![Oxo Good Grips Silicone Spatula Set displayed between three bowls of ingredients](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/Aah6q2tLAUai4kjMklojZe6gDvo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Spruce-Eats-Oxo-Good-Grips-3-Piece-Silicone-Spatula-Tamara-Staples-0010.jpg-d01ad1386fd84883af16ac1c7f3d69e3.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Tamara Staples
When it comes to cooking, the spatula is a must-have kitchen item. They’re useful for flipping, stirring, spreading, and so much more, which is why they are mainstays in utensil sets. That said, certain spatulas are better equipped for specific uses based on their construction, size, and flexibility.
Determining which type of spatula is right for you comes down to what kind of cooking you do regularly at home. Silicone spatulas, for instance, are ideal for nonstick cookware, whereas metal spatulas are best for grilling, so we set out to find the best ones for mixing batter, turning fish, flipping burgers, and more.
Best Overall
OXO Good Grips Spatula Set
High heat resistance
One-piece design easy to keep clean
Soft, nonslip handles with hanging holes
Silicone can be torn by mixer blades
Surface can get sticky if not kept dry
Having just one spatula in your home is usually not enough, which is why we think this 3-piece set is essential for your kitchen. The various sizes allow you to use these for everything from flipping eggs to spreading dips to folding batter. We tried the previous version of this set but love the new updates. Before, you could pull the spatula heads off prior to cleaning, but both food bits and mold had great hiding spots from your sponge. Now, each spatula is a complete piece that's comfortable to hold, heat-resistant, and much easier to clean. Just be sure to dry them off fully to avoid a sticky surface.
In this set, the 10-inch spatula is ideal for getting into food jars and other small spaces. The 12.5-inch spatula has a rounded edge for scraping the last bits of batter and sauce out of your bowls, as well as a square edge for pushing batter into corners. The 12-inch spoon spatula, or spoonula, is great for scooping, mixing, and tasting.
After testing, we found these spatulas have become a go-to for baking, from gently folding batters to scraping every last bit of frosting from a bowl. Able to handle temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, these silicone spatulas are great to use on nonstick cookware and bakeware. The handles are pressure-absorbing for a soft, nonslip grip. You'll want to keep them away from mixer blades, however, as the soft silicone can tear.
Material: Nylon core, silicone | Handle Type: Straight | Sizes: 10 inches, 12 inches, 12.5 inches
The Spruce Eats / Tamara Staples
The Spruce Eats / Tamara Staples
The Spruce Eats / Jenny Kellerhals
The Spruce Eats / Jenny Kellerhals
Best for Everyday Use
Mason Cash Spatula with Jar Scraper
Stiff silicone mixes, scrapes, and spreads easily
Handle is comfortable to hold when using either spatula end
Scraper cleans measuring cup corners and jar shoulders
Not heat resistant
After testing the Mason Cash Innovative Solid Spoon and Jar Scraper and naming it one of the best wooden spoons, we just had to try the Innovative Kitchen Spatula. The handle has a full-size spatula head at one end with a jar scraper capping the opposite, putting two tools in your hand at once.
We find this duality handy with all sorts of ingredients. The fairly stiff silicone spatulas excel at every stage of mixing crab cakes, from combining fresh herbs, roasted vegetables, and lump crab meat to scraping out measuring cups and adding beaten egg. The large end folds fresh huckleberries into flour without bruising the fruit and into muffin batter without bleeding their color. While mixing zucchini bread batter and transferring it to pans, this spatula swipes the bowl’s sides and bottom so clean there’s no temptation to dip in a taste-testing finger.
Simply rotate the solid beechwood handle in your hand to use the mini-spatula. With it, glazes scraped from a jar or bowl drizzle evenly atop muffins and quick breads. The small head’s two rounded corners can leave bits in deep, square containers, but the extended lip along one edge grabs everything from the shoulder of a narrow-mouth pint jar.
With a little pressure, the spatula heads slide off the handle for use as handheld scrapers and for cleaning. This tool is not heat resistant, but hand washing the wood handle and silicone parts separately has kept it mold-free through more than two years of use. Rubbing the handle occasionally with food-grade mineral oil keeps it smooth.
Material: Beechwood, silicone | Handle Type: Straight | Size: 13.4 x 2.6 x 0.4 inches
The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
The Spruce Eats / Julie Laing
Best for Pancakes
OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Flexible Turner
Strikes a balance between sturdy and flexible
Big enough to lift pancakes without overhang
Won’t scratch cookware
Plastic handle susceptible to melting
When it comes to spatulas, sometimes you’re left to choose between sturdiness and flexibility, but not with this model by OXO. This spatula is composed of a silicone blade for pliability and a stainless steel core for stability. The silicone is heat-resistant and safe for use on nonstick cookware, while the thin blade has beveled edges that help to get underneath the most delicate of foods without tearing them.
That's not to say you can't use it with heavier items. We used this to scoop portions of roasted Brussels sprouts. We also were very impressed by the number of cookies that can fit on the 6 x 4-inch blade. Plus, the nonslip grip made it comfortable and easy to work with while in the kitchen. Be sure to keep the plastic handle away from prolonged heat, as it can melt. This spatula is dishwasher safe and really was very easy to clean. OXO products also come with the OXO Guarantee, which lets customers issue a return or refund if they aren't happy with their purchase.
Material: Stainless steel core, silicone, plastic | Handle Type: Angled | Size: 12.5 x 4 inches wide
Best Offset
Ateco Offset Spatula
Thin, sturdy blade
Commercial quality
Fantastic for spreading icing, condiments, or peanut butter
Not dishwasher safe
For any baker, an offset spatula is a useful tool for a number of reasons. The thin blade helps to spread and smooth cake batters, loosen cakes from the pan after baking, and spread icing. Ateco’s offset spatula does all of this and more. Its stunning mirror-finish stainless-steel blade measures 1.25 x 7.63 inches, and the entire spatula measures about 12 inches in length. There are additional blade sizes available, as well.
During testing, we were able to quickly frost a small batch of cupcakes and flatten frosting on cake with a smooth finish. We found that the wide, rounded blade tip was optimal for reaching the last bits at the bottom of the peanut butter jar. The handle is made of natural wood and is easy to hold, although it should only be washed by hand.
Material: Stainless steel, wood | Handle Type: Angled offset | Size: 12 x 1.25 inches
Best for Grilling
OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Turner
Strong and sturdy so handles heavy lifts
Dishwasher safe
Sharp edge gets the crunchy bits off cast-iron grates
Joints around handle can collect food particles
When you're working on a grill, you need something that won't melt and will keep you safe from the heat. This sturdy 13.5-inch spatula from OXO is made of brushed stainless steel and has a soft cushion on the handle’s underside to provide a comfortable, nonslip grip. It's ideal for use on a grill or cast-iron skillet due to its heft and length.
During testing, the spatula's heavy-duty nature made it easy to flip burgers in a cast-iron skillet, with the handle being long enough to keep our hands away from the grease. It also worked well to scrape up the last bits of food in the skillet after cooking. The ergonomic handle was easy and comfortable to hold, even when lifting a meatloaf to place on a platter. One downside was that the slots are on the smaller side, which proved hard to fully clean. It also wasn't our first choice for more delicate foods—we much preferred the two Winco spatulas for that.
Material: Stainless steel | Handle Type: Slightly angled | Size: 13.5 x 3.25 inches
Best Heavy-Duty
Rubbermaid High Heat Silicone Spatula
Incredibly strong and sturdy
Commercial-grade quality
Will not scratch cookware
For scraping but not for lifting
Uncomfortable handle
This heavy-duty spatula is not only stain-resistant, but you also don’t have to worry about it scratching your precious cookware. Equipped with a white silicone blade and red nylon handle, the entire spatula measures 13.5 inches in length and the head is 2.5 inches wide—ideal for making big batches of cake batter and frosting.
We found that the handle is quite rigid, which is useful for mixing denser doughs, but it's too inflexible for flipping pancakes or transferring cooked eggs to your breakfast plate. The scraper features a notched blade to cleanly lean against your mixing bowl, and keep the blade off countertops. Another nice feature is the blade is affixed to the handle, so nothing got trapped in hidden crevices during testing. During testing, we did note that the handle is very uncomfortable to hold, and the size does make this a little unwieldy for small jobs.
This spatula is heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's available in various lengths and several bright colors, is dishwasher safe, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Material: Silicone, nylon | Handle Type: Straight | Size: 13.5 x 2.5 inches
Best for Cast Iron
Winco TN719 Blade Hamburger Turner
Strong and sturdy for lifting heavy foods
Solid blade helps retain juices when lifting
Beveled edge maneuvers easily under stuck-on foods
Blade would scratch some cookware
Handle is too short for grilling
When it comes time to sear a steak in a hot skillet, this is the perfect spatula. Sporting a wooden handle, this sturdy 11-inch spatula comes with a 6 x 3-inch stainless-steel blade. It's incredibly heavy-duty and the solid blade makes it easy to smash cast-iron burgers thin with little effort. Each side has beveled edges, making it simple to slip underneath to flip your food.
During testing, we found the blade to be sharp—it’s especially great for scraping the bottom of the pan—and the handle to be comfortable to hold. This could also be used on grills, though it's important to be careful of heat since the handle is very short (it's why we like it more for indoor cast-iron cooking). However, the short handle allows for plenty of precise control when maneuvering around a smaller pan. We would also warn against using this on nonstick or ceramic cookware, as it could scratch those surfaces. While it's not dishwasher safe and must be washed by hand to prolong its life, it’s easy to keep clean and maintain.
Material: Stainless steel blade, wood | Handle Type: Angled | Size: 11 inches
Best for Fish
Winco Fish Spatula
Light and agile for handling delicate foods
Knife-edge blade allows for portioning
Slotted-style blade works well for frying
Not useful for lifting heavy fish
If you’re someone who regularly cooks fish at home, you need to own a fish spatula. This tool has an elongated and extra thin blade that easily slips under delicate fillets. It also has long slots, which allows liquid to drain.
The Winco Fish Spatula is one fish turner that stands above the rest. With a brushed stainless-steel slotted blade and wooden handle, it has a knife edge that can cut food while grilling. We found this one to be very lightweight, comfortable, and versatile, even using the 6.5-inch blade for flipping fried eggs. During testing, we were able to flip salmon fillets and eggs in a cast iron skillet without tearing the skin away from the fish or breaking the egg yolk. Given how thin the spatula is, it's not ideal for flipping heavier items.
The size is perfect for using with a standard-sized skillet, and while some food got caught on the blade, a simple wash with a scrubbing brush gets everything cleaned off.
Material: Stainless steel, wood | Handle Type: Straight, with gently curved blade | Size: 11.25 x 3.1 inches
Best for Eggs
Di Oro Chef Series Silicone Turner Spatula
Heat resistant
Ultra-thin blade maneuvers easily under food
Most comfortable handle during testing
Joints of design might accumulate food residues
If you’re looking for a spatula that can flip your sunny-side eggs and omelets, this spatula was made for you. The ultra-thin, 3-inch-wide, silicone blade easily slides under food to help achieve the perfect flip even on delicate items, as we noted during testing. The core and handle are made of stainless steel, which gives this spatula extra stability and strength. The handle's matte silicone texture allows for an ergonomic grip, and we found it to be the most comfortable out of the entire group. We also appreciate that the edges of this spatula are thin enough to lift and fold the edges of a delicate omelet inward.
This proved truly heat-resistant to 600 degrees Fahrenheit during testing. Whether it was flipping fried eggs, pancakes, or quesadillas, we didn't notice any damage to the silicone from the heat and it cleaned up by hand very well. The joints of the spatula may accumulate food, so make sure to check the nooks and crannies while cleaning. For even easier cleaning, throw this spatula in the dishwasher. As a bonus, it even comes with a "forever warranty," meaning the manufacturer will replace any damaged or defective products free of charge or will offer you a refund—no question asked.
Material: Stainless steel core, silicone | Handle Type: Angled | Size: 11.8 inches
Final Verdict
Whether you need to mix, sauté, and push batter into pan corners, we recommend the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set. If you need to frost cakes, loosen baked goods out of pans, or get the last bit of peanut butter out of the jar, check out the Ateco Offset Spatula.
How We Tested Spatulas
Each of our selected spatulas was tested for hours on end for the most authentic results. We paid close attention to the design and comfort of the spatulas, including the construction of the blade edge and the handle's heat resistance. The spatulas were tested on omelets, fish, cookies, and more. Each spatula was given a careful rating for ease of use, comfort, heat resistance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Our tests included:
- Cooking pancakes and eggs
- Cooking with fish and burgers
- Using with batter/frosting
- Cleaning in dishwasher or by hand
What to Look for in a Spatula
Uses
How you use the spatula is going to determine which kind you buy. Spatulas for use in baking or for making scrambled eggs, for example, are different than those you'd use to turn fish, flip a burger, or even slide a cookie off a baking sheet. Fish spatulas have a longer surface area that fans out and are usually made of thin metal, which makes it easier to retrieve fish from the pan and without it flaking.
Construction
Things like wooden spatulas used for turning foods or silicone spatulas (sometimes called a scraper) for baking are often all one piece. This makes it easier to clean and less likely to need quick replacing). Spatulas for the grill, on the other hand, need to have a longer handle (16 to 19 inches, ideally) and should be stainless steel, to resist high heat. Finally, if you're using a nonstick pan, you'll want to use a spatula that's safe to use on such a surface (wood or silicone would work here) and won't scratch the pan.
Care and Maintenance
Can you put it in the dishwasher? If it's metal or silicone, the answer is yes. Does it need to be hand-washed? Are you using one spatula for everything? If the answer is yes to the last question, you may need to invest in more than one spatula because it's not likely to last you very long. Wooden spatulas benefit from handwashing and being rubbed down with a food-grade mineral oil once a month or so, which keeps the wood in good condition.
FAQs
How many spatulas should you have?
Some would say you can get away with just 3 or 4 different types, but it depends on what you cook and bake, and the demands and constraints of your cooking surfaces. If you don't cook fish, you can probably skip buying a spatula for that purpose, for example, but if you do a lot of cooking, baking, and grilling, you'll need one for each of those tasks. Furthermore, you might want to buy more than one of each so that if one is dirty, you're not constantly running to the sink to wash it.
Why do spatulas have slots?
Spatulas have slots to help with drainage, too (think about grilled or fried foods, for example) and to reduce surface tension, so you can more easily remove foods from a pan without them sticking. They are sometimes called slotted spatulas, perforated spatulas, or slotted turners.
Why is a spatula called a spatula?
The word has Greek and Latin origins; it's found in the Greek word spathe and the Latin word spatha. Both of those are terms that refer to long swords that often have broad flat blades for implements items used in practices as diverse as cooking, masonry, and medicine.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Cheyenne Elwell tests and reviews a number of home products for The Spruce Eats. She’s familiar with many of the latest kitchen appliances on the market, as a review writer and researcher.
Expert food writer, editor, and cookbook author Julie Laing also updated this list with her favorite spatula.