Discover the Best Inexpensive Knife Set for Your Kitchen Needs

Whether you’re a novice or experienced cook, a set of sharp knives is essential to make your dicing, slicing, chopping and carving easier. Though you can buy individual knives, a set usually comes with storage, which is an excellent way of looking after them. Knife sets vary hugely in price and, at the top end, are expensive, but they are an investment that will last for years with care. And, as our test shows, buying knives on a budget does not always mean they will not perform well.

Why Choose an Inexpensive Knife Set?

Budget knife sets under $100 may not be as exciting as premium knife sets that are flashy and expensive, but they have their place. Whether you are looking for a cheap starter set or a 2nd knife set for a vacation home or RV, this article will help you find what you need. The key is to make sure you don’t end up with a ton of blades and accessories you won’t use.

Top Picks for Inexpensive Knife Sets

Cuisinart C77WTR 15-Piece Classic White Knife Set

The Cuisinart-C77WTR 15P Classic White knife set impressed us with it’s performance, size and overall good looks. This set offers a lot of bang for the buck. For less than $100 you get full tang knives with forged blades and triple riveted handles. Set Includes ¨C one 8¡å chef knife, one 8¡å slicing knife, one 7¡å santoku knife, one 5.5¡å utility knife, six 3.5¡å paring knives, one 2.75¡å birds beak paring knife, six 4.5¡å steak knives, one 8¡å sharpening steel, one pair of kitchen shears, and one wood knife storage block. All in all this is a good kitchen cutlery set, and you will be hard pressed to find a better designed, more durable set at this price point.

• Pros: Full tang knives, forged blades, triple-riveted handles, comprehensive set with storage block.
• Cons: May include more paring knives than needed for some users.
• Test Scenario: Sliced through ripe tomatoes without squishing, handled chicken quartering with ease.

Shop Cuisinart C77WTR on Amazon

Henckels Definition 12-Piece Knife Set

The Henckels 12-Piece has an excellent selection, swapping a santoku for a utility but lacking kitchen shears. Set Includes ¨C one 8¡å chef knife, one 8¡å serrated bread knife, one 7¡å santoku knife, one 3.5¡å paring knife, and one magnetic wood storage board. These forged well-balanced knives aren’t as heavy as the Wusthof’s, which will make them more comfortable for some cooks. The only time the light weight is a bit of a disadvantage is when it comes to hacking through an acorn squash or a chicken leg.

• Pros: Lightweight, well-balanced, includes essential knives, magnetic storage board.
• Cons: Lacks kitchen shears, lighter weight may struggle with tougher tasks.
• Test Scenario: Produced thin tomato slices and finely diced onions with minimal resistance.

Shop Henckels Definition on Amazon

Mercer Culinary Millenia 5-Piece Knife Set

The Mercer Culinary Millenia 5-Piece Knife set offers great quality and extremely comfortable handles at an excellent price. This set does not have the classic look of the typical wooden handle knife set in a hard wood block, but if you like the unique aesthetic of this set it is a great option for anyone trying to spend less than $100 on a kitchen knife set. Set Includes ¨C one 8¡å chef knife, one 8¡å serrated bread knife, one 7¡å santoku knife, one 3.5¡å paring knife, and one magnetic wood storage board. We were impressed with the slicing ability of the Mercer Culinary Millenia chef knife.

• Pros: Comfortable handles, sharp blades, unique aesthetic, magnetic storage.
• Cons: Limited to five pieces, may not suit those preferring traditional designs.
• Test Scenario: Effortlessly sliced through steaks and bread, with comfortable grip during extended use.

Shop Mercer Culinary Millenia on Amazon

Ninja Foodi NeverDull 9-Piece Knife Set

The Ninja Foodi Never Dull knife set counteracts this by including a dedicated sharpener right on the knife block. Apart from taking up next to no room, the sharpener is also incredibly simple to use-and it’s super handy for home cooks. ¡°I like that the base that holds the sharpener and the knives has little suction feet to keep it steady,¡± notes tester Caroline. However, it is worth noting that you should not sharpen other non-Ninja-branded knives in the sharpener, which Caroline was a little disappointed to learn. The Ninja K32009 Foodi knives are made of German X50CrMoV15 steel, which is a pretty typical higher quality steel for kitchen knives.

• Pros: Built-in sharpener, high-quality steel, stable base with suction feet.
• Cons: Sharpener limited to Ninja knives, larger footprint for small kitchens.
• Test Scenario: Maintained sharpness through repeated vegetable chopping, easy to use sharpener.

Shop Ninja Foodi NeverDull on Amazon

Comparison Table of Inexpensive Knife Sets

Buying Guide for Inexpensive Knife Sets

What Makes a Good Kitchen Knife Set?

You need a variety of different tools to complete most kitchen tasks comfortably. Of course, a good chef’s knife is the starting point, but adding a few more tools will make cooking in your kitchen much more enjoyable. This metric is our most subjective rating, but we will walk through our logic so that you can make your own judgment on knife selection. A good starting set may include a chef’s knife ¨C potentially the most versatile knife ¨C or similar, plus a paring knife for fruit and vegetables and a serrated knife for tomatoes, cheese and soft fruits.

• Choose a set that will be useful for the way you cook: three to four will usually cover all bases, with larger sets having more specialised knives such as filleting, carving and more.
• The size and shape of the handle is one thing to take into account, as you need to make sure it has a good grip and is comfortable to use.
• Think about storage ¨C does the set come with a block or are the knives loose? If the latter, do the blades have sheaths to keep them protected in your drawer?
• Some knife sets even include in-built sharpening tools, which are needed to ensure the edge of the blade doesn’t become dull over time.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Wash your knives by hand with warm, soapy water, then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. The knife blocks or sheaths can be wiped down as needed with a damp cloth. After using knives, hand wash and immediately dry them. Even if a set claims to be dishwasher safe, avoid running the blades through the dishwasher-prolonged water exposure just wears them down more quickly. You should also never keep knives anywhere where their exposed blades could come in contact with other objects-for example, loose in a kitchen drawer without knife sheaths. ¡°It dulls out your knife at a faster rate if it’s touching hard objects that are not on your cutting board,¡± pro butcher Diaz explains.

• It’s wise to get in the habit of honing all your knives (except the serrated ones) with every use. To hone a knife, you slide the length of each side of the blade across a honing steel at about a 20-degree angle, which straightens the knife’s edge to help keep it sharp.
• While a honing rod will get you most of the way there most of the time, eventually you’ll need a knife sharpener to keep your set clean, sharp, and cutting safely.
• If you use this method of sharpening, it is important to buy a manual sharpener that matches the grind angle of your kitchen knives. With that in mind, I usually recommend the Smith’s 50264 Adjustable Manual Sharpener, because the grind angle can be adjusted to match your knives.

For more on knife sharpening, check out Wirecutter’s guide to the best knife sharpeners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum number of knives needed in a kitchen?

According to experts, a home cook needs at least three knives: a chef’s knife for versatile chopping, a paring knife for precise tasks like peeling, and a serrated knife for bread and soft produce. These cover most kitchen tasks effectively.

Are inexpensive knife sets durable?

Yes, many budget knife sets, like those from Cuisinart and Mercer, use high-quality stainless steel and full-tang construction, ensuring durability with proper care. Regular honing and hand washing can extend their lifespan significantly.

Can I sharpen budget knives at home?

Absolutely. Most budget knife sets can be sharpened using a manual sharpener or whetstone. Sets like the Ninja Foodi NeverDull include built-in sharpeners for convenience, but a tool like the Smith’s Adjustable Manual Sharpener works well for most knives.

Is a knife block necessary for storage?

Not always. While knife blocks provide safe and organized storage, alternatives like magnetic boards (as seen in the Mercer Millenia set) or sheaths for drawer storage are equally effective, especially for smaller kitchens.

How often should I sharpen my knives?

Sharpening frequency depends on usage. For daily use, sharpen every 6-12 months. For occasional cooks, once or twice a year is sufficient. Regular honing after each use helps maintain the edge between sharpenings.

Conclusion

Finding the best inexpensive knife set for your kitchen doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Sets like the Cuisinart C77WTR, Henckels Definition, Mercer Culinary Millenia, and Ninja Foodi NeverDull offer sharp, durable blades at budget-friendly prices. By considering your cooking needs, storage preferences, and maintenance habits, you can select a set that enhances your kitchen prep without breaking the bank. For further insights, explore Serious Eats’ guide to kitchen knives.