The Best Knife Sets Under $200 | Buying Guide 2023

You may find it difficult to locate the best kitchen knives under 200 regardless of whether you are just setting up your first kitchen or upgrading your knives. In our overall review, we assessed knife sets costing upwards of $500. 

The most expensive set cost $400 and only included three knives! Obviously, not everyone has the money (or desire) to purchase such a high-end set. That’s why we turned to our top pick. The Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set with Tempered Glass Block (available at Amazon).

Knife sets that are expensive are often constructed of steel that is of high quality and will last for a considerable period of time. They have a tendency to stay sharper for longer and usually look pretty sharp as well. 

Nevertheless, this does not necessarily imply that less expensive pieces are made of inferior materials. In past reviews, we have demonstrated that inexpensive knives are often as good as knives costing considerably more.

We were thus determined to locate a few knife sets under $200 that could compete with the more expensive ones, both in terms of quality and value for money.

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Below you will find our list of the best knife sets under $200, sorted by price:

Best Knife Sets Under $200

1: 6-Piece Forged Knife Mercer Culinary M20000 Genesis

We found the Mercer Culinary Genesis 6-Piece Forged Knife Block Set with Tempered Glass Block to be a very appealing set. 

In addition to the essential knives, the set includes a boning knife as a bonus. Though it was one of the few sets not to include a honing steel or shears. Considering that you will receive five impressively sharp knives that perform similarly to sets that are three times their price, there is little reason to complain. 

We are impressed with each knife’s balance as well as its sharp blades and love how comfortable the handles are. As a final note, we find the serrated knife to be a group favorite.

As a result of testing the knives. We can see why Mercer knives are the most common knives included in culinary school knife kits. Mercer Culinary Genesis is an excellent choice due to its performance and low price.

Among the knives included in this set are an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 5-inch utility knife, as well as a 6-inch boning knife, all of which are stored upright in a thin glass case.

2. 36131 Gourmet 10-piece knife block set by Zwilling

Providing a wide variety of sharp knives at great value. The Zwilling Gourmet 10-Piece Knife Block Set is a great choice. As part of this set, you will receive seven knives, including a peeling knife, a vegetable knife, and a slicing knife. 

Despite being relatively lightweight and well balanced. The knives had comfortable handles and sharp edges. Despite not being our favorite paring knife for tasks off the cutting board, such as peeling apples, the set includes two shorter knives that served their purpose well. 

We were disappointed by the strange, wavy edge on the serrated utility knife included in this set. It was less effective than most of the utility knives we tested. And it was difficult to cut dense materials, such as hard cheeses. We would have ranked this set higher if this knife set included a standard utility knife.

This package contains seven knives, honing steel, kitchen shears, and a large, wooden block (a 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 6-inch slicing knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 4-inch paring knife, 3-inch vegetable knife, and a 2.75-inch peeling/tourne knife).

3: WÜSTHOF Gourmet Ten Piece Block Set

The knives included in the Wüsthof Gourmet 7-Piece Piece Mobile Block Set Model 8940 are not quite as glamourous as some of the knives in the other top-rated Wüsthof sets, but the value is unbeatable on this set.

A starter set includes all the knives you will need: A chef’s knife, a serrated bread knife, a utility knife, and a paring knife. A small and lightweight santoku knife is also included as a bonus. While the knives felt slightly unbalanced, they are very sharp and comfortable to hold. 

As far as we were concerned, the only knife in the set we did not enjoy was the utility knife. Which was very long and thin, and had difficulty cutting through the hard cheese. As well, it is important to note that this block only holds five knives, so it does not lend itself to expansion.

In addition to five knives (a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches. A santoku knife measuring 5 inches, a serrated bread knife measuring 8 inches, a utility knife measuring 4.5 inches, and a paring knife measuring 3 inches) the set contains kitchen shears and a large wooden block.

4. Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Zwilling 30707, by Zwilling

Zwilling 30707-000 Twin Signature 7-Piece Knife Block Set has sharp blades. But overall it is lacking when compared to some of the other sets. A serrated bread knife is not included in this set, but you do receive a peeling/tourne knife which is less useful.

 For the majority of home cooks, this knife is not necessary. A paring knife can perform the same function as a tourne knife. Among the test group, we particularly enjoyed the lightweight, sharp chef’s knife and the paring knife. Having only three useful knives, this set was not very useful to us.

Zwilling Twin Signature line could benefit from a large knife set that included a serrated bread knife, such as this 11-piece set

In addition to the knives in the set (a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches long, a utility knife measuring 5 inches long. A paring knife measuring 4 inches long, and a peeling knife measuring 2.75 inches long), the set includes honing steel, kitchen shears, and a large wooden block.

5. Classic Knife Block Set as part of the Henckels International 35342-000 collection

Despite the fact that the knives included in the J.A. Henckels International 35342-000 Classic 7-Piece Knife Block Set was not lacking in sharpness, we felt that the overall quality was a bit low. It was a little awkward to use the chef’s knife because it was too heavy in an unbalanced manner.

Also, the handle is uncomfortable due to the fact that the edges are not rounded as they are on some of the other knives. We particularly enjoyed the paring knife, which was easy to use and well-balanced.

 In addition, we enjoyed the santoku knife, which had an improved handle and balanced better than the chef’s knife. We thought that considering that this knife set does not contain a serrated bread knife. And that we did not enjoy the chef’s knife, the knives were a bit pricey considering the contents.

There are four knives in this set (a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches long, a santoku knife measuring 7 inches long, a serrated utility knife measuring 5 inches long, and a paring knife measuring 4 inches long), honing steel, kitchen shears, and a large wooden block.

6. Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Cutlery Fibrox Pro Knife

This Victorinox Fibrox Pro 7-Piece Knife Block Set really does not disappoint. Swiss Army knives are well known for their exceptional quality and competitive price. We did not like the fact that the set did not include a serrated bread knife.

The chef’s knife performs exceptionally well, and the ultra-minimalistic paring knife is our personal favorite in the group. Unfortunately, the set only contains a smaller serrated knife, instead of a larger bread knife, which we consider to be a serious oversight. As a result, the set falls a few rungs in the standings.

The set contains four knives (a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches, a paring knife measuring 3.5 inches, a serrated tomato/bagel knife measuring 4.5 inches, and a utility knife measuring 5 inches) as well as honing steel, kitchen shears, and a large, wooden block.

7. Cuisinart C77TR-15P 15-Piece Knife Block Set, Triple Riveted

This Cuisinart’s C77TR-15P Triple Riveted Collection 15-Piece Knife Block Set may not compete in terms of sharpness. But it more than makes up for it in terms of value and design. A chef’s knife with a well-balanced handle and an ergonomic handle provides excellent comfort. 

This unit is well-suited to chopping tasks and has no difficulty cutting onions. Aside from the full-sized chef’s knife, the set also includes a Santoku knife of 5 inches. Which might be useful for those with smaller hands or those who need to chop vegetables.

This set contains a large number of knives for such a low price that we are impressed. We would recommend it to anyone looking for a knife set at a price within our target range since it meets our quality standards.

The set contains six knives (an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 5-inch Santoku knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 4.5-inch utility knife, and an 8-inch slicing knife) as well as honing steel, kitchen shears, six steak knives, and a large, wooden block.

8. Swiss Classic Kitchen Knife Set, 5 Pieces by Victorinox

Despite our wish for a serrated bread knife in the Victorinox Fibrox Pro set. We wished for a chef’s knife with this Victorinox Swiss Classic 5-Piece Kitchen Knife Set. We prefer to chop with a wider, wider chef’s knife instead of the long, thin carving knife included in this set. 

However, we were pleased with the light weight of the knives and their excellent sharpness. You cannot go wrong with the price, either, although we are not entirely certain why they decided to include two pairing knives – one serrated and one straight-edged. It’s also important to keep in mind that this set does not come with a wooden block, so you will have to find a solution for storing it.

This set includes five knives (a carving knife, a bread knife, a tomato and table knife with a serrated blade, a serrated paring knife, and a straight-edge paring knife).

9. Vremi 10 Piece Black Knife Set

With its colorful design, the Vremi 10-piece Colorful Knife Set contains five kitchen knives and five knife sheaths. However, the knives are made of stainless steel and do not resemble ceramic knives.

 These soft-grip knives will add a splash of color to your life and provide a comfortable grip. Neither are they the sharpest knives on the block (or, better yet, in the block), but they aren’t exactly dull either. 

This knife set would make an excellent addition to any camping box or for use on the go (are there any bartenders out there?). Each knife is enclosed in an individual hard plastic cover.

There are five knives in this set (a chef’s knife, 1 paring knife, a serrated bread knife, 1 utility knife, and a carving knife) and five hard plastic covers.

10. Knife block set with self-sharpening action from Calphalon 1924554

In terms of beginner knife sets, it is difficult to find a better choice than the Calphalon 1924554 Classic 6-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set. To begin with, we found these knives to be just as sharp as some of the more expensive knife sets. And we especially liked the fact that the block has a built-in sharpener.

 This is a great addition for beginners-it removes the need to purchase a knife sharpener or honing steel.

We found this set lacking in a serrated bread knife (which we believe is crucial to a good starter set). In addition, we found the knives to be a bit heavy. And the chef’s knife has a very long handle, which threw off its balance and made it difficult to hold it for extended periods.

As part of this set, you will receive four knives (a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches long, a santoku knife measuring 5 inches long. A utility knife measuring 6 inches long, and a paring knife measuring 3.5 inches long) along with kitchen shears, and a large wooden block.

11. The Henckels International Statement 12-piece knife block set 35309

Considering the price, the J.A. Henckels International 35309-000 Statement 12-Piece Knife Block Set will not break the bank.

The knives themselves are lightweight and sufficiently sharp to accomplish any task we threw at them. But their handle design prevented this from being a truly outstanding set. The handles are a little clunky to our liking, making it difficult to hold them.

A paring knife with a wide blade and thick handle, making it difficult to maneuver, was also unfavorable to us. As a result, if you are searching for a budget knife set that includes steak knives. And you prefer to get a santoku knife over a utility knife, this would be an ideal starter set for most households.

Four knives are included in this set (an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 7-inch serrated bread knife, and a 3-inch paring knife) as well as honing steel, kitchen shears, six steak knives, and a large wooden block.

12. Amazon Basics 18-Piece Premium Kitchen Knife Block Set

With the AmazonBasics Premium 18-Piece Knife Block Set, you get an astonishing number of knives at a great price. Therefore, I do not consider it my favorite among the group. I find a lot of similarities between this and the knives found in the drawers at vacation rental properties.

 Although they aren’t as easy to utilize as some of the other sets I tested, they certainly do the job. If I had to use these knives on a regular basis. I would go a little crazy, but this set would work just fine for someone who does not cook too frequently.

Included in this set are seven knives (a chef’s knife measuring 8 inches, a Santoku knife 7 inches, a paring knife measuring 3.5 inches, a serrated bread knife 8 inches, a utility knife 5 inches, a boning knife 6 inches, a slicing knife 8 inches) with a honing steel, kitchen shears, and eight steak knives.

What We Looked For When Testing Knife Sets Under $200

It is the tester

Hi, I am Lindsay Mattison, a trained professional chef, and a highly dedicated knife enthusiast. In college, I worked double shifts for several months in order to raise enough money to purchase my first knife set. 

In culinary school, I purchased the knife set recommended by the instructor. You do not have to spend a lot of money on a knife set. But I do want to ensure that you have all the information before making a purchase of this magnitude.

Testing

From a wide selection of knife sets offered by most of the major knife manufacturers. We have selected 12 sets that are rated highly. Then, we went to work testing each knife individually to learn how the set performed as a whole.

In general, we test knives individually, but this pre-built set had to demonstrate overall usability and performance to provide real value for money.

There was a strong emphasis on ensuring that each set contained the necessary knives (which we will discuss in a moment) and bonus points were given for the addition of extra items that were really useful. Also, we were seeking a set that could be easily stored.

Our tests were designed with this objective in mind, evaluating value, performance, and ease of storage. The chef’s knife was used for chopping onions and slicing basil thinly. The paring knife for peeling apples and segmenting citrus, and the serrated knife for slicing bread and sandwiches. 

Many of the sets included a small utility knife, so we were able to slice tomatoes and block cheeses. We tested the kitchen shears included in the set as well, cutting cardboard, and gliding the blades through the parchment paper.

Along the way, we evaluated the sharpness of the blades. The comfort of the handles, and the weight and length of each knife in order to determine whether the pair was worth the investment.

A Guide to Buying Best Kitchen Knives Under 200 Dollar:

It is important to consider the following question when choosing a knife set: What type of knife do you want to own?

Prior to purchasing a set, you should investigate. In the case of Japanese knives, I’m partial to Shun and Global. My colleagues, however, tend to prefer German steel knives (like Wüsthof or Zwilling J.A. Henckels).

Even a professional chef I know replaces ceramic knives every three months when they become dull. 

As a result, we are not able to determine your preferences. In ranking and rating the products, we kept this in mind. It is, however, important to follow a few steadfast rules when choosing a knife set.

A chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated bread knife are essential components. The set should also include an edge-sharpening steel. The package also includes a pair of kitchen shears. If the set includes a utility knife, that is good.

If you are slicing cheese or small vegetables, this smaller knife may prove useful. I deem boning knives, carving knives or slicing knives, smaller serrated knives, tourne knives (often called peelers), or steak knives to be bonus items.

Last but not least, you will require a means of storing the knives. In general, most sets come with a block. But this may not be an issue if you have a limited amount of counter space, as I do. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of using a space-saving magnetic wall strip in this case. 

Make sure that your knives are protected by plastic before you store them in a drawer. There is a possibility that they might bang against each other and chip, or worse yet, you might injure yourself while reaching for one.