These Kitchen Utensil Sets Take Your Tool Drawer From Mess to Success

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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis

Whether you’re just starting your cooking journey, moving into a new home, or trying to consolidate your gadget drawer, a comprehensive kitchen utensil set goes a long way—and you get everything you need (or almost everything, at least) in one purchase. Consider what's essential for your cooking life: If you love a big pot of homemade soup, ladles and spoons are a must, and most people are going to need spatulas and turners at some point or another. The same goes for tongs. Some utensil sets also include extra good-to-haves and specialized tools, like kitchen shears, a pizza wheel, or a meat tenderizer. Many even include a storage bin to hold it all together.

It even has a removable drip tray you can throw in the dishwasher to keep everything sanitary.

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Comprehensive set

Heat-resistant up to 400 degrees

Easy to use and clean

Durable

Some tools not safe for nonstick cookware

As usual, Oxo Good Grips grabs the top spot when it comes to kitchen utensils. This comprehensive set made of nylon, stainless steel, and silicone can withstand heat up to 400 degrees without warping and is designed with space-saving in mind for easy, attractive storage on your counter.

This 15-piece set has everyday essentials, including spatulas, spoons, and tongs, but it also features more specialized tools like a meat tenderizer, vegetable peeler, ice cream scoop, and more. The included extra-large holder keeps everything neat and organized, and it even has a removable drip tray you can throw in the dishwasher to keep everything sanitary.

Price at time of publish: $140

Material: Nylon, Silicone, Stainless Steel | Pieces: 15 | What's Included: Flexible turner, 12-inch tongs, square turner, spoon, slotted spoon, grater, swivel peeler, ice cream scoop, potato masher, can opener, balloon whisk, spatula, meat tenderizer, pizza wheel, holder | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

They can withstand temperatures up to 446 degrees without melting or bending.

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Comprehensive set

Heat resistant up to 446 degrees

Silicone heads protect nonstick pans

Hooks included for hanging slotted spoons, spatulas

Wooden handles can warp or detach

If you’re looking for one matching set of tools with an affordable price tag, this set from Umite is it. The tools have durable wooden handles with silicone heads that make them safe for nonstick cookware. Plus, they can withstand temperatures up to 446 degrees without melting or bending.

The 33-piece set has everything from spatulas to ladles, to pasta servers to tongs, and more. The stainless steel core enhances durability, and the small holes on the handles allow you to hang them. But if you want everything in one place, this set comes with a holder.

Price at time of publish: $33

Material: Silicone | Pieces: 33 | What's Included: Flexible spatula, soup ladle, serving spoons, pasta server, spatula turner, tongs, measuring cups and spoons, 10 hooks, silicone mat, holder, whisk, basting brush | Dishwasher-Safe: No

The elegance of this option from All-Clad cannot be overstated.

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Durable

Attractive

Easy to clean

Long handles

Can't be used on nonstick cookware

Handles may get hot

The elegance of this option from All-Clad cannot be overstated. The sleek stainless steel set comes with a ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, spatula, fork, and attractive storage caddy. The extra-long handles keep you safe from burns, and the ergonomic design makes for a comfortable grip. Though they are not a good choice for nonstick cookware, they do clean up easily in the dishwasher and are a fantastic option for cooks who prefer heavy-duty stainless steel or cast iron pans.

Price at time of publish: $120

Material: Stainless Steel | Pieces: 6 | What's Included: Ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, turner, fork, and caddy | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Flexible edges make getting to the corners of your pans easy.

Buy at Williams-sonoma.com

Durable

Versatile

Rigid steel core

Safe for nonstick pans

Slip-resistant grip

Pricey

GreenPan's innovative ceramic nonstick cookware now has a matching kitchen utensil set. Crafted from durable silicone with a rigid steel core, these tools are sturdy and balanced. The set includes a fish turner, spoon, spatula, slotted spoon, whisk, ladle, and turner that are heat-resistant up to 390 degrees and dishwasher-safe to boot. The flexible edges make getting to the corners of your pans easy, the slip-resistant grip keeps everything stable, and the set comes in red, navy, or gray.

Price at time of publish: $100

Material: Silicone | Pieces: 7 | What's Included: Fish turner, spoon, spatula, slotted spoon, whisk, ladle and turner | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

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Beauty does come with a cost, and these will need an occasional rub with mineral oil to maintain their finish.

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Attractive

Handmade

Affordable

Sturdy

May need mineral oil to maintain finish

Wooden utensils are one of those nostalgic kitchen items that are often passed down through family members. They’re sturdy, comfortable to grip, and don't get too hot to handle. Plus, some wooden utensils, like this handmade teak set, are beautiful to display and use. The six-piece collection includes a spatula, flat spatula, strainer spoon, salad spoon, salad fork, and mixing spoon that comes with small holes at the end of the handle so they can be displayed as functional kitchen art. Beauty does come with a cost, though, and these will need an occasional rub with mineral oil to maintain their finish.

Price at time of publish: $24

Material: Teak | Pieces: 6 | What's Included: Flat spatula, spatula, strainer spoon, salad spoon, salad fork, mixing spoon | Dishwasher-Safe: No

A beautiful base in your choice of walnut or maple wood keeps knives secure.

Buy at Materialkitchen.com

Buy at Overthemoon.com

Stunning

Versatile

Comprehensive selection

Durable, high-quality materials

Pricey

If you made a list of the absolute essential kitchen utensils, this set would check all the boxes. A chef knife is often cited as the most important tool in the kitchen, and The Material Iconics version is an 8-inch, high-carbon steel stunner with a composite handle in your choice of two elegant colors. Two other knives of the same quality come with the set, as well as tongs, a slotted spatula, a whisk, a wooden spoon, a slotted spoon, a metal spoon, and a beautiful base in your choice of walnut or maple wood with a hidden magnet to keep knives secure.

Price at time of publish: $275

Material: High-carbon steel, stainless steel, wood | Pieces: 10 | What's Included: 8-inch chef's knife, 6-inch serrated knife, 4-inch knife, tongs, wood spoon, metal spoon, slotted spatula, whisk, slotted spoon, base | Dishwasher-Safe: No

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Their extra-long reach adds another layer of safety around flames.

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Buy at Oxo.com

Compact, easy to store

Tongs have built-in opener

Durable

Comfortable grip

Pricey for size set

As more and more people discover the majestic national parks spread throughout our country—and even their local campgrounds—a reliable set of camping tools is important to have. This four-piece set from Oxo includes a heavy-duty turner, spoon, and tongs, each with silicone handles to keep your hands from getting burned while fixing breakfast over the campfire. Plus, their extra-long reach adds another layer of safety around flames.

The tongs have a built-in bottle opener, adding versatility to this compact set. If you don't want to deal with cleanup on the trail, wrap them in their included silicone utensil rest and throw them in the dishwasher when you get home.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Silicone, stainless steel | Pieces: 4 | What's Included: Turner, tongs, spoon, utensil rest | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Crafted from tough nylon and heat-resistant up to 392 degrees, this set is safe to use on nonstick cookware.

Buy at Amazon.com

Compact, easy to store

Safe to use on nonstick pans

Easy to clean

May stain with extended use

If you’re really pressed for space, this nesting Joseph Joseph magnetic kitchen utensil set is the right choice. Crafted from tough nylon and heat-resistant up to 392 degrees, this set is safe to use on nonstick cookware. The six-piece collection includes a slotted spatula, spaghetti server, slotted spoon, solid spoon, and magnetic storage stand that everything nests into. Available in a number of color combinations and dishwasher-safe, this set makes a lot of sense for a cozy kitchen.

Price at time of publish: $30

Material: Nylon | Pieces: 6 | What's Included: Slotted spatula, spaghetti server, slotted spoon, solid spoon ladle, storage stand | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

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The Oxo Good Grips 15-Piece Everyday Kitchen Utensil Set is our top choice because of its durable construction, ease of cleanup, versatility, and comfortable grip. If you’re looking for an awesome budget pick, we recommend the Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set.

When selecting utensils, keep in mind the type of cookware you use and how you like to cook. If you have nonstick cookware, you’ll need something safe for that finish, like silicone, wood, or nylon. If you opt for cast iron or stainless steel pans, you may want a heavier-duty stainless steel or steel-core set. If high heat is your go-to, make sure your implements have good heat resistance and don't get too hot to handle.

A set with a large number of pieces can be attractive—especially if the price is right—but if you’re not going to use everything, what's the point? Think about the tools you need for what you like to cook (and maybe some good-to-haves for holiday dinners, pot lucks, etc.), and resist the urge to buy more. If you acquire tools you won't use, you’ll be left with a bunch of items that just add clutter to your kitchen and make your essentials less accessible.

Look for products that fit comfortably in your hand, have a design that keeps you at a comfortable distance from the heat source, and work with your pans to reach all the nooks and crevices.

Before selecting a set, evaluate the space you have for storage. Do you have the counter space available for one of those comprehensive sets or is something more compact a better fit? If you’re looking to upgrade or replace all of your tools, opt for a comprehensive set that includes the essentials plus some specialty items. But remember, the larger the set you purchase, the more real estate it will occupy on your counter.

Lastly, be on the lookout for a set that comes with a holder to help organize your new wares, and if you have a cozier kitchen without much available storage space, look for a set that delivers just the essentials in a space-saving configuration.

This is a personal style consideration. If you want something nostalgic, look for wood. If you’re going for the modern, sleek kitchen vibe, stainless steel is probably your jam. If you trend toward utilitarianism, go for the practical silicone finish. Look at your kitchen and see what the aesthetic is, then go for the set that fits into that.

In the larger scheme of a busy day, cleanup needs to be considered. Take note of the manufacturer's care instructions when purchasing. Some tools are universally dishwasher-safe, like stainless steel and silicone, while others, like wood, need special care.

If you go for a wood finish, know they need to be washed by hand, fully air dried, and occasionally rubbed with mineral oil to maintain their beauty and durability. If you opt for a set that is hybrid, with silicone heads and wooden handles, be sure to treat them like wood by washing by hand, air drying, and giving the occasional rub with mineral oil on the handles.

This is a subjective question depending on the person's cooking style, but there are a few universally helpful implements that are nice to always have on hand. A good set of tongs goes a long way—you can toss fettuccine in a pan of creamy Alfredo, use them to mix up a bowl of Greek salad, or turn a pork chop for the perfect crusty sear. If they’re high-heat-friendly, you can even take them out to the grill.

The uses of a spatula cannot be overstated: They flip pancakes but also stir, scrape, and serve whatever you’re cooking. Then there's the wooden spoon, a kitchen hero that crumbles ground beef for your next round of tacos, stirs the fudgy brownies you’re making for dessert, and serves just about anything. So, if you were looking for the necessities, a wooden spoon, spatula, and tongs would certainly be on the list.

If you have the luxury of drawer space, divided compartments are nice, but in the face of compact storage, sometimes you need to purge. The best step to take is to evaluate your current collection for what gets lots of use and what you’ve never touched. Hone in on the essentials that make your kitchen life easier and donate the rest. At that point, you may be ready for a caddy on the counter, nesting stand, or hooks that hold all the essential implements, easily accessible by your prep station.

Sometimes less is more. When looking at kitchen utensil sets, the urge to buy the one with the most items is strong, but if there are tools you’ll never use, you’re just adding clutter to your kitchen counter. It's best to evaluate what you like to cook and your current inventory before deciding on that huge set. Only get what you need.

Carrie Honaker is a food writer who owns an embarrassingly obscene number of kitchen utensils, including one set from this list. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has peeled thousands of carrots and zested hundreds of lemons—she knows the importance of having the right tool for the job, but not having more tools than you need. Her work has appeared in many publications including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.

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