The 6 best Dutch ovens we could find: Compare Le Creuset, Lodge, and more

Dutch ovens can be quite expensive (some even run around $600 and up for large sizes), but this Lodge enameled Dutch oven is fantastic for the price. At just $89 for the six quart model, this is a great starter pot for anyone looking to get into enamel cookware. While it's made in China, Lodge has strict quality control, which you won't get with other budget Dutch ovens. It has a nice design, and the interior enamel mimics the creamy white color of Le Creuset's pots. The outer enamel is slightly lower quality than that of other brands, and may chip or crack if you hit it too hard against a surface or don't store it properly. You'll be able to avoid surface damage with careful handling and proper care.

During testing, we found the Lodge Dutch oven to be best at making soups, stews, braises and roasts. It has great heat retention and heats pretty evenly, so it would also be a great pick for bread baking. In terms of browning though, it can be a bit finicky (Fair warning: If you heat this pot too hot too fast, almost everything will stick to it. Low and slow is the name of the game with this one). This is a solid cooktop to tabletop pot, especially considering the wide handles which are roomy enough to use with pot holders for easy transport. 

A hefty 15 pound Dutch oven might seem more like special occasion cookware than everyday cookware for some folks. If splurging on a big, heavy, expensive pot just isn't for you, opt for the Caraway Dutch oven. At just 6.2 pounds, this Dutch oven is equally at home boiling pasta as it is making a hearty stew — and it won't break your back every time you want to pull it out. 

During testing, Caraway's Dutch oven really wowed us with its nonstick surface. We were able to sear meats and even fry an egg with no sticking and minimal oil. Because this pot is so nonstick, you might miss out on building flavor through frond (browned stuck-on bits that can be turned into a sauce or deglazed to use in soups, stews, and braises) but it will be much easier to clean than other options. The aluminum and ceramic construction is also easier to maintain than enameled cast iron.

One thing to note is that this pot is not cast iron or enameled cast iron like many other traditional Dutch ovens. Instead, it features an aluminum core with a ceramic nonstick coating. You'll definitely miss some of the heat retention of the heavy duty Dutch ovens (which often make better bread), but this pot is nearly as versatile as a traditional Dutch oven, is more nonstick than most options, and it makes more sense for everyday use. There's also a whole set of matching cookware, including a frying pan, a sauté pan, and a saucepan if you want to go all in on Caraway.

Many of the popular Dutch oven brands are best if you purchase the six-quart size, but if you're only cooking for one or two, that will likely be too large. The Dutch Baby is the best Dutch oven for apartment dwellers or small families — it's stylish, decently nonstick, easy to clean, and can sear, braise, and bake like a champ.

This 3.5 quart pot has a beautiful gray enameled interior that is perfect for searing and sautéing, and during testing, food easily released from the bottom and sides. If you do have any stuck-on bits after searing or browning, this pot can easily be deglazed with a bit of liquid, which loosens stuck-on food and works well to build up flavors for soups, stews, and sauces (a completely nonstick pot won't allow you to build up flavor in this way). It comes in four cheery colors that will brighten up any kitchen, though we're partial to the mustard yellow. 

If the Dutch Baby is too small for your household, Great Jones also makes a bigger Dutch oven, The Dutchess(opens in a new tab), which comes in a 6.75 quart capacity.

Enameled Dutch ovens are known to be a little bit tricky when it comes to heat. If you heat them too high too fast, the interior can become discolored or even ruined. If all that sounds intimidating, the Instant Pot Dutch Oven will handle the heat level for you, so you can make delicious soups, stews, and more without worrying about messing up an expensive Dutch oven.

This Dutch Oven is situated inside a heating element, much like a traditional Crock Pot. Where it differs though, is that it features an oven and stove safe enameled cast iron inner pot, plus a heavy cast iron lid that locks heat in. The removable pot means you can start out with Instant Pot doing the cooking for you, then graduate to the stove or oven once you get the hang of things. You'll be also be able to choose from four functions: Braise, slow cook, sear/sauté, and keep warm.

The inner pot and lid are technically dishwasher-safe if you prioritize easy cleanup, but note that most experts recommend hand washing Dutch ovens to keep them looking their best. 

There's a reason why so many grandmas have vintage Le Creuset Dutch ovens in their kitchens. These heirloom-quality pots are made in France under extremely strict quality control regulations, which is why they last lifetimes. The cult-favorite Le Creuset enameled Dutch ovens have a lifetime warranty and a no-flaw guarantee, so you're promised a perfect piece of cookware every time (which helps justify the cost a bit). If you're looking for a pot that you can pass down to your kids, this is it. 

Le Creuset Dutch Ovens come in bold, bright colors and feature a creamy beige enameled interior, which makes it easy to check on cooking progress (but does have a tendency to stain). This Dutch oven is ideal for tender roast meats and golden brown bread since the heavy, tight-fitting lid ensures top notch heat and moisture retention. It comes in a huge variety of sizes and shapes too, so whether you're cooking for big family meals or just for yourself, there's a Le Creuset pot for you. The smallest pots are two quarts and start at $250, while the largest are 13.5 quarts and usually cost a little over $600. 

While a Le Creuset Dutch oven is definitely an investment piece, it does come with more than just quality craftsmanship. As an added bonus, these Dutch ovens are also so beautiful that they double as servingware and stovetop decor.

If you're looking to make a hearty pot of chili or a cozy cobbler in the great outdoors, the Camp Chef cast iron Dutch oven is the pot for you. Not every Dutch oven can be used over an open fire, but this seasoned cast iron pot is durable enough for that and can even be covered in hot coals for campfire baking. 

This seasoned cast iron Dutch oven comes with a thermometer notch to monitor cooking as well as a lid lifter that can pick up the loop lid handle or the bail handle when they're hot. As an added bonus, the lid can be flipped over and used as a griddle or grill pan, so use the pot to make a cozy batch of soup on the first night of your campout, then whip up bacon, eggs, or pancakes the next morning. 

Camp Chef's Dutch ovens come in four different sizes ranging from four to 12 quarts, and each is pre-seasoned so you can get cooking immediately. These pots are often measured in inches on product pages, so be sure to double check the quart measurement before you add to cart.