Here at the Strategist UK, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
And while we’ve written about kitchen essentials before — including the best rice cookers and the best toasters — here, we’ve rounded up the best knife sets, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Best-rated overall knife set
The best-rated overall knife set is this one from Home Hero, which has 81 percent five star reviews. It includes 13 stainless-steel blades, an acrylic stand, a set of scissors, a peeler, and a knife sharpener. 131 reviewers described this as an “excellent” set of knives, including one woman who bought them for her dad, who had previously been using one knife for all his culinary needs. She said the broad range of knives — including a steak knife, a carving knife, and cheese knife — had practically turned him into a professional chef overnight. 129 customers wrote that they thought the set was excellent value for money, even if the knives weren’t as “designer” as many more expensive brands. And though the potato peeler was deemed quite basic (33 customers wrote negatively about its design and quality), seven reviewers wrote that this set was great for beginners like university students. The knife sharpener was a selling point — 181 reviewers wrote about how useful it was for keeping the other knives at their best.
Best-rated (less expensive) knife set
A total of 94 reviewers said this five-piece knife set from appliance brand Hecef offered good value for money, and 76 percent of the total reviews are five stars. Hecef say its lightweight, ergonomic knives are easier to hold and use for repeated slicing due to the plastic moulded handles, which 37 reviewers said allowed them to cut tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers with surgical precision. It comes with a chef’s knife, a bread knife, santoku knife, utility knife, and paring knife, and as there’s no knife block, each one comes with its own protective cover. 39 people said the blades were easy to clean – but although they are dishwasher safe, the manufacturer suggests hand-washing after the first use.
Best-rated three-piece knife set
This set by Wusthof (a German brand that comes recommended by chefs) is the best-rated three piece set, with 86 percent five-star reviews. It includes a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 6-inch utility knife, and an 8-inch chef’s knife, which 12 reviewers considered “well balanced” and easy to hold even when cutting large items like squash or swedes. A further 10 reviews mentioned the weight; one chef, who bought these for his kitchen, said he was so impressed he bought a second set for the home. One criticism of the set came from a reviewer who says their main gripe was the lack of a serrated knife in the set, as this would have helped with slicing fruit. But otherwise, this set covered all their bases. The quality was notable, with one reviewer saying these were the best alternatives to their expensive Japanese steel knives.
Best-rated (less expensive) three-piece knife set
This less expensive three-piece set by Orient features the same three knives but for a fraction of the price. 10 reviewers said the quality was outstanding, with a further 10 saying the knives felt well-balanced in their hand, thanks to the ergonomic, contoured handle. The set would make a great gift — it comes in a handsome display box — and each knife also comes with a plastic guard for extra protection.
Best-rated knife set (steel block)
With larger knife sets, it’s sensible to invest in a knife block so the blades can all be stored safely (several knives jostling in a drawer will cause the blades damage). This set, by Morphy Richards, features 81 percent five-star reviews. 122 reviewers said the quality of the blades was excellent, while a further 73 reviewers said the stainless steel was easy to clean and well-made too. The knives slot into the block in a single row, so this is also a neater option for smaller spaces, and Morphy Richards sells it in other colours, including copper, red, steel, and titanium. It’s also great value — 62 reviewers wrote favourably about the price.
Best-rated knife set (wooden block)
Amazon’s own knife-block set, part of its basics range, came out as the best-rated wooden-block option, with 82 percent of reviews being five stars. Nearly one in 10 reviewers wrote highly of the knives’ sharpness, even after prolonged use on everything from fresh tomatoes to tough cuts of meat. 17 customers said they were impressed at how good the knives looked, both in the block and on the dining table – one reviewer said the steak knives looked particularly stylish when setting his table for a Valentine’s Day feast. And 78 customers said the handle was easy to hold and grip even on tougher jobs. One went so far as to describe the knives as “razor sharp”.
Best-rated colour-coded knife set
These colour-coded knives help prevent cross contamination between meat, fish, and vegetables. This five-piece set by Nouva includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, carving knife, a multipurpose knife, and a paring knife. Several customers wrote that the clear plastic knife block made identifying knives easier. 79 reviewers said they found the colour-coding made choosing the right knife for the job really easy, while 28 reviewers wrote positively about how sturdy the knives were.
Best-rated eight-piece knife set
If you’re looking for a more substantial knife set, consider one like the eight-piece set by Homgeek, which features a chef’s knife, slicing knife (also known as a carving knife, for meat), a serrated bread knife, utility knife, and paring knife. It also includes a knife sharpener and a set of kitchen shears, which also functions as a bottle opener (the eighth piece is the block itself). 31 reviewers described the set as “excellent,” including a customer who said the knives “oozed luxury.” One cheffy customer said they had drawn impressive gasps from a dinner-party crowd after effortlessly slicing up a pineapple with the knives in this set. Of the many positive reviews, one customer wrote that they now had every knife they could ever need for their kitchen, while the scissors were also commended in 34 reviews. 24 reviewers wrote that the natural oak was smooth, sturdy, and good quality.
Best-rated 14-piece knife set
Comprising the same eight pieces in the Homgeek knife set above, this 14-piece set by HOBO also comes with six stainless-steel steak knives. 76 percent of the reviews are five stars, and 39 reviews specifically highlight the serrated steak knives as a selling point. According to 63 reviewers, the handles, also made from stainless steel, are easy to hold and comfortable for anyone making food. The manufacturer says these can be put in the dishwasher, but they need to be dried as quickly as possible to prevent rusting.
Best-rated 15-piece knife set
This set from Homgeek features all the knives in the HOBO set, but also comes with the Japanese-style santoku knife typically used for slicing, chopping, and dicing (the name means “three uses”). 82 percent of the reviews are five stars. Fifty-three reviewers wrote about the good quality of both the blade and the block itself, with the discreet inscriptions on the blades coming up several times as a helpful way to determine which knife was which. One reviewer said the santoku blade was their most used of the set, adding that due to being shorter than the chef’s knife, it was lighter and better suited for general tasks. The handles are made from Pakkawood, a heat-and-water-resistant resin that looks like wood, meaning they’re designed to last. Someone also pointed out that the scissor blades can detach and be used as bone saws for small bones like the ones in chicken thighs.
Some other Strategist-recommended knives
If you’re looking for just a single knife, consider this chef’s knife, which was highly rated compared to the best options on Amazon. Customers said it could handle everything from slippery tomatoes to carving the meat on a Sunday roast. The low price point was a huge selling point, with the consensus among reviewers being that it was an excellent option for people who wanted good quality but weren’t ready to spend a lot.
This small serrated kitchen knife was a best seller on the Strategist last year after being recommended by a number of chefs. Strategist writer Chris Mandle ordered one himself and said, “It’s as thin as a credit card, incredibly sharp, and slicing fruit and cheese is particularly satisfying.” The slight dimple in the handle makes it comfortable to hold, and it comes in an array of colours.
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.