Magic Mill has carved out a reputation as the “value alternative” to Excalibur, offering stainless steel construction and horizontal airflow at prices 30-40% lower than the American-made competitor. Their 7-tray and 10-tray models dominate Amazon’s bestseller lists, promising professional-grade features for home budgets.
After extensive testing, the Magic Mill delivers on most promises but reveals some compromises. The drying performance rivals units costing $100 more, but the inability to adjust settings mid-cycle and the slightly higher noise level temper enthusiasm. For patient users who plan their drying cycles in advance, this represents exceptional value.
7-Tray vs. 10-Tray Models
Magic Mill offers two primary models differing mainly in capacity:
MFD-7070 (7-Tray): Measures 16.75″ x 13.5″ x 12.5″ and provides approximately 7.5 square feet of drying space. The 600W heating element handles this capacity efficiently. Priced at $130-$150, it targets families and regular hobbyists.
MFD-1010 (10-Tray): Taller at 16.75″ x 13.5″ x 17.75″ with 11+ square feet of capacity. The same 600W element powers both, so drying times remain similar—the 10-Tray simply handles more volume per batch. Priced at $180-$200, it suits serious homesteaders.
The 7-Tray suffices for most families processing 2-3 pounds of food weekly. Upgrade to the 10-Tray only if you regularly process garden harvests or make jerky in bulk. The 7-Tray offers better value per dollar.
Drying Performance
The Magic Mill produces excellent drying results that consistently surprised us during testing.
Beef Jerky: In head-to-head testing, the Magic Mill produced the best jerky of any unit under $200—including the Cosori. The texture was tender yet dry, with no case hardening. Credit the horizontal airflow and precisely calibrated heating element that maintains steady temperatures without spikes.
Fruit Leather: Using the included fruit leather trays, we produced perfect strawberry leather in 8 hours. The non-stick coating on Magic Mill’s trays outperforms Cosori’s included plastic sheet significantly.
Apple Chips: Even drying across all trays without rotation. Seven trays of sliced apples (approximately 5 pounds) dried to leathery consistency in 6 hours at 135°F.
Herbs: The 95°F minimum preserves delicate herbs effectively. Basil retained vibrant green color after 4 hours.
Control Limitations
Here’s where the Magic Mill frustrates: once you start a cycle, you cannot adjust temperature or time without stopping completely and restarting.
The Problem: You’re drying jerky at 160°F and want to drop to 145°F for the final 2 hours to prevent over-drying. With Cosori or Excalibur, you simply adjust settings. With Magic Mill, you must hit stop (which resets the timer to zero), restart at 145°F, and remember how much time remains.
Set the unit for less time than needed (say, 4 hours), then restart with remaining time if food isn’t done. This prevents over-drying but requires you to be present at the original shutoff time.
This limitation reflects budget engineering—the control board lacks memory to retain settings when stopped. It’s annoying but not deal-breaking if you plan cycles carefully.
Included Features
Where Magic Mill excels is accessories. Unlike Cosori, which includes inadequate sheets, Magic Mill provides:
- 2 mesh sheets for fine items
- 2 fruit leather trays with proper non-stick coating
- 1 silicone oven mitt
- 1 drip tray
This $30+ value in included accessories narrows the effective price gap with competitors.
The “keep warm” function (holds at 104°F for up to 24 hours) proves genuinely useful if you can’t unload immediately after drying completes.
Magic Mill vs. Cosori vs. Excalibur
| Feature | Magic Mill 7-Tray | Cosori 6-Tray | Excalibur 5-Tray |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $130-$150 | $150-$170 | $220-$250 |
| Trays | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Tray Quality | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Mid-Cycle Adjust | No | Yes | Yes |
| Noise | 55 dB | 48 dB | 60 dB |
| Jerky Quality | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
Choose Magic Mill if you prioritize jerky quality and included accessories over mid-cycle adjustability. The inability to change settings without stopping is the primary drawback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Long-term user reports suggest 5-7 year lifespan with regular use. The heating elements and fans are robust, but some users report control panel failures after 3+ years. The 1-year warranty is standard for the price. For longer warranties, consider Excalibur (10 years).
Yes, through Amazon and Magic Mill’s website at $18-$22 per tray. Stock availability is generally good. The 7-Tray and 10-Tray use identical tray dimensions (13″ x 12″), so trays are interchangeable between models.
Yes, despite the control limitation. The included recipe book is comprehensive, and the presets simplify operation. The inability to adjust mid-cycle actually prevents beginners from overthinking—set it and let it run. For absolute beginners, the Cosori Mini might be simpler, but the Magic Mill offers room to grow.
Magic Mill dehydrators are manufactured in China to US specifications. This explains the lower price compared to Made in USA Excalibur units. Quality control is generally good, but consistency isn’t perfect—some units show minor finish defects that don’t affect performance.
Bottom Line
The Magic Mill dehydrator offers the best jerky quality we’ve tested under $200, includes excellent accessories, and provides genuine stainless steel construction at a budget-friendly price. The inability to adjust settings mid-cycle is frustrating but manageable with planning.
If you prioritize drying results and value over convenience features, the Magic Mill 7-Tray is arguably the best dehydrator under $150. The 10-Tray suits volume users, but most should start with the 7-Tray and upgrade only if needed.
Magic Mill Pro 7-Tray Dehydrator
Pros
- Excellent jerky quality
- Great included accessories
- 7 tray capacity
- Keep warm function
- Good value for stainless steel
Cons
- Cannot adjust settings mid-cycle
- Louder than Cosori
- 1-year warranty only
