Best Electric Knife Sharpener (2026): 7 Picks by Edge Angle

The 15XV is the sharpener America's Test Kitchen's Cook's Illustrated team recommends for knives that should sit at 15 degrees. Chef'sChoice describes a triple-bevel, arch-shaped edge made in three stages: two diamond stages that form the bevels and a stropping stage that polishes them. The unit measures roughly 10 by 4.25 by 4.25 inches and weighs about 4.2 pounds according to retailer listings, which also give a three-year limited warranty.

The practical advantage is that you do not need to know your knife's angle. The guides do the work, and the first conversion of a 20-degree Western knife takes the longest. After that, touch-ups are quick. Chef'sChoice says the edge resists dulling longer than a conventional V-shaped edge, though that claim comes from the maker.

The main trade-off is metal removal. Converting 20-degree knives to 15 takes off more steel than a simple touch-up.

Skip it if you own both 15-degree Japanese knives and 20-degree German knives and want to keep each at its own angle; the Chef'sChoice 1520 handles both.

America's Test Kitchen's testers point to the 1520 for anyone whose block holds knives with different edge angles. Slot one sharpens at 15 degrees for Asian-style blades and slot two at 20 degrees for European and American blades, and a stropping stage finishes both. Retailer listings put it at about 10 by 4.25 by 4.25 inches and 4.15 pounds, with a 125-watt motor and a three-year limited warranty.

That flexibility is the whole appeal. You can sharpen a santoku and a German chef knife in the same session without reshaping either one. Owners also like that the guides make the process nearly foolproof for beginners.

The cost is size and price compared with the entry-level units. Amazon listings for the 1520 also vary by color and stage description, so match the model number 0115200 before ordering.

Skip it if every knife you own is 15-degree or you want all of them converted to 15; the 15XV is the better fit.

The Model 120 is the long-running Chef'sChoice workhorse for ordinary Western knives. Its guides are set at 20 degrees, which matches the factory edge on most German-style blades, so each session refreshes the edge rather than rebuilding it. Stages one and two use diamond abrasives, and stage three is a stropping disk that polishes the finish.

Chef'sChoice product data gives the assembled size as about 10 by 4.25 by 4.25 inches and the weight as 4.16 pounds. The sharpener needs no oil or water, and Chef'sChoice includes a small tool for cleaning the stage-three disks.

For a household that mostly cooks with a chef knife, a paring knife and a serrated bread knife, this is the straightforward choice. Our [best chef knife under 100](/kitchen/best-chef-knife-under-100/) picks are mostly 20-degree knives, so they match this sharpener well.

Skip it if you own Japanese knives with a 15-degree edge, because the guides will thicken the bevel; look at the 15XV or 1520.

Work Sharp developed the Ken Onion Edition with knifemaker Ken Onion, and the Mk.2 is the current version. The guide adjusts from 15 to 30 degrees, and the motor speed is adjustable, which lets you work gently on thin Japanese steel or faster on a tough utility blade. Work Sharp lists a three-year warranty, and retailers disagree on exactly which belts come in the box, so check the listing for the grit set.

Unlike the Chef'sChoice units, you hold the knife steady and draw it across the moving belt, so technique matters. Once you have the feel for it, owners report very fine edges across many steels. The belts are specific to this machine and wear out, so factor them in.

The Elite Mk.2 bundle adds a blade-grinding attachment, but the link here is the base sharpener, which covers kitchen use.

Skip it if you want zero learning curve; a pull-through model like the Chef'sChoice 1520 is easier.

The E2 is Work Sharp's compact, fully guided kitchen sharpener. According to its Amazon listing, it uses flexible abrasive disks instead of belts and has a built-in ceramic hone wheel for touch-ups. The sharpening angle is 20 degrees, and a built-in timer signals when the knife is done.

It is aimed at maintenance rather than rescue work. Owners generally find it simple to use, though some Amazon reviewers report that it struggled with a very dull knife, so it suits people who sharpen regularly. Work Sharp covers its sharpeners with a three-year warranty.

Because Amazon lists the E2 and the E2 Plus separately, double-check the listing title and look for the full E2 before ordering.

Skip it if your knives are neglected or you own 15-degree Japanese blades; the Chef'sChoice 15XV is built around a 15-degree edge and suits those blades.

The 08800 is the entry point for electric sharpening. Presto describes two stages with Sapphirite wheels: the first sets the edge and the second hones it. Preset blade guides hold the knife at a fixed angle, and the unit runs on 120-volt power with a one-year limited warranty.

It is not as polished as the diamond-based Chef'sChoice units, and Q&A answers on Amazon also warn that it will grind away serrations on bread knives, so keep those out of the slot. It will not touch ceramic blades.

For an inexpensive refresh of a set of plain steel kitchen knives, it does the job. If you are building a basic cooking setup, our [cookware set for beginners](/kitchen/best-cookware-set-for-beginners/) guide covers the other tools worth buying first.

Skip it if you own serrated, ceramic or high-end Japanese knives; a Chef'sChoice or Work Sharp model is safer for them.

Presto lists the 08810 as a three-stage sharpener with a coarse Sapphirite wheel to set the angle, a medium Sapphirite wheel to refine it, and an extra-fine ceramic wheel to polish. You pull the knife through each slot a few times. A selector sets the guides according to blade thickness, and Presto lists the unit for kitchen and sport knives, including santoku.

The extra polishing stage is the reason to pick it over the 08800. Edges come out smoother, and the thickness selector is handy if you own both thin paring knives and heavier chef knives. Amazon lists a one-year limited warranty and a weight of about 5 pounds.

Our [best knife set under 200](/kitchen/best-knife-set-under-200/) picks pair well with a unit like this when you are equipping a new kitchen.

Skip it if you want diamond abrasives or a longer warranty; the Chef'sChoice Model 120 is the stronger buy for 20-degree knives.