Best non-stick frying pans, tested by experts

We tested a sample of the latest non-stick and stainless-steel contenders against criteria that included temperature control, handle comfort and eco-credentials. We used the pans to make American pancakes and omelettes, as well as shimmying dry ingredients to test the shape. Read on to discover our pick of the best non-stick frying pans.

Best non-stick frying pans at a glance

• Best non-stick frying pan: Ninja Foodi Zerostick 28cm frying pan, £54.99
• Best all-in-one frying pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0, £85
• Best large non-stick frying pan: Meyer Accent Series Ultra-Durable Chef's Pan, £69
• Best frying pan for quality-build and good looks: Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro frying pan, 24cm, £98.40
• Best hybrid frying pan: HexClad Hybrid pan, from £129
• Best affordable non-stick frying pan: ProCook Professional stainless-steel frying pan, £44
• Best premium non-stick frying pan: Samuel Groves Tri-Ply frying pan, from £87.50
• Best versatile non-stick frying pan: Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan, from £49
• Best investment frying pan: Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro, £145
• Best budget non-stick frying pan: Judge Essentials Radiant frying pan, from £17

Best stainless-steel frying pans at a glance

• Best stainless-steel frying pan: Zwilling Pro stainless-steel frying pan, £79.95
• Best premium stainless-steel frying pan: Le Creuset signature stainless-steel frying pan, from £139

Jump to:

• Best non-stick frying pans to buy in 2024
• Best stainless-steel pans to buy in 2024
• How to choose the best non-stick frying pan
• How to care for a non-stick frying pan
• How we tested non-stick frying pans

Best non-stick frying pans to buy in 2024

Ninja Foodi Zerostick frying pan, 28cm

Available from Ninja (£54.99), Lakeland (£54.99), John Lewis & Partners (£54.99)

Best non-stick frying pan

Pros:

• Generous size
• Good looking
• Excellent non-stick
• Long handle
• Energy efficient
• Fully recyclable packaging

Cons:

• Slight heating of the handle

Star rating: 5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 26cm, 28cm, 30cm

This is a serious pan that's great when cooking for a crowd, given its generous size and depth. The polished stainless-steel exterior, sturdy riveted handle, and a manageable weight for the size also give it a professional feel.

Ninja claims that its Zerostick, non-stick coating is 20 times tougher than regular non-stick in a third-party coating abrasion testing (2022), and its 10-year guarantee on the pan and the non-stick shows its commitment to this.

We found the heating of this pan super-fast and the heat retention so good, we had to turn the pan relatively low to cook with, which makes this energy efficient, too. Our first omelette was seriously overcooked, but on a lower heat, we were pleased with the results of a perfectly cooked, soft omelette with even colouring. The pancakes, though they cooked quickly, again were cooked right through with an even colour.

The Ninja frying pan is metal-utensil-safe, dishwasher-safe, scratch resistant and oven-safe up to a vast 260°C (beware of the hot handle, though), so it could quickly become the workhorse pan in your kitchen without too much worry.

Available:

• Ninja (£54.99)
• Lakeland (£54.99)
• John Lewis & Partners (£54.99)

Always Pan 2.0

Available from Our Place (£85), Amazon (£85)

Best all-in-one frying pan

Pros:

• Light
• Non-toxic non-stick
• Multi-functional
• 11 colours
• Accessories included

Cons:

• None

Star rating: 5/5

Sizes available: 21.6cm, 26.7cm, 31.8cm

It is fascinating to unwrap the Always Pan from its recyclable box, as this is not just a non-stick frying pan but a multi-functional one. The Always can be used as a steamer with the handled steamer basket (included), which doubles as a colander; the well-domed lid makes it easy to roast a chicken yet shallow enough to fry and poach eggs, and it's also designed to lock in steam when needed or release it when you don't. We also love the wooden spatula (also included), which nestles into the handle when not in use.

We were testing the pan for its non-stick cooking and this one is impressive. The ceramic non-stick coating is super-smooth and silky, and contains no harmful toxins.

The surface is so smooth, we had fun chasing the pancakes and the omelette as they skated around the pan. The omelette's cooking results were impressive in speed and had even browning. However, the pancakes spread further than others on the test; in part, we felt, because the pan was so smooth.

This pan is incredibly light for its size and build, as it is made with 100% recycled aluminium. It slips seamlessly from hob to oven and is safe to 230ºC, though oven gloves must be used when removing the pan.

Available from:

• Our Place (£85)
• Amazon (£85)

Meyer Accent Series Ultra-Durable Chef's pan, 26cm

Available from Amazon (£58), Dunelm (£69)

Best large non-stick frying pan

Pros:

• PFOA-free non-stick
• Two ergonomic heatproof handles
• Versatile depth

Cons:

• Quite wide on the cooker, which dominates space

Star rating: 5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 26cm, 28cm

This is an unconventional pan to feature in our guide, due to its wok-like sloping sides and depth. But it's precisely that shape that makes this pan incredibly versatile and could see you replacing two or three pans in your cupboard with just this one.

Suitable for all cooktops, the hard-anodised aluminium triple-layer, non-stick body is supported by two silicone-protected handles that are ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The deep rim makes pouring smooth and easy to control.

Although dishwasher-safe, we found it was easier to simply wash by hand as everything wiped off easily under warm water making it a doddle to clean. It's also oven-safe up to 230C.

Available from:

• Amazon (£58)
• Dunelm (£69)

Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro frying pan, 24cm

Best frying pan for quality build and good looks

Pros:

• Fast heating
• Great stay-cool handle
• Sturdy build
• Eco-credentials
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• May be a little heavy for some
• Price

Star rating: 4.5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 28cm

The Swiss-made New Life Pro frying pan from Kuhn Rikon is a handsome and robustly built pan. It comes in a recyclable card sleeve and is made from 100% recycled aluminium, so it has good eco-credentials.

We love the handle, which is ergonomically designed to stay cool on the stovetop. However, the pan is also oven-safe up to 240ºC, and as the handle will also heat, it must be used cautiously.

The pan performed well with both omelette and pancakes and we found it cooked at a lower temperature than others on the test; it also cooked quickly and evenly, and we were impressed by how the pan responded to changing the heat. Thanks to its ceramic, highly reinforced, three-layer non-stick coating, both the omelette and the pancakes lifted quickly and easily when turning and plating.

A pan of this quality build will always be slightly heavy, and this one is, but the long stay-cool handle does help when moving the pan around. Though it's not recommended for the dishwasher, this pan is a dream to clean with just hot, soapy water.

HexClad Hybrid frying pan

Available from HexClad (from £129.99)

Best hybrid frying pan

Pros:

• All recyclable packaging
• Impressive non-stick
• Comfortable handle
• Handle remains cool
• Controlled cook

Cons:

• Sometimes a little slow to cook
• Expensive

Star rating: 4.5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 25cm, 30cm

The concept of hybrid cookware is not a new invention, but the HexClad range seems to be a merging of three pan types, rather than two. It’s stainless steel and non-stick, plus the need to season the pan takes us into cast iron territory.

This is a pan that makes many demands of you; it’s not one you can just grab and whack on the stovetop at any old temperature. It needs to be seasoned before use – albeit not every time – and it should only be used at low-medium temperatures.

But once we’d got everything set up, this pan was nothing short of a joy to use. The handle is comfortable and remained cool throughout the entirety of our test. It cooked with delicacy and control when making an omelette. And our American pancakes were thick and fluffy, with even and consistent browning every time. Both test recipes slipped from the pan with total ease.

We liked this pan for many reasons – it’s ultra robust, cooks well and comes in a good range of sizes. Though we did have some gripes: it takes a while to heat up and cook, and it comes with a hefty price tag, but it does come with a lifetime warranty. Read more about HexClad in our guide: Is HexClad worth it?

Available from:

• HexClad (from £129.99)

ProCook Professional 24 cm Stainless-Steel frying pan

Best affordable non-stick frying pan

Pros:

• High grade stainless-steel body and handle
• Good weight
• Ultra Plus triple-layer, PFOA-free, non-stick coating

Cons:

• Handle is a little slippery

Star rating: 4.5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 28cm, 30cm

The ProCook Professional stainless-steel pan may be small, but it is a very useful, well-built model which could easily stand up to the rigours of the professional kitchen and the home. The pan has a lovely weight from the heavy-duty 18/10 stainless-steel construction and a 7mm impact bonded base, but because it's not a huge pan, it is easy to lift even with food in.

Using this pan is partly made easier by the well-balanced curved handle and a clever design that stops the handle from getting hot when used on the hob. However, we felt the handle was a little unsteady when carrying due to its shiny stainless-steel construction. The pan is oven-safe up to 260ºC, but the handle will get very hot and should be used cautiously.

The solid construction of the ProCook pan means it heats quickly; heat retention is good, which resulted in excellent results with both the omelette and the pancakes. Both cooked quickly, with even colouring, and we loved how fast the pan responded when we lowered the heat.

A small but super-useful pan to have, whatever the size of your cook space, but certainly a must for the smaller kitchen.

Samuel Groves Tri-Ply frying pan

Best premium non-stick frying pan

Pros:

• Fantastic non-stick coating
• Well balanced
• 'Pan for life' non-stick refurbishment scheme

Cons:

• Not dishwasher-safe

Star rating: 4.5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 26cm, 28cm, 30cm

This professional-looking frying pan is beautifully designed and intended to last a lifetime. It’s available for an expensive upfront cost, but we believe it’s worth the investment.

This Samuel Groves pan is perfectly balanced. Although it’s thin, it's reassuringly weighty and sits comfortably on the hob. It’s also oven-safe up to 260C – extra points for versatility.

Cooking with it is a joy. Both our omelette and American pancakes were evenly browned and easy to remove from the pan. Read our full Samuel Groves Tri-Ply frying pan review.

Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan

Best versatile non-stick frying pan

Pros:

• Unique non-stick design
• Comfortable stay-cool handle
• Metal-utensil-safe

Cons:

• Some sticking
• Some may not like the design

Star rating: 4.5/5

Sizes available: 22cm, 25cm, 32cm

Designed to cook like steel and clean like non-stick, this frying pan is ideal for searing meat and veggies. It’s notable for its design, featuring a series of ridged circles inside the pan. For ease and versatility, its dishwasher-safe and ovenproof up to 260C.

We loved the slim ergonomic handle; it’s comfortable and doesn’t get too hot in use. Although this pan cooked very well, we noticed that the circular pattern imprinted onto our American pancakes and omelette. This didn’t affect the flavour, but may be off putting for some.

Read our full Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan review.

Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro

Best investment frying pan

Pros:

• Effective non-stick
• Versatile
• Fully recyclable packaging
• Dishwasher-safe
• Metal-utensil-safe

Cons:

• Expensive
• Tricky to store
• Pan surface leaves imprint on food
• Easily marked by fingerprints

Star rating: 4/5

Sizes available: 27cm

If you love the versatility of the original Always Pan, want the durability of a stainless-steel pan, and the ease of cooking on non-stick, this latest product from Our Place ticks a lot of boxes. It has a tri-ply set-up (stainless steel, aluminium and titanium) that features the brand's NoCo™ Nonstick Technology, which doesn't rely on coating or chemicals.

It has a similar design to the brand's other multifunctional pans and comes with a lid and wooden spatula – though, unlike the Always Pan 2.0, no steaming basket is included. At 27cm in diameter, the cooking surface is textured and mesh-like, which browned our American pancakes and omelettes evenly, but left behind an imprint on the pancakes.

It's perhaps not as premium-looking as we'd expect for a product at this price. However, it does feel robust, and the fact you can use metal utensils with it and pop it in the dishwasher is a big win for convenience.

Judge Essentials Radiant frying pan, 26cm

Best budget frying pan

Pros:

• Budget price with good results
• Good non-stick
• Soft-grip handle

Cons:

• Pancakes took longer to cook

Star rating: 4/5

Sizes available: 22cm, 24cm, 26cm, 28cm

The Judge Essentials Radiant frying pan delivered far more than we had expected for the price. It's a generous 26cm, so it's great for family cooking and deep enough to make it a versatile choice to have in your drawer.

The non-stick is scratch-resistant, PFOA-free and worked well in the test, as nothing stuck. The Judge pan is dishwasher-safe, but with the excellent non-stick, it washed up super-easily by hand. We particularly liked the soft-grip handle, which gave a secure grip when carrying and stayed cool during cooking. The handle, however, is only good up to 180ºC in the oven; this makes it quite hot, so it must be used cautiously.

When heating, we found the base became hot very quickly and took longer for the sides to catch up, so controlling this was a little difficult and to prevent the foods from burning, we had to keep lowering the heat.

Because of this, the pancakes took longer to cook, which caused them to crack, plus the browning was uneven. The omelette fared much better, cooking quickly and evenly, and it slipped smoothly up the softly curved sides onto the plate.

Best stainless-steel pans to buy in 2024

Zwilling Pro stainless-steel frying pan

Best stainless-steel frying pan

Pros:

• Easy to control temperature
• Lightweight
• Oven-safe up to 300C
• Compatible with all hob types
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• None

Star rating: 5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 26cm, 28cm

Made with robust 18/10 stainless steel, this frying pan was a joy to use and produced the best fried egg on test – with a golden lacy white outer, oozing yolk and no sticking. With a depth of almost 5cm, it's also ideal for cooking saucier dishes, making it one of the most versatile options on this list.

Its handle stays cool during use and has a hollow design, which means the pan is relatively lightweight overall. We found it was quick to react to temperature changes and didn't suffer from any hot spots. This was most evident when we seared a salmon fillet, which had a good even crust on the skin after 5-6 minutes on the heat.

With the right care, this is a pan that could easily withstand years of use, and when you factor in the lifetime warranty and price tag of under £100, it offers excellent value for money.

Le Creuset signature stainless-steel frying pan

Best premium stainless-steel frying pan

Pros:

• Quick to heat
• Lifetime warranty
• Oven-safe up to 260C
• Suitable for all hob types

Cons:

• High price tag

Star rating: 5/5

Sizes available: 20cm, 26cm, 28cm, 30cm

If you have a bit money to spend, this impressive stainless-steel pan from Le Creuset is certainly worth considering. The brand best known for its enamelled cast iron dishes offers this pan in a range of sizes (we tested the 28cm version), and we loved its curved sides and slim, easy-to-grip handle.

On test, it was the quickest to caramelise onions, producing rich, sticky results in just 35 minutes on a low heat. We also seared a steak, which wasn't entirely even but had a juicy, succulent centre and noticeable crust.

As with most Le Creuset's cookware, this pan has a hefty upfront cost but excellent longevity – backed by the brand's lifetime warranty.

Other non-stick frying pans tried and tested

• Stellar Rocktanium frying pan review, £64

How to choose the best non-stick frying pan

Whether you’re cooking up an indulgent pan-fried rib eye steak or a showstopping dish, like Barney Desmazery’s pan-fried scallops with parsnip purée & pancetta crumbs, a good frying pan can help you to achieve an intense sear and flavoursome crust. You can also use your frying pan as a mould and serving dish, like Anna Glover did for this frying pan filo tart.

A generously sized frying pan is a great way to reheat leftovers quickly. Take any leftover pasta sauce, like our pasta arrabbiata with aubergine, heat it through, then add your pasta, tossing the two together.

What’s the best material for a frying pan?

Choosing the right pan can be a bit of a minefield. To start with, you need to pick what materials you want your pan to be made of. All of the frying pans we’ve tested are made from aluminium or stainless steel.

Aluminium:

• Pros: lightweight, budget-friendly, good heat conductivity
• Cons: can warp, scratches easily, can react to acidic food

Stainless steel:

• Pros: durable, produces weighty pans, does not react to any type of food
• Cons: some cheap pans can transfer heat poorly and unevenly

What to look out for when choosing a non-stick frying pan

• Suitable for all hobs/your hob
• Oven-proof to a high temperature
• Easy to clean or dishwasher-safe
• Comfortable handle that’s a good length and stays cool

How to care for a frying pan

If you want to maximise the lifespan of your new frying pan, a little care goes a long way. Here are a few steps to follow to ensure your frying pan stays in top-notch condition:

• Use the right utensils: If cooking with a non-stick pan, metal utensils with sharp edges can scratch the non-stick coating, so try to use to softer tools, like silicone spatulas or wooden spoons. Most stainless-steel pans, on the other hand, are metal utensil-safe, but it's worth checking the manufacturers' guidelines for specific recommendations.
• Wash with care: While some non-stick frying pans claim to be dishwasher-safe, most dishwashers use very hot water and powerful detergents that may slowly damage the coating. So, wash by hand if you can. The same goes for stainless-steel pans.
• Avoid high heat when cooking on non-stick: High temperatures can also impact the effectiveness of a non-stick coating, so stick to low or medium heat levels when cooking with your frying pan.
• Store non-stick pans carefully: To avoid scratching the non-stick coating, put a protective layer (like a pan protector) between non-stick pans when stacking or nesting them in a cupboard.

How we tested non-stick frying pans

Supreme temperature control

The ability to accurately adjust the temperature with subtle precision, even after cooking over high heat, will provide you with the greatest overall control, transforming your everyday cooking. It’ll mean that you can save food that you forgot about for a moment, cook every type of egg dish imaginable with precision, or perfectly simmer a midweek risotto or pasta sauce.

Design with cooking in mind

A large surface area for cooking with elegantly curved sides that are neither too shallow or too tall, alongside a balance between weight and size, and a comfortable, stay-cool ergonomic handle, are ideal. This will let you toss food – often the best way to mix ingredients – with ease.

Sustainability

We look at the packaging the frying pan comes with and whether it's recyclable or not. We also look at what the frying pan is made from and the length of the warranty.

Reliable, eco-friendly non-stick

An effortlessly slick non-stick coating with just a touch of grip will prevent spread when cooking pancakes or frying eggs. Look for scratch-resistant non-stick (often with a specific warranty for the coating) that’ll hold up to long-term wear and tear. Further, to avoid any health issues or chemical aftertaste, look for eco-friendly materials, particularly ones that are PFOA-free.

Recipe results

We cooked Good Food’s basic omelette in each pan, making a note of how long the pan took to pre-heat. We then monitored how quickly the eggs cooked, how easy it was to lower and control the temperature, as well as checking how effective the non-stick was. Once cooked, we tasted each batch to check how evenly the eggs cooked, whether they held well – i.e. didn’t overcook when left to sit in the pan – and if the pan added any chemical notes to the flavour.

We also made a batch of American pancakes, which allowed us to check how evenly the pan heated up, how efficiently it transferred to the food and whether the non-stick had the necessary subtle grip. For example, did the pancakes spread too much initially or were they nicely puffed? Was the surface of the pancakes evenly browned, or was it patchy?

When it came to testing stainless-steel pans, we started by caramelising onions, monitoring how quickly the pan reacted to changes in temperature. We also fried an egg and assessed how evenly it browned, plus whether it stuck to the pan's surface. Finally, we seared a salmon fillet, and those pans that produced an even crust and good sear scored highly.

After extensive testing, we also rated the pans on how easy they were to clean.

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Non-stick frying pan recipes

Frying pan filo tart
Pan-fried salmon
Pan-fried rib-eye steak
Pan-fried sprouts and crunchy chorizo crumbs
Pan-fried potato gnocchi
Paneer and chickpea fry
Pan-fried sea bass with ratatouille and basil
One-pan egg and veg brunch

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