Review of best kitchen knife set under $200 combining best ergonomics with long-lasting performance and rust-resistant construction.
Whether it is your new business kitchen setup or you want to replace your old blunt knives with something fast and sharp, this review is going to be a big help for you. Finding the best kitchen knife set under $200 seems a little difficult since top brands tag a premium price with their top-of-shelf products.
Since I’m a cooking freak I have a big collection of knives and cutting tools. To help you figure out the best kitchen knife set under $200, I’ve reviewed the 6 best options currently available in the market.
6 Best Kitchen Knife Sets Under $200
1. Cangshan S1 Series 3-Piece Tai Knife Block Set
Cangshan S1 Series has made its way to the top of the list for many good reasons. I got this knife set as a new year’s gift and now this is my go-to choice for all kinds of food prep
- No Of Pcs: 3 or 5
- Color: White
- Blade Materials: Alloy Steel
- Block: Wood
The knives in this set look no different than my regular knives but when it comes to edge quality and ease of use, these knives always stay on top of the shelf. This is by far the sharpest and handiest knife I’ve ever used.
I cut almost everything with these knives from meat to fish and veggies to cheese. It features a Patent pending cutting-edge design that works like charm in all food prep jobs. With an ergonomic handle and ultra-soft grip, this is just the perfect knife set for me. The knives hug the palm really well and offer an untiring experience even in the extensive cutting sessions.
I was a big fan of ceramic ultra-sharp knives but soon I realized that these knives lose their sharpness within a few months. This knife set has been crafted with German steel that rocks the stage with long-lasting sharpness and edge performance. It’s been a few months now and the knives are just as sharp and fast as they were on day one.
I purchased a five-piece set including a chef’s knife, serrated knife, detachable shears, and paring knives. The blades are sharp and have maintained sharpness and functionality over time. But unfortunately, rust spots are developed on the 3-inch serrated knife, and also I can see handle discoloration which is a little disappointing.
I’m very pleased with how these knives cut through all kitchen stuff like meat, onions, and cheese. The knives are sharp, well-balanced, and ergonomic. This is probably the best kitchen knife set for under $200.
2. Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set
The Cangshan S1 series knife set is unbeatable in terms of sharpness and ease of use but you need to handle them with a lot of care as knives are not entirely rustproof. You can have a short product description here. It can be added as an enable/disable toggle option from which the user can control.
- No Of Pcs: 6
- Color: Black/Steel
- Blade Materials: Alloy Steel
- Block: Wood/Glass
The knives are more than what I expected. With an ultra-sharp edge and super ergonomic grip, these knives can do the all cutting jobs like a pro. All knives included in the set are sharp, very well balanced, and can maintain sharpness over a long time. Knives are made with premium-grade carbon and German steel and are rugged enough to maintain sharpness over a long time.
The non-slip grip is actually nonslip and I didn’t face any issues even using these knives with wet hands. The knives are also pretty easy to wash and maintain. It’s been around six months since I’ve been using knives for everyday kitchen stuff and so far there is no rust or discoloration. I wash knives with soap and warm water.
The set includes a utility knife, paring knife, wavy edge knife, stiff boning knife, and wood tempered glass block. You can store the knives in the block vertically for easy access. My only gripe with this knife set is that it is slightly pricier than its counterparts.
The knives with a magnetic block look stylish and fit right in my kitchen interior. I love the sharpness and well-balanced profile of the knives. A highly ergonomic handle coupled with rust-proof construction makes it the best kitchen knife set for under $200.
3. 15 Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Block by Cuisinart
The Cuisinart 15-piece kitchen knife set is a big bundle that you can buy at a very low price. I purchased this knife set last year when it went on sale. The knives are super sharp and cut through almost anything. This was the only knife set in this price range that included 14 cutting accessories.
- No Of Pcs: 15
- Color: Black/Steel
- Blade Materials: Stainless Steel
- Block: Wood
The set comes with 3 all-purpose knives, a bread knife, a serrated knife, a paring knife, and many more. All knives except for steak knives are forged. They are made out of a single steel rod and the overall feel is impressive. Knives are strong and balanced allowing you to cut through veggies and meats with little force without limiting the precision. The knives are relatively compact in size and perfectly weighted.
Steak knives are not forged but are super sharp right out of the box. These knives were skin-sharp and I was about to slice through my finger on the first try. After a short break-in period, the sharpness came to a perfect level giving you a safe and untiring cutting experience in the kitchen.
The set includes a self-sharpening block set for compact and safe storage. Cleaning and washing knives are super easy. Knives are made of premium-grade carbon steel and can resist rusting over a long period. The knives are not rustproof and can develop rust if you put them in the dishwasher or do not ensure dry storage. Also, these knives started to lose sharpness after 6 months which was a little disappointing.
I was looking for a cheap set of knives with more cutting options and this one proved to be an amazing starter set for the price. The knives included in the set are sharp, well-balanced, and ergonomic making them perfect for all kitchen jobs.
4. HENCKELS Modernist 14-pc Self-Sharpening Knife Set
I’ve tried many knife sets but I didn’t like the steak knives included in them. This knife set has got many rave reviews for its ability to cut cold meat, steaks, and frozen cheese.
- No Of Pcs: 14
- Color: Steel
- Blade Materials: Ceramic
- Block: Wood
The set came with a self-sharpening block which was a nice addition. It includes six 4 ½ inch steak knives along with a utility knife, serrated utility knife, chef’s knives, and many others. The knives have a nice weight and feel sturdy.
The edges are extremely sharp and well-made. The handles are designed for maximum grip and comfort and I give them 10/10 for ease of use. I used these knives to cut fruit, meat, and veggies. All the knives slice through everything like butter making them equally suitable for households and restaurants.
The best part is that it is a complete set. You will find the right option for all cutting jobs. I didn’t like the self-sharpening block color but I didn’t mind since it was one of the most needed things for my kitchen. The block is a little bigger than regular knife blocks but stores knives really well and I’m ready to sacrifice a spot for it on the counter space.
Knives are made with high-quality stainless steel and also the handle grip is made of steel. Unfortunately, these knives are not resistant to rust. You can’t leave them on the counter after washing, nor can you submerge them for a long time. To keep them from rusting it is crucial to dry them before storage.
HENCKELS 14-pc knife set included multiple utility and steak knives making it perfect for all sorts of cutting jobs in the kitchen. The knives included in the set can handle frozen foods, and cutting jobs gives the best value for money.
5. Victorinox 8-Piece Knife Block Set
You can have a short product description here. It can be added as an enable/disable toggle option from which the user can control it. The Victorinox 8-piece knife block set is my next choice for the best kitchen knife set under $200.
- No Of Pcs: 14
- Color: Steel
- Blade Materials: Ceramic
- Block: Wood
This knife set was not in line with my budget but since more and more people were raving about the long-lasting sharpness of the knives included in the set, I decided to give it a try. It’s been part of my cooking tools for more than a year and I can say confidently that it is worth every penny.
The knives included in the set are weighted and balanced to help you get maximum cutting efficiency and precision. The set includes a boning knife, bread knife, slicing knife, paring knife, chef’s knife, and utility knife making it a complete set for all kitchen cutting jobs. Made with premium-grade carbon steel, these knives can handle tough slicing jobs with much ease.
Unlike their inexpensive counterparts, these knives can maintain their performance and sharpness over a long time. The block set is compact and occupies very little space. The knives are stored vertically and just look great with my kitchen interior. These knives feature premium craftsmanship and comply with the National Sanitation Foundation standard for public health and safety.
A lifetime guarantee against defect and craftsmanship backs this knife set making it the best kitchen knife set under $200. My biggest concern about these knives is that the brand has not maintained the quality. The first set I bought last year is unbeatable in terms of performance and quality. I ordered the same set for my friend and I didn’t get the theme quality this time.
If you host big parties or run a food business, this knife set by Victorinox is the best kitchen knife set for under $200. All the knives included in the set are solid and sharp making cutting and slicing easier than ever.
6. Wüsthof Classic Hollow Edge Knife Set
The final option on the list is Wüsthof Classic Hollow Edge 2-Piece Chef’s Knife Set. This knife set is famous among pro chefs and is known for its unbeatable cutting efficiency. The set includes two chef’s knives, one with a 6-inch blade and another measuring 3.5 inches.
- No Of Pcs: 2
- Color: Steel/Black
- Blade Materials: High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Block: Not Included
Though it doesn’t come with extra bells and whistles, the two knives are functional enough to handle all cutting jobs you need to perform for all meal prep. I used the 6-inch chef’s knife for cutting meat, and steak, slicing the fish, peeling the fish skin, and many tough cutting jobs. The knife is just more than what I expected.
The smaller one is great for finishing work and peeling. The hollow space blade is crafted for minimum friction and drag between the food and the blade. It cuts and slices through all types of foods with maximum efficiency. The knives are made with the industry’s best material and are completely rust-proof.
Though not recommended you can put them in the dishwasher also. The knives can maintain performance over a long time. The non-slip grip handle coupled with an ultra-sharp blade makes them super easy to use. This knife set only includes two knives. You can buy a knife set with 15 to 16 pcs at the same price. Though it is expensive, you’re gonna get the best value for your bucks.
Wüsthof Hollow edge knives are designed for cooking freaks and professionals who want to make standout cuttings of all sorts of food. This knife set is a big but safe investment and knives are going to serve you with maximum precision and accuracy in the long run making it the best kitchen knife set under $200.
FAQs
Who makes the best affordable knife set?
There are various brands but Mercer Culinary and Cangshan are my two favorite brands for affordable knife sets and kitchen utilities. You can buy quality kitchen knife sets from these brands for as low as $150.
What knives does Gordon Ramsay recommend?
Gordon Ramsay has been seen using Henckels and Wüsthof knives for a long time. Both brands have been in the market for over two decades and are known for unbeatable utility and performance.
Wrapping Up
I’m hopeful that this review will help you choose the best kitchen knife set for under $200. All the options reviewed above are tested for quality and performance, and you won’t regret them if you make a purchase. Here are my top two picks:
- Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set for rust-proof construction, ultra-sharp edges, non-slip grip, and long-lasting performance.
- Wüsthof Classic Hollow Edge 2-Piece Chef’s Knife Set for best brand name value, hollow sharp edges, rust-proof construction, and long-term performance.
Rust-proof construction should be among your top concerns when buying a kitchen knife set. It can be a real challenge to keep the knives from developing rust if they lack rust-resistant construction.