Jerky is the one food where a dehydrator's top temperature and accuracy really matter. Look for a model that reaches at least 155 to 165°F, holds it steadily, and has square trays for long strips.
USDA advises heating meat to 160°F and poultry to 165°F before dehydrating, then drying in a dehydrator that holds 130 to 140°F or higher throughout. A dehydrator alone may not get meat hot enough, fast enough, to kill bacteria.
- Best overall for jerkyTribest Sedona Express (SDE-S6780-B)About $550
- Best valueCosori Premium Food Dehydrator (CP267-FD)$159.99 list
- Best for big batchesExcalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator with Timer (3926TB)$279.99 list
- Best budgetNesco Snackmaster Pro (FD-75A)About $90
Side by side
| Model | Price | Trays | Temperature | Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribest Sedona Express (SDE-S6780-B) | About $550 | 11 stainless steel | 77–167°F | Yes, two-stage |
| Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator (CP267-FD) | $159.99 list | 6 stainless steel | 95–165°F | 48 hr |
| Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator with Timer (3926TB) | $279.99 list | 9 plastic, 15 × 15 in | 105–165°F | 26 hr |
| Nesco Snackmaster Pro (FD-75A) | About $90 | 5, expands to 12 | 95–160°F | None |
Tribest Sedona Express (SDE-S6780-B)
- Price
- About $550
- Type
- Shelf (rear fan)
- Trays
- 11 stainless steel
- Drying area
- About 9.9 sq ft
- Temperature
- 77–167°F
- Timer
- Yes, two-stage
Food Network named the Sedona Express best for jerky for its precise control. It reaches 167°F and can start hot, then finish lower.
Pros
- Up to 167°F
- Two-stage timer
Cons
- About $550
Cosori Premium Food Dehydrator (CP267-FD)
- Price
- $159.99 list
- Type
- Shelf (rear fan)
- Trays
- 6 stainless steel
- Drying area
- About 6 sq ft
- Temperature
- 95–165°F
- Timer
- 48 hr
Reaches 165°F and was the most temperature-accurate model in TechGearLab's test. Square stainless trays fit long strips.
Pros
- Accurate
- Stainless trays
Cons
- Six trays
Excalibur 9-Tray Dehydrator with Timer (3926TB)
- Price
- $279.99 list
- Type
- Shelf (rear fan)
- Trays
- 9 plastic, 15 × 15 in
- Drying area
- 15 sq ft
- Temperature
- 105–165°F
- Timer
- 26 hr
Nine 15 × 15 in trays to 165°F, enough for a deer's worth of strips across a few batches.
Pros
- 15 sq ft
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons
- Plastic trays
Nesco Snackmaster Pro (FD-75A)
- Price
- About $90
- Type
- Stackable
- Trays
- 5, expands to 12
- Drying area
- About 5 sq ft
- Temperature
- 95–160°F
- Timer
- None
Reaches 160°F for about $90. Round trays limit strip length, and you'll rotate trays.
Pros
- Cheap
- Expandable
Cons
- Round trays
- Rotate trays
Scores and temperature-accuracy findings come from TechGearLab's test (updated August 2024); awards and drying notes come from Food Network's test (updated February 2026). We haven't run these tests ourselves, and we say whose test each finding is from.
Make it safely
See our step-by-step guide to making jerky in a dehydrator, plus venison jerky safety and ground beef jerky.
Storing jerky
USDA says homemade jerky keeps 1 to 2 months. For longer, freeze it; vacuum-sealed jerky keeps best. See how to vacuum seal meat on our sister site.
