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Our picks for the best kitchen tongs 2026 include the OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs for all-around cooking, the OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs for precise stovetop work, and the KitchenAid Silicone-Tipped Tongs for nonstick cookware. Great tongs grip food securely without slipping, lock closed for compact storage, and feel balanced in your hand whether you are flipping steaks, tossing salad, or turning bacon. Cheap tongs bend, pinch your palm, and drop slippery food at the worst moment. Below we rank the seven best kitchen tongs of the year across stainless steel, silicone-tipped, and specialty designs, plus a buying guide covering length, tip material, locking mechanisms, and spring tension.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
These are the kitchen tongs that stand out in 2026 for grip security, build quality, and everyday versatility, based on design analysis and long-standing user feedback.
| Tongs | Best For | Length |
|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs | Best overall | 12 in |
| OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs | Best for stovetop precision | 9 in |
| KitchenAid Silicone-Tipped Tongs | Best for nonstick cookware | 12 in |
| Norpro Grip-EZ Tongs | Best budget pick | 9 in / 12 in |
| Cuisinart CTG-00-TONG | Best locking mechanism | 12 in |
| Joseph Joseph Elevate Fusion Tongs | Best hygienic design | 11 in |
| StarPack Home Premium Tongs Set | Best value set | 9 in / 12 in |
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Tongs
Tongs are an extension of your hand, so fit and mechanics matter more than brand. Here is how to evaluate them.
Length: 9-Inch vs. 12-Inch vs. 16-Inch
9-inch tongs are the everyday stovetop workhorse — nimble enough for flipping eggs, turning vegetables in a skillet, and serving from platters. 12-inch tongs are the most versatile single length, giving you reach over hot grills and sheet pans while staying controllable. 16-inch tongs are specialty tools for deep grills, turkey fryers, and campfires where distance from heat matters. If you buy one pair, get 12-inch; if you cook daily, add a 9-inch pair for precision work.
Tip Material: Stainless Steel vs. Silicone
Stainless steel tips grip best — the metal edges bite into slippery foods like chicken breasts and corn on the cob, and they slide easily under food on a grill grate. They can scratch nonstick and ceramic coatings, though. Silicone tips are gentle on nonstick, cast iron seasoning, and delicate foods like fish fillets and asparagus, and they are heat resistant to around 400–500°F. Many cooks own one of each: metal for the grill and sheet pans, silicone for nonstick skillets and serving.
Locking Mechanism and Spring Tension
A good lock keeps tongs closed for drawer storage — pull-ring locks and push-button locks are the most reliable, while simple gravity locks can pop open. Spring tension should be firm enough to grip a heavy steak but light enough that your hand does not fatigue during a long grilling session. Test this mentally: if reviewers mention hand cramping, the spring is too stiff. The hinge should feel smooth, not gritty, and the arms should align so the tips meet evenly.
Construction and Comfort
Look for sturdy arms that do not flex or twist when you lift something heavy — thin, flimsy tongs are the most common complaint. Scalloped or textured tips grip better than flat ones. Handles with a soft coating or ergonomic shaping reduce hot spots on your palm. Dishwasher-safe stainless steel is the easiest to maintain; check silicone tips for high heat ratings if you grill with them.
The 7 Best Kitchen Tongs of 2026
1. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs — Best Overall
The OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs are the pair most cooks should buy first. The brushed stainless steel arms are rigid enough to lift a whole chicken without flexing, the scalloped tips grip slippery foods securely, and the signature soft handles stay comfortable through long grilling sessions. The pull-tab locking mechanism is simple and reliable, keeping the tongs closed in a drawer. They are dishwasher safe and the 12-inch length hits the sweet spot for grill, sheet pan, and serving duties. Minor gripes: the metal tips will scratch nonstick coatings, and they are priced above bargain options — but the durability justifies it.
- Pros: Extremely sturdy arms; secure scalloped grip; comfortable soft handles; reliable lock; dishwasher safe
- Cons: Metal tips not for nonstick; premium price
OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs Check Price on Amazon →
2. OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs — Best for Stovetop Precision
The 9-inch version of OXO’s classic tongs trades reach for control, making it ideal for skillet work: flipping grilled cheese, turning shrimp, plating pasta, and handling anything where a 12-inch pair feels clumsy. You get the same rigid stainless arms, scalloped tips, soft handles, and pull-tab lock in a more maneuverable package. Every serious home cook eventually wants both lengths, and this is the precision half of the pair. The only real limitation is reach — keep them away from deep grills and hot ovens where the shorter length puts your hand close to the heat.
- Pros: Excellent control for skillet work; same sturdy build as the 12-inch; comfortable lock; dishwasher safe
- Cons: Too short for grilling; metal tips scratch nonstick
OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs Check Price on Amazon →
3. KitchenAid Silicone-Tipped Tongs — Best for Nonstick Cookware
The KitchenAid Silicone-Tipped Tongs solve the nonstick problem: soft silicone tips that will not scratch delicate coatings, safe for cast iron seasoning and ceramic pans too. The silicone is heat resistant for normal stovetop cooking, the stainless arms feel solid, and the locking mechanism keeps them compact in a drawer. They grip well enough for everyday tasks like turning chicken, tossing vegetables, and serving salad. They cannot match bare metal for bite on very slippery foods, and the silicone tips should not rest directly on screaming-hot grill grates, but for nonstick households they are essential.
- Pros: Safe on nonstick and ceramic; solid stainless arms; good everyday grip; dishwasher safe
- Cons: Less bite than metal tips; not for extreme grill heat
KitchenAid Silicone-Tipped Tongs Check Price on Amazon →
4. Norpro Grip-EZ Tongs — Best Budget Pick
The Norpro Grip-EZ Tongs prove you do not need to spend much for a capable pair. The stainless steel construction is sturdy for the price, the tips grip adequately for everyday flipping and serving, and a simple locking loop keeps them closed for storage. They come in both 9-inch and 12-inch lengths. The handles lack the cushioning of premium models, so long grilling sessions can get uncomfortable, and the spring tension runs a bit stiff out of the package. But as a first pair, a backup for the grill, or tongs you will not cry over if left outside, they are excellent value.
- Pros: Very affordable; decent stainless build; available in two lengths; locking loop
- Cons: Stiff spring at first; unpadded handles; less refined grip
Norpro Grip-EZ Tongs Check Price on Amazon →
5. Cuisinart CTG-00-TONG — Best Locking Mechanism
The Cuisinart CTG-00-TONG stands out for its clever locking design: a simple mechanism that engages and releases with one hand, which matters when your other hand is holding a platter of raw chicken. Beyond the lock, you get solid stainless steel construction, comfortable contoured handles, and tips that grip well across grilling and serving tasks. It is dishwasher safe and the 12-inch length covers most jobs. It is not the cheapest option and the metal tips are not nonstick-safe, but if you have ever fought a fiddly tong lock with messy hands, this design will win you over.
- Pros: Excellent one-handed lock; sturdy stainless build; comfortable handles; dishwasher safe
- Cons: Higher price; metal tips not for nonstick
Cuisinart CTG-00-TONG Tongs Check Price on Amazon →
6. Joseph Joseph Elevate Fusion Tongs — Best Hygienic Design
Joseph Joseph’s Elevate line is built around a simple idea: the tool’s head never touches the counter. The Elevate Fusion Tongs have an integrated weighted rest that lifts the tips off your work surface, keeping counters cleaner and reducing cross-contamination when you set them down mid-cook. The silicone-tipped heads are safe for nonstick cookware, the nylon-and-silicone construction handles stovetop heat, and the tongs lock closed for storage. They are shorter and less burly than grill tongs, so think of them as premium serving and stovetop tongs rather than heavy-duty grill tools.
- Pros: Elevated rest keeps tips off counters; silicone tips safe for nonstick; clever hygienic design
- Cons: Not for high-heat grilling; lighter duty than stainless grill tongs
Joseph Joseph Elevate Fusion Tongs Check Price on Amazon →
7. StarPack Home Premium Tongs Set — Best Value Set
The StarPack Home Premium Tongs Set gives you both essential lengths — 9-inch and 12-inch — in one affordable package. Both pairs feature stainless steel construction with silicone tips, so you get nonstick-safe versatility across stovetop and serving tasks. The silicone tips are heat resistant for normal cooking, the locking mechanisms work reliably, and the set covers the two lengths most cooks actually need. Individual pairs are not quite as refined as the OXO benchmarks — the springs run slightly stiff and the handles are basic — but as a complete starter set, the value is outstanding.
- Pros: Two lengths in one box; silicone tips safe for nonstick; great price; locking mechanisms
- Cons: Springs slightly stiff; less refined than premium singles
StarPack Home Premium Tongs Set Check Price on Amazon →
How to Use and Care for Kitchen Tongs
Use the right length for the job: 9-inch tongs for skillets and serving, 12-inch for grills and sheet pans, and never reach into a hot oven with short tongs. Grip food firmly but do not crush delicate items like fish fillets or asparagus — let the scalloped tips do the work. Use silicone-tipped tongs on nonstick, ceramic, and seasoned cast iron; reserve bare metal tips for stainless steel, grill grates, and sheet pans. Avoid using tongs as a hammer or pry bar, which bends the arms and ruins their alignment.
Most stainless steel tongs are dishwasher safe, and a run through the dishwasher is the easiest way to degrease them after grilling. Silicone tips can go in the dishwasher too, but check the heat rating before using them over extreme heat. If the spring feels stiff, work the tongs open and closed a few dozen times to break it in. Store tongs locked closed to save drawer space, and hang grill tongs if you have the hooks. Replace tongs when the arms bend permanently, the lock fails, or silicone tips start tearing — a wobbly pair is a dropped-dinner waiting to happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What length kitchen tongs should I buy?
Buy 12-inch tongs if you are getting one pair — they handle grilling, sheet pans, serving, and most stovetop tasks. Add 9-inch tongs for precise skillet work like flipping eggs, where long tongs feel clumsy. Choose 16-inch tongs only for high-heat situations like charcoal grills or campfires where your hand needs extra distance.
Are silicone-tipped tongs better than metal?
Neither is universally better — they serve different purposes. Silicone tips are essential for nonstick, ceramic, and seasoned cast iron cookware because they will not scratch coatings. Stainless steel tips grip slippery foods more securely and withstand grill-level heat. Most well-equipped kitchens have one of each: silicone for the stovetop and metal for the grill.
How do tong locks work?
Most tongs use a pull-ring, push-button, or sliding lock near the hinge that holds the arms closed for storage. Pull the ring or press the button to release the tongs for use, then re-engage it when you are done. One-handed locks, like the mechanism on the Cuisinart pair above, are especially convenient when your other hand is occupied or messy.
Can kitchen tongs go in the dishwasher?
Yes, most stainless steel tongs and silicone-tipped tongs are dishwasher safe. The dishwasher is actually the best way to degrease tongs after grilling. Tongs with wooden handles should be hand washed, and it is worth checking that any plastic locking components are rated dishwasher-safe. When in doubt, hand washing with hot soapy water always works.
Why do my tongs hurt my hand?
Hand fatigue usually comes from a stiff spring, thin handles that dig into your palm, or tongs too long for the task. Choose cushioned, ergonomic handles like OXO Good Grips and a spring that opens smoothly. Using 9-inch tongs for close work instead of wrestling 12-inch tongs also reduces strain significantly.
How do I stop tongs from scratching my pans?
Use silicone-tipped tongs on any nonstick, ceramic-coated, or enameled cookware — the soft tips cannot scratch the surface. Reserve bare stainless steel tongs for grill grates, stainless steel pans, and sheet pans where scratching is not a concern. Even with silicone tips, avoid scraping aggressively or leaving the tips resting on screaming-hot surfaces beyond their heat rating.
