Top 10 Best Knife Sets Under $200 for Quality and Affordability

Finding a high-quality knife set that balances performance, durability, and affordability can transform your kitchen experience. For home cooks looking to equip their kitchens without breaking the bank, there are excellent options available under $200. These sets offer sharp blades, ergonomic designs, and reliable construction, making them ideal for everyday meal prep. Below, we dive into the top 10 knife sets that deliver exceptional value, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and real-world testing insights, along with a detailed buying guide and a comparison table to help you make an informed decision.

Top 10 Knife Sets Under $200

1. Wüsthof Gourmet 10-Piece Knife Block Set

Wusthof is a renowned manufacturer based in Solingen, Germany, a town well-known for its long history of knife-making. They are a competitive player in this space and their main rival is the equally reputable Zwilling. Their reputation and history in knife-making add credibility to the quality of their products. The set includes a variety of knives, including two peeling knives, a paring knife, several utility knives, and even a bread knife. This diverse selection ensures that you have a suitable knife for every cooking task. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: High-carbon stainless steel blades, comfortable handles, versatile selection.
• Cons: Stamped blades are less durable than forged, requires regular sharpening.
• Testing Notes: The Wüsthof Gourmet chef’s knife sliced through onions effortlessly, and the paring knife was precise for peeling apples. The bread knife handled crusty loaves well but required more effort for wider loaves.

2. Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set

For those looking for a more affordable collection, this set from Mercer Culinary is a true kitchen workhorse. As the leading knife supplier to culinary schools in North America, Mercer Culinary makes cutlery that can take a beating-and this set is no exception. Featuring high-carbon stainless steel blades and thermoplastic handles that are ergonomic and nonslip, this collection includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, 6-inch boning knife, 5-inch utility knife and 8-inch bread knife, all of which are durable and easy to maneuver. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Forged blades, ergonomic Santoprene handles, excellent balance.
• Cons: No honing steel or shears included, glass block may not appeal to all.
• Testing Notes: The chef’s knife excelled at chopping carrots and mincing herbs, with the boning knife proving adept at separating chicken joints. The handles remained comfortable during extended use.

3. Misen 7-Piece Essentials Knife Set

This set from Misen is the best knife set we’ve ever tested. Included: 8-inch chef’s knife, 7.5-inch santoku knife, 9.5-inch serrated bread knife, 5.5-inch utility knife, 3.5-inch paring knife, kitchen shears. This knife set has everything you need, is comfortable to use, and won’t break the bank. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Hybrid Japanese-Western design, free lifetime sharpening, high-carbon steel.
• Cons: Limited functionality for some knives, no storage block included.
• Testing Notes: The santoku knife sliced through tomatoes cleanly, and the chef’s knife handled dense squash with ease. The shears were less effective for heavy-duty tasks.

4. Calphalon Classic Self-Sharpening 12-Piece Knife Set

In conclusion, Calphalon’s Classic Knife Set is a standout choice among the array of knife sets on the market. The self-sharpening feature, quality of the blades, and thoughtful design elements all contribute to a superior user experience. The fact that it’s priced under $200 is the cherry on top of an already impressive product. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Built-in ceramic sharpeners, high-carbon stainless steel, labeled handles.
• Cons: Self-sharpening only for non-serrated blades, block takes up space.
• Testing Notes: The self-sharpening feature kept the chef’s knife razor-sharp for dicing onions. The steak knives were less effective on tougher cuts of meat.

5. Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set

First things first: Of the 17 knife sets we tested, this was one of the cheapest. For less than $150, you might reasonably expect they’d be lower quality than their more expensive counterparts. But you’d be wrong. We were blown away by the sturdy construction, comfort of use and reliable execution that came with each piece in this all-inclusive set. Besides the classic – and heavy – chestnut-stained wood block, you get a 7 3/4-inch chef’s knife, 7 3/4-inch serrated bread knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 5-inch santoku knife, 5-inch utility knife, 3 1/4-inch paring knife and eight steak knives. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Extensive 17-piece set, sturdy construction, affordable price.
• Cons: Not as sharp as premium brands, handles less ergonomic.
• Testing Notes: The chef’s knife performed well on vegetables but struggled with denser meats. The block’s weight made it less ideal for small counters.

6. J.A. Henckels 15-Piece Premium Quality Knife Set

J.A. Henckels, the more affordable sister brand to Strategist-favorite Zwilling, makes an all-encompassing knife set that I think is solid, especially for the price. The most notable feature is six matching serrated steak knives that I’ve found are excellent at cutting through steak and pork chops without ripping or shredding the meat. It also includes the essentials: a paring knife, chef’s knife, and bread knife. Plus there’s a santoku knife, as well as a shorter serrated knife, perfect for slicing through tomatoes and baked goods. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Includes six steak knives, versatile selection, good value.
• Cons: Stamped blades, moderate sharpness out of the box.
• Testing Notes: The santoku knife was ideal for precise cuts on fish, and the steak knives excelled at dinner parties. The paring knife required extra effort for tougher skins.

7. Victorinox Swiss Army 8-Piece Knife Block Set

Set Includes ¨C one 4¡å paring knife, one 6¡å boning knife, one 8¡å chef knife, one 8¡å bread knife, one 10¡å slicing knife, one 10¡å sharpening steel, one pair of kitchen shears, and a slant hardwood storage block. This 8 piece set from Victorinox is incredibly popular, and it has been for several years. At first glance this seems surprising, because the blades are stamped rather than forged which can often result in a lower quality blade. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Lightweight, reliable brand, includes sharpening steel.
• Cons: Stamped blades, less premium feel.
• Testing Notes: The slicing knife cut thin slices of roast beef effortlessly, and the shears handled herb snipping well. The chef’s knife felt slightly light for heavy chopping.

8. Paudin 12-Piece Knife Set

This extensive set includes all you need and more, at less than $20 per item. The knives all showed minor flaws in testing. Paudin is proudly a budget knife brand, with dozens of blades in many styles for a small fraction of the cost of more famous names. Most knives this cheap are not high quality, but Paudin is an exception. At less than $20 per piece, its set is reliable and will fully outfit any kitchen and dining room. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Affordable, includes steak knives, Pakkawood handles.
• Cons: Minor flaws in blade finish, less durable.
• Testing Notes: The chef’s knife handled basic chopping well, but the bread knife struggled with artisan loaves. The set is ideal for budget-conscious beginners.

9. Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Set

If you want all the essentials at a more affordable price, we recommend the Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Set. We tested 21 knife sets in our dedicated testing lab and in our own kitchens, using each knife from each set. Price was not necessarily indicative of quality: Many less-expensive sets outperformed pricier ones during our tests. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Color-coded handles, lightweight, budget-friendly.
• Cons: Less durable blades, no storage block.
• Testing Notes: The color-coded handles prevented cross-contamination during prep. The serrated knife cut tomatoes cleanly but dulled quickly on tougher tasks.

10. imarku 16-Piece Kitchen Knife Set

Knife Set and Knife Block with Exquisite Appearance–Among many kitchen knife sets, the imarku knife set with block has the most classic dark red appearance. The knives handle and knives block made of exquisite and high-quality Brazilian colored pakkawood will be the most beautiful ornament in your kitchen. Knife Set for Kitchen Necessary Knives–Imarku 16-piece kitchen knife set including knife sharpening Rod*1, Knife Block*1 and 9 different kinds of knives, which are Chef knife*1, Santoku knife*1, 6 inch Chef knife*1, Paring knife*1, Utility knife*1, Slicing knife*1, Bread knife*1, kitchen Shear*1, Steak knives*6. Shop on Amazon

• Pros: Stylish Pakkawood handles, comprehensive set, includes sharpener.
• Cons: Variable blade quality, block may be bulky.
• Testing Notes: The santoku knife performed well on delicate cuts, and the steak knives were a hit at gatherings. The sharpening rod was less effective than expected.

Comparison Table of Top Knife Sets

Buying Guide for Knife Sets Under $200

Key Factors to Consider

• Blade Material: Personally, I highly recommend prioritizing knife sets that feature high carbon steel blades. While it may be challenging to find this quality of steel in some budget-friendly sets, it’s certainly worth the investment. High carbon steel blades are known for their exceptional durability and ability to maintain a sharp edge over an extended period.
• Handle Comfort: The handle material comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer a rubber grip handle for comfort and safety while others are drawn to the gorgeous grain of polished wood. Just know that wood-handled knives are a little more finicky in terms of maintenance.
• Storage Options:

  Lastly, does a knife set need a block? Not necessarily. Many sets come with a beautiful storage block made of wood, stainless steel, or tempered glass, but you could also elect to store your set on a magnetic holder mounted on the wall, in a cloth knife roll, or sheathed in a special drawer.

• Number of Pieces: The key is to make sure you don’t end up with a ton of blades and accessories you won’t use. According to James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Messina, ¡°At a minimum, a home cook should own three to four knives, depending on what they are making.¡±