Even if it looks simple, slicing bread can actually be really challenging! More often than not, you’ll end up with slices being too thick or too thin.
Getting the loaves sliced just the right size takes effort and can be very time-consuming. Thankfully, there is a solution! With a specialized bread slicer, you can easily cut equally-sized loaves in no time at all.
In this bread slicer guide, we’ll take a closer look at the best offerings on the market today!
Manual Vs. Electric Bread Slicer: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between a manual or electric bread slicer depends on how often you work with bread, your budget, and the space available. Here’s how each model can help you out.
Manual Bread Slicer
Manual bread slicers are ideal if you’re a home cook that prepares just a couple of bread loaves sporadically, like once a week. This device is more affordable than electric models. Plus, a manual slicer is more compact, meaning that it will fit perfectly in household countertops with limited space.
Electric Bread Slicer
An electric bread slicer is good for you if you work with bread professionally or love baking loaves regularly. Electric slicers are expensive and consume plenty of space, but they slice through bread faster. The cuts are also more uniform, and you can adjust the blade to create thin or thick bread slices. It’s ideal for making the presentation of the baked loaf more consistent.
Top 10 Best Bread Slicers Guide Reviews
1. Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife
First entry into our list comes from Victorinox, a company best known for their Swiss army knives. This offering on the bread slicer market perfectly reflects years of experience in crafting blades.
Part of the Fibrox line of professional knives made to bring the efficiency of restaurant kitchens for home cooks, this pastry knife features a European steel blade that ensures optimal cutting performance for your loaves.
To use this knife effectively, make sure that you place your loaf on a cutting board. When you make the slice, use the serrated edge in a sawing motion so you can cut your loaf with minimal force.
Thanks to this lightweight blade, you’ll also experience less fatigue when using this knife even after using it for a long time. For easier cleaning, this product is also dishwasher safe.
To keep this knife sharp and in prime condition for a long time, we recommend you sharpen it on a honing steel frequently.
If you’re looking to use a tool that the pros use, look no further than the Victorinox Swiss Army Serrated Bread Knife!
Key Features
- This product comes in 7-, 8-, and 10.25-inch variants. The 8-inch version was reviewed and recommended by America’s Test Kitchen.
- This knife’s wavy edge allows it to make cleaner and easier cuts to the crust.
- As an added bonus, this knife can also be used as a spatula to slice cakes.
2. Mercer Culinary Millennia Wide Wavy Edge Bread Knife
Our second pick is sold by New York-based Mercer Culinary, a company that manufactures kitchen wares for restaurants. In addition to cutlery makers, they’re also known as one of the most prominent suppliers of culinary academies in North America.
This bread knife is part of the Millennia line, designed to cater to professional chefs and meet their demands. Featuring a wavy-edged stainless steel blade, this knife makes easier and cleaner cuts due to its ability to smoothly cut the crust.
Depending on your needs, this knife comes in two variants: 8-inch and 10-inch blades.
Like most knives, this product has its sharpened sides facing the right. However, both right- and left-handed people can use this tool without much issue.
To ensure this knife can last for a long time, it’s recommended that you wash it by hand after use. However, we don’t recommend that you sharpen this product at home due to its serrated blades.
Thanks to its sharpness and ambidextrous handling, the Mercer Culinary Millennia Bread Knife can be a valuable addition to your kitchen!
Key Features
- This knife features a protective finger guard to ensure your safety during use.
- To further keep you safe when using this knife, it features a set of textured finger points on the handle that allows a better grip.
- This knife fulfills the safety and quality standards put forward by the public health organization NSF.
3. Tojiro Bread Slicer
Japanese knife manufacturer Tojiro has more than 60 years in the business and is a respected brand for professional chefs. This popular entry to the bread slicer market proves why this company is an industry favorite.
Featuring a high quality serrated stainless steel blade, this bread knife provides impeccable slicing performance no matter whether the loaves are hard or soft. Don’t let its simplicity fool you, this tool is powerful! It can cut your homemade bread into thin and even slices without any resistance.
Like other knives, you use it to slice bread by placing it on a cutting board and proceed to cut. Best of all, due to its symmetry, it won’t be a problem whether you’re left- or right-handed.
In addition to slicing whole wheat, this knife is also useful for other tasks like carving meat or cutting vegetables. For easier storage, this slicer also sticks to a magnetic strip.
However, this knife’s sharpness can be troublesome if you’re not careful. Handling this slicer needs extra care so make sure you don’t accidentally hurt yourself using it to cut loaves.
Another thing to keep in mind is that due to its serrated edges, sharpening this slicer yourself might be more challenging than regular knives.
Thanks to its affordable price point and excellent cutting performance, the Tojiro Bread Slicer is one of our top picks.
Key Features
- With proper care, the blade’s anti-rust properties will ensure that this knife can cut for a long time.
- This bread knife is very lightweight and is very easy to handle.
- This bread slicer’s durability ensures that it will last you months before you even need to sharpen it.
4. Out of the Woods of Oregon Bread & Bagel Slicer
A family company founded in 1994, Out of the Woods of Oregon specializes in products made from sustainable wood material, ranging from cutting boards to spice racks.
This entry boasts a stainless steel blade used in industrial machines, made to slice all kinds of loaves. With its ultra-thin blade, it can slice through anything from crispy sourdough bread to tough bagels.
This tool also makes clean cuts without crushing or deforming the loaf. Better yet, aside from bread, this slicer can also cut fruits and vegetables without any issue.
If you need your slices made thicker or thinner, the wider slicing channel this tool features also allows you to vary your slicing thickness. This way, it’s perfectly suited to cut your toast in Texas-style slices.
However, while this wooden slicer makes cutting easy, it might be a bit of a challenge to make a straight cut because sometimes the loaf ends up thinner at the bottom compared to the top.
Another thing you should know is that this wooden bread slicer handle is also a little strangely-positioned and doesn’t match the blade edge, which might be a little awkward to get used to.
If you’re looking for a good bread loaf slicer to use for artisan bread, this product will give you great value for your money!
Key Features
- While this product is best used for right-handed people, it’s also available in a left-handed variant!
- For more variety, this slicer features several different finishes – mahogany, cherry, maple, alder, and walnut.
- The handle is made from high quality and environmentally-conscious material.
5. Bambusi Bread Slicer Cutting Guide with Knife
New Jersey-based company Bambusi specializes in homeware products made out of bamboo. Their entry into the bread slicer market is environmentally friendly and is incredibly easy to use!
This bamboo slicer allows you to cut uniform slices of bread by using the grooved sides as a guide for your knife that provides you with three thickness options. To accommodate for differently-sized loaves, the board also expands and retracts!
The product can be used to slice various kinds of homemade baked goods. From baguettes, challah, pound cakes, Pumpernickel, banana bread, sourdough, and so much more!
Not only does the sides of this bamboo bread slicer guide you to make the perfect cut for your loaf, but it’ll also keep your fingers from accidentally being sliced.
For added practicality, this product comes with a 13-inch knife boasting an 8-inch stainless steel serrated blade that promises years of excellent performance.
This bamboo bread slicer is also very easy to clean since it also features a crumb catcher tray that helps you keep the tool clean after use. As an added bonus, you can even use these crumbs for other things like breading your veggies!
When using this product, one thing you should keep in mind is that the grooves down the sides may not be tall enough to fit larger loaves, and may require you to push down on them when cutting.
With its ease of use, the Bambusi Bread Slicer can be an extremely valuable addition to your kitchen!
Key Features
- If this bread cutter doesn’t fit your expectations for any reason, you’re eligible for a full refund or replacement, no questions asked.
- Non-slip silicone grips prevent this slicer from moving around during use.
- For easy storage, the knife can be placed on the magnetic rest on this slicer’s side.
6. M&W Bamboo Bread Slicer
United Kingdom-based Maison & White produces home, garden, and kitchenwares inspired by traditional and contemporary elements. Their foray into the bread slicer market also similarly provides a modern feel while maintaining its rustic sensibilities.
This product is made out of bamboo and provides a steady hold for your loaves and protection for your fingers when slicing. The bread slicer guide for homemade bread on the sides will also help you make clean, straight cuts by sliding your knife down along them.
This slicer’s ample surface allows you to use it on a wide variety of bread sizes. You can use it for Boules as well as you can use it to cut loaves for your sandwiches.
For easy storage, this bamboo foldable bread slicer also collapses into a flat form that can fit in your drawers. If you’re concerned with this product’s longevity, Maison & White also provides a 2-year warranty for this tool!
A minor drawback would be that it has no instruction manual, so assembly can be a bit challenging. During use, you should also brace it against the wall since this bread slicer tends to slide around if not properly held in place.
Also, you should keep in mind that this slicer doesn’t come with a knife. So when you buy this, make sure that you already have one at home.
With its versatility and ease of use, the M&W Bamboo Bread Slicer can save you lots of time when preparing your homemade loaves.
Key Features
- The slicing guides on the side feature three different groove sizes to modify your slice’s thickness.
- This bread slicer is easy to clean thanks to its built-in crumb catcher.
- This product’s sizable cutting surface also makes it helpful when slicing fruit.
7. Kitchen Seven Bamboo Bread Slicer
This entry comes from Kitchen Seven, a brand that provides various kitchenwares and other tools to help around the home.
Made out of durable and all-natural bamboo, this product is incredibly easy to use. All you need to do is place the loaf inside and cut it using the slats on the sides of this slicer as a guide. You’ll get even slices every time.
Cutting bread and cakes of various sizes is made easier due to this slicer’s space. You can also choose from three different slice thicknesses with this product.
You don’t have to worry about this bread slicer moving while being used as well, since it comes with silicone feet at the bottom.
For easy storage, this compact foldable bread slicer can fit in your drawers without issue. However, this portability may come with some difficulties when using this slicer because at times the collapsible sides can move around and cause you to not cut straight.
With its ease of use as well as a lifetime guarantee, the Kitchen Seven Bamboo Bread Slicer can be an indispensable tool if you frequently cut bread.
Key Features
- This slicer comes with a free knife.
- To help with storing your loaves, this kitchen tool also comes with ten free plastic bags with twist ties.
- The built-in bread crumb tray doesn’t just catch any mess you make when slicing, it makes for a good serving tray!
8. Meat Slicer Electric Deli Food Slicer
This entry comes from OSTBA, a Chinese company specializing in electronic products for your kitchen. While this product is marketed as a meat slicer, this machine can also be used on your bread!
To use this automated machine, you need to turn on so the blades spin and then you can slide your loaf across the blade. As you push the bread across, it’ll be cut into slices. If you need more, all you have to do is repeat the process.
If you need to make your slices thicker or thinner, this tool has a knob that allows you to adjust thickness levels.
Unlike most bulky slicers, this bread slicing tool is relatively small without sacrificing too much power. While we wouldn’t recommend it for large chunks of meat, this will slice your block cheese, vegetables and fruits without any issue!
If you’re looking for more than a bread slicer and are willing to shell out a little more for versatility in its use, the OSTBA Deli Food Slicer should be your first choice!
Key Features
- A removable ring guard cover prevents crumbs from cluttering the slicing surface.
- Suction-cupped rubber feet ensure that the bread slicer won’t slide around during use.
- For extra safety, this bread slicer is equipped with a child lock on the power button.
9. Norpro Bread Slicer with Crumb Catcher
Washington-based company Norpro was founded in 1973 by Gunnar Lie, aiming to provide the best kitchenware for their customers. True to their promise, this bread slicer offers quality with an affordable price tag.
With a bread slicing guide made out of acrylic, using this product is as easy as pushing your knife down the slots at the side of the tool, letting you cut your loaf in uniform slice size.
Not only that, you can use this tool to make uniform slices of your fruits and vegetables! All you need to do is put them inside the slicer like you would a loaf, and use it in the same way.
If you’re worried about cleaning up after use, the bread crumb tray underneath this tool can be removed, and all you need to do is dump the contents before wiping it with a damp cloth.
Unlike the Bambusi Bread Slicer, this tool only has one option of thickness. However, you can work around this limitation and make thicker slices by skipping cutting guide slots.
For an affordable yet useful slicer for your loaf cutting needs, the Norpro Bread Slicer can be a valuable addition to your kitchen!
Key Features
- This tool is easy to assemble, usually taking less than five minutes to put together.
- The high acrylic sides will help you slice large loaves easily.
- For an easier time slicing loaves, you can pair this tool with an electric knife.
10. DBTech Bamboo Bread Slicer
This bread slicer comes from DBTech and is made out of bamboo, giving it a very lightweight frame for ease of use.
It’s also deceptively simple, all you need to do is place your loaf in the bread slicer and make a downward cut using the grooves on this tool’s sides to make the perfect cut.
If you’d like your bread to be cut in differently-sized slices, this tool offers you three options of thicknesses. To slice your loaf even thicker, you can use every other slot on this product.
Thanks to the spacious slot provided by this bread slicer, you can also use this tool to cut your fruits and vegetables!
However, this product may not be as easy to clean because unlike the M&W Bread Slicer, it lacks a crumb catcher.
With its ease of use and its versatility for different slice sizes, the DBTech Bamboo Bread Slicer can be a reliable tool for your kitchen!
Key Features
- To accommodate for differently-sized loaves, this bread slicer is sold in a 6½” narrow version and a wider 7½” variant.
- For extra convenience in storage, this bread slicer boasts a foldable design supported by spring loaded hinges.
- Natural, eco friendly bamboo construction ensures this bread slicer is food-safe.
Why Choose a Bread Slicer Instead of a Bread Knife?
A bread slicer is used to slice bread evenly. These slicers can be mechanical or manual. The electrical slicers have a built-in blade, whereas manual models have a bread knife included separately and often featuring materials like plastic and wood.
Some slicers have an adjustable thickness to accommodate loaves of different sizes. You can also find slicers with a single slot, multiple slots, or customizable slots. The more slots available, the bigger the loaf it will fit. Other features improve the slicer’s functionality, such as a crumb tray to avoid creating a mess.
You should choose a bread slicer instead of a knife because the slicer is more consistent. A slicer has a guide to make each slice precise, making the final loaf slice look uniform and clean. Plus, you can also use it for cutting other food like meat or salami.
Key Features You Should Consider Before Choosing a Bread Slicer
Finding the ideal bread slicer will depend on how serious a baker you are. Home cooks that only bake bread sporadically need convenience, whereas professional bakers may use a more complex unit. Here’s what you must consider before purchasing one.
1. Thickness and Width Options
Bread slicers with adjustable thickness will allow you to create thin slices ready for the toaster or create thicker wedges for recipes like bruschetta.
You could also get a slicer with a single-sized knife guide, usually locked in place. These guarantee your bread will remain in place and avoid sliding. However, they’re not as versatile as the devices with adjustable thickness.
2. Foldable and Compact Design
Don’t worry much about space because some bread slicers can disassemble or fold flat, making it easier to store them. These are particularly good if you don’t have much space on the countertop.
However, keep in mind that foldable slicers are not as sturdy as compact or assembled units. They lack the stability and balance of the fully-assembled slicers, which remain in place and provide more consistency during each slice.
Choose a foldable or collapsible slicer if you don’t have the space, but invest in a fully-assembled slicer if you want a better performance.
3. Material
The materials usually found in bread slicers are variations of plastic and wood.
Plastic
Plastic is inexpensive and easier to maintain than wood. This material is also dishwasher-safe. It’s lightweight and convenient if you move the slicer around frequently. On the downside, plastic is not as durable as wood. The base and guide are prone to breakage from stray cuts.
Wood
Wood is sturdier than plastic and deals much better with stray cuts. This material doesn’t crack or ding with ease either, giving you peace of mind if you’re starting as a baker. However, wooden bread slicers are not dishwasher-safe and require more attention to prevent water damage.
You can find variations like bamboo and hardwood materials too. Bamboo is eco-friendly, but they’re more likely to lose splinters. Hardwood is far more resistant but can receive damage from moisture.
4. Size
If you enjoy preparing recipes with round artisan boules or long pieces of a loaf, the size of the slicer matters greatly. Make sure to find a slicer with adjustable width, as it will allow you to accommodate breads of different sizes.
Alternatively, consider a unit with dimensions of 5.5″ wide and 5″ tall. Electric slicers can be as big as 12.5 inches wide and 9 inches tall, but this is mostly because the device can also cut other items like turkey or roast beef.
5. Easy to Use
If you want the easiest bread slicer to use, go for a manual model. Manual slicers only require you to place the loaf, set the divider to get the desired slice size, and use the blade for the slicing. It’s easy, quick, and pretty simple.
Electrical bread slicers are harder to use, as you must adjust the thickness and be careful while slicing. Electric option mostly used by professional baker.
6. Easy to Clean
The ease of cleaning a bread slicer depends on the unit’s design. I particularly recommend manual slicers because they have less intricate mechanisms, and you can clean them with more ease. If you use the slicer sporadically and don’t want to spend hours cleaning, manual slicers are the way to go.
Electrical bread slicers have a more complicated mechanism and moving parts. Therefore, bread crumbs are more likely to get within the cracks. Sometimes you must disassemble the unit to clean it.
7. Crumb Tray
Crumb tray is essential and can trap crumbs and bread residue easily, making it easier to clean the slicer.
I also recommend using a tray because there’s a lot you can do with leftover bread crumbs. For example, you can use it as a crunchy topping on shrimp cakes or baked buffalo chicken.
8. Versatility
If you want a truly versatile slicer to do more than slicing bread, then you go for electrical slicer.
Take the Chefman Die-Cast Slicer, for example. This machine is one of the better options because it can also cut through deli meats, salami, ham, vegetables, fruits, and cheese, to name a few. Although it will consume a lot of your countertop, but its functionality makes up for the bulky design.
9. Knife Size
Electrical bread slicers have built-in blades, but you will need a knife if you prefer a manual model. I recommend a 10-inch knife featuring a serrated blade made of stainless steel.
A knife this size is compatible with most guides found in the slicers, and you can slice the bread in a single cutting motion. The longer the knife, the better, but 10-inch is the standard size to get you started.
The other option is the electric knife, which provides quicker and cleaner cuts. Choose this model if you want precision and consistent slices.
10. Extra Features
Here are some other features you may want to consider before purchasing a bread slicer.
Rubber Feet: Slicers with a rubberized base will keep it from sliding over the counter, allowing you to apply as much pressure as necessary.
Crank: Some manual slicers come with a crank, a fantastic feature that makes the device semi-automatic. Make sure to get a unit with this accessory if you don’t want an electrical model but still need uniform cuts.
Motor: If you prefer electrical models, buy a device with a powerful motor. Consider a 180-Watt AC motor to power up the blade and let food glide with ease.
Removable Blades: Electrical slicers are tricky to clean, but removable blades make the work easier. Plus, you can replace it quickly if it chips or gets dull.
Housing: I mentioned plastic and wood, but electric slicers may also have die-cast aluminum housing. Cleaning this material is faster.
How Good Is an Electric Knife at Slicing Bread?
Electric knives are decent utensils for cutting bread. Whether it’s a single or double blade knife, the constant movement slices through bread faster and with barely any effort. I also like that the blades are strong but sharp enough to deal with hard-crusted bread with fewer risks of crushing or caving in.
Another convenient feature of electric knives is the adjustable slicing guide. It’s an ideal feature that helps you make each slice uniform while slicing loaves.
How Much Does a Bread Slicer Cost?
The cost of a bread slicer ranges from $10 to $50 and more.
Inexpensive slicers from $10 to $20 usually feature cheap materials like plastic, cut slices individually, and might offer adjustable features. Mid-range bread slicers are available from $20 to $40, offering bamboo construction with adjustable sizes and a collapsible design. From $50 and up, you will find units made with hardwood or steel materials. These are more versatile, as they allow you to cut loaves in different sizes.
Is Serrated Knife Required to Cut Bread When Using a Bread Slicer?
Some manual bread slicers require using a serrated knife to cut the bread. This is because the manual slicers only help you divide the bread into sections, and the knife makes the final cut. However, other manual models may have a built-in blade. In this case, there’s no need to use an external knife.
Can You Use a Meat Slicer for Bread?
Yes, you can use a meat slicer for bread. However, you need a serrated blade and slightly freeze the bread before attempting it. Make sure to put the bread in the refrigerator during the night. It will turn colder and firmer, allowing the blade to slice through with fewer risks of crushing it.
Conclusion
Finding the best bread slicer doesn’t just involve finding a tool that can slice your loaf well. Ideally, it should also be a versatile tool that can cut other foods. With those two factors in mind, here are our top picks.
Due to its sharpness and ease of use, the Tojiro Bread Slicer tops our list. Its stainless steel blade also lends itself very well to cutting meat and vegetables, in addition to cutting your loaves.
If you’re looking for an affordable and sustainable option, the Out Of The Woods of Oregon Bread & Bagel Slicer is our budget pick.
