We get this question a lot: What type of frypan can I get if my budget is $200 and under? This may seem like an overwhelming topic because there are so many frypans to choose from. To top it off you have factors like quality, function, size, whether they come with a lid or not, are they suitable for induction top? And then you have the PRICE factor.
Recently, we gathered a selection of top frypans that our customers purchase. The frypans they bought are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, each varying in terms of the type of material it was made from. Some are cast iron, while others are diamond coated and stainless steel — nonetheless all are ideal for everyday cooking — and absolutely works for any types of stovetop including induction.
To make it easier for you to decide which frypan you should get, we narrowed it down by price. Here's a look at our customers' top frypan choices by price —everything under $200. By the end of this article, we threw in 2 frypan selection you can consider if the price is not a factor for you.
Best Frypans for Everyday Cooking Under $50
Scanpan Impact Frypan 26cm
Did you know? Scanpan cookware is the first brand that uses the latest non-stick coating technology called GREEN TEK. This means the entire manufacturing process is completely free of PFOA.
If you think you can’t make a good stir-fry without a wok, this can be a DREAM alternative for you. Many of our customers don’t necessarily have the room to keep a wok but loves stir-frying and they do it regularly. So at a decent price like this, you can still reap the same benefits of stir-frying in a wok. The good thing is you can use it for different types of cooking too.
Customer Review: Excellent quality (at a great price). Cleans beautifully - practically a non-stick surface. Very even heat distribution - there are no hot-spots, so no burning along the sides or in the centre. - Mrs A.
Yes! Cast Irons are typically strong and sturdy. Truthfully, there is not much you can do to permanently damage one - as evidenced by the fact that most cast iron skillets are inherited from our grandparents. Though the reasons don’t stop there. Cast iron is an incredibly dense metal that allows heat to distribute evenly. Although it will generally take time to heat compared to copper and aluminium, once it is properly heated, it is able to hold heat for a long time.
Acidic foods like tomatoes are well known to absorb iron very well when cooking with this pan, which is also really good for health.
The seasoning on a cast iron skillet does more than just protect your pan from rusting. It also develops a natural non-stick coating over time. You can cook pancakes, omelettes, skillet bread and other delicate foods without them sticking.
Cast iron can wear many hats in the kitchen. If you want to make a regular sized pizza on a stove top, cast iron is a great alternative to a roasting pan. It works well on the burner top if you want to simmer on low heat.
Despite it being strong and sturdy, the downside to that is it can be heavy to handle for some. Others prefer the weight for various reasons i.e. that it won’t topple over or shake easily while stirring.
Customer review: My first cast iron cookware. I am very satisfied, it is more non-stick than non-stick pans. I am a true convert, going to replace all my cookware one by one. - Susan S.
Pyrolux Ceraforce is designed with a 3-layer reinforced non-stick coating. Which means you can use metal utensils without damaging the pan surface.
The pan is PFOA Free, where it offers convenient cleaning and the surface allows food to release easily. Typically, it is chosen by people who prefer using little to no oil when cooking. Perfect for healthy cooking.
Many reviewers rave about the fact that this pan provides a chef-quality cooking experience that is catered for families on a budget, all while being able to provide focus on high cooking performance with affordability. It also works well on cooktops, electric and gas for all cooking needs.
Hands down this pan is the most versatile pan. It is small enough to cook for 1-2 person and is decently large enough to cook a dish for up to 4 people.
Customer Review: Solid and well made with a heavy base. All non-stick surfaces work well when new then gradually reduce in performance with extended use. The good ones perform well for several years (provided the care and maintenance rules are followed) and the inferior ones barely remain non-stick for less than 12 months even when the rules are followed. This one looks as though it will go the distance - so far, so good. Want to know if your non-stick surface is still good? Eggs are the test! Cook an egg or two, sunny side up, in some butter over low heat. When the eggs are done and you can easily slide them around by tilting the pan (might need a little nudge to get 'em going) the surface is still good. - Micheal C.
Best Value Frypan Under $100
Another cookware material that is very popular due to its affordability and its ability to produce great cooking results. Its 5-ply clad stainless steel is excellent at heat distribution, is non-corrosive and if carefully cared for, can last a lifetime.
At 26cm in diameter, it has a wide opening with plenty of surface area for searing meat. When used properly, Scanpan Clad 5 can truly be your all-purpose kitchen workhorse. Its nonstick enough for cooking scrambled eggs and is sticky enough to accommodate the all-important Maillard reaction.
The secret? Pre-heat the pan according to the temperature you want for a few minutes before adding the fat. Then proceed to heat the fat for the next two minutes or so. When a hot stainless steel pan meets with hot fat, nothing can stick.
It can also be used for boiling and steaming. It is excellent for a quick stovetop braising too.
If you don’t already know, Castey Titanium Frypan is one of those pans that is made with perfect weight and balance for easy flipping of omelettes and pancakes for breakfast. One key feature about Castey’s Titanium frying pan is its high-quality nonstick coating which is made with titanium particles that has an aluminium base.
Many cookware manufacturers (including Castey) have found increased benefits of using titanium in their products. Titanium is especially compatible with human tissue and is used extensively for a number of surgical procedures. The aluminium base in this frypan reinforces the titanium element allowing the pan to heat faster, helps to distribute heat evenly and has amazing heat retention. The aluminium confers the heat conduction usually 7 times faster than metal steel or cast iron. It’s also safe as the two materials are non-reactive to humans.
Caution Tip: While the frypan is safe to use and the two materials are non-reactive to the human body, monitor your cooking with this pan; because of its ability to heat much faster than other steel and cast iron cookware, you could end up burning your food. Avoid using metal utensils. It may not be ideal as it is prone to scratch the pan surface and the titanium particles can potentially seep into your food. It could trigger a different reaction.
This Danish design
frypan is Australia's leading quality cookware brand in the market today. It's made from the hardest element known to man
—ceramic and titanium.
Want to know what's special about Scanpan classic? Well, first off they have created a ceramic-titanium compound into the pan; which is super useful for cooking. Ceramic is naturally non-stick and titanium? Well, titanium is tough-as-nails. So when both combine, you have an amazingly slippery and durable frypan.
And guess what? This compound gets amped up onto the pan's aluminium skeleton at twice the speed of sound (we don't know why, but it certainly is impressive). Then Scanpan went on and add that extra non-stick coating which according to them, it is protected from flaking by the ceramic-titanium.
Some reviewers find cooking with Scanpan to be fun and easy. With just a drop of oil, your eggs won't stick. The same goes for veg. Essentially you can soften without drowning in oil. Not forgetting, their curvatures are deep, so you can toss food and cook sauces and gravy without spillage.
Top French-Made Frypan Under $150
Traditionally made and designed in North-East of France, Champagne Ardennes, this frypan is very ideal for searing and frying different types of dish. And if you are someone who loves cooking omelettes, frittatas or sauces for the family, you will find the curved sides very useful.
Among other famous heirloom cast iron brands like Lodge and Le Creuset, Chasseur is one of those frypans you can keep and use as your family grow over time. Its size is perfect for a young family of 4, to the 3-generation family and above. It's a piece that can be passed down easily.
Chasseur also uses up to 80% recycled material on their products, every mould is broken down and re-used and a modern filtration system helps to minimise potential environmental pollution.
De buyer have been making French quality cookware since 1830. The Choc Extreme range is made with heavy duty pressure cast aluminium. That aluminium core means that it can conduct heat very well, and is able to reach high heats at a levelled pace. So slow cooking delicate foods like fish are ideal if you have this pan.
Making scrambled eggs (or sunny-side-ups) for breakfast? It is wide enough to fit 1 or 2 eggs and because of its non-stick PFOA Free properties, your eggs can slide out of the pan easily when transferring on to plate.
There is also a nifty technology involved in the production of this pan. It is 30% thicker than other brands - something our customers appreciate because it means the non-stick coating combined with the grooves, can bear the brunt of the wear and tear from utensils. It protects the majority of the smooth cooking surface in the grooves, making it one of the best long-lasting cookware in the market.
Top Chef & Home Cooks Favourite Under $200
Solid, lightweight (in fact, it is half the weight of a cast iron) and durable. Just the type of pan you need for everything sauté, seer, and stir-fry. And if you are on a journey of replacing or expanding your cookware gear in the kitchen, consider this satin formed iron skillet.
This 26cm iron skillet is a decent size, good enough to cook up a meal for 1 to 2 persons. The skillet also covers the important details of making a great dish - the surface is smooth (over time with frequent use), the quality of the seasoning, where one of its main benefits is that it can be exposed to high heats; iron is fantastic at retaining heat. So when you are frying eggs, if you crack open 2, they will all cook at the same temperature without one bubbling away and the other remaining slightly warm.
Here is a common question we get; Can Solidteknics be used on an induction stove top? The answer is yes. In fact, it can be used on all stovetops from induction hobs to electric gas, from the grill to campfires.
If you haven't already known, Solidteknics is Multi-century guaranteed. This amazing skillet was developed by a food-loving mechanical engineer, MJ Henry who wanted all pro chefs and serious home cooks to have a high performing skillet for centuries and for many generations to come.
Customer Review: Totally epic! This pan is Awesome! Not Just Aussie made, but well made and a dream to cook on! There's a wonderful FB cookware users group and the team at Solidteknics are wonderful too, so the wonder of the pan extends into the people and community around it too! I also loved how quick Everten was
, the biodegradable packaging - just top notch! I bought this pan as a gift for friends as I love mine, and they are thrilled! Chicken Kiev last night was superb! And to think this pan is multi-generational - this is sustainable living and that matters!
Related Article: What's the Difference between Solidteknics Aus-ION and Lodge Cast Iron?
The Swiss Diamond XD range, made in Switzerland uses a new coating formulation where during the manufacturing process, real diamonds in high-quality composite (made with 20% more real crystal diamonds) is used and is able to provide lasting and trouble-free cooking pan. Cleaning will become easy too. Did we mention that it goes through an eco-friendly manufacturing process using hydroelectric energy? It does.
The price is indeed on the high side compared to other non-stick pans in the market, but what counts is that it can outlast them by miles. Speaking of lifespan, non-stick pans don’t usually last longer than cast irons. But there are simple measures that you can apply to extend its lifespan.
Avoid overheating. Swiss Diamond XD is oven safe and can withstand the heat of up to 260 degrees only. On that note, its ergonomic handle is designed with a flame-guard coating. So it is not just the pan that is oven safe. The handle is too.
Some cheap models are not usually oven-friendly, so Swiss Diamond XD is definitely one of the better ones. A good, well-treated pan should be able to last a decade.
Here’s a pan that can help you make pancakes, quesadillas and to thicken a quick chicken Marinara. This 28 cm pan could be your most-used in the kitchen. You can make larger recipes like frying a pound of meatballs or make a risotto.
During the production process, Diamonds are placed in each layer of the pan, providing it with optimum durability and heat retention. But here is why we really love this pan. Notice its handle? It is detachable. A feature that is rarely considered or thought of by many home cooks. Unless if you are someone who uses the stove top and the oven together frequently in one cooking session, then this is a must-have feature in your frypan.
And that is not the only reason. Read This is Why You Should Remove Panhandles to find out!
When Price is Not a Factor
Although Le Creuset is well known for their colourful dutch ovens and casseroles, French cookware manufacturer’s Le Creuset Satin Black Signature skillet is a worthy kitchen investment. It’s matte satin black enamel interior requires no extra seasoning, similar to the way raw (non-enamelled) cast iron doesn’t need seasoning. It is different from cast iron pans where seasoning is still required.
Is it non-stick? Typically enamelled surface does not have non-stick properties. Over time, however, with frequent use, the pan will eventually develop its own patina, a key element that will make food release from the pan so much easier. After a while, you’ll find yourself cooking low-fat meals because the patina that produces the natural oil and fat will help sear your meat. No additional oil required.
Caution Tip: Can I use this skillet on high heat setting? Satin Black Enamel is produced for high surface temperature cooking. Don’t confuse it with using the pan on high heat. It is not the same thing. It can be damaging. Like all Le Creuset products, the key to excellent cooking results is using low to medium heat setting.
If only copper will do (to match the rest of your traditional copper pans, natch). Since that’s not the case, we highly recommend De Buyer Inocuivre copper frypan, with cast steel handle. Its comprised of 90% copper and 10% stainless steel. The stainless steel interior lining makes it easy to clean and is non-reactive to metal utensils.
Copper is known for its ability to conduct heat well; it warms quickly and stays warm for long periods of time, making it great at evenly distributing heat. The best part — no more burnt spots and no more scalding.
Copper cookware is also much lighter than cast iron, and suitable to cook on all hobs EXCEPT for induction.
Now that you have your frying pan all squared away, here are a few good reads you might like:
A Complete History of Dutch Ovens
Comparing Enamelled Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, Toughened Non-Stick, and Stoneware
Looking for more cookware options? You can find a wider variety, with different shapes, sizes and colours on our site.
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