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The best knife sharpeners, in plain English

A sharp knife is safer than a dull one, because it doesn't slip. We read hands-on tests and boiled them down: which sharpeners are easy, which give the sharpest edge, and which cheap ones work.

  • Last reviewed October 20, 2026
  • 3 knife sharpeners
  • 5 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Short on time? Start here

Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best overall Chef'sChoice Trizor 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener $150–$200 Dull to sharp in about two minutes. See details Best manual Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener $60–$80 Pro-style edges with little skill. See details Best budget Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener $30–$45 Easy electric sharpening for about $40. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

Easy and safe beats fancy.

Electric, manual or stone?

Electric sharpeners are fastest and easiest. Guided manual sharpeners give very sharp edges with a bit more time. Whetstones (flat sharpening stones) give the best edge but take real practice.

Match the angle

Japanese knives are usually sharpened at about 15°, and German knives at about 20°. A sharpener with the wrong angle can wear down a thin Japanese blade.

Hone between sharpenings

A honing rod (a long steel or ceramic stick) straightens the edge between sharpenings. A few strokes before cooking keeps knives sharp much longer.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

SharpenerBest forTypical priceTypeAngle
1. Chef'sChoice Trizor 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener Best overall $150–$200Electric, 3 stages15° (fixed)
2. Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener Best manual $60–$80Manual, clamp and swing armAdjustable, 15° to 30°
3. Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener Best budget electric $30–$45Electric, 2 stagesFixed

The 3 best knife sharpeners, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best overall

Chef'sChoice Trizor 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener

  • Electric, 3 stages
  • 15° (fixed)
  • Also sharpens serrated knives

$150–$200typical price

A fast electric sharpener that takes a dull knife to sharp in about two minutes, with guides that hold the angle for you. Men's Journal names it the best knife sharpener overall, GearJunkie the best for kitchen knives, and America's Test Kitchen picks it as its electric winner.

What testers liked

  • Fast and simple: pull the knife through three slots.
  • Built-in guides give a consistent edge.
  • Handles serrated knives and can repair small chips.

Common complaints

  • Big, about the size of a loaf pan.
  • Sharpens at one fixed angle, and it can't do kitchen shears.

Skip it if: You want a sharpener that fits in a drawer. The Presto or a manual pull-through is smaller.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from Men's Journal (on Yahoo), GearJunkie, America's Test Kitchen.

#2Best manual

Work Sharp Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener

  • Manual, clamp and swing arm
  • Adjustable, 15° to 30°
  • Great for pocket knives too

$60–$80typical price

A manual sharpener that clamps the knife and guides the stone at the angle you choose, so you get pro-style results with little skill. GearJunkie names it the best knife sharpener overall, Men's Journal the best manual sharpener, and TechGearLab gives it a Top Pick award.

What testers liked

  • Very sharp, precise edges.
  • Easy to learn.
  • You choose the angle, so it works for Japanese and German knives.

Common complaints

  • Slower and more work than an electric sharpener.
  • Awkward for very large or very small knives, and it has lots of parts to store.

Skip it if: You want to sharpen in seconds. Electric is faster.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from GearJunkie, Men's Journal (on Yahoo), TechGearLab.

#3Best budget electric

Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener

  • Electric, 2 stages
  • Fixed
  • Clear instructions

$30–$45typical price

A cheap electric sharpener that's easy to use. Food Network names it the best knife sharpener overall, and TechGearLab calls it the best budget electric sharpener.

What testers liked

  • Low price for an electric sharpener.
  • Simple and intuitive.
  • Clear instructions.

Common complaints

  • Not for serrated knives.
  • Can't adjust the angle, and it's bulky for its power.

Skip it if: You own pricey Japanese knives. A sharpener that matches their thinner angle is safer.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Food Network, TechGearLab.

How we pick

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