I Tested 26 Flatware Sets to Find Elegant, Versatile Picks for Any Occasion

The idea of having fine silverware for company appeals to me, in theory. However, I don’t have the space for multiple sets in my Brooklyn kitchen. This makes finding the right daily flatware even more important. My ideal set is versatile and pleasantly heavy. It should be casual enough for when I’m eating takeout on the couch, but still have the visual oomph for a dinner party. 

Utensils get near-daily use, so it’s worth finding a flatware set you love. The differences between individual pieces may seem subtle at first—after all, even the most basic fork can spear a piece of chicken—but slight differences and heft, and size have an impact. I weighed, measured, sliced, slurped, and speared my way through 19 flatware sets to determine which were the best.

The Winners, at a Glance

This set is simple, elegant, and nicely heavy. The finish is smooth, and the knife was slice enough to cut through meat without much resistance. It's an all-around beautiful and functional set.

The Zwilling Provence 45-piece offers weighty flatware at an affordable price point. This set is well-portioned and easy to use. The hefty knife felt powerful and easily sliced through vegetables and chicken. 

This set comes with a dozen (yes!) place settings, plus some bonus pieces, including a serving fork, serving spoons, and sugar spoons. It's a fantastic value, and it regularly goes on sale.

Slightly smaller pieces and colorful resin handles give this set a casual feeling that’s perfect for cozy dinners at home. It’s available in 12 different colors, including playful pinks and greens and chic matte black or cream. The Mepra fantasia flatware also offers superb heft and balance—each piece is impressively weighty. 

The Fortessa flatware is chic and modern—elongated handles add a little drama to its design. Balanced proportions kept these large pieces from feeling oversized. They’re easy to wield and fit comfortably in the mouth.

This set has heavy handles, clean lines, and smooth edges. The spoons are especially nice, with a gentle slope. This manufacturer also makes Caesna steak knives and serving sets, which you can purchase separately to complete your table setting.

This weighty set feels high-end and is well-crafted with gently tapered handles. The knives are slightly serrated, making them more versatile than most. Its classic aesthetic would go well with nearly every aesthetic.

The Tests

• Design Evaluation: I weighed and measured each piece of flatware. I handled each utensil to evaluate its feel and balance. 
• Chicken Breast Test: I used the knife and fork from each set to slice a roasted chicken breast, taking note of any shredding or difficulty. 
• Soup Test: I used both spoons from each set to eat two ounces of tomato soup, evaluating their capacity and balance.
• Farro Salad Test: To evaluate forks, I ate a three-ounce portion of farro salad with each set. I switched between the salad and dinner forks, assessing their spearing and scooping abilities.  
• Cleanup Test: I hand-washed each piece of flatware with dish soap and a sponge after testing. I also ran each set through the dishwasher, checking for wear or discoloration. 

What We Learned

The Heaviest Flatware Came Out on Top 

Weight is an indicator of quality—heavier flatware tends to feel sturdier and more luxurious. It might sound subtle, but the difference is real. A study conducted by Oxford University concluded that heavier flatware makes eating more enjoyable, and diners eating with high-end silverware consistently rated their meals as better. During testing, I found that weight and balance worked hand-in-hand to create the most pleasant eating experience.

Even though it was heavy (3.7 ounces), the Williams Sonoma Hampstead knife felt awkward—its hollow handle threw off the balance. The solid two-ounce Fortessa knife felt considerably more powerful. 

Due to its poor balance, the Oneida Voss 45-Piece Flatware Set’s 2.1-ounce salad fork was awkward and unwieldy compared to Robert Welch Westbury’s 6.3-ounce version. Still, I preferred the heavier sets. The average weight of dinner forks was 1.6 ounces. Models that fell significantly below this, including the 1.2-ounce and 1.3-ounce offerings from Pflatzgraff and Oneida, felt thin and flimsy. 

How Much Did the Flatware Weigh?
Set	Dinner Fork Weight	Spoon Weight	Knife Weight
Made In	54 grams	49 grams	109 grams
Lenox	42.2 grams	52 grams	136 grams
Robert Welch Caesna	62 grams	76 grams	110 grams
Robert Welch Westbury	78 grams	87 grams	127 grams
Our Table	63 grams	74 grams	107 grams
Oneida Voss	52 grams	136 grams	42.2 grams
CB2	70 grams	50.6 grams	100 grams
Laguiole	49 grams	61 grams	45 grams
Zwilling	51 grams	57 grams	98 grams
LIANYU	46 grams	56 grams	80 grams
Knork	4 grams	88 grams	88 grams
Oneida Mooncrest	72 grams	64 grams	114 grams
Pfaltzgraff	36 grams	35 grams	74 grams
Reed & Barton	57. grams	60 grams	95 grams
Mikasa York	66 grams	63 grams	107 grams
HENCKELS ALCEA	45 grams	50 grams	83 grams
Dansk Bistro Cafe	63 grams	56 grams	83 grams
Ginkgo Lyon	48 grams	56 grams	50 grams
Williams Sonoma	58 grams	NA (no dinner spoon)	102 grams

I Preferred Mid-sized Utensils

Each five-piece set I reviewed included the same basic elements: a dinner fork, salad fork, place spoon, teaspoon, and dinner knife. Even though they had the same names, individual utensil sizes varied widely from set to set. Place spoons showed the greatest range. The largest spoon—from the Crate & Barrel Aero set—measured 8.26 inches long. On the other end of the spectrum, the Oneida Flight dinner spoon measured just 6.5 inches.

As long as a utensil is large enough to hold food and small enough to fit in your mouth, size is a matter of preference. In my experience, extremely large pieces felt cumbersome. The Williams Sonoma Hampstead’s 9.75-inch-long knife was too big to fit in my kitchen drawer organizer, and kids might have a hard time eating with the large, rounded Crate & Barrel Aero spoons.  

Other options were frustratingly small. The teeny tiny Mepra teaspoon, measuring just 5.4 inches, was well-suited to stirring coffee, but too small for an adult to comfortably eat a bowl of soup. (The set’s larger spoon works well for that.) Oneida’s 6.5-inch salad fork was sufficient for a grain-based dish, but it might struggle to pick up a mouthful of leafy kale salad. 

My favorite sets balanced capacity with practicality. They fell in the middle of the size range, with soup spoons between seven and eight inches long. The Fortessa set was an exception—this set included the second-longest spoon (8.25 inches long). The delicate proportions kept this set from feeling oversized.

Smooth Finishes Were Pleasant

The ideal flatware should feel pleasant both in the hand and in the mouth, and I prefer forks and spoons with a smooth finish. Some sets, like the Williams Sonoma Pantry 36-Piece Flatware Set with Caddy and Pflatzgraff, had rough edges as though they had been stamped out of a metal sheet. This created an unpleasant sensation—the fork tines caught slightly in my mouth. Other sets, like the Mikasa York 20-Piece Flatware Set and 1800 Reed & Barton Flatware Place Setting had a smooth texture but felt thin and tinny. The Made In Flatware, Dansk Bistro Cafe Flatware Set, and Robert Welch Caesna Mirror 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting had a pleasant balance of body and presence. 

A Note on Material

Flatware and silverware are often used interchangeably. These terms both refer to eating utensils including forks, knives, spoons, and serveware. Back in the day, silver was the fancy flatware material of choice, but it's also a pain to maintain: it requires careful washing, drying, and polishing to avoid getting a patina. Today, nearly all flatware is made of stainless steel, which is durable, easy to maintain, and, as the name suggests, stainless. The same goes for all of my winners, which you can toss in the dishwasher after using. The Mepra Fantasia Flatware combines durable stainless steel with resin handles for a pop of color. It’s still dishwasher-safe, but the manufacturer's instructions include a warning: Prolonged contact with deeply colored foods like coffee, tomato sauce, or turmeric may result in staining. 

Find a Design That Appeals to You

The flatware I tested ranged from simple and classic to ornamented and elaborate. Design is a personal choice—the best flatware set is the one you’ll be excited to use. My winners are all beautiful and versatile, but a few models deserve a special design callout: The 1800 Reed & Barton is vintage-inspired and ornate, while cottagecore fans might enjoy the charming and rustic Ginkgo Lyon Stainless-Steel Flatware. For modern design lovers, check out the sleek Dansk Bistro Cafe Flatware set.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Flatware Set

The best flatware sets are balanced, with a pleasant heft and smooth edges. Complete sets should include a minimum of five pieces—a dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, large spoon, and a soup or dessert spoon. Anything outside of this (like a butter knife or matching salad serving set) earns bonus points. Look for reasonably sized utensils that can fit comfortably in your mouth. For ease and durability, choose a dishwasher-safe set with stainless steel construction. Utensils should last a lifetime and will get near-daily use, so don’t be afraid to invest in a set that you love and will stand the test of time. 

Our Favorite Flatware Sets

What we liked: The Made In flatware set is simple and elegant. Each piece is pleasantly heavy and well-balanced. They’re also well sized—the utensils accommodate a generous amount of food and fit comfortably in the mouth. Their smooth finish has a pleasant mouthfeel. The knife is sharp enough to slice through chicken but won't accidentally nick you if you reach for it in the drawer.

What we didn’t like: This is an expensive set. At $10 per piece, it’s the priciest winner. Made In doesn’t manufacture any serveware, like a slotted spoon or large fork, so if you want your serving pieces to match your flatware, this isn’t the set for you. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $10
• What’s included: 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 dinner spoons, 4 dessert spoons, 4 dinner knives
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

What we liked: The Zwilling Provence flatware performed well in all of my tests. This set is comfortable in the hand and mouth, easy to use, and significantly more affordable than most of the other winners. For $109, you get eight place settings and five bonus serving pieces. 

What we didn’t like: This design feels slightly outdated to me. The ornamentation doesn’t make a statement, but it also doesn’t blend into the background. The place spoon is a little on the large side.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $2.4
• What’s included: Service for 8 and a 5-piece serving set: 8 dinner forks, 8 salad forks, 8 place spoons, 8 teaspoons, 8 dinner knives, sugar spoon, butter knife, meat fork, serving spoon, and slotted serving spoon
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

What we liked: This set includes everything you need to host a dinner party. In addition to 12 complete place settings, it comes with two serving spoons, a serving fork, a butter knife, and a sugar spoon. This is a great option for anyone who is stocking their first kitchen. The Lenox Portola flatware delivers impressive quality for the price, too—the pieces are pleasantly balanced and feel durable.

What we didn’t like: During testing, I found that this set has slightly rougher edges than its pricier competitors, and the fork tines catch slightly in the mouth. The pieces feel reasonably high-quality, but they’re significantly lighter than the other winning choices and four out of five of the standard pieces fell below the average category weight. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $1.74
• What’s included: Includes (12) 5-piece place settings and 5-piece serving set with serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, sugar spoon, butter knife, and serving fork.
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

What we liked: This set isn’t just hefty—it’s dense. Although the Mepra utensils were some of the shortest that I tested, they were also among the heaviest. Each piece feels shockingly sturdy; I audibly gasped the first time I picked up the dinner fork. This set is compact, but by no means small. The forks, knives, and place spoons were large enough for comfortable dining and small enough to fit neatly in a drawer. Matte resin handles, available in 12 different shades, add a pop of color to this set. 

What we didn’t like: The colorful handles are cute and family-friendly, but resin isn’t as durable as stainless steel. This material could stain or chip over time—a frightening prospect when you’re spending $111 per place setting. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel, resin handle
• Cost per piece: $22
• What’s included: Sold as a 5-piece or 20-piece set. The 20-piece set includes service for four: 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 place spoons, 4 teaspoons, 4 dinner knives
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe. Do not leave flatware soaking with deeply colored foods or spices, such as turmeric or coffee
  

What we liked: The Fortessa flatware is chic and modern. This set includes delicate, elongated handles that make a statement without impacting performance. The slender design keeps these utensils from feeling oversized, but the handles are wide enough to rest securely in a dishwasher basket without slipping through the bottom. The rounded spoons have a satisfying capacity, forks and knives are well-balanced, and each piece feels good in the hand. 

What we didn’t like: This set’s dinner knife has awkward proportions—the blade is quite short. During testing, its serrated edge was sharp enough to handle chicken easily, but cutting through large pieces takes several slices. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $6.25
• What’s included: Service for 4: 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 place spoons, 4 teaspoons, 4 dinner knives
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

What we liked: This is a sleek, well-made set with heavy pieces and smooth edges. The spoons have a modern silhouette with a gentle, sloping transition between the basin and the handle—just enough to add a subtle design flair to your table. The forks were well sized and the teaspoon was large enough to hold satisfying bites of soup. Robert Welch also manufactures Caesna steak knives and serving sets, which can be purchased separately to complete your tablescape. 

What we didn’t like: The dinner spoon is huge and slightly off balance—the handle is disproportionately heavy and might tip out of a bowl if shaken.   

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $9
• What’s included: Dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, and teaspoon
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

What we liked: The Robert Welch Westbury flatware is smooth and heavy. The pleasant heft makes the pieces feel high-quality—each utensil weighed more than the average category weight. This set features a simple design—the utensils have clean, elegant lines and a slightly tapered handle that feels timeless and would mesh well with any interior aesthetic. The serrated knife cuts chicken easily and both forks have sharp tips and smooth sides. Robert Welch also manufactures Westbury serving utensils, which can be purchased separately to complete your tablescape. 

What we didn’t like: The Robert Welch Westbury dinner spoon is even larger than the Caesna model—it may be difficult for children or people with small mouths. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $9
• What’s included: Dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, and a teaspoon
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

The Competition

• Oneida Voss 45-Piece Flatware Set: This set was too heavy. The bulky fork felt off-balance. 
• Pfaltzgraff Southport 20-Piece Flatware Set: This thin set felt light and flimsy. The fork’s rough tines had an unpleasant mouthfeel. 
• Reed & Barton Dalton 5Pc Flatware Place Setting: I liked this set’s vintage-inspired design but the pieces felt light and thin—each utensil fell below the average category weight. 
• Mikasa York 20-Piece Flatware Set: The Mikasa flatware is a mid-range set that failed to stand out. The salad fork was on the small side and might prove challenging for large bowls of leafy greens. The fork tines were also slightly rough. It's currently unavailable, too.
• HENCKELS ALCEA 20-pc Flatware Set: This set was a little light overall—each piece weighed less than the category average. The dinner fork was slightly off-balance.
• Dansk Bistro Cafe Flatware Sets: This is a beautifully designed and pleasantly heavy flatware set. However, its dull, non-serrated knife blade kept it from claiming a top spot—it took considerable force to slice a chicken breast. 
• Ginkgo Lyon Stainless-Steel Flatware: I liked the Ginkgo Lyon’s cute, cheery design. This set lost points because of its tiny teaspoon—it was by far the smallest spoon in the group. The butter knife is also cut-your-finger sharp, which is a bit much. It's currently unavailable.
• Williams Sonoma Pantry 36-Piece Flatware Set with Caddy: This set had far fewer pieces than its competitors—place settings didn’t include a dinner spoon or salad fork. 
• Our Table Colby Satin 20-Piece Flatware Set: The spoons and forks felt light in the hand. This set was slightly imbalanced, making the pieces feel a little unwieldy. It also appears to no longer be available.
• CB2 20-Piece Essence Brushed Gold Flatware Set: This set is functional and pleasingly heavy. It lost points because it isn’t dishwasher-safe, but could be a good choice for those seeking a pop of color, or a special occasion set you're willing to hand-wash. 
• Laguiole Jean Dubost 24 Piece Flatware Set: This set’s plastic handles feel inexpensive and brittle. The smaller spoon is quite tiny and can’t hold a satisfying bite of soup or pudding. 
• Zwilling J.A. Henckels Opus Flatware, 45-Piece Set: These pieces performed well, but the thin handles felt a little slight in hand. 
• LIANYU 20 Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set: The forks, knives and spoons in this set are very thin and light. They were inexpensive but flimsy.
• Knork Original Collection Cutlery Utensils: This set was thick and bulky. The knife blade isn’t serrated and is set at a flat angle, which makes cutting difficult. 
• Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set, Service This large set includes service for eight and additional serving pieces. The fork tines had rough edges that caught my mouth.
• Williams Sonoma Hampstead Flatware Set: I liked this set’s weighty forks and spoons, but its ludicrously long, hollow knife kept it from a top spot. At 9.75 inches, it’s too big to fit in most drawer organizers. 
• Crate & Barrel Aero 20-Piece Flatware Set: This set has a fun, retro-inspired design and rounded resin handles with a pleasant texture. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to eat with perfectly circular spoons, and the extremely thin handles slipped through the dishwasher basket. 
• Oneida Flight 45-Piece Everyday Flatware Set: The Oneida Flight flatware set offers great value—you get eight place settings and service pieces for just under $60—but the thin, flimsy forks kept it from claiming a top spot. 
• Henckels Silvano 45-Piece Flatware Set: This set’s light pieces felt low-quality and failed to justify the midrange price point. 
• Oneida Voss 45-Piece Flatware Set: This set was too heavy. The bulky fork felt off-balance. 

FAQs

Which silverware sets don’t rust?

Remember that most "silverware" is no longer made from silver. Stainless steel is the best material for flatware because it’s rust-resistant. You can run stainless steel utensils through the dishwasher without worrying about discoloration and they will never require polishing. 

What's the best Lenox flatware set?

Lenox makes lots of beautiful flatware sets, including holiday-themed sets. I highly recommend the Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set—it strikes a very good balance between quality and value, and comes with enough place settings for 12 diners. Plus, it will match almost any decor.

What does 18/10 stainless steel mean? 

The numbers refer to the material composition—18/10 steel is 18% chromium and 10% nickel, making it a high-grade metal. 

How many flatware settings should you have?

The ideal number of place settings depends on the size of your household and how often you entertain. Most people will find it helpful to have at least four place settings (20 pieces), but if you plan on hosting dinner parties or have more people to feed, a 65-piece set (12 settings) should do it.

What's the best way to clean flatware?

Stainless steel flatware is dishwasher-safe. If your flatware develops any discoloration or has bits of stubborn, stuck-on food, soaking the utensils in a solution of baking soda and water will help restore their shine. 

How do you set flatware out on a table?

You're hosting a fancy dinner and want to nail the details, including setting out the flatware in the proper order. But is it knife, fork, spoon, or spoon, fork, knife? Here's the lowdown: Utensils are used starting on the outside, so place salad forks and soup spoons on the periphery (if you're using them). Forks go on the left of the place setting, while knives should be on the right. That's it! And honestly, most people, unless they went to cotillion, probably won't second-guess you.

Why We’re the Experts

• Madeline Muzzi is a writer, editor, and video producer.
• She has written many reviews for Serious Eats, including wine decanters and countertop ice makers.
• We last reviewed flatware sets in 2024. 
• For this review, Madeline tested 26 flatware sets.