Best Kitchen Knife Sets Under $200

Looking for the best kitchen knife sets under $200? Check out our top picks, including options from Zwilling, Wusthof, and more.

In 2023, there are a plethora of excellent kitchen knife sets available in the $100 – $200 price range, and it seems that new sets are being launched on a regular basis. While having a large number of options is convenient, it may be difficult to choose which cutlery set is the most appropriate for your requirements.

Due to the fact that we update this post on a regular basis as we evaluate new kitchen knife series and sets, our recommendations may alter as new goods are introduced.

All of these sets are well-made and long-lasting, but they also have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, which we have mentioned below to make your choice on which knife block set to buy simpler. Despite the fact that there have been fewer knife releases than usual in recent years, there are still a large number of excellent knife sets available in 2023.

We are seeing a number of new sets being produced this year that have built-in sharpening mechanisms, so we will be spending a lot of time evaluating those sets this year.

Manufacturing technology has advanced to the point that it is now feasible for kitchen cutlery firms to provide exceptional quality and functionality at an affordable price range in 2023. There is no question that the quality of kitchen knife sets under $200 is not on the same level as high-end knife sets, but thanks to improvements in technology, the difference between the two now is not quite as wide as it was a few years ago, so it is possible to buy an excellent set of knives that will last for many years for less than $200.

At the conclusion of this post, we’ll go over the many sorts of knives that are included with the majority of these sets, as well as what they’re used for. This may assist you in selecting the most appropriate product for the sort of cooking and food preparation that you do.

If you think you would be willing to spend a little more money for a higher-quality bump, have a look at our post on the top kitchen knife sets for less than $300. Alternatively, if you’re looking for strictly budget choices, check out our piece on the top knife sets under $100.

In the year 2023, the following are our top picks for the best kitchen knife set under $200:

• Knives from Buck in a four-piece set
• Genesis 7-Piece Mercer Collection
• Ninja K32009 Foodi 9-Piece Knife Set (Ninja K32009 Foodi 9-Piece Knife Set)
• Misen 3-Piece Knife Set – Misen Knife Set
• Ten-piece kitchen knife set from Cangshan in the H1 series
• Stainless Steel Cold Steel Kitchen Classics 12 Piece
• Cooking Knife Set, 15-Piece, Calphalon Classic
• 6 Piece Knife Set by Zwilling JA Henckels
• In the international modernist tradition of J.A. Henckels
• 8-piece set of Victorinox Fibrox knives by Rea

Knives from Buck in a four-piece set

Specifications

• 8 lbs. in weight
• Dimensions: 15′′ x 5.1′′ x 11.5′′

Pros

• The grind aids in the removal of food trimmings.
• Tangent to the fullest extent
• Right out of the box, it’s razor-sharp.
• Made in the United States of America
• Not stamped, but forged
• Handles that are comfortable
• Simple to keep up with and hone

Cons

• There will be no steak knives.
• There is no honing rod provided.

One 8-inch chef’s knife is included in the set. a 4′′ paring knife, an 8′′ slicer, and a rubberwood storage block are all included.

Despite the fact that Buck Knives is best known for its hunting and pocket knives, they also create excellent culinary cutlery. The knives all have outstanding fit and finish, and they are all guaranteed by Buck’s legendary lifetime guarantee.

Every Buck kitchen knife is made of Buck’s exclusive 420 HC steel. We generally wouldn’t suggest kitchen knives made of 420 steel since it is a touch soft, but the heat treatment used by Buck Paul Bos elevates their 420HC steel to a level that is a step or two beyond practically all other 420 sheets of steel made by other knife manufacturers. It has good edge retention and is simple to sharpen. It is also inexpensive.

For those of you who despise food clinging to your knife, this set may be the perfect alternative for your needs. Tomato slices and onion dice are easily shed from the chef knife’s deep hollow grind, which has a hollow grind that is deep and hollow. To be clear, I am not suggesting that food does not adhere to it, but we have found that it sheds food bits more successfully than any other chef knife that we have tested.

There are ergonomic handles for this set. That means they are pleasant to hold, even on long periods of time when they are being used, as a result of their design. In terms of grip, they are not quite as comfortable as some of the rubberized handles that are seen on some of the other knife sets discussed in this article, but nevertheless, they are robust and that makes them good for any size person to hold.

It is possible to choose from three different handle materials: Slate Paperstone, Rosewood Dymalux®, and Elk Bone. There is just one variant of the Slate Paperstone handle available in a set for less than $200.

We believe the 8-inch carving knife included in this set is the best slicer we offer, and it is my personal favorite for barbecuing. In spite of the fact that this knife is serrated, sharpening it can pose a bit of a challenge, but after using it for almost a year I can attest to its flawless performance.

When this knife becomes dull, Buck offers a professional sharpening service that would be a wonderful alternative if you want to keep it in good condition.

Genesis 7-Piece Mercer Collection

Specifications

• Weight: 8.0 lbs
• Dimensions: 13 x 5 x 15 in

Pros

• Warranty for the rest of your life
• Tango in its entirety
• Maintains a significant advantage
• Right out of the box, it’s razor-sharp
• This is fantastic steel for the price
• Handles that are quite comfortable
• Blades are forged, not stamped, to provide maximum strength.

Cons

• Dishwasher safe is not an option.
• The set does not contain any steak knives.

Chef knife measures 8 inches, bread knife measures 8 inches, boning knife measures 4 inches, utility knife measures 5 inches, paring knife measures 3 inches, and storage block measures 7 inches.

For almost 30 years, Mercer Culinary has been manufacturing high-quality cutlery sets, which have recently been featured in many publications. As a part of this set, you will find the Genesis Series knives to be full-tang, finely balanced, and made of German stainless steel X50CrMoV15, such as you will find in more expensive knife sets.

The blades are made of German X50CrMoV15 stainless steel, which is typically found in more expensive knife sets. Due to the absence of steak knives, Mercer was able to keep the price of this set low; nonetheless, this is usual among higher-quality sets at this price range.

As a result, if you are seeking for knives that will not cause pain throughout lengthy periods of food preparation, this set is an excellent choice. Unlike other knives that are crafted from wood that need to be dried after handling, the handle of this knife is made from a rubber-like material called Santoprene. This durable material does not need to be dried.

The Genesis knife set is packaged in a glass case, which has a more contemporary appearance than the woodblocks that are often included with knife sets. However, since the storage block is not inclined, removing the knives from the block may be difficult if the knives are placed beneath a lower cabinet.

Overall, this is an outstanding set at a reasonable price of less than $200 that should provide exceptional performance for many years to come.

Ninja K32009 Foodi 9-Piece Knife Set (Ninja K32009 Foodi 9-Piece Knife Set)

Specifications

• 8 lbs. in weight
• Dimensions: 14.37′′ x 7.45′′ x 12.63′′

Pros

• Storage block sharpening method that outperforms the competition
• Tangent to the fullest extent
• Right out of the box, it’s razor-sharp.
• German steel of superior quality
• Made in Spain is a quality product.
• Not stamped, but forged
• Handles that are comfortable

Cons

• It’s a little collection.
• There are no unused storage block slots.

One 8-inch chef knife, one 7-inch santoku knife, one 3.5-inch paring knife, four steak knives, and one storage block with the NeverDull sharpening mechanism are included in the set.

It is possible to get kitchen knife sets for less than $200 that come with self-sharpening knife storage blocks. The disadvantage of these systems is that they shorten the lifetime of the knives since they sharpen the blades even when they are not required to be sharpened in the first place.

The Ninja Foodi system avoids this issue by not including sharpening mechanisms into the different knife block slots, as is the case with other systems. The NeverDull sharpening technology is still included within the block, but it is only required to be utilised when the blades begin to dull themselves.

It was designed to resemble products from a shelf of food, so the Ninja K32009 Foodi knives are constructed from German X50CrMoV15 steel, which is a more durable steel often found in kitchen knives in a similar price range (the Wusthof knives tend to use it more frequently than other brands).

However, when compared to most other budget-friendly knife sets, these blades fall short of the quality of the more expensive sets in terms of edge retention. Nevertheless, since the Ninja NeverDull method is fast and simple to apply, edge retention is not a significant concern.

Despite this built-in convenience, the Ninja NeverDull does not have any sharpening system that can compete with the sharpness that can be achieved by using a whetstone or a guided sharpening device even though it is a built-in sharpening system.

Although the price is modest, this knife set represents an excellent value when considering the overall quality, performance, and effectiveness of the blades as well as the sharpening mechanism. It has a beautiful contemporary style, despite the fact that the storage block included in this set is made of plastic and feels rather cheap. If you’re in the market for a self-sharpening knife set, the Ninja K32009 Foodi is a difficult competitor to contend with.

Misen 3-Piece Knife Set – Misen Knife Set

Pros

• 8-Inch Blade
• Tango in its entirety
• Japanese Stainless Steel AUS10 (also known as AUS10)
• Rockwell hardness is 58.
• Handles made of TPE
• Warranty for the rest of your life
• A 15-Degree Double Bevel is achieved by hand sharpening
• 8.9oz

Cons

• Small set

The set contains three knives: a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 9.5-inch bread knife, and an 8-inch chef knife. A wooden storage block is available for purchase separately.

If you are seeking for a knife set with high-quality steel that will endure for many years, this set from Misen is probably definitely the finest choice under $200 in terms of both appearance and durability for the money. There are multiple purposes for this set since its blades are made of AUS-10 steel, which is durable Japanese steel that is commonly found in pocket knives and fixed blade survival knives, among other things.

Misen makes some strong statements in their marketing that didn’t really ring true when we tested these knives from a performance sense, but they proved to be fully accurate from a toughness and durability aspect.

The Misen knives have contoured TPE handles that are pleasant, robust, and retain their gripping properties even when wet.

Obviously, the high-quality raw materials utilized in the production of the knives in this set would be rendered ineffective if the overall design of the set was poor. Fortunately, the design is really utilitarian, and the knives themselves are beautiful. To achieve this look, Mosen chose a Gyuto design that is evocative of the Tojiro DP line of cutlery, which is widely regarded as one of the finest of the relatively inexpensive Japanese knife designs now available on the market.

Misen’s three-piece set does have only one significant drawback: a wood storage block must be purchased separately. However, this is quite simple to do on the company’s easy-to-use website, and the price is still just under $200 for the 3-piece set as a whole.

By participating in the Misen Stay Sharp program, customers may get free lifetime sharpening on any of their Misen knives. Since sharpening is an extremely unusual service for knives at this price range, visiting Misen is an excellent option if you despise the task of honing.

More information on the overall performance and longevity of Misen knives can be found in our in-depth evaluation of the Misen 8 inch knife, which can be found here.

Ten-piece kitchen knife set from Cangshan in the H1 series

Specifications

• Weight: 11.6 lbs
• Dimensions: 17.2 x 5.2 x 15.7 in

Pros

• Warranty for the rest of your life
• Tango in its entirety
• Not stamped, but forged
• The steel of superior grade
• Right out of the box, it’s razor-sharp
• Beautifully crafted block
• A three-stage knife sharpener is included with the set

Cons

• There are no vacant knife slots on this block
• There will be no steak knives
• whole set of bolsters

One 2.75-inch peeling knife, one 3.5-inch paring knife, one 5-inch serrated utility knife, one 5-inch utility knife, one 7-inch hollow-edge santoku knife, one 8-inch chef’s knife, one 8-inch bread knife, one 9-inch slicing knife, one pair of scissors, one 3-stage knife sharpener, and an acacia woodblock are included in the set.

Despite the fact that Cangshan is a relatively young cutlery manufacturer, they have quickly established a reputation for providing excellent value. Personally, I am a huge supporter of the X50Cr15MoV German steel that they use to manufacture their blades since I believe it provides enough rust protection while still providing excellent edge retention.

Visually, this eight-piece S1 series knife set distinguishes itself from the competition from the start. Nevertheless, if they do not perform as expected, all of this is for nothing. The practical design and outstanding balance of these knives, together with the superb cutting edge of the blades, ensure that they meet all of the performance requirements.

The tapered handles are a pleasant blend of Eastern and Western forms that are simple to hold since they are tapered on both sides. The blades maintain their sharpness well and are quite corrosion-resistant.

Unfortunately, this set does not contain any steak knives; however, Cangshan does offer an 18-piece set that does include steak knives, although it is a bit more expensive than the 12-piece set described above.

Stainless Steel Cold Steel Kitchen Classics 12 Piece

Specifications

• 4.5 lbs in weight
• 10′′ x 7.5′′ x 6′′ in size

Pros

• Handles that are comfortable and simple to grasp
• Blades that are razor sharp straight out of the box
• Blades made of ice-tempered and cryo-quenched stainless steel
• Outstanding Rust Resistance

Cons

• The blades do not retain their sharpness for as long as other cutlery sets of comparable price.
• Cutlery sets at a comparable price point do not have the same visual appeal. (subjective)
• There is no sharpening rod included in the box.

One 4.5-inch paring knife, one 6-inch utility knife, one 7-inch santoku knife, one 8-inch bread knife, one 8-inch chef’s knife, eight steak knives, one pair of kitchen shears, and one maple wood block with self-sharpening grooves are all included in this set.

The inclusion of a cutlery set created by a firm that is generally known for tactical knives may seem weird at first, but the Cold Steel Kitchen Classics set features the most ergonomic and easy to grasp handles of any knife set in this price range, or indeed any price range. This set is becoming more popular among those who experience hand pain while using ordinary kitchen knives, as well as among people who just like the way the handles feel in their hands.

Although this set may not seem to be as attractive as the majority of the other sets on our list, appearances will not matter much when you are really utilizing the knives for their intended use, since this set is truly enjoyable to use for food preparation.

We The Zy-Ex core handles were the only thing distinguishing the Cold Steel set from the competition, so we would not have included it on our list. The Kitchen Classics set is well-designed, long-lasting, and corrosion-resistant to a high degree of precision. However, if handle comfort and grip are important to you, this set is an excellent choice. One of the biggest disadvantages of this set is that the knives do not retain their edge the way they do with the other knives in our review.

Cooking Knife Set, 15-Piece, Calphalon Classic

Specifications

• Dimensions: 6′′ x 12′′ x 15′′
• 4.7 lbs in weight

Pros

• Knives are clearly labelled.
• Blades that are razor sharp straight out of the box
• Warranty for the rest of your life
• Block with self-sharpening edges
• Tangent to the fullest extent

Cons

• Steak knives do not have a built-in sharpening system
• Chef’s knives are usually heavier than their rivals (which is not necessarily a bad thing).

One 8-inch chef knife, one 7-inch santoku knife, one 6-inch serrated utility knife, one 4.5-inch paring knife, eight steak knives, one pair of kitchen shears, and a blonde rubberwood knife storage block are included in the set.

Calphalon has only been manufacturing knives for a small length of time compared to some of the more established companies in this article like as Wusthof and Zwilling, but they have created a solid reputation in a short period of time. SharpINTM technology, which they created and patented, has made a significant contribution. Especially for those who do not like it when they have to sharpen the knives all the time.

The blade of each knife is instantly sharpened whenever it is taken out of the block. Each slot is equipped with a sharpener that is specifically designed for the knife that is placed in that slot. Fortunately, the designers at Calphalon had the brilliant idea of labeling the handles of each knife to make it easier to guarantee that they were returned to their proper slots.

Calphalon contributed to an easier knife maintenance process, but a subpar blade quality and performance would not help. The blade here is of excellent quality and performance. The high-grade stainless steel blades maintain their edge well and are stain-resistant to a reasonable extent. Regardless, it is advised that you only wash them by hand and never put them in the dishwasher.

Full-tang construction and forging rather than stamping ensure that the knives will be used for many years to come. This knife set is rather remarkable for the price range of less than $200, however, it is not without flaws. There is a disappointing difference in style and quality between the steak knives and the rest of the set, as they are stamped, rather than forged.

In the 15-piece Classic set, the polyresin handles are quite pleasant to use and are relatively simple to grasp. They are not, however, as gripping as the Cold Steel knives detailed earlier in this article. The triple-riveted handles of this set are substantial in appearance and feel. The Classic series has been in production for some years and has earned a solid reputation for dependability over the long haul.

To prevent rust marks on the blades, these knives should always be dried by hand immediately after washing to prevent dishwasher damage.

6 Piece Knife Set by Zwilling JA Henckels, now available in the U.S.

Specifications

• 6 lbs. in weight
• 9 x 5 x 16.8 inches in size

Pros

• Right out of the box, it looks good
• Steel of higher grade than that found in most inexpensive knife sets
• Handles that are quite comfortable
• A sharpening steel is included with the kit
• Germany is the source of this product

Cons

• There are no steak knives provided
• There isn’t enough tang

One 8-inch chef knife, one 4-inch paring knife, one 8-inch bread knife knife, one 8-inch sharpening steel, and one pair of kitchen shears are included in the set.

It is only recently that J.A. Henckels has introduced the Zwilling Now S family of products. They are far lighter in weight than the company’s higher-end blades, and they come with a wood block that sits straight up rather than the traditional tilted form that is seen on most knife blocks. The knives’ reduced weight is owing to the fact that they do not have a complete tang, and the blades are somewhat thinner than the blades of most other Zwilling Henckels kitchen knives, which contributes to their smaller weight.

Despite their smaller overall size, the blades of these knives are nonetheless quite competent, owing in part to the fact that they are constructed from a better grade steel than the majority of other cheap knives. The fact that they do not have a complete tang surely makes their long-term durability a doubtful proposition. as well as a little shift in the overall balance. The ergonomic polypropylene handles, on the other hand, are very pleasant and simple to hold.

In terms of colour, the knives and wood blocks are available in a range of options, so you will have some options if you are worried about how this set will blend in with your existing kitchen décor. It may be difficult to simply take a knife from the blocks of the “Now S” sets if you wish to keep the block on a portion of the counter that is beneath a cabinet since the blocks are designed to sit straight up.

Overall, the Now S knife set is a wonderful choice for anybody looking for high-quality steel at a reasonable price without the need for a huge knife collection.

In the international modernist tradition of J.A. Henckels

Specifications

• 9 lbs. in weight
• Dimensions: 15.5″ x 5″ x 11.5″

Pros

• Warranty for the rest of your life
• HRC is between 55 and 58
• For the pricing range, this is a substantial collection
• Right out of the box, it’s razor sharp
• Sharpeners with labels that are incorporated into the block

Cons

• There isn’t enough tang
• There have been reports of rust patches

Each knife in the set measures 3 inches in length and 3 inches in width, and it comes with one 5 inch serrated utility knife, one 6 inch utility knife, one 7 inch santoku knife, one 8 inch bread knife, one 8 inch chef’s knife, six 4.5 inch steak knives, and one ash wood self-sharpening block.

The Modernist series of knives from J.A. Henckels is one of the company’s newest offerings. In the very short period of time that they have been on the market, they have gained enormous popularity. Because they do not have a complete tang, I have refrained from included them on this list. JA Henckles, on the other hand, seems to have discovered a means to manufacture a long-lasting knife with a 3/4-tang. In fact, JA Henckles is not the first business to accomplish this feat. Known for its superb 3/4-tang knives, the Swedish cutlery firm Morakniv has been in business for many years.

The design of the Modernist series is really well done for a product at this pricing range. In contrast to the traditional aesthetic of most of JA Henckels’ other items, the assertive appearance of this one is a welcome departure. The knives are well balanced, and I particularly enjoy using the Santoku 7-inch knife.

However, although the contoured stainless steel handles on high-end knife sets are not as pleasant as the Pakkawood or Micarta handles seen on high-end knife sets, they are far more comfortable to use than the stainless steel handles found on most other knife product lines.

The self-sharpening block is, without a doubt, the most notable aspect of this collection. A large majority of people despise sharpening knives, and they put it off until the blades become blunt. Thank you for clearly labelling the knife slots, which allows me to guarantee that the correct knife is placed in the slot that is intended to sharpen that specific knife. If you are searching for a well-designed, long-lasting, and self-sharpening set, this one is difficult to beat.

8-piece set of Victorinox Fibrox knives by Rea

Specifications

• Dimensions: 17.38′′ x 9.25′′ x 6′′
• Weight: 12.6lbs

Pros

• Warranty for the rest of your life
• Lightweight
• Right out of the box, it’s razor-sharp
• Switzerland is the source of this product
• Handles are comfortable to hold

Cons

• Knives do not have a complete tang
• Rather than being forged, blades are stamped

One 4′′ paring knife, one 6′′ boning knife, one 8′′ chef knife, one 8′′ bread knife, one 10′′ slicing knife, one 10′′ sharpening steel, one pair of kitchen shears, and a slant wooden storage block are included in the set.

This eight-piece set from Victorinox has been quite popular for numerous years and continues to remain so. In light of the fact that the blades are stamped rather than forged, this seems to be unexpected given that stamped blades are often associated with inferior quality blades.

Victorinox has refined its stamping procedure to the point where I am not hesitant to recommend its stamped knives to others. The stamped blades of Victorinox’s butcher knife sets proved exceptionally durable and could withstand some pretty rigorous use.

The Victorinox Fibrox set was designed with hunters, butchers, and military personnel in mind. Although this set will not win any beauty contests, the performance of these knives is excellent. The chef knife, which is 8 inches in length, is the star of this set. A far more costly knife would have been required to slice, dice, and rock chop with this one.

Even though these knives will likely be used over a long period of time, the handles are designed to be incredibly easy to grip even when wet. The handles are made out of a thermoplastic that has a textured finish and is incredibly durable. Additionally, the ergonomic design makes the handles pleasant to hold even when your hands are wet.

Even though these knives do not have full tangs, their longevity may not be adversely affected. The lifetime warranty gives me the impression that Victorinox is not concerned about the durability of this set.

Popular kitchen knife types that are often included in knife sets, as well as the tasks that they are designed to do

When looking for the best knife set under $200, one of the most crucial factors to consider is how much of a set you will need. If you are unclear of the use of a santoku or utility knife, it is conceivable that a modest cutlery set may suffice.

By doing this, you can obtain higher-quality blades for a budget of $200 without sacrificing quality. You may be able to buy fewer knives than the typical set offers while remaining within your $200 budget. Creating a cutlery set customized to your requirements, independent of brand, may be an option you should consider.

The disadvantage of this set-building option is that the knives will not match, but if performance is more important to you than appearances, this alternative may be excellent for you.

Here is a list of common kitchen knives, together with a description of their intended use, to assist you in selecting the best kitchen knife set under $200 for your requirements.

Knife for a Chef

The chef’s knife is the all-purpose workhorse of any cutlery set, and it should be in every kitchen. Besides slicing and chopping meat, vegetables, and garlic, it is useful for many other tasks. Kitchen cutlery sets are incomplete without a chef knife, which is the cornerstone of every decent set.

Santoku Knife

Santoku knives are similar to chef knives in that they are multi-purpose blades. But they tend to be better at chopping and not quite as effective at slicing, particularly if you want to use a rocking motion while cutting your food.

Knife for Carving

In order to slice tiny, homogeneous chunks of meat from bigger portions of meat, a carving knife is used. This is the knife that is most often used to carve a turkey or a fowl. In the event that you and your family do not consume a lot of meat. This may be a knife you can do without.

Knife for a variety of tasks

Designed for applications that need a blade that is smaller in size than the chef knife blade. But bigger in size than the paring knife blade, the utility knife is a multi-purpose knife. Kitchen knife sets sometimes feature both serrated and non-serrated variants of the same knife. The fact that they are tiny and multi-purpose makes utility knives ideal for road trips or camping excursions.

Knife for slicing bread

A bread knife, as the name implies, is used for cutting bread, Thus, if you and your family are gluten free, this may be a knife that you do not want in your set.

Paring Knife

A paring knife is a tiny knife that is used for making fine cuts on smaller materials. As well as for slicing and peeling vegetables and fruits. A ceramic paring knife, in addition to the stainless steel one that is included in most sets. May be worth investing in if you consume large quantities of tomatoes or often use them in your cooking.

Knife for deboning

A boning knife is a small knife with a thin blade that is used to debone meat, poultry, and fish. For vegetarians, the prospect of acquiring a set with a boning knife is probably not anything to be concerned about.

Hopefully, this list of knife types will assist you in finding the best knife set for your requirements while staying within your budget.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when choosing the best kitchen knife set under $200. A high-quality set with a good reputation can be found if you do your research. You should be able to find a great set that will last you for years to come.