The humble kitchen tong sits in that curious category of tools you never think about until yours fails mid-flip, sending a perfectly seared steak skidding across your stovetop like a greased hockey puck. We have tested an unreasonable number of tongs over the years – flipping, grabbing, plating, and occasionally using them to fish things from behind the refrigerator – and the difference between a mediocre pair and a proper one becomes apparent the moment you grip them.
The models below represent our picks after extensive testing: quality construction, comfortable grips, and the kind of durability that survives years of dinner parties and weeknight stir-fries alike. Whether you need an everyday workhorse or something precise enough for plating delicate garnishes, we will help you find the right pair.
Three Key Things When Shopping for Kitchen Tongs
Consider the tip material and your cookware. Stainless steel scalloped edges grip beautifully but will scratch non-stick pans, while silicone or nylon tips protect delicate surfaces at the cost of some gripping precision.
Pay attention to the spring tension and lock mechanism. Tongs that spring open too aggressively tire your hand, while floppy ones offer no control – and a reliable lock keeps them compact in your drawer rather than springing open like a startled crab.
Match the length to your cooking style. Twelve-inch tongs keep hands safely distant from splattering oil and grill flames, while shorter nine-inch models offer better control for plating and precise work at closer range.
Our Picks for the Best Kitchen Tongs
OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless Steel Tongs - Our Top Pick
Our Top Pick is the OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs. There is a reason these have become the default recommendation among kitchen obsessives and casual cooks alike – they simply work, every time, without fuss or drama. The brushed stainless steel construction feels sturdy without being unwieldy, and those soft, non-slip grips mean you will not lose your hold even when things get greasy.
The scalloped edges grip food with genuine authority – asparagus spears, slippery pasta, thick-cut bacon – without crushing anything delicate. At twelve inches, they keep your knuckles comfortably distant from hot pans and splattering oil. The pull-tab lock clicks into place with satisfying certainty, keeping the tongs compact for drawer storage rather than springing open at inopportune moments.
OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs
- Sturdy brushed stainless steel construction with scalloped edges
- Soft, comfortable non-slip grips and thumb rests
- Tongs lock closed for convenient drawer storage
These suit nearly everyone: weeknight dinner cooks, weekend grillers, and anyone who has grown tired of flimsy tongs that bend under the weight of a chicken breast. The OXO warranty backs them up if anything goes sideways. At under sixteen dollars, there is genuinely no reason not to own a pair.
OXO Good Grips Nylon Head Tongs Set - Best for Non-Stick
Our Best Pick for Non-Stick Cookware is the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Tongs with Nylon Heads Set. If you have invested in quality non-stick pans – and honestly, who has not at this point – metal tongs will scratch them into early retirement. These solve that problem elegantly, with heat-resistant nylon heads that grip without gouging. You get both a twelve-inch and a nine-inch pair, covering everything from deep pots to delicate plating.
The brushed stainless steel arms provide the same solid construction as their all-metal siblings, with identical comfortable grips and reliable locking mechanisms. The nylon heads are heat-resistant enough for normal cooking – just do not leave them resting on a screaming-hot cast iron pan. The scalloped nylon edges still grip food securely, though perhaps with marginally less precision than stainless steel on very slippery items.
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Tongs with Nylon Heads Set
- Two pairs included: 12-inch and 9-inch for versatile cooking
- Nylon heads are heat-resistant and safe for non-stick cookware
- Same sturdy stainless steel construction and comfortable grips
Perfect for anyone with ceramic-coated or non-stick cookware who wants to preserve their investment. The two-piece set means you will always have a clean pair ready, and the price per tong is actually quite reasonable when you do the maths.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Utility Tongs - Best Budget Pick
Our Best Budget Pick is the KitchenAid Stainless Steel Utility Tongs. At under thirteen dollars, these offer genuinely impressive value without feeling like a compromise. The 430 stainless steel frame has a satisfying heft, and the locking mechanism works smoothly – a detail that cheaper tongs often bungle catastrophically. The spring tension falls in that sweet spot where they open naturally without fighting you.
At nearly twelve inches, they provide adequate reach for most cooking situations. The all-metal construction means dishwasher safe in the truest sense – no silicone bits to worry about degrading over time. KitchenAid backs them with a one-year hassle-free replacement warranty, which suggests the company has confidence in their durability.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Utility Tongs, 12 Inch
- High quality 430 stainless steel frame construction
- Convenient locking mechanism for compact storage
- Dishwasher safe with 1-year hassle-free replacement warranty
Ideal for budget-conscious cooks who want something reliable without the brand premium. These would make excellent secondary tongs for outdoor grilling or as a backup pair. Just note the grips are not as plush as the OXO, so marathon cooking sessions might feel it.
Cuisinart 9-Inch Silicone Tipped Tongs - Best Compact Option
Our Best Compact Option is the Cuisinart 9-Inch Silicone Tipped Tongs. Sometimes twelve inches is simply too much tong – stirring a small pot, turning delicate fish fillets, or plating appetizers all benefit from something more nimble. At nine inches, these offer precision without the awkward leverage of longer models. The silicone tips protect non-stick surfaces while still providing adequate grip.
Heavy-gauge stainless steel construction gives them substance despite the smaller size. The soft-grip handles are comfortable enough for extended use, and the pull-tab locking mechanism keeps them tidy in your utensil drawer. The silicone tips handle temperatures up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit – hot enough for most stovetop work, though perhaps not for direct flame grilling.
Cuisinart CTG-00-9TNG 9-Inch Tongs
- Heavy-gauge stainless steel with soft-grip handles
- Silicone tips heat resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Locking pull tabs for easy storage
Best suited for cooks who work with smaller pans, delicate ingredients, or simply prefer more control than longer tongs provide. At under eleven dollars, they make an excellent addition to a kitchen that already owns a longer pair for different tasks.
Brabantia Tasty+ Precision Tongs - Best for Versatility
Our Best Pick for Versatility is the Brabantia Tasty+ Precision Tongs. These clever Dutch-designed tongs feature dual grabbing surfaces – a larger section for serving and transferring, plus a thinner precision tip for catching delicate items. It is like having two tools in one, which appeals to anyone tired of rummaging through drawers mid-recipe. The heat-resistant nylon construction handles temperatures up to 428 degrees.
At 29 centimeters (roughly 11.4 inches), they offer decent reach for most cooking situations. The all-nylon construction makes them completely safe for non-stick cookware and dishwasher friendly. A hanging loop provides alternative storage if your drawers are already overstuffed. The weight is notably lighter than stainless steel options, which some cooks prefer and others find insubstantial.
Brabantia Tasty+ Precision Tongs (Granite Gray) Non-Stick, Heat-Resistant, Dishwasher-Safe Nylon Serving, Grilling Cooking Tongs
- Dual grabbing surfaces: large for serving, thin for precise catching
- Heat-resistant nylon up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit
- Non-stick safe and dishwasher friendly
These suit cooks who appreciate clever design solutions and want to minimize utensil clutter. The precision tip genuinely helps when fishing out that one rogue olive or positioning a garnish exactly where you want it. The granite gray color looks rather smart, too.
Mercer Culinary Chef Plating Tongs - Best for Precision Plating
Our Best Pick for Precision Plating is the Mercer Culinary 18-8 Stainless Steel Chef Plating Tongs. These are proper professional tools, the kind you see chefs using to place microgreens with surgical precision on competition plates. The offset tips allow you to reach into shallow dishes at comfortable angles, while the ultra-fine points handle even the most delicate ingredients. This is serious kit for serious cooks.
Made from heat-treated 18-8 mirror finish stainless steel, these tongs have genuine spring memory – they maintain their shape through thousands of uses rather than gradually splaying outward like inferior versions. The serrated exterior provides stability, while the serrated interior tips grip food securely. At 6.5 inches, they are designed for close work, not for flipping steaks from arm’s length.
Mercer Culinary 18-8 Stainless Steel Chef Plating Tongs, Offset Tip, 6-1/2 Inch
- 18-8 mirror finish stainless steel, heat treated for spring retention
- Offset ultra-fine tips for precise ingredient placement
- Professional-grade tool used in restaurant kitchens
These are not everyday cooking tongs – they serve a specific purpose and excel at it completely. Food photography enthusiasts, dinner party hosts who care about presentation, and anyone who has ever tried to position a single herb leaf with regular tongs will understand their value immediately.
All-Clad Stainless Steel Serving Tongs - Best Premium Option
Our Best Premium Option is the All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Serving Tongs. All-Clad has built its reputation on quality that justifies the premium, and these tongs continue that tradition. The wide ends grip bulky or stringy foods – think tangled pasta, asparagus bundles, generous salads – with particular effectiveness. The mirror-polished finish matches their cookware line, should such coordination matter to you.
At ten inches, they bridge the gap between cooking and serving – long enough for leverage over a pan, yet refined enough for table presentation. The same ergonomic handles that make All-Clad cookware comfortable appear here, though without the rubber grips some prefer. Ultra-durable stainless steel construction suggests these will outlast several kitchen renovations.
All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Kitchen Gadgets Serving Tongs Kitchen Tools, Kitchen Hacks Silver
- Wide ends designed to grip bulky and stringy foods
- Ultra-durable stainless steel with mirror-polished finish
- Ergonomic handles matching All-Clad cookware design
For cooks who have already invested in quality cookware and appreciate tools that match both aesthetically and in build quality. The higher price point makes sense if you value lasting construction and elegant presentation at the table. Just do not expect soft-grip handles – this is all business.
Gorilla Grip Kitchen Tongs Set - Best Value Set
Our Best Value Set is the Gorilla Grip Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs. Two pairs for under thirteen dollars – a seven-inch and a nine-inch – makes this set genuinely difficult to argue against on value grounds alone. The silicone-tipped heads protect non-stick surfaces and handle heat up to 484 degrees Fahrenheit, which exceeds most competitors. The scalloped silicone edges grab surprisingly well for what are essentially budget tongs.
Stainless steel construction provides adequate durability, and the slip-resistant silicone handles include an ergonomic thumb rest that helps during longer cooking sessions. The pull-lock mechanism keeps them compact for storage, and a hanging hook provides alternative organization. Both sizes prove genuinely useful rather than the smaller one gathering dust, which is not always the case with multi-packs.
GORILLA GRIP Stainless Steel Heat Resistant Kitchen Tongs for Cooking, Set of 2 BBQ Tong, Non Scratch Silicone Tip for Pans, Strong Grip, Grab Food, Toss Salad, Air Fryer, Pull Lock, 7 + 9 Inch, Black
- Two-piece set: 7-inch and 9-inch for different tasks
- Silicone tips heat resistant up to 484 degrees Fahrenheit
- Slip-resistant handles with ergonomic thumb rest
Perfect for new kitchens that need basic equipment, or as backup pairs for busy households. The shorter sizes work particularly well for air fryers – a detail the product listing emphasizes, and rightfully so. If your budget is tight but you still want competent tongs, this set delivers.
Best Kitchen Tongs Buyer’s Guide
Build Quality and Materials
The difference between tongs that last years and tongs that last months often comes down to construction materials and spring mechanism quality. The OXO Good Grips 12-Inch exemplifies what to look for: brushed stainless steel that resists warping, a spring that maintains tension through thousands of uses, and grips that stay firmly attached. Cheap tongs develop loose springs, wobbly joints, and handles that separate – paying slightly more upfront prevents frustration later.
OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs
- Sturdy brushed stainless steel construction
- Spring mechanism designed for long-term reliability
- Soft grips with secure attachment
Protecting Non-Stick Cookware
Metal tongs and non-stick surfaces have a famously antagonistic relationship. If your kitchen relies heavily on ceramic or Teflon-coated pans, silicone or nylon tips become essential rather than optional. The OXO Good Grips Nylon Head Set offers the same quality construction as the stainless steel version while keeping your cookware scratch-free. The heat resistance of these materials has improved dramatically, though you still should not leave them resting directly on high heat.
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Tongs with Nylon Heads Set
- Heat-resistant nylon heads protect non-stick surfaces
- Same sturdy construction as metal-tipped versions
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Precision and Specialty Uses
Sometimes you need surgical precision rather than general-purpose gripping. Plating delicate garnishes, arranging food for photography, or retrieving small items from narrow spaces all demand something more refined. The Mercer Culinary Chef Plating Tongs represent the professional end of this spectrum – tools designed for a specific task and engineered to excel at it. They complement rather than replace everyday tongs.
Mercer Culinary 18-8 Stainless Steel Chef Plating Tongs, Offset Tip, 6-1/2 Inch
- Ultra-fine offset tips for precise placement
- Professional-grade construction for restaurant use
- Heat-treated for lasting spring memory
Budget-Conscious Choices
Not every kitchen needs premium tongs, and spending wisely on basics leaves budget for items where quality truly matters. The KitchenAid Utility Tongs demonstrate that decent construction exists at lower price points. They lack the ergonomic refinements of more expensive options, but they grip, lock, and survive dishwashers reliably. Secondary pairs for grilling or backup duty make practical sense at this price.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Utility Tongs, 12 Inch
- Solid 430 stainless steel construction
- Reliable locking mechanism
- Backed by one-year warranty
In Conclusion
Kitchen tongs remain one of those deceptively simple tools where the difference between adequate and excellent becomes apparent through daily use. The market offers genuine variety now – from budget-friendly workhorses to precision professional instruments – and each model we tested serves a legitimate purpose. Whether you prioritize non-stick compatibility, professional plating capability, or simply want something sturdy enough to survive years of family dinners, the options exist at every price point.
Our top recommendation remains the OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless Steel Tongs. The combination of comfortable grip, reliable spring tension, secure food handling, and reasonable price makes them the easiest recommendation for most home cooks. They excel at everyday tasks without demanding everyday attention – the highest compliment a kitchen tool can receive.
OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs
- Sturdy brushed stainless steel with scalloped gripping edges
- Soft, comfortable non-slip grips and thumb rests
- Lock closed mechanism for convenient storage