The best nonstick pans of 2026, tested and reviewed

For most home cooks, a nonstick frying pan is an essential. It makes cooking eggs, pancakes and so many other things easy, even when you're pressed for time. I have a degree from the French Culinary Institute, but I do not use a stainless steel pan or cast iron skillet for making breakfast. Ever. I crave the ease of nonstick cookware and how food slides right out onto the plate.

What I have learned over the past 15 years from my culinary training, working in restaurants and writing about food and cooking, is that the best nonstick pans make life in the kitchen simpler. You can use less cooking fat than you would with stainless steel or cast iron, which cuts down on cleanup time and effort tremendously! I sifted through hundreds of options and tested nine of the best nonstick pans, including ceramic models made without PFAS and PTFE (often called forever chemicals ), to determine which options are worth adding to your cookware collection. I'll be testing more pans this year, so stay tuned for additional results.

Best nonstick pans of 2026

How we tested nonstick pans

First and foremost, I tested by cooking on these pans daily. I made dozens of sunny-side up eggs, flipped lots of pancakes and seared skin-on salmon in all of them, evaluating how well each pan handled the tasks. In order to rank on our list, we took the following into account:

• Handles:You can't be expected to cook with a pan made with a handle that gets hot. We made sure the handles remained cool to the touch when cooking on the stovetop.

• Surface slickness:We tested the same trifecta of challenging foods on each pan. All released eggs, salmon and pancakes with ease. I used a teaspoon of avocado oil when preheating the pans, though most oils or butter would work, too. Because the brands all recommend keeping the heat to medium or low, there's no major concern about smoke point.

• Ability to sear:The instructions for all the pans clearly stated not to preheat them on a cooktop for more than 90 seconds and never on a setting higher than medium heat, so achieving a good sear was not a guarantee. I tested the searing potential with skin-on salmon filets, which my daughter always asks for crispy. The Tramontina had the best sear on the salmon, creating the crunchy topper we love.

• Heat distribution:The pans all displayed even heat distribution when I made pancakes with Trader Joe's Buttermilk Pancake Mix.

• Ease of cleaning:As expected, these pans either wiped clean with a paper towel or washed easily with a sponge and soapy warm water.

What to consider when shopping for nonstick pans

All this time spent testing the best nonstick skillets yielded some top factors to keep in mind when you're shopping for this essential piece of cookware.

• Size:I tested primarily 10-inch pans for this article, but many of these pans come in 8-inch, 12-inch and even 14-inch sizes. If you cook for two, I'd recommend having an 8-inch (the two-egg workhorse) and a 10-inch pan on hand. If you cook for four or more, a 12-inch pan is a must. I'd only recommend buying a 14-inch pan if you have a larger stove top with six or more burners, as it takes up a lot of real estate.

• Weight:This is obviously a personal choice. I am on the shorter side and value a lightweight (2 pounds max), high-quality pan that's easy to maneuver. Others may enjoy the feel of a heavier piece of cookware as it may feel more substantial to them. Either way, endless options abound.

• Material:Each of the pans tested is made from some combination of stainless steel and aluminum.

• Oven-safe:Nonstick pan oven-safe temperatures typically vary from 400°F to 500°F, so be sure to check the fine print if a 500°F threshold is important to you.

• Dishwasher-safe:Yes, most of these pans are dishwasher-safe ... but please don't put them in the dishwasher. The harsh cleaners, hot water and the force of the water can all do a number on the coating of your pan, leaving them susceptible to damage during the wash cycle. Handwashing them is easy peasy and extends their life.

• Cooktop compatibility:Most nonstick pans are compatible with gas, electric and induction stoves, but if you have an induction cooktop, you likely already know you need magnetic cookware that works with the electromagnetic coil. The compatibility is generally clearly noted on websites and packaging.

• Warranty:Yes, a lifetime warranty is ideal and some brands offer it. However, nonstick pans (including ceramic) are not built to last forever. Even with vigilant care and following heating instructions, they all eventually degrade. I would consider any pan that lasts more than two to three years to be a solid win. Once there's a scratch or cooking spray build-up, it's time to toss the pan (please see our note on dishwasher safety).

• Cooking oil/fat:Never, ever use aerosol cooking sprays on a nonstick pan. These sprays burn at lower temperatures, causing damage to the nonstick surface and leaving stubborn buildup. Use oil or butter and you shouldn't have any problems.

• Stovetop heat level:If you like to cook over high heat on the stovetop, then nonstick pans are not for you. Their coating can degrade rapidly under high temperatures, potentially releasing toxic fumes. Instead, opt for cast iron, stainless steel, or carbon steel cookware, which are better suited for high-heat stovetop cooking. Always use low to medium heat when cooking with nonstick pans.

• Preferred utensils:With the exception of one pan ( Hexclad ), every brand strongly advised against using metal utensils. Instead, choose silicone, bamboo, wood and nylon utensils so as to preserve the integrity of the nonstick coating.

The bottom lineis that all of the traditional nonstick pans I tested performed well. The differences between them are not enormous and generally relate to the weight of the pan, the cost and the temperature up to which each is oven-safe. Meaning ... you really can't go wrong with the ones we tested. Choosing the right one for you is simply a matter of budget, your individual needs and grip/arm strength.

Other nonstick pans we tested

Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro Fry Pan :I am a huge Le Creuset Dutch Oven fan, so I was pumped to try something completely different from this trusted brand. Made from hard-anodized aluminum, the Pro Fry Pan is certainly built to last. It has a classic nonstick surface, but felt a bit tough to maneuver and not quite as slick as some others. The instructions say you can use this pan on a grill which I haven't gotten around to yet, but I look forward to trying. The brand says, "gentle use of metal utensils is fine," but why risk it? It's oven-safe up to 500°F and can be used on gas, electric and induction cooktops.

GreenPan Nova Ceramic Nonstick 8-Inch Skillet :Another excellent option from the ceramic cookware innovators at GreenPan , the Nova skillet boasts a slick nonstick ceramic coating on an aluminum base, making it oven-safe up to 600˚F and a bit lighter in weight. It comes in seven bright colors with a minimalist look and passed all the cooking tests, plus it's compatible with all cooktops and dishwasher-safe.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 10-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan :I was wowed by the looks of this sleek frying pan. The gold-tone handles and a chic color range lured me in, and so did the price — at $20, I'd say it's a pretty good value. The pan is easy to maneuver and performs well with scrambled eggs and seared chicken breast. It's oven-safe up to 500°F and compatible with all stove tops, but I'm not convinced about the durability of the nonstick coating. The pan is also out of stock, last time we checked.

Made In Nonstick Frying Pan :This skillet has a slick cooking surface and flared edges that make sliding eggs out of the pan nice and easy. I enjoyed the feel of it but wished it had been lighter and a bit easier to maneuver. At 2.5 pounds, I had a tough time with it. Eggs and pancakes cooked evenly and released easily. However, the sear I got on the salmon skin was not as good as it was with some of the other pans tested. I do value its ability to be used in a 500°F oven for when a quick blast from the broiler is called for. It can be used on gas, electric and induction cooktops. Made In does not classify its nonstick pans as dishwasher-safe, but as I mentioned, you will prolong the life of any nonstick pan by handwashing and drying it.

Misen Nonstick Pan :I liked this based on its looks — sleek and chic — but for my petite frame, it was a bit heavy. I had a tough time getting this pan to the right temperature for cooking pancakes. It was either too cool or too hot, rendering either no golden crust or almost-burned crust. What really compelled me about the pan was the abrasion testing mentioned on their website — the rigorous process was convincing and none of the other brands highlighted a credential like this. Otherwise, I found this pan to be the middleweight contender of all the pans I tested. It performed well on all three foods and was fairly easy to maneuver, though not as lightweight as the Oxo or Tramontina. It's oven-safe up to 450°F and can be used on gas, electric and induction cooktops.

Nonstick pan FAQs

Are nonstick pans safe?

There is a lot of information about nonstick pans and safety out in the world, and it appears that if you use them and care for them properly, the risk factor remains low. As you may know, Teflon is one of the most common versions of nonstick coating. Nonstick coatings like Teflon are made with chemicals called PTFE (short for polytetrafluoroethylene), which are produced using PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals), also known as forever chemicals.

According to National Resources Defense Council scientist Katie Pelch, "Safety concerns arose because at least in the past these PFAS chemicals have lasted so long that they received the nickname of forever chemicals, as they can accumulate in our bodies and our environment. The communities surrounding the factories that use these chemicals have been linked to various health issues such as cancer , liver disease, thyroid disruption and more."

Ceramic pans are not made with PTFE, but their coating also degrades over time. Pots and pans that are made entirely of 100% pure ceramic stoneware (no metal core) are free of coatings and chemicals and are stovetop-, oven-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe. If this interests you, look for brands like Xtrema .

The bottom line is, always use nonstick pans on the stovetop at moderate temperatures, below 400° F (low to medium heat). Do not sear anything over high heat on the range, since it can degrade the PTFE, releasing toxic fumes. And do not use metal utensils on ceramic or traditional nonstick surfaces, which may scratch or chip the coating and then find its way into your food.

How to clean nonstick pans

Many brands say that their pans are dishwasher-safe, but I have learned the hard way that handwashing with warm, soapy water and a sponge and hand-drying nonstick pans is preferable, as it prolongs their lifespan. Some pans may come clean with just a damp paper towel. If you’re dealing with burnt grease or other food residue that won’t come off with a quick scrub, you could try boiling a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the pan.

Can nonstick pans go in the dishwasher?

Many nonstick pans CAN go in the dishwasher, but trust me, you will preserve your pans by handwashing and drying them.

How to season a nonstick pan

Before using a nonstick pan for the first time, handwash it with warm, soapy water. Rinse and dry it thoroughly, then season by lightly rubbing cooking oil (any vegetable oil will do) onto the cooking surface and heating over medium heat for two to three minutes. When cool, handwash it again with warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Can you put a nonstick pan in the oven?

Nonstick pan oven-safe temperatures vary from about 350°F to 500°F, so long as they are equipped with a metal handle. Avoid putting pans with a silicone or wooden handle into the oven. Some nonstick pans can withstand temperatures up to 500°F, which is important if you want to brown the skin on chicken or blast the broiler for two minutes for golden and bubbly cheese. For anything longer than that, use a stainless steel, carbon steel or cast-iron pan.

Which fats or oils should I use in a nonstick pan?

Though it's counterintuitive, you should never use aerosol cooking spray on a nonstick pan. These sprays leave a sticky buildup that's hard to wash off and will eventually render your pan the opposite of nonstick. For best results, use a nominal amount of oil or butter

Best nonstick pans specs comparison chart

Update, Feb. 2, 2026: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best nonstick pan remains unchanged.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.