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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
Much like a good dinnerware set, flatware should be durable and easy to clean—but it should also complement your tablescape. Grabbing a box of the cheapest set you can find may seem like the more painless option, but trust me, it’s not. Overlooking quality will likely be more wasteful and expensive in the long run. There are certainly plenty of long-lasting, budget-conscious flatware sets out there, but it’s important to know what to look for.
After over a decade of handling different types of flatware in restaurants, I’ve come to know what makes up a good set. (If you’ve ever worked as a server or bartender, you understand the trials and tribulations of rolling silverware at the end of the night.) There are handles that are easier to hold, designs that are better balanced than others, and finishes that are more likely to show fingerprints. To find the best flatware sets available, I researched and tested some top-rated options over a period of several weeks in my own kitchen.
About My Tests
I spent hours researching different styles and patterns of popular flatware brands before settling on six sets to test at home. After weighing each piece and seeing how they felt in hand, I used them to eat different foods side by side—including lentil vegetable soup, baked pasta, grilled chicken, multiple types of salad, and vanilla ice cream. I washed each set both in the dishwasher and by hand to check for water spots, rust, or damage. To really get a feel for their performances, each set spent about a week as the main flatware in my kitchen, where I paid special attention to the following attributes:
- Design: Does the design or pattern lend itself to different styles? Would the flatware be out of place in a modern, retro, or high-end setting, or is it versatile enough to use for everyday meals and special occasions?
- Care and Maintenance: Does the finish show water spots and smudges easily? Do the pieces need to be dried immediately after coming out of the dishwasher? Were there any rust spots, stains, or other damage visible after the testing period?
- Performance: Does the dinner knife make clean cuts? Is it easy to stab food with the forks? Do the spoons feature a deep bowl that can accommodate plenty of liquid?
- Size and Shape: Do the handles fit comfortably in hand? Are the pieces well-balanced?
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Why It’s Great: Includes serving pieces; modern style; effective knives
Grain of Salt: Handles are very thin
As soon as this set came out of the package, I could tell that the pieces were made to last. The contemporary, European-style flatware is weighty without being unbalanced, and the 18/10 stainless steel material has a highly polished mirror finish that didn’t scratch during tests.
I especially love the knives included in this set because the ends of the blades are pointed—they’re a kind of hybrid between a classic steak knife and a butter knife. This is a good feature for those who don’t use dedicated steak knives often but still want to have something on hand for slicing up tougher food. In tests, the knife could handle both large and delicate cuts, and the point of the blade was handy for piercing dense ingredients and cutting with precision. The soup spoon had the deepest bowl of all the sets I tested, and both the teaspoon and salad fork felt delicate in hand.
If you have a basket-style utensil holder in your dishwasher, be aware that the thin handles might get stuck in the holes. This caused a slight headache in my own kitchen, but it may not be as much of an issue for those with a flat utensil holder. Likewise, the thin handles on the serving pieces made it more difficult to pick up heavier foods like mashed potatoes. On the plus side, the handles have a slight curve to them, so they’re ergonomic and easy to hold despite their thinness.
The Details: 18/10 stainless steel; includes eight 5-piece settings and 5-piece serving set; dishwasher safe; 1.9-ounce dinner fork, 1.4-ounce salad fork, 2-ounce soup spoon, 1.4-ounce teaspoon, 3.5-ounce dinner knife; $2.55 per piece
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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
Best Budget
Oneida Flight 45-Piece Everyday Flatware Set
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Why It’s Great: Incredibly lightweight; retro design; smooth handles
Grain of Salt: Thin material
This everyday set of flatware is large enough to serve eight at a time but will only set you back less than $60. It also includes matching serving pieces. It’s perfect for families since the low price means you won’t be too worried when a piece inevitably goes missing; plus, they’re lightweight and easy for smaller hands to use.
The Oneida flatware set is the only one I tested that’s made of 18/0 rather than 18/10 stainless steel. However, what you may lose in durability, you gain in value—it’s still a high-quality set but only costs $1.33 per piece. Something else that sets this collection apart from others is the variety in which sets are sold. You can buy a 4-piece or 6-piece set of just dinner forks if you’re running low, as well as 4-piece sets of dinner knives, salad forks, soup spoons, and teaspoons. There’s even a matching set of steak knives available and a larger 65-piece set. Basically, you can only buy what you need and not worry about spending money on an entirely new set to replace individual pieces.
In tests, the material felt very lightweight and thin, and they washed beautifully in the dishwasher with no damage or water spots. The pattern gives off retro vibes, with smooth handles that provide enough surface area to hold comfortably with a slight wave pattern to give your finger more slip resistance. At the same time, the thinner material won’t take up too much space in the utensil drawer.
The Details: 18/0 stainless steel; includes eight 5-piece settings and 5-piece serving set; dishwasher safe; 1.3-ounce dinner fork, 1.1-ounce salad fork, 1.3-ounce soup spoon, 1-ounce teaspoon, 3.8-ounce dinner knife; $1.33 per piece
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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
Best Splurge
Made In Flatware 4 Place Settings Set
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Why It’s Great: Comfortable to hold; timeless design; well-balanced
Grain of Salt: Expensive
This is the most expensive set I tested, but it was also the easiest to use. The slightly angled, rounded end of the handle contours to the palm and fits perfectly in hand without threats of slipping. Likewise, the style is completely timeless, and the design is versatile enough for casual or fine dining. The stamped branding on each piece makes them feel more high-end.
These showed the least amount of water spots after coming out of the dishwasher, perhaps due to the brand’s “proprietary technologies.” They’re crafted in Italy by artisans who specialize in fine cutlery and serving utensils. The soup spoon has a deep bowl with a rounded tip, and the smaller teaspoon is broader than others—perfect for more substantial desserts like pie or brownies. The knife is a little bulky, but both forks have an ideal shape and comfortable weight.
Really, the only downside to this set is the price. You’re paying almost $10 per piece, so I’d recommend this flatware for smaller households, singles, or couples who need a solid set for everyday use. This collection would also make a really thoughtful gift for a housewarming or wedding.
The Details: 18/10 stainless steel; includes four 5-piece settings; dishwasher safe; 2-ounce dinner fork, 1.3-ounce salad fork, 2.6-ounce soup spoon, 1.8-ounce teaspoon, 4.3-ounce dinner knife; $9.95 per piece
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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
Best Traditional
Mikasa Regent 65-Piece Flatware Set
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Why It’s Great: Good value; very sturdy; elegant design
Grain of Salt: Heavy
This set screams practical elegance. The pieces are sturdy and substantial without being too heavy or formal, while the details are ornate but still sensible for everyday use. Since it’s a larger set at 65 pieces, this Mikasa flatware set would be ideal for keeping on hand for dinner parties or special occasions. If you want to feel even fancier, splurge a bit more for the set with gold accents.
The soup spoon has a wide, deep bowl with a thicker material than the other spoons tested. It is also on the heavier side, but the added strength and size make it great for chunky soups and dumplings. I love the more delicate details on the salad fork and teaspoon, especially the latter for adding a touch of refinement while stirring milk into my tea.
Style-wise, it’s perfect for those who want a set that’s a little more formal but can still hold up to regular use. Not only does it offer fantastic value at $1.86 per piece, but this set would complement any type of tablescape, from vintage to contemporary.
The Details: 18/10 stainless steel; includes twelve 5-piece settings and 5-piece serving set; dishwasher safe; 2.4-ounce dinner fork, 1.8-ounce salad fork, 2.5-ounce soup spoon, 1.5-ounce teaspoon, 4.4-ounce dinner knife; $1.86 per piece
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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
Best Large Set
Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set
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Why It’s Great: Subtle embellishments; easy to hold; lifetime warranty
Grain of Salt: Weighty knife; finish showed some scratches
The beaded details at the bottom of each handle give these pieces a little something extra; they are not quite elaborate but not quite simple. In fact, the flared handles made the pieces easier to hold in tests. The design works equally well for everyday meals and special occasions like holidays or dinner parties.
The 65-piece Lenox flatware set means you’ll have plenty of settings for larger families or to supplement lost or damaged pieces. It also includes a matching 5-piece serving set with a serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, sugar spoon, butter knife, and serving fork. There’s a lifetime warranty on the collection, which definitely adds some peace of mind.
The knife is very weighty, so it was a little more difficult to use than others. It was also quite loud when dropped on the side of a plate. I also found a couple of scratches on the handle after a few weeks of use, which was slightly disappointing. I did appreciate the soup spoon, however, which has a deep, rounded bowl that is narrow yet still holds a lot of liquid.
The Details: 18/10 stainless steel; includes twelve 5-piece settings and 5-piece serving set; dishwasher safe; 2.1-ounce dinner fork, 1.3-ounce salad fork, 1.8-ounce soup spoon, 1.3-ounce teaspoon, 5-ounce dinner knife; $2.15 per piece
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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
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Why It’s Great: PVD color finish; modern style; won’t show fingerprints
Grain of Salt: Heavy; expensive
My greatest concern with gold flatware is the color fading or chipping. However, I don’t get the sense that this set will have that issue. The modern stainless steel flatware has a PVD color finish, a process that uses a vacuum chamber to coat the surface with a thin layer of metal and create a permanent bond between the two. The added benefit of the matte finish is that it doesn’t pick up fingerprints, either.
I love that this Fortessa flatware set is available in both 20-piece and 5-piece sets, so you can buy only what you need. There is a matching serving set available, though it’s sold separately. And if you’re a fan of black flatware, they have a set for that as well.
The soup spoon is huge—it’s more akin to a serving spoon (but that also means bigger bites, so that isn’t necessarily a disadvantage). Likewise, the bowls of the spoons are wider and more pointed at the end, giving them a more elegant feel. The squared corners give the handles a modern look, though they are pretty heavy. I especially like the sharpness of the knife and the salad fork, which has more space in between the tines to hold larger quantities of food.
The Details: 18/10 stainless steel with PVD gold finish; includes four 5-piece settings; dishwasher safe; 2.6-ounce dinner fork, 2.1-ounce salad fork, 3.6-ounce soup spoon, 2.4-ounce teaspoon, 3.2-ounce dinner knife; $8.70 per piece
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Allrecipes / Henry Wortock
My Takeaway
If you’re looking for a solid flatware set that offers great value, expert construction, and versatile style, the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Opus 45-Piece Flatware Set has all that and more. For a budget-conscious pick that’s lightweight and ideal for families, look no further than the Oneida Flight 45-Piece Everyday Flatware Set.
How to Pick the Right Flatware Set
Material
You’re more likely to find stainless steel flatware on the market because it’s easier to care for, often dishwasher safe, and won’t need to be polished (unlike sterling silver or silver-plated flatware). With the exception of the Best Budget pick, all of the flatware on this list is made using 18/10 stainless steel. Why is this important? The extra nickel helps prevent corrosion and keeps the material polished and durable for years to come.
Weight
A lightweight design isn’t always a good thing. Any restaurant worker will tell you just how easy it is to accidentally toss flatware into the trash. And if you have children, you know that the flatware you send in your kid’s lunch box doesn’t always make it back home. Heavier flatware helps prevent this. Plus, if they're not balanced correctly, they’ll feel more difficult to hold and will be more likely to fall off the edges of bowls and plates. If you buy a smaller, more expensive set, keep in mind that you’ll have to spend a lot more money replacing pieces if they get lost or damaged in the garbage disposal.
Care and Maintenance
Although most flatware is safe to put in the dishwasher, different finishes are more likely to show fingerprints and water spots. Mirror-finish flatware will show scratches and smudges more than matte-finished flatware, but you should always avoid leaving your pieces dirty or soaking in the sink for too long—especially if you used them to eat acidic foods. Likewise, use a dish soap that isn’t citrus-based; it will be less abrasive.
Common Questions
What size flatware set do you need?
When choosing flatware, consider both the number of pieces in each place setting and the number of place settings in the set. Typically, a 20-piece flatware serves four people. Most sets will include five pieces: a dinner knife, a dinner fork, a soup spoon, a salad fork, and a teaspoon. This should be enough for a majority of households, but you can always add larger pieces and serving sets if you need them.
It’s a good idea to have at least two place settings available per person in your household—so a home with two people should have four place settings, and so on. However, if you often have people over for family holidays or dinner parties, invest in larger flatware sets of 12 or eight settings (you can always store the extra pieces and bring them out when they’re needed). If you’re unsure about investing in a larger set, see if it’s available in a smaller 5-piece set to test it out first.
What is the best way to organize flatware?
The best way that I’ve found to keep flatware organized, tidy, and accessible is by using a flatware caddy or a flatware drawer organizer. The compact models are designed to fit all of your flatware, even in narrow drawers, with dedicated spots for forks, knives, spoons, and more. They come in different materials (metal, wood, plastic, etc.), but I’ve personally had a lot of success with bamboo drawer organizers. This one is expandable and adjustable, so it’s easy to fit into any drawer between 13 and 21.6 inches wide. You can also use bamboo dividers with nonslip pads that expand to create separate compartments.
Is there a difference between flatware and silverware?
The terms flatware and silverware are often used interchangeably, but there is actually a difference between the two. Flatware refers to the spoons, forks, and knives we use to eat a meal, though knives are sometimes left out because they are technically cutlery. Silverware refers to pieces that are made entirely or primarily out of real silver. Specifically, there must be at least 92.5 percent silver used in the manufacturing process to classify something as silverware.
Why Take Our Word For It?
Katherine Gallagher is a commerce editor for Allrecipes who has been writing about food since 2017. She worked in the restaurant industry for more than a decade, gaining knowledge about what to look for in the best kitchen gear, drinkware, and serveware.
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