The 9 Best Flatware and Silverware Sets of 2020

• 01 of 09

  Best Overall: Lenox Portola Stainless Steel 65-Piece Flatware Set

  

  Very Good

  Buy on WayfairBuy on Macy's

  

  This Lenox flatware set wins our pick for best overall for many reasons, starting with its 18/10 stainless steel, which means it has at an 18 percent chrome content and a 10 percent nickel content. Nickel is what keeps stainless steel shiny meal after meal and dishwasher run after dishwasher run. (Yep, this set is dishwasher safe!)

  The set comes with enough five-piece settings for 12 people, plus five serving utensils. The pieces are ergonomically designed to be comfortable to hold while eating and the beaded channel design at the base is subtle. Reviewers appreciate the flatware's high-quality feeling and minimalist, but beautiful detailing.

  Lenox Portola 65-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set Review
• 02 of 09

  Best Overall, Runner Up: Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set

  

  Very Good

  Buy on Overstock

  

  If your style is no-fuss, no-muss, you’ll appreciate the sleek and simple lines of this flatware. It's 18/0, which means it has 18 percent chrome to prevent rusting and wear and tear over time. Reviewers note that the flatware feels sturdy, so you won't have to worry about it warping with continued use.

  The set comes with a few serving pieces and enough forks, knives, and spoons for up to eight dinner settings. One thing to note: Oneida no longer sells this pattern on their website, so if you fall in love with it, you may want to buy two sets just in case. 

  Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set Review
• 03 of 09

  Best High-End: Knork Original Collection Cutlery Stainless Steel 20-Piece Flatware Set

  

  Excellent

  Buy on Wayfair

  

  Knork flatware's lauded design was the invention of the brand’s founder Michael D. Miller who, while struggling to eat a slice of pizza with a fork, was inspired to create a fork that’s more like a pizza slicer. He went on to design the Knork’s signature fork (part knife-part fork) with beveled outer tines that can be used to eat left or right-handed and are sharp enough to cut many foods with, though safe enough for kids to use.

  This set comes with enough utensils to set a full five-piece serving for four people. The dishwasher-safe utensils feature a finger platform for comfort and have a heavier weight that many people enjoy. Each piece is hand-forged according to a 26-step process and is made of 18/10 stainless steel.

  Knork 210 Original Collection Cutlery Review
• 04 of 09

  Best Gold: Mint Pantry HamLake 20-Piece Flatware Set

  

  Buy on Wayfair

  

  If you’re looking for a set of gold-colored flatware, you can’t do better than this set from Mint Pantry. The slender, minimalist pieces feel modern and the matte metallic will add a pop of glamour to any tablescape. Reviewers note that they like that the knife blade is the same stainless steel as the handle—a rarity when it comes to colored flatware. The 20-piece set has enough dinner settings for four people.

  One word of caution: While this set is undeniably eye-catching, many reviewers say the gold color washes off in the dishwasher. In order to preserve the color, consider hand washing these instead.

  Finish the table with one of these best dinnerware sets.

  Continue to 5 of 9 below.
• 05 of 09

  Best Budget: LIANYU 20-Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set

  Buy on Amazon

  

  Whether you’re just starting out or want extra flatware for an upcoming party, you can’t go wrong with this affordable set. You'll get enough pieces for four people to each have a salad fork, a dinner fork, a soup spoon, a teaspoon, and a dinner knife. The set comes in five different colors, in case you're looking for something with a little more personality than basic stainless steel.

  While reviewers do note that the stainless steel utensils are lightweight, many also mentioned the pieces were durable and held up well after multiple rounds in the dishwasher. No dishwasher? The simple design makes these easy and quick to hand wash. Be careful when you do so—this knife is sharper than one might expect from a butter knife.

  If you just moved into your first apartment or house, here are the other best kitchen tools for your first kitchen to make sure you have on hand.

• 06 of 09

  Best Classic: Westbury Flatware 20-Piece Set

  

  Buy on Williams-Sonoma

  

  This timeless and elegant flatware is perfect for anyone who prefers a minimalist approach to their tablescape. As some reviewers have noted, this pattern is sure to feel as contemporary and classic ten years from now as it will when you buy it—and the quality means you'll still be able to use it every day. Its longevity is thanks to its 18/10 stainless steel and quality forging process.

  This flatware is available in sets of five pieces, 20 pieces, 42 pieces, and 50 pieces, so you can get the exact number of settings you need for your home. The larger setting sizes also include steak knives and serving pieces so that everything on your table matches.

  Check out the best glassware to add to your table.

• 07 of 09

  Best Modern: Crate & Barrel Jett Flatware 5-Piece Set

  

  Buy on Crate & Barrel

  

  You’ll need to apologize to the chef when you set your table with this dramatic matte black set—guests will be so wowed by it, they might not even notice the food. The 18/10 stainless steel have a heat-treated black satin PVD finish that won’t flake or tarnish. The set comes with five pieces—exactly what you'll need for one setting, so you can customize how many settings you have in your utensil drawer.

  A note on washing this dramatic flatware: While you can toss these utensils in the dishwasher, you’ll need to avoid citrus-scented detergents and when handwashing, don't use a scouring pad or metal polish.

• 08 of 09

  Best Plastic: Lillian Tablesettings Plastic Disposable Flatware, 96-Count

  Buy on Amazon

  

  Sure you could go to the dollar store to buy some cheap, flimsy plastic utensils, but don’t your friends and family deserve better than that? This heavyweight set of rose gold plastic utensils will elevate your next gathering or party and make even the simplest potato salad or takeout feel like gourmet fare. The knife can even cut through chicken or a sandwich without breaking!

  While you can’t put these plastic utensils in the dishwasher, you can handwash them for reuse so you’ll get even more for your money. Unlike traditional cutlery, which comes in sets of five (two spoons, two forks, and a knife), this set has equal numbers of forks, knives, and spoons—32 of each, to be exact.

  Continue to 9 of 9 below.
• 09 of 09

  Best Portable: Hommaly Portable Utensils Flatware Set

  Buy on Amazon

  

  Those who care about the environment likely cringe when they have to eat their takeout salad with a disposable plastic fork, but who wants to carry around their regular flatware with them everywhere they go? Enter this portable, reusable stainless steel set. It comes with everything you could need to enjoy that lunch at your desk—even a set of chopsticks for those days when you order sushi—plus two metal straws.

  Best of all, the utensils come packaged in a waterproof and washable bag that’s as easy to clean as the utensils. The utensils come in a few different colors, including rainbow chrome, so you can even add a bit of personality into your desk lunch.

Products Tested by The Spruce

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent 23 hours testing one of our readers’ favorite flatware sets. To get the most comprehensive results, they used it during every meal for weeks on end. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using this set — from its design to its ease of use — and we've outlined them here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Flatware Set

Number of place settings It makes no sense to get 12 place settings if you’re moving into a tiny apartment. However, if you regularly host dinners in your spacious dining room, buying a large set is much more affordable than buying multiple smaller ones. How many people are you looking to feed?

Design Think about what style of dishes you own. Flatware with a more plain design will match well every style of plate, while sets with more ornate designs or vibrant colors might be the perfect companion for your holiday dishware. It’s all up to you.

Ease of use More than anything, flatware is meant to be used. When choosing the perfect set for you, consider if the handles are easy to hold — including for kids, if you have them. Also, are the forks, knives, and spoons a reasonable shape and size? It’s no fun eating if the flatware makes it a chore.

Test Results: Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 8 (Best Overall, Runner-Up)

Very Good

Buy on AmazonBuy on WalmartBuy on Jet

What We Like

• Effective

• Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

• Very plain design

• Low-quality material

• Lightweight

If you’re looking for basic flatware, our reviewers recommend this Oneida Mooncrest set. However, our testers agreed that the utensils felt “cheaper” and that their design was very plain: “I wouldn’t choose to use this set if we were planning something a little more special,” one reviewer said. Additionally, one of our testers wasn’t a fan of the material: “I could absolutely bend the handles and over time, I found that the forks started to bend,” he explained. On the plus side, our reviewers reported that the flatware held food effectively and was easy to clean, both by hand and with a dishwasher.