Electric Carving Knife Reviews

Choosing an electric knife

When you hear the words "electric carving knife," chances are that the image of a Thanksgiving turkey pops into your head. That's not surprising, as turkey carving is a big reason why people buy electric knives in the first place. Retail websites abound with comments from users describing their experiences using a newly purchased electric knife for holiday meals. Foodie discussion boards feature multiple posts about whether to buy an electric knife for an upcoming holiday meal, or whether a regular knife will work just as well, if not better.

But electric knives can be useful year-round, as professional and home cooks attest. They come in handy with a variety of foods, including cheeses, breads, vegetables, sandwiches, cold meats and even pies and cakes. The main advantage of using a high-quality electric knife is that it will produce thin, even food slices, with no tears or shredding. At the same time, it makes quick work of slicing, which can save you time. Electric knives can also save you money since, according to some users, they cut closer to the bone than a conventional knife does. As a result, you end up with more meat on the platter.

To choose the best electric carving knives, we analyzed user feedback as well as professional evaluations of slicing performance, ease of use and ease of cleaning. While these are not the only knives that slice foods cleanly, they do have features and benefits that set them apart.

Best electric carving knives for meats, veggies, breads and more

The Cuisinart CEK-40 Electric Knife (*Est. $50) is a high-quality model that performs well and has many desirable features, users say. Its stainless-steel blades are dishwasher safe, and it comes with a solid-wood display stand so you can store the knife on the counter. Experts and users alike say it slices through a wide variety of foods -- including hot meats, cold meats and breads -- easily and cleanly, and leaves no marking on the food slices. Reviewers also give high marks to the ergonomic handle, which users say is comfortable no matter which hand you use. Sharon Franke, a tester for the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, also praises the knife's safety lock, which she says prevents the knife from switching on accidentally. The knife is on the expensive side, although many users say it's worth the extra money. Some users, however, report a burning smell the first time they use the knife, and some complain of mechanical problems that cause the knife to stop slicing.

If you intend to use an electric carving knife only for holiday meals, and you want a product that costs less, the Hamilton Beach Carve 'n Set Electric Knife 74250 (*Est. $20) also gets good reviews. Experts and home cooks say this knife slices easily and quickly, and many especially like the compact storage case that comes with the product. A carving fork is included with the set. Some users find the handle uncomfortable, however, complaining that the position of the "on" switch makes the knife unwieldy, especially for those with small hands.

An affordable alternative that comes with an ergonomic handle is the Oster Inspire Electric Knife and Case (*Est. $20). Reviewers praise its inexpensive price and say it has a nice grip and good handle design, with one user noting that it is comfortable even for someone with arthritic hands. The biggest complaint about this knife, however, is its slicing performance. Some users say that it is unable to cut meat easily. In one professional test, the knife sliced pie well but produced jagged meat slices.

A similarly priced model that garners many reviews is the Black & Decker Slice Right 9\" Electric Knife (*Est. $25). Many users praise this electric knife, saying that it handles comfortably and performs well with meats and bread; however, in one professional multi-product test this knife fell short, with testers complaining that it stuttered while operating and produced ridges on meat slices. Meanwhile, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute found that although this model slices meats well, its safety lock engages whenever slicing ceases, which makes the process of carving more difficult.

Cordless knives don't perform as well

Cordless electric knives replace the power cord with a rechargeable battery, meaning that as long as the battery is charged, you can use your knife even when you're away from an electric outlet.

There are very few cordless rechargeable knives on the market and most of these garner few user reviews, making it tough to select a reliable model. The most widely reviewed option is the Sonic Blade (*Est. $60), which is marketed by Emson Inc. and has been widely seen on TV infomercials. The reviews on this product are decidedly mixed, however. Many users say the electric knife works well on meat, breads and fish; many others, however, complain that the motor is weak and the battery life is short, and many report that their knife malfunctioned or did not perform up to expectations.