Skillets are kitchen staples – a pan that comes in handy for searing, browning, and frying meals. Unlike full-sized pans, skillets are much smaller and often have a diameter of 8 to 12 inches. And if you’re looking for a trusty option to add to your kitchen, we reviewed here the best 8 inch nonstick skillet that will last for years.
There are many skillets in the market that you can purchase at dirt-cheap prices. However, not all of them will last long. Worse, some may even leave a bad taste on your food, not to mention that it’s also dangerous for your health.
So if you’re new to skillets, these five options are a good start. I also picked inexpensive options to suit your budget. Let us know which one matches your kitchen needs!
| NONSTICK SKILLET | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! Anolon Hard-Anodized 8-Inch Skillet |  | Check Price |
 | Backcountry 8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet | | Check Price |
 | Meigui 8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet | | Check Price |
 | Kela 8-Inch Non-Stick Skillet |  | Check Price |
 | Zavor Noir 8-Inch Non-Stick Skillet |  | Check Price |
Best 8 Inch Nonstick Skillet – Top 5 Picks!
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: Anolon Hard-Anodized 8-Inch Skillet
Product Name: Anolon Hard-Anodized 8-Inch Skillet
Product Description: If you’re looking for the best 8 inch nonstick skillet, you’ll never go wrong with the Anolon Hard-Anodized Skillet. This is made of aluminum for long-lasting and food-safe cooking. Moreover, this skillet heats up fast and ensures that the heat is distributed evenly. This will help reduce hotspots on your food, whether you’re frying, searing, or sautéing. I also like the SureGrip handle of this skillet, which provides a solid hold. It’s also oven-safe for up to 400F. This makes the skillet versatile, which is a big plus considering its affordable price.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Material
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Coating
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Durability
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Value for Money
Overall
Summary
Since it’s anodized, this Anolon skillet resists scratches and nicks, which makes the material last long. It’s also easy to clean, thanks to its nonstick coating both on the interior and exterior portions.
The only downside I see here is that the Anolon skillet is slightly lighter than the other options I’ve tried before. I would love an added heft to it, but it’s not really a deal-breaker for me.
Overall, this is an authentic nonstick pan you can get at a very decent price. It’s also available in 10, 12, and 14-inch versions if you find the 8-inch too small for your liking.
Pros
Affordable nonstick skillet
Scratch and nick-resistant
Nonstick coating on both interior and exterior parts
Available in different sizes
Cons
It’s slightly lighter than other skillets I’ve used.
It will scratch a glass-top range.
RUNNERS-UP
Backcountry 8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, I highly recommend the Backcountry 8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. This is pre-seasoned with Teflon for guaranteed nonstick cooking, not to mention that it has two spouts for easy pouring of soups and oils.
Moreover, this skillet has a one-piece design, so the handle is also made of cast iron. Because of that, this is oven-safe and dishwasher-safe. Just make sure that you dry it before storage to prevent rusting.
Overall, this skillet is 1.75-inch deep and has a 6.5-inch cooking surface. The handle is 4.5 inches long, which is more than enough for a strong grip.
Take note that since this is a cast-iron skillet, it’s heavier than aluminum or stainless steel counterparts. It’s a good thing if you want added heft to your cookware.
In addition, the Backcountry 8-inch Cast Iron Skillet is perfect for small meals. It also comes with a branded gift box in case you want to send it as a present.
The only downside I see is that the handle will get very hot since it’s made of iron. Make sure that you use cooking mittens to avoid burns.
Meigui 8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
Another cast-iron skillet I recommend is the Meigui 8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Like the one from Backcountry, the Meigui skillet has two spouts and a one-piece design. It’s also pre-seasoned with nonstick coating, but seasoning it before use is still advisable.
Aside from that, this skillet distributes heat evenly. It takes time to heat up due to the thick cast iron material, but it’s truly worth the wait.
Moreover, I like the long handle, which makes it easy to lift when full of food. You can also use this in the oven for up to 500F.
The interior of this skillet is seasoned with a black porcelain glaze, so you don’t need to pre-season it. It’s also free from harmful chemicals and rest assured that your food won’t have an off-taste.
I also like that this Meigui skillet comes with a tempered glass cover. It’s rimmed with stainless steel and has a silicone handle to avoid burns. With the cover, you can trap the heat for efficient cooking.
Overall, this is a value-for-money skillet, though its surface isn’t as baby smooth as other options. You can also get this in a smaller 6-inch version or the 10-inch version with a lid.
Kela 8-Inch Non-Stick Skillet
The Kela 8-Inch Non-Stick Skillet is perfect for cooking healthy meals. It’s suitable for veggies, fish, meat, eggs, and more. You can also reduce oil usage since this is already seasoned with a nonstick coating that prevents food items from sticking on the surface.
Aside from that, this comes with a Bakelite soft-touch handle that can endure intense heat. It’s also form-fitting to ensure a solid grip.
Overall, the pan itself is made of aluminum paired with a stainless steel base. This allows the pan to heat up fast and even, so you no longer have to wait for long.
I also like the oil control system of the Kela skillet. It allows grease or oil to be distributed evenly on the surface, so your food floats on the oil. This adds up to the nonstick feature of the skillet.
As for the downside, I notice that the handle gets loose after some time. Anyway, it’s easy to fix by tightening the screws using a screwdriver. I just wish they can lock the screws, so users don’t have to deal with this hassle.
Zavor Noir 8-Inch Non-Stick Skillet
My last pick for this roundup is the Zavor Noir Nonstick Skillet. This comes with a nonstick ceramic-based coating free from PFTE, BPA, and PFOA. It’s also reinforced with titanium particles for long-lasting nonstick function, which can resist abrasions.
Aside from that, the Zavor Noir Skillet has an aluminum cooking surface that distributes heat fairly well. It’s also dishwasher-safe and compatible with all stoves, including induction types.
Moreover, the Zavor Noir Nonstick Skillet is oven-safe for up to 550F. Just make sure that you remove the handle first before you pop it into the oven. Don’t worry because the handle has an easy-to-remove handle that comes in different colors.
Overall, you can use this for baking, frying, searing, browning, and a lot more. It’s also quite lightweight and easy to lift even if you have weak hands.
I also like the even heat distribution of this skillet to prevent hotspots on your food. I can say that this can give fancy skillets a run for their money.
How to choose a nonstick skillet
It’s easy to buy just about any skillet you can find in the market. But to ensure that your option will last long, you should consider the following points:
✔️Diameter
The first thing you should consider when buying a skillet is its diameter.
Most of the time, skillets are available in diameters ranging from 8 to 12 inches. It’s relatively small since it’s intended for cooking small servings.
If you’re buying a skillet to cook eggs, sear single steak cuts, or saute a small serving of veggies, an 8-inch skillet would be fine. But in case you find this too small, a 10-inch diameter is the best middle ground as a 12-inch type can be too large for some.
✔️Material
The choice of skillet material depends on your method of cooking. Here’s a quick rundown of the three most common skillet materials you can find in the market:
- Cast iron. This is a champ in distributing heat, though it heats up quite slowly. Cast iron skillets are a good choice if you’re cooking meats, but not much for acidic food items as they can leave a metallic taste.
- Stainless steel. If you want a chip-proof skillet, a stainless steel type is a good choice. It heats quickly and evenly, which is a good thing if you’re in a hurry. Overall, this is suitable for all-around cooking and it also creates a nice crust on steaks and chops.
- Nonstick/aluminum. Nonstick skillets are often made of aluminum metal coated with PTFE, which is less toxic than the cheap Teflon.
- Copper. Copper isn’t very common in skillets since it’s quite expensive. It’s also heavy, but copper skillets heat up pretty fast and in a very even manner.
So which one is the best choice? It all depends on your budget and what you want to achieve with the skillet. Overall, nonstick is very popular as well as cast iron.
✔️Handle
Not many buyers will pay attention to the handle of the skillet. However, this is important, especially if you’re going to use the skillet in the oven.
Make sure that you get silicone-coated or steel handles as these are oven-safe. Avoid plastic handles as this can melt when exposed to high heat.
Wooden skillet handles are aesthetic, but it’s not made to last long. Also, it may burn in the oven and regular exposure to moisture will rot the material.
✔️Weight and thickness
Skillets might be small, but they can be cumbersome, especially if you chose the copper material. A nice heft is ideal, so it feels good in the hands, but you may want to avoid very heavy ones.
Meanwhile, you should also check the thickness of the skillet. Thick skillets are durable, but it takes time to heat up and will likely be heavy to lift.
If you want a thick skillet, look for a low number when measured in gauge. If the material is measured in mils, look for a high number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an 8-inch skillet useful?
A: While quite small for large meals, an 8-inch skillet is handy for many cooking needs. For example, it’s perfect for cooking eggs, preparing pancakes, searing steaks, and frying small food items. It’s much better than using a full-sized frying pan that’s harder to clean.
Q: Is an 8-inch skillet too small?
A: In general, a skillet is really intended to be small. For an 8-inch type, you’ll have enough cooking space for frying eggs, small hotdogs, searing steaks, making omelets, and cooking salmon fillets. It’s perfect cookware for small meals. But if you want a bigger skillet, you can find one up to 12 inches in diameter.
Q: Is a ceramic skillet better than a non-stick type?
A: Ceramic skillets are a good choice if you’re worried about harmful chemicals found on cheap non-stick Teflon versions. Still, non-stick skillets are unbeatable when it comes to cooking food items that notoriously stick to cookware surfaces. Just make sure that you buy one with a quality coating that won’t release harmful chemicals.
Q: What is the most popular skillet size?
A: In general, 10-inch skillets are the most common in home kitchens. It’s not too small, but not too large either. A 10-inch skillet allows you to cook bigger food items like chicken thighs, two steaks at a time, and so on. It’s a better choice than an 8-inch type if you’re cooking meals for two people.
Q: How many skillets should I own?
A: You can own as many skillets as you want. Overall, you can purchase more than one skillet if you prepare multiple meals at a time. It’s also ideal to have a backup skillet in case the first one is in use and you have to cook something else. It will help speed up your meal preparation.
Final words
With the best 8 inch nonstick skillet, you can beef up your kitchen with another useful cookware. It may not be as large as full-sized pans, but it’s handy in cooking small servings. You can also fit it inside ovens to prepare your baked favorites.
What do you think of these skillets? Share your thoughts below!