The best food dehydrators are versatile kitchen appliances, especially if you love making homemade snacks and have a surplus of produce. As the name implies, these machines use low heat to remove moisture from all kinds of foods including fruits, vegetables, herbs and even meat. The results? Lightweight, shelf-stable snacks that last much longer than their fresh alternatives. And if all that sounds daunting, don’t panic: The best food dehydrators make the whole process super easy.
The best food dehydrators make it easy to create healthy homemade snacks. All you need to do is ... [+] prep. Commercial Food Dehydrator
“Drying foods is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to save your food,” explains Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician. “Dehydrating items creates good flavor and texture in food—perfect for snacking.” And because you control your ingredients, you typically end up with a healthier alternative to processed snacks you might pick up from the store.
Most food dehydrators have a similar design that includes several stacked trays and temperature controls, but they can vary in size and overall features. A small, simple dehydrator will likely suit the needs of someone who’s testing out the technology for the first time. But those who have an abundance of food to dehydrate may want a larger model with more robust offerings, such as an automatic timer and extra trays to dehydrate more food at once. Ahead, here are the best food dehydrators to add to your kitchen repertoire, whether you’re new to food preservation or a seasoned pro.
Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 17 inches | Trays: 10 | Temperature range: 95 to 165 degrees | Wattage: 600 | Timer: Yes
The Magic Mill Food Dehydrator is a convenient, easy-to-use digital appliance that's perfect for drying out a variety of foods, from fruit to veggies to jerky and everything in between. It comes with 10 adjustable 13 x 12-inch trays, a mesh screen for dehydrating smaller items and two nonstick trays that can be used for making fruit leather. The temperature can be adjusted between 95 and 165 degrees to dehydrate a wide range of foods, and the design has a rear-mounted fan that helps ensure heat is evenly distributed throughout.
This dehydrator is quiet while it works, so it won’t disturb your daily activities, and it has an automatic shut-off timer that can be set for up to 24 hours—handy if your recipe is going to finish while you’re not home. There’s also a “keep warm” feature that will keep the machine’s contents from cooling off for up to 24 hours. The trays are dishwasher safe for easy maintenance, and the unit has a clear door so you can monitor your food as it dries.
Dimensions: 11.4 x 11.4 x 8.5 inches | Trays: Five | Temperature range: 95 to 158 degrees | Wattage: 350 | Timer: No
If you want to dip your toe into the world of dehydrating without committing to a pricey machine, the Elite Gourmet Food Dehydrator is an inexpensive option that will still get the job done. It has five stacking trays that can house a variety of food, and a front-facing dial that lets you adjust the temperature between 95 and 158 degrees. That’s the full extent of the controls—all you do is turn the unit on and let it work its magic. Then, turn it off again when your food is done.
This dehydrator has a fan at the bottom that circulates air up through the racks, and the plastic trays are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. When not in use, the trays nest inside each other to help make the unit more compact for storage.
Dimensions: 9.92 x 9.43 x 7 inches | Trays: Five | Temperature range: 104 to 158 degrees | Wattage: 280 | Timer: No
If you’re new to dehydrating, the Commercial Chef Food Dehydrator is extremely beginner-friendly. And it won’t break the bank, either. This compact model weighs just over 3 pounds, and has five plastic trays for arranging all types of food. It operates with a single analog dial that allows you to adjust the temperature, and its transparent trays make it easy to monitor your food’s progress. It’s perfect for dehydrating small batches of produce and herbs, but keep in mind that the trays must be hand washed after use.
Dimensions: 17 x 15.5 x 14 inches | Trays: Eight | Temperature range: 95 to 160 degrees | Wattage: 1,000 | Timer: No
Dehydrating herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary can be tricky, as the small pieces can fall through the cracks in some trays. If you’re planning to use your dehydrator for herbs, the NESCO Gardenmaster Pro comes with mesh liners to prevent this common problem. The appliance comes with eight stackable trays and liners, but you can purchase additional trays as needed (the unit can accommodate up to 30 at a time).
It’s a straightforward machine, with one temperature dial and an on/off toggle switch. The trays are dishwasher safe, and the dehydrator has an air circulation system that saves you from having to rotate the racks. But because the trays aren’t clear, keep in mind that you won’t be able to monitor your food without lifting the lid.
Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 14 inches | Trays: 11 | Temperature range: 77 to 167 degrees | Wattage: 470 | Timer: Yes
Dehydrators are often used to make jerky from meat, but it must be done properly to kill off harmful bacteria. While pricey, the Tribest Sedona Express has a special setting to ensure your jerky is sufficiently cooked. The “Two-Stage Sequential Temperature-Timer'' starts the dehydration process at a higher temperature and then automatically drops to a lower temperature to finish the process, per the USDA recommendations.
You can make larger batches of jerky and other foods on this unit’s 11 stainless steel trays, and the digital control panel gives you more granular control over the temperature and dehydration time. The appliance has a glass door and internal light so you can see what’s going on inside, and there’s even a reusable air filter to prevent food odors from taking over your kitchen.
Dimensions: 15.25 x 14.25 x 6.5 inches | Trays: Four | Temperature range: 165 degrees | Wattage: 600 | Timer: No
Dehydrators can take up a lot of space on your counter and in storage, but not the Presto Dehydro. This compact unit is already small to begin with, and when you need to store it, the four trays nest neatly to take up even less space. There’s even a special area to wrap up the power cord, making it easy to stash in a cupboard or drawer.
This small dehydrator is as basic as they come. It has just one temperature setting—roughly 165 degrees—and you simply plug it in to start the dehydrating process. You can add up to eight trays to the unit, and the top-mounted fan helps ensure that everything dries evenly without being rotated.
Dimensions: 19 x 17 x 12.3 inches | Trays: Nine | Temperature range: 105 to 165 degrees | Wattage: 600 | Timer: Yes
If you have a lot of excess food to preserve, you can dehydrate large quantities in the Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator. This heavy-duty appliance comes with nine spacious trays, and offers a whopping 15 square feet of drying space. The temperature can be adjusted between 105 and 165 degrees to accommodate a variety of food, and there’s even a handy temperature guide printed next to the control knob for quick reference.
This dehydrator has a 26 hour timer that will automatically shut the unit off when it’s done drying, and it comes with nonstick tray liners for small or sticky foods. Just keep in mind that there’s no opening to monitor your food as it dries, and the larger design takes up quite a bit of space.
The Forbes Vetted editors, like all consumers, want appliances that work efficiently, hold up with regular use and help make daily living a little bit easier. To find the best food dehydrators, we took our own ideas about food preservation and meal prep into consideration. When we evaluate products like best food dehydrators, we look at how it’s constructed, how it functions and all the bells and whistles that make these appliances ideal for taking up space on any countertop.
In addition to articles that cater to food, helpful appliances and meal prep, we’ve also written, researched and, in some cases, tested a slew of content related to various appliances and products and items that improve the functionality of our kitchens and our daily lives. This includes input on the best refrigerators, best microwaves and best coffee makers.
We refresh this story regularly and it was last updated September 2023.
Food dehydrators tend to be fairly large, as they need plenty of space for air and heat to circulate around the food. Be sure to check the dimensions of appliances as you shop. Otherwise, you may end up with a bulky machine that takes up a big chunk of precious counter space.
If you’re concerned about having enough space to store your dehydrator, you may want to look for a model that collapses into a more compact form. Some models also include stackable trays that can nest inside each other, minimizing the space needed to store the appliance and any accessories.
You’ll also want to consider the capacity of different dehydrators as you shop. Smaller models can typically hold a few cups of produce at a time, but if you’re planning to dehydrate items in bulk, you’ll want a larger unit with several shelves.
If you’re not sure how much you’ll use your dehydrator, you may want to look for an expandable model. These units typically have the aforementioned stackable trays, and you can add on more racks to increase your overall capacity as needed. The NESCO Gardenmaster Pro Food Dehydrator comes with eight trays but can be expanded to accommodate up to 30.
As you compare dehydrators, you’ll see that most have an adjustable temperature range. That’s because different foods have varying levels of moisture that require different drying temperatures for the best results. For instance, herbs can be dehydrated at around 95 degrees, thanks to their lower moisture content. While higher moisture items, like thick apple slices, need a temperature around 135 degrees to dry, and raw meat needs an initial processing temperature of 160 degrees to kill off harmful bacteria.
Because temperature requirements vary so much, make sure to consider the types of food you want to dehydrate before you buy. If you want to try dehydrating a little bit of everything, select a model with a wide temperature range that can do it all.
While some food dehydrators need to be turned on and off manually, higher-end models often have a built-in timer. This allows you to set the appliance to run for a specific amount of time (often up to 24 hours) and it’ll automatically shut off once the time is up. A timer is a very useful feature if you do a lot of dehydrating, as it saves you from having to constantly monitor the progress of your food.
Food dehydrators come in many different sizes and have varying capabilities. Choosing the best model depends entirely on your specific needs. As you compare different models, consider the size of the appliance and its capacity, as well as where you’ll store it. Other useful features to look for include a built-in timer and fan to aid air circulation.
If you’re planning to dehydrate a specific type of food, look up a few recipes and make sure the dehydrator you’ve got your eye on is able to reach the right temperature. Additionally, you may want to look for a model that comes with accessories like mesh screens to keep small items from falling through the cracks, or nonstick trays to make fruit leather.
Food dehydrators are often bulky, so we recommend setting it up someplace out of the way, especially if it’s going to be running for long periods of time. But there are a few other factors you should take into consideration when setting it up, such as proper ventilation and humidity levels. In general, these appliances will work best in dry, warm locations. For best results, you’ll want to keep them away from air conditioning vents or windows.
Dr. Purdy recommends that you place the dehydrator in a well ventilated room and in a location where its air vents will not be obstructed.
Many people choose to place large dehydrators in their garage or basement to keep them out of the way, but just be sure the area is not overly humid. If the humidity is too high, your food may take longer than usual to dry.
Foods that contain a lot of moisture often need to be dried for 12-plus hours, so many people find it convenient to run a cycle overnight. As long as you’ve set up your dehydrator according to the manufacturer’s instructions, overnight cycles are perfectly safe, since most models have safety features that prevent overheating.
If you’re planning to run long dehydration cycles when you’re not around to monitor the appliance, you’ll probably want to invest in a model that has a built-in timer. That way, you’ll be able to set the dehydrator to run for a predetermined period of time before it automatically shuts off.
It’s possible to dehydrate raw meat, but the process needs to be done carefully to remove any harmful bacteria from the food. The USDA explains that meat must be cooked to 160 degrees and poultry to 165 degrees before dehydration to kill bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. Once the protein has reached this temperature, it can then be dehydrated between 130 to 140 degrees to remove any remaining moisture.
Some food dehydrators, such as the Tribest Sedona Express, are able to heat up to the high temperatures required to kill bacteria. If your model doesn’t reach high enough temperatures, you’ll need to pre-cook meat in the oven before putting it into the dehydrator.
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I'm a graduate of the University of Miami. Before joining Forbes I worked as a reporter and editor at Bloomberg where I covered everything from sports to how negative rates impacted the Black-Scholes model.
I'm a graduate of the University of Miami. Before joining Forbes I worked as a reporter and editor at Bloomberg where I covered everything from sports to how negative rates impacted the Black-Scholes model.
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I’m an editorial contributor covering all things beauty and fashion. I write about my adventures in testing the latest in skincare, haircare and makeup, and exploring trends in clothes and accessories. I’m not afraid to stick needles in my face or straighten my hair on an airplane (true story!), and I gets a rush from copying the best celeb outfits on a budget. My bylines have appeared in Elite Daily, Hello Giggles, Brides.com, MyDomaine, Byrdie, Well + Good, Parents and more.
I'm a freelance writer here at Forbes with extensive experience covering sleep, fitness, health, general wellness, beauty, parenting and lifestyle topics. For more about me and my work, check out my website or connect with me on Instagram and Linked in.
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I received an education in writing from the University of Nevada, Reno and have been an editor in the wellness space for five years. I'm a certified sleep science coach and stress management coach, with extensive experience with sleep product testing. I've had my hands on most sleep products you can think of, from mattresses to sleep masks and everything in between. Previous websites I've contributed to include CNET and MySlumberYard.
Leah Koenig's writing and recipes have appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Epicurious, Food52, and Tablet, among other publications.
Leah is the author of six cookbooks including The Jewish Cookbook (Phaidon, 2019) and Modern Jewish Cooking. (Chronicle Books). In addition to writing, Leah also leads cooking demonstrations and workshops around the country and world. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two children.
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Leah Koenig's writing and recipes have appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Epicurious, Food52, and Tablet, among other publications.
Leah is the author of six cookbooks including The Jewish Cookbook (Phaidon, 2019) and Modern Jewish Cooking. (Chronicle Books). In addition to writing, Leah also leads cooking demonstrations and workshops around the country and world. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two children.
For product reviews, gift ideas, and latest deals, Subscribe to the Forbes Finds newsletter.
Leah Koenig's writing and recipes have appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Epicurious, Food52, and Tablet, among other publications.
Commercial Dehydrator Machine Leah is the author of six cookbooks including The Jewish Cookbook (Phaidon, 2019) and Modern Jewish Cooking. (Chronicle Books). In addition to writing, Leah also leads cooking demonstrations and workshops around the country and world. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two children.