The 5 Best Paella Pans of 2024, Tested by Allrecipes

Our Top Pick

Mauviel M’Steel Black Carbon 14.2 Inch Paella Pan

$140 at Amazon View on Mauviel-usa.com

When making paella, heat control is everything and can really make a difference in the final result. This sleek Mauviel model is made from carbon steel, perhaps the most traditional material for paella pans because of its ability to conduct heat. The pan is compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and withstands high temperatures up to 680°F, so you can easily use it in the oven if needed. Like all carbon steel, the pan needs to be thoroughly dried and oiled before storing to maintain its seasoning, but it’s well worth the extra care as I think this pan of this quality could last a lifetime.

During testing, this pan performed pretty flawlessly. The 14.2-inch diameter is plenty of room to make a paella for four, so if you love entertaining like I do, this is a fantastic size. The flared rims ensured that liquids evaporated adequately, and made it easy to scoop and serve the finished dish. The pan’s iron handles are sized large enough to grip easily with oven mitts on, an important feature as they heat up during the cooking process. The carbon steel’s distribution of heat allowed the formation of a nice socarrat that you could scrape off with a spoon.

The Details: Carbon steel; 14.2-inch diameter; induction compatible; oven safe to 680°F; hand-wash only

Best Splurge

Mauviel Copper Paella Pan

$485 at Amazon $600 at Williams-Sonoma View on Mauviel-usa.com

This stunning paella pan also comes from Mauviel, a company heralded for heirloom-quality copper-clad pieces. Lined with stainless steel, the copper exterior aids in heat control so you can raise or lower the temperature quickly. The brass handles are not just decorative, they are riveted to provide secure transport on and off the cooktop. Like with any copper cookware, some additional care is required to keep the exterior shiny as a patina will develop with use. 

The beauty of the stainless finish is that it is nonreactive and doesn’t need to be seasoned before use. While testing, the large surface area allowed more than enough room for sauteing chorizo and chicken thighs. Admittedly, this pan’s size might also be a drawback if your burners aren’t large enough to heat the pan evenly. Though a decent socarrat was formed in the general area of the flame, the rice around the edges that didn’t have direct heat was less cooked than the center. To remedy this, you can simply rotate and move the pan around to distribute heat evenly, or you can opt to make your paella on the grill or in the oven as it is heat-safe to 600°F. 

The Details: Stainless steel-lined copper; 16-inch diameter; not induction compatible; oven safe to 600°F; hand-wash only

Best Budget

Garcima 13 Inch Carbon Steel Paella Pan

$24 at Amazon $48 at Wayfair

This affordably-priced pan is the first one I ever owned when I started taking paella seriously. It’s made of carbon steel, which means it works with all cooktops (including induction), and can also be placed in the oven or on a grill. It features two nicely sized handles, coated to stay somewhat cool while the pan is being used. You’ll have to season this pan before its first use, and you’ll want to dry thoroughly and oil it before storing, but with the right care, it should last a very long time.     

The 13-inch version of this pan is a nice size for most stoves, making a generous paella for three to four people. It conducts heat beautifully, but there’s a bit of a learning curve to get the socarrat right since the material heats up so quickly. Luckily, scorched rice was easy to clean with a gentle soak and some scraping.

The Details: Carbon steel; 13-inch diameter; induction compatible; oven safe to 500°F; hand-wash only

Best Stainless Steel

Guison Stainless Steel Paella Pan

$159 at Amazon

Anyone who appreciates the low maintenance of stainless steel cookware will like this version from Matfer Bourgeat. It’s made with a magnetic aluminum core sandwiched between layers of 18/10 stainless steel making it suitable for all stoves, from election to induction (and can also be used on the grill or over open fire). With no pre-seasoning required, it’s ready to go out of the box.

In testing, this pan fits nicely over the largest gas burner, without a lot of overhang. It worked well when sauteing veggies and chicken, but developed a hot spot towards the center of the pan, suggesting that the distribution of heat wasn’t totally even. The result was a smaller area of socarrat than anticipated, concentrated over the pan’s center—a little disappointing since we love crispy, flavorful paella rice—but not a complete dealbreaker. The best part about this pan is that it cleans up very easily, either by hand or in the dishwasher; if you love the ease of stainless steel, you’ll enjoy this version of the paella pan.  

The Details: Stainless steel; 13-inch diameter; induction compatible; oven safe; dishwasher safe

Best Nonstick

Cuisinart Non-Stick 15-Inch Covered Paella Pan

$55 at Amazon $55 at Walmart $55 at Wayfair

For anyone who prioritizes easy cleanup when it comes to cookware, a nonstick paella pan is the way to go. This model from Cuisinart has a roomy 15-inch diameter, flared sides, and a traditional dimpled surface to help with even evaporation of liquids. The large handles make it easy to maneuver on and off the stove. And unlike most paella pans, this one comes with a lid to help retain heat and encourage rice to cook. It’s induction compatible and can also be used in the oven up to 400°F, adding to its versatility. 

A pan of this size tends to be heavy, so it was nice that this piece is quite light—at least before you fill it with food. The size also lends itself well to cooking for larger groups and families, though during testing it was a challenge to heat the pan evenly. One of the other caveats to this nonstick paella pan is that it doesn’t form the crispy socarrat at the bottom of the pan. If that doesn’t bother you, then you’ll appreciate how easy it is to clean by hand thanks to its slick surface.

The Details: Steel with nonstick coating; 15-inch diameter; induction compatible; oven safe to 400°F without lid; hand-wash only