To help you pick the best flatware and silverware sets for your home, we tried out some highly rated options and evaluated each on design, durability, grip, material, weight, and overall value. We spooned, forked, and knifed everything from chicken breast and soup to salad and whole grains to make sure these sets are truly worthy of a spot in your kitchen drawer.
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Choosing a flatware or silverware set can be tricky. On top of deciding between the variety of flatware designs and types of steel on the market, you're also tasked with figuring out aesthetics, budget, and the number of place settings you will need. You may be in search of a durable collection for everyday use or a high-end set for special occasions. There's also the matter of settling on a modern feel or more of a classic, vintage look. Either way, the right utensils offer an opportunity to ornament your table setting and show off your unique style.
Best Overall
Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$210
$138 at Amazon
$113 at Wayfair
$217 at Home Depot
What We Like
Sleek and sophisticated design
Service for 12, plus hostess set
Appropriate for casual and formal dining
What We Don't Like
Lenox Portola 65-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set Review
Earning our best overall spot, the Lenox flatware set features quality construction, a contemporary design, and a reasonable price point. It is made of 18/10 stainless steel, which means it has an 18 percent chrome content and a 10 percent nickel content. Nickel is what keeps stainless steel shiny meal after meal and dishwasher run after dishwasher run. (Yep, this set is dishwasher safe.) In fact, in terms of longevity, we think this set could easily be passed down to the grandchildren. It is also available in gold and black.
The set comes with enough five-piece settings for 12 people, plus five serving utensils. The pieces are ergonomically designed to be comfortable to hold while eating, and the beaded channel design at the base is subtle. We love the flatware's high-quality feel and minimalist but beautiful detailing. A rather versatile, modern design for the 130-year-old Lenox company, this set adds an upscale touch to your table&#;no matter if used during a casual pancake breakfast or formal dinner party.
We noticed while testing this set that the dinner fork is a bit big and could give small hands trouble, and the soup spoon is a bit smaller and more shallow than we'd like. As with all stainless steel tableware, be sure to wash this flatware immediately after use to protect it from corrosion. Likewise, dry each piece right after washing, avoid citrus detergents, and don't soak the utensils for too long. If you do notice any corrosion or flaws in general, however, Lenox offers a Breakage Replacement Program that refunds or replaces products within 120 days after purchase.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Flare | What's Included: (12) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, table spoon, and tea spoon; (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork, (1) pierced serving spoon, (1) butter knife, and (1) sugar spoon
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
Best Budget
LIANYU 20-Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$20
$15 at Amazon
$36 at Walmart
What We Like
Easy to clean
Simple design
Easy to store
What We Don't Like
LIANYU Flatware Set Review
You can't go wrong with this affordable set, especially if you're just starting out or want extra flatware for an upcoming dinner. You'll get enough pieces for four people to each have a salad fork, a dinner fork, a soup spoon, a tea spoon, and a dinner knife. Also, the set comes in five different colors, in case you're looking for something with a little more personality than basic stainless steel.
While these stainless steel utensils are lightweight&#;which can give the set a less-expensive feel depending on your preference&#;we found that the pieces are durable for the price and hold up well after multiple rounds in the dishwasher. The set is also super compact and doesn't take up a lot of space in the kitchen drawer, or it can be placed in a glass on the counter.
No dishwasher? The simple design makes these easy and quick to hand wash, but we did notice that fingerprints stand out a bit. Also, be careful when wiping, as this knife is sharper than one might expect from a butter knife. We also found that the serrated edges on the knives work well for cutting items like ham, turkey, and vegetables.
Materials: Stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and a tea spoon
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Best Gold
Gourmet Settings Birch 20-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set
PHOTO: Wayfair
$93 at Wayfair
What We Like
What We Don't Like
This place setting combines contemporary finishes with a classic silhouette&#;a versatile mix of new and old. Available in both a matte black or antique gold finish, these attractive pieces will look at home alongside sleek modern dinnerware as well as more traditional table settings.
Each set comes with 20 pieces for a four-person service, including dinner and salad forks, table spoons, tea spoons, and a dinner knife. These are quite substantial in weight and feel balanced and comfortable to hold, though the knife edge is smooth and therefore we found not quite sharp enough to cut through less tender meats. As for the fork, the tines are fairly thick, but still spear well without feeling awkward. The spoons feel nice in the hand and are perfect for soup and sauces.
Made of 18/10 stainless steel, this unique gold flatware set carries a 25-year limited warranty provided by the manufacturer. We did find that the gold finish showed some signs of wear after a run through the dishwasher, so hand-washing (and drying right away to avoid spotting) will be the best way to preserve the finish on these pieces.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel, gold finish | Handle Shape: Oval | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, table spoon, and tea spoon
The Spruce Eats / Vicky Wasik
Best Modern
Knork Stainless Steel 20-Piece Flatware Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$49
$45 at Amazon
$82 at Wayfair
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Knork's 210 Original Collection Cutlery Is Ergonomic and Contemporary
Knork flatware's lauded design was the invention of the brand&#;s founder Michael D. Miller who, while struggling to eat a slice of pizza with a fork, was inspired to create a fork that&#;s more like a pizza slicer. He went on to design the Knork&#;s signature fork (part knife-part fork) with beveled outer tines that can be used to eat left- or right-handed and are sharp enough to cut many foods.
This dishwasher-safe set comes with enough utensils to set a full five-piece serving for four people (though we do wish it included more). We love that each utensil is ergonomically designed with noticeably balanced weight. Plus, the utensils feature a wide, flat finger platform for comfort and are designed to fit the contours of your hand. Each piece is hand-forged according to a 26-step process and is made of 18/10 stainless steel. We also love how the branding blends seamlessly into the flatware&#;s design, so you won't find any bold brand etchings on your knife handles.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, table spoon, and tea spoon
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
Best for Parties
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Opus 45-Piece Flatware Set
PHOTO: Zwilling
$200
$120 at Walmart
$200
$60 at Target
$120 at Wayfair
What We Like
Balanced
Holds up to washing
Great value
What We Don't Like
Zwilling J.A. Henckels is known for its premium forged knives made in Germany for nearly three centuries, so it's safe to say they know their way around cutlery. The company's Opus flatware collection combines elegance and convenience with 18/10 stainless steel construction and a reasonable price. This set includes eight 5-piece settings as well as five serving utensils for a total of 45 pieces, everything you need for a big dinner party. Once the meal is over, simply run the flatware through the dishwasher and get back to enjoying your guests.
Although the knife blade is shorter than others, it worked well during testing. Still, the knives were noticeably heavier than the other pieces in the set. The spoons were also on the smaller side but still held a satisfying amount of soup. Likewise, the salad fork's light handle and shorter tines weren't ideal for salad, though the dinner fork's wide design and larger tines more than made up for it.
Along with the balanced weight and value, long-term users praise this set for handling multiple runs through the dishwasher without any corrosion or damage. Overall, this is a simple and functional set that offers great value.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Rectangular | What's Included: (8) 5-piece settings with knife, dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, and tea spoon; (1) slotted serving spoon, (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork, (1) sugar spoon, and (1) butter knife
The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim
Best Color Options
Jean Dubost Laguiole Flatware Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$276 at Amazon
$100 at Williams Sonoma
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Dubost family has spent generations perfecting the art of cutlery, famously adapting their craft in response to consumer demand while maintaining the integrity of traditional French workmanship. This set features the distinguished bee emblem that sets Laguiole cutlery apart and acrylic handles available in a wide range of colors to match any aesthetic.
There's a total of 24 pieces included, enough for six place settings with a knife, fork, soup spoon, and tea spoon, along with a wooden tray to store everything in. The handle colors range from vibrant blue and classic silver to pale pink and even multicolor, all with rust-resistant (and dishwasher-safe) stainless steel.
Durability is always something to look out for with acrylic handles, so we made sure to keep that in mind during testing. We found that the overall look is the best feature of this set, particularly the classic two-toned design. While it didn't show wear after one round in the dishwasher, we suggest washing these by hand to keep them in good condition.
Materials: Stainless steel, acrylic | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (6) 4-piece settings with knife, fork, soup spoon, and tea spoon
The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim
Best Splurge
Made In Flatware 4 Place Settings Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$199 at Amazon
$199 at Walmart
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Stainless Steel Flatware With Sophisticated Design. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
$199 at Madeincookware.com
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Want to dine like Italian nobility? Made In's line of stainless steel flatware is produced by a partnership of artisans with almost two centuries of experience and a history of crafting silverware for Italy's noble families. Each utensil is made using a single piece of stainless steel with a polished finish that's durable and resistant to corrosion. This flatware set is made with usability in mind; forks and spoons are crafted from 18/10 stainless steel to protect the pieces even further from corrosion and rust, while the knives are made of 18/0 stainless steel to increase the blade strength.
We love the balance and weight of this flatware, noting that during testing the contour of each fork, knife, and spoon is comfortable in the hand while adding a touch of elegance. While slicing into chicken breast, the knives were sharp enough to easily cut through the meat without being too sharp to the touch. The spoons had a good weight with chic, thin handles, and the dinner forks featured soft round tines with smooth edges that gave them a high-quality feel. We also appreciated the proportions of the lightweight salad forks, which had luxurious, rounded edges. The flatware was easy to clean in the dishwasher, coming out free of smudges or spots. For this price, we do wish the set was bigger, but the quality, look, and feel are still worth it.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Flare | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a dinner fork, salad fork, table spoon, dessert spoon, and dinner knife
The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim
Best Simple
Oneida Mooncrest Flatware Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$90 at Amazon
$90 at Wayfair
What We Like
Outstanding price point
Sleek design
Rounded edges on handles
Good for small hands
What We Don't Like
Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set Review
If your style is no-fuss, no-muss, you'll appreciate this flatware's sleek and simple lines. It's 18/0, which means it has 18 percent chrome to prevent rusting and wear and tear over time. The flatware feels sturdy, so you won't have to worry about it warping with continued use. The set comes in one finish with a few serving pieces and enough forks, knives, and spoons for up to eight dinner settings, and its very reasonable price makes it a great value.
We particularly like the flatware's ease of use&#;their soft curves and balanced weight make them well-suited for all ages to handle. Take care to dry these pieces carefully, as our at-home testing found that rust formed when the knives were left damp too long (as with all stainless steel). Overall, if you&#;re hunting for an affordable starter collection, this set checks many boxes.
Materials: 18/0 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (8) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon; (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork, (1) slotted serving spoon, (1) butter knife, and (1) sugar spoon
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Elizabeth Rago
Best Everyday
Robert Welch Westbury Mirror Flatware Set
PHOTO: Williams Sonoma
$45 at Williams Sonoma
What We Like
Classic design
Comfortable to hold
Nice weight
Easy to clean
What We Don't Like
Robert Welch Westbury Mirror Flatware Set Review
This timeless and elegant flatware is for anyone who prefers a minimalist approach to their tablescape. We think this pattern is sure to feel as contemporary and classic 10 years from now as it will when you buy it&#;and the quality means you'll still be able to use it every day. Its longevity is thanks to its 18/10 stainless steel and quality forging process.
When we put this flatware to the test, we found that the utensils' mirror-polished shine held up to everyday use. While we think the shine is definitely a selling point, it does mean that the set smudges easily. However, with a simple cloth wipedown, the brilliance was restored.
We really appreciate the versatility of this flatware. It's available in sets of five pieces, 20 pieces, 42 pieces, and 50 pieces, so you can get the exact number of settings you need for your home. The larger setting sizes also include steak knives and serving pieces so that everything on your table matches.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Pointed flare | What's Included: (1, 4, or 8) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon; with (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork
Best Minimalist
Mepra Stiria Flatware
PHOTO: Amazon
$199
$159 at Amazon
$199 at Wayfair
$199 at Saks Fifth Avenue
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Mepra is known for its stylish Italian-made flatware featuring sleek, simple lines. The Stiria series is a minimalist, modern collection that has wonderful balance in the hand and a high-luster finish. Available in a 24-piece set, this flatware set will add a touch of contemporary luxury to any tablescape.
Made from 18/10 stainless steel, these pieces are lightweight, but also very sturdy and balanced. The tines on the forks are narrow, yet functional&#;nice for spearing salad greens or holding meat in place while cutting with the included serrated knives. We love the gentle curves of the soup and tea spoon that make them super comfortable for eating and the long, slender handles that feel very elegant to hold.
These high-quality pieces are very easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. Any spots could be wiped away with a dish towel. Mepra backs this set (and its slightly hefty price) with a limited-lifetime warranty, so expect that you'll be able to use it for a very long time.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Rectangular | What's Included: (6) 4-piece settings with a dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon
Best Small Set
Robert Welch Caesna Mirror 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting
PHOTO: Crate and Barrel
$45 at Crate & Barrel
$180 at Zola
What We Like
Classic design
Sturdy
Well-balanced
What We Don't Like
If you're just starting out or live in a smaller household, that doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality (or buying more than you need). This Caesna flatware comes in 3-piece and 5-piece sets with beautiful pieces designed by Robert Welch. They're forged with 18/10 stainless steel and feature a mirror, satin, or silver finish with a smooth transition from top to handle. The 3-piece flatware place setting includes a dinner fork, dinner spoon, and dinner knife, while the 5-piece place setting adds a salad fork and tea spoon.
What we appreciate about this small flatware set is its versatility. Since there is also a 20-piece set available in the same collection, it's easy to add to your set as your family grows or you need more flatware for guests. There are also matching steak knives and a stunning serving set in the same style, perfect for larger groups. This flatware felt very simple yet elegant during our tests. The dinner forks were balanced and the tapered lines of the spoons held soup well. Thanks to the hefty weight and serrations on the knives, we were able to cut through chicken breast easily.
The manufacturers recommend a short hot cycle in the dishwasher with all-in-one dishwasher tablets and rinse aid for the best cleaning results. A few reviewers reported rust spots on the knives after washing, but we didn't have any issues during our testing period.
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (1) 3-piece setting with dinner fork, dinner spoon, and dinner knife. or (1) 5-piece setting with dinner fork, salad fork, dinner spoon, tea spoon, and knife.
The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim
Best Portable
Hommaly Portable Cutlery Set
PHOTO: Amazon
$6 at Amazon
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Hommaly Portable Flatware Set Review
Those who care about the environment likely cringe when they have to eat their takeout salad with a disposable plastic fork, but who wants to carry around their regular flatware with them everywhere they go? Enter this portable, reusable stainless steel set. It comes with everything you could need to enjoy lunch at your desk&#;even a set of chopsticks for those days when you order sushi&#;plus two metal straws. It's also a perfect set for travel and camping.
Best of all, the utensils come packaged in a waterproof and washable bag that&#;s as easy to clean as the utensils. We love that it's available in a few different, fun colors, including rainbow, adding personality to your desk lunches. We also appreciate how sleek the packaging was, allowing for easy transportation and storage. In addition, the carrying case's interior features aluminum lining for quick cleanup. One thing we don't love is that there are no straps inside to keep each utensil in place, but this is still a great set to take with you anywhere.
Materials: Stainless steel | Handle Shape: Rounded flare | What's Included: (1) 8-piece setting with a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, cleaning brush, bent metal straw, straight metal straw, and carrying case
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
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PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Renu Dhar
We Sliced Through New York Strips to Find the Best Steak Knives
What differences will I find between 18/10, 18/8, and 18/0? Why are some stainless flatware patterns more expensive than others?
We're glad you asked! There are several reasons why some cost more than others:
- Finish - edges, tines, roundness
- Knife construction, handle construction
- Polish, and alloy quality
- Design
- Individual item availability
Reason #1 - Finish
The care taken during the final steps of manufacturing is one of the top determinations of why some patterns cost more.
Edges - In lower-priced patterns, a machine will typically stamp out a squared edge that is usually quick-polished to prevent very sharp edges. You may still have a sharp edge on the handle, but it's only sharp enough to be uncomfortable. The Silver Superstore does not sell patterns that have a rough edge like this.
Tines - Higher-priced patterns will have more care given to polishing the fork tines. While it's very subtle and subconscious, your lips and tongue will feel the slight roughness. When you eat with a pattern that has well-polished tines, it feels smooth all the way through. These patterns typically sell for $30 or more per place setting.
Roundness - Higher quality patterns can feature more rounded handles, and some will even be completely round.
Reason #2 - Knife construction
There are three main methods for constructing a knife. The first method involves stamping a single piece of metal into the shape of a knife. The "blade" area is generally made a bit thinner, and is almost always serrated. This is the least expensive method for constructing a knife, and its cutting performance is poor to fair, depending on the manufacturer.
The second method is to use the "drop forge" technique, where molten steel is poured into a mold, and is fashioned into the shape of a knife. Again, the "blade" area is made thinner than the handle, and is also usually serrated. Most manufacturers who use this technique will spend a little more time on the blade finishing, and its performance is fair to moderate.
The third method is to use a hollow knife handle, insert a high-quality carbon-steel cutting blade, then sealing the two together. These knives are called "hollow handle" knives. With this technique, the manufacturer can offer a variety of different quality knife blades. Many of these blades are serrated, but in the higher quality of patterns they are not, due to their already superior cutting edge. The performance of this type of knife is moderate to excellent.
High-carbon blades are used in better kitchen knives, due to their superior performance. The only downside is that high-carbon blades are less stain-resistant than the other flatware pieces. Flatware manufacturers are always working to create a good balance of dishwasher resistance and superior cutting performance.
Reason #3 - Alloy Quality and Polishing Stages
When shopping for stainless flatware, you will often see the numbers "18/8" or "18/10" or "18/0", or even "13% Chrome". These numbers are often very confusing, so let's look at the details behind these numbers. All of these numbers refer to the percentages of Chromium and Nickel found in the stainless steel alloy. They do not refer to the weight of the flatware.
Chromium gives a flatware pattern its rust-resistant qualities. It is the best available in consumer stainless steel flatware patterns. The presence of Nickel gives a flatware pattern a superior shine, which is intended to mimic new silver flatware. Nickel is very expensive, and is a major contributor to the price of flatware.
So, here's what the numbers mean:
- 18/10 flatware - 18% Chromium, 10% Nickel
- 18/8 flatware - 18% Chromium, 8% Nickel
- 18/0 flatware - 18% Chromium, no Nickel
- 13/0 flatware - 13% Chromium, no Nickel
Which one is better? Well, if you want flatware with a high polish finish and superior rust resistant qualities, pick a flatware that is 18/8 or 18/10. If you are opening a restaurant, and want to keep your costs down, as well as being able to wash it several times a day in the dishwasher, pick a 13/0 or 18/0 flatware pattern with a cheap, flat handle knife.
One more thing, the difference between 18/8 and 18/10 is non-existent. It's a little deceiving on the part of the manufacturers who are listing their products as 18/10. The steel manufacturers who create sheets of stainless steel for the flatware makers don't use those numbers. They sell what is called Grade 304, which contains at least 18% Chromium, and a range between 8% and 10% Nickel. Most of them fall around 8.3%.
By contrast, a company that makes 18/10 pots and pans purchases a stainless steel called Grade 305, which contains a minimum of 10% Nickel. This is required, because pots and pans are shaped in such a way that the 10% is an absolute necessity. Grade 305 is almost never used by flatware manufacturers, since it is way too expensive to be profitable.
This may be way more information than you need, but it's provided so that you don't dismiss a pattern simply because it says 18/8 instead of 18/10. It's just a marketing thing, so don't be fooled!
Reason #4 - Design
While all forks, knives, and spoons basically share the same characteristics, there are subtle differences in silverware designs that have a big impact on how it feels in the hand, how well the weight is distributed, and how it rests on the table. The Silver Superstore offers over 70 patterns with Plain handle designs, but the price range varies from $8.95 to $79.95 per place setting. There aren't complex designs, but all of the characteristics listed above contribute to the price differences.
Reason #5 - Individual Piece Availability
In the past few years, the "boxed set" of silverware has become very popular in retail stores (we offer many of them as well). The advantages of buying a complete set like this are obvious, since you simply purchase one complete set for 12 people, usually for $50 to $100, and your shopping is done. We offer these same complete sets at a discount, and many people are very happy with them. There are a few drawbacks to the boxed set:
- Here today, gone tomorrow - Many retailers and warehouse clubs will change their patterns once or twice per year. If you need to add to your set later on, you're not likely to ever see it again.
- No individual pieces - We hear from many people every day that their spouse or children are taking forks to work, and don't bring them back. Or sometimes the small spoons will follow the paper plates into the garbage during a birthday party. If your pattern was a boxed set, you may be out of luck when it comes to getting replacement pieces.
- Lower quality - Manufacturers are under pressure from big retailers to give them flatware patterns that they can offer at the magic retail prices of $49.95, $99.95, or $149.95. To keep them happy, the quality of sets at these prices gradually slips each year. In these prices ranges, you will generally not get a hollow handle knife, and the weights of the patterns are lessened.
Of course, you can always just purchase a new boxed set whenever you lose a significant number of pieces. Shaking up the silverware design on your tabletop every couple of years isn't such a bad thing!
Why would I want to pay for better silverware?
Overall, you truly do get what you pay for. Now, whether those qualities are worth it to you is the question to ask. We can tell you that nearly every staff member at the Silver Superstore has upgraded their flatware patterns since they started working here. There really is a difference worth paying for, especially since the durability of good stainless steel flatware will last you a lifetime.
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