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Best stainless steel skillet: the top 10

Ranked by how many of the 8 lists include each pick.

  1. 1

    All-Clad D3 Frying Pan

    Visit
    On 5 of 8 lists

    A lightweight, responsive 3-ply frying pan that heats very evenly, cleans up well, and is built to last, with a lid included. It is pricey, should be hand-washed, and its handle's center indent divides testers.

  2. 2

    Made In Stainless Steel

    $149Shop
    On 4 of 8 lists

    A stainless steel skillet with the widest cooking surface tested, offering even heating, easy release, and a comfortable ergonomic handle. It requires a full preheat for even heat distribution, stains fairly easily, and does not include a lid.

  3. 3

    Heritage Steel Eater Series

    $130Shop
    On 3 of 8 lists

    An American-made 5-ply clad pan with even heating and a comfortable handle, oven-safe to 800°F and backed by a lifetime warranty. It is pricier and heavier than basic pans, and its surface burnishes easily and is harder to clean.

  4. 4

    All-Clad D3 Everyday

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    On 2 of 8 lists

    The All-Clad D3 Everyday offers outstanding heat distribution and a rounded handle with a helper handle. It heats slowly, its bottom warped on a high-powered induction cooktop, and a loose piece of metal rattled in the handle of one tested piece.

  5. 5

    All-Clad D5 5-Ply Brushed Stainless Steel Fry Pan

    $180Visit
    On 2 of 8 lists

    A five-ply stainless steel fry pan that is heavier and slower to respond to heat than the D3, and its higher price did not bring noticeably better performance. The D3 is the better choice.

  6. 6

    Goldilocks 12-Inch Skillet

    On 2 of 8 lists

    An inexpensive skillet that has held up in long-term testing without warping or damage, though it browns chicken slightly less evenly and costs more than the Tramontina.

  7. 7

    Ninja EverClad C90026

    $40Visit
    On 2 of 8 lists

    An affordable tri-ply pan with professional-grade heat performance and 600°F oven safety. It is heavy enough to need two hands, has no lid, and its center heats faster than the edges.

  8. 8

    Anolon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan

    $81Visit
    On 1 of 8 lists

    A serviceable stainless steel fry pan for the price, though it had issues heating evenly in the flour test.

  9. 9

    Calphalon Classic Tri-Ply 10-Inch Omelette Fry Pan

    $49Visit
    On 1 of 8 lists

    A budget-friendly tri-ply fry pan that heats consistently and offers a spacious cooking surface. It ranks among the heaviest pans tested.

  10. 10

    Caraway 10.5-Inch Stainless Steel Fry Pan

    On 1 of 8 lists

    The textured stainless steel surface resists sticking and cleans easily, making it suitable for stainless beginners. Rounded corners shrink the cooking area.

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Who recommends what

A number is the pick's rank on that list. means recommended without a rank.

Pickbonappetit.comseriouseats.comalgaecookingclub.comfoodandwine.comnytimes.comprudentreviews.combbcgoodfood.comconsumerreports.orgLists
1. All-Clad D3 Frying PanRecommendedRecommendedRecommendedRecommendedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned5
2. Made In Stainless SteelRecommendedRecommendedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentioned4
3. Heritage Steel Eater SeriesRecommendedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentioned3
4. All-Clad D3 EverydayNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedRecommendedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentioned2
5. All-Clad D5 5-Ply Brushed Stainless Steel Fry PanRecommendedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned2
6. Goldilocks 12-Inch SkilletNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned2
7. Ninja EverClad C90026RecommendedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned2
8. Anolon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry PanRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned1
9. Calphalon Classic Tri-Ply 10-Inch Omelette Fry PanRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned1
10. Caraway 10.5-Inch Stainless Steel Fry PanNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedRecommendedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned1