A well-engineered, non-stick frying pan is a kitchen essential, allowing you to cook with flair and confidence. They’re versatile bits of kit, too. Whether you want to make crispy-skinned sea bass for this white fish with sesame noodles dish, caramelise a rib-eye steak, crisp duck fat for our seared duck with ginger mash or make simple, easy crêpes, the right frying pan will make all of these tasks (and more) an absolute breeze.
Choose one that works on all hobs (including induction), or at least the hob in your own kitchen. If you like to cook dishes that need to be finished in the oven, choose one that’s oven-safe to a high temperature. Pick out those with a hard-wearing, eco-friendly and chemical-free non-stick coating.
The majority of the pans we’ve tested are dishwasher-safe, though, for a pan with a good-quality non-stick, dishwashing will seem excessive. Look for solid, forged metals – aluminium (often recyclable) and stainless steel – that feel robust and well-built, whether it’s an affordable model, or a high-end pan.
We tested a sample of the latest non-stick 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 best non-stick frying pans.
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Sponsored by Ninja
Make cooking at Christmas easier this year with Ninja’s Zerostick range
A good non-stick pan makes life so much simpler in the kitchen, whether sautéing, searing or frying. What sets the Ninja Zerostick cookware range apart is its robustness – in fact, it’s 10x tougher than Tefal’s strongest*, so you won’t have to worry about the non-stick peeling or flaking away over time.
There are six pan types across the range, including the hard anodised collection, the stainless steel collection, the Possible Cookware collection, and the stackable collection. Each pan is also suitable for all hob types, including electric, gas, ceramic and induction.
To explore what’s on offer, head to ninjakitchen.co.uk to shop Ninja appliances and cookware.
*versus Tefal’s claimed strongest and longest-lasting model tested for coating abrasion. Verification: ukinfo@sharkninja.com
Best non-stick frying pans at a glance
- Best non-stick frying pan: Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK frying pan, £22.50
- Best large-capacity non-stick frying pan: Meyer Accent Series Ultra-Durable Chef’s Pan, £43.50
- Best hybrid frying pan: HexClad Hybrid pan, £114.99
- Best non-stick frying pan for long handles: Smeg frying pan, £71.96
- Best non-stick frying pan for ergonomic design: Stellar Rocktanium frying pan, £21.95
- Best ceramic non-stick frying pan: GreenPan Venice Pro Extra frying pan, £40
- Best non-stick frying pan for large surface area: Judge Vista frying pan, £29.95
- Best non-stick frying pan to splurge on: Samuel Groves Tri-Ply frying pan, £68
- Best versatile non-stick frying pan: Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan, £45.50
- Best frying pan for stay-cool handles: KitchenAid Classic frying pan, from £34
Best non-stick frying pans to buy in 2023
Ninja Foodie Zerostick 28cm frying pan
Best for serious cooking
Pros:
- Generous size
- Good looking
- Excellent non-stick
- Long handle
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Slight heating of the handle
Star rating: 5/5
We were instantly impressed with the Ninja Foodie Zerostick pan as we lifted it from its recyclable cardboard box and sleeve; this is a serious pan and we immediately felt this will be 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 give the pan a professional feel.
Ninja claims that their Zerostick, non-stick coating is 20 times tougher than regular non-stick in a third-party coating abrasion testing (2022), and their 10-year guarantee on the pan and the non-stick shows their 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. Equally, 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 and at a bargain price, what’s not to like?
Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro frying pan, 24cm
Best for quality build and good looks
Pros:
- Fast heating
- Great stay-cool handle
- Sturdy build
- Eco-credentials
Cons:
- May be a little heavy for some
- Price
Star rating: 4.5/5
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.
The Kuhn Rikon also comes with a lifetime guarantee, which makes the hefty price tag worth considering.
Saveur Voyage Series Non-Stick frying pan, 25cm
Best for safe handling
Pros:
- Good looking
- Great non-stick
- Good balance
- Stay-cool handle with non-slip grip
Cons:
- Slight uneven colouring on the pancakes
- Star rating: 4.5/5
The 25cm Voyage series non-stick pan from Saveur is a chefy, professional-looking stainless-steel pan which, though sturdy, is not as heavy as we would expect given its quality build. The pan is lovely to hold with its textured, stay-cool handle, which offers a secure grip, and although the handle isn’t long, it is still comfortably balanced when carrying around.
Thanks to the tri-ply 18/10 stainless-steel construction and aluminium core, the Saveur pan has excellent heat distribution, so both our omelettes and pancakes cooked well wherever we moved them in the pan. The pancakes were a little patchy in colour but still tasted delicious.
Nothing sticks to the matte grey non-stick PFOA coating and at one point, we were chasing the pancakes around the pan to get them out. The gently curving side of the pan makes this lovely for flipping foods and for sliding the omelette effortlessly from pan to plate. And we love that the pan is dishwasher-safe, though we did find it easy to hand wash.
Though it’s not cheap, the quality of the Saveur and what it delivers makes it a frying pan which, if looked after, will give many years of great cooking.
Judge Essentials Radiant frying pan, 26cm
Best for a budget price that delivers well
Pros:
- Budget price with good results
- Good non-stick
- Soft-grip handle
Cons:
- Pancakes took longer to cook
Star rating: 4/5
The Judge Essentials Radiant frying pan comes in at an incredible price of just £26 – at the time of our test – and delivered far more than we had expected for the price. The pan is 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.
At this price though, this pan is a bargain for what it does deliver despite the few niggles with the pancakes.
ProCook Professional 24 cm Stainless-Steel frying pan
Best for smaller kitchens
Pros:
- High grade stainless-steel body and handle
- Good weight
- Ultra Plus triple-layer, PFOA-free, non-stick coating
Cons:
- Handle a little slippery
Star rating: 4.5/5
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.
Best non-stick frying pan
Pros:
- High-quality
- Slim and comfortable handle
- Suitable for all hob types
- Oven-safe to high temperature
- Responsive to changes in temperature
Cons:
- Handle gets warm
Star rating: 5/5
You’ll be familiar with the brand Ninja because of their high-powered blenders and air fryers. Ninja have kept the momentum going with their cookware. This non-stick frying pan is robust and hardwearing. It’s also oven-safe up to 260C.
This frying pan is a joy to cook with. Not only is it comfortable thanks to the slim, ergonomically designed handle, but it produced light and fluffy American pancakes and an evenly cooked omelette. Nothing stuck to this pan. The Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK comes at a fantastic price too.
Read our full Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK frying pan review.
Meyer Accent Series Ultra-Durable Chef’s pan
- Available from Meyer (£61.34)
Best large-capacity 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
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 230-degrees.
Available from:
HexClad Hybrid Frying pan
- Available from HexClad (from £94.99)
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
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.
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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.
Available from:
Smeg frying pan
Best non-stick frying pan for long handles
Pros:
- Available in a range of colours and sizes
- Great looking
- Can be used at high oven temperature
Cons:
- Expensive
Star rating: 4.5/5
From another brand well-known for their fantastic kitchenware comes Smeg’s first foray into the world of cookware. This non-stick frying pan is a more high-end offering, but it showcases some fantastic finishing details, as well as a long, sturdy and comfortable handle.
It cooks fantastically and nothing sticks to it at all. It’s dishwasher-safe, but that would be rarely necessary. Like the rest of the items in the Smeg cookware range, this non-stick frying pan is available in red, black and cream.
Read our full Smeg frying pan review.
Stellar Rocktanium frying pan
Best non-stick frying pan for an ergonomic design
Pros:
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Nicely shaped handle
- Oven-safe to high temperature
Cons:
- Some resistance when trying to remove omelette
- Pancake was a little patchy
Star rating 4.5/5
Featuring a speckled non-stick coating, the Stellar Rocktanium frying pan is available in a good range of sizes (20-30cm) and has an ergonomically shaped handle that comfortably fits the contours of the hand.
This frying pan has a brilliant non-stick surface; neither our American pancakes or omelette stuck to the pan. It didn’t brown quite as evenly as we’d hoped, but both foods were very well cooked.
For ease and added versatility, this pan is both dishwasher-safe and ovenproof up to 210C.
Read our full Stellar Rocktanium frying pan review.
GreenPan Venice Pro Extra frying pan
Best ceramic non-stick frying pan
Pros:
- Suitable for all hob types
- Oven-safe to high temperature
- Available in a good range of sizes
Cons:
- Short handle that gets hot
Star rating: 4.5/5
This non-stick frying pan is part of GreenPan’s upgraded Venice Pro range. This slightly weighty ceramic pan is suitable for all hob types, is dishwasher-safe and is ovenproof up to an impressive 260C.
We loved cooking with this pan. It was responsive to changes in temperature and cooked both our American pancakes and omelette brilliantly. We did notice some patchiness on the surface of the pancakes, but flavour-wise we couldn’t fault either of them. Do be careful of the base of the handle as it gets hot.
Read our full GreenPan Venice Pro Extra frying pan review.
Judge Vista frying pan
Best non-stick frying pan for large surface area
Pros:
- Comfortable handle
- Nicely balanced
- Sides are nice and tall
Cons:
- Not ovenproof to a high temperature
Star rating: 4.5/5
Equipped with tall walls and a large flat surface area, this pan is ideal for those dishes that require a hard sear, like a rump steak. This stainless steel pan is dishwasher-safe and available in four different sizes. The Vista is only ovenproof up to 150C and we found the handle a little short, so tossing ingredients in the pan wasn’t the easiest.
This Judge frying pan is responsive to changes in temperature and we were able to cook a soft omelette and evenly browned American pancakes.
Read our full Judge Vista frying pan review.
Samuel Groves Tri-Ply frying pan
Best non-stick frying pan to splurge on
Pros:
- Fantastic non-stick coating
- Well balanced
- ‘Pan for life’ non-stick refurbishment scheme
Cons:
- Not dishwasher-safe
Star rating: 4.5/5
This professional looking frying pan is beautifully designed and is 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
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.
KitchenAid Classic frying pan
Best frying pan for stay-cool handles
Pros:
- Comfortable handle
- Able to tighten handle
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Can’t go in the oven to high temps
- Browning a little uneven
Star rating: 4.5/5
This design of this simple-looking non-stick frying pan from KitchenAid seems a departure from their usually brightly coloured kitchen appliances, but on closer inspection it’s clear to see this pan has a high-quality finish.
It features an impressive non-stick coating that neither our omelette or American pancakes stuck to. Both foods cooked very well, though we did notice some distinct cool spots on the pancakes. This frying pan is also dishwasher-safe, but only ovenproof to 160C.
Read our full KitchenAid Classic frying pan review.
How we tested non-stick frying pans
What was our test criteria?
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 BBC 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.
Finally, we made a batch of American pancakes, this 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?
After extensive testing, we also rated the pans on how easy they were to clean.
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 non-stick 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
- Ovenproof to a high temperature
- Easy to clean or dishwasher-safe
- Comfortable handle that’s a good length and stays cool
For more, visit our friends at BBC goodfood