A great non-stick frying pan is essential to the good functioning of any kitchen. And if you've ever experienced an omelette or piece of fish skin sticking to the bottom of your pan, then you'll know exactly what we're talking about. While we've already rounded up our favourite cookware sets to fully outfit your kitchen, sometimes all you need is a non-stick frying pan to get the job done.
Eggs on a Sunday morning, a perfectly cooked steak, or mum's famous tomato sauce, you can do it all in a non-stick frying pan. And we've reviewed all six that are featured below so that you know which ones are truly worth your money. Wave goodbye to scraping and say hello to sliding your food swiftly from pan to plate.
The best non-stick frying pans
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Our favourite non-stick fry pan
Sizes (cm): 20, 24, 26, 28, and 30
Non-stick coating: Plasma ceramic
Hob compatibility: All hob types
Material: Hard anodized aluminium
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Oven safe? Up to 260°C
+ Durable and heats up fast
+ Cleans well in the dishwasher
+ Can be used with metal utensils
+ Affordable
- Not the slippiest pan (but resolved with a drizzle of oil)
Used daily by one of our editors, this Ninja pan really does stand the test of time. It's super durable and can be slung into your dishwasher, plus it cleans up like a dream. Its non-stick feature is impressive and stands out from all the pans we've tested, making it super easy to clean by hand, too. Like other pans, it gets grubby underneath after lots of use, but as far as we're concerned, it's still just as good as it was the day we opened it. Its ability to withstand high temperatures is helpful, especially if you love to cook stovetop pizzas or sear your meat before cooking it in the oven.
Real Homes rating: 5 stars out of 5
An affordable pan
Sizes (cm): 20, 24, 26, 28, and 30
Non-stick coating: PFOA-free QuanTanium
Hob compatibility: Gas, halogen, ceramic, and solid plate
Material: Aluminium
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Oven safe? Up to 240ºC
+ Comfortable handle
+ Lightweight
+ Fast heat up
+ 10-year non-stick warranty
- Not the best looking
- No pouring spout
In testing, our editor immediately noticed how comfortable its curved handle was — great if you are using it for pancakes or eggs, or you are cooking something that needs constant attention. Another thing we loved is how little time it took to heat up – this pan was by far the quickest to get our eggs to perfection. Onto non-stick: we used no oil when testing, and found that the egg was actually sliding around the pan as we moved it — the non-stick coating is that good. In terms of washing, it won't fit in a slimline dishwasher, but it was washed by hand with ease.
Real Homes rating: 5 stars out of 5
The best non-stick frying pan for families
Sizes (cm): 20, 24, and 28
Non-stick coating: PFOA-free non-stick coating
Hob compatibility: All hob types
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Oven safe? Up to 240°C
+ Feels sturdy
+ All-round pouring lip
+ PFOA-free coating
+ Can be used with metal utensils
- Base isn't smooth but great for charring
- Not great if you are less able
- Hand drying base is advised to prevent watermarks
This Kuhn Rikon pan is our very best for families as it can withstand daily use and daily dishwashing, and it certainly beats most when it comes to durability and nonstick, but with that comes a higher price tag. Our editor noted straight away that it's heavier than most and its handle is nice and comfortable and easy to grip, while it has really good non-stick — we didn't have to try and peel the eggs off the pan, and we never have an issue with sauces sticking.
Real Homes rating: 5 stars out of 5
The best high-end non-stick frying pan
Sizes (cm): 26, 28, and 30
Hob compatibility: All hob types
Non-stick coating: 3-layer PFOA-free non-stick coating
Material: Hard anodised forged aluminium
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Oven safe? Up to 260°C
+ Two ergonomic handles
+ Very deep
+ Super sturdy
+ Lifetime guarantee
- Expensive and heavy
- Takes up a lot of space in a slimline dishwasher
- Can't use metal tools
This Le Creuset non-stick pan is our best investment pick and it comes in three sizes, it's super deep, plus it has two handles for easy carrying from the hob (or oven) to the table. Oh, and it's sturdy enough to deal with daily use. One of our editors has had this pan in her kitchen for years. Admittedly, the egg test didn't fare well but realistically you would never use a pan this large (and deep) pan for frying an egg — it's more for cooking up hearty meals from risotto to stews. It's large, too, so it can cook plenty enough for four portions (we have the 28cm size). If you are only going to buy one good frying pan, and you want it to last for years of daily use, then we can't recommend this more.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best value frying pan
Size (cm): 20, 24, and 28
Non-stick coating: PFAO-free non-stick coating
Material: Forged aluminium
Hob compatibility: All hob types
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Oven safe? Up to 180°C
+ Budget-friendly
+ Softgrip handle
+ Feels very sturdy
+ Triple-layered non-stick coating performs well
- Quite hefty
- The textured non-stick won't be for everyone
If you're on a budget, then this pan from Zyliss is the one for you. The soft-grip handles and quality textured nonstick make it feel like a much pricier pan. Its weight means it's not ideal for flipping pancakes or moving around a lot. It's 600g, which is about the weight of a small bag of flour, or a 1.5-pound dumbbell. It uses a Swiss design and triple-layered coating with a textured design that reminded us of the Ninja pan. While this frying pan can go in the dishwasher and the oven, it's worth knowing that it can only go in the oven up to 180°C.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best for small kitchens
Sizes (cm): 20, 24, 28, 30, 32
Non-stick coating: Thermolon™ Infinite8
Material: Aluminum
Hob compatibility: All hob types
Dishwasher safe? Yes
Oven safe? Up to 220°C
+ Ideal for serving one
+ Heats quickly
+ Limited lifetime warranty
- Pricey
- Handwashing recommended
One of our editors tested this frying pan on an induction hob and noticed the weight of this small-but-mighty pan (a comfortable 740g). The innovative design means the bottom stays perfectly flat when heated, keeping the butter/oil where she wanted it. The fried eggs were free to move about the pan whilst cooking, which made it super easy to use a metal fish slice spatula utensil to remove them and place them onto the plate. She washed it both in the top rack of the dishwasher and by hand, and we found the latter to be better for deeper cleaning. It's also super easy to store thanks to its size.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
A celebrity favourite frying pan
Sizes (cm): 20, 25 and 30
Non-stick coating: Diamond-infused Japanese ceramic
Material: Hard anodised aluminium
Hob compatibility: All hob types
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Oven safe? Up to 260°F
+ Can be used with metal utensils
+ Sears like steel
+ Can use metal utensils
+ Lifetime guarantee
- Lids sold separately
If it's good enough for Hailey Bieber and Chef Gordon Ramsay then it's good enough for us. HexClad is backed by some big names, and we think this non-toxic pan is worth the hype. The unique hybrid design combines stainless steel and non-stick using hexagonal laser etching, to create the best of both worlds. It has a tri-ply construction and is PFOA-free. The handles stay cool when cooking on the stove and they have a lovely curve that makes them very enjoyable to hold. Overall, it's brilliant for even heat distribution, and nice to see a celebrity-endorsed cookware line that serves us well.
Real Homes rated: 4.5 stars out of 5
The good-looking non-stick pan
Size (cm): 25
Non-stick coating: Ceramic coating made without toxins
Hob compatibility: Yes
Dishwasher safe? No
Oven safe? No
+ A gorgeous design available in a range of colours
+ Comes with a lid & steamer
+ Integrated spatula holder
- Hand wash only
- Not oven safe
The Always Pan puts a different spin on the concept of a non-stick frying pan. It gets high points for both looks and features with high-quality ceramic nonstick as well as a depth of 6.5cm, and a lid plus add-ons available. We rarely ever put it away as it normally rotates between being on our dish rack drying to being in use on our hob as it's so versatile. From pancakes to fried eggs, everything slips around the pan with next-to-no oil. Just be careful what you use to clean it as it might damage the pan. We did find that depending on what you cook in it, it can stain easily and require a little elbow grease to clean. The steaming insert is perfect for retaining the nutrients in veggies and more. And you can also buy attachments for it to cook different foods.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The best non-toxic, non-stick frying pan
Sizes (cm): 25, 26, 28, and 30
Non-stick coating: Thermolon ceramic
Material: Hard adonised aluminum
Hob compatibility: Yes
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Oven safe: Up to 315°C
+ Contains no PFAS, PTFE, or PFOA compounds
+ Metal-tool safe
+ 60% less CO2 emissions
- Ceramic coating prone to chipping along the rim
- Must cook over low to medium-low heat
In our tests, GreenPan's Valencia Pro line released food particles with ease, and clean-up was an absolute breeze. To be induction compatible, GreenPan makes use of Magento technology, which incorporates magnetic iron and copper into the base for induction efficiency. Marketed as healthy, the grey Thermolon ceramic coating is made from a sand derivative that is transformed into a sprayable solution and infused with diamonds. So all the single ladies can still own a precious gem (even if it isn't on their ring finger).
Real Homes rated: 4 out of 5 stars
More non-stick pans we tested
Real Homes Review Process — how we test pans
The Our Place Pan in Nishaa Sharma's kitchen
Here at Real Homes, we like to be able to recommend products that we've had hands-on experience with, inside our own homes so that we can use them a good few times before coming to a verdict. We used the knowledge of a couple of team members, along with their hobs, to test each pan in this guide.
First, we used the pan to fry an egg with no oil. From this, we were able to determine the pan's non-stick qualities. After this initial test, we've been sure to use the pan for cooking a range of foods, and we've been sure to report back on how its non-stick has fared, as well as how easy it is to wash the pan.
Meet our testers below:
Annie is our head ecommerce editor, and she has a breadth of experience in testing everyday items, from vacuum cleaners to frying pans, candles, and even the odd BBQ. Annie has tested four of these pans, including our top-rated pan from Ninja, plus the Lakeland, Kuhn Rikon pan and Le Creuset pans. Annie uses the Ninja pan almost every day, for eggs and more. And the Le Creuset pan almost always when cooking one-pan meals. After testing, she gave the brilliant Kuhn Rikon pan to her parents and it has fared well in their busy household. Otherwise, the Lakeland one performed very well and now sits in her sister's vegan and toxic-free kitchen and is used every now and then.
Millie Fender is head of reviews for Real Homes. Formerly our expert for all things kitchen-related, Millie has tested many of the frying pans in this guide, including the Ninja Zerostick and the Original Green Pan. Her go-to at home is the Hexclad, which combines all the brilliance of non-stick with the searing capabilities of a classic aluminum option.
Whether it's a quick omelette, some fried halloumi, or a speedy sauce, our content editor, Christina prides herself in making rapid meals in minutes. Watching her Greek Cypriot and Mauritian grandparents make everything from curries to flatbreads in a frying pan, little did she know that standing on a stepladder as a little girl would come in so handy to equip her with the culinary knowledge she has today. One switch she's made, however, is to reduce the oil content in many of these recipes. With the Green Pan Barcelona Pro, she has been able to significantly reduce how much fat she adds to the final dish. Though, she is known to add a generous knob of French butter to her scrambled eggs at the end of the cooking process, for flavour.
Nishaa is our staff writer and she raves about her Always Pan. She uses it daily to cook for her and her husband, and it's often sitting on her hob looking pretty.
6 things to consider when choosing a non-stick frying pan
When buying the best non-stick frying pan, there are a few things to consider. We've listed all of these factors above, below each every pan, but here's what else to know:
1. Size
This should be dependant on how many people are in your household, and what you are buying a non-stick pan to mostly cook. The pans in our guide range from 20cm to 30cm. It's also a smart idea to consider the depth of your new pan, for when it comes to cooking sauces or stews.
2. Non-stick coating
This is obviously a very important factor – all of the pans in our guide have a non-stick coating. Though some have three layers, others have one layer of coating. This non-stick coating will last depending on how you care for the pan, and how often its used. What the coating is made from is a big deal to many people.
Simply enough, PFOA-free means that the coating is free from the chemical PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. The long term impacts of this chemical are not fully known, but lab tests have shown a connection with higher cholesterol as well as impacts on growth, reproduction and liver function. So it is one that is best avoided if possible.
A non-stick pan will usually be made from polytetrafluoroethylene – otherwise known as PTFE – to make them smooth and to ensure your food doesn't stick to them.
3. Suitable for all hob types
If you are investing in a pan that you'll be using for years, you definitely want to make sure it is suitable for every hob type. Should you move home or change your hob, your pan will still be compatible. Induction hobs only work with certain metals, so think ahead and get one that can be used on induction if that is on the cards.
4. Dishwasher safe?
As simple as it sounds – is your new non-stick pan dishwasher safe? Be mindful that larger pans won't necessarily fit into smaller dishwashers, and washing your pan in the dishwasher could damage the non-stick coating. In our eyes, you are always best to hand wash and dry frying pans.
5. Oven safe?
For when the hob won't cut it, lots of frying pans can be popped in the oven after the hob, for browning or heating your food twice-through. Be sure to check which temperature your new pan is safe for – some are 180ºC, others 260ºC. And not all are oven-compatible!
6. Price
Lastly, but arguably most importantly, is price. If you are looking to buy a pan to last you a lifetime (as you should if budget allows), and you use a non-stick frying pan pretty much every day for cooking breakfast, lunch or dinner, then you may want to invest more in something that will last. If you never use a pan, just for the occasional fried egg or omelette, then you can get away with something a tad more reasonable.