The Best Kitchen Utensil Sets, According to Our Testers (2024)

GIR’s silicone tools are ideal for nonstick cookware as they won’t scratch the surface, and they're also an all-around great set for any home cook.

Experts in our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab are fans: “I've used one of these spatulas for about 10 years now, and it looks good as new,” says Papantoniou. The pieces in the set are made of the same seamless silicone, which makes them sturdy, durable and easy to clean because there are no crevices where grime can collect or mold can form.

Testers say GIR’s spatulas are sturdy but flexible. The set comes with a mini spatula, a tall skinny one and a spoonula, which is a cross between a spoon and a spatula. A unique addition is a mini spoon with a long handle and pointed (but still rounded) tip that is perfect for tasting and scooping out jars.

“The ladle is the best ladle ever,” says Papantoniou. “It can hold a cup and has measurement markings on the inside. It's flexible so you can scrape all edges of the pot.”

The company claims the set is heat resistant to 550°F, which is a higher temperature than most other brands. And testers appreciated small but helpful details in the tools, like the whisk's textured handle that helps prevent slipping when mixing and the peeler's wide, flat handle that’s easy to grip. Take note that the set is available in other colors, but the style might not suit all kitchens.

Cuisinart’s classic utensil set has five essential tools and is priced right. The set comes with a crock that our experts say is sturdy and lightweight. Testers find the tools long-lasting and pleasant to use. The spoons have a nice shape and capacity, and the ladle is deep and wide.

The barrel-shaped handles are made of durable stainless steel with a soft foam grip and the nylon heads are safe for nonstick cookware. This is a great starter set for beginner cooks. Though the set is heat resistant, it is only safe up to 400˚F, so you might prefer another set if you cook with very high heat frequently.

Ruffoni’s olivewood utensils are stunningly beautiful — and also practical. Our testers love that one spoon has a straight edge — perfect for scraping up the goodies on the bottom of a pot — and that two of the utensils have angled edges that help scrape the sides of a pan.

The set's handles are thick and feel smooth — about as luxurious as cooking utensils can get. Each solid wood tool is hand-carved and inlaid with a copper rivet for hanging. The set comes in a clear box that our experts say is fit for gifting.

OXO’s utensil set features many of the brand's best-selling tools, including the spatula, whisk, tongs and peeler that our experts have been using (and loving) for years. The comprehensive set has a slim, stainless-steel crock with a removable drip tray. It comes with all the essentials plus several specialized tools — including a potato masher, meat tenderizer, can opener and ice cream scoop. This set is great for new cooks and experienced cooks who are starting fresh.

The tongs are one of Papantoniou’s most used utensils, and she likes that the thin and flexible turner can get under foods easily. The mixing spatula is great, too, with a firm and flexible head. The spoons are lightweight and sturdy. One caveat is that with such a robust collection, it can sometimes be difficult to put tools back into the crock.

The unique assortment of tools in this Goldilocks set is curated to offer just the right basics to get a new couple’s kitchen started. It’s also great for someone moving into a tiny kitchen. Our testers especially like the stainless steel mixing bowls, which look and perform like the commercial ones you’d find in a restaurant kitchen.

Keep this one bookmarked for wedding gift season. Though it doesn’t include a slotted spoon or a whisk, it does include handy tools like tongs, a fish spatula, measuring cups and spoons and a colander.

These tools match All-Clad's well-reviewed pots and pans down to the signature handle divet on the D5 and D3 cookware lines. Our testers said the polished stainless steel utensils feel smooth and glossy and that the caddy is sturdy with plenty of room for other tools if you want to add to your collection.

The utensils have a good heft and long handles to keep your hands away from the heat. The streamlined set includes the essentials: ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, turner and fork. Keep in mind that while stainless steel tools are easy to clean, they are not safe to use on some nonstick surfaces.

This beautiful three-piece set from Staub is made of silicone and acacia wood, making each piece feel sturdy and comfy in the hand. The multi-functional spatula-spoon tool is one of Staub’s best-selling products and truly is a 2-in-1 tool. “I've used it many times to cut casserole-like dishes and scoop up the juices,” says Papantoniou.

The wok turner is wide and slightly scooped, which our testers said gets under foods well. While not flexible, the ladle is wide and oblong and great for serving. The utensils are well constructed with a heft and beauty that matches enameled cast iron cookware well. They’re safe for nonstick cookware, too, but note that they are hand wash only.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we have a century-long history of testing kitchen essentials, including kitchen knives and kitchen shears.

Our experts analyzed the most popular utensil sets on the market and those from top brands and evaluated them for look and feel. They then used them for various cooking tests in the Lab and sent them home with consumers to report on how they held up with prolonged use. Testers will continue to use the utensil sets and make notes on the longevity of the tools over time.

✔️ What’s included: Focus on what you'll use most. You might want more than one kind of spatula, or you might absolutely require a pasta server. Also consider your circ*mstances: If you’re starting from scratch, opt for a comprehensive set with the basics and special items, like the OXO 15-piece set. If you're tight on space or just want to upgrade a few of your most used items, opt for a more tightly curated set, such as the Staub 3-piece set. If you keep your utensils on display, consider an aesthetically pleasing set with hanging loops, like Ruffoni's olivewood set, or one with a storage caddy, like All-Clad’s stainless steel set.

✔️ Material: The material of your ideal cooking tools is influenced by what type of cookware you have, whether that’s nonstick, stainless steel or enameled cast iron. You'll need a silicone or wood utensil set to preserve the coating on your nonstick cookware. If you cook over high heat or grill frequently, stainless steel materials can handle the higher temperatures and burnt-on bits. If you own all of the above cookware, consider a versatile utensil set, like our top pick, the GIR 10-piece set, which you can use on all pans.

✔️ Ease of use: Cooking utensils should sit comfortably in your hand and be long enough to keep your hands safe from the heat. They should also fit the size of your cookware and easily stir, scoop and flip whatever you’re cooking. Also, note how the utensils need to be cleaned and cared for. Some materials — like stainless steel and silicone — can go in the dishwasher. Others — like wood — must be washed by hand and occasionally treated with mineral oil.

Perry Santanachote is a contributing writer for Good Housekeeping. She has been testing and writing about the best kitchen tools and cookware for over 10 years. She has even more experience in the food industry, working as a recipe developer, food stylist and cook.

For this guide, Perry worked closely with Nicole Papantoniou, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, who has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition.