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Smoked meat is delicious, whether you just finished smoking a ham on your own smoker or bought a pre-cooked piece from your local restaurant. The best way to enjoy smoked meat is by slicing it into thin pieces for sandwiches or wraps. That’s where a meat slicer comes in handy!
In this article, I’ll recommend some of the best meat slicer options and why they’re great grilling accessories. My goal is to help you find the perfect slicer to quickly and easily slice smoked meats and other foods.
Why Have a Meat Slicer?
First up, let’s talk about the benefits of having your own meat slicer:
Safety
Slicing meat with a sharp knife can lead to injuries, while a slicer does the job quickly and safely.
Time savings
Meat slicers get the job done much faster compared to slicing by hand or having the grocery store slice meats for you.
Money savings
You’ll save in the long run by slicing meats yourself instead of paying for sliced deli meats.
Beyond meat
A good slicer lets you perfectly and uniformly slice hard cheeses, fruits, veggies, bread, and more.
Presentation
The thin, consistent slices from a meat slicer lead to better looking dishes.
Cooking
Uniform thickness cooks food more evenly.
So a quality meat slicer is useful for much more than just slicing roasts and hams!
Buying Considerations for a Meat Slicer
Okay, now that you know why a meat slicer is useful in a home kitchen, here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing one:
Motor Power
More power means easier cuts, even through large chunks of frozen meat. For home use, 120-200 watts is ideal. Go for 250+ watts if slicing a lot of frozen meat.
Materials
Durable stainless steel and die-cast aluminum prevent rusting and provide stability. Avoid lots of plastic parts.
Blade Quality and Size
Aim for at least 7.5 inch diameter. Stainless steel is affordable but requires frequent sharpening. Other materials hold their edge better.
Ease of Use
Automatic slicers do the work for you. Manual ones require more effort but are inexpensive.
Adjustability
Look for fine control over slice thickness, from paper-thin to 3/4 inch.
Safety Features
Guards, food pushers, recessed buttons, and anti-slip feet are key.
Noise Level
Keep under 70 decibels.
Price
Don’t pay less than $50 or more than $300 for home use.
The Best Meat Slicers for Home Cooks
Now let’s get into my top picks for the best meat slicers for home use based on the criteria above:
Best Meat Slicers – Our Top 10
With all the meat slicer options on the market, you might get overwhelmed over which one is the best for your needs.
To help you through the process of choosing, we’ve scoured the market and compiled a list of the best options that should pique your interest. Let’s have a brief overview of these meat slicers!
BESWOOD Premium Electric Meat Slicer
We’re kicking off the list with one of the overall best meat slicers that will give you multiple reliable and almost unrivaled features.
The BESWOOD Premium is one of the most popular names in the meat slicer industry for good reasons. So let’s have a quick look at their premium electric meat slicer.
This meat slicer comes with one of the best blades in this price category. It boasts a 10-inch carbon steel blade with a chrome-plated finish.
This gives it both the sharpness and durability needed to slice the most stubborn chunks of meat like it’s nothing!
Not only that, but the blades are also sharpened on the go with a top-mounted whetstone, which keeps the blades super sharp without excessive wear.
The machine is equipped with a double illuminated on/off 24-volt switch, which helps in protecting your investment from power surges that can break the device. It also features a durable blade guard to minimize chances for accidents.
Although the only downside of this electric slicer can be its price, with its features it easily competes with commercial and industrial meat slicers that can set you back a few thousand bucks!
Pros
- Notably quiet performance despite powerful motor
- Chrome-plated carbon steel blade for superb cutting quality and durability
- Extremely easy to use and clean
- Sharpens the blade on the go with top-mounted whetstones
Cons
- A bit pricey
KWS Premium Commercial Electric Meat Slicer
If you’re looking for something that can be used on a daily basis for hours while maintaining consistent performance, you need a heavy-duty commercial meat slicer.
The KWS MS-10NTis a premium option that comes with top-line features that put it head and shoulders above the competition.
This machine boasts a large stainless steel blade that extends to 10 inches for excellent cutting performance and consistency even with the largest pieces of meat. Additionally, the blade is coated with a layer of Teflon for added protection.
As for the motor power, this one exceeds most slicers on the list by miles. The 320-watt electric motor offers an immense amount of power that no piece of meat can stand against, whether it’s frozen or thawed.
We like that the machine is easily adjustable to slice into various cut thicknesses ranging anywhere from paper-thin slices to about 0.4 inches thick.
This makes it great for slicing through different types of meats that are best served at various thicknesses.
Similar to the BESWOOD model, this one features built-in sharpeners. However, the package here also comes with additional whetstones and belts.
Pros
- Large cutting blade (10 inches) with Teflon coating
- 320-watt motor
- Feature built-in sharpeners and a spare belt
Cons
- On the pricey end
OSTBA SL518-1 Meat Slicer
The OSTBA SL518-1 professional meat slicer comes with a stainless steel blade of 7.5 inches that allows you to slice large pieces of meat into thin slices effortlessly.
The blades are also serrated and sharp enough to cut through frozen meat as well as deli, vegetable, bread, and cheese. However, you should know that stainless steel will require frequent sharpening to stay in top condition.
Luckily, the maintenance and cleaning of the device are quite easy. Most parts that need to be cleaned regularly are easy to remove for washing, sharpening, and sanitation.
The slicer is also backed by a powerful motor that gives a high yield slicing power of about 200 watts. This allows you to cut through the toughest pieces of meat while maintaining consistent performance that a knife can’t match.
Another cool feature about this device is that it comes with a safety lock that you need to press simultaneously with the power button for the slicer to operate.
This might be a bit annoying for some, but it’s easy to get used to and you’ll appreciate this feature if you have children roaming around the kitchen.
The meat tray is lightweight but sturdy, as it’s made of anodized aluminum. The non-slip suction cups used for the device are a bit flimsy but will do their job perfectly if you don’t move the slicer around a lot.
All in all, this one is an excellent entry-level meat slicer that will get the job done for most people. It’s affordable, easy to use, and versatile!
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Durable construction
- Good value for its price
Cons
- Suction cups could be more powerful
Kitchener Professional Electric Meat Slicer
If you’re looking for an exceptionally versatile option that gets the job quite nicely with a slightly large blade, consider the Kitchener Professional.
The slicer machine comes with a 9-inch blade that’s specially designed to cut through everything from meat, to bread, deli, as well as cheese.
Moreover, Kitchener also offers other types of blades that you can install to the slicer, such as a 9-inch bread blade and a 9-inch universal serrated blade for the ultimate professional slicing experience. However, these additional accessories aren’t included in the main package.
Having a blade that’s as large as 9-inches ensures that you’ll be able to slice meat for up to 1 or 2 hours every day without witnessing drops in performance.
As for the motor, the blades are powered by an electric AC motor with 120/60 Hz and maximum wattage of 200 watts.
However, you can turn down the cutting power to 150 watts to reduce electricity consumption while cutting smaller chunks.
The durability of the machine is also worth its price. It has a die-cast aluminum body and a premium blade that’s made of coated steel, which helps it to last a lot longer and stand the test of time.
While we’re not fans of suction cups, the ones used on the Kitchener Meat Slicer are definitely top quality.
These large cups help in securing the base of the meat slicer even when it’s operating at maximum power.
Pros
- Highly durable suction cups
- Adjustable thickness with control knobs
- Large cutting blade
Cons
- Relatively low wattage for the blade size
Chefman Die-Cast Electric Deli & Food Slicer
Being on a budget usually limits your buying choices and sacrifices some excellent durability or safety features. However, that’s not the case with this excellent yet inexpensive food slicer from Chefman.
The electric meat slicer is made of a die-cast aluminum housing with very few plastic parts here and there.
It comes with a 7.5-inch serrated blade that is made of stainless steel. This makes both the blade and the housing extremely easy to clean.
However, it also means that you’ll need to sharpen the blade a lot, shortening its lifespan in the long run.
The removable and retractable blade is powered by a 180-watt electric AC motor, which gives it enough power to work on most deli meats and medium-hard meat.
The slicer is also highly adjustable, which allows you to range the size of your slices from deli thin to extra thick.
We like that the blade comes with a safety guard in addition to a plastic food pusher to boost the safety profile of the device, especially for beginners.
Pros
- Powerful motor for a budget-friendly option
- Feature a blade guard and food pusher for safety
- Doesn’t take up a huge space on the counter
Cons
- Noticeably noisy
Valley Sportsman Electric Food And Meat Slicer
Another budget-friendly option for an electric meat slicer is the Valley Sportsman. This slicer features an AC electric motor that puts out up to 180 watts of power.
This power is good enough to cut through medium thickness meat, deli, bread, and vegetables with relative ease. The device comes with a surprisingly large cutting blade, which has a diameter of about 8.7 inches.
The construction of the meat slicer body is also impressive, as it’s made of stainless steel which makes it easy to clean after each use. The carriage cover that protects your hand from the spinning blade is also removable for easier access and cleanup of the blade.
A great feature of the Valley Sportsman meat slicer is that it’s relatively small and lightweight, which makes it ideal for slicing deli on the go. Keep in mind that this device comes with a serrated blade, so you’ll need to buy a plain edge blade separately if you need one.
The device also features a knob that allows you to adjust the thickness of the sliced meat, reaching up to 9/16 inches.
Pros
- Inexpensive option
- Features a durable and large blade
- Lightweight and easy to transport
Cons
- The speed of the blade is a bit slow, affecting the flawless cuts sometimes
Cuisinart FS-75 Kitchen Pro Food Slicer
Cuisinart is one of the biggest names in the kitchen appliances industry with decades of hands-on experience, so it’s no surprise that one of their products will make it to the list.
The FS-75 Kitchen Pro Food Slicer has a durable coated steel construction and die-cast aluminum housing for longevity and durability.
The slicer has a 7.5-inch smooth blade that’s constructed from stainless steel for easy cleanup after you’re done.
The blade is also removable to allow you to sharpen and change them with ease. Not only that, but the stainless steel carriage is also removable.
The most impressive feature of that slicer is that it comes with a rugged control knob that you can adjust from as thin as 0.03 inches to 0.5 inches for a wide selection of slice thicknesses.
Pros
- Durable powder-coated steel and die-cast aluminum construction
- Highly adjustable slice thicknesses
- Most of the device is removable for easy cleanup
Cons
- Relatively weak 130-watt motor
Befen Manual Stainless Steel Meat Slicer
One of the alternatives for electric meat slicers is the manual ones. These ones can also be used for a wide variety of purposes, and they’re especially popular among meat connoisseurs and in making a statement.
The Befen manual meat slicer comes at a remarkably inexpensive price, which also doubles as an option for buyers on a budget.
The slicer is made of stainless steel for easy sharpening and cleanup. Additionally, the package comes with an extra blade, which saves you even more money in the long run.
The slicer is backed by a 1-year warranty for a worry-free purchase, and it features 10 free meat bags and 2 spare suction cups. Of course, the main downside here is that it requires a lot of elbow grease while operating.
Pros
- Economical price
- Slices through frozen meat
- The package comes with multiple accessories and a spare blade
Cons
- Require manual effort for cutting
Maxi-Matic Elite Electric Meat Slicer
The Maxi-Matic slicer gathers some of the nicest features that you’ll need in a meat slicer in one well-priced package for excellent value for money.
The device comes with a multipurpose blade with 7.5 inches of diameter. It’s made of stainless steel which is easily washed, so you can use it for more than just meat.
The device is really well structured for stability without being too heavy to carry. It’s also backed with premium suction cups that keep it secure.
The adjustment knob allows for extra fine-tuning from 0 to 15 mm, so you can cut meat into deli thin slices.
The device also packs some impressive safety features, such as the removable food guide for finger protection while cutting.
Pros
- Can be used for other types of food
- Well balanced construction
- Powerful 180-watt motor
Cons
- Makes loud noises while cutting
Marada Electric Meat Slicer Machine
If you want to sit back and chill while the meat slicer does its job for you, consider the fully automatic meat slicer machine from Marada.
Unlike the semi-automatic ones on the market, this device is designed so that you add the meat to it and it comes out in slices from the other side.
This makes it perfect for both users who prefer to relax and others with safety concerns about handling devices with sharp blades.
The device, as well as the blade, are made from 304 stainless steel, which is one of the highest grades of the material to ensure the safety and healthiness of the food.
It features an 850-watt motor that’s optimized to give you comparable performance to hard-operated meat slicers on the market.
Pros
- Hands-free performance
- Available in multiple slice thicknesses models
- High-grade stainless steel materials for safety
Cons
- The top feed is a bit small, so some large chunk needs pre-cutting
The Benefits of Having a Meat Slicer
A meat slicer isn’t really a crucial device that every single kitchen must own. However, some meat slicer owners will hold on to it like there’s no tomorrow. So, is a meat slicer really that critical, or you can just live without?
The answer to this question depends on how you can benefit from the advantages that having a meat slicer will give you, so let’s have a brief look at them.
A Huge Safety Boost
If you like to eat sandwiches and throw BBQ parties on a regular basis, you’ll have to deal with a lot of meat cutting.
As you already know, even pros will make mistakes every now and then. The problem is, for people who would injure themselves handling paper, having a lot of stubborn meat chunks with little cutting skills is a recipe for disaster.
So even if a lot of kitchens will survive without a meat slicer on the counter, any household with a meat slicer will avoid tons of chances for injuries and serious mistakes.
Saves You a Lot of Time
While some meat experts are careful with a knife, safety is usually a tradeoff for time. For that reason, cutting a slice of meat with a knife will take up to 4x or 5x the time needed to get the job done perfectly with a slicer.
If you slice meat for grilling, you’ll also need time for marinating and barbecuing, so when will you be free to enjoy the party with others?
By opting for a reliable meat slicer, you’ll go through all the meat slicing you have in a day in much less time, giving you ample window for other activities to be done throughout the day.
Not only that, but you can also opt for an automatic slicing machine that will get the job done for you even if without having you there at all times!
Saves You Money in the Long Run
Your fingers aren’t the only thing that a meat slicer will save, but your wallet as well. Some people tend to slice their meat at the grocery store. But guess what they’re using there for that job?
By opting for one of those meat slicers in your house, you’ll save a lot of money in the long run, especially if you’re slicing them at a grocery store too often.
They Slice More Than Just Meat
These machines are called meat slicers because they’re mainly used for meat. However, you can use them to cut more than just that, including vegetables, fruits, hard cheese, bread, and more!
Perfectly Cut Slices
If you want your steaks to be ones to remember, taste alone won’t do. You’ll also need to cut them perfectly with extreme uniformity.
Even the best knives lose their sharpness very quickly, causing some microscopic bulges that lead to imperfections while cutting the meat.
On the other hand, meat slicers will give you perfectly cut slices with the same thickness every time.
Moreover, if you want to cut your slices extremely thin, you might find it immensely challenging with a knife if not impossible. However, it’s an easy feat with a meat slicer that can do it with a push of a button.
Things to Consider While Shopping for a Meat Slicer
Now that you know what you’re opting for while purchasing the meat slicer, it’s time that you decide on which one is the ideal part for you.
No matter how big or small your budget is, there are some aspects that you always need to consider while shopping for a meat slicer. Let’s have a quick look at those essential buying points.
The Motor
The motor used in a meat slicer is an indicator of its slicing speed and power. In other words, the more powerful the motor, the easier and smoother the cuts will be even with larger chunks of meat.
Not only that but motor speed also dictates how fast and smooth the cuts will be. This means that faster motors bring more consistent cuts to the table.
The cutting speed of non-industrial meat slicers is measured in watts. Ideally, a good electric meat slicer will need anywhere between 120 to 200 watts of motor power to deliver consistent cuts for store-bought meat and deli.
However, if you’re planning to use the electric meat slicer to cut through frozen meat, you should go for a slicer with 250 or more watts.
Materials
The materials used in the construction of the meat slicer have a huge impact on multiple critical aspects of its quality.
If you use meat slicers regularly, you’ll also need to wash them very often. In that case, it’s important that the housing materials are fully resistant to rusting under normal conditions, such as high-grade stainless steel and die-cast aluminum.
The weight of these metals also gives it a solid base to contribute to preventing the slicer from tipping over while operating.
That’s why you should look for a meat slicer with as few plastic parts as possible if you want a durable product with a long lifespan.
Blades Quality and Size
The blades are the main parts of the slicer that come in contact with the meat, making them one of the most crucial parts, if not the most.
There are many materials that are used when making meat slicer blades, such as stainless steel, coated steel, or carbon steel.
Stainless steel is relatively affordable and easy to clean, but it wear out quickly due to frequent sharpening of the blade.
If you’re planning to use the blade more frequently (more than 1 or 2 hours a day), consider other materials, as they can withstand sharpening better.
As for size, you shouldn’t go for less than 7.5 inches, as this is the minimum size that can give you good results.
However, larger blades (9 inches or more) allow for more heavy-duty work, but they’re more difficult to clean.
Ease of Use
The ease of use can be approached from many angles. First, an automatic electric meat slicer will cut the meat for you without even operating the meat slicer, making it the easiest type to work with.
However, some people prefer the hand-controlled electric types where you push down on the meat chunk as you go.
These ones will cost you a whole lot less than their fully automatic counterparts while staying relatively easy to use.
However, there are fully manual meat slicers that are entirely powered by hand. These ones are extremely inexpensive but they can cause a lot of arm fatigue with time.
Adjustability
All meat slicers will eventually cut your meat. However, cutting isn’t the only reason why you need a meat slicer.
You also want consistency and the ability to cut meat as thin or thick as you need, especially if you cook various types of meats that need different slice thicknesses. Most slicer machines will give you a knob-type system to adjust the thickness of the slices.
Always make sure that the slicer you’re going to buy can slice to a thickness of anywhere between 0 to 15 or 20 mm with fine-tuning features for the maximum bang for your buck.
Safety Features
Meat slicers are serious kitchen devices with extremely sharp blades that can be very dangerous if you aren’t careful enough.
Whether you have children around your kitchen or not, safety features are one of the main pillars that you should never overlook while choosing a meat slicer.
Some meat slicers come with common safety features, such as blade guards that expose only the needed part of the blade to help you worry less about cutting your hands.
There are also food pushers, which are simple plastic parts that are designed to push the meat instead of your hand for less room for errors.
In some devices, the power buttons are recessed with assurance buttons to prevent the slicer from being accidentally turned on, which is always an extremely beneficial addition.
Suction cups and rubberized legs are also part of the safety measures that keep the slicer stable, but you shouldn’t rely on them alone.
Noise Produced
Like most kitchen devices, meat slicers can produce loud noises, especially while cutting. As a rule of thumb, you should try to keep the noise under 70 decibels, so you don’t annoy the people around you as well as protect your ears.
Price
Meat slicers come in a huge price range that starts from $40 all the way up to $300 or more.
To make the most of your investment, you shouldn’t go for meat slicers that will cost you less than $50, as they’re usually broken very early and you’ll eventually end up replacing them.
Similarly, slicers that are even more expensive than $300 are designed for commercial and industrial use.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that they cut meat vastly better. But instead, they can be operated for a much longer time and cleaned less often.
So unless you’re planning to use the device for extended daily hours, you don’t have to surpass this price tag.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. A complete guide with everything you need to know about the best meat slicers, so you can pick the ideal fit for your needs.
As you can see, there’s a wide variety of meat slicers on the market that offer a large number set of features and materials.
The best meat slicer should have a large slicer blade that’s made from ultra-durable materials as well as multiple safety features.
Not only will this extend its life, but it’ll also make it ideal for cutting all kinds of meat no matter how tough they are.
