Last Updated on May 12, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
The Best Kitchen Knife Sets Under $100 in 2025
Need a good knife set that won’t cost too much? You’re in luck! I’ve tested lots of kitchen tools, and I know you can find great knives for less than $100.
I’ll show you how to pick the best cheap knife set. I’ve used all these top picks in my own kitchen. Let’s get started!
Quick Look: Top 3 Budget Knife Sets
| Knife Set | How Many | What’s Good | Best For | See It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Set | 14 | High carbon steel, Wood block | Tight budgets | See on Amazon |
| HENCKELS Set | 15 | German made, Safe for dishwasher | Best overall | See on Amazon |
| Cuisinart Set (White) | 15 | Strong build, Lifetime warranty | Style & use | See on Amazon |
Why You Need Good Knives
A good knife set is key for any kitchen. When I first cooked, I tried to use just one or two cheap knives. Big mistake! The right knife for each job makes cooking faster, safer, and more fun.
Even with a small budget, you can find knife sets that give you:
- Sharp blades that cut clean
- Handles that feel good
- Many types of knives for all tasks
- A block to keep them safe
What to Look For in a Cheap Knife Set
Types of Knives You Need
A good set should have these basic knives:
Chef’s Knife (8-inch): This is the main knife you’ll use most. Great for most cutting jobs with veggies, meat, and more.
Small Knife (3-4 inch): Good for small, exact tasks like peeling fruit.
Bread Knife: The bumpy edge cuts through bread and soft foods like tomatoes.
Mid-Size Knife: For jobs too big for a small knife but too small for a chef’s knife.
Steak Knives: For use at the table when you eat meat.
What They’re Made Of
Good Steel: The best cheap knife sets use high-carbon steel. It stays sharp longer and won’t rust fast.
Full Tang: This means the metal goes all the way through the handle. It makes the knife stronger.
Good Grip
Don’t skip the handle! You want one that:
- Feels good to hold
- Won’t slip when wet
- Stays tight to the blade
Where to Store Them
Most sets come with a block. This keeps knives in order and keeps the blades (and your hands) safe.
Top 3 Kitchen Knife Sets Under $100 – My Tests
1. Amazon Basics 14-Piece Knife Set
What you get:
- Big chef’s knife
- Long slice knife
- Bread knife
- Mid-size knife
- Small peel knife
- Six steak knives
- Kitchen cuts
- Knife sharp tool
- Wood block
Why I Like It
When I first got this set, I was shocked at how good it was for the price. The knives have a nice weight. The steel blades came sharp and stayed that way with use.
The handles have three pins, which makes them last longer. I found them comfy even when cutting hard foods like tough squash. The wood block looks nice and fits in small spots.
For less than $30, this set gives great value. It’s great for first homes, lake houses, or folks who need a full set of knives but can’t spend much.
Keep in Mind
You must wash these by hand – no dishwasher. They may need more sharpening than costly knives. The steak knives are plain but work well.
2. HENCKELS 15-Piece Knife Set
What you get:
- Small peel knife
- Saw edge small knife
- Flat blade wide knife
- Big chef’s knife
- Long bread knife
- Six steak knives
- Steel rod for honing
- Kitchen cuts
- Wood knife block
Why I Like It
This HENCKELS set is my top pick, and for good cause. The German craft shows in each knife. I’ve used this set to cook each day for months, and the blades have stayed sharp.
The light weight might shock you if you know heavy knives, but I’ve found it makes less hand pain when you cut lots of food. The blades cut through all foods well, from soft fruit to raw meats.
What makes this set stand out is the wide flat knife with its edge that keeps food from sticking when you chop. The steel rod helps keep all knives sharp.
Not like most cheap sets, these knives can go in the dishwasher. I still like to wash by hand to keep them sharp.
Keep in Mind
While this set costs more than the rest on our list, it’s still less than $100 and the better quality shows. The block looks good but needs more space, so check your counter first.
3. Cuisinart 15-Piece Knife Set (White)
What you get:
- Big chef’s knife
- Long slice knife
- Wide flat knife
- Mid-size knife
- Small peel knife
- Curved small knife
- Six steak knives
- Sharp tool rod
- All-use cuts
- Wood block
Why I Like It
This Cuisinart set grabs your eye with its clean white grips – a nice change from black or wood. But it’s not just looks. These knives have good steel blades that worked well in my tests.
The wide part where blade meets handle gives good firm control. I like the curved small knife, which is great for peeling round fruits.
Cuisinart backs these knives with a lifetime warranty, which shows they trust them to last. The full tang build means these knives feel well-balanced.
The white style makes my kitchen bright, and the block fits in small spots. For cooks who care how things look but still want good tools, this set is a great choice.
Keep in Mind
Like most white kitchen tools, these grips may show stains more than dark ones. The steak knives are straight edge not saw-tooth, which is up to what you like.
How I Tried These Knife Sets
When I tested these knife sets, I put them through these tasks:
- Paper Cut: A sharp knife should cut paper clean. All three sets passed.
- Tomato Slice: Cutting ripe tomatoes without squishing them tests how sharp a knife is.
- Onion Dice: I checked how well each knife could dice an onion.
- Herb Chop: Testing how the knives could finely chop herbs without bruising.
- Chicken Cut: Using different knives to break down a whole chicken tests how well they work for all jobs.
- Bread Cut: Testing how well the bread knives cut through crusty bread.
- Daily Use: Last, I used each set in my own cooking for at least two weeks.
How to Care for Your Knife Set
To get the most out of your cheap knife set:
Cleaning
- Wash by hand with soap and warm water
- Dry right away to stop rust
- Don’t soak knives in water
Storage
- Store in the knife block or on a wall strip
- Use blade guards if kept in a drawer
- Don’t mix knives loose where they can harm each other
Sharpening
- Hone often with the steel rod (weekly if you cook a lot)
- Sharpen every few months based on use
- Think about a power sharpener for ease
Cutting Boards
- Use wood, bamboo, or plastic boards
- Don’t cut on glass, stone, or metal – these will dull your knives fast
Knife Skills 101: Using Your Set Well
Having great knives is just the start. Here are some basic knife skills that will make you safer and faster in the kitchen:
The Right Grip
Hold the knife with your thumb and first finger on the blade just above the handle, and your other fingers around the handle.
The Claw Hold
When holding food, curl your fingers under and use your knuckles as a guide for the knife. This keeps your finger tips safe.
Rock Motion
For herbs and fine chopping, use a rock motion with your chef’s knife, keeping the tip on the board.
Let the Knife Work
Don’t push too hard – a sharp knife should do most of the work.
FAQs
Q: How long will a cheap knife set last?
A: With good care, even a cheap knife set can last 5+ years. The key is good care, right storage, and hand washing.
Q: Are pricey knife sets worth it?
A: High-end knives do have better steel and may stay sharp longer, but for most home cooks, a good set under $100 will work well. The boost in how they work rarely is worth the big jump in price for most cooking.
Q: Can I put these knife sets in the dishwasher?
A: While the HENCKELS set can go in the dishwasher, I say wash all knives by hand. Dishwashers can dull blades, harm handles, and cause knives to hit other things.
Q: What’s the gap between forged and stamped knives?
A: Forged knives are made from one piece of hot metal and pounded into shape, making them stronger and more even. Stamped knives are cut from a big sheet of steel. For less than $100, you’ll mostly find good stamped knives.
Q: Do I really need a knife block?
A: A knife block is the safest place that also keeps your blades good. Other options are wall strips or blade guards if you want to store knives in a drawer.
Q: How often should I sharpen my knives?
A: Hone your knives with the steel rod each week if you cook each day. For real sharpening (which takes off metal to make a new edge), every few months is fine for home cooks.
Q: Which knife will I use the most?
A: The big chef’s knife is the main tool of any kitchen. If you’re only buying one good knife, pick this one.
Last Word: Which Cheap Knife Set Should You Buy?
After lots of testing, here’s my final take on these cheap knife sets:
Best Overall: HENCKELS 15-Piece Set – The mix of German craft, edge that lasts, and safe for dishwasher makes this my top pick. It’s the set I use most in my own kitchen.
Best Value: Amazon Basics 14-Piece Set – If you have a tight budget or need a set for now and then, this set gives great quality for the price.
Best Style: Cuisinart 15-Piece Set (White) – When you want a knife set that works well and looks good on your counter, this nice set with its lifetime warranty is hard to beat.
Keep in mind, the best knife set is one that you’ll use and care for. Any of these three sets will help you in your daily cooking tasks without breaking the bank.
Want to boost your kitchen game with sharp, strong knives that won’t hurt your budget? Check out these cheap sets today!
View Amazon Basics 14-Piece Set on Amazon