The 10 Best Woks
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in March of 2015. Whether you're a home cook or a professional chef, a good wok is useful for far more than just preparing Asian-inspired, stir-fry dishes. Our selection includes versatile models in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials that are perfect for steaming and sautéing vegetables, preparing omelettes, simmering sauces, deep-frying, and just about anything else you can come up with. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
July 23, 2021:
Our last round of updates had an oversight that we really wanted to correct this time around. While the Craft Wok 731W88 does have a tendency to rust, that's entirely by design, as it's crafted of high-quality carbon steel and ships with just the bare metal with no finish. You'll need to take the proper steps before the first use to apply a layer of oil, followed by proper heating, much like you would with a cast iron pan. Once you do that, this is one of the best woks money can buy. It's a legitimately authentic piece of equipment and it's built to make pounds and pounds of stir fry for years on end.
July 31, 2020:
People who are passionate chefs will often tell you that you can never have enough cookware or kitchen gadgets in your arsenal. Food evokes feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and reminders of simpler times past. Because people have found so many innovative ways to cook their meals, there's no shortage of appliances for any culinary situation. One such versatile kitchen tool is the wok, which can maintain its heat for extended periods of time so you can bake, saute, deep fry, and sear any combination of foods for a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.
We've included the All-Clad Hard Anodized for its ability to withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees and its clear lid for monitoring food. Its wide mouth and high sidewalls disperse internal heat efficiently and evenly.
The Calphalon Triply features a satin-finished interior with a nonporous cooking surface compatible with a variety of metal, nylon, and wooden cooking utensils.
We thought the marble coating, built-in steam vent, and additional lid handle on the Cooklover Nonstick make it a practical choice for your home cooking needs, especially in kitchens with limited storage space.
The extra-deep bowl design (and inward-sloping side) of the Oxo Good Grips makes it a perfect option for mixing, stir frying, and tossing food.
We've also included the TeChef Blooming Flower due to its six layers of nontoxic Teflon coating, which is typically more than double that of its competition.
Finally, even though it's on the pricey side, the Aroma Ultimate was added for its thick hand cast aluminum construction and multi-layered diamond-reinforced coating, which allow for quick and even heating results.
March 05, 2019:
Removed the Joyce Chen Pro Flat Bottom and Ozeri Green Earth due to numerous reports of their handles becoming loose or falling off, and got rid of the Neoflam Chef's Pan as its nonstick coating is not very durable. The Craft Wok Traditional is an excellent choice for those looking for an authentic style, but due to its round bottom, it's not recommended for use on flat-top stoves. For gas and electric coil burners, you will need an inexpensive accessory called a wok ring, or wok stand, to stabilize it. Also added the T-fal Specialty as an affordable option for those who are just getting into wok cooking and want to try it out before committing to a higher-end pan.
Special Honors
Hestan NanoBond Handcrafted in Italy and ideal for traditional stir-fry dishes, the Hestan NanoBond withstands temperatures up to 1,050 degrees Fahrenheit. It's made with micro-layers of titanium fitted between additional layers of stainless steel for a dependable and durable cooking surface. Thanks to the aluminum core, this one can also heat up quickly and maintain a high temperature for an extended period of time. It is compatible with most electric, gas, and induction ranges. hestanculinary.com