Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 8 Best Nonstick Pans That Every Home Chef Must Buy in 2022

Mid section of young couple preparing fish at kitchen counter.

Here’s the thing about nonstick frying pans: They don’t defy the laws of thermodynamics and physics. There’s always a way for food to get stuck to one, as you’ve probably noticed while reading product reviews. Also, frying food naturally involves some sort of fat. A nonstick pan helps reduce the amount of fat, but to “fry” anything on a skillet, you’re going to need a little bit of grease. It will result in a better finished product on your plate, make cleaning up more effortless, and season the pan, further adding to its nonstick capabilities.

Since every home cook needs a quality nonstick pan in their arsenal, we rounded up the best nonstick pans for all your cooking needs — from frying restaurant-quality eggs to making fluffy pancakes. We also included a list of things you need to consider before buying this kitchen equipment, so be sure to read on.

Related Guides

Best Overall: Tramontina Professional Fry Pans

A Tramontina Professional Fry Pan on white background.

Tramontina is well-known in professional kitchens due to its reputation for being a workhorse. Its pans are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and consist of a well-balanced 3.85 pounds of heavy-gauge aluminum. Made in the USA and coming with a lifetime warranty, you can’t beat these pans for the price.

Best for Beginners: T-fal E93808 Professional Nonstick Fry Pan

A T-fal E93808 Professional Nonstick Fry Pan on white background.

If you’re a novice cook and are worried that your pan may be getting too hot, this one literally tells you when it’s ready with its Thermo-Spot heat indicator. The T-fal E93808 is lightweight yet durable, and the stainless steel induction base lets you sear better than most beginner aluminum pans.

Best Value: Utopia Kitchen 11-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan

A bird's eye view of Utopia Kitchen 11 Inch Nonstick Frying Pan.

For the price, you can’t beat this pan. It’s well-balanced and surprisingly durable. For the price of a six-pack of fancy craft beer, you won’t feel bad if you have to get another one after a year.

Best Splurge: Mauviel Copper 150b Fry Pan

A Mauviel Copper 150b Fry Pan on white background.

If you walk into a Michelin star-rated French kitchen, you’re likely going to find pure copper pans. The tin lining is the original nonstick coating, and copper is the absolute best material for conducting heat — so sear to your heart’s content. Be aware that you’re going to pay dearly for this combination of beauty and performance, though. Yet, with the proper care, you can hand this pan down to your grandkids.

Most Eco-Friendly: GreenPan Valencia Pro Nonstick Frypan

A GreenPan Valencia Pro Nonstick Frypan on white background.

Not only is this a terrific all-around pan, but it’s also the safest one around for the environment. The Thermolon ceramic nonstick coating is free of all the chemicals people usually worry about with nonsticks. Plus, its manufacturing process emits 60% less CO2 compared to other traditional coatings.

Other Nonstick Frying Pans We Love

Carote 12-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet

A Carote 12-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet on white background.

This Swiss-made pan is also very eco-friendly thanks to its granite coating. Its Durit, tungsten carbide nonstick technology makes the coating among the most durable available. The wooden handle has a unique feel and adds a nice design element to your kitchen if you happen to display your pans on hooks or open shelves. It’s somewhat a hybrid between one of the best woks and a regular frying pan, so it’s an all-around winner in our books.

Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet

A Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet on white background.

Lodge is well-known for making some of the best cast-iron skillets, and its carbon steel fry pan doesn’t disappoint, either. It comes to you pre-seasoned, so it’s technically nonstick. Still, we suggest seasoning it a couple of times before trying to fry something delicate, like eggs or fish. If you take this step, this pan will be your go-to for life.

Tuxton Home Concentrix Nonstick Pan

Two green Tuxton Home Concentrix Nonstick Pans on white background.

Whether you’re cooking omelets for breakfast or orecchiette for a fancy dinner, the Tuxton Nonstick Pan will surely elevate any dish for any occasion. It features an encapsulated aluminum base for even heat distribution and a scratch-resistant ceramic coating to maintain its nonstick properties. Plus, it’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe for further convenience.

How to Choose a Nonstick Frying Pan

Here are some things to consider before buying a nonstick pan:

  • If it claims to be dishwasher safe, take the time to wash it by hand. This will significantly extend its lifespan.
  • If the manufacturer says the pan can be used with metal utensils, use silicone or wood anyway. It’s not worth the risk.
  • Although most nonstick pans now can withstand higher temperatures on the stovetop and in the oven, it’s best to stick with low to medium heat.

Now that you know which nonstick frying pan is right for you, you’ll need the best kitchen tools and appliances for a fully functioning kitchen.

Editors' Recommendations

Steven Johnson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Steven Johnson is a chef-turned-content strategist. He now helps companies attract and retain more customers through content…
8 of the Best Knife Sharpeners for Every Kind of Blade
best knife sharpeners shutterstock 140712580

Having a sharp knife is important in the kitchen. Even though you have to be wary when using one, a sharp knife is obviously better than a dull knife. When you have a dull knife, you end up tearing food instead of slicing it with precision. Sharp knives also have a longer lifespan, especially when you're maintaining your best chef knives.

To achieve a sharp knife, you need a high-quality knife sharpener. A knife sharpener can help you retain your knives' sharp edges of glory. If you're a beginner, you should learn how to sharpen a knife, but it can be overwhelming to choose a good knife sharpener. There are many different types of knife sharpeners ranging from electric to whetstone. To ease your search, we've rounded up the best knife sharpeners that are perfect for any type of blade.

Read more
Our Top Picks of the 11 Best Stand Mixers for Home Cooks
Person cracking egg on the bowl of electric stand mixer

We love all things cooking, so it's natural to talk about the best stand mixers available and how they stack up against each other. If you are as serious about being in the kitchen as we are, then you will want to know about some of the best kitchen tools and appliances out there. Having the skill and the right set of tools will make your baking, meal prep, and general cooking so much easier.

You'll recognize most of these stand mixers because they have been on the list before, and for good reason. They are high-quality, durable, and reliable. If you're going to drop some serious dough (see what we did there?) on kitchen appliances, then you need to make sure what you buy is going to last and keep up with your demands.
1. KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt Head, 5-Quart
Best Overall Stand Mixer

Read more
The Best KitchenAid Mixers You Can Buy in 2022
Father and son baking cookies.

Thanks to its unsurpassed craftsmanship and over 100 years of dependability, KitchenAid stand mixers have inserted themselves into kitchens across America (and the world) as a staple appliance. Homes and professional kitchens alike rely on KitchenAid's quality stand mixers every day to churn out delicious baked goods, sauces, dressings, desserts, and more. With the corporate offices located in Benton Harbor, MI, and the assembly plant in Greenville, OH, Midwesterners proudly churn out thousands of mixers per year.
What Makes KitchenAid Mixers Stand Apart?
These mixers feel heavy-duty because they are. Zinc castings and metal gears and motor give the units their heft. The small but powerful motor powers the mixer’s planetary action. This motion is achieved by both the mixer housing and the paddle spinning simultaneously—ensuring no part of the bowl is missed.

KitchenAid’s trademark colorways have made these products even more desirable, allowing them to fit into any kitchen color scheme. And let’s not forget all the excellent attachments that are universal across all models, from pasta maker to ice cream maker. Little known fact: Thanks to its universal attachment design, the attachments from the first machines still fit into new devices. For more on the history and production of a KitchenAid, check out this video. Every KitchenAid mixer comes standard with 10-speed switch controls and a mixing paddle, whisk, and dough hook.

Read more