Are you someone who likes to preserve their own food or make their own snacks? Finding the best food dehydrator under $100 is a great way to get started dehydrating your own snacks, food, and dog treats.
Just starting out on your journey of food dehydrating means that you are probably not ready to invest in some of the larger machines. Finding a budget-friendly option to get you started is perfect for you!
We have taken the work out of searching and came up with a list of the best food dehydrators under $100. Each one will have slightly different features and sizes. Determine what you can and can’t live without.
Dehydrators come in a variety of sizes in both rectangle and circle shapes. Most budget-friendly dehydrators will have a hole in the center that can get annoying if you mostly do fruit roll-ups or soups. Look for a dehydrator that can be temperature controlled. Very few budget-friendly dehydrators will have timers and auto-shutoff, but some come close.
Don’t forget to consider storage. Smaller dehydrators are great for storing on the counter or in smaller kitchens. If you go with a larger model, make sure to have a plan for how you will store it!
Now, let’s take a look at our top choices for the best food dehydrator under $100.
1. Nesco Snack master
- Adjustable thermostat allows you to dry...
- Powerful Top Mounted Fan. 600 watts of...
- Comes with 5 trays, but is expandable to...
- Opaque Vita-Save exterior helps block...
- Patented Converga-Flow drying system...
Nesco brand has a wide range of beginner-friendly dehydrators. It is also one of the most common dehydrators, making it the top of our list of best food dehydrator under $100. The dehydrator fan is located in the top portion of the unit. This is a great location if you are worried about spills and drips from more running foods. The rest of the unit can be fully submerged in water to clean. This way you don’t have to worry about hard to clean drips and spills. An adjustable thermostat allows you to dry different foods at the proper temperature. The unit comes with 5 trays but is expandable up to 12 trays.
We find that 5 trays is ample room to do most home dehydrating, but if you have a big job ahead of you then consider expanding. Each of the circular trays has a hold in the middle to allow for air circulation. The central fan forces hot air across each individual tray for even drying. If you plan on dehydrating soups or fruit roll-ups, you will have a hole in the center. This system does not have any digital components and no timer. You will have to turn it on and off manually. The system is not too loud but does give off a constant fan of white noise while on.
What We Like:
- Expandable up to 12 trays
- Easy to clean
- Even drying
- Adjustable thermostat 95-160˚F
- The fan at the top
What We Don’t Like:
- No timer
- Hole in the middle of trays
- Louder fan than some
2. Nesco Square
- Adjustable thermostat (95-160º F)
- Powerful Top Mounted Fan. 700 watts of...
- Expandable to 8 trays. (Outside Tray...
- Patented Converga-Flow drying system...
- Includes: 2 Jerky Spice and Cure Packets...
Nesco not only makes round dehydrators, they also have square. The square-shaped design will still have a hole in the center of the trays for the top-mounted fan. However, some people may find they can fit more food on the square tray. The thermostat is adjustable from 95-160˚F. All of the trays and bottom of the unit are dishwasher safe and make clean up easy! While this unit is expandable, it only expands up to 8 trays for sufficient drying. However, the trays are slightly larger than the round trays at 1.2 sq ft. of drying space. This dehydrator boasts 700 watts of drying power. That is one of the highest watt powers in our list of best food dehydrators under $100.
What We Like:
- Expandable up to 8 trays
- Larger square trays
- Adjustable thermostat 95-160˚F
- 700 watts
- Suggested temperatures are written on the machine
What We Don’t Like:
- No timer
- Hole in the middle of trays
- Fan noise while running
3. Homdox Food Dehydrator
The Homdox is another great option for the best dehydrator under $100. The first two noticeable differences that you will see right away are the clear stacking trays and controls at the bottom. The five stackable trays are clear. The clear trays allow you to visually check the drying of food instead of stopping the machine and looking at the trays. Another difference is that the fan motor is on the bottom of the trays.
This pushes the air upward. Drips and spills will have to be hand-washed off the bottom as the fan cannot be submerged in water. The trays can also be stacked at different heights to accommodate different sizes and thickness of food. It also states the fan noise is an ultra-quiet fan. A digital thermostat controls the temperature up to 180˚F. There is no timer.
What We Like:
- Clear trays for visible viewing
- Ultra-quiet fan
- Digital Temperature control
- Different tray stacking heights
What We Don’t Like:
- No timer
- Drips and spills must be hand-washed
- Hole in center of trays
4. Best Choice Food Dehydrator
- Electric food dehydrator features hot...
- This portable food storage and...
- Multifunctional capability makes it...
- UL-listed dehydrator is crafted with...
- Overall Dimensions: 11”(Dia) x...
The Best Choice food dehydrator seems to be a little bit of a combination of the Nesco and Homdox brands. It is a round shape with clear plastic trays. We love that it has an on/off switch and doesn’t just have to be unplugged. There is a temperature control from 95-160 degrees F, but you will need to look up the correct temperature for what you are dehydrating.
The fan motor is located at the bottom of the trays. Spills and drips will need to be hand-washed carefully. The dimensions of this dehydrator are 11-inch diameter and 7.5 inches high. It does not state that more trays can be added. This dehydrator is lower wattage at 250W. This may be a good option if you are looking for a simple and compact best food dehydrator under $100.
What We Like:
- On/off switch
- Temperature Control
- Compact
- Clear trays for visual
- BPA free
What We Don’t Like:
- Not expandable
- Hand wash spills
- 250W only
5. Master Chef Food Dehydrator
- Food dehydrator contains 5 large drying...
- Dehydrating machine includes adjustable...
- FREE Recipe Guide Included
- LCD display for easy use with different...
- Make beef jerky, healthy fruits and...
Master Chef dehydrator comes just under the $100 budget. For a little more money, you are going to have more features available in your dehydrator. First off, it is larger than some compact and cheaper models. The dimensions are about 15 inches x 14.5 inches x 12 inches. It comes with 500 watts of drying power. Like many other dehydrators, this machine comes with five stackable trays. Additional trays cannot be added. We love that it has an on/off switch and digital temperature controls. Use the buttons on the base to choose the best temperature to preserve your favorite foods. The included recipe guide can help you with the right temperature suggestions.
What We Like:
- Larger size
- On/off switch
- Digital temperature controls.
- Recipe guide included
- 500W
What We Don’t Like:
- Not expandable
- No instructions included
6. NutriChef Food Dehydrator
- PROFESSIONAL FOOD DEHYDRATOR: A...
- EASY ACCESS AND OPERATION PROCESS: This...
- STACKABLE TRAYS: It also comes with 5...
- PRESERVE FOOD: This dehydrator uses...
- HEAT CIRCULATION: This is scientifically...
The NutriChef is a perfect start for beginning dehydrators. The product is 1 2x 7.5 x 13 inches and will hold a decent amount of food. It is operated by flipping the ON switch. However, you cannot choose the heat temperature. It is temperature-controlled to not go over 180 degrees. The five stackable trays are clear for easy viewing. The trays are also dishwashers safe, but not as durable as more pricey models.
What We Like:
- Good size
- On/off switch
- Clear trays
- Dishwasher safe
What We Don’t Like:
- Can’t choose the temperature
- Not expandable
7. NutriChef Compact Food Dehydrator
- ELECTRIC PRESERVER: Finally, a...
- 4-TIERED DRYER TRAYS: Comes w/ 4 food...
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Uses electronic...
- TOUCH-CONTROL DISPLAY: Equipped w/ touch...
- HIGH HEAT CIRCULATION: The 360° hot air...
The NutriChef Compact dehydrator is a small, but a reliable machine. It has a slick look and will look nice sitting out on the kitchen counter. It is about 11 inches x 9 inches x 7 inches. The trays are 9 x 7 inches, which is smaller than other dehydrators on the market. It comes with 4 tiered dryer trays that are made from food-grade stainless steel. The trays are removable and can be used to dry food with or without the dehydrator. The electronic probe and temperature control help to produce the perfect temperature for whatever you are dehydrating.
The temperature can be controlled from 95-158˚F. This small machine is equipped with touch control and LED display. The small unit still boasts 350W of drying power. The auto shut-off and memory function will allow you to focus on other things while your food dehydrates. For cleaning, the trays are dishwasher safe, but the interior will need to be wiped out. The NutriChef Compact comes with a mesh screen and fruit roll sheet. It also includes a free recipe book to get you started.
What We Like:
- Stainless steel dryer sheets
- Auto on/off switch
- Touch control and LED display
- Temperature control
- Includes mesh screen and fruit roll sheet
- Adjustable time control
- Recipe booklet included
- 350W power
- The fan located in center back of the machine
What We Don’t Like
- Not expandable
- Small size
8. Commercial Chef Food Dehydrator
- DRYING CAPACITY - Equipped with 280W of...
- 5 LAYERS OF TRAYS - Designed with 5...
- ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTAT RANGE - Features...
- EASY TO STORE & CLEAN - The trays are...
- HEALTHY SNACKS - Keep up with your New...
Commercial Chef is a small and budget-friendly option for those who don’t have a lot of food to dehydrate. If you are just starting out and only have the occasional fruits and veggies to dehydrate, then this is a great option for you! It is 7 inches high and 9.4 inches in diameter. Perfect for smaller kitchens. It works on only 280W of drying power.
Five trays are provided, but there is no mention that it can be expanded. The drying temperatures can be adjusted from 104-158 degrees. Be prepared to know the best temperature for dehydrating certain foods. For those that like quick and easy cleanup, the trays are dishwasher safe and small enough to not overtake the dishwasher.
What We Like:
- Compact design for small spaces
- Budget-friendly
- Temperature dial
- Dishwasher safe trays
What We Don’t Like:
- Small size harder to do big jobs
- Only 280W of power
- Not expandable
9. OSTBA Food Dehydrator
- Temperature Control Food Dehydrator:...
- Various Food Choices: The food dryer...
- Easy to Use: The meat dehydrator is...
- Easy to Clean&Store: The jerky...
The OSTBA food dehydrator is another sleek counter-top design. It comes with 5 trays and uses 240W of power. The trays are made of BPA plastic and are dishwasher safe. Trays cannot be purchase separately and the dehydrator is not expandable. The temperature is controlled by knobs on the base of the machine. This dehydrator does not have a time or auto shut-off. So, these will need to be controlled manually as you supervise the drying process.
What We Like:
- Sleek, lightweight design
- Temperature control
- Dishwasher safe trays
What We Don’t Like:
- Not expandable
- No timer
- No auto shut-off
Why Dehydrate Food?
If you are just getting into dehydrating foods, you may be wondering what are the advantages of dehydrating your own food. There are several reasons why you may want to dehydrate your own food. These include cost, nutrition, camping/backpacking, and preserving crops.
1. Cost
Have you gone down the snack aisle in the grocery store and noticed how expensive dried fruits, veggies, and jerky can be? Or perhaps you have noticed fresh fruit and veggies going bad and watching your money rot away! Dehydrating food can be a cost-effective way to use up fruits and veggies that would otherwise go bad on the counter. If you enjoy dried snacks, then why not save money and make your own?
2. Nutrition
Many more people are becoming aware of additives and preservatives in their foods. If you are looking to take a healthier path, then making your own snacks and foods is a step in the right direction. Dehydrating foods will preserve their nutritional value and help the foods to keep much longer.
3. Camping and Backpacking
Avid campers and backpackers soon discover the value of light dehydrated foods. With a dehydrator, you can make your own meal packs perfect for your trip.
4. Preserve Crops
As any gardener knows, when things are producing in the garden it is wonderful! If you could preserve that goodness all year, wouldn’t you want to? Canning and pickling only go so far. Add something new to the routine preservation by dehydrating fruits and vegetables while they are in season. This way you can snack and add them to recipes all year long.
How To Dehydrate Foods
If you are just starting out, you are probably wondering how to dehydrate food. Many dehydrators come with a recipe booklet that can get your started. Otherwise, check out some great recipes for dehydrators online. Here are some fruit recipes to get your started.
Dehydrating foods start with good prep. Always try to slice your food evenly so they will dry at the same rate. A good vegetable chopper will go a long way in helping with prep. Some foods like meat and vegetables will require to cooking before dehydrating. Once you are ready to place your food in the dehydrator, make sure to dry them at the recommended temperature. Don’t combine foods that are not dried at the same temperature. It will take several hours for your food to dry. Be patient!
Once your food is dehydrated, let it cool down. To preserve your dry items, you will what to put them in air-tight and water-tight containers. This will prevent oxidation and water from getting in and ruining your food.
Many different foods can be dehydrated including fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, herbs, and flowers.
Best Temperatures to Dehydrate Food
Looking online or in a dehydrator recipe book will give you common temperatures for dehydrating. Here is a quick reference chart:
- Herbs 95F
- Vegetables 125F
- Fruit and fruit rolls 135F
- Meats 155F
These are great starting points, but the first few times observe your dehydrator and how it operates. Make adjustments as needed.
Wrap-Up
Now you have an idea of what is available for the best food dehydrator under $100. We always recommend that you get one that controls the temperature for various foods. If you plan on dehydrating large amounts of food, definitely go with a larger model. Smaller batches are perfect for the more compact dehydrators.
Preserving food can be done simply and easily in your own kitchen! A dehydrator is a great way to preserve fruits and veggies when they are in season. We know many people who also like to make their own jerky or dog food.
You are going to love the possibilities with your new dehydrator! Since you are the do-it-yourself in the kitchen kind of person, you would enjoy learning about bread machines vs. mixers. Or check out air fryers and pressure cookers.
