15 Best Woks (Review) In 2020

Our best wok choice is Souped Up Recipes Carbon Steel Wok, suitable for all types of stoves. You will need to season this wok to create a non-stick surface, but instructions are included. This product comes from SoupedUp Recipes and includes links to their video channels with user instructions, seasoning guides, and hundreds of recipes.

It is a great product for dishes that require high heat, and the lid adds to its versatility, as you can use it for steaming and stewing, as well as traditional stir-frying. At 12.5-inches in diameter, this is the best wok for cooking small to medium-sized dishes. Two handles would enhance this wok if you plan on using it for steaming or large quantities of food, but the long handle makes it easy for the essential tossing of food.

COOKLOVER Chinese Wok is made from die-cast aluminum and has a non-stick coating, so you don’t need to do any seasoning, just look after it as per the manufacturers’ instructions.

It is a beautiful design and comes with a glass, silicon sealed lid to help retain heat and for steaming or boiling. The heatproof, ergonomic handle can also be removed for easier storage of the wok when not in use. As with the SoupedUp version, this is a flat-based wok that can be used on all types of stoves.

Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminum Wok can be used on gas or electric cookers due to its flat bottom and does not require any seasoning thanks to its three-layer non-stick coating. This wok is a little smaller than others we reviewed, and a bit heavier than similar 10-inch pans, but best for cooking for two people.

As it doesn’t require any seasoning, is non-stick and dishwasher safe, it is incredibly easy to use and to clean. There is no lid included, which reduces its versatility but a great advantage of this product is that it can be safely put in an oven of up to 250degrees Fahrenheit.

The 12-inch EPPMO Hard-Anodized Aluminum Wok comes with two heat resistant stainless steel handles (one long, one small) to make it easy to transport and a well-fitting glass lid, making the whole model easy to handle. It is also well-built with a triple-ply construction. This consists of a layer of aluminum fitted between non-stick, scratch-resistant coatings. This increases its durability of the wok.

While it cannot be used on induction stoves, only gas, electric or ceramic hobs, it can be placed in the oven at high heat. If you are not a fan of washing-up, then the dishwasher safe feature will appeal to you!

The 14-inch Joyce Chen Flat Bottom Wok is our best value choice. This wok resembles the favored choice of many chefs in Chinese culture, as it is made from carbon steel and is very robust. However, this model has a flat base, unlike the traditional round base, which means that you can use it on both electric or gas stoves.

It does require seasoning to create the non-stick coating. The manufacturers’ guide for seasoning for this particular pan is very simple to follow, but it does take quite some time to achieve this properly so you will need to be patient. The Joyce Chen is a highly affordable, durable pan, equipped with a helper handle for easy transport and a handle loop for easy storage. Just remember it can only be hand washed as the dishwasher will damage the coating you worked so hard to create.

The Yosukata Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Wok Pan is a highly versatile pan for use on all types of stove and is made from highly durable, heavy-duty carbon steel. The best features of this wok are its weight and the pre-seasoning touch. At only 3.6lbs it is one of the lightest models available, perfect for tossing ingredients in the Pow Wok style. Ideal for cooking a stir fry!

For those of you that are used to seasoning woks, you will know that this can be a time consuming, sometimes confusing process. With the Yosukata, the seasoning has already been done, so it is ready to use as soon as you buy it.

The Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Stir Fry Pan is a 13-inch flat-bottom wok, that can be placed in an oven, used for steaming and has been constructed to fit on all types of stove. Its clever design ensures even heat distribution across the base of the pan, and also on the sides, and while the interior heats up very quickly, its airflow technology allows the long and helper handles to both stay cool.

This is a durable, versatile wok is easy to clean in the dishwasher. However, it does have a tendency to stain. You also need to be aware that with the lid, it is quite heavy and takes up a lot of space in your cupboards.

The anodized aluminum Cooks Standard Flat Bottom Wok has the immediate advantage of not needing any seasoning, so it can be used immediately. It is also oven safe and comes with a tempered lid so you can use it for much more than stir-fries. The 11-inch diameter makes this best suited for cooking for individuals or couples – if you are cooking for a whole family you might want to invest in a larger wok. As it doesn’t come with a helper handle, you may want to be careful not to overload it with ingredients as you will find it difficult to move.

This Cooks Standard aluminum model is a lightweight, well-built wok and gives even heating throughout; however, it cannot be used on induction stoves.

This professional model comes from Aroma Housewares and is an electric model, so there is no need for stove heating. Due to its construction, Aroma Housewares Electric Wok is best suited for tempuras, hot pots, or steaming. It does not reach the incredibly high temperatures required for some dishes, nor does it have a long handle for tilting and tossing the pan.

The electric wok comes with ten different heat settings so that you can adjust it according to your dish requirements, but there is no alert to tell you when the required temperature has been reached. There will be a bit of guesswork involved. However, it does heat up quickly and is easy to both use and clean.

Mammafong Hand Hammered Wok is an authentic model, favored by professional chefs. Each product is 100% hand-hammered by master craftsmen in China, ensuring its uniqueness and a rustic look. Mammafong woks are also constructed by heavy-duty, premium carbon steel for exceptional durability.

While this pan has a heavy gauge body, which is what will give superior heat distribution and therefore crispy stir-fries, the long handle makes it easy to toss and tilt. The additional small handle also improves how easy it is to lift and store.

The Chef’s Medal Traditional Hand Hammered Wok is 100% handcrafted in Guangdong and is an authentic, heavy-duty carbon steel pan. It comes with a comfortable, easy to manage bamboo handle and has excellent heat distribution making it one of the best woks for stir-fry cooking. The handle has also been fitted with a small hole, meaning you can hang it up for easier storage if you wish.

You will need to fully season it before use, which is a lengthy process, but full instructions are given. Follow this carefully, and you shouldn’t go wrong. The round base, which is what gives the Chefs Medal such great heat circulation, means that it is unsuitable for use on a flat stove. It needs to be heated with a gas stove or open fire, or, you could invest in a wok ring for your electric hob.

The cleaning instructions are a little confusing as the manufacturers advertise it as being safe in a dishwasher but recommended that you always handwash it. We would always opt for the handwashing to help preserve its properties. Michelangelo 5 Quart Wok is a truly multi-functioning pan as it can be used as a wok, steamer, stockpot, saute-pan, or frying pan. The accompanying steaming/roasting rack and deep frying basket add to this versatility.

The cleaning instructions are a little confusing as the manufacturers advertise it as being safe in a dishwasher but recommended that you always handwash it. We would always opt for the handwashing to help preserve its properties. As it is constructed from scratch-resistant ceramic and titanium, this pan should last for years and is even safe for use with induction hobs or for oven cooking.

Made in China by a brand that focuses on carbon steel pans, Craft Wok is a traditional, hand-hammered, round bottom wok. This particular wok has been constructed by 15 gauge, 1.8mm carbon steel, and is a popular choice by many chefs, especially when stir-frying.

It will need seasoning before use, and you can’t use it on a flat stove, but it is a reliable, good quality product that should last for years. It possesses the ability to heat up very quickly and is highly responsive to any temperature changes. A lot of thought has gone into the design of the handles for this pan. The small helper hand does not burn in the heat, and there is a non-slip surface on the large wooden handle. This, combined with its relatively low weight, makes it easy to toss and flip ingredients while cooking.

Our premium pick is the ZhenSanHuan Chinese Hand Hammered Iron Woks. You can choose a seasoned or a non-seasoned version as you wish. What makes this so special? ZhenSanHuan is the only company that can make ZhangQiu iron woks, due to its patent. The method of making the wok involves 12 processes and hand hammering 36000 times. It is the same Chinese cold working technique used to make weapons in ancient history. Many documentaries have now been made examining this style and the quality products it creates.

Made from pure iron, the ZhenSanHuan is heavier than other woks and comes with no coating but is beautifully made. It earns respect purely from the amount of effort that has gone into handmaking each pan before you even consider its exceptional heating qualities. Thanks to the reactive properties of iron, a protective layer of iron oxide will form when it is used, creating a non-stick surface.

The T-fal Specialty Nonstick Wok is an incredibly light, easy to use a flat-bottomed wok. It is easy to use and easy to season and you have a large cooking surface to play with, so ideal for family stir-fries where you can toss lots of vegetables around!

It has been made from aluminum, which accounts for the amazing lightness, and while it won’t be as robust as cast iron woks, it does the job quickly and easily. You can use it on all cookers, except for induction hobs, and can be placed in the oven if required. Some reviews have stated that the T-fal is not as durable as they would expect because the nonstick coating doesn’t seem to last very long, and it scratches easily.