Whether you’re aiming to reduce food waste from your garden bounty, embrace a healthier snacking habit with raw foods, create all-natural fruit roll-ups, whip up crispy kale chips, or even prepare homemade pet treats and beef jerky, a Food Dehydrator offers a fantastic alternative to store-bought, processed snacks. Dehydrating food intensifies natural flavors and produces satisfyingly crisp textures, making dehydrated goods perfect for outdoor adventures, healthy desk snacks, or anytime cravings.
To help you choose the ideal food dehydrator for your kitchen, we rigorously tested 22 different models. Our comprehensive side-by-side evaluation focused on ease of use, drying performance, cleaning convenience, design aesthetics, and operational noise levels. We put each machine through its paces, drying herbs, citrus zest, and crafting fruit leather, jerky, and an assortment of fruit and vegetable chips. Here are our top picks to help you find the best food dehydrator for your needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Cosori Stainless Steel Dehydrator at Amazon $160
Best Budget:
Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator at Amazon $40
Best Mid-Range:
SALE
Nesco Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator at Amazon $160 $127
Best High-End:
Tribest Digital Food Dehydrator at Amazon $550
Best Air Fryer:
SALE
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven at Amazon $280 $175
Best Basic:
Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator at Amazon $60
Best Overall
Cosori Stainless Steel Dehydrator
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PHOTO: Amazon
$160 at Amazon $160 at Walmart $140 at Target
What We Like
- Customizable time and temperature settings for precise dehydration
- Consistent and even dehydrating across all tray levels
- Exceptionally quiet operation, ideal for home use
- Automatic shut-off feature for safety and convenience
What We Don’t Like
- Takes up significant counter space due to its size
Cosori Premium Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator Review
The Cosori Premium Stainless Steel Food Dehydrator stands out with its sleek black and stainless steel design and a convenient glass door, allowing you to monitor the dehydration process without interruption. The user-friendly digital control panel is intuitive and requires no assembly upon arrival. Simply set your desired time and temperature – it offers a generous 48-hour timer and a temperature range from 95 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. In our rigorous testing, this food dehydrator consistently reached and maintained the set temperature, resulting in remarkably even and consistent drying performance.
We were particularly impressed by the automatic shut-off function, its whisper-quiet operation, and its outstanding performance. Every food item we dehydrated emerged perfectly and evenly dried, without any cracking, and peeled effortlessly from the trays. It even excelled at achieving different levels of dryness in foods, offering versatility for various recipes.
This top-rated food dehydrator includes six stainless steel drying trays, a mesh screen ideal for dehydrating small fruits and herbs, a recipe cookbook to inspire your creations, and a fruit roll sheet for making homemade fruit leather. While its countertop footprint is considerable, cleaning is a breeze as all food trays are conveniently dishwasher-safe.
Power Rating: 600 watts | Tray Size: 12 x 13 inches | Trays Included: 6 (max capacity: 6 trays) | Temperature Range: 95 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 13.4 x 17.8 x 12.4 inches | Weight: 23.3 pounds | Timer: 48-hour max | Air Flow Type: Horizontal
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Morgan Glaze
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Morgan Glaze
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Boyers
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Boyers
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Boyers
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Boyers
Best Budget
Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator
PHOTO: Amazon
$40 at Amazon $40 at Home Depot $40 at QVC
What We Like
- Extremely affordable, making it accessible for budget-conscious buyers
- Compact and collapsible design for easy storage in smaller kitchens
- Dishwasher-safe components for effortless cleaning
What We Don’t Like
- Noticeable uneven drying across different tray levels
- Lacks automatic shut-off and precise temperature control settings
This Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator is a fantastic entry-level food dehydrator, offering a compact design without compromising on capacity. Despite its small countertop footprint, it surprisingly feels more spacious than other similarly sized models. The controls are simple and straightforward, featuring a single knob with marked temperature ranges, which can make setting a precise temperature somewhat challenging. However, it is incredibly user-friendly and comes fully assembled. The trays are designed to collapse for space-saving storage and are conveniently dishwasher-safe.
During our tests, we observed that the bottom trays tended to dry food more quickly than the top and middle levels. Making fruit leather took approximately five hours until the middle and bottom racks were fully dried. Drying herbs took around six hours, with the middle and bottom racks showing less dryness compared to the bottom. While this food dehydrator experienced slightly more difficulty reaching the set temperature than other models, it typically stabilized within 20 minutes. Importantly, it provided more even and quieter dehydration compared to other compact, budget-friendly food dehydrators we tested.
Power Rating: 350 watts | Tray Size: 11.5 inches in diameter | Trays Included: 5 (max capacity: 5 trays) | Temperature Range: 95 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 9 inches | Weight: 4.25 pounds | Air Flow Type: Vertical
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Morgan Glaze
Best Mid-Range
Nesco Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator
PHOTO: Amazon
$160 $127 at Amazon $127 at Walmart $127 at Wayfair
What We Like
- User-friendly digital controls for easy operation
- Quick temperature attainment, minimizing waiting time
- Customizable temperature settings for diverse food types
- Outer surface remains cool to the touch during operation, enhancing safety
What We Don’t Like
- No transparent window to monitor dehydration progress without opening
- Less consistent drying results across different tray levels
The Nesco Gardenmaster Food Dehydrator, while initially equipped with four trays, offers expandable capacity, accommodating up to 20 trays for large-batch dehydration. Its intelligent design adjusts drying pressure based on the number of trays used, promoting more even drying regardless of food quantity. The digital temperature control is precise, ranging from 90 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Remarkably, even at its maximum temperature, the exterior remains cool to touch.
Featuring a top-mounted fan, this food dehydrator includes a timer settable for up to 48 hours. During testing, we noted that the bottom rack dried slightly faster than the middle and top racks. However, fruit leather was efficiently dried in just three hours and peeled off the sheet effortlessly. We appreciated that this food dehydrator arrives fully assembled and reaches the set temperature in a mere 10 minutes. A minor drawback is the opaque plastic construction, preventing visual monitoring of the dehydration process without opening the unit.
Included with this model are a mesh screen, a fruit roll sheet, a sample of jerky seasoning and cure, and a helpful recipe and instruction book to get you started with your food dehydrator. The trays and base are dishwasher-safe, but must be removed before initiating a drying cycle.
Power Rating: 1,000 watts | Tray Size: 15.5 inches in diameter | Trays Included: 4 (max capacity: 20 trays) | Temperature Range: 90 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 11 x 16 x 16 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Timer: 48-hour max | Air Flow Type: Vertical
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
Best High-End
Tribest Digital Food Dehydrator
PHOTO: Amazon
$550 at Amazon $450 at Wayfair $550 at Home Depot
What We Like
- Highly adjustable temperature settings for precision drying
- Exceptionally quiet operation, suitable for noise-sensitive environments
- Impressive 10-year warranty, showcasing product durability and manufacturer confidence
What We Don’t Like
- Longer dehydration time observed for herbs compared to other models
For those seeking a food dehydrator that combines large capacity with a relatively compact footprint, the Tribest Sedona Express Digital Food Dehydrator is an excellent choice. Its temperature range spans from 77 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit, with the higher end enabling safe jerky preparation without pre-cooking. This advanced food dehydrator can automatically transition from a high initial temperature to a lower one, accelerating drying while preventing over-drying.
This premium food dehydrator includes 11 dishwasher-safe stainless steel trays, a glass door, and an internal LED light, allowing for easy monitoring of the dehydration process. It offers multiple operational modes – fast, raw, combination, and continuous – and a timer that extends up to 99 hours per mode, or a total of 120 hours. It operates at a whisper-quiet level and arrives fully assembled for immediate use. In our tests, it quickly reached the set temperature and efficiently dehydrated fruit leather. However, herb dehydration took considerably longer compared to other models.
As a top-tier food dehydrator, its price reflects its premium features and performance. For cost savings, a model with plastic trays is available, but the stainless steel trays offer enhanced durability and longevity. While the initial investment is significant, the 10-year warranty and expected lifespan suggest long-term value. We also consider it to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing food dehydrators we evaluated.
Power Rating: 470 watts | Tray Size: 10 x 13 inches | Trays Included: 11 (max capacity: 11 trays) | Temperature Range: 77 to 167 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 12 x 19.6 x 14.5 inches | Weight: 22 pounds | Timer: 120-hour max | Air Flow Type: Horizontal
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The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
Best Air Fryer
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven
PHOTO: Amazon
$280 $175 at Amazon $250 at Home Depot $250 at Macy’s
What We Like
- Multifunctional cooking capabilities, beyond just dehydration
- Generous large capacity for various cooking tasks
- Simple and intuitive controls, easy to operate
What We Don’t Like
- Higher price point compared to single-function dehydrators
While dedicated appliances are excellent, multifunctional devices like the Instant Pot Omni Plus 18L Air Fryer Toaster Oven offer space and cost savings, especially for well-equipped kitchens. This 10-in-1 appliance goes beyond air frying and toasting; it can broil, bake, roast, reheat, rotisserie cook, warm, convection heat, and, importantly, dehydrate.
We found the controls remarkably simple, requiring no manual consultation for operation. It excelled in all our tests, including baking cookies, toasting bread, making fries, and grilling cheese sandwiches. The temperature range spans from 170 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, with a convenient automatic shut-off feature to prevent overheating. We noted a minor hotspot in the front center, but it was not significant enough to detract from its overall performance as a food dehydrator and multi-cooker.
The Omni Plus features indicators on the glass door, guiding users on the optimal rack level for different cooking functions, with the bottom rack recommended for dehydration. Connectivity to a companion app provides step-by-step recipes, including instructions for making crispy mango chips. While pricier than dedicated food dehydrators, its versatility justifies the investment.
Power Rating: 1,800 watts | Trays Included: 3 | Temperature Range: 170 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 13.89 inches | Weight: 29.5 pounds | Air Flow Type: Vertical
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Will Dickey
Best Basic
Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator
PHOTO: Amazon
$60 $54 at Amazon $64 at Walmart $60 at Wayfair
What We Like
- Very affordable, making it an excellent starter food dehydrator
- Transparent cover for easy monitoring of the dehydration process
- Simple operation with no complex settings to manage
What We Don’t Like
- Single temperature setting, limiting versatility
- Lacks automatic shut-off feature and timer
The Presto Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator is an ideal entry-level food dehydrator perfect for beginners and small batches. It comes with four trays, expandable to eight with additional tray purchases, effectively doubling your drying capacity. The trays nest for compact storage, and the cord conveniently stores in the base. Fruit roll sheets and mesh screens are available accessories. Its white exterior and clear top cover allow for easy visual monitoring of the drying process. However, it lacks a timer, requiring manual shut-off.
Operating at a consistent, non-adjustable temperature around 165 degrees Fahrenheit, this food dehydrator simplifies the dehydration process, eliminating temperature guesswork. This preset temperature is well-suited for beginners, ensuring consistent results without the risk of incorrect temperature settings. The fan is located at the base, so be mindful of potential drips when dehydrating juicy produce.
Power Rating: 600 watts | Tray Size: 14.5 inches in diameter | Trays Included: 4 (max capacity: 8 trays) | Temperature Range: 165 degrees Fahrenheit | Dimensions: 15.25 x 14.75 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 5.6 pounds | Timer: None
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Katie Begley
Final Verdict
The Cosori Original Food Dehydrator earned top marks across our testing for its speed, quiet operation, and consistent, even drying performance. For a budget-friendly option, the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator is our best budget pick, praised for its compact size, dishwasher-safe components, and affordability.
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The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
How We Tested Food Dehydrators
We conducted a thorough side-by-side comparison of 22 food dehydrators to assess their ability to dry herbs and create fruit leather. Our evaluation criteria included drying time for each item, completeness of dehydration, evenness of drying across all trays, ease of peeling food from trays, and overall user-friendliness and cleaning ease. We also performed a noise level test, playing a song at a consistent volume next to each food dehydrator and rating how well it could be heard over the machine’s operation.
In additional tests, we utilized specific machines to dehydrate jerky, fruit and vegetable chips, herbs, and citrus zest, further evaluating their versatility and performance across various food types.
How We Test Products
Other Options We Tested
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The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
What to Look for in a Food Dehydrator
Style
Food dehydrators are available in two primary airflow styles: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal airflow models feature the heating element and fan at the side or back, while vertical airflow models position them at the bottom or top. Dr. Elizabeth L. Andress, professor emerita and extension food safety specialist at the University of Georgia, notes that horizontal flow models offer advantages such as “reduced flavor mixture, allowing simultaneous drying of different foods without flavor transfer, even heat distribution across all trays, and prevention of drips onto the heating element.”
Vertical airflow models can be more challenging to clean due to the bottom-mounted heating elements’ exposure to food drips. Mesh tray liners can mitigate food particles falling to the bottom.
Capacity
Dehydration is a time-intensive process, so a larger capacity food dehydrator can save time for large quantities of food. However, larger units require more storage space. Smaller units are suitable for small batches and kitchens, but overcrowding trays will significantly extend dehydration times.
Number of Trays
Consistent drying is crucial. Models with more trays allow for greater food spacing, ensuring even dehydration. Overlapping or overcrowding food on trays leads to inconsistent results. Tray capacity varies, from a few trays to 20 or more.
Tray material and shape influence capacity. BPA-free plastic is common in vertical food dehydrators due to its moldability and versatility in shape and layout. Stainless steel, known for rigidity, is often used in horizontal cabinet-style models. Stainless steel models are generally more expensive but favored for aesthetics and durability.
Accessories
Standard food dehydrator trays have large holes for airflow, but some models include specialized screens and sheets for smaller or liquid foods. Fruit roll sheets enable making fruit leather and dehydrating sauces for camping or emergency meals.
Mesh screens are ideal for small items like berries that would otherwise fall through standard trays. These accessories enhance versatility but are not universally compatible, so check availability beforehand.
Temperature Range
Some food dehydrators operate at a fixed temperature, while others offer adjustable temperature dials, typically ranging from 80 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Adjustable temperature control provides precision for dehydrating diverse food types. However, fixed-temperature models simplify the process, especially for beginners or those primarily dehydrating one or two types of food.
Timers and Automatic Shut-Off
Dr. Andress advises that “a timer could turn the food dehydrator off and prevent scorching, especially if drying completes overnight.” An automatic shut-off function is a valuable safety and convenience feature, depending on your needs and frequency of use.
Air Filters
Air filters are important in food dehydrators to trap dust and pet dander, preventing contamination of food during the drying process. Many models use washable, reusable filters, while some require replacements. Check filter type before purchasing.
Jerky Capabilities
Not all food dehydrators are suitable for safely drying meat due to potential spoilage risks. For jerky making, ensure the food dehydrator reaches at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit to safely dehydrate meat.
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FAQs
How does a food dehydrator work?
Food dehydrators utilize a heating element to generate low heat and a fan for circulating warm air. Food items are placed on perforated drying racks, enabling 360-degree warm air circulation around each piece.
Dehydrator temperatures typically do not exceed 145 degrees Fahrenheit, just warm enough to evaporate moisture without cooking or burning food. Optimal temperature and drying time vary by food type. Refer to recipe books or dehydrator manuals for guidance.
Dehydration was an early food preservation method, predating refrigeration, requiring only a safe, dry storage space for moisture evaporation.
What are the best foods to dehydrate?
Fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, mangos, pineapples, tomatoes, peaches, apricots, and cherries are excellent for dehydration, concentrating sweetness for convenient snacks. Vegetables such as kale, carrots, beets, squash, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, and eggplant, especially when seasoned, transform into crispy, appealing snacks. Dehydrating herbs intensifies flavor and preserves garden harvests, saving on spice costs.
Beyond produce, food dehydrators can make crackers, meat jerky, and fruit leather. They can also dehydrate sauces and complete meals for lightweight, shelf-stable options, ideal for hikers, campers, and hunters.
What foods should not be dehydrated?
Avoid dehydrating avocados, olives, fatty meats, eggs, nuts, cheese, and high-fat foods. While sauces with cashew-cheese bases are suitable, high-fat foods tend to become rancid quickly and resist dehydration.
How should I slice my food before dehydrating?
Uniform slicing is crucial for even drying. Variations in slice thickness, food size, and moisture content can affect drying times, even in electric food dehydrators. Thinner, smaller pieces dehydrate faster due to increased surface area. A mandoline slicer aids in creating thin, uniform slices.
How do I get my food to dehydrate evenly?
Vertical airflow food dehydrators may dry trays unevenly due to proximity to the heating element. Rotate trays during dehydration or remove fully dried trays while others continue. Horizontal airflow models generally provide more even drying, reducing this issue.
What is the best temperature to dehydrate food?
Dr. Andress states, “Food dehydrators are efficiently designed to dry foods fast at 140 degrees, the most commonly recommended temperature. Avoid excessively high temperatures, as the exterior of food pieces can over-dry before interior moisture is removed.” Jerky should be dehydrated at 150 degrees for safety.
What is the smallest food dehydrator?
Small food dehydrators typically measure around 9 x 9 x 7 inches with three to five trays, minimizing kitchen space usage.
How long does dehydrated food last?
The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends storing dried foods for four months to a year on average. Storage duration depends on residual moisture and storage method.
Chewy dried fruits and fruit leathers, retaining some moisture, should be stored for shorter periods due to potential bacterial growth.
Lower storage temperatures extend shelf life. Refrigeration or freezing is recommended for jerky and snacks. Vacuum sealing also prolongs storage.
How do you store dehydrated food?
For immediate consumption, store dehydrated foods in airtight containers. For long-term storage, use plastic freezer bags, vacuum-sealed bags, or glass jars.
Package dried foods in single-use quantities to minimize oxygen exposure, which promotes spoilage, from repeated opening and closing.
Can you dehydrate food in the oven?
Yes, ovens or toaster ovens with low-temperature settings can dehydrate food. If a dehydrate preset is unavailable, set the oven to the lowest temperature. Place food on parchment-lined baking sheets, prop the oven door slightly open for moisture escape, and monitor food periodically.
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The Spruce Eats / Victor Protazio
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Cookbook author Donna Currie, a kitchen tools and appliances expert for The Spruce Eats, has extensive experience reviewing food dehydrators, air fryers, food steamers, and Instant Pots.
Sources
We Tested 20+ Air Fryers and 11 Crisped the Competition
Additional reporting by Katya Weiss-Andersson and Allison Wignall, experienced food commerce editors and product reviewers for The Spruce Eats.
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