Ask a line cook which spatula they use and the answer is usually a question back: for which pan? A thin metal turner that slides under a quesadilla on a hot flattop would gouge a nonstick skillet, and a nylon turner that is perfect for eggs will soften if you leave it resting on a ripping-hot cast iron pan. Most kitchens end up with three or four spatulas, each one picked for a surface and a job.
This guide is the starting point for the whole spatula family. It names the turners worth buying for nonstick pans, the metal ones for cast iron, carbon steel and griddles, and the silicone and offset spatulas that do the scraping and spreading, with links to our deeper guides for each.
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Quick verdict: which spatula to buy first
Buy two. For nonstick pans, the best spatula is the OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Turner: a very thin, wide nylon head that America’s Test Kitchen recommended in its review of nonstick-safe spatulas, rated by OXO to 450°F. For cast iron, carbon steel and stainless, get the Mercer Culinary Praxis Fish Turner, a flexible Japanese-steel turner with a limited lifetime warranty. If you cook on a griddle or flattop, add the Mercer Hell’s Handle perforated turner, ATK’s Best Buy among offset turners.
Five spatulas compared
Our five standout spatulas, one for each surface and job. All eight picks are reviewed in full below.
| Spatula | Best for | Head material | Heat limit (stated) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible TurnerBest for nonstick
|
Wide items in nonstick pans | Nylon, solid | 450°F | View on Amazon |
Mercer Culinary Praxis Fish Turner, 6 x 3-inchBest metal spatula
|
Cast iron, carbon steel, stainless | Japanese stainless steel | No figure stated | View on Amazon |
Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Perforated Turner, 8 x 3-inchBest for the flattop
|
Griddles, burgers, big batches | Stainless steel, perforated | Handle to 450°F | View on Amazon |
Calphalon Edge Silicone TurnerSilicone turner pick
|
Nonstick, enameled and ceramic pans | Silicone over a reinforced core | 425°F | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Silicone Everyday SpatulaBest silicone spatula
|
Scraping, stirring, folding | Silicone over a nylon core | Not stated in degrees | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Heat limits are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best spatula, pan by pan
These eight cover the jobs a home kitchen actually asks of a spatula: turning eggs and fish in nonstick, flipping and scraping on cast iron and griddles, scraping bowls and pots, and spreading frosting. Each one names the surface it suits, the specs the maker or listing states, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Turner – Very Thin and Easy to Grip
This is the wide, square-headed nylon turner many home kitchens already own, and for good reason. In ATK’s nonstick-safe spatula review, testers “loved how easily” its very thin, flexible nylon head slid under food, and liked its rubbery handle. ATK measured the head at 1.3 millimeters thick and about 3.3 by 4.5 inches, which gives it more surface than a fish-style spatula for pancakes or a grilled cheese.
OXO rates the head heat resistant to 450°F and safe for nonstick cookware, and lists it as dishwasher safe. ATK’s caveats were that the squat head is awkward in small skillets, the handle is a touch long and angled, and, like every nylon turner it tried, it melted when left in a very hot pan, though at a comparatively high 500 degrees.
It is our first choice for a nonstick skillet: eggs, pancakes, a grilled cheese or a folded quesadilla in a coated pan. For the pans themselves, see our best nonstick pans.
Why we like it
- Recommended in ATK’s nonstick-safe spatula review.
- Very thin head, 1.3 mm, per ATK.
- Heat resistant to 450°F, per OXO.
- Soft, non-slip handle.
Key specifications
| Model | 65191 |
|---|---|
| Type | Solid flexible turner |
| Material | Nylon head, non-slip handle |
| Head size | About 3.3 x 4.5 in (ATK) |
| Heat limit (stated) | 450°F |
| Safe on nonstick | Yes, per OXO |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per OXO |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone with a nonstick or ceramic-coated pan who wants one inexpensive, wide, thin turner and is happy to keep it out of the pan between flips.
Skip it if you cook in small 8-inch skillets; ATK found the square head awkward there.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Slides easily under food, per ATK.
- Wide head for pancakes and sandwiches.
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons
- Nylon can melt if left in a very hot pan.
- Long, angled handle, per ATK.
2. Mercer Culinary Praxis Fish Turner, 6 x 3-inch – A Flexible Steel Turner for Iron Pans
On cast iron, carbon steel and stainless steel, a metal spatula is the better tool: it is thinner than any plastic head, it can scrape up a stuck crust, and heat does not bother it. America’s Test Kitchen goes further and prefers fish spatulas over conventional square metal turners for all-round use, because their long, tapered heads get under food more easily and fit in tight pans.
ATK’s picks in that review, the Wüsthof Gourmet and the Misen, were not available in regular stock when we last checked, and ATK’s verdict does not cover this Mercer. The listing describes a precision-ground Japanese stainless steel blade balanced between flexibility and stiffness, a 6 by 3-inch head, and a rosewood handle fixed with three brass rivets. Mercer says it suits any grill, griddle or pan and is delicate enough to flip fish.
In practice this is a turner for searing in cast iron, lifting a piece of fish out of carbon steel, or turning a quesadilla on a comal. Wash it by hand; Mercer says not to put it in the dishwasher or soak it. If you want more fish-spatula options, including nonstick-safe ones, see our guide to the best fish spatula for nonstick pans.
Why we like it
- Japanese stainless steel blade, per the listing.
- Rosewood handle with three brass rivets.
- Limited lifetime warranty, per the listing.
- Made for fish, grills and griddles alike.
Key specifications
| Model | M18483 |
|---|---|
| Type | Fish turner |
| Material | Japanese stainless steel head, rosewood handle |
| Head size | 6 x 3 in |
| Heat limit (stated) | No figure stated |
| Safe on nonstick | No; metal head |
| Dishwasher-safe | No; hand wash |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who use cast iron, carbon steel or stainless pans most of the time and want one metal turner that also handles fish.
Skip it if your main pan is nonstick, since any metal head risks scratching the coating, or if everything you own goes in the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flexible blade for fish, per the listing.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
- Comfortable rosewood handle, per the listing.
Cons
- Not for nonstick pans.
- Hand wash only.
- Not covered by ATK’s review.
3. Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Perforated Turner, 8 x 3-inch – Room for Two Burgers
Restaurant flattops run on long offset turners: an 8-by-3-inch blade can lift a row of hash browns, flip a quesadilla in one move, or smash a burger flat. This Mercer is that tool, sized for a home griddle or a big cast iron pan. It was ATK’s Best Buy in its review of offset turners, which found it nearly as good as the winner at flipping and transferring lots of food and smashing two burgers at a time.
Mercer describes a precision-ground stainless steel blade that balances flexibility and stiffness, and a textured “Hell’s Handle” designed to withstand heat up to 450 degrees without melting. ATK measured the head at 1.5 millimeters at the back and 0.6 millimeters at the edge: sturdy behind, thin where it meets the food.
ATK’s one complaint was the perforations, which sometimes caught on food and tore it. For an outdoor griddle setup with scrapers and squeeze bottles, see our best outdoor griddle accessories.
Why we like it
- ATK’s Best Buy among offset turners.
- 8 x 3-inch blade lifts a lot of food at once.
- Handle designed to withstand up to 450 degrees, per Mercer.
- Lifetime warranty, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | M18310 |
|---|---|
| Type | Perforated offset turner |
| Material | Stainless steel blade, textured plastic handle |
| Head size | 8 x 3 in |
| Heat limit (stated) | Handle to 450°F |
| Safe on nonstick | No; metal blade |
| Dishwasher-safe | Mercer says hand wash |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone cooking on a griddle, plancha or large cast iron pan who wants a restaurant-style turner with a grippy handle.
Skip it if you mostly cook delicate items; the holes can snag soft food, and a solid blade is gentler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large blade for big batches and smashing.
- Thin front edge, sturdy back, per ATK.
- Grippy handle, per ATK.
Cons
- Perforations can tear food, per ATK.
- Mercer advises hand washing.
4. Calphalon Edge Silicone Turner – A Silicone Flipper for Coated Pans
If you would rather have silicone than nylon touching your nonstick pan, a silicone turner with a stiff core is the alternative. Calphalon’s Edge Silicone Turner has a flexible, food-grade silicone head over a reinforced core, and Calphalon says the soft head protects nonstick, enameled and ceramic cookware from scratches.
Calphalon rates the silicone for use up to 425°F, a little below the OXO nylon turner’s stated 450°F, so the same habit applies: flip, then take it out of the pan rather than resting it on a hot rim. The listing describes a seamless, easy-clean construction that is dishwasher safe, and a non-slip handle shaped for a secure grip.
This is a newer model and we found no independent review of it, so the case for it rests on Calphalon’s description. Silicone turners are usually thicker than nylon ones, so for the thinnest edge under a fried egg, the OXO above is the better bet; this one suits cooks who simply prefer a softer silicone head.
Why we like it
- Safe for nonstick, enameled and ceramic cookware, per Calphalon.
- Rated to 425°F, per Calphalon.
- Reinforced core for stiffness under the silicone.
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing.
Key specifications
| Model | 150173.01 (navy) |
|---|---|
| Type | Silicone turner |
| Material | Food-grade silicone over a reinforced core |
| Head size | Not stated |
| Heat limit (stated) | 425°F |
| Safe on nonstick | Yes, per Calphalon |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per Calphalon |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a silicone turner for nonstick, enameled or ceramic-coated pans from a well-known cookware maker.
Skip it if you want a turner with independent testing behind it; the OXO nylon turner above was recommended by ATK.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Soft head will not scratch coated pans.
- Seamless build is easy to clean.
- Goes in the dishwasher.
Cons
- 425°F limit; do not leave it in a hot pan.
- Head size not stated; no independent review found.
5. OXO Good Grips Silicone Everyday Spatula – Scrapes Bowls and Pots Clean
A silicone spatula is a different tool from a turner. Its job is to scrape the last of the salsa out of a blender jar, stir a pot of beans without scratching it, and fold whipped cream into a batter. OXO’s Everyday Spatula is a co-winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s silicone spatula review: testers found it flexible enough to scrape the sides of a mixing bowl cleanly yet rigid enough to stir mix-ins into dense cookie dough, and it came through ATK’s durability tests with no dents or melting.
OXO describes polished, beveled flexible edges and a sturdy nylon core under a soft, non-slip grip, and calls the heat-resistant silicone safe for nonstick cookware. ATK lists the core as glass-filled nylon, the handle at 8.25 inches and the head at about 4.25 by 2.125 inches, with a slanted front edge. OXO’s listing does not give a heat limit in degrees.
ATK’s testers were split on the slanted edge: some found it awkward for stirring scrambled eggs, others handy for swiping batter from a bowl. The other co-winner, Di Oro’s large spatula, was out of stock when we checked. We cover more silicone spatulas, spoonulas and sizes in a separate silicone spatula guide.
Why we like it
- Co-winner of ATK’s silicone spatula review.
- Beveled, flexible edges, per OXO.
- Handle rigid to the end, per ATK.
- Nylon core for stiffness.
Key specifications
| Model | 11280100 (oat) |
|---|---|
| Type | Silicone spatula (scraper) |
| Material | Silicone over a nylon core |
| Head size | About 4.25 x 2.125 in (ATK) |
| Heat limit (stated) | Not stated in degrees |
| Safe on nonstick | Yes, per OXO |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits every kitchen: scraping blenders and bowls, stirring sauces and scrambling eggs in nonstick pans.
Skip it if you need a turner for flipping; a silicone scraper is too thick to slide under a pancake.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stiff enough for dense dough, per ATK.
- Comfortable long handle.
- No melting or dents in ATK’s heat test.
Cons
- Slanted edge is not for everyone, per ATK.
- No heat figure stated by OXO; a light color shows stains more.
6. OXO Good Grips Restaurant Turner – Beveled Edges for Griddles
OXO’s Restaurant Turner is a solid stainless steel turner built on the diner pattern: an angled head with beveled edges and a flared handle that keeps your knuckles away from the heat. OXO describes it as a professional turner for flipping burgers and scraping griddles, with three beveled edges you can use to chop food as it cooks, a generous head and a blade designed to flex for turning and transferring.
WebstaurantStore lists the blade at about 5 by 2⅞ inches and the tool at about 12⅖ inches overall, and says it can go through a commercial dishwasher. That size sits between a compact turner and an 8-inch flattop blade, which suits a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a home griddle: smash burgers, hash browns, a chopped breakfast scramble, papas on the plancha.
We found no independent review of this model, so the case for it rests on OXO’s description and the design. Use it on cast iron, steel and griddles; keep it away from nonstick.
Why we like it
- Three beveled edges for sliding, scraping and chopping, per OXO.
- Flared, non-slip handle keeps your hand away from hot food.
- Head designed to flex for turning, per OXO.
Key specifications
| Model | 11186700 |
|---|---|
| Type | Solid angled turner |
| Material | Stainless steel head, non-slip handle |
| Head size | About 5 x 2⅞ in (WebstaurantStore) |
| Heat limit (stated) | Not stated |
| Safe on nonstick | No; metal head |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per WebstaurantStore |
Why we recommend it
It suits home cooks who want a sturdier, squarer turner than a fish spatula for burgers and griddle work, with a handle that is comfortable to hold.
Skip it if you want a turner with independent testing behind it; the Mercer above has ATK’s backing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Beveled edges scrape a griddle clean.
- Comfortable flared handle.
- Dishwasher safe, per a restaurant supplier.
Cons
- No heat figure stated for the handle.
- Not reviewed by ATK.
7. Dexter-Russell All-Purpose Turner with Walnut Handle – Made in the USA
Dexter-Russell is a long-standing American maker of commercial cutlery and turners (its listing dates the company to 1828), and this all-purpose turner is the old-fashioned kind: a stainless steel working end on a walnut handle fixed with three rivets. The listing calls it a 5-inch turner, says it is made in the USA and covers it with a limited lifetime warranty.
A stiff steel turner like this is at home in a cast iron skillet, where it can scrape up fond and lift a crusty piece of meat without flexing. The wood handle stays comfortable and does not get as hot as bare metal. The trade-off is care: America’s Test Kitchen advises hand washing all wood-handled spatulas, because wood is especially susceptible to damage from even gentle dishwasher cycles.
For the pan this turner suits best, see our guide to the best cast iron skillet.
Why we like it
- Made in the USA, per the listing.
- Walnut handle attached with three rivets.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Key specifications
| Model | 60108 |
|---|---|
| Type | Solid all-purpose turner |
| Material | Stainless steel, walnut handle |
| Head size | Listed as a 5-inch turner |
| Heat limit (stated) | Not stated |
| Safe on nonstick | No; metal head |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated; hand wash wood handles |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a durable, American-made turner for cast iron and stainless pans and do not mind washing it by hand.
Skip it if you need a thin, flexible edge for eggs or fish; a fish spatula does that better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Made in the USA.
- Riveted wood handle.
- Lifetime limited warranty.
Cons
- Hand wash only, in practice.
- Head dimensions not fully stated on the listing.
8. OXO Good Grips Bent Icing Spatula – Spreads Frosting, Lifts Bars
The last spatula on the list does not flip anything. An offset spatula has a long, narrow, round-tipped blade bent down from the handle, so you can spread frosting on a sheet cake or smooth batter in a pan without dragging your knuckles through it. It is also the best tool for lifting the first square of brownies or tres leches out of a baking dish.
OXO’s Bent Icing Spatula won America’s Test Kitchen’s offset spatula review. ATK liked the medium-length blade, about 7.75 inches in total with 6.5 inches flat, which was “sturdy yet flexible,” and its moderate 28-degree bend, which reached into cake pans while keeping hands clear. OXO lists it as dishwasher safe, with a soft, non-slip handle.
We compare small and large offset spatulas, including Ateco and Mercer models, in our guide to the best offset spatula.
Why we like it
- Winner of ATK’s offset spatula review.
- Moderate 28-degree offset, per ATK.
- Flexible stainless steel blade, per OXO.
- Dishwasher safe, per OXO.
Key specifications
| Model | 73591 |
|---|---|
| Type | Offset icing spatula |
| Material | Stainless steel blade, soft plastic handle |
| Head size | Blade 7.75 in total, 6.5 in flat (ATK) |
| Heat limit (stated) | Not stated |
| Safe on nonstick | Not stated; a baking tool |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes, per OXO |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who frosts cakes, spreads fillings or cuts bars from a pan, and it is the most widely praised offset spatula we found.
Skip it if you only need a tiny spatula for cupcakes; a 4-inch offset is easier to control.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable, rounded handle, per ATK.
- Medium blade suits most cakes and pans.
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons
- Not a cooking turner.
- ATK suggests hand washing plastic-handled spatulas to keep them in good shape.
How to choose a spatula for the pans you own
Match the head to the pan surface. This matters more than anything else. Nonstick and ceramic coatings call for nylon, composite or silicone heads; ATK prefers plastic or silicone spatulas in nonstick because they are less likely to scratch. Cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel and griddles call for metal, which is thinner and scrapes up a crust that plastic will ride over.
Thin beats thick for flipping. A turner has to get under food before it can lift it. ATK’s best metal spatulas had heads about 0.8 to 0.9 millimeters thick, and its favorite nonstick-safe heads were 1.3 to 1.8 millimeters. Silicone turners are usually thicker, because silicone needs a core inside it.
Choose the shape for the job. Long, tapered fish spatulas are the most versatile turners, according to ATK, because they fit into small pans and still support a fillet or a pancake. Wide square turners suit burgers and griddles. Offset turners with 8-inch blades are for flattops and big batches. Silicone scrapers and offset icing spatulas are a separate category: they stir, scrape and spread rather than flip.
Read the heat rating as a warning. Makers state heat limits for plastic and silicone heads, and they are worth respecting: OXO rates its nylon turner to 450°F, and ATK saw every nylon turner it tried melt when left in a very hot pan. Nylon and composite turners are for holding, not for resting on the edge of a hot pan. Silicone is usually rated higher; the spatulas in ATK’s silicone review were rated from about 450°F to 600°F.
Check the handle and the care. ATK found short handles, about 4.5 to 5 inches, give more control for flipping, and that textured or grippy handles are easier to hold when greasy. Wood handles need hand washing. Some commercial makers, such as Mercer, advise hand washing even plastic-handled turners.
How we picked these eight spatulas
We started from the jobs a spatula does in a busy kitchen, then looked at turners, fish spatulas and scrapers from Misen, Mercer, OXO, Calphalon, Di Oro, Dexter-Russell, Wüsthof, Victorinox, KitchenAid, GIR and Winco, and kept only items showing as in stock on Amazon when we checked. We do not cover Matfer Bourgeat products on this site. Several Wüsthof, Winco and Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe models, including ATK’s favorite offset turner, showed only limited stock, so we left them out. ATK’s Best Buy metal spatula, the Misen, was not in regular stock when we last checked, so it is not a pick here.
Specifications come from the Amazon listings and makers’ descriptions, with retailer listings (KaTom, WebstaurantStore) where a maker did not state something. We read America’s Test Kitchen’s reviews of nonstick-safe spatulas, metal spatulas, offset turners, silicone spatulas and offset spatulas, and quote their measurements and findings where we use them. We have not used these spatulas for this guide, and we did not rely on Serious Eats, Wirecutter or the New York Times.
Spatula questions, answered
What is the best kitchen spatula brand?
There is no single brand that wins every job. In America’s Test Kitchen’s reviews, a Matfer Bourgeat composite spatula won for nonstick-safe spatulas (a brand we do not cover on this site; OXO’s nylon turner was also recommended), Wüsthof won for metal spatulas with Misen as the Best Buy, Dexter-Russell won for offset turners, Di Oro and OXO shared the silicone spatula win, and OXO won for offset icing spatulas.
What spatula does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK recommends different spatulas for different pans: a Matfer Bourgeat composite fish spatula for nonstick (we do not cover that brand; the OXO Good Grips Nylon Flexible Turner above was also recommended in that review), the Wüsthof Gourmet slotted fish spatula for metal cookware with the Misen as its Best Buy, and the Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe 8 x 3-inch cake turner for big offset jobs. Its reviews also favor fish spatulas over square metal turners for everyday use.
What do Serious Eats and Wirecutter recommend?
We did not read or rely on Serious Eats, Wirecutter or the New York Times for this guide, so we cannot speak for their picks. Our choices rest on maker specifications, listings and America’s Test Kitchen’s published reviews.
What is the most durable spatula?
A one-piece stainless steel turner or a riveted steel turner is the hardest to damage, because heat does not affect it. Among plastic heads, silicone tolerates the most heat. The trade-off is that metal cannot be used on nonstick.
Is there an eco-friendly spatula?
Wood and stainless steel avoid plastic. A riveted wood-handled steel turner like the Dexter-Russell is built to last if you wash it by hand, and wooden turners are gentle on nonstick. Some makers also use recycled or certified materials; check the listing for what is claimed.
Do white spatulas stain?
Lighter silicone does show stains more. ATK found lighter-colored silicone heads stained more than dark ones, though a white head makes it easier to judge the color of browned butter or caramel.
Start with two, then add what you cook
Most kitchens are well served by one nonstick-safe turner, one thin metal turner and one silicone scraper. Add a big offset turner if you have a griddle, and an offset icing spatula if you bake. For the pans these tools work in, see our best carbon steel pan and best baking pan sets guides, and our guide to Mexican cooking methods for what to cook in them.
Cooking in cast iron? See our guide to the best spatulas for cast iron.
Want a matched set? See the best spatula sets.
Mostly cooking eggs? See our guide to the best spatulas for eggs.
And if you would rather leave the flipping to our kitchen tonight, see the menu or call to order.