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This most basic piece of cooking equipment might not seem worthy of scrutiny—until you have one that wobbles when you whisk, slips in your hand, or traps food in its crevices.
By Kate Shannon ･ Published Sept. 1, 2014. Appears in America's Test Kitchen TV Season 15: Dinner in the Mediterranean
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What You Need to Know
Everything We Tested
Good 3 Stars out of 3.
Fair 2 Stars out of 3.
Poor 1 Star out of 3.
Highly Recommended - Stainless-Steel Bowls
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
The broad, shallow shape of these inexpensive bowls put food within easy reach and allowed for wide turns of a spatula. These were also the lightest bowls in the lineup—the combined weight of all three that we tested was less than 1 1/2 pounds— allowing us to comfortably lift, scrape, and pour.
Model Number: 1 1/2 qt ($2.90, model 47932); 3 qt ($4.50, model 47933); 5 qt ($6.90, model 47935)
Sold As: Open stock
Weights: 4 5/8 oz (1 1/2 qt); 6 1/8 oz (3 qt); 8 7/8 oz (5 qt)
Material: Stainless steel
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt ($2.90, model 47932); 3 qt ($4.50, model 47933); 5 qt ($6.90, model 47935)
Price at Time of Testing: 1 1/2 qt ($2.90); 3 qt ($4.50); 5 qt ($6.90)
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
The broad, shallow shape of these inexpensive bowls put food within easy reach and allowed for wide turns of a spatula. These were also the lightest bowls in the lineup—the combined weight of all three that we tested was less than 1 1/2 pounds— allowing us to comfortably lift, scrape, and pour.
Model Number: 1 1/2 qt ($2.90, model 47932); 3 qt ($4.50, model 47933); 5 qt ($6.90, model 47935)
Sold As: Open stock
Weights: 4 5/8 oz (1 1/2 qt); 6 1/8 oz (3 qt); 8 7/8 oz (5 qt)
Material: Stainless steel
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt ($2.90, model 47932); 3 qt ($4.50, model 47933); 5 qt ($6.90, model 47935)
Price at Time of Testing: 1 1/2 qt ($2.90); 3 qt ($4.50); 5 qt ($6.90)
Recommended - Stainless-Steel Bowls
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Though their relatively tall and narrow build made it a little challenging for shorter testers to access their contents, these bowls were lightweight and sported a generous rim—features that made them easy to grasp and hold while we scraped them clean.
Model Number: CTG-00-SMB
Sold As: Three-bowl set ($29.99, model CTG-00-SMB)
Weights: n/a
Material: Stainless steel with plastic lids
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt; 3 qt; 5 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $29.99
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Though their relatively tall and narrow build made it a little challenging for shorter testers to access their contents, these bowls were lightweight and sported a generous rim—features that made them easy to grasp and hold while we scraped them clean.
Model Number: CTG-00-SMB
Sold As: Three-bowl set ($29.99, model CTG-00-SMB)
Weights: n/a
Material: Stainless steel with plastic lids
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt; 3 qt; 5 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $29.99
Not Recommended - Stainless-Steel Bowls
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
Apart from having wide rims, these bowls were not user-friendly—and certainly not worth the high price. Their small, Santoprene-coated bases caused them to spin and almost tip over as we mixed. Plus, the company does not recommend using them in a double boiler, lest the exterior plastic coating come in contact with the pot and overheat.
Model Number: 1107600V1
Weights: 11 1/2 oz (1 1/2 qt); 1 lb, 3 oz (3 qt); 1 lb, 10 3/4 oz (5 qt)
Material: Stainless steel interior, white plastic exterior with nonskid Santoprene base
Sold As : Three-bowl set ($59.99, model 1107600V1)
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt; 3 qt; 5 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $59.99
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Apart from having wide rims, these bowls were not user-friendly—and certainly not worth the high price. Their small, Santoprene-coated bases caused them to spin and almost tip over as we mixed. Plus, the company does not recommend using them in a double boiler, lest the exterior plastic coating come in contact with the pot and overheat.
Model Number: 1107600V1
Weights: 11 1/2 oz (1 1/2 qt); 1 lb, 3 oz (3 qt); 1 lb, 10 3/4 oz (5 qt)
Material: Stainless steel interior, white plastic exterior with nonskid Santoprene base
Sold As : Three-bowl set ($59.99, model 1107600V1)
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt; 3 qt; 5 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $59.99
Highly Recommended - Glass Bowls
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Even though these bowls were heavy, they never felt cumbersome to handle, thanks to their shallow, gently curved walls and easy-to-grip rims. Notably, they did not break when we dropped them. A bonus: Tight-fitting lids kept food well protected.
Model Number: 1086053
Sold As: Four-bowl set ($13.19, model 1086053)
Weights: 1 lb, 3 1/2 oz (1 qt); 2 lb, 4 1/4 oz (2 1/2 qt); 3 lb, 7 3/8 oz (4 qt)
Material: Tempered glass with plastic lids
Sizes Tested: 1 qt; 2 1/2 qt; 4 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $19.88
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Even though these bowls were heavy, they never felt cumbersome to handle, thanks to their shallow, gently curved walls and easy-to-grip rims. Notably, they did not break when we dropped them. A bonus: Tight-fitting lids kept food well protected.
Model Number: 1086053
Sold As: Four-bowl set ($13.19, model 1086053)
Weights: 1 lb, 3 1/2 oz (1 qt); 2 lb, 4 1/4 oz (2 1/2 qt); 3 lb, 7 3/8 oz (4 qt)
Material: Tempered glass with plastic lids
Sizes Tested: 1 qt; 2 1/2 qt; 4 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $19.88
Recommended - Glass Bowls
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
These shallow, wide bowls were easy to navigate with a whisk or a spatula. They were also one of the lighter glass sets, although they would have been easier to grip if they’d had rims instead of food-trapping collars. They survived the drop tests with minor scratches. A shopping note: Bowl sizes are listed by diameter, not volume.
Model Number: E4371
Sold As: Ten-bowl set
Weights: 15 1/8 oz (1 qt); 2 lb, 1 1/8 oz (3 qt); 3 lb, 3/8 oz (4 1/2 qt)
Material: Tempered glass
Sizes Tested: 1 qt (5 1/2 in); 3 qt (9 in) ; 4 1/2 qt (10 1/4 in)
Price at Time of Testing: $29.75
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
These shallow, wide bowls were easy to navigate with a whisk or a spatula. They were also one of the lighter glass sets, although they would have been easier to grip if they’d had rims instead of food-trapping collars. They survived the drop tests with minor scratches. A shopping note: Bowl sizes are listed by diameter, not volume.
Model Number: E4371
Sold As: Ten-bowl set
Weights: 15 1/8 oz (1 qt); 2 lb, 1 1/8 oz (3 qt); 3 lb, 3/8 oz (4 1/2 qt)
Material: Tempered glass
Sizes Tested: 1 qt (5 1/2 in); 3 qt (9 in) ; 4 1/2 qt (10 1/4 in)
Price at Time of Testing: $29.75
Not Recommended - Glass Bowls
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Duralex Lys Stackable Clear Bowls
We would have appreciated the capacity of the 6-quart bowl more if it wasn’t unbearably heavy and hard to maneuver. The bowls’ collars protruded so much that food stuck to them during mixing. Duralex made the only bowl to shatter during the drop tests.
Model Number: 2027AF06
Sold As: Open stock
Weights: 15 1/2 oz (1 1/2 qt); 2 lb, 5/8 oz (2 1/2 qt); 4 lb, 5 oz (6 qt)
Material: Tempered glass
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt (model 2027AF06); 2 1/2 qt (model 2028AF06); 6 qt (model 2030AF03)
Price at Time of Testing: 1 1/2 qt ($6.00); 2 1/2 qt ($8.25); 6 qt ($21.00)
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
We would have appreciated the capacity of the 6-quart bowl more if it wasn’t unbearably heavy and hard to maneuver. The bowls’ collars protruded so much that food stuck to them during mixing. Duralex made the only bowl to shatter during the drop tests.
Model Number: 2027AF06
Sold As: Open stock
Weights: 15 1/2 oz (1 1/2 qt); 2 lb, 5/8 oz (2 1/2 qt); 4 lb, 5 oz (6 qt)
Material: Tempered glass
Sizes Tested: 1 1/2 qt (model 2027AF06); 2 1/2 qt (model 2028AF06); 6 qt (model 2030AF03)
Price at Time of Testing: 1 1/2 qt ($6.00); 2 1/2 qt ($8.25); 6 qt ($21.00)
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
Anchor Hocking Mixing Bowls with Red Plastic Lids
As if the weight of these hefty bowls didn’t make them challenging enough to handle, their shallow collars barely helped with gripping. Reaching over their high, practically vertical sides was a struggle. The base developed hairline cracks during the drop tests.
Model Number: 918508K
Sold As: Four-bowl set (model 918508K) or open stock
Weights: 1 lb, 6 3/8 oz (1 qt); 2 lb, 7 5/8 oz (2 1/2 qt); 3 lb, 9 5/8 oz (4 qt)
Material: Tempered glass with plastic lids
Sizes Tested: 1 qt; 2 1/2 qt; 4 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $21.99
- Durability
- Ease of Use
- Performance
As if the weight of these hefty bowls didn’t make them challenging enough to handle, their shallow collars barely helped with gripping. Reaching over their high, practically vertical sides was a struggle. The base developed hairline cracks during the drop tests.
Model Number: 918508K
Sold As: Four-bowl set (model 918508K) or open stock
Weights: 1 lb, 6 3/8 oz (1 qt); 2 lb, 7 5/8 oz (2 1/2 qt); 3 lb, 9 5/8 oz (4 qt)
Material: Tempered glass with plastic lids
Sizes Tested: 1 qt; 2 1/2 qt; 4 qt
Price at Time of Testing: $21.99
*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.
Reviews You Can Trust
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them. Have a question or suggestion? Send us an email at atkreviews@americastestkitchen.com. We appreciate your feedback!
The Expert
byKate Shannon
Deputy Editor, ATK Reviews
Kate is a deputy editor for ATK Reviews. She's a culinary school graduate and former line cook and cheesemonger.
Kate Shannon is a deputy editor for ATK Reviews. She’s covered a wide variety of topics at America’s Test Kitchen, but she especially loves writing about cheese, pantry staples such as anchovies and kosher salt, and cleaning products. One of her proudest accomplishments is finding a life-changing kitchen sponge (really) and proving once and for all that it's a bad idea to leave a soggy sponge in the bottom of your sink. Prior to joining America’s Test Kitchen, she attended Boston University’s culinary program and worked as both a line cook and a cheesemonger.
