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Best knife sharpener: top picks on Amazon

A knife sharpener restores a dull edge by removing metal from the blade to create a new sharp cutting surface. Electric sharpeners do this quickly at a fixed angle; whetstones allow precise control at any angle; pull-through and rod sharpeners provide convenience at a lower skill requirement.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

The KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener at $10 is the best knife sharpener for most home cooks who currently have no sharpening tool: the carbide pre-sharpener removes metal quickly to reset a dull edge and the ceramic finishing stage polishes the edge for smooth cutting, at a price low enough to own without commitment.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Knife sharpeners are evaluated by sharpening method (electric, pull-through, whetstone, rod), angle guidance (fixed vs variable), grit stages, compatibility with both Western and Japanese knives, ease of use, edge quality produced, how much metal is removed per use (coarser sharpeners remove more metal and shorten knife life faster) and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best electric knife sharpener
Chef'sChoice Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener

Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener

Brand: Chef'sChoice

Best for

Home cooks who want to sharpen knives quickly to a professional 15-degree edge without learning whetstone technique, where the Chef'sChoice 15 converts both European 20-degree knives and Asian 15-degree knives to a 15-degree Trizor edge.

Skip if

Low metal removal per sharpening session is the priority. Electric sharpeners remove more metal per session than whetstones or rod sharpeners because the motorized abrasives cut aggressively. On expensive knives, this shortens the blade life over years of use compared to careful whetstone sharpening. For buyers with premium knives who want maximum longevity, a whetstone or the Spyderco Sharpmaker are gentler options.

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The Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV uses three sharpening stages: a 100% diamond abrasive coarse stage for reshaping very dull blades, a fine diamond stage for refining the edge, and a flexible stropping disk stage for polishing and deburring. The 15-degree fixed angle guides produce a Trizor edge geometry claimed to be sharper than traditional 20-degree edges.

The sharpener converts European 20-degree knives (Wusthof, Henckels) to 15 degrees permanently on first use. The conversion produces a sharper edge but the knife cannot be returned to 20 degrees without removing significantly more material.

At $160, the Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV is the electric sharpener that produces the sharpest edge with the least skill required.

What buyers say

Home cooks who want to sharpen knives quickly to a professional 15-degree edge without learning whetstone technique say Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where low metal removal per sharpening session is the priority say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener
Stages3-stage (coarse, fine, stropping)
Angle15 degrees per side (fixed)
Compatible knivesStraight-edge kitchen knives
Price$160

Specs from Chef'sChoice, Trizor XV product page

02
Best manual rod sharpener
Spyderco Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener

Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener

Brand: Spyderco

Best for

Cooks who want a manual sharpening system that sharpens knives to a fine edge with minimal skill, where Spyderco's Sharpmaker uses ceramic triangular rods held in a fixed angle base to guide the sharpening stroke.

Skip if

European 20-degree knives need to be sharpened at 20 degrees per side. The Spyderco Sharpmaker is set up for either 30-degree or 40-degree included angle (15 or 20 degrees per side) in its standard configuration, covering both Japanese and Western knives. But for buyers who want the Trizor 15-degree edge on a Western knife, the Chef'sChoice 15 is more efficient.

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The Spyderco Sharpmaker includes four triangular ceramic rods (two medium grit, two fine grit) that mount in a plastic base at fixed 30-degree and 40-degree included angles (15 or 20 degrees per side). The cook holds the knife vertical and draws it downward along the rod, with the base angle guiding the correct sharpening angle without skill.

The triangular rod shape allows sharpening serrated knives by working each serration individually with the rod's corner. The system includes a carrying case and can be used for both kitchen and pocket knives.

At $80, the Spyderco Sharpmaker is the manual sharpening system that produces the best edge quality for the skill required.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of cooks who want a manual sharpening system that sharpens knives to a fine edge with minimal skill report Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when european 20-degree knives need to be sharpened at 20 degrees per side.

Specifications

Specifications for Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener
RodsMedium and fine ceramic triangular rods
Angles30 or 40 degree included
CompatibleMost straight-edge knives
Price$80

Specs from Spyderco, Sharpmaker product page

03
Best whetstone sharpening kit
Lansky Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System

Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System

Brand: Lansky

Best for

Buyers who want to sharpen knives on stones with guided angle control, where Lansky's system clamps the blade and guides the stone at a consistent angle through the sharpening stroke without requiring freehand technique.

Skip if

A compact system for regular maintenance is preferred. The Lansky 5-stone system requires setup time with the blade clamp and is better suited for restoring very dull blades than for quick maintenance touch-ups before cooking. For fast pre-cooking maintenance, a honing steel or pull-through sharpener is more practical.

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The Lansky Deluxe system uses a blade clamp with a guide rod that angles the sharpening stone at a precise angle from 17 to 30 degrees per side. The five stones (extra coarse, coarse, medium, fine, ultra fine) cover the full progression from reshaping a damaged edge to polishing a refined one.

The guided system removes the primary difficulty of freehand sharpening, which is maintaining a consistent angle through the full sharpening stroke. The clamp holds the blade securely while the guide rod locks the stone at the chosen angle.

At $35, the Lansky Deluxe provides the most complete angle-guided sharpening system below $100.

What buyers say

Buyers say Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is buyers who want to sharpen knives on stones with guided angle control, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when a compact system for regular maintenance is preferred.

Specifications

Specifications for Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System
StonesExtra coarse to ultra fine (5 grits)
Angle17, 20, 25, 30 degree guided
SystemGuided angle with blade clamp
Price$35

Specs from Lansky, Deluxe 5-stone system Amazon search

04
Best budget pull-through knife sharpener
KitchenIQ KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener

KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener

Brand: KitchenIQ

Best for

Home cooks who need a basic pull-through sharpener at the lowest reasonable price, where the KitchenIQ provides a carbide coarse stage and a ceramic fine stage for under $15.

Skip if

Knife quality is high enough to warrant careful sharpening. Pull-through sharpeners with carbide V-notches remove metal aggressively and produce a serviceable but not fine edge. For knives that cost over $100 each, a finer sharpening method like the Spyderco Sharpmaker or a whetstone preserves the blade better over years of use.

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The KitchenIQ Edge Grip uses a carbide V-notch stage for quick metal removal on very dull blades and a ceramic finishing stage for refining the edge. The non-slip base grips the counter during sharpening and also functions as a non-slip pad under a cutting board.

The compact size stores in a drawer or hangs from the included hook. The straightforward two-stage design requires pulling the knife through each slot toward the user without angle adjustment.

At $10, the KitchenIQ Edge Grip is the inexpensive pull-through sharpener appropriate for budget knives that need occasional maintenance.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when knife quality is high enough to warrant careful sharpening, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For home cooks who need a basic pull-through sharpener at the lowest reasonable price, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
Stages2 (carbide coarse, ceramic fine)
DesignNon-slip suction base
KnivesStandard straight-edge kitchen knives
Price$10

Specs from KitchenIQ, Edge Grip 2-stage sharpener Amazon search

Sharpening method comparison

Method Skill required Metal removed Edge quality Speed
Electric (Chef'sChoice) Low High Very good Fast
Pull-through (KitchenIQ) Very low High Good Fast
Guided rod (Spyderco) Low-medium Medium Excellent Medium
Guided stone (Lansky) Low-medium Variable Excellent Slow
Freehand whetstone High Low Best Slow
Honing steel Low None Maintains edge Very fast

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Chef'sChoice Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener
Chef'sChoice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener
Spyderco Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener
Spyderco Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener
Lansky Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System
Lansky Deluxe 5-Stone Knife Sharpening System
KitchenIQ KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
Our verdictBest electric knife sharpenerBest manual rod sharpenerBest whetstone sharpening kitBest budget pull-through knife sharpener
Stages3-stage (coarse, fine, stropping)Not listedNot listed2 (carbide coarse, ceramic fine)
Angle15 degrees per side (fixed)Not listed17, 20, 25, 30 degree guidedNot listed
Compatible knivesStraight-edge kitchen knivesNot listedNot listedNot listed
Price$160$80$35$10
RodsNot listedMedium and fine ceramic triangular rodsNot listedNot listed
AnglesNot listed30 or 40 degree includedNot listedNot listed
CompatibleNot listedMost straight-edge knivesNot listedNot listed
StonesNot listedNot listedExtra coarse to ultra fine (5 grits)Not listed
SystemNot listedNot listedGuided angle with blade clampNot listed
DesignNot listedNot listedNot listedNon-slip suction base
KnivesNot listedNot listedNot listedStandard straight-edge kitchen knives
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

What is the difference between honing and sharpening a knife?

Honing realigns the microscopic edge of a blade without removing significant material. Over time, the thin metal edge bends laterally from use; a honing steel straightens it back into line without grinding away steel. Sharpening removes metal from the blade to create a new cutting edge, which is needed when the edge is so worn, chipped or bent that honing no longer restores it. For home cooks, honing on a smooth or fine-grooved honing steel before or after each use significantly extends the time between sharpenings. A knife that is honed regularly may only need sharpening once or twice per year depending on use frequency.

How do I know which angle to sharpen my knife at?

Western German knives (Wusthof, Henckels, Victorinox) are typically sharpened at 15 to 20 degrees per side. Japanese knives (Shun, Global, MAC) are typically sharpened at 10 to 15 degrees per side. Sharpening at a lower angle produces a sharper but more fragile edge; sharpening at a higher angle produces a more durable but less sharp edge. Most home cooks who do not know the original edge angle of their knife can use 15 to 20 degrees per side as a general guideline for most kitchen knives. The manufacturer's product page or packaging usually states the recommended sharpening angle.

How often should I sharpen my kitchen knives?

Sharpening frequency depends on how often knives are used and what they cut. A home cook who prepares dinner daily and hones the knife before each use may need to sharpen 2 to 3 times per year. A cook who does not hone and cuts on hard surfaces may need sharpening every 4 to 6 weeks. The best indicator is performance: a sharp knife cuts tomatoes with light pressure; a knife that requires pressing to cut through soft food needs sharpening. Stainless steel knives require more frequent sharpening than high-carbon steel; budget knives require more frequent sharpening than premium German or Japanese steel.

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