Reimagine your cookware with these top-tier sets
Hannah Selinger's IACP Award-nominated lifestyle work has appeared in numerous high-profile publications, including Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Stainless Steel Pots And Pans
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From frying eggs to flipping pancakes, there are countless kitchen tasks that call for nonstick cookware. These pots and pans feature a slick, slippery coating on the surface, which allows food to slide right off without clinging to it and making a residue-laden mess.
Kathleen Garcia-Benson, R.D.N., C.S.S.D., says that cooking with nonstick pans boasts plenty of benefits—particularly in the quest for healthier cooking. “When people find cooking to be more enjoyable and less of a hassle, they may be more inclined to experiment with a variety of nutrient-dense recipes,” Garcia-Benson says. In other words, the less time you spend scrubbing bits of gunk off of your cookware, the more time you have to make and enjoy nutritious meals.
“The ease of use—and reduced frustration due to food not sticking in nonstick pans—may encourage more people to prepare their food at home, [which] allows for better control over ingredients,” Garcia-Benson adds. “There’s also the flexibility to use less oil or butter, if desired.”
While there are plenty of reasons to invest in a set of nonstick cookware, the market is so saturated with options it can be mildly overwhelming to pick the right one. To help you narrow down your search, we’ve rounded up 25 popular nonstick cookware sets and tested them in our Lab to see how they stack up. Read on to find which ones are worth adding to your kitchen.
What we like: This durable, versatile set sears and browns better than most other nonstick cookware we’ve tried.
What to know: The lids are only oven-safe to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Le Creuset’s 10-piece, hard-anodized nonstick set includes just about everything a home cook could ask for. In this set, you’ll find 8-inch and 10-inch fry pans, 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans, a 3.5-quart sauté pan and a 6 ⅓-quart stockpot, and everything comes with its own tempered glass lid except for the fry pans. These pans also include stainless steel handles, making them oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. (The lids are only oven-safe to 425 degrees, though, so keep that in mind before popping them into the oven.)
When we tested this Le Creuset set, we really appreciated its durability, and we felt it was a good fit for novice and experienced cooks alike. The nonstick coating proved to be very effective, and there were absolutely no issues with food sticking to the interior of the pans. We loved the simple, practical design of the cookware, and the long handles were easy to grip and felt good in our hands.
These pans heat quickly and evenly, and the textured interior helps with searing and browning—a feature sometimes lacking in nonstick cookware. While these pots and pans are dishwasher-safe, we also found them easy to clean by hand. At $650, this is undoubtedly one of the pricier cookware sets on our list. Still, given its comfortable design and impressive performance, we think it makes a great investment for any avid cook.
Price at time of publishing: $635
Pieces included: 8- and 10-inch fry pans, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6 ⅓-quart stockpot with lid | Material: Hard-anodized aluminum and stainless steel | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven safe: Yes, to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (without lids) | Dishwasher safe: Yes
What we like: Oven-safe to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, this sturdy set is both PFAS- and PFOA-free.
What to know: Handwashing is recommended for best results.
This 10-piece OXO Professional Hard Anodized set was another top scorer among our testers. The set includes one 10-inch and one 12-inch frying pan, one sauté pan, two saucepans with lids and a casserole dish with lid. Made of anodized aluminum with a ceramic nonstick coating, this set is free of PFAS and PFOA and is oven-safe to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
When putting this cookware set to the test, we thought the nonstick coating did its job flawlessly. Neither the rice pilaf nor the fried egg stuck to the inside at all when sliding them out of the pan, and while there was a little debris left from our scrambled eggs, we were able to coax it out easily with a spatula. The handles were incredibly comfortable to hold—particularly the ones on the stock pot—and they stayed cool to the touch while cooking.
While this set is said to be dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends handwashing with warm, soapy water for best results. While OXO states that cookware can stand up to metal utensils, it’s best to stick to plastic, silicone, or wooden tools to preserve the nonstick surface of these pans.
Price at time of publishing: $400
Pieces included: 10- and 12-inch frying pans, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 2.3- and 3.3-quart saucepans with lids, 5.2-quart casserole with lid I Material: Anodized Aluminum | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven safe: Yes, up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit | Dishwasher safe: Yes
What we like: This is a design-forward, high-performing luxury set.
What to know: Pans feel a bit heavy in the hand.
Those in the market for a truly show-stopping nonstick cookware set would do well to invest in All-Clad’s D3 Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded 10-piece set. Made of gleaming, polished stainless steel with a quick-heating aluminum core, the set comes with 8- and 10-inch fry pans, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. Not only is this cookware beautiful, but it’s also functional; the bonded, tri-ply nonstick coating is PFOA-free and oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This set is easy to clean by hand, and you can even toss it in the dishwasher when you’re finished cooking.
When we put this cookware set to the test, we were especially impressed by its nonstick performance. We used the skillets to make eggs two ways—fried and scrambled—and in both cases, the eggs slid right out of the pan with no coaxing at all. We also whipped up a batch of rice in the saucepan, which came out super easily with no bits of rice stuck to the inside. Everything cooked evenly, and the pans were roomy enough to easily maneuver the food in them without spillage.
However, cookware of this caliber doesn’t come cheap—at a whopping $1,200, this All-Clad set is the most expensive one we tested. Additionally, these pots and pans felt a bit heavy when we used them, and cooking with them may require some finesse for less-experienced cooks.
Price at time of publishing: $1,200
Pieces included: 10- and 12-inch fry pans, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 3-quart soup pot with lid, 8-quart stockpot with lid I Material: Stainless steel and aluminum | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven safe: Yes, up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit | Dishwasher safe: Yes
What we like: When it comes to durability and affordability, this KitchenAid set gets top marks.
What to know: The lids on these pots and pans are only oven-safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
This comprehensive, induction-compatible KitchenAid Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware set is a great option for new cooks building their kitchen arsenals for the first time. Like many standard cookware sets, this KitchenAid version has two saucepans, a stockpot and two frying pans. But, setting it apart from similar sets, this one also comes with a grill pan perfect for whipping up a grilled cheese sandwich or a quick batch of French toast.
Constructed of hard-anodized aluminum with stainless steel handles, these pots and pans are designed to be durable, and they’re oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (although the lids can only withstand up to 350 degrees). Both the cookware and the lids are dishwasher-safe for fuss-free cleaning.
Overall, we were impressed with the performance of this KitchenAid set when trying it out in our test kitchen. Our fried eggs slid out of the pan perfectly, as did our rice pilaf, and the long, ergonomically designed handles felt comfortable in our hands. However, we did notice some heat distribution issues, particularly when making our scrambled eggs in the 10-inch skillet. Additionally, the handles of the pots got quite hot during cooking, so make sure you grab a towel or an oven mitt before gripping them.
Price at time of publish: $260
Pieces included: 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 6-quart stockpot with lid, 11.25-inch grill pan, 8.25-inch frying pan, 10-inch frying pan with lid I Material: Anodized aluminum and stainless steel | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven safe: Yes, up to 500 degrees (without lids) | Dishwasher safe: Yes
What we like: The slick and sleek nonstick surfaces come in two interior colors.
What to know: Not dishwasher-safe.
Simply named “The Non Stick Set,” this 7-piece cookware assortment from Made In comes with the necessities and not much else. The stripped-down set includes a 10-inch nonstick frying pan, a 4-quart nonstick saucepan with a lid, a 3.5-quart sauté pan with a lid and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid. Crafted from stainless steel with a coated interior, this Italian-made, induction-compatible cookware comes in a choice of three interior colors: ”graphite,” “Champagne” and “harbour blue.” It’s also available in an even smaller 3-piece set that only includes the frying pan and the saucepan (with lid).
During our testing, sticky foods stood no chance against the slick interior of this Made In set, and we found no issues with uneven heating or “hot spots.” We also loved these pans' sleek yet comfortable design, and the beveled lip allowed the food to glide out of the pan with minimal spills.
This entire set can withstand oven temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit—lids included. One minor setback: The manufacturer recommends hand-washing these pots and pans, and although we found them easy to clean, that may be a deal-breaker for some.
Price at time of publishing: $599
Pieces included: 10-inch nonstick frying pan, 4-quart nonstick saucepan with lid, 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart pot with lid I Material: Stainless steel | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven safe: Yes, up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit | Dishwasher safe: No
What we like: This no-frills set is both affordable and easy to clean.
What to know: Not induction-compatible or dishwasher-safe.
Those looking for quality cookware on a budget will find Amazon Basics’ 15-piece nonstick set hard to beat. Made of aluminum with a nonstick coating, this bargain buy includes 8- and 10-inch fry pans, 1.5- and 2-quart saucepans with lids, and 3- and 5-quart casserole pans with lids, as well as a 5-piece utensil set including a pasta server, soup ladle, slotted turner, serving spoon and slotted serving spoon—all for a price tag of under $70.
When testing this cookware set, we found no issues with food sticking to the insides of the pans, and everything cooked evenly with no identifiable hot spots. We were also impressed with how easy this cookware was to clean, despite the fact that it’s not dishwasher-safe. While these pans didn’t strike us as being particularly durable, we think this set makes an excellent choice for those looking to freshen up their cookware collection without shelling out loads of cash.
Price at time of publishing: $69
Pieces included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart casserole pan with lid, 5-quart casserole pan with lid, and 5-piece utensil set with pasta server, soup ladle, slotted turner, serving spoon and slotted serving spoon I Material: Aluminum with nonstick coating | Induction Compatible: No | Oven safe: No | Dishwasher safe: No
What we like: An easy-to-clean, design-forward set that comes in 12 different colors.
What to know: Handwashing is recommended for best results.
This 12-piece set from Caraway was far and away our favorite when it came to ceramic cookware sets. Within the set, you’ll find one 10.5-inch frying pan, a 3-quart saucepan with lid, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, and a 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, plus a set of modular magnetic storage racks and a canvas lid holder with hooks. A frontrunner in the design category, the entire set is available in a dozen colorways on the Caraway site and seven on Amazon.
Not only are these pans induction-capable and oven-safe to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, but we also found them to be easy to clean and high-performing in the nonstick category. Our scrambled eggs and fried eggs slid off the surface effortlessly, as did the rice pilaf, and everything cooked evenly with no noticeable hot spots. While the pans were a little bulky, their roomy size allowed us to add all of our ingredients without overcrowding.
As far as cleaning, these pots and pans are technically dishwasher safe, although Caraway warns that overuse of the dishwasher can affect the longevity of the cookware. We could easily clean these pans with warm, soapy water and a sponge, and the set even included its own “cleaning eraser” for any stubborn stuck-on bits.
Price at time of publishing: $395
Pieces included: 10.5-inch frying pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 4 modular magnetic pan racks and a canvas lid holder with hooks I Material: Ceramic | Induction Compatible: Yes | Oven safe: Yes, up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit | Dishwasher safe: No
Our top overall pick, the Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Cookware Set (view at Amazon), is a versatile, comprehensive set that suits most home cooks, both amateur and experienced. The pots and pans were comfortably and practically designed, and the durable construction made us feel like these would last a long time. We also loved the OXO Professional Hard Anodized 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set (view at Amazon). This slightly more affordable set is a durable choice for those looking to spend a little less.
When it comes to nonstick pans, there is some debate regarding safety. Coatings can contain PFOA and PTFE, also referred to as Teflon (which is a proprietary name for this compound). It’s still unknown how toxic exposure to small levels of these coatings can be, though many people believe it is better to stay away from them entirely.
Ceramic nonstick skillets, which are made from aluminum that has been coated in ceramic, may be a better alternative, although the jury is still out on the long-term health impacts. There are also hard-anodized pans, which Garcia-Benson says are made from aluminum that has been altered in an electrochemical process that hardens and seals the pan's surface. “[Hard-anodized aluminum] doesn’t chip as easily as ceramic-coated cookware can,” says Garcia-Benson.
Most cookware sets contain at least one frying pan, saucepan and sauté pan. Sometimes, sets also include a stockpot, a Dutch oven—also referred to as a casserole pot—and even utensils like slotted spoons and spatulas. Lids are often included for all or most pans, but this will vary from set to set.
When choosing cookware, consider the weight, construction, material and cookware compatibility. Heavier cookware can conduct heat more effectively, but it can also be more challenging for some people to move in and out of the oven. Some handles, like those made of plastic or silicone, cannot withstand high temperatures in the oven or dishwasher. Also, if you have an induction cooktop, check to see if your cookware is induction-compatible before purchasing. “Thicker pans tend to distribute heat more evenly and are generally more durable,” Garcia-Benson says. “However, they may also be heavier.”
The overall value of a cookware set can be determined by what’s included in the price. When choosing a cookware set, consider the following: How many pieces are in the set? Are there utensils or lids included with the set? How much are you really getting for your money? Also, it’s important to note that the “pieces” in a set often include items like lids and utensils. This means that while a set may be advertised as a “10-piece,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that there are 10 pots and pans in the set.
We based these rankings on a thorough analysis and test of 25 prominent cookware sets on the market. We enlisted a team of testers, including home cooks, chefs, restaurant managers and recipe developers, to put each set to the test in our Lab. To evaluate each cookware set's nonstick capabilities, we made various foods, including rice pilaf and fried and scrambled eggs. We also conducted a durability test by scraping a knife across the pan's surface, and we noted how easy each pan was to use and clean. Additionally, we considered the design, construction, materials and overall performance as we sought to establish top picks in each category.
In addition to the nonstick cookware sets we included in this guide, we also tested multiple other sets that didn’t quite hit the mark. Some of these sets included:
T-fal Platinum 12-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($176 at Amazon): When comparing this set to the other contenders, our testers thought it fell short when it came to both design and durability.
HexClad Hybrid Stainless Steel Set ($765 at Amazon): Although we were happy with how easy this set was to clean, it did not score high enough in other categories to make it to the top tier—especially considering the lofty price tag.
Calphalon Classic Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set with AquaShield ($240 at Amazon): We didn’t love the design of this set, and we found that the heat was very difficult to control with these pans—so much so that nearly everything we cooked in them got burned.
Ayesha Curry Hard-Anodized Nonstick Set ($200 at Amazon): While this set was a solid performer across the board, it never really stood out as stellar in any one category.
Nonstick pans are covered with a coating—traditionally ceramic or a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE—that repels food and prevents it from sticking. This coating is then bonded to a metal pan made from aluminum, stainless steel or another lightweight metal that can help the pan to conduct heat.
Some nonstick pans are coated in PTFE. When overheated, Garcia-Benson says these coatings can release fumes that can be harmful to humans—and even lethal to birds. “When using nonstick pans, avoid overheating them, and refrain from using metal utensils, which can scratch the surface and degrade the coating,” she says. “Using pans on low-to-medium heat, and using wooden or silicone utensils can reduce potential exposure to the nonstick coatings.” Garcia-Benson notes that ceramic coatings are free from these types of materials, and, assuming the manufacturer’s instructions are followed, they’re generally considered safe to use.
The best way to clean nonstick cookware is with a non-abrasive sponge, warm water and dishwashing soap, which will help preserve the coating for longer. While some nonstick cookware sets can be cleaned in the dishwasher, it’s important to consult the manufacturer’s instructions before doing so.
Depending on the quality, most nonstick cookware can last anywhere from one to five years. However, to get the most life out of your cookware, it’s essential to care for it properly. This includes only using wooden or silicone utensils with your nonstick pans, as metal can scratch the coating and cause it to wear out more quickly.
Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated writer who has written about food and drinks since 2015. Hannah used the test results from 25 different nonstick cookware sets, along with her extensive experience, to write this article. In addition to her expertise, she consulted Kathleen Garcia-Benson, R.D.N., C.S.S.D., for her input on the pros and cons of nonstick cookware.
This article was edited by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats and Simply Recipes.
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