Every meat slicer gets a score from 0 to 100% built from six factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Slicers are grouped by blade diameter, under 9.5 in and 9.5 in and up, and use the same scale in both groups.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per inch of blade diameter | 20% |
| Blade size | blade diameter | 20% |
| Motor | motor rating in watts | 15% |
| Slice range | thickest slice setting | 10% |
| Features | built-in sharpener, NSF certification, removable carriage and ETL or UL listing | 25% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Blade size, motor, slice range, features and warranty come from the maker’s spec sheet or product page, or the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Where a maker’s own figures conflict (for example a page that gives two different maximum slice thicknesses), the figure is left out rather than guessed. Prices are checked at the stores the page links to, and the lowest price is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the blade diameter, in dollars per inch, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. $150 per inch scores zero and $8 per inch full marks.
Blade size is the blade diameter: 7 in scores zero and 12 in full marks.
Motor is the maker’s motor rating in watts, on a log scale: 100 W scores zero and 500 W full marks. Where a maker gives only horsepower, it is converted at 746 W per HP.
Slice range is the thickest slice setting: 10 mm scores zero and 20 mm full marks.
Features is 30% for a built-in sharpener, 30% for NSF certification, 20% for a removable food carriage or tray and 20% for an ETL or UL electrical safety listing.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Blade material, the number of blades included, drive type, whether the blade is removable, the largest food size, weight and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features are never scored neutral: a feature the maker doesn’t mention counts as absent, so a sparse listing never outscores one that lists a feature. The other exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as a one-year warranty, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.