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A good cast iron skillet sears steak, bakes cornbread and goes from stovetop to oven to campfire, and with basic care it lasts for generations. The best one for you depends on size, weight and whether you want bare seasoned iron or an enameled finish. These 8 cast iron skillets are real models sold on Amazon, sorted by use case and budget.
Best Overall
The Lodge 12-inch skillet is the default recommendation for a reason. It comes pre-seasoned, works on every cooktop including induction, and is priced well below most cookware.
Lodge 12 Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet — 12-inch, pre-seasoned, helper handle, works on induction, grill and campfire
Best Smooth Cooking Surface
Victoria’s skillet has a long, comfortable handle and a smoother finish than most pre-seasoned pans, which helps with eggs and pancakes.
Victoria 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet — 12-inch, flaxseed oil seasoning, long handle, helper handle, pour spouts
Best Lightweight Feel
Lodge’s Chef Collection skillet has a machined, smoother cooking surface and a more refined handle than the classic pan, at a bit more cost.
Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet — 12-inch, smooth machined surface, pre-seasoned, ergonomic handle, induction-safe
Best Set for Beginners
If you want more than one size, Lodge’s three-skillet bundle covers small, medium and large jobs, from a single fried egg to a family dinner.
Lodge Cast Iron 3-Skillet Bundle — three pans (6.5, 8 and 10.25 inch), pre-seasoned, oven and grill safe
Best Everyday Size
The 10.25-inch Lodge is easier to lift and store than a 12-inch pan and still fits two chicken thighs or a small cornbread.
Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet — 10.25-inch, pre-seasoned, helper handle, made in the USA
Best Enameled Pick
Le Creuset’s enameled skillet needs no seasoning, resists sticking and acidic foods, and comes in a range of colors. It is a splurge for a pan you will use for years.
Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet — enameled cast iron, no seasoning needed, light interior for monitoring browning, helper handle
Best Budget Pick
Utopia Kitchen sells pre-seasoned cast iron skillets at a low price, a sensible choice if you want to try cast iron without a big spend.
Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet — pre-seasoned, oven and stovetop safe, multiple sizes, low price
Best for Searing Indoors
A ridged grill pan gives you sear marks on steak, burgers and vegetables without lighting the grill.
Lodge Cast Iron Square Grill Pan — square ridged surface, pre-seasoned, oven safe, two handles
How to Choose
- Size. A 10-inch pan suits one or two people; a 12-inch handles family meals but is heavy.
- Seasoned vs. enameled. Pre-seasoned iron improves with use but needs care. Enameled iron skips seasoning and is easier on acidic sauces.
- Surface. Machined, smoother pans release food more easily out of the box; classic rough-cast pans smooth out over time.
- Weight and handles. Cast iron is heavy. A helper handle makes lifting a full pan safer.
- Care. Wash by hand, dry right away and wipe on a thin coat of oil. Avoid long soaks.
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Prices and availability change frequently — click through for the latest price on each pick.
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