Tl;dr: These are the best frying pans for all your sauteing, searing, and frying needs.

The frying pan: a kitchen workhorse, essential for crafting everything from fluffy Sunday pancakes to sauce-y weekday stir-fries. My first fry pan was a small 8-inch non-stick model, a modest addition to my dorm room, which I subsequently used to cook up a variety of eggs, some perfectly flipped sunny sides but also a lot of overcooked omelets. While that pan did not survive my early culinary adventures, it did pave the way for a more robust 12-inch frying pan. With this pan, I discovered the magic achievable with gentle, controlled heat and a vigilant eye on the simplest of weeknight dinners.

As my table grew to welcome a little one, a sturdy 14-inch carbon steel pan became the cornerstone of our shared meals, from crispy chicken cutlets to umami-packed beef fried rice and an array of noodle dishes studded with lashings of fresh vegetables. A kitchen without a variety of frying pans feels incomplete, limited almost, as so much can be achieved with one. So here’s my guide to finding the best-suited ones for your needs and culinary adventures.

What Is A Fry Pan?

Designed with shallow, sloping sides, a wide bottom, and usually no lid. This configuration is perfect for high-heat and quick-cooking techniques – searing, browning, pan-frying – making it an essential tool for any home chef.

How Is A Frying Pan Different From A Skillet?

While commonly used interchangeably, a skillet typically has deeper sides and may come with a lid. The frying pan's shallower sides are designed for easier flipping and turning of food, ideal for those perfect pancakes or crispy-skin fish dishes.

What To Look For in A Fry Pan

• Material: A frying pan's heat conduction, durability, and cooking performance are tied to its material. For instance, aluminum pans heat up quickly but may warp over time, whereas stainless steel pans offer better durability, often restaurant-grade, but can be prone to hot spots without proper construction like tri-ply or clad designs. While lighter carbon steel models are easier on the wrist.
• Coating: Non-stick pans range from low-quality, easily chipped coatings to high-end, metal utensil-safe surfaces like premium PTFE, PFOA-free coatings, or ceramic-titanium blends.
• Thickness: The gauge of the pan affects its heat distribution and retention. Thicker pans are less likely to warp, but retain more heat and provide more even cooking. At the same time, lighter pans allow for easier handling.
• Handle Construction: Riveted handles are generally more durable than those that are screwed on, and the material (metal, silicone, etc.) affects oven safety and grip comfort.
• Price: Fry pans run the gamut of prices. From entry-level aluminum to professional-grade multi-ply stainless steel, the quality spectrum is wide. While more expensive pans typically feature better materials and construction, more modestly priced models are still suitably adept at turning out perfectly seared steaks.

What Are The Different Types of Fry Pans?

The material of the pan can greatly affect your cooking and the choice often correlates closely with your lifestyle. These are the different materials you’ll typically find non-stick pans made of.

Aluminum

Lightweight and excellent heat conductors, these fry pans are often coated with non-stick materials to enhance performance. They heat up fast and are suitable for quick stir-fry dinners on the table, pronto. It’s perfect for sauteing vegetables or flipping omelets without a fuss. If you’re using an induction cooktop, ensure it’s induction-compatible, or consider a non-stick pan with a stainless steel base.

Stainless Steel

Highly durable frying pans often feature a layered or clad construction with an aluminum or copper core for improved heat distribution. They’re typically higher priced and better suited for home cooks who like to experiment but value precise heat conduction properties. A stainless steel fry pan with a copper core executes the perfect sear on a duck breast or delicate salmon before it’s finished with a quick broil for restaurant-quality crispy skin.

Cast Iron

A cast iron is known for superior heat retention and natural non-stick properties when seasoned. It is a heritage piece that can last a lifetime and is ideal for high-temperature cooking. Classic family meals like roasts, stews, and steaks do well on cast iron. While it requires seasoning and a bit of muscle to handle, the excellent heat retention is worth it, making transitions from your stovetop to your barbecue grill easily as it’s typically oven-safe up to 500°F.

Enamel Cast Iron

This has all the advantages of cast iron plus one more: no need for seasoning and their enamel coating makes it resistant to acidic foods. While it can be more expensive than cast iron, it’s easy to maintain. Just make sure to get a good quality enamel coating to avoid accidental chips. They’re excellent for seared proteins, recipes that involve acidic ingredients, and serving directly from the grill/oven/pan to the table as it’s oven safe to 500°F.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel combines the superior heat retention of cast iron with the lighter weight of stainless steel. It heats up quickly and is great for quick, high-heat searing and saute dishes as they respond well to fast-changing cooking temperatures. They’re generally safe to use with metal utensils and on glass and induction cooktops but some maintenance is required to prevent rusting.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a modern alternative to non-stick coating without the use of PTFE, PFOA-free coatings. The best ceramic models are generally marketed as more eco-friendly and green but can be less durable than all other options. They’re great for vegetables and Sunday brunch frittatas and typically come in different colorways for a more presentable option from stove to table.

My Top Picks For Frying Pans:

1. Caraway Non-Stick 8" Ceramic Fry Pan

With its eco-friendly (PFOA and PFTE-free) non-stick ceramic coating and stylish colorway, the direct-to-consumer Caraway ceramic fry pan brings a modern aesthetic to the kitchen while being compatible with induction, gas, and electric cooktops. The aluminum core allows for even heating and cleaning, while the stainless steel handle means it can go in/out of the oven as they’re oven-safe to 550°F

2. Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Fry Pan

A professional-grade tool (with a price tag to match) that can withstand the rigors of daily use. Designed with a triple-enforced hard-anodized aluminum non-stick, PFOA-free surface, it can handle metal utensils and the dishwasher with ease. Reviewers love it for its exceptional ability for browning and searing and the ergonomic handle, which stays relatively heat-safe for easy cooking.

3. Viking Blue Steel 12” Wok/Stir Fry Pan

Love a wok but don’t have the cabinet space for it? This 2-in-1 carbon steel option is a stir-fry lover’s dream. Offering quick heat-up and ample room for tossing noodles and vegetables, it weighs under 4 pounds and has been specially treated to resist rust and corrosion (a common issue with carbon steel). The stay-cool cast iron handles secured by rivets increase its durability and lifetime usage.

4. All-Clad D3 Stainless 3-ply Bonded Cookware, Fry Pan with lid

Under 5 pounds and oven-safe to 600°F, All-Clad’s stainless steel cookware is an excellent choice for its durable triple-ply construction (aluminum core with polished stainless steel) and precise heat conductivity. Compatible with all cooktops and sensitive enough for glass-top stoves, the spacious 12-inch size can easily produce a one-dish pasta or filet mignon for two.

5. Anolon X Hybrid Nonstick Induction Frying Pan

Don’t knock the nifty helper handle; it’s a boon for heavier culinary tasks or if you want to do some low-grade tossing movements. The exclusive SearTech™ technology mimics the searing benefits of cast iron while keeping oils in the middle of the pan so caramelization and browning are more even.

6. Viking Professional 5-Ply Non-Stick Fry Pan

A top pick from chefs, this pan's 5-ply construction (surgical grade stainless steel interior, three layers of aluminum core, and stainless steel exterior) ensures even heat distribution without hot spots. The flared sides and stay-cool handles allow you to braise and saute like a seasoned chef. The only downside is it is only oven-safe to 400°F – so you can’t broil with it – and while it is dishwasher safe, gentle hand-washing is preferred to retain the quality of its coating.

7. Scanpan HAPTIQ Fry Pan

Made in Denmark, the Scanpan HAPATIQ’s durable build and PFOA-free surface allow it to work on all cooking surfaces. With five-ply stainless steel coated with Stranatium, a specialized non-stick coating, it is reportedly 50 percent more durable than traditional non-stick coatings. Lookswise, it's sleek with a shiny silver exterior and long, smooth, stay-cool handles, so you won’t need to use silicone mitts.

Connect with an Expert to Find the Best Frying Pan for You

When picking out a frying pan, know that the final choice is very much personalized to your lifestyle and cooking style. Everyone has their own needs and preferences, which can differ from meal to meal. What’s most important is to be open to trying different ones till you find the one that fits your needs best. If you’d like some help finding the perfect fry pan, reach out to one of our Curated Kitchen Experts, who are happy to work with you to find the best frying pan for you!