The 7 Best Dutch Ovens, According to Our Tests

Best Overall Dutch Oven

Staub Round Cocotte

$419 at Amazon $130 at Williams Sonoma $400 at Nordstrom

Staub's Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte won overall for many reasons. It performed well in our tests, perfectly getting deep brown caramelization on the chicken with a solid crisp and cooked rice. We found it easy to use and large enough to handle any task that requires a Dutch oven. We also found that given what buyers get in return, the price of the Staub is fair.

"I love Staub because of the manufacturing and quality," says Lahey. "They're built like a tank." The brand’s pieces are so well constructed that we barely saw a scratch on the exterior glaze from the durability test. An editor favorite among the staff, the Staub Cocotte features a dark interior, which we've found hides stains and discoloring from searing and long cooks that naturally appear using over time. Overall, it’s a superior product to its competitors in every way.

Heat capacity: 900℉ | Material: Cast iron | Weight: 12.9 pounds | Dimensions: 12.87 x 6.57 inches

Best Value Dutch Oven

Cuisinart Covered Casserole Dish

$100 $92 at Amazon $100 at Target $100 at Wayfair

The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron 5-Quart Round Covered Casserole wins for the best value at $99. We expected the price point to be higher after blind tests, given the quality of its construction, which makes sense given Cuisinart’s popularity amongst chefs and home cooks. There was only slight chipping during durability tests, and it cooked rice brilliantly. It is well constructed, built to last, and beautiful, making it an excellent choice for a gift or starter kitchen.

Heat capacity: 550℉ | Material: Cast iron exterior with enamel interior | Weight: 8 pounds | Dimensions: 11.6 x 6.22 inches

Best Splurge Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

$460 at Amazon $260 at Williams Sonoma $460 at Nordstrom

The Le Creuset 7.25-quart round Dutch oven is a classic valued worldwide. Le Creuset is an aspirational brand for home cooking due to its heirloom quality and an endless variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. While you can find more affordable Dutch ovens, we highly recommend the Le Creuset. If we could only recommend one piece of cookware to someone serious about cooking, it would be this Dutch oven. Several editors have cooked with ours for years, and we stand by its durability and versatility. We love how easy it is to clean and that it is dishwasher-safe. There's a reason it's one of those classic French kitchen items.

 "Initially, I was worried the 7.25-quart size might be too big for everyday cooking, but compared to my other 5.5-quart Dutch oven, it provides a lot more surface area for browning," says Senior Editor Danielle St. Pierre. "I also really like the handles. They're slightly larger, rounded, and comfortable to grip. The enameled interior is slick and also very easy to clean. I look forward to testing this with roasts and braises this fall to see how it handles high heat in the oven."

Heat capacity: 500°F | Material: Cast iron | Weight: 13 pounds | Dimensions: 13.5 x 6.3 inches

Best Dutch Oven for Gifting

Smithey Dutch Oven

$225 at Food52 View on Smithey.com $300 at Crate & Barrel

Honoring the best vintage American design, the Smithey Ironware 5.5-quart Dutch oven combines the durability of cast iron cookware with a polished interior surface that only improves with time. Smithey is made in the U.S. and arrives pre-seasoned with pure grape seed oil so you can start cooking immediately.

“I’ve had the Smithey 5.5-quart and 3.5-quart for a few years now, and I’d never buy a different brand,” says editorial director Megan Soll. “I’ve made incredible dishes with the 5.5-quart, and cleanup is a breeze. I also love the rustic look of the cookware.” When hitting the Smithey with a metal spoon, no scratch appeared. It gets a great sear on chicken thighs and has consistent heat throughout the cooking surface.

Jason Horn, Senior Writer, who has also been long-term testing the Smithey in his home kitchen, agrees: The Smithey has and continues to work wonderfully. My complaint, if any, is that it’s very heavy, but any cast iron pot of that size will be. The surface is smoother than the Lodge skillet I have, which is helpful for cleaning and maintaining the seasoning evenly."

The brand also offers engravings for all its cast iron products, making it a special gift for serious cooks.

Heat capacity: 986℉ | Material: Enameled cast iron | Weight: 14 pounds | Dimensions: 13.25 x 4.5 inches

Best Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Lodge Dutch Oven

$65 at Amazon $70 at Williams Sonoma $65 at Walmart

Lodge's 7-quart cast iron Dutch oven is amazingly durable. There were no signs of damage from durability tests, and we noted that "Lodge never disappoints." The Dutch oven is beautifully constructed and super sturdy; you can tell it will last several lifetimes. It performed well in cooking rice and chicken thighs. It's an excellent price for something versatile and a good addition to an existing Lodge cast iron skillet collection.

"The only problem I have with Lodge is because it's an unfinished iron, you can have a nice patina of carbon build up on the inside of it, which will flick away. And it can rust if you don't care for it properly," says Lahey. Lodge is a great Dutch oven option if you’re happy to care for your cast iron consistently.

Heat capacity: 500℉ | Material: Pre-seasoned cast iron exterior and interior | Weight: 13 pounds | Dimensions: 11.15 x 5.55 inches

Best Oval-Shaped Dutch Oven

Great Jones The Dutchess

View on Greatjonesgoods.com $180 at Saks Fifth Avenue $180 at Urban Outfitters

The Great Jones “The Dutchess” earned the title of best oval-shaped Dutch oven, but we found much more to love. At $160, this is a great price for a quality cast iron Dutch oven. The Dutchess may have a dainty name, but it is a workhorse that withstood our durability test and made easy work of chicken thighs and cooking rice. During testing, we found it to be heavy and durable, and according to Writer Nick DeSimone, "it feels like it will last forever."

Even though we made a mistake with the temperature during a test, there was no difference in the finished product during our initial tests, making versatility another selling point. Over time, we have noticed that it can heat unevenly, and the handles can be tough to grab with oven mitts on, so a watchful eye and added caution are recommended when handling.

With a 6.75-quart capacity, it's slightly oversized but still manageable to carry from stovetop to table thanks to its oval shape. And speaking of its oval shape and fun colorways, we think this Dutch oven would make a great gift, especially for someone with a fun style.

Heat capacity: 450℉ | Material: Cast iron exterior with enamel interior | Weight: 15 pounds | Dimensions: 15.75 x 6.75 inches

Best Minimalist Dutch Oven

Milo by Kana Milo by Kana 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven

$145 at Amazon $145 at Food52 View on Kanalifestyle.com

The Milo by Kana Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a minimalist beauty offered in sleek white enameled cast iron and other colors such as dusty pink or emerald green. It's affordable, and it also performed across all tests. The chicken thighs browned nicely, achieving good color, and they quickly released. Rice cooked to a perfectly fluffy and evenly soft consistency with no sticking.

There was zero enamel chipping from our durability tests, although we would like to note that some long-term test results have shown very slight chipping and discoloration after six months of use or more.

As a die-hard, traditional cast iron loyalist, I'm surprised at how often I'm willing to pull the Milo out over my Lodge Dutch oven," says Updates Writer Dillon Evans. "I like that the Milo has a relatively light build and slender construction. This is especially enticing on those nights when I don't feel like cooking — plus, the enameling is much easier to care for. Albeit screwed into the top, the handle is very sturdy: I haven't had to retighten the screw even after several uses."

And while it's dishwasher-friendly, Evans suggests it's not even needed, simply because it's so easy to clean in the sink: "This pot is basically nonstick and just needs a quick scrub with a sponge and dish detergent. And speaking of nonstick capability, I've seared short ribs, browned ground meat, roasted vegetables, and even cooked biryani in this Dutch oven, and everything lifts from the surface easily. If there's any fond at the bottom, a splash of acid removes it all quickly, too."

Heat capacity: 500℉ | Material: Recycled iron and enamel | Weight: 10.58 pounds | Dimensions: 10.5 x 6 inches