The 8 Best Frying Pans in 2023

Best Overall

Made In Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5
• Versatility
  4.5/5

"A carbon steel pan is the industry standard because it is highly seasonable and very versatile," says Chef Sedesh Boodram, owner of The Anvil Pub & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama. "It cooks similarly to cast iron without the bulkiness or heaviness." Like cast iron, it retains heat well and gets better with more seasoning and continued use, which improves its nonstick qualities. And because it’s thinner than cast iron, it’s more responsive to heat changes, so it’s ready to cook sooner and adjusts quickly when you turn the burner up or down.

This pan arrives pre-seasoned to avoid rusting in transit but needs further seasoning before the first use. Like stainless or aluminum cookware, it’s lighter than cast iron, so it’s easy to use one-handed for flipping foods in the pan. This pan is oven safe to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is much more than a home oven can reach, so there’s never a question that it can handle high heat on the stove or in the oven.

We like that this Made In pan is deeper than the average frying pan, but not nearly as deep as a saucepan. This made it great for stir-frying vegetables, shallow-frying chicken tenders, and even reheating pre-cooked rice with just a tiny bit of oil and no worry of food sloshing over the edge. They got an even cook every time with no need to scrape the bottom of the pan.

Price at time of publish: $129

Material: Carbon steel | Oven Safe: 1,200 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Sizes Available: 8, 10, and 12 inches

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Lodge 12-Inch Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Versatility
  5/5

When cast iron is simply too heavy for your taste, the Lodge Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet is a fantastic alternative. Just like the brand's classic cast iron pieces, this pan is made from an alloy of carbon and steel, but in slightly different ratios. It gives you same the same heat conductivity, but with a much thinner, lighter construction. This model comes pre-seasoned, so it's ready to use right out of the box, but the surface gets even better with time and use.

While we don't think the pan's rustic design was conventionally attractive, we like its responsiveness—it heats and cools quickly, which is useful for when your pan temperature needs to be adjusted while shallow frying or sautéing. Plus, it's a great alternative for those who dislike nonstick coatings and want a good alternative for cooking sticky foods, like eggs. Just like cast iron, it can withstand super-high temperatures, making way for a beautiful sear on steaks and other proteins.

This 12-inch model provides plenty of surface area to cook for a large family or friends, though there are 8-, 10-, and 15-inch options available, as well. Use it on every cooking surface, including induction burners, a campfire, or grill. Maintenance is fairly easy for carbon steel, too, and just like with cast iron, it is durable enough to last a lifetime with proper care.

Price at time of publish: $68

Material: Carbon steel | Oven Safe: 500+ degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12, and 15 inches

Best Cast Iron

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Performance
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4.5/5
• Value
  5/5

"I am a cast iron die-hard," says Diana Manalang, chef and owner at Little Chef Little Cafe in New York City. "Give me my Lodge or give me nothing—I like cast iron because of how evenly it holds the heat, so when frying with oil, I know that the oil will keep at the temperature needed."

This Lodge comes pre-seasoned, so you can use it immediately, but it will become more nonstick with additional seasoning and continued use. We've tested it twice in our Lab, and both times, we've loved the performance. Our test cornbread came out golden with minimal sticking, if any. Meanwhile, the skillet's even heat distribution gave a great sear on steak and pork. Our home reviewer noted that even with seasoning, it isn't perfectly nonstick due to its rough surface, so cooking eggs (and other foods that require more surface slip) in this pan may not be ideal—you'll want a true nonstick pan.

This pan can be used on any cooktop, including induction, as well as in the oven, on a grill, or over a campfire. Cast iron has superior heat retention and even heating, but the downside is that the handle can become hot during cooking. Luckily, you can opt for a version that comes with a silicone handle cover, which can be removed to use with other pans. As with most cast-iron pans, it should be hand washed only.

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Cast iron | Oven Safe: 500+ degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Sizes Available: 3.5, 5, 6.5, 8, 9, 10.25, 12, 13.25, and 15 inches

Best Enameled Cast Iron

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Performance
  5/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

While cast iron cookware is some of the most popular and durable out there, it does require regular maintenance in order to protect the surface from rust. If you want something that has the same durability, but is easier to care for, consider this enameled cast iron pan by renowned French manufacturer Le Creuset. The heavyweight frypan has a black enameled interior that requires no additional seasoning and can sear, sauté, and fry with very little oil.

Whether we tested in a home kitchen or at our Lab, we couldn't find much to dislike about this pan, aside from its price and its heft, which might be difficult for anyone who has a hard time moving heavy cookware. Like traditional cast iron, the heat retention is outstanding. Unlike traditional cast iron, the enameled surface means a truly nonstick experience. The large loop helper handle provides easy maneuvering from stove to oven, too (it's oven/broiler safe up to 500 degrees). You'll be able to use this on any cooktop, including induction, and it can be tucked into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Price at time of publish: $248

Material: Enameled cast iron | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Sizes Available: 6.3, 9, 10.25, and 11.75 inches

Best Stainless Steel

All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan

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When it comes to frying pans, small ones are great for cooking a single egg or maybe two, but when you’re cooking for multiple people, you need a lot more space. This generously sized frying pan gives you enough room to cook burgers, pork chops, or steaks for the whole family, and the stainless steel interior will give you a great sear. The polished starburst pattern inside helps to keep food from sticking, and the flared sides make it easy to toss food like a pro.

This pan is oven- and broiler-safe up to 600 degrees, so you can start cooking on the stove and finish in the oven, and it’s induction compatible. It has an aluminum core on the bottom and up the sides of the pan, which is totally covered with durable stainless steel for fast, even heating and easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. If this size isn't right for you, it is also available in 8, 10, and 14-inch versions to suit your needs.

Price at time of publish: $130

Material: Stainless steel | Oven Safe: Up to 600 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches

Best for Crepes

Le Creuset Cast Iron Crepe Pan

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Usability
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Size
  5/5
• Easy to Clean
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5

Crepe pans are a special type of frying pan with very low sides, but you can certainly use them for more than just crepes. They’re great for pancakes and eggs or as a griddle pan for cooking foods that won’t release a lot of moisture that could escape the low sides.

This crepe pan from Le Creuset is no exception. It's beautifully designed and durable with a sleek enamel exterior and high-quality nonstick interior. This nonstick surface doesn't need breaking in like raw cast iron, either. This not only ensures that crepes and other foods won’t stick, but it also makes the pan easy to clean either in the dishwasher or by hand with soap and water.

While crepe-making takes practice, our tester had one caveat: You may need to make your crepes a bit smaller than usual so that the edges cook properly. "The areas where the pan overlapped with the burner were much hotter," she says. And be careful of the handle. It gets hot with the rest of the pan, so make sure you use a silicone covering or similar protective tool to avoid burning yourself.

Price at time of publish: $184

Material: Enameled cast iron | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Sizes Available: 10.75 inches

Best Set

Copper Chef 3-Piece Frying Pan Set

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

Copper Chef cookware features a Cerami-Tech coating that ensures that its surface remains completely nonstick. This three-skillet set includes 8-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, so you’ll always have the right pan for the job, whether you’re cooking an egg or two for your own breakfast or frying a pound of bacon for the family. Each pan features riveted stainless steel handles that allow you to securely and comfortably transport pans on and off the stovetop.

We found that these pans diffused heat quickly and evenly, with no noticeable hot spots. Due to the pan's slick surface, our tester was able to fry an egg without using oil—a great option for anyone looking to cut down on oil and fat in their cooking. The nonstick surface also helped tremendously when it came time to clean up, as dark spots from caramelizing onions and sautéing vegetables were easily wiped away.

This durable set is compatible with just about any stovetop, including induction. The pans can also withstand oven temperatures up to 850 degrees, further proving their versatility. Cleaning is also easy—since they aren't made of real copper, they can be placed into the dishwasher, but can also be cleaned quickly by hand washing with mild dish soap and warm water. Note that this set does not come with lids, nor are any compatible ones available from Copper Chef.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Aluminum | Oven Safe: Up to 850 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Sizes Included: 8, 10, and 12 inches