A saute pan can upgrade your cooking skills and can help you with making more delicious meals. So it’s understandable that you’re looking for the best saute pan there is! It is such a versatile cooking tool that can reduce your workload exponentially. Lots of people puzzle about a saute pan and a skillet (also known widely as a frying pan).
While these pans are very similar in both looks and tasks they can complete, there are subtle differences. So, before you pick a saute pan, let’s learn to distinguish it. The name saute comes from the French word “sauter”, which means “to jump”. From this, you can guess that this pan is apt at handling the tossing of food.
This pan has a wide bottom and sides that are tall. On the other hand, a skillet has sloping sides. Due to the sloping sides, a skillet loses some cooking surface. Generally saute pans have more space because the tall sides help you to put more food, and even liquid, in the pan. Often a saute pan has a lid, too.
If you sometimes feel lazy and feel like a one-pot-meal (like I do on some exhausting weekdays), a saute pan would be your best friend. Many models are even oven safe, and those are the ones I usually pick. So, we’ve established that this cooking tool is very useful. And if you would like to buy a new saute pan, what are your options?
The Best Saute Pans of 2022
Through the years, I’ve used a handful of sauté pans and run them through different tests. I have listed them to help you. You can also find a ‘What to Look in a Saute Pan’ section below all that.
Comparison of 10 Best Saute Pans in 2022
IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
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T-fal |
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Calphalon |
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Farberware |
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Cuisinart |
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HITECLIFE |
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SKY LIGHT |
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Cooks Standard |
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All-Clad |
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Calphalon |
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Heritage Steel |
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Top 10 Best Saute Pans Review in 2022
1. T-fal ProGrade Nonstick Saute Pan
This cooking pot has a special feature called “Thermo-Spot heat indicator”. It is light-weighted, and it tolerates up to 350 degrees of heat. The coating is of a high quality and gives a very durable feeling. As a result, I reckon it is one of the best stainless steel saute pans in my list.
Designed for everyday usage, this 5 quarts pan can help you cook many different foods while rocking a beautiful look. It holds up when used on either a gas stove or an induction stove. The lid is heavy and fits perfectly. Furthermore, this pan can only get better with time! It is that durable! Unfortunately, the bottom is not even, and it takes some time for it to heat.
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Usable on both gas stove or induction stove
- Wobbly handle
2. Calphalon Classic Nonstick Saute Pan
You can choose any suitable size from the 6 different sizes this product offers. This classic model is designed for everyday usage (as any respectable sauté pan should be). It is constructed with stainless steel and coated with Teflon. It has a double layered non stick surface for an easy and fast cleaning process.
The Calphalon Classic is actually the best saute pan at the market right now, if I may say so. The handles do not get hot because they are made of sturdy stainless steel. You can sear vegetables and meals, too, thanks to the efficient design. Lastly, the Calphalon sauté pan is oven safe up to 450 degrees.
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- Double layered non-stick surface
- Life-time warranty
- Glass lid
- Handles don’t get hot, but the lid handle does.
3. Farberware Nonstick Saute Pan
This pretty beast comes with three color choices: champagne, aqua, and black. It is a top quality sauté pan, a heavy-duty product that heats the food evenly and fast. The glass lid also helps with heat distribution.
Another thing I really like about this sauté pan is that it has double-riveted handles to prevent any burning accidents. It is also oven safe for up to 350 degrees of heat. This dishwasher safe pan’s nonstick surface holds up well even against the messiest meals. It is a good pan to make large meals in.
- Deep and Large
- Heavy-duty
- Double riveted handles
- Riveted handles are short and not so durable
4. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Saute Pan
We are very familiar with the household name “Cuisinart”. As a result, you have to be living under a proverbial rock if you’re a cooking enthusiast and the name doesn’t ring a bell. Their Chef’s Classic has the best saute pan reviews. People are crazy about this product’s superb performance in the kitchen! Its capacity is 5.5 quart. It can be used for large meals.
It prepares evenly cooked, delicious meals because of the efficient heat distribution. The product is made of stainless steel. I always prefer stainless steel when it comes to cooking pots. This way, we can taste the natural flavor of what we cooked. Stainless steel gives the product a sturdy, aesthetically pleasing look, too.
- Large capacity
- Tapered sides
- Stainless steel construction
- The bottom is not flat, it is a little ‘bumpy’
5. HITECLIFE Nonstick Frying Saute Pan
This frying and saute pan has different size choices so you can choose the one that’ll satisfy your needs. It is made of pressed high-quality aluminum and also has a 3-layer nonstick coating. The steel is resistant up to 300 degrees of heat, so it is sufficiently durable.
After looking at the surprisingly low price, you might think someone is playing a prank on you! It truly is a cheap saute pan with great quality. Despite being nonstick, You can be sure there are no toxic chemicals with this one. It is healthy and safe. The manufacturer offers 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.
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- Lightweight
- 3 layer nonstick coating
- 1-year warrant and money back guarantee
- Wobbly handle
6. SKY LIGHT Frying Pan with Lid
This is a formidable budget friendly sauté pan made of granite. There is no risk of any chemicals seeping into your food and making you sick, long term or short term. The lid is made of glass. It is nonstick inside and outside, so it is pretty easy to clean. Additionally, it is oven safe and dishwasher safe. The 4 L capacity with 7 cm depth is perfect for large meals.
You can make curry, omelets, potatoes, pancakes, vegetables, and many more. We know the bottom of many saute pans raises after being subjected to heating for a while. However with SKY LIGHT, it is not a problem that you’ll face. The body is 3 mm thick, so you don’t need to worry about deformation.
- 1-year warranty
- 30-days 100% money back guarantee
- Large capacity
- Easy to clean
- Does not heat evenly
7. Cooks Standard Classic Saute Pan
This saute pan boasts a 2 ply ironclad construction. It is dishwasher safe and is oven safe to 500 degrees, too. The pan is 5 quarts and stainless steel inside and out. There is also a 3 quarts sauté pan option. The steel lid keeps the heat securely inside the pan and makes sure the food is bursting with flavor.
The handles of this pan are riveted so they stay cool in the cooking process. It works on any stove type. However, the food may stick to the bottom but believe me it is not a burden to clean it. It is one of the best saute pans that’s easy to maintain.
- Stainless Steel
- Cooks evenly
- Easy cleanup
- The lid is stainless steel so we cannot see through it
8. All-Clad Copper Core Sauté Pan
This product comes in 4 different sizes: 3, 4, 5, and 6. It is 18\10 stainless steel and aluminum. It has a large cooking surface and tall sides. The handles are stainless steel and riveted. It is the best copper saute pan at the market. The product has almost no negative reviews, everyone who used it seems to be happy with it. Yes, it is a little pricey.
But we know All-Clad kitchen products are almost always worth what we pay for, right? It offers us a great heat distribution thanks to its copper core. It is one of the high-end products. One advice I have for you is, take a minute to get used to the handle, and you’ll find that it is extremely comfortable. Also, make sure to add enough fat to the pan to prevent the food from sticking to the bottom.
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- All-Clad quality
- Sturdy and durable
- The handle is super steady
- Expensive
9. Calphalon Premier Nonstick Saute Pan
This saute pan is part of the Calphalon Premier Space Saving range so if you have more pans of the same series, you’ll be able to stack them in a small space. I’d wager that it’s very handy for people with less counter space.
This pan is stainless steel with Teflon coating on the bottom, providing a stellar non-stick service. Additionally, it has a 3-layer aluminum interior and is oven safe to 450 degrees. This inexpensive saute pan comes with a glass lid that we can see through. Lastly, it is compatible with gas, electric, or glass tops.
- Compatibility with different stoves
- Teflon coating at the bottom
- Stackable, so saves space
- It is not dishwasher safe
10. Heritage Steel Saute Pan with Lid
Heritage offers us 8 different size choices with this product; the capacity ranges from 1.5 quarts to 8 quarts. A unique feature about this pan is that its surface is strengthened with titanium. It preserves the taste and health of the food.
You must’ve seen already that some sauté pans have issues with their handles. This pan has a specially designed ergonomic handle for you to grab comfortably. With its features, we can say this one is one of the top best saute pans that’s loved by cooks around the world.
- 316Ti cookware
- 8 different size choices
- Ergonomic design of the handle
- Light and thin material
How to Choose the Best Saute Pan?
There are mainly three different saute pans: cast iron, stainless steel, non-stick or Teflon; and each of them serves differently. You should know these differences to be able to know which saute pan you need. Of course, everyone would’ve recommended non-stick pans, this includes me too. Because they are easy to use if you take care of them.
They are light and prevent the food from sticking to the bottom. This makes the cleaning process easier. Usually you cannot put this type of saute pan in the dishwasher, you rather have to clean them by hand. You should also be careful about the utensils you use while cleaning. Rough utensils may scratch the Teflon off. Stainless steel pans are the bad boys. They look cool and heavy.
It is mostly used in professional kitchens. A plus about the stainless steel saute pan is that it is dishwasher safe. However, there is no non-stick coating (usually). As a result you may need to tackle a harder and longer cleaning process. Cast iron saute pan is the cheapest one you can use. It is easy to use, but not dishwasher safe or oven safe at all. You have to take care to make it last longer.
Construction
This is a very important feature to look at. You should look for the best quality. Some pans have copper bottoms that help to cook the food evenly. This is a nice feature, but remember, it is not compatible with induction cooktops.
Some models have lids. This is great to avoid mess and create heat distribution within the pan. Some lids are metal, some are granite, and some are glass. Make sure this glass will hold up when you put it in the oven. You wouldn’t want to deal with a glass lid shattering when placed in the oven.
Size
Consider how many people you’ll make dinner for. Do you prepare large meals or smaller ones? Are one-pot-meals something you regularly make? Choose a size according to this. You can choose from a variety of sizes at the market. The common ones are 12-14 inch. For example, usually 5 quarts is enough for 5-6 people.
Warranty
As I mentioned before, warranty is important for the customer. It also means the company trusts the product and cares about its customers. Having no warranty at all is absolutely a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How to Choose the Right Saute Pan?
A: The elements you have to choose in the saute pan are its design, handle, lid, materials, and, most importantly, the size of the pan. For instance, the design of your pan must be wide flat from the bottom because you might need more space in the pan when cooking big meals. The concept of a saute pan is that you can toss the food back and forth over the stove, just like in commercials.
Q: What Is the Right Size for a Saute Pan?
A: Generally, the size of a saute pan is around 1qt. to 7qt. But it depends upon the number of people that you are going to cook for. For example, if you are cooking for two, then a 2-3 quart pan is just fine, whereas if you are making a meal for four family members, then choose a saute pan around 4-5 quarts. And if you have a big family, then select around 6-7 quarts.
Q: What Type of Saute Pans Do the Chefs Use?
A: In most restaurants, chefs use aluminum or copper saute pans because these pans heat the food very quickly by providing equal temperatures from all sides. The only disadvantage is that they are a little bit expensive but with the features aluminum and copper pan provide, they are worth your money.
Q: Is a Saute Pan the Same as a Frying Pan?
A: A saute pan and a frying pan might sound similar and look a bit alike, but there are subtle differences. Due to its larger surface area, a saute pan works better at searing, sauteing, or reducing tasks. It has straight sides, and a lid is often used. On the other hand, a frying pan has sloping slides, and it’s most often used without a lid.
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Wrapping Up
Saute pans are very helpful if you manage to pick one that is fit for your needs. Follow the buying guide above and take a stroll through our list again. I am sure you’ll find the best saute pan right here!
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