The best flatware and silverware
James Brains
- High-quality flatware is appealing to the eye, durable, requires minimal maintenance, and makes eating enjoyable.
- Villeroy & Boch's New Wave Flatware is our top pick because it's made of heavy-duty 18/10 stainless steel, has a distinct look, and is quite easy to eat with.
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:- Best overall: Villeroy & Boch New Wave Flatware
- Best on a budget: Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set
- Best high-end flatware: Aero Flatware Place Setting
- Best simple flatware: 20-Piece Pattern 127 Flatware Set
Prices and links are current as of 6/26/20. We also streamlined our section of related buying guides.
The best overall
The modern, minimal design of Villeroy & Boch's New Wave flatware sets it apart from the other sets in our guide. Designed to mimic the fluid shapes of the Villeroy & Boch New Wave Dinner Collection, the set comes with 64 pieces.
That includes 12 place settings of a dinner knife, teaspoon, soup spoon, salad fork, and dinner fork. In addition, you receive four serving accessories: a gravy ladle, vegetable serving spoon, slotted serving spoon, and a meat fork.
Each piece is made of 18/10 stainless steel, which promotes long-lasting luster and shine, strength, and rust and corrosion resistance. This flatware is dishwasher safe and does not require polishing. Also, Macy's offers returns up to 180 days after your purchase so you can get your money back if you are not satisfied.
Pros: Unique design that is fashionable and functional, made of 18/10 stainless steel
Cons: Spoons may fall through dishwasher utensil basket, some buyers report rust spots after continued use
The best on a budget
The Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set is the most affordable flatware set in our guide by a significant margin. This is impressive considering that the flatware is made of durable and tarnish-resistant 18/10 stainless steel.
The set includes twelve 5-piece place settings: a teaspoon, salad fork, soup spoon, dinner knife, and dinner fork. There's also a hostess set featuring a pierced tablespoon, tablespoon, cold meat fork, butter serving knife, and sugar spoon. These pieces are all helpful when serving a variety of dishes and treats.
Lenox has a Lifetime Breakage Replacement Program. If a product breaks because it is defective, the company will replace it at no cost. If it breaks due to misuse, they will replace your flatware at half of the MSRP (plus fees.)
The utensils feel comfortable in your hand, and the tapered handle has a nice heft to it. The slight design at the base of each handle is understated enough to be inoffensive but present enough to provide some visual interest.
Pros: Versatile design, good balance, made of 18/10 stainless steel, cost-effective
Cons: Complaints of rust on knives after prolonged use
The best high-end flatware
The Aero Flatware Place Setting features a sleek hard plastic handle that is easy to grip. The exaggerated heads are made of 18/10 stainless steel for rust-resistance and durability. Made in Portugal, this is the most expensive set in our guide.
Buyers have been surprised by the size of these utensils so it's important to note that the knife is 8.9 inches, the dinner fork is 8.5 inches, the tablespoon is 8.3 inches, the salad fork is 7.3 inches, and the soup spoon is 7 inches. The forks, specifically, are a bit smaller than your average dinner and salad forks.
To maintain the look of this flatware, Crate and Barrel recommends rubbing a small amount of olive oil or hand lotion on the handles. And speaking of the handles, keep in mind that they are plastic, and though they're a durable polymer, they're not as heat-safe as all-metal utensils.
If you do prefer the all-metal look, this design is also available in an all stainless steel mirror finish.
Pros: Bold design, lightweight, made of 18/10 stainless steel and hard plastic, all-metal option available
Cons: Expensive, forks are on the smaller side, mid-century modern vibe may not be for everyone
The best simple flatware
The 20-Piece Pattern 127 Flatware Set is unique because it features gleaming mirrored tops and black matte handles. It's also available in brushed gold and brushed silver if you prefer. The collection comes with four sets of five-piece settings.
Each piece is made of 18/0 stainless steel, which isn't ideal since it is more susceptible to corrosion than 18/10 or 18/8. However, this silverware is on the heavier side which should aid in its durability. CB2 recommends hand washing this silverware, but many buyers report that they regularly throw them in the dishwasher without any issues.
Thanks to the matte handles, you are unlikely to have to worry about leaving unseemly fingerprints on the pieces as you set the table. A few buyers noticed that the silver finish of the knives is susceptible to staining, and some of the forks developed rust spots. CB2 stated that it is looking into the problem.
Pros: Attractive two-tone design, comfortable matte handles
Cons: Made of 18/0 stainless steel, complaints of spotting and rusting
The best ornate silverware
Since 1880, Oneida has been creating fashionable tableware. This is evident in the flowery designs and classic fiddleback shape of the handles of the Oneida Louisiana Flatware Set. Reminiscent of your grandparents' place settings, this set also brings durability to the table with an 18/10 stainless steel composition.
The pieces never need to be polished and are dishwasher safe for minimal hassle. Plus, Oneida stands behind its workmanship with a limited lifetime warranty.
The handles are not too thick or too thin, and they aren't at all uncomfortable to hold despite the ornate design at the bottom. Of course, this design may not appeal to everyone, but if you're looking for a traditional silverware, Oneida is some of the best.
Pros: Ornate handle details, made of 18/10 stainless steel, comfortable grip, lifetime warranty
Cons: Might be too fussy for modern table settings
Check out our other buying guides to complete your table setting
High-quality dinnerware sets are resistant to scratching and chipping, can go in the dishwasher and microwave, and are appealing to the eye. With that in mind, we combed through hundreds of expert and buyer reviews and ratings of countless sets to bring you the best of the best. Here are the best dinnerware sets you can buy.
The best drinking glassesHigh-quality drinking glasses can handle hot and cold liquids, are resistant to breaking when dropped, and don't spill easily. Here are our picks for the best drinking glasses you can buy.
The best dining tablesA top-quality dining table accents your interior décor, can withstand years of daily use, and provides comfortable seating with minimal waste of space. Here are our picks for the best dining tables you can buy
The best cocktail shakersWhen you want a delicious cold mixed drink during the holidays, after work, or when entertaining, an indispensable part of a good home bar is a top-quality cocktail shaker. These are the best cocktail shakers.
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