This 20-piece stainless steel set covers four place settings of dinner forks, salad forks, soup spoons, teaspoons and knives. Reviewers found the pieces nicely balanced and easy to hold, though lighter than other sets and plain in a cafeteria way. It came out of the dishwasher sparkling every time, with no water spots.

This 18/10 stainless steel set holds twelve five-piece place settings plus a five-piece serving set. Reviewers found the pieces balanced and comfortable, with flared handles that are easy to hold. Its knife cut carrots, green beans and rotisserie chicken easily, and the fork tines speared single chickpeas.

This Italian-made set has four five-piece place settings, with 18/10 steel forks and spoons and 18/0 steel knives. Reviewers found it well balanced and comfortable, with flared handle ends that fit the palm. It showed the fewest water spots after the dishwasher and holds up to daily washing.

These thin, light porcelain pieces made it through repeated drops with only a muted sound and didn't scratch in testing. They are safe in the dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer, and the plates don't hold heat, so they aren't hot to handle. Plates vary in thickness, so stacks can wobble a bit.