Retailers offer many meat slicers, but only a few are worth your money. Choosing a new device for your kitchen can be a tough task. Don’t worry, we are here to help you.
For this article, we analyzed hundreds of reviews on dozen models so you can get the best meat slicer suitable for your needs and budget. Keep reading and you will choose the device perfect for your homemade jerky, bacon, deli, or sandwiches. We will discuss important aspects, features, and specs you need to consider and switch to our top picks.
First of all, let’s overlook the models we reviewed here.
| Model | |
| The best for everyday and intensive use With this working horse, you can slice precisely and continuously from thick to thin everything you throw on it. Jump to the detailed review |
|
Berkel Red Line 250 | Stylish meat slicer for even paper-thin slices A gorgeous looking and professional build meat slicer for getting almost transparent meat slices and impressing your guests. Jump to the detailed review |
| Safe slicer with a wide range of thickness Smooth and serrated blades are interchangeably switched to ensure that you get the best from a 200W motor while slicing raw and cooked meat, bread, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. If you are looking for constant slices for under 150$ get it. Jump to the detailed review |
|
| Easy to clean slicer for multiple purposes This versatile model also has 2 blades and a 200W motor. On average, 9 out of 10 customers commented on the ease of cleaning. This slicer is the best for light everyday use. Jump to the detailed review |
|
| The best budgetary option This compact model has great performance and design for a very affordable price of under $100. It will pay off quickly, saving your money on the pre-sliced deli. Jump to the detailed review |
|
We choose 10 top-rated meat slicer models in budgetary, mid-range, and premium price categories. Then we analyzed more than 250 reviews from verified buyers to rank this model and select top-5 meat slicers for your home.
We determine customer satisfaction in 4 categories:
🔪 Slicing process
We researched how customers rate slicer ease of use, ability to give even pieces with selected thickness, and power of the machine.
💯 Construction
Our priority was to evaluate the safety features, noise level, sturdiness, and durability of the model.
💧 Cleaning
We look at how users estimate the cleaning process including access to crevices to ensure that the model is easy to maintain.
😄 Overall satisfaction
In this criteria, we included an analysis of how customers assess value for money.
While collecting reviews we noticed that some people got disappointed in their meat slicers. We analyzed these stories and made an ultimate guide on factors and features to consider before choosing one for your kitchen. With these tips, you will avoid the most common mistakes.
First of all, think about the amount of food you are going to slice as it directly influences the choice of motor power.
Most home meat slicers have 150-200W and 0.2-0.3 HP motor. It is enough for light home use, for example, slicing cooked and chilled meat, hard cheese, bread, fruits, and vegetables. Examples of such models are Midone Electric Food Slicer with 2 blades (review) and Anescra Food Slicer with 2 blades (review). Usually, after 5-10 minutes of constant work, such slicers should be left to rest.
With a motor of 300W (0.4HP) and higher, you can expect to get sliced dozens of pounds of meat or cheese smoothly and continuously. For example, the KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer (review) has a 320W motor. Moreover, if you plan to work with semi-frozen meat the motor should be powerful enough to achieve thin slices. With a less powerful motor, it may take several seconds to produce one slice.
You may not expect but slicing cheese is a tough task for many home meat slicers. As cheese is soft it can break down easily. If you are going to slice a lot of cheese it is better to pursue a model with a Teflon blade to prevent food from sticking to the blade. For example, the Teflon blade is available for KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer (review).
| KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer Price range $$$ - Suitable for continuous and intensive use - Non-sticking Teflon or stainless steel blade - Goes with integrated sharpener | Anescra Food Slicer with 2 blades Price range: $$ - Serrated and smooth 7.5” blades for different purposes - The easiest to clean slicer for under $150 |
The selection of blade size depends on the height of food you are going to slice. Most home meat slicers have blade sizes in the range of 7’’ to 12’’. Usually, the maximum food height should be 2’’ smaller than the blade diameter. It means that a 7.5″ blade can slices products with 5.5’’ in height. In most cases it is enough for slicing everything from your fridge, however for cutting large whole ham you may need a 9” or 10” blade.
Moreover, the bigger blade cut meat faster and easier. It is suitable for cutting cheese, semi-frozen meat and hard vegetables, for example, sweet potato.
Another aspect to consider is the shape of the blade edge, as it can be serrated or straight.
The serrated blade is the most suitable for slicing lean meat and bread. The straight-edged is universal and good to use with fruits, most vegetables, and all kinds of meat. Some models such as Midone Electric Food Slicer with 2 blades (review) and Anescra Food Slicer with 2 blades (review) propose both types of blades.
For achieving deli-like slices, it is better to use a smooth blade. A serrated blade is not likely to make thin slices as it tears meat up like a saw. Usually, cheap models go with a serrated blade as it compensates for a less powerful motor, so you can cut through harder products effectively.
| Chefman Die-Cast Electric Deli&Food Slicer Price range: $ - The most powerful motor for under $100 - Serrated blade to cut raw and cooked food - The blade and food carriage are dishwasher safe |
Your satisfaction with the model will also depend on the ease of maintenance. Cleaning is important to remain your slicer safe and prolong its lifespan.
If you are planning to use the slicer regularly the model should be easily disassembled for deep cleaning and has fewer crevices where tiny food particles get stuck. The blade, the food tray, and the holder should be removable. Users usually complain about spending too much time trying to pick food pieces from knobs and screws, so keep this in mind. According to our research, the Anescra Food Slicer with 2 blades (review) and the Berkel Red Line 250 (review) are the easiest to clean.
Consider also the place where you are going to put the meat slicer. If you are planning to put it on a shelf and take it off regularly, it’s better to have portable models with a weight of up to
15 lbs. The bulk models for heavy duties weigh from 30 lbs and thus require a separate space on the counter for frequent use.
Solid and bulk construction from stainless steel and aluminium will ensure quality and exploitation durability. With budgetary models, you will find a lot of cheap and fuzzy plastic, weak motors and issues with cleaning. It is OK for occasional and light use. It is better to buy a more sturdy model, for a regular slicing job.
The inner build of the slicers is also important. Most mid-range and high-price slicers for home are belt-driven. They are good for both light and heavy-duty tasks, such as KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer (review) and Berkel Red Line 250 (review). Moreover, these machines are quiet. The models in the low-price range are gear-driven, with gears made of plastic. The breakdown of these gears is a frequent reason why slicers become inoperable.
The slicer should stay in place while working otherwise, it becomes dangerous. Select models with rubber feet or non-slip sucking cups to ensure your safety. Pay special attention to this factor for lightweight models (less than 20 lbs) as they are easily moved while working.
| Midone Electric Food Slicer with 2 blades Price range: $$ - Serrated and smooth 7.5” blades for different purposes - The most advanced safety features - The widest range of thickness | Berkel Red Line 250 Price range: $$$$ - Stylish design - Construction that reduces food waste - Goes with integrated sharpener - The quietest model |
“You will get what you pay for”, — this is the rule for meat slicers. The price range for a meat slicer starts from $70 to $200 for the entry-level model, up to $500 for the mid-range product and can reach several thousand dollars for the premium-grade slicer.
For frequent and continuous use, for example, making a lot of jerky as a hobby, the mid-range segment is perfect. For example, with KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer (review) you can find a balance between price and commercial quality meat slicers.
Let’s summarize everything. To choose the meat slicer that will satisfy your need and will be not underpowered or overpriced you need to think about the type of food, intensity and frequency of your slicing. The KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer (review) has a powerful motor and large blade, thus it can be easily cut through products producing paper-thin slices. On the other hand, Midone Electric Food Slicer with 2 blades (review) and Anescra Food Slicer with 2 blades (review) are less powerful but will handle almost everything due to combinations of blades.
KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer
Winner category:
The best for everyday and intensive use
Average review score: 4.6 out of 5
This model is between cheap slicers for home use and expensive commercial slicers. With a 10’’ smooth blade and a 320 W (0.4 HP) motor, you can easily slice from thin to thick right through big pieces of all kinds of meat. Moreover, if you are planning to slice a lot of cheese, a model with a non-stick Teflon blade is right for you. With a built-in sharpener, this meat slicer will serve you long.
The cleaning process usually takes 5-10 minutes as the slicer is disabled quickly. This is a perfect model both for regular use and heavy-duty slicing. This model is sturdy, so it is better to have sufficient counter space to place it and not to move often.
“My family loves when I cook homemade meat. They were shocked that this is not a commercial model. It slices everything breezy. I have cut evenly 8 pounds of bacon in 7 minutes and the motor did not slow down. Cleaning takes me 5 minutes.” — John Bennett
“I think this slicer is my best purchase of the year. I absolutely love it. I make a lot of homemade bacon, roast beef and jerky and needed a slicer that could continuously work. This model fits my budget perfectly. It’s easy to maintain and clean. To handle the blade while cleaning I use “cut resistant gloves” as it is razor-sharp.” — Sam Pink
Winner category:
Stylish meat slicer for even paper-thin slices
Average review score: 4.8 out of 5
Are you looking for something with a unique design that impresses your guests and showcases your cooking talent? If yes, the Berkel Red Line 250 is right for you. For over 100 years Berkel brand has become a sign of quality, reliability and durability in meat processing. It is like a Ferrari in the car industry. It looks and operates gorgeous slicing jerky, bacon, prosciutto, cold cuts, meat, ham, cheese, bread, fruits, and vegetables so thin that the light can pass through slices.
In contrast to cheaper models, you do not get a lot of food waste while slicing thin due to the chromed steel blade and accurate thickness regulation. Moreover, it has an inclined food tray as professional slicers have for operating food easier. The product press holder is made of aluminium and has little spikes, thus you could slice to the bitter end of your food, in comparison to KWS Electric Meat Slicer (review), where there is a gap between the holder and the blade.
Cleaning the Berkel Red Line is easier than you can ever imagine. The slicer body is aluminium alloy casting made out of a single mould so there are no crevices to worry about. Other parts are removable with one movement including the blade guard disk, meat table, and slice guard deflector. For cleaning, you do not need to remove the blade. It is enough to wipe it down with a damp cloth and apply a soft brush for a safety ring. Reassemble it and that is all. Nothing is easier than that.
“Despite high bill, this slicer is worth every penny! It became my favourite kitchen device as it saves me time, energy, and money!! I love that when slicing semi thawed bacon I can get paper-thin slices with a little food waste! I regret that I postponed the decision about buying it a year ago. I was worried about its size, but it is not! It is elegant and now my kitchen looks so professional))) ” — Margarita Wood
“It works perfectly for me. Operating this model is a total pleasure. I had a bulk stainless steel meat slicer previously, but this one is incomparable with theirs. Works smoothly and doesn’t produce a lot of waste. I really don’t want to hide this after using it. Like it.” — Ross Rochat
Winner category:
Safe slicer with a wide range of thickness
Average review score: 4.4 out of 5
Midone is a model that proposes to you the best safety features and powerful motor for light use. It has strong suction cup feet to keep the slicer in place and a safety lock that prevents accidental switch on. Two 7.5’’ smooth- and serrated-edged blades are spun by a 200W motor that gives enough power to slice both heavily muscled and tender meat, cooked meat, bread, fruits and vegetables. You can run it continuously for 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes of rest to cool down the motor. The range of thickness from 0 to ¾” is broader than in the two previously reviewed models. However, in the thinnest settings, the end of the slice can be thinner than the start.
What we like a lot is a strengthened backplate with a solid cylinder behind it. Our research shows that the backplates in most models in the low-price segment are likely to deform under pressure resulting in uneven slicers. Midone did a great job in dealing with this.
This model is also portable. Compared to the massive KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer, it weighs 8.6 pounds, so it can easily be moved from the shelf to the counter and back.
Overall, cleaning is easy and there are no hidden and inaccessible places. The only problem area can be a thickness adjustment knob, where food particles gather. To avoid cross-contamination and ensure hygiene, you need to get rid of all residues. So pay specific attention to this place while cleaning.
“I am so satisfied with this device. I have already sliced beef, radish, potato and other products. It is easy to use and clean. The suction cups are strong. Even if I slice frozen meat it remains in place. I think that this slicer is the best option for this price range.” — Steven J Steinberg
“The greatest thing about this model is that it goes with 2 blades for different products. The blades are very easy to switch. It has sturdy construction and the cleaning process is not time-consumable at all. — Emily White
Winner category:
Easy to clean slicer for multiple purposes
Average review score: 4.4 out of 5
If you are looking for a home meat slicer for light everyday use and want to spend less time cleaning it, Anescra Meat Slicer with 2 Blades is the best. The same as Midone Electric Food Slicer, it has two smooth- and serrated-edged blades making it a versatile kitchen device. The thickness is very easy to adjust with the scale in front of you and can vary from 1mm to 15mm, which is not a paper-thin thickness. However, a strong 200W motor coupled with a correctly selected blade can satisfy enthusiasts of jerky, bacon, roast beef or cheese. The model makes slicing ham, turkey, chicken, fruits and vegetables a breeze.
The slicer weighs 10 pounds so it is easy to move it to set up. Keep in mind that the length from the blade to the end of the platform pusher is 6.5″, so maybe you will need to cut some products in half to place them on a tray. For comparison, the KWS Commercial 320W Electric Meat Slicer goes 8” left.
Cleaning is one of the easiest in budgetary models. It is not as simple as it is for Berkel Red Line 250, however, 9 out of 10 customers that commented on the cleaning process admitted its simplicity. The blade, food carriage, slide-rod extension, and food pusher are removable for deep cleaning.
“As it is compact and lightweight I store it in the kitchen cabinet. Unfortunately, I got the gear broken. The customer service was exceptional and I got a new model within a week. It is powerful enough for my needs which are slicing ham, cheese, turkey breast, and homemade bread. It takes me 2 minutes to disable it for cleaning. Perfect for everyday use.” — Daniel Szczechowski
“It smoothly cuts through beef for my jerky. The blade and other parts are removable, it is easy to clean. For me, 5 minutes is enough to slice everything I need. Would recommend buying it.” — John Brooks
Winner category:
Easy to clean slicer for multiple purposes
Average review score: 4.4 out of 5
This is an ideal option for those who are looking for something affordable and not picky about precise slice thickness and shaved meat. A serrated stainless steel blade is coupled with a 180W motor making it powerful enough to slice jerky, roast beef, some hard cheese and sandwich meat, but do not expect excellent paper-thin slices from it. The tip is: to get good cuts you should operate slowly. Also, this is a great slicer for vegetables and fruits. You may have some issues while slicing bacon, soft cheese and bread.
This model is compact and lightweight, so you easily find a place for it on the shelf. The blade and food carriage can be removed and washed in the dishwasher, in contrast to other reviewed models which are not dishwasher safe. However, there are a few places where tiny food pieces get stuck so you have to use something like a toothpick to take them out.
“I use it for bread, salami and roast beef etc. Firstly, I installed it, and it seems very feasible, but after switching it on, it impressed me. It slices well for this price. I can install it easily in my tiny kitchen.” — Sandy Brown
“I use it to slice, ham, and Turkey for sandwiches. It paid for itself within weeks, so it is totally worth its money. I cannot achieve very thin slices, but for this price it is acceptable. The biggest drawback is that the device is difficult to clean. However, I love it.” — Curt Wood
Cleaning and sanitizing ensures the safety of the meat slicer. You should deeply clean it after every use and when switching from cutting raw meat to cooked and ready-to-eat products.
Do not be fooled by ads saying that the meat slicer can slice hard frozen meat. No, it can’t. Only few commercial slicers can handle it. Additionally, ice crystals damage the blade.
Never ever think about cutting through bones with your meat slicer. The blade neither serrated nor smooth is not sharp enough to cut it. Bones will damage your slicer.
Depending on how frequently and intensively you use the slicer the blades should be sharpened. If you use it every day for more than an hour, sharpen the blade every 2 weeks. The serrated blades can also be sharpened but need it less often.
While reading manual for the most home meat slicers you will find a recommended running time. Plan your work according to this time range, otherwise, you are risking overheating the motor and breaking the device.
Right meat slicer will save you time, money and effort and it is worth the investment. To ensure the best experience you must think about the type of food, its amount and the frequency of slicing. The cheap models will pay off faster, but you can meet up with uneven slices and low power. On the other hand, semi-commercial and premium models are able to give you almost transparent slices and are handy for regular and heavy uses.
We are sure that if you have read until this point, you already know what model is the best for you.
If you are going to slice a large amount of meat the best option for you will be the KWS Electric Meat Slicer. It is a heavy-duty machine with a powerful motor and commercial quality. If your hobby is connected with making homemade meat or you are not planning to slice several pounds at one time we will recommend Midone Electric Food Slicer. It has both serrated and smooth blades that are selected depending on what type of product is sliced.
As cheese is a soft and sticky product the best choice you can make is to buy a powerful machine with a motor above 250W and use a Teflon blade. That is exactly what the KWS Electric Meat Slicer proposes. However, here is a lifehack chilling cheese before slicing and wetting the stainless steel blade while operating can help you handle cheese.
Frankly speaking, even commercial slicers can not cut through bones, needless to say, home meat slicers cannot too. Don’t try slicing meat with bones as it will damage the blade. Whether the blade is smooth or serrated it cannot handle bones.
The selection of meat slicers mostly depends on what type of food you are going to slice, its amount and size. The important factors to consider are blade size, motor power, model parameters, ease of cleaning, safety features and your budget.
The thinnest you can get your meat sliced is 1/16” (1,5 mm) which means “shaved meat”. The next is the “thin slice” in the range from 1/16” to 1/8” (1,5 – 3.1mm). Medium sliced pieces have a thickness between 1/8” and 3/16” (3.1-4.7 mm). Thick slices are above 3/16” (>4.7 mm).
Delve into the captivating realm where Irish football teams and global exploration intertwine. In this…
The CubeSat program offers a unique hands-on learning experience for students. It combines cross-disciplinary science…
Wanna breakfast sandwich maker but don't know how to choose it? We researched which criteria…
Everything you must know about cavitation treatment in one article: benefits, side effects, effectiveness +…
What is the first thing that will help your Monstera grow and stay healthy? Of…
The complete best towel warmers list is based on analyzing 100+ reviews, 25+ quality criteria,…