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The Best Nonstick Pans for Your Kitchen (2022)
Like a free lunch, there's no such thing as a perfect nonstick pan, but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun figuring out which ones are at least worth owning.
Smithey No. 10 Cast Iron Chef Skillet
Stunner. This is my favorite skillet I own now (bonus points for being a perfect backdrop for twee food photos).
Pros
- Gorgeous, obv.
- Versatile and ergonomic for such a heavy pan.
- Cast iron is great at heating evenly.
Cons
- Cast iron is heavy.
- Eye-watering price tag, but at least it should outlive me 🤷♂️.
- Cast iron requires seasoning.
$140
Smithey
Field #8 Cast Iron Skillet
Absolute unit. LOVE the fine-milled finish. This will be my grilling skillet and it's about to get a ton of use and abuse.
Pros
- Finely-milled surface is just a joy to use.
- Love the straight, high walls.
- Cast iron is great at heating evenly.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Cast iron is really heavy.
- Cast iron requires seasoning.
$145
Field Company
Mauviel M'steel Carbon Fry Pan (9.5")
A classic pro pick. The beeswax it comes in is a pain, but taking the time to remove it is well worth it.
Pros
- Super versatile.
- Carbon steel is like cast iron without all the weight.
Cons
- Beeswax coating sucks.
- Handle isn't very comfortable.
- Like cast iron, it requires seasoning.
$75
Amazon
Great Jones Large Fry
Such a stunner. Would love a riveted handle, but can't win 'em all.
Pros
- Really pretty.
- Lightweight and comfortable to use.
Cons
- Welded handles make me nervous (rivets would be better).
- Ceramic has a very short lifespan.
$75
Great Jones
Made-In Nonstick Frying Pan (10")
Weirdly long handle is uncomfortable. Best branding glow-up of 2020 though. The blue finish is super unique.
Pros
- Nice, textured PTFE finish for browning.
- 5-ply is great for even heating.
Cons
- Awkward handle.
- Pretty expensive for PTFE.
$99
Made In
Black Cube Hybrid Stainless Steel (9.5")
An almost exact clone of the HexClad (or vice-versa). Surprisingly comfy handle!
Pros
- Light and comfortable to use.
- Steel inset seems to do a great job at protecting the finish.
- 3-ply is great for even heating.
Cons
- Far cheaper than the HexClad, which is effectively the same.
$80
Amazon
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Frying Pan (10")
Big infomercial energy and SUPER expensive for a PTFE pan of any kind. Hate the marketing, but we'll see how it goes.
Pros
- Steel inlays do a good job of protecting the PTFE coating.
- Feels more solid than the Black Cube.
- 3-ply is great for even heating.
Cons
- EXPENSIVE — especially for nonstick.
- Marketing is super cringe (and definitely stretching the truth).
$145
Amazon
Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Fry Pan (11")
The marketing for this pan makes SOME CLAIMS. So far, it does seem to be compatible with metal utensils, as claimed.
Pros
- Nice, textured PTFE coating for browning.
- Metal utensil-resistant.
Cons
- Way too expensive for PTFE on aluminum.
$130
Amazon
Misen Nonstick Pan (10")
Lovely handle. Great construction. Love that they're very forthcoming with production and care details.
Pros
- Not completely shit marketing (a breath of fresh air in this category).
- Nice, textured PTFE coating.
- Comfy handle.
Cons
$65
Misen
Carote 10" Nonstick Frying Pan
Super lightweight, very slippery, and lowkey pretty. Seems like a solid deal to me.
Pros
- Pretty nice for the price!
- Finish holds up pretty well for a ceramic.
Cons
- Definitely cheap materials, but finished well enough I'm not too disappointed.
$24
Amazon
GreenPan x Food52 10" Ceramic Frying Pan
Both pans scuffed around the rim within a day of arrival and there are rumors that olive oil completely ruins the finish?Ceramic has a very short lifespan.
Pros
- Pretty attractive finish.
Cons
- Super fragile finish.
- Overpriced (even for a set).
$99
Food 52
T-fal Professional 10" Fry Pan
The traditional recommendation from the old guard. This is my 3rd and it's nearing the end of its lifespan. I hid some of the scuffs with cilantro.
Pros
- Reliable.
- Lightweight.
- Cheap.
Cons
- Not very versatile due to plastic handle and PTFE coating.
$30
Amazon
Our Place Always Pan
Fuckin sucks, man. I wanted to like it so badly. Knew the "7-pans-in-1" marketing had to be false, but not like this... Not like this.
Pros
- Aesthetic, I guess?
- High walls with pour spouts are nice.
Cons
- MASSIVELY overpriced for a plastic, ceramic, and aluminum pan.
- Nonsensical design.
- Fragile finish.
- Ceramic has a very short lifespan.
$145
Our Place
Caraway Fry Pan (10.5")
My friends think this is prettier than I do. Just looks and feels super cheap to me.
Pros
- Attractive in a very "Instagram ad-friendly" kind of way.
Cons
- Ceramic coating has a short lifespan.
- I've had reports that the rivets break down unreasonably quickly and customer service is awful.
$73
Caraway
Misen Carbon Steel Pan (10")
When I needed to replace our original Misen Nonstick, I also added this to my cart and came away super impressed. Same exact design, but with a lot more to love.Definitely takes a little more effort to get used to, but this is the pan I reach for 9 times out of 10.
Pros
- Everything that was great about the Misen Nonstick, but more eco-friendly and durable.
Cons
- Heavy
$0
Discontinued
Tramontina Professional Nonstick (10")
I don't know how absolute garbage like this keeps getting a pass from The Wirecutter, but this pan is trash and no one should own it.I've never owned a kitchen tool I disliked so badly except maybe the Victorinox Fibrox. I love a low price tag, but this quality is so low they should have to pay you to take it off their hands.
Pros
- Cheap
Cons
- Bargain bin materials wear quickly
$33
Amazon