Top pick
This affordable pan is lighter than a traditional cast-iron skillet and a little shallower. It’s an ideal shape for searing, roasting, and sautéing.
Best for…
The classic Lodge pan sears well and is deep enough for frying chicken, but it is hefty to maneuver around a range.
Cast-iron cookware should last for generations. A classic for a reason, cast iron excels at cooking across low and high temperatures—and with proper seasoning, it can be as nonstick as a nonstick pan, whose life expectancy is typically less than five years. (Contrary to popular belief, cast iron is not complicated to clean or to re-season.)
Our top cast-iron skillet pick, the Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, performed better than some significantly more expensive cast-iron skillets. Although it’s a little shallower than some other cast-iron skillets, it’s an ideal shape for stovetop searing and oven roasting, and it’s relatively lightweight for the material, so it’s a little easier to maneuver.
Though all our cast-iron skillet picks are relatively affordable, you can sometimes find secondhand cast-iron pans, but they may need some TLC.
Top pick
This stainless steel skillet is a proven workhorse, offering superior heat conduction and durable construction.
Upgrade pick
Constructed from three-ply stainless steel, this large saucepan is long-lasting and the perfect depth for simmering soup or steaming vegetables.
We frequently name stainless steel cookware alongside cast-iron pieces as a buy-it-for-life alternative to nonstick pans. While the associated techniques can require making some adjustments, fully clad stainless steel tri-ply cookware allows for more high-heat cooking than nonstick pans. It can also be pricey, though worth the investment, says Marilyn Ong, senior editor of our kitchen team, since tri-ply stainless steel is versatile and durable, and will last a long time.
We’re partial to All-Clad tri-ply pans. Not only should the cookware’s durable material hold up to a lifetime of use, but All-Clad also offers a limited lifetime warranty on its cookware. And the pans are relatively simple to maintain. “All-Clad pans just don’t discolor the way other pans do,” says Marilyn. She also notes that they’re easier to clean than some others we tested.
For starters, the All-Clad D3 Stainless 12″ Fry Pan with Lid, the top pick in our guide to the best skillet, distributes heat evenly, cleans up beautifully, and is lightweight and balanced. We also love the company’s saucepans, including the All-Clad D3 Stainless 3-Ply 4-Quart Sauce Pan, the All-Clad D3 Stainless Everyday 3-Ply 3-Quart Sauce Pan, and the All-Clad D3 Curated 2.5-Quart Saucier. All three come with lids and have sturdy, long handles to help with maneuvering.
Upgrade pick
Some cooks may want to invest in this exceptionally durable, high-quality pot. It doesn’t cook much better than the Lodge Dutch oven, and it costs far more, but Le Creuset’s Dutch oven is the kind of piece that people pass down to their kids.
After years of testing, our kitchen experts found that the Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven is the best Dutch oven you can buy. Not only is it buy-it-for-your-life, but it’s buy-it-for-your-kids’-lives, too—in our guide we note that the Le Creuset Dutch oven is a great option for people “who want a heritage piece of cookware.” It’s durable, it cooks food evenly, and it’s relatively lightweight to maneuver for something that’s made from enamel-coated cast iron.
To keep your Le Creuset Dutch oven in peak condition for as long as possible, wash it by hand and opt for wood or soft cooking utensils over metal ones, which can scratch the enamel coating. Le Creuset’s pale interiors are prone to some cosmetic staining, but we have advice for how to restore it to look nearly brand-new. Le Creuset also offers a lifetime warranty.
