Food dehydrator machines have become very popular in recent years thanks to their health and money-saving benefits. They make it possible to make homemade beef jerky, trail mix, dried herbs, and sweet treats like banana chips, fruit leather, and raisins.
Food dehydrators work by extracting moisture from food and inhibiting bacteria growth. When food is dehydrated correctly, shelf life is extended indefinitely, the flavor is intensified, and nutrients are preserved.
While you can use traditional methods of dehydrating food (hanging it in a cool, dry place or the hot sun), food dehydrator machines work quickly and provide a safer, foolproof method of preservation.
Herbs taste richer and brighter, jerky is fresh, preservative-free, and seasoned just the way you love it. And fruit is moist, flavorful, and doesn’t have processed sugar added to it.
To help you find the best model for you, we selected the ten best food dehydrators on the market.
Table of Contents
The Best Food Dehydrator Machines for 2024
Here is my list of the best food dehydrator machine options for the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. in 2024. I’ll start with the five best choices in terms of value, convenience, design, and cost.
Click on the name to read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to read the entire list by clicking here.
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Best Food Dehydrator Reviews
Here are the complete reviews of the ten best food dehydrators in 2024. Keep reading after the reviews for a guide on what to look for when choosing a food dehydrator.
1. Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator Machine – Best Overall Choice #1
The Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator Machine earns the Best Overall Choice Award for its stainless steel construction, consumer-friendly price, and ample drying space.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator is made from nearly top-to-bottom stainless steel. So it’s sleek, durable, and rust- and corrosion-resistant.
I also like the hinged glass door, which allows you to monitor the dehydrating food process without cracking the door and losing heat.
Inside, you’ll find four stainless racks, which allow you to process large batches of jerky, brisket, and fruit leather all at once.
You’ll also be surprised by how quiet this model is, even when working at total capacity. This unit produces less than 48 decibels of sound, roughly the ambient volume of most libraries.
This unit is compact at only 17.8” X 13.4” X 12.4”, so it’s ideal for small kitchens with limited counter space. Despite its small footprint, this 600-watt food dehydrator packs a serious punch. It puts out between 95-165 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. I also like that you can set timers for as long as 48 hours, which means you can set it and forget it.
If you’re looking for a consumer-friendly dehydrator that is sleek, sturdy, and amply sized, check out the Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator Machine.
[amazon box=”B07PY5M579″ tracking_id=”food-dehydrator05-20″]
2. Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine – Best Overall Choice #2
The Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine is another one of my favorite food dehydrators.
There’s a lot to admire here. To start, this food dehydrator is made from top-to-bottom stainless steel, including the seven drying trays.
Each tray measures 13” X 12”, so you’ll have plenty of room to make large batches of beef jerky, fruit leather, fruit roll sheets, raisins, and more.
This food dehydrator measures 15” X 13.5” X 19”, so it’s ideal for small kitchens with limited cabinet and counter space. That said, if you do have spare counter space, this unit looks right at home next to your appliances.
I also like that this unit comes with a large glass door, which allows you to check on the drying process without opening the door and losing heat.
This food dehydrator is incredibly easy to use. Just place your food on the racks, set your temperature settings and timer on the digital control panel, and let the food dehydrator do the rest.
Since everything is made of stainless steel, this unit is a breeze to clean, mainly because the grease drops down into a dishwasher-safe tray.
Check out the Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine if you’re looking for quality construction, ample cooking space, and a budget-friendly price tag.
[amazon box=”B01DI9W9ZI” tracking_id=”food-dehydrator05-20″]
3. MEAT! Your Maker 10-Tray Dehydrator – Best Choice for Hunters
The MEAT! Your Maker 10-Tray Dehydrator is one of my favorite food dehydrators, and it’s almost purpose-built for hunters.
MEAT! Your Maker is a newer manufacturer in the meat processing space. They specialize in high-quality products for processing game meat, and even refer to themselves as “meat-a-vores”.
On this unit, and you’ll find 10 15.5” X 15 ¾” stainless steel racks. That’s a heck of a lot of room to work with.
In addition to the stainless racks, you also get one mesh tray for smaller items like raisins. This unit also comes with an additional solid tray for making fruit leathers. Or, you can use it as a grease catcher when making your jerky.
This unit is made from top-to-bottom stainless steel, so it’s sleek, durable, and rust- and corrosion-resistant.
This 1,100-watt food dehydrator is not only handsome, but it’s also efficient. Use the digital control panel to set timers and lock in temperatures between 90-167 degrees Fahrenheit. I also like that this unit features an auto shut-off safety feature, which kicks in after 24 hours.
Cleanup is also easy because the stainless steel trays and grease catcher are all dishwasher safe.
Considering the size of the dehydrating chamber, the quality construction, and how quiet this unit is during the drying process, I was surprised at the price of the MEAT! Your Maker 10-Tray Dehydrator.
This food dehydrator costs roughly the same as many smaller machines – and the good news is that MEAT! Your Maker is offering a special discount for BBQ Report readers!
Special discount for BBQ Report readers
Meat Your Maker has provided a special 10% discount to you, our readers!
Just go to the Meat! Your Maker website and use the code REPORT10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
4. Gourmia GFD1950 Premium Electric Food Dehydrator Machine
The Gourmia GFD1950 Premium Electric Food Dehydrator Machine is another fantastic budget-friendly food dehydrator.
This unit comes with nine trays, providing plenty of room to prepare fruit leather, granola, and beef jerky. You can even use it to preserve flowers and make your own spice and tea blends.
This unit measures 17.75” X 13.5” X 16”, so it’s perfect for those with limited kitchen space.
This is one of the most affordable food dehydrators on the list, so while it does have a transparent door, it is not made out of tempered glass or attached by a hinge. I don’t see that as a dealbreaker considering the cost and size of the food dehydration chamber.
This unit comes with a 600-watt heating element, which is controlled by the top-mounted digital control panel. This unit is incredibly easy to use. Just slice your food, place it on the racks, set the time and temperature settings, and walk away.
In addition to the nine stainless steel trays, you also get an additional fruit leather sheet and a drip tray.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly food dehydrator with ample space for drying food, check out the Gourmia GFD1950 Premium Electric Food Dehydrator Machine.
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5. Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Food Dehydrator
The Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Food Dehydrator is another nice unit for making homemade snacks.
This unit measures 19” X 17” X 12.5”, so it’s relatively compact, yet it provides 15 square feet of drying space spread across nine mesh trays. That’s a lot of room to work with.
I like this unit for a few reasons. I like supporting American-owned businesses, so I was happy to see that this unit is manufactured in the USA. Beyond that, it’s just a solid little workhorse.
This unit utilizes Excalibur’s patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow system, which helps dehydrated foods process faster and locks in more nutrients. As a result, dehydrated food looks and tastes better. Plus, it’s just plain healthier.
I also like that this unit uses an analog system rather than a digital control panel. This system feels comfortable, familiar, and more durable than those on other food dehydrators.
If this unit has one shortcoming, it’s that it does not have a glass door. I like checking on my dried foods without having to open up the door. Unfortunately, that’s not possible with this food dehydrator.
Despite this shortcoming, there’s a lot to like about this food dehydrator. For starters, it has a massive cooking area. I also like that it comes with nine fine mesh mats and a helpful recipe book.
If you’re looking for a solid unit with ample space to dehydrate food, you’ll like the Excalibur 3926TB 9-Tray Food Dehydrator.
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6. Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine
If you’re a casual food dehydrator and looking for a compact, budget-friendly unit, check out the Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine.
This digital food dehydrator is compact at only 18” X 14” X 13”, making it ideal for small kitchens with limited counter space. I also like that this unit has a powder-coated black finish, which makes it easy to clean. Plus, it blends in with any color scheme.
Despite its compact footprint, this digital food dehydrator provides ample space to prepare your own food like fruit puree, fruit roll sheets, jerky, and dried fruit.
In total, you get seven extra trays for dehydrating and a fruit roll tray. Each sheet measures 12” X 13”, so you’ll have plenty of room to prepare large batches.
This is one of the most budget-friendly food dehydrators on the list, but it’s a solid workhorse. I especially like that this unit comes with a hinged glass door, which allows you to monitor your progress as you dry foods.
This is a digital dehydrator, so you can adjust temperature settings and timers from the front-mounted controller. Having the ability to check the timer from a distance is incredibly convenient.
I also like that you can use up to seven trays at once. And when you’re done, just pop them into the dishwasher.
If you’re looking for a sturdy unit with digital controls and an ample dehydrating chamber, check out the Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine.
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7. Ivation 6-Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine
The Ivation 6-Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine is another one of my favorite food dehydrators.
This unit earns a solid rating for its stainless steel construction, spacious toaster oven chamber, and budget-friendly price tag.
This unit is made from top-to-bottom stainless steel, so it’s sleek, sturdy, and easy to clean. I also like that this food dehydrator provides a massive 936 square-inch dehydrating chamber spread across six vertical racks.
This unit runs on a 600-watt heating element, which powers the rear-mounted automatic fan, ensuring that food dehydrates quickly and evenly.
This food dehydrator allows you to lock in temperature settings between 97-167 degrees Fahrenheit. This will enable you to dry fresh produce, kale chips, beef jerky, and even process delicate herbs and flowers.
All components are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and made out of stainless steel.
I also like that you can set timers for as little as 30 minutes and as long as 24 hours. And because the Ivation 6-Tray Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine has a hinged glass door, you can monitor your dehydrating progress without opening the door and losing heat.
For the price, this is one of the best food dehydrators on the market. This unit is sturdy, handsome, and provides plenty of space to dehydrate large batches of food.
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8. Chefman 6-Tray Food Dehydrator
The Chefman 6-Tray Food Dehydrator is another one of my favorite budget-friendly warm air dehydrators.
For a small, budget-friendly dehydrator, this unit has a lot to offer. In total, you get 936 square inches of cooking space and six adjustable plastic trays.
That’s a lot of room to work with, especially when considering that this unit only measures 13.5” X 17.5” X 12.4”.
I also like that this unit allows you to choose from 14 temperature presets ranging from 95-158 degrees Fahrenheit. The adjustable thermostat is easy to use. I also like that you can set timers for up to 19.5 hours.
I also like that this unit has a transparent viewing window, which allows me to monitor the cooking process while making fruit leather, apple slices, jerky, fruit roll sheets, and more.
This unit runs on a 480-watt heating element and a built-in fan, maximizing airflow and heat dispersion, giving you perfectly dehydrated snacks every time.
A bonus is that a generous one-year warranty backs this food dehydrator.
If you have limited storage space and are looking for a budget-friendly unit, check out the Chefman 6-Tray Food Dehydrator.
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9. Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator with Adjustable Thermostat
The Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator with Adjustable Thermostat is one of the best food dehydrators for preparing large batches of dehydrated snacks.
There’s a lot to admire about this food dehydrator. I try to support American-owned businesses whenever I can, so it’s nice to find a product that’s manufactured in the USA.
Beyond that, I also like that this 600-watt unit utilizes Excalibur’s patented Parallex Horizontal Airflow system. This system locks in a temperature range between 105-165 degrees Fahrenheit and ensures that dehydrated foods process faster without losing enzymes and nutrients.
I also like that this food dehydrator uses an analog system rather than a digital control panel. This system feels comfortable, familiar, and more durable than those on other food dehydrators.
I do wish that this food dehydrator had a glass door so that you can monitor jerky, apple slices, and other foods without opening the door and losing heat. Despite this shortcoming, I still consider this to be one of the best food dehydrators.
This unit has a massive 15 square foot dehydrating chamber and nine trays. I also like that it comes with a helpful recipe book.
If you’re looking for a durable unit with ample space for dehydrating food, you’ll like the Excalibur 9-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator with Adjustable Thermostat.
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10. Presto Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator
The Presto Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator may be the most affordable unit on the list, but it is surprisingly efficient, compact, and even allows you to add additional dehydrating trays.
This food dehydrator has several distinguishing features. To start, it takes up 40 percent less space than most food dehydrators because it utilizes a simple stacking system.
Each of the six plastic trays nest in the cooking base. So this food dehydrator utilizes much more vertical space than other food dehydrators. This efficient design makes this unit ideal for those with limited kitchen and cabinet space.
This food dehydrator comes with six plastic trays and six nonstick fine mesh mats. Want to expand your dehydrating capability? You can add six BPA-free plastic trays into the mix.
This unit is also one of the easiest to clean. Unlike other food dehydrators, this one doesn’t technically have a cooking chamber, so there aren’t any tight nooks and crannies for grease to gather.
When you’re done dehydrating, just take apart each tray and place them in the dishwasher. It’s that simple.
I also like the simple, user-friendly design of this food dehydrator. The base contains a fan, a 750-watt heating element, and a digital control panel. Here, you can set your timers and select your temperature range.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, compact unit that provides up to 12 separate compartments for dehydrating food, check out the Presto Dehydro Digital Electric Food Dehydrator.
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Why buy a food dehydrator?
If you’re hesitant to add another appliance to your already cramped kitchen space, read on. Food dehydrators will save you money in the long run, reduce your carbon footprint, and allow you to make delicious, preservative-free snacks.
Money-saving advantages
Food dehydrators offer significant cost savings, especially when it comes to items like beef jerky. On average, prepackaged jerky costs around $10 for 10 servings. On the other hand, it costs as little as $10 to make 18 ounces of homemade jerky.
That’s a significant saving, especially if you eat jerky often.
Healthier food
Prepackaged beef jerky, apples, bananas, and camping trail mixes are not only expensive, but they’re also loaded with sodium, processed sugar, and preservatives that even most adults can’t pronounce.
When you use a food dehydrator to make snacks at home, you know the quality of the meat, fruits, and veggies. Plus, you choose the spices as well as sugar and sodium content. That means you control the flavor and quality without having to settle for preservatives.
Reduce food waste
Every year, Americans waste at least 133 billion pounds of food. That equates to nearly 40 percent of all food ending up in landfills. These are alarming statistics. The good news is that a food dehydrator is one of the best ways to reduce food waste.
How long does dehydrated food last?
There’s varying information on how long dehydrated food lasts. However, many sources suggest that dehydrated fruit can last up to five years if stored properly. Dried veggies may even last as long as a decade.
Canned food, on the other hand, has a life expectancy of two to five years.
How does a food dehydrator work?
Food dehydrators are simple machines consisting of a heating element, fan, vents, and food trays. The dehydrator’s heating element raises the temperature inside the cooking chamber, and the fan circulates heat, removing moisture from food for increased shelf life.
What are the best foods to dehydrate?
You may be surprised by the variety of delicious snacks you can make with a food dehydrator. Some of my favorites include sweet treats like
- Bananas
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
- Ginger
- Pineapple
- Grapes
Even picky eaters will be won over by seasoned snacks like:
- Kale
- Zucchini
- Sugar snap peas
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Green beans
If you have a taste for the savory, you’ll love using your food dehydrator to make protein-packed, high-energy snacks like:
- Jerky (with beef, venison, chicken, and fish)
- Backpacking foods like dehydrated ham, tuna, ground beef
What features to look for in a food dehydrator
There are several features to consider when shopping for a food dehydrator. These include style, temperature range, and the additional features below.
Style
Food dehydrators generally come with 6-10 racks, which are arranged vertically inside a cooking chamber.
Temperature range
When shopping for a food dehydrator, look for a unit with a temperature range of at least 95-155 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range allows you to dehydrate everything from herbs, fruits, meat, jerky, veggies, and more.
Number of trays
Food dehydrators generally come with 6-10 racks, which are arranged vertically inside a cooking chamber. In general, food trays are 12” X 12”. So if you have six trays, that gives you more than 850 square inches of cooking surface.
If you’re a casual food dehydrator, you’ll find that six trays are more than efficient. However, if you’re a prepper, backpacker, or have a large family, you may want to shop for a 10-rack unit or one with expanding capabilities.
Door style
The most popular food dehydrators come with a hinged glass door, which allows you to monitor the dehydrating process without opening the door and losing heat. More cost-efficient units may not have this feature.
The good news is that food dehydrators lock in temperatures with near-perfect accuracy and allow you to set timers. So, in general, it is not imperative that you closely monitor the dehydrating process. So if you’re on a budget, you’ll find inexpensive units are more than sufficient.
What is the best food dehydrator for you?
So what are the best food dehydrators on the market? That ultimately depends on your budget, needs, and preferences. However, if I had to choose one standout unit, it’d be the Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator Machine.
[amazon box=”B07PY5M579″ tracking_id=”food-dehydrator05-20″]
The first thing you’ll notice is that this food dehydrator is made from nearly top-to-bottom stainless steel. So it’s sleek, durable, and rust- and corrosion-resistant.
I also like the hinged glass door, which allows you to monitor the dehydrating food process without cracking the door and losing heat.
Inside, you’ll find four stainless racks, which allow you to process large batches of jerky, brisket, and fruit leather all at once.
You’ll also be surprised by how quiet this food dehydrator is, even when working at total capacity. This unit produces less than 48 DBS of sound, roughly the ambient volume of most libraries.
This unit is compact at only 17.8” X 13.4” X 12.4”, so it’s ideal for small kitchens with limited counter space. Despite its small footprint, this 600-watt food dehydrator packs a serious punch. It puts out between 95-165 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. I also like that you can set timers for as long as 48 hours, which means you can set it and forget it.
If you’re looking for a consumer-friendly dehydrator with sturdy stainless steel construction, a consumer-friendly price, and ample drying space, you’ll love the Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator Machine.
I hope you found my list of the best dehydrator machines helpful.
Happy dehydrating!
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