The best knife blocks

• A good knife block keeps your knives organized and sharp without taking up too much space.
• Of all the knife blocks you can buy, the Kuhn Rikon Vision Clear Slotted Easy-to-Clean Knife Stand is our top pick because it's easy to use, keeps your knives safe, and looks nice on your countertop.

Knife blocks are a good way to organize knives neatly and keep yourself from ever accidentally getting grazed by sharp edges. But protecting your digits is not the only reason to invest in a knife block for your cutting tools. Quality blocks will also protect your knife from becoming dull or scratched. Newer models are also bacteria resistant. If you take pride in your cutlery, there are a variety of units that will put your best pieces on display in an elegant manner.

When you think of a knife block, you may envision the traditional, slanted wooden block that sits on your counter. There are many excellent blocks in this style, but none of them made our list. The main problems we have with the classic block are that it is difficult to clean and you can't readily view the type of knife you are grabbing for. There are plenty of modern styles that sufficiently address these issues.

We spent hours looking closely at the many different styles and researching expert reviews and ratings of the models that were best in their class. The blocks in the following slides were included because they are durable, have a history of quality performance, and keep your knives easy to access and sanitary.

• The best overall: Kuhn Rikon Vision Clear Slotted Easy-to-Clean Knife Stand
• The best in-drawer: Shenzhen Knives In-Drawer Bamboo Knife Block
• The best magnetic: Böker Wood Magnetic Knife Block
• The best on a budget: Kitchendao Universal Knife Block

Updated on 9/2/2020. We updated prices and links.