5 Best Stainless Steel Skillets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Made In's stainless steel pan is designed to mimic that of a restaurant kitchen without you needing to spend a ton to get pro-level gear. They're also sold exclusively by the company. Which means instead of squandering money on resellers, distributors and retailers, Made In can dedicate funds towards sourcing premium materials (anything unused gets recycled), and collaborating with top quality makers.

And, oh yeah, these 5-ply pans are killer conductors too, reaching a sweltering 195 degrees F (over low heat) after 5 minutes, and turning out perfectly browned crepes.

Misen emerged as a direct-to-consumer brand that lives up to the hype. Their 12-inch stainless steel skillet out-performed all the other brands we tested and comes in at a fraction of the price of the next few leaders. The 5-ply, 3.0mm thick steel and aluminum construction offers excellent heat conduction that was able to reach 250 degrees F after only five minutes. The design of the cooking surface of the pan sets it apart as well- the sides of the pan are shorter while the surface is a good inch wider than other pans of this size that we tested. This ensures more room for cooking without sacrificing caramelization and flavor. Even with an uneven burner or heat-source, we found that the Misen pan could still produce even browning across the ample surface area after warming up for a few minutes. Add to that an oval-shaped handle that helps with grip and leverage without cutting into your hand that stays cool during cooking, even at high heat.

There’s no question about it: Stainless steel pans can cost a pretty penny. But there’s no shame in saving $100 or more on a slightly less swanky pan, with the understanding that you’ll likely have to replace it somewhere along the line. That said, this Tramontina pan actually has a lifetime warranty, and — in the short term at least — performs nearly as admirably as its pricier competitors.

Made of three layers of bonded metals, it reached 182 degrees F after 5 minutes, and quickly cooled down to 105 degrees F once removed from the stove. The riveted, tapered handle is comfortable to hold, and since the pan is on the lighter side, it’s relatively easy to manipulate one-handed.

All-Clad has been schooling the stainless steel market for years. The proof is in the pudding (or, in this case, gorgeously seared chicken and evenly browned crepe), as it emerged the top performer after all of our tests.

Composed of five layers of bonded steel and aluminum, it's highly conductive, — reaching temps of 193 degrees F after just 5 minutes — resistant to warping and solid as a rock, yet light enough to maneuver with one hand. The sides are low but flared, facilitating drip-free pouring, and the flipping of delicate items such as pancakes or fish.

While it only requires low flame on the stove top, this pan can really withstand the heat in the broiler or oven, remaining safe up to 600 degrees F (its competitors generally top out at 500 degrees F).

That said, not all All-Clads are created equal. We also tested the D3, which didn’t make it into our rankings, due to the fact that it didn’t get nearly as hot as its sizzling sibling, and didn’t cook quite as consistently.

The Belgium-made Demeyere is fast becoming the pro-chef's preferred pan. But is it worth it for home cooks to shell out that kind of cash for a single vessel? Considering that it offers 12.6 inches of searing and frying action, and those oversized dimensions really make a difference, maybe.

While the other pans we tested provided a snug fit for four chicken breasts, the luxuriously proportioned Demeyere could actually handle a roast, not to mention the makings of entire skillet supper. You’d think that would translate to an unwieldy amount of weight, yet the pan felt incredibly balanced, and even had a cast iron "helper handle" on the other side, to assist when maneuvering it in and out of the oven. Not to mention the fact that it comes to temperature incredibly quickly, and produced beautiful, campaign-worthy color on our meat.