We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The 10 best frying pans to shop, out of 114 tested by our experts
These pans make cooking a fry-up fuss-free
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
A good frying pan is a non-negotiable in the kitchen. The best pan sets should always include one, but you may want to invest in one separately so you can tackle everything from fried eggs and frying-pan pizzas to sweet treats like crêpes and pancakes.
While the best frying pan makes a versatile cooking companion, a bad one can also ruin mealtimes. If your food regularly sticks to it, or you buy the wrong type for your hob, you could be heading straight for a kitchen nightmare. And as well as being easy to clean, the best frying pans should be affordable, scratch resistant and distribute heat well – so lots to tick off then.
Luckily, the Good Housekeeping Institute has tested over 60 different pans to find the ones worth spending on. In a hurry? These are our top-rated picks at a glance but keep scrolling for our full reviews and to find out what you need to consider before you add to basket.
The best frying pans to buy
How we test frying pans
To find the best frying pans, our experts get cooking at the lab, judging each one on a range of hob types, including gas, induction, and ceramic. We carry out the following tests to make sure they’re measure up in your kitchen.
Cooking test: We fry an egg in each pan to judge the non-stick claims and heat distribution. A good frying pan should produce an egg that’s evenly cooked, with a golden bottom and set yolk and white on top, and it should slide easily out of the pan without tearing, bursting or leaving residue behind. We also make a stack of pancakes as this tells us even more about heat distribution. As they cook, we look for tiny bubbles across the surface of the batter as well as an even, golden colour once flipped. Again, they should slide out of the frying pan with no sticking or burning once cooked. We do these tests as standard, and use the frying pans to try out other recipes throughout the testing period.
Oven test: If a frying pan claims to be oven-safe, we pop it in at the manufacturer’s highest recommended temperature. We then look for any warping or discolouration as well as any general damage to the frying pan.
Dishwasher test: We put each frying pan through the dishwasher five times, if it claims to be dishwasher safe, again checking it for any damage afterwards. If it’s not dishwasher-safe, we wash it by hand to see how easy it is to clean.
Throughout our reviews, we also consider ease of use, design and any instructions included. These are our experts’ top buys.
Tefal So Light Aluminium Non-Stick Thermo-Signal Frying Pan
Pros
- Hole in the handle for hanging
- Good cleaning advice
Cons
- There was very slight sticking with pancakes on an induction hob
Score: 98/100
This lightweight induction pan comes from Tefal’s new So Light range. While it’s not the lightest pan on this list (pick the Tower Cerastone or Scoville frying pan if that’s a priority), it still weighs just 920g, making it easy to manoeuvre when you’re flipping pancakes and stir frying.
It also has a wide base and a sturdy design, while our experts loved the added thumb rest on the handle for extra comfort.
Testers found the non-stick excellent too – eggs were crisp on the bottom but well-cooked on top, and they effortlessly glided out of the pan when we were ready to serve, while our pancakes came out golden brown and evenly cooked.
Tefal recommends hand washing instead of putting the pan in the dishwasher, but other than that small niggle, this frying pan is hard to fault.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 22cm, 24cm, 28cm, 30cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Unspecified |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes – but hand washing recommended |
| Suitable for | All hob types |
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Non-Stick Frying Pan
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Non-Stick Frying Pan
Pros
- Feels robust and durable
- Handles are a perfect size and shape
Cons
- Handles heat up while the pan is in use
Score: 97/100
Le Creuset always impresses in testing, and its non-stick stainless steel frying pan was no exception. It is heavy, weighing just over one-kilogram, but its cooking performance more than makes up for it – testers only noted some slight sticking when cooking with it on a ceramic hob.
There was some slight discolouration after our dishwasher tests, so we recommend cleaning by hand. The non-stick coating rinsed clean easily though, so this shouldn’t be too much of a pain. While it’s expensive, it comes with a lifetime warranty – so this should be the only frying pan you ever need to buy!
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 20cm, 24cm, 28cm, 30cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel and aluminium |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Yes – to 260C |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Suitable for | Gas, electric and induction hobs |
Circulon Scratch Defense 25cm Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Circulon Scratch Defense 25cm Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Pros
- Eggs and pancakes were well cooked with no sticking or burning
- The pan is lightweight (880g)
- Curved walls make flipping and pouring easier
- Can use it with metal utensils
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Can’t invert the lid for easy stacking as the frying pan is too shallow
Score: 95/100
This is a seriously impressive frying pan. Everything we cooked glided out with ease, leaving hardly any residue behind – we only had to give it a single wipe before putting it back in the cupboard. This is all down to Circulon’s new non-stick technology, which is made of up a tripe-layer of aerospace-grade materials on top of an aluminium core to create a thicker, more durable surface to cook on.
The brand even claims the pan can withstand 200 years of daily wear and tear. Of course, we haven’t tested the frying pan for that long, but we can confirm the non-stick survived our intense cooking tests and being baked in the oven. Our writer, Megan Geall, has also used it at home for months and it still looks as good as new.
On the downside, the frying pan isn’t dishwasher-safe, and you’ll have to pay attention to the rivets around the pan’s handle as we noticed a few dirt traps there. All in all, though, it’s a reliable buy that won’t let you down.
Key Specifications
| Pan sizes available | 22cm, 25cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium and stainless steel |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Yes - up to 260° |
| Dishwasher safe | No |
| Suitable for | All hob types |
ZWILLING Pro 18/10 Stainless Steel Frying Pan
ZWILLING Pro 18/10 Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Pros
- Handle stayed cool
- No hot spots
- Comes with clear instructions
Cons
- Discoloured slightly in the dishwasher
Score: 95/100
Stainless steel frying pans are loved by professional chefs for a reason: they’re incredibly durable and fantastic for searing food. They don’t have a non-stick coating so they can be difficult to use if you’re a beginner, but the trick is to preheat the pan thoroughly, use a good amount of oil, and wait for the food to form a crust before trying to release it.
Our favourite stainless-steel option has sloped sides and a smooth, rivet-free interior, making it a joy to cook with. The aluminium core distributes heat evenly across the surface, meaning our eggs and pancakes were well-cooked and barely stuck at all. There was some slight discolouration after five rounds in the dishwasher, so we recommend hand washing to keep it looking its best.
If you want to check out more frying pans like this one, head to our round up of the best stainless steel pans.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 20cm, 24cm, 26cm, 28cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Tri-ply aluminium |
| Non-stick | No |
| Oven safe | Yes - up to 300° |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Suitable for | All hob types |
Pros
- Very responsive to heat
- Safe to use with metal utensils
Cons
- Food stuck to the pan when placed in the oven
- Expensive
Score: 95/100
Hexclad’s cookware features a network of stainless-steel hexagonal ridges and non-stick valleys, as well as a ceramic coating that’s free from ‘Forever Chemicals’ (a group of man-made chemicals sometimes used in pans and utensils that are hard to break down).
This pan excelled in our tests, producing a series of golden-brown pancakes that slid out with ease, leaving no residue behind. A little sticking on our fried egg test left some remnants but a simple scrape with the spatula removed them with no bother.
Overall, the pan performed well but is heavy and expensive when compared to others on the market. It is covered by a lifetime warranty though, so if you consider cost per use, it’s a good investment.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, 35cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Yes to 260C |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Suitable for | Gas, electric, and induction |
Kuhn Rikon Allround Oven-Safe Induction Non-Stick Frying Pan
Pros
- Pan handle stayed cool in use
- Suffered no damage when used in the oven
Cons
- Stainless steel handle isn’t the most comfortable to hold
Score: 94/100
This is another excellent frying pan that made cooking and cleaning a breeze in our test kitchen. There was zero sticking when frying and we managed to achieve a set of evenly browned and well-cooked pancakes.
Flipping them was easy too thanks to the good-sized handles, which balanced the weight of the stainless-steel body well. We recommend hand washing this one to maintain the non-stick though, as the cooking surface picked up some scratches when put through a dishwasher cycle.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 20cm, 24cm, 28cm, 32cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel (18% chromium and 10% nickel) |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Yes - up to 240C |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Suitable for | All hob types |
Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro (28cm)
Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro (28cm)
Pros
- Depth provides versatility in what you can cook
- Pan handle is long and well-balanced
Cons
- There’s a dirt trap on the underside of the pan handle that’s tricky to clean
Score: 94/100
The titanium version of the Instagram-famous Always Pan 2.0 is made with a coating-free, non-stick surface and an aluminium core for quick, even heating. This proved effective in testing as our pancakes came out consistently browned and beautifully fluffy. Fried eggs cooked well too with no residue left in the pan.
While weighty, the lug handle helps with lifting and moving, and we liked that there’s a groove in the handle where you can slot your spatula when you’re not using it. Just note that the pan requires oiling after use to maintain the longevity of the non-stick.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 28cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Titanium and aluminium |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Yes - up to 400C |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Suitable for | All hob types |
Prestige Eco Non Stick Frying Pan
Prestige Eco Non Stick Frying Pan
Pros
- Fried eggs cooked well across all hob types
- All food scraped off easily, so the pan only needed a quick rinse
Cons
- Evenness of browning was less impressive on induction hobs
- Only oven safe up to 150C
Score: 93/100
If eco-credentials are important to you, then this is a frying pan you’ll want in your cupboard. It's made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable too. Plus, the non-stick coating is plant-based and free from palm oil. Prestige also plants one tree for every pan sold.
When it comes down to cooking, we weren’t disappointed either. The pan barely dropped a mark across our tests – delivering top notch pancakes. However, it wasn't that durable in the dishwasher, sustaining some nicks after a few washes – an issue solved by sticking to hand washing.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 20cm, 24cm, 28cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | Yes - up to 150C |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (although not recommended based on our testing) |
| Suitable for | All hob types |
Amazon Basics Frying Pan Set
Pros
- Great non-stick at an affordable price
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not compatible with induction hobs
- Basic design
Score: 92/100
This frying pan impressed our experts on performance and value. However, it was the frying pan that let the set down slightly (albeit only losing a few marks). There was some sticking on the fried egg and pancake tests, so the frying pan has landed lower down in this list.
Don’t get us wrong though – it’s still a worthy contender. It was quick to heat, fried an egg brilliantly, and any residue was easy to remove with a sponge. A little sticking on the pancake test and some uneven bubbling (suggesting uneven heat distribution) were our main criticisms but this certainly isn’t a dealbreaker.
Note, you can only buy the frying pan in a set of three, but for under £35, we’re not complaining.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | One set: 20cm, 25cm, 30cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | No |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Suitable for | Gas, electric, and glass |
Tower Cerastone Forged Frying Pan
Pros
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- Handles stay cool while in use
Cons
- Pan isn’t oven-safe
Score: 90/100
Suitable for all hob types, this frying pan is excellent value for money. Tower claims that its multi-layer coating is five times stronger than other non-stick coatings and it certainly did a stellar job on test, needing little more than a quick rinse after use.
Pancakes took longer to brown than we’d have liked on an induction hob, but our eggs were faultless.
Key specifications
| Pan sizes available | 20cm, 24cm, 28cm, 32cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminium body with Cerastone coating |
| Non-stick | Yes |
| Oven safe | No |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes - but hand wash recommended |
| Suitable for | All hob types including induction |
These also passed…
- JML Copper Stone Frying Pan; £29.99; Score: 89/100 – With a copper stone finish over an aluminium body, this unique frying pan impressed from the start. It discoloured in the dishwasher though, so we recommend hand washing to keep it looking its best.
- Best all-in-one frying pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0; £125; Score: 88/100 – The viral 10-in-1 pan goes above and beyond when it comes to versatility and design. Our pancakes stuck slightly when cooking on gas and induction, but a quick rinse cleaned away any residue. We noticed the non-stick changed slightly when using it every day though.
- Best ceramic frying pan: Ninja ZEROSTICK Ceramic Pro Frying Pan; £54.99; Score: 86/100 – This frying pan features an aluminium body for even heat distribution with a ceramic non-stick coating that survived five rounds in the dishwasher with no damage at all. Our eggs stuck slightly on gas and ceramic hobs though.
- Circulon Halo LaserDefense Non-Stick Ceramic Frying Pan Twin Set; £60.49; Score: 85/100 – An excellent pair of ceramic-coated frying pans that were unscathed by metal utensils and high oven heat. Fried eggs and pancakes slid out effortlessly, too – just note, the smaller pan may be wobbly on a gas hob.
- Scoville Neverstick Frying Pan; £17; Score: 85/100 – This frying pan’s non-stick lived up to its name with none of our ingredients sticking during testing. It was the handle that lost it marks as we found it quite firm and uncomfortable to hold – especially when full!
- Joseph Joseph Space Folding Handle Non-Stick Frying Pan Set; £195; Score: 82/100 – With a clever folding handle that makes it easy to stack, this frying pan set is a smart buy if you’re short on space. Our pancakes lifted easily in testing, but our fried eggs stuck slightly, leaving us with some scrubbing to do when washing up.
- ProCook Professional Stainless Steel Frying Pan; £50; Score: 79/100 – This worked fantastically on our gas hob, with our eggs sliding easily out the pan. There was more sticking with induction and ceramic and some pale spots on our pancakes too.
Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We've been testing household products, including pans, for over 100 years here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, adapting our rigorous protocols as products become more advanced, so we can be sure we're recommending the most reliable buys for your home.
Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, has written about countless kitchen products and appliances, and interviewed numerous experts, so understands what separates the best frying pans from the basic ones. She also spends plenty of her free time cooking up a storm in her own kitchen so knows what features to look for when shopping.
What is the best frying pan material?
While frying pans can be made from various metals, the ones on this list are all stainless steel or aluminium.
Most use aluminium as it's a fantastic conductor, which means your frying pan will heat up quickly and evenly. It’s also more lightweight, making it a better option for many everyday home cooks. Some pans on this list are made with “anodised” aluminium – this means the aluminium has been sealed to make it more durable and long-lasting.
If you typically cook on a high heat, however, then a stainless-steel frying pan will help you achieve that all-important sear on meat. Often, manufacturers will use another metal in the base for a more even distribution of heat, and this material ticks the boxes for durability, as it’s designed to last for years and years. However, stainless steel pans are typically quite expensive, heavy, and the metal can dull over the years.
How to choose the best frying pan
As well as your choice of material, there are a few other things to consider before adding a frying pan to your basket.
Your hob type: Not all frying pans are compatible with every hob type, so it’s worth double checking before adding one to your basket.
Oven-safe properties: Being able to put a frying pan in the oven may be important if you frequently make one-pan dishes or like to finish a dish off by popping it under the grill. It’s also worth checking what temperature a pan is oven-safe up to as some can only withstand lower ranges.
Dishwasher-safe claims: Some frying pans can’t be placed in the dishwasher, while others recommend hand-washing to preserve the non-stick coating. Where a pan was claimed to be dishwasher safe, we have put them through five rounds in the dishwasher and have highlighted any that have suffered damage in our reviews.
Size: Most frying pans come in a range of sizes, typically from 20cm up to 28cm, although this will vary from one product to another. For most families, a 26cm frying pan will provide enough space and versatility for everyday cooking.
Which is the healthiest frying pan to buy?
Different types of cookware aren’t inherently healthy or unhealthy – the best choice for you comes down to the way you prefer to cook. Non-stick pans allow you to use little or no oil, while stainless steel and cast iron are durable, uncoated alternatives that can withstand higher cooking temperatures.
Regardless of your chosen material, opt for a well-made pan from a reputable brand and use it as directed. If you’re buying non-stick, avoid overheating it and replace it if the coating becomes scratched or starts to peel.
What frying pans should I stay away from?
Steer clear of pans that are damaged or poorly made. If the non-stick or ceramic coating on a pan is scratched, flaking or chipped, the underlying material can react with your food or leach substances. Uncoated aluminium or copper will also react with acidic foods.
What are forever chemicals?
“Forever chemicals” is the common name for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals that break down very slowly in the environment. In the past, some older non-stick coatings contained certain harmful PFAS, such as PFOA, which is why the term is often associated with cookware. Today, however, stricter regulations mean these substances are no longer used in non-stick coatings sold in the UK.
Today, many cookware brands have moved away from PFAS altogether, with some using ceramic or other alternative non-stick coatings instead. If avoiding forever chemicals is important to you, check the manufacturer’s product information before buying, as this isn’t standard across all non-stick pans.
Scoville Neverstick vs Tefal: Which one is better?
Based on our scores alone, Tefal’s pan comes out on top when compared with the Scoville Neverstick Frying Pan. Scoville scored 85/100 in the lab and its non-stick did impress, with both fried eggs and pancakes sliding out of the frying pan with ease. However, its handle wasn’t overly comfortable to hold (especially when the pan was full) and there were a few dirt traps around the rivets of the handle, making it slightly tricky to clean.
In comparison, Tefal’s So Light Frying Pan scored 98/100, claiming the top spot in our tests. There was very slight sticking when we cooked pancakes on an induction hob, but it aced every other test. The lightweight design, thumb rest and comfortable handle were added bonuses too.
If you have an induction hob at home, Scoville’s frying pan might be the better pick, but if you have a gas or ceramic hob, Tefal is the winner. It’s slightly more expensive, but the wide, quick-heating base and ergonomic handle make it worth the extra cash.
The verdict: What is the best frying pan?
When it comes to buying a new frying pan, more expensive doesn't always equal best performance. In our testing, Tefal’s So Light Frying Pan was a worthy winner. It’s got a non-stick coating that performed brilliantly in our cooking and cleaning test, and it costs less than £40.
If you’re looking for an uncoated frying pan, opt for the Zwilling Pro 18/10 Stainless Steel Frying Pan, which distributed heat evenly and produced consistent results in our cooking tests.
For versatility, opt for the Always Pan Pro, the titanium version of the Instagram-famous 10-in-1 Always Pan 2.0.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
