Last updated on February 27th, 2021
Knives are everyone’s favorite friend in the kitchen, from preparing raw ingredients to serving the meal. There are precious few things that you can prepare without cutting something up. There are so many different things to cut and ways to cut them that most people can’t name them all.
The knife has been a mainstay of foodservice practically since people understood how to make them, and there are endless ways it’s been employed over the years. We have larger knives like cleavers, smaller paring knives, specialty tools like a bread knife, and more.
With so many types of knives that are out there, the truth is that most homeowners don’t need every single blade in the kitchen section. There are perhaps four or five that will handle anything the average home cook will ever need to do. To make it even simpler, and often more cost-efficient, most kitchenware manufacturers will simply sell the whole lot as a set, generally with a knife block for storage and a sharpening steel for maintenance.
A savvy consumer will make sure their knife set is compatible with another, more modern kitchen assistant – the dishwasher. The hot water and detergents most dishwashers use can damage some knives, so you’ll want to make sure to select a dishwasher safe knife set when outfitting your kitchen.
There are plenty of sets in the market, and choosing one can be hard. We’ve put together the top ten dishwasher safe knife sets to help you get the best equipment for your kitchen.
Comparison Table
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1. Zwilling J.A. Henckels 30768-000 |
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2. Wüsthof Gourmet |
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3. Stratus Culinary Cascade |
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4. Kai Ltd Wasabi Black |
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5. Sunbeam |
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6. Henckels Four Star |
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7. Hampton Forge |
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8. Smart Living 10017485 |
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9. Lamson 39970 |
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10. Gibson Collarette |
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Our Best Dishwasher Safe Knife Set Reviews and Comparisons
1. Zwilling J.A. Henckels 30768-000
Product Highlights
J.A. Henkel’s knife set is both safe for the dishwasher and complete enough to handle any dish you may want to prepare.
Features
- 11-piece set
- Black handles
- Sharpener and shears included
- Wooden block
What We Like About Zwilling J.A. Henckels 30768-000
This set has everything that most cooks would want, certainly for an ordinary home kitchen.
What We Don’t Like About Zwilling J.A. Henckels 30768-000
These knives do not have a solid handle, making them susceptible to water or food particles seeping between the parts.
PROS
- Complete set
- Many knives are otherwise harder to get
- Includes sharpening steel and kitchen shears
- Full tang blades
- Wooden block has antibacterial properties
CONS
- Handles are not a solid piece
- Does not include steak knives
2. Wüsthof Gourmet
Product Highlights
Not only does this set come with plenty of excellent kitchen companions, but there are also extra spaces left open for you to add your selections.
Features
- Wooden block
- 14-piece set
- Shears and sharpener included
- Block has 17 slots intentionally leaving empty spaces (not missing pieces)
What We Like About Wüsthof Gourmet
Along with the utility slots to let you customize your knife block, this set includes exceptionally high standards of manufacture for each original knife.
What We Don’t Like About Wüsthof Gourmet
The plastic in these knives is not up to the same standard as the steel and they crack quickly even under light use and good care.
PROS
- Complete knife set
- Six steak knives included
- Antibacterial wooden block
- Extra space for other knives
- Laser-measured edges for exceptional and lasting sharpness
CONS
- Weak plastic
- Blades do not rust but stain or smudge easily
3. Stratus Culinary Cascade
Product Highlights
This set is a simple and sturdy collection that uses unusual materials for exceptional resilience to dishwasher conditions.
Features
- 7-piece set
- Solid oak block
- Sharpener and shear included
- Ergonomically sculpted handles
What We Like About Stratus Culinary Cascade
These knives depart from the traditional construction by using a glass-filled handle that is truly impervious to a dishwasher to give you the best hygiene and longevity for your dishes.
What We Don’t Like About Stratus Culinary Cascade
This is a fairly minimalist set, and lacks some of the more specialized knives that some cooks would prefer to have around.
PROS
- Textured handles for better grip, even when hands are wet
- Glass-filled grip resists dishwasher better than ordinary knives
- Ergonomic blade shapes designed for easy cuts
- Rubber feet prevent block sliding around
- The handle is molded to the natural shape of the hand
CONS
- Knives are shaped differently than most people will be used to
- Smaller set than most
4. Kai Ltd Wasabi Black
Product Highlights
These knives feature a simple and elegant matte handle and super sharp Japanese-style edges.
Features
- 7-piece set
- Solid bamboo block
- Polypropylene handles
- Kitchen shears included
What We Like About Kai Ltd Wasabi Black
Fans of Oriental cooking will appreciate the inclusion of traditional Japanese knives such as the nakiri knife and a light but sturdy bamboo block.
What We Don’t Like About Kai Ltd Wasabi Black
This set has fewer knives than most and does not include some Western staples such as the sharpening steel or boning knife.
PROS
- Lightweight bamboo knife block
- Elegant and resilient black handles
- Japanese sharpening methods for superior edge
- 1k6 high-carbon stainless steel blades
- Plenty of room for other knives in the block
CONS
- Staples such as the boning knife, sharpening steel, and santoku knives are not included
- Relatively sparse knife set
5. Sunbeam
Product Highlights
Sunbeam has long been a trusted brand for quality kitchen products on a budget, and they’ve brought the same expertise to making this knife set.
Features
- 13-piece set
- Two-leveled pinewood block
- Kitchen shears included
- Textured plastic handles
What We Like About Sunbeam
This set focuses on the essentials, with a row of steak knives included for that classy touch when you need it.
What We Don’t Like About Sunbeam
This set does not include a sharpener or a bread knife, and the plastic handles may not be up to some buyer’s standards.
PROS
- Heavy pine block stays in place
- Steak knives included
- Relatively inexpensive
- Block is well organized
- Easy to hone or sharpen
CONS
- Key knife staples are missing
- Handles are made of fairly brittle plastic
6. Henckels Four Star
Product Highlights
Use this set to get superior engineering and materials into play in your kitchen, with ice-hardened blades and synthetic polymer handles.
Features
- Solid polymer handle
- 8-piece set
- 2-piece magnetic block
- Sharpening steel and scissors included
What We Like About Henckels Four Star
These knives give you the benefit of some advanced manufacturing techniques, including laser sharpness testing and ice-hardened blades that hold an edge for a while.
What We Don’t Like About Henckels Four Star
The knife block in this set is in two pieces and includes magnetic strips that can adversely affect sharpness retention and blade appearance.
PROS
- Ice-hardened blades retain edge longer
- Handles cast of a single piece of synthetic polymer
- Seamless transition between blade and handle
- Magnetic knife holder
- Blades are thinner for finer slices
CONS
- Magnetic strips can affect knife appearance or edge retention
- The 2-piece holder can break at the seam
7. Hampton Forge
Product Highlights
These knives give your kitchen a modern look with a newly redesigned knife block and sleek highlighting on the blades.
Features
- 13-piece set
- Metallic block
- Full tang blades
- Rose tinting
What We Like About Hampton Forge
Oversized handles and a nonstick rose coating combine with these knives to give your kitchen an elegant, modern look that is easier to use as well.
What We Don’t Like About Hampton Forge
This set does not include either a sharpener or shears, a staple in most knife sets.
PROS
- Non-stick coating
- Oversized handles
- Space-saving block
- Full tang blades are less likely to warp or break
- Steak knives included
CONS
- No sharpening steel or kitchen shears
- The metallic block may damage blades if not replaced carefully
8. Smart Living 10017485
Product Highlights
This knife set comes with high-end looks and delivers high-end performance throughout your kitchen.
Features
- Plastic foam block on a swivel mount
- 34-piece set
- Solid steel handles
- Includes shears, sharpener, steak knives, and more
What We Like About Smart Living 10017485
This knife block has plenty of knives to its name, and includes a plethora of extras to complete your kitchen in other areas as well.
What We Don’t Like About Smart Living 10017485
The many add-ons in this set don’t come for free. This product is well over double the cost of some other choices.
PROS
- Heavy steel handles balance well in the hand
- Steak knives, shears, and sharpener included
- Swiveling block is more convenient
- Includes measuring cup set
- All pieces are highly resilient to the dishwasher, scraping, and other wear and tear
CONS
- Exceptionally expensive
- Not all buyers will want everything the set includes
9. Lamson 39970
Product Highlights
Add a touch of color and a lot of class to your kitchen with this set’s artisanal handles and high-quality materials.
Features
- 10-piece set
- Solid rosewood block
- Sharpening steel included
- Full tang blades
What We Like About Lamson 39970
Add a touch of color and a lot of class to your kitchen with this set’s artisanal handles and high-quality materials.
What We Don’t Like About Lamson 39970
All that extra effort makes this relatively small set of knives command a three-digit price tag.
PROS
- Highest quality steel
- Acrylic wood painting gives a dramatic appearance to the handles
- Mirror finish resists stains or tarnish
- Support flanges on either end balance knife in hand
- Block has space to add kitchen shears
CONS
- Exorbitant price tag
- Kitchen shears not included
10. Gibson Collarette
Product Highlights
This back-to-basics knife set includes the most important cutting equipment for your kitchen without making too big a dent in your wallet.
Features
- 6-piece set
- Kitchen shears included
- Composite woodblock
- Full tang blades
What We Like About Gibson Collarette
These knives fill most pedestrian needs in the kitchen and have solid, heavy handles that offer a superior grip.
What We Don’t Like About Gibson Collarette
This set is quite basic; anyone looking for steak knives or other specialty equipment should keep moving.
PROS
- Good for budget shoppers
- Kitchen shears included
- Heavy handles for good grip
- Simple block arrangement
- Good edge retention
CONS
- Minimalistic set lacking many pieces for the classy kitchen
- Knife handles may be weak at the seam
Final Verdict
You need knives in an active kitchen, and anything worth getting for your kitchen is worth getting in good quality. Choosing one of these sets means you can rely on superior cutting far into the future, without worrying about eroding knife edges or sharpness through the rougher scrubbing and detergents of using a dishwasher.
Getting your knives washed is only half the work of getting them clean, though. Everyone since medieval times has known that proper care of a knife also means drying it once it has gotten wet. Leaving a knife wet can lead to corrosion and discoloration, so make sure to either add a dry cycle for your dishwasher or wipe them clean manually.
Having the right tool for the job is always nice, but the more complete knife sets here can be prohibitively expensive for those just starting. If you find yourself needing a knife set on a budget, don’t be afraid to pick up one of the more basic sets and improvise a little – who knows, you might even like the food even more!
Alain is Cartbig’s managing editor, in charge of the research, production and editing of all content.
He has a BA in Journalism from Cornell University and is passionate about photography and technology.
He loves travelling but he lacks orientation so he never leaves home without his GPS. Really.
