The Best Nonstick Pans, Backed by Years of Testing

• Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan: Caraway is known for beautiful nonstick cookware sets. While we agree that they’re stylish, this nonstick frying pan didn’t produce a good, even sear on steaks. One GH analyst has used this pan for years and loves how easy it is to clean, but she doesn’t reach for it when she wants good caramelization. The exterior has also stained in our tests.
• Hestan Stainless Steel Titum Nonstick Skillet: This skillet performed well, and we love the sleek stainless steel exterior, but it's significantly more expensive than other similarly performing pans.
• HexClad Hybrid Frying Pan: We were impressed with this pan's durability, even heat distribution, and ease of cleaning. Fried and scrambled eggs slid out easily with a slight nudge from a spatula. It also produced a nice, even sear on steaks. While durable, the pan is heavy and pricey. It also gets hot very quickly, so users should keep an eye on it.
• KitchenAid Nitro Carbon Steel 10-Inch Skillet: KitchenAid’s pan topped our best carbon steel skillets list. It has a well-balanced handle that makes it easy to use, and a deeply curved bottom for tossing and stirring sauces. Fried eggs release effortlessly, leaving only minor residue. The pan responds quickly to heat, which is great for searing meats, but it also means you must monitor food carefully to avoid burning.
• Made In CeramiClad 2.0 Nonstick Frying Pan: The original version of this attractive pan seared steaks and released eggs beautifully, but the ceramic finish scratched after a few uses. Version 2.0 claims to have a “completely reimagined ceramic coating that releases food better, for longer.” But will it scratch? We’ll share our take after we test it.
• Our Place Always Pan 2.0: This beautiful, multifunctional pan can sauté, steam, and serve. It comes with a heavy-duty lid, a stainless steel steaming basket, and a wooden spatula that rests on the handle for storage. While we appreciate the versatility, our eggs readily stuck to this pan, and the handle got very hot.
• Tramontina Professional 10-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan: This nonstick pan from Tramontina is another Lab favorite for searing, and it features a comfortable silicone-wrapped handle. It's highly durable, especially for a nonstick option that retails for under $40. However, we're not fans of the stainless steel rivets, which collect residue and are tricky to clean.

Over the past decade, we've tested 52 pieces of nonstick cookware in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. Our Lab experts evaluate top-performing models using a consistent set of Lab tests to assess performance and ease of use.

✔️ Coating: The type and feel of the nonstick coating are a good indication of a pan's quality. There are two main types:

• Traditional nonstick cookware is coated in Teflon (also known as PTFE), which maintains its nonstick quality longer than ceramic. The number of layers applied and the texture vary. The most durable coatings feel slightly gritty.
• Ceramic offers a more natural alternative to Teflon, but it's less durable and more prone to chipping and scratching.

✔️ Material: The most common materials for nonstick cookware are aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic.

• Aluminum is lightweight and conducts heat well.
• Stainless steel is heavier and maintains heat better. Look for pans made with a combination of metals for maximum benefits.
• Ceramic is a smooth, sometimes colorful surface made from clay and glazed at high temperatures to become nonstick. It's more delicate than metals.

✔️ Size: We find that 10 inches, the size we focused on for testing, is the most versatile skillet size. It's ideal for making a quick breakfast for one or a full dinner for two to three people. Choose an 8-inch pan if you mostly cook for yourself or prefer small portions. If you often cook for a crowd, go for a 12-inch pan.

✔️ Handle: Long, metal handles offer more stability and balance, and they are often a good indicator that your nonstick pan is oven-safe to the temperature indicated by the manufacturer. Thick plastic handles are comfortable to hold and are typically found on lightweight pans; however, don't use them above medium heat. Silicone handles offer a comfortable grip and may be more temperature-resistant than plastic.

✔️ Oven-safe temperatures: Quality nonstick pans can go straight from stovetop to oven so you can finish a dish via roasting. Check the product specifications and look for oven-safe temperatures above 350ºF for maximum versatility. The higher the temp, the more you can do with the pan.

Nonstick cookware is designed to last only a few years, so expect some wear and tear, and replace your pan when you see scratches. Keep these tips in mind to extend its lifespan:

• Avoid metal utensils, which can scratch. Instead, use silicone, wood, or nylon tools.
• Always hand-wash your skillet with warm, soapy water and a nonabrasive sponge or scrub brush.
• Don't exceed medium heat on the stovetop. High heat can shock and damage the nonstick coating.
• Avoid preheating an empty pan for more than about 30 seconds.
• If stacking pans for storage, place a pan protector, dishcloth, or paper towel between each piece.

Before cleaning a nonstick pan, let it cool completely. Adding cold water to a hot pan can cause thermal shock and potentially damage the nonstick coating.

While we all love to throw dirty dishes into the dishwasher, hand-wash your nonstick cookware. Harsh detergents and high heat can shorten your pan's life and scratch or chip its nonstick coating.

Most nonstick pans are made with Teflon (a.k.a. PTFE). Previously, Teflon contained PFOA, a type of PFAS chemical known to have adverse effects on humans when exposed in large amounts, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is no conclusive evidence linking PTFE to health issues, per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

These days, most nonstick pans, including all of our picks, are made without PFOA. Some are made without any PFAS, the umbrella term for chemicals including PFOA used in products like flame retardants, food wrappers, and dental floss. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PFAS can have effects on humans similar to PFOA. However, more research is needed to understand exposure levels and the true risk associated with these chemicals.

For a completely PTFE-free nonstick pan, choose options without coatings, such as cast iron or carbon steel, which can develop a patina over time.

Lizzy Briskin is a food writer, trained chef, and contributor in the GH Kitchen Lab. She's tested dozens of pieces of cookware for the Lab, including the latest round of nonstick skillets for this guide.

Nicole Papantoniou, senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, oversees all of our cookware testing, including side-by-side evaluations of nonstick cookware sets and pans. While stainless steel is her go-to cookware, she relies on a nonstick pan for eggs and veggies.