The vibrating chef’s knife has arrived, and it’s nothing like the electric slicing knives you’re used to. Seattle Ultrasonics unveiled the C-200, claiming it’s the first ultrasonic chef’s knife designed for home cooks. With the push of a button, $399 rechargeable knife vibrates more than 40,000 times per second. The company says this creates less friction during cutting, produces cleaner slices, and reduces the force needed by half.
A new high-tech knife from Seattle Ultrasonics promises to make dinner prep easier on the arms.
The technology comes from industrial food processing, now miniaturized for residential kitchens. From stubborn tomato skins to tough root vegetables, the C-200 aims to turn kitchen prep from physical work into effortless precision.
Is it necessary? Debatable. Will chopping onions feel like wielding a piece of sci-fi equipment? Absolutely. We’ll know more once the C-200 hits the market and gets put through real-world testing.
What is an ultrasonic knife?
The brainchild of culinary engineer Scott Heimendinger, the C-200 looks like a standard chef’s knife until you press a power button on the side of the handle. From there, microscopic vibrations — which you can’t see, hear, or feel — create what the company calls a “nonstick effect” that powers the blade smoothly through even the densest ingredients and prevents food from sticking.
“I’ve seen firsthand how industrial ultrasonic technology makes clean, effortless cuts,” said Heimendinger, who spent nearly six years developing the knife. “I asked myself, ‘Could I fit that technology into a chef’s knife?’ After years of research, development, and more than a few setbacks, the answer is yes.”
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Built like a traditional knife, powered like a gadget
A button on the handle unleashes the power of 40,000 tiny vibrations per second.
Despite its futuristic functionality, the C-200 maintains the features of good knife design. The 8-inch blade is made of Japanese AUS-10 san mai stainless steel, which is durable and corrosion-resistant. You can still rock chop herbs, smash garlic, and hand-wash it like any other knife. The button and grip work for righties and lefties, and the blade can be resharpened using traditional methods.
The knife’s cordless design includes a removable battery pack that charges via USB-C. Seattle Ultrasonics offers a $149 wireless charging tile made from solid hardwood that can mount to walls without drilling for those wanting a more elegant charging solution.
A 9-minute YouTube video distributed with the release explains the science of ultrasonic cutting and demonstrates how the vibrating knife works.
Tech meets kitchen testing
Ultrasonic cutting has long been used for industrial applications.
The C-200 represents his latest attempt to bridge the gap between professional culinary technology and home cooking. While ultrasonic cutting has been used industrially for years, miniaturizing it into a kitchen knife required solving challenges around power management, ergonomics, and durability.
Can a vibrating knife help those with arthritis or dexterity issues?
CNET emailed Seattle Ultrasonics to see how this vibrating knife might benefit people with arthritis or dexterity limitations.
Although the knife is not specifically designed for people with arthritis, a rep confirmed that “cutting with less force is indeed a benefit for anyone with limited mobility or reduced arm strength.”
Availability and pricing
A limited-time bundle package includes the knife and charging tile for $499.
Preorders for the C-200 Ultrasonic Chef’s Knife are open at seattleultrasonics.com, with delivery expected in January 2026. The knife costs $399 in the US and $529 in Canada. A limited-time bundle package includes the knife and charging tile for $499.
CNET plans to test the C-200 as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, here are the best (analog) chef’s knives out of more than a dozen we tested, and tips for keeping your knives from dulling.