10 Best Food Dehydrators of 2024
We tested 23 dehydrators to find the absolute best for making jerky, dried fruits, and more
Last Updated: November 23, 2024 | Testing Period: 6 months | Products Tested: 23
Quick Comparison Table
Short on time? Here’s our top 3 picks at a glance:
| Rank | Product | Best For | Price | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 #1 | Nesco FD-80A | Best Overall | $89.99 | 4.7/5 ⭐ | View Details |
| 🥈 #2 | Excalibur 3926TB | Best Premium | $329.99 | 4.8/5 ⭐ | View Details |
| 🥉 #3 | Presto 06301 | Best Budget | $49.99 | 4.5/5 ⭐ | View Details |
Our Testing Process
Over the past 6 months, our team tested 23 different food dehydrators ranging from $39 to $500. We dehydrated over 200 pounds of various foods including beef jerky, fruit leather, apple chips, banana slices, herbs, and vegetables. Each model was evaluated on:
- Drying Performance: Even drying, temperature consistency, time to fully dry
- Capacity: How much food can be processed at once
- Ease of Use: Setup, controls, tray loading, cleaning
- Noise Level: Measured in decibels during operation
- Build Quality: Durability of materials and construction
- Value: Price relative to features and performance
🥇 #1. Nesco FD-80A Square Dehydrator – Best Overall
Price: $89.99
As of November 23, 2024
Why We Love It
The Nesco FD-80A strikes the perfect balance between performance, capacity, and price. After testing it extensively with beef jerky, apple chips, and herbs, we found it delivers consistently even drying across all trays. The square design is more space-efficient than round models, and the adjustable thermostat gives you precise temperature control from 95°F to 160°F.
✓ Pros
- Even drying across all 4 trays
- Quiet operation (55 dB)
- Square trays fit more food
- Expandable to 12 trays
- Adjustable temperature control
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free materials
✗ Cons
- Takes up counter space
- No timer function
- Plastic construction (not metal)
- Fan noise noticeable in quiet rooms
Technical Specifications
| Capacity | 4 trays (expandable to 12) |
| Tray Size | 13.5″ x 13.5″ each |
| Total Drying Area | 4.75 sq. ft. (standard) |
| Temperature Range | 95°F – 160°F |
| Wattage | 700W |
| Dimensions | 14.5″ x 15″ x 9.5″ |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Real-World Performance
Beef Jerky (6 hours): Perfectly dried and chewy. No overdone edges or wet centers. Temperature held steady at 160°F throughout.
Apple Chips (8 hours): Crispy and evenly dried. Bottom tray was slightly more done, but we rotated trays once at the 4-hour mark.
Herbs (4 hours): Excellent results. Retained color and aroma perfectly. Low temperature setting worked great.
🥈 #2. Excalibur 3926TB – Best Premium Choice
Price: $329.99
Premium investment for serious users
If you’re serious about food dehydration and want the absolute best performance, the Excalibur 3926TB is worth the investment. This is the dehydrator that professionals use, and for good reason. The horizontal airflow design ensures incredibly even drying, and the 9 large trays give you massive capacity.
✓ Pros
- Best-in-class even drying
- Massive 15 sq. ft. capacity
- Built-in 26-hour timer
- Rock-solid construction
- Adjustable thermostat
- Quiet operation
- 10-year warranty
- Made in USA
✗ Cons
- Expensive ($330)
- Large footprint (17″ x 19″)
- Heavy at 22 lbs
- Overkill for casual users
🥉 #3. Presto 06301 Dehydro – Best Budget Option
Don’t let the low price fool you – the Presto 06301 is a solid performer for beginners. At under $50, it’s perfect for trying out food dehydration without a major investment. While it lacks some features of premium models, it gets the job done reliably.
Price: $49.99
Best value for beginners
Complete Comparison: All 10 Dehydrators
| Rank | Model | Price | Trays | Timer | Temp Control | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nesco FD-80A | $89.99 | 4-12 | ❌ | ✅ (95-160°F) | 4.7/5 |
| 2 | Excalibur 3926TB | $329.99 | 9 | ✅ (26hr) | ✅ (105-165°F) | 4.8/5 |
| 3 | Presto 06301 | $49.99 | 6 | ❌ | ❌ (165°F fixed) | 4.5/5 |
| 4 | Cosori Premium | $199.99 | 6 | ✅ (48hr) | ✅ (95-165°F) | 4.6/5 |
| 5 | Magic Mill Pro | $169.99 | 7 | ✅ (19.5hr) | ✅ (95-167°F) | 4.5/5 |
| 6 | Hamilton Beach | $79.99 | 5 | ❌ | ✅ (100-160°F) | 4.4/5 |
| 7 | Gourmia GFD1680 | $129.99 | 8 | ✅ (24hr) | ✅ (95-158°F) | 4.3/5 |
| 8 | Ivation 6-Tray | $119.99 | 6 | ✅ (19hr) | ✅ (95-160°F) | 4.4/5 |
| 9 | Nesco FD-75A | $64.99 | 5 | ❌ | ✅ (95-160°F) | 4.6/5 |
| 10 | Chefman 6-Tray | $89.99 | 6 | ✅ (12hr) | ✅ (95-158°F) | 4.3/5 |
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose
What Size Do You Need?
- 4-5 trays: Perfect for 1-2 people or occasional use
- 6-7 trays: Good for families or regular dehydrating
- 8+ trays: For bulk processing or small business use
Key Features to Consider
Timer: Highly recommended. Allows you to set and forget, preventing over-drying.
Temperature Control: Essential for different foods. Herbs need low temps (95°F), jerky needs high (160°F).
Airflow Design: Vertical (stackable) is cheaper but less even. Horizontal (box-style) gives better results.
Noise Level: Matters if running overnight. Look for models under 60 dB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Testing Methodology
We purchased all 23 dehydrators with our own funds and tested them over 6 months. Each model went through the same standardized tests:
- Beef Jerky Test: 5 lbs of marinated flank steak at 160°F
- Apple Chip Test: 10 apples sliced 1/8″ thick at 135°F
- Herb Test: Fresh basil and parsley at 95°F
- Banana Test: 12 bananas sliced 1/4″ thick at 135°F
- Noise Test: Decibel reading from 3 feet away
- Even Drying Test: Temperature probe on each tray
- Ease of Cleaning: Timed handwashing of all components
Our Final Recommendation
After extensive testing, the Nesco FD-80A is our top pick for most people. It offers the best balance of performance, capacity, and value. If you’re serious about dehydrating and want the absolute best, upgrade to the Excalibur 3926TB. For beginners on a budget, the Presto 06301 is a fantastic entry point at under $50.
We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. This helps support our testing.
About the Author: Sarah Mitchell has been testing kitchen appliances for over 8 years and has dehydrated over 500 pounds of food. She specializes in helping home cooks find the best equipment for their needs.
Last updated: November 23, 2024