6 Best Kitchen Tongs of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Whether handling heavy or delicate foods, the right tongs make a huge difference.
Our Top Picks for Kitchen Tongs
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Tested by Laura Denby
Whether you’re a professional chef or a novice home cook, tongs are one of the most functional and versatile tools you can buy. The best tongs should grab foods gently but firmly so you can turn, flip or serve foods without tearing or dropping them. Acting as an extension of our hands, the right pair of tongs make it possible to handle food in otherwise too-hot environments, are strong enough to transfer a large cut of meat to your dish and are delicate enough to plate a serving of pasta with precision and finesse.
When shopping for tongs, it can be difficult to determine the performance of a set before purchasing, and there are a lot of factors to consider when deciding which is your best option. So, we went ahead and put 17 of the leading models through a series of real-world tests. Read on for our favorites.
Laura Denby
How We Tested
When selecting the tongs we tested, we decided to test 12-inch tongs, determining these to be our ideal length for everyday cooking. We considered the overall heat resistance of the tongs, the material of the arms and tips of the tongs and the shape of the grips. We also looked at whether they had a locking mechanism for storage purposes.
We used each pair to dredge chicken cutlets in chickpea flour then used them to cook. We also used each set to lift a rotisserie chicken from its cavity to test for strength and control. Finally, we washed each set of tongs by hand or in the dishwasher, according to manufacturer’s instructions, to see how easy they were to clean.
- Comes in 5 sizes
- Non-slip grips are comfortable to hold
- Dishwasher-safe
- Not ideal for use on nonstick cookware
When it comes to sturdy, easy-to-maneuver tongs, you can’t do better than this set from OXO. The 12-inch tongs are made from stainless steel with a comfortable non-slip grip, so they’re easy to grab, hold and pinch. We had no trouble picking up slippery pieces of raw chicken, and the slightly scalloped edge helped provide a firm grip without digging into the flesh of the chicken. Unlike some options that have a more concave head, these tongs come together in a flatter style that allows you to gently grab meat without pinching it. They’re versatile and functional, so they’re a perfect option for a variety of tasks. Keep in mind that because these tongs are made from stainless steel, they’re not ideal for use on nonstick cookware.
- Tip Material Stainless steel
- Tip Style Stainless steel, scalloped
- Dishwasher-safe? Yes
- Two pieces for the price of one
- Heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- The locking system can be a little stiff
- Not ideal for use on nonstick cookware
This two-piece set includes a 12-inch pair of tongs and a 14-inch pair of tongs at a great price, making this set a great value. Both pieces worked efficiently during our tests. We were able to grab slippery raw chicken without dropping it, and the shape of the head lets us grab onto chicken without piercing it. The tip of the tongs allowed for maximum precision in testing, too - the tapered tip let us grab small pieces of chicken without dropping them. The tongs open and close gently, without getting stuck or feeling stiff. The dishwasher-safe tool is made from stainless steel with a comfortable, non-slip grip. Keep in mind that because these are made with a stainless-steel head they should not be used on nonstick cookware.
- Tip Material Stainless steel
- Tip Style Stainless steel, scalloped
- Dishwasher-safe? Yes
- Available in 2 sizes
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Flexible yet sturdy
- Only heat-resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Silicone-tipped tongs can be overly flexible, but we found that this option from Cuisinart strikes the perfect balance between sturdy and flexible. The tips of the tongs are perfectly aligned, so the sharpest points match up perfectly. That allows you to grab even the smallest pieces of chicken with precision. The tips have a gentle give, but they’re strong and durable enough to grab slippery pieces of chicken without letting it fall or slip. These efficient tongs have an easy-to-maneuver locking system, so you can lock and unlock with minimal effort. A comfortable non-slip grip makes them easy to hold.
- Tip Material Silicone
- Tip Style Silicone, scalloped
- Dishwasher-safe? Yes
- Available in 2 sizes
- Nylon is flexible but sturdy
- Only heat-resistant up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- The surface head is smaller than most others
Nylon-tipped tongs are a great combination of the benefits of silicone and stainless steel. They’re stiff and sturdy like stainless, but they’re safe to use on nonstick cookware, just like silicone. This set from OXO performed well in all our tests: We were able to grasp chicken efficiently without dropping it and could easily maneuver around small bits and pieces. The stiff tips are super durable, so nothing ever felt like it was slipping out of our grasp. While these won’t scratch your nonstick cookware, keep in mind that they’re only safe to use with heats up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Tip Material Nylon
- Tip Style Nylon, scalloped
- Dishwasher-safe? Yes
- Two-sided tip offers extra versatility
- Gravity lock lets you secure them with one hand
- Not safe to use on nonstick cookware
- Gravity lock takes some getting used to
These super-functional tongs are extremely easy to maneuver. The strong, sturdy grip let us pick up chicken easily, and we never dropped whether we pinched from the tip or used the whole surface. The double-sided head — one has a scalloped edge and the other has a flat edge — gives just the right amount of control without piercing the flesh of the meat. It also adds a layer of versatility that makes these tongs perfect for using on chicken, fish or vegetables.
We love that these tongs utilize a gravity lock, so you can easily lock the tongs with one hand. Simply point up and squeeze to lock, and point down and squeeze to open. It can be tricky to get used to, but once you get the hang of it the one-handed lock proves to be functional and efficient.
- Tip Material Stainless steel
- Tip Style Stainless steel, one scalloped side one flat side
- Dishwasher-safe? Yes
- Comes in 3 colors
- Comes in 2 sizes
- Extra-wide surface allows for more flexibility
- Only heat-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
These highly functional tongs are made from a combination of stainless steel, silicone and nylon, so they’re durable and sturdy. They come with an extra-large surface so that you can grab larger pieces of meat with ease. The combination of materials plus the increased surface area adds a layer of versatility that makes these tongs perfect for a variety of different tasks. Plus, the softer tip means you can use them on all types of cookware, nonstick included. The scalloped edge comes to a soft point that’s perfectly aligned, so you can easily grab small vegetables (like asparagus) without dropping anything. They’re precise, durable and comfortable to hold.
- Tip Material Silicone and nylon
- Tip Style Silicone, scalloped
- Dishwasher-safe? Yes
What to Consider When Shopping for Kitchen Tongs
Tip Material
When shopping for tongs, you’ll notice that the tip can be made from either stainless steel, silicone or nylon. Each type of material has specific benefits. Stainless steel-tipped tongs typically offer more control; you can grab slippery meats or vegetables without dropping them. However, metal-tipped tongs can scratch, so they’re not suitable for use on nonstick cookware. Silicone-tipped tongs are much more flexible and bendy, but as a result, they don’t offer the same type of sturdy control. During testing, we noticed that silicone-tipped tongs slip a bit more than the metal version, especially when handling stubborn meat that’s stuck to a pan. Silicone-tipped tongs are safe to use in nonstick cookware and are a soft, scratch-free option. Lastly, nylon-tipped tongs are a great combination of both. Not as flexible as silicone, they offer the structure and firmness of metal tongs and they won’t scratch nonstick cookware. That means you can firmly grasp stuck-on pieces of food without worrying about scratching the surface.
Laura Denby
Tip Design
Throughout our testing we noticed that tip design had a distinct effect on how easily each set of tongs could hold on to foods. The best tongs were aligned properly so that they could perform a firm grip, and scalloped edges helped the tongs achieve more stability. We tested some that were a bit flatter, while others were a bit more concave. We noticed that tongs with a sharp tip would cut into chicken rather than grabbing it gently, so we also looked to find tongs that performed a gently but sturdy pinch grip.
Locking System
When working quickly in the kitchen, having an efficient locking system is essential. A built-in lock system lets you lock the tongs in a closed position while not in use, so they can sit cleanly in a spoon rest or store in a drawer neatly and efficiently. Some of the tongs we tested required two hands, while others could be locked with one hand. Some sets — like the Material Kitchen The Only Tongs — utilize a gravity lock that could be engaged or disengaged by flipping the tongs and squeezing with one hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need kitchen tongs?
Kitchen tongs should work as a heat-proof extension of your hands. They can pinch and grasp hot or raw foods with control and ease. Tongs allow you to move foods around a hot pan, smoky grill or steamy oven without burning yourself. They offer more control than a spatula or spoon, letting you turn, flip or shake.
What size kitchen tongs should I choose?
We think that 12-inch tongs are the best option for everyday cooking. They let you safely access hot pots and pans while keeping your hands safely away from the heat. They’re short enough to maintain control, yet long enough to keep you safe from hot temperatures.
Which tongs are best for serving?
Any type of tongs — stainless steel, nylon or silicone — can be used to serve foods. Silicone tongs are the softest, so they’re ideal for serving delicate pieces of food like fish or dessert. Alternatively, stainless steel tongs are the best at gripping slippery foods like cooked steak or chicken.
What’s the best way to clean kitchen tongs?
It’s always best to clean your cooking equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If your tongs are dishwasher-safe, start by removing any stuck-on foods from the tips and place in the dishwasher.
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