The best electric knife sharpener for most kitchens is the Chef'sChoice 15XV: three stages with diamond abrasives and a stropping finish, a consistent 15° edge, and support for serrated knives. If your block mixes German and Japanese knives, the Chef'sChoice AngleSelect adds a 20° setting. On a budget, the Presto 08800 has nearly 19,000 ratings. And if you also sharpen pocket knives and tools, the Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk2 adjusts from 15° to 30°.
Quick picks
| Best overall | Chef'sChoice 15XV EdgeSelect | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Best for German and Japanese knives | Chef'sChoice AngleSelect | Amazon |
| Best budget electric | Presto 08800 EverSharp | Amazon |
| Best budget pick for mixed blades | Presto 08810 Professional EverSharp | Amazon |
| Best adjustable-angle electric | Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk2 | Amazon |
| Best value for knives and tools | Work Sharp MK2 Knife & Tool Sharpener | Amazon |
| Easiest push-button option | Work Sharp E2 Electric Kitchen Sharpener | Amazon |
How we picked
- Sales and ratings from Amazon search results on October 3, 2026. The Chef'sChoice 15XV showed 2,000+ purchases last month; the Presto 08800 1,000+ with 18,800+ ratings.
- Angle and stages: what angle each sets, how many stages, and whether the last stage hones or strops.
- Knife coverage: serrated, single-bevel, pocket and hunting knives, as listed by each maker.
- Verified specs from each product's listing.
We research rather than test: picks come from listings, owner feedback and standard sharpening practice. How we research.
How electric sharpeners work
Spring-loaded or fixed guides hold the blade at the angle while motor-driven wheels or belts grind. Wheel models (Chef'sChoice, Presto) are fastest and easiest; belt models (Work Sharp) handle a wider range of blades, including tools, and some let you adjust the angle.
The 7 best electric knife sharpeners
Chef'sChoice 15XV EdgeSelect
The 15XV is the benchmark home electric. Two stages plated with 100% diamond abrasives sharpen and hone, and a patented flexible third stage strops the edge. Spring guides control the angle automatically. Chef'sChoice designed it to convert typical 20° factory edges into its 15° edge, and says re-sharpening takes about ten seconds once that's done. It's the best seller here with 2,000+ purchases last month and 14,000+ ratings.
- Stages3 (diamond, diamond, flexible stropping)
- Edge15°
- Kniveschef's, santoku, bread, hunting, fillet, pocket, serrated
- First sharpeningabout 1 minute (per maker)
Why it stands out
- Diamond stages and a stropping finish
- Serrated knives supported
- Fast enough to use weekly
Think twice if
- You want to keep 20° edges on heavy-duty knives
- You own single-bevel Japanese knives
Chef'sChoice AngleSelect
If your block mixes a German chef's knife and a Japanese santoku, the AngleSelect gives each its own angle: 20° for European and American knives and 15° for Asian-style knives. Chef'sChoice lists it for straight and serrated blades and for single- and double-bevel knives, with diamond abrasives and flexible stropping disks.
- Stages3
- Angles20° (European/American) and 15° (Asian-style)
- Abrasives100% diamond + flexible stropping/polishing disks
- Knivesstraight, serrated, single- and double-bevel (per listing)
- Warranty3-year limited
Why it stands out
- Two angles for mixed knife sets
- Listed for single-bevel knives
- 3-year limited warranty
Think twice if
- You only own one style of knife: the 15XV is simpler
Presto 08800 EverSharp
The Presto 08800 has been a budget favorite for years, with 18,800+ ratings and 1,000+ purchases last month. Two stages of Sapphirite wheels grind and then hone the edge, and blade guides hold the angle. Presto lists it for most non-serrated blades, so bread knives need another tool.
- Stages2
- WheelsSapphirite (grind, then hone and polish)
- Kniveskitchen and sport knives, non-serrated
- Power120 V
Why it stands out
- Inexpensive and simple
- Huge owner base
Think twice if
- You need to sharpen serrated knives
- You want to choose the angle
Presto 08810 Professional EverSharp
The 08810 adds a third, extra-fine ceramic stage and a blade-thickness selector: thick for hunting knives, medium for chef's knives, thin for fillet and paring knives. That makes it a better fit than the 08800 if you sharpen a mix of blades.
- Stages3, final stage extra-fine ceramic
- Selectorblade thickness (thick, medium, thin)
- Kniveskitchen, sport, santoku
Why it stands out
- Adjusts guides for blade thickness
- Ceramic finishing stage
- 10,800+ ratings
Think twice if
- You need serrated support: check the listing
Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk2
A belt sharpener with an adjustable angle guide from 15° to 30° and variable speed, so you can slow down for kitchen knives and speed up to repair a damaged edge. Work Sharp lists it for pocket knives, chef's knives, serrated blades, scissors and garden tools, and the belts swap quickly between coarse and fine.
- Typepowered flexible belt
- Angle15° to 30°, adjustable guide
- Speedvariable
- Useskitchen and pocket knives, serrated blades, scissors, shears, garden tools
Why it stands out
- Any angle from 15° to 30°
- Handles knives and tools
- Variable speed
Think twice if
- You want the simplest pull-through operation
- You're heavy-handed: belts remove metal quickly
Work Sharp MK2 Knife & Tool Sharpener
The MK2 is the simpler, cheaper belt option: two speeds, flexible belts and an edge guide that supports the knife to the tip. It's a strong choice if you sharpen garden tools as well as knives. See is Work Sharp a good knife sharpener? for how to use a belt without rounding tips.
- Typepowered belt
- Motortwo-speed
- Beltsflexible
- Usesknives, serrated, scissors, mower blades, axes
- Warranty3 years
Why it stands out
- Sharpens almost any edge
- 8,100+ ratings
Think twice if
- You only sharpen kitchen knives
Work Sharp E2 Electric Kitchen Sharpener
Work Sharp's kitchen model automates the process: press the button and draw the knife through the guide for an even angle, then use the built-in ceramic hone wheel for daily maintenance. It's listed for kitchen knives, serrated edges, scissors and shears.
- Operationpush-button, fully guided
- Extrasbuilt-in ceramic hone wheel
- Kniveskitchen knives, serrated, scissors, shears (per listing)
- Warranty3 years
Why it stands out
- Push-button simplicity
- Ceramic hone for daily touch-ups
Think twice if
- You want the best-rated option (it averages 4.3 stars)
Side-by-side comparison
| Sharpener | Type | Angle | Stages | Serrated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef'sChoice 15XV | Wheels | 15° | 3 | Yes |
| Chef'sChoice AngleSelect | Wheels | 15° / 20° | 3 | Yes |
| Presto 08800 | Wheels | Fixed | 2 | No |
| Presto 08810 | Wheels | Thickness selector | 3 | Check listing |
| WS Ken Onion Mk2 | Belt | 15°–30° | Belts | Yes |
| WS MK2 | Belt | Guide (check listing) | Belts | Yes |
| WS E2 Kitchen | Guided, push-button | Check listing | Sharpen + hone | Yes |
Buying guide
Match the angle to your knives
Many Japanese knives are sharpened around 15° per side and many German knives around 20°. A 15° electric will thin out a 20° German edge, which cuts better but is a little less durable; a two-angle model avoids the compromise. Check your knife maker's recommendation and see the angle chart.
Look for a fine finishing stage
A ceramic hone or flexible strop stage gives a cleaner edge and is the stage you'll use most. Every pick here has one, except that belt models rely on fine belts.
Serrated and single-bevel knives
Check the listing. For serrated knives without electric support, see how to sharpen a serrated knife. For single-bevel Japanese knives, a whetstone is still the safest choice; see sharpeners for Japanese knives.
Wheel vs belt
Wheel models are simpler and best for kitchen knives. Belt models handle pocket knives, hunting knives, scissors and tools, and some offer adjustable angles, but need more care.
Getting the best from an electric sharpener
- Start at the finest stage and only go coarser if the knife doesn't respond.
- Pull at a steady speed with no downward pressure; let the guides do the work.
- Alternate slots or sides evenly as the instructions direct.
- Lift the handle slightly at the tip so the curve is sharpened.
- Empty the metal dust as the maker recommends.
If you'd rather not go electric
A guided manual system like the Work Sharp Precision Adjust removes less metal and gives you any angle from 15° to 30°; a 1000/6000 whetstone gives the most refined edge. Compare in whetstone vs knife sharpener. For a premium powered option with a wide angle range, see the Tormek T-1.
The bottom line
The Chef'sChoice 15XV is the best electric knife sharpener for most kitchens. Choose the Chef'sChoice AngleSelect for mixed German and Japanese sets, the Presto 08800 on a budget, and the Work Sharp Ken Onion Mk2 if you sharpen pocket knives and tools too.
Specs, ratings and sales figures from Amazon listings checked October 3, 2026. We do not quote prices we have not checked. How we research · Affiliate disclosure