has a more difficult time making clean slices on larger cuts of meat.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Power: N/A | Weight: 1.8 pounds
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What We Like
Multiple blade options
Heavy-duty construction
Sturdy carrying case
What We Don't Like
May not feel as powerful as manual knives
If there’s a fisherman in the family, this is the knife they need for prepping the catch aboard the boat, on the shore, or in the kitchen. It’s also great for anyone who prefers buying whole fish at the market and preparing it at home. The knife is sturdy and heavy enough to handle the catch of the day, yet lightweight at just over a pound.
It has a handle that’s designed for ease of use, with a nonslip grip and a trigger guard for safety. The power cord is 8 feet long, so it’s easy to move around a large fish carcass for the best cutting angles. This knife comes with a 7-inch flexible blade, a 9-inch flexible blade, a 9-inch stiff blade, and a 12-inch stiff blade. A zippered case holds all the blades along with the handle for convenient storage. Be aware, though, that the knife may not feel quite as powerful as a manual knife, but it is precise and portable.
Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Rubber | Power: 110 volts (93.5 watts) | Weight: 3 pounds
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Final Verdict
Our all-around favorite carving knife is the Cuisinart Electric Knife with Cutting Board, which includes the knife, a carving fork, and a bamboo cutting board. For a more budget-friendly option—especially if you don't plan to use the carving knife often—we recommend Black + Decker's 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife. It's not only easy and secure to use, but it's also dishwasher safe.
What to Look For in an Electric Knife
Quality Blades
Most electric knife blades are made out of sturdy stainless steel, though some can be made of alloys or carbon. Blades are typically made for a particular task. A bread knife wouldn’t cut raw meat the same way a carving knife would. Blades can vary in terms of length, serration, thickness, and tip style. For example, bread knife blades tend to have a rounded tip and are around 8 to 10 inches long. Carving knives, on the other hand, have a pointed tip (for finer carving) and can be 8 to 14 inches in length.
Comfortable Grip and Weight
If you’re carving up a big turkey, it’s going to take a while even with an electric blade. You’ll want to be as comfortable as possible to avoid fatigue or worse, cramping. An ergonomic handle is ideal for an easy and natural grip. You’ll also want to find a lighter-weight option so your muscles don’t get too tired while carving. You'll also want to find one that doesn't vibrate; knives that don't vibrate as much tend to be safer and easier on your hands, over time.
Battery Life
There are two main types of electric knives: corded and cordless. While cordless knives are great for portability and convenience, they do run on batteries. You’ll want to find an option that has a long battery life so it doesn’t quit on you mid-cut. Rechargeable batteries will save you costs in the long run and also cut down on waste.
Cord Length
Corded blades will have steady power, but can sometimes be inconvenient based on their need for an outlet. Another pitfall is cord length. If it’s too short, you’ll find yourself in a wrestling match that defeats the purpose of the electric knife making your work easier. A longer, flexible cord eliminates that nuisance.
Storage
Some knife sets come with storage cases or other sleek, space-saving ways to store everything when it's not in use. If a case or provisions for easy, self-contained storage are important, seek out those options for consideration.
FAQs
How do I clean an electric knife?
Most electric knife blades detach for easy hand-washing—hot soapy water works best. Some are even dishwasher-safe. If you need to clean the handle or motor housing, make sure it’s unplugged and wipe with a lightly dampened cloth.
Can I sharpen the blades of an electric knife?
A dull knife is a useless knife. You can sharpen an electric knife blade like you sharpen other serrated blades. The process can be time-consuming, given that you should pay attention to each tine. There are serrated knife sharpeners out there that let you hand-sharpen with a simple tool. Other sharpeners allow you to run the blade through a standing sharpener.Some electric knife retailers do sell replacement blades, but there are also sharpening services available.
How powerful should an electric knife be?
Most electric knives are around 100 watts. More powerful options can run at 150 or 200 watts. Any of these wattages should be enough to get the job done, but you may want to lean toward higher wattages if you plan to carve frozen or dense meats.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is a freelance food writer who specializes in kitchenware. Gadgets are endlessly fascinating, and she's always on the lookout for the best tool available. Donna has been contributing recipes and product reviews to The Spruce and The Spruce Eats since July 2016.
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