These Are the Best Skillets for Every Cooking Style

Best Overall

All-Clad d5 Covered Saute Pan

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All-Clad has a solid reputation for quality cookware, and this saute pan from the d5 series is no exception. Made with five alternating layers of aluminum and 18/10 stainless steel, it has a nice weight and heats evenly with no hot spots. The handle is riveted for security, so you can transport it from the stovetop to the oven or table. Stainless steel is known for being non-reactive, so you can cook acidic sauces without worry, and its solid construction will easily stand up to frequent use.

In our Lab tests, we noted even browning when searing scallops and minimal sticking when cooking eggs. Our home tester noted that this cookware is super efficient when heated, allowing you to use low to medium heat to cook most things. It also has excellent heat conductivity, so browning and searing meat were fast and easy. The long handle on this saute pan was easy to grip thanks to its ergonomic contour, but our tester did note that the handle may present a bit of a storage issue if you're limited on space.

Use this heavy skillet to brown proteins and add liquid for braising—the included lid will make sure your dish doesn’t dry out during a long simmer. This pan can be used on every cooktop, including induction, and is oven- and broiler-safe (without the lid) up to 600 degrees. The polished finish will continue to look brand new with proper maintenance for years to come.

Price at time of publish: $250

Material: Stainless steel and aluminum | Max Heat: 600 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 3 and 6 quarts 

Best Cast Iron

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

4.8

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Lodge is one of the oldest foundries in the U.S., having earned a reputation for long-lasting, affordable cast iron goods. This 10.25-inch skillet is one of the company's most iconic items and a pan that you can certainly pass down as an heirloom. Since it is already pre-seasoned, it is ready to use out of the box, and continued use will encourage the buildup of even more seasoning, which will make the surface feel almost like a nonstick pan.

During testing, we liked how lightweight this skillet is compared to some other cast iron pans. Our tester noted that though this pan does arrive pre-seasoned, it doesn't quite have the slip of a real nonstick pan. Notoriously sticky foods like eggs and skillet cornbread tended to stick, possibly due to the pan's rougher surface. When cooking them in this pan, don't be shy when adding butter or oil.

Cast iron is prized for its ability to achieve high heat, so it's an ideal pan for searing steaks or browning other proteins. Cast iron is also known for heat retention and even heating, so it will keep its temperature longer than comparable stainless steel or aluminum pans. It can withstand temperatures that are higher than any home cooktop can achieve, so you can use it under the broiler or on top of the grill without damaging it. As with all cast iron cookware, some special care is required to keep it in top condition, but it is a workhorse of a pan that won't cost you a lot of money. These skillets don't come with lids, but if you want one, you can purchase one separately.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Cast iron | Max Heat: More than 600 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 3.5, 6, 8, 9, 10.5, 12, and 15 inches

Best Enameled Cast Iron

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Deep Sauté Pan

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Just like its signature Dutch ovens, this deep sauté pan by Le Creuset is made from the same enameled cast iron and performs beautifully. While this pan heats slower than copper or stainless steel, its cast-iron construction retains heat much longer and provides the searing hot surface needed to effectively brown meats and other proteins. Available in 3.75- and 4.25-quart versions, it’s large enough to cook for multiple people, but not so large that it takes up too much space on the cooktop.

Since it’s made of cast iron, you can use this stylish sauté pan on just about any surface, including induction, and you can also transfer it into the oven for slow braises or to finish a dish under the broiler. Like much of Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron cookware, this model is available in a variety of finishes to add a pop of color to your kitchen. The only real downside to this piece of cookware is that it’s hefty, both in weight and price, but since it comes backed by a lifetime guarantee, we think it is worth every penny.

Price at time of publish: $350

Material: Enameled cast iron | Max Heat: 500 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 3.75 and 4.25 quarts

Best Without a Lid

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 14-Inch Open Skillet

4.8

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Stainless steel is an ideal choice for cookware because of its non-reactive quality and durable finish that stands up to sharp cooking tools. This classic skillet is made from 18/10 stainless steel and features riveted cast aluminum handles that make it easy to transport on and off the stove. The encapsulated aluminum base provides quick and even heat distribution, and the entire pan is oven safe up to 550 degrees, making it a versatile pan that lets you sear, fry, braise, and roast.

Our home tester noted that the pan transitioned seamlessly from stove to oven, and the pan's conductivity made it easy to cook everything in the pan at once. The rim of the pan is designed so you can pour liquids from the pan with fewer drips and spills, and the helper handle makes it easier to move the pan or pour, even when the pan is very full.

When cleaning up afterward, the tester found this pan was a breeze to clean, only requiring a gentle scrub. Though some might find a pan of this size quite bulky, if you have the storage space and need for a generously sized skillet, it could be a useful addition to your cookware collection.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Max Heat: 550 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 14 inches

Best Nonstick

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 12-Inch Skillet

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This 12-inch pan has a hard-anodized exterior and proprietary Quantanium nonstick interior, a nonstick surface reinforced with titanium that can withstand use with metal utensils. Hard-anodized aluminum is harder than stainless steel and will last much longer than the nonstick pans for sale at the grocery store. The glass cover is useful for steaming foods while the drip-free rim makes it easy to pour sauces or drippings without creating a mess.

The handles are designed to stay cool during cooking and are riveted for security. This pan is oven safe to 500 degrees and is approved for use with metal utensils. On the contrary, it's not oven- or dishwasher-safe.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Max Heat: Up to 500 degrees | Induction Ready: No | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 12 inches

Best Ceramic

Caraway Saute Pan

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Caraway is a fairly new company, but it has made a splash with its line of ceramic-coated cookware with a modernist aesthetic and chic color palette. This includes a 4.5-quart skillet that can be used on any stovetop, including induction—a rare characteristic when it comes to nonstick pans. It measures nearly 12 inches in diameter, comes with a matching lid to contain heat and moisture, heats evenly, and is oven safe up to 550 degrees, which is higher than your typical nonstick or ceramic pan.

We tested this pan in our Lab, and loved how substantial the pan is, and found the heating to be very even and controlled. It also heats efficiently and evenly, allowing you to use low and medium temperatures (recommended by Caraway) without sacrificing performance. Our home tester called this pan's nonstick coating "a dream", noting that not a single piece of food stuck to the pan. She also noted that the stainless steel handles can get hot when the pan is in use, but having an oven mitt on standby will easily solve that problem.

Cleanup is hassle-free thanks to the slick ceramic interior—use a non-abrasive scrubber to get rid of any debris and wash with dish soap and warm water. You can run it through the dishwasher once in a while, but as with most coated pans, hand washing will aid in the longevity of your cookware.

Price at time of publish: $145

Material: Ceramic-coated aluminum | Max Heat: 550 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 4.5 quarts

Best Copper

All-Clad Copper Core Deep Sauté Pan

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If you love the performance of copper, but don't love the maintenance that comes with it, then this pan is a wonderful compromise. Featuring stainless steel on its outermost layers for easy cleaning and a layer of aluminum (for heat conduction) surrounding a heat-responsive copper core, this combination creates quick heat-up time, exceptional temperature control, and fast and even heat distribution.

The riveted handle stays cool on the stove and is quite comfortable to hold due to its curved design. It is oven safe up to 600 degrees and can be used on just about any cooktop, including induction. Unlike full copper pans, this sauté pan won't require much extra care —the copper strip may patina over time, but can be quickly polished back to its original shine with copper cleaner. You can opt to pop this pan into the dishwasher or wash by hand.

Price at time of publish: $250

Material: Stainless steel and aluminum with copper core | Max Heat: 600 degrees | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Available Sizes: 13 inches