FINEX Cast Iron Skillet vs Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
FINEX Cast Iron Skillet (#2, best premium) vs Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet (#3): in our Cast Iron Skillets scoring the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet totals 9.6/10 and the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet 9.5/10, the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet leading on Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| FINEX Cast Iron Skillet | Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $175 |
| Material | Cast iron | Cast iron |
| Size | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| Surface | Hand-polished | Machine-polished smooth |
| Handle | Stainless steel spring | — |
| Made In | Portland, USA | USA |
| Weight | — | 6.5 lbs |
How they differ in real use
Built from our cast iron skillets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet and the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet made our Top 5 Cast Iron Skillets, at #2 (best premium) and #3. Hand-polished smooth surface with stainless steel spring handle. Artisan quality from Portland, Oregon. Machine-polished smooth surface for naturally nonstick performance. Lighter than most at 6.5 lbs with drip-free flared rim. Made in Allentown, PA.
We score cast iron skillets on Heat Retention (30%), Seasoning/Finish (25%), Build Quality (25%), Handle Design (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet totals 9.6 out of 10 and the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet 9.5. The widest gap is Value, where the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet scores 6 against 5 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet — quality per dollar.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Surface — Hand-polished on the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet versus Machine-polished smooth on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet; Made In — Portland, USA on the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet versus USA on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. They match on Material and Size.
Pricing as of February 1, 2026: $199 for the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet and $175 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, a $24 difference in the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet's favor. Owners praise the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet for hand-polished smooth surface and stainless spring handle (cool); the most common complaint is very expensive. Owners praise the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet for machine-polished smooth surface and lightweight at 6.5 lbs; the most common complaint is premium price for cast iron.
FINEX Cast Iron Skillet
- Hand-polished smooth surface
- Stainless spring handle (cool)
- Octagonal design (pour spots)
- Made in Portland, USA
- Very expensive
- Heavy
- Octagonal shape unusual
Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
- Machine-polished smooth surface
- Lightweight at 6.5 lbs
- Drip-free flared rim
- Stay-cool handle design
- Premium price for cast iron
- Smaller than vintage #10 equivalent
- Still requires seasoning care
Which should you buy?
The FINEX Cast Iron Skillet is the better fit for cast iron enthusiasts and smooth surface preference — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Value. The Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is the better fit for smooth surface priority and those wanting lighter cast iron. If the $24 saving matters more than Value, the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is the better value. The FINEX Cast Iron Skillet is a poor fit for budget buyers; the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet is a poor fit for budget buyers.
Choose the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet if
- Cast iron enthusiasts
- Smooth surface preference
- Heirloom piece seekers
Skip it if
- Budget buyers
- Traditional round preference
Choose the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet if
- Smooth surface priority
- Those wanting lighter cast iron
- Nonstick performance without chemicals
Skip it if
- Budget buyers
- Those okay with Lodge texture
Common questions
Is the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet better than the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet?
In our Cast Iron Skillets ranking the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet scores higher overall, 9.6 to 9.5, with the biggest advantage in Value. The Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
How much more does the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet cost than the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet?
$24 more as of February 1, 2026: $199 for the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet against $175 for the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Value — 6 versus 5 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet and the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet?
The headline spec difference is Surface: Hand-polished on the FINEX Cast Iron Skillet versus Machine-polished smooth on the Stargazer 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet. In use, the gap that matters most is Value (6 vs 5 in our scoring): quality per dollar.