The simplest way to understand the difference between these types of pans is to look at the sides of the pan. If the sides are slanted, the pan is a skillet, which is also sometimes called a frying pan or fry pan. If the slides are straight, it’s a sauté pan.

Black Cast Iron Construction: Griddles and grill pans made of black cast iron are prized for their excellent heat retention and distribution, making them suitable for a variety of cooking methods. The black finish adds a sleek and modern aesthetic to the traditional cast iron material.

A good choice, especially for heavily used cookware, is a tri-ply or five-ply combination of stainless steel and aluminum (or hard-anodized aluminum). Stainless steel provides a durable surface, providing excellent heat retention and safety. Interior layers of aluminum ensure even heat distribution. All these work together to create the ideal cooking base, whether you’re using a skillet or sauté pan.

    When it comes to cooking fish, cast iron skillets excel at delivering perfectly seared, flavorful fillets.  Cast iron skillets even heat distribution ensures fish cooks evenly and develops a delicious crust, while the natural nonstick properties of seasoned cast iron make flipping and serving a breeze.  Whether you're hosting a fish fry or just want a homemade seafood dinner, a cast iron skillet is a reliable choice for restaurant-quality results at home.

If you’ve ever scrubbed tirelessly at a skillet after cooking to get rid of grease, a nonstick pan will make you breathe a sigh of relief as food residue washes right off its surface. Suitable for cooking on low and medium heat, nonstick pans also require less oil than other varieties, which is a big selling point for the health-conscious consumer. Nylon and wooden utensils are better suited for use with non-stick pans, as their surface can be delicate and prone to scratching.

COPPER FRYING PANS

“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.

There are several types of materials that you can use for a skillet or frying pan. Here's a brief look at the different kinds of materials: