Best Sauté Pan

Cuisinart Green Gourmet Hard Anodized Nonstick Saute Pan

Design:

This 5.5-quart round sauté pan features straight edges, a flat bottom, and a stout riveted handle that tapers slightly so it's broader at the end. A looped handle is affixed to the opposite side. While the pan itself is black, both handles and the flat lid are silver in color.

Materials:

The pan itself is constructed of hard anodized aluminum with a ceramic nonstick coating. The lid and handles, meanwhile, feature a stainless steel construction.

The flat bottom makes this pan suitable for use on a variety of cooktops, including glass. However, because it's not advertised as induction-ready, we would not advise its use on induction ranges.

Usability:

This sauté pan is oven safe at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, in addition to being broiler safe. These qualities, coupled with its generous capacity, make it a great fit for casseroles and other stovetop-to-oven dishes. We especially appreciate the extra looped handle, as it makes the pan easier to transfer when it's chock-full of ingredients.

Because of the ceramic coating, we would avoid the use of metal utensils on this pan. Also note that it should only be washed by hand—the dishwasher may damage the finish.

T-fal Ceramic Nonstick Jumbo Square Saute Pan

Design:

The T-fal Ceramic nonstick sauté pan has a square shape with gently rounded edges. Copper in color, it features a broad, flat silver handle that's affixed to the pan via a pair of strong rivets. A second, looped handle is attached to the opposite side. A transparent glass lid with a silver knob-style handle is also included with the purchase.

Materials:

This pan is made of heavy gauge aluminum with a nonstick ceramic coating that's strong enough to withstand the use of metal utensils. The surface is PTFE- and PFOA-free, in addition to being free of cadmium and lead. The T-fal Ceramic sauté pan can be used on any type of cooking surface, including induction.

Usability:

The rounded edges of this unique sauté pan make it easy to scrape every last bit of sauce from the corners, despite the square shape.

Users should be aware that while the pan can withstand stovetop temperatures of up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, it's only oven safe to 350 degrees.

However, the fact that it's induction-ready gives it added versatility in this category. The durable nonstick surface is also suitable for the dishwasher.

All-Clad Stainless Steel Bonded Tri-Ply Saute Pan

Design:

The All-Clad Stainless Steel sauté pan has a sleek, elegant appearance, with a rounded base and straight sides. The pan is low-profile, with a long angled handle on one side and a looped handle on the other. A matching stainless steel lid rounds out the set.

Materials:

Composed of 18/10 stainless steel with a triple-ply construction, this set is built to withstand years of use. The material heats quickly and efficiently, and is suitable for most cooking ranges, with the exception of induction stovetops.

Usability:

While this 3-quart pan has a lower capacity than many of the models listed here, the straight sides help keep splatters to a minimum. The tight-fitting lid keeps the heat and moisture from escaping, and the main handle is long enough to keep your hands cool during cooking. We think the balance can be slightly ungainly when the pan is full, but the looped handle helps to alleviate that issue.

It also puts a good char on seared meats, although you'll want to wash the pan as soon as possible afterward to keep the film from sticking to the bottom.

Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Multi-Ply Clad Saute Pan

Design:

With a squat, round base, straight sides, and a strong riveted handle, this 4-quart pan is heavy enough to achieve proper balance yet light enough to hold in one hand. A second looped handle has squared edges to give it a more reliable grip. The set, which includes a flat lid with a generous lid and a looped handle, is silver all over.

Materials:

The Cooks Standard sauté pan features a unique multi-ply construction, with an aluminum core along the base and the walls and a dual layer of stainless steel. The aluminum heats quickly and efficiently, while the stainless steel gives the finish an elegance and strength that aluminum can't provide.

This set can be used on any type of stovetop, including gas, electric, ceramic, glass, and induction. It's also oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and suitable for the dishwasher.

Usability:

The tapered lip is arguably the most appealing feature that this pan has to offer. Not only does the lid rest more securely in place, it allows you to pour soups and sauces neatly, without unsightly drips.

For all its fine qualities, the Cooks Standard set is not broiler safe, so keep that in mind when planning your next recipe. While it is dishwasher safe, we would recommend washing it by hand whenever possible, especially if it's been used for high-heat cooking applications like searing.

Cuisinart Contour Stainless Steel Saute Pan

Design:

This offering from Cuisinart is silver in color, with a transparent glass lid and straight sides. It has a 5-quart capacity and a long riveted handle, with a thick looped handle affixed to the opposite side. The lid also bears a loop handle, with a silver ring around the outer edge.

Materials:

An aluminum-encapsulated base is offset by a stainless steel surface, giving this unit excellent heat retention as well as durability. The stainless steel ring around the glass lid prevents it from cracking from contact with the pan. This unit is oven-, broiler-, freezer- and dishwasher-safe, and is equipped with a lifetime warranty.

Usability:

This sturdy material provides quick, even heating, with a surface that cleans up well after each use. The pan is also freezer safe, making it easier to store meals for future use.

The tempered glass lid helps seal in flavor and gives you a view of the ingredients as they cook, which is ideal for making dumplings. The 5-quart capacity is generous enough to prepare meals for the entire family. Best of all, the price is so low that this pan should pay for itself after just a few uses.

Rachael Ray Brights Hard Anodized Nonstick Saute Pan

Design:

With its clever oval shape and bright-orange coated handles, this pan can't be mistaken for any other. The exterior is dark charcoal gray, with a nonstick interior and rubberized handles. The glass lid also features a loop-style handle with a rubber coating. The pan is narrow enough to easily fit atop a single burner.

Materials:

The Rachael Ray sauté pan is made of hard-anodized aluminum, with a nonstick interior and shatter-proof glass lid. All three of the handles feature a rubber coating to make them easier to grip.

The pan is not induction-ready, but it can be used on all other cooktops. It's also oven safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, in addition to being dishwasher safe.

Usability:

While we think the oval shape takes some getting used to, this pan is actually a dream come true for certain ingredients. If you're making a dish of sausages and peppers or a skillet hash, the extra length gives the ingredients the space they need to brown properly.

Since the Rachael Ray is only oven safe to 350 degrees, we prefer to reserve it for stovetop use. Its narrow shape comes in especially handy when one of the larger burners is occupied by an oversized stock pot.

Calphalon Premier Stainless Steel 3-Ply Saute Pan

Design:

Another 5-quart sauté pan, this one with straight edges and a basic utilitarian appearance. The pan is silver in color, with a tempered glass lid.

The main handle is long and contoured so that it's easier to grip, while the looped handles on the pan and lid have square edges. The pan feels heavy in your hand, but the overall balance is good.

Materials:

Calphalon products are known for their reliability, and this pan doesn't disappoint. With an aluminum core and dual stainless steel layers, it provides a cooking surface that heats rapidly, with no troublesome "hot spots."

This model is compatible with most stovetops, including glass and induction. Calphalon even provides a lifetime warranty with every purchase, underlining their confidence in this product.

Usability:

The handles on the Calphalon 3-Ply are designed to stay cool on the stovetop, and they're sturdy enough to provide a decent grip. That's a trait that comes in handy when transferring the pan to the oven—both the pan and the handle are oven safe at temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

This pan has many good qualities, but the stellar heat retention is at the top of the list. Everything we've prepared in it—from fried eggs to beef stew—has cooked to perfection, and in just the recommended amount of time.

The price point on the Calphalon would be attractive enough even without the lifetime warranty, but that extra guarantee is the icing on the cake. When you invest in this set, you're getting your money's worth.