Woks are one of the most versatile cookware, often staples in almost every Asian home worldwide. These handy cooking pans are known for generating heat well and are famous for cooking stir-fried meals, plus, they also work well for deep frying, poaching, sautéeing, and more.
Because of their popularity, there are many innovations in the market. Woks now come in various materials, sizes, and types, so to help you find the best one, we've prepared a buying guide fact-checked by Chef Philjim Sebastian as well as our top 10 recommendations for products you can easily buy online.
Quick List - Top Woks
Chef Philjim Gerald Sebastian is a professional chef with almost 11 years of experience in South East Asian, Western, Mexican, French, and Mediterranean Cuisines. His journey to becoming a chef started in the Philippines, and through his years of experience in different countries like the UAE, Seychelles Island, and parts of Asia like Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, he honed his craft and gained different ranks in the kitchen. Chef Philjim is a graduate of De la Salle College of Saint Benilde (BS-HRIM). To add to all of his experiences, he is also a sole chef in a private sailing yacht traveling from the USA to the Caribbean islands where he is in charge of provisioning, stocking, budgeting, and cooking international cuisine for high-rank and well-known guests.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Among the different materials used to make woks, the most popular materials are carbon steel and aluminum. These two materials are known to be the best conductors and distributors of heat, which is vital considering how you will be using these woks for cooking and preparing meals.
Both materials are also lightweight and durable but require more maintenance and seasoning to create a protective coat and a smooth non-stick surface. Other materials frequently used include stainless steel and cast iron, which are also great options but not as good conducting heat as aluminum and carbon steel.
Woks come with either a small handle on either side or with a single long handle. Make sure to understand the functions of both and which would work more with your cooking style.
When stir-frying, flipping is often a technique that some individuals do when they cook to make sure that the ingredients are mixing and cooking evenly. Since a wok is often used for stir-frying, Northern-style woks which have a long handle make flipping and cooking more convenient.
You'll find that some works that come with long handles usually also have another short one on the other side. This makes carrying the food and transferring it to another table or area a breeze since you'll have a better grip.
Take note that you may need proper training for flipping or tossing to ensure you don't encounter any kitchen accidents. Always prioritize safety!
If you're thinking of getting a Cantonese-style wok that has small handles on each side, this type makes it easy to lift and is best for cooking steamed meals and large quantities of food. Because you're able to have a better grip on both sides of the wok, you can effortlessly stir-fry as well, but may not be ideal if you're afraid of oil splatter.
A wok is versatile and isn't used just solely for stir-frying. You can boil, poach, sauté, and more using a wok. So if you plan to use it for cooking soups, meals with sauces, and large batches of food, you may want to consider purchasing one with a cover.
A lid will help keep the food hot and lock the moisture in. Since several Asian dishes and other cuisines also require food to be simmered down and covered to keep them soft and moist, having a lid that fits perfectly on top of your wok will come in handy.
Woks are generally great conductors and distributors of heat, which is why many people prefer to cook with them, but for a wok to efficiently work, it has to be the right size and appropriate for the type of cooktop that you use in your kitchen.
There are three types of stoves: gas, electric, and induction. Although induction pots and pans are suitable for gas stoves, not all regular cookware is appropriate for induction cooktops. As for the size of the wok, household woks average from 30 to 36 cm. Take into consideration that larger families may need a bigger-sized wok.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Size | Material | Type of Handle | Lid Included | Cooktop Compatibility | |||||
1 | Wok Bang Honeycomb Stainless Steel Wok | ![]() | Durable Stainless Steel Wok With Honeycomb Texture | 40 cm | Stainless Steel | Dual Side | Gas, Induction, Electric | ||
2 | Fudong Carbon Steel Wok | ![]() | Traditional Cooking With Durable Craftsmanship | 32 cm, 34 cm, 36 cm | Carbon Steel | Dual Side | Gas | ||
3 | Masflex Stainless Steel Wok | ![]() | Durable and Versatile Cooking Hardware | 30 cm | Stainless Steel | Dual Side | Gas, Induction | ||
4 | Tefal Cook ’N Clean Wok Pan | ![]() | Effortless Cooking and Cleaning with Non-Stick Ease | 28 cm | Aluminum with Titanium Coating | Single | Gas, Electric, Halogen | ||
5 | Tefal Cook ’N Easy Wok with Lid | ![]() | Non-Stick and PFOA-Free for Healthy Cooking | 36 cm | Aluminum with Titanium Coating | Dual Side | Gas, Electric, Halogen | ||
6 | Edmark Smart Pressurized Wok | ![]() | Versatile Cooking With A Scratch-Free Design | 32 cm | Stainless Steel | Single | Gas, Induction, Electric, Ceramic, Halogen | ||
7 | Mandaue Foam Stainless Steel Wok with Handle | ![]() | Durable Stainless Steel Wok Designed For Practical Cooking | 34 cm | Stainless Steel | Dual Side | Gas, Electric, Ceramic, Halogen | ||
8 | Primera by Metro Chinese Wok with Lid|MPCW 1718 | ![]() | Versatile Stainless Steel Chinese Wok With Glass Lid | 32 cm | Stainless Steel | Single | Gas, Induction, Electric, Ceramic | ||
9 | Dreepor Thickened Stainless Steel Wok with Handles | ![]() | Versatile Thickened Stainless Steel Wok for Everyday Cooking | 30 cm, 36 cm | Stainless Steel | Dual Side | Gas, Induction, Electric, Ceramic | ||
10 | Metro Cookwares Stainless Steel Chinese Wok with Glass Lid | ![]() | Chinese Wok For Durable Cooking Performance | 28 cm | Stainless Steel | Single | Gas, Electric, Ceramic, Halogen, Induction |
Size | 40 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Dual Side |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Induction, Electric |
Size | 32 cm, 34 cm, 36 cm |
---|---|
Material | Carbon Steel |
Type of Handle | Dual Side |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas |
Size | 30 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Dual Side |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Induction |
Size | 28 cm |
---|---|
Material | Aluminum with Titanium Coating |
Type of Handle | Single |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Electric, Halogen |
Size | 36 cm |
---|---|
Material | Aluminum with Titanium Coating |
Type of Handle | Dual Side |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Electric, Halogen |
Size | 32 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Single |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Induction, Electric, Ceramic, Halogen |
Size | 34 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Dual Side |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Electric, Ceramic, Halogen |
Size | 32 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Single |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Induction, Electric, Ceramic |
Size | 30 cm, 36 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Dual Side |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Induction, Electric, Ceramic |
Size | 28 cm |
---|---|
Material | Stainless Steel |
Type of Handle | Single |
Lid Included | |
Cooktop Compatibility | Gas, Electric, Ceramic, Halogen, Induction |
Although it's mostly known for use when cooking stir-fried dishes, a wok, when properly seasoned, can be a good partner for healthier cooking!
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Traditional woks are not non-stick, so they need to be seasoned. However, most woks nowadays often come with a non-stick coating. Keep in mind to check the product description of the product before purchasing so you know whether it is non-stick or not.
Yes, a wok can be used on an electric stovetop wherein people often prefer those with flat bottoms for better heat conductivity as opposed to round-bottomed woks. Remember to double-check a product's specs before purchasing so you know what type of stoves it's compatible with.
Woks made out of carbon steel are the most popular choice amongst professional chefs, as well as in Chinese restaurants and households.
Now that you've got a new piece of cookware, you may feel the urge to buy more things to level up your kitchen. So, we've gone ahead and listed some of the best products that will make an excellent addition to your home's kitchen!
Author: Hannah G. Caga
Re-Editor: Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Wok Bang|Honeycomb Stainless Steel Wok
No. 2: Fudong|Carbon Steel Wok
No. 3: Masflex|Stainless Steel Wok
No. 4: Tefal|Cook ’N Clean Wok Pan
No. 5: Tefal|Cook ’N Easy Wok with Lid
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Beauty
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Cameras
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others