What would we do without the humble skillet? Be it a cast iron pan or stainless steel skillet, this unassuming piece of cookware can fry eggs, sear steaks, toast nuts, and much more. Over our many years of testing almost every frying pan under the sun, we’ve found the best of every kind, from the super durable Le Creuset enameled cast iron skillet to this cheap and slick OXO ceramic nonstick fry pan. We noticed that all our favorites are on sale for up to 50% off at Amazon, so we couldn’t help but gather them all here for you to peruse. If you need to replace a pan or two, now’s the time to grab one.
The Best Skillet Deals, at a Glance
- The Best Cast Iron Skillet: Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
- Another Great Cast Iron Skillet: Victoria 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
- The Best Enameled Cast Iron Skillet: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
- Our Favorite Stainless Steel Skillet: Made In Cookware Stainless Steel Frying Pan
- The Best Budget Stainless Steel Skillet: Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Frying Pan
- A Great Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan: Le Creuset Toughened Ceramic Nonstick Pro Fry Pan
- A Budget Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan: OXO Enhanced 10-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Skillet
- A Super Slick Nonstick Skillet: Tramontina Professional Fusion 10-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan
- A Versatile Carbon Steel Skillet: Vollrath Carbon Steel 12.5-Inch Fry Pan
Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
Affordable and durable, this Lodge cast iron skillet is a time-tested piece of cookware that can release eggs smoothly, evenly bake cornbread, and sear steaks to a golden brown. Plus, it’s usually on sale for only $20.
Victoria 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
Our budget cast iron skillet pick, which is also $20 right now, heats up evenly and quickly. We like the curved handle, which is comfortable to hold and produces a great sear on steaks.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
The durable surface on this Le Creuset enameled skillet resists staining and chipping, even after years of use. It can reach high temperatures quickly and makes perfect over-easy eggs. The curved sides also promote easy stirring. You can grab it for a rare $30 off.
Made In Cookware 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Beating out All-Clad, this Made In stainless steel skillet took home top marks for its speedy and even heating. During our tests, it made beautiful crepes and seared pork chops perfectly. The handle is also comfortable to hold.
Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Frying Pan
For a budget stainless steel skillet that can still hold its own, we recommend this one from Tramontina. Costing a fraction of the price of our top picks, this skillet heats evenly, responds quickly to temperature changes, and deglazes easily.
Le Creuset Toughened Ceramic Nonstick Pro Fry Pan
If you can’t bear to part with nonstick cooking, this Le Creuset ceramic-coated pan is a great non-toxic option. Eggs, crepes, and omelets all lift easily from the surface, and the thick bottom provides even heating. Grab it while it’s $30 off.
OXO Enhanced 10-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Skillet
This more affordable OXO ceramic nonstick skillet also happens to be our favorite nonstick skillet overall. It releases omelets smoothly and produces evenly cooked crepes. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to hold when swirling the pan around, and the slick surface cleans up quickly.
Tramontina Professional Fusion 10-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan
This lighter-weight nonstick skillet takes only seconds to clean. Its slick surface releases food without a hitch, and the included silicone sleeve keeps your hands safe from burns while using the pan. It cooks exceptionally well, even omelets, and is currently 50% off.
Vollrath Carbon Steel 12.5-Inch Fry Pan
We’re big fans of carbon steel pans since they cook just like cast iron but are way lighter. Our budget pick from Vollrath is now even cheaper and heats up super fast. The even heat distribution produces a great sear on chicken breasts.
Why We’re the Experts
- An Uong is a writer for Serious Eats.
- An has been testing kitchen equipment for Serious Eats for over two years.
- She loves her ever-growing cookware collection and recently got her first carbon steel pan.