What makes for the best pan for cooking steak?

A great steak is about one thing: a hard, even sear. That comes down to a pan that gets very hot and holds that heat when the cold meat hits it. Here is what to look for.

What the best steak pan needs

• High heat retention so the surface does not drop temperature when the steak lands.
• An oven-safe body so you can finish thick cuts in the oven.
• A naturally searing surface — bare cast iron or carbon steel, not coated nonstick (high heat shortens any coating's life).

Cast iron vs carbon steel

Both excel. Cast iron holds the most heat and is forgiving for beginners. Carbon steel heats a touch faster, is lighter, and responds quickly — a favorite of steakhouse kitchens. See the best PFAS-free pans for searing.

Our picks: the Black Angus Carbon Steel Pan for a fast, even sear, or the Forest Carbon Steel Pan. Both develop a natural nonstick patina and are oven-safe at any temperature.

Every Alva coating is independently tested, and our carbon steel has no coating at all — see our safety standards. New to Alva? Browse best-sellers and take $30 off your first $200+ order.