Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set Review

We purchased the Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set so our reviewer could put it to the test in her home. Keep reading for our full product review.

Flatware is a necessity on every table, but choosing the right set—one that matches your home’s aesthetic and your budget—can be tough. Between online shops and brick-and-mortar retailers, your options are endless. If you’re simply looking for an affordable starter collection, the Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set has much to offer. The sub-$50 set checks many boxes, from affordability to design. Keep reading for our full review. 

Design: Contemporary and lightweight

Oneida’s sleek, 45-piece Mooncrest set is made of 18/0 stainless steel (18-percent chromium, 0-percent nickel). While the flatware’s grade is low, you can avoid rust and corrosion with proper care (more on that below). After all, even sets with the highest stainless steel grade are subject to pitting if not taken care of well.  

Each of the set’s eight place settings includes a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, spoon, and teaspoon. A bonus hostess set also includes three separate serving spoons, a butter knife, and a serving fork. 

With rounded lines and a reflective mirror polish, we found the set compliments most dinnerware, whether contemporary or classic. Since they’re rather lightweight and comfortably curved, the utensils are also easy for children to use on their own. And with softly pointed fork tines, you don’t have to worry about accidental boo-boos, either. 

Whether you’re registering for your wedding or moving into your first home, this is a fantastic starter set. Though it’s better suited to casual dinner parties, you could also use the flatware for laid-back holiday get-togethers and other informal occasions.  

Upkeep: A little tedious, but worth it

Like all stainless steel flatware, Oneida’s set can rust, stain, or corrode over time. Whether or not this happens, though, will come down to proper care. After washing our set upwards of 15 times, we did experience a bit of rusting with the knives, but that was our fault as we allowed the utensils to remain damp for too long.

In order to properly care for stainless steel flatware, one must rinse the utensils immediately after use and either wash them by hand or in a dishwasher. Post-wash, it’s crucial that you dry them in order to avoid corrosion. If your dishwasher leaves items damp, remove the silverware promptly and hand dry to prevent water spots and/or rust. It’s also important to use mild, non-acidic—AKA non-citrus—detergents. 

Price: Incredibly low 

The Oneida Mooncrest 45-piece set is generously priced at just under $45. Despite its low, low cost, the set is stylish, sophisticated, and well-made. As long as you follow the care instructions, the utensils will last. 

Competition: A battle of budget 

Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set: The 65-piece Lenox set offers service for 12 people with standard salad and dinner forks, tea and soup and spoons, and a dinner knife. Lenox also includes a hostess set with a closed serving spoon, serving fork, pierced serving spoon, butter knife, and sugar spoon. The price point is higher (around $150) both because of the number of place settings and the upgrade to 18/10 stainless steel. If you have the budget and a few extra people to feed, it’s certainly worth the investment. 

Knork 210 Original 20-Piece Cutlery Collection: An impressive hand-forged set of flatware, Knork pays close attention to comfort and ergonomic design. Though the 20-piece collection is steep in price—it’s just under $100—the craftmanship and 18/10 stainless steel grade are worth it.