Rating of the best dehydrators: features of choice, pros and cons, reviews
A dehydrator, or in a simple way, a dryer, will be a useful purchase for anyone who adheres to the principles of a healthy diet or stores food for future use. On the other hand, in the dryer, the air passing through the trays is gradually cooled, while in the dehydrator the temperature remains stable, and the products are dried qualitatively outside and inside. This rating will help you choose the right device for your home.
What is a dehydrator?
Outwardly, the dehydrator really resembles a conventional drying. It consists of a sealed enclosure with several trays or trays for placing food. The heating element heats up the air inside the device, and the fan distributes it throughout the body.
With this device, you can qualitatively dry vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs for long-term storage, or even prepare original fish or meat snacks. At the same time, the nutritional value and nutrients in food are preserved.
Top 10 best dehydrators
There is a huge selection of such devices on the modern market, so it is very difficult to choose the right dehydrator for vegetables and fruits. But analysis of user reviews and technical characteristics of devices showed that ten models are the best:
Voltera 1000-Lux
This fruit and vegetable dryer allows you to prepare a large amount of food, but at the same time the device itself is quite compact: only 35 cm high and 38 cm wide. It has a triac control unit, which allows maintaining the set temperature with an accuracy of 1 degree. There is a temperature regulator on the body, which rotates smoothly and allows you to set the temperature in the range of 40-60 degrees. The set includes 5 trays, as well as a separate solid tray for preparing marshmallows and a special mesh baking sheet for drying herbs and finely chopped food.
| Power | 1000 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 40-60 |
| Number of pallets | 5 |
pros
- dries products evenly on all tiers, so the user does not need to constantly rearrange the pallets;
- there is a timer to control the cooking time;
- universal use: suitable for fruits, berries, vegetables, meat and fish;
- suitable for simultaneous drying of different products without mixing odors;
- turns off automatically after the set time has elapsed.
Minuses
- high price;
- not all users have enough pallets provided in the kit.
Testimonial: “VolTera dehydrators for drying are very cool. All 5 pallets hold a bucket of apples. Thanks to the timer, I just turn on the dryer and leave, and it turns off automatically. "
L'EQUIP LD-918BT Max
Convective drying of a rectangular shape works in a wide range of temperatures, so it can be used not only to dry vegetables and fruits, but also to cook dried fish and meat. The trays are made of BPA-free plastic, which does not release toxins when heated. Inside the body, in addition to the heating element, high-precision temperature sensors are installed, which do not allow the products to overheat and retain all useful substances in them. The dehydrator has vertical airflow, so even the products located on the upper tiers are evenly heated and dried quickly. To increase the volume of workpieces, you can buy an additional tray.
| Power | 500 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 35-70 |
| Maximum load | 10 |
pros
- there is a built-in timer for 99 hours;
- there are additional containers for yogurt and sheets for drying juicy products;
- you can adjust the height of the pallet;
- convenient rotary knob and informative display on the body;
- transparent plastic trays allow you to control the readiness of products.
Minuses
- very high cost;
- when you turn it on for the first time, a supply of plastic may appear, which eventually disappears.
Review: “Very good drying. Fully justifies its cost. The device works automatically: you just need to fill the trays and set the time, and the drying will turn itself off. "
RAWMID Dream Vitamin DDV-07
The electronically controlled convection dryer with a square body is compact in size. The height of the device is only 31 cm, and the width is 34 cm. The electronic control allows you to precisely set the temperature for the preparation of delicious meat and fish dishes, as well as vegetable and fruit preparations. The pallets are made of metal and have a long service life. Additionally, the device has an informative display, timer, overheating protection and power indicator. The set includes not only classic pallets, but also special trays for making pastilles and 6 nets for drying aromatic herbs.
| Power | 500 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 35-70 |
| Number of pallets | 7 |
pros
- suitable for drying any food;
- low power consumption;
- pallets and grates made of durable metal;
- there is an automatic shutdown function;
- a convenient transparent door allows you to control the process.
Minuses
- some users find the device too noisy;
- high price.
Review: “For me this model is the best dehydrator. It dries absolutely everything, and you can put different products on the pallets: the smells will not mix. "
Excalibur Economy-4400220
A compact dehydrator for drying vegetables, fruits, berries and other products does not take up much space in the kitchen and will help you make tasty and healthy workpieces. The fine mesh trays prevent food from falling through during the drying process. The pallets themselves are made of high quality plastic that does not emit toxic compounds when heated. After cooking is complete, the baking trays can be easily washed by hand or in the dishwasher. Switching on and setting the temperature is carried out using a mechanical button and a rotary lever. The height of the appliance is only 16 cm, and the length is 41 cm, so there is a place for this device in any kitchen.
| Power | 220 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 35-74 |
| Number of pallets | 4 |
pros
- detailed instruction manual included;
- high build quality;
- compact size;
- practically does not make noise during operation;
- uniform horizontal airflow.
Minuses
- no timer;
- high price.
Review: “This is my first dehydrator. I used to use conventional electric dryers, but this device is much better. The products dry quickly and evenly. "
L'EQUIP IR-D5
This device will become not only useful, but also a beautiful purchase for the kitchen. It has a stylish body made of durable plastic, and the control buttons are located on the top cover. Up to 23 liters of food can be loaded into the dehydrator at a time, evenly distributing them on metal trays. The device has advanced functionality. With its help, you can not only dry food, but also prepare yoghurt and marshmallow (corresponding containers are provided in the kit). Additionally, the device provides a display for monitoring the cooking process, a timer, automatic shutdown and overheating protection.
| Power | 500 watts |
| Drying temperature | 35-70 |
| Number of pallets | 5 |
pros
- works absolutely silently;
- there is an automatic drying program;
- advanced functionality;
- attractive design;
- there is an infrared drying function.
Minuses
- very high cost in comparison with analogues;
- no herbal drying sheets included.
Review: “This device is expensive, but it fully justifies its price. It dries quickly, quietly and allows you to cook a wide variety of workpieces. "
Gemlux GL-IR500
The functional infrared food dehydrator with simple electronic control is perfect for preparing tasty snacks and healthy preparations for the winter. The drying temperature can be adjusted, and all information about the processing of products is displayed on a small display.Additionally, the device has 4 automatic modes for drying fruits, vegetables, meat and yoghurt. Safe operation is ensured by a timer and a power-on indicator. The body is made of durable plastic that does not heat up during operation. Metal trays, they are easily cleaned of food debris by hand or in the dishwasher.
| Power | 500 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 30-70 |
| Number of pallets | 5 |
pros
- the timer is designed for 99 hours;
- affordable cost;
- high-quality assembly;
- suitable for drying any food;
- there is overheating protection.
Minuses
- some users complain about manufacturing defects;
- not very comfortable grilles.
Testimonial: “I heard that many come across problem models with marriage, which break down after a couple of months. This did not happen to me. Drying works great. I especially like to dry meat and cook sun-dried tomatoes. "
RawMid Dream Vitamin DDV-10
Convenient and compact convection drying is ideal for high-quality drying of food at home. Electronic control and clear instructions greatly facilitate operation. The device has advanced functionality. With its help, you can not only dry fruits, vegetables and berries, but also prepare yogurt, marshmallow and homemade spices. The set includes a book with recipes and special mesh sheets for drying herbs. Safe operation is ensured by a timer for 19.5 hours, a power-on indicator and overheating protection.
| Power | 700 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 35-70 |
| Number of pallets | 10 |
pros
- works almost silently;
- you can dry different products at the same time: their smells will not mix;
- affordable cost;
- dries food quickly and evenly on all tiers;
- book with recipes included.
Minuses
- a short power cord, so it is better to place the dehydrator right next to the outlet;
- when used for the first time, a characteristic plastic smell appears, which disappears over time.
Review: “I really like this drying. Yes, the wire is short, but my device is in the corner of the kitchen and does not bother anyone. I dry everything: oranges, bananas and even meat. "
Excalibur Standart 9B
The compact horizontal pallet dryer with simple mechanical controls is ideal for home use. The set includes 9 pallets made of quality food grade plastic. When heated, this material does not emit toxins, so the workpieces are not only tasty, but also safe for health. The body is also made of durable plastic, it practically does not heat up during operation. Overheating protection and automatic shutdown functions are not provided in the device, but there is a timer that helps control the operation of the device.
| Power | 600 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 41-74 |
| Number of pallets | 9 |
pros
- dries food evenly;
- you can cook marshmallow, but for this you need to buy a special pallet;
- reliable mechanical control eliminates breakdowns;
- a transparent lid allows you to control the cooking process;
- the smells of the food do not mix during the drying process.
Minuses
- makes noise during work;
- not always on sale.
Review: “We chose this dryer by chance. It's just that it was on the stock and now costs more. We are satisfied with the device: we tried to dry tomatoes, eggplants, meat and fruits. Everything turns out to be very tasty and natural. "
Oberhof Fruchttrockner В-53
This dryer ideally combines affordable cost and German reliability. The device can be set to low temperatures. If you choose this mode, the products are not dried, but dried. The body is made of high quality plastic that does not heat up during drying. The trays are made of metal and are suitable for washing both by hand and in the dishwasher. The height of the pallets can be adjusted to accommodate large pieces of food. Drying is absolutely safe in operation: the set temperature is shown on the display, and the timer and the power-on indicator ensure the autonomous operation of the device.
| Power | 800 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 29-70 |
| Number of pallets | 10 |
pros
- a book with recipes is provided in the kit;
- there are several drying modes for different products;
- affordable cost;
- does not make noise during operation;
- there are modes of preparation of yoghurt and marshmallow.
Minuses
- not very high build quality;
- it is difficult for beginners to regulate the temperature.
Testimonial: “This is not my first dehydrator, but this model successfully combines ease of use, intuitive menu and high performance. Recommend".
Excalibur RES12
Stop your choice on this model for those who prepare a large amount of products and need a powerful device. This drying model belongs to industrial devices. It is able to maintain a wide range of temperatures, so with its help you can not only dry, but also dry food. A distinctive feature of the dehydrator is the built-in memory in which you can save your favorite recipes. The drying chamber is divided into two independent compartments. In them, you can set separate modes and temperatures for the simultaneous preparation of various workpieces.
| Power | 500 watts |
| Drying temperature (in degrees) | 29-74 |
| Number of pallets | 20 |
pros
- casing made of heat-resistant ABS plastic;
- 5 years warranty for motor and gearbox;
- high quality metal pallets;
- there are two separate drying zones;
- timer for 99 hours.
Minuses
- very high cost;
- too large device for placement in a regular kitchen.
Review: “I dreamed about this model for a long time and finally my dream came true. Now I dry everything and on an industrial scale. "
Comparative table of characteristics
A person who has never used a dehydrator before will find it difficult to find and buy the right device. But, if you use a comparative characteristic, it will be easier to determine the type of model.
| Product name | Power, W) | Drying temperature (in degrees) | Number of pallets |
| Voltera 1000-Lux | 1000 | 40-60 | 5 |
| L'EQUIP LD-918BT Max | 500 | 35-70 | 10 |
| RAWMID Dream Vitamin DDV-07 | 500 | 35-70 | 7 |
| Excalibur Economy-4400220 | 220 | 35-74 | 4 |
| L'EQUIP IR-D5 | 500 | 35-70 | 5 |
| Gemlux GL-IR500 | 500 | 30-70 | 5 |
| RawMid Dream Vitamin DDV-10 | 700 | 35-70 | 10 |
| Excalibur Standart 9B | 600 | 41-74 | 9 |
| Oberhof Fruchttrockner В-53 | 800 | 29-70 | 10 |
| Excalibur RES12 | 500 | 29-74 | 20 |
Selection Tips
When choosing a dehydrator, experts recommend focusing on the expected volume of products. For example, if drying is used only in the season of cheap vegetables, fruits and mushrooms, a simple model for 4-5 pallets is quite enough. For those who adhere to the principles of a healthy diet and prefer to consume not canned, but frozen or dried products, it is better to buy an expensive, but more reliable and productive model.
This top presents the best models for home use. Even the last industrial device in the rating will fit perfectly in a city apartment or in the kitchen of a private house, and, despite the high cost, will help make blanks for a large family.
