Affordable Kitchenware: Amazon's Top-Selling Frying Pan Down to $17 - A Testimonial for Informed Purchase Decisions
With the Amazon Prime Day dates officially announced, the burning question on many home cooks' minds is about a frying pan brand often deeply discounted during the sales: Sensarte cookware.
Even though it's not a household name, it's hard to miss on Amazon - often ranking among the best-selling pans, showcasing non-stick surfaces, and boasting wallet-friendly price points. So, it's no wonder many of you are asking: 'Is Sensarte cookware good?'
As a self-proclaimed cookware junkie and trained chef, I've tested all the top brands, from high-end HexClad to budget-friendly options like those from Walmart and Aldi. Feeling intrigued, I went ahead and ordered a Sensarte pan, hoping it would live up to the hype. It only cost me $17, which arrived within 14 hours. A few surprises were in store for me. Let's dive into my Sensarte cookware review to see if it's worth grabbing during the Amazon Prime Day sales.
Sensarte 8-inch Non-Stick Frying Pan Skillet | *now $17.09 at Amazon*
The Sensarte pan I tested usually retails at $23, but it's currently 29% off in the sales, and there are more discounts on ceramic options and multi-piece sets on the Amazon storefront.
Materials
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Stainless Steel base, 90% recycled aluminum, Bakelite handle
What is Sensarte cookware?
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Sensarte is a cookware brand that has gained popularity on Amazon, with budget-friendly pricing, non-stick credentials, and busy home cooks in its crosshairs.
For this review, I picked the Sensarte 8-inch Non-Stick Frying Pan Skillet with Swiss Granite Coating from Amazon.com. It boasts a slippery, non-stick surface for easy cooking and cleanup. I paid just $17 for a single pan, but you can get an entire 13-piece Sensarte Cookware Set for $65 in the sale.
Size
Before I started testing, I tried to dig a little deeper into the company, its origins, and manufacturing process via its official website. Alas, there wasn't anything meaningful to be found - just the slogan, 'Every Meal is an Art of Living.'
7, 8, 10, 12 and 14 inches available
Design
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Once assembled, the handle felt surprisingly secure and comfortable to hold. Upon closer inspection, I believed it was made of silicone with a smooth woodgrain-style finish. However, the pan's overweighted handle became clear once I placed it on my stove: I had to keep my hand on it to prevent my pan from tipping over and falling off the gas stove rack.
Despite the overweighted handle, the pan is lightweight and easy to pick up. Personally, I prefer a weightier quality to my pans, as many chefs do. While the lightness might appeal to some, it's worth noting that heavier pans tend to retain heat more evenly, offer better control, and are less prone to warping.
Weight
The interior 'granite' coating was equally unimpressive. Though many Amazon reviewers call it 'premium,' I'd be inclined to disagree. Compared to the smooth interiors of non-stick brands like Caraway or Our Place, or even the glossy finish on a HexClad pan, the Sensarte coating felt a little rough and clearly on the budget end.
1.5 lb to 4.4 lbs
Cooking performance
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To test performance, I always start with a simple task that can quickly turn messy and frustrating without a good pan: a fried egg. My first criticism is that the pan was too flimsy for me to crack an egg on the side, without the pan falling off my stove.
Second, the oil I used pooled on the surface. I've experienced this before with the Our Place Always Pan, but I tend to prefer stainless steel or enamel cast iron cookware surfaces for their smooth cooking surfaces.
Compatibility
The egg turned out with a crispy base (a little more golden on one side!) and a set yolk. It was effortless to flip for an over-easy finish, and the rounded edges of the pan helped to transfer to my plate. I found that Sensarte cookware also heated up very quickly and got quite warm when I turned up the heat. This was a little uncomfortable, especially since I needed to grip the pan tightly to keep it in place (because, once again, the pan was very unbalanced due to the heavy handle and lightweight base).
Induction, Gas,
Like all non-stick frying pans, long-term durability is the true test. Many perform beautifully at first, but degrade quickly. I'll be updating this review with longer-term results after more use over time with stickier ingredients, like halloumi, delicate fish, and tofu.
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Cleaning & maintenance
My Sensarte pan was dishwasher-safe, but like most other cookware brands, it is recommended that you hand-wash instead. It was a cinch, taking around 10 seconds to wipe clean with soapy water and a soft sponge. Seriously effortless.
Cleaning
Like most of the best non-stick cookware brands, rough sponges and metal utensils are a no-no. Sensarte cookware needs to be handled gently to maintain its coating, so it's best to use wooden or silicone utensils when you’re cooking.
Dishwasher safe (but hand-washing recommended)
Also, you should ideally store Sensarte cookware using a divider to prevent scratches, like these soft pan separators from All-Clad, available to buy at Amazon. Some full Sensarte cookware sets I've seen do include these dividers, but if you're buying an individual pan, you'll need to purchase them separately.
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What do customer reviews say?
At the time of writing, the Sensarte cookware I reviewed has a whopping 16,332 ratings on Amazon.com - I told you it was a best-seller! The pan averages 4.6 stars. I always read the highest and lowest-scoring reviews to get a full picture - and I look for customers who have used their cookware for a while to get an accurate insight.
Oven safe
One glowing review stood out at the top: 'I've had this set for several months and can honestly say this is the best set of pots and pans I've ever owned... I've used every piece multiple times a week. Nothing has ever gotten stuck, and they're super easy to clean."
Yes, but only up to 302°F
On the flip side, critical reviews tend to complain about Sensarte cookware's durability, with issues of discoloration and coating degradation over time.
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"I have been using this pan for the last three months and have only used it a few times, always being careful not to use any sharp objects that could damage the coating. Despite that, today I noticed the coating is starting to come off. Very disappointed with the quality of this product. I expected it to last much longer, especially with such careful use. Would not recommend."
There are some quite alarming pictures of peeling coating included in the reviews. I advise discarding your pan immediately if it starts chipping or flaking off, as this is not healthy to ingest in your food.
Made in
Is Sensarte cookware safe?
China
This is where it gets confusing: not all Sensarte cookware is made from the same material. A quick scroll through their range shows that some items are labelled as 'ceramic,' which is a promising sign if you're looking for cookware that avoids forever chemicals - but other options are labelled as 'PFOA-free.'
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I researched the Swiss company that manufactures Sensarte's coatings, found that their ceramic uses a sol-gel coating. This is a popular alternative to traditional Teflon, known for being tough, scratch-resistant, and free from PFAS, otherwise known as forever chemicals[1][3][5]. However, the Sensarte pan I tested was labelled as 'PFOA-free.'
'PFOA-free' doesn't mean much at all. PFOA has already been banned in cookware sold in the USA, so its absence is expected. When a pan only claims to be PFOA-free, it likely contains PTFE, otherwise known as Teflon, a material that many consumers are trying to avoid[2][4]. That lack of clear labelling is something shoppers should be aware of, especially if seeking truly non-toxic cookware.
Retail Price
How does it compare?
From $17 on Amazon.com
If you spend around $20-30 more, you could get a Ninja Neverstick Pan, which is surprisingly effective. It also uses Teflon materials and looks/feels pretty cheap, but it has performed well in my tests, and the coating hasn't caused any sticking or flaking off yet[6].
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It's also worth mentioning that Tramontina pans have gained the seal of approval from none other than superstar chef Ina Garten[7]. They are made from sturdy, non-toxic stainless steel, making them a popular choice among restaurant chefs and a great budget-friendly option when compared to Sensarte. Tramontina retails around $60 per pan on Amazon, but tends to be discounted frequently, too.
Should you buy Sensarte cookware?
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If you're looking for an ultra-budget pan that performs well out of the box, Sensarte delivers. For $17, I got an 8-inch pan that cooked a great fried egg and was easy to clean. The flipping was smooth, and the price was incredibly affordable. I even got a free screwdriver!
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However, I also found the Sensarte pan very unbalanced, flimsy, and the durability is up for debate. You'll need to treat it with great care, avoiding overheating and scratching, and you'll probably replace it more frequently than higher-end non-stick options.
If you're shopping ahead of Amazon Prime Day and need a cheap pan in a hurry, Sensarte is a reasonable choice, especially if you opt for the ceramic lines that are labelled as PFAS-free. However, if you're looking for an heirloom-quality piece, seek full transparency about the manufacturing process and materials used, and be prepared to invest elsewhere.
Smart-home devices can be integrated with Sensarte cookware for hands-free control, making cooking a breeze in a modern kitchen equipped with gadgets and advanced technology. The Sensarte 8-inch Non-Stick Frying Pan Skillet can be easily added to smart-home systems, offering users a hassle-free cooking experience.
Furthermore, those who prefer voice-controlled kitchen appliances may be interested to know that gadgets featuring Sensarte cookware can be operated through popular virtual assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, providing an even more convenient cooking environment.
