Sharp knives are essential for home cooks. "Knife sharpeners should be among the first items on any chef or home cook's shopping list," says chef Melissa Collins, manager at Perfect Brew. "A dull knife doesn't cut through food smoothly—this not only wastes precious time, but also results in safety risks. When the edge of your blade is sharp, it's less likely to slip as you press it down to cut."

Related: These Are the Kitchen Knives Every Home Cook Needs

There are two types of knife sharpeners: manual and electric. Manual sharpeners tend to be cheaper, and many experienced chefs prefer them because they offer better control, yet they do take a bit of practice to use effectively. Electric sharpeners are simpler to use and usually just require a couple of strikes through the sharpener, but they can be more expensive and even damage some knives if not used properly. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to more than $100 for a knife sharpener. Here are the five knife sharpeners we recommend.

Easy to use, the Presto EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener is our pick for the best overall knife sharpener. It's a moderately priced electric knife sharpener that will sharpen, hone, and polish most kitchen knives, including those made of alloy, carbon, and stainless steel, in a few passes. A non-slip base keeps it firmly in place while in use, while blade guides keep knives at the ideal angle for sharpening.

This small, simple-to-use manual knife sharpener packs a powerful punch for everyday use. It works on everything from coarse and dull knives to knives in need of a quick hone, although expect to have to run a knife through it about ten times to get the desired result. Plus, at just $10, you can buy an extra one to stash at your parents' house for when you need to cut an apple with a knife they've never sharpened.

Compact and moderately priced, the Chef's Choice Pronto Pro Manual knife sharpener is pur pick for the best manual knife sharpener. It does take a little practice to use, but it isn't as tricky to get the hang of as other manual knife sharpeners. Plus, it allows for the sharpening of both serrated and straight knives, which isn't always possible with electric knife sharpeners.

Manual waterstones and ceramic whetstones are tricky to get the hang of, but if you've invested in Japanese knives, manual whetstone sharpeners are often recommended. That's because they allow for the edge to be adapted to your preference and can also restore knife edges to their original form. While this whetstone is pricey, the two-sided ceramic is designed to sharpen, hone, and polish.

If you're looking to upgrade your knife sharpener or simply need a versatile one and don't mind spending more than $100, the Chef's Choice Trizor XV Knife Sharpener is the best electric sharpener on the market. It's much simpler to use than manual knife sharpeners, has diamond abrasives, and it works with European and American knives as well as with some Japanese-style knives.