The best non-stick frying pans, tested and reviewed
There are a few simple tests I perform on nonstick skillets to measure each pan’s even heating, surface flatness, nonstick properties, and its ability to release food.
Fried and eggs and omelettes: classic dishes with non-stick coating
The first and perhaps most important test shows us how well each pan releases sticky foods, including eggs and pancakes. I cooked a fried egg and an omelet with a beaten egg in each. The hope is that everyone will completely let go of the food once it is cooked, with as little food left as possible. In reality, all of the frying pans released the eggs well during this test, with no single frying pan dropping. However, there were some minor differences in performance. The pans I selected as my top picks in each category all performed as well or better than average.
This is the lift you can expect from a good nonstick frying pan.
Pancakes reveal everything. Well, a lot anyway
I also cooked a pan-sized pancake in each pan – a test that does double duty. It not only shows how well a pan doesn’t stick, but 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 add pancake batter to a preheated pan, but here I want the batter to spread evenly and sink into the pan before cooking so I can really tell if they have hot or cold spots. I turn the pancake out of the pan and upside down. Yes, it was a messy affair, but what emerged on the other side were the pancake gradients that shed light on each pan’s ability to cook evenly across its surface.
Browning a pancake allows us to see how evenly a pan cooks and how well it releases a notoriously sticky breakfast food.
Other considerations
When performing these tests, I also consider other factors such as the overall size, weight, and balance of the pan on the stove. I also take into account the height and slope of the sides, as well as the angle and construction of the handle. Some of these factors are admittedly subjective, especially handle comfort, so it may make sense to find a cookware store and test 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 love the subtle slope of the Misen pan. The rubber casing felt comfortable in the hand.
Durability of non-stick coatings
This is a more difficult factor to assess. Ultimately, you want your nonstick coating to last as long as possible, but you can only really measure that through consistent use over time. In my experience, decent nonstick frying pans last three to four years before they really break down. While I don’t have the luxury of testing the durability of every pan over that period of time, I do look deep into the reviews of each pan to see if there are any red flags or patterns that might indicate they are corroding more quickly.
If your nonstick skillet looks something like this, it’s time to grab a new pan.
While no nonstick pan lasts forever, our top picks are the Misen as well as the Fully upholstered set have three layers of non-stick coating, which may give them a longer lifespan.
Price was one of the biggest factors
Due to its short lifespan, it is wise not to spend a fortune on one non-stick frying pan. Besides the HexClad, which offers a unique hybrid surface meant to resist metal utensils and wear and tear, I don’t recommend spending more than $60 or $70 on a single nonstick skillet.
If you go too cheap (pans under $40 or so), you’ll find that nonstick coatings corrode much more quickly and you’ll need to replace them sooner. I’ve made this mistake before and it’s just not worth it just to save a few dollars.
Cost and value were some of the biggest determining factors I considered when choosing the best nonstick skillets for 2024.
