The best non-stick pans, tested and reviewed
I perform a few simple tests on non-stick skillets to measure whether the pan heats evenly, whether the surface is flat, whether the pan has non-stick properties, and whether food releases.
Fried eggs and omelettes: classic non-stick dishes
The first and perhaps most important test is how well each pan releases sticky foods, like eggs and pancakes. I used both pans to cook both a fried egg and a whipped egg omelet. The hope is that they release the food completely once cooked, with as little leftover food as possible. In reality, all of the pans released eggs well during this test, and none failed. There were some slight differences in performance, however. The pans I selected as my top picks in each category all performed as well or better than average.
This is the improvement you can expect from a good non-stick frying pan.
Pancakes reveal everything. Well, a lot anyway
I also made a pan-sized pancake in each pan — a test that does double duty. In addition to illuminating a pan’s nonstick surface, it also shows how evenly a skillet heats and cooks.
After filling a cold pan with a cup of pancake batter, I turned on the heat and let it cook for two minutes. Normally you would pour pancake batter into a preheated pan, but here I wanted the batter to spread evenly and settle into the pan before cooking so I could clearly see if there were any hot or cold spots. I flipped the pancake out of the pan and turned it upside down. Yes, it was a messy job, but what emerged on the other side were pancake gradients that shed light on each pan’s ability to cook evenly across its surface.
Browning a pancake shows how evenly a pan cooks and how well the notoriously sticky breakfast food releases.
Other considerations
When conducting these tests, I also pay close attention to other factors, such as the overall size, weight, and balance of a pan on the stove. I also consider the height and angle of the sides, as well as the angle and construction of the handle. Some of these factors are admittedly subjective, especially the comfort of the handle, so it can be helpful to find a cookware store and test out a few different handles before making a final choice.
It may seem like a small thing, but the angle of the handle can make a big difference when maneuvering the pan. I like the subtle slope of the Misen pan. The rubberized coating was comfortable in my hand.
Durability of non-stick coatings
This is a trickier factor to judge. Ultimately, you want your nonstick to last as long as possible, but you can only judge this by using it consistently over time. In my experience, good nonstick pans last three to four years before they really start to fail. While I don’t have the luxury of testing the durability of every pan over that time, I do look closely at each pan’s reviews to see if there are any red flags or patterns that might indicate they’re corroding faster.
If your nonstick skillet looks something like this, it’s time to get a new pan.
While no non-stick pan lasts forever, our top pick is the Misen as well as the All-Clad Set are provided with three layers of non-stick coating, which means they will probably last longer.
Price was one of the biggest factors
Because of the short lifespan, it’s wise not to spend a fortune on a single nonstick pan. Besides the HexClad, which offers a unique hybrid surface that is resistant to metal utensils and wear, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than $60 or $70 on a single nonstick pan.
If you go too cheap (pans under $40 or so), you’ll find that nonstick coatings corrode much faster and you’ll need to replace them sooner. I’ve made this mistake before, and it’s just not worth it to save a few bucks.
When choosing the best non-stick pans for 2024, cost and value were the most important factors I considered.
