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Aug 07, 2023

The 9 Best Silverware Sets (2022), Tested and Reviewed

By Emily Farris All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected

By Emily Farris

All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sure, the reason to own flatware is to move food from your plate to your mouth, but it should look good too. So to find the best silverware sets that both function well and look great, I overloaded my silverware drawer with 11 popular flatware styles and used them all for a few weeks to see how they felt in my hand—and how well they held up in the not–so-delicate hands of my husband and two kids.

Before I ordered enough flatware to supply a small restaurant, I spent a lot of time researching different sets. I narrowed down my top picks based on materials, versatility, variety, popularity, and of course, lots and lots of customer reviews.

Silverware vs. flatware18/0 vs. 18/10 stainless steelThe best silverware set overallThe best modern silverware setThe best silverware set if you want a pop of colorThe best mirror finish silverware setThe best silverware set if you want serving pieces includedThe best wood-handled silverware setThe best flatware set if you want something just a little ornateThe best lightweight silverware setThe best budget flatware setA good gold flatware set

Though it's common to use the terms interchangeably, when I say "silverware" (which actually means forks, knives, and spoons made with silver or silver plating), I technically mean "flatware" because I didn't really buy $1,700 silver-plated or sterling silver flatware sets and just put them through the dishwasher like some kind of wealthy monster. Instead, these are comparatively affordable high-quality everyday flatware sets, though most are nice enough to use for special occasions too. And save for one line I knew should be hand-washed exclusively, I only tested sets with durable stainless steel heads that are dishwasher-safe.

Throughout this review you’ll see I list the flatware material as either 18/0 or 18/10 stainless steel. Those numbers refer to the chrome and nickel content in the steel alloy. Most stainless steel has 18% chromium, which hardens the steel and makes it less prone to corrosion (a.k.a. stainless). When 10% of that steel alloy is nickel, the flatware becomes even more resistant to corrosion. It's shinier too, though some 18/10 flatware is brushed for a matte or satin finish.

Whether you like your flatware shiny, matte, ornate, or unadorned, keep reading for a rundown of the nine best silverware sets you can order online.

There's so much to love about the restaurant-quality stainless steel flatware from DTC cookware brand Made In, starting with the way it looks—it manages to be neutral and versatile but somehow still elegant. This flatware has a curvy, timeless shape with zero embellishments (save for the tiny "made in Italy" stamped on the forks and spoons) and it would work with just about any kind of tablescape from shabby chic to super modern. Each piece is well-balanced and substantial without being too big or heavy, and the polished 18/10 stainless steel makes it resistant to corrosion and scratches. Given the quality and timeless appeal of this flatware, the price is pretty great too; as I write this, you can get four five-piece place settings for just under $200.

Material: 18/10 stainless steelPieces in each place setting: Dinner fork, salad fork, tablespoon, dessert/teaspoon, dinner knifeAdditional pieces available: NoDishwasher safe: Yes

Sometimes I look at supermodern flatware and just know the artsy shapes are not at all conducive to getting sufficient amounts of food from a plate or bowl into my mouth (Exhibit A: the three tiny tines on this fork, which looks like some sort of awful spork I’d be forced to use on a camping trip before giving up and using my bare hands to scoop cold beans straight from a can). No, I want my flatware to be as functional as it is stylish, which is why I love the Jaxson line from Fortessa. It gets its modern look from slender four-sided handles that are nicely weighted and uniform across every utensil in the five-piece place setting (the knife handle is just barely bigger than the others) and almost perfectly round spoon heads. Importantly, the parts that are meant to hold food actually do. This flatware is made from 18/10 stainless steel and though some retailers offer it with mirror-finished handles, I prefer the brushed handles for the contrast and visual interest.

Material: 18/10 stainless steel Pieces in each place setting: Salad fork, dinner fork, table knife, soup spoon, teaspoonAdditional pieces available: YesDishwasher safe: Yes

It's hard to find colorful bistro-style flatware without those cheap-looking silver dots on bloated plastic handles, and it's near impossible to find any two-tone flatware with mostly good reviews. But this popular Italian-made line from Mepra is high quality—it's made of 18/10 stainless steel with resin handles—and there are a number of color options. It's also dishwasher-safe. Overall, it's a great little set, but there are two things to keep in mind. The first is that the lighter resin handles are more prone to staining than the darker colors (color availability varies by retailer). Also, the smaller fork and spoon are comically small. The teaspoon, especially, is practically toddler-size and more like a dessert spoon or sugar spoon. But maybe it was always meant to stir a tiny little cup of Italian espresso.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel and resinPieces in each place setting: Dinner fork, salad/dessert fork, tablespoon, teaspoon, dinner knifeAdditional pieces available: YesDishwasher safe: Yes

If you’re looking for an elegant but minimalist silverware set, the Lenox Pearl Platinum has just enough embellishment at the neck of each piece to make it stand out but not so much that it feels ornate. All of the pieces are a nice size and they’re nicely weighted too—though the knife does have a hollow handle. The mirror polish on the 18/10 stainless steel adds a refined luster and is highly resistant to rust, staining, and scratching. This flatware also comes with a lifetime warranty from Lenox.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel "with platinum accents"Pieces in each place setting: Dinner fork, salad fork, tablespoon, teaspoon, knifeAdditional pieces available: Not currently, but you may be able to find some second-hand or backstockDishwasher safe: Yes

At first glance this stainless steel flatware set from dinnerware brand Mikasa is nearly identical to the Lenox Pearl Platinum. That's due to a similar minimal embellishment slightly further down the handle on the Mikasa. Like the Leonx, this flatware is made from polished 18/10 stainless steel and the pieces are elegant and well balanced. But if you want matching serving pieces or you want to save some money by not having to purchase them separately, the Mikasa is the way to go. Both the 45-piece and 65-piece stainless steel flatware sets come with the standard five-piece settings (service for 8 and 12, respectively) as well as a five-piece serving set.

Material: 18/10 stainless steel Pieces in each place setting: Dinner fork, salad fork, tablespoon, teaspoon, knife Additional pieces available: Yes, and they’re included with the set (serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, cold meat fork, sugar spoon, and butter knife)Dishwasher safe: Yes

As a rule, wooden utensils shouldn't go in the dishwasher. It's a rule I break with regularity, but at least I’m aware of it, which is why I was shocked to find this truly dishwasher-safe wood-handled flatware set from Blue Pheasant. As the product description states, putting it through the dishwasher may affect the color and texture of the maple wood handles a bit (nothing a little mineral oil can't fix), but after several cycles I’m pleased to report that mine still looks brand new. The composition of the stainless steel isn't disclosed and while it feels durable enough, it isn't necessarily heirloom-quality. But if you want something with the warmth of wood and a nice weight—that you can also wash in the dishwasher—this is definitely the best option.

Materials: Stainless steel and maple woodPieces in each place setting: Knife, dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, teaspoon Additional pieces available: NoDishwasher safe: Yes

If you find unadorned flatware boring and want yours to bring a little something more to your tabletop, Zwilling's Vintage has just the right amount of detail. This flatware is adapted from a line of Zwilling J.A. Henckels silverware originally made in 1876 and the 18/10 stainless steel has a beautiful mirror finish. It also manages to have a nice weight to it without being bulky or unwieldy. Like the Mikasa, the Zwilling Vintage sets also come with serving pieces. The 23-piece set includes three serving pieces (serving spoon, meat fork, and butter knife) and the 45-piece set has five (serving spoon, slotted serving spoon, meat fork, butter knife, and sugar spoon). In addition to the complete sets, this tableware is also available as open stock, meaning you can buy individual pieces if you need extras or replacements.

Material: 18/10 stainless steelPieces in each place setting: Dinner knife, dinner fork, salad fork, dinner spoon, teaspoonAdditional pieces available: Yes. Dishwasher safe: Yes

Though it's part of the Zwilling J.A. Henckles family, Henckels is more of an entry-level brand than Zwilling, and the Henckels Alcea flatware set is a more affordable, lightweight alternative to the Zwilling Vintage line above. This is still a high-quality set with a nice luster thanks to mirror polished 18/10 stainless steel, but it doesn't have the heft or the timelessness of the Vintage line. If you’re just looking for a lightweight everyday flatware set that will last though, this is a great option.

Material: 18/10 stainless steelPieces in each place setting: Dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, teaspoon.Additional pieces available: NoDishwasher safe: Yes

This is not your grandmother's silverware, but it just might be your mother's flatware—or something like it. If this Oneida Colonial Boston flatware looks familiar, that's probably because it's an ever-so-slightly modernized version of a pattern that was everywhere in the ‘80s and ‘90s. And all of it is modeled on early American silverware. This flatware is made from 18/0 stainless steel and has a brushed satin handle, which will show small scratches, but I think that adds to the charm. It's available as a 20-piece set (service for four) or a 45-piece set which is service for eight plus a serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, sugar spoon, serving fork, and butter knife.

Material: 18/0 stainless steel Pieces in each place setting: Dinner knife, dinner fork, salad fork, dinner spoon, teaspoonAdditional pieces available: Yes, and they’re included with the 45-piece set (see above)Dishwasher safe: Yes

If you came here looking for the best gold flatware for everyday use, I have some bad news: It doesn't really exist. Unless you buy flatware made with actual gold (yes, that does exist), the gold finish will come off eventually, so everyday use is going to run it into the ground. Even the pricier sets will lose their golden glow with time and use. Polished gold may last longer than brushed gold or something like a matte champagne, but unless you handle it with the utmost care, it's not a matter of if but when. So my advice is to buy a set you like, but only spend as much as you feel comfortable with knowing you’ll have to replace it sooner rather than later. And don't ever, ever put it in the dishwasher because those powerful detergents will only speed up the wear and tear—yes, even if the manufacturer claims the pieces are dishwasher safe. Better yet, use it only for dinner parties, holidays, and other special occasions (and even then, still hand wash it exclusively). With those parameters in mind, the Cambridge Silversmiths Beacon flatware is a decent choice with affordable-enough basic flatware sets available in gold, matte black (same deal as gold finish, sorry), and silver.

Material: 18/0 stainless steel Pieces in each place setting: Dinner fork, salad fork, knife, dinner spoon, teaspoon Additional pieces available: NoDishwasher safe: "Yes" (but actually no)