4 Best Cooking Tool Sets, Tested and Reviewed
The best ways to upgrade your cooking arsenal.
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It's common for people who work in kitchens to say you only need a handful of cooking tools—and that the perfect, prepackaged set doesn't exist. While you'll likely have to add to most sets, I love starting my collection with matching pieces (even when it comes to cookware, but that's a different story) and building from there. Plus, buying a set is usually more cost-effective, even if it comes with pieces you might not use every day. The extras have come in handy when my favorites are in the sink.
As the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, I’ve used and tested countless tools and sets. I personally prefer silicone for its versatility and dishwasher-safe convenience, though other materials have their own advantages as well.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: GIR 10-Piece Silicone Utensil Set
- Best value: Cuisinart 7-Piece Kitchen Tool Set with Crock
- Best stainless steel: All-Clad Professional Stainless Steel Kitchen Tool Set
- Best wooden: Ruffoni Olivewood Utensils
Here are the cooking utensil sets I recommend most, based on material, included pieces, and proven longevity. I've also included what cookware materials they can be used with and the items I'd add to make the set even more "complete."
Pros
- Made of high-quality silicone with a seamless design
- Lasts for years
Cons
- The turner is a little thick
This is the set I'd buy over and over again–it can be used on all types of cookware. I was introduced to the spatula when I started working in food media more than 15 years ago. It's made of a single seamless silicone piece, like all the other tools in the set. It has flexible edges but is sturdy, heat-resistant up to 550ºF, and dishwasher-safe. It's the tool I use most in my kitchen, from stirring to scraping.
I love that this set comes with two additional spatulas in different sizes, as well as a spoonula, making it even more versatile than its flat counterparts.
The set also includes the ladle I recommend most. It changed my life when I first used it at Good Housekeeping—I’ve even bought it for family. It has a large capacity, measurement markings, and a flexible design that scrapes up every last bit of soup or sauce.
The whisk comes in handy, as do the spoons and peeler. I just barely use the angled turner—it's a little thick for my liking and hard to get under food. I prefer a stainless steel fish spatula instead.
Essentials I'd add to the set: Tongs and a fish spatula
| Number of pieces | 10 |
| What's included | Ladle, whisk, spatula, skinny spatula, flip/turner spatula, mini spatula, spoon, spoonula, mini spoon, peeler |
| Material | Silicone |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Heat-resistant | Up to 550˚F |
Pros
- Good price point
- Lightweight but good quality
Cons
- Shouldn't be used above 400°F
Plastic cooking tools aren't typically my go-to because they can melt when used over high heat, but they're good for nonstick cookware. They also tend to wear the quickest compared to other materials. This set from Cuisinart, however, is a good value if you're looking for affordable tools that can pretty much do it all.
They're lightweight and heat-resistant up to 400ºF. They're also dishwasher-safe, which is important to me. I like the way the barrel handle fits in my hand and how the heads have held up over time. The sturdy heads slide under the food well, and I like how efficient the spaghetti strainer is. I also like that this set comes with a crock for storage.
The ladle does a perfectly good job of scooping food, but after using a silicone version, it’s hard for me to use anything else—I can’t scrape up every drop without an additional spatula.
Essentials I'd add to the set: Tongs
Features at a Glance
| Number of pieces | 6 |
| What's included | Ladle, spoon, slotted spoon, pasta spoon, slotted spatula, crock |
| Material | Stainless steel, nylon |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Heat-resistant | Up to 400˚F |
Pros
- Sturdy
- Long, slim handles
- Have good heft
Cons
- Not compatible with nonstick cookware
Stainless steel utensils like these are long-lasting, but they're not ideal for nonstick cookware because they can scratch the surface. They can also be heavy sometimes, but these offer a good heft and feel balanced in the hand. The handles are long and slim, reminiscent of All-Clad's pots and pans with their recognizable indent, and they're comfortable to grab and encourage a strong grip.
The best part? I’ve run them through the dishwasher countless times, and they’ve never stained, rusted, or shown water spots. This five-piece set includes the essentials, but you'll likely want to supplement with other tools, such as tongs and a whisk. The slim crock is a nice addition you don’t often see included in sets.
Essentials I'd add to the set: Tongs
| Number of pieces | 5 |
| What's included | Ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, turner, fork, crock |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Heat-resistant | Yes |
Pros
- Still look like new after years of use
- Unique assortment of tools
Cons
- Hand-wash only
You probably don't need to spend so much money on wooden spoons, but I've used these for years, and they still look like new. While I treat them with oil from time to time, they haven't worn down or discolored over time. They're made from Italian olivewood with copper rivets for hanging.
The spoon is my go-to for mixing, and many people prefer wooden ones for tomato sauce since they’re less reactive than metal. I also like the slanted-edge spoon for reaching into corners, while the flat-edged version is great for scraping pans. The “spork” doubles as a slotted spoon, and the spaghetti spoon can stir and strain pasta—though I find tongs work better for long noodles. The spoon with a hole in the center is designed for risotto.
The downside of wooden utensils? They must be hand-washed, but they can be used on all types of cookware and will last for a long time
Essentials I'd add to the set: Tongs and a fish spatula
| Number of pieces | 6 |
| What's included | Flat-edged spatula, rounded spatula, slotted spatula, spoon, pasta spoon, fork |
| Material | Olivewood, copper |
| Dishwasher-safe | No, hand-wash only |
| Heat-resistant | Avoid direct exposure to intense heat, according to manufacturer |
Other cooking tool sets I like but might not be for everyone
- Hestan Provisions Deluxe Chef's Tool Set: I primarily use these polished stainless-steel tools for serving. They're gorgeous and come with a pretty crock, but they're expensive and a little heavy to use daily.
- Quince Olivewood Utensil Set: These four olivewood utensils are simple and affordable.
- Williams-Sonoma Olivewood Spoons: These olivewood spoons are gorgeous and come in a smaller set than the larger Ruffoni set I recommended above. They're still a little pricey.
How we test cooking tool sets
My team and I tested nine cooking tool sets. We reviewed each set for the types of tools included and overall usability.
We called in three samples of each set, and kept one of each in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab for ongoing use and distributed the others to testers for home use. We then asked them to complete a survey to learn about their experience.
I personally spent at least a month using each set, and, at this point, have used the ones I recommend in this story for more than a year.
Our at-home testers and I agree that each set is functional and comfortable to use. They've also proved useful without taking up too much room. The sets we recommend held up to repeated cooking and cleaning during our testing period.
What to look for when shopping for the best utensil set
✔️ What’s included: Think about what tools you use (and need) most. I rely most on my spatulas, tongs, and ladle. I also like a straight-edged spoon for scraping, a slotted spoon for straining, and a fish spatula for turning and serving. My list of recommendations mostly includes cooking tools themselves, but some include gadgets like peelers.
✔️ Material: Different materials have pros and cons. Silicone is the most versatile and is dishwasher safe; plastic is lightweight and affordable, but wears faster than other materials. Wood is sturdy and non-reactive, but must be hand-washed, and stainless steel is long-lasting, but can be heavy and expensive. Stainless steel can also scratch nonstick pans.
✔️ Ease of use: Cooking tools should have long handles to keep your hands away from the heat. They should also feel balanced in the hand.
✔️ Dishwasher-safe: It's important for me to be able to wash my tools in the dishwasher. The only exception I make is for my wooden spoon that must be hand-washed.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools, and gear since 2019. She cooks often and thinks way too much about what makes up the perfect cooking tool set.
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