Best Dehydrators for Jerky
The best dehydrators for beef jerky include the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray Stainless Steel for a full stainless build, the Excalibur Select 6-Tray for a wide drying area in six trays, and the Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray Stainless Steel for large jerky batches.
On this page (14 sections)
- The 7 best dehydrators for jerky in detail
- Side by side: trays, power and top temperature
- Wattage ranges from 400 to 1000 here, but fan design matters too
- Counter height and depth decide where each unit fits
- What comes in the box for jerky
- Warranty terms across the seven units
- Cleaning jerky residue off the trays
- How we picked these 7
- Tray count decides how much jerky fits in one run
- The temperature range that matters for jerky
- What USDA says before you dry jerky
- Stainless or chrome trays for jerky
- Glass doors, noise and fan sound
- Which one to buy for your jerky batch size
The best dehydrator for jerky in this guide is the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray, with the Excalibur Select 6-Tray and Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray right behind it.
Every unit here covers the 130 to 140°F drying hold that USDA describes. We compared tray count, power, top temperature, noise claims and warranty terms, and tray space weighs most because it decides how much jerky fits in one run.
Our picks at a glance
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1
Best for a full stainless buildMagic Mill Pro 7-Tray Stainless Steel
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
-
3
Best for large jerky batchesMagic Mill Pro 10-Tray Stainless Steel
8.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Best for a quiet kitchenCheck it - 5
Best for growing past eight traysCheck it - 6
Check itHOPERAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel
Best for the widest temperature range - 7
Best for small batches on a tight counterCheck it
The 7 best dehydrators for jerky in detail
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray scores highest for its stainless build and 1-degree steps, while the Cosori 5-Tray scores lowest because it has the least tray space.
Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray Stainless Steel
- Stainless steel inside and out
- 7 full-size trays and 2 mesh screens
- 95 to 176°F in 1-degree steps
- 48-hour timer in 30-minute steps
Stainless steel inside and out, from the housing to the seven trays. Magic Mill says its rear fan dries every tray evenly without rotation.
Pros
- Full stainless build, ETL listed
- Temperature set in 1-degree steps up to 176°F
- Two mesh screens and a fruit roll tray in the box
Cons
- Seven trays hold fewer strips than the 10-tray Pro
- Magic Mill doesn't state a warranty length, so ask before you buy
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray suits a cook who wants stainless steel from the housing to the trays. Magic Mill calls the build full stainless inside and out, and the trays are 100% stainless steel.
Seven full-size trays sit in a body 15.5 inches deep, 11.3 inches wide and 10.8 inches tall. The controls run from 95 to 176°F in 1-degree steps, and the 48-hour timer shuts the unit off when the run ends.
The box includes two mesh screens for smaller pieces and a fruit roll tray, so the liners are ready without an extra order. For a closer look, read our Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray review.
The caution is capacity: seven trays hold fewer strips per run than the 10-tray Pro. Magic Mill also doesn't state a warranty term for this model, so ask before you buy.
Excalibur Select 6-Tray
- 9.6 square feet of drying space
- Clear glass French doors
- 85 to 165°F adjustable control
- Timer up to 60 hours
9.6 square feet across six trays, the most space of any six-tray unit here. Excalibur says its Hyperwave Pulse technology dries evenly without tray rotation.
Pros
- Glass French doors show progress
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
- Adjustable 85 to 165°F range
Cons
- Trays are chrome plated, not stainless steel
- At 18.3 pounds, it is heavier than most units here
The Excalibur Select 6-Tray suits a cook who dries jerky in one large run and wants to watch it. Its six trays add up to 9.6 square feet, and the clear glass French doors let you check strips without opening the unit.
The control panel sets temperature from 85 to 165°F, and the timer can run up to 60 hours before it shuts off. Excalibur says its Hyperwave Pulse technology and horizontal airflow dry evenly without tray rotation.
Excalibur backs it with a three-year manufacturer warranty, the longest stated term in this guide. The unit stands 17.3 inches tall, so check the clearance above it before you set it up.
The trays are chrome plated, not stainless steel, so pick this model if the metal finish doesn't matter to you.
Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray Stainless Steel
- 10 stainless steel trays
- 600 W rear-mounted fan
- 95 to 176°F digital control
- Mesh trays for smaller pieces
Ten stainless steel trays make this the biggest tray count in the guide, on a 600 W rear-fan body.
Pros
- Ten trays in one run
- Dishwasher-safe trays
- Overheat protection and auto shutoff
Cons
- At 14 inches tall, it needs more clearance than the Cosori units
- Its one-year warranty is shorter than Excalibur's three years
The Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray suits a bulk run, such as a large batch of strips you want finished in one go. Its ten stainless steel trays are the most included in this guide.
The 600 W rear-mounted fan works across all ten trays, and the digital thermostat and timer set the heat and run time. Mesh trays handle smaller pieces, and the trays are dishwasher safe.
The housing wipes down with a damp cloth, and overheat protection and an automatic shutoff come standard. Its footprint is 15.5 by 11.5 inches, so measure the counter before you order.
The one real caution is height. At 14 inches tall, it needs more clearance under a cabinet than the Cosori units.
Cosori 6-Tray Stainless Steel
- 6 stainless trays, 6.5 square feet
- Under 48 dB, Cosori says
- 95 to 165°F, set to the degree
- 48-hour timer and auto shutoff
Cosori says it runs under 48 dB, which suits a kitchen where people are talking or watching TV. Its six stainless trays give 6.5 square feet of drying space.
Pros
- Cosori says it runs under 48 dB
- Dishwasher-safe trays
- Includes a 50-recipe cookbook
Cons
- Its 165°F top is below the 176°F of several units here
- At 18.1 pounds, it is one of the heavier units in this guide
The Cosori 6-Tray suits someone who wants a quiet machine on the counter while the household goes on as usual. Cosori says a brushless motor keeps it below 48 dB.
Six stainless trays give 6.5 square feet of drying space, and a rear-mounted fan moves air across each one. The timer runs up to 48 hours and shuts the unit off when the time is up.
Trays go in the dishwasher, and the box includes a fruit roll sheet, a mesh screen and a 50-recipe cookbook. For more detail, read our Cosori 6-tray review.
The caution is the top temperature. At 165°F it sits below several units here, though the drying hold USDA describes is far lower.
The footprint is 17.8 inches deep, so plan the counter space before you order.
NESCO Gardenmaster Pro 8-Tray
- 8 trays, expandable to 30 per NESCO
- 1000-watt rating
- 95 to 160°F adjustable control
- 8 fruit roll sheets and 8 Clean-A-Screens
NESCO says the Gardenmaster Pro expands from 8 to 30 trays, so a jerky setup can grow over time. Its top-mounted fan moves air up and across the trays.
Pros
- Highest power rating in this guide
- 52-page recipe and instruction book
- Expandable tray system
Cons
- Plastic body, unlike the metal housings here
- Its 160°F top is the lowest in this guide
The NESCO Gardenmaster Pro suits a grower who expects to dry more food each season. NESCO says the unit starts at 8 trays and expands to 30, so the setup can grow with you.
The 1000-watt rating is the highest in this guide, and a top-mounted fan moves air up and across the trays. The box includes eight fruit roll sheets, eight Clean-A-Screens and a 52-page recipe and instruction book.
The body is plastic, and the top setting is 160°F, the lowest here. Jerky's 130 to 140°F drying hold still sits inside that range.
The box includes a sample of jerky seasoning and cure, so read that label and USDA's guidance before you use it. This guide gives no cure amounts, and the full build notes are in our NESCO Gardenmaster review.
HOPERAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel
- 8 stainless steel trays
- 86 to 196°F digital control
- 24-hour timer
- Glass viewing door
An 86 to 196°F range is the widest of any unit in this guide, on eight stainless trays in a stainless housing.
Pros
- Top setting of 196°F
- Two-year manufacturer warranty
- Quiet, under 48 dB per HOPERAN
Cons
- Its 24-hour timer is shorter than the 48-hour timers on several units here
- At 400 W, it has the lowest power rating in this guide
The HOPERAN 8-Tray suits a jerky maker who wants the widest temperature range in this guide. The control runs from 86 to 196°F, and the digital timer goes up to 24 hours.
Eight stainless steel trays sit in a stainless housing with a glass viewing door, so you can watch the batch. The box includes two silicone mesh screens, a fruit roll sheet and silicone gloves.
HOPERAN says the unit runs under 48 dB, and it includes overheat protection and automatic shutoff. The manufacturer warranty runs two years, and its footprint of 11.9 by 12.2 inches is smaller than the Cosori 6-Tray's.
The caution is power and timer length. At 400 watts it has the lowest rating here, and a 24-hour timer stops sooner than the longer timers on several units.
Cosori 5-Tray Stainless Steel
- 5 stainless trays, 3.1 square feet
- 95 to 176°F in 1-degree steps
- Four presets, including jerky
- 13.9 by 11.3 by 8.9 inch body
A 13.9 by 11.3 inch body with five stainless trays fits a small counter. Cosori says its rear fan moves hot air evenly through each tray.
Pros
- Compact body for a small counter
- Top setting of 176°F
- Four presets, including jerky
Cons
- Five trays is the fewest in this guide, at 3.1 square feet
- At 480 W, its power is among the lowest in this guide
The Cosori 5-Tray suits a small kitchen or a single batch at a time. It has five stainless trays with 3.1 square feet of space, in a body that measures 13.9 by 11.3 by 8.9 inches.
The top setting reaches 176°F in 1-degree steps, and four presets cover jerky, fruit, vegetables and yogurt. Each preset can be adjusted for time and temperature.
A rear fan and a 48-hour timer come standard, and the box includes a mesh screen, a fruit roll sheet and a recipe book. Its footprint is the smallest of the Cosori units, which helps on a crowded counter.
The caution is size. Five trays is the fewest in this guide, and Cosori puts the drying space at 3.1 square feet, so a big run takes several batches.
Side by side: trays, power and top temperature
Tray count and power separate these seven most, so compare those two numbers before you look at the extras.
| Product | Best for | Trays | Power | Temperature range | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray Stainless Steel | a full stainless build | 7 | 600 W | 95 to 176°F | 9.2 |
| Excalibur Select 6-Tray | a wide drying area in six trays | 6 | 700 W | 85 to 165°F | 9.0 |
| Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray Stainless Steel | large jerky batches | 10 | 600 W | 95 to 176°F | 8.8 |
| Cosori 6-Tray Stainless Steel | a quiet kitchen | 6 | 600 W | 95 to 165°F | 8.6 |
| NESCO Gardenmaster Pro 8-Tray | growing past eight trays | 8 | 1000 W | 95 to 160°F | 8.2 |
| HOPERAN 8-Tray Stainless Steel | the widest temperature range | 8 | 400 W | 86 to 196°F | 7.9 |
| Cosori 5-Tray Stainless Steel | small batches on a tight counter | 5 | 480 W | 95 to 176°F | 7.7 |
Read the trays column against your batch size first, since 3.1 square feet and 9.6 square feet hold very different amounts of jerky. The power column matters less than tray space, because wattage alone doesn't show how evenly a machine dries.
Wattage ranges from 400 to 1000 here, but fan design matters too
Power here runs from 400 watts on the HOPERAN to 1000 watts on the NESCO, and the number alone doesn't settle how well a batch dries. Air has to reach every tray, so the fan and airflow design matter as much as the rating.
Compare watts with tray count and fan design together, rather than choosing on wattage alone.
Most units here use a rear fan, including the two Magic Mill models and both Cosori units. NESCO uses a top-mounted fan, and Excalibur describes its own horizontal airflow, so the layout differs from one brand to the next.
Counter height and depth decide where each unit fits
Excalibur is the tallest unit here at 17.3 inches, and the Cosori 5-Tray is the shortest at 8.9 inches. Excalibur also has the deepest body at 20.7 inches, so measure your counter and the space above it before you order.
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray stands 10.8 inches tall, which leaves more room under a cabinet than the 14-inch Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray. If the spot is tight, measure the space above the unit before you pick a model.
What comes in the box for jerky
Most units here ship with a mesh screen and a fruit roll sheet, and NESCO's box has the largest accessory count. Those extras matter when you dry thin strips or small pieces.
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray includes two mesh screens and a fruit roll tray, while the Cosori 6-Tray includes one mesh screen, one fruit roll sheet and a 50-recipe cookbook. HOPERAN adds two silicone mesh screens, a fruit roll sheet and silicone gloves.
NESCO packs eight fruit roll sheets, eight Clean-A-Screens and a 52-page recipe and instruction book, plus a sample of jerky seasoning and cure. Excalibur includes six chrome trays and a book, and no mesh screens are named, so check before you count on them for small pieces.
Warranty terms across the seven units
Five of the seven units name a warranty term, from one year to three years, and the other two don't state one. Check the term before you buy, and keep the receipt with the box.
Excalibur gives three years, and the Cosori 6-Tray, Cosori 5-Tray and HOPERAN each give two years. The Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray gives one year.
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray and the NESCO Gardenmaster Pro don't state a term, so ask the company before you buy.
Cleaning jerky residue off the trays
Three units here name dishwasher-safe trays: the Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray, the Cosori 6-Tray and the HOPERAN. Marinade and seasoning can cling to any tray, so wash them soon after each run.
The Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray's housing wipes down with a damp cloth, which keeps the body clean between batches. Check the care notes for any unit you buy, since trays and housings are often cleaned differently.
How we picked these 7
We compared specs, features and the patterns buyers often mention, then scored each unit against what a jerky maker needs. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Tray space and temperature control weigh most for jerky, and noise and warranty come next. A unit with a clear door or a long warranty gets credit, but it can't outscore one with more room for a batch.
Tray count decides how much jerky fits in one run
Six trays suit a family batch, and ten trays suit a large run. Check the tray space against the amount of meat you plan to cut, not against the tray count alone.
Which dehydrator for jerky fits a bulk batch
The Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray has the most included trays here, so it suits a bulk run. Our guide on how to choose a food dehydrator explains how to count tray space against your batch.
The Excalibur Select 6-Tray and the Cosori 6-Tray both have six trays, but Excalibur gives 9.6 square feet against Cosori's 6.5.
Six and eight trays for a family batch
The Cosori 6-Tray gives 6.5 square feet, and the HOPERAN 8-Tray adds two more trays for a larger run. Compare the square footage against the batch you usually dry, not against the tray count alone.
The NESCO Gardenmaster Pro starts at 8 trays and grows, so it suits a setup that will expand over time.
The temperature range that matters for jerky
The drying hold USDA describes sits at 130 to 140°F, and every unit here covers it, so precise control matters more than the top setting. For the full temperature guide, read dehydrator temperature for beef jerky.
Why 1-degree steps help
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray and both Cosori models set temperature in fine steps. Small steps make it easier to hold one number for the whole run.
If you're weighing a smoker against a dehydrator, dehydrator vs smoker for beef jerky explains the difference in plain terms.
What USDA says before you dry jerky
USDA advises heating meat to 160°F, or 165°F for poultry, before the dehydrating step. Check it with a food thermometer, not by eye.
Then hold the dehydrator at 130 to 140°F while it dries the meat. Each unit in this guide covers that range, so the machine's range isn't the limit.
USDA also notes that many dehydrator manuals leave out the pre-heat step, and a dehydrator alone may not reach a temperature that kills bacteria. Read the USDA's jerky and food safety guidance and your manual before you dry your first batch.
Stainless or chrome trays for jerky
Five of the seven units here have stainless steel trays, Excalibur uses chrome plating, and NESCO names only BPA-free trays. Tray material is worth a look, but it matters less than tray space and heat range.
If metal type is your main concern, best stainless steel food dehydrators lists the metal-tray picks in more depth.
Glass doors, noise and fan sound
Cosori says its 6-Tray runs under 48 dB, and HOPERAN says its 8-Tray runs under 48 dB as well. Those are brand claims, so check them against your own room before you trust them for a long run.
Glass doors let you check progress without opening the unit. Excalibur, HOPERAN and the Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray all have a clear door or window.
A clear door also lets you spot a dry or wet spot early, so you can move a strip before the batch finishes unevenly. Check it at the midpoint of the run, not only at the end.
Which one to buy for your jerky batch size
The best dehydrator for jerky depends on how much you dry at once, so start with your batch size. Pick the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray for stainless steel from end to end, and the Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray for bulk runs.
Pick the Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray if you want full stainless steel and 1-degree control.
Pick the Excalibur Select 6-Tray if you want the most space in six trays and a glass door.
Pick the Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray if big batches are your main job.
Pick the Cosori 6-Tray if a quiet fan matters and you want stainless trays.
Pick the NESCO Gardenmaster Pro if you expect to grow past eight trays.
Pick the HOPERAN 8-Tray if you want the widest temperature range and a compact body.
Pick the Cosori 5-Tray if you have a small counter and small batches.
If you dry deer meat, best dehydrators for deer and venison jerky looks at the same kind of machines for game meat. To compare two brands, Cosori vs Magic Mill puts those lines side by side.
For the full steps, read how to make jerky in a dehydrator next, then our complete guide to food dehydrators for jerky. All of our machine guides sit in the jerky dehydrators category.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a full stainless build
Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray Stainless Steel
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
-
3
Best for large jerky batches
Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray Stainless Steel
8.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dehydrator for jerky?
The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray scores highest in this guide, because it is stainless steel inside and out and sets temperature in 1-degree steps. The Excalibur Select 6-Tray and Magic Mill Pro 10-Tray come next, so choose between them by how many strips you dry in one batch.
What temperature do you need for beef jerky in a dehydrator?
USDA advises heating meat to 160°F before the dehydrating step, and then holding the dehydrator at 130 to 140°F while it dries the meat. Check the meat with a food thermometer, and follow your machine's manual before your first batch.
Does a dehydrator for jerky need a timer?
A timer isn't required for jerky, but it lets you set a long run and have the unit shut off on its own. The Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray and both Cosori models run up to 48 hours, Excalibur runs up to 60 hours, and HOPERAN runs up to 24 hours.
Is a stainless steel dehydrator better for jerky?
Not by itself. Five of the seven units here have stainless steel trays, while Excalibur's are chrome plated and NESCO's are BPA-free, but tray material matters less than batch size, heat range and the USDA steps, so decide on those first.
