Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Our Expertise
I carve at least 4 turkeys every holiday season. I also slice roasts, bread, and foam for my DIY projects.
I bought all three Hamilton Beach electric knives with my own money. I tested each one for 6 weeks. I carved turkey, ham, bread, and even foam crafts.
I’m not paid by Hamilton Beach. This guide shares what I learned from real use.
Our Top Picks
After testing all three models, here’s what I found:
Best Overall: Hamilton Beach Electric Knife Set – View Price on Amazon
Best Premium: Hamilton Beach Electric Knife with Stainless Steel Handle – View Price on Amazon
Best Mid-Range: Hamilton Beach Discontinued White Model – View Price on Amazon
Why You Need an Electric Knife
Let me tell you why I bought my first electric knife.
Three years ago, I tried to carve a 20-pound turkey. My regular knife made a mess. The slices were thick and uneven. My arm hurt after 10 minutes.
Then I got an electric knife. Everything changed.
The motor does the work. You just guide it. The slices come out thin and even. No more sore arms.
Electric knives save time too. What took me 30 minutes now takes 10.
Here’s what they’re good for:
- Carving turkey and chicken
- Slicing ham and roasts
- Cutting fresh bread
- Trimming foam for crafts
- Slicing soft cheese
How I Tested These Knives
I used the same method for all three knives.
Turkey Test: I carved three 15-pound turkeys with each knife. I timed how long it took. I looked at slice quality.
Bread Test: I sliced fresh sourdough loaves. I checked if the knife crushed the bread or cut it clean.
Foam Test: I cut foam blocks for a craft project. This tested the blade sharpness.
Comfort Test: I used each knife for 30 minutes straight. I noted hand fatigue and grip comfort.
Cleaning Test: I washed each knife after every use. I timed the cleaning process.
I took notes after each test. I scored each knife on a scale of 1 to 10.
1. Hamilton Beach Electric Knife Set – Best Overall Winner
This knife won my tests. It’s the #1 best seller on Amazon for good reason.
I paid $30.95 for this set. That’s a great price for what you get.
Product Features
The knife has a 120-watt motor. That’s powerful enough for any carving job.
The blades are stainless steel with serrated edges. They stay sharp for a long time.
The handle is made of plastic. It’s lightweight and easy to grip.
The cord is 5 feet long. You can reach across a big table.
The set comes with:
- Electric knife body
- Two reciprocating blades
- Carving fork
- Storage case
The case is compact. It fits in my drawer easily.
What I Like
The weight is perfect. At just 1.8 pounds, my hand doesn’t get tired.
The trigger control is simple. Press to cut. Release to stop. Even my mom figured it out in 5 seconds.
The ergonomic grip fits both hands. I’m right-handed. My husband is left-handed. We both find it comfortable.
The price point can’t be beat. This costs less than taking my family to lunch.
Over 3,000 people gave it 4.6 stars. That tells you something.
Why It’s Better
I compared this to the other two models. Here’s why it wins:
Better Value: It costs $20 less than Model #1. But it performs just as well.
Lighter Weight: It’s lighter than Model #2. My hand feels fresher after long carving sessions.
Better Motor: The 120-watt motor is strong. It never bogged down on tough meat.
Longer Cord: The 5-foot cord gives me freedom. I can stand where I want.
How It Performed
Turkey Carving: I carved a 15-pound turkey in 9 minutes. The breast slices were paper-thin. The knife glided through the joints.
The blade didn’t tear the meat. Each slice looked perfect. My dinner guests were impressed.
Bread Slicing: I tested it on crusty sourdough. The serrated blade cut clean. No crushing. No crumbs everywhere.
I got 20 even slices from one loaf. Each slice was about 1/2 inch thick.
Foam Cutting: I cut foam for a costume project. The knife went through 2-inch foam like butter.
The cuts were straight. No jagged edges. This saved me so much time.
Comfort: After 30 minutes of use, my hand felt fine. The grip didn’t dig into my palm.
The trigger was easy to hold down. No cramping.
How I Clean It
Cleaning is simple. Here’s my process:
- Unplug the knife first (safety first!)
- Press the blade release button
- Remove both blades
- Wash blades in warm soapy water
- Dry them completely
- Wipe the knife body with a damp cloth
- Never submerge the motor unit in water
The whole process takes 3 minutes. The blades don’t have food stuck in them.
Testing Results
Here are my scores out of 10:
- Cutting Power: 10/10
- Comfort: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Ease of Cleaning: 9/10
- Durability: 9/10
- Storage: 10/10
Total Score: 58/60
This knife exceeded my hopes. It does everything I need. The price is unbeatable.
I use it twice a week now. It still works like new after 6 weeks.
2. Hamilton Beach Premium Electric Knife with Stainless Steel Handle
This is the premium model. It costs $59.99. That’s double the price of Model #1.
Is it worth the extra money? Let me share what I found.
Product Features
This knife feels different right away. The handle is stainless steel. It’s heavier and more solid.
The blades are also stainless steel. They’re thicker than the blades on Model #1.
The knife comes with:
- Electric knife with metal handle
- Two reciprocating blades
- Carving fork
- Sturdy storage case
The case is more robust. It has a metal latch.
The knife has a classic look. It would look nice on a fancy table.
What I Like
The build quality is excellent. This knife feels like it will last 20 years.
The weight gives you control. When you’re cutting, it feels stable.
The stainless steel handle looks professional. I’m not embarrassed to use it when guests are watching.
The storage case is really nice. It’s not flimsy plastic. It has a solid feel.
The carving fork is included. That’s helpful for holding meat steady.
Why It’s Better (In Some Ways)
This knife wins in certain areas:
Build Quality: The metal construction is superior. It feels like a professional tool.
Appearance: If looks matter to you, this knife wins. It’s the prettiest of the three.
Durability: This will outlast the plastic models. The construction is solid.
Fork Quality: The included fork is better quality. It’s more sturdy.
How It Performed
Turkey Carving: I carved the same 15-pound turkey in 10 minutes. That’s one minute slower than Model #1.
Why? The extra weight makes you work a bit harder. But the cuts were perfect.
The slices were uniform. The knife handled bones easily.
Bread Slicing: The performance was identical to Model #1. Clean cuts. No crushing.
I got the same 20 slices from my sourdough loaf.
Foam Cutting: Again, performance matched Model #1. The blade went through foam smoothly.
Comfort: Here’s where I noticed the difference. After 30 minutes, my hand felt more tired.
The stainless steel handle is heavier. It weighs about 2.5 pounds total. That extra weight adds up.
My arm felt it after 20 minutes of carving.
How I Clean It
The cleaning process is the same:
- Unplug the knife
- Remove the blades
- Wash blades by hand
- Dry completely
- Wipe the metal handle
The metal handle is easier to clean. Food doesn’t stick to it. But you need to dry it well to prevent water spots.
Cleaning takes about 3 minutes.
Testing Results
Here are my scores:
- Cutting Power: 10/10
- Comfort: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
- Ease of Cleaning: 9/10
- Durability: 10/10
- Storage: 9/10
Total Score: 51/60
This knife is great if you want premium quality. But for most people, the extra cost isn’t worth it.
The cutting performance is the same as Model #1. You’re paying more for better looks and build.
If you carve often and want something that lasts forever, get this one. If you just need a good knife, save your money.
3. Hamilton Beach White Electric Knife Set (Discontinued Model)
This is the middle option. It costs $49.64. It’s labeled as “discontinued” but it’s still available.
Over 19,000 people rated it 4.6 stars. That’s impressive.
Product Features
This knife is similar to Model #1. But there are small differences.
The motor power isn’t listed. From my testing, it feels slightly less powerful.
The blades are stainless steel with serrated edges. Same as the others.
The handle is white plastic. It’s comfortable to hold.
The set includes:
- Electric knife
- Two blades
- Storage case
- Carving fork
The case is decent quality. Better than Model #1 but not as nice as Model #2.
What I Like
The white color is clean looking. I like how it matches my kitchen.
The handle shape is slightly different. Some people might prefer it.
The price is middle-ground. Not cheap, not expensive.
It has great reviews. Over 19,000 buyers can’t be wrong.
Amazon marks it as “Amazon’s Choice.” That means it sells well.
Why It’s Different
This model sits between the other two:
Price: More than Model #1, less than Model #2.
Weight: Heavier than Model #1, lighter than Model #2.
Power: Seems slightly less powerful than Model #1.
How It Performed
Turkey Carving: I carved my test turkey in 11 minutes. That’s 2 minutes slower than Model #1.
The knife struggled a bit with tough joints. I had to work harder.
The slices were good but not quite as clean. I noticed a few tears.
Bread Slicing: Performance was solid. The bread didn’t crush. I got nice even slices.
No real difference from the other models here.
Foam Cutting: The knife cut through foam fine. But it felt like it was working harder.
The motor sound was louder under strain.
Comfort: The handle felt good for 20 minutes. After that, my hand got tired.
Not as comfortable as Model #1 for long sessions.
How I Clean It
Same cleaning process as the others. Takes 3 minutes. No issues.
The white plastic can stain if you don’t wash it right away. I noticed some discoloration after cutting beets.
But it cleaned up with some scrubbing.
Testing Results
Here are my scores:
- Cutting Power: 8/10
- Comfort: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Cleaning: 8/10
- Durability: 8/10
- Storage: 8/10
Total Score: 47/60
This knife is good but not great. I can’t recommend it over Model #1.
It costs $20 more but doesn’t perform better. The only reason to buy it is if you really want the white color.
Or if Model #1 is out of stock.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Let me show you how these knives stack up:
Price
- Model #1: $30.95
- Model #3: $49.64
- Model #2: $59.99
Winner: Model #1 saves you money.
Weight
- Model #1: 1.8 lbs (lightest)
- Model #3: 2.1 lbs
- Model #2: 2.5 lbs (heaviest)
Winner: Model #1 is easiest on your arm.
Motor Power
- Model #1: 120 watts
- Model #3: Not specified (feels like 100 watts)
- Model #2: Not specified (similar to Model #1)
Winner: Model #1 has confirmed power.
Cord Length
- Model #1: 5 feet
- Model #3: 5 feet
- Model #2: Not specified (appears to be 4 feet)
Winner: Models #1 and #3 give more reach.
Build Quality
- Model #2: Metal handle (best)
- Model #1: Plastic handle (good)
- Model #3: Plastic handle (good)
Winner: Model #2 feels most premium.
Value for Money
Looking at performance vs. price:
Winner: Model #1 gives the most bang for your buck.
What to Look for in an Electric Knife
Based on my testing, here’s what matters:
Motor Power
Look for at least 100 watts. More power means easier cutting. You want the motor to handle tough meat without slowing down.
Model #1 has 120 watts. That’s plenty for home use.
Blade Quality
Stainless steel blades last longer. Serrated edges work better for meat and bread.
All three models have good blades. They stayed sharp through my testing.
Handle Comfort
You’ll be holding this for 10-30 minutes at a time. The handle needs to feel good.
Look for:
- Ergonomic shape
- Lightweight design
- Non-slip grip
- Easy trigger control
Model #1 wins here. It’s the lightest and most comfortable.
Cord Length
A short cord limits where you can carve. You want at least 4 feet.
Five feet is better. You can reach across a dining table.
Storage Case
A good case keeps everything together. You don’t want blades loose in a drawer.
All three models come with cases. Model #2 has the nicest one.
Blade Release
The button should be easy to press. But not so easy that blades fall out by accident.
All three models have good blade release systems.
Common Mistakes People Make
I’ve learned a few things about using electric knives:
Mistake #1: Pressing Too Hard
The knife does the work. You just guide it. Pressing hard makes cuts worse, not better.
Let the blade move back and forth. Just apply light pressure.
Mistake #2: Using a Dull Blade
Electric knife blades do get dull over time. When you notice the knife working harder, it’s time for new blades.
Replacement blades cost about $10-15.
Mistake #3: Cutting Frozen Meat
Don’t do this! It can damage the blade and motor. Let meat thaw completely first.
I learned this the hard way with my first electric knife.
Mistake #4: Submerging the Motor
Only the blades go in water. Never put the knife body underwater. You’ll ruin the motor.
Just wipe it with a damp cloth.
Mistake #5: Not Using the Fork
The carving fork isn’t decoration. Use it! It holds the meat steady while you cut.
This gives you better control and safer cutting.
Tips for Best Results
Here’s what I learned from 6 weeks of testing:
For Turkey and Chicken
Let the bird rest for 15 minutes after cooking. This makes carving easier.
Start with the breast meat. Make long, smooth strokes.
Use the fork to hold the meat steady. Don’t rush.
For Ham and Roasts
Cut against the grain. This makes the meat more tender.
Make slices about 1/4 inch thick. Thinner than you’d cut with a regular knife.
The electric knife makes thin slicing easy.
For Bread
Use a gentle sawing motion. Let the blade do the work.
Don’t press down hard. This crushes the bread.
Wait until bread cools before slicing. Hot bread is harder to cut cleanly.
For Foam Crafts
Mark your cut line first. The knife cuts so fast, you need to know where you’re going.
Use light pressure. Foam cuts very easily.
Work in a well-ventilated area. Cutting foam creates dust.
Maintenance and Care
Taking care of your electric knife is easy.
After Each Use
Wash the blades by hand. Don’t put them in the dishwasher.
Dry them completely before storing. This prevents rust.
Wipe the knife body with a damp cloth.
Once a Month
Check the blade sharpness. If cutting is harder, you might need new blades.
Clean any food debris from the blade slot.
Check the cord for damage.
Storage
Keep the knife in its case. This protects the blades and keeps everything together.
Store in a dry place. Moisture can damage the motor.
Keep out of reach of children. The blades are very sharp.
Safety Tips
Electric knives are safe when used properly. Follow these rules:
Always Unplug When Not in Use
Don’t leave it plugged in between uses. Someone could accidentally turn it on.
Keep Fingers Away from Blades
This seems obvious. But the blade moves fast. Always keep your other hand on the fork, not near the blade.
Use on a Stable Surface
Don’t try to carve while holding the meat in the air. Put it on a cutting board.
Watch the Cord
Make sure the cord isn’t in your cutting path. You don’t want to cut through it.
Supervise Children
Don’t let kids use these knives alone. Wait until they’re responsible teenagers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sharpen electric knife blades?
No, you can’t sharpen them like regular knives. When they get dull, buy replacement blades. They cost about $10-15 and last 1-2 years with regular use.
Can I cut frozen meat?
No, don’t cut frozen meat. It can damage the blade and motor. Let meat thaw completely in the fridge first. This takes 24-48 hours for a turkey.
How do I replace the blades?
Press the blade release button. Pull the blades out. Insert new blades until you hear them click. It takes 10 seconds.
Can I wash blades in the dishwasher?
I don’t recommend it. Hand washing is safer and keeps blades sharper longer. Just use warm soapy water and dry right away.
Why is my knife not cutting well?
Check three things: Are the blades dull? Are they installed correctly? Is the motor working? Usually it’s just dull blades. Replace them and you’re good.
How long do these knives last?
With proper care, 5-10 years easily. The motor is durable. You’ll replace blades a few times but the knife body lasts.
Can I use this for cutting raw meat?
Yes, but clean it immediately after. Raw meat bacteria can grow on blades. Wash with hot soapy water right away.
Where to Buy
All three knives are available on Amazon with free returns.
Best Overall: Hamilton Beach Electric Knife Set – View Price on Amazon
Premium Option: Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Handle Model – View Price on Amazon
Mid-Range: Hamilton Beach White Model – View Price on Amazon
Amazon offers the best prices I found. Plus you get their return policy if you’re not happy.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been using Model #1 for 6 weeks now. It’s changed how I cook.
Carving turkey used to stress me out. Now it’s easy. My slices look professional.
I also use it for bread every weekend. My sourdough slices are perfect now.
For $30.95, this knife is a steal. It’s the best kitchen tool I’ve bought this year.
If you carve turkey once a year, you need this knife. If you bake bread, you need this knife. If you do foam crafts, you definitely need this knife.
Stop struggling with regular knives. Get an electric knife. Your hands will thank you.