My wife believes that about 80% of all household repairs can be completed with a dinner knife. It's amazing what she can do with nothing more than a piece of flatware. However, at one point, our silverware drawer was full of bent-out-of-shape knives because she kept abusing our cheap silverware set. Worse yet, arctic-cold ice cream had left several of our spoons looking like objects in a Dalí painting. It was time for an adult silverware set.
If your silverware has seen better days or you are just moving out on your own and need to know where to start in your flatware search, this guide will steer you in the right direction.
What to look for when shopping for flatwareThere are a couple of features to look for in a good flatware set. First, stainless steel is the best silverware material due to its durability. Specifically, you should look for 18/10 stainless steel. The "18/10" refers to the 18% chromium and 10% nickel used in the steel composition. Nickel is valued for its resistance to corrosion and rust.
Heft and balance are also important when shopping for flatware. You want your utensils to feel comfortable in your hands. 18/10 silverware tends to have more heft and durability. This will make it less likely that your knives will bend as you try to cut an overcooked pork chop or while performing amateur mechanic work.
Beyond ensuring that the flatware is made of quality materials and feels comfortable in your hands, it comes down to appearances. Which set works best for your dining room décor? This is all a matter of personal preference. For instance, you may prefer the Oneida Louisiana Flatware Set over our top pick if you like a more old-fashioned look.
If you regularly host dinner parties, pay close attention to how many place settings you are purchasing. Though we like to think our guests are forgiving, it can still be embarrassing when you put out mismatched silverware. And, even if you rarely have people over for meals, it's nice to have several place settings available so you don't have to do the dishes after every meal.
Lastly, silverware is one of those purchases that is worth spending a little extra on since a good set can serve you for the rest of your life.
The flatware sets included in our guide are easy to clean, made of long-lasting materials, have a fashionable look, and feel comfortable in your hands.
Here are our picks for the best flatware sets:Prices and links are current as of 6/26/20. We also streamlined our section of related buying guides.