The 4 Best Dehydrators for Jerky of 2024

There’s something uniquely satisfying about making yummy, nutrient-packed jerky from scratch for your family. And it’s easier than you think as long as you start with high-quality cuts of meat and invest in one of the best dehydrators for jerky. 

Table of Contents

1. Our Top Picks:
2. Reviews of The Best Dehydrators for Jerky
3. Other Dehydrators for Jerky We Researched
4. Why You Can Trust Us
5. What to Know About Dehydrators for Jerky 
6. Best Marinade Recipes

Just like you need a high-quality pressure canner to preserve veggies and meats in jars, you need one of the best dehydrators for jerky at home. The difference between these models and others that you may have used to dry fruits or veggies is that these dehydrators reach super high temperatures fast, which is the trick to ensuring that perfect chewy texture. It’s also important for food safety. Properly dried and stored jerky can last 1 to 2 months in your pantry if you store it in a Ziploc bag or Mason jar.  

Ahead, you’ll find everything you need to know about the best dehydrators for jerky. After scoping out the competition and reading hundreds of reviews, we narrowed the list down to the 5 best dehydrators for jerky, including our top pick: the Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine. I’ve included details about the options we love most, along with some of our favorite marinade recipes (Blair loves her Marinated Grilled Flank Steak that’s seasoned with Dijon, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce!).

Reviews of The Best Dehydrators for Jerky

1. Our Top Pick: Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine

The Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine is a bang for your buck! It’s packed with a long list of useful features, like an automatic shut-off, a 24-hour setting, a digital thermostat and timer, and a “keep warm” feature. Adding to its versatility, it offers a raw mode for adapting cooking times and temperatures for raw ingredients and a fast mode for days when time is of the essence. 

The glass door is handy for monitoring the progress without having to open the door, which maintains even temperature control. The result is batches of high-quality dehydrated jerky that are consistent in texture and dry out quickly.

It also comes with 7 metal trays for drying jerky, two plastic mesh screens for herbs, and two plastic fruit leather trays, so it’s great for a lot more than just jerky. I love that the trays release food easily, can be removed from the unit itself with minimal effort, and are even dishwasher-safe.

The Specs:

• Temperature Range: 95°F to 165°F 
• Weight: 15.9 lbs 
• Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 13 inches
• Number of Trays: 7 metal trays, 2 herb trays, 2 fruit leather trays
• Materials: Plastic and metal

The Pros:

• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Accurate temperature readings
• Quiet
• Automatic shut off

The Cons:

• Requires 30 minutes to warm up

What Others Are Saying

The Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 12,500 reviews. It was also named best overall food dehydrator by Food & Wine. 

Buy the Magic Mill Commercial Food Dehydrator Machine:

2. Also Great: COSORI Food Dehydrator for Jerky

For those who appreciate aesthetics as much as functionality, the COSORI Premium Food Dehydrator combines form and function. Its design features a sleek stainless steel design with a glass door that makes it easy for you to peek at your jerky while it’s drying. 

The digital control panel is a breeze to use thanks to the customizable temperature and time settings that can be programmed up to 48 hours in advance. Its quiet operation won’t disturb the peace in your kitchen, plus there’s an intuitive automatic shut-off feature so you can feel confident running it overnight. (It turns off when the timer is up, or if the machine senses that it’s beginning to overheat!)

This dehydrator comes with 6 stainless steel trays, one mesh screen, and one fruit roll sheet, all of which are dishwasher-safe. I especially like that there’s a 50-recipe cookbook that’s chock-full of fun recipes like jalapeño lime jerky. 

The Specs:

• Temperature Range: 96°F to 165 °F 
• Weight: 22.9 lbs
• Dimensions: 17.8 x 13.5 x 12.2 inches
• Number of Trays: 6
• Materials: Stainless steel and glass

The Pros:

• Precise time and temps
• Dries evenly
• Large capacity
• Easy to clean
• Quiet operation

The Cons:

• Shelves are close together
• Heavy

What Others Are Saying

The COSORI Food Dehydrator for Jerky has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from more than 17,000 reviews. It was also named best overall dehydrator by The Spruce Eats and best dehydrator for jerky by Food & Wine.

Buy the COSORI Food Dehydrator for Jerky:

3. Best for Big Batches: Septree 10-Tray Food Dehydrator for Jerky

With 10 trays, this dehydrator boasts an impressive 17-square-foot capacity that can pump out enough jerky to feed an army. The thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature by 5-degree increments and the drying time by 30-minute increments, up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Because it has a very high temperature range it works well for meats. The rear-mounted drying fan allows air to circulate evenly and it has an automatic shut-off function. This means that you can set it and forget it, knowing that the jerky will be dried at optimal temperature with exact timing, all with minimal effort involved.

Along with the 10 stainless steel drying trays that are dishwasher-safe, this model comes with two non-stick silicone sheets, one drip tray, a pair of silicone gloves, and two storage containers. 

The Specs:

• Temperature Range: 104°F to 194°F 
• Weight: 33.1 lbs
• Dimensions: 10 x 15.6 x 15.6 inches
• Number of Trays: 10
• Materials: Stainless steel and glass

The Pros:

• Large capacity
• Highly customizable
• Constant temps
• Easy to clean
• Quiet operation

The Cons:

• Large to store

What Others Are Saying

The Septree 10-Tray Food Dehydrator for Jerky has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 500 reviews. 

Buy the Septree 10-Tray Food Dehydrator for Jerky:

4. Best Digital Dehydrator for Jerky: Excalibur 6-Tray Select Digital Dehydrator

The Excalibur name is known by industry professionals for having some of the best commercial dehydrators for jerky. The company’s line of high-quality models takes drying meat to another level, including this six-tray digital dehydrator. It’s just as professional-grade as it gets thanks to the 9.6-square feet of drying space and six dishwasher-safe chrome trays. 

This model is incredibly stylish and features the company’s patented Hyperwave and Paralexx technologies that continuously circulate warm air to provide even drying. The LED panel on the front is digital, so you can set precise times and temperatures with ease. The countdown timer also appears on the screen and once it hits zero, it’ll automatically shut off. 

Bonus: If you need even more room than the 9.6 square feet of drying space, you can upgrade to the Excalibur 10-Tray Select Digital Dehydrator, which ups the capacity to 16 square feet of drying space for around 100 bucks more.

The Specs:

• Temperature Range: 85°F to 165°F 
• Weight: 18.3 lbs 
• Dimensions: 20.7 x 12.2x 17.32 inches
• Number of Trays: 6
• Materials: stainless steel, chrome, and BPA-free plastic

The Pros:

• High performance
• Easy to use
• Even drying
• Easy to clean
• Stylish

The Cons:

• A bit loud

Buy the Excalibur 6-Tray Select Digital Dehydrator:

Buy the Excalibur 10-Tray Select Digital Dehydrator:

Other Dehydrators for Jerky We Researched

Elite Gourmet EFD319DKG Food Dehydrator

At first glance, this Elite Gourmet model is a great little model, especially if you’re not sold on adding a dehydrator to your collection of kitchen appliances. However, despite the fact that it says it’s for jerky, it only boasts 350 watts of power, which means it’s likely best for fruits and herbs. The Elite Gourmet EFD319DKG Food Dehydrator is available at Amazon for $49.99.

NutriChef Electric Multi-Tier Food Dehydrator Machine

At almost 13.39 by 17.72 inches, it’s a pretty large machine that can end up eating up all your counter space without the output of some of the other top picks. (Its output is just 600 watts, which is pretty low for the size.) At this price, the jerky just ain’t worth the squeeze. The NutriChef Electric Multi-Tier Food Dehydrator Machine is available at Target for $197.99.

Ronco 5-Tray Beef Jerky Machine with Kit

This dehydrator has an excellent price point for a product that’s devoted solely to making jerky! But it has limitations like only having one temperature setting, no ventilation fan, and you have to rotate trays every two to four hours, which means you have to babysit it the whole time. The Ronco 5-Tray Beef Jerky Machine with Kit is available at Amazon for $49.99.

Weston Food Dehydrator Machine for Jerky

This is a decent mid-range unit that can dry large batches of jerky. The powerful yet quiet fan and 800-watt heater dry jerky quickly and at a consistent temperature. The only drawback is the design and materials, which make it look and feel cheap. The Weston Food Dehydrator Machine for Jerky is available at Home Depot for $99.99.

Why You Can Trust Us

Hi! I’m Belle DuChene, a journalist and professor of communications. I’m passionate about all things lifestyle including fashion, food, and French culture. (And wine, of course!) For 20 years, I’ve held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants, and my writing and on-camera work can be seen on the Better Homes & Gardens website. 

To create this list of the best dehydrators for jerky, we researched the best sellers. I then read customer reviews, looked at website ratings, and dug into the details of each product, keeping an eye out for stand-out features, high-temperature ranges, and overall efficiency.

What to Know About Dehydrators for Jerky 

What to Consider Before Buying a Dehydrator for Jerky

Before clicking ‘add to cart’, here are some factors to consider:

• Type: There are two types of food dehydrators on the market: vertical and horizontal. Both work effectively to dry meat for jerky, but they also come with their own pros and cons.
  • Vertical dehydrators tend to be circular, with fans placed on the top or the bottom. They are easier to use and tend to dry meat evenly, but typically have a smaller capacity. 
  • Horizontal dehydrators are shaped like microwaves and have a drying fan in the back. They often look more sophisticated and usually have more bells and whistles, but they can also be more expensive, heavier, and take up a lot of space.

• Capacity: Deciding on the perfect size for your food dehydrator for jerky depends on how much food you plan to make. Since the process can take a long time, a larger-capacity machine may be worth the space it takes to store a food dehydrator. If you go too small, you might have to split up batches, making the process take a long time. If you go too big and find you barely utilize the capacity, you might feel you overspent and resent the amount of real estate a bulky machine you don’t need takes up in your kitchen.
• Features: Dehydrators at a premium price range frequently come equipped with extra features, like having the ability to finely control temperature or time in smaller increments. Some also have built-in timers or will automatically turn off. Many of our top picks come with extras like non-stick sheets, mesh screens, or even recipe books. Consider these bonus features based on your preferences and needs.
• Ease of Cleaning: Dehydrators can get messy with drips and crumbs. Look for models that are easy to disassemble and clean with dishwasher-safe trays.
• Temperature: Some food dehydrators do not reach the minimum temperatures needed to safely prepare meat, meaning the meat will need to be cooked to temp before the dehydrating process. All of our top recommendations on this list meet the temperatures recommended by the FDA (more on this below).

What Is the Best Cut of Meat for a Dehydrator?

When selecting the best cut of meat for a dehydrator, it’s essential to choose lean and flavorful options that will result in delicious jerky. Here are some popular cuts of meat that work well for dehydrating:

Beef: 

• Top round: This is one of the most popular choices for making beef jerky. It’s lean and has a nice balance of flavor.
• Sirloin tip: Another lean cut that works well for jerky, providing a slightly different flavor profile than the top round.

Turkey:

• Turkey breast: Lean and healthy, turkey breast is an excellent choice for those looking for a lower-fat alternative to beef.

Chicken:

• Chicken breast: Similar to turkey breast, chicken breast is a lean option for making poultry jerky. It’s important to use lean cuts to prevent excessive fat content, which can lead to spoilage during dehydration.

Venison:

• Deer or elk meat: If you have access to game meat, venison or elk can make fantastic jerky. It tends to be lean and imparts a unique flavor.

Pork:

• Pork loin: Opt for lean cuts of pork, such as pork loin, when making pork jerky. Trim off excess fat to enhance the jerky’s shelf life.

What Is the Best Beef Jerky Marinade for a Dehydrator?

If you are looking for the Best Steak Marinade, you have come to the right place. Made with soy sauce, maple syrup, and plenty of garlic, Blair’s recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and savory — and it’s ready with just 5 minutes of prep. 

You can also purchase some of the best pre-made jerky marinades for a dehydrator. Here are a few options to try:

• Jim Melton’s Jerky Marinade
• Hi Mountain Jerky Cure & Seasoning Kit Variety Pack
• Backwoods Jerky Seasoning Variety Pack

What Temperature is Best for Dehydrating Jerky?

The USDA says meat must be heated to 160°F (165°F for poultry) prior to the dehydrating process, and then must maintain a constant dehydrator temperature of 130°F to 140°F the rest of the time. This specific temperature range is crucial for safely removing moisture from the meat for three reasons:

1. Bacteria are destroyed at 160°F for meat and 165 °F for poultry
2. The meat needs to dry quickly and before it spoils
3. High heat will cause moisture to evaporate, preventing the development of bacteria

By dehydrating jerky within this temperature range, you’ll get the perfect combination of texture and flavor without drying it out too much. 

Best Marinade Recipes

Once you’ve decided on one of our top picks for the best food dehydrators for jerky, try it out with one of Blair’s great recipes. 

• Best Steak Marinade 
• 5-Minute Tuscan Chicken Marinade
• Marinated Grilled Flank Steak

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.