Discover the Best Knife Set with Block for Effortless Cooking

A quality kitchen knife set is a must for any home cook. Whether you’re looking for a professional-grade knife set or an affordable gift for a new cook, these best-selling knife sets from Cuisinart, J.A. Henckels, Wusthof, and more on Amazon have rave customer reviews describing why they’re so great. Sharp, easy-to-hold knives make chopping and slicing easier and safer. We researched and tested almost two dozen of the best knife sets to find the ideal collections for your kitchen.

The Importance of Sharp, Well-Balanced Knives

Nothing is more essential for a cook than a good knife set. Whether you’re prepping for dinner, grabbing a snack or carving a roast, you’ll need a sharp tool to get the job done quickly and neatly. When you go to shop, you’ll be confronted with knife sets with a variety of styles and knives and a wide range of prices. To help you cut through all the choices and find the knife set that’s best for you, we explain the differences and what to look for, and make knife set recommendations for all kinds of cooks with all kinds of budgets.

Top-Rated Knife Sets with Blocks for 2025

We tested 49 top-rated knife blocks and blade sets to determine which picks deserve a spot in your kitchen. Here are our top picks based on sharpness, design, and overall value.

Best Overall: Wüsthof Classic 10-Piece Knife Block Set

The German-made Wüsthof Classic 10-Piece Knife Block Set came out on top in our extensive testing, impressing us with its design, performance, and variety. The Wüsthof Classic chef’s knife was the second-sharpest out of the box in our testing, and the paring knife needed almost no effort to hull strawberries and deftly peel kiwis. Wüsthof knives are reliably high-quality across the board, so the brand’s a great choice for a full set. We like that this block includes two serrated knives: a long one that glides through crusty bread, and a shorter utility blade that will work for raw meat prep or as a post-cooking steak knife. There’s also a tiny curved peeler knife ideal for cutting precise garnishes. The two-piece kitchen shears are very easy to clean, but they didn’t have the strength to chop through chicken wings in testing. That’s our main quibble with the set, along with the fact that the block has a bigger footprint than competitors. The Classic line is Wüsthof’s best-selling and least expensive, though it’s slightly above average for our full range of tested knife sets. Shop on Amazon

Best Runner-Up: Zwilling Pro 10-Piece Knife Block Set

The versatile Zwilling Professional S 7-Piece is our top choice for a well-balanced overall kitchen knife set. ¡°It has the best selection of knives for any new cook,¡± says our lead tester. Additionally, Zwilling left several empty slots for additional knives so that you can customize this knife set further based on your specific needs. It also has room for six steak knives. All of the included knives are high quality, sharp, durable, and comfortable to hold. The knife block is attractive and looks right at home on any kitchen counter. The all-important chef’s knife scored highly in all of our tests, making it a great primary tool in your kitchen. ¡°The utility knife has a partial gyuto shape with a larger blade area, which makes this style of knife incredibly versatile,¡± our lead tester noted, and the bread knife was one of our favorites we tested. Shop on Amazon

Best Budget: Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Knife Block Set

This set includes all the knives a home cook needs-an 8-inch chef’s knife, bread knife, boning knife, utility knife, and 3 ?-inch utility knife-inside a sleek tempered glass knife block. More than 2,000 Amazon shoppers have given the Mercer set a perfect rating, saying it’s ideal for both new cooks and pros alike. “After owning several knife sets over the years that would never hold an edge, I decided it was time to spend a little more and get a really nice set,” one reviewer said. “This set from Mercer did not disappoint. As other reviewers have mentioned, they are extremely sharp, well balanced, and very well made. After several uses, I can easily tell why they are one of the few brands that are accepted for use at culinary schools.” Another added, “Got these in culinary school as a kit. I have tried other knives and keep coming back to these.” Shop on Amazon

Best for Small Kitchens: Victorinox Swiss Classic In-Drawer Knife Holder

This cheap but sharp knife set is a good, durable option for both beginner and seasoned cooks. The space-saving knife holder fits flat in a standard drawer, a nice feature for smaller kitchens. In our tests, the stamped, high-carbon stainless steel blades remained sharper and held their edge better than costlier sets such as those from Zwilling and Cangshan. Shop on Amazon

Comparison Table of Top Knife Sets

Pros and Cons of Each Recommended Knife Set

Wüsthof Classic 10-Piece Knife Block Set

• Pros: Extremely sharp chef’s knife, versatile serrated knives, high-quality materials, easy-to-clean shears
• Cons: Larger footprint, shears lack strength for tough tasks like cutting chicken wings

Zwilling Pro 10-Piece Knife Block Set

• Pros: Customizable with extra slots, high-quality and durable, versatile utility knife, attractive block design
• Cons: Paring knife slightly less impressive compared to Wüsthof

Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Knife Block Set

• Pros: Affordable, extremely sharp, well-balanced, durable, sleek glass block
• Cons: Fewer pieces compared to premium sets

Victorinox Swiss Classic In-Drawer Knife Holder

• Pros: Budget-friendly, sharp and durable blades, space-saving in-drawer storage
• Cons: Less premium feel, limited knife variety

Real Testing Scenarios and Performance

We cut pounds upon pounds of food to test sharpness and precision, closely examined craftsmanship and quality, found balance points, assessed handle ergonomics, and even considered the style and function of each storage block. Never one to believe what we’re told, we then took them to our lab to confirm many of their specific details including steel hardness (HRC), blade sharpness, and chef knife blade angles. Each of the following knives in the set are rated on how easily they complete specific tasks:

• Chef’s and utility knives: used to dice half an onion, julienne a carrot and slice through a butternut squash.
• Paring knife: used to peel an apple and mince a clove of garlic.
• Bread knife: used to cut slices from a soft, white farmhouse loaf.

The chef’s, utility and paring knives are used out of the box to slice through a piece of paper. The same test is carried out after the cutting tasks to see if blades have dulled. A panel of testers use each of the following knives for specific tasks and rate them for how comfortable the handles feel.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Knife Set with Block

Investing in a knife set ensures that you have the right knife for every kitchen task. Here’s a guide to help you choose the perfect set:

• Consider Your Cooking Needs: 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.
• Material Matters: Look for high-carbon stainless steel blades for durability and sharpness. Handles should be ergonomic and non-slip.
• Storage Options: Knife blocks are a convenient way to store your knives on your counter, but if you’re short on counter space, it’s a good idea to make sure that the knives and block will fit into a convenient cabinet for easy retrieval. If you’re really short on space, you might prefer the sheath storage so you can place the knives in a drawer.
• Maintenance: Some knife sets include steels, so you can hone the knives to maintain them regularly, and some knife sets have self-sharpening knife slots. Base your decision on whether you need these options or not.
• Budget: Knife sets vary a lot in quality, material, features, contents, and price, and we’ve tried out nearly 50 different sets across three rounds of testing for a fair snapshot of the whole market. At the time of testing, the sets ranged from $28 to $2,128, with an average of $520.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most important knife in a knife set?

The chef’s knife is the most important and versatile knife in any set. It’s ideal for chopping, slicing, and dicing a wide range of ingredients, from vegetables to meat.

How often should I sharpen my knives?

Knives should be honed regularly with a steel to maintain their edge. Professional sharpening is recommended every 6-12 months, depending on usage.

Are knife sets with built-in sharpeners worth it?

Built-in sharpeners can be convenient but may damage blades over time if not used correctly. It’s better to invest in a quality manual or electric sharpener for precise results.

Can knife sets go in the dishwasher?

Most high-quality knife sets should be hand-washed to prevent corrosion or damage to the blades and handles. Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions.

What’s the difference between Western and Japanese knife sets?

Western (German) knives are heavier with thicker blades, designed for durability and versatility. Japanese knives are lighter with thinner, sharper blades for precision cutting.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Knife Set

A good knife set is an investment that will last for years with care. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, choosing a set with sharp, durable blades and a functional storage block will elevate your cooking experience. Explore our top picks, like the Wüsthof Classic or the budget-friendly Mercer Culinary Genesis, and find the perfect set for your kitchen. For more kitchen essentials, check out Food Network’s guide to top kitchen tools or Serious Eats’ kitchen gear reviews.