A cast iron skillet is a kitchen essential for any home chef. It’s an incredibly versatile piece of durable cookware that you can use to sauté vegetables, sear meat, or even bake deep dish pizza for years to come. That’s because a high-quality cast iron pan heats evenly and offers a nonstick surface that cleans easily and won’t wear quickly, making it a great companion for just about any recipe.
No matter your budget, kitchen size, or cooking aspirations, there’s a cast iron skillet that’s just right for you. To make the search for the perfect pan a little bit easier, we’ve gathered 10 of the best cast iron skillets available online now, based on thousands of reviews from passionate home cooks just like you.
These are the 11 best cast iron skillets:
Buy It: Starting at $9.92; amazon.com
Best Splurge: Le Creuset Signature Skillet
Buy It: Starting at $120; lecreuset.com
Best Craftsmanship: Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet
A Southern brand, Smithey Ironware is based out of Charleston, South Carolina and makes beautiful vintage-inspired cookware. This cast iron skillet is just one of its popular items, boasting over 200 five-star reviews. It has a deep base that’s ideal for searing meat and vegetables, an ergonomic handle for comfort, and a polished finish. All you have to do is season the skillet to start cooking with a naturally nonstick pan.
Buy It: $200; smithey.com
Most Durable: Staub Skillet
Staub is a household name for a reason, and its durable cast iron skillet certainly lives up to its reputation. Made in France, the pan heats evenly and features an enamel finish that won’t discolor or scratch with time. There’s no need to season it before use, and you can even clean it in the dishwasher if you’re pressed for time (though the brand recommends hand washing). Sur La Table shoppers overwhelmingly give the skillet five stars, and many note that it’s versatile and easy to care for.
Buy It: Starting at $169.95 (orig. $243); surlatable.com
Best Newcomer: Field Cast Iron Skillet #8
For the uninitiated, Field Company is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand that specializes in cast iron skillets. While it’s only been around since 2017, it’s already made a name for itself thanks to its thoughtfully designed products inspired by the vintage cast iron pans the founders inherited from their family. The pans are available in a variety of sizes, and the #8 is recommended for daily use. It comes pre-seasoned with grapeseed oil and has the capacity to cook two New York strip steaks, four fried eggs, or 8.25 cups of liquid. The pan also has nearly 2,000 five-star reviews from happy customers who say it’s “virtually nonstick” and call it “the best pan ever.”
Buy It: $125; fieldcompany.com
Best Value: Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
Buy It: $22.95 (orig. $29.99); amazon.com
Best for Pouring: Finex Fry Pan
If you can’t stand splattered sauces and dripped juices, you need this cast iron skillet from Finex. It has a unique octagonal design that allows for efficient pouring from eight points of the pan. It also comes pre-seasoned with flaxseed oil to prevent rust and keep food from sticking on the surface. Plus, its stainless steel spring handle offers a comfortable grip and features a “speed cool” feature for safety.
Buy It: $159.95; williams-sonoma.com
Best Style: Staub Vintage Skillet
This Staub pan features an enameled cast iron base, a beechwood handle, and a stainless steel hole for hanging. It’s meant to emulate the French brand’s early styles, resulting in a vintage look that’s begging to be kept out on display. Like all of Staub’s cast iron cookware, this skillet heats up evenly and will maintain just the right temperature while you cook. No seasoning required; it will be ready to use as soon as it arrives at your door.
Buy It: $170 (orig. $243); surlatable.com
Best Ergonomic Design: Victoria Cast Iron Skillet
Buy It: Starting at $20; amazon.com
Best Quality: Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet
This large cast iron skillet from Stargazer is ideal for cooking meals for the whole family or a big group. It has a naturally nonstick interior and a handle that stays cool to the touch for safety. At 6.5 pounds, it’s substantial, but it’s still easy to use. Expect it to retain heat well and cook food evenly over any heat source. It even has a flared rim to prevent leaky pours and comes with a lifetime warranty for peace of mind. “I own several cast iron skillets, including my great-grandmother’s that is more than 100 years old. This is worth every penny,” one reviewer wrote. “The quality is superb and makes my Lodge skillets ashamed to be in the same kitchen.”
Buy It: $145; stargazecastiron.com
Best Budget: Rachael Ray Cast Iron Skillet
Buy It: $44.99; amazon.com
