The Best Non-Toxic Nonstick Skillets of 2026
We scored 15 nonstick skillets for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is GreenPan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick Frypan at 90/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
80% of the 15 nonstick skillets we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free nonstick skillets we have scored
- 1
GreenPan
Rio Ceramic Nonstick Frypan
ceramic nonstick coating
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade58Good🍂20Ceramic coating degradation and peeling
High concern
🔩70Aluminum leaching from base metal
Limited concern
🍂45Coating adhesion loss and metal exposure
Moderate concern
Lower concern; ceramic nonstick avoids Teflon-type coating, but no independent lab confirmation.
⚠Risky category by default
- 2
GreenPan
Rio Ceramic Set
ceramic non-stick coating
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade86Excellent🍂70Ceramic coating degradation and flaking
Limited concern
Lower concern cookware; ceramic coating cuts PFAS risk versus traditional Teflon-family coating nonstick.
⚠Risky category by default
- 3
Calphalon
Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan 12"
ceramic nonstick coating
PFAS Grade80ExcellentOverall Grade54Good⏳20Ceramic coating degradation over time
High concern
🔩70Aluminum leaching
Limited concern
♾️70PFAS
Limited concern
Lower concern choice; ceramic avoids traditional Teflon-family coating without Calphalon PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Every nonstick skillets that passes, side by side
Sorted by score. Higher is safer. Scored against 3 hazards that apply to this category.
| # | Nonstick Skillets | Score | Rating | Made of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GreenPan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick Frypan | 90 | Excellent | ceramic nonstick coating |
| 2 | GreenPan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Set | 90 | Excellent | ceramic non-stick coating |
| 3 | Calphalon Calphalon Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan 12" | 80 | Excellent | ceramic nonstick coating |
The nonstick skillets we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
Calphalon
Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan Set
Hard-anodized aluminum with proprietary nonstick coating (unspecified)
Nonstick coating degradation and fume risk
Limited concern
Coating integrity loss over time
Moderate concern
Proprietary coating composition undisclosed
High concern
Pass until Calphalon reveals coating chemistry or commits to PFAS-free.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Calphalon
Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick 13-Inch Deep Skillet
Hard-anodized aluminum with proprietary nonstick coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Teflon-type coating fume risk (thermal degradation)
Limited concern
Nonstick coating wear and flaking
Moderate concern
Pass until Calphalon discloses nonstick chemistry; Teflon-free claim absent.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Calphalon
Premier Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan with Lid
ceramic nonstick coating
Ceramic coating degradation and barrier loss
High concern
Aluminum leaching from base (if coating compromised)
Limited concern
Thermal stress and fume risk from overheating
Limited concern
Lack of third-party safety verification
Limited concern
Lower concern, but Calphalon keeps ceramic composition private.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
What we check on nonstick skillets
- Heavy metals. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and others that accumulate in the body. FDA
- Lead. A heavy metal with no safe exposure level, especially for children. ATSDR
- Cadmium. A toxic heavy metal found in some glazes, pigments, and batteries. ATSDR
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The nonstick skillets brands that will not say
4 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.
Calphalon, Circulon, Cuisinart, Rachael Ray.
Common questions about PFAS-free nonstick skillets
Is nonstick skillets PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 15 nonstick skillets we have scored, 80% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 3 that pass. The highest scoring is GreenPan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick Frypan at 90 out of 100. The lowest is Calphalon Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan Set at 15.
What is the safest nonstick skillets you have scored?
GreenPan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick Frypan, at 90 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is ceramic nonstick coating. The runner up is GreenPan GreenPan Rio Ceramic Set at 90.
Which nonstick skillets should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Calphalon Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan Set at 15, Calphalon Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick 13-Inch Deep Skillet at 15, Calphalon Calphalon Premier Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan with Lid at 15. The problem with the first is that pass until Calphalon reveals coating chemistry or commits to PFAS-free.
How can you tell if nonstick skillets contain PFAS?
In this category we check for heavy metals, lead, cadmium. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and others that accumulate in the body. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.
Which nonstick skillets brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
4 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Calphalon, Circulon, Cuisinart, Rachael Ray. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test nonstick skillets?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
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Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 15 nonstick skillets.