An aluminum frying pan is not only affordable, it's also durable and easy to clean. Aluminum is one of the best conductors of heat. However, you should make sure you get a pan that's thick enough and has an anodized bottom.

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a common non-stick coating used in aluminum cookware. It is also referred to as Teflon. While it can be helpful for making eggs, it isn't very durable for high-temperature searing. If you're looking for an alternative, consider ceramic.

Some brands also offer a stainless steel cooking surface. These are particularly durable because the underlying material is harder than aluminum. Aside from being more resistant to scratches, this type of coating will help prevent rust.
Cast aluminum pans are also available. They're a little thicker than stamped pans, and they have better heating properties. But they're also a bit more expensive.

Stamped aluminum is a cheaper, but less durable, type of frying pan. It's made by reforming an aluminum sheet under pressure. This results in a thin, lightweight pan that can't hold heat as well as cast or forged pans.
Aluminum and stainless steel pans are great for browning meat. Stainless steel cookware can handle high temperatures, but it's not as durable as aluminum.
Anodized aluminum cookware was developed to meet the demands of professional chefs. It's also non-reactive, meaning it doesn't leach metal into food.
Hard anodized aluminum is considered the best quality. It's more durable, but it isn't necessarily non-stick.