NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food vs Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator
Both made our Best Food Dehydrators for Homemade Dog Treats shortlist, at #1 and #2. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator if you want included jerky kit (gun, seasoning, cure) gets first-timers started without extra purchases. Choose the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator if you'd rather have 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover. Overall we rank the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Food Dehydrators for Homemade Dog Treats list.
Winner overall: NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator vs Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 4 in Best Food Dehydrators for Homemade Dog Treats | #2 of 4 in Best Food Dehydrators for Homemade Dog Treats |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | NESCO | Excalibur |
| Key features | 5 trays included, expandable up to 12; 600W top-mounted fan with Converga-Flow drying; Adjustable thermostat, 95°F to 160°F | 9 stainless steel trays, 15 square feet of drying space; Adjustable thermostat, 105°F to 165°F; Parallex horizontal airflow |
| Biggest strength | Included jerky kit (gun, seasoning, cure) gets first-timers started without extra purchases | 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover |
| Main trade-off | Top-mounted single fan means the tray closest to the fan dries faster, so rotation helps | 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs |
| Best for | jerky | herbs |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator if…
- Included jerky kit (gun, seasoning, cure) gets first-timers started without extra purchases
- 160°F ceiling covers the USDA-recommended safe starting temperature for meat
- Expandable tray system lets you scale up gradually instead of buying a large unit upfront
Best for: jerky
Prefer the alternative? See the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator section.
#2 pick
Choose the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator if…
- 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover
- Horizontal airflow dries every tray at nearly the same rate for consistent batches
- Stainless steel trays clean up easily after resinous herbs like rosemary
Best for: herbs
Prefer the alternative? See the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator section.
Pros and cons of each
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator
Pros
- Included jerky kit (gun, seasoning, cure) gets first-timers started without extra purchases
- 160°F ceiling covers the USDA-recommended safe starting temperature for meat
- Expandable tray system lets you scale up gradually instead of buying a large unit upfront
- Among the highest rating counts in the category, a sign of a long, proven track record
Cons
- Top-mounted single fan means the tray closest to the fan dries faster, so rotation helps
- 5 trays out of the box is modest for large jerky batches without buying add-on trays
- Round tray shape wastes some space compared to square trays for laying out strips
Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator
Pros
- 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover
- Horizontal airflow dries every tray at nearly the same rate for consistent batches
- Stainless steel trays clean up easily after resinous herbs like rosemary
- Largest drying area on this list for a full end-of-season herb harvest
Cons
- 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs
- Highest price on this list, more than most home herb growers need
- Large footprint takes meaningful counter or storage space
NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator vs Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator: common questions
Which is better, the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator or the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?
Choose the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator if you want included jerky kit (gun, seasoning, cure) gets first-timers started without extra purchases. Choose the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator if you'd rather have 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover. Overall we rank the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Food Dehydrators for Homemade Dog Treats list.
What is the difference between the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator and the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?
The NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator stands out because included jerky kit (gun, seasoning, cure) gets first-timers started without extra purchases, while the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator stands out because 9 separate trays make it easy to dry many herb varieties at once without flavor crossover. The trade-offs differ too: the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator's main caveat is that top-mounted single fan means the tray closest to the fan dries faster, so rotation helps, and the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator's is that 105°F floor is higher than the NESCO, COSORI, and Presto, less ideal for the most delicate herbs.
Is the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator worth it over the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator instead if top-mounted single fan means the tray closest to the fan dries faster, so rotation helps is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator instead of the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator?
The Excalibur D900CDSHD 9-Tray Food Dehydrator suits herbs, while the NESCO FD-75A Snackmaster Pro Food Dehydrator is best for jerky.