Magic Mill makes good dehydrators and names them terribly. At the time of writing, Magic Mill’s own catalogue lists nine machines – MFD-500, MFD-5000, MFD-6060, MFD-7070, MFD-7100, MFD-7700, MFD-9100, MFD-1010, and MFD-1098 – and the number tells you the tray count only some of the time.
MFD-9100 is sold as both a ten-tray and a fifteen-tray machine. MFD-1010 has eleven trays. MFD-1098 has ten.
Then you go to Amazon, where half the listings do not print a model number at all — just “Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray, 700W” – so you cannot reliably match what you are buying to what the manufacturer lists. That is the actual problem people have when they search for the best Magic Mill dehydrator, and no other page addresses it.
So below are the five models you can currently buy and verify, ranked, plus a short decoder for the naming. The short version: buy by specification, not by model number.
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Quick Picks: The Best Magic Mill Dehydrator, at a Glance
- 🥇 Best Overall: MFD-7070 – 7 stainless trays, 7.6 sq ft, and the model an independent test lab ranked first
- 💎 Biggest: MFD-1010 – 11 trays and 18 sq ft, the largest machine Magic Mill makes
- 🎯 Best Value: Premium 10-Tray – ten trays and a 48-hour timer, the longest in the line
- 🥈 Best Mid-Size: MFD-6060 – 6 trays and a 7-inch rear fan, for a normal kitchen
- 💰 Best Budget: MFD-500 – 5 trays and 240W, the cheap way to find out
Magic Mill Dehydrator Comparison Table
| Model | Trays | Drying area | Watts | Temp range | Timer | In the box | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Mill MFD-7070 | 7 stainless (13×12 in) | ~7.6 ft² | 600W | 95–167°F (9° steps) | 24 h, 30-min steps | Fruit-roll trays | $$ |
| Magic Mill MFD-1010 | 11 stainless (15.5×15.3 in) | 18 ft² | 1000W | 95–167°F (9° steps) | 24 h digital | 1 plastic mesh + 1 non-stick tray | $$$$ |
| Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray | 10 stainless | Not published | 700W | 95–167°F | 48 h digital | Not published | $$$ |
| Magic Mill MFD-6060 | 6 stainless (1.08 ft² each) | ~6.5 ft² | 480W | 95–158°F (8 presets) | 19.5 h, 30-min steps | Sold separately | $$ |
| Magic Mill MFD-500 | 5 stackable | Not published | 240W | 95–158°F | Digital, auto shut-off | Sold separately | $ |
Two things jump out. The model numbers do not sort by size: MFD-500 has five trays, MFD-6060 has six, MFD-7070 has seven, and then the pattern collapses. And every machine in the line uses stepped temperatures rather than a continuous dial — nine-degree jumps on the bigger models, eight presets on the MFD-6060 — so if you need to set an exact number, this brand is not the one.
How I Ranked Them
Within one brand, the usual criteria collapse, because every machine here has stainless trays and most have a rear fan. So the ranking comes down to three things: usable drying area, the temperature ceiling – 158°F or 167°F decides whether meat is on the table — and timer length, which is what stops a long batch from turning into an over-dried one.
Price breaks the tie, and how to use a food dehydrator is the primer if you have not run one before.
1. 🥇 Best Overall: Magic Mill MFD-7070
- REAR MOUNTED FAN FOR SUPERIOR HEAT DISTRIBUTION – Dries food evenly, This electric dehydration machine is equipped with …
- DIGITAL THERMOSTAT AND TIMER- AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF WHEN TIMER DONE — An adjustable temperature and timer ensure you to ha…
- SPACIOUS ADJUSTABLE 7 XL STAINLESS STEEL TRAYS – INCLUDED FRUIT ROLL TRAYS! Use the trays for regular food and the mesh …
Specs at a glance: 7 stainless (13×12 in) · Drying area: ~7.6 ft² · 600W · 95–167°F (9° steps) · Timer: 24 h, 30-min steps · In the box: Fruit-roll trays
If you want one Magic Mill and are not preserving a harvest, this is it. Seven stainless trays at 13 by 12 inches give about 7.6 square feet — enough for a full batch of jerky plus a tray of something else — behind a clear door with a rear fan, so nothing needs rotating. My full notes are in the Magic Mill MFD-7070 review.
It is also the model with independent backing rather than just mine. TechGearLab tested twelve dehydrators and ranked the seven-tray Magic Mill first overall, calling it “the right size at the right price” and scoring it highest on temperature accuracy. That is worth something on a brand whose own naming is this confusing.
The compromises are the line’s compromises. Temperature moves in nine-degree steps — 95, 104, 113, 122 and so on — and the timer counts in half hours to 24. Fruit-roll trays are included; the fine-mesh screen is plastic, which is worth knowing if you bought stainless for a reason.
Pros
- Seven stainless dishwasher-safe trays, ~7.6 sq ft
- Rear fan and a clear door — no rotating trays
- Ranked first of twelve by an independent test lab
- 95–167°F, high enough for meat, and a 24-hour timer
Cons
- 9°F temperature steps rather than a continuous dial
- The included fine-mesh screen is plastic
- Mid-size — it will not do a whole garden
Who It’s For
Almost everyone buying their first Magic Mill. Skip it if you are drying a harvest. Otherwise the MFD-7070 is the one to default to. The safe choice in a confusing line.
2. 💎 Biggest in the Line: Magic Mill MFD-1010
- NOW WITH 11 TRAYS – Formally with 10 Trays – This Magic Mill Dehydrator Has Been Upgraded to 11 Trays to Add 30 inches o…
- Healthy enjoy the homemade easiest healthiest snacks, preserve foods, without additives, made with BPA free Machine.
- Digital Temperature Control with 95-167 Degree Fahrenheit (with 9 num. increments) Capability with 24 Hour Timer, Horizo…
Specs at a glance: 11 stainless (15.5×15.3 in) · Drying area: 18 ft² · 1000W · 95–167°F (9° steps) · Timer: 24 h digital · In the box: 1 plastic mesh + 1 non-stick tray
Eleven stainless trays at 15.5 by 15.3 inches give 18 square feet, which is the most Magic Mill makes and among the most any consumer brand makes. A thousand watts drives it. If you are drying a garden, a hunting season or a month of meal prep, this is the model. It’s also the top pick in our best dehydrator for hunters guide. Full write-up in my Magic Mill MFD-1010 review, and it leads the large-capacity guide.
It is a genuinely different class of machine from the rest of this page — more than twice the area of the MFD-7070 and roughly double the price. The trays are square with no centre hole, which is why eleven of them hold as much as they do, and the rear fan finishes the top and bottom together.
Magic Mill’s own listing puts one non-stick tray and one plastic fine-mesh tray in the box, which on an eighteen-square-foot machine is not many. Order more sheets with it if you dry anything small or liquid. A standard 14 × 14 sheet fits its trays without trimming; I cover which sheets fit a Magic Mill, including the 13 × 12 in trays on the MFD-7070.
Pros
- 18 sq ft across eleven big square trays — the largest here
- 1000W, enough to drive a full wet load
- Rear horizontal airflow and a 24-hour digital timer
- Stainless trays that shrug off garlic, onion and marinade
Cons
- Roughly double the price of the MFD-7070
- Only one non-stick and one plastic mesh tray included
- 9°F steps, and it needs permanent shelf space
Who It’s For
Gardens, hunters and anyone who has run out of trays. Skip it if a normal kitchen batch is your normal. Otherwise the MFD-1010 is the volume answer. The big one.
3. 🎯 Best Value: Magic Mill Premium 10-Tray
- Rear Mounted Fan for Even Drying – Designed with a rear-mounted fan and advanced Precision Airflow circulation, this deh…
- Intelligent Digital Control System for Temperature, Timer, and Keep Warm Function – Customize dehydration with precision…
- Smart Safety Functions – Automatic Shut-Off + Overheat Protection will activate if the dehydrator overheats. Built with …
Specs at a glance: 10 stainless · Drying area: Not published · 700W · 95–167°F · Timer: 48 h digital · In the box: Not published
This is the listing that makes the point of this page. Amazon sells it as the “Magic Mill Premium Food Dehydrator, 10 Extra-Large Stainless Steel Trays, 700W, 48-Hour Digital Timer, 95–167°F” — and prints no model number anywhere. Magic Mill’s own site lists two different ten-tray machines, the MFD-9100 and the MFD-1098, at different prices. You cannot tell from the listing which one this is, or whether it is a third thing.
What you can tell is what it does, and the specification is good: ten stainless trays, 700 watts, the same 95 to 167°F range as the bigger models, and a 48-hour timer — the longest in the line and double what the MFD-1010 gives you. On a deep load of apple or pear that is the difference between one run and getting up to restart it.
Ten trays sits between the MFD-7070’s seven and the MFD-1010’s eleven, at a price closer to the middle. The drying area is not published, which is why it is not ranked above the MFD-7070 — I will not estimate a number for a table.
Pros
- Ten stainless trays at 700W
- 48-hour timer — the longest Magic Mill offers
- 95–167°F, the full range, including meat temperatures
- Sits between the 7-tray and the 11-tray on both size and price
Cons
- No model number on the listing, so it is hard to match to the catalogue
- Drying area is not published anywhere
- Accessories are not specified either
Who It’s For
People who want more than seven trays without the MFD-1010’s price, and who care about a long timer. Skip it if you want to know exactly which model you are getting. Otherwise the Premium 10-Tray is the best value in the line. Good machine, vague listing.
4. 🥈 Best Mid-Size: Magic Mill MFD-6060
- FULL-STAINLESS BUILD, INSIDE & OUT | Built the way a premium dehydrator should be—stainless steel exterior + stainless i…
- POWERFUL 600W REAR FAN EVEN-DRYING SYSTEM | Rear-mounted fan and rear heat deliver consistent airflow across every tray …
- PRECISION DIGITAL CONTROL 95–176°F in 1° increments – Dial in your exact temperature with 1-degree increments for repeat…
Specs at a glance: 6 stainless (1.08 ft² each) · Drying area: ~6.5 ft² · 480W · 95–158°F (8 presets) · Timer: 19.5 h, 30-min steps · In the box: Sold separately
Six stainless trays at 1.08 square feet each give about 6.5 square feet, which is a normal household dehydrator — one good batch at a time. What makes it worth its place is the fan: a seven-inch rear unit, the same approach as the bigger models rather than the bottom-mounted fan most machines at this price use. This piece on airflow explains why that matters. Full review in my Magic Mill 6-tray review.
The controls are simpler than the bigger models: eight preset temperatures from 95 to 158°F rather than a stepped range, and a timer that runs to 19.5 hours in half-hour increments. For mushrooms, fruit and vegetables that is plenty; for meat the 158°F ceiling is lower than the 167°F the MFD-7070 reaches.
Pros
- Rear 7-inch fan at a mid-range price
- Six stainless dishwasher-safe trays, ~6.5 sq ft
- Eight presets from 95°F to 158°F, simple to use
- Smaller footprint than the 7-tray
Cons
- 158°F ceiling is low for meat
- 19.5-hour timer is the shortest in the line
- No sheets or screens in the box
Who It’s For
Small kitchens and anyone drying fruit, vegetables and herbs rather than meat. Skip it if jerky is the plan. Otherwise the MFD-6060 is the sensible smaller Magic Mill. A proper fan at a modest size.
5. 💰 Best Budget: Magic Mill MFD-500
- POWERFUL FOOD DRYING PROCESS – Magic Mill Compact Food Dehydrator Machine streamlines 240W drying capacity that offers a…
- MULTI-LAYER AND ADJUSTABLE TRAYS – This Fruit and Herb Dehydrator features five (5) food-grade adjustable trays that all…
- TOP-NOTCH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION – Our Meat Dehydrator comes with premium stainless steel trays that passed the quality…
Specs at a glance: 5 stackable · Drying area: Not published · 240W · 95–158°F · Timer: Digital, auto shut-off · In the box: Sold separately
Two hundred and forty watts and five stackable trays is the cheap end of the line, and it is honest about what it is: a way to find out whether you will use a dehydrator before spending real money. Digital temperature control from 95 to 158°F, a timer with auto shut-off, and a footprint that goes in a cupboard. My notes are in the Magic Mill 5-tray review. It’s also the stainless-steel pick in my dehydrators under $100 guide.
Be clear about the trade. Two hundred and forty watts is a quarter of what the MFD-1010 draws, tray spacing is tight, and this is a stacking machine rather than a cabinet — so the lowest tray dries first and you will be rotating. For a first machine and a few trays of fruit it is fine. For a full load of anything wet it is slow.
Pros
- The cheapest way into the brand
- Digital control and a timer with auto shut-off, at this price
- Small enough to store between uses
- 95–158°F covers fruit, vegetables and herbs
Cons
- 240W — by far the least power in the line
- Stacking design means rotating trays
- Tight spacing between trays, and no sheets included
Who It’s For
First-timers testing the habit. Skip it if you already know you will use it weekly. Otherwise the MFD-500 answers the question cheaply. A way in, not a keeper.
Magic Mill Model Numbers, Decoded
This is the section that should exist on the manufacturer’s site and does not. Here is what the numbers actually mean, taken from Magic Mill’s own catalogue.
- MFD-500 — 5 trays. MFD-6060 — 6 trays. MFD-7070 — 7 trays. So far the first digit is the tray count, and if you stopped reading here you would think the system works.
- MFD-7100 — also 7 trays, and a different machine from the MFD-7070. MFD-7700 — a third “7” model. MFD-5000 — a different machine from the MFD-500, at a different price.
- MFD-9100 — sold as a ten-tray machine and as a fifteen-tray machine, under the same model number. Not nine trays, in either case.
- MFD-1010 — 11 trays. MFD-1098 — 10 trays. Two “10” numbers, neither of which means ten in the way you would guess.
So the rule is: the number is a product code, not a specification. It tracks tray count for the three smallest machines and then stops. Anyone telling you the MFD-9100 is a nine-tray dehydrator has read the name rather than the listing.
And on Amazon, the number often is not there at all
Several Magic Mill dehydrators sell on Amazon under descriptive titles with no model number — “Premium Food Dehydrator, 10 Extra-Large Stainless Steel Trays, 700W” and similar. That is not dishonest, but it does mean you cannot cross-reference a listing against the manufacturer’s catalogue, and two listings with the same tray count can be different machines.
The practical answer is the one at the top of this page: buy on the four specifications that actually differ — tray count, wattage, temperature ceiling and timer length — and treat the model number as a label rather than information. Every row in the table above is filled in from those four.
What the Whole Line Has in Common
Whichever model you choose, three things are true across the range, and they are the real reasons to pick Magic Mill or not.
- Stainless trays, plastic screens. The trays are steel on every model here, which is the brand’s main selling point and a genuine one — steel does not stain or hold the smell of garlic. But the fine-mesh screens that come with them are plastic, by Magic Mill’s own listings, and those sit directly under the food. The stainless steel guide covers do that properly.
- Rear fans and clear doors, not stacking trays. Apart from the MFD-500, these are cabinet machines with the fan at the back, so a full load finishes together and nothing needs rotating. At this price, that is not universal, and it is the single biggest reason the line is worth considering.
- Stepped temperatures, never exact ones. Nine-degree jumps on the bigger models, eight presets on the MFD-6060. Useful settings exist at 113°F and 122°F but not at 115°F, which matters for raw food and matters not at all for jerky.
None of that is a reason to avoid the brand. It is a reason to know what you are getting, which is the whole difficulty with a line named like this one. 6 essential dehydrating tips cover the habits that matter more than the badge on the front.
Magic Mill Dehydrator FAQs
Which Magic Mill dehydrator is the best one?
The MFD-7070 for most people — seven stainless trays, about 7.6 square feet, a rear fan and a clear door, and an independent test lab ranked it first of twelve machines. Go to the MFD-1010 only if you are drying a harvest, because it is roughly double the price for more than double the area.
How many trays does the MFD-9100 have?
Ten or fifteen, depending which one you buy — Magic Mill sells both under the same model number. It does not have nine, which is what the name suggests. This is the clearest example of why the model numbers are not worth reading as specifications.
What is the difference between the MFD-1010 and the MFD-1098?
Tray count and size. The MFD-1010 has eleven large trays and 18 square feet; the MFD-1098 is a ten-tray Pro model at a lower price. Despite both starting “10”, neither has ten trays in the way the number implies — the MFD-1010 has eleven.
Are Magic Mill trays really stainless steel?
The trays are, on every model on this page, and that is worth having — steel does not stain from beetroot or hold the smell of garlic the way plastic does. The fine-mesh screens supplied with them are plastic, by Magic Mill’s own listings, and those are the parts that sit directly under small food.
Can you set an exact temperature on a Magic Mill?
No. The bigger models move in nine-degree steps from 95°F — so 95, 104, 113, 122 and so on — and the MFD-6060 has eight presets between 95 and 158°F. That is fine for fruit, vegetables and jerky, and awkward if you are working to a specific number.
Is Magic Mill a good brand?
Yes, with a caveat. The machines are well built for the money, with stainless trays and rear fans at prices where most rivals use plastic trays and a bottom fan. The caveat is entirely about buying one: the model numbering is inconsistent, and half the Amazon listings omit it, so check the specification rather than the name.
Final Verdict: Which Magic Mill Should You Buy?
- If you want one machine and a normal kitchen, get the MFD-7070. Seven stainless trays, a rear fan, and the best independent test result in the line.
- If you are drying a harvest, get the MFD-1010 — 18 square feet and 1000W — and order extra sheets with it.
- If you want ten trays and a long timer, get the Premium 10-Tray for its 48-hour timer, accepting that the listing will not tell you the model number.
- If the kitchen is small and you do not dry meat, get the MFD-6060 — a proper rear fan at six trays.
- If you are finding out whether you will use one at all, get the MFD-500 and spend the difference on something else.
Personal Tips You Can Steal
I write the model number on a strip of tape inside the door the day the machine arrives, because in two years you will want to order trays and the box will be long gone. I buy stainless mesh inserts at the same time as the machine rather than after.
And I check the tray dimensions rather than the tray count when comparing two Magic Mills, because on this line that is the only number that behaves.
More Dehydrator Buying Guides
- Best Large Capacity Dehydrator — how the MFD-1010 compares with the biggest machines from other brands.
- Best Stainless Steel Dehydrator — what is actually steel across the brands, and what is not.
- Best Dehydrator for Jerky — the meat picks, and the 160°F pre-heat rule.
- Best Dehydrator for Beginners — if this would be your first machine of any kind.
P.S. Whichever one you order, check the tray dimensions on the listing before you click. On this brand it is the only number that means the same thing twice 🙂