Best Electric Fillet Knife

Last Updated: April 9th, 2020

You’ve spent all day out on the boat in the sunshine. Those tuna were playing hard to get and at one point you thought you were going to catch any, but you waited that bit longer and your luck began to change. Coming home with your catch in hand, happy but weary from a long day’s work, you realize how hungry you are and start to think about dinner. Then you remember how long it’s going to take to fillet all those fish and your heart sinks…


At A Glance: Our Top 3 Electric Fillet Knives


After spending all day out on the water the last thing you want to do when you come home is spend hours in the kitchen prepping your catch. And that’s where electric fillet knives come in. Not only do they save you precious fishing time, but they also make filleting a lot less strenuous – perfect when you’ve been reeling in fish all day. Here’s our selection of the best electric fillet knives out there, and some pointers on what to look for when you’re shopping around.

OUR TOP PICKS

Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife Grey/Black, 7 1/2' Blade
Best Allrounder
Rapala Heavy Duty Fillet Knife
  • Powerful motor can cut thick bones
  • Good value for money
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Berkley Electric Fillet Knife, 120-Volt , Red/Black
Berkley Electric Fishing Knife
  • Powerful 120-volt motor
  • Case included
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American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife, Titanium,Titanium-carbon Grey
American Angler PRO
  • Powerful 110-volt motor
  • Built to last
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Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife (Green/Yellow)
Best Budget
Mister Twister Electric Knife
  • Powerful 120 volt motor
  • Lightweight
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Cuisinart Electric Knife
Cuisinart CEK-40 Electric Knife
  • Compact and stylish
  • Comes with wooden storage block
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Berkley Fillet Knife 7 1/2' Length Turboglide Cordless with Folding Board/Charger/Case, Red/Gray
Berkley Turboglide Cordless Knife
  • Very light weight (1.1 pounds)
  • Case and board included
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No products found.
Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife
  • Cordless
  • Long battery life
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BUBBA Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife with Non-Slip Grip Handle, 4 Ti-Nitride S.S. Coated Non-Stick Reciprocating Blades, Charger and Case for Fishing
Best of The Best
Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
  • Cordless
  • Long battery life
VIEW ON AMAZON →

Best Electric Fillet Knives


Rapala Heavy Duty Fillet Knife

Rapala Heavy Duty Electric Fillet Knife Grey/Black, 7 1/2' Blade

The Rapala Heavy Duty Fillet Knife makes cutting even those larger fish a dream. Its powerful motor means you won’t experience any fatigue while filleting as it slices easily through big bones, and the handle has been ergonomically designed to make wielding this knife as comfortable as possible.

On top of that, the motor doesn’t overheat like many other models and, despite its power, operates incredibly quietly for a peaceful kitchen experience. The blades themselves are made of dishwasher-proof, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the sharp blades provide a neat cut so your fillets won’t have any rough edges.

They also come in a range of sizes, so you can use this knife with whichever fish you like. One minor downside is that this knife doesn’t come with any kind of case, and with blades this sharp, it would be nice to keep them covered when not in use. It does feature a safety button though.

Also, the blades can be a little tricky to insert and remove, but this generally gets better with time. The cord can be a bit of a drag too, but at 8 ft it isn’t too restricting. Overall, the Rapala Heavy Duty Fillet Knife offers incredible comfort and power at a very reasonable price, and it comes with a 1-year guarantee too for that extra peace of mind.

Pros

  • Powerful motor can cut thick bones
  • Good value for money
  • Comfortable
  • Sharp blades available in different sizes
  • Very quiet
  • Durable

Cons

  • No case included
  • Cord can restrict movement
  • Blades can be tricky to insert and remove
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Berkley Electric Fishing Knife

Berkley Electric Fillet Knife, 120-Volt , Red/Black

The Berkley Electric Fishing Knife is another powerful tool to speed up your filleting. Its sharp blades will glide through meat and bones, and the non-slip handle is an excellent safety feature that you’ll want with blades this sharp. This knife comes with a carrying case too, so it can be stored away safely.

It has a nifty airflow design that prevents the motor heating up during use, which means you’ll spend even less time in the kitchen as you won’t have to pause for cool downs. Again, the cord on this knife can be a bit of a pain and means you can’t take it out fishing with you.

The main downsides of this knife are that it can feel a little on the clunky side and it might not last you a lifetime – although it is reasonably priced so replacing it a few times a decade might not be so bad.

Pros

  • Powerful 120-volt motor
  • Case included
  • Good cooling system

Cons

  • Cord can restrict movement
  • Could be more durable
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American Angler PRO

American Angler PRO Electric Fillet Knife, Titanium,Titanium-carbon Grey

With ultra-sharp stainless steel and titanium blades available in a range of sizes, not to mention a powerful 110-volt motor, this is a serious knife that’s built to last and can handle the toughest of bones. The American Angler PRO is surprisingly quiet too, despite its powerful nature.

The blades are available in a range of sizes and it comes with a handy storage case too. In terms of safety, there’s a whole bunch of features – blade release, trigger lock, grease guard and grip – but watch out as the trigger can sometimes get stuck in the on position, causing a potential hazard.

Despite its airflow system, this knife does tend to overheat with prolonged use, so you might have to factor in some cooldown periods into your cooking timings. Although it’s a little on the pricey side, with serious blades and a sturdy design, backed by a 2-year warranty, you can be sure you won’t need to buy another any time soon.

Pros

  • Powerful 110-volt motor
  • Built to last
  • 2-year limited lifetime warranty
  • Case included
  • Very quiet

Cons

  • Expensive
  • ‘Sticky’ trigger
  • Motor gets hot
  • Cord can restrict movement
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Mister Twister Electric Knife

Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife (Green/Yellow)

The Mister Twister Electric Knife is the lightest of our corded knives, weighing in at just 1.41 pounds, so you can be sure you’ll have the strength left to fillet at the end of a hard day of fishing.

Despite its airy feel, it still packs a punch with a 120-volt motor and super sharp blades that can be released easily, unlike some of the other options out there. It might not be as durable as some of the other options and it might not cut through the largest of bones, but it will definitely do the trick for those small-medium sized fish.

At the lower end of the price range, and with an affordable repair service and replacement blades available, this knife is an absolute steal.

Pros

  • Powerful 120 volt motor
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • 2-year warranty
  • Easy to attach and detach blades

Cons

  • Cord can restrict movement
  • Could be more durable
  • Not great for larger fish and bones
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Cuisinart CEK-40 Electric Knife

Cuisinart Electric Knife

The Cuisinart CEK-40 is definitely one of the most comfortable electric knives out there. It features an ergonomically designed handle and its small size makes it easy to use even your hands are on the small side, even if it is a little heavy. With an easy-to-use blade release button, cleaning up after use takes no time at all, and when you’re finished, simply pop the blade on to the wooden storage block on your counter.

The stainless-steel blades are super sharp (but don’t worry – it comes with a safety switch), and with one available for bread and another for flesh you can makes sure you have the right tool for the job. With its intuitive one-touch on button, it’s very easy to use, although this button does have to be held down slightly which can be a bit of a pain. Fortunately, unlike lots of other models, the button is on the top making it considerably less awkward to use.

This knife is also a bit on the noisy side – not great if you’re prepping dinner in front of guests. It might not stand up to the toughest of bones but, overall, this knife stands apart from the others thanks to its elegant design, making it compact, stylish and a dream to use.

Pros

  • Compact and stylish
  • Comes with wooden storage block
  • User-friendly
  • Versatile
  • Limited 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Noisy
  • Heavy (3.4 pounds)
  • Lacks case for out-of-sight storage
  • Could be more durable
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Berkley Turboglide Cordless Knife

Berkley Fillet Knife 7 1/2' Length Turboglide Cordless with Folding Board/Charger/Case, Red/Gray

Introducing our first featured cordless knife – the Berkley Turboglide. Gone are the days of those awkward tugs from the plug socket stopping you from slicing that perfect fillet. The lack of cord, ergonomic trigger and light weight really do make using this knife a pleasure.

The power behind this motor comes from its rechargeable and long-lasting Li-ion battery, and it has a battery life indicator so you’ll never get caught off-guard without a charge. It not only comes with a case but also with a board with filleting instructions on it, so you can even fillet on the go. And if you do decide to take it on board, it comes with a grippy handle and trigger guard – perfect for any clumsy anglers out there.

The major downside of this knife is that the batteries are pretty pricey to replace – they cost half as much as the knife itself (which isn’t particularly cheap in the first place) – and they don’t have the longest lifespan.

Pros

  • Very light weight (1.1 pounds)
  • Case and board included
  • Non-slip handle and trigger guard

Cons

  • Battery is expensive to replace
  • Battery life could be longer
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Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife

No products found.

Here is our second entry by the reputable Rapala – the Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife. Not only does a lack of cord mean you can move freely for those perfect cuts, but it also boasts a full 80-minutes of battery life and can be fully charged in under 2 hours. Designed with fish filleting in mind, these blades are perfect for not only cutting but also skinning your meat.

The sturdy design means your blades won’t rattle around, even when cutting through the toughest of bones, but this does mean they can be a bit troublesome when the time comes to remove and replace them, and be careful because it doesn’t come with a blade protector (but it does come with a case).

As before, replacing the battery is quite costly and bear in mind it’ll drain over time so be sure to give it a quick charge if you haven’t used it in a while.

Pros

  • Cordless
  • Long battery life
  • Fast charge time
  • Designed for fish filleting
  • Durable
  • Case included

Cons

  • Battery is expensive to replace
  • Blades can be difficult to remove
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Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife

BUBBA Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife with Non-Slip Grip Handle, 4 Ti-Nitride S.S. Coated Non-Stick Reciprocating Blades, Charger and Case for Fishing

Carefully manufactured with fish filleting in mind, the Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife brings a lot to the table. This is a very versatile knife, thanks to the variety of both flexible and stiff blades it comes with, making it suitable for all types of fish.

They won’t let you down either, as they’re made of titanium nitride-coated high-carbon stainless steel. On top of that, the blades pop out easily and they can be easily organized when not in use thanks to the case that comes with various compartments – you can tell that this one was designed by engineers.

Its light weight, long battery life and ergonomic trigger mean you can spend hours filleting without fatigue. Don’t let the lightness fool you, however, this knife has some serious power behind it, but to keep things on the safe side it comes with a non-slip handle, safety lock and trigger guard.

It certainly isn’t the cheapest option out there, but with four knives included, a 1-year warranty, and built-to-last blades, you won’t need to buy another any time soon. Oh, and it also comes with a spare battery to save you costs later down the line.

Pros

  • Cordless
  • Long battery life
  • Light weight (1.1 pounds)
  • Comes with variety of blades and spare battery
  • Durable
  • Compartmentalized case included

Cons

  • Expensive
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What to Look For

We’ve picked out a few things for you to bear in mind when finding the fillet knife for you.

Corded versus cordless

Perhaps the biggest decision to make is whether you want a corded or cordless knife. With corded knives, you never have to worry about battery life but you can’t take them with you on a fishing trip. Your movement will be somewhat limited too, but you if you find a cord that’s a decent length this might not be such an issue.

Cordless knives are appealing as they’re portable and give you complete freedom of movement, but if you’re going to use them mainly in the kitchen it might not be worth the hassle of worrying over battery life. Cordless models tend to be more expensive too.

Strength and versatility

All the knives we’ve mentioned can cut through those smaller fish like crappies and bass like butter, but they vary with how well they can stand up to those larger fish and tough bones. When choosing a knife, you want to make sure it can handle the type of fish you’ll be dealing with, and keep an eye out for models that have a range of blades available if you’ll be working with fish of various sizes.

Cost

How much you want to splash out will no doubt play a part in which knife you go for, but there’s more to consider than just the cost of the knife itself. Firstly, does it come with any extras? Some of the knives come with cases for storage or transport. If there isn’t one included, you might end up buying one which will add to the cost.

And does it come with any extra blades? If you want to fillet fish of different sizes buying lots of extra blades can ramp up the cost, so you might be better picking a knife that comes with a few blades for you to try.

If you’ve decided cordless is the way to go, make sure you’re prepared to dish out the dollars on replacement batteries at some point, and these are often pretty pricey. Finally, is there any kind of warranty? If you’re unlucky enough to buy a knife that breaks on you 6-months in, you’ll want some kind of replacement service so you don’t have to cough up the cash for a brand new knife.

Our top three…

So, let’s cut to the chase, which knives do we like best?

If you’re on a budget, it has to be the Mister Twister Electric Knife. Not only is the knife itself reasonably priced, but there’s an affordable service to replace parts and it comes with a warranty that means you won’t have to purchase another any time soon. We also like the fact that it’s on the light side despite its powerful motor.

Mister Twister 120V Electric Knife (Green/Yellow)
  • Legendary Mister Twister action
  • Features 120V AC

Our favorite allrounder has to be the Rapala Heavy Duty Fillet Knife. Its powerful motor means it breezes through even the biggest of bones, but you can use it with smaller fish too thanks to the range of blades available. It’s also nice and quiet and extremely comfortable for an overall stress-free filleting experience.

Its durable design and corrosion-resistant blades mean it will last you a while, but if that’s not enough it comes with a 1-year guarantee as well. Despite its high-end features, it’s at the lower end of the price range, making this knife an absolute winner.

So what’s our top pick? You might have guessed it… it’s the Bubba Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife. Quite simply, this knife has it all. It couldn’t be more versatile, with some serious power behind it, and a range of rigid and flexible blades of various sizes included, it can be used with any fish. Constructed from high-end materials, this knife should last you a lifetime (and in case it doesn’t, there’s a warranty included).

Its lack of a cord and long battery life means you can enjoy the ease of free movement without having to worry about charge, making it an ideal knife for filleting on the go. Oh, and it comes with some nice extras too, like a super organized travel case and a spare battery. It may not be a particularly cheap option but, in terms of quality, you really are getting what you pay for.

Sale
BUBBA Li-Ion Cordless Electric Fillet Knife with Non-Slip Grip Handle, 4 Ti-Nitride S.S. Coated Non-Stick Reciprocating Blades, Charger and Case for Fishing
  • Dimensions: 8.5” handle length and weighs 1.11 pounds
  • Ease of use: Non-slip grip handle for outstanding grip security providing ultimate knife control with a trigger guard for added security