6 Top Rated Dehydrators for Making Jerky in 2023

best dehydrator for jerky

Relaxing in front of a TV, traveling, camping, or fishing – there’s never a wrong time to enjoy a delicious slice of meat jerky. While popular, this snack is also very healthy, as it contains a large amount of protein. However, store-bought jerky is not always the wisest choice – you’re better off drying it at your home.

For that matter, we’ve decided to take a closer look at the market’s best dehydrators for jerky. These devices are growing in popularity, with plenty of different brands and models finding their way to the consumers. In case you’re a complete beginner in the topic, keep reading – we’ll help you find the right model for your needs.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
A small product image of Excalibur 3926TB
  • Air Flow: Horizontal
  • Temp Range (°F): 105 – 165
  • Trays: 9
  • Wattage: 600
  • Warranty: 10 years
View Latest Price
A small product image of Nesco FD-75A
  • Air Flow: Vertical
  • Temp Range (°F): 95 – 165
  • Trays: 5
  • Wattage: 600
  • Warranty: 1 year
View Latest Price
A small product image of Presto 06301
  • Air Flow: Vertical
  • Temp Range (°F): 90 – 165
  • Trays: 6
  • Wattage: 750
  • Warranty: 1 year
View Latest Price
A small product image of Nesco FD-1040
  • Air Flow: Converga-Flow
  • Temp Range (°F): 90 – 160
  • Trays: 4
  • Wattage: 1000
  • Warranty: 1 year
View Latest Price
A small product image of Excalibur 3526TB
  • Air Flow: Horizontal
  • Temp Range (°F): 105 – 165
  • Trays: 5
  • Wattage: 400
  • Warranty: 10 years
View Latest Price
A small product image of Aroma Professional AFD-815B
  • Air Flow: Horizontal
  • Temp Range (°F): 95 – 155
  • Trays: 6
  • Wattage: 300
  • Warranty: 5 years
View Latest Price

Why is Dehydrator a Good Choice for Making Homemade Jerky

As we said, relying on store-bought jerky isn’t the way to go. You’re probably wondering “why”? Well, most brands available at stores contain outrageous amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and preservatives that can be quite harmful to one’s health. Furthermore, the statistics show that some Salmonella outbreaks were related to store-bought jerky. It’s pretty simple, actually.

Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that you need to give up on your favorite snack. To dry jerky at home, all you need is a good dehydrator – and there are plenty of those on today’s market. These innovative machines allow users to monitor the dehydrator process in its entirety. Moreover, they prevent dangerous additives from getting inside the jerky and are exceptionally easy to operate.

Choosing the best dehydrator for your needs can be tough, though. While some people run on a budget, others want the biggest and best device to use on a daily basis. Fortunately, the market offers something for everyone – no matter which features you’re looking for, there’s bound to be a model that matches your needs and budget.

Let’s have a closer look at the 6 top-rated dehydrators for making jerky in 2019:


 

When it comes to advanced food dehydrators, Excalibur’s 3926TB model is undoubtedly among the most popular on the market. Offering several outstanding features, it is a quality product and an investment that you won’t regret making.

Specifications:

  • Wattage: 600
  • Trays: 9
  • Air Flow: Horizontal
  • Temp. Range (°F): 105 – 165
  • Warranty: 10 years

Key Features:

  • Capacity

One of the best features of this jerky dehydrator (and its primary selling point) is a large capacity that it offers. With 15 square feet of drying space, it’s a spacious model that allows one to dry large amounts of food at once. There are nine drying trays here, and these can be used per the user’s requirement.

In order to create more space for larger pieces of food, you can simply remove one or more trays. By doing so, you won’t be affecting the model’s heating power. The dimension of the unit’s shelves increases from top to bottom. You’ll be able to dehydrate whatever you want – from sliced apples to a whole lot of jerky. Pretty impressive, wouldn’t you say?

  • Temperature control

Excalibur 3926TB comes equipped with two temperature controller switches. These are situated on the topmost side of the unit. With them, simple control of temperature is guaranteed. We should also mention the presence of a 26-hour timer, which is yet another benefit.

The temperature range of Excalibur 3926TB stands at 105 – 165°F. In our opinion, this is a good, wide range that allows the device to handle a large variety of foods. The lowest temperature setting preserves the enzymes during dehydration, while the upper end comes high enough to prevent the food from spoiling.

  • Ease of cleaning

Keeping this jerky dehydrator clean is exceptionally easy. The unit’s trays are plastic and dishwasher-safe, although the mesh screen inserts need to be washed by hand. To clean the model’s insides, take a damp cloth and wipe everything down. In case you’re not planning to use this dehydrator daily, you won’t have to do this often.

Furthermore, we advise putting a parchment paper or a shallow pan in the model’s bottom. It will catch the drips during dehydration and make the cleanup a lot easier.

  • Other features

The door of 3926TB is detachable, allowing the user to load up the food of all sizes easily. The trays are BPA-free, while the FDA-approved polycarbonate casing doesn’t produce harmful fumes during use. The 10-year warranty is particularly impressive – it inspires confidence in the model’s longevity.

 

The Downsides:

  • Can be noisy

The only major downside of this model is that it can be quite loud on occasions. This could prove to be an issue if you like to dehydrate food at night, and your bedroom isn’t far from the kitchen.

PROS

  • Excellent heat distribution
  • Wide temperature range
  • Manufactured from safe materials
  • Nine spacious food trays
  • Easy to use & clean

CONS

  • Can be noisy

Conclusion

The 3926TB 9-Tray is an excellent choice for every health-conscious jerky lover. It is a superior-quality appliance with many significant features and one that’s undoubtedly worth the extra money.

And if you wish to learn more about this particular model you can fin our full review [HERE]


 

Next up is Nesco FD-75A, coming from a brand that’s a well-known household name in kitchen appliances. The company has a pretty long history of manufacturing durable and reliable products. For that matter, let’s check out if their newest dehydrator offers a good value for the price.

 

Specifications:

  • Wattage: 600
  • Trays: 5
  • Air Flow: Vertical
  • Temp. Range (°F): 95 – 165
  • Warranty: 1 year

 

Key Features:

  • Capacity

Nesco FD-75A comes equipped with five food-drying shelves. Like in other devices of this type, these are mounted on top of each other. The fact that these trays are stackable allows the user to customize their arrangement according to his needs. To save the power that would be lost in dehydrating the empty shelves, you can simply remove them.

Those who think that just five trays aren’t enough will be happy to know that the unit can be expanded to 12 shelves. Of course, the additional shelves need to be purchased separately. With 12 of them, you’ll be more than able to dehydrate large amounts of food all at once.

  • Temperature control

This dehydrator offers 600 Watts of power and dries the food with its top-mounted fan (vertical airflow). It prevents the liquids from dripping inside the heat box – you won’t have to worry about flavor mixing. An important thing to mention here is that FD-75A doesn’t draw the full 600 Watts at all times. Instead, it draws only the amount of power needed to dry the food properly. This is thanks to its precise and sensitive thermostat.

As it uses Nesco’s patented Converga-Flow system, FD-75A provides fast and even results. Controlling the temperature is very easy thanks to a simple, user-friendly control panel, while the wide range of temperature settings (95 – 165°F) allows drying a variety of foods.

  • Vita-Save Outer Body

One of the most innovative features of Nesco FD-75A is the so-called Vita-Save. It guarantees that the food you’re drying won’t be exposed to light coming from the outside, which is something that can harm the dehydration quality. The casing was manufactured from light-resistant materials which preserve the integrity and humidity of the contents inside the device.

  • Other features

Apart from the modern, contemporary design, we also liked that the model comes accompanied by free recipes, as well as with one package of jerky spice. Moreover, its trays are BPA-free and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

 

The Downsides:

  • No timer

Unfortunately, this model does not have a timer. In other words, you’ll have to remember to switch it off. This might be a deal-breaker to some.

PROS

  • Relatively affordable
  • Excellent performance
  • Wide temperature range
  • Vita-Save outer body
  • Free recipes included

CONS

  • No timer

Conclusion

All in all, Nesco FD-75A won’t only save you time, but also money on your grocery bill. Although not as elaborate as some more expensive models, it’s still one of the best choices in its class. It offers an outstanding value for the price and provides the user with amazing results.

For more info, read our full review!


 

Presto, one of the leading manufacturers of kitchen appliances has recently introduced their 06301 (“Dehydro”) model. Coming with a vertical flow heat distribution system, dishwasher-safe shelves, and a precise digital thermostat, this dehydrator seems to be a worthwhile investment. Let’s check it out:

 

Specifications:

  • Wattage: 750
  • Trays: 6
  • Air Flow: Vertical
  • Temp. Range (°F): 90 – 165
  • Warranty: 1 year

 

Key Features:

  • Capacity

As you can see from the specifications chart, Presto 06301 comes equipped with six food-drying shelves. In other words, it offers six square feet of drying space. To some, this might be insufficient – the unit certainly isn’t the most spacious dehydrator in its price category. However, the number of trays can be expanded up to 12.

A great thing about the shelves is that they’re dishwasher-safe. You can simply remove them from the device and clean them with your dishwasher. Don’t forget that only the trays can be washed in this way – other components require cleaning by hand.

  • Temperature control

Like many other dehydrators of this type, Presto 06301 has an adjustable digital thermostat. With it, the user can set the temperatures ranging from 90°F to 165°F. This is an extensive range and one that allows drying all types of food – from jerky to herbs. Increasing or decreasing the temperature is as simple as it gets – you only have to use the “+” and “-” buttons.

If a digital thermostat is a feature you are looking for you can check out our best digital dehydrator roundup!

Another great feature here is the presence of a timer. This allows the user to set the desired dehydrating time of the device. Once the machine reaches the desired time, it will shut off automatically. The timer can be configured for up to 48 hours.

Performance-wise, Presto 06301 is very impressive. Inside its chamber, the heat flows vertically over the drying shelves. The fan uniformly distributes the heat across the trays, which leads to a steady and even dehydration process.

  • Transparent cover

Another essential feature of this model is its transparent cover, situated on the top of the device. For people who don’t have the exact idea of how much time their jerky needs for drying, this feature is invaluable. The see-through lid is a simple concept, but it’s still something missing on much more expensive dehydrators.

  • Other Features

When it comes to accessories, this model comes accompanied by two non-stick mesh screens and two roll-up fruit sheets. There’s also a simple-to-understand instruction manual and a limited warranty period of one year.

 

The Downsides:

  • Only six trays

While some people might find the included six trays to be enough for their needs, some might find their number insufficient. The extra shelves can be purchased separately, but they’re somewhat expensive, as are all other accessories for this model.

PROS

  • Provides uniform drying
  • Simple & easy-to-use controls
  • Digital thermostat with a wide temperature range
  • See-through cover
  • 48-hour timer

CONS

  • Only six trays

Conclusion

As a reliable and efficient model that provides excellent performance with minimum supervision, Presto 06301 undoubtedly deserves our recommendation. It’s one of the best entry-level jerky dehydrators on the market.

Need more info about this model? Read our complete review here!


 

Started almost 90 years ago in Baltimore, Maryland, Nesco is now one of the leading producers of portable kitchen gadgets. Their jerky dehydrators are held in high regard – these devices are well-designed, easy to operate, and provide excellent performance. Can the same be said for their new model – Nesco FD-1040?

 

Specifications:

  • Wattage: 1000
  • Trays: 4
  • Air Flow: Converga-Flow
  • Temp. Range (°F): 90 – 160
  • Warranty: 1 year

 

Key Features:

  • Capacity

The capacity of Nesco FD-1040 is both its main advantage and disadvantage. On one hand, this food dehydrator is capable of housing 20 shelves, which is quite impressive and something that provides enough space even for the biggest dehydration enthusiasts. On the other hand, the standard model comes equipped with only four trays. This is quite insufficient for regular use and might be a deal-breaker for some potential buyers.

Each of the included shelves measures 15.5″ in diameter and provides one square foot of drying space. We were glad to find out that the trays can be put in the dishwasher – cleaning them is quick and easy.

  • Temperature control

Just like most other Nesco dehydrators, FD-1040 comes with an adjustable digital thermostat. It provides the user with precise control and sufficient flexibility when it comes to drying food. With the model operating between 90 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll be able to dry each type of food properly – meat, vegetables, fruit rolls, and so on. The thermostat is very easy to set up and successfully maintains the desired temperature at all times.

The performance is stellar, thanks to the unit’s 1000-Watts heater. For example, it takes only 4 to 6 hours to dry apples. Nesco FD-1040 has a specially designed fan that always provides an even heat distribution.

  • Digital programmable timer

Unlike some other dehydrators we’ve tested, this model does not lack a digital timer. The one that’s present on this dehydrator can be programmed for up to two days of drying, which is quite impressive. With this feature, you’ll be able to schedule the dehydration process to your convenience.

  • Other Features

Just like Nesco FD-75A, this model is also equipped with a Vita-Save exterior. To put it simply, the appliance is coated with a special opaque material that assists in retaining the food’s nutritional values during the drying process. It prevents the light from getting inside the chamber and therefore protects the nutrients and vitamins inside your favorite food.

Nesco FD-1040 comes accompanied by several accessories, including various drying sheets and some jerky spices. A 1-year warranty deal covers the unit.

 

The Downsides:

  • Only four trays

Even though it can house up to 20 drying shelves, the standard model of Nesco FD-1040 comes with only four of them. This probably won’t be enough for you, and you’ll have to purchase additional trays separately.

PROS

  • Fantastic performance – 1000 Watts of drying power
  • Digital thermostat & programmable timer
  • Trays are dishwasher-safe
  • Quiet operation
  • An abundance of accessories

CONS

  • Only four trays

Conclusion

The fact that this model comes with only four drying shelves can actually be seen as an advantage. It makes the unit very flexible – those who dry food only occasionally will find the unit’s capacity sufficient for their needs. If they ever find themselves wanting to dry more food at once, they can simply purchase some additional trays.

If you wish to learn more about this model, our full review is just a click away!


 

Dehydrators made by Excalibur are something special. These devices sport a modern design, quality features, and can be used even by the biggest food-drying amateurs. We’ll be taking a look at the 3526TB model, one of Excalibur’s best-selling devices of this type.

 

Specifications:

  • Wattage: 400
  • Trays: 5
  • Air Flow: Horizontal
  • Temp. Range (°F): 105 – 165
  • Warranty: 10 years

 

Key Features:

  • Capacity

This dehydrator has five food-drying shelves, each of which has the dimensions of 15 x 15 inches. Not only are they effortless to keep clean, but the user can also remove them to create space for larger pieces of food. However, it’s important to mention that they’re not stackable – instead, they slide back to their place.

Each of the included shelves comes equipped with a Polycarbonate mesh liner. This can come in very handy when you’re dehydrating fruits. The purpose of these liners (which are BPA-free, by the way) is to prevent the food from getting stuck on the shelves.

  • Temperature control

Just as we expected, Excalibur 3526TB has a variable thermostat. It allows the user to set the temperature between 105 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This wide temperature range comes in very handy when you want to decrease the heat to preserve the fruit’s enzymes. Raising the temperature, on the other hand, won’t have an adverse effect on your jerky – it will turn out perfectly.

One of the best things about this machine is its heat distribution system. The unit’s horizontal airflow system ensures even distribution of heat, getting all of your food cooked at the same time. There is also a 26-hour timer, whose job is to let you use Excalibur 3526TB at night. Once the desired time is reached, the device turns off automatically.

  • Attractive appearance

Excalibur 3526TB is undoubtedly one of the best-looking jerky dehydrators on the market. Although this might seem unimportant, the appearance is sometimes the thing that sells the appliance. Nobody wants a dehydrator that ruins the style and charm of one’s kitchen. The sleek look of this model is guaranteed to fit in well with your kitchen’s decor.

  • Other features

Unlike many low-budget dehydrators on the market, the 3526TB has an on/off switch. Moreover, all of the plastic used in its manufacture is BPA-free, and the unit comes accompanied by a handy dehydration guide. The 10-year warranty is particularly compelling – you won’t have to worry about defects or malfunctions.

 

The Downsides:

  • Fixed number of trays

Unfortunately, the number of drying shelves on this model cannot be expanded. Five trays are all you’ll get, making the unit unsuitable for people who dry large amounts of food on a daily basis.

PROS

  • Modern, BPA-free design
  • Reliable performance
  • Exceptional heat & air distribution
  • Convenient timer
  • On/off switch

CONS

  • Fixed number of trays

Conclusion

Although it comes with a fixed number of shelves, Excalibur 3526TB is still a high-end model that looks and works just as advertised. It’s a fine long-term investment that provides healthy food alternatives in a fast and easy manner.


 

The last jerky dehydrator we’re going to take a look at is Aroma Professional AFD-815B. Manufactured and sold by Aroma Housewares, it’s a versatile and efficient model with a quiet fan unit, see-through door, height-adjustable shelves, and a drip tray. Let’s find out its value for the money:

 

Specifications:

  • Wattage: 300
  • Trays: 6
  • Air Flow: Horizontal
  • Temp. Range (°F): 95 – 155
  • Warranty: 5 years

 

Key Features:

  • Capacity

If you’re a food-drying enthusiast, you’ll be pleased to know that Aroma Professional AFD-815B handles almost everything – from fruit roll-ups to beef jerky. This is thanks to its six spacious, height-adjustable shelves. Each of these racks supports up to one pound of your favorite food. Unfortunately, the number of shelves is fixed – you won’t be able to expand it by purchasing additional trays.

While speaking of trays, it’s important to mention that AFD-815B comes equipped with a special drip tray. It’s a handy addition that catches any residue from the dehydration process. Moreover, it makes cleaning effortless and reduces the mess.

  • Temperature control

The temperature range of this dehydrator is a wide one – from 95 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit. As you can already guess, this allows the user to dry a variety of different foods effortlessly. The horizontal airflow of this unit promotes even dehydration, which is almost always better than the vertical airflow featured on cheaper models.

With just a couple of switches and knobs, operating Aroma Professional AFD-815B is exceptionally easy. We were delighted to find the on/off button, which might seem like an unimportant thing but it’s actually a very convenient feature on jerky dehydrators. Cheaper models turn on when you plug them into an AC outlet – the on/off switch makes this faster and much more elegant.

  • Quiet operation

One of the most significant benefits of this dehydrator is that it’s exceptionally quiet when it’s working. Many models offered by numerous brands are quite noisy, while AFD-815B is silent in operation and won’t disrupt your daily life or sleep. This is a significant advantage over other contemporary food dehydrators.

  • Other features

Another thing we liked about AFD-815B is its see-through door. It is clear and removable, letting one monitor the food during the dehydration process. The trays, the door, and the mesh sheets have all been manufactured from BPA-free materials. The 5-year warranty, on the other hand, shows how confident Aroma Housewares is about the longevity of their products.

 

The Downsides:

  • Not dishwasher-safe

Unfortunately, the drying shelves of AFD-815B require hand washing, as they’re not dishwasher-safe. It’s not a major disadvantage but could repel some potential buyers.

PROS

  • Efficient & quiet dehydrator
  • Height-adjustable food trays
  • See-through door
  • Drip tray included
  • 5-year warranty

CONS

  • Not dishwasher-safe

Conclusion

Offering quiet, reliable, and efficient operation, the Aroma Professional AFD-815B is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment. Those who need a large-capacity dehydrator that’s silent and easy to operate will find it to their liking.

Check our our complete review of this product by clicking this link!


 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Dehydrator

When it comes to buying a new dehydrator, the choice should mostly depend on your particular needs. However, a thing that can significantly help you with making the right decision is having a good idea of what options you have. Let’s take a look at things you need to keep in mind when looking for a new jerky dehydrator:

1. Size & Capacity


Like with other similar kitchen appliances, one needs to consider the amount of food he’ll want to prepare in one batch. It’s also important to consider how much available space you have in your kitchen.

Smaller dehydrators (particularly the ones with a vertical airflow system) take less space, but they also have a lower capacity. In case you usually dehydrate a lot of food at once, you may want to consider purchasing a larger model. These devices are capable of drying many different kinds of foods in a short span of time.

Gourmia Modern Looking Dehydrator

2. Quality & Safety


No matter the features, most jerky dehydrators come with a plastic or metal construction. If the model you’d like to buy has plastic construction, make sure that it’s FDA-certified and that it doesn’t contain any BPAs. These can significantly reduce the taste of your jerky and even pose a danger to your health.

3. Air Flow & Heat Distribution


Believe it or not, food dehydration is actually quite a simple process. The food needs to be kept at a temperature that’s high and consistent, and the moisture quickly goes away. In reality, the biggest challenge is getting the heat distributed in an even manner. This is precisely why adequate airflow is so important. Some food items inside your model are bound to be situated further from the heat source than the others.

Before you make the ultimate decision, make sure to research what a particular brand has to say about airflow and heat distribution of their product. Dehydrators with horizontal airflow are usually the best, but that isn’t always the case.

4. Noise


As most models come equipped with a fan, noise is unavoidable. However, the amount of produced noise varies from one model to another. If you really want a dehydrator that’s as silent as possible, search for a model with the lowest decibel rating. As this isn’t a commonly listed spec, you’ll have to do some digging through consumer reviews.

Dehydrated banana

5. Ease of Cleaning


Make sure to choose a jerky dehydrator whose trays can be put in the dishwasher. This makes the chore of cleaning quicker and a lot less messy.

6. Handy Features


Some extra features can make all the difference when it comes to the ease of use. The auto-shutoff feature, for example, allows one to use the machine at night. The timer, on the other hand, alerts the user when the food is ready. A see-through door is another benefit, as it allows you to monitor the process of dehydration easily.
We also advise getting a model with an adjustable thermostat – you’ll always be able to get the best results with any type of food.

FAQs about Jerky Making Process

Q: How do you know when beef jerky is done dehydrating?
A: Unfortunately, there is no standard set for “done” when it comes to dehydrating jerky. Getting to a “specific point” is something you can forget about – it’s more about the range. In other words, you have a lot of wiggle room.

As long as your jerky is dry enough to stop the bacteria from growing, it’s completely safe to eat. Once you understand that, it all boils down to the question of how long you want to store the jerky and what texture you’re aiming for. Remember that moister jerky is always easier to eat, but the drier jerky can be stored for longer.

Q: Should I use curing salt when dehydrating jerky?
A: The cure is something that gives jerky that famous flavor and red color, and also makes it last longer. In case you decide not to use it, you’ll have to heat your jerky to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to kill the bacteria. In short, no jerky recipe requires the use of cure as long as you heat it up to 160F°.
Q: How do I soften jerky after dehydration?
A: Even though there’s a certain degree of dryness we expect from dehydrated jerky, sometimes it loses too much of its moisture and becomes less appealing. This typically happens when you dehydrate it for too long. Fortunately, there are a couple of useful strategies for softening it up.

One of them is leaving it in an airtight container with a stick of celery or a carrot overnight. Although a slow method, it’s safe and easily done. The quickest method would be to microwave it for a couple of seconds at a time until it becomes flexible. However, this also brings the risk of jerky getting burned. If you choose to do this, eat it right away after microwaving it – it won’t stay soft for long.

Q: How to store jerky after dehydration?
A: Although its shelf life is generous, an improperly stored jerky is bound to go bad. To stop this from happening, make sure to limit its exposure to air. You can simply place it in an airtight container, such as a sealable bag. Leave it in a cool, dry place, and don’t forget to label the container with a starting date of storage life.
Q: Smoker vs. dehydrator: what’s better for jerky?
A: As it can sit on your kitchen’s countertop and can be operated by the use of a simple dial, a dehydrator is typically a better solution. Smokers, on the other hand, are a lot larger and make controlling the cooking time and heat a lot more challenging. Moreover, cleaning a dehydrator is a lot less messy and quicker.
Q: Why do drying times vary so drastically?
A: The dehydration times fluctuate because of a couple of different factors. When a cut of beef is really thick, it takes more time to reach the wanted results. A method of dehydration can also affect the time needed to dry the jerky. The thing that makes a dehydrator so much faster than an oven is that it circulates the air.
Q: How do I know if my jerky has “gone bad”?
A: In case your jerky goes bad, you’ll quickly notice symptoms such as a darker color, a much drier texture, and an unpleasant smell. Don’t eat it! Bad meat is among the worst things you could consume, as it typically harbors a large number of dangerous bacteria. Some of the signs that you’ve got food poisoning include abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and others.

Conclusion


Jerky is undoubtedly one of the tastiest and healthiest snacks out there. It is full of valuable food ingredients and incredibly easy to prepare. This is especially true if you own a dehydrator. Unlike readymade products, which are often high in sodium, dried jerky and fruit prepared at home are much healthier.

And if you don’t own a dehydrator, getting one is among the best decisions you could make. Fortunately, there are a lot of different brands and models on today’s market, and there’s something for anyone’s budget. Most of these devices are BPA-free, easy to operate, and can dry any type of food in a matter of hours.

To help you choose the right dehydrator for your needs, we’ve rounded up some of the market’s best-selling models and took a closer look at their features. We went over the advantages and flaws of each unit, with the ultimate goal of assisting you in selecting the one that will serve you for the years to come.