10 Best Flatware Sets of 2024, According to Experts
Utensils should be both beautiful and practical. The pieces in these 10 flatware sets are a pleasure to eat with and easy to take care of whether they’re used for family meals or special occasions.
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Our Top Flatware Set Picks
- Best Overall: Oneida Surge 50 Piece Set
- Best Value Stainless Steel Set: Henckels Silvano 45 Piece Set
- Best Splurge Stainless Steel Set: Hampstead Flatware, 42 Piece Set
- Best Sterling Silver Flatware Set: Gorham Fairfax 46 Piece Set
- Best Starter Set: Gourmet Settings Gala 20 Piece Set
- Best Set for Small Households: Made In Flatware 20 Piece Set
- Best Large Stainless Steel Set: Lenox Portola 65 Piece Set
- Best Beaded Stainless Steel Set: Liberty Tabletop Pearl 40 Piece Set
- Best Hammered Stainless Steel Set: Reed and Barton Hammered Antique 40 Piece Set
- Best Gold-Toned Set: Kate Spade New York Malmo 20-Piece Flatware Set
By Sharon Franke for Food Network Kitchen
Shopping for flatware can be even more challenging than choosing the perfect dinnerware. Whether you’re newly engaged or looking to upgrade an older set, flatware comes in a vast selection at a wide range of prices in a myriad of patterns. Choosing the best flatware means taking into account everything from the material to the number of place settings to a pattern you’ll love for a long time. We combed through the hundreds of flatware sets on the market to find the best 10 flatware sets for most people.
How We Picked
To select our best flatware sets, we relied on our writer’s experience evaluating flatware. We checked what other professional reviewers had to say about their test results as well as what people reported about their experiences in their own homes.
All of our recommendations are made of 18/10 stainless steel and have relatively simple patterns and traditional-shapes to appeal to a variety of tastes and look good whether they’re used for eating lunch at the kitchen counter to setting a special occasion dinner table. Most of our recommendations are quite affordable but we included a few splurges for those looking for something special to use on a daily basis or for entertaining.
Surge has a modern design but unlike some trendy patterns, the pieces have familiar shapes that are easy to hold. Even though it’s very affordable, this 18/10 stainless steel flatware is heavy in weight. It has a soft satin finish to hide scratches that are bound to appear over time. Though the 50 piece set is exclusive to Macy's, we think it’s a perfect set for everyday use and can also hold its own at a dinner party. In addition to a serving spoon and serving fork, 8 additional teaspoons are included, which is a real plus, as inexplicably, teaspoons have a way of disappearing. (If you're looking to shop somewhere other than Macy's, you can find the Surge design in a 45 piece set on Amazon and Walmart.)
You can’t beat the price of this set for 8 place settings plus 5 serving pieces (sugar, serving, and slotted spoons, serving fork, and butter knife) in 18/10 stainless steel from a well-established brand. As you might expect from one of the leading cutlery manufacturers, the knife blades are forged so they won’t be wobbly. You will notice that these pieces are lighter in weight than our pricier choices but because of the steel composition won’t bend easily. With their sculpted handles and rounded edges, they’ll pair well with any dinnerware style.
If you’re looking for something distinctive but want to avoid the astronomical price tag of silver, not to mention, the TLC sterling requires, look no further. From the minute you pick up a piece from this set, you can tell from the weight and the finish that it’s high quality. With its highly polished 18/10 surfaces and simple but elegant design, Hampstead’s not too fancy to use as your everyday flatware but certainly won’t look out of place on a formal table. Williams-Sonoma offers the option of having a single monogram engraved on each handle. With the set, a serving spoon and fork are included. You can also purchase or register for this pattern by the 5-piece place setting or add additional serving pieces or a set of 4 teaspoons.
Introduced in 1910, this is still one of the most popular sterling silver patterns. While much silverware is heavily ornamented with scrolls and flowers, Fairfax has clean lines and coordinates with today’s casual dinnerware and lifestyle, making it appropriate for family or company meals as well as when you pull out your grandmother’s china. The silver has a highly polished mirror finish that will soften with use. With the set you get six serving pieces (sugar, serving, and slotted serving spoons, serving fork, butter knife, and pie server) and flannel storage wraps to help prevent tarnishing if you only use your silver occasionally. Individual place settings are offered so you can register for this pattern or buy more yourself to expand your collection.
Gourmet Settings specializes in reasonably priced flatware in patterns that appeal to current tastes. We like its Gala pattern because it’s constructed of 18/10 stainless steel. It has a mirror finish and a center ridge for ornamentation. A 5-piece set of sugar, serving, and slotted spoons, a serving fork, and a butter knife can be purchased but if you want more place settings, you need to buy another 20-piece set. However, at this price, a set would be a great shower gift and if you register for 2 or even 3 sets, you’ll be nicely outfitted in your new home.
In this pattern, you’ll find a fashionable twist on a classic style. With their narrow, curved necks and slightly turned up ends, the utensils in this set are just a little different. They have a playful elegance that makes them a pleasure to look at even when dinner is a bowl of cereal. The 18/10 stainless steel has a gleaming surface and the knives are made from a single piece of steel which gives great control when you’re cutting a steak. This small set is perfect if you’re just starting out but want something special. However, keep in mind, that it's only sold as service for 4 so if you want additional pieces, you can’t buy one or two place settings but need to buy another 20-piece set. One additional little quibble: If you set the table with the sharp end of the knife blade facing towards the plate, the brand name is visible.
If you have a large family and can’t wait to have everyone over for holiday dinners, start out with service for a dozen. This 18/10 set with a mirror finish has flared handles trimmed with a row of little beads that epitomize simple elegance. Lenox includes sugar, serving, and slotted spoons, a serving fork, and a butter knife and sells sets of individual utensils, other serving pieces, and steak knives to supplement your set.
Teardrop-shaped utensils edged with little embossed beads have been around forever but don’t look dated today. With just a bit of subtle ornamentation, they stand out without being overly elaborate. This heavyweight 18/10 set comes from Liberty Tabletop which prides itself on manufacturing in the USA and specializes in traditional American patterns. The forged knife blades have serrated edges. You can choose Pearl in either a polished or satin version. Single place settings, sets of serving pieces, steak knives, and other specialty pieces are also offered. If this beaded pattern isn’t to your taste, we suggest you check out Liberty Tabletop’s other designs. The company has a sample program which allows you to purchase 3 samples for $9.95.
As you can tell from the word antique in this pattern’s name, hammering flatware handles to give it texture isn’t a new technique. However, we think hammered flatware still looks contemporary and lends your table some embellishment without being fussy. This 18/10 stainless steel set has a matte satin finish that combined with the hammering, hides fine lines that develop. Five-piece place settings are also available from Amazon.
The 24-karat gold plating on this contemporary 18/10 stainless steel pattern sets it apart from other flatware. With its bright finish and clean lines, it “pops” next to all white plates or graphic modern prints but also looks beautiful on a formal table with gold-rimmed dinnerware. In this set you get enough place settings to serve four people. You may want to double up if you’re planning to have lots of dinner parties. To maintain the gold finish, this flatware requires washing. You can also register for 5-piece place settings of Malmo. Matching serving pieces are not available.
What to Consider When Buying Flatware
Material: Stainless Steel vs. Silver
Most flatware is made of stainless steel because it's relatively inexpensive, dishwasher safe, and offered in an abundance of patterns. The best quality stainless steel is marked 18/10 or 18/8. The first number refers to the chromium content which gives steel its resistance to staining and rusting and the second to the nickel which gives the metal its shine as well strength and additional protection against corrosion. The higher the nickel in the alloy, the shinier the flatware. There’s also 18/0 flatware on the market but we don’t recommend it unless you’re looking for an inexpensive set that you don’t plan to keep around for a long time. It’s more likely to scratch, is more susceptible to bending, and has a dull finish.
The popularity of silver has waned even for special occasions because it’s very expensive, high maintenance, and lifestyles and entertaining have become less formal. However, silver has a color and luster that you just can't get from stainless. If you love it and can afford it (and plan to maintain it), pick a simple pattern and use it every day. As long as you rotate the pieces, tarnish won’t build up. Over time, you’ll notice a patina of tiny, fine lines develop that give it a warm glow and signal the pieces were used and enjoyed.
How to Choose High Quality Flatware
Run your fingers over the tips and inside edges of the fork tines to see if they’re smoothly polished. Pieces should feel comfortable in your hand and shouldn’t be unwieldy. A good way to get a feel for a fork is by spinning it as if you’re twirling spaghetti. When you’re shopping, rest the fork and knife on the rim of a plate to be sure they're well balanced and don't fall off the edge because the handle is heavier than the tines or the blade. Consider if the soup spoon is generously sized and easy to sip from.
What Is a Place Setting?
One place setting consists of a teaspoon, soup spoon, salad fork, dinner fork, and a knife. While some knives will have a sharpened or serrated blade, the knives in most flatware sets are not sharp enough for cutting meat and if they are, won’t stay that way for long. We suggest you supplement with a set of steak knives.
How Many Place Settings Do You Need?
Unless you’re a family of two and have no intention of ever entertaining, we recommend starting out with eight to 12 place settings. You’ll have plenty of utensils to use throughout the day and won’t have to run the dishwasher every night.
How to Pick a Flatware Pattern
Selecting a pattern is a very personal choice, and we suggest choosing one that will have some staying power. Look for patterns described as classic, traditional, or contemporary that coordinate with a variety of dinnerware. If you're tempted by a modern design with unusual shapes, be sure to check the comfort of using the pieces and then start with a couple of place settings to make sure you don’t tire of them or find them awkward to eat with.
Choose a pattern with a longer heritage. Companies that have been around for a long time are responsible for long-lasting patterns with replacement and additional pieces available. While many designers have lent their name to flatware, their collections may not be available when you need additional pieces. By choosing from brands with a long heritage, you have a better chance of being able to add to your collection or buy replacements in the future.
How to Clean and Maintain Flatware
Stainless steel is dishwasher safe and doesn’t need any special care. However, in spite of its name, it will occasionally develop stains or even pitting from foods like mayonnaise, mustard, or lemon juice. That’s why it’s a good idea to rinse utensils off in the sink or run a rinse cycle if they’re going to sit in the dishwasher for hours or even days. To restore stainless steel, you can soak it in a solution of water and just a splash of ammonia or use a special stainless-steel cleaner.
To prevent any mishaps, your best bet is to hand wash silver with a soft cloth or nonabrasive sponge or pad and a mild dishwashing detergent and then dry it immediately to prevent water spots from developing. Frequent use helps ward off tarnish. If you save your silverware for holiday meals, it will begin to discolor and you’ll have to tackle it with a silver polish. As polish is abrasive, avoid using it more than once or twice a year. Storing silver in anti-tarnish bags will help it keep its shine. Silver can be cleaned in the dishwasher but you have to separate it from any stainless-steel pieces to prevent dark spots from developing and use a non-acidic dishwasher detergent. It’s also a good idea to remove it before the dry cycle and dry it by hand to keep water spots from baking on during the dry cycle.
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