Whether you want to fillet a fish in your kitchen or want to cut up a fresh catch before storing it in the icebox out on the water, you need one of the best electric fish fillet knives to do a clean job.
The task can be quite demanding, especially if you catch bigger fish such as tuna or sturgeon, so you need a blade that is not only powerful but is easy to use as well. Here are some of the best fillet knives you should look into:
- Best Electric Fish Fillet Knife-American Angler PRO Professional Grade Electric Fillet Knife
- Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife Combo
- Bubba 110V Electric Fillet Knife
- Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife
- Rapala Electric Fillet Knife
- Rapala Delux AC/DC
- Rapala Deluxe Cordless Rechargeable Fillet Knife
7 Best Electric Fish Fillet Knives for 2023 Reviewed
1. American Angler PRO Professional Grade Electric Fillet Knife
Best Electric Fish Fillet Knife
This electric knife boasts two times more torque than other heavy-duty knives, which allows it to slide through robust bones smoothly. It also features an excellent airflow design that keeps the ergonomic knife from overheating as you cut through one fish after another.
It comes with several blade attachments that are designed to cut through specific fish, such as muskie, rock cod, grouper, salmon, and catfish, among others. The best part about this brand is that the handle is compatible with any blade the company makes, so you can get replacements or new knives quickly.
We love the safety carrying bag the knife comes with, but we had some difficulty trying to make the blade fit in it. But we loved how easily the modules could be swapped.
2. Rapala Lithium Ion Cordless Fillet Knife Combo
The Rapala cordless fillet knife offers over 80 hours of continuous runtime and allows users to zip through sturdy and soft fish cleanly. The easily swappable blades are made from stainless steel and make filleting fish a breeze.
The electric knife comes with two lithium-ion batteries as well as a wall charger and a padded storage case that keeps the blade and motor safe from damage.
The ergonomic handle fits comfortably in hand, and the engine runs smoothly for a full 80 minutes at a stretch.
We love the fact that the Rapala lithium ion cordless electric fillet knife does not come with a troublesome cord, and it does not vibrate violently, which can otherwise ruin a perfectly good fillet.
On the other hand, the blades cannot be sharpened, so you will need to replace them once they get dull with use.
3. Bubba 110V Electric Fillet Knife
This electric fillet knife is a game changer in more ways than one. The Bubba electric knife boasts a safety lock and trigger guard as safety features. This includes a non-slip grip that will keep your hand steady as you slice through fish effortlessly.
Ideal for small to large-size fish, it featured engineered ventilation, which is explicitly designed to make the most of the motor transmission output for optimal torque.
The stainless steel blades are coated with titanium nitride, which makes them resistant to corrosion, and it comes in an EVA molded carrying case that is as sturdy as it is gorgeous.
One of the knife’s qualities that stood out for us was how flexible it was and the fact that the handle got sticky when it got wet, which gave us a better grip. However, the gears have a tendency to wear down a bit too quickly.
4. Rapala Heavy-Duty Electric Fillet Knife
One of the best electric fillet knives in the market, the Rapala Heavy-Duty electric knife, gives users more power for enhanced control for filleting big fish. The dishwasher-safe electric razor comes with an 8-foot-long power cord that can provide you with plenty of room to maneuver.
At the same time, you are filleting, and the comfortable ergonomic handle keeps fatigued at bay. The custom airflow design reduces vibrations to ensure clean and straight cuts, and the reciprocating style stainless steel blades are the perfect size to meet every filleting need.
We spent hours filleting panfish with this pro electric fillet knife, and it didn’t overheat once. However, at one point, the blade did unlock, especially when we added a bit more pressure.
5. Rapala Electric Fillet Knife
This electric knife makes fast work of large and medium-sized panfish courtesy of the 7.5 inches sharp stainless steel blades. The Rapala also comes with a pronged slab that will hold your catch as you cut, thus preventing accidents and the meat from slipping off the board.
The long-lasting power motor features an advanced airflow design that prevents the electrical knife from overheating as you cut one panfish after another without breaks. Get your catch to a hot pan fresh from the panfish faster!
The Rapala is the best electric fish fillet knife for cleaning panfish that are tough or bony. However, the blade can seem quite big and awkward when you use it for the first time.
6. Rapala Delux AC/DC
The Rapala Delux is considered to be the best electric fillet knife for saltwater fish, and for a good reason. It boasts a long-lasting motor and offers a relaxed grip that prevents it from slipping as you fillet a slippery fish.
It also comes with a 12V DC lighter plug and a 110V AC power cord along with 12V post clips, all of which fit snuggly into the compact travel case.
The adapter can fit into any wall socket, so you can use it in your garage or kitchen, and the adapter plug can be used to power the knife with the boat lighter outlet and even your car.
The release button is placed inconveniently, though, which can be a hassle, and the accessories are not as high-grade as you would expect. However, it is one of the few filleting knives out there that can be charged using a range of methods.
7. Rapala Deluxe Cordless Rechargeable Fillet Knife
If you want to make quick work of your catch, you need the Rapala Deluxe Cordless Rechargeable Fillet Knife in your life. Featuring stainless steel blades and an ergonomic handle, the knife makes short work of several types of fish, ranging from crappies to perch.
It comes with two battery packs that charge fully in 4 hours for 3.5 hours of filleting and comes in a durable plastic storage case. Since there are no cords in the way, you don’t have to worry about accidents, especially if you want to use the knife out at sea on a slippery deck.
We loved how neatly each component of this electronic knife fit into the plastic carrying case it came with. However, the ergonomic handle could do with a redesign, and the safety lock can be a hindrance.
How to Pick the Best Electric Fish Fillet Knife?
The best electronic fillet knife is one that can help you filet fish you prefer to catch, cook, and eat. If the ones you find are big and sturdy, the blade should have a powerful motor to reduce your time on the cutting board.
However, if you don’t have access to a wall socket, you should consider wireless options. Here are some other features you should look into to make an informed decision:
Performance
An electric fillet knife’s performance is dependent on its design, how powerful its motor is, and the types of fish it was made to fillet. Additionally, the stainless steel blades should be sharp enough to cut cleanly, and the engine should not vibrate strongly sufficient to ruin or compromise the shape and look of the fillets.
Power Supply
A cordless electric knife cannot remain at full power all the time. It has to be recharged once it runs out of juice, so you should take batteries along. However, if you can stand the hassle of a cord, consider taking a corded knife.
This will give you uninterrupted performance, but just make sure that there is a wall socket you can plug in before you take it with you. Otherwise, you will only end up using your expensive knife like a regular filleting knife.
Blade Quality
Most electronic fillet knives are made from stainless steel, and their performance depends on their capacity. A quality steel blade can last for months, can be sharpened easily, and must resist corrosion. High-carbon steel knives also offer the same benefits, and like the stainless steel option, these give enough flexibility to the blade to be efficient without compromising its performance.
This is a critical trait, especially if you plan on filleting small fish. The harder the edge, the more meat you will lose as you cut.
Usability
The mechanical knife you use should be able to separate meat from the bone and cut through sturdy bone cleanly once you press that button. You shouldn’t have to saw through the fish at all, and you shouldn’t have to wrestle with the blade when you need to replace it without another one. Some models also come with variable speed settings that you can adjust according to the fish you are filleting.
Durability
The durability of production knives depends on their flexibility and the material they are made of. The steel should be high-grade, and it should not corrode in saltwater. Plus, it should be able to cut through flesh and bones effortlessly without overheating too soon.
Safety
The electric fish fillet knife you get should have safety features that can prevent painful accidents. This includes a safety lock that prevents it from getting turned on when it is not in use and an ergonomic handle that prevents it from slipping from your hand as you cut. Additionally, the blade release should be effortless.
Sharpening Guide
When you are thinking of which production knives you should look into, sharpness should be one of the first things you check. Besides ensuring the one you choose can retain its edge for a long time, it should come with a sharpening mechanism or should be capable of being sharpened with a stone.
This is important because the knife will lose its sharpness with time and use, which will compromise its performance. A dull blade can also slip off the fish and give you a nasty cut. Stainless steel is your best bet because it maintains its edge for a long time and requires little to no maintenance.
Can you sharpen electric fillet knife blades?
Yes, you can, and if an ad says otherwise, the manufacturer is probably lying so that you can buy a whole new set of blades from them! Sharpening the blades is the most efficient way to save money and ensure your electric knife can perform well for ages.
There are a couple of options you can go with when it comes to sharpening tools. You can use the electric sharpener that comes with the knife, but we suggest you buy one that can handle both serrated and regular edges. Using it is quite easy as well. All you need to do is place the blade between the two rods and run it back and forth through it.
You can also use a sharpening rod, but be careful how you use it, or you can get a nasty cut. Start by detaching the blade from the motor first using the blade release function. Then hold the blade from its flat base making sure that the tip is facing away from you.
Hold the sharpening rod in your other hand and rest it in the first serration of the blade before sliding the blade up and down on the rod. Make sure that the metal remains within that point. Repeat this movement on every serration before flipping the knife and sharpening the serrations from the other side as well.
Portability
Whether you want to use your mechanical knife in the kitchen or out on the open sea, its portability will determine how well you can use it. A corded knife will work best if you are filleting at home or anywhere you have access to a power outlet.
A cordless blade that is powered by batteries is ideal for you if you want to fillet a catch while camping outdoors or any place where a power outlet is nowhere in sight. The ion cordless fillet knife option is portable compared to the corded option, but a battery-operated knife will not have half as much power behind it as a corded one.
On the other hand, a corded knife may result in tangles that can pose dangers. The bottom line is you should choose the blade according to your filleting needs and the environment in you are doing it.
Handle Material
This comes down to preferences, and your choices comprise of plastic, leather, and synthetics. A knife that is equipped with an untreated wood handle is not the right choice since it absorbs that fishy smell.
Similarly, while plastic and rubber handles are not as good as treated wood handles, they provide certain flexibility that can prove invaluable under challenging work conditions. The choice is yours, depending on which handle feels right to you and is ideal for your needs. Just make sure to go for a knife that has an ergonomic handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best electric fish fillet knife is one that can give you the flexibility and performance you need to fillet one fish after another without overheating or losing its sharp edge too quickly. Naturally, the expensive variety has more features and is sustainable enough to last for years of use.
It depends on where you wish to use the knife. For instance, a regular fillet knife is best for you if you have to prepare fillets for mise en place in a restaurant where time is of the essence. Those require a level of precision that a dull mechanical knife may be too fast to maintain. You can use the mechanical variety if you are supplying fresh fillets to a client.
The best one in the market today is the Rapala Lithium-Ion Cordless fillet knife. It isn’t hindered by a cord and is powered by a lithium-ion battery, so you can move around freely. On a full charge, it can run for 80 minutes at a stretch, and it can also be used to carve up other meat, such as a whole chicken roast, easily.
Insider Advice
As for quality, you get what you pay for, but that doesn’t mean the best electric knives can give you the performance you are looking for. What is the best way to narrow down your choice? Read more reviews keeping your needs in mind, and you will find an electric knife that will prove invaluable on every fishing trip or camping trip.
Founder & Angler 
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