Top 11 Best Chef’s Knives Under $100

The best chef’s knives under $100 add speed, precision and power to your slicing and dicing needs. In an episode of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America, Anne Burrell called the chef’s knife the most important tool in the kitchen — now, you can check this item off your kitchen must-have list without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re slicing onions, dicing celery or chopping larger cuts of meat, a multi-purpose chef’s knife is a necessary tool for beginners, experienced home cooks and award-winning professional chefs. If you’re looking for a new chef’s knife to add to your cutting collection, and don’t want to spend a fortune in the process, keep reading to discover a few of our picks for the best chef’s knives under $100.

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• Best Overall: Zwilling Twin Signature 8" Chef Knife
• Best for Beginners: Henckels Dynamic 3-Pc Knife Set
• Most Versatile: Henckels Solution 3-Pc Knife Set
• Best 7" Chef's Knife: Zwilling Pro Slim 7" Chef's Knife
• Best Value: Henckels Classic Precision 8” Chef’s Knife
• Best Budget: Henckels Solution 8” Chef’s Knife
• Best for Intermediate Chefs: Zwilling Four Star 8" Chef's Knife
• Best 6" Chef's Knife: Wüsthof Gourmet 6" Chef's Knife
• Best Japanese Style: Shun Sora 8” Chef’s Knife
• Most Unique: Victorinox Swiss Modern 6” Chef’s Knife
• Best Non-Slip: Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8” Chef’s Knife

1. Best Overall: Zwilling Twin Signature 8" Chef Knife

The Zwilling Twin Signature 8" Chef Knife combines lightweight versatility with precision and durability. Made from a single piece of ice-hardened German steel, this chef's knife has a razor-sharp, laser-controlled edge that has been honed and hand-finished with a 280-year-perfected technique. The blade is ultra-resistant to chips, stains and wear, and the knife fits comfortably in the hand as the ideal all-around kitchen workhorse. 

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

We love that this knife is the perfect mix of elegant design and practicality. The durability that is typical of the Zwilling brand is an added bonus.

2. Best for Beginners: Henckels Dynamic 3-Pc Knife Set

The fact that you’re getting three top-quality knives makes the Henckels Dynamic 3-Pc Knife Set some of the best chef’s knives under $100. The set comes with an 8” chef’s knife, a 5” serrated utility knife and a 4” paring knife. All have ergonomic triple-riveted straight-edge handles for comfort and stability. The polished fine-edge blades offer long-lasting precision for slicing, dicing and mincing. Designed in Germany, Henckels knives have a full tang are made of high-quality stainless steel that’s lightweight yet strong and durable.

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

For beginners in the kitchen, this budget-friendly knife set has everything you need to get started. Plus, the simple design is easy to use and comfortable in the hand.

3. Most Versatile: Henckels Solution 3-Pc Knife Set

Another great choice for best chef’s knives under $100, the Henckels Solution 3-Pc Knife Set features the same three knives and top-quality construction as the Dynamic set listed above. The main difference with this set is the rounded handle design, rather than a straight handle. A rounded-edge handle gives you even more comfort and maneuverability for peeling fruit and veggies or slicing into chicken breasts.

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

Another great entry-level set, we love how this minimalist knife trio covers all your slicing and dicing bases.

4. Best 7" Chef's Knife: Zwilling Pro Slim 7" Chef's Knife

The elegant Zwilling Pro Slim 7" Chef's Knife works as beautifully for professionals as it does for home cooks. Easy to handle and ergonomically designed, this knife was made with durability, precision and safety in mind, and is the perfect size for smaller hands. The broad curve of the blade works well for both Western and Eastern style cuts. 

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

This knife is a classic kitchen staple. We love the timeless design, ergonomic handle and versatile blade that handles all styles of chopping.

5. Best Value: Henckels Classic Precision 8” Chef’s Knife

One of the best chef’s knives under $100, the Henckels Classic Precision 8” Chef’s Knife is made in Spain and features high-quality German stainless steel in its satin-finished fine-edged blade, which is also stain resistant. An ergonomic triple-rivet handle and wide bolster provides comfort, safety and weight whether you’re chopping potatoes, dicing carrots or mincing garlic. The handle on this best chef’s knife under $100 has a straight spine with a curved butt for even better grip.

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

This knife is a fantastic bang for your buck, offering the dependability and durability that Henckels is known for. This is bound to be your new go-to in the kitchen.

6. Best Budget: Henckels Solution 8” Chef’s Knife

If you had your eye on the Henckels Solution set but don’t need all three, put the Henckels Solution 8” Chef’s Knife on your list of the best chef’s knives under $100. It has a full tang precision-stamped blade that’s lightweight, strong and durable. The ergonomic triple-rivet handle is curved for comfort.

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

Comfort, precision and durability convene in a chef's knife that won't break the bank. This trusty chef's knife handles all manner of rocking, chopping and dicing.

7. Best for Intermediate Chefs: Zwilling Four Star 8" Chef's Knife 

Designed in collaboration with professional chefs, the Zwilling Four Star 8" Chef's Knife is a true kitchen workhorse. The ergonomically contoured handle is easy to grip for daily use chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing, while the ice-hardened, precision-forged blade is built to last. This knife makes a great addition to any established home cook's collection, without being too fussy for a beginner.

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

We love that this knife suits any level of home cook, with an exceptional build and ultra-comfortable handle. Whether it's your first chef's knife or your fifth, this well-built knife lives up to its reputation.

8. Best 6" Chef's Knife: Wüsthof Gourmet 6" Chef's Knife

Made of high-carbon stainless steel, the Wüsthof Gourmet 6" Chef's Knife is a super-sharp tool built for multipurpose kitchen use. The laser-cut blade is designed to keep its edge, making this one of the best chef’s knives under $100 for low maintenance. The handle is made of highly durable polyoxymethylene, which stands up to chips and fading over time, and feels comfortably weighty in the hand. Whether you’re looking for something more delicate or heavy-duty, this is one of the best chef’s knives under $100 (or fluctuating around it) to fit the bill.

9. Best Japanese Style: Shun Sora 8” Chef’s Knife

The Shun Sora 8” Chef’s Knife is reported to be one of Bobby Flay’s favorites. Regardless of internet myths or truths, this is one of the best chef’s knives under $100. It’s made of two types of Japanese stainless steel in a process known as brazing. The two pieces are welded together for maximum durability and high performance. The stain-resistant blade has less of a curve than a western chef’s knife, which means it doesn’t need to be lifted as much to deliver a great cut (whether you’re trying to slay at your grill game or not). A textured TPE polymer handle offers excellent grip, perfect balance and a contemporary look to make this a top choice for best chef’s knives under $100.

10. Most Unique: Victorinox Swiss Modern 6” Chef’s Knife

Makers of the Swiss Army Knife know a thing or two about cutting. The Victorinox Swiss Modern 6” Chef’s Knife is a great choice for best chef’s knife under $100 in a smaller compact design. The famous Swiss-made brand features a straight edge with a stainless steel and water-resistant pointed blade that cuts cleanly and effortlessly. An ergonomic handle features a rich grain European walnut wood handle that gives a modern and elegant look to this best chef’s knife under $100.

11. Best Non-Slip: Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8” Chef’s Knife

Another Swiss-made choice for an all-around best chef’s knife under $100 is the Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8” Chef’s Knife. Its compact design has a non-slip ergonomic Fibrox handle that offers great grip even when wet. An ultra-sharp and extra-wide blade with a straight edge provides balance and optimum cutting performance to easily slice through fruit, vegetables and larger cuts of meat.

• Price: $48.99

From German steel and Japanese design to ergonomic handles, extra-wide bolsters and precision-honed blades, these are some of the best chef’s knives under $100. You can take your knife skills to the next level with any one of these multi-purpose kitchen tools, and you're bound to end up slicing and dicing like a head chef in no time. While you're at it, why not add some of these best steak knives to your collection?

For even more ways to elevate your kitchen, check out chef-recommended cutlery in the Cozymeal Shop.