Best Metal Skillets of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2026

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Metal skillets are an essential tool in any kitchen. Made from durable materials, such as stainless steel or cast iron, these skillets are perfect for cooking a wide range of meals. They are versatile and can be used for frying, sautéing, searing, and even baking. Metal skillets are also great for achieving a crispy and golden brown texture on foods. They come in a variety of sizes, from small to large, making them suitable for cooking for one or for a whole family. With proper care and maintenance, metal skillets can last for many years and are a great investment for any home cook.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan Cover #TOP 1
Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Induction 12" Frying Pan Skillet Cover #TOP 2
Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Induction 12" Frying Pan Skillet
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Ziruma 8" Surgical Stainless Steel Skillet Cover #TOP 3
Ziruma 8" Surgical Stainless Steel Skillet
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 5 Metal Skillets

Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan

COOK-12-FRY-ISS
Stainless Steel
Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan Cover
Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan - 5 Ply Stainless Clad - Professional Cookware - Crafted in Italy - Induction Compatible

Made In Cookware presents the 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan, a professional-quality cookware designed to elevate your cooking experience. Crafted with 5 layers of premium metal, this frying pan ensures even heat distribution for perfectly cooked meals. The stay cool handle is meticulously crafted to stay cool while cooking, providing you with comfort and safety. Made in Italy with premium metals, this frying pan guarantees professional quality. It is also induction cooktop compatible, making it suitable for use with any cooktop including induction. With the Made In 12-Inch Frying Pan, you can enjoy the convenience of a superior quality frying pan that delivers exceptional cooking performance.

What We Like
Premium metal construction
Stay cool handle
Made in Italy

Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Induction 12" Frying Pan Skillet

CC003337-001
Black
Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Induction 12" Frying Pan Skillet Cover
Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel 12” Frying Pan Skillet, Use on Induction, Stove and Grill, Durable, Even-Heating, for Searing, Grilling, Oven Use, and Campfire, Indoor/Outdoor

The Merten & Storck Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Induction 12" Frying Pan Skillet is a lightweight and quick-heating skillet that delivers cast iron performance without the weight. The pre-seasoned carbon steel develops a nonstick patina with use, making it more nonstick the more you cook. It's oven safe up to 600°F and metal utensil safe, and the triple-riveted steel handle provides a sturdy grip.

What We Like
Quick-heating carbon steel delivers cast iron performance without the weight
Pre-seasoned carbon steel develops a nonstick patina with use, making it more nonstick the more you cook
Oven safe up to 600°F
Metal utensil safe
Triple-riveted steel handle provides a sturdy grip
#TOP 3

Ziruma 8" Surgical Stainless Steel Skillet

SSPANVAR
Stainless Steel
8 Inches
Ziruma 8" Surgical Stainless Steel Skillet Cover
Ziruma Non-Toxic 8" Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Frying Pan, Fully Clad for Fast & Even Heat, PFOA-Free, Induction Compatible, Oven Safe to 500°F

The Ziruma Stainless Steel Skillet offers a truly safe cooking experience by using materials free from harmful chemicals like PFOA and PTFE, so you can cook without worrying about toxins or health risks. Made from surgical-grade 316 stainless steel, this pan resists corrosion and acids, ensuring long-lasting durability and a cleaner cooking surface. Its tri-ply, fully clad design heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly, helping you achieve perfect results whether you’re searing or sautéing. Plus, the handle is crafted from high-quality 304 stainless steel, which won’t rust or bend, giving you a sturdy, reliable grip every time you cook.

What We Like
Non-toxic materials
Surgical-grade stainless steel
Even heat distribution
Rust-resistant handle
#TOP 4

DELARLO Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan With Lid

12inch Frying Pan With Lid
Silver
12"+Lid
DELARLO Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan With Lid Cover
DELARLO Kitchen Whole Body Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan, 12 inch,Stainless Steel, Oven safe induction skillet, Pots and Pans set,Suitable for All Stove

DELARLO Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan is a reliable cookware partner made of PFOA-Free,SGS Certified materials with efficient heating, energy saving, and practical design. It features outer riveted and stay cool handle design and a rounded, encapsulated rim for easy pouring and transfers. The food-grade 18/10 cooking surface won't react with food and it's oven and broiler safe up to 500˚F.

What We Like
Quick and even heating with 20% energy saving
Stay cool handle design for easy stove-to-oven cooking
Food-grade cooking surface won't react with food

COOKER KING Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Pan Set (8,10,12 Inch)

COOKER KING
YMX801J
Stainless Steel
8 10 12 Inch
COOKER KING Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Pan Set (8,10,12 Inch) Cover
COOKER KING Stainless Steel Pans Set of 3 (8+10+12 Inch), Nonstick Frying Pans, Induction Pan Set, Chef's Pan, Skillets Dishwasher & Oven Safe, Stay-Cool Handles, Compatible with All Cooktops

The COOKER KING Stainless Steel Set offers a trio of versatile pans in 8, 10, and 12 inches, perfect for cooking everything from eggs to steak. Made with durable 3-ply stainless steel, these pans deliver quick and even heat distribution, helping you cook your meals more efficiently. The ceramic-etched nonstick surface prevents food from sticking, making cleanup easy and allowing you to use metal utensils without worry. Plus, these pans are compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and are oven-safe up to 500°F, giving you flexibility in your cooking methods.

What We Like
3-ply stainless steel construction
Nonstick ceramic-etched coating
Induction and oven safe
Set includes three sizes
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a skillet and a frying pan?

The ONLY real difference is that skillets aren't shallow. They're usually deeper than frying pans (at least 2 inches deep) and come with a lid. Frying pans, on the other hand, make a great tool for frying, searing, and browning food since they're flat-bottomed and don't have a lid.

2. Are steel pans good?

Stainless steel pans and surfaces are the best for browning ingredients-and since they're usually uncoated, unlike nonstick varieties, they are more durable and resistant to slip-ups in the kitchen.

3. What metal is a skillet?

Carbon steel follows aluminum in heat conductivity. Although inexpensive and very durable, raw carbon steel is relegated to specialty pan use, mainly as a skillet or wok. One reason for this is carbon steel will rust if not seasoned (oiled) properly.

4. Is stainless steel skillet non-stick?

No, stainless steel frying pans are not non-stick. They have a bare steel cooking surface that's prone to latching onto tender and delicate foods like eggs, fish fillets, and pancakes. Adding a dollop of oil and preheating the pan does help to make it less sticky.

Editor's Notes

During our metal skillet research, we found 24 metal skillet products and shortlisted 5 quality products. We collected and analyzed 85,328 customer reviews through our big data system to write the metal skillets list. We found that most customers choose metal skillets with an average price of $35.34.

The metal skillets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of metal skillets, including Made In, Merten & Storck, Ziruma, DELARLO, COOKER KING. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 524 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.