9 Best Electric Knives For Filleting Fish In 2024
If you have cooked fish often then you know that a good fillet knife makes all of the difference in preparing your fish.
But have you tried an electric knife? There is just something about using an electric knife for filleting fish that makes the process so much more efficient and simple.
There are a lot of benefits of using an electric knife for filleting fish and many of these hinge on having the best electric knife at your disposal. If you choose a good knife, then it will stay sharp longer and will help you get the filleting work done in just a matter of minutes.
What is the best electric knife for filleting fish? The best electric knife for filleting fish should be versatile enough to fillet different kinds of fish. It should be comfortable, durable, and allow you control over the knife at all times. Multiple blade options are ideal.
In this guide, we will share with you the 9 best electric knives for filleting fish. We’ve sorted through the market to find the very best options and have detailed reviews of each one to share with you here today.
Stick with us to learn everything you should know about the best electric knives for filleting fish.
How to Choose an Electric Knife for Filleting Fish
There are some essential things to consider when it comes to picking out an electric knife, particularly when you want to use this knife for a specific purpose like filleting fish.
The good news is that the majority of electric knives are versatile and can handle this task plus many more. There are some features you might want to watch for or simply keep in mind as you look through your options so check these out before you make a decision.
Handle Comfort
The handle of the electric knife can make a major difference. It needs to be comfortable in your hand but you also need to be able to maintain a firm and steady grip.
Sometimes filleting fish takes a little bit of focus and concentration so the process will work much better if your hands aren’t aching while you work. An ergonomic handle isn’t a bad idea either.
Some other factors to consider are the materials of the handle. You don’t want to have to worry about the motor overheating and potentially burning your hand so watch for non-conductive materials here.
Finally, an insulated handle can help to prevent a hot handle or even shocks from the handle as well.
Speed Functionality
If you can find a good knife that has variable speed options, this is your best bet. This gives you some extra control over the process. On the same note, be prepared to choose a knife that doesn’t offer variable speed as it can be quite hard to find.
Having the ability to control your blade speed slightly can help your filleting job be more precise overall. This is not a must-have element but certainly a nice feature that you might want to be aware of.
Storage and Protection
We recommend choosing a knife that comes with some sort of carrying bag or case.
An electric knife has a few different moving parts, including the handle, the blade(s), and often a cord. It’s nice to have an option to keep it all together and protected when you aren’t using it. You can keep it all in one place in the kitchen or in your fishing kit!
You will find that some knives come with nothing at all. Other knives come with a simple carrying bag so you can easily take your filleting knife on the go.
The ultimate sets come with a sturdy hard case so that you never have to worry about your knife being protected and you can keep all of the parts and pieces together as well.
Safety Features
Finally, safety is important. You want to consider your safety but also the safety elements that the knife provides.
One of the most important safety factors is the motor. It’s common to have issues with motors overheating, which causes the handle to get extra hot if you aren’t careful.
Most knife manufacturers will have some sort of ventilation or cooling system to prevent this. Safety also accommodates knife handling and the ease of cleaning the knife, as well as storage for your knife when it isn’t in use.
When it comes to blade safety, it’s important to know that the trigger won’t be accidentally turned on while you work.
Most knives have some sort of simple trigger or safety lock so that when you release the trigger it locks and you have to purposefully unlock to use the trigger again.
Both of these are important elements of making sure you have safety features for your knife. It can be very hard to find a filleting knife that won’t get warm, even with ventilation.
The key is that you are not covering the ventilation while you work. From there, you may need to work in batches to give it time to cool here and there.
We also recommend pairing your knife with a good vacuum sealer for fish while you’re at it, so you can enjoy that still-fresh catch for months!
The 9 Best Electric Knives For Filleting Fish
There are a lot of different options out there when it comes to electric knives. We took the time to research and test so that you don’t have to and we were able to narrow down the playing field.
Here you will find our top picks for the 9 best electric knives for filleting fish:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bubba Electric Fillet Knife | 4 coated steel blades, non-slip |
| 2. | Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife | Reciprocating blade, dishwasher-safe |
| 3. | Mister Twister Electric Knife | Safety lock, durable |
| 4. | American Angler Pro Electric Fillet Knife | 5 blades, ergonomic, fillet glove |
| 5. | Cuisinart AC Electric Knife | Versatile, cutting board and carving fork |
| 6. | Waring Commercial Cordless Electric Knife | 2 blades, cordless |
| 7. | Hamilton Beach Electric Knife | Stainless steel blade + fork, ergonomic |
| 8. | Mister Twister Piranha Knife | Stainless steel blade, versatile |
| 9. | Berkley Electric Fillet Fishing Knife | 2 blades, case |
Whether you want something with all the bells and whistles or just a simple yet effective option, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at each of these bad boys in more detail, shall we?
1. Bubba Electric Fillet Knife
This first option from Bubba is our top pick overall, and with good reason! This fillet knife is sleek and effective and the brand offers a corded or a cordless version of the knife for you to choose from.
You can check out the cordless option here.
The two knives are exactly the same apart from one being cordless and one being corded.
The handle is a solid 8.5 inches and is built to be comfortable. This knife is pretty sleek in overall appearance with a red color and some black striping and detail. It has a non-slip grip and here is also a trigger guard as an added means of safety.
The blade is made with stainless steel and is sharp and durable. You actually get 4 different blades with this set as well as a hard carrying case that can house all of the parts and all of the blades safely.
One more thing! The handle has vented airflow pieces near the base of the handle. This gives maximum airflow for the motor so the handle won’t get hot to the touch.
Pros:
- Maximum airflow design
- Contoured handle with a non-slip grip
- Comes with a hard carrying case
- 4 blades made with solid stainless steel
- Choose from corded or cordless
Cons:
- If you’re cleaning a massive bundle of fish, it may overheat.
2. Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife
Rapala offers a great solution for an electric fillet knife and one that will work quite nicely for fish. This is a highly-rated option that falls into the middle range when it comes to price. The blades measure 7.5 inches long, with a handle that is right around 9 inches long.
This is a simple option that is reliable and effective. It has plenty of ventilation around the end of the handle so as long as you don’t block the vents, it shouldn’t overheat too easily. It’s built with a heavy-duty motor that should last, even when you’re filleting multiple fish at one time.
The blade removes for cleaning purposes and is dishwasher-safe. It has a slender build and curve with a fine point that makes it great for filleting. This black and gray option works quickly with plenty of power and a simple trigger. Simple and effective is a major draw for this knife.
Pros:
- Reciprocating 7/5-inch blade
- Simple but effective design
- Well vented handle to prevent overheating
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Heavy-duty motor that lasts
Cons:
- You may have to sharpen or replace the blade often.
- No protective case or cover of any kind.
3. Mister Twister Electric Knife
If you’re looking for something specifically designed for the fisherman, this is it. In fact, it even has “electric fisherman” printed on the knife handle. This is a fun yellow and green color and it’s another highly-rated option. This one is also budget-friendly, which is a nice bonus.
If you’ve never heard of Mister Twister, you are missing out. The name is pretty well-known in the fishing industry. This model has a simple design overall that is enhanced with the color. The knife operates on 120 volts and is efficient.
This knife has a blade release function that makes removing or replacing the blade simple. The trigger for power has a safety lock so you are less likely to trigger by mistake. This is a tough knife that can handle a lot of use and it is versatile for far more than just fish as well.
Pros:
- Fun yellow and green colors
- Simple overall design
- Highly-rated across the board
- Versatile for many uses
- Blade releases easily when needed
Cons:
- It seems the design has changed slightly and the power is not as strong as previous models.
4. American Angler Pro Electric Fillet Knife
If you want an option that is a premium option, look no further than this American Angler professional electric knife.
It truly was built to handle the task and the design allows you to tackle your fillets like a pro. It’s another highly-rated option and it comes loaded with everything you could possibly need.
This knife has an ergonomic handle that is the perfect size for a steady and comfortable grip. The handle is vented at the base to provide ventilation for the powerful motor.
Speaking of motor, this knife has a superior drive train so it lasts longer and can handle heavy-duty use. It has plenty of power and torque behind it as well.
The blades are made with stainless steel and are sharp to boot. You get a total of 5 blades with the set, ranging in sizes and designs overall. You can also use any blade from American Angler if you prefer something else. This model also comes with a glove as well as a carrying bag for all of the pieces.
Pros:
- Multiple blade types and sizes
- Durable and long-lasting
- Powerful motor with plenty of torque
- The blades are sharp and reliable
- Comes with everything you need, including a glove and bag
Cons:
- The trigger sometimes sticks.
- May be more expensive than some corded knives but the quality is there.
5. Cuisinart AC Electric Knife
Cuisinart is a well-known kitchen brand known for its quality and prices. This electric knife from Cuisinart is another great option for filleting fish. The blade is made to be universal so it should be able to accomplish a lot of tasks. Plus, you also get a carving fork to aid you in the process. You can choose 1 blade or 2 blades for your purchase as well.
The blade is made from stainless steel so it is strong and solid. This design is again very simple but very effective. It’s a sleek, black modern handle that is comfortable in your hand. The blade release is easy to maneuver and you can change or wash the blade quite easily.
The trigger to use the power is not protected for safety with any kind of small panel but it does have a lock so that the knife locks up when you release the trigger. This prevents any accidental triggering until you release the lock.
Pros:
- Simple, universal design
- Trusted kitchen brand
- Blade is easy to release for cleaning and replacement
- Quality materials built to last
- Comfortable and easy to use
Cons:
- The casing isn’t very sturdy.
- Works best on carving softer fish and skin.
6. Waring Commercial Cordless Electric Knife
This next option is a commercial-grade and cordless option. You won’t have to worry about the cord or where you’re going to plug it in.
If you like to take your knife with you when you fish, you can charge it beforehand and have it ready for you when you need it!
This knife comes with the knife, 2 blades, a charger, and a solid carrying case. It’s easy to handle with a firm and comfortable grip. The handle even has a guard so your hand is less likely to slip.
This comes with 2 very sturdy and sharp blades. These are filleting blades so they are perfect for the task with size, shape, and point. This operates with a powerful and reliable motor that has ventilation on the handle as well.
Pros:
- Comfortable and sturdy grip with finger grooves
- Comes with a solid case
- 2 blade sizes
- Well-made, durable, and reliable
Cons:
- Should you need help, customer service isn’t the greatest.
- The battery has to be fully charged to power the unit to start.
7. Hamilton Beach Electric Knife
Finally, we leave you with another universal style of electric knife. While this was made to be universal, it can still work really well for filleting fish because the blade is primarily long and slender with a serrated edge and a thin tip.
This electric knife only weighs about 2 pounds. When you take a look at it, it certainly isn’t anything fancy with a simple gray and white design, but that doesn’t keep it from being both efficient and effective.
The blade has the ability to smoothly cut through meats and tough exteriors as well as many other things. The handle is solid and comfortable with a safety lock for the trigger. It’s ergonomic as well. This and a small serving fork come to you in a solid, reliable case as well.
Pros:
- Comes in a solid, sturdy case
- Stainless steel blade
- Universal blade design that will work for filleting
- Ergonomic handle
- Very simple yet very effective overall
Cons:
- The motor does run hot when used for extended lengths of time.
- The handle is very large and may not be easy to grip for smaller hand sizes.
8. Mister Twister Piranha Knife
This is another Mister Twister option and a really great option to boot.
This knife has some extra functionality compared to the traditional knife we already shared and was made for saltwater fish, with plenty of power and a heavy-duty build that was designed to really work for some of those more challenging fish out there.
This sucker is lightweight and very easy to use. It comes in a white and blue model and you get the handle, blade, and a carrying case. It’s simple but also fierce and designed for you to put it to work.
This is made with a stainless steel blade. The blade is 9 inches long. It has serrations and is sharp. It will cut anything you put it against. The handle is well-made as well and also has ventilation so it won’t overheat. The motor has more torque and more speed than the traditional Mister Twister knife.
Pros:
- More torque and more speed
- Blade designed to cut through even the toughest fish
- Heavy-duty fillet knife
- Comes with handle, blade, and carrying case
- Built to be long-lasting and reliable
Cons:
- Some parts may not come as advertised.
- Replacement parts are very hard to find.
9. Berkley Electric Fillet Fishing Knife
Next up, we have the Berkley Electric Fillet knife. We would opt for the deluxe setup because it’s the best value for the money but they do have a couple of other options too, including a 12-volt or 110-volt knife that doesn’t have anything additional like an extra blade or plug.
The deluxe version comes with a 6-inch blade as well as an 8-inch blade. These blades are stainless steel and are resistant to corrosion. They are sturdy and sharp and made with a great shape, curve, and tip for filleting fish.
This handle is perfectly designed for comfort while you work. You can hold it in different positions and always be comfortable. There is also a safety lock so there will be no accidental triggering while you work.
This deluxe set comes with the full knife, 2 blades, a power cord, a 12-volt vehicle plug, battery clips, and a nice carrying case for convenience.
Pros:
- Deluxe kit comes with everything you need
- Get a 6 and 8-inch quality blade
- Comfortable handle
- Slide release on trigger for safety
- Very well-made overall
Cons:
- The motor torque is powerful enough that sometimes the plastic casing can’t hold up.
- The battery doesn’t last long when unplugged.
Related Questions
Can You Sharpen an Electric Knife Blade?
Yes, you can sharpen the blade if you do so using proper sharpening techniques. For a fillet knife, they typically have serrated edges so you will need to use a block sharpener on the blade. Most of these blades come sharp but they may not stay sharp.
How is an Electric Knife Better than a Standard Knife?
Electric knives just add a bit more power. With the motorized blade, it’s typically easier to cut through or around blades and also to cut through the meat and scales of the fish. Some fish can be pretty tough so an electric knife simplifies the process and lets you move faster.
Does the Blade Style Matter?
A filleting blade is typically thin and curved, with a pointy end. This style is used for the filleting process because it allows you to move over the parts of the fish with ease. You can use other types of blades but this particular style does truly work the best.
