The best baking sheets

The Nordic Ware Baker's Half Sheet is made of aluminum, which allows for excellent heat conductivity and makes the pan resistant to rust. The one-inch rim around the pan is reinforced with encapsulated steel to keep the pan from warping due to quick temperature changes or just normal wear and tear.

The overall interior dimensions of the pan are 16.5 by 11.4 inches, and the exterior is 17.9 by 12.9 inches. The sheet is made in the United States and is hand wash only, which may seem inconvenient, but your cookie sheet will last longer if you don't subject it to the dishwasher.

This cookie sheet allows for even baking and has high durability. The Wirecutter has been using the Nordic Ware baking sheet heavily for about five years, and the reviewer has found that it has maintained its shape and still produces golden brown cookies.

Pros: Produces evenly baked goodies, resistant to warping, affordable

Cons: Susceptible to scratching, hand wash only

What sets the Wilton Cookie Pan Set apart from the other baking sheets in our guide is that you get three rimmed sheets for under $20. The largest pan is slightly smaller than the standard half-sheet at 17.25 by 11.5 by 1 inch. The other sheets are 10.25 by 15.25 by 0.75 inches and 13.25 by 9.25 by 0.63 inches (fairly close to a quarter-size sheet.)

The pans are made of aluminum and covered with a non-stick coating for effortless cookie removal. Each of the sheets has wide reinforced rims on the ends for a good grip. Because you get three pans in different sizes, you'll have a baking sheet for every job.

The pans stack well for easy storage and while most reviewers praise durability, a few have had issues with warping.

Pros: Affordable, store easily, durable, set of three

Cons: Some complaints of warping

The AirBake Nonstick Cookie Sheet is unique because it has two heavy-duty aluminum layers with air between them. T-fal, the manufacturer, calls this insulated effect "micro-dome technology." Basically, with this design, the temperature of the metal that comes in contact with the food is reduced, which leads to moister baked goods, no burning, and better browning.

The pan measures 16 by 14 inches, and though it doesn't have a rim, there is a lip on one side that makes it easy to remove from the oven. Before using the sheet for the first time, spread a teaspoon of cooking oil over the interior to condition it. This cookie sheet is backed by a 10-year warranty.

One downside is the sheet can be a pain to clean since you can't put it in the dishwasher or let it soak due to the air pockets. Several buyer reviews stressed the importance of handwashing the sheet and not letting it soak. If you do get water inside the air pockets, put it upside down in the oven at 250 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Pros: Bakes cookies evenly and burning is unlikely, 10-year warranty, nonstick

Cons: Have to clean it carefully

Unlike the other cookie sheets in our guide, the surface of the OXO Good Grips Pro Nonstick Cookie Sheet is micro-textured. Why does this matter? The micro-textured pattern reduces the surface contact the pan has with food, which allows for increased airflow and keeps it from sticking.

The sheet is made of heavy-duty aluminized steel that distributes heat evenly and adds durability. The double-layer non-stick coating is ceramic-reinforced to guard against corrosion, staining, and scratching. At 18.5 by 14.5 inches, this OXO product is slightly larger than the standard half-sheet size.

Our guides editor Malarie Gokey uses this pan in her kitchen and loves it. She appreciates the way the micro-textured surface of the pan heats evenly to bake cookies to perfection. She just slaps a piece of parchment paper on it, adds cookie dough (or whatever else she plans on baking), and pops it in the oven to make cleaning up afterward effortless.

Of course, you can just grease the non-stick surface and bake without parchment paper if you prefer. The mostly edgeless design is easy to clean because it doesn't have any nooks or crannies that catch crumbs. Best of all, when she's done with it, the OXO cookie sheet is slim enough to store vertically next to her cutting boards in the cabinet. It's a huge space saver.

Pros: Bakes cookies quickly and evenly, nonstick, expensive

Cons: Might be a bit unwieldy for some to hand wash

The Chicago Metallic Non-Stick True Jelly Roll Pan sets itself apart from the other baking sheets in our guide with its silicone-based nonstick coating, which facilitates effortless baking and cleanup.

The pan is made of heavy-weight aluminized steel, which assists with heat distribution and even baking. The pan is one inch deep and is 14.75" by 9.75". The rim is reinforced to protect against warping. Though the sheet is dishwasher safe, Chicago Metallic recommends hand washing it. Also, to protect the nonstick surface, they warn against using utensils with sharp edges on the pan.

This sheet is very durable and its commercial-grade construction means it does not buckle or warp.

Pros: Impressive nonstick properties, easy to clean, oven safe to 450 degrees

Cons: Slightly smaller than what most jelly roll recipes call for

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