Best Knife Sets Under $200 | Buying Guide [2023]

There are many best knives under 200 and $100 price range, and more sets seem to be announced almost daily. It is nice to have a variety of options, but it can be difficult to determine which cutlery set is right for you.

This article is updated regularly as we test new kitchen knife sets and series, so our recommendations may change as new products become available.

All these knife block sets are well constructed and durable, but they all have their own strengths and weaknesses, which we have listed to make your decision easier.

The number of knife releases has been lower than normal over the last few years, but there will still be many fantastic knife sets available in 2023. Many new sets have sharpening systems built in, so we will spend a lot of time testing these sets this year.

Technology advances have made it possible for kitchen cutlery companies in 2023 to provide high-quality and functional products at an affordable price.

Despite the fact that low-priced kitchen knife sets are not on the same level as high-end knives, the quality gap is not as great as it once was, and it’s possible to get a great set that will last for many years for less than 200 dollars if it is properly stored.

We have described the types of knives that are included in most of these sets at the end of this article. Using this information, you may be able to select the best product for the type of food preparation that you do.

Read Also: Best Kitchen Knife Set Under $300

Top Picks for Best Knives Under 200

• Buck Knives 4 Piece Set
• Mercer Genesis 7 Piece Set (Top Pick)
• Ninja K32009 Foodi 9 Piece Knife Set
• Misen 3-Piece Knife Set 
• Cangshan H1 Series 10 Piece Kitchen Knife Set
• Cold Steel Kitchen Classics 12 Piece
• Calphalon Classic 15-Piece Knife Set
• Zwilling JA Henckels Now S 6 Piece Knife Set
• J.A.-Henckels International Modernist
• Victorinox Fibrox 8 Piece Set

1. BUCK KNIVES 4-PIECE CUTLERY SET

Details

Weight: 8 pounds
Dimensions: 15″ x 5.1″ x 11.5″

The pros

Grinds help remove food trimmings

with full flavor

immediately after opening

American-made

forgings that are not stamped

Providing comfortable handles

Maintainable and honeable

Negatives

Please do not use steak knives

knives, as a honing rod is not included

one 8-inch chef knife is included in the set. One 4″ paring knife, one 8″ slicer, and one rubberwood storage block are included in the set.

In addition to producing hunting knives and pocket knives, Buck Knives also produces superb kitchen cutlery. All of the knives feature outstanding fit and finish, and Buck offers a lifetime warranty on all of them.

420 HC steel is the steel used in all Buck kitchen knives. In general, we would not recommend kitchen knives made of 420 steel due to its soft nature, but the Buck Paul Bos heat treatment really makes their 420HC steel stand out from virtually every other 420 steel used by other knife manufacturers. This blade is easy to sharpen and has good edge retention.

This set may be your best choice if you dislike food sticking to your knife. It is fairly easy to shed food pieces such as tomato slices and onion dices with the deep hollow grind of the chef knife. It does not mean food will never stick to the blade, but it does a better job of shedding food pieces than any other chef knife we have reviewed.

Despite its ergonomic design, the handles of this set are comfortable even if used for prolonged periods. Despite not being quite as gripping as some of the handles on other knife sets discussed in this article, these handles are durable and comfortable to hold.

Options

Slate Paperstone, Rosewood Dymalux®, and Elk Bone are the three options available for handles. The only version available for less than $200 is the Slate Paperstone handle version.

The 8′′ carving knife, which is included in this set, is one of our favorite slicers in the market, and my personal choice for barbecuing.

 It can be challenging to sharpen this knife due to its serrated sur, but I have been using it for almost a year now, and it remains sharp. When this knife becomes dull, Buck offers a professional sharpening service that would be a good option.

2. MERCER CULINARY GENESIS 6-PIECE SET

Descriptions

The weight of this item is eight pounds
It measures 13″ x 5″ x 15″

Positives

Guaranteed for life

full-tangibility

provides an excellent competitive advantage

Initially very sharp

steel at an affordable price

Handles that are very comfortable

Forged blades rather than stamped blades

Negatives

Dishwashers cannot be used. There is no kitchen cutlery that is dishwasher safe, but this set is especially true.

Neither steak knives nor forks are included.

Set consists of one 8-inch chef knife, one 8-inch bread knife, one 4-inch boning knife, one 5-inch utility knife, one 3-inch paring knife, and a storage block.

Mercer Culinary is a thirty-year-old company that has produced some excellent cutlery sets in recent years. It includes knives from the Genesis series, which are full tang, well-balanced, and made of X50CrMoV15 stainless steel, a material usually found in higher-end knife sets.

This set has been kept affordable by not including steak knives, but that is common with higher-quality sets at this price point.  

Considering the ergonomic handle design of this knife set, it is a good option for those seeking knives that will not cause discomfort during long periods of food preparation.

This knife has a handle made of Santoprene, which is a rubber-like material that provides a comfortable grip even when it is wet.

Unlike the wood block that is typically found with knife sets, the Genesis set comes packaged in a glass case. If the knives are stored under a low cabinet, the block is not angled, so they may be difficult to remove.

Overall, this is an excellent set at a very reasonable price point and should provide exceptional performance for many years to come.

3. NINJA K32009 FOODI 9-PIECE KNIFE SET WITH NEVERDULL BLOCK

Features

Weighs eight pounds
Measures 14.37 inches by 7.45 inches by 12.63 inches

Positives

Sharpening system for storage blocks that is better than the competition

competition, tangent-free

Excellent right out of the box

Made from German steel

manufactured in Spain

not stamped

Features comfortable handles

Negatives

Quite a small set

Storage blocks with no empty spaces

The set includes one 8-inch chef knife, one 7-inch santoku knife, one 3.5-inch paring knife, four steak knives, and one storage block with the NeverDull sharpening system.

Kitchen knife sets with self-sharpening storage blocks are available for under $200. These systems have the disadvantage of reducing the lifespan of knives, as they sharpen the blades even when they are not required to do so. 

By not incorporating sharpening mechanisms into the separate knife block slots, the Ninja Foodi system circumvents this issue. It is still equipped with the NeverDull sharpening system, but it will only need to be used when the knives become dull.

K32009

The Ninja K32009 Foodi knives are constructed from German X50CrMoV15 steel, which is a popular high-quality steel for kitchen knives (it is most commonly used by Wusthof).

 As compared to most other budget-friendly knife sets, these knives hold their edge well; however, they do not match the quality of more expensive sets.

Nevertheless, edge retention is not a significant problem due to the quick and easy operation of the Ninja NeverDull system.

This built-in convenience has one drawback: No built-in sharpening system (including the Ninja NeverDull) can match the sharpness achieved by a whetstone or guided sharpening system.

It is a relatively small knife set, but given the overall quality and performance of the knives, as well as the effectiveness of the built-in sharpening system, it is still a surprising good deal. Plastic is used for the storage block included in this set, which feels cheap, but has a very modern appearance.

 You cannot go wrong with the Ninja K32009 Foodi if you are looking for a self-sharpening knife set.

4. MISEN 3-PIECE SET

Descriptions

Blade size 8″

Long Tang

Stainless Steel AUS10 Japanese

Rockwell Hardness 58

Handles in TPE

Guaranteed for Life

Double-beveled at 15 degrees

weight 8.9 oz.

Positives

Steel with a high strength

guarantee of lifetime factory sharpening

Handles that are comfortable

with excellent fit and finish

Exceptional customer service

Deficiencies

Set of four

Separate storage blocks

Includes a paring knife measuring 3.5 inches, a bread knife measuring 9.5 inches, and a chef knife measuring 8 inches. The storage block is not included.

When looking for a knife set with high-quality steel that will last for many years, this set from Misen is probably the best under $200 for looks and durability.

These knives are made of tough AUS-10 steel, Japanese steel commonly found in pocket knives and fixed-blade survival knives.

Misen makes some bold claims in their marketing that won’t completely prove true from a performance standpoint when we tested their knives, but they certainly proved true with regard to toughness and durability.

Misen knives feature contoured, TPE handles that remain grippy even in wet conditions.

Even if the knives in this set were manufactured from high-quality raw materials, it would not matter if the overall design was poor.

The knives look great and the design is very functional. A Gyuto design was selected by Misen, which is reminiscent of the Tojiro DP series. 

Tojiro DP

The Tojiro DP series is considered by many to be the best of the relatively affordable Japanese knife designs currently available.

The only downside of the Misen 3-Piece set is the requirement to purchase the wood storage block separately.

 However, Misen makes ordering really simple on their user-friendly website, and the price is still just under $200.

All Misen knives are eligible for free lifetime sharpening through the Stay Sharp program. For knives at this price point, this is a very rare service, so for those who dislike sharpening, Misen is a great choice.

Check out our comprehensive review of the Misen 8 inch knife to learn more about the overall performance and durability of Misen knives.

5. CANGSHAN H1 SERIES 10 PIECE KITCHEN KNIFE SET

Descriptions

Approximately 11.6 lbs.
Measurements: 17.2″ x 5.2″ x 15.7″

Positives

Guaranteed for life

100% pure tangerine

metal forged, not stamped

High-grade steel

Extremely sharp out of the box

Beautiful design

Contains a 3-stage knife sharpener

Negatives

No knife slots are available in the block

if steak knives are desired

as fully-bolstered knives

It contains a 2.75′′ peeling knife, a 3.5′′ paring knife, a 5.5′′ serrated utility knife, a 5.5′′ utility knife, a 7′′ hollow edge santoku knife, a 8′′ chef’ knife, an 8′′ bread knife, a 9′′ slicing knife, a pair of scissors, a 3 stage knife sharpener, and an acacia wood block.

A relatively new cutlery company, Cangshan has established itself as a provider of high-quality cutlery. My personal preference is their X50Cr15MoV German steel because I believe it provides decent rust prevention and good edge retention.

Visually, the 8-piece S1 series knives stand apart from the competition. This would, however, mean nothing if they failed to perform well.

These knives have a practical design and excellent balance, combined with an excellent cutting edge that allows them to perform to the highest level.

Tapered handles provide a comfortable blend of Eastern and Western styling that is easy to grip. The blades are fairly rust-proof and hold an edge well.

Unfortunately, this set does not contain steak knives, however, Cangshan does make an 18-piece set that does contain steak knives, but at a higher price.

6. COLD STEEL KITCHEN CLASSICS 12 PIECE BLOCK SET

Descriptions

It weighs 4.5 pounds
It measures 10′′ by 7.5′′ by 6′′

Positives

Handles that are comfortable and easy to grasp

Sharp blades straight from the box

Stainless steel blades that have been cryo-quenched and ice-tempereds

provide excellent corrosion resistance

Negatives

It is not as durable as other cutlery sets of similar price

Is not accompanied by a sharpening rod

There are five knives included in this set: one paring knife of 4.5 inches, one utility knife of 6 inches, one santoku knife of 7 inches, one bread knife of 8 inches, one chef’s knife of 8 inches, eight steak knives, one pair of kitchen shears, and a maple wood block with self-sharpening slots.

Including cutlery from a company that mainly manufactures tactical knives may seem strange, however, the Kitchen Classics set from Cold Steel has the most comfortable and easy-to-hold handles of any knife set in this price range or at any price range.

It has become increasingly popular among people who experience hand discomfort when using standard kitchen knives and with those who simply enjoy the way the handles feel.

While this set may not look as good as the majority of the other sets on this list, appearance won’t matter much when you are actually using the knives as intended because this set is actually very enjoyable to use.

Cold Steel’s Zy-Ex core handles are clearly the most impressive feature of this set, otherwise, it would not have been included on this list. Kitchen Classics offers exceptional corrosion resistance, a well-designed, durable set.

Although the knives are not as sharp as the other knives on this list, this set is a good choice if you are concerned with the comfort and grip of the handle.

7. CALPHALON CLASSIC SELF SHARPENING 15-PIECE KNIFE SET

Descriptions

Weight: 4.7 pounds
Dimensions: 6 by 12 by 15 inches

Positives

Labels are affixed to knives

immediately upon delivery

Lifetime warranty

Includes self-sharpening block

for full tang

Negatives

Steak knives do not come with a sharpening mechanism

Chef knives are heavier than most of their competitors (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).

There are eight steak knives, one pair of kitchen shears, one 7 inch santoku knife, one 6 inch serrated utility knife, one 4.5 inch paring knife, and a blonde rubberwood knife block included in this set.

Since Calphalon has been manufacturing knives for a relatively short period of time, they have not been around as long as some of the more established brands in this article, such as Wusthof and Zwilling.

Their SharpINTM technology has made a significant contribution. Especially for individuals who dislike sharpening knives.

Automatically Sharpened

The knife is automatically sharpened every time you remove it from the block. Each slot has a specific sharpener designed for the knife inserted into that slot.

In order to assist in ensuring that knives are placed in their correct slots, Calphalon’s designers thought it would be a good idea to label the handles of each knife.

It is true that Calphalon made knife maintenance easier, but that would not be important if the knives lacked quality and performance.

This is fortunate. In addition to maintaining their edge well, the high-carbon stainless steel blades are fairly stain-resistant. Despite this, they should never be put in the dishwasher and should always be hand-washed.

In addition to being full tang, these knives are forged, not stamped, which means they should last for many years to come. At a cost of fewer than 200 dollars, this knife set is rather impressive, however, it is not perfect. There are no forged steak knives, and the steak knives are made of lower-quality steel than the rest of the set.

The handles on the 15-piece Classic set are made of polyresin and are very comfortable to hold. However, they do not have the same grippy feel as the Cold Steel knives.

These knives have triple-riveted handles that are durable. Providing long-term reliability has been the hallmark of the Classic series for several years.

To prevent rust spots on the knives, they should always be dried by hand immediately after washing. The knives in this set are not dishwasher safe.

8. ZWILLING JA HENCKELS NOW S 6 PIECE KNIFE BLOCK SET

Descriptions

Weighs six pounds
Measures 9.8 in. by 5.2 in. by 16.8 in.

Positives

Immediately sharp out of the box

Compared to most budget knives

The handles are very comfortable

the set comes with a sharpener

manufactured in Germany

Negatives

There are no steak knives in this package

Not full tang

Each set includes one 8-inch chef knife, one 4-inch paring knife, one 8-inch bread knife, one 8-inch sharpening steel, and a pair of kitchen shears.

It is fair to say that the Zwilling Now S series is one of the newest product lines from J.A. Henckels. Compared with the company’s higher-end knives, they are much lighter in weight, and they ship with a wood block that sits up straight rather than the conventional slanted style found on most knife blocks. Since the knives are not full tangs, they are lighter in weight and have blades that are slightly thinner than most other Zwilling Henckels knives

Due to the higher quality steel used in making these knives, the blades still perform well despite their thinner size. They have questionable long-term durability due to their non-full tang construction. Additionally, the balance is a bit off. It is, however, very comfortable to use due to its ergonomic polypropylene handles.

If you are concerned about how this set will fit into your kitchen decor, the knives and wooden blocks are available in a variety of colors.

Blocks in the “Now S” sets are inclined upward, which can make it difficult to handle the knife easily if you intend to store them on a counter under a cabinet.

The Now S knife set is an excellent option for anyone who is interested in quality steel at an affordable price and does not require a large set of knives.

9. J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL MODERNIST 14-PC SET WITH SELF SHARPENING BLOCK

Descriptions

Weight: 9 pounds
Dimensions: 15.5″ x 5″ x 11.5″

Positives

Warranty for life

between 55 and 58 HRC

An impressive set at this price point

Excellent performance right from the box

Built-in sharpener labels

Negatives

Included in this set are two 3 inch paring knives, two 3.5-inch paring knives, one 5-inch serrated utility knife, one 6-inch utility knife, one 7-inch santoku knife, one 8-inch bread knife, one 8-inch chef’s knife, six 4.5 inch steak knives, and one ash wood self-sharpening block.

A modernist collection of knives is one of J.A. Henckel’s latest products. In a relatively short period of time since they were introduced to the market, they have become extremely popular.

Due to their limited tangibility, I have not included them on this list. JA Henckles appears to have created a knife with a 3/4 tang that is durable.

A company such as JA Henckles is not the first to achieve this goal. For many years, the Swedish cutlery manufacturer Morakniv has been producing excellent 3/4 tang knives.

Modernist’s design is exceptional for the price. There is a noticeable difference between the aggressive styling of this knife and most of JA Henckels other products.

It is particularly pleasant to use the 7″ Santoku knife, which is well-balanced. It is true that the contoured stainless steel handles are not as comfortable as those found on high-end knife sets made from Pakkawood or Micarta, but they still prove to be much more practical than most other knife product lines that use stainless steel handles.

This set is unquestionably distinguished by its self-sharpening block. There are many people who put off sharpening knives until they become dull, so I appreciate the labeling of the knife slots to ensure the right knife is put in the slot that is designed to sharpen that particular knife.

 If you are looking for a good-looking, durable set, this one is hard to beat.

10. VICTORINOX FIBROX 8-PIECE SET

Descriptions

Approximately 12.6 pounds
Size: 17.38 inches by 9.25 inches by 6 inches

Positives

Guaranteed for life

Portable

Excellent quality right out of the box

Designed in Switzerland

Comfortable handles

Negatives

In contrast to forged blades, stamped blades are used.

Knives are not fully tangible

A set includes a paring knife of 4″ in length, a boning knife of 6″ in length, a chef knife of 8″ in length, a bread knife of 8″ in length, a slicing knife of 10″ in length, a sharpening steel of 10″ length, and a pair of kitchen shears.

Victorinox’s eight-piece set is extremely popular, and it has been so for many years. This seems strange at first glance because the blades are stamped rather than forged, which can often result in a lower-quality blade.

The Victorinox stamped knives have been perfected to such an extent that I am comfortable recommending them. As a result of using a few of Victorinox’s butcher knife sets, I no longer have any skepticism about the company’s stamped blades.

From a company that has been manufacturing knives for hunters, butchers, and military applications for decades, the Victorinox Fibrox set comes as no surprise with its functional design and basic appearance.

These knives do not win any beauty awards, but they perform well nonetheless. This set is highlighted by the 8-inch chef knife. Like a much more expensive knife, it slices, dices, and chops.

This set of knives has textured handles that are easy to grip, even if your hands are wet, and the ergonomic shape of the handles makes the knives comfortable to hold for extended periods of time.

This set does not contain full-tang knives, but it appears that this does not affect their durability. It appears Victorinox does not have concerns about the durability of this set either, as evidenced by the lifetime warranty.

POPULAR KITCHEN KNIFE TYPES THAT ARE OFTEN INCLUDED IN KNIFE SETS AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR

The size of the knife set is an important consideration when choosing an ideal knife set under $200. It is possible that a small cutlery set will meet your needs if you are uncertain about the purpose of a santoku or utility knife.

If you need fewer knives than that included in the standard set, you can buy better quality knives for your $200 budget. Alternatively, you may wish to consider creating a customized cutlery set with the most suitable knives of each type regardless of the brand.  If you place importance on performance over aesthetics, the custom knife-set building option may be the best choice for you. The downside is that the knives will not match.

I have compiled a list of popular kitchen knives and their intended purposes in order to assist you in finding the right set of kitchen knives under $200.

Knife – The chef’s knife is the most versatile knife in any cutlery set. This device is great for cutting meat, chopping vegetables, mincing garlic, or just about anything else that does not require a small blade. A good kitchen cutlery set would not be complete without a chef’s knife, and it is important that this be the best knife in the set.

Santoku Knife

Similar to the chef knife, a Santoku knife is also a multi-purpose blade, however, it works better when chopping as opposed to slicing, particularly if you prefer a rocking motion when cutting.

Carving Knife

This type of knife is used for cutting thin, uniform slices from larger cuts of meat. Knives such as these are commonly used to carve poultry or turkey. You may be able to skip this knife if you and your family do not consume much meat.

Utility Knife

The utility knife is an all-purpose knife typically used for tasks that require a blade that is not as large as the blade of a chef’s knife and not as small as the blade of a paring knife. Serrated and non-serrated knives are often included in kitchen knife sets. Due to the fact that they are small and multipurpose, utility knives are ideal for road trips or camping.

Bread Knife

Obviously, a bread knife is used to cut bread, so if your family is gluten-free, this may not be a knife you should include in your set.

Paring Knife

A paring knife is used for intricately cutting smaller objects or for peeling and slicing fruits and vegetables. You may wish to consider getting a ceramic paring knife along with the stainless steel version that is included in most sets if you eat a lot of tomatoes or use them frequently in your cooking.

Knife for boning

A boning knife consists of a thin blade, which is used for deboning meats, poultry, and fish. Vegetarians probably will not need a boning knife in their set.

It is our hope that this knife-type list will help you in your search for the ideal knife set within your budget and for your specific needs.