The 9 Best Dutch Ovens, According to Our Test Kitchen

Best Overall

Cuisinart Covered Casserole Dish

Orig. $100 $73 at Amazon $53 at Wayfair $100 at Walmart

What we like: This Dutch oven earned a perfect score in all our performance and durability tests, and it's reasonably priced at about $100.

What to know: Use wooden cookware with this pot—the interior took on some scratches when we tested (and intentionally nicked) it with a metal spoon.

Whether you're braising, roasting, sautéing, or searing, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven will produce beautifully browned dishes time and time again. The exterior and interior cast iron and enamel held up to our lab's heat and durability tests. The chicken thighs we used for this test browned well, resulting in crispy, golden skin at medium-high heat without sticking to the bottom (hello, easy clean-up). And our rice cooked evenly without any burnt or underdone spots. 

In our lab tests, we challenged the pot's durability by repeatedly hitting the lid and interior with a metal spoon. This did result in some scratches on the interior of the Cuisinart, which is why we recommend using wooden cookware to preserve the pot's coating. Overall, this Dutch oven garnered excellent scores in its performance, ease of use and value. We were especially impressed by how this pot performed as well as, if not better than, competitors at double the price.

Size: 5 quarts | Weight: 13.8 lbs. | Material: Cast-iron construction with porcelain enamel interior and exterior | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 550°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Enameled

Great Jones The Dutchess

View on Greatjonesgoods.com $180 at Saks Fifth Avenue $180 at Urban Outfitters

What we like: The enamel coating makes this piece easy to clean, and it's large enough to fit a whole turkey or chicken.

What to know: The handles are more for show than functionality, as they're too small to hold while wearing oven mitts.

Great Jones' The Dutchess makes a regal centerpiece for your kitchen. Beautiful as it is practical, this Dutch oven achieved perfect scores on our tests for durability and value. Enameled Dutch ovens like this one are great because you can use them right out of the box without pre-seasoning (which you usually have to do with cast-iron cookware). Plus, the enamel coating makes it super easy to wipe clean and just leave on your stovetop—did we mention how this Dutch oven basically doubles as a decorative piece?

The oval shape is ideal for roasting a whole chicken or turkey, a huge plus during the holiday hosting season. During our chicken-cooking tests, this Dutch oven produced a nice, even browning across the skin's surface. Because of the large oval shape, we had to increase the heat for consistent browning across the surface, but the bird cooked through evenly and perfectly. Our rice cooked very well, too, and didn't stick to the surface, thanks to the enamel coating. Moreover, The Dutchess held up well during our durability tests and didn't sustain any damage to the interior or exterior. 

While the handles are durable and sturdy to hold without dropping or slipping, you'll find that they're too small to grab when wearing oven mitts. Still, this was an ever-so-minor inconvenience compared to the performance of this pot.

Size: 6.75 quarts | Weight: 15 lbs. | Material: Enameled cast iron | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Cast Iron

Lodge Dutch Oven

Orig. $113 $65 at Amazon Orig. $78 $65 at Walmart $100 at Williams-Sonoma

What we like: This Dutch oven is highly durable, and the cast iron retains high heat very well.

What to know: The handles are easy to hold but narrow and difficult to grab while wearing oven mitts.

Cast iron is one of the most durable materials for cookware, and you can count on this Lodge Dutch oven to last you through many holidays, weeknight dinners and even camping trips (yes, you can cook with this oven over an open fire!). This cast iron oven comes preseasoned with vegetable oil, so you can use it immediately after unboxing, and it works wonders on everything from briskets to biscuits. Plus, we love that cast iron even has proven health benefits.

In our tests, the chicken thighs browned very well, and they comfortably fit about four thighs without any crowding. Our rice also cooked perfectly without any sticking or burning. We did notice that the bottom of the pot's seasoning peeled off a bit during our durability tests, but it didn't sustain any scratches or dents that would interfere with cooking, and the lid was perfectly unscathed. Plus, you can easily re-season a cast iron pot by wiping the interior with vegetable-based oil and letting it bake in the oven. One thing to note: If you're wearing oven mitts, you may find that the handles are a bit narrow and challenging to hold. But for a product that could be passed down for generations, we found the $70 price tag affordable and worth the money.

Size: 7 quarts | Weight: 18.1 lbs. | Material: Cast iron | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: No

Also Great, Cast Iron

KitchenAid Cast Iron Dutch Oven

$200 at Amazon $129 at Walmart View on Potsandpans.com

What we like: Heat distribution was excellent, and the design is more aesthetically appealing than your average cast-iron Dutch oven.

What to know: The underside of the lid didn't seal as well as we would've liked.

Another excellent cast-iron Dutch oven, this KitchenAid pot is the perfect size for meal-prepping casseroles, stews, pasta bakes—really, any one-pot meal. The pre-seasoned cast iron retains heat up to 500°F, so you can quickly sear a roast on the stovetop and finish it off in the oven or broil a layer of buttered breadcrumbs over mac and cheese. When cooking chicken thighs in his pot, we loved that it produced evenly browned chicken that didn't stick to the bottom of the pot at all. We were similarly successful with the rice we cooked and were able to remove it from the pot without any sticky or burnt bits.

The only minor issue we noticed was that the lid didn't seal perfectly, but it's a small price to pay for the modernized design of this cast-iron pot. This KitchenAid pot isn't as clunky as other cast-iron ovens yet remains just as durable. It didn't sustain any scratches or dents, so we know this Dutch oven can withstand many years of use and could easily be used for decades to come.

Size: 6 quarts | Weight: 18.3 lbs. | Material: Cast iron | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Splurge

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

$459 at Amazon $368 at Nordstrom $312 at Wayfair

What we like: This splurge-worthy classic is not only attractive, it boasts superior heat retention.

What to know: This piece is an investment, so if you're not willing to care for it properly, you may want to consider a more budget-friendly option.

The name "Le Creuset" is practically synonymous with heirloom-worthy cookware, and it's no surprise this high-end pick was an aspirational favorite of ours. The generous size makes it ideal for serving seven to eight people and touches like large handle openings for a steady grip and sloped sides to maximize your stirring (while keeping ingredients in the pot where they belong) further add to this Dutch oven's sophisticated appeal.

The nature of the Le Creuset means that it can be slow to heat. This can take some getting used to, as it can be easy to become impatient and crank up your range to hurry things along. However, exercise a little patience and you'll be rewarded with a lovely, even heat. This allowed us to brown chicken thighs without burning or sticking, and our rice cooked nice and evenly.

This piece, lid and all, is oven-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and is also dishwasher-safe. While the Le Creuset handled whacks and scrapes from our spoons very well, we were able to chip the interior of the pot during our durability tests. While this did not affect this Dutch oven's performance, it's worth noting that if you want to save this piece for future generations, a little extra care will go a long way.

Size: 7.25 quarts | Weight: 13.5 lbs. | Material: Cast iron | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 500° F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Small

Staub Round Cocotte

Orig. $400 $310 at Amazon View on Nordstrom View on Zwilling.com

What we like: This enameled cast-iron piece is the perfect size for bread baking or making meals for a family of one or two. 

What to know: This version is one of the most expensive ones we tested.

This splurge-worthy pot from Staub is perfect for making chili, soups or roasting Cornish hens. What's more, the 5.5-quart size is ideal for baking bread as the dough will have enough room to expand and form a nice crust, Chef Hunt says. 

The round shape means heat distributes very evenly, and that definitely showed in our tests. We appreciated that the bottom of the pot was consistently hot in all areas, which led to the even browning on all of the chicken and a deep brown caramelization that led to exceptionally crispy skin. We used less than a pound of chicken to avoid crowding in the pot, but a fuller batch may be too tight of a squeeze. 

We noticed slight sticking on a couple of pieces of chicken but nothing that couldn't be lifted with a little extra pull. But that's the nature of cast iron: The more you cook with it, the more stick-resistant it'll become (and the more flavor it will impart to your dishes). What's more, our rice was cooked just shy of al dente without any sticking, burning or underdone spots, and the rice fully absorbed all of the liquid. Overall, the Round Cocotte is incredibly durable and large enough to handle most tasks with little to no sticking. The Staub also comes in a variety of trendy colors that add to its high-end appeal.

Size: 5.5 quarts | Weight: 12.9 lbs. | Material: Enameled cast iron | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended

Best Large

Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick 8.5-Quart Dutch Oven

$149 at Amazon $112 at Target $112 at Wayfair

What we like: This Dutch oven’s nonstick coating ensures food won't stick to the bottom of the pan and helps make this pot very easy to wipe clean.

What to know: While cleaning is easy, the nonstick surface also makes it harder to get a good sear on meats.

Hard-anodized aluminum cookware is known for being more durable and scratch-resistant than other aluminum cookware, and Calphalon's Premier proved to be just that. In our tests, the interior didn't suffer a scratch, and we found that the food release was exceptional, so you know you won't have to struggle with flipping over chicken breasts or scrubbing out burnt-on stains. That's thanks to Calphalon's three layers of mineral-based nonstick coating. And the 8.5-quart size means you can easily make holiday meals and potluck casseroles. 

Grains cook up super well in this pot—the liquid was fully absorbed, and our rice was perfectly cooked despite the larger pot size. When we tested cooking poultry in this Calphalon pot, the chicken thighs didn't even come close to touching, so an entire batch would be very easy to whip up in this roomy Dutch oven. As for performance, the bird came out blonde all over with just a light sear. The anodized nonstick coating might detract from getting a good sear or fond (aka the brown bits left over after caramelizing meat or veggies). But if you're looking for a Dutch oven that's easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, this is a great option that makes for fuss-free cleanup, which especially comes in handy when cooking for a crowd. 

Size: 8.5 quarts | Weight: 5.5 lbs. | Material: Anodized aluminum | Induction Compatible: No | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 450°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Ceramic

Caraway Dutch Oven

$135 at Amazon $135 at Target $135 at Nordstrom

What we like:  This piece is beautifully designed, distributes heat evenly and is very light at about 8 pounds.

What to know: The ceramic coating made for an easy searing experience but did not elicit a fond because the surface was so slippery.

Unlike many other winning picks on this list, oven mitts or potholders fit very easily into the Caraway pot's handles; plus, it's very light, weighing just about 8 pounds. This Dutch oven comes with a nonstick ceramic coating that makes cleanup effortless yet is free of Teflon, PFOAs and other "forever chemicals" that can leach into food. 

In our tests, browning in this Dutch oven was very easy and elicited good results. The chicken thighs got a nice, continuous brown color throughout, but the enamel's slipperiness made it hard for the chicken skin to become crisp. The heat distribution appeared very even as well, as both thighs cooked at the same rate, and the rice showed no evidence of being overdone, burnt or sticky. The 6.5-quart interior made for plenty of space between the chicken thighs, allowing them to crisp up without steaming. We were also impressed with this pot's durability: There were just a few minor cosmetic chips after aggressive rapping with a metal spoon, so this Caraway pot will likely last you for years.

Size: 6.5 quarts | Weight: 8.26 lbs. | Material: Nonstick ceramic, aluminum core and stainless steel handles | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 550°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Budget

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6 QT Dutch Oven

$118 at Amazon Orig. $69 $59 at Walmart

What we like: This model comes in five beautiful colors and has excellent heat distribution, making it a steal for the price.

What to know: It's only available at Walmart, and it sustained some oil splatter stains that we couldn’t wash off easily.

If you're looking for a true enameled cast-iron Dutch oven that won't cost you a pretty penny—but still looks delightfully decorative in your kitchen—add Drew Barrymore's brand to your cart.  Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but we also found it a joy to cook with. In our tests, the chicken browned to a consistent golden color, and while there was a little bit of sticking, this did allow the poultry to develop a nice fond and complex flavor. The rice was cooked evenly throughout, too. While we were initially concerned that heat distribution on the stovetop would be uneven due to the Dutch oven's oval shape, we were pleasantly surprised to find this was not an issue during our testing.

The open oval handles were a nice touch when taking it in and out of the oven. Even with oven mitts, they felt very secure in our hands, which is important when dealing with heavy cookware. But while the matte blue exterior finish is beautiful, there was some spotting from oil splattering during cooking on the stovetop, and these spots did not improve after washing. The exterior did prove to be very durable, with no visible scratches after being hit with a metal spoon. Unfortunately, the interior was less resistant, sustaining some scratches from our metal spoon test. Still, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Enamel Dutch Oven will finesse any Dutch oven recipe you make, and it's an incredible bang for your buck at under $70. Just be sure to use wooden cookware to prevent damaging its surfaces.

Size: 6 quarts | Weight: 12 lbs. | Material: Enameled cast iron | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, up to 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: N/A