No matter whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special event, a good set of flatware can enhance your table at every meal.
Silverware and flatware sets can be tricky to choose. Along with choosing from a variety of flatware designs and steel types on the market, you also have to consider aesthetics, your budget, and the number of place settings needed.
With the goal of helping you choose the best flatware or silverware set for your home, we assessed each set for design, durability, weight, grip, and overall value. These flatware and silverware sets were used to serve many soups, salads, and entrees (such as braised chicken).
We’ve tested and researched the best flatware and silverware for you to dine in style, whether you’re looking for a durable collection for everyday use or a high-end set for special occasions.
| Products | Price |
|---|---|
| LIANYU 20 Piece Silverware Flatware | |
| Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set | |
| Oneida B336045A Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set | |
| Knork Original Collection Cutlery Utensils | |
| Portable utensils silverware flatware set |
1. LIANYU 20 Piece Silverware Flatware
You can’t go wrong with this affordable set if you’re just getting started or need extra flatware for an upcoming dinner. In each set, you’ll find a salad fork, a dinner fork, a soup spoon, a teaspoon, and a dinner knife, so four people can have each one. In case you want something a little more unique than stainless steel, the set comes in five different colors.
In addition to the stainless steel utensils being lightweight, many reviewers note that they are durable and that they hold up well after repeated washing in the dishwasher.
Have no dishwasher? They are easy to hand wash due to their simple design. You may want to be careful when using it – the knife is sharper than a butter knife might seem.
2. Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set
Lenox flatware is made of stainless steel with a chrome and nickel content of 18/10. It’s nickel that keeps stainless steel shiny from meal to meal and dishwasher to the dishwasher. It’s dishwasher-safe.
There are enough five-piece settings for 12 people, as well as five serving utensils included in the set. A beaded channel design at the base makes the pieces more subtle, and ergonomically designed so they are comfortable to hold while eating.
The flatware’s minimalist yet beautiful detailing and high-quality. As well as being dishwasher-safe and tarnish-resistant, the set is also important for keeping utensils dry to prevent rust.
3. Oneida B336045A Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set
The stylish, simple lines of this flatware are sure to appeal to those who prefer no fuss, no muss. It prevents rust and deterioration over time because it contains 18 percent chrome.
Due to its sturdy nature, there is no need to worry about it warping with continued use. It contains a few serving pieces, forks, knives, and spoons, which can be used up to eight times in one meal.
4. Knork Original Collection Cutlery Utensils
Michael D. Miller, the founder of Knork flatware, created the company’s lauded designs while struggling to eat a slice of pizza with a fork.
Knork’s signature fork (a knife-fork hybrid) has beveled outer tines that can be used to eat either left-handed or right-handed and is sharp enough to cut almost any food.
Four servings of utensils for four people are included in this set. They can be washed in the dishwasher. A product tester appreciated the ergonomic design and noticeably balanced weight of each utensil.
Additionally, the utensils feature a wide finger platform that fits the contours of your hands for added comfort. The pieces are hand-forged from 18/10 stainless steel and forged in 26 steps.
5. Portable utensils silverware flatware set
Environment-conscious individuals probably cringe when they are forced to use a disposable plastic fork when they eat takeout salad, but who wants to carry around their regular flatware every time they eat? Here’s a reusable, portable stainless steel set.
There is also a set of chopsticks for those days when you order sushi, plus two metal straws so you can enjoy your lunch at your desk.
Moreover, the utensils come packaged in a waterproof, easy-to-clean bag that’s just as easy to wash as the utensils themselves. Reviewers praise the fact that this set is available in a variety of fun colors, including rainbow, which adds personality to their desk lunches.
Things to Consider Before Buying Flatware
Material
Flatware is sometimes referred to as “silverware” for a good reason: It was traditionally silver. In the past, the rich used ostentatious table settings to display their wealth (hence the oyster fork) while the poorer classes used pewter or wooden cutlery. In the early 1900s, stainless steel, which resists corrosion and rust, was developed.
In today’s world, you can still find sterling silver flatware in the finest homes and restaurants. The cost of a single flatware set ranges from around $50 to several hundred dollars. Sterling silver flatware is usually more expensive, so a complete table setting can cost thousands of dollars. Sterling silver flatware also requires a lot of maintenance.
Silver-plated
It may seem like the worst of both worlds, but silver-plated flatware is another option. Silver-plated flatware does not have this intrinsic value, which is why sterling silver flatware remains valuable. As with sterling silver, it must be cared for as if it were sterling silver but without the chance to resell.
Buying individual pieces or partial sets of sterling silver flatware at an antique store can often be more economical than buying an entire set at an antique store. It is possible to spend a lot of money even on secondhand sterling silver.
Titanium, gold, and copper are also plated silverware options. It’s more about style than quality, so most will have a stainless steel core. In comparison to stainless steel, plate flatware wears and chips over time and needs more maintenance.
Stainless steel
At a fraction of the price of silverware, stainless steel flatware has the shine of silverware. We still have some ties to those more formal silver settings of old; even the simplest of flatware handles have designs meant to evoke actual silverware.
In addition to being more affordable than silver, stainless steel is also much easier to maintain. Over and over, you can just throw this type of flatware in the dishwasher, dry it off, and put it away.
Types of stainless steel
Stainless steel flatware cannot be simply picked up from any store. An 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0 grade will appear on the package or product page for good stainless steel. Flatware with an 18/10 composition has 18 percent chrome and 10 percent nickel, for example.
High-quality flatware is 18/10: It feels heavier in the hand and has more shine and corrosion resistance thanks to the 10 percent nickel.
Generally, if the grade is not listed, you can assume the material is of poor quality, or even not stainless steel at all. The 18/10 stainless steel comes in a range of styles and designs, but lower grades are still a good option if you want to save money.