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5 best chef’s knives of 2026, tested and reviewed
From everyday prep to heavy-duty chopping, these top performers stood out for sharpness, comfort and durability.
Tested by Tilly Hartshorn and Marcus Strong
A chef’s knife is a kitchen workhorse – it can tackle all sorts of tasks like dicing onions, slicing carrots, mincing garlic, chopping parsley, breaking down a chicken and slicing a just-rested steak.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve evaluated hundreds of the best knife sets for sharpness, control, balance, and durability and found that a good chef’s knife offers the best blend of comfort and versatility for most home cooks. If it’s sharp and feels good in your hand, it will speed up meal prep and make everything more precise.
You’ll find our favourites below as well as information on how we test chef’s knives and everything else you need to know before shopping.
Best chefs knives for home cooks
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How we test chef’s knives
When testing chef’s knives, we don’t just ask one person to try them – we use a whole team of experts to make sure our results aren’t based off a single opinion. In the lab, we use each chef’s knife on a variety of ingredients to get a feel for its cutting skills, putting them up against the following ingredients:
- Onion – this tests sharpness and precision. A good chef’s knife should be able to make clean, equal cuts without crushing or slipping off the skin.
- Cabbage – this tests the knife against dense, bulky vegetables. The best chef’s knives can chop off wedges without facing much resistance and should be comfortable to handle throughout.
- Steak – this tests the level of control and cutting power through more fibrous foods. The chef’s knife should slice cleanly without tearing the meat.
We also assess the design and ease of use, judging how well-balanced the chef’s knife feels in hand, whether the blade is durable or flimsy, and whether the handle is a good length. We also note down details about its construction and whether it’s suitable for both small and large hands.
Finally, we rate how easy each chef’s knife is to clean and whether the blade comes with detailed user instructions. These are our top picks for home cooks.
Robert Welch Signature 18cm Cooks Knife
Robert Welch Signature 18cm Cooks Knife
Pros
- No dirt traps
- No unnecessary force needed when slicing
- Robust and sturdy design
Cons
- Plastic handle might not be preferable for everyone
Score: 95/100
With a classic curved handle that promotes that rocking motion when cutting ingredients, our expert found this chef’s knife incredibly comfortable to use. The knife feels premium and well-made and boasts a durable full tang design (where the metal blade runs from the tip all the way through the handle) – important if you’re a busy home cook and putting the blade under lots of pressure.
It sliced through onion and cabbage easily, and there was minimal resistance when drawing the knife through freshly cooked steak. The knife washed well too, with no wear and tear showing by the end of our tests.
Scoring full marks for both ease of use and design, this robust knife is well-balanced, has a good-sized handle, and is very versatile, making it a top pick for most cooks.
Key specifications
| Type | German |
|---|---|
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Blade length | 18cm |
| Features | 15-degree edge, full tang, plastic (POM) handle |
| Guarantee | Lifetime |
Stellar Poise, 21cm/8" Cook's Knife
Stellar Poise, 21cm/8" Cook's Knife
Pros
- The handle has a nice shape to it, making it comfortable to hold
- No dirt traps in the joint of the knife
- The blade is easy to clean
Cons
- No advice on how to sharpen the knife
Score: 95/100
Not only is this knife affordable, but it was also our experts’ best pick for dicing onions thanks to the impressively sharp blade. The only job it struggled with slightly was slicing through the core of a cabbage – the thick centre required more pressure than we expected.
Throughout testing, the knife was comfortable to hold and felt well-balanced, moving easily through different ingredients. It didn’t feel flimsy either and the handle’s a good length.
Scoring full marks for the design, this is a premium buy without a premium price tag.
Key specifications
| Type | German |
|---|---|
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Blade length | 21cm |
| Features | Dishwasher-safe |
| Guarantee | Lifetime |
HexClad Chef's Knife 20 cm
Pros
- Little effort required when cutting
- Wooden handle is very robust
- Well-balanced
Cons
- Expensive
- Handle might be too thick for those with small hands
Score: 93/100
Made with Japanese Damascus steel, this premium cook’s knife would make an excellent gift for the keen chef. It has a full tang construction, and the blade has a great rocking motion for precision – ideal for slicing garlic and herbs.
The knife proved versatile throughout testing, putting in a great performance when cutting onion, cabbage, and steak. Vegetables didn’t stick to the blade either and after multiple rounds of using, cleaning and drying, there were no signs of wear and tear.
The Pakkawood handle has an ergonomic design and looks very high-quality. One tester did find it slightly too thick, though, so it may not be as comfortable for those with smaller hands. Otherwise, it’s a worthwhile investment that you’ll want to show off in the kitchen.
Key specifications
| Type | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Blade material | Damascus stainless steel |
| Blade length | 20cm |
| Features | 12-degree edge, full tang, Pakkawood handle |
| Guarantee | Lifetime |
Pros
- Zero movements in the joints
- Great value for money
- Handles are a good length
Cons
- Some dirt traps
- Not as effective as others at slicing
Score: 87/100
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great chef’s knife, and this Judge pick proves that. With a full tang build and Pakkawood handle, it certainly has a high-quality look. It’s also comfortable to use, ergonomic to hold and well-balanced.
The blade is on the thin side, which only created an issue when tackling thick ingredients such as the core of a cabbage – we found we needed more force to chop off sections than with other knives on this list. Onion and steak required slight pressure at first, but once pierced, the blade moved cleanly through without any tearing.
There are some dirt traps in the handle due to the rivets, but the rest of the knife was easy to clean. Plus, we think it’s a small compromise for the affordable price tag. It’s a great choice for most novice home cooks.
Key specifications
| Type | German |
|---|---|
| Blade material | Carbon stainless steel |
| Blade length | 21cm |
| Features | Full tang, dishwasher-safe, Pakkawood handle |
| Guarantee | 25 years |
Pros
- Good motion when cutting
- Well-balanced with no movement in the joint
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- No tang so may be less durable
Score: 77/100
With its Japanese-inspired design and unique pattern on the blade itself, this chef’s knife is a beautiful kitchen tool that any cook would cherish. It excelled when slicing through steak, cutting into the meat easily and drawing through in one smooth motion.
Onion and cabbage needed more pressure though, and the octagonal-shaped handle became uncomfortable after longer periods of use. The blade’s rocking motion helped when there was a bit of resistance though.
There are no dirt traps thanks to the sleek design, so the knife washed well and dried quickly. While it is expensive, the knife can tackle a good range of tasks – and looks fantastic!
Key specifications
| Type | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Blade material | Damascus stainless steel |
| Blade length | 20cm |
| Features | 12-degree edge, Pakkawood handle, rat-tail tang |
| Guarantee | 25 years |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve tested more than 130 knives, and we do a lot of cooking in our test kitchen, so we know exactly what to look for in a great knife. The Institute has been testing products for over 100 years, so we are experts at creating rigorous protocols that that help us decide which chef’s knife is best for every cook.
Our team of experts include Tilly Hartshorn, a cookery journalist and food stylist, and Marcus Strong, who has decades of experience working with leading homes retailers. The data and feedback from their hands-on assessments is then passed to our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, a consumer journalist who has written about hundreds of products as well as a keen home cook. She transforms all the information into easy-read reviews to help you decide on the best chef’s knife to buy.
How to choose the best chef's knife
Before choosing the best chef’s knife, it’s worth considering these key factors and thinking about what you’ll be using the knife for most of the time.
- Length: The knives in this list range from 18cm to 21cm, offering plenty of versatility and enough space to cut most vegetables, while fitting comfortably in the hand. Opt for a shorter length if you have smaller hands and note that longer knives may require larger cutting boards and can be more difficult to wield.
- Blade material: Chef’s knives are typically made of stainless steel and Damascus steel. Stainless steel is durable and easy to maintain, but it loses its edge more quickly than long-lasting Damascus carbon steel, which tends to be more expensive.
- Handle: Handles are generally made of wood or plastic. The type of material affects the knife’s weight and feel, as well as its price, with wood typically costing and weighing more.
- Tang: When a knife is described as having a full tang, it means the blade runs through the handle, rather than just being inserted into it. A full tang keeps the blade more secure throughout the knife's life and helps the knife feel balanced, providing better control.
- Bolster: The bolster, or how and where the blade flows into the handle, is another point of differentiation. Some are full bolsters, meaning they cover the whole back end of the blade, while some are semi-bolsters that cover only a portion of the blade. We found that a full bolster provides a more protected grip for novices, while a semi-bolster (or no bolster) offers a more controlled grip for chefs who like to pinch the heel of the blade. Additionally, this section of the knife can be angled or straight, and you may need to try a few styles to find what you prefer.
Bottom line: Look for a knife that feels like an extension of your hand and use the best knife sharpener to keep it sharp. A sharp knife requires less effort and pressure on your part, making slicing safer, easier, more stable, and less tiring.
Is it worth buying expensive kitchen knives?
Yes and no. A knife in the £50 to £150 range is worth the investment if you cook a lot and will maintain it regularly (by honing and sharpening). However, if you only cook occasionally and aren’t looking for a high-maintenance knife, you can get a solid chef’s knife for around £20. Knives priced above £150 are typically not for most cooks and are often priced that way because of their premium design and the materials used. They make a great gift for a special chef in your life, though!
What is the difference between a Japanese and Western chef’s knife?
Chef’s knives generally come in two styles: Western (German) and Japanese. Pro tip: While both styles have their strengths, the best way to find your fit is to try them in person in store.
Western or German knives, such as the Robert Welch Chef’s Knife, are heavier with thicker, tougher blades for all-purpose use. They’re great for heavy-duty tasks like chopping and breaking down a chicken. The softer steel in German knives might not hold a sharp edge as long, but they're sturdy and less likely to chip.
Japanese knives, such as the Hexclad Chef’s Knife, are lighter with thinner, sharper edges for precision cuts, but require gentler handling. They're suited to more delicate, precise tasks, such as cleanly slicing cucumbers. Because Japanese knives are crafted from harder steel, they can typically last longer between sharpening sessions, but they may be prone to chipping or cracking.
The verdict: The best chef's knife to buy now
Our favourite chef’s knife is the Robert Welch Chef’s Knife, a German blade with an ergonomic handle, full-tang construction, and a lifetime guarantee.
We also loved the Stellar Poise Cook’s Knife, which closely rivals our top pick but costs half the price.
If you’re specifically looking for a Japanese chef’s knife, choose the Hexclad Chef’s Knife, which had excellent precision and sharpness, and that lifetime guarantee.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Tilly brings a unique blend of skills to the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Homes Testing team. She has hands-on experience testing equipment across both editorial and television, working on live and pre-recorded productions. Alongside this, she is an experienced food stylist and producer, having collaborated with celebrity chefs and leading brands, including representing companies as a demo chef. Her work also spans advertising campaigns and branded content across the UK and internationally.
Originally trained as a cookery journalist, Tilly specialises in equipment testing and recipe development. She is passionate about making life easier for consumers, with a particular focus on simplifying instructions and improving usability.
When she’s not testing products, Tilly can usually be found singing in a choir or cooking up a feast for friends and family.
Marcus Strong is the Homes Operations Manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute, overseeing product testing programmes and helping ensure readers receive trusted, evidence-based buying advice. With experience at leading retailers including Marks & Spencer Home and IKEA, he brings extensive expertise in home products, quality assessment and consumer needs.
Marcus works closely with testing and editorial teams to deliver rigorous evaluations across a wide range of household categories, combining operational excellence with a passion for helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
