The 7 Best Kitchen Utensil Sets, According to Our Tests

Best Overall

Le Creuset Craft Series Utensil Set

$70 at Amazon $70 at Williams Sonoma $87 $70 at Nordstrom

Le Creuset’s utensil set received rave reviews in our tests due to its ergonomic details and attention to craftsmanship. The weighty wood handles have a slightly tapered shape that feels natural in the hand, and the removable silicone tool heads are easy to hand-wash or fully dishwasher-safe. The bundle includes two sizes of spatula, spoonula (great for scooping heartier stews), and a basting brush, all available in a selection of Le Creuset's signature bright shades.

Perhaps the best part is the included stoneware crock. Made with the same craftsmanship as the Le Creuset pan that topped our tests of enameled cast iron skillets, the non-porous, scratch-resistant vessel matches the utensils and provides storage for them and plenty of other cooking tools.

The downside is that you'll likely need to buy some additional items if your kitchen isn't fully outfitted already. This set includes only four actual cooking tools, and it leaves out some indispensables almost every kitchen should have: a flat spatula, a ladle, and a slotted spoon or skimmer. It's also on the pricey side per piece, but the crock adds a lot of value.

Materials: Wood, silicone, stoneware | Includes: 2 spatulas, spoonula, basting brush, storage crock | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Value

Food52 Five Two Kitchen Utensil Collection

$15 at Food52

Gorgeous and effective in its simplicity, this 7-piece collection from Food52 is everything a home chef could want, at a nice price. The acacia wood handles look great, and the individual tools are full of thoughtful design elements. The ladle has spouts on either side to let you pour cleanly whether you're left- or right-handed. The smaller spatula has a notch in it made to let it rest on the side of a bowl without slipping onto the counter, as well as to scrape every last bit of frosting or batter out of the corners and edges of containers.

Now, if you have a set of non-toxic cookware whose coating can be damaged by metal tools, you might need to look elsewhere. This collection has two silicone spatulas and a wooden spoon, but everything else is metal. We had no trouble hand-washing anything, but another potential negative is that these tools are not dishwasher-safe.

Materials: Acacia wood, silicone, metal | Includes: 2 silicone spatulas, metal spatula, wooden spoon, 2 wire whisks, ladle | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Splurge

Caraway Knife & Utensil Set

$395 $355 at Amazon $395 $356 at Nordstrom View on Carawayhome.com

Caraway makes a variety of kitchenware that looks as good as it performs. The brand's made the list of winners in our tests of cutting boards, cookie sheets, nonstick cookware sets, and more. And its streamlined Knife & Utensil Set can outfit your entire kitchen all at once. This package includes wooden tongs, spoon, scraper, spatula, and server; a chef's knife, prep knife, bread slicer, paring knife, and pair of shears; and a modular magnetic organization unit to hold everything in one place. Plus, there are six color options with matching handles and organizers.

During our tests, this set earned high marks for those who want premium construction and beautiful aesthetics. The birch utensils are coated to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup, and the knives feel balanced in hand and are adept at all manner of prep tasks, from slicing bread to chopping veggies. We found the organizer set to be one of the biggest perks of this collection, with a streamlined shape that helped save room on our countertops while keeping all the must-have tools at the ready.

Caraway is definitely not a cheap brand, however, and this is a large set that has a large price — especially if you already have a set of knives you're happy with. You can order just the five-piece Utensil Set or Knife Set by itself, but neither includes the organizer set that's part of this full package deal.

Materials: Birch wood, stainless steel, BPA-free plastic | Includes: Tongs, server, spoon, scraper, spatula, chef's knife, prep knife, bread knife, paring knife, shears, organizer set | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Silicone

Get It Right 10 Piece Silicone Utensil Set

$91 at Amazon $91 at Walmart $91 at Food52

We recommend GIR to home cooks looking for a no-frills, quality set of cooking utensils. The tools (except for a metal whisk and peeler) are made of durable silicone that can flex into the corners of pans and won't damage hearty cast iron or more delicate nonstick cookware. The comprehensive 10-piece collection is heat-resistant up to 550°F, with long, sturdy handles that keep your hands away from flames or a hot cooktop. 

In our tests, GIR's utensil set got high marks thanks to its functionality and durability. The variety of tools included is both extensive and useful for most home cooks, without any over-specialized gear that will go unused. Most impressively, everything survived testing virtually unscathed, with the silicone looking brand-new after dozens of cooking sessions and dishwasher cycles. The only downside is that silicone can stain fairly easily, especially if you let heavily pigmented foods — tomatoes, beets, berries — sit and dry on the surface. You should give the tools a thorough rinse, if not a full wash, immediately after use.

Materials: Silicone, metal | Includes: 3 spatulas, flipper, 2 spoons, spoonula, ladle, peeler, whisk | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Small Set

Chef’n 6 Piece Tool Set with Crock

$80 at Crate & Barrel

Whether you live (and cook) in a small space or just consider yourself a minimalist when it comes to kitchen tools, this concise utensil set from Chef’n is for you. The items emphasize functionality and versatility, with durable materials that range from stainless steel and nylon to walnut. You can use these tools to sear steaks, whip up a silky-smooth roux, and flip delicate fish, no matter what type of cookware set you have. And then you can put them away in the included ceramic holder, whose ribbed shape is distinctive but fits in anywhere.

During our tests, this set of essentials earned high marks for its clean and classic appeal, catering to a category of home cooks who prefer fewer and finer tools. The long rounded handles on each piece proved easy to hold while minimizing the risk of burns, and we especially loved the springy responsiveness of the kitchen tongs. You should note, though, that these items need a bit more careful treatment than others. None of them are dishwasher-safe, and the nylon turner and spoon can't handle heat above 400°F.

Materials: Nylon, stainless steel, wood, stoneware | Includes: Turner, spoon, slotted spoon, tongs, whisk, storage crock | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Wood

Ruffoni 6-Piece Olivewood Tool Set

$180 at Williams Sonoma

Olive wood isn't cheap, but its hardness and vibrant color make it a great choice for knife handles and other kitchen tools. Ruffoni's set felt great to hold in testing, with smooth and slightly rounded handles that never slipped or felt uncomfortable. Each also has a hammered copper rivet in the end to make them hangable and reinforce the wood. The spoon, flat spatula, and rounded spatula are everyday tools you'll use for cooking of all kinds, and we found the serving tools — a pasta fork and serving fork — to be more useful than expected. (The slotted spatula also has its place, though we didn't love the large round hole in the middle instead of traditional slots.)

Unfortunately, olive wood is as delicate as it is beautiful. The Ruffoni tools are hand wash–only, and you're supposed to stand them vertically to dry. You should also oil them every few washes with a cutting board oil or similar food-safe product to keep the wood from warping or splitting. It's worth spending a few bucks on care, as these beautiful tools are pretty pricey.

Material: Olive wood | Includes: Flat spatula, rounded spatula, slotted spatula, spoon, pasta fork, serving fork | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Best Metal

All-Clad Stainless Steel Kitchen Tool Set

$120 $96 at Amazon $120 at Walmart $120 at Bloomingdales

Metal tools are forbidden in many kinds of nonstick pans, but if you use stainless steel cookware or cast iron skillets, this durable set could be a perfect choice. All-Clad's tools are strong, easy to clean, and stayed shiny through all our rounds of testing and washing. You get one of each of the standard everyday cook items — spoon, slotted spoon, turner, and ladle — plus the less-common carving fork for impressive presentations like carving a Thanksgiving turkey or slicing a whole brisket. And on top of that, the set comes with a caddy to hold them (and all your other tools).

The All-Clad set is entirely dishwasher-safe, and we were impressed that the metal didn't dull at all through multiple machine washes. Each item is one solid piece of metal, with no screws or rivets that can hold onto food bits or start to rust. The handles are extra-long, which is a bonus when reaching into deep pots but can make it a bit awkward to maneuver in smaller spaces.

Material: Stainless steel | Includes: Turner, solid spoon, slotted spoon, ladle, carving fork, storage caddy | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes