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5 Best Nonstick Pans, Tested by Kitchen Pros

From ceramic nonstick pans to picks to use over high heat.

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Having a reliable nonstick pan makes cooking easier, especially for delicate tasks like frying eggs, making omelets, cooking fish or sautéing vegetables. Its slick coating allows for effortless flipping and stirring, and it’s easier to clean compared to stainless steel cookware or cast iron pans.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve tested almost 100 nonstick cookware sets and 15 additional nonstick pans, using up more than 120 eggs and 15 steaks. We evaluated:

  • How well pans released fried and scrambled eggs
  • Ease of handling, including weight and balance
  • Simplicity of cleaning

The top-performing pans were durable, heat-resistant and, most importantly, highly nonstick.

A quick note on safety: Some nonstick pans are made with or coated in ceramic, which is naturally free of PFOA and PFAS, the chemicals associated with Teflon. But experts reassure us that modern nonstick cookware is safe when used correctly. Read on for the pros and cons of each type of coating, tips for shopping and advice on what to cook with these versatile tools.

    1
    Best Overall

    Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro 10" Fry Pan

    Toughened Nonstick Pro 10" Fry Pan

    Pros

    • Quality construction
    • Cooked eggs practically fell out of the pan and onto the plate
    • Made without PFOA

    Cons

    • Pricey

    This pan feels high quality from the moment you pick it up. It has a thick, solid handle and is heavier than many nonstick pans of the past, which were thin and flimsy. In our tests, eggs needed only a shake to release from the pan's textured surface and scrambled eggs cleaned up with just a touch of the sponge. It's pricey, yes, but the Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro Fry Pan can handle more robust tasks as well; it seared steak evenly on both sides and is oven safe up to 500˚F.

    Size10"
    Weight2.31 lbs.
    MaterialHard anodized aluminum
    Oven-safeUp to 500°F
    PFOAMade without PFOA, according to manufacturer
    2
    Best Value

    Oxo Good Grips Hard Anodized Pro Nonstick 10" Fry Pan

    Good Grips Hard Anodized Pro Nonstick 10" Fry Pan

    Pros

    • Wide cooking area
    • Lightweight
    • Made without PFOA

    Cons

    • Not compatible with induction
    • Pan material is a little thin

    As stated in its name, the Oxo Good Grips Fry pan is comfortable to hold with a thick, easy-to-grasp handle. It's lightweight but durable and can handle oven temps up to 430˚F. Eggs slid right out of this pan when it was time to release them, and the nonstick rivets made it even easier to clean than your typical nonstick, although this pan is not compatible with induction cooktops.

    It has a black exterior, which hides stains well, and its wide surface and shallow edges stood out during cooking for creating ample surface area and better browning, but we found the pan to be a little thin.

    Size10"
    Weight1.96 lbs.
    MaterialHard anodized aluminum
    Oven-safeUp to 430°F
    PFOAMade without PFOA, according to manufacturer
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    3
    Best for Eggs

    Tramontina Professional Fusion 10" Fry Pan

    On Sale
    Professional Fusion 10" Fry Pan

    Pros

    • Ergonomic sloped edges and silicone grip
    • Smooth, rivetless interior; easy to clean
    • Easy to hold

    Cons

    • Outside of pan stained

    Nonstick pans are good for cooking quickly because they typically get hot fast. The high, sloped edges on this relatively lightweight pan and its medium thick handle with silicone grip make it perfect for shaking and flipping for fast methods like sautés and stir-fries; plus, it's oven-safe up to 400˚F.

    Its slick interior is also great for making eggs, especially rolled omelets and frittatas. In our tests, steaks seared evenly, and eggs needed a little nudge to release from the pan but didn't require any oil or grease. The exterior of the pan did stain in our testing, so keep that in mind if stains aesthetically bother you.

    Size10"
    Weight1.97 lbs.
    MaterialHeavy gauge aluminum
    Oven-safeUp to 400°F
    PFOAMade without PFOA, according to manufacturer
    4
    Best Stainless Steel

    Made In Non Stick Frying Pan

    Non Stick Frying Pan

    Pros

    • As sturdy as stainless steel with all the perks of nonstick
    • Inside of pan wipes clean with ease

    Cons

    • Outside of pans stain over higher heat

    This nonstick skillet stands out for having the heft of stainless steel with all the ease of nonstick. In our tests, it heated evenly and made a perfectly golden pancake over medium heat. Both pancakes and eggs slid off the pan without the use of any grease, and the inside of the pan wiped clean easily.

    It has a long, sturdy handle that makes it comfortable to hold, and it’s easy to move around and wash, though the outside of the pans got marred over higher temps. It also works well on induction, a not-so-easy feat for many nonstick pans made of lighter materials.

    Size10.5"
    Weight2.5 lbs.
    MaterialStainless clad
    Oven-safeUp to 500°F
    PFOAMade without PFOA, according to manufacturer
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    5
    Best Ceramic

    GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Anodized Ceramic Nonstick 10" Frying Pan

    Valencia Pro Hard Anodized Ceramic Nonstick 10" Frying Pan

    Pros

    • Sturdy yet relatively lightweight
    • Comfortable handle
    • High oven-safe temps

    Cons

    • May show signs of wear faster

    GreenPan is known for its ceramic pans with many different lines to choose from. This one is among the brand's most popular, and our testers noted its comfortable handle and sturdy design. It's relatively lightweight, which makes it easy to handle. It can reach high temps and is oven-safe up to 600˚F — higher than the other nonstick pans on our list.

    The rivets are coated for quicker cleanup, and we like the light grey interior that helps keep stains at bay. We use this pan for everything from eggs to searing steaks and sautéeing vegetables, but keep in mind that ceramic tends to wear faster over time than traditional nonstick, so you may need to replace this one sooner than others.

    Size10"
    Weight2.18 lbs.
    MaterialCeramic nonstick, hard anodized aluminum
    Oven-safeUp to 600°F
    PFOAMade without PFOA, according to manufacturer

    How we test nonstick pans

    searing steaks in nonstick

    We've been testing cookware, including nonstick cookware, for decades in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab.

    To test nonstick pans, we sear a steak to assess the evenness of heat distribution (pictured). We then test each for its nonstick capabilities by frying three eggs in a row with no grease, followed by two scrambled eggs with no grease, to see how well they all release.

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    nonstick pan testing
    Good Housekeeping

    We also test how evenly they heat by coating the pan with a flour mixture and checking for hot spots (pictured). Finally, we assess how well the pan cleans up by hand and take note of how easy it is to handle, how balanced it sits on our stovetop and how it compares to others we've tested.

    What to look for when buying a nonstick pan

    line break

    ✔️ Size: About 10 inches, the size we honed in on for testing, is the most common nonstick pan size. It can be used for making a quick breakfast for one or a full dinner for two to three people. Opt for an 8-inch pan if you mostly cook for yourself or just want to cook small portions, like one or two eggs at a time; if you often cook for a crowd, go for the 12-inch size.

    ✔️ Handle: Long, metal handles make for easy handling and are often a good indicator your nonstick pan is oven-safe to the temperature indicated by the manufacturer. Thick, plastic handles are comfortable to hold and are typically found on lightweight pans that shouldn't be used above medium heat — these also are oven-safe at high temps.

    ✔️ Oven-safe temperatures: Quality nonstick pans can go from stovetop to oven, which allows you to use them like stainless steel pans and sear a steak that you finish cooking via roasting. Check the product specifications and look for oven-safe temperatures above 350ºF to ensure the most versatility. The higher the temp, the more you can do with the pan.

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    FAQs

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    What are nonstick pans made out of?

    Aluminum, stainless steel and ceramic are common materials for nonstick pans.

    • Aluminum is light and conducts heat well.
    • Stainless steel is heavier and maintains heat better.

    Good pans are often made of a combination of metals to deliver the most benefits.

    In addition to the material, the nonstick coating also contributes to quality. Nonstick pans come in both traditional and ceramic coatings:

    • Traditional nonstick cookware is coated in Teflon, which can maintain its nonstick quality for longer than ceramic types. It can vary in terms of how many layers are applied and its grit. (The most durable ones feel a little gritty and will last a long time.)
    • Ceramic cookware offers a more natural alternative to Teflon, but it's generally less durable over time. Some nonstick pans are coated with ceramic, while others are fully ceramic (made from clay) and glazed at high temperatures to make them nonstick.

    What should I cook in my nonstick pan?

    The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen relies on a nonstick frying pan to make eggs of all types. Whether you're stirring up a delicate soft scramble or frying an egg, a nonstick pan not only makes it easy to release eggs from the pan, but cleanup is much simpler too. Plus these dishes don't require high heat, so you can feel safe using a non-stick skillet.

    A nonstick pan can also be good for searing proteins, making pancakes or other delicate jobs that could stick to a stainless steel pan. Just be sure to use wooden or silicone utensils on your nonstick pan to avoid scratching the coating.

    Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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    Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances Lab, oversees all of our cookware testing, including the latest side-by-side evaluations of nonstick cookware sets and pans. While stainless steel is her go-to cookware, she relies on a nonstick pan for eggs and veggies.

    Headshot of Nicole Papantoniou
    Nicole Papantoniou
    Kitchen Appliances Lab Director

    Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

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