I’ve tried hundreds of frying pans as a food editor, here are the five best

As a food writer who spends more hours than I can count at the kitchen stove, I’ve learned a few things about cookware over the years. But the one question I get asked more than any other, is how to choose a good pan. There’s a huge spectrum of styles and price points to wade through when it comes to making the right choices for your needs. While I may love the results offered by a solid cast iron pan, the thought of hefting it out of the cupboard whenever I want to sear a steak plus the hassle of keeping it well-seasoned after every use so it stays in tiptop condition means it only makes the occasional appearance on my hob. And while stainless steel may be lighter and long-lasting, it doesn’t offer the nonstick surface I need for everyday use – after all, who can be bothered to leave a pan to soak for hours every time you make an omelette?

'I'm done with cheap and flimsy models'

For me, the only frying pan to make the grade is one with a high-quality nonstick surface and some weight to retain the heat. I’ve had my time with the cheap and flimsy models, which quickly become less and less effective and sadly end up in the landfill after only a few uses. These days, I’d always recommend investing in a premium pan that’ll serve you well for years. The most useful of which is a sautè or deeper frying pan, preferably with a lid, that can be used for everything from sizzling a crispy-skinned salmon fillet to cooking a one-pot pasta bake. I tested a wide range of nonstick pans on my induction hob to select the five top performers that are really worth splashing out on. (Photo: Anchiy/Getty)

1) Hexclad Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan with Lid, £139

My number one choice of nonstick pan is the hybrid from Hexclad. It’s a beautiful, weighty pan with a stainless steel handle, allowing it to go in the oven (up to 260 °C) or under the grill for finishing off dishes. The nonstick surface has laser-etched stainless steel ridges, in a distinctive honeycomb pattern, which protect the coating and, unlike many other nonstick pans, make it safe to use with metal utensils. It can also go in the dishwasher without risk. When it comes to performance, the pan quickly reaches and maintains a consistent temperature thanks to its highly conductive aluminium core. There’s a huge range of pans to choose from, including a lidded wok, and this range gets full marks from me for ease of use, durability, quality and performance, and that’s all without even mentioning the lifetime guarantee.

2) Eaziglide Neverstick3 Professional Aluminium Non-Stick Casserole, £90

Eaziglide are robust pans made from hard anodised aluminium, which is a little different from other coatings and makes it resistant to chipping and peeling. The pans have riveted aluminium handles and several styles and sizes, including the fantastic all-rounder The Neverstick3 Casserole (32cm), which comes complete with a vented glass lid. The pans are suitable for the oven (up to 260 °C) and are dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended; they cannot be used with metal utensils. I was very impressed by the pan’s performance, so I was not surprised to see that the Easziglide casserole scores five out of five from John Lewis online customers. While the pans are not cheap, they’re far less expensive than other comparable models and given the high quality and the lifetime guarantee, they offer very good value. (Photo: Eaziglide)

3) Our Place Always Pan, £125

One of the prettiest and most versatile pans, the Always Pan delivers on a wide range of uses. The standard-sized pan is large enough to handle a small joint or a whole chicken, and I found it heated very evenly. It did a great job of browning meat for a chunky chilli I was making, though I did note that the handle got a little hot during cooking. Once all the ingredients were in, I was able to pop the whole pan into the oven (up to 230C) to finish cooking. I was also quite taken with the steamer basket, which fits in neatly and offers a flat, perforated surface which is ideal for steaming dumplings as well as vegetables and rice. It comes complete with a beechwood paddle that nestles nicely on a notch on the handle for storage. Additional accessories, such as a ceramic tagine and ‘fry deck’ rack, are also available to buy separately. The pan is made with Thermakind®, which Our Place states is a “50 per cent longer-lasting ceramic nonstick coating made without potentially toxic materials like PFAS (including PTFEs and PFOAs), lead and cadmium.” It’s also worth noting that it’s not as heavy as some of the other pans tested, so it is a little easier to move from hob to oven during cooking. It is not suitable for dishwashing or use with metal utensils. The Always Pan has a three-year guarantee.

4) Tefal Emotion Frying Pan, £30

Brand leaders in non-stick cookware Tefal offer many, many different ranges including Jamie Oliver pans and So Light. The Emotion range sits mid-level on the price scale and bridges a big gap between pointless cheap pans and the top tier models. It delivers a winning combination of good value, high performance and promises a decade of good use with a 10-year guarantee. Among other Tefal pans, I tested an Emotion Frying Pan (24cm), which pairs a hefty stainless steel base with Tefal’s high-performance “Titanium Excellence” non-stick coating. The pan heats up quickly and features an indicator at the centre of the pan to signal the ideal time to start cooking, which may be useful for less confident cooks. It seared beautifully, and the (rather large) handle remained cool during cooking. The pans can be used with metal utensils and are dishwasher-safe, though hand washing is recommended. (Photo: Tefal)

5) Salter Megastone Fry Pan, £19.99

Salter’s range of Megastone pans are constructed from forged aluminium for even heating and have a textured coating that the British brand claims is seven times tougher than standard non-stick. While the base is solid, the pans remain lightweight which may be a benefit for some cooks. The ‘soft-touch’ handle is comfortable to use and remains cool during use. As classic nonstick frying pans go, the Megastone Fry Pan (30cm) is a great option for those working with a smaller budget and if treated well should last several years. The pans can be used with metal utensils and popped in the dishwasher, though hand washing is recommended. (Photo: Salter)