Hours upon hours of dedicated efforts have been paid off to put together this awesome list of the best knife sets under $100 you will find in the business. Hundreds of knives on Amazon have been reviewed and filtered through to compile this list of only the best, highest quality kitchen knives so that you can save time and effort on tedious browsing and information overload with this one compact review. As you read through this guide, you will feel the confidence of a knowledgeable consumer who can make the best choices for their kitchenware, and hopefully, you will get your hands on a great bargain too! If you are looking for a more expensive set, make sure to check out our Best Knife Sets for every Kitchen, which has something for everyone on it.
✅ After going through all of the best knife sets under $100, this is the knife that we would buy based on all of its qualities.
10 Best Knife Sets Under $100
Set Includes:
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8-inch Serrated Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 3-inch Paring Knife
- Magnetic Wooden Storage Board
Features:
- Ergonomic handles
- Japanese steel
- One-piece high carbon
- Japanese steel
Best Knife Set Under 100: Mercer Culinary Millennia 5-Piece Magnetic Board Set Editor’s Choice
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8-inch Serrated Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 3-inch Paring Knife
- Magnetic Wooden Storage Board
Pros
- Good range of high-quality Japanese steel knives
- Ergonomic handle made with premium materials
- Full tang, high-carbon Japanese steel blade which is highly durable
- Easy edge maintenance
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Only 4 knives included, which does not meet my recommendation of at least 5 knives
- No sharpening rod included
Overall Mercer Culinary Millennia 5-Piece Magnetic Set Board Set Review
This 5-piece set by Mercer Culinary is a good example of a well-rounded knife set that boasts the essentials. A little underwhelming in terms of quantity, as I did mention that we should aim for 5 knives as a minimum, but perhaps the bonus magnetic wood block makes up for this. This knife set comes with ergonomic handles made with Santoprene for comfort and polypropylene for durability and a full tang construction for maximum lasting sturdiness.
I recommend this set if quantity is not an issue for you and if you have an appreciation for fine Japanese premium materials and manufacturing, particularly the unique style of the santoku knife, which is indeed a selling point of this quality knife set.
Rated 4.8 stars on Amazon reviews, the quality is very much validated and verified, and if not for the slightly lower than average number of knives included, I would’ve surely regarded this as a contender for the best knife set under 100. Read more about them in our Mercer Culinary Knives Review.
Chicago Cutlery Malden 16 Piece Knife Set
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 6 ¾ -inch Serrated Bread Knife
- 6-inch Santoku Knife
- 4 ¾ -inch Utility Knife
- 3 ¼ -inch Paring Knife
- 8x 4½ – inch Steak Knives
- Kitchen Shears
- Chop Assist
- Ebony-Stain Wood Block
Pros
- Huge range of quality knives all made with premium stainless steel from Chicago Cutlery
- Blades made of high-carbon stainless steel for strength and stain-resistance
- Contoured stainless steel handles are sleek, ergonomic, and contemporary in design
- Stylish wood block with a black modern finish and a sharpener which is built-in
- Includes many bonus items such as shears, chop assist, and storage block
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not dishwasher friendly
- Requires regular maintenance to ensure sharpness
Overall Chicago Cutlery Malden 16 Piece Knife Set Review
This set by Chicago Cutlery is really hard to look past, and to be completely honest with you; I struggled to find any cons worth mentioning with this one. All the knives’ stainless steel blades are sharpened to 26 degrees for an optimum, precise cutting edge.
With a whopping 16 items in this knife set, you are getting all the essential knives, from basic knives and paring knives, as well as a chef knife, eight steak knives, a serrated knife, kitchen shears, and a wooden block with a built-in sharpener all for under $100. To add to that, Chicago Cutlery products come with a lifetime forever sharpness guarantee, so these knives are truly intended for a lifetime of use.
This is an insanely good deal, particularly when you consider the quality of each knife in this set, all of which are extremely sharp and made with top-grade materials and precise construction. This is indeed a budget knife set wherever you’ve seen one, but Chicago Cutlery delivers more than affordability with this one, sporting an astounding 4.7 stars on Amazon ratings from over 1000 global customers. Read more about them in our Chicago Cutlery Knives Review.
Cuisinart C77SS-15P Graphix Collection
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 5.½ -inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 3 ½ -inch Paring Knife
- 2 ¾ -inch Bird’s Beak Paring Knife
- 8-inch Sharpening Steel
- All-Purpose Kitchen Shears
- 6x 4 ½ -inch Steak Knives
- Knife Block Set
Pros
- Superior stainless steel blade enables precise cutting and slicing
- Ergonomic and textured handle for comfort, control, and performance
- Bonus items such as kitchen shears and knife block set
- Sharpening rod makes it easy to sharpen knives
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not dishwasher friendly
- Regular maintenance required
Overall Cuisinart C77SS-15P Graphix Collection Review
This 15-piece set by Cuisinart barely made the cut for this list as it was just under $100, making it to the final list by a matter of cents. Nonetheless, it’s a great deal, and I, for one, am surprised that it wasn’t priced higher, as I do consider Cuisinart to be one of the most reputable brands on the market today. The knives in this set are quite varied, particularly with rarer items such as the serrated utility knife and the bird’s beak paring knife.
You could tackle so many different tasks with this set, and you are even given the kitchen tools and warranty to maintain each knife for a lifetime. What I like most about this set is the textured handles, which give out one of the coolest looks, in my opinion, and also a unique grip that’s hard to come by anywhere else.
Complete with six steak knives and a rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon from over 2000 global customers, it’s hard to find any outlying faults with this set. Read more about them in our Cuisinart Knives Review.
McCook MC29 Knife Set
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 5-inch Santoku Knife
- 5 ½ -inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 5-inch Utility Knife
- 3 ½ -inch Paring Knife
- 6x 4 ½ -inch Serrated Steak Knife
- 2 Pairs of Kitchen Shears
- Hard Wood Knife Block Set with Built-in Sharpener
Pros
- Good variety of knives in many different sizes
- Knives are made with high-carbon German stainless steel
- Ergonomic stainless steel handle
- Easy to maintain and easy to use
- Includes many bonus items such as storage block and shears
- Built-in sharpener included
Cons
- Strictly not dishwasher friendly
- Requires constant maintenance to ensure quality performance
Overall McCook MC29 Knife Sets Review
Yet another 15-piece collection, this McCook knife set has so much variety and is made of high-carbon German steel, meaning it is more durable and sharper than the typical stainless steel knife. Accompanied with this product are two shears, a wooden storage block with a built-in sharpening steel which ensures even the sharpest knives are maintained to perfection with every use. The manufacturers of this set made a big point of avoiding dishwashers when cleaning, so I definitely don’t recommend this for dishwasher enthusiasts who simply refuse to handwash their knives.
Other than that, there are not too many negative remarks I can give about this one, but Amazon reviews sure give it its due praise, with a convincing 4.7 stars average from across an enormous 10,000+ reviews, even the vast majority find it difficult to come up with a complaint. I highly recommend this set, particularly if you are a fan of German stainless steel, because all the knives in this set are made with high-carbon German steel right down to the shears.
Rachael Ray Cucina Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Kitchen
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef’s Knife
- 8-inch Slicer Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 5-inch Santoku Knife
- 3 ½ -inch Paring Knife
- Wood Knife Block
Pros
- Premium Japanese stainless steel for durability and sharpness
- Grippy ergonomic handles make slicing, cutting, and dicing easy
- Easy to clean and maintain
- A fair variety of knives to tackle many different tasks
- The wooden block is stylish and decorative as well as convenient
Cons
- Not safe for dishwasher use
- A small range of knives – does not include serrated knife or steak knives
Overall Rachael Ray Cucina Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Kitchen Review
Despite the lack of steak knives or serrated knives, this is undoubtedly a well-balanced set of knives, all of which are equipped with Japanese stainless steel blades. Perhaps the best thing about this set is actually the wooden storage block, as it just looks so unique and stylish and is honestly a bit of a game-changer for me.
While these knives are indeed a good variety that will surely deliver results, I’m just not convinced that it can beat any of the other sets on this list, as the number of knives is at the bare minimum but is still lacking some of my favorites, and would benefit greatly with the addition of serrated knives, carving knives or steak knives.
With that said, I will admit this set has achieved a rather high score of 4.8 stars on Amazon reviews, though only by under 500 users, but this is still a fact to be reckoned with. I recommend this set to those who are indifferent about the limited range of knives in this set by Rachael Ray and are happy with just the bare essentials.
Emojoy Knife Set, 15-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Wooden Block
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 8-inch Santoku Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 5-inch Utility Knife
- 3 ½ -inch Paring Knife
- Kitchen Scissors
- Knife Sharpening Steel
- 6x 4 ½ -inch Steak Knives
Pros
- Excellent range of different sized knives and different types
- All blades in this knife set are made with high-carbon German stainless steel
- Ergonomic traditional Polymer industrial strength handles
- Easy to maintain with sharpness steel
- Easy to clean via handwash
- Limited return policy included
Cons
- Not dishwasher friendly
- Only available in one color
Overall Emojoy Knife Set, 15-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Wooden Block Review
This set of German stainless steel knives is made using high-carbon elements, creating an added durability and sharpness to the edge, allowing for superior cutting, slicing, and dicing results. In addition, the handles come in a stylish light blue design made of traditional Polymer material, which is both beautiful in design and ergonomics.
On the downside, it is only available in this color, so if you’re not a fan of the color blue, you’ll either need to put up with this or give this one a pass. Included also is a sharpening steel rod which maximizes your blades’ performance and ensures lasting quality. Rated 4.8 stars on Amazon reviews by the most important people, the customers, I highly recommend this set from Emojoy as it provides all the essential knives with a generous quantity and has a unique look about it that I personally adore.
Deik High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set Review
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Carving Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 7 ½ -inch Stainless Sharpening Steel
- 7 ½ -inch Shears
- 5-inch Utility Knife
- 6x 4 ½ -inch Steak Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- Acrylic Block
Pros
- Full tang design, which is high in strength and durability
- High quality X50cr15 high-carbon stainless steel from the blade through to handles
- Ergonomically friendly handles which fit nicely into the hand
- An excellent variety of knives allows you to tackle many different tasks
- Durable acrylic stand is transparent and stylish for your kitchen
Cons
- Not safe for dishwasher use
- Requires extra care to maintain quality
Overall Deik High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Set Review
This 14-piece knife set is definitely the go-to for high-carbon stainless steel blades and is among the highest quality knife sets on demand. This is because of its superior material, which is made of X50cr15 high-carbon stainless steel, which is full tang and highly durable. Complete with all the essentials, as well as a generous inclusion of six steak knives, this really is one of the better knife sets for under $100.
Not only is this knife set so high-performing, but it is easily the most unique and aesthetically pleasing design I’ve ever come across, largely because of the super-original acrylic block, which makes for not only great storage but also a feast for the eyes. Over 5500 reviews have averaged out a 4.8-star rating for this product on Amazon, and I think it’s well worth the praise.
Highest Rated: Cuisinart C55-01-12PCKS Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Knife Set
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Serrated Bread Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 6.5-inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- 6x Knife Set Covers
Pros
- Made with quality stainless steel, which is durable and sharp
- Non-stick coating for easy slicing
- Includes knife covers for extra safety and protection when not in use
- Ergonomic handles
- Color coding reduces the risk of cross-contamination
- Great variety of knives to tackle many different kitchen tasks
Cons
- No steak knives included
- The non-stick coating may wear off over time
Overall Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Knife Set Review
This 12-piece knife set by Cuisinart is indeed a different look than anything I’ve seen, and its colorful appearance is oddly pleasant to look at. At first glance, I felt this was a set of plastic, child-friendly knives, but it is far from that and should definitely be kept away from children. The appearance comes from a unique design that incorporates non-stick coating over the stainless steel blade to make cutting more seamless, a feat I never thought was possible until seeing this set.
Additionally, the set comes with protective sheaths, which optimize safety and protection when not in use, which is a great innovation, especially if you share a household with children. Covering the essentials, though, without the inclusion of steak knives, this set is still worth every penny, simply because of its massively positive feedback on Amazon reviews, which has scored 4.8 stars from over 20,000 reviews, an incredible feat! Read more about them in our Cuisinart Knives Review.
Taiker 16 Piece Kitchen Knife Set
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 8-inch Slicing Knife
- Sharpener
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- Carving Fork
- 5-inch Utility Knife
- 3.5-inch Paring Knife
- 6x 4.5-inch Steak Knives
- Kitchen Shear
- Wood Knife Block
Pros
- Huge range of knives to tackle any task in the kitchen
- Made with ultra-sharp, rust-resistant stainless steel
- Full tang construction
- Easy care and storage
- Ergonomic handles
- Triple-riveted handles
Cons
- Not safe for dishwasher use
- Only available in one color
Overall Taker 16 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set Review
This 16-piece knife set by Taiker is a state-of-the-art set of high-carbon stainless steel knives that are stain-resistant and anti-rust, not to mention durable to the max and sharpened to 16 degrees, a level fitting of the sharpest blade in town. With each knife backed by a triple-riveted handle that is both ergonomic and stylish, these knives are very comfortable and easy to use. I recommend this knife set if you are after a larger range of knives with plenty of extras.
Rated 4.4 stars on Amazon, I’d say this set possibly deserves more praise than it’s been given, though this only includes less than 50 user reviews, so perhaps it’s understandable and still quite a high rating, to say the least.
Kincano Knife Set 15 PCS, Germany High Carbon Stainless Steel Professional Chef Knife
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Bread Knife
- 8-inch Carving Knife
- 7-inch Santoku Knife
- 5-inch Knife
- 4 ½ -inch Steak Knife
- 6x 3 ½ -inch Paring Knife
- Shears
- Stainless Sharpening Steel
- Wooden Block
Pros
- Great variety of different knives to tackle many tasks
- Hand-sharpened to 16 degrees for optimal sharpness and performance
- Super high-carbon German stainless steel is chip and corrosion-resistant
- Full tang design
- Includes plenty of extras such as shears, honing steel, and wooden storage block
- Easy care and maintenance
- Ergonomic curved, tapered ABS handles
Cons
- Not safe in the dishwasher
- Only available in one color
Overall Kincano Knife Set Review
Kincano has produced this stunning 15-piece knife set with top-grade German stainless steel, which is sharpened to perfection for amazing results in slicing and dicing. Backed with plenty of extras to help you care for the knives, this is one of the best kitchen knife sets on the market and is enough to get you going on your cooking adventures in style. I highly recommend this product which is rated 4.7 stars on Amazon, as it boasts little to no flaws, just as make sure you hand wash them! Read more about them in our Kincano Knives Review.
Sabatier Forged Triple Rivet Knife Block Set
What’s Included
- 8-inch Chef Knife
- 8-inch Slicer
- 5-inch Santoku Knife
- 5 ½ -inch Serrated Utility Knife
- 4 ½ -inch Utility Knife
- 3 ½ -inch Paring Knife
- 6x 4 ½ -inch Steak Knives
- Sharpening Steel
- Shears
- Acacia Block
Pros
- Excellent variety of different knives of varying sizes, so you have something for everything
- Forged and made of high-carbon stainless steel
- Stain and corrosion resistant
- Stylish modern look with white triple-riveted handles
- Full tang construction for optimal durability
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not safe to put in the dishwasher
- Only available in white color
Overall Sabatier Forged Triple Rivet Knife Block Set Review
This 15-piece set from Sabatier is indeed among the finest knife sets and covers all the essential knives as well as some items to help you care for them. From serrated knives to utility knives, chef’s knives, and more, this is a great knife set that delivers on quantity as well as quality. My only complaint would be the lack of color options, as white is not a personal favorite, though I do think it looks good nonetheless, and according to Amazon reviews, many people must think so too.
This Sabatier knife set has received 4.7 stars from over 1200 global users, with outstanding ratings for its ergonomics, making it a good contender for the best knife set under 100. Read more about them in our Sabatier Knives Review.
Knife Buying Guide: What To Look For In A Knife Set Under $100?
Number of knives
When it comes down to choosing a set of knives, it’s important to take note of how many knives are actually included; after all, you are buying a knife set, so it better come with more than one knife!
With that said, I highly recommend the set you pick has at least five knives included, as this is the minimum number required to ensure you get a well-rounded range of the essential knives. This variety of knives are often a mixed bag which often includes a combination of some of the following: a chef’s knife, steak knife, santoku knife, paring knife, slicing knife, carving knife, a smaller utility knife, or even a serrated bread knife, so the more variety, the better.
However, some of the best knife sets under 100 are actually far more than a 5-piece set and can reach numbers of 15 knives and beyond, often with added bonus items such as a knife sharpener and kitchen shears. These larger sets usually come with many duplicates, such as a sub-set of dinner knives or steak knives, which can be really handy for families or hosting events dinners.
Quality of knife steel
Another important factor you want to look out for is the material used for the knife’s blade and the blade’s construction, as quality varies from set to set. I highly recommend the full tang blade style, as this means the entire blade all the way through to the interior of the handle is a one-piece component.
What this means for you is that you can apply more force to your cutting and slicing without the knife snapping off from the handle’s bolster, as the knife handles simply acts as a placeholder, making the entire knife far more durable and sturdy than the average.
In terms of material, the best knives usually come in stainless steel, with the higher-end knives boasting a high carbon stainless steel, which takes sharpness and durability a level up. It’s important that you do not settle for anything less than decent stainless steel material, as the type of metal used can have a huge impact on the longevity and performance of the knife and your experience as a user.
Handle
Regarding the handle, go for something that is tested and proven for ergonomics and ease of use because a knife is only as good as its user-comfort and handling properties. It’s also important that the material is durable and sturdy, as you do not want the handle to break off of the blade or become damaged beyond repair if you were to drop it accidentally. Again, I stress the advantage of full tang knives, as they help to prevent the handle from breaking off from the blade due to its combined construction.
Knife block
Most sets of knives will come with a wooden knife block in which you can conveniently store your knives and keep them in an accessible place. This wood storage block is not a guaranteed item in your knife set, but keep in mind if the set you are eyeing out includes one or not, as for some people, it could definitely be a deal-breaker.
Dishwasher safe
As you browse through the different sets of knives available, you will notice many which may claim to be ‘dishwasher safe,’ and there’s really no reason to doubt this. Keep in mind, however, that there is always a degree of risk when using a dishwasher, and depending on the sensitivity of the material and craftsmanship, there could be a minor chance of damage to the blade or handles if you choose to do so. This is because some materials don’t react too well to the high-temperature waters of dishwashers which soak the items for hours at a time, sometimes leading to bending and rusting of metals or damage to woods.
As such, I would recommend you hand wash your knives whether they are dishwasher friendly or not, but if that is a deal-breaker for you, then definitely ensure to go for the ‘dishwasher safe’ options as you are far less likely to experience damage to your knives. Some detergent combined with a wipe down with a damp towel and a rinse under the sink to finish should be more than enough to clean your knives in a timely and effective manner.
Warranty
One of the greatest aspects of a good knife set is a good warranty to go with it, as this means you are guaranteed a certain level of quality for a limited time or even a lifetime. I would recommend that you avoid any sets that have no warranty whatsoever and definitely keep an eye out for the lifetime warranty guarantees.
These warranties ensure that your knife never loses its sharp edge, as they often come with a ‘forever sharpness guarantee’, which allows you to return your knife for resharpening free of charge. Other warranties may include a free replacement knife, free repairs on your knife, or just a discounted service thereof.
Maintenance
Maintaining your knives is critical for long-lasting performance and for ensuring superior cutting and slicing, which never diminishes. Apply a sharpening tool or other equivalents to maintain the super-sharp blades of your kitchen knife sets. While some sets provide a steel rod for you to sharpen your knives, you should definitely consider buying one if the honing rod is not inclusive.
Related: Forever Sharp Knives: Are they a good brand?
Best Knife Sets Under $100: My Pick
My favorite knife set for under $100 will have to go to the Cuisinart Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Knife Set, and I’ll explain exactly why.
First off, this is the only knife set I’ve ever seen which uses a non-stick coating in their design, and I think that’s just the most brilliant idea ever! This knife set also comes in such an iconic design, with color-coding to help you avoid cross-contamination and easily recognize your knives individually. In addition to the six different knives, you also get six covers that optimize safety and protection when not in use.
On a final note, this non-stick coating does not take away from the overall sharpness of the knife, which is made with high-quality stainless steel. Backed by a lifetime warranty, too, this set by Cuisinart is by far my top pick for the best knife set under 100.