Struggling to chop veggies with a blunt knife can be frustrating. Many of us have tried to sharpen a dull knife using the honing steel in most butcher block knife sets. However, honing steel doesn’t sharpen a knife — it realigns the blade’s edge. To sharpen a knife properly, you need a dedicated knife sharpener. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a lot to buy one. While there are many high-end options, the options on are list reveal the best knife sharpeners for every budget.
Which knife sharpener will help make you the next “Chopped” star on The Food Network? We’ve combed through nine culinary expert reviews to find the best knife sharpeners that were recommended most. With the right one, you’ll be slicing and dicing like a pro in no time. Did we miss one we shouldn’t have cut? Let us know in the comments below.
The List: Best Knife Sharpeners, According to Chefs
1. Chef’s Choice Trizor 15XV knife Sharpener
Thinking about sharpening your fancy knives? Look no further than the Chef’s Choice Trizor XV! USA Today calls it the “must-have sharpener” for expensive knife collections. They rave about its three-stage sharpening system that creates a smooth, incredibly sharp edge that will glide through food and stay sharper for longer compared to other methods.
Popular Mechanics is impressed by the electric design, praising its convenience and effectiveness. They found that after just nine passes per side on this sharpener, their chef’s knife sliced effortlessly through paper. While it required a bit more force to break a tomato’s skin, it cut cleanly through the fruit once past that initial resistance. For comparison, they mention needing ten times more strokes on a sharpening stone to achieve similar results.
That’s not all, though! Insider likes the Trizor XV’s three different sharpening angles (25, 20, and 15 degrees). This makes for a machine that can handle most types of knives for a great all-around option.
2. KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife-Sharpener
Looking for a simple and affordable way to sharpen your knives? The KitchenIQ 50009 might be the answer! This highly-rated sharpener (with nearly 70,000 reviews on Amazon!) is a favorite among home cooks.
New York Magazine explains how it works: this handy device has two built-in sharpeners, one coarse and one fine, that grip the edge of your counter for stability. Channels guide your knife at the perfect angle for sharpening, making it easy to use.
While this sharpener might be basic, Insider says for those who don’t want to spend a lot, it gets the job done. A sharp knife is not only more effective but also safer to use, so an investment in the KitchenIQ 50009 can make a big difference in your kitchen.
Even Forbes recommends this sharpener for budget-minded cooks. While it may not have all the bells and whistles, this compact sharpener is perfect for keeping your knives sharp and ready to tackle everyday kitchen tasks.
3. WÜSTHOF Easy Edge Electric Sharpener
Why own a Wüsthof knife? Food & Wine says their electric sharpener is the perfect partner for your knife collection. They were impressed by the sharpener’s user-friendliness, particularly the clear instructions and helpful indicator lights that guide you through each sharpening stage: shaping, sharpening, and refining the edge. Their tests showed a significant improvement in sharpness after using the Easy Edge, with the knife effortlessly slicing through paper, carrots, and tomatoes.
For home cooks who are always short on time, Popular Mechanics says this model is the one for you. Plus, you can always expect consistent sharpening results. They mention the non-slip rubber base for stability, but keep in mind you’ll need a nearby outlet to use it.
How does it work? The Spruce Eats explains how it uses a rotating belt with three distinct speeds for everything from coarse sharpening to a final polish. There’s also a one-touch program with indicator lights for each stage, making the process clear and simple. An added bonus is the built-in suction fan that helps keep dust at bay while you sharpen.
4. Longzon 4-in-1 Sharpener
While not expecting much from a budget-friendly sharpener, Food & Wine was surprised by the Longzon 4-in-1. This sharpener revitalized a dull blade, leaving it feeling sharp and new again. They were impressed by its sturdiness and user-friendliness. The instructions recommend five to 10 pulls per side, but for even better results, Food & Wine found 20 or more strokes did the trick. An added perk? The pull-through design can also sharpen your scissors! Overall, they consider this a great value and a sharpener you’ll likely use on a regular basis.
How does it work? Popular Mechanics says it features four stages: coarse, medium, and fine for knives, plus a dedicated slot for sharpening scissors. While some manual sharpeners require practice, The Spruce Eats finds the Longzon’s design and instructions make things simple. There’s even a QR code for video instructions for those who prefer a visual guide.
5. Presto EverSharp Knife Sharpener
Looking for a budget-friendly electric knife sharpener that actually works? The Presto EverSharp is your answer. Popular Mechanics admits they were skeptical at first because of its low price compared to competitors, but they were pleasantly surprised by its quiet motor and effectiveness. While it has a bit of a learning curve, the EverSharp, with its synthetic ceramic abrasives (called Sapphirite by Presto), did a great job sharpening their knives.
Despite the low price tag, The Spruce Eats says the EverSharp does a fantastic job sharpening both straight and serrated knives, achieving a nice, sharp edge. Surprisingly, it even outperforms its slightly more expensive cousin, the Professional EverSharp, in their tests!
However, USA Today says that the EverSharp might not create the absolute sharpest edge compared to top-of-the-line models like the Trizor XV EdgeSelect. However, they emphasize that for a fraction of the price, it’s a very good option for home cooks looking to revive their dull blades.
6. Chef’sChoice 130 Professional Electric Knife Sharpening Station
The Chef’sChoice 130 electric sharpener is a must-have in your kitchen, according to The Spruce Eats. This sharpener is ideal for those who are particular about sharpening angles. It uses a three-stage system: first, diamond abrasives prepare the blade, followed by steel hones to set the cutting edge, and finally, a flexible stropping disc polishes it to perfection.
No one likes dull knives! Food & Wine calls it a fantastic option for anyone considering a high-quality electric sharpener. It’s an investment, but one that will keep your knives performing at their best.
7. PriorityChef Knife Sharpener
Need a simple and affordable sharpener for your straight and serrated knives? Look no further than the PriorityChef sharpener, according to Popular Mechanics. This budget-friendly manual sharpener is perfect for keeping your knives in good shape for everyday use.
The Spruce Eats likes its practicality. They found it to be sturdy, user-friendly, and effective at reviving dull blades, even if it doesn’t reach the peak sharpness of some pricier models. They consider it a great value.
Safety is a priority (pun intended) for reviewers at Knife Sharpener Guru. They praise the PriorityChef as one of the safest sharpeners they’ve tested. While they would prefer a rubber base for extra grip over the included foam, the wide base still provides good overall stability.
Sources:
- Knife Sharpener Guru
- Food & Wine
- New York Magazine
- Outdoor Life
- Popular Mechanics
- The Spruce Eats
- Insider
- USA Today
- New York Times
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.