Best Overall: All-Clad Precision Nonstick Turner
What We Like
- Safe for nonstick pans
- Durable and sturdy
- Effective
What We Don’t Like
- ưexcvcd5szOn the pricier side
For a great, all-around spatula that will suit a wide variety of situations, this nonstick turner from All-Clad is the one to pick. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but you can guarantee that this tool will last decades in your kitchen. All-Clad is a heritage brand with a great reputation in the kitchen space, known specifically for its line of stainless-steel cookware. That same steel is used to forge the handle of this spatula, which is undoubtedly durable and will last for years. It’s comfortable to hold and grasp, with a groove down the center to place your thumb in. Because it runs the length, you can easily move your hand up towards the head to give you more maneuverability in tight spaces. The nylon-crafted head offers an angled edge that cuts between food and the pan, releasing any sticking with ease. We found the head hit the right balance between being big enough to lift large burger patties and pancakes without being so big as to be bulky.
Best Value: Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner
What We Like
- Affordable
- Compact for storage
- Durable and sturdy
What We Don’t Like
- Smaller size may struggle under larger foods
- Not suitable for nonstick pans
We were a bit dubious before trying the Sabatier turner. Its small size must surely struggle to stand up to larger burger patties and soft fried eggs. After our testing, however, our minds were changed. The flat blade of the spatula was plenty big enough to get under a standard large egg and flipped the burger with ease. Its sharp edge easily divided food in the pan, banishing even the thought of sticking. The shorter handle and overall size lent itself to increased maneuverability, a crucial aspect of any turner. This detail also makes it more convenient to store, and it would fit into a drawer without causing a jam.
What We Like
- Perfect combination of size, shape, materials and flexibility
- Easy-to-grip handle
- Simple to maneuver
What We Don’t Like
- Silicone edge slightly caught on salmon skin
This stainless steel spatula with a silicone-coated edge earned our “Best Fish” spatula pick by being the perfect combination of value and versatility. As one of the least expensive options on our list, we were shocked by this spatula’s ability to flip delicate fish filets, handle thick burger patties and turn pancakes with ease. We loved the size and shape of this spatula; its compact, yet flexible design made maneuvering underneath and between food in tight spaces a breeze. The silicone edge makes it safe for use in nonstick pans but doesn’t impact its ability to get under stuck-on food. Did we mention that it’s also dishwasher-safe? Overall, this Misen Fish Spatula is a top-performing, inexpensive tool that is sure to become your go-to utensil for cooking fish, eggs, burgers and more.
Best for Pancakes: OXO Good Grips Flexible Pancake Turner
What We Like
- Large surface area
- Safe for nonstick pans
- Flexible
What We Don’t Like
- Bulky to store
This ingeniously designed turner by OXO is crafted especially for pancakes, and it excels at doing that. Compared to the other turner spatulas, the head of this model is much larger and wider. This means it can turn and flip extra-large pancakes with ease, as well as omelets, crepes or sheet pans full of roasted veggies. The silicone head is heat resistant and just flexible enough to help get under food without sacrificing durability. Even better? It’s dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
Best Heavy-Duty: Winco Blade Hamburger Turner
What We Like
- Sharp edge that easily chops and scrapes
- Affordable
- Durable
What We Don’t Like
- Not dishwasher-safe
- A little bulky to store
If you’re looking for a turner spatula with some serious durability, why not go for a restaurant-grade brand that can withstand heavy industrial use? Made of stainless steel with a solid wood handle to prevent burns, this turner has a sharp edge on the head that can act like a blade, chopping and scraping with ease. Whether you’re using this tool on a stainless steel pan or a cast iron griddle, this spatula will smash burgers thin or chop sausage to bits with little effort. The handle is comfortable to hold and does not get hot during use. It’s fairly short, which offers precise control. Because the handle is made of wood, this spatula cannot go in the dishwasher. Also, the angle on the handle would make this tool a bit difficult to store in a shallow drawer.
Best Wooden: OXO Good Grips Wooden Turner
What We Like
- Wide head can scoop and flip
- Comfortable to hold
- Solid construction
What We Don’t Like
- Not dishwasher-safe; hand wash only
If you think a wooden spoon is a wooden spoon, think again. This wooden turner from OXO will change everything you thought you knew about these essential tools. This specific version is technically a turner, which means it can flip burgers just as well as it can chop ground beef or stir risotto. The shape of the handle is ergonomic in a way that many wooden spoons aren’t and has a hole at the end for easy hanging. The head of the spatula has enough of an edge to use as a flipper and is wide enough to scoop food up and out of a pan. Like most wood tools, don’t expect this one to be dishwasher-safe. We didn’t have any trouble getting it clean by hand, however, and any residual oils are absorbed into the wood.
Foodservice Spatula with Cutting Edge
Designed for Serious Cookware – Our stainless steel spatula is designed for use on cast iron skillets, griddles, flat top cooking surfaces, and grills. Made of stainless steel. Perfect for pancakes, fish, eggs, burgers, and omelettes.
Effortlessly Slide Under Food – Say goodbye to the frustration of trying to seamlessly slide a turner under food to flip or remove it from the pan. The angled edge on our metal spatulas for kitchen use makes it easy to get under food.
Heat-resistant and Comfortable Wooden Handle – The metal spatula for cast iron skillet with wooden handle measures 11 inches long and is angled for maximum comfort and control. It is well-balanced and super sturdy. Hand wash only.
Best Silicone Scraper: Get It Right Premium Silicone Spatula
What We Like
- High heat resistant
- Range of colors
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- Inflexible
For a simple, effective spatula, you really can’t go wrong with the ones from GIR. Crafted from a solid piece of silicone with a rigid core, the design hits the nail on the head for most situations you would find yourself needing a spatula. The solid construction makes it easy to clean, with no nooks or crannies for food to stick. We tested it when scrambling eggs, where it cleaved eggs from the pan without difficulty. It wasn’t too shabby at mixing batter or frosting cupcakes either, for that matter. Even though it’s not specifically made for it, this spatula can even flip things like pancakes and fried eggs, and it’s safe for nonstick pans. The handle is smooth and comfortable to hold, featuring a small hole at the end that you can use to hang the tool. We liked the angled tip, which navigated into corners and crevices with ease.
What to Consider When Buying a Spatula
- Type: For flipping things like eggs, pancakes or burgers, a turner spatula is the best choice. Really anything that requires a solid surface to get under and turn without breaking the food or bending under the weight. These usually come with a broad, flat blade that can easily slide under food in a pan or on a grill. One type of turner spatula is a fish spatula, which we’ve dedicated a separate test to. Scraper spatulas or spoonulas are flexible, heat-resistant tools made of plastic, rubber or silicone and are intended for mixing batter, folding an ingredient into delicate egg whites, scraping food out of a bowl or other such tasks. Offset spatulas (or icing knives) have a long, narrow, flexible blade that angles away from the handle and are used mainly for spreading icings and creams over cakes and pastries. The angled handle allows for extra control and helps to smooth out a flat surface, far better than any butter knife can achieve.
- Material: During our testing, we discovered that spatulas come in a wide variety of materials. Turners can be made of plastic, silicone, metal, wood or a combination of those. For turners, we preferred those that had heads made of silicone or nylon, which had high heat ratings, could be used in a variety of pans, both nonstick and not, and were typically dishwasher-safe. Those that had a metal core or handle were more durable and held up better to heavier foods. For certain tasks like smashing burgers or chopping ground beef in a metal pan, metal spatulas have a finer edge that can cut through even tough proteins. For spoonulas and scraper spatulas, we liked silicone, which is durable, resistant to high heat and easy to clean. Icing knives tend to all have metal tips, but the plastic-handled versions can go in the dishwasher. Finally, we tested wooden spatulas made of bamboo and beech wood and preferred the beech wood for its comfort and strength.
- Care & Maintenance: Don’t overlook the care instructions when considering what spatula to buy. If you have a dishwasher, you’ll likely prefer tools that can be cleaned in the dishwasher without damage. Most are, but a few are not due to material or design. For example, spatulas made of wood or that have wooden handles are usually not suited for the dishwasher because the machine can dry out the material and warp it over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some spatulas have slots?
What’s the difference between a turner and a spatula?