9 Best Flatware Sets, According to Our Lab and Consumer Testing

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Mirror | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 dinner spoons, 4 teaspoons. Also available in 47- and 103-piece sets.

The Cangshan Rain II set was overwhelmingly popular with our testers, with many commenting that it was their favorite out of 15 flatware sets and that they loved the "simple and sleek look." This modern yet timeless design makes the set incredibly versatile for both everyday use and fancier dinner parties.

The handles have a slim, rounded shape that's not too thick or too thin, making them comfortable to hold. Testers found the spoon easy to use for soup and said the knife cut well. While consumers slightly struggled to pick up rigatoni with the fork, they still enjoyed using it and gave the set overall high marks.

The utensils are made with 18/10 stainless steel and are dishwasher safe. In our tests, they came out of the dishwasher just as good as new. While some flatware sets can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars, you can grab a 20-piece Cangshan set for under $100. If you want to really make a statement, this style is also available in a gorgeous 20-piece antique copper finish.

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Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Mirror, gold satin, black mirror | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 65-piece set includes 12 salad forks, 12 dinner forks, 12 dinner knives, 12 dinner spoons, 12 teaspoons, serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, sugar spoon, butter knife, serving fork.

This flatware set from Lenox offers an elegant design at a great price, making it our great value pick. We've frequently seen these sets on sale with a 65 piece set as low as $110. Featuring a sleek mirror finish and a subtle row of decorative dots at the base of the handle which adds a touch of elegance, this set is perfect for both everyday use and special occasions. Plus, you can expand your collection and purchase matching steak knives, cocktail forks and spoons, iced tea spoons, a five-piece hostess set and a two-piece dessert set, covering nearly every dining need.

Testers found the knife had a substantial handle that felt sturdy and cutting through carrots and green beans was a breeze. Although the knife is noticeably weighty, it’s well-balanced and easy to use. The spoon and fork handles are thin and light giving them a more delicate feel. Overall, testers enjoyed using this flatware as it’s comfortable to hold and easy to use.

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Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Mirror | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 soup spoons, 4 dessert spoons. Also available in 5- and 42-piece sets.

Simple yet sophisticated, the Williams Sonoma Absolu flatware set delivers on both design and performance. The polished mirror finish enhances its luxurious look, while the decorative lines add an extra special touch to flatter just about any table setting. It’s made with high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, and according to the brand, won’t tarnish. In our Lab testing, we saw no issues with tarnishing or stains after washing and cleanup is easy since they’re dishwasher safe. It earned one of the highest scores among testers, receiving top marks in almost every category.

Testers noted that the spoon and knife were on the hefty side but still liked them, with one tester commenting, “The knife is a little heavy but cuts like a dream!” The higher weight makes this silverware set feel durable, and the handles are comfortable to hold. All of this comes at a high price tag, but you won’t have to worry about replacing the flatware in a few years whether using it every day or at formal dinner parties.

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Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Brushed gold, brushed silver, brushed black, mirror | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 soup spoons, 4 teaspoons. Also available in 5- and 42-piece sets.

The Fortessa Arezzo offers a modern look without being overly trendy. The slim handles are rectangular with soft edges, ensuring they won’t dig into your hand while holding them. Testers commented the forks were excellent at picking up pasta and found the flatware was comfortable to hold and well balanced. It was some of the heaviest flatware in our tests making it feel built to last.

If you like a deep, yellow gold then you’ll love the the brushed gold finish. A few testers didn’t care for the color, although they liked the flatware set in general. If dark gold isn’t your preference, the cutlery is also available in brushed silver, brushed black and mirror finishes. Just note, all finishes are dishwasher safe except the gold finish which is hand wash only.

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Polished silver, matte silver, matte gold, matte black | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 large spoons, 4 small spoons

Fable’s flatware has a trendy-enough look to dress up any brunch or dinner party but it’s classic enough that you won’t regret buying it in a few years. It was one of the highest-rated flatware sets in our tests, earning top marks for comfort and design. A few testers commented how much they like the matte finish though it may not be for everyone. For those who prefer a shiny finish the set is also available in polished silver.

The dinner spoon is a touch on the large side but overall testers enjoyed the set and gave it a good score. Made from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, it’s built to last and all sets are dishwasher safe according to the brand, including the matte gold, which is rare since many gold finish flatware sets are hand wash only because the finish tends to tarnish or wear off.

One of our experts has owned a matte gold Fable set for months without major issues, except one large spoon developed two small rust spots but the others look perfectly new. Fable advises against overloading the dishwasher basket to prevent damage and we recommend keeping utensils from banging together to reduce the risk of damage. If you want to be extra cautious, hand washing is the safer option.

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Copper rose, mirror, brushed gold, brushed black | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 soup spoons, 4 teaspoons. Also available in a 5-piece set.

In a sea of silver, gold and black flatware this Fortessa cutlery set stands out with its gorgeous copper rose finish and textured handles that resemble a honeycomb. The handles appear to almost sparkle, with the facets catching the light, so it’s no surprise this was one of the highest-rated flatware sets in our tests.

The textured handle may feel odd at first but testers commented, "It feels nice." Our pros notice the texture helps provide a better grip on the silverware so it doesn’t slip through your fingers. This was one of our favorite spoons to use at home for digging ice cream out of a pint because the texture and shorter handle provide excellent grip and leverage.

Testers also liked the shape and design of the spoon giving it high marks. The soup spoon is on the larger side but it’s narrow, making it easy to fit into your mouth. We loved the charm of the copper rose finish but this set is also available in silver mirror with options for a 20- or 42-piece set if that better suits your preference.

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Mirror, satin | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 soup spoons, 4 dessert spoons. Also available in 5- and 53-piece sets.

Not completely modern, yet not traditional, the Marin flatware set has a simple but striking look. The handles are slightly curved, which adds to the balanced design and feels ergonomic in the hand, ensuring it's easy to hold. This set is made with 18/10 stainless steel and has substantial weight so it feels durable.

Testers found these utensils comfortable to use and enjoyed using the cutlery. They also commented that the spoon feels slightly heavy but still gave it a high score. The flatware comes in a mirror or satin finish and makes a great basic set. You can also grab a matching five-piece serving set, steak knives and cheese knives to round out your set. Plus, if you need to replace just a few pieces, you can buy them individually so you don’t need to purchase a whole set.

Material: 18/10 stainless steel | Finish: Mirror, champagne, white, black | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 dinner spoons, 4 teaspoons. Also available in a 5-piece set.

It’s hard to miss the Crate and Barrel Aero flatware with its eye-catching minimalist look, featuring very thin, tapered handles and round spoons. The mirror polish finish adds to the modern design and is sure to catch your guests' attention.

Multiple testers commented on this flatware before even trying it because it stood out among the other sets. After using the flatware, one tester wrote, “I love how sleek they are! Very modern.” Another commented that the flatware “looks like it would be in an expensive restaurant.” One downside to the slim flatware, it's harder to hold because there's not as much to grab onto.

Panelists were divided on whether they liked the completely circular spoon, with some appreciating it and others not so much. We found this shape easy to use for soups and stews, but not as easy when it comes to other tasks, like trying to dig ice cream out of the container.

The Aero flatware is available in a mirror polish matte finish with white or black handles and a brushed champagne finish with white handles. All sets are made of 18/10 stainless steel and are dishwasher safe but hand washing is recommended for the champagne finish.

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Material: 18/0 stainless steel | Finish: Mirror with blackened handles | Dishwasher-safe: No | What's included: 20-piece set includes 4 salad forks, 4 dinner forks, 4 dinner knives, 4 dinner spoons, 4 soup spoons.

If you’re looking for a flatware set that’s more on the rustic side, this Abe set from CB2 is for you. The cutlery has a silver mirror finish with brushed, blackened handles that have an almost tarnished appearance. We found the Abe set comfortable to hold, which is not always the case with thin rectangular handles.

Testers also gave it high scores for comfort, design and liked using the fork to pick up pasta. They also They were split on the aesthetics; some really raved about the edgy look while others didn’t quite care for it. They also felt the knife could be a tad sharper. This set is made with 18/0 stainless steel, giving it less shine and adding to the rugged vibe. Unfortunately, it is hand wash recommended.

One thing to note, we noticed that these looked different in person compared to online. These have more contrast between the polished silver and matte black handles, and the brushed black handles have an intentionally tarnished matte look, rather than the smoother, shinier look seen online.

Aesthetically, it’s hard to go wrong with this set. Multiple testers praised the design. What held this flatware set back are the rectangular handles which are uncomfortable and hand drying is recommended. Still, if design is your priority, these flatware pieces will look stunning on any tabletop.

The Tramontina set is another great deal at $63 but it was slightly edged out by our best value pick and testers gave it an average score because they found the knife slightly uncomfortable and felt the flatware was a bit bulky. However, if you're looking for an affordable option and don't mind larger silverware, this is a solid choice.

The CB2 Rush set scored fairly well in our tests. While most finish options are dishwasher safe (except the brushed gold), CB2 recommends hand-drying, which can be easy to forget. If you're up for hand-drying, this may be a good choice for a simple, modern set with a lower price tag than some others.

We appreciated the modern simplicity of the Made In set, which earned an average score in our tests. However, at nearly $200 for a 20-piece set, it’s hard to justify with multiple testers noting it's not their favorite design. It's also very similar to the Tramontina, which costs much less. The Made In utensil proportions are slightly better since they're not as bulky. If you're willing to pay the price difference, you may prefer this set.

The Dragonfly’s design is unique and somewhat polarizing—you'll either love it or hate it, which is the feedback we received from testers. The elongated handles are extremely thin making it harder to hold, and testers noted that the deep spoon would make it difficult to eat yogurt or soup. One word of caution, the knife point is sharp and if you're not careful it's easy to accidentally knick yourself.

This set is a great price, but one of the biggest complaints from testers was the weight and thicknesses of the knife compared to the fork and spoon made everything feel disproportional. The fork and spoon are very thin and light while the knife is thick and heavy.