Which is better for jerky?

The Excalibur. Horizontal airflow and its higher top temperature suit jerky better, and drips fall away from the food. The NESCO works for jerky but its 158°F ceiling and bottom fan are less ideal.

Is the Excalibur worth the extra $23?

If you dry jerky or large batches regularly, yes. If you mostly dry fruit and herbs a few times a year, the NESCO at $56.99 covers it for less.

Which has more drying space?

The Excalibur. Its trays are about 15 x 15 inches versus the NESCO's 12.5 x 10.75 inches, so each load holds more.

Which is easier to clean?

The NESCO. Its clear trays fold and rotate 180°, and the clear body shows messes. The Excalibur's solid trays are larger and fixed.

Do both have a timer?

Yes. The NESCO has a digital timer from 1 to 24 hours in half-hour steps. The Excalibur has a built-in timer on its dial controls.

Both are simple, low-wattage machines with few failure points. The NESCO's digital panel is the more likely part to fail; the Excalibur's dials are simpler. Neither has a clear edge on lifespan.

Excalibur 5-Tray Food Dehydrator vs NESCO 5-Tray Rectangular Food Dehydrator

Buy the NESCO if you want the lowest price and a digital timer with a wide 95–158°F range; it is $56.99 at Walmart as of November 4, 2026. Buy the Excalibur if you want horizontal airflow, the layout that keeps drippings off lower trays and is the standard for jerky. The Excalibur is $79.99 at eBay as of November 4, 2026, about $23 more.

Today the NESCO 5-Tray Rectangular Food Dehydrator costs $23.00 less at its best price.

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