We Tested Magnetic Knife Holders—These 6 Will Keep Your Favorite Tools Organized

Our Top Pick

WÜSTHOF 18-inch Magnetic Holder

$65 at Amazon View on Wusthof.com

Our tests revealed that WÜSTHOF puts the same time and care into its knife holders as it does its actual kitchen knives. This modern wall-mounted holder is beautiful and durable, boasting three different finishes (acacia wood, walnut, and stainless steel) and a super simple, fast installation process.    

After storing a collection of OXO knives and kitchen shears—including two bread knives, four steak knives, two chef’s knives, and one paring knife—on this knife holder, we found that everything held very securely. At the same time, the magnet wasn’t so strong that it was difficult to take the knives off the strip, allowing us to continually use it throughout the day without worrying about anything falling off.  

We love that the strip extends almost fully to each side rather than having a lot of dead space, which can sometimes be dangerous if you’re not paying enough attention to where you’re placing your knives. The thin, minimalist design blends seamlessly into the rest of the kitchen, all while saving countertop space. 

The Details: Stainless steel, acacia wood, or walnut wood; 18 inches; 2.87 pounds

Best Budget

Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Holder

$19 $18 at Amazon

Short on wall space? This stainless steel magnetic knife strip sticks directly to your refrigerator, though it includes two screws to mount on the wall as well. It’s crafted from 304 stainless steel that’s resistant to corrosion and brushed to a satin finish, while the overall thickness of the strip makes it suitable for other uses like hanging construction tools or craft supplies. We also like that it’s available in a range of sizes from 10 inches to 24 inches. The magnet—which reaches the entire length—is so strong that it even caught our tools if we missed the strip and hit the side by accident. 

The only qualm we found with this magnetic knife strip is that it’s easy to smudge with fingerprints and did show a few scratches during our tests. However, for a budget-conscious pick that performs this well, we’re willing to overlook some aesthetics. 

The Details: Stainless steel; 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, or 24 inches; 1.4 pounds to 3.39 pounds

Best Double-Sided

Aomiesen Magnetic Knife Block Holder

$44 $32 at Amazon

Because of the large surface area, this dual-sided magnetic knife block can hold larger blades like cleavers and chef’s knives that may not fit as comfortably as they would on a strip. On the other hand, the design is made to fit many different-sized knives, so it may not be as efficient as a space saver for those looking to store shorter knives—such as steak knives or paring knives—as they’ll end up with a lot of unused space.

Performance-wise, it stood in place without tipping over at any point during our tests. The magnet is very strong, though we never had issues removing knives, and our knives didn’t shift once. We love the warm color of the wood, which held up very well without any scratches or dings.  

The Details: Wood; 4 x 12 x 10 inches; 4.4 pounds

Best Countertop

Boker Wood Magnetic Knife Block

$119 $59 at Amazon

We were able to store an entire set of Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives on this block, including a bread knife, two chef’s knives, a utility knife, a paring knife, and a honing rod. The magnets held on strong, even to the weighty honing rod, and nothing rolled or slipped off during the testing period. The tiered design makes it easy to see all of the knives at once while also allowing for the placement of multiple lengths of knives without taking up extra space.  

It comes preassembled, so it is ready to use right out of the box. While the base is wide and meant for added stability on the counter, we did experience some tipping while removing knives due to the power of the magnets. It’s also lightweight for its size and available in three different wood finishes. We tested the dark wood finish, and it still looked like new after testing without any scratches. Although it is a bit pricey, this magnetic block is beautiful and perfect for those who want to display their set of high-quality knives. 

The Details: Wood; 11.25 x 10 x 6 inches; 3.27 pounds

Best Splurge

Made In Knife Block

$129 at Amazon View on Madeincookware.com

The Made In knife block is handmade using stunning Italian beechwood and neodymium magnets—one of the strongest types of magnets available commercially. Each side can comfortably fit four knives, and the block also comes with a lifetime warranty. 

We love the light, warm color of the beechwood and the sleek, minimal aesthetic. It feels like a sturdy, high-quality piece right out of the box (extra points for coming preassembled), and the narrow design doesn’t take up too much space on the countertop. The entire surface isn’t magnetized, but rather, there are designated spots for each knife, making it easier to tell which knife goes where. Overall, this is an impressive piece that’s as functional as it is beautiful, and any chef or home cook would be proud to display it in their kitchen. If you’re looking for an entire set, Made In also offers the countertop block paired with its four-piece kitchen knife set in a range of handle colors. 

The Details: 11.3 x 4.5 x 10.88 inches; 5.5 pounds