These 6 Food Dehydrators Can Make Everything from Jerky to Fruit Leather

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Whether going for an FKT or a weekend hike, these dehydrators can make your favorite snacks travel-safe.

A dehydrator may not be the first appliance that comes to mind when adding to your kitchen, but it can be a great way to make your own healthy snacks. A dehydrator is able to take anything from meat, to fruit, to veggies, and turn it into a shelf-stable version of its former self. You can make everything from jerky, to dried fruit, to fruit leather. For frequent hikers, a dehydrator can save you a lot of money, allowing you to make and dehydrate meals of your choice instead of stocking up on pre-packaged meals. Look below for a guide on how to pick the right dehydrator for you, and in depth reviews of each dehydrator.

When considering a dehydrator, you will want to think about what you want to make, how much you want to make, and where you want to store it. Many models are able to expand with additional trays to make bigger batches—though they will need to be purchased separately. While these extra trays can take up some extra space, a lot of times they are also collapsible, which allows for easy storage.

If you are looking for easy cleanup, you will want to make sure that the trays are dishwasher-safe as not all models are—which can leave you a lot of hand-washing. When it comes to actually using your dehydrator, you will want to look for models that can dehydrate “low and slow”—meaning a temperature lower than 118 degrees. While you can dehydrate foods quicker and at a higher heat, the “low and slow” method helps preserve nutrients in your food.

To find the best options among the many food dehydrators out there, we researched the most popular models available. We looked at expertly tested reviews from trusted sources like Good Housekeeping Magazine and Forbes. We then took into account price, temperature, size, ease of use, and expandability. Finally, we consulted more than 16,000 reviews, written by people who’ve bought these models on sites like Amazon and Walmart, to settle on these six.

• Watts: 1,000• Temperature range: 95-160

This Nesco dehydrator is great for small and super large batches alike. While it is not unique in that you can add on trays, it does differentiate itself by being able to hold up to 30 trays. (These extra trays must be purchased, as it comes with only eight.) It has 1,000 watts of drying power, and a quiet fan.

The trays were designed to keep out light, which can help to preserve nutrients in the food. Because it is so powerful, it is able to dehydrate denser foods like meat in only eight to nine hours—plus with the extra trays, you can easily make large batches.

• Watts: 600• Temperature range: 165

This little dehydrator is both affordable and compact, making it a great choice for smaller spaces. While it may look small, it can expand to hold up to eight trays—and when you are done, it collapses down to fit easily in a cupboard. The transparent cover allows you to monitor the drying process, and the trays are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. It can reach up to 165 degrees, and is super easy to use, turning on as you plug it in.

• Watts: 480• Temperature range: 95-158

If you use your dehydrator frequently or want something that is a bit sleeker to sit on your counter, this Chefman model is a great option. It has a modern, digital touch screen to control the settings, and adjustable temperature from 95-158 degrees.

It has six trays—which isn't the biggest, but more than enough to make a sizable batch. The plastic trays can easily be removed for cleaning, and testers at Good Housekeeping noted that food did not stick to them.

• Watts: 750• Temperature range: 90-160

Presto Dehydro sounds like a spell and works like magic. The clear plastic trays allow you to see the progress of your food as it dehydrates, and can be flipped upside-down for storage, decreasing the height by 40%. It comes with six trays, including one fruit leather tray that allows you to make your own healthy fruit leather at home.

It is also super adjustable, with a temperature range from 90 to 165 degrees, and timers from 30 minutes to 48 hours. Unfortunately, the trays are not dishwasher-safe, so you will need to wash by hand.

• Watts: 600• Temperature range: 95-165

For serious endurance athletes, thru-hikers, or dried fruit and jerky fans, this dehydrator can make super big batches on its 15 square feet of drying space. It has a clear door that allows you to peek in at the drying process, up to a 48-hour timer, and temperature settings ranging from 95-165 degrees.

This dehydrator is designed to keep as much nutrition in your food as possible. It recommends using lower heat settings (115-118 degrees) over a longer period of time in order to keep the maximum amount of nutrition in the snacks.

• Watts: 450• Temperature range: 95-165

This model is affordable, compact, and easy to use which makes it a great option for beginners. It comes with five trays—though you can add up to seven—and it is super quiet which is great for letting it run overnight.

The trays are BPA-free, and it has an auto-shutoff feature which prevents it from overheating. Plus the trays are dishwasher-safe, and it comes with a two-year warranty.

Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.

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