“There are a few things to consider when you’re buying cookware, including how you cook, durability, and price,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. “On the low end of the price scale are nonstick and cast iron; copper is on the high end. But each does a different thing.”

Below, you’ll find advice on how to choose the right frying pan for how you cook, plus highlights of top-performing pans from CR’s tests, listed alphabetically and not by rank. You can see how all the pans we test perform in our frying pan ratings and learn more about the different types of pans in our cookware buying guide.

Frying pans have flat sides that distribute heat evenly. The low sides also act as a barrier to prevent liquid from spilling out.

That said, the sloped sides of a frypan does make it easier to move food around with a spatula or a pair of tongs. Not forgetting the frypan's curved edges that makes it much easier to saute food. Yes, just like when you see a professional chef flipping food.

Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. That makes their typically low price even more attractive. And if well cared for, cast iron develops a patina that releases food almost as well as nonstick. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.

Our tests of coated and uncoated cast-iron pans show how versatile this cookware can be. We sear steaks, brown scallops, and bake cornbread to see how well a cast-iron pan works for home cooks. The best pans ace all these tests. We also judge how easy they are to clean. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.

Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.

    On the other hand, heavy enamel cookware remains the first choice for many professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts alike.  Heavy Enamel Cookwares sturdy construction and weight give a sense of durability and reliability, making it ideal for long, slow cooking sessions.  The heavy enamel cookware's thick enamel also helps prevent hot spots and ensures heat is evenly distributed throughout the cookware for perfectly cooked dishes.

 There are two main types of Dutch ovens: traditional Dutch ovens and camping Dutch ovens.  A traditional Dutch oven has three legs and a flat bottom and is suitable for use over an open fire or coals.  The Camp Dutch oven, on the other hand, has a flat bottom and is designed to be used on the stovetop or in a conventional oven.

Skillets are the heavier option because of its thickness, the material used to craft it, and larger size. This extra weight allows skillets to distribute heat evenly and retain heat better, making it ideal for recipes that involve searing and braising.

Enamel Fondue Set

Frying pans have flat sides that distribute heat evenly. The low sides also act as a barrier to prevent liquid from spilling out.

GRANITE OR STONE FRYING PANS

Again, these cookware measurements are taken at the top, so the flat cooking area of a skillet will be a few inches below its listed size. (Note: If cooking on a glass-top stove, the skillet’s curved sides won’t come in contact with the heat source.)