At CES 2026, a knife that vibrates while you cut has turned heads and sparked intrigue among attendees. On a recent Sunday evening, I found myself at the Unveiled media event, where I was given the chance to chop vegetables with a truly unique tool — a knife that vibrated as it sliced through a tomato.
Now, before you think this is just another gimmick from a cooking show, let me assure you that there’s more practicality here than meets the eye. Seattle Ultrasonics is set to release the C-200 UltraSonic Chef's Knife this month, and it features an orange button on its handle that activates vibrations in its eight-inch Japanese steel blade at an astonishing rate of about 30,000 times per second. This innovative design allows the knife to glide through ingredients much more effortlessly than your typical kitchen knife; it also helps prevent food particles from sticking to the blade and reduces the frequency at which sharpening is needed.
When it comes to slicing and dicing, the performance is impressive. According to a representative from Seattle Ultrasonics, the C-200 only vibrates a minuscule distance of 10 to 20 microns — that’s roughly a quarter of the width of a grain of salt. This means you won’t feel or see any noticeable movement while using it. The knife resembles a conventional chef's knife but has a slightly heavier feel. I became convinced that Seattle Ultrasonics wasn't pulling my leg with a standard knife because I could hear a distinct high-pitched ping when it made contact with wet surfaces, reminiscent of the sound produced when you run a damp finger along the rim of a wine glass.
While I wouldn’t claim that the C-200 outperformed the lovely new chef's knife I received for Christmas, it certainly made the task of cutting enjoyable. I effortlessly sliced paper-thin tomato pieces with just a gentle touch. A comparison made by the company highlighted the difference in user experience, likening it to the ease of riding an e-bike compared to a traditional bicycle.
Beyond the vibration feature, the C-200 is also aesthetically pleasing. This knife has been six years in development and is touted as the first ultrasonic knife designed specifically for home cooks. Unlike commercial ultrasonic knives, which tend to be bulky and expensive (with some measuring the size of a shoebox), the C-200 has a compact circuit board cleverly folded within its handle to maintain a manageable size.
An added bonus is that the C-200 is rated IP65 for water resistance, allowing for easy hand washing like any regular chef's knife. Plus, it comes with a removable battery that can be recharged using a USB-C connection.
The initial production run of the C-200 has already sold out, and shipping is set to begin later this month. A second batch of reservations is currently open on the Seattle Ultrasonics website, with a general release anticipated in March. The knife is priced at $399 on its own, or $499 when bundled with a stylish wireless mahogany charging tile. While this price tag might seem steep for casual cooks, it’s worth noting that many other premium Japanese chef's knives, which do not have the added benefit of vibration, can cost the same or even more.
If you're curious about the latest and greatest in the tech world, be sure to check out the Mashable CES 2026 hub for ongoing news and updates from one of the biggest technology showcases around.
