If you’re looking for a best dehydrator under $50, you might feel a little confused as the market is full of models of all kinds. With the varied price range, types, technical features and more, it can be difficult to choose a dehydrator that will suit your needs and requirements. So, to make things easy for you, we’ve compiled a list of best food dehydrators that are priced under $50.
Comparison Chart of Best Food Dehydrators Under $50
Note: Prices are considered at the time of writing. There could be slightly price difference be there when you are checking these products.
| Serial No | Product Name | Temp Range (°F) | Wattage | Trays | Max Trays | Thermostat | Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NutriChef PKFD14BK | 180°F | NA | 5 | NA | No | No |
| 2 | Hamilton Beach 32100A | 100-160° F | 500W | 5 | NA | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Presto 06300 Dehydro | 165°F | 600W | 4 | 8 | No | No |
| 4 | Nesco FD-28JX Jerky Xpress | 165°F | 350W | 4 | NA | No | No |
| 5 | NutriChef Electric | 180°F | NA | 5 | NA | No | No |
| 6 | Flexzion Dehydrator | 95-160°F | 5 | NA | Adjustable | No |
These products have been chosen on the basis of their features, pros, cons, usability and customer reviews as well. Just remember, while the products are priced below $50 at the time of writing this article, the price might change in future depending on market conditions. If you’re reading this article at a later date, please use your own discretion before buying any of these products based on their prices.
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How We Are Choosing Best Food Dehydrators Under $50
Choosing only 11 dehydrators from the available range in the market is not an easy task. That’s why we have used certain guidelines while choosing these dehydrators. Here are some of the features based on which we selected the best 11 dehydrators under $50:
1) Size
The size of the dehydrator is a major concern when you’re looking for a dehydrator that costs under . This was the first consideration for choosing a dehydrator.
2) Material
The material that the dehydrator is made from is another point of concern while choosing the dehydrator. Of course, dehydrators made from better materials would cost more, but a dehydrator should be made from BPA free materials and it should have a solid construction.
3) Temperature Control
This is another feature that is essential for any dehydrator because when you’re drying meats, you often need to vary the temperature to dry the meat properly. Dehydrators with temperature control scored higher on our list.
4) Timer
Having an inbuilt timer can make dehydrating an easy job. Not only does it indicate when the dehydrating process is complete, a timer means peace of mind in knowing that the food won’t be too dry.
5) Warranty
A longer warranty means you can use your dehydrator without worrying about the repair or replacement costs in the long run. We chose dehydrators with better warranties on the top of our list.
Features You Can Expect In Dehydrators Under $50
1) Simple to Operate
These dehydrators do not come with too many complex features and they’re simple to operate. Many dehydrators in this range have easy to operate features and functions.
2) Small Size
If you’re buying a dehydrator under $50, you have to be prepared for the possibility that it will be small in size. While some dehydrators in this range come with expandable trays, most of them have a fixed tray capacity.
3) Quick Dehydration
As the dehydrator is small in size it quickly dehydrates the foods that are put into it. The air flow in small dehydrators is much better than that in a bigger dehydrator as there is more area to cover in a large dehydrator.
4) Low Power Consumption
The power consumption in a small dehydrator is less than that in a bigger dehydrator. You might need to run a bigger dehydrator for an extended period of time to dry foods completely, but a small dehydrator can dry foods quickly in a shorter period of time thereby consuming less power.
5) Easy to Move
As the low priced dehydrators are often small in size, it is easy to move them from place to place in your kitchen. If you have little space in your kitchen, such a dehydrator is perfect for you as you can place it on a shelf without losing too much space.
Features You Are Going to Miss in Dehydrators Under $50
1) Extensive Capacity
With an expensive dehydrator you can always expect more space for dehydrating fruits and vegetables, but with dehydrators under , you might find yourself needing more space than for your usage.
2) Accessories
An economically priced dehydrator might not come with too many accessories and you might have to buy accessories like timers and extra trays from the market.
3) Warranty
If you’re looking to buy a dehydrator under , you might have to make do with a lesser warranty than the expensive dehydrator models.
4) Advanced Features
You might not get advanced features such as touch screen displays and automatic timers in dehydrators under $50.
6) Powerful Drying Abilities
The dehydrators under are not powerful enough to dry large batches of food in one go. You might need to dry food in small batches to ensure it’s properly dried.
Reviews of Best Dehydrators Under $50
1. NutriChef PKFD14BK Kitchen Electric Countertop Food Dehydrator & Food Preserver
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The NutriChef PKFD14BK Kitchen Electric Countertop Food Dehydrator is a small device that is priced in an affordable range. If you wish to dehydrate food occasionally, then this is the best dehydrator for your use. You can dehydrate different types of foods in this dehydrator, from fruits and vegetables to meat and herbs.
This dehydrator is easy to operate and it has simple to use functions. All you need to do is place the food in the dehydrator trays and switch it on. That’s it. The maximum temperature for this dehydrator is 180º F and it offers an even dehydration as the hot air reached every part of each tray. With five trays, you’ll never feel the lack of drying space.
Quick Specifications
| Product Name | NutriChef PKFD14BK Kitchen Electric Countertop Food Dehydrator |
| Temp Range (°F) | Up to 180º F |
| Wattage (Watts) | NA |
| Trays | 5 |
| Dimensions | 7x11x12.2 in |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs |
| Timer | No |
| Thermostat | No |
| Warranty | NA |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Here are some of the best thing about using the NutriChef PKFD14BK Kitchen Electric Countertop Food Dehydrator.
- Simple one button operation. Just place the ingredients and switch it on.
- The dehydrator has a fixed temperature and it dries food quickly.
- Enhanced air flow dries food efficiently in all trays
- Small size is easy to carry and place on kitchen shelves
- Easy to clean trays are dishwasher compatible
Cons
- No timer
- No adjustable temperature
- Trays cannot be expanded
- Not ideal for large sized fruits and vegetables
Editor’s Review
If you’re in the market for a simple dehydrator and you intend to use the dehydrator only once in a while, then this is the perfect product for you. Whether you want to dry small pieces of fruits or create preserved fruits for later consumption, you can do it all in this dehydrator.
You can make dried fruits and snacks for your whole family in this dehydrator and also preserve herbs and spices for later use. For a dehydrator under $50, this one is a deal that you can’t afford to miss.
2. Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator
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Finding a small and powerful dehydrator can often be a difficult task. But it’s easy when you’re looking at the Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator. While it is priced under $50, it is by no means a device lacking in features. It comes with 5 trays that can be stacked on top of each other. The dehydrator offers 500 watts of power and it also gives continuous airflow for even drying.
You can observe the food drying through the clear lid and the 48 hour timer is ideal for longer drying sessions. You can also adjust the temperature according to your requirements with the inbuilt thermostat. What’s more, the dehydrator comes with fine mesh sheet that makes it easy to dry small fruits, herbs and nuts. There is also an included solid sheet for making fruit rollups and fruit leather.
Quick Specifications
| Product Name | Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator |
| Temp Range (°F) | 100-160º F |
| Wattage (Watts) | 500 W |
| Trays | 5 |
| Dimensions | 11.2 x 5.9 x 12.8 inches |
| Weight | 8 lbs |
| Timer | Yes, 48 hours |
| Thermostat | Yes |
| Warranty | NA |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Here are the pros of using the Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator
- Powerful device with 500 watts of power for drying foods quickly
- You can set the 48 Hour timer for longer drying sessions
- Dry foods with temperature control from 100-160º F
- The dehydrator has continuous airflow for even drying
Cons
- Short power cord means you’ve to place it near the plug point
- Noisy operation after long drying sessions can cause disturbance
- You might see uneven dehydrating near the sides of the trays
- The trays are difficult to clean by hand if you don’t have a dishwasher
Editor’s Review
Finding a dehydrator with such a range of features is often difficult. But the Hamilton Beach 32100A Food Dehydrator has all the required features, while being priced under $50. If you dehydrate often and you’re not picky about the number of trays or the noise, then this can be the dehydrator for you.
It is simple to use and it offers enough temperature range for the novice as well experienced dehydrating enthusiasts. From fruits to meats, nuts and herbs, you can use this dehydrator for drying all kinds of foods and also for making fruit leather and fruit loops.
3. Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen
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Do you have a small kitchen but you need a powerful dehydrator? Check out the Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen. This budget food dehydrator is priced under $50 and it comes with a digital display for time and temperature. With 5 trays, you have ample capacity for drying the food and you can also select the temperature with maximum temperature being 167ºF.
You can enjoy drying nutritious food in the comfort of your own home and also save money as you won’t need to buy any dried food from the market. This dishwasher’s trays are dishwasher safe and easy to clean, too. You also get 1 year warranty with this device. Whether you want to dry meat, fruits, or vegetables, you can do it all with this dehydrator.
Quick Technical Specifications
| Product Name | Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen |
| Temp Range (°F) | 167º F. |
| Wattage (Watts) | NA |
| Trays | 5 |
| Dimensions | 11 x 9.5 x 11.8 inches |
| Weight | 4 lbs |
| Timer | Yes |
| Thermostat | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Here are some pros of using the Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen:
- The trays of this dehydrator are made from BPA free materials
- The dehydrator trays are dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Adjustable timer and thermostat make it easy to dehydrate foods according to your requirements
- This dehydrator offers noiseless operations
Cons
Some cons of using this dehydrator are:
- The size might be small for those who want to dehydrate food regularly
- You might have difficulty in finding fruit/jerky inserts that fit the trays
- The temperature might not be hot enough for drying meat products-section
Editor’s Review
If you’re looking for a dehydrator under $50 that has features found in dehydrators that cost much more, then you can choose the Food Dehydrator Machine by Wintergreen. This dehydrator brings capacity, power, and solid construction in one single package for consumers.
The modern design of this dehydrator will look good on any kitchen shelf and you will enjoy drying all kinds of food items in this dehydrator for years to come. Make beef jerky, fruit rollups, fruit leather and much more with your own hands in this dehydrator.
4. Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator
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The Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator is a simple machine with powerful features, all priced under $50. This is the ideal dehydrator for beginners or those who are just getting into dehydration as a hobby. It comes with a see through cover that allows you to see the progress of the drying process.
The bottom mounted fan is powerful enough to dry food evenly through all the trays. The temperature in this dehydrator is preset at 165ºF and it is simple to operate with a single button operation. There are four trays included with the dehydrator and you can add four more trays taking the total number of trays up to eight.
Quick Technical Specifications
| Product Name | Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator |
| Temp Range (°F) | 165º F. |
| Wattage (Watts) | 600W |
| Trays | 4, expendable to 8 |
| Dimensions | 15 x 14.5 x 6.25 in |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs |
| Timer | No |
| Thermostat | No |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Here are some pros of using the Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Dehydrator are:
- Easy to clean the trays are these are dishwasher safe
- You can add four more trays along with the four included
- Trays can be nested for easy storage
- Simple to operate with just a single button
- Bottom mounted fan for an even drying airflow
Cons
The cons of using the Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Dehydrator are:
- No timer for longer drying sessions
- No thermostat for setting your choice of temperature
- Dehydrators with base mounted fans are often difficult to clean
- It might make noise during long drying sessions
Editor’s Review
If you’re in the market for a dehydrator that costs under $50 and provides the basic features without any thing advanced, then you can choose this dehydrator. It might not have a timer or a thermostat, but if you’re dehydrating only once in a week or two, then you can easily use this dehydrator for basic dehydrating needs. As the trays are expendable, you can always add more trays if you want to dry more food. For a simple and affordable dehydrator, this is the ideal model.
5. Nesco FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit with Jerky Gun
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Are you a fan of jerky and looking for a dehydrator under $50? The Nesco FD-281JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator might just be the device for you. It comes with 4 trays and includes a jerky gun with 3 attachments and spice/cure packets. You can use these packets for up to 4 pounds of ground meat.
It is an easy to use device with a single button operation and fixed temperature. The fan is mounted on top to offer equal drying for all kinds of foods. Whether you’re making jerky or drying any other kind of meat in this dehydrator, you can expect powerful performance and drying that takes hours and not days. The dehydrator also comes with 1 year warranty so that you can get it repaired in case there is a malfunction.
Quick Specifications Overview
| Product Name | Nesco FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit with Jerky Gun |
| Temp Range (°F) | 165ºF |
| Wattage (Watts) | 350W |
| Trays | 4 |
| Dimensions | 9 x 14 x 14 in |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs |
| Timer | No |
| Thermostat | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Some pros of the Nesco FD-28JX Jerky Xpress Dehydrator Kit are:
- Comes with Jerky making kit for making all kinds of jerky
- Fan-Flow Technology for faster, more even drying
- One touch operation with fixed temperature
- Easy to clean as the trays are dishwasher safe
Cons
- There is no timer on this product so dehydration process must be monitored
- The unit might overheat after long durations of use
Editor’s Review
For fans of jerky, now it is easy to make jerky at home instead of buying it from a store. Simply get this jerky maker that costs less than $50 and start making jerky in the comfort of your own home.
The jerky gun attachment is perfect for making all kinds of meat ready for dehydration. It is simple enough machine that even beginners can use it to make delicious jerky at home. The four trays have ample area to cook large batch of jerky that will last you for weeks. The dehydrator works fast with the Fan-Flow technology that allows for faster drying.
If jerky making is your passion or if you want to start making your own jerky, get this dehydrator today.
6. NutriChef Electric Food Dehydrator
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Looking for a compact dehydrator that costs under $50 and is simple to operate? The NutriChef Electric Food Dehydrator is just the product for you. This small dehydrator is easy to carry and move around the kitchen and you can make everything from jerky to dried fruits in it.
It comes with 5 trays and a single button operation with no complex controls. Simply add the food on the trays and press the button and the dehydrator will start the process. The temperature is preset at 180ºF which is ideal for drying all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and meats. The dehydrator is also easy to clean as the trays are dishwasher safe and you can also clean them by hand.
Quick Specifications Overview
| Product Name | NutriChef Electric Food Dehydrator |
| Temp Range (°F) | 180ºF |
| Wattage (Watts) | — |
| Trays | 5 |
| Dimensions | 10.2 x 11 x 11 in |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs |
| Timer | No |
| Thermostat | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Here are some pros of using the NutriChef Electric Dehydrator:
- It is simple to use with one button control
- The unit is small in size and ideal for small sized kitchens
- Perfect for making jerky and fruit rollups
- Noiseless operation even for long drying sessions
Cons
Some cons of using the NutriChef Electric Dehydrator
- No timer or thermostat for varied time and temperature
- No expandable trays
Editor’s Review
If is often difficult to find a decent dehydrator under $50, but the NutriChef Electric Dehydrator fits the requirements. It is a powerful machine which is simple to operate and offers ample capacity for drying all kinds of foods. You can make jerky, fruit rollups, fruit leather and much more in this dehydrator. It is a compact and noise less machine that does what it’s meant to do without any frills.
If you want a dehydrator under $50 that is ideal for beginners as well as experts, then you can easily choose this one.
7. Flexzion Dehydrator for Food Fruit – Electric Food Saver Fruit Dehydrator
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Finding a feature filled dehydrator under $50 is easy when you’re looking at Flexzion dehydrator. This dehydrator comes with 5 trays that are perfect for drying all kinds of foods. You can not only dry meats in this dehydrator, but you can also dry fruits, vegetables, and nuts in this. Start making healthy snacks in the comfort of your own home by using this dehydrator. The clear lid allows for easy view of the food while it is drying.
It comes with an adjustable thermostat to set up the temperature as per the directions in the recipe. The powerful fan of this dehydrator works efficiently to dry foods equally in all the trays. With increased air flow, you can rest assured that all the moisture will be sucked out from the food. From beef jerky to fruit rollups, you can use this dehydrator for all these uses and much more.
Quick Specifications Overview
| Product Name | Flexzion Dehydrator for Food Fruit – Electric Food Saver Fruit Dehydrator |
| Temp Range (°F) | 95-160º F |
| Wattage (Watts) | NA |
| Trays | 5 |
| Dimensions | 8 x 13 x 13 inches |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs |
| Timer | No |
| Thermostat | Yes |
| Warranty | NA |
| Product Link | Check this Product on Amazon → |
Pros
Pros of using the Flexzion Dehydrator for Food Fruit
- Thermostat for varying drying temperature for different foods.
- Increased airflow for better drying
- Easy to clean, dishwasher safe trays
Cons
Some cons of using the Flexzion Dehydrator for Food Fruit
- There is no timer, so food needs to be monitored constantly
- Replacement parts not available easily
- Round trays lead to cracked fruit leather
Editor’s Review
A simple dehydrator under $50 that offers a powerful way to dry all kinds of foods. The Flexzion dehydrator bring extended capacity coupled with increased drying capacity for all kinds of meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. The unique design of the dehydrator helps in even and rapid dehydration and the clear lid allows for easily viewing of the drying process.
The dehydrator dries food quickly and it is also easy to clean as the trays are dishwasher safe. If you’re looking for a simple dehydrator with thermostat that costs under $50, then this is the one you should pick.
Conclusion
Buying a dehydrator under $50 can be a decision that can take a lot of research and time. But we’ve made the decision simple for you as you can read through the reviews, pros, cons, features and more for the above mentioned models and make up your mind about the dehydrator that best suits your budget and requirements. Whether you’re just stepping into the world of dehydration or you’re an expert dehydration enthusiast, you will find the product that is perfect for your needs.
If you want to choose from 11 best dehydrators under $50, this list has the best dehydrator models that have been chosen after extensive research into the market so you can make your choice easily. So, what are you waiting for? Choose a dehydrator today and start your journey into the wonderful world of dried snacks and healthy food that is made in your own house and under your own supervision.