Best Ceramic Knife

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I’ve tested some of the best ceramic knives available. My top pick? The Vos 4-Piece Ceramic Knife Set.

I love my stainless steel knives, but I don’t love having to sharpen them on a regular basis. Sometimes I just want a low-maintenance knife that can hold its edge for a long time.

The best solution? A ceramic knife. Ceramic knives make a great alternative (or addition) to metal knives because they’re crazy sharp and keep their edge without constant sharpening.

ceramic knife cutting tomato

Photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels

You may be wondering if that’s too good to be true. Are ceramic knives really all they’re cooked up to be? I’ll break down the pros and cons of ceramic knives, as well as offering my top picks.

If I had to choose, I’d go with the Vos Ceramic Knife set. These high-quality knives have a super sharp edge that can slice and dice a variety of fruits, soft vegetables, and boneless meats. They’re also comfortable, easy to grip, and won’t react to acidic foods.

But there are other considerations. You might prefer color-coded knives or something budget-friendly. Some may just want an individual knife that’s suited for a particular cutting task. These are all factors in choosing the right ceramic knife.

So the question becomes, what is the best ceramic knife for your kitchen? Read on to learn more.

Best Ceramic Knives: Buying Guide

What is a Ceramic Knife?

You’re likely familiar with ceramic pottery or even ceramic non-stick cookware, but ceramic knives may not ring a bell. If ceramic knives sound new or strange to you, you’re not alone. Stainless steel knives and high-carbon steel knives are among the most common knives on the market, but ceramic knives are increasing in popularity.

Instead of a stainless steel blade, many ceramic knives have blades made of zirconium oxide, a.k.a zirconia. This gives them an extremely sharp edge and makes them low-maintenance.

But be aware that not all products labeled as “ceramic knives” are the same. Some products have a steel knife blade coated in a non-stick ceramic coating. That doesn’t mean ceramic-coated steel knives aren’t good choices, but they definitely aren’t the same in terms of advantages and disadvantages.

There are a couple of options on our list that fall into this category. These knives are not necessarily better or worse, but they are different from a true ceramic knife. Know that going in.

Are Ceramic Knives Sharper Than Stainless Steel Knives?

Most ceramic knives have a sharper edge than steel knives and can stay sharp for a longer period of time.

The reason for this is the blade material. Ceramic blades are made of zirconium oxide, which is a harder material than steel. Just for reference, zirconia sits at an 8.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, whereas normal steel sits at 4.5 and hardened steel is between 7.5-8.0. Diamond is at the top end of the scale, sitting at 10.

Zirconium oxide can also retain its shape, even when sharpened to an acute angle. The end result? A razor-sharp edge that doesn’t require constant sharpening.

Do Ceramic Knives Dull?

The best ceramic knives stay sharp longer than steel blades, but they do eventually lose their edge. The problem is that sharpening ceramic knives is difficult. A ceramic blade is more brittle than a metal blade, so it can chip easily.

To sharpen a ceramic knife, you must use a special sharpener reinforced with diamonds or send it for professional sharpening. Trying to sharpen a ceramic knife with a sharpener meant for a steel knife will ruin the blade.

Why Choose Ceramic Knives?

Ceramic knives have several advantages over metal knives that make them worth considering.

First, ceramic knives are harder than metal blades. When you make cuts with a stainless steel blade, for instance, that repeated stress blunts the edge. That’s why you must sharpen stainless steel blades on a regular basis. Ceramic knives, however, only take on a fraction of that stress, which means they retain their edge for a long time.

Second, ceramic knives are rust-proof. If you’ve ever had to toss a rusty blade, you know how frustrating that can be. It’s also the reason you must towel dry knives immediately after hand washing them. You don’t want rust spots to appear! Ceramic knives are immune to rust.

Additionally, ceramic knives don’t react with caustic or acidic substances. If you’re cutting a tomato, pineapple, or citrus fruit, you don’t have to worry about a metallic taste in your food. The ceramic won’t react with food.

Ceramic knives are generally lighter and easier to handle. Usually, the lighter weight a metal knife is, the lower the quality. The reason is that the blade is likely stamped, which generally has less durability than a heavier forged blade.

But ceramic can be super sharp AND light weight. It’s a win-win for those who get wrist fatigue or have difficulty wielding heavy knives.

Finally, your average ceramic knife is generally more affordable than a comparable steel knife. Steel knives can range in price, but you won’t find the sharpness and quality in steel knives unless you’re willing to spend some dough. That’s not the case with ceramic knives.

What are the Disadvantages of Ceramic Knives?

As with any product, there are trade-offs. Ceramic blades are great, but they do have a few drawbacks worth noting.

First of all, ceramic blades are more brittle than their steel counterparts. The extreme hardness of the blade is also responsible for making them more susceptible to chipping and breaking.

Secondly, It’s more difficult to sharpen ceramic knives. While you won’t have to sharpen your ceramic knife as often as a stainless steel knife, be prepared for the process to be much more difficult.

I recommend sending your ceramic knives out for sharpening or just purchasing a new blade. They’re cost-effective, so it’s not as expensive to replace a ceramic knife.

Finally, ceramic knives are not all-purpose knives. You shouldn’t use a ceramic knife to cut frozen foods or bone-in meats. Most ceramic knife sets are color-coded, though, so you don’t have to worry about using the wrong knife or cross-contamination.

Are Ceramic Knives Dishwasher-Safe?

Unlike steel knives, you should never put your ceramic knives in the dishwasher. Their brittle blades can chip and snap easily. Furthermore, contact with other hard objects in the dishwasher could damage the blade.

Several manufacturers claim their ceramic knives are dishwasher-safe, but I wouldn’t risk damaging the knife. Ceramic blades are generally non-stick, so they should be easy to clean, even with hand washing. Also, be sure to dry them completely to avoid discoloration or spots.

I recommend storing your ceramic knives in a knife block or in a sheath. Some knives even come with a protective sheath to make it easy to store them. Avoid placing them uncovered in a drawer with other objects. That constant contact could lead to chipped or damaged blades.

How are Ceramic Knives Made?

Ceramic knives are typically made of zirconium oxide and alumina powder. The manufacturing process is fairly simple. The raw materials are mixed with water in a drum. Then the mixture is put into a mold, dry-pressed, and fired to harden the blade. Finally, the newly formed blade is ground against a diamond-coated sharpening wheel.

This is not to be confused with ceramic-coated knives, the ones with a stamped steel blade covered in a ceramic coating. In those cases, the blade is stamped from a sheet of metal and then dipped into a ceramic-based coating that is fired to harden. These blades do not have the same level of quality as 100% ceramic blades.

How to Care for Ceramic Knives

Proper care is essential to getting the most out of your ceramic knife. It’s important not to drop your ceramic knife. It might sound like a no-brainer, but dropping a ceramic knife will likely result in a broken or chipped blade.

Avoid cutting frozen foods or anything with a pit, hard seeds, bones. Another tip? Choose a cutting board that won’t damage the knife. Wood or polypropylene are both good options. Avoid granite or concrete countertops.

For the best results, hand wash your ceramic knives. Store them in a drawer or knife block, preferably with a protective cover. Ceramic blades won’t stick to a magnetic strip.

Ceramic knives advantages and disadvantages

Best Ceramic Knife Set Reviews

Vos Ceramic Knife Set, 4-Piece Knives Set: Best Overall

This Vos Ceramic Knife set includes four high-quality ceramic knives and comes with a convenient holder that saves space on the counter. It includes the following:

  • 6-inch (15.24 cm) Chef’s knife
  • 5-inch (12.7 cm) utility knife
  • 4-inch (10.16 cm) paring knife
  • 3-inch (7.62 cm) multipurpose knife

This set has all the basic pieces for fruits and vegetables. I would have liked to see at least one serrated blade for cutting meat, but these four ceramic knives can handle most food prep.

These ceramic knives have ultra-sharp edges, and Vos claims these ceramic blades will stay sharp 10 times longer than a steel blade. They’re also corrosion-resistant and non-reactive.

The synthetic handles offer a secure grip, even when wet. They’re lightweight and easy to handle. You even have a color choice, between a black or blue handle.

Vos Ceramic Knife Set, Ceramic Knives Set For Kitchen, Ceramic Kitchen Knives With Holder, Ceramic Paring Knife 3", 4", 5", 6" Inch Black

Reviewers said their Vos ceramic knives cut like a dream. A few had issues with the blade separating from the handle, but overall customer feedback was glowing.

Several really liked the gift box, and almost everyone commented on the sharpness of these knives. They said these knives make quick work of food preparation.

It’s important to wash these Vos ceramic knives by hand. Some users put them in the dishwasher and ended up with chipped blades. Also, be sure to use a soft cutting board made from wood or plastic. Granite, marble, or concrete could damage the knife.

Pros

  • Razor-sharp blades
  • Includes knife holder
  • Comfortable grip
  • Lightweight, well-balanced

Cons

  • Reports of handle separating from blade
  • Easily chipped

Kyocera Revolution 4-Piece Ceramic Knife Set: Best Splurge

This Kyocera Revolution set is definitely on the higher end, but it packs a powerful punch. This set includes the following four knives:

  • 6-inch (15.24 cm) Chef’s Santoku knife
  • 5.5-inch (13.97 cm) Santoku knife
  • 4.5-inch (11.43 cm) utility knife
  • 3-inch (7.62 cm) paring knife

There is also an option that includes a knife block for easy storage.

The zirconia blades are made in Japan and have a sleek black color, making them an attractive addition to any kitchen. Kyocera claims these knives will remain sharp 10 times longer than steel blades.

The knife’s handle is lightweight and easy to hold. These ceramic knives are best-suited for precise tasks and straight cuts only. No rotating cuts or twisting with these knives.

Customers were able to get paper-thin slices with garlic cloves, veggies, and more. They almost universally said the blades were extremely sharp, although several had issues with chipping.

Many users emphasized the importance of proper use and care. There have been some negative customer reviews due to misuse. Kyocera clearly states these knives are not for carving, deboning or cutting through tough rinds. Stick to fruits, soft vegetables, and boneless meats and fish.

Kyocera’s Revolution 4-Piece Ceramic Knife Set: Chef Knife For Your Cooking Needs, Includes 6"Chef's Santoku, 5.5" Santoku, 4.5" Utility & 3" Paring Knives, Black

The nice thing about Kyocera is that they will professionally sharpen your knives for you if they get dull. You do have to pay a shipping and handling fee, though.

Overall? These are some of the best ceramic knives in terms of quality, but they definitely require a looser budget than other brands.

This manufacturer video goes more in-depth about the blade-making process:

Pros

  • Excellent blade quality
  • Razor-sharp
  • Sleek look

Cons

  • Fragile
  • No cover included
  • Expensive

In addition to this four-piece ceramic knife set, Kyocera also sells individual knives. Read more about each of the following individual Kyocera knives:

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 5.5-Inch Santoku Knife

This Kyocera knife has a blade length of 5.5 inches (140 mm) and a Santoku-style blade. This high-quality ceramic knife is great for a beginner who wants a versatile piece.

Kyocera FK-140-WH Ceramic Santoku, Chef Knife for Your Cooking Needs, 5.5”, White

This is a well-balanced knife that’s lightweight and easy to handle. The razor-sharp blade is great for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and boneless meats. The slightly curved tip is great for safety and extra sturdiness.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

This Kyocera 8-inch Chef’s knife (203 mm) has an ergonomic grip and a lightweight feel to it. The ceramic blade is impervious to acids, juices, salts, or other elements. On top of that? This blade will keep its edge for a long time.

This Chef’s knife is versatile and has an ultra-sharp edge. Like most ceramic knives, this one is brittle. But users were able to cut like a breeze through tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and more.

A word of caution: This knife’s performance is outstanding, but you should avoid using it to crush garlic, pry anything open, or cut through tough rinds like you find on spaghetti squash. Some reviewers learned that lesson the hard way.

But if you stick to soft fruits and veggies and boneless chicken, fish, etc.? You should be a happy customer.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 3-Inch Paring Knife

This Kyocera 3-inch paring knife (76 mm) is great for peeling, mincing, and slicing fruits, herbs, and vegetables. Users were pleased with the performance of their Kyocera paring knife. They liked the sharpness and the comfortable grip.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 3-inch Paring Knife, Black Blade

It’s important to use this ceramic knife correctly, though. One of the quickest ways to ruin this paring knife? Use it as a prying tool. If you want your Kyocera parer to last a long time, stick to straight cuts on a safe cutting board.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 5-Inch Utility Knife

This Kyocera serrated ceramic knife is a dream for tomatoes. Although your average ceramic knife has a straight edge, this one has a micro-serrated edge that can “saw” through tomatoes and other waxy-skinned fruits and vegetables with soft insides.

Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 5-inch Micro Serrated Tomato, Utility Knife, Black Blade

Customers raved about their Kyocera utility knife. With a blade length of 5 inches (127 mm), it’s best for small or medium-sized foods. And when it came to tomatoes? They were able to get papery thin slices without smashing the tomato.

A lot of people said this was their “go-to” knife. Just be sure to stick to straight cuts. This blade can’t handle twists or rotating cuts. Also, be sure to hand wash this knife to ensure the blade doesn’t get chipped or damaged.

Amazon Basics 12-Piece Color-Coded Kitchen Knife Set, 6 Knives & Guards: Best Bargain Pick

This Amazon Basics set has six multicolored knives and blade guards to match. Amazon does not include the length of each blade. The set includes the following:

  • Green paring knife
  • Yellow utility knife
  • Blue Santoku knife
  • Orange carving knife
  • Red Chef’s knife
  • Purple bread knife

The color-coding helps you avoid cross-contamination during food prep. What’s more, it can help you select the best knife for the job.

For instance, the purple bread knife has a serrated edge for slicing bread or rolls. The red Chef knife is the perfect shape for a rocking motion when cutting, making it ideal for carrots, peppers, or zucchini.

Amazon Basics Color-Coded Kitchen 12-Piece Knife Set, 6 Knives with 6 Blade Guards, Multicolor, 13.88 x 4.13 x 1.38 inch

One thing to note about this Amazon Basics set, however: Like the Cuisinart set, the blades are not actually ceramic. They’re steel blades that have been coated in ceramic.

As a result, the biggest customer complaint was the coating coming off the knife. Another common issue was the slippery handle. Even though these handles have an ergonomic design, they don’t have a good grip and can get quite slippery when wet.

Still, users raved about how sharp these knives were. They also liked the blade guards for safe storing.

Pros

  • Color-coded
  • Includes a sheath
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Actually steel knives coated in ceramic
  • Slippery handles
  • No blade lengths listed

Wolf War Kitchen Ceramic Knife Set: Best for Beginners

This Wolf War 5-Piece Kitchen Ceramic Knife Set comes in a sleek black blade and handle. It comes in a gift box and includes the following pieces:

  • 6-inch Chef’s knife (15.24 cm)
  • 5-inch utility knife (12.7 cm)
  • 4-inch fruit knife (10.16 cm)
  • 3-inch paring knife (7.62 cm)
  • Peeler

This is one of the only sets on the list that includes a peeler, which is a nice addition. Each knife has a ceramic blade that is rust-proof, stain-proof, non-reactive, and corrosion-resistant.

These high-quality blades are made of zirconia and have a razor-sharp edge that can get paper-thin slices on a range of fruits, veggies, and boneless meats.

The handle features a lightweight and ergonomic design, providing maximum support and smooth performance.

The manufacturer does recommend against putting these knives in the dishwasher or trying to sharpen the blades.

Customers were pleased with the sharpness of the knives and the sharp look of the blades. There were several reports of chipped blades and the blade tips breaking off. Several also had a blade come apart from the handle.

Kitchen Ceramic Knife Set Professional Knife With Sheaths, Super Sharp Rust Proof Stain Resistant (6" Chef Knife, 5" Utility Knife, 4" Fruit Knife, 3" Paring Knife, One Peeler)

These Wolf War knives are some of the least expensive sets, which makes them appealing for beginners or those who want to try out ceramic knives. Just don’t expect these to last a lifetime. You’ll likely have to replace them after a while, either due to chipping or breaking.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Ultra-sharp blades
  • Includes a peeler
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not as durable
  • Reports of chipped blades

Cuisinart 12-Piece Color Blade Knife Set (6 Knives and 6 Covers): Best Steel Knives with Ceramic Coating

This Cuisinart Ceramic Knife Set includes a set of six color-coded knives with protective blade covers:

  • 8-inch (20.32 cm) Chef’s knife
  • 8-inch (20.32 cm) slicing knife
  • 8-inch (20.32 cm) serrated bread knife
  • 7-inch (17.78 cm) Santoku knife
  • 6.5-inch (16.51 cm) utility knife

But we should note that, unlike other knives on our list, this set is actually stainless steel that’s been coated in ceramic. In reality, these are ceramic and steel knives.

Unsurprisingly, many customers had issues with the color coming off the blade. This was especially true when slicing hot food or putting these knives in the dishwasher.

Cusinart Block Knife Set, 12pc Cermaic Knife Set with 6 Blades & 6 Blade Guards, Lightweight, Stainless Steel, Durable & Dishwasher Safe, C55-12PCKSAM

Another common problem? There were several reports of the blade breaking apart from the handle.

Still, users loved how these knives performed on a range of foods, from carrots and onions to bread and sweet potatoes. They also said this set of knives was easy to clean, which is always a must-have in my book.

Pros

  • Color-coded
  • Includes protective sheath
  • Good variety of knife types
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Complaints of paint chipping
  • Blades are actually stainless steel

Farberware Ceramic 6-Inch Chef’s Knife: Best Bargain Individual Knife

If you want a single piece without breaking the bank, this Farberware Ceramic Chef’s Knife is for you. The high-quality ceramic blade is great for slicing, dicing, chopping, and mincing.

With a blade length of 6 inches (152 mm), this knife is shorter in comparison to most Chef’s knives. But that lessens the temptation to use this knife to cut a spaghetti squash or watermelon, both of which might damage the blade.

The knife’s handle is ergonomically designed and nonslip for maximum control. The bright aqua color gives this knife a clean, cheery look. This piece does come with a blade cover for easy, safe storage.

Farberware claims this knife is dishwasher-safe for the top rack only. Still, I would use caution and wash this knife by hand.

Customers were pleased with their Farberware Ceramic Chef knife. A few mentioned the shorter length, and others predictably commented on how fragile the blade is. But many bragged about the ergonomic handle and sharp cutting edge.

And with a budget-friendly price point, this knife has a lot of value.

Pros

  • Includes blade cover
  • Brightly-colored handle
  • Sharp blade
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Small blade for a Chef knife
  • Not as durable

Best Ceramic Knives: Final Verdict

If you’re searching for the best ceramic knife set, I would go with the Vos 4-Piece Ceramic Knife Set. These are some of the best ceramic knives for the price.

If you just want a single knife? I’d either get the Kyocera Chef’s Knife for maximum versatility and performance. It can handle most slicing, dicing, and mincing. It also has the top quality of a Kyocera ceramic knife without the cost of a full set.