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The Best Flatware

Last updated on September 30, 2020

We looked at the top 18 Flatware and dug through the reviews from 109 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Flatware.

Best Flatware

Our Review Process

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If there’s one true milestone of adulthood, it’s the first time you purchase your own flatware. Every household has a set, so it’s easy to take for granted that you’ll always have a knife or fork at hand when you need one. But when it’s a set of your very own, you’re going to want that set to reflect your own personal style — and more importantly, you’re going to want it to last.

Flatware, by the way, is a term that specifically means eating utensils: spoons, knives and forks. Officially speaking, “silverware” refers to any items in your household that are made of silver, such as tea sets or serving trays. And yes, sometimes that might include your flatware.

Most likely, though, your modern flatware set will be made from stainless steel — not silver. For most households, that’s preferable. Sterling silver utensils are still very much a thing in formal situations, and a good set does have a shine that might warrant its hefty price tag (if you can afford it). But they do require frequent polishing and can’t be run through automatic dishwashers. Those two factors make sterling silver a deal-breaker for everyday use.

All stainless steel flatware is not created equally, however. The process by which they’re made makes a big difference. If you’re looking for durability, definitely consider forged utensils over stamped ones. If they are forged, they’ll typically say so, and proudly. Forged flatware is heated and carved out of a solid rod of metal, and that heating (among other things) makes it significantly more likely to last. Cheaper flatware is more commonly stamped, which means it is pressed and cut out of a single flat sheet of stainless steel. The finished product is a less hardy piece of metal that’s easier to bend and more prone to scratching.

And then there’s the actual composition of the steel. Stainless steel is an alloy and can be made from a mix of different metals. In the case of flatware, the ones that determine its usability are going to be chromium and nickel. There are typically three grades of quality for stainless steel: 18/0, 18/8 and 18/10. That refers to the ratio of chromium to nickel in the steel. 18/0 is common to budget flatware, which is more prone to rust and corrosion due to the absence of nickel. 18/10, the highest grade, has significantly more staying power.

So what exactly can you expect to get in a flatware set? A single setting traditionally includes five pieces: a dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, teaspoon and dinner knife. You can certainly pick up single sets and even single utensils at most houseware stores, but box sets are much more common these days. They’ll include multiple settings of flatware, as well as some less common utensils you might find useful for special meals.

Our Picks For The Top Flatware

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

AmazonBasics Round Edge Stainless Steel Flatware

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AmazonBasics

Round Edge Stainless Steel Flatware

If you're searching for a flatware set that's just the right weight, you'll love this collection. The pieces aren't too light or too heavy. They are constructed from a durable stainless steel and have rounded edges that are nice and smooth.

Overall Take

Durable Stainless SteelMade from a durable stainless steel, this flatware set won't rust or stain.

 Stylish Pick

LIANYU Polished Copper Flatware Set, 20-Piece

LIANYU

Polished Copper Flatware Set, 20-Piece

This flatware set is a good match for households of two, made of quality material that resists corrosion. The set features well-balanced utensils, with table knives sturdy enough to cut steak. The eye-catching yet classic design also incorporates a solid grip and mirror-shine polish. This set could work with any set of dishes.

Overall Take

Balanced, Economy UtensilsA balanced flatware set that's great for small households.

Pros
" This set is perfect for our household of two. We live simply and this set fits with the casual vibe we have. The individual pieces are medium weight, heavy enough in the hand that they don’t feel cheap, but not..."
Cons
"Few of the prongs may not seem aligned. Edges of forks may be quite sharp."
 Mirror Finish

LIANYU Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

LIANYU

Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

With this flatware set, you'll get eight of each of the following: dinner knives, dinner spoons, teaspoons, dinner forks and salad forks. The pieces are high-quality, which means you won't have to worry about rust or stains. The mirror finish is also a nice touch, as it looks great with any other cutlery sets you may own.

Overall Take

Attractive Mirror FinishThis flatware set has an attractive mirror finish the will coordinate well with the rest of your utensils.

Pros
" It gives you a fine dining experience with the quality of its products. Their weight and size are so perfect that it makes it ideal for both children and adults. Above all, the stainless steel silverware set is dishwasher safe."
Cons
"There’s no steel grade information provided with this set, which means only time will tell the longevity of the flatware. Typically, when brands conceal this information, it is because the steel grade is not up to industry standards. Further inconsistencies..."
 Easy to Hold

Berglander Matte Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

Berglander

Matte Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

You won't find any lead or harmful chemicals in this flatware set. The pieces are formed from a sturdy stainless steel that won't bend or rust. Thanks to the matte finish and the polished smooth edges, this set also has an elegance to it.

Overall Take

Offers a Good GripYou'll find this flatware set has a good balance and provides a nice grip.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
25

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the flatware available to purchase.
18

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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109

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Quiddity, New York Mag, BestReviews, Seriously Smoked, The Top Pro.

57,988

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 18 Flatware and also dug through the reviews from 109 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Flatware.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Berglander Matte Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

User Summarized Score

9.2
1,064 user reviews

Our Take

You won't find any lead or harmful chemicals in this flatware set. The pieces are formed from a sturdy stainless steel that won't bend or rust. Thanks to the matte finish and the polished smooth edges, this set also has an elegance to it.

What to Look For

  • You’ll use your flatware frequently, so make sure the style matches the plates and furnishings on your table. And since those might change over the years, your best bet for everyday flatware is an understated design.
  • Speaking of style, there are two basic kinds of finish for flatware: mirror or satin. Respectively, they convey either a shiny or brushed look to the utensil. Some find that a satin coat hides scratches better, but the finish won’t have much effect on the actual durability of your set either way.
  • Pay particular attention to the knives and forks in the set. Long tines on a fork might give it an elegant look, but they can be awkward depending on your eating style. Eating a lot of steak? Maybe look for dinner knives with a serrated edge.
  • If you’re buying on a budget, the basic five components of a dinner setting should be in any box set, and they might be all you need. But it might be helpful depending on your lifestyle to get a larger set with some specialty items, such as sugar spoons or cheese knives.

Flatware Rankings

1. AmazonBasics Round Edge Stainless Steel Flatware

Overall Score: 9.8
Reviews Included: 1

2. LIANYU Polished Copper Flatware Set, 20-Piece

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 17

3. LIANYU Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 8

4. Brightown Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set, 65-Piece

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 2

5. Berglander Matte Stainless Steel Flatware Set, 40-Piece

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 1

18. Oneida B336045A Mooncrest Flatware Set, 45-Piece

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 16

More to Explore

We might commonly refer to our forks and spoons as silverware, but unless they’re actually made of silver, the official term is “flatware.” Why is that? Well, up until the 19th century or so, the word was used to distinguish flat items, such as utensils, from “holloware.” As you might expect, that latter category included most every hollow receptacle in the kitchen: bowls, cups, pots and the like.

More to explore