Le Creuset vs. Staub Dutch Ovens: The Battle of the Best

Le Creuset and Staub Dutch ovens are iconic. Both have been around for a long time: Le Creuset since 1925 and Staub since 1974. And we’ve long recommended both brands—anecdotally (with Serious Eats staffers having used them at home and in our test kitchen) and objectively (both having come out on top after reviewing 18 Dutch ovens). 

While both of these colorful pots are truly exceptional, do-it-all workhorses, there are some points to consider when deciding whether Le Creuset or Staub is right for you. Namely, durability and manufacturing, design, color selection, cleanup, and price.

Durability and Manufacturing

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven

$420 $375 at Amazon $260 at Williams Sonoma $420 at Food52

With both Le Creuset and Staub, you’re getting an extremely durable, incredibly long-lasting piece of cookware. It’s one of the reasons we recommend investing in heritage-brand enameled cast iron. Both Le Creuset and Staub have their own production factories (unlike other manufacturers that outsource this) and maintain strict standards. At the Le Creuset factory, employees inspect every pot before it goes out. At Staub's, the sand that makes up their Dutch ovens has its moisture adjusted daily based on humidity levels.

Staub 5.5-Quart Round Cocotte

$400 at Amazon $280 at Williams Sonoma $400 at Sur La Table

This all means that you’re unlikely to receive a pot with manufacturer defects. As a further sign of their quality, both Le Creuset and Staub offer lifetime warranties (as do the majority of other Dutch oven manufacturers). 

Pot and Lid Design Differences

This is where the two brands split more notably. Le Creuset has a light enameled interior while Staub has a black one. Some cooks may find the black enamel of the Staub makes it hard to see fond development. However, it also means it’s less likely to show the natural scuffs, scratches, and discoloration that happen with regularly used cookware. So, it’s really personal preference.

The handles are also a bit different. Le Creuset features wide, looped handles and a sizable knob on its Dutch oven’s lid. Staub’s pot has slightly narrower handles with squared-off edges and a smaller knob on its lid. Neither is bad, but some cooks may prefer the roomier handles of the Le Creuset, especially when transferring it from the stovetop to the oven with bulky oven mitts on. 

Color Selection Options

Both Le Creuset and Staub have a range of classic, always-available colors. The orangey Flame is iconic for Le Creuset, while Staub’s Cherry is a notable color. However, both brands also routinely come out with new, sometimes limited-edition colors (some are available exclusively at specialty retailers, like Williams Sonoma). So, they’re both pretty even here. 

Cleanup Pain Points

We’ve got a whole article devoted to cleaning a Dutch oven and both Le Creuset and Staub involve the same basic sort of daily care. If you’re concerned about interior marks/polymerized oil splotches on the exterior, you might want to opt for a Staub in a darker colorway. Its black interior will help hide marks and a darker exterior (like a deep red) will camouflage things a bit. 

Price Differences

At the time of writing, a 5.5-quart Le Creuset is $400, while a 5.5-quart Staub is $311. So, Staub’s a bit cheaper, but both are still expensive and within the same price range. And, ultimately, with a piece of cookware that’s going to last as long as a Dutch oven, you should invest in the one you really want. 

So, Should You Buy a Le Creuset or Staub Dutch Oven? 

Sorry, but the answer is: either. Both are incredible pieces of cookware and are designed to last a long time and come with a reputation for quality.

Why We're the Experts

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate editorial director for Serious Eats.
• She's worked at the company since 2021 and has reviewed kitchen equipment professionally for more than six years.
• She has written many reviews for the site, including on Ooni pizza ovens and air fryers.
• We have extensively reviewed and written about Dutch ovens, so we know a thing or two about the pot.