A good frying pan is one of the hardest-working kitchen essentials, used for everything from breakfast eggs to evening meals. With many styles on the market, choosing the right one can be difficult. The best non-stick pans heat quickly and evenly, allow food to glide with little oil, and are built to last. Even with a lifetime guarantee, most good-quality non-stick pans last around five years with regular use, according to Guy Weaver, CEO of cookware brand A365. He notes that flaking, peeling, blistering, deep scratches, or food starting to stick are signs the coating is wearing out.
As a journalist specialising in kitchen essentials, I tested each pan repeatedly, cooking eggs, stir-fries, and sauces. The ProChef hexguard frying pan is the best overall, thanks to its great performance at a value price. Its raised hexagonal surface pattern lifts food cleanly without oil, though a tiny amount of oil gives better results. It heats up fast and evenly due to its tri-ply stainless steel construction, works on all hob types including induction, and is dishwasher-friendly. At £34.99 for the largest version with a lifetime warranty, it is exceptional.
For a budget option, Asda's tri-clad stainless steel pan at £19 offers construction usually seen on more expensive pans. However, it heats very fast and does not perform well at high temperatures; food will stick if the pan gets too hot, so a medium heat is recommended. Eggs cooked evenly and slid easily once the right temperature was found. The coating is suitable for metal utensils, but using them sparingly prolongs the pan's life. It is dishwasher-friendly and easy to clean.
HexClad's hybrid pan, often seen on social media, combines a stainless steel cooking surface with a non-stick coating, allowing high-heat searing without sticking. Eggs slid around the base, chicken cooked well and turned golden. It heats quickly and evenly thanks to its aluminium core, and the handle stays cool even at high temperatures.
