Best kitchen tongs, tested and reviewed
Just as there's a lid for every pot, there's a great set of tongs for every cooking task — and our top picks all fall under $20.
Our experts independently review everything we recommend. If you buy through our links, we may earn commission.
Aside from my chef's knife , one of my indispensable everyday kitchen tools is a pair of kitchen tongs. They are invaluable for cooking, serving and a variety of tasks, like fishing pasta out of boiling water or flipping chicken nuggets in the air fryer . Maybe it's because I'm Yahoo's resident cookware tester, but I prefer to use my trusty tongs over my bare hands for most jobs.
In this story
The best kitchen tongs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from mini 7-inch versions to extra-long 16-inch models, so there truly is an option for every need. Some tongs are top-to-bottom stainless steel, while others feature nylon or silicone tips. I researched hundreds of pairs to narrow down the testing pool, then I brought the top sets home and put them to work. These top-tested kitchen tongs lead the pack in comfort, precision and ease of use.
Best kitchen tongs of 2026
Sizes available: 7", 9", 12" and 16" | Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Heat-resistant:Yes | Dishwasher-safe:Yes
What we liked:These classic Oxo tongs are so popular, you may already own them — I do, both with nylon tips and without. I hadn't given it much thought until I compared them to other popular models, but they really are the most comfortable, thanks to their ergonomic handles and rubbery grip. Their weight makes them feel balanced in hand, and they don't require too much force to grasp items.
They were equally successful when I used them to pick up raw and cooked proteins, as well as to pull slippery spaghetti from boiling water and plate it. I use these tongs to flip chicken nuggets in the air fryer more often than I like to admit, and they're gentle on the breading. Their locking mechanism works smoothly, and the hanging loop is a bonus for outdoor grilling.
Minor criticisms:Stainless-steel-tipped tongs can scratch nonstick, ceramic or enamel-coated pots and pans. If you use this kind of cookware, opt for tongs with silicone or nylon tips.
- Precise on all cooking tasks
- Versatile
- Comfortable to hold
- Heat-resistant
- Stainless tips can scratch nonstick or coated cookware
Sizes available: 10", 12" and 16" | Material: Stainless steel | Heat-resistant:Yes | Dishwasher-safe:Yes
What we like:You really can't beat less than nine bucks for an excellent pair of stainless steel tongs. These Winco tongs are the type you would find in a restaurant kitchen, which means they can withstand heavy wear and tear and high temperatures. For that reason, I'd consider them the best tongs for grilling, especially if you get the 16-inch version.
One of the things I love about these no-frills tongs is how easy they are to grasp and how agile they are. Grabbing a slippery chicken breast from a marinade and strands of spaghetti from a pot were no problem, thanks to the scalloped edges and concave tips, which allowed for superior precision. They're available in a range of lengths, and they're dishwasher-safe.
Minor criticisms:There's no sugar-coating the lack of a locking mechanism, which may be an issue depending on where you store these tongs. You also don't get a hanging loop or grippy rubber panels on the handles, but these are non-essential bells and whistles.
- Extremely agile
- Durable
- Affordable
- Heat-safe
- No locking mechanism
- No hanging loop or rubber grips
Sizes available: 9" and 12" (both included in set) | Material: Stainless steel and silicone | Heat-resistant:up to 425°F | Dishwasher-safe:Yes
What we like:If a pair of non-slip tongs with a locking mechanism, hanging loop and silicone tips seems ideal, you're in luck because Hotec offers a set that includes two sizes. These tongs have edges that line up perfectly and tactile grip panels.
They were comfortable to hold and adequate for transferring larger portions of protein. Like all of the tongs I tried with coated tips, they weren't as precise when grabbing wet noodles from boiling water as those with stainless-steel tips, but they got the job done. They locked and unlocked easily, and they won't scratch nonstick or other coated cookware the way stainless steel utensils can.
Minor criticisms:These tongs are simply not as precise as some others I tested. But I believe that's mainly because of the coated tips, not an issue with the tongs' manufacturing or durability.
- Affordable
- Safe for nonstick and coated cookware
- Non-slip grip
- Not as precise as others tested
Sizes available: 13" | Material: Stainless steel and silicone | Heat-resistant:up to 425°F | Dishwasher-safe:Yes
What we liked:Heavy-duty tongs like these from Misen are great to have on hand when you cook indoors and out. They're bulkier and weigh more than others, which makes them feel more substantial in hand. They would certainly be an asset for outdoor grilling, with their non-slip silicone handles and tips. If there were ever a pair for gripping and flipping, this is it.
What's interesting is that despite their heft, they are gentle on delicate chicken breading, while offering a firm grip on marinated raw chicken and cooked proteins. The spring at the joint is strong, but not too difficult to clamp closed. I liked the push-and-pull locking mechanism too.
Minor criticisms:I found the large silicone tips not as precise as others when I used them to pull spaghetti from boiling water and plate it. They're also a bit big for my petite hands to hold comfortably for everyday tasks, though I still like them for outdoor grilling.
- Sturdy enough for grilling and handling large proteins
- Silicone is heat-safe up to 450°F
- Durable
- May be too bulky for small hands
- Not as agile with smaller portions of food
Factors to consider when choosing kitchen tongs
Here's what we looked for in a set of tongs for cooking and what you should keep in mind while shopping.
✓ Material:Most tongs are metal. Some have uncovered stainless steel tips, and others feature nylon (aka plastic) or silicone-covered tips. Both are nice to have for different tasks. If you use nonstick or ceramic cookware , it's best to stick to tongs with silicone or nylon tips that won't scratch coatings. If you're using tongs for grilling, you'll want heat-resistant stainless steel tips. Metal tips are also suitable for stainless steel cookware and cast iron pans , and they're helpful when you're moving heavier proteins like steak that require a stronger hold.
✓ Length:We tested 12-inch tongs whenever possible because they're versatile enough for most cooking tasks. But you can find models as short as 5 inches and as long as 16. When it comes to grilling, you'll want longer tongs to keep your hands a safe distance from the flames. If you're plating a dish or working with delicate foods, shorter, slimmer tongs may be more helpful.
You can see a difference in features here: The tongs on the top from Hotec have rubbery panels and a hanging loop, while the bottom pair from GIR has neither.
(Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo)✓ Bonus features:There are a surprising number of features to look for in a simple pair of tongs. We recommend buying a set of tongs that locks closed for more streamlined storage. It's also nice to have tongs with a loop if you have hanging utensil storage in your kitchen or on the side of a grill.
✓ Handle grip and comfort:Some models have rubber or silicone panels on the handles, which make them more comfortable and easier to grip with slippery hands. Tongs vary slightly in weight and width, but I noticed that some pairs felt too bulky for my small hands, and others felt more slight — this is, of course, a matter of personal preference.
How we tested kitchen tongs
After opening each box, I washed the tongs with a soapy sponge and warm water, inspected each for scratches or dings, and noted the care instructions and if they were dishwasher-safe. I used each pair to move around food during everyday cooking tasks. I washed them by hand or in the dishwasher after each job.
One way I tested tongs was using them to transfer slippery raw chicken from a bag of marinade to a sheet pan.
(Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo)To rank on our list, the tongs had to excel in the following:
-
Everyday cooking test:To evaluate the grip and feel of the tongs, I used them in my normal cooking tasks. To evaluate their precision, I maneuvered both raw and cooked proteins, in different shapes and sizes, including chicken breasts, burgers and nuggets.
-
Slippery noodles test:To evaluate precision, I used each pair of tongs to pull spaghetti from boiling water and plate it.
Other kitchen tongs we tested
Edlund Locking 12-inch Stainless Steel Tongs :These stainless steel tongs are very similar to the Winco pair we named best metal tongs, but they felt a bit flimsy in comparison. They're also not as affordable as the Winco tongs, though they do have a locking mechanism, which is a major plus.
Oxo Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs with Nylon Heads :These are almost identical to our top-rated Oxo tongs, but they have nylon tips. They have the same easy-to-grip handles, locking mechanism and hanging loop. The upside here is that they are gentle on coated and nonstick cookware. Unfortunately, the nylon tips can melt when exposed to temperatures above 400°F.
Kitchen tongs come in various shapes and sizes. It's helpful to have both silicone and metal tongs on hand for use with different types of cookware.
(Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo)Cuisinart Silicone-Tipped 12-Inch Tongs :I liked the feeling of the Cuisinart tongs in hand, but their performance was lacking. The silicone tips on this model are thicker and flatter than those on other models. I had a tough time maintaining a grip on raw chicken and could not use these tongs to fish spaghetti strands out of boiling water.
GIR Get It Right 13-Inch Locking Tongs :These tongs come from the brand that makes my favorite silicone spatula . Unfortunately, they were subpar compared to the others I tested. They're not the most comfortable in hand, and their nylon tips have angled ends that don't line up well or grasp food with much precision. I also found the locking mechanism a bit sticky.
Kitchen tongs FAQs
What's the difference between metal tongs and silicone tongs?
Metal kitchen tongs have uncoated tips, and silicone tongs are metal with silicone-coated tips. Metal tongs should not be used on nonstick, ceramic or enamel-coated pans, as they can scratch those coatings. Silicone-tipped tongs are gentler on all surfaces, but may not be as heat-resistant as metal options.
Are kitchen tongs heat-resistant?
Yes, most kitchen tongs are heat-resistant, but up to different temperatures. Stainless steel-tipped tongs are the most heat-resistant, but will conduct heat and become hot to the touch if left exposed to it for long periods. Nylon tips are the least heat-resistant, though the Oxo tongs we tested with them can withstand temps up to 400°F. Silicone tends to be heat-resistant up to slightly higher temperatures, with the ones I tested at 425°F and 450°F.
What are the different types of kitchen tongs?
Tongs are some of the most useful tools in the kitchen, so it pays to have a few sets on hand. There are a variety of types for different uses: stainless steel and nylon- or silicone-tipped ones, such as the ones I tested for this article, are multipurpose. Olivewood or bamboo tongs can be used to pull hot toast out of the toaster. Scissor tongs may be used for more delicate tasks. Tweezer tongs are chef favorites for precisely placing ingredients. Tongs with comb-like grabbers can be good for serving pasta.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
