You know you are a foodie when the kitchen is your most favorite room in your entire home, and that is where your family can find you nine times out of ten. Whether you are whipping up a batch of delicious chicken cacciatore or baking a blissful batch of chocolate chip cookies, you love everything about food – from enjoying it to making it. But there are quite a few kitchen tools that one needs in order to properly put together a meal.
One of those items is a really good knife set. If you do not own a knife set yet, it would most definitely benefit you to research your options and find one that is right for you. You will want to look for a high-quality knife set if you are serious about your cooking. We reviewed dozens of knife sets to identify the best of the best. We took into consideration materials, ease of use, price points, and more.
The Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set was the clear winner in our search for the best knife set. With super sharp blades, a bonus peeler and a knife sharpener, this set is the perfect addition to your everyday kitchen utensils. You will find yourself using it every day, from prepping family meals to creating lavish spreads for company!
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Knife Sets
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Top Pick | Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set | 4.6 |
| Runner Up | Cuisinart Stainless Steel Block Set | 4.5 |
| Best for Budget | Farberware 22-Piece Cutlery Set | 3.9 |
| Best Knife Block | AmazonBasics 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set | 4.5 |
| Best Steak Knife | Home Hero Serrated Steak Knives | 4.6 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change.
Our Top Pick: Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set
Coming in at number one in our search for the best knife set is the Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set. Created with superior and high-quality materials such as stainless steel blades, you know you are going to get the right cut, every time. Because of their high-quality stainless steel, they will never rust or stain, making them easy to clean as well. They are also ergonomically designed for your hands, so they will not get tired whether you are chopping, mincing, dicing, or slicing.
The whole set comes with 13 different knives with a knife sharpener, 6 steak knives, a bonus peeler, a cheese knife, and a pizza knife. All of it fits into its beautiful clear acrylic stand, making it also very aesthetically pleasing to the eye and more like a designer addition to your kitchen. With over 4,400 raving reviews, many consumers have loved that they haven’t had to constantly sharpen their knives. They have not had to use the sharpener that comes with the set until quite a while after many uses. It does not matter whether you are a seasoned chef or new to the cooking scene. These knives will do the job for you.
Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set Key Features:
- Complete set, including kitchen scissors
- All kitchen instruments fit beautifully into its acrylic holder
- Ergonomic handles
- Thick and durable stainless steel won’t break
Our Runner Up Pick: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Block Set
Cuisinart has long been a name synonymous with cooks everywhere. So, naturally, they would create a knife set to rival the best of them. Our runner up pick is the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Block Set. Created with the user in mind, they are ergonomically designed in order to give the utmost comfort to the user. With hollow handles, the knives are totally lightweight and even easier to use. No hefty or bulky knives here! They are dishwasher safe, which makes them very easy to clean after each use. After you are done, you can put them right back into the lovely block that they are stored in.
The superior high carbon stainless steel in these knives are of the highest quality and slice and dice to your heart’s content. The knives feature a durable and strong bolster for the best control when using the knives. The set includes six 4.5 inch hot-forged steak knives that would look right at home on your dining room table to cut through any meat or vegetable in front of you. The set also comes with household shears, a serrated utility knife, Santoku knife and more, all in a stylish block that would look right at home on your countertop.
Cuisinart Stainless Steel Block Set Key Features:
- Ergonomically designed handles
- Strong bolster
- Dishwasher safe
- Hot-forged
Best Budget Pick: Farberware 22-Piece Cutlery Set
This is yet another trusted name within the realm of kitchen products. So, naturally, the Farberware 22-Piece Cutlery Set makes the perfect addition to your kitchen. This knife set would even make a wonderful housewarming gift for those who have just purchased a new home and are looking to furnish their kitchen, or perhaps even college students looking to do some cooking in their dorm room! Do not let the low price fool you, though – these knives are high-quality, made especially with Farberware’s ‘Never Needs Sharpening” edges. Each blade on the knives have micro-serrations that make cutting through even the thickest of foods easy.
The handles on the knives are made with a textured and non-slip finish, making them easy-to-use, and overall safe, especially for first-time cooks. It also features a triple-riveted handle for precision grip and durability. Included in this knife set are kitchen shears, six steak knives, a utility knife, a paring knife, a Santoku, bread, and a chef knife. In addition to all of that, you also will receive a set of three spatulas and a set of five measuring spoons, as well as the wooden block to store everything in. Everything you need to prepare a delicious meal or dessert is included with this set.
Farberware 22-Piece Cutlery Set Key Features:
- ‘Never Needs Sharpening’ blade edges
- A bonus of three spatulas and five measuring spoons
- Triple-riveted handle for durability and strength
- Blades feature “micro-serrations”
Best Knife Block: AmazonBasics 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set
Amazon makes some of the best products out there on the market today. This is especially true with their range of items for your home. For example, the AmazonBasics 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Set is definitely one knife block set that is up there in the top tier with the big dogs. With a rubberwood storage block, this set comes with absolutely every kind of knife that one could possibly need for their home cooking or baking needs. The blades are made up of precision-honed high-quality stainless steel that offers long-lasting sharpness so that you can keep on cooking all day long.
These knives also feature triple-rivet ergonomic and weighted handles for comfort and safety while using them. The blades come fully sharpened, but the knives may be sharpened again, with the exclusion of the steak knives, which are micro-serrated, with the included sharpener that comes with this set. The knives themselves are handwash-only but are extremely easy to clean with mild dish detergent and warm water. Complete with kitchen shears, this knife block would not only be efficient with its tools in it, but it will also look stunning on your countertop as well, as it goes well with any decor.
AmazonBasics 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set Key Features:
- Features a 6-inch boning knife
- Block is made of rubberwood
- Micro-serrated steak knives
- Comes with sharpener
Best Steak Knife: Home Hero Serrated Steak Knives
Even if you are just starting out, everyone needs a good set of steak knives for when they serve meat. When it comes to slicing meat with ease and precision, one needs a good steak knife in order to do so. That is where Home Hero Serrated Kitchen Knives come in. They feature ergonomically-designed polypropylene handles that can withstand even tough meats. The blades are made with rust-proof stainless steel, making certain that the knives are always in tip-top shape and performing at their very best. They are also fully serrated, making cutting up food very easy.
The blades also have a non-stick coating that prevents foods from sticking to them, as well as being scratch-proof. They are thick and durable and not flimsy in the least bit like other steak knives can sometimes be. According to the product description, these knives will cut through steak “like butter.” Guests will love how easy it is to enjoy a delicious piece of tasty cooked meat with these knives. The knives are dishwasher safe, in the top rack, which makes for easy clean-up after dinner. All eight steak knives are 8.5 inches in diameter and are the perfect size for serving up a nice and juicy steak.
Home Hero Serrated Kitchen Knives Key Features:
- Non-stick coating prevents food from sticking
- Rust-proof stainless steel
- Blades are thick and durable
- Dishwasher safe
Who Should Buy A Knife Set
There are quite a few people who should purchase a good knife set. The first of them being college-bound adults. You can send them off right, and make sure that they have all the tools necessary to prepare themselves healthy meals. A good knife set will do that for them. There are also, of course, couples and newlyweds that have just purchased their first home or are renting their first apartment together. Either way, they are going to need a knife set for their kitchen so that they can whip up delicious meals together.
Knife sets also make a great gift idea for the foodie in your life. If you know someone that loves to cook, and they don’t necessarily have a knife set yet, you could consider gifting them one for the holidays, birthdays, or just because. Even if someone is just picking up cooking as a new hobby, a knife set would make a wonderful surprise for them. Then, of course, if you yourself are in the market for a new knife set, you should definitely seek out one of the amazing knife sets that are featured here in our guide!
Important Features To Consider
Any good knife set should do several simple tasks. For example, the quality of the blades, the materials that they are made out of, durability, sharpness, how ergonomic the handles are, and more. Here is what to consider when selecting a knife set:
- Quality of the blades. This is most definitely the most important feature to consider when choosing a knife set for you or someone else. You want to look for something that is strong and durable. A knife set that has knives that won’t break after the first couple of uses, and one that has good quality sharp blades that will not dull shortly after purchase.
- Materials/durability. You want to make sure that you are looking for knives that are made with either top-quality stainless steel or ceramic. Both of these materials are great and highly durable for cutting through even the toughest of foods. Search for something that is scratch-proof and rust-resistant as well.
- Sharpness. This is probably a pretty obvious one, but it is important, of course, being that these are knives. It all depends on what kind of knives you intend on purchasing. For example, if you are looking to buy a set of steak knives, you will want to find knives that are serrated, or micro-serrated. Today, micro-serrated is the way to go, as these types of blades typically do not ever lose their sharpness or need to be sharpened. If you are purchasing a whole knife set, it would be a good idea to purchase a knife sharpener if the set you are buying does not already come with one.
- Ergonomic handles. We use our hands. A lot. We use them every single day for all kinds of different things. Whether it is typing or building, we use the hands we have. But when it comes to cooking at home, where it is meant to be comfortable, you want your cooking experience to be a comfortable one as well. Look for knife sets that have ergonomically made handles. These types of designs help to take the workload off of your hands. So, when you are slicing and dicing, your hands will not be sore when you are finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of knives are included in a knife set?
Typically a knife set consists of various different knives that perform different functions on different types of foods. The mainstays of every knife set usually include a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a Santoku knife, a bread knife, a utility knife, and a few steak knives. There are plenty of knife sets that offer more items, which can include kitchen shears, paring knives, pizza knives, cheese knives, and even a sharpener to keep your knives in the best shape. It all depends on what your needs are in the kitchen and what you are looking for in a knife set. There is one to suit every need.
What 3 knives are essential to a chef?
When it comes to cooking, there are 3 essential knives. The first one of them is a chef’s knife. They are normally 8 to 10 inches in length. A chef’s knife is possibly one of the most important knives one can have. It is what one would use for the bulk of the cooking. It slices and dices meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables with ease. The second knife that is imperative for one to have in the kitchen is a paring knife. These are smaller than chef’s knives and are used for more detailed work when it comes to cutting. They are especially good at peeling fruits and vegetables, as well as mincing up garlic. Last, but certainly, not least is the serrated knife, also sometimes known as a bread knife. Serrated knives are more often used for cutting foods that have a texture about them, like watermelon, grapefruit, peppers and more.
What are the different types of knives and their uses?
There are quite a few knives that come in a knife set. We described the essential three knives and their best uses above. However, there are other knives that have different functions. A Santoku knife, for example, looks very similar to a chef’s knife. However, a Santoku knife has a thinner blade for more precise slicing. A utility knife is an all-around purpose knife in the kitchen. A boning knife is used to precisely separate bones from the flesh and skin of the meat. As mentioned above, certain sets also come with steak knives, which are used for slicing through meat after it is cooked.
Which is better, carbon steel or stainless steel?
Carbon steel is generally a good option to go with, if available. The reason for this is because carbon steel is harder than stainless steel, which means that it will stay sharper for longer.
Other Knife Sets We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other knife sets. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best knife sets list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your kitchen needs. The information that you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Stainless Steel Knife Sets
Chicago Cutlery Stainless Steel Knife Block Set
This beautiful knife set features contoured handles for easy use. It features their 26-degree taper grind edge for the best possible sharpness.
Key Features:
- Forged design
- Full metal tang
- Built-in sharpener
Cost: $90
Cuisinart 12 Piece Color Knife Set
These knives feature a non-stick color coating, so you can color code to avoid cross-contamination. This set comes with six knives in total.
Key Features:
- Includes matching blade guards
- Professional quality
- Nonstick for easy slicing
Cost: $20
Forged continuously in one piece, these knives will last longer and stay sharp longer. It is created with X50Cr15 high carbon stainless steel and his rust and bacteria resistant.
Key Features:
- Ergonomic and hollow handle
- Strong and durable
- Stylish clear acrylic stand
Cost: $40
These professional quality knives come with blade guards. The blades have a nonstick coating so that food does not stick to them.
Key Features:
- Non-slip handle
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- Lightweight
Cost: $18
HOBO German Professional Knife Set
This beautiful German knife set is crafted with high-quality stainless steel. The blades cut accurately and with precision.
Key Features:
- Ergonomic and comfortable grip
- Easy to clean
- Sharp blades with hand-polished edges
Cost: $50
These high-carbon stainless steel knives are built to last. They feature a 17-degree ultra-sharp edge for precision cutting, slicing, and dicing.
Key Features:
- Triple rivet polymer and Pakkawood handles
- Fully exposed tang
- Forged bolster
Cost: $80
With a full tang and hollow handles for a precise grip, these knives are great for all of your needs. All the knives are created with high carbon stainless steel.
Key Features:
- Stain-resistant
- Ergonomic handle
- Easy to clean
Cost: $81
KitchenAid Triple Rivet Cutlery Set
This dishwasher friendly knife set is easy to clean, which is always a plus. The knives themselves are made with high carbon German stainless steel.
Key Features:
- Triple rivet comfort handle
- Integrated #600 Diamond Grit Sharpener
- Razor-sharp edges for precision cutting
Cost: $80
Ozeri Stainless Steel Knife And Sharpener Set
This five-piece set features unique slotted blades that enhance cutting food. They have beautiful and comfortable handles for easy chopping and slicing.
Key Features:
- Handcrafted blades
- Certified Japanese grade stainless steel
- Wooden knife case features built-in sharpener
Cost: $25
Wanbasion Blue Professional Kitchen Knife Set
These beautiful blue beauties have an extra sharp edge to help you with all your cutting needs. They are durable knives that can withstand the toughest chopping jobs.
Key Features:
- Scratch and corrosion resistant
- Stain and rust-resistant
- Sharp and long edge retention
Ceramic Knife Sets
These knives have rounded off blades that making cutting through meat and vegetables easy. They are designed with ergonomic handles for your comfort.
Key Features:
- Rustproof
- Lightweight
- No need to sharpen
Cost: $16
Coiwin Kitchen Cutlery Ceramic Knife Set
These lightweight and ergonomic knives are very sharp and will cut through just about any food. You can cut up bread, fruit, meat and more with these.
Key Features:
- Non-reactive blades
- Rustproof
- Stain-resistant
Cost: $23
Chef’s Foundry 3-Piece Ceramic Kitchen Knives Set
This 3-piece ceramic set is harder and sharper than steel. They are lightweight but can definitely hold their own when it comes to chopping, cutting, slicing and dicing.
Key Features:
- Made from Zirconium Ceramic
- Feels better than steel knives
- Cuts quickly and easily
Cost: $70
Chopmate Ceramic Coated Color Kitchen Knife Set
This adorable knife set comes with a whole bunch of knives, some even labeled for their intended usage! They have a ceramic coating for easy slicing with no sticking.
Key Features:
- Antibacterial coating
- Easy to clean
- BPA free
Cost: $17
These two knives are super strong and durable. They feature a soft-grip handle for easy use.
Key Features:
- Comes with sheath
- Rust and stain-resistant
- Dishwasher safe
Cost: $22
These knives are created with Zirconia and are BPA free and FDA approved. They are lightweight and easy to use.
Key Features:
- Anti-slip handles
- Ceramic does not absorb any food elements
- Easy to clean
Cost: $18
Melange Ceramic Steak Knife Set
These 4-inch steak knives preserve their sharpness 8-10 times longer than traditional steel blades. They come with four matching blade covers.
Key Features:
- Rust-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
Cost: $31
Made with zirconium oxide, these knives will never rust. Each knife includes a sheath cover.
Key Features:
- Comfortable and lightweight in your hands
- Comes with peeler
- Weighted grip for better control and precision
Cost: $30
Each of these professional-grade knives is created with precision cutting in mind. A gourmet paring knife comes along with this set.
Key Features:
- Thick blades with a handle fully wrapped around it for strength
- Easy to clean
- Ultra-sharp
Cost: $40
These beautiful knives stay sharper longer. It makes even the most difficult cuts as easy as can be.
Key Features:
- Rust-proof
- Zirconia blade
- Lightweight
Cost: $28
