Updated on Aug. 26, 2024
Beat grocery store prices by making your own treats with one of these best food dehydrators. Our Test Kitchen tried all the top brands and models to help you choose the right food dehydrator for you.
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Sure, you could rely on expensive, store-bought veggie crisps, beef jerky and dried fruit—or you can invest in a food dehydrator of your own for a much healthier and less expensive DIY treat. Electric food dehydrators speed up the natural drying process, thanks to carefully controlled temperature regulation and advanced air circulation.
They might look more like a NASA project than something that sits on your kitchen island cart, but once you’ve tried homemade dried snacks, you’ll never go back. With so many food dehydrators available, it can be difficult to narrow down the top performers—and ultimately the one best suited for your personal home needs.
That’s why our Test Kitchen team tested the top food dehydrator brands and models side by side to evaluate key factors such as performance, thoroughness, drying duration and ease of use—to help you make the right choice for your needs. We also took into consideration various buyer needs when ranking each model. So whether you’re looking for a more compact unit or larger capacity, or needing something more straightforward or with all the bells and whistles, we’ve identified a food dehydrator just for you.
Here are the best food dehydrator options tested and approved by our Test Kitchen to help you make everything from delicious healthy sweet snacks to homemade dog treats and garnishes.
Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
Topping the list, the Cosori 6-Tray Food Dehydrator is my favorite model in the mid-range price set. It’s the right size to get a lot done, but not so large it’s a burden to your shelves. Plus, its sleek design will blend in with most modern kitchens.
You can see the food as it’s dehydrating, and thanks to a convenient timer—which you can set to work in 30-minute increments for up to 48 hours—you can easily walk away and not have to worry about it (check out these other kitchen appliances that practically cook for you). It offers precision drying from 95 to 165 degrees and features six stainless steel trays, a mesh screen, a fruit roll sheet and a recipe cookbook. The test food all came out nice, crispy and with good flavor, and the accessories and features make it worth the extra money.
Temp control: 95-165°F | Timer: Up to 48 hrs | Capacity: 6.5 sq. ft.
Tray material: Stainless Steel | Weight: 22 lbs. | Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 12 in.Â
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
At such an affordable price, I was pleasantly wowed by the Ronco 5-Tray Food Dehydrator. Not only did it get the job done, but its low-and-slow drying method worked out better than I thought it would–particularly with the dried apples and jerky I tested.
The Ronco dehydrator’s convenient, stackable design means you can dehydrate as much or as little as you’d like. And although it’s compact, I was pleased to find that it still fits several portions of sliced-up food on each tray.
Great for beginners, the Ronco dehydrator features no confusing dials or knobs–simply plug it in and reference the manual for proper drying times. The only downside is that the manual says to rotate the trays every 2-4 hours, which can be a little difficult considering the drying process takes so long. But with over 900 five-star ratings on Amazon, this added step is by no means a deal breaker.
Temp control: None | Timer: None | Capacity: 4.75 sq. ft.
Tray material: Plastic | Weight: 5 lbs. | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 11 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
The Nesco 7-Tray Food Dehydrator comes in at a very close second to our best overall-ranked Cosori model. Although it offers the same 6.5 sq. ft. of drying space as the Cosori, it boasts a lighter and more compact footprint, making it a great addition to any high-tech chef’s countertop. It would also make a worthy investment for anyone looking to trade in their basic dehydrator for more bells and whistles.
The Nesco dehydrator features a sleek stainless steel frame with a rear-mounted fan and a front window with interior light for easy viewing. Setting the unit up was very simple–I just set the temperature and time, and it dings and turns off when finished. No tray rotation is required. The tested food was well-dried and had a nice crunch and good flavor.
Maggie Knoebel/Taste of HomeTemp control: 90-160°F | Timer: Up to 24 hrs | Capacity: 6.5 sq. ft.
Tray material: Stainless Steel | Weight: 16 lbs. | Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 12 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
With so many appliances taking up space in the kitchen, the storage-friendly Weston 6-Tray Food Dehydrator is an underrated must-have. And although it is small, it is mighty–getting the job done in one day.
Weighing in at just 8 pounds and about half the price of most other models on this list, the Weston still comes equipped with all the bells and whistles, making it the perfect gift for any foodie. It features adjustable temperature settings, an adjustable timer (up to 48 hours) and an automatic shutoff. It also comes with a mesh tray for drying herbs and a sheet for fruit leather.
This quiet machine is easy to use and easy to clean, equipped with six dishwasher-safe trays. My only recommendation? Rotate the trays throughout the drying process for a more uniform drying process.
Temp control: 100-160°F | Timer: Up to 48 hrs | Capacity: 5 sq. ft.
Tray material: Plastic | Weight: 8 lbs. | Dimensions: 12 x 10 x 15 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
Whether you’re feeding big crowds or just have a large, busy family, the professional-grade Excalibur Performance Series 10-Tray Food Dehydrator offers more than enough space to dry dozens of items at a time. This design-forward, 10-tray unit offers 16 sq. ft. of drying space for all your favorite foods.
The machine has a timer that can be set up to 80 hours and an adjustable temperature range (85-165 degrees) that reviewers love. The low-temperature range is safe enough to use on the most delicate fruits. Pro tip: Keep fruit fresh inside these genius produce keepers until it’s time to dehydrate.
At 27 pounds, this unit is the biggest and heaviest of the models I tested. But its sleek design, innovative LED touchscreen panel and advanced heat distribution technology make the Excalibur food dehydrator the perfect addition to any enterprising homesteader’s kitchen. I especially liked the front and top viewing windows, and the progress bar that lets you track your cooking progress.
Maggie Knoebel/Taste of HomeTemp control: 85-165°F | Timer: Up to 80 hrs | Capacity: 16 sq. ft.
Tray material: Stainless Steel | Weight: 27 lbs. | Dimensions: 20 x 16 x 17 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
If you’re interested in larger batch cooking but at a smaller scale (and more affordable price point) than the Excalibur Performance Series, the Lem MightyBite 5-Tray Dehydrator is probably more your speed.
Its five trays boast 7.5 sq. ft. of drying space–the second highest on our list–and feature a 30-hour timer and adjustable temperature control that goes up to 155 degrees to dry even the most delicate berries to perfection. And if you’re feeling adventurous, use it for dehydrated cherries, apples and pears to throw in this scrumptious dried fruit energy bar recipe.
The Lem food dehydrator features a rear-mounted fan to prevent messy drippings and a clear, heat-trapping door to prevent heat loss when removing trays. The unique, square trays provide four rotation options and are removable and easy to clean.
Temp control: 95-155°F | Timer: Up to 30 hrs | Capacity: 7.5 sq. ft.
Tray material: Plastic | Weight: 14 lbs. | Dimensions: 13 x 24 x 19 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
The Presto Dehydro Food Dehydrator was the fastest at cooking all three foods, which is nothing to scoff at considering all other units took at least half a day. I’d highly recommend this machine for busy families, or anyone who wants to use a dehydrator for crafts (think dried fruit for holiday wreaths and garlands), fruits or veggies—because it’ll be done in a flash.
The Presto food dehydrator is both collapsible and affordable, so you also won’t have to worry about storage or going over budget. And although it might not look as fancy as the other dehydrators on our list, more than 8,300 five-star ratings say this popular Amazon kitchen gadget is worthy of the best kitchens.
Maggie Knoebel/Taste of HomeTemp control: None | Timer: None | Capacity: 4.5 sq. ft.
Tray material: Plastic | Weight: 5 lbs. | Dimensions: 14 x 15 x 7 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of Home
Cabela’s is known for producing quality products for the great outdoorsman, hunter or fisherman, so it’s only fitting they also have a brand of food dehydrator. The Cabela’s Heavy Duty 6-Tray Dehydrator is a durable and reliable unit—and I can say this with confidence as I own and have used this machine for almost four years. While it can dry an array of foods, from dried fruit and vegetable snacks to delicate garnishes, its ability to cook beef jerky is where it shines.
Its high-capacity design offers 7 sq. ft. of cooking space over six trays, and its powerful, rear-mounted heater and fan provide even, consistent drying across trays (no rotation necessary), making it a perfect gift for the family huntsman.
Cabela’s dehydrator features an adjustable thermostat for more precise drying temperatures, and its six durable polypropylene trays will stand the test of time. The only downside is there’s no timer, so you need to keep your eye on your food as it’s drying (but with delicious beef jerky cooking in the kitchen, something tells me that won’t be a problem).
Maggie Knoebel/Taste of HomeTemp control: 80-160°F | Timer: None | Capacity: 7 sq. ft.
Tray material: Polypropylene | Weight: 14 lbs. | Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 12 in.
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Maggie Knoebel/Taste of HomeTo determine the best of the best, I tested ten popular food dehydrator brands side by side over five days. Based on our testing methodology, only eight models made the cut as Test Kitchen Preferred. Below are the important factors I considered:
To assess drying capabilities for various foods, we tested three categories of food: apple slices, halved Roma tomatoes, and the ever-so-popular beef jerky.Â
Finding the best food dehydrator for your style and budget involves identifying models with precise temperature controls, airflow and several other factors. We’ve outlined the things to watch for below.
A good dehydrator should have an adjustable thermostat, allowing the user to set exact temperatures from 80 to 140 degrees (some options provide an extended range of up to 200 degrees). The more control you have over the temperature, the greater the range of foods you can make and the more customization you’ll have for your recipes (be they ones you make yourself or find online). The range of temperatures will also determine how quickly your dehydrator works—the higher the temp, the faster it’ll go (although if you go too high, you’ll end up baking the food instead of simply drying it, so watch out for that).
It’s important to look for models that offer ample space for the food you’d like to dry—several highly rated countertop devices offer multiple trays. Remember that because food needs to be separated and never stacked during dehydration, something as small as a single sliced apple can take up lots of room. Some models even offer expandability—meaning you can add more racks than the dehydrator comes with (although you want to pay attention to the maximum expandability, as there are limits to how many extra trays you can add). Furthermore, larger models (and those that can be expanded) take up more space, so you’ll want to ensure you have the room on your countertops (as well as storage) for a larger device if that’s what you’re considering.
Food dehydrators are usually orientated in one of two ways: horizontally or vertically. Horizontal models usually have a heating element and fans on the back, blowing hot air horizontally across their trays. In contrast, vertical models have the fan and heating element on the bottom and aimed upward. Typically, horizontal models take up more space overall, but they are more efficient (especially with large volumes of ingredients). Vertical models are better for space-saving but less efficient, as the airflow is reduced with each tray above the elements/fans.
This applies to the dehydrator’s body construction and the trays themselves. Although more budget-friendly options may be made from plastic, they won’t last as long as other, more expensive metal models—usually stainless steel (which may be dishwasher-safe, making for even easier cleaning). Metal trays and housings are also typically easier to clean than their plastic counterparts, but (as mentioned) they’re also usually more expensive.
Some dehydrators have very barebones displays/controls—usually simple dials. Other fancier options might have digital displays or even smart controls (so you can control it from your smartphone via an app, for instance). You’ll want to decide how vital these features are to you, as the more technologically advanced the device is, the more expensive it will be—but that doesn’t necessarily mean it works better, just that it might be more convenient.
While plenty of decent-to-great food dehydrators can be had on a budget, this is ultimately a luxury category. The more you’re able to spend, the more bells and whistles your dehydrator will have—things like smart controls and the like. Furthermore, a higher price usually means a larger capacity (but you should ensure you have the space for it if you’re looking at larger devices). Watch for the warranty length and what it covers, as this will determine whether you can get the manufacturer’s assistance if something goes wrong with your dehydrator (and some warranties require you to register your device before you use it).
You must keep your dehydrator clean like any other kitchen appliance. Ones that are harder to disassemble for cleaning will ultimately have a shorter overall lifespan, as the increased difficulty in getting them apart inevitably means they’re harder to keep clean. You don’t want to toy with food waste, as that’s a good way to potentially make yourself (and whoever you’re serving food to) ill. The easier a dehydrator is to clean, the more use you can likely get out of it. The simpler they are to put together and take apart, the better.
While it won’t affect the device’s overall quality/capabilities, the noise level of a dehydrator might affect your tolerance for using it in your home. Higher-end models will tend to be better insulated and quieter overall. Less expensive models, especially plastic ones, will likely run fairly loud, so you’ll want to consider how much ambient noise you can tolerate before buying.
As mentioned above, a dehydrator might have numerous additional accessories—including drip trays, spatulas, herb racks, etc. These could be a make-or-break situation if you want to dry specific foods, so pay attention to what’s included with your purchase. Not all dehydrators include an auto-timer, so you’ll want to watch for that (models without an auto-timer will require you to turn it on and off manually). Furthermore, some dehydrators have a transparent door, which allows you to actually look at the food you’re dehydrating—which can allow you to gauge how dry it is without opening the device and losing a bunch of heat. Additionally, many of these things can be purchased separately, should you have a specific dehydrator in mind that doesn’t come with them on its own.
As associate recipe editor/tester, I test and prepare recipes for Taste of Home‘s photo and video studios. I also utilize our kitchen to test appliances and gadgets to help the Taste of Home audience make more informed buying decisions. As an alumna of the Culinary Institute of America, I earned two degrees in baking and pastry arts. While my expertise lies in yeast dough, bread baking and cake and cookie decorating, I am no stranger to food dehydrators.
I’ve always loved making fruit leather, and I’ve been making it since I was a kid with my parents’ old-school dehydrator. I love the newer models and currently own Cabela’s Heavy Duty 6-Tray Dehydrator, which I often use for making jerky and orange slice garlands for Christmas. I also have used it to make cocktail garnishes and cocktail kits. Food dehydrators are practical appliances that can help save money and prevent food waste; I like dehydrating leftover produce and using large quantities of food I can buy inexpensively in bulk. It’s also a clever way to use out-of-season produce!
With both professional and personal experience using food dehydrators for various purposes, I was eager to spearhead the Taste of Home Test Kitchen’s first round of food dehydrator testing with the most popular brands and models.Â
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
Maggie Knoebel/Taste of HomeAt Taste of Home, we’re serious about good food. That’s why every single recipe that our readers submit gets reviewed, made and sampled by our team of culinary experts. We want to make sure that everything from our kitchens deserves the label Test Kitchen-Approved.Â
The same goes for products. Our pros want to know what foods, gadgets and cleaning supplies are the best to fill your pantry and home. We put every product through a thorough testing process. Then, our Test Kitchen team chooses the winners. Those best-tasting and top-performing products get our stamp of approval: to be called Test Kitchen-Preferred.Â
Along with hands-on testing by our team, we also consider the greater market, paying special attention to brand reputations, product quality, and even customer testimony. This list is comprised not just of our own research but also with input from external professionals and consumer reviews taken into close consideration. Ultimately, we want to make sure you’re only getting to see the best of the best based on that research—and we believe this list of food dehydrators is a sturdy representation of just that.
The Excalibur Performance Series 10-Tray Food Dehydrator represents the pinnacle of dehydrator design. It’s made from high-end materials, includes some of the top technologies in the space, and boasts one of the most design-forward exteriors. That also means it’s among the most expensive, so that’s a consideration you’ll have to make as a potential buyer.
According to our research and testing, Cabela’s Heavy Duty 6-Tray Dehydrator is the best for jerky-making and, therefore, is our pick for the best dehydrator for raw meat.
This is actually less about the shape and more about the orientation of the heating elements and fans. Round dehydrators usually have elements and airflow that are vertically oriented, whereas square ones are typically horizontally oriented. Horizontal options are usually more efficient, but they’re also more expensive and often larger. Vertical ones tend to run cheaper and are smaller, but they’re far better for anyone on a budget. As such, “better” is highly subjective and depends largely on your needs and how much you want to spend.
