KNIVES · BUYING GUIDE

Best Kitchen Knife Sharpener

Updated

The best kitchen knife sharpeners: manual pull-through, electric, whetstone and rolling sharpeners from Chef'sChoice, Work Sharp and HORL, compared by edge angle, knife types, size and care.

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Our picks at a glance

ProductAwardScore
Best overall 8.3 Check price
Work Sharp Kitchen Edge Knife Sharpener Convex carbide sharpener and fine ceramic honing wheel
Best budget 7.5 Check price
Best premium 8.0 Check price
Chef'sChoice 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener 100% diamond abrasives (stage 1); stropping disks for polishing
Best electric 7.9 Check price
Work Sharp Whetstone Knife Sharpener 1000 and 6000 grit corundum (aluminum oxide) water stone
Best whetstone 7.2 Check price
How the editorial score works

The score rates documented features and practical tradeoffs on a 10-point scale, using the weighted criteria below. An 8 means strong support with one clear limit; a 9 means particularly complete support with minor limits. It is our editorial judgment from manufacturer information, not a hands-on test or a customer rating.

  • Angles & knife types30%
  • Ease of use25%
  • Abrasives & finish25%
  • Size, upkeep & warranty20%

The order of the picks also reflects who each product suits best, so it is not decided by the score alone. More on our method

  1. 01 · Best overall
    Chef'sChoice AngleSelect Professional Manual Knife Sharpener (Model 4643)

    Chef'sChoice · 4643 (SKU 4643009)

    Chef'sChoice AngleSelect Professional Manual Knife Sharpener (Model 4643)

    8.3/ 10
    Editorial score
    Angles
    9.0
    Ease of use
    8.0
    Abrasives
    8.5
    Size & care
    7.5
    Why this score?
    Angles & knife types · 9.0
    Separate 15 and 20 degree slots; polishing slot also handles serrated knives
    Ease of use · 8.0
    Manual pull-through needs no power but relies on steady strokes
    Abrasives & finish · 8.5
    100% diamond abrasives across three stages
    Size, upkeep & warranty · 7.5
    Compact 9.25 inch body; only a one-year limited warranty

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forHomes with both Western and Japanese-style knives

    A three-slot manual pull-through sharpener with 100% diamond abrasives: one slot for 15-degree knives, one for 20-degree knives and a third that polishes both and handles serrated blades. It needs no power and the handle works for right- or left-handed use.

    Strengths

    • Separate 15° and 20° slots, plus a polishing slot that also takes serrated knives
    • No power needed; handle designed for right- or left-handed use

    Weaknesses

    • Only a one-year limited warranty
    • Manual pull-through, so it relies on steady, even strokes

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    9.25" W x 2.38" D x 2.25" H
    Material
    100% diamond abrasives; soft-touch handle
    Edge angles
    15° (Asian double-bevel) and 20° (European/American)
    Knife types
    Straight-edge and serrated; kitchen, pocket and most sporting knives
    Stages
    3 (15° sharpen, 20° sharpen, polish/serrated)
    Warranty
    1-year limited

    Details checked against the chefschoice.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  2. 02 · Best budget
    Work Sharp Kitchen Edge Knife Sharpener

    Work Sharp · WSKTNKES

    Work Sharp Kitchen Edge Knife Sharpener

    7.5/ 10
    Editorial score
    Angles
    6.5
    Ease of use
    8.0
    Abrasives
    7.0
    Size & care
    9.0
    Why this score?
    Angles & knife types · 6.5
    Fixed 20 degree angle; no 15 degree setting; kitchen knives only, serrated included
    Ease of use · 8.0
    Simple two-step pull-through for quick touch-ups
    Abrasives & finish · 7.0
    Carbide slot sets edge, fine ceramic wheel hones it
    Size, upkeep & warranty · 9.0
    Under 5 inches, 2.4 oz, 3-year warranty

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forQuick touch-ups on a tight budget

    A small two-step pull-through sharpener: a carbide slot sets a 20-degree convex edge, then a fine ceramic honing wheel refines it and hones serrations. Work Sharp says it handles chef, slicing, paring and serrated bread knives.

    Strengths

    • Very compact at just under 5 in. long and 2.4 oz
    • Ceramic wheel hones serrated bread knives as well as straight edges

    Weaknesses

    • Fixed 20° angle only, so no dedicated 15° setting for Japanese-style knives
    • Kitchen knives only; Work Sharp says it is not for pocketknives or scissors

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Just under 5 in. long
    Material
    Convex carbide sharpener and fine ceramic honing wheel
    Edge angle
    20°
    Knife types
    Kitchen knives, including serrated bread knives
    Weight
    2.4 oz
    Warranty
    3 years

    Details checked against the worksharptools.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  3. 03 · Best premium
    HORL 3 Rolling Knife Sharpener (Walnut)

    HORL · HORL 3, Walnut (SKU HO3N-SET)

    HORL 3 Rolling Knife Sharpener (Walnut)

    8.0/ 10
    Editorial score
    Angles
    7.5
    Ease of use
    8.5
    Abrasives
    8.5
    Size & care
    7.5
    Why this score?
    Angles & knife types · 7.5
    15 or 20 degrees via magnetic support; straight edges only, no serrated listed
    Ease of use · 8.5
    Magnetic angle support gives a repeatable guided angle
    Abrasives & finish · 8.5
    Diamond disc to sharpen, ceramic disc to hone; exchangeable discs
    Size, upkeep & warranty · 7.5
    Compact 5.2 inch walnut body; highest price, no warranty listed

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forCooks who want a guided, giftable premium tool

    A solid-walnut rolling sharpener made in Germany's Black Forest. A magnetic angle support holds the knife at 15 or 20 degrees while you roll a diamond disc, then a ceramic disc, along the edge. Discs swap with a Quick Lock twist.

    Strengths

    • Magnetic angle support gives a repeatable 15° or 20° angle
    • Diamond disc for sharpening plus ceramic disc for honing; discs are exchangeable

    Weaknesses

    • Highest price of our picks
    • Only two angles (15°/20°); the HORL 3 Pro is needed for other angles

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    5.2" L x 4.7" W x 2.6" H (Amazon listing)
    Material
    Solid walnut wood
    Edge angles
    15° and 20° (magnetic angle support)
    Abrasives
    Diamond disc (pre-installed) and ceramic honing disc
    Knife types
    Kitchen, outdoor and pocket knives (straight edge)
    Made in
    Black Forest, Germany

    Details checked against the horl.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  4. 04 · Best electric
    Chef'sChoice 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener

    Chef'sChoice · 15XV (SKU 0101500)

    Chef'sChoice 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener

    7.9/ 10
    Editorial score
    Angles
    7.0
    Ease of use
    9.0
    Abrasives
    9.0
    Size & care
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Angles & knife types · 7.0
    15 degree only, converts 20 degree edges; handles serrated and Asian-style knives
    Ease of use · 9.0
    Spring guides hold the angle; sharpens in about a minute
    Abrasives & finish · 9.0
    Diamond stage then stropping disks for a triple-bevel edge
    Size, upkeep & warranty · 6.5
    10 inch wide, 4.4 lb, needs an outlet; 3-year warranty

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forFast, hands-off sharpening for busy cooks

    A three-stage electric sharpener that uses diamond abrasives, then refines and polishes to a triple-bevel 15-degree edge, with spring guides holding the angle. It converts 20-degree factory edges to 15 degrees and handles straight and serrated blades in about a minute.

    Strengths

    • Spring guides hold the angle, so results don't depend on technique
    • Sharpens straight-edge and serrated knives; 3-year limited warranty

    Weaknesses

    • Sharpens to 15° only and converts 20° edges, so no option to keep a 20° edge
    • Needs counter space and an outlet (10 in. wide, about 4.4 lb)

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    10" W x 4.25" D x 4.25" H
    Material
    100% diamond abrasives (stage 1); stropping disks for polishing
    Edge angle
    15° (Trizor XV triple bevel); converts 20° edges to 15°
    Knife types
    Straight-edge and serrated, including Asian-style kitchen knives
    Power
    Electric
    Weight
    4.42 lb (Abt.com)
    Warranty
    3-year limited

    Details checked against the chefschoice.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  5. 05 · Best whetstone
    Work Sharp Whetstone Knife Sharpener

    Work Sharp · WSBCHWHT

    Work Sharp Whetstone Knife Sharpener

    7.2/ 10
    Editorial score
    Angles
    7.5
    Ease of use
    6.0
    Abrasives
    8.5
    Size & care
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Angles & knife types · 7.5
    15 and 17 degree guides included, 20/25 sold separately; no serrated listed
    Ease of use · 6.0
    Takes more time and practice than pull-through or electric
    Abrasives & finish · 8.5
    1000 grit to restore and 6000 grit to polish in one stone
    Size, upkeep & warranty · 6.5
    2 lb; soaking and cleanup needed; 3-year warranty

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forLearning whetstone sharpening with some guidance

    A dual-grit 1000/6000 water stone in a water-control base with anti-skid feet. Removable 15-degree and 17-degree angle guides help you keep a steady angle while you learn.

    Strengths

    • 1000 grit to restore an edge and 6000 grit to polish it, in one stone
    • Included 15° and 17° angle guides; 20° and 25° guides sold separately

    Weaknesses

    • Takes more time and practice than a pull-through or electric sharpener
    • Wet sharpening means soaking and cleanup

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Stone 180 x 60 mm (about 7 1/4 x 2 3/8 in.)
    Material
    1000 and 6000 grit corundum (aluminum oxide) water stone
    Edge angles
    15° and 17° guides included (20°/25° guides sold separately)
    Knife types
    Kitchen and pocket knives
    Weight
    2 lb
    Warranty
    3 years

    Details checked against the worksharptools.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon

COMPARE

Side-by-side comparison

Select a column heading to sort.
Chef'sChoice AngleSelect Professional Manual Knife Sharpener (Model 4643) Homes with both Western and Japanese-style knives9.25" W x 2.38" D x 2.25" H100% diamond abrasives; soft-touch handleStraight-edge and serrated; kitchen, pocket and most sporting knives
Work Sharp Kitchen Edge Knife Sharpener Quick touch-ups on a tight budgetJust under 5 in. longConvex carbide sharpener and fine ceramic honing wheelKitchen knives, including serrated bread knives
HORL 3 Rolling Knife Sharpener (Walnut) Cooks who want a guided, giftable premium tool5.2" L x 4.7" W x 2.6" H (Amazon listing)Solid walnut woodKitchen, outdoor and pocket knives (straight edge)
Chef'sChoice 15XV Electric Knife Sharpener Fast, hands-off sharpening for busy cooks10" W x 4.25" D x 4.25" H100% diamond abrasives (stage 1); stropping disks for polishingStraight-edge and serrated, including Asian-style kitchen knives
Work Sharp Whetstone Knife Sharpener Learning whetstone sharpening with some guidanceStone 180 x 60 mm (about 7 1/4 x 2 3/8 in.)1000 and 6000 grit corundum (aluminum oxide) water stoneKitchen and pocket knives

How we chose

We compared manufacturer-published details for sharpeners from established brands sold in the US: the edge angles each supports (15°, 20° or guided), whether it handles serrated knives, the abrasive type, how much skill it asks of you, size and warranty. We picked one of each main type (manual pull-through, electric, whetstone and guided rolling sharpener) across a range of prices. We did not test these products.

What to look for in a knife sharpener

Match the edge angle to your knives. Check your knife maker’s recommended angle. Western knives are usually around 20 degrees and Japanese-style knives are often closer to 15. If you own both, pick a sharpener with both settings or an adjustable guide.

Decide how much skill you want to need. Pull-through and electric sharpeners fix the angle for you and are quick to use. Whetstones give the most control but take practice. Guided systems sit in between.

Check serrated-knife support. Not every sharpener handles bread knives and other serrated blades. If you need that, look for a maker that explicitly lists serrated knives.

Look at the abrasives and stages. A coarse stage (diamond or carbide) restores a dull edge, and a finer stage (ceramic, fine grit or stropping) refines it. Two or more stages usually give a cleaner finish than one.

Think about space, power and upkeep. Electric models need counter space and an outlet, and whetstones need soaking and cleanup. A compact manual sharpener stores easily in a drawer. Compare warranties too, since they vary a lot between brands.

Frequently asked questions

What angle should I sharpen my kitchen knives at?

Most Western knives use a 20-degree edge and many Japanese-style knives use 15 degrees, so match the sharpener to the knife. The Chef'sChoice 4643 and HORL 3 offer both 15° and 20°, the Work Sharp Kitchen Edge sharpens at 20°, and the Chef'sChoice 15XV sharpens everything to 15°, converting 20° edges. The Work Sharp Whetstone includes 15° and 17° guides.

Can I sharpen serrated knives at home?

Yes, with the right tool. Chef'sChoice says both the 4643 and the 15XV handle serrated blades, and Work Sharp says the Kitchen Edge's ceramic wheel hones serrations, including on bread knives. Work Sharp and HORL do not list serrated knives for the Whetstone or the HORL 3.

Is an electric knife sharpener better than a manual one?

An electric model mainly saves effort and guesswork. The Chef'sChoice 15XV uses spring guides and three stages and sharpens in about a minute, but it only makes 15° edges and needs an outlet. A manual pull-through like the Chef'sChoice 4643 needs no power, is far smaller and offers both 15° and 20° slots.

Is a whetstone hard to use for beginners?

A whetstone gives you the most control, but holding a steady angle takes practice. The Work Sharp Whetstone helps with removable 15° and 17° angle guides and a water-control base, pairing a 1000-grit side for sharpening with a 6000-grit side for polishing. If you want guidance without freehand skill, the HORL 3's magnetic angle support is another option.

What is the best kitchen knife sharpener?

The Chef'sChoice AngleSelect Professional Manual Sharpener is the best overall pick because it has separate 15-degree and 20-degree slots plus a polishing slot that also handles serrated knives. It suits homes with both Western and Japanese-style knives and needs no power. The best choice for you depends on whether you want a pull-through, electric, whetstone or guided rolling sharpener.

What is the best electric kitchen knife sharpener?

The Chef'sChoice 15XV is the electric pick: a three-stage sharpener with diamond abrasives and spring guides that hold the angle, so results do not depend on technique. It sharpens straight and serrated knives to a 15-degree edge and converts 20-degree edges, so you cannot keep a 20-degree angle. It needs an outlet and counter space.

What is the best manual knife sharpener for kitchen knives?

The Chef'sChoice AngleSelect is the best manual pull-through pick, with 15-degree and 20-degree slots. The Work Sharp Kitchen Edge is a compact two-step budget option with a fixed 20-degree angle. If you want more control, the Work Sharp Whetstone and the HORL 3 rolling sharpener use guides to hold a steady angle.