Our Editors Tested 19 Kitchen Knife Sets—These Are the Ones Worth Buying

NICOLE DOSTER/TASTE OF HOME

NICOLE DOSTER/TASTE OF HOME

Zwilling is practically synonymous with quality. Given that, we’re unsurprised that it scored the most points in our tests for the best kitchen knife set. The Four Star knife set is a basic but remarkable assortment of three essential knives. The set includes an eight-inch chef’s knife, a three-inch pairing knife and a five-inch serrated knife. We love that there’s no gimmicky extras or flashy frills—just a simple, high-quality set of kitchen tools. The quality of the chef’s knife, in particular, is not lost on Deputy Editor and self-described knife snob Nicole Doster.

“You know how prepping ingredients usually feels like a chore? Now I look forward to it because I have such a nice knife that slides through celery, peppers, potatoes, broccoli florets, roast chicken and steak like butter,” she says. “With just a little pressure, the Zwilling knife chops harder ingredients too, like super fibrous sweet potato. I even retired my beloved Ergochef chef’s knife that I thought you’d have to rip from my cold dead hands in favor of the new Zwilling.”

She notes the overall ergonomics of this set are perfect for those who don’t like holding heavier utensils. “At first, I was shocked to feel that the knives were so lightweight. I’ve been used to handling Ergochef knives, which I consider high quality,” she says. “The Zwillings weren’t heavy in my hands but had enough weight distributed to feel well-balanced, like the knife wouldn’t sway one direction or the other.”

NICOLE DOSTER/TASTE OF HOME

Each inclusion falls right into the “Goldilocks zone” of size and value, making them perfect for both budding home cooks and experienced chefs. The blades themselves come from high-carbon stainless steel using Henkel’s proprietary “FRIODUR” methods. This method centers on heating and cooling the blades in a specific manner to create a high-quality cutting tool that doesn’t chip or crumble throughout the years. While the serrated knife works well for most baked goods, our one complaint is that the five-inch blade may be too short for larger bread loaves.

Unfortunately, this particular Zwilling set doesn’t come with a dedicated knife block (or sheaths, for that matter). However, given the quality and value of the set, we don’t consider that a deal breaker. Those interested in the set should snag one of our favorite knife holders to keep your workspace tidy and your knives from knocking against each other.

Blade material: Carbon stainless steel | Storage: No | Includes: 8″ Chef’s knife, 3″ pairing knife, 5″ serrated knife

CAROLINE LUBINSKY/TASTE OF HOME

CAROLINE LUBINSKY/TASTE OF HOME

You could argue that the chef’s knife is the most important knife in a cook’s repertoire. This chef’s knife set from Hedley & Bennett celebrates the core kitchen utensil with a small-yet-mighty three-piece collection built around it. This sleek set offers the ideal blend of style and substance thanks to high-quality materials and a thoughtfully designed handle. It’s also available in a range of five colors: Shiso, caviar black, miso, enoki and capri blue.

The three-layer Japanese steel construction of the paring and chef’s knife means they’re better equipped against tough foods like potatoes, beets and turnips. While the serrated knife comes from German steel rather than Japanese steel, we actually see that as a “pro” rather than a “con.” It provides better edge retention over the life of the knife, which is perfect for serrated blades that are notoriously difficult to sharpen.

Caroline finds herself reaching for these the most out of all the knives in her kitchen, especially when handling delicate fruits and crusty sourdough. After two months of almost daily use, she still hasn’t had to sharpen them at all—a remarkable feat for a set under $300. Apart from being well-balanced and stylish, the knives are also mom-approved.

CAROLINE LUBINSKY/TASTE OF HOME

“My mom remarked it was like cutting through butter with these knives,” notes Caroline.

While each knife doesn’t come with a display block, it does arrive with its own sheath. For a little extra pizzaz, they also offer a set of custom wood sheaths sold separately. We recommend this set for those looking to spend a bit more for better quality. It’s the perfect upgrade for experienced home cooks — the set offers more longevity and better balance than budget picks. Plus, Hedley and Bennett’s generous lifetime guarantee also makes the rather high price point a little easier to swallow.

Blade material: Three layer Japanese steel, German steel |  Storage: Sheaths | Includes: 5.6″ Utility knife, 8.6″ bread knife, 8″ chef’s knife

DARIA SMITH/TASTE OF HOME

DARIA SMITH/TASTE OF HOME

We’re already obsessed with the Beautiful by Drew kitchen collection at Walmart, so we had to try the Beautiful knife block set when it came across our radar. Priced at under $50, the 12-piece set comes loaded with a chef’s knife, a serrated utility knife, a serrated Santoku knife, a paring knife, six steak knives, shears and a stylish white and gold knife block that holds it all.

A gorgeous gold and white theme is the real star here — it offers a luxe look that feels like it should cost twice the price. The knives themselves come from durable stainless steel. In addition, each includes a stick-resistant gold resin coating that helps them glide through fruits, veggies and meats seamlessly. White ergonomic handles feature a soft-touch material for extra comfy cutting, especially when you’re faced with party prep or impending holiday meals.

DARIA SMITH/TASTE OF HOME

At this price point, we weren’t expecting the same quality as other sets that cost more than $200. That said, we are pleasantly surprised with the performance for the price — especially when other budget options we tested felt flimsy or unsafe. According to Editor Daria Smith, these budget knives pack a lot of utility into an affordable package if you temper your expectations accordingly.

“If you’re going for volume, it’s a fair price. The knives look beautiful sitting in their block on my counter, and I’m impressed with how powerful the shears are,” she says.

While Daria still gravitates towards her pricier sets for most of her kitchen prep, she notes that the set is a solid backup. Overall, it performs as expected; the knives feel sturdy and safe, and the set looks lovely sitting on a counter. It checks the boxes when it comes to everything we’re looking for in a budget kitchen knife set.

Blade material: Stainless steel, resin coating | Storage: Gold and white knife block | Includes: 8″ chef’s knife, 5.5″ serrated utility knife, 5″ serrated Santoku knife, 3.5″ paring knife, (6) 4.5″ steak knives, shears, knife block

KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME

KATIE BANDURSKI/TASTE OF HOME

Yes, chef! When budget isn’t a concern, the best kitchen knife set should have you feeling exactly like a line cook (minus the shouting and ever-mounting pressure). That’s exactly what you get with the HexClad Damascus chef knife set, which includes a magnetic walnut knife block, chef’s knife, Santoku knife, utility knife, paring knife, serrated knife and honing steel. Besides HexClad’s generous lifetime warranty that protects against manufacturer defects, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay backs the brand’s quality.

In her full review of the knives, Senior Editor Katie Bandurski notes that they’re especially handy for unwieldy foods. “One notable experience? Cutting through a squash. While they’re one of my all-time favorite fall veggies, I’d be lying if I said I looked forward to the prep,” she says. “Before HexClad, I would spend at least five minutes wrestling and rocking with my knives to cut through the dense, slippery flesh. But with the help of the eight-inch chef’s knife, I cut through the thickest portion with one simple swipe. It was like cutting through butter.”

Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home

After months of near-daily use, Katie is still impressed with their performance. “I’ve been using this Damascus chef knife set for roughly nine months, and it’s still going strong. As to be expected, the knives are starting to dull a bit, but they’re still fully functional. Beyond that, there are no noticeable signs of wear. This is my go-to set and I use them every single day — and they haven’t ever let me down.”

Those seeking an heirloom set that may very well last decades will find the HexClad Damascus chef knife set up to the task. The set comes priced with that in mind, but we consider this set an investment that’s worth the extra cost if you can swing it.

Blade material: Japanese Damascus steel | Storage: Magnetic knife block | Includes: 8″ Chef’s knife, 7″ Santoku knife, 5″ utility knife, 3.5″ inch paring knife, 8″ serrated knife, 9″ honing steel, magnetic walnut knife block

EMILY WAY/TASTE OF HOME

EMILY WAY/TASTE OF HOME

Cangshan knives, available at a comfortable mid-tier price point, offer a good balance between value and quality. The brand has a range of knife types, including forged German and Damascus steels. However, their Helena German steel knife block set is our top pick from their mid-range lineup. My husband and I were gifted the Helena knife block set by my mother-in-law last year, and we use them nearly daily.

These knives are sharp right out of the box. The set comes with a chef’s knife, Santoku knife, bread knife, honing steel, forged shears, serrated utility knife and a paring knife. A gorgeous, solid acacia wood block nestles everything inside. The sleek and slim handles feel amazing in my (admittedly small) hands. I love that they’re not super weighted.

EMILY WAY/TASTE OF HOME

When it comes to daily use, I find myself reaching for the chef’s knife the most. Its eight-inch blade perfectly suits a range of kitchen tasks, from chopping cherry tomatoes to cutting chicken for curry. In my opinion, every knife block should come with a set of come-apart shears—and the Canghan shears deliver. They easily twist apart for cleaning and sharpening and can cut through almost anything. That includes herbs, tendons — really any food item that needs a quick snip during meal prep.

Apart from the full tang that makes these knives feel ultra-safe and sturdy, my favorite aspect of the handle is the flush rivets. I’ve had budget knives that are difficult to clean since gunk can build up around the rivets. These clean up well during a hand wash, though they begin to look less lustrous as time goes on. That said, I haven’t noticed any deterioration, and the discoloring doesn’t affect the performance at all.

Blade material: Alloy Steel | Storage: Wood block  | Includes: 8″ Chef’s knife, 7″ Santoku knife, 8″ bread knife, 8″ honing steel, 9″ forged shears, 5″ serrated utility knife, 3.5″ paring knife, solid acacia wood block

SHERI KAZ/TASTE OF HOME

SHERI KAZ/TASTE OF HOME

Nestled under the same parent company as our best overall Zwilling knives, Henckel’s knives offer similar quality at a more manageable price. Available at around $50 less than the Zwilling set, the Henckel’s Forged Elite knife set comes with three knives, each forged in high-quality German steel. While they’re not as refined and elegant as the Zwilling knives, they’re the perfect fit for the average home cook.

Each inclusion looks professional and sleek, from the chef’s knife to the paring knife to the serrated utility knife. Meant for home cooks, the handles are easy to clean and come with a metal end cap for better balance. The trio of knives complements each other well, and the combination of the three makes it easy to tackle any kitchen task. Product Tester Sheri Kaz is most impressed with the paring knife, which replaced her beloved Chicago Cutlery knife.

SHERI KAZ/TASTE OF HOME

“A paring knife gets the most use in my kitchen, more than any other kind of knife,” she says. “Whether I’m slicing cheese or peeling and coring apples, I always grab a paring knife, and this one doesn’t disappoint. These Henckels knives have just the right amount of weight to them to feel sturdy and stable. The edge is sharp and precise, making slicing, chopping, and peeling fast and easy. They not only look professional, but they also perform like magic and clean up easily.”

As long as you don’t abuse your knives, we expect the set to last through years of use. “These beautiful knives will likely last for generations with their durable and seamless design,” notes Sheri.

Blade material: German stainless steel | Storage: No | Includes: 8″ Chef’s knife, 5″ serrated knife, 3″ paring knife

EMILY WAY/TASTE OF HOME

CAROLINE LUBINSKY/TASTE OF HOME

Nothing is more disappointing than buying the perfect set of kitchen knives and watching them slowly get duller and duller as time goes on. Many of us don’t have our knives professionally sharpened, and using a knife sharpener is a bit of a learned skill. 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. That said, this tidbit doesn’t affect those who are seeking a knife set that covers all of their cutting needs. The built-in sharpener makes this a great gift for chefs or newbie cooks looking for an all-in-one solution.

CAROLINE LUBINSKY/TASTE OF HOME

“I’m leaving them out on my counter because the knife block looks so sleek,” says Caroline. “They did a nice job constructing a set that doesn’t create an eye sore in the kitchen.”

In terms of performance, Caroline mentions that the knives are razor-sharp right out of the box, easily chopping through fruits, veggies and fish. At nearly $300, the set is rather pricey, but we found it an excellent value when you factor in all the knives, the sharpener and the stylish storage block.

Blade material: German stainless steel |  Storage: Sharpening knife block | Includes: 8″ Chef’s knife, 8″ bread knife, 5″ santoku knife, 5″ boning knife, 5″ utility knife, 3.5″ paring knife, 6 steak knives, shears

DARIA SMITH/TASTE OF HOME

DARIA SMITH/TASTE OF HOME

It may seem surprising to see a minimalistic set as our pick for the best Japanese knife set, but hear us out! Material’s three-piece knife set may look simple, but each knife features cryogenically tempered Japanese stainless steel and high carbon, making it ultra-durable. It claims to last a lifetime and comes in an assortment of four neutral shades that complement a range of kitchen decor.

Japanese steel boasts a higher Rockwell scale rating than German steel, making these kitchen workhorses much lighter and more durable than competitors. Once finished, bladesmiths hand-polish, then heat-treat and temper the blades. This increases the knives’ hardness, sharpness, and durability. They won’t rust or scratch and stay sharp for a long time, though this intensive treatment boosts the cost a bit higher than some of the other sets on this list.

DARIA SMITH/TASTE OF HOME

Our tester, Daria, can’t get enough of these knives. She notes her obsession with their aesthetics, design, and functionality. “I’m a minimalist and believe les