The best springform pans

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• High-quality springform pans cook cakes evenly, release your baked goods without fuss, and have bases that leak minimally.
• The Nordic Ware Springform Pan is our top pick because it's easy to put together, is backed by a 10-year warranty, and comes in a few different styles, including a model that fits in an Instant Pot.

If you have ever made a proper cheesecake, you know how hard it can be to get it right. Sure, the flavors may be spot on, but the presentation requires a delicate touch. Your standard cake pan won't cut it since you can't just flip it upside-down. Instead, you need a good springform pan.

Springform pans have two pieces: a circular collar that opens and closes with the help of a latch and a round, flat base. This design allows you to unmold delicate cakes or tarts upright. However, it does leave the pan susceptible to leaking.

Few springform pans are completely leakproof, despite what they may claim. Why do they need to be leakproof? Many recipes call for cooking cheesecake in a water bath to keep it from cracking. Even if you aren't using a water bath, butter from your recipes may leak out and make a mess in your oven. Since even the best springform pans leak, wrap the outside of the pan in foil to keep water out.

Whether making cheesecake or a savory dish, such as meatloaf, lasagna, pot pie, or a deep quiche, nonstick stainless steel or aluminized steel are your best bet for even browning, quick release, and easy cleanup. Silicone pans are also popular, but they tend not to perform as well. Silicone pans often smell bad in the oven, destroy crusts with their soft sides, and their glass or ceramic bases tend to under-brown crusts.

While researching the best springform pans, we examined hundreds of buyer and expert ratings and reviews of several models. Our guide features pans that have a track record of easy usability, durable construction, and frustration-free performance.

• Best overall: Nordic Ware Springform Pan
• Best for use in Instant Pots: Hiware 7-Inch Non-Stick Springform Pan
• Best for durability: Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware Spring Form Pan

Updated on 7/21/2020. We updated prices and links for accuracy and added a selection of relevant buying guides. We also updated the category "Best high end" to "Best for durability" to better reflect the product.