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.
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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.
What We Like
Sleek and sophisticated design
Service for 12, plus hostess set
Appropriate for casual and formal dining
What We Don't Like
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
What We Like
Easy to clean
Simple design
Easy to store
What We Don't Like
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
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
What We Like
What We Don't Like
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
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
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
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
What We Like
What We Don't Like
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
What We Like
Classic design
Comfortable to hold
Nice weight
Easy to clean
What We Don't Like
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
What We Like
Sleek, modern design
Dishwasher safe
Comfortable to hold
What We Don't Like
The sleek satin finish on this black flatware set by Cambridge will add a dramatic accent to your table setting, especially for themed parties. This set includes four five-piece settings featuring a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon, each made of 18/0 stainless steel and specially treated to achieve the flat black finish.
During testing, the pieces felt lightweight, but not flimsy, and comfortable in the hand. The knife is serrated to aid in cutting through pieces of meat, and the soup spoon has an easy shape that holds a generous amount of liquid. The fork tines come to a gentle point that pierces food easily, giving you great control over whatever you're eating, from salad to fish and everything in between.
While you can toss these utensils in the dishwasher, you'll want to avoid citrus-scented detergents, and when hand-washing, don't use a scouring pad or metal polish as it may damage the finish. After running the set through the dishwasher, some spots were left behind but easily removed with a polishing cloth. Stubborn hard water spots can be removed with a bit of white vinegar and a warm water rinse, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Materials: 18/0 stainless steel, black satin finish | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon
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.
Final Verdict
We chose the Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set for the top spot because of its sleek design that can work for both casual and fine dining. Plus, considering how many utensils are included, it's reasonably priced. For a budget-conscious pick, we recommend the LIANYU 20-Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set.
How We Tested Flatware Sets
We sent multiple flatware and silverware sets to our experienced home chefs and product testers, who used each knife, spoon, and fork to eat various soups, salads, and entrees, such as braised chicken. Each flatware and silverware set was rated on important attributes like design, durability, grip, weight, and overall value.
We Observed:
- Performance: In addition to using each set in our daily routines, we also conducted specific tests by using knives to slice chicken breast, spoons for soup, and forks for salad.
- Weight and shape: Although features like weight are largely subjective and a personal choice, some flatware can be noticeably unbalanced. While testing, we noted length, width, shape, and if any of the heavier silverware fell off the plates or made it difficult to eat.
- Value: We took into account the materials and quality in relation to the price, emphasizing how features such as the different grades of stainless steel will affect the longevity of the set.
We Rated:
- Design: To test the spoons, we used each one to eat 2 ounces of soup and noted how effectively the spoon bowl scooped and held the soup. We looked for any unfinished areas on the pieces&#;especially notorious areas like between the fork tines. For the knives, we paid special attention to the size and type of serrations and how that affected slicing efficiency.
- Durability: We assessed any damage to the flatware during testing, highlighting sets made from 18/10 or 18/8 stainless steel since it has a higher nickel content (which adds corrosion resistance, strength, and shine). Scratches tend to be more noticeable with mirror-finish flatware than with satin or matte finishes, so we took this into account as well.
- Comfort: We evaluated how comfortable the dinner forks and butter knives were by slicing through a piece of cooked chicken breast, noting how they fit in hand and how balanced each felt while eating.
- Cleanup: We placed each dinner fork, salad fork, spoon, and knife into the dishwasher and ran it through a total of four times. Then, we evaluated for any damage, rust spots, or scratches. We also washed each piece of silverware by hand.
About Our Testers
- Our Lab team consists of testers with decades of experience in both professional and home kitchens. In addition to their testing, these sets were sent out to our editors who cook and meal prep consistently.
- Donna Currie, a food writer and cookbook author, has tested well over 100 products for The Spruce Eats. She tested our best budget pick, the LIANYU 20-Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set.
- Renu Dhar, a personal chef, culinary instructor, and food blogger, has over 10 years of food publishing experience. She tested the Hommaly Portable Flatware Set in her own kitchen and while on a camping trip.
What to Look for When Buying Flatware
Material
Flatware is often called "silverware" for good reason: Traditionally, it was silver. The rich showed off their wealth with elaborate table settings (hence the oyster fork) while the poorer classes made do with pewter or even wood cutlery. The invention of stainless steel&#;which is resistant to rust and corrosion&#;in the early s changed all that. These days, you can find stainless steel in the finest restaurants and homes, but sterling silver flatware is still very much around.
Stainless steel flatware is able to have the shine of silverware at a fraction of the price. While stainless steel makes bright, shiny cutlery more affordable, it is also far easier to care for than silver. This type of flatware can just be thrown in the dishwasher, dried off, and put away, over and over again. Titanium, gold, copper, and silver-plated flatware are other options, though they can chip and wear over time and require greater care than stainless steel.
Stainless Steel Grades and Finish
You can&#;t just grab any flatware that boasts the stainless steel logo. Good stainless steel will show a grade on the packaging or product page that looks like a fraction: usually 18/10, 18/8, and 18/0. 18/10 means the flatware is 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel, and so on. Typically, higher-quality stainless steel with an 18/10 grade is going to be shinier because of the higher quantity of nickel. The bright shine of 18/10 stainless steel is usually called a "mirror finish." Lower nickel amounts typically mean a satin finish, sometimes called a &#;butler finish&#; because it has the look of hand-polished silver. But there are exceptions to keep your eye out for. You can get 18/10 flatware with a &#;tumbled finish," which reduces shine and sometimes even gives it a textured look.
Stamped vs. Forged
Today, most flatware you&#;ll find is stamped, meaning it&#;s been stamped from a larger piece of steel. Forged flatware, which is forged by hand, tends to be more expensive. Traditionally, forged flatware has been seen as the longer-lasting option, but technology in stamped flatware has continued to improve. The main difference between a high-quality forged flatware set and a high-quality stamped set is going to be weight: Forged flatware is heavier. Whether that&#;s a positive or a negative may come down to taste, but odds are you are used to using stamped silverware for your everyday use.
Quantity
Most flatware sets come with five pieces for table settings: dinner knife, dinner fork, salad fork, table spoon, and tea spoon, which should be more than enough for day-to-day use. How big a set you buy is totally personal and can be informed by your kitchen size, the number of housemates or family members, and how often you run the dishwasher. Flatware stores flat (of course), so it&#;s better to err on the side of a slightly larger number of settings than a slightly smaller one&#;there&#;s nothing worse than reaching for a cereal spoon and finding only forks.
Design
Your choice comes down purely to taste. Traditionally embellished flatware tends to have a more classic feel to it to mimic silverware. More modern sets typically pare down details with a more streamlined appearance: a straight, thin handle with no major elements. Because we are so used to design elements in our flatware, these more modern sets are often, paradoxically, more unique and interesting than a more ornate set. Many contemporary options also straddle these two worlds: Subtle shaping at the end of the handle, for example, will give it a traditional feel without other elements.
Ease of Use
You probably don&#;t think much about the forks and knives you use every day, but shopping for a new set brings new considerations: Do you want a heavier, high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, or something lighter? Is the handle comfortable? While most basic sets are ergonomically designed to be comfortably held and used, fancier and more design-forward sets may offer more to think about: Is a giant soup spoon, as striking as it is on your setting, something you (or your kids) will want to reach for? Do you prefer utensils with skinny stems, or perhaps longer fork tines for more European-style dining?
Maintenance and Care
There are a few simple rules for taking care of stainless steel, and most are pretty intuitive. Most stainless steel flatware can be hand-washed or placed in a dishwasher. Avoid steel wool or steel brushes, since those can nick the surface and cause corrosion or even rusting. If food dries on your silverware and can&#;t be gently scrubbed away, let it soak for a bit, or try the more abrasive side of a soft sponge. If you have a color-plated flatware set, like matte black or gold, you&#;ll want to be extra careful about abrasive cleaners or sponges, as they could strip the finish. If your stainless steel starts to lose its luster, and to reduce mineral spotting, try drying it as soon as it&#;s out of the sink or dishwasher.
FAQs
What is 18/10 flatware?
18/10 flatware is the highest quality: It will feel a bit more weighted in the hand, and the 10 percent nickel gives it more shine and protection from corrosion. In general, it&#;s easy to find a wide variety of styles and designs in 18/10 stainless steel, but lower grades are still a good option if you need to save money.
How many flatware sets do you need?
Generally speaking, you want to have double the number of flatware settings as there are people in your household for everyday use. For example, a two-person household should have a five-piece setting for four. That way you&#;ve always got a set to use while another set is in the dishwasher.
If you plan to entertain regularly, consider buying a larger set that includes serving utensils, as well as enough settings for guests. Buying a set that offers additional settings individually is convenient if you need to grow or replace parts of your set down the road.
How do you set flatware on a table?
You may have noticed in costume dramas on TV, at your cousin&#;s fancy wedding, or at a high-end restaurant that flatware is laid out in a certain arrangement. You don&#;t need a full course in formal dining etiquette to set a nice table. A few points to remember include:
- Utensils are used from the outside, moving in. So salad fork and soup spoon go on the outside.
- Forks go on the left of the plate, spoons and knives on the right. Coffee, tea, and dessert utensils go above the plate.
- So from left to right across the setting, you&#;ll layout: a salad fork, dinner fork, plate, steak knife (if using), dinner knife, soup spoon. If using a tea spoon and dessert fork, place the dessert fork closest to the top of the plate, and the tea spoon above it (pointing in the opposite direction).
- For any pieces you aren't using, simply remove them from the lineup without changing the order of the other utensils.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Jenny Kellerhals is a food and beverage writer who lives and cooks in a tiny NYC kitchen, where only the highest-quality tools make the cut. She's into flatware sets with more contemporary finishes, like the Gourmet Settings Birch Black Silverware Set that can transition from a casual breakfast to a more formal-style dinner party.
Katherine Gallagher is an editor for The Spruce Eats with over six years of experience reporting on sustainable lifestyle and design. Apart from writing and editing, Katherine worked in the restaurant industry for more than a decade, where she gained knowledge about what to look for in kitchen gear, drinkware, and serveware.
This roundup was updated by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an L.A.-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a two-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight. She personally tested four flatware and silverware sets on this list.
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