Now, interior enamel is a matter of preference and there are even mixed opinions on this topic among the Bon Appétit staff. My colleague Wilder Davies, who also tests and reviews Dutch ovens, has suggested that a light, smooth interior cooking surface allows home cooks (especially beginners) to better monitor browning and doneness.

In my experience testing both Dutch ovens and enameled cast iron skillets, even if a lighter enamel lets you observe browning more easily, a dark, textured enamel makes for better browning. Food releases more easily from a textured cooking surface as well, because a tiny bit of fat is able to move around between the food and the pan. The dark interior also won’t show discoloration like a light enamel will, and you may be less tempted to over scrub—which could, over time, wear down the enamel if you’re using abrasive cleaners.

The Staub Dutch oven’s lid is pocked with divots which theoretically help to evenly distribute moisture when braising, though neither I, nor Wilder have seen clear evidence that’s happening. But, of my top picks, this is the only lid that didn’t let any water sputter out with the steam when I had it going at a rolling boil.

Like Le Creuset, Staub is a French cookware brand (now owned by Zwilling) and its Dutch ovens are still manufactured in France. Staub also offers a limited lifetime warranty on its enameled cast iron.

What I don’t love about the Staub Cocotte

There’s really not much I don’t love about this Dutch oven. Yes, it’s pricey, but with proper care it will be something your kids fight over when you, um, can no longer use it.

Good to know

A small bit of lint from my soft cotton dish towels catches on the textured interior enamel when hand drying, so I have to use flour sack towels or truly lintless kitchen towels like these to dry it (or otherwise air dry).

Another great Dutch oven: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven

We’ve been recommending Le Creuset’s Dutch ovens for as long as we’ve been recommending Dutch ovens. So if you have your heart set on one of these iconic pieces and you’re wondering whether it’s still a wise investment, the answer is a resounding yes.

Though the Staub’s black, textured interior enamel did a better job of browning and releasing foods at high temperatures in my testing, Le Creuset’s smooth, sand-colored interior enamel also produced a beautiful even sear—and some home cooks may prefer the lighter enamel anyway. Le Creuset’s 5.5-quart Dutch oven also weighs about a pound less than Staub’s and the thin loop handles are easy to grip with or without oven mitts. The lighter weight is due to noticeably thinner cast iron, but it’s still thick enough to offer wonderful heat retention.

Until recently, if you purchased a Le Creuset Dutch oven, it came standard with a phenolic (plastic) knob, unless you purchased one with a “Signature” stainless steel knob. Now all of Le Creuset’s Dutch oven offerings are Signature and come standard with the metal knob. (And if you have an older oven with a plastic knob, you can upgrade for just $25.)

Le Creuset is a century-old French brand and though some of its cookware and tableware is now made in other countries, all of the enameled cast iron cookware—including Dutch ovens—is still made in the original manufacturing facility in Fresnoy-le-Grand, France. And while we know from experience and inherited pieces that the chip-resistant enamel can last a lifetime (with proper care, of course) Le Creuset Dutch ovens do come with a limited lifetime warranty.

What I don’t love about the Le Creuset Dutch oven

I noticed that when I filled it halfway with water and got it to a rolling boil with the lid on, scalding water still escaped the pan—an issue I didn’t experience with the Staub.

Good to know

If you choose a Dutch oven with light colored interior enamel, and cook in it often, you should expect some gradual discoloration. If you’re intent on keeping it pristine, you may jeopardize the lifespan of the enamel. Abrasive cleaners can wear the seal off of it and lead to even more staining.

The best Dutch oven under $100: Amazon Basics 6-Quart Dutch Oven

Amazon Basics’s kitchen gear is really hit or miss, but the brand’s Dutch oven is surprisingly good—especially for something with such an accessible price tag. At the time of publishing, the 6-quart oven is just $52.

Like the Le Creuset, the Amazon Basics Dutch oven has a smooth, light interior enamel and sturdy loop handles. In my testing, it heated evenly, produced an even sear, and the lid retained moisture at low simmering temperatures—which is exactly what you want when braising.