Under $100 you're buying a round stacker. They dry well, but trays nearest the fan finish first, so plan to rotate them every few hours.
- Best overallNesco Snackmaster Pro (FD-75A)About $90
- Best with a timerHamilton Beach 5-Tray Digital (32100A)About $70
- CheapestPresto Dehydro (06300)About $65
Side by side
| Model | Price | Trays | Drying area | Temperature | Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nesco Snackmaster Pro (FD-75A) | About $90 | 5, expands to 12 | About 5 sq ft | 95–160°F | None |
| Hamilton Beach 5-Tray Digital (32100A) | About $70 | 5 | About 3.75 sq ft | 100–160°F | 48 hr |
| Presto Dehydro (06300) | About $65 | 4, expands to 8 | Not listed | One fixed setting | None |
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
Quiet, easy to clean and expandable to 12 trays. TechGearLab rated its temperature accuracy 9.3 of 10.
Pros
- Expandable
- Accurate
Cons
- No timer
Hamilton Beach 5-Tray Digital (32100A)
- Price
- About $70
- Type
- Stackable
- Trays
- 5
- Drying area
- About 3.75 sq ft
- Temperature
- 100–160°F
- Timer
- 48 hr
A digital thermostat and 48-hour timer with auto shutoff for about $70. Smaller drying area.
Pros
- Timer
- Digital
Cons
- 3.75 sq ft
- Lower drying scores
Presto Dehydro (06300)
- Price
- About $65
- Type
- Stackable
- Trays
- 4, expands to 8
- Drying area
- Not listed
- Temperature
- One fixed setting
- Timer
- None
One setting and four trays for about $65. A fine way to find out whether you'll use a dehydrator.
Pros
- About $65
Cons
- One setting
- Noisy
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.
When to spend more
If you'll dry every week, the Cosori Premium at $159.99 list dries evenly without rotating trays.
