I Tested 31 Stainless Steel Frying Pans: These Are the Best & Worst

Which stainless steel frying pan is the best? And is a $450 pan really worth it when you can get one for $80, or even $30?

To answer these questions and find out which stainless steel frying pan is the best, I tested 31 of the highest-rated options on the market. 

I measured how fast they heat up by placing each pan on the same burner at the same heat setting and recording the surface temperature in the center after one and two minutes. I also measured the outer edge after two minutes to see how evenly they distribute heat across the cooking surface.

To test heat retention, I heated each pan to exactly 400°F, removed it from the heat, and measured the surface after five minutes. To test warp resistance, I measured how flat the bottom of each pan was before and after heating it to 475°F on a high-powered induction cooktop for two minutes.

I also measured the thickness of every pan (something most brands don’t disclose) with a digital micrometer because thickness impacts everything from heat retention to durability to how the pan feels in your hand.

Beyond these controlled tests, I cooked a ton of food in each pan over the course of several months, including eggs, chicken, fish, vegetables, and more. 

In this comprehensive guide, I share the results from all my tests and give you my honest review of each pan. I’ll start with the least expensive and end with the most expensive. At the end, I explain which stainless steel frying pans are truly the best and why.

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Use the links in the table of contents below to jump directly to the full comparison chart or any individual pan review.

The chart shows all 31 pans side by side so you can quickly compare specs and see how each one performed in my controlled heat tests. Under the chart, I break down every pan in a detailed mini review with key specs, test results, and the real-world pros and cons I noticed after months of cooking.

• Stainless Steel Frying Pan Comparison Chart
• Farberware Classic
• IKEA 365
• IKEA Hemkomst
• Henckels Clad H3
• Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad
• Goldilocks
• IKEA Sensuell
• Cuisinart MultiClad Pro
• Legend 5-Ply
• Misen Stainless Steel
• Heritage Steel Eater Series
• Caraway Stainless Steel
• Made In Stainless Steel
• All-Clad D3
• All-Clad D3 Everyday
• Heritage Steel Titanium Series
• de Buyer Alchimy 3-Ply
• Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro
• All-Clad D5
• Fissler M5-Pro Ply
• Demeyere Industry
• 360 Cookware
• Fissler Original-Profi
• Hestan ProBond Forged
• Hestan ProBond Luxe
• de Buyer Affinity 5-Ply
• All-Clad Copper Core
• All-Clad G5 Graphite Core
• Demeyere Atlantis Proline
• Hestan CopperBond
• Hestan NanoBond
• What the Data Tells Us
• Bottom Line: Which Stainless Steel Frying Pan Is the Best?

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Stainless Steel Frying Pan Comparison Chart

Below is a comparison chart that includes all 31 stainless steel frying pans I tested.

The pans are sorted from least to most expensive. For heat conduction, I heated each pan on medium and recorded the surface temperature in the center after two minutes. For heat distribution, I measured the temperature difference between the center and the outer edge at that same two-minute mark. A smaller difference means more even heating.

For heat retention, I heated each pan to 400°F, removed it from the burner, and measured the surface temperature five minutes later. Higher numbers mean the pan held onto heat longer.

Click the links in the chart to skip to the review of each pan.

Pan	Made In	Build	Finish	Rivets	Thickness	Weight	Cooking Surface	Conduction	Distribution	Retention
Farberware Classic	Thailand	Disc-bottom	Polished	Rivetless	4.0 mm	1.8 lb	7.75 in	499°F (7th)	2°F diff (3rd)	126°F (21st)
IKEA 365	China	Disc-bottom	Polished	Rivets	3.8 mm	2.0 lb	9.0 in	510°F (3rd)	13°F diff (4th)	149°F (6th)
IKEA Hemkomst	China	3-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	2.4 mm	2.5 lb	9.0 in	488°F (10th)	48°F diff (10th)	135°F (11th)
Henckels Clad H3	China	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.6 mm	3.0 lb	9.5 in	410°F (25th)	149°F diff (28th)	123°F (24th)
Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad	Brazil	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.7 mm	3.0 lb	9.0 in	450°F (17th)	97°F diff (20th)	124°F (22nd)
Goldilocks	China	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	3.0 mm	3.4 lb	9.0 in	434°F (22nd)	144°F diff (27th)	126°F (20th)
IKEA Sensuell	China	3-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	4.1 mm	4.0 lb	8.5 in	442°F (20th)	62°F diff (13th)	148°F (8th)
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro	China	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.8 mm	3.7 lb	9.7 in	403°F (26th)	81°F diff (17th)	133°F (13th)
Legend 5-Ply	China	5-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	3.0 mm	3.3 lb	9.5 in	492°F (9th)	80°F diff (16th)	148°F (7th)
Misen Stainless Steel	China	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	3.0 mm	3.7 lb	9.75 in	502°F (6th)	162°F diff (29th)	128°F (17th)
Heritage Steel Eater Series	USA	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	2.8 mm	2.9 lb	9.0 in	413°F (23rd)	78°F diff (15th)	123°F (26th)
Caraway Stainless Steel	China	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	2.6 mm	2.5 lb	7.75 in	481°F (11th)	88°F diff (19th)	120°F (28th)
Made In Stainless Steel	Italy	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	2.8 mm	3.2 lb	10.0 in	529°F (2nd)	125°F diff (26th)	123°F (25th)
All-Clad D3	USA	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	3.0 mm	2.8 lb	9.25 in	451°F (16th)	45°F diff (9th)	132°F (15th)
All-Clad D3 Everyday	USA	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	3.1 mm	3.1 lb	9.8 in	365°F (29th)	2°F diff (2nd)	165°F (3rd)
Heritage Steel Titanium Series	USA	5-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.8 mm	2.9 lb	9.0 in	449°F (19th)	120°F diff (25th)	136°F (9th)
de Buyer Alchimy 3-Ply	France	3-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	2.8 mm	2.5 lb	7.7 in	600°F (1st)	176°F diff (31st)	123°F (23rd)
Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro	China	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivetless	3.1 mm	3.9 lb	9.8 in	449°F (18th)	101°F diff (22nd)	136°F (10th)
All-Clad D5	USA	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivets	3.0 mm	3.2 lb	9.25 in	440°F (21st)	30°F diff (7th)	152°F (5th)
Fissler M5-Pro Ply	Germany	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivetless	3.0 mm	3.2 lb	8.0 in	382°F (28th)	29°F diff (6th)	131°F (16th)
Demeyere Industry	Belgium	5-ply clad	Brushed	Rivetless	3.0 mm	3.2 lb	9.0 in	496°F (8th)	63°F diff (14th)	132°F (14th)
360 Cookware	USA	3-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.9 mm	3.3 lb	9.5 in	504°F (5th)	97°F diff (21st)	118°F (29th)
Fissler Original-Profi	Germany	Disc-bottom	Brushed	Rivetless	6.8 mm	4.0 lb	9.5 in	329°F (31st)	4°F diff (1st)	176°F (1st)
Hestan ProBond Forged	Italy	3-ply clad	Brushed	Flush rivets	3.1 mm	3.5 lb	9.5 in	465°F (15th)	113°F diff (24th)	115°F (30th)
Hestan ProBond Luxe	Italy	3-ply clad	Polished	Flush rivets	3.1 mm	3.4 lb	9.5 in	472°F (14th)	104°F diff (23rd)	122°F (27th)
de Buyer Affinity 5-Ply	France	5-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.9 mm	3.7 lb	9.0 in	479°F (12th)	172°F diff (30th)	154°F (4th)
All-Clad Copper Core	USA	5-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.0 mm	3.7 lb	9.25 in	473°F (13th)	82°F diff (18th)	128°F (18th)
All-Clad G5 Graphite Core	USA	5-ply clad	Polished	Rivets	2.6 mm	2.8 lb	10.0 in	507°F (4th)	60°F diff (11th)	115°F (31st)
Demeyere Atlantis Proline	Belgium	7-ply clad	Polished	Rivetless	5.0 mm	5.2 lb	8.7 in	350°F (30th)	61°F diff (12th)	166°F (2nd)
Hestan CopperBond	Italy	5-ply clad	Polished	Flush rivets	2.3 mm	4.1 lb	9.5 in	411°F (24th)	19°F diff (5th)	127°F (19th)
Hestan NanoBond	Italy	3-ply clad	Polished	Flush rivets	3.1 mm	3.5 lb	9.5 in	389°F (27th)	34°F diff (8th)	134°F (12th)

Farberware Classic

Farberware Classic is the cheapest pan I tested, and you can tell it’s cheap the second you pick it up. At 1.8 pounds, it’s ultra-light with thin walls that dent easily. The handle is only 6.2 inches long (the shortest of any pan I tested) and it’s plastic, so it’s limited to 350°F in the oven. That said, the aluminum disc on the bottom helped it heat evenly, with only a 2°F difference between the center and outer edge. 

Pan	Farberware Classic
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	Thailand
Construction	Single-ply steel, aluminum disc bottom
Type	Disc-Bottom
Thickness	4 mm
Weight	1.8 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	9.75 in
Flat Cooking Surface	7.75 in
Wall Height	2.1 in
Handle Length	6.2 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivetless
Oven Safe	350°F
Induction Compatible	No
Conduction Test	499°F — 7th / 31
Distribution Test	-2°F difference — 3rd / 31
Retention Test	126°F — 21st / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon
Learn More	Read my full Farberware review

Ikea 365

Ikea 365 is a disc-bottom pan with thin steel sides and an extremely shiny, mirror-like cooking surface. At 2.0 pounds, it’s the second lightest pan I tested, but it performed surprisingly well. It reached 510°F after two minutes (3rd fastest overall) and retained 149°F after five minutes off heat (6th best for retention). The thick disc bottom likely deserves the credit, and it kept the temperature difference between center and edge to just 13°F.

Overall, I enjoy cooking with it. However, my main complaint is the handle. It’s a hollow bent piece of metal with an exposed open end and a visible seam.

Water goes inside when you wash it and squirts out the other end. It just feels cheap compared to every other handle I tested.

Pan	Ikea 365
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	Stainless steel, disc bottom
Type	Disc-Bottom
Thickness	3.8 mm
Weight	2 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	11.6 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	7.7 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	Yes (no limit listed)
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	510°F — 3rd / 31
Distribution Test	13°F difference — 4th / 31
Retention Test	149°F — 6th / 31
Where to Buy	IKEA.com

Ikea Hemkomst

Similar to the Ikea 365, the Hemkomst has a highly polished interior, which seems to help food release a bit easier. It’s a 3-ply fully clad pan at just 2.4 mm thick (on the thinner side) but it still retained 135°F after five minutes, placing it in the middle of the pack for heat retention.

The flat handle won’t twist in your hand, but the edges dig into your palm and aren’t very comfortable. This pan also doesn’t have flared rims, so pouring and plating isn’t as smooth. At 1.75 inches, the wall height is the lowest of any pan I tested.

Pan	Ikea Hemkomst
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.4 mm
Weight	2.5 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	11 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	1.75 in
Handle Length	8.4 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	Yes (no limit listed)
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	488°F — 10th / 31
Distribution Test	48°F difference — 10th / 31
Retention Test	135°F — 11th / 31
Where to Buy	IKEA.com

Henckels Clad H3

Henckels Clad H3 has a comfortable handle that’s flat on top and rounded on the bottom. It has flared rims, a wide 9.5-inch cooking surface, and it sears really well. However, at 2.6 mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest pans I tested. That thinness showed up in the heat distribution test. The 149°F difference between the center and outer edge was one of the largest I measured (28th out of 31). It also only reached 410°F after two minutes (25th) and retained just 123°F after five minutes (24th).

You can’t buy the 12-inch fry pan on its own; it only comes in a set with a 10-inch pan. It’s still a good deal if you want both sizes, but worth knowing if you don’t have the space for two.

Pan	Henckels Clad H3
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.6 mm
Weight	3 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.3 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2.1 in
Handle Length	8 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	410°F — 25th / 31
Distribution Test	149°F difference — 28th / 31
Retention Test	123°F — 24th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad has a polished exterior, smooth edges, and the walls have a nice gradual slope. At 2.7 mm thick and 3.0 pounds, it’s similar in build to the Henckels. It didn’t stand out in any of my controlled tests (finishing 17th in conduction (450°F), 20th in distribution (97°F difference), and 22nd in retention (124°F)) but it performs solid in real-world cooking.

After several months of use, I noticed the bottom warped very slightly upward. You can feel the surface dip down near the edges when you run your finger over the cooking surface. In theory, this could cause oil to flow toward the sides instead of staying under your food. In practice, it hasn’t impacted cooking at all.

Pan	Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	Brazil
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.7 mm
Weight	3 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.4 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	2.3 in
Handle Length	7.9 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	450°F — 17th / 31
Distribution Test	97°F difference — 20th / 31
Retention Test	124°F — 22nd / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Goldilocks

The Goldilocks pan feels solid and sturdy when you pick it up. At 3.0 mm thick and 3.4 pounds, it’s noticeably thicker and heavier than the Henckels and Tramontina, and it’s excellent for searing thick cuts of meat. The distribution test showed a 144°F difference between center and edge (27th), so you need to give it time to preheat evenly.

The groove on the handle prevents it from rotating, which is a nice touch. But I wish the handle was a little thicker. If you have large hands or you’re wearing an oven mitt, there’s not much to grab onto.

Pan	Goldilocks
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	3.4 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.4 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	2.1 in
Handle Length	8 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	550°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	434°F — 22nd / 31
Distribution Test	144°F difference — 27th / 31
Retention Test	126°F — 20th / 31
Where to Buy	CookGoldilocks.com
Learn More	Read my full Goldilocks review

Ikea Sensuell

Ikea Sensuell has a chunky, utilitarian design. It’s not the most elegant looking pan, but it’s built like a tank. At 4.1 mm, it’s the second thickest fully clad pan I tested (behind only the Demeyere Atlantis Proline), and at 4.0 pounds it’s the fourth heaviest overall. It sits perfectly flat on the cooktop and retained 148°F after five minutes off heat (8th best overall).

Most stainless steel pans leave the aluminum core exposed around the edge, and over time that aluminum can recede, causing the steel layers to become sharp or even separate. This pan has sealed rims, which eliminate that risk entirely.

My one complaint is the handle. At 7.3 inches, it’s the second shortest of any pan I tested, and I don’t love the rubber grip on the underside. But the bigger issue is that it gets unusually hot. Most stainless steel pan handles only get hot in the first inch or two near the pan, but on this one the heat travels much further up.

Pan	Ikea Sensuell
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	4.1 mm
Weight	4 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	11.3 in
Flat Cooking Surface	8.5 in
Wall Height	2.2 in
Handle Length	7.3 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	Yes (no limit listed)
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	442°F — 20th / 31
Distribution Test	62°F difference — 13th / 31
Retention Test	148°F — 8th / 31
Where to Buy	IKEA.com

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro has a super smooth polished interior with a brushed exterior and a subtle polished ring around the top. It looks more expensive than it is. At 9.7 inches, it has one of the widest flat cooking surfaces I tested, plus sealed rims and a helper handle for when the pan is full. The main handle is 8.8 inches long with a groove on top for your thumb that locks the pan in place so it won’t rotate when you tilt it. It’s one of the most comfortable and secure handles I tested.

Performance was middle of the pack in my controlled tests — 26th in conduction (403°F), 17th in distribution (81°F difference), and 13th in retention (133°F) — but at $90 with sealed rims and that cooking surface, it’s hard to beat at this price point.

Pan	Cuisinart MultiClad Pro
Price	$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.8 mm
Weight	3.7 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.7 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.8 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	403°F — 26th / 31
Distribution Test	81°F difference — 17th / 31
Retention Test	133°F — 13th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon
Learn More	Read my full Cuisinart review

Legend 5-Ply

Legend is a solid all-around pan. It’s 5-ply with a polished exterior, slightly taller walls than most at 2.2 inches, which gives you a bit more capacity, and it heats evenly with excellent heat retention. It reached 492°F after two minutes (9th) and retained 148°F after five minutes (7th), with an 80°F center-to-edge difference (16th). It’s also oven safe to 800°F.

It is on the heavier side at 3.3 pounds, and the handle is thick and round, so when you’re pouring liquids, sliding food onto a plate, or hand washing it, it can get slippery.

Pan	Legend 5-Ply
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	3.3 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.3 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2.2 in
Handle Length	8.3 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	800°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	492°F — 9th / 31
Distribution Test	80°F difference — 16th / 31
Retention Test	148°F — 7th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Misen Stainless Steel

Misen is one of the heavier pans I tested at 3.7 pounds. It was also one of the fastest to heat up, reaching 502°F after two minutes (6th fastest), and it has sealed rims. The 9.75-inch flat cooking surface is among the widest I measured, and it’s oven safe to 800°F.

However, the 162°F difference between center and edge was the second worst of any pan I tested (29th out of 31), so preheating evenly takes some patience. The handle is 9.0 inches long but very rounded, and like the Legend, it can get slippery when you’re tilting the pan or washing it with soapy hands.

Pan	Misen Stainless Steel
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	3.7 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.75 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	9 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	800°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	502°F — 6th / 31
Distribution Test	162°F difference — 29th / 31
Retention Test	128°F — 17th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon and Misen.com
Learn More	Read my full Misen review

Heritage Steel Eater Series

Heritage Steel Eater Series is made by a family-owned company in Clarksville, Tennessee, and it’s the least expensive American-made pan I tested. It has a brushed exterior that hides fingerprints, flared rims for easy pouring, and it’s oven safe to 800°F.

I’m a fan of the handle. It’s flat on top so it won’t rotate in your hand, but rounded on the sides so it’s comfortable to hold. At 2.9 pounds, it’s not too heavy and not too light. The test numbers were modest (23rd in conduction at 413°F, 15th in distribution at 78°F, 26th in retention at 123°F), but it’s a solid all-around performer that I’ve used consistently since it hit the market in 2023.

Pan	Heritage Steel Eater Series
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Clarksville, TN, USA
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.8 mm
Weight	2.9 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	1.9 in
Handle Length	8 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	800°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	413°F — 23rd / 31
Distribution Test	78°F difference — 15th / 31
Retention Test	123°F — 26th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon and HeritageSteel.us
Learn More	Read my full Heritage Steel review

Caraway Stainless Steel

The Caraway stainless steel fry pan has a brushed finish and modern design, but it’s expensive for what’s effectively a 10.5-inch pan – measuring just 10.2 inches rim to rim with a 7.75-inch flat cooking surface. They don’t make a bigger version. If you want a larger cooking area, you’d need their 4-quart saute pan, which has taller walls and is much heavier.

This pan doesn’t have flared rims, and the rounded handle is comfortable but, like the Legend and Misen, is prone to rotating in your hand when you tilt the pan. Heat retention was poor at just 120°F after five minutes (28th out of 31). This is probably rare, but the handle on my pan was dented right out of the box.

Pan	Caraway Stainless Steel
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.6 mm
Weight	2.5 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	10.2 in
Flat Cooking Surface	7.75 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.1 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	550°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	481°F — 11th / 31
Distribution Test	88°F difference — 19th / 31
Retention Test	120°F — 28th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Made In Stainless Steel

The Made In pan is listed as 12 inches, but because of its wide flared rims, it actually measures 13 inches rim to rim – the largest of any pan I tested. It also has the widest flat cooking surface at 10 inches, giving you more room to sear without overcrowding.

The handle looks a lot like the Heritage Steel Eater Series handle, but it gets a little wider toward the end, which I like (the Heritage handle is the same width throughout). 

Made In hit 529°F after two minutes (2nd fastest overall) and has consistently performed well in the several years I’ve owned it. The distribution test showed a 125°F difference (26th), so give it a full preheat before cooking.

Pan	Made In Stainless Steel
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Italy
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.8 mm
Weight	3.2 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	13 in
Flat Cooking Surface	10 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.1 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	800°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	529°F — 2nd / 31
Distribution Test	125°F difference — 26th / 31
Retention Test	123°F — 25th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon and MadeInCookware.com
Learn More	Read my full Made In review

All-Clad D3

D3 is All-Clad’s original and best-selling collection, made at their Canonsburg, Pennsylvania factory. It has a polished exterior, flared rims, and it distributes heat evenly. I had just a 45°F center-to-edge difference (9th best).

The handle is the most polarizing of any pan I tested. It has a concave groove on top that locks the pan in place so it won’t rotate, and it works really well if you grab it with a towel or oven mitt. But since the groove is so deep, the edges can dig into your bare hand and make it uncomfortable. Some people love the design and others hate it. At 7.7 inches, it’s also shorter than average.

Pan	All-Clad D3
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Canonsburg, PA, USA
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	2.8 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.25 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	7.7 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	451°F — 16th / 31
Distribution Test	45°F difference — 9th / 31
Retention Test	132°F — 15th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon and All-Clad.com
Learn More	Read my full All-Clad review

All-Clad D3 Everyday

All-Clad D3 Everyday is the newer version of D3 with a few key upgrades. The handle has a more subtle groove that’s much more comfortable, and at 8.5 inches, it’s almost an inch longer than the original D3. This might be my favorite handle design. It’s safe, functional, comfortable, and looks good.

The flat cooking surface is wider at 9.8 inches (vs. 9.25 on D3), so you can fit more food without overcrowding. Heat distribution was outstanding; just a 2°F difference between center and edge (2nd best overall). It also retained 165°F after five minutes (3rd best). However, it was one of the slower pans to heat up at 365°F after two minutes (29th). The bottom also warped noticeably when I tested it on a high-powered induction cooktop, so if you cook on induction, preheat gradually.

Pan	All-Clad D3 Everyday
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Canonsburg, PA, USA
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3.1 mm
Weight	3.1 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.8 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.8 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.5 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	365°F — 29th / 31
Distribution Test	-2°F difference — 2nd / 31
Retention Test	165°F — 3rd / 31
Where to Buy	All-Clad.com

Heritage Steel Titanium Series

The Titanium Series is Heritage Steel’s pricier collection. It costs $30 more than the Eater Series, mainly because the cooking surface is made of 316Ti steel. This steel is reinforced with titanium that’s supposed to be more resistant to pitting and corrosion over time. Those issues are rare with stainless steel and easily avoidable with proper care, so the practical benefit is minimal for most home cooks.

The test numbers are similar to the Eater Series, with slightly better retention (136°F vs. 123°F). I’m not a fan of the rounded handle. It’s the slippery type I’ve mentioned on other pans, and it’s wide in the middle but tapers thin at the end. There’s not much to grab onto unless you hold it right in the center.

Pan	Heritage Steel Titanium Series
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Clarksville, TN, USA
Construction	5-ply, 316Ti steel cooking surface, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.8 mm
Weight	2.9 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	1.9 in
Handle Length	7.7 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	800°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	449°F — 19th / 31
Distribution Test	120°F difference — 25th / 31
Retention Test	136°F — 9th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon and HeritageSteel.us

de Buyer Alchimy 3-Ply

de Buyer Alchimy heated up faster than any other pan I tested. After one minute, the center was already at 563°F, and after two minutes it was so hot my surface thermometer couldn’t read it. That kind of responsiveness is great if you know how to manage it, but it also means you need to keep a close eye on the heat to avoid burning your food.

The flip side of that speed showed in the distribution test: the 176°F difference between center and edge was the worst of any pan I tested (31st). The rims are straight, not flared, and the end of the handle is flat with a sharp edge at the end that digs into your hand. At 10.8 inches rim to rim with a 7.7-inch cooking surface, it’s also on the smaller side for the price.

Pan	de Buyer Alchimy 3-Ply
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	France
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.8 mm
Weight	2.5 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	10.8 in
Flat Cooking Surface	7.7 in
Wall Height	1.8 in
Handle Length	9 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	600°F — 1st / 31
Distribution Test	176°F difference — 31st / 31
Retention Test	123°F — 23rd / 31
Where to Buy	deBuyer-USA.com
Learn More	Read my full de Buyer review

Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro

The Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro isn’t a traditional stainless steel pan, but I included it in this guide because it has a steel exterior and aluminum core like most fully clad steel pans. The difference is the cooking surface. Instead of steel, it’s titanium with a raised pattern designed to reduce sticking without any nonstick coating. In my egg tests, it actually works pretty well.

The original version had some serious design flaws (the lid had a gap that sprayed the handle with hot steam), but Our Place listened to the criticism and fixed them.

The handle is still on the shorter side at 7.5 inches, and at 3.9 pounds it’s a heavier pan. The 2.5-inch walls are the tallest of any pan I tested, which adds capacity but also weight. It’s oven safe to 1000°F, has sealed rims, and is rivetless.

Pan	Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	China
Construction	3-ply, steel/aluminum/titanium
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3.1 mm
Weight	3.9 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.7 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.8 in
Wall Height	2.5 in
Handle Length	7.5 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Rivetless
Oven Safe	1000°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	449°F — 18th / 31
Distribution Test	101°F difference — 22nd / 31
Retention Test	136°F — 10th / 31
Where to Buy	FromOurPlace.com
Learn More	Read my full Titanium Always Pan Pro review

Fissler M5-Pro Ply

The Fissler M5-Pro Ply is a solid 5-ply pan made in Germany with a brushed exterior, sealed rims, and no rivets. It had one of the smallest temperature differences between the center and outer edge (just 29°F (6th best of 31)) so it heats really evenly. The rivetless interior gives you a smooth cooking surface that’s easy to clean.

The handle is 8.8 inches and comfortable, but very round, so you need to grip it carefully to keep the pan from rotating. At 11.25 inches rim to rim with an 8-inch flat cooking surface, it’s a 10-inch pan, not a 12, so keep that in mind if you need the extra room.

Pan	Fissler M5-Pro Ply
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Germany
Construction	5-ply, aluminum and steel core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	3.2 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	11.25 in
Flat Cooking Surface	8 in
Wall Height	1.9 in
Handle Length	8.8 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivetless
Oven Safe	450°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	382°F — 28th / 31
Distribution Test	29°F difference — 6th / 31
Retention Test	131°F — 16th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon
Learn More	Read my full Fissler review

All-Clad D5

All-Clad D5 has the same cup-shaped handle as the D3 collection, but at 8.7 inches it’s an inch longer. Instead of a polished exterior, D5 is brushed. The big difference is the construction. This frying pan has five bonded layers instead of three, with a thin steel core sandwiched between the aluminum. All-Clad claims that the steel core makes it heat more evenly.

My tests showed it does distribute heat a bit more evenly than D3 — a 30°F center-to-edge difference (7th) compared to D3’s 45°F (9th). It also retained heat better: 152°F (5th) vs. D3’s 132°F (15th). But the tradeoff is price. You’re paying $40 more for differences most home cooks won’t notice.

Pan	All-Clad D5
Price	$$$
Where It’s Made	Canonsburg, PA, USA
Construction	5-ply, aluminum and steel core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	3.2 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.25 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.7 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	440°F — 21st / 31
Distribution Test	30°F difference — 7th / 31
Retention Test	152°F — 5th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Demeyere Industry

Demeyere Industry has a brushed exterior, gently sloped walls, and flared rims. The handle is rivetless, so the cooking surface is completely smooth with nothing for food or grease to get stuck on. It also has a wide fork at the end that gives it a unique look and helps disperse heat. It reached 496°F after two minutes (8th) with a 63°F center-to-edge difference (14th).

It’s one of the most well-designed pans I tested. The weight (3.2 lbs), thickness (3.0 mm), and handle length (8.5 in) all feel just right. My only complaint is the price; you’re paying a premium for a pan that performs similarly to options that cost $80 to $100 less.

Pan	Demeyere Industry
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	Belgium
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3 mm
Weight	3.2 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	11.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	2.3 in
Handle Length	8.5 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivetless
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	496°F — 8th / 31
Distribution Test	63°F difference — 14th / 31
Retention Test	132°F — 14th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon
Learn More	Read my full Demeyere review

360 Cookware

360 Cookware is made in West Bend, Wisconsin, and their main selling point is “vapor cooking” – you spin the lid to create a tight seal that locks in moisture so you can cook with less oil. In my experience, it just burned the pan. If you want to cook low and slow with limited oil, you’re better off roasting in the oven.

Despite strong conduction (504°F after two minutes, 5th fastest), the retention was among the worst I tested at just 118°F (29th). I’m also not a fan of the helper handle. It’s long but not wide enough to actually fit your hand. This pan is hard to justify when several better-performing pans cost $100 less.

Pan	360 Cookware
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	West Bend, WI, USA
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.9 mm
Weight	3.3 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.3 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	7.7 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	504°F — 5th / 31
Distribution Test	97°F difference — 21st / 31
Retention Test	118°F — 29th / 31
Where to Buy	360Cookware.com
Learn More	Read my full 360 Cookware review

Fissler Original-Profi

The Fissler Original-Profi is a disc-bottom pan and, at 6.8 mm, it’s the thickest pan I tested by a wide margin. Because of that thickness, it had the best heat retention of any pan in this group at 176°F after five minutes, and the temperature difference between center and edge was essentially zero at just 4°F (1st). No other pan came close to that level of evenness.

The tradeoff is speed. It reached only 329°F after two minutes – the slowest pan I tested (31st). It also has a textured cooking surface that keeps oil directly under your food, which helps with browning and searing, but it makes eggs harder to slide and cleaning slightly more difficult. The handle is rivetless and comfortable at 8.5 inches, but the sharp corners at the end can dig into your hand.

Pan	Fissler Original-Profi
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	Germany
Construction	Stainless steel, disc bottom
Type	Disc-Bottom
Thickness	6.8 mm
Weight	4 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	11.8 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2.6 in
Handle Length	8.5 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivetless
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	329°F — 31st / 31
Distribution Test	-4°F difference — 1st / 31
Retention Test	176°F — 1st / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Hestan ProBond Forged

Hestan ProBond Forged is expensive, but it’s one of the most elegant-looking pans I’ve ever tested. It has a brushed exterior with a polished ring around the top, sealed rims, flush rivets that sit smooth against the cooking surface, and an 8.7-inch handle with rounded edges and a subtle groove that keeps the pan from rotating. Everything about it feels intentional and well-crafted. It’s made in Italy.

This is nitpicking, but I wish the end of the handle was thicker and the hanging loop wasn’t so big. When you grab the end, there’s not much to hold onto and your fingers can easily slip through the loop. Retention was low at 115°F (30th), so it loses heat quickly once removed from the burner.

Pan	Hestan ProBond Forged
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	Italy
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3.1 mm
Weight	3.5 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.4 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.7 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Flush Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	465°F — 15th / 31
Distribution Test	113°F difference — 24th / 31
Retention Test	115°F — 30th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon
Learn More	Read my full Hestan review

Hestan ProBond Luxe

Hestan ProBond Luxe is similar to ProBond Forged, but with a few design tweaks. The exterior is fully polished instead of brushed, and the handle is lower and more parallel to the cooking surface. If you measure from the countertop to the end of the handle, the Luxe is about 3.5 inches tall, while the ProBond Forged is about 4.5 inches. Because of that, you need less clearance to fit it between oven racks. 

There’s also a small cutout in the Luxe handle to help disperse heat (the ProBond Forged handle is solid), although I haven’t noticed either ProBond version getting hot, so it’s mostly cosmetic.

On the Forged version, there’s a gap between the handle and the rim that’s tough to clean. On Luxe, that connection is tighter, so there’s less of a spot for grease and grime to hide. Performance is nearly identical to the Forged. It measured 472°F after two minutes (14th) and retained 122°F after 5 minutes of cooling (27th).

Pan	Hestan ProBond Luxe
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	Italy
Construction	3-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3.1 mm
Weight	3.4 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.25 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.5 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Flush Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	472°F — 14th / 31
Distribution Test	104°F difference — 23rd / 31
Retention Test	122°F — 27th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

de Buyer Affinity 5-Ply

de Buyer Affinity is made in France with a polished exterior and excellent heat retention. At 10 inches, it has the longest handle of any pan I tested, with a groove to prevent slipping and thick, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold.

The center-to-edge temperature difference after two minutes was 172°F (30th out of 31), one of the largest I measured. But if you give it enough time to preheat fully, it cooks evenly and is excellent for searing. At almost $300, though, you’re paying a premium that’s hard to justify on performance alone.

Pan	de Buyer Affinity 5-Ply
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	France
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.9 mm
Weight	3.7 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.5 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	10 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	479°F — 12th / 31
Distribution Test	172°F difference — 30th / 31
Retention Test	154°F — 4th / 31
Where to Buy	deBuyer-USA.com

All-Clad Copper Core

All-Clad Copper Core has the same cup-shaped handle and polished exterior as D3, but with a copper core instead of aluminum. Copper conducts heat better than aluminum in theory, but in my tests, several aluminum-core pans heated just as fast or faster. This pan finished 13th in conduction at 473°F. So the performance advantage isn’t as big as you’d expect for such an expensive frying pan.

Where this pan stands out is design. You get a beautiful copper ring exposed around the exterior, and the handle is 9.4 inches; nearly two inches longer than D3.

Pan	All-Clad Copper Core
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	Canonsburg, PA, USA
Construction	5-ply, copper core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2 mm
Weight	3.7 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.4 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.25 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	9.4 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	473°F — 13th / 31
Distribution Test	82°F difference — 18th / 31
Retention Test	128°F — 18th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

All-Clad G5 Graphite Core

All-Clad G5 is one of the most unique pans I tested. Instead of a standard aluminum or copper core, it has a perforated graphite disc as the core layer. Graphite conducts heat extremely well but weighs much less, so you get a pan that heats fast (507°F after two minutes (4th)) without the weight. At 2.8 pounds, it’s tied for the lightest full-size pan in this group. The 10-inch flat cooking surface is also tied for the widest.

The downside of this pan is that it cools down as fast as it heats up. Its retention score of 115°F was dead last (31st out of 31). If you want a responsive pan that reacts quickly when you adjust the dial, this is great. But if you want something that holds its temperature steady so you can step away from the stove for a minute, this isn’t the one.

Pan	All-Clad G5 Graphite Core
Price	$$$$
Where It’s Made	USA
Construction	5-ply, aluminum core with graphite disc
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.6 mm
Weight	2.8 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.75 in
Flat Cooking Surface	10 in
Wall Height	1.9 in
Handle Length	7.5 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	507°F — 4th / 31
Distribution Test	60°F difference — 11th / 31
Retention Test	115°F — 31st / 31
Where to Buy	All-Clad.com
Learn More	Read my full All-Clad G5 review

Demeyere Atlantis Proline

Demeyere Atlantis Proline is the heaviest pan I tested at 5.2 pounds and the second slowest to heat up (350°F after two minutes, 30th). But once it’s hot, it holds its temperature better than almost every other pan: 166°F after five minutes (2nd overall). It’s made up of 7 bonded layers and is 5.0 mm thick, so it heats like cast iron but with the convenience and versatility of stainless steel.

The bottom three layers are steel, which makes it highly efficient on induction and virtually warp-proof. It was the only stainless steel pan that didn’t buzz or click on the induction cooktop. The handles are welded on instead of riveted, so the cooking surface is completely smooth. However, welded handles are not as secure as riveted handles and can break off. It’s rare, but it happened to me. Demeyere replaced it and I haven’t had any issues since.

Pan	Demeyere Atlantis Proline
Price	$$$$$
Where It’s Made	Belgium
Construction	7-ply, aluminum core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	5 mm
Weight	5.2 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12 in
Flat Cooking Surface	8.7 in
Wall Height	2.3 in
Handle Length	8.2 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Rivetless
Oven Safe	500°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	350°F — 30th / 31
Distribution Test	61°F difference — 12th / 31
Retention Test	166°F — 2nd / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Hestan CopperBond

Hestan CopperBond is 5-ply with a copper core, and because copper is dense, it’s one of the heaviest pans I tested at 4.1 pounds. The copper is exposed on the sides, which looks stunning, but it tarnishes quickly and needs regular polishing to keep looking good. The heat distribution was excellent – just a 19°F center-to-edge difference (5th best) – though it was slower to heat up than expected at 411°F (24th).

Most copper cookware won’t work on induction because copper isn’t magnetic, but this pan has a steel base, so it does. If you love the look of copper and cook on induction, that’s the real selling point. It has the same flush rivets and handle design as the ProBond line. 

Pan	Hestan CopperBond
Price	$$$$$
Where It’s Made	Italy
Construction	5-ply, copper core
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	2.3 mm
Weight	4.1 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.4 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.7 in
Sealed Rims	No
Rivets	Flush Rivets
Oven Safe	600°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	411°F — 24th / 31
Distribution Test	19°F difference — 5th / 31
Retention Test	127°F — 19th / 31
Where to Buy	Amazon

Hestan NanoBond

What makes Hestan NanoBond unique is the surface. Titanium ions are vaporized in a vacuum chamber and bonded to the steel, creating a layer that’s four times harder than typical stainless steel. You can see and feel the difference immediately. The surface has a distinct gray-blue color and an almost silky feel. That smoothness makes it slightly less sticky with eggs, and it resists scratches much better than standard stainless steel.

It distributes heat well with just a 34°F center-to-edge difference (8th), and it’s oven safe to 1050°F; the highest of any pan I tested. It has flush rivets, sealed rims, a 9.5-inch cooking surface, and at 3.5 pounds it’s manageable despite the premium construction. 

At the highest price of the group, you’re paying for the surface technology, the Italian craftsmanship, and the refined details. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you value long-term durability and the cooking experience.

Pan	Hestan NanoBond
Price	$$$$$
Where It’s Made	Italy
Construction	3-ply, steel reinforced with titanium
Type	Fully-Clad
Thickness	3.1 mm
Weight	3.5 lb
Diameter (Rim to Rim)	12.4 in
Flat Cooking Surface	9.5 in
Wall Height	2 in
Handle Length	8.7 in
Sealed Rims	Yes
Rivets	Flush Rivets
Oven Safe	1050°F
Induction Compatible	Yes
Conduction Test	389°F — 27th / 31
Distribution Test	34°F difference — 8th / 31
Retention Test	134°F — 12th / 31
Where to Buy	HestanCulinary.com

What the Data Tells Us

After testing all 31 pans, a few patterns stood out when looking at the data side by side.

The two thickest pans – Fissler Original-Profi (6.8 mm) and Demeyere Atlantis Proline (5.0 mm) – retained heat far better than the rest, but they were also the two slowest to heat up. Most pans cluster around 2.6 to 3.1 mm thick, and within that range, heat retention and conduction were far less predictable. A thicker pan in that middle range didn’t reliably outperform a thinner one.

The sample size was small, but the disc-bottom pans I tested heated more evenly across the cooking surface than most fully clad pans. The Fissler Original-Profi had essentially zero temperature difference between center and edge, and the Farberware and Ikea 365 disc-bottoms also scored in the top five for heat distribution. This is likely because their bottoms are thicker and flatter than fully clad pans, which tend to have slightly convex bases.

Interestingly, 5-ply pans were not thicker than 3-ply pans on average. In fact, across the pans I measured, 3-ply averaged about 2.9 mm thick, while 5-ply averaged about 2.7 mm. The number of plies advertised didn’t correlate with better performance in any of my tests. All-Clad D5 (5-ply) distributed heat only slightly more evenly than D3 (3-ply), while several 3-ply pans outperformed 5-ply options in both conduction and retention.

Bottom Line: Which Stainless Steel Frying Pan Is the Best?

If money isn’t a factor, Demeyere Atlantis Proline and Hestan NanoBond are the top two overall stainless steel frying pans. Go with Demeyere for the heat retention (166°F, 2nd best), 7-ply construction, and excellent induction performance. Go with Hestan NanoBond if you want a lighter, more responsive pan with hard, scratch-resistant surface, flush rivets, sealed rims, and an oven-safe rating of 1050°F.

In the $100 to $200 range, Made In, All-Clad D3 Everyday, and Heritage Steel Eater Series are the safest long-term buys. 

Made In has the widest cooking surface (10 inches) and was the 2nd fastest to heat up. All-Clad D3 Everyday has outstanding heat distribution (2nd best) and my favorite handle design. Heritage Steel Eater Series is the least expensive American-made option and a solid all-around performer.

Under $100, Cuisinart MultiClad Pro is the clear winner. It has one of the best handles, a 9.7-inch cooking surface, sealed rims, and dependable performance — all for $90.

I don’t recommend 360 Cookware because it’s expensive, and its main selling point, the vapor cooking feature, actually burned my food during testing. It didn’t deliver better results, and it complicates something that should be simple. The Caraway Stainless Steel is overpriced for what you get. Hestan CopperBond is beautifully made and feels premium in every way, but it doesn’t outperform pans that cost far less. And while IKEA 365 delivered excellent controlled test results, the handle is a deal breaker for me.