Is the Staub Cocotte Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jun 2025) and Prudent Reviews (Jun 2026). How we score
Save $135Depends. Le Creuset for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen recommends the Staub, with top marks for cooking and durability, and it browned bread especially well. But ATK's winner, the Le Creuset 5.5 qt, costs less, and their Best Buy Cuisinart also earned top cooking marks at under a third of the price. Buy the Staub only if you specifically want its low sides and dark interior (which, on the 7 qt Staub, ATK found hides stains but makes browning harder to see).
Estimated cost per year of use
How we estimate lifespan
- Staub, ~25 yrs: Our estimate. Enameled cast iron; America's Test Kitchen gave the 5.5 qt top marks for durability and called the 7 qt version "very durable."
- Cuisinart, ~12 yrs: Our estimate. America's Test Kitchen found the larger 7-qt Cuisinart shows cosmetic chipping when repeatedly impacted.
- Le Creuset, ~25 yrs: Our estimate. Enameled cast iron; America's Test Kitchen found Le Creuset resists chipping in abuse testing.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Staub
Signature Round Dutch Oven, 5.5 qt
Average of 2 testers: America's Test Kitchen 10 · Prudent Reviews 8
Average of 2 testers: America's Test Kitchen 9 · Prudent Reviews 10
America's Test Kitchen's winner in every size class, and cheaper than the Staub at current prices. ATK found Le Creuset resists chipping in abuse testing.
| Criterion | Staub | Le Creuset |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Durability | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Dutch Ovens (updated June 25, 2025)
Sources: Prudent Reviews: 9 Dutch ovens tested, including 5.5-qt Staub and Le Creuset (updated June 3, 2026), America's Test Kitchen: The Best Dutch Ovens (updated June 25, 2025)
Chef's Classic Enameled Cast Iron Casserole, 5 qt
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy in the 5–6 qt class: it "aced nearly every test" (fluffy rice, browned meatballs, crispy fries) and matched the Staub's top marks for cooking, with 2.5 of 3 stars for durability. ATK found the larger 7 qt Cuisinart more prone to cosmetic chipping when repeatedly impacted.
| Criterion | Staub | Cuisinart |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Durability | 3/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Ease of use | 2/3 | 2.5/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Dutch Ovens (updated June 25, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Dutch Ovens (updated June 25, 2025)
Common questions
Is the Staub cocotte oven safe?
Staub lists the cocotte as oven-safe to 900°F without the lid and 500°F with it, compatible with all stovetops including induction, and dishwasher safe, though it recommends handwashing.
Staub or Le Creuset: which is better?
America's Test Kitchen named the Le Creuset its winner and rated the Staub Recommended. Both earned top marks for cooking and durability. ATK found the 5.5 qt Staub's lid "a bit of a pain to clean," and on the 7 qt, the dark interior made browning harder to see, though it camouflaged stains.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Dutch Ovens (updated June 25, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
