The Slickest, Absolute Best Nonstick Skillets You Can Buy Right Now
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When you truly don’t want something to stick to a pan, only a nonstick will do. A nonstick pan can be much more, um, nonstick-y than a well-seasoned cast iron or carbon steel skillet. Scrambled eggs, omelets, crêpes, sticky sauces, pancakes, pan-seared salmon … if you’re making any of these things, you need a nonstick skillet. Ideally, a good one. (Because bad nonstick skillets can lose their nonstick qualities very quickly!)
So, we set out to find the best nonstick skillets out there, rounding up the ones you need to know about. Over the years, we’ve tested and reviewed dozens of pans so you can rest assured: these pans have been put through the ringer in our homes. But before getting into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick rundown of our favorites.
What We Look for in a Nonstick Skillet
When it comes to nonstick skillets, there are four areas we consider when deciding what makes a great pick:
Performance: How nonstick is the skillet? Is it a cinch to remove food?
Design: Does the pan have any special features that make it stand out?
Ease of Use: How easy and comfortable is the pan to use? Is the weight evenly distributed? Is the handle comfortable to hold?
Cleanup: Is the pan effortless to clean? Is the pan dishwasher safe?
Below, we rounded up some of the best nonstick skillets on the market today that hit all of these criteria and then some, including some long-standing favorites of the team here at The Kitchn, as well as reader favorites you all can’t get enough of.
Do you have a nonstick skillet you swear by that didn’t make this list? We want to hear all about it. Tell us about your favorite finds in the comments below!
OXO Good Grips Pro Hard Anodized Nonstick 12-Inch Skillet OXO Good Grips Pro Hard Anodized Nonstick 12-Inch Skillet
This OXO skillet cooks like a dream: Fried eggs, omelets, and crêpes slide off its surface. It has a smooth, rounded handle that’s super comfortable to hold and stays cool throughout cooking. This pan is one of the lightest we've tried, making it incredibly easy to pick up with one hand. It has a sizable cooking surface and walls that gently slope inward, which makes it a cinch to add and remove food. Like all of the nonstick skillets, it’s a breeze to clean.
Who it’s best for: Anyone looking for a fantastic nonstick skillet at a reasonable price point.
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 430 degrees. It also comes in 8" and 10" sizes, all of which are PFOA-free.GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick 12" Fry Pan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick 12" Fry Pan
In terms of performance and middle-of-the-road price point, this GreenPan pick is a can't-beat ceramic skillet. A favorite of The Kitchn team and readrs alike, GreenPan's Rio cookware features the brand's Thermolon diamond-reinforced ceramic coating and aluminum construction for durable construction you can count on. It also comes with a stay-cool handle, features a cream interior, and is available in three exterior colors: black, red, and turqouise. If you're willing to shell out a few more bucks, we also love this skillet from Caraway. It's also available in tons of fun colors and as part of a cookware set!
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants a ceramic nonstick skillet instead of a traditional one.
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 350 degrees and dishwasher-safe.All-Clad Non-Stick Fry Pan All-Clad Non-Stick Fry Pan
This is also a phenomenal skillet — just at a much higher price point. Truly, nothing sticks to its surface. It is a bit heavier than the OXO, but not so much that it’s unwieldy. This pan’s handle is long and smooth and has a divet on top that makes for a comfortable spot to rest your thumb. Unlike the OXO, this skillet is induction-friendly. And if you’re looking for a beautiful pan that matches the rest of your All-Clad, this is one worth considering.
Who it’s best for: If you have an induction stovetop and/or can afford the higher price tag!
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 500 degrees. It's also PFOA-free and also comes in 8", 10" and 14" sizes.Tramontina Professional Fry Pan Tramontina Professional Fry Pan
This is the least expensive skillet of the winning bunch and it doesn’t skimp on quality. It has a slick surface, flared, low sides, and a spacious cooking area that we loved during testing. It is nearly three pounds, so it does feel heavy at times, and it has the longest handle of all the pans, which can feel a bit awkward to hold. We do, however, like the pan’s grippy silicone handle cover and, like all of the skillets, it is a breeze to clean.
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants a budget-friendly nonstick skillet for about $30.
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 400 degrees. It’s also PFOA-free and also comes in 8", 10", and 14" sizes.Misen Nonstick Pan, 10-Inch Misen Nonstick Pan, 10-Inch
Our favorite thing about this skillet? Its handle. It features a silicone grip that’s incredibly comfortable to hold. The skillet weighs a little more than 3 pounds, which goes against our usual advice here, but the handle is so darn comfortable, it makes the whole pan incredibly easy to maneuver. The walls of the skillet gently sloped inward, too, and contain food well without sacrificing cooking space.
Who it’s best for: If you’re looking for a pan with an uber-comfortable, extra-grippy handle (that's totally non-slip) and don’t mind that it’s a touch heavier than other models.
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 450 degrees and PFOA-free. It’s also available in 8" and 10" sizes! It’s worth noting, too, that Misen is a direct-to-consumer company, which, depending on your shopping preferences, may be important to you!Material Coated Pan Material Coated Pan
In addition to ceramic, this pan by Material is a good option for those wanting to avoid traditional nonstick. It’s made from stainless steel alloy, has a copper core, and has a fume-free coating (the composition of which isn’t disclosed!). While putting it to the test, we noted that this pan has a slick surface, a long, comfortable handle, and weighs well under three pounds, making it fairly easy to pick up. It does come in only one size (10.5") so it’s best suited for those cooking for one or two or for making omelets or crêpes. Overall, this beautiful pan does not disappoint.
Who it’s best for: If you want a smaller nonstick skillet and would like to try out an alternative coating that's neither traditional nonstick or ceramic!
Good to know: Material is also a direct-to-consumer brand. The skillet is oven-safe up to 500 degrees and comes in two colors: Dune and Mineral.Always Pan 2.0 Always Pan 2.0
In updating their original bestseller, Our Place improved the Always Pan 2.0 to be able to handle 10 different cooking tasks, including frying, sautéing, steaming (courtesy of the included steamer basket), searing, braising, boiling, and more. This multipurpose tool is made with a nonstick ceramic coating that we found worked supremely well when we tested it — not even scrambled eggs stuck to the bottom. We also think you'll love the subtle touches, such as the modular lid that can trap and release steam and the two easy pour spouts on the sides.
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants a multi-functional nonstick skillet.
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 450 degrees, and comes in three sizes and 11 colors.Toughened Nonstick PRO 2-Piece Fry Pan Set, Small Toughened Nonstick PRO 2-Piece Fry Pan Set, Small
Did you know Le Creuset makes some pretty solid nonstick pans? You learn something new every day. If you're in the market for a solid nonstick duo, check out the Toughened Nonstick PRO 2-Piece Fry Pan Set. Each set comes with an 8" and 10" pan, perfect for everyday use as well as small kitchens. A long-standing team favorite, the company touts these pans as being four times stronger than usual, with a triple-reinforced PFOA-free surface that wipes clean and is even tough enough to stand up against metal utensils.
Who it’s best for: Anyone who's looking for multiple high-quality pans but isn't in the market for an entire cookware set.
Good to know: These pans are oven-safe up to 500 degrees and comes in a large set with a 9 1/2” and 11” pan.Carote Nonstick Cookware Set Carote Nonstick Cookware Set
Cookware sets can be expensive and hard to store, but that's not the case with Carote Nonstick Cookware Set. For only $70, you’ll get two removable handles — which makes for easy storage — four fry pans, two saucepans, three glass lids, and two lids that’ll convert your pans into airtight storage containers once the cleanup time comes around. Each pan has a nonstick, toxin-free granite coating and a stainless steel bottom that makes it safe to use on all kinds of cooktops, as well as the oven. After testing this set, we fell completely head over heels and think you will, to..
Who it’s best for: Anyone who wants a full set of cookware but is on a budget and limited on space.
Good to know: This pan is oven-safe up to 480 degrees.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Nonstick Skillets
What is a nonstick skillet?
In short, nonstick skillets are pans that have a coating that prevents food from sticking for easier cooking and cleaning. The best nonstick skillets have slick, durable surfaces, ensuring fried eggs, omelets, and crêpes slide right off of them time and time again and the clean-up is a breeze.
Are nonstick pans safe?
Traditional nonstick pans feature coatings that have PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), which you probably know as Teflon. These skillets are all oven-safe to at least 400°F and have super-slick nonstick coatings. However, there are some health concerns out there surrounding them. Overheating these types of skillet above 500°F (when empty, especially), can degrade and release gasses that can cause “polymer fume fever,” which include symptoms like headache and — you guessed it — fever. If you don’t use a nonstick skillet for high-heat tasks, you’ll be fine (opt for cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel instead). It is worth noting that all the pans listed are free of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which has been removed from the PTFE manufacturing process since about 2015 and is a known environmental toxin that some studies have linked repeated exposure of to an increased risk of cancer.
Again, using nonstick pans as directed is totally safe. That said, if you have concerns, ceramic is a good option. Ceramic coatings are made from a ceramic material derived from sand. These types of skillets are non-toxic and have no danger of off-gassing. Therefore, they’re oven-safe to a higher temperature and have been billed as a safer alternative to nonstick. Performance-wise, though, ceramic generally doesn’t stay as nonstick for as long as traditional nonstick.
What size skillet should I get?
If you tend to cook recipes that serve four (for four people or leftovers the next day!), a 12-inch skillet is your best match. If you mostly cook for two or want a pan for omelets or crêpes, a 10-inch skillet is a great size. And if you’re in need of a pan for a single serving of scrambled or fried eggs, then you should consider an 8-inch skillet.
Do I need to season a nonstick pan?
While you don’t necessarily need to season your nonstick pans, it is good practice to do so. While it may be something you consider exclusively for a cast-iron skillet, seasoning nonstick also helps preserve the integrity of your pan’s coating by conditioning the surface. To season a nonstick skillet, simply rub a light layer of oil over the surface, heat the pan on medium heat for a few minutes, cool it down, and wipe away the excess.
How to Clean a Nonstick Skillet
Washing a nonstick pan couldn’t be easier: simply wait for the pan to cool, scrub with some soap and water (never use abrasive/harsh cleansers as those can damage the nonstick coating), give it a good rinse, dry the pan, and season if needed. And for those wondering if nonstick pans can go in the dishwasher, the answer is dependent on the skillet you pick up. Some nonsticks claim to be dishwasher-safe, but for the most part, we suggest handwashing your nonstick cookware as the high heat and harsh detergents of a dishwasher can damage both the nonstick interior and the anodized exterior.
For an in-depth how-to, check our our step-by-step guide on how to clean a nonstick pan.
How long do nonstick skillets last?
Unlike cast iron or carbon steel, which can last forever as long as they’re treated right, nonstick skillets have a finite lifespan. And while you can’t expect a nonstick skillet to last for 10, 12, or 13 years, a good one could make it for five years. And there are some ways to care for nonsticks that’ll extend their longevity. For starters, you should never use sharp or metal utensils on a nonstick skillet. Oh, and if your nonstick starts peeling, it’s absolutely time for it to retire.
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