Which is the best non-stick fry pan?

Stainless steel, aluminium tri-ply and ceramic: our expert evaluates the high quality non-stick frying pans for 2023, at all price points
Abbi Henderson
By Abbi Henderson
Published 24th Jan 2023, 14:27 BST
Updated 29th Mar 2023, 16:14 BST

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Best non-stick frying pans: easy to clean pans for stress free cookingBest non-stick frying pans: easy to clean pans for stress free cooking
Best non-stick frying pans: easy to clean pans for stress free cooking

There’s no chore more frustrating, if you ask us, than defoodifying (technical term) supposedly non-stick frying pans post-use. It’s messy. It’s time-consuming. An all-round 0/10. But, all the faff could be avoided, with the right pan.

It’s true that your cooking utensils should complement your lifestyle and cooking style, but that doesn’t mean there should be any compromises on quality – even if you consider yourself an every-now-and-again kind of cook.

How to shop for the best non-stick frying pan

There is an overwhelming number of non-stick frying pans available, and many at decent price points – not all are created equal, though. It’s really important when shopping for a non-stick frying pan to first consider durability. Stainless steel and aluminium tri-ply pans tend to have a higher durability than ceramic, for instance, which can be quite fragile.

Next, consider ease of use, and the kinds of utensils that work best for your appliances. Stainless steel pans can offer exemplary heat distribution, however, they’re often quite heavy and require a larger up-front financial investment.

Aluminium, on the other hand, is lighter in weight and heats up rapidly, but cannot be used on an induction hob without a reenforced base.

Teflon coating, or ceramic - which is better?

Finally, consider the kind of non-stick coating you’re most comfortable with. Most pans have a PTFE (often known as Teflon) coating, whilst others have a ceramic coating. PTFE-coated pans are thought to be longer-lasting, but really, there’s not much in it.

A quality frying pan could last you years – so, here are 8 of the best non-stick frying pans that could see you through countless cooks…

Best non-stick pans at a glance

Key specs:

Coating: ceramic

Induction compatible? Yes

Weight: 1.36 kg

Props to the Our Place marketing team – the Always Pan has become, seemingly overnight, the cult kitchen utensil of the moment – and it’s easy to see why.

Not only is it available in an array of modern and muted tones that no doubt all complement freshly lime-washed walls, but it’s also super functional.

It’s an all-in-one utensil that’s intended to perform as a frying pan, yes, but also a sauce pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, and spoon rest – there’s really very little you can’t achieve, in cooking terms, with this pan, which sweetens the price tag somewhat.

Made from aluminium, it heats up fast and distributes heat evenly, whilst the handle remains cool. It has a non-stick ceramic coating, and is surprisingly lightweight.

There are two spouts, for mess-free pouring of sauces, and a modular lid which allows you to manage steam. Handily, it comes with a wooden spatula and integrated spatula rest, and a steamer basket, too. On the whole? Worth the hype, if you ask us…

Key Specs:

Coating: 5 Star ProCook Ultra Plus triple layer PFOA free non-stick

Induction compatible? Yes

Weight: 846g

Dimensions: 24 cm diameter

A solid all-rounder, ProCook’s Professional Anodised frying pan ticks all the boxes. It’s sturdy and durable, owing to its heavy-duty forged, anodised aluminium structure, and a complete pleasure to cook with, thanks to the premium PFOA free non-stick coating (which also makes doing the dishes significantly less stressful). The CoolTouch® handle makes the pan easy and comfortable to, well, handle, and the fact it’s fairly lightweight means it’s easy to manoeuvre around without concern for one’s wrists.

It’s oven- and dishwasher-safe, and it comes in a range of sizes to suit all frying requirements. Happily, it also comes with a 25-year guarantee. Win, win.

Key specs:

Coating: PFOA free ILAG non-stick

Induction compatible? Yes

Dimensions: 24 cm diameter

At almost £75 a pop, you’d expect a tip-top quality frying pan that’ll long outlive your current kitchen decor. Fortunately, the Campden frying pan delivers.

The chef-quality pan is made from stainless steel and finished with a top-of-the-range PFOA-free non-stick coating, which is abrasion and corrosion resistant.

The base is constructed of two layers of stainless steel – one either side of a copper core – for even heat distribution, and the handle is contoured and comfy.

It’s heavier than some other frying pans on this list, but, that said, it is built to last – and it comes with a lifetime guarantee.