Cast iron is perfect for searing steaks. It transfers heat evenly across the entire surface without hot spots. It will also hold the heat well and is excellent when going from the stovetop to the oven. All home cooks should have a cast-iron skillet. They are cheap, easy to maintain, and will last generations. It can also tolerate any heat from a stovetop, oven, or grill you can generate at home. The pan to sear steaks does not have to be cast iron; any oven-safe pan that can move from stovetop to oven will do. If you don’t have any pan that will work, sear in a stovetop pan, and move to a different preheated oven-safe pan to finish.