These Are the Very Best Skillets for Sautéing, Searing, Simmering, and More

The terms “frying pan” and “skillet” both refer to a wide, shallow pan with sloping sides. The names are interchangeable, and you can use whichever one you prefer. In my personal opinion, however, “frying pan” is somewhat limiting—a good skillet can do so much more than fry. These multitasking kitchen staples can crisp, sear, braise, sauté, and even bake. 

Of course, different pans have different specialties. They’re extremely versatile, but that doesn’t mean every pan can accomplish every task. A well-equipped kitchen typically includes several skillets in a variety of materials and sizes. Continue reading to discover the qualities that make a skillet suited for specific tasks. Then discover our favorites and the winners of our reviews, and choose the best ones for your kitchen. 

Things to Consider

Material

Material is the most important factor to consider when selecting the best skillet for your recipe. Different skillets have unique chemical and physical properties that affect versatility, durability, conductivity, and acid sensitivity. There’s no single “best” choice—each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. The decision depends on what you’re cooking, how you’re cooking it, and your personal preferences. Cast iron pans, for example, are oven-safe, durable, and scratch-resistant, but are not ideal for cooking acidic ingredients (such as tomatoes or wine), which can erode the seasoning. Nonstick pans are low-maintenance and heat up quickly, but they can’t be used with metal utensils, aren’t always oven-safe, and may have hot spots. Check out the chart below for a quick overview of material pros and cons.

Size

The ideal pan size depends largely on how much you’re cooking. You need enough space to accommodate your ingredients. If you’re browning or searing, you’ll want a little extra wiggle room. The water held inside food turns to steam when you apply heat. If ingredients are clumped together too tightly, evaporating water will prevent browning. Medium-sized pans, like the 10-inch skillets below, are spacious enough to prepare three to four servings at a time but small enough to handle easily. For most cooks, it makes sense to have at least one medium frying pan. Of course, if you’d like an adorable, tiny egg skillet or comically oversized pan as well, there’s no harm in following your heart. Editor Rochelle Bilow says she uses this 12-inch Le Creuset skillet anytime she needs to toss food in a pan because it’s extra roomy.

Shape

There’s no need to be embarrassed if you occasionally confuse skillets, sauciers, and sauté pans. These pans all have a wide base and are relatively shallow compared to stockpots. The walls (both shape and height) are the primary distinguishing factor. Skillets have short walls that angle or curve away from the base. This sloping design helps steam escape. Even if a piece of food is pressed right up against the side of the pan, there’s still plenty of free space above it. With a sauté pan, which features straight vertical walls, moisture could condense on the side of the pan and drip back down onto your browning dish. Sauciers have taller walls and are wonderful tools for cooking grains, and, of course, making sauces, but the wall height makes it difficult to flip delicate dishes like crepes or pancakes. 

Induction Compatibility

Ferrous, or magnetic, metals are compatible with induction stove and cooktops. Cast iron and carbon steel are always a safe bet. Others, including stainless steel and nonstick-coated pans, don’t automatically qualify as induction-compatible. Many modern stainless steel and nonstick options are constructed with layers of ferric metal between stainless steel, a process known as cladding, for induction compatibility. If you have an induction cooktop, check the product specifications before investing in a stainless steel or coated skillet. A solid aluminum, solid glass, or solid copper skillet won’t work on an induction stove. 

Price 

The perfect skillet doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. For proof, look no further than the classic Lodge cast iron skillet. It’s practical, it’s durable, it has a charmingly rustic appeal, it’s an enduring Serious Eats favorite, and it can be yours for roughly $25. In some cases, spending too much for a pan is inadvisable. Even high-end nonstick skillets are prone to scratching and should be replaced every few years.   

Our Favorite Skillets

The Best Stainless Steel Skillet

Made In 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

$139 at Amazon

$119

$139 at Made In Cookware

What we liked: The Made In 12-inch stainless steel skillet is a new classic and the winner of our review. It heats quickly and evenly—during testing, it delivered beautifully browned crepes and deeply seared chicken. We loved the smooth, rounded handle, which feels good in the hand and allows comfortable maneuvering. It’s also induction-compatible. 

What we didn’t like: This skillet doesn’t come with its own lid. Made In offers a universal lid option, which is sold separately. 

Key Specs

• Induction-compatible: Yes
• Oven-safe temperature: Up to 800°F
• Material: 18/10 stainless steel; 430 stainless steel
• Weight: 3 pounds

The Best Budget-Friendly Stainless Steel Skillet

Tramontina 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

$70

$50 at Amazon View on Walmart

What we liked: This skillet offers a high-performance experience at a lower price point. The Tramontia 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet performed almost as well as pricier options in all of our tests. It even weighs the same as the Made In skillet. It seared and released proteins and delivered a crisp-tender vegetable sauté. It’s also induction-compatible. 

What we didn’t like: This pan’s curved, gradually sloping walls slightly reduce the usable surface area. Sneaking a spatula under a crepe or pancake takes a bit of finesse. 

Key Specs

• Induction-compatible: Yes
• Oven-safe temperature: Up to 500°F
• Material: 18/10 stainless steel; aluminum core; magnetic stainless steel
• Weight: 3 pounds

The Best Carbon Steel Skillet

Mauviel M'Steel Black Carbon Natural Nonstick Frying Pan With Iron Handle

$120 at Amazon View on Mauviel-usa.com $120 at Wayfair

What we liked: A well-seasoned Mauviel carbon steel skillet is about as nonstick as you can get without a PTFE-based coating. During testing, eggs and crepes both slid smoothly off the surface. We also liked the iron handle, which stays relatively cool, even over high heat. Like all carbon steel pans, the Mauviel provides the benefits of cast iron with less weight.

What we didn't: Building up a solid seasoning can take time. This pan was a little sticky while the coating was still new. The handle is on the long side, which makes tossing vegetables and maneuvering the heavy base slightly awkward. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Cooking surface diameter: 8.5 inches
• Pre-seasoned: No
• Oven-safe: Yes
• Max oven-safe temperature: 680ºF
• Care: Hand-wash
• Induction-compatible: Yes
• Warranty: Lifetime

The Best Budget Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Pan

Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned 10-inch Carbon Steel Frying Pan

$50

$35 at Amazon $80 at Target View on Walmart

What we liked: This Merten & Storck carbon steel skillet arrives pre-seasoned, so it has a nonstick surface straight out of the box. Unlike the Mauviel skillet, we could cook with it straight away. Testers praised this pan’s weight balance and its maneuverability, noting that it’s easy to wield with one hand. 

What we didn’t: This pan’s flat, slab-style handle is slightly uncomfortable—the thin edges are too small to disperse weight, and they can dig into your hands with heavier dishes. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 3 pounds
• Cooking surface diameter: 8 inches
• Pre-seasoned: Yes
• Oven-safe: Yes
• Max oven-safe temperature: 660°F
• Care: Hand-wash
• Induction-compatible: Yes
• Warranty: Lifetime

The Best Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan

$125

$105 at Amazon View on Target

$125

$107 at Sur La Table

What we liked: The Caraway ceramic nonstick skillet is pleasantly spacious. The walls are tall enough to keep big stir-fries or saucy dishes securely in place, but it’s still easy to work a spatula around the edges. It heats up quickly because its base is made from reactive aluminum. During testing, the nonstick coating was reasonably scratch-resistant and outlasted many competitors when we used metal utensils with them. This model is available in eight different colors. Did I mention it’s the winner of our review?

What we didn’t like: This is a hefty frying pan. It’s well-balanced, but at five pounds, it’s significantly heavier than most nonstick options. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 5 pounds
• Materials: Aluminum, ceramic
• Care: Hand-wash only; avoid metal utensils 
• Maximum oven temperature: 550ºF
• Induction-compatible: Yes

Another Great Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

Le Creuset Essential Non-Stick Ceramic Shallow Frying Pan

$120 at Amazon View on Williams Sonoma View on Lecreuset.com

What we liked: The Le Creuset skillet has a slippery-smooth coating that easily releases sticky and delicate foods. It has a thick, heavy-duty base that combines quick-to-heat aluminum with stainless steel. The result is a “best of both worlds” skillet that heats evenly and is still light enough for one-handed maneuvering.  

What we didn’t like: This pan’s shallow, sloping walls are well suited to searing single pieces of protein or folding omelettes, but aren’te tall enough for larger portions of sautéed vegetables or saucy dishes. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Materials: Ceramic, aluminum, and stainless steel 
• Care: Dishwasher-safe; hand-washing is recommended
• Maximum oven temperature: 550ºF
• Induction-compatible: Yes

The Best Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

$25 at Amazon $25 at Target View on Webstaurant Store

What we liked: Lodge is classic for a reason. This is a simple cast iron skillet that will last you a lifetime (or longer). It boasts a thick metal bottom that will resist warping, even after years of use. Lodge pans arrive pre-seasoned and ready for nonstick cooking. If you scratch or neglect the seasoning, you can rebuild it without too much trouble. During testing, it browned and released everything we cooked in it, including steak, fried eggs, and cornbread. 

What we didn’t like: The Lodge pan has no substantial flaws. It’s heavy, yes, but it’s not the heaviest cast iron pan on the market. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 5 pounds, 7 ounces
• Bottom diameter: 9 inches
• Top diameter: 10.25 inches
• Handle length: 5 inches
• Helper handle: Yes
• Pre-seasoned: Yes
• Cleaning: Hand-wash, dry, and rub with high-smoke-point, neutral oil
• Induction-compatible: Yes

The Best Lightweight Cast Iron Skillet

Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet

$165

$132 at Amazon $165 at Home Depot View on Fieldcompany.com

What we liked: This cast iron skillet comes pre-seasoned with a smooth nonstick surface, in contrast to the Lodge’s pebbled texture. The lightweight design makes it easier to pour away grease or move this pan to and from the stove. Compared to its heavy-duty counterparts, this skillet heats up quickly—a rarity among cast iron skillets that typically take their time preheating. 

What we didn’t like: Lightweight cast iron skillets, including this model, tend to wobble and spin a little on smooth glass cooktops. This pan doesn’t have a pour spout.

Key Specs

• Weight: 4 pounds, 5 ounces
• Bottom diameter: 9 inches
• Top diameter: 10.25 inches
• Handle length: 5.5 inches
• Helper handle: Yes
• Pre-seasoned: Yes
• Cleaning: Hand-wash, dry, and rub high smoke point, neutral oil
• Induction-compatible: Yes

The Best Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

$230 at Amazon $185 at Williams Sonoma

$230

$184 at Sur La Table

What we liked: This cast iron skillet has a decently nonstick enamel coating. Like all cast iron, it heats evenly and delivers beautiful, deep searing. Unlike bare cast iron, this pan can be scrubbed and soaked. The thick, rounded handle is easy to grasp, even with oven mitts, and the helper handle makes it simple to transport heavy dishes. The rounded, sloping walls leave room for steam to escape and don’t interfere with the usable surface area.

What we didn’t like: This pan’s thick bottom heats slowly, but once it gets hot, it retains temperature well. Long-term testers observed some sticking over time. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 5 pounds, 6 ounces
• Diameter: 10.25 inches
• Cooking surface diameter: 8.5 inches
• Max heat: 500°F
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
• Induction-compatible: Yes

The Best Lightweight Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Staub 10-Inch Fry Pan

$206 at Amazon $314 at Target $220 at Sur La Table

What we liked: A lightweight design gives this pan a few advantages. It heats up quickly and, compared to thicker, heavier pans, it’s easy to maneuver. During testing, this skillet heated up faster than all of the competition. It’s also oven-safe up to 900ºF—that’s enough heat tolerance for most home pizza ovens. 

What we didn’t like: This pan includes a second helper handle for transport, but it’s a little small—it would be easier to grip with a wider loop. We detected a few minor hotspots while baking cornbread. 

Key Specs

• Weight: 4 pounds, 15 ounces
• Diameter: 10 inches
• Cooking surface diameter: 8.25 inches
• Max heat: 900°F
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe (though we'd recommend hand-washing to extend its longevity)
• Induction-compatible: Yes
  

FAQs

What’s the best skillet for beginners?

Nonstick skillets are low-maintenance and beginner-friendly. These have a slippery coating that helps even the stickiest foods (such as scrambled eggs) slide right out of the pan with minimal fat. They’re easy to wash, you can soak them, and they don’t require seasoning.

What’s the best frying pan?

Stainless steel, cast iron, and carbon steel skillets all make for top-quality frying pans. The best choice depends on your priorities. Cast iron skillets are durable and (sometimes) affordable; stainless steel skillets are lightweight and heat up quickly; and carbon steel skillets can deliver restaurant-quality seared protein while being lighter than cast iron. 

Is the Made In skillet good?

Yes. Our editors agree: Made In makes high-quality cookware. The Made In 12-inch stainless steel skillet claimed the top spot in the official Serious Eats stainless steel skillet review. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Madeline Muzzi has over 10 years of experience as a food writer and recipe tester. 
• Madeline has tested and reviewed kitchen products for over five years. She has written many Serious Eats stories, including our ceramic nonstick skillet review.