I've tested dozens of pans. Here's why this $30 nonstick skillet is my go-to.

In my house, we eat hot breakfasts at any time of the day. To save my sanity when cooking, I frequently use a nonstick pan, so when I was tasked to test the best ones on the market, I was more than happy to take on the assignment. I have learned over the past 15 years from my culinary training, working in restaurants and writing about food and cooking that the best nonstick pans will make your life in the kitchen so much easier. They reduce the need for oil and other fats, simplify cleanup and can make cooking that much simpler overall. As for the slickest pan out there — and the one I rely on nearly every day at home? Well, keep scrolling for my Tramontina Nonstick Fry Pan review.

This pan is lightweight, easy to maneuver and has the best nonstick surface I've tried. It comes clean in seconds. As long as you refrain from using metal utensils — a must for all nonstick pans — it will last you years. And you can't beat the price: At just $30, it delivers serious value.

Tramontina Professional Nonstick Fry Pan: What I loved

Everyone will tell you that the nonstick pan they use is the best. But I tried the most popular ones for our guide to the best nonstick pans on the market, and the Tramontina proved superior to all of them.

It's lightweight and for me, at just 5 feet tall, that's a huge plus when it comes to maneuverability. I had no problems searing skin-on salmon filets and releasing chicken breasts from the surface. The pan performed as well or better than all the other ones I tested, crisping salmon skin to brown ASMR perfection and cooking golden pancakes without hot spots.

As long as you don't use cooking spray (but that's recommended with all nonstick pans), cleanup is easy and only requires a few swipes with a soapy sponge, even around the rivets that secure the handle. About that handle: The removable silicone grip is a real plus, as it stays cool on the stovetop. It also offers added grip and is comfortable to hold — bonuses when you're taking the pan from stovetop to table to sink.

Tramontina Professional Nonstick Fry Pan: What I didn't like

I wish this pan was broiler-safe, but that's a gripe I have with all nonstick pans. This Tramontina pan can only be used in the oven up to 400°F. But that's by no means a dealbreaker.

Tramontina Professional Nonstick Fry Pan: The final verdict

I use this pan so often, it practically lives on my stovetop. It's integral to my daily breakfast routine, and I rely on it for many other tasks, including searing fish and chicken, sautéing vegetables and making grilled cheese. It's probably my desert-island choice for cookware.

At $33 when it's not on sale, and often $30 or less when it is, this is one of the smartest cookware purchases you can make.