Best nonstick pan for 2025
There are a few simple tests I perform on nonstick pans to measure even heating, surface flatness, and each pan’s nonstick properties and ability to release food.
Fried eggs and omelettes: classic dishes with a non-stick coating
The first and arguably most important test shows us how well each pan releases sticky foods, including eggs and pancakes. I cooked a fried egg and a beaten egg omelet each. The hope is that everyone releases the food completely after cooking and leaves as little food as possible. In fact, all skillets in this test released eggs well, and not a single pan failed them. However, there were some slight variations in performance. The pans I chose as my top picks in each category all performed as well or better than average.
This is the lift you can expect from a good nonstick pan.
Pancakes reveal everything. Well, a lot anyway
I also baked a pan-sized pancake in each pan – a test that works twice. Not only does it show that a pan doesn’t stick, but it also shows how evenly a pan is heated and cooked.
After filling a cold skillet with a cup of pancake batter, I turned on the stove and let it cook for two minutes. Normally you would add pancake batter to a preheated pan, but here I want the batter to spread evenly and settle into the pan before baking so I can really see if they have any hot or cold spots. I took the pancake out of the pan and turned it upside down. Yes, it was a messy affair, but what was revealed on the other side were pancake gradients that reveal each pan’s ability to cook evenly across its surface.
Browning a pancake shows us how evenly a pan cooks and how well it releases that notoriously sticky breakfast food.
Other considerations
When conducting these tests, I also pay careful attention to other factors such as a pan’s overall size, weight, and balance on the stove. I also take into account the height and angle of inclination of its sides, as well as the angle and design of the handle. Some of these factors are admittedly subjective, particularly grip comfort. Therefore, it may be a good idea to visit a cookware supermarket and test different handles before making a final selection.
It may seem like a small thing, but the angle of the handle can make a big difference when maneuvering the pan. I like the subtle slope of the Misen pan. The rubber cover was comfortable for my hand.
Durability of non-stick coatings
This is a difficult factor to assess. Ultimately, you want your nonstick coating to last as long as possible, but you can really only judge that through regular use over time. In my experience, decent nonstick frying pans last three to four years before they really break down. While I don’t have the luxury of testing the durability of every pan over this period of time, I do look closely at the reviews on each pan to see if there are any warning signs or patterns that might indicate that they are faster corrode.
If your nonstick pan looks anything like this, it’s time to get a new pan.
Even though no non-stick pan lasts forever, our top pan is this Misen as well as the All-Clad set have a three-layer non-stick coating, which may give them a longer lifespan.
Price was one of the biggest factors
Due to its short lifespan, you shouldn’t spend a fortune on a non-stick pan. Aside from the HexClad, which offers a unique hybrid surface that stands up to metal utensils and wear and tear, I don’t recommend spending more than $60 or $70 on a single nonstick pan.
If you go too cheap (pans under $40 or so), you’ll find that nonstick coatings start to corrode much quicker and you’ll have to replace them sooner. I’ve made this mistake before and it’s just not worth it to save just a few bucks.
Cost and value were some of the most important factors I considered when choosing the best nonstick frying pans for 2024.
