11 Best Food Dehydrators 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

The market is flooded with numerous food dehydrators, but it’s crucial to identify the type that best suits your requirements. Here are some suggestions to help you select the ideal food dehydrator for your use. If you foresee the need to dehydrate a substantial amount of fruits or vegetables simultaneously, a larger model could be fitting. Conversely, if your space is limited, a smaller model might be more appropriate.

Consider how often you intend to use it too – if it’ll just be used occasionally then something that doesn’t cost much might suffice, but if you’re looking for something that can go 24/7 then investing in a more expensive model would probably be worth it. We have compiled this list of the 11 best food dehydrators you can buy.

What is a Food Dehydrator?

A food dehydrator is a small kitchen appliance that dries out food by blowing air through it. It’s great at preserving the nutrition in your food, while also extending its shelf life. This way you’ll be able to enjoy home-made snacks and foods long after their expiration date!

Food dehydrators are also very versatile, so if you get creative with your recipes, you can use them for everything from jerky to fruit rolls!

There are various types of food dehydrators available on the market. You’ve got your standard electric models which plug into a wall outlet and have a fan inside that blows the hot air through your food. Then there’s also solar dehydrators, where sunshine does all the work.

Benefits of Using a Food Dehydrator

If you’re a fan of dried fruit, vegetables, and meats then a food dehydrator is a must. They’re also great if you love making your own healthy snacks or meals at home. Here are some benefits of owning one:

1. Prevent waste

By drying out your food, they’ll last much longer than their fresh counterparts. In fact, fruits will last as long as three years! If you bought these products from the store they would have been packaged months ago where the date on the package would be completely irrelevant now. You can eat them whenever you want with this method, instead of being forced to throw them away because they’ve gone bad before you planned to use them.

2. Healthy food

By drying out your food you’ll retain most of their natural nutrients while avoiding adding in preservatives to make them last longer in stores or on shelves at home.

3. Make jerky/dehydrated meat

Whether it’s for camping trips or just an evening snack, homemade dehydrated meats are healthy and super tasty! You can find dried beef recipes here.

4. Save space

If you have a small kitchen then having bulky appliances is never ideal. With a food dehydrator, you’ll save lots of cupboard space because they’re flat, compact devices!

5. Make crafts with your food

If you’re creative then you can transform your dried fruits, vegetables, and meats into beautiful-looking snacks! This is a great way to impress guests too.

6. Make vegan jerky

Yes, there are vegan versions of dehydrated meat available! You won’t be able to get the exact same texture as regular jerky but it’s definitely close enough to enjoy for all vegans out there!

List of 11 Best Food Dehydrators Reviews

1. Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator

• The Nesco FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator is only 600 watts! With an adjustable temperature setting from 95°F -160°F, even a novice chef can dry anything. The cause of inconsistent food dehydration might be that you’re not drying evenly with the other models on the market. Trade in those one size fits all models for this well-rounded dehydrator and never have to worry about unevenly dried fruit again.
• The Nesco FD-75A is the perfect food dehydrator for those who need a lower power usage dehydrator or those with limited counter space. This model comes with 5 trays and has the capability to expand its size up to 12 trays if needed.
• It also features an exterior that blocks out harmful light, which ensures your dried foods maintain more of their nutrients and vitamins during the process.
• Dried fruits stay fresh longer when you include an accompanying Fruit Roll Sheet-it’s a mesh sheet made from edible natural ingredients that allows airflow while removing excess moisture from the fruit roll as it dries, enabling sweet flavors to come through.

2. VIVOHOME Electric 400W 5 Trays Food Dehydrator Machine

• The VIVOHOME Electric 400W 5 Trays Food Dehydrator Machine is the professional choice for preserving foods at their nutritional value. The machine allows you to set a timer or temperature depending on what kind of food you are dehydrating, with no worries about pollutants seeping in because it has a powerful hot air fan that will turn on automatically.
• The VIVOHOME Electric 400W 5 Trays Food Dehydrator Machine is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite snacks without chemicals. This product features 5 layers of trays that are large enough for any food item, ensuring uniform dehydration. Its 5 trays give you room to classify different foods and increase productivity at the same time.
• Made of tough premium materials including a stainless-steel base and BPA-free plastic trays, this machine is safe for use in your home because everything involved is free from harmful additives frequently used in commercial processors. The digital LED screen makes it easy to actually SEE how dehydrated your food has become with accurate temperature setting controls while also providing an attractive addition to any kitchen counter.

3. COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator Machine

• COSORI food dehydrator is a great family-sized machine that comes with a separate mesh screen and fruit roll sheet. Perfect for making raw meat jerky, healthy treats, preserving herbs and flowers — this appliance will have your kitchen ready for anything!
• The COSORI food dehydrator has been approved by the USDA/FDA to regulate its temperature from 95°-105° Fahrenheit. The extra-large capacity of 12 trays can dry up to 24 pounds of meats at one time, or 8 pounds per tray on the included 6 trays Plastic injection molded casters make it easy to move from room to room while always staying within an allowable height from nearby cabinets.
• COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator Machine is the best new way to effortlessly dryly food prep, whether you’re prepping for a family hike or just running low on snacks. Though others may cost less, COSORI’s powerful 600W motor powerhouse dries foods with accuracy and efficiency.
• It has overheat protection features that activate if the dehydrator overheats. Perfect for people who are looking to cut back on their calorie intake without sacrificing what they crave, this professional-grade machine is ETL-listed and FDA compliant. The quiet noise level of 48dB is equivalent to normal library levels!

4. Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator

• The sleek design of the Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator makes saving money on dried foods easy! With four trays, you have plenty of space to dry all your favorite snacks. The see-through cover lets you monitor drying progress so food never gets too dark or lost in an overly packed tray.
• You’ll find this dehydrated fruit is sweeter than ever, perfect for topping off rice dishes with a tangy yet sweet flavor profile that will impress everyone at dinner time. No longer does “chicken jerky” mean old hard strips of meat. It can now be crunchy and chewy with natural flavors popping through every bite!
• It takes no time at all to learn how to use the Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator. The four trays are easy to fill with fruit, vegetables, meat, or sauces.
• With Presto’s new design you can monitor your food by looking through the see-through top cover that lets light shine in and out without obscuring drying progress.
• Bottom mounted fan and heating elements work together for optimum airflow during drying stages – minimizing any chance of spoiling food while it is dehydrating.

5. Elechomes Food Dehydrator

• The Elechomes food dehydrator is perfect for making any type of dried food without warning or preservatives. With 6 different stackable drying levels, you can make both large and small batches of your favorite fruits, vegetables, and more.
• The trays are made out of dishwasher-safe plastic so cleanup is incredibly simple, ultimately saving you time in the kitchen while also preserving nutrients!
• There are 6 trays that are dishwasher safe which makes cleaning easy. The digital control panel offers you the opportunity to set your desired time and temperature for drying results.
• Clean-up is a breeze with this product because of its mesh screen and fruit roll sheet attachments. There’s even worry-free 18-month maintenance thanks to a friendly customer service team who will answer all questions or problems you may have in advance!

6. Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine

• The Magic Mill Food Dehydrator is your easy way out for producing healthy, additive-free food snacks on demand. The affordable dehydrator features digital temperature control with 95-167 degree Fahrenheit capabilities and a 24-hour timer along with horizontal airflow that ensures more uniform drying.
• The Magic Mill Food dehydrator machine is a great way to preserve fresh food. It’s perfect for batches of dried fruit or long-lasting herbs and spices, with 11 adjustable stainless steel drying racks and 5 trays for all your needs.
• Inside the machine, warm air moves around with no top pan, leaving you with drier food in hours rather than days. All that at a fraction of the price of commercial models!
• To save space in your kitchen or treehouse pantry, detach the front aluminum sheet from the body when not using it. For both large families and dedicated hunters alike, this will be an indispensable tool for preserving game meat year-round.

7. BioChef Arizona Sol Food Dehydrator

• If you love to spend all your time in the kitchen, cooking and creating amazing dishes with quality ingredients, then the BioChef Arizona Sol 6 tray food dehydrator is perfect for you.
• With its patented technology and digital display timer that can be set anywhere from 16 hours up to 20 days, this dehydrator provides a quick and easy way for you to test out recipes without emptying your refrigerator or freezer of valued raw foods or locking yourself in the kitchen day after day.
• BioChef is a powerhouse brand that believes in responsibly sourced ingredients. Their products are designed to be durable and used on a daily basis. With BioChef’s Arizona Sol Food Dehydrator, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have purchased from a company whose products are made with 100% copper alloy components and nickel-plated screws for durability as well as being dishwasher safe!
• Quality cuisine relies on fresh produce, lending even greater importance to top-of-board dehydration technology. No more throwing away sugars & juices from your produce – let it all hang out with this stainless steel dehydrator tray system!

8. Gourmia GFD1950 Premium Electric Food Dehydrator Machine

• Grab your Gourmia Premium Electric Food Dehydrator if you’re drying for the long haul. With six trays and simple, precise heat control this is a serious food drying machine: no rotation required and with 360º airflow circulation! The drip tray and fruit leather sheet are included so anything goes – from sweet pineapple to fast-food beef jerky.
• Gourmia is proud to present the GFD1950 food dehydrator. This appliance features an adjustable thermostat, 12 powerful LED lights on two levels, three effortless ways to control it (push-button technology), and dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup.
• Not only will you be able to make healthier alternatives both at home or on the go; but saving time and money! With this product, you can say goodbye to overpriced preservative-packed snacks loaded with artificial sweeteners found throughout stores.

9. Colzer Food Dehydrator

• The Colzer Food Dehydrator is your go-to for turning the summer’s bounty of fresh produce into easy-to-store, healthy snacks! With twelve removable drying trays and a BPA-free food-grade stainless steel and glass front door, this dehydrator provides you with all the space you need to stock up on goodies using today’s season or even last year’s harvest.
• The forced hot-air convection that circulates throughout the machine will release moisture from any type of fruits, vegetables, flowers, or meat so it can be stored long term easily. And best of all? This best food dehydrator has an automatic shutdown function and overheats protection function – the modern enthusiast could not ask for better than this!
• You can dry food in seconds with this easy-to-use dehydrator! The digital temperature preset ranges from 68ºF-194ºF so don’t worry about guessing the proper heat setting, just dial it in and let it do its thing.
• The horizontal airflow system operates stably so you’ll get more even drying throughout the whole dishpan, not just at one small location. Plus, you’ll have access to adjustable timer settings–up to 24 hours of cooking time! It’s no wonder why this sleek machine has become a favorite at farmer’s markets everywhere.

10. OSTBA Food Dehydrator Machine

• The OSTBA Food Dehydrator Machine is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy healthy snacks and preserve nutrients. The adjustable thermostat between 95℉to 160℉ makes sure the temperature is right for your favorite, dehydrates meat jerky or fruits, makes healthy dog treats with herbs, or dry out any food so it lasts longer.
• With a 1-72H timer built-in, this oxygen-free appliance will shut off automatically after drying the food you’d like. You can even try making your own delicious combinations of dried produce by following some recipes found inside the booklet that comes with all units!
• The OSTBA Food Dehydrator Machine is a high-quality product, made for those who need a dehydrator that won’t let them down. With an easy-to-use touchscreen and temperature control-whoever, whatever your customers may be – this sleek machine will last you years if taken care of properly. Take advantage of the convenient timer, as well as great air circulation features, by ordering today!

11. Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator

• The Hamilton Beach 32100A Digital Food Dehydrator provides a reliable and efficient way to dry fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, flowers, and other delicacies you would rather preserve than simply eating them fresh. The adjustable digital thermostat allows you to set the output of this best food dehydrator wherever it suits your needs by ranging from 100-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• There is also an added bonus that makes drying more convenient: with its fast 48-hour timer that will automatically turn off once the time has elapsed so there is no worry of overstraining any foods accidentally. With these wonderful features as well as a clear lid for monitoring food progress, this model makes itself very useful in creating healthy snacks on the go!
• This Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator features five stackable drying trays and comes with an exterior cover to help maintain optimal temperature. With a powerful 500 watts, continuous airflow provides even drying throughout the unit.

What Should I Look for in a Food Dehydrator?

Here are some factors to be considered when choosing your food dehydrator:

Capacity

The capacity of a food dehydrator is measured in square inches. So when looking at models online or in stores, always check the square inches it can cover. This will determine just how much food can fit into one batch. If you have lots of mouths to feed in your household, choose a model with a large capacity so you’ll be able to prepare larger batches in one go! But if it’s just going to be used by yourself and perhaps 1-2 others, then medium size units should suffice.

Portability

Some people prefer having appliances that are easy to move around, while others are fine with them being stationary. If you need to transport your dehydrator often, make sure it’s light and compact enough for you to be able to carry it where ever you go! Also, take into consideration the amount of space that it will consume on your counter or shelf.

Noise

Dehydrators can be incredibly loud when in use, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying not to disturb people nearby. While all food dehydrators are noisy during operation, some models are quieter than others so do consider this feature before making a purchase.

Digital Controls

The convenience of digital controls cannot be overstated! With just one touch of a button, your machine is programmed for automatic cooking. This makes controlling it a breeze, and you can always come back for perfectly dried food. All models in the top-rank list below have digital controls so keep this in mind when shopping to increase your chances of finding a great dehydrator!

Price

Food dehydrators are budget-friendly appliances, but you don’t want to end up scouring the market only to find nothing affordable. Luckily there’s a wide range of prices available on our recommendation list, so regardless of how much cash you’re willing to spend on a dehydrator, take a look at what we’ve got for sale!

Durability

The last thing you want is an appliance that breaks down after just a few uses. Look online or in stores for customer reviews regarding durability before buying anything. This will help you avoid faulty or low-quality products.

How to Use a Food Dehydrator

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long do dehydrated foods last?

As long as the dehydrated food is stored in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container it will last for several years. Food that lasts longer than expected doesn’t mean it’s spoiled or not safe to eat. It just means that its quality has declined.

The quality of dried foods lasts much longer when they’re sealed and placed in storage containers such as mason jars. You can even use canning lids with rubber gaskets instead of the flat metal lid screws to keep oxygen out and moisture-sealed inside.

2. Does food dehydrator use a lot of electricity?

The answer is Yes, food dehydrators can use a lot of electricity. There are many factors that affect electric power usage, but it may be between 100-200 watt/hour to 300-400 watts/hour per tray for an average food dehydrator. The electric power usage depends on your drying temperature and operation time. Higher the temperature = more the electric power usage. Longer the operation time = more the electric power usage etc.

Always keep in mind that any appliances use a higher amount of electrical energy during the initial warming up stage no matter how long it will be stayed ON while after that their electric energy consumption becomes minimum or nearly zero, which means this heating phase makes its presence felt in your utility bills while you remove food from trays once they are dried. So, you can minimize that effect by removing food trays once they are dried.

3. Is dehydrated food tasty?

It totally depends on your recipe. Some recipes make food tasty while others don’t. But definitely, it is healthier than fried food, processed (chemical stuff added) food, canned (tinned) food, etc.

4. Does dehydrating food take away nutrients?

No, the food dehydrator doesn’t remove any nutrients from food rather it helps to retain more vitamins and minerals in your healthy dried food. This is because of no heat or drying time retention while storing the dehydrated food in airtight glass containers which prevent further nutrient loss for a long time.

For example, Vitamin C is a water-soluble and heat-sensitive vitamin that is lost by heating but if you add lemon juice while cooking meat then it’s available in cooked meals and does not get lost with heating and processing of food (in canning).

5. What are the disadvantages of dehydration?

The major disadvantage of dehydration is that it takes a lot of time (time is money) and electricity (electricity is money too). It doesn’t produce instant results like other modern appliances such as microwave ovens. It needs patience and planning, if you are in hurry then dehydration may not be the best option for you.

Conclusion

With the best food dehydrator on your side, you can preserve and prepare all of those delicious fruits and vegetables for years to come. Constantly rotating through the products in your fridge is a great way to eat healthier, but it also means that some items will inevitably go bad before they get eaten.

Investing in a good-quality food dehydrator may be one of the smartest decisions that you make this year! Our team has compiled 11 top-rated models from different price ranges so there’s something perfect for any budget here. From small units with just two trays up to large commercial grade machines – we’re sure that everyone will find what they need at an affordable price point right here.