# Best Excalibur dehydrators: 5 to 10 trays compared Source: https://freezeandseal.com/best/best-excalibur-dehydrator Publisher: Freeze & Seal. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://freezeandseal.com/how-we-pick Excalibur sells several lines that look alike in photos but differ in ways that matter once you own one. The Select Series uses chrome-plated trays and glass French doors. The Performance Series moves to stainless steel trays, a longer 80 hour timer and an LED progress bar. The RES10 splits the cabinet into two zones you can run at different settings, and the older 3548CDB is a compact 5-tray box with a 48 hour digital timer. Tray count alone is misleading: the listings put the 6-tray models at 9.6 sq ft and the 10-tray RES10 at 9.3 sq ft. This guide compares seven Excalibur listings by drying area, tray count and material, temperature range, timer and door, so you can see what each price step adds. Every number comes from the listing; anything missing is marked Not stated. ## Picks ### 1. Excalibur Food Dehydrator Select Series for Jerky, Fruit, Vegetables, Herbs, Pet Treats with Adjustable Temperature Control, 10-Tray Drying area: 16 sq ft; Trays: 10 chrome; Temp range: 85 to 165 F; Timer: Up to 60 hours; Door: Glass French doors The same 16 sq ft of drying space as the Performance 10-tray, with chrome trays and a 60 hour timer, for about $50 less. What the listing offers: - Matches the Performance 10-Tray's 16 sq ft drying area. - Glass French doors let you check food without disturbing airflow. - Hyperwave Pulse with Horizontal Parallex airflow, no tray rotation. Limits to know: - Chrome-plated trays rather than stainless steel. - The timer tops out at 60 hours instead of 80 hours. ### 2. Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator Performance Series 6-Tray with Adjustable Temperature Control Includes Stainless Steel Drying Trays Glass Door Top View Window and LED Display Progress Bar, Black Drying area: 9.6 sq ft; Trays: 6 stainless steel; Temp range: 85 to 165 F; Timer: Up to 80 hours; Door: Glass door with top view window A smaller Performance model with stainless trays and the 80 hour timer. Fits households that want stainless without a 10-tray footprint. What the listing offers: - Stainless steel trays with 9.6 sq ft of drying space. - The 80 hour timer matches the larger Performance model. - An LED control panel with a display progress bar. Limits to know: - About $90 more than the 6-tray Select with the same stated area. - Wattage is not stated on the listing for this Performance model. ### 3. Excalibur RES10 10-Tray Electric Food Dehydrator with Smart Digital Controller Features Two Drying Zones with Adjustable Time and Temperatures Program and Save 30 Recipes Made in USA, 10-Tray, Black Drying area: 9.3 sq ft; Trays: 10 (material not stated); Temp range: 85 to 165 F; Timer: Two zones, two time and temp stages each; Door: Clear double door The Excalibur for running two foods at once. Each zone has its own two-stage time and temperature program, and the controller saves 30 recipes. What the listing offers: - Two zones run at the same time with different settings. - Program and save up to 30 recipes, per the title. - Made in USA, according to the listing title. Limits to know: - 9.3 sq ft is less drying area than the 6-tray Performance model. - Tray material is not stated on the listing. ### 4. Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator Select Series 6-Tray with Adjustable Temperature Control Includes Chrome Plated Drying Trays Stainless Steel Construction and Glass French Doors, 700-Watts, Black Drying area: 9.6 sq ft; Trays: 6 chrome; Temp range: 85 to 165 F; Timer: Up to 60 hours; Door: Glass French doors The entry Select model with 9.6 sq ft of drying space, stainless construction and 700 watts, per the title. A fit for small households. What the listing offers: - Same 9.6 sq ft as the 6-tray Performance at a lower price. - The title states stainless steel construction and 700 watts. - Glass French doors for checking progress. Limits to know: - The 60 hour timer is shorter than the Performance models. - Chrome-plated trays instead of stainless steel. ### 5. Excalibur Food Dehydrator Select Series for Jerky, Fruit, Vegetables, Herbs, Pet Treats with Adjustable Temperature Control, 8-Tray Drying area: Not stated; Trays: 8 chrome; Temp range: 85 to 165 F; Timer: Up to 80 hours; Door: Glass French doors A Select model with 8 chrome trays in what the listing calls a smaller footprint. It lists the long 80 hour timer at a lower price. What the listing offers: - The listing states up to 80 hours of drying time. - Compact design with a smaller footprint, per the listing. - Glass French doors and Hyperwave Pulse airflow. Limits to know: - Drying area in square feet is not stated. - Chrome trays rather than stainless steel ones. ### 6. Excalibur 3548CDB Electric Food Dehydrator Features Adjustable Thermostat and Digital 48-Hour Timer Faster and Efficient Drying, 5-Tray, Black Drying area: 8 sq ft; Trays: 5 (material not stated); Temp range: 95 to 165 F; Timer: 48 hour digital, two time and two temp settings; Door: Clear door The older compact Excalibur with a 48 hour digital timer and two-stage time and temperature settings. Suits garden leftovers and small batches. What the listing offers: - Two time and two temperature settings speed up drying, per the listing. - 8 sq ft of drying space in a 5-tray body. - A clear door lets you check progress without interrupting drying. Limits to know: - The shortest maximum timer here at 48 hours. - The 95 F minimum is higher than the 85 F of newer models. ### 7. Excalibur Electric Food Dehydrator Performance Series 10-Tray with Adjustable Temperature Control Includes Stainless Steel Drying Trays Glass Door Top View Window and LED Display Progress Bar, Black Drying area: 16 sq ft; Trays: 10 stainless steel; Temp range: 85 to 165 F; Timer: Up to 80 hours; Door: Glass door with top view window A smaller cabinet for buyers who want an established home brand. Stainless trays, an 80 hour timer and Hyperwave airflow, but less space than true commercial units. What the listing offers: - The listing states drying without tray rotation via Horizontal Parallex airflow. - Up to 80 hours of timer for long, low-temperature drying. - Stainless steel trays with a top view window in the door. Limits to know: - 16 sq ft is the least drying area in this guide. - The 165 F top temperature is below the 190 F commercial cabinets. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.