Ever try to make a meal without a knife? It's basically impossible. Just about anything you do in the kitchen requires a chop, slice, or cut. So if you want to make things a little easier for yourself, buying a good knife is worth the splurge.
To figure out the best knife for you, take a look at your most recent meals. Do you need a heavy-duty knife that easily slices through thick cuts of meat? Or perhaps you're looking for something razor-sharp made for precise veggie cuts? Do you want a knife you splurge on and take care of like a baby to have for life? Or a knife that can take a beating around the kitchen. Once you figure out what you'll be using your knife for, shop these best kitchen knifes—in every style. And make sure to add a magnetic knife holder and set of steak knives to your cart, too.
Best Beginner Chef's Knife: Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife
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Best German Chef's Knife: Wüsthof Classic Chef’s Knife
Best Japanese Chef's Knife: Global Santoku Chef's Knife
Best Budget Chef's Knife: Kiwi Stainless Steel 8-inch Chef's Knife
Best Pairing Knife: Victorinox Swiss Army 3.25-Inch Straight Paring Knife
Best Kitchen Knife Set: Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set with Block
Best Versatile Chef's Knife: Mac MTH-80
Best Heavy-Duty Chef's Knife: Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef's Knife
Best Chef's Knife for Small Hands: Shun Classic 6-Inch Chef's Knife
Best Bread Knife: Mercer Culinary Millennia Wavy Edge 10-Inch Wide Bread Knife
Best-Rated Knife on Amazon: Mercer Culinary M22612 Millennia 12-Inch Chef's Knife
Best Chef's Knife for Kids: Tovla Jr. Knives
Best Vegetable Knife: Wusthof Classic Super Glider
Best Baking Knife: Red-Hit Cake Cutter and Spatula Set
Best Beginner Chef's Knife:
Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife
BUY NOW Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife, $42, Amazon
With a sturdy, easy-to-grip handle and a solidly sharp blade, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife is a great place to start. It doesn't have quite as much strength or sharpness as other blades on this list, but it's a reliable all-purpose knife. Consider it the best way to dip your toes into the world of professional chef's knives.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle with secure grip
- Dishwasher safe
Best German Chef's Knife:
Wüsthof Classic Chef’s Knife
BUY NOW Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife, $135, Williams Sonoma
Popular chef's knives usually fall into two camps, German-made or Japanese-made. Hearty German-made knives are traditionally heavier, with thicker blades that excel at cutting through meat and bone, exemplified by the Wüsthof Classic Chef's Knife. You'll see this knife topping many lists of best kitchen knives, probably because the hefty blade can cut through just about anything.
Pros
- Available in three sizes
- Precision Edge Technology (PEtec)
- High-carbon steel blade resistant to stains and corrosion
Cons
- Pricey
Best Japanese Chef's Knife:
Global 7-Inch Hollow Ground Santoku Knife
BUY NOW Global Santoku Knife, $130, Bed Bath and Beyond
In the other camp, you have Japanese knives, or Gyutos. Unlike their German counterparts, these knives are known for their lightweight and super-thin blades. The Global Hollow Ground Santoku Knife has that signature sharp, dull-resistant blade and excels in precision-based slicing tasks.
Pros
- Rust resistant
- Affordable
Cons
- Hand wash only
Best Budget Chef's Knife:
Kiwi Stainless Steel 8-inch Chef's Knife
BUY NOW Kiwi Stainless Steel Knife, $10, Amazon
No nonsense and as cheap as they come, the Kiwi Stainless Steel 8-Inch Chef's Knife is Amazon's hidden secret. As long as you've got a quality knife sharpener by your side, these knives can perform just as well as the most expensive blades on this list.
Pros
- Affordable
Best Pairing Knife:
Victorinox Swiss Army 3.25-Inch Straight Paring Knife
BUY NOW Victorinox Pairing Knife, $6, Amazon
You don't need a heavy-duty chef's knife for simple tasks like slicing strawberries, deveining shrimp, or peeling apples—that's where your pairing knife comes in. The Victorinox Swiss Army 3.25-Inch Straight Paring Knife packs a lot of punch for its size, with a sharp blade and a sturdy handle.
Pros
- Affordable
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Small blade
Best Kitchen Knife Set:
Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set with Block
BUY NOW Home Hero Stainless Steel Set, $65, Amazon
A knife for every occasion! Amazon reviewers loved the funky Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set with Block. Plus, there's a built-in sharpener for your most frequently used knives.
Pros
- Nonstick coating and ergonomic handles
- Includes multiple sized knives and accessories
Cons
- Takes up space
Best Versatile Chef's Knife:
Mac MTH-80
BUY NOW Mac MTH-80, $150, Amazon
As good at chopping thin basil as it is at cutting through a thick slice of meat, the razor-sharp Mac MTH-80 will take on whatever adventurous recipe you try with ease.
Pros
- Blade dimples help glide through tough foods
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- Hand wash only
Best Heavy-Duty Chef's Knife:
Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8-Inch Forged Chef's Knife
BUY NOW Mercer Culinary Renaissance Forged Knife, $50, Amazon
Daily usage won't scare away the intense Mercer Culinary Renaissance Forged Knife. The high-carbon, stain-resistant German steel on this knife resists rust, corrosion, and discoloration—so you can hold onto this bad boy for years.
Pros
- Affordable
- Rust and corrosion resistant
Best Chef's Knife for Small Hands:
Shun Classic 6-Inch Chef's Knife
BUY NOW Shun Classic Chef Knife, $150, Amazon
Don't worry, my fellow petite cooks, I haven't forgotten about you. This ornate, 6-inch Shun Classic Chef Knife will fit comfortably in your hands, with all the sharpness and power of a larger knife.
Pros
- Durable handle
Best Bread Knife:
Mercer Culinary Millennia Wavy Edge 10-Inch Wide Bread Knife
BUY NOW Mercer Culinary Millennia Bread Knife, $25, Amazon
Smushed, flattened bread? Talk about a bummer. Take the smashed bread out of your diet with this lightweight, serrated Mercer Culinary Millennia Bread Knife.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle with non-slip grip
Cons
- Hand wash only
Best-Rated Knife on Amazon:
Mercer Culinary M22612 Millennia 12-Inch Chef's Knife
BUY NOW Mercer Culinary Millennia Chef's Knife, $26, Amazon
The people (of Amazon) have spoken, and the Mercer Culinary Millennia Chef's Knife is their favorite knife on the site. Don't be intimidate by its foot-long length. Reviewers say it's versatile, sharp, and a must-have.
Pros
- Affordable
- High-carbon steel
Best Chef's Knife for Kids:
Tovla Jr. Knives
BUY NOW Tovla Jr. Knives, $10, Amazon
If your little one is expressing interest in helping out in the kitchen, you can set them up with this non-slip, plastic knife without the need to guide their hands as they cut. The serrated edges on the Tovla Jr. Knives will slice through bread and tomatoes easily while protecting their little fingers.
Pros
- Safe for kids
- Affordable
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy chopping
Best Vegetable Knife:
Wusthof Classic Super Glider
BUY NOW Wüsthof Classic Super Glider, $170, Amazon
Check out the holes along the blade of the Wüsthof Classic Super Glider — they're there for a reason: they create air pockets between produce and the blade, which stops anything from sticking to the blade. One Amazon reviewer wrote, "sliced about 20 potatoes and not a single slice stuck to the blade."
Pros
- Easily glide through foods
- Precision forged high-carbon stainless steel
Cons
- Pricey
Best Baking Knife:
Red-Hit Cake Knife and Spatula Set
BUY NOW Red-Hit Cake Knife and Spatula Set, $13, Amazon
Baked goods call for a special kind of knife that is both precise yet gentle so your cake doesn't crumble when you slice it. The Red-Hit Cake Knife and Spatula Set features a refined, smooth edge on the knife that will cut deep into your cake and a spatula so you can remove each piece carefully.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Dishwasher safe
As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.
