The best muffin pans

• A good muffin pan encourages even baking and releases muffins easily so they don't stick to the pan.
• The USA Pan Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan is our top pick because it's textured to add extra non-stick powers and it's backed by a lifetime warranty.

Dante's "Inferno" does not back this up, but I'm certain there is a special circle in hell where the inhabitants are condemned to a life of trying to remove baked-on food debris stuck to old, ineffective muffin pans. Such is the torture of baking in a kitchen with subpar equipment.

Fortunately, bakeware companies have listened to the pleas from those of us suffering from dishpan hands and have developed a number of effective cupcake tins that are willing to part ways with your treats upon completing their baking task.

While researching the best muffin and cupcake pans, we looked at hundreds of ratings and reviews from experts and buyers alike. We chose five solutions to include in our guide based on their non-stick qualities (for both releasing muffins and cleanup), baking performance, and how easy it is to hold the pan.

• Best overall: USA Pan Bakeware Cupcake and Muffin Pan
• Best silicone muffin pan: Silpat Silicone Muffin Pan
• Best high-end muffin pan: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Nonstick Muffin Pan
• Best for a secure grip: Rachael Ray Oven Lovin' Non-Stick 12-Cup Muffin and Cupcake Pan

Prices and links are current as of 9/8/20. We replaced our pick for the best silicone muffin pan because our previous pick was out of stock. We also added a selection of related buying guides.