The 9 Best Cookware Sets, According to Our Rigorous Testing

Best Overall Cookware Set

All-Clad Stainless Bonded Cookware Set

$800 at Amazon $800 at Wayfair $800 at Williams Sonoma

This cookware set includes the essentials home cooks use regularly: two frying pans, two saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stockpot. We tested this set and loved the results. We experienced even heating with minimal sticking and excellent heat transfer. The handles were always cool to the touch, and the stainless steel pieces are oven-safe up to 600°F and compatible with all cooktop types.

When testing each piece's maneuverability, we found them easy to lift and carry, especially the stock pot, which is surprisingly light. The pieces are well-balanced and reasonably ergonomic. Mirepoix lifted from the surface without sticking, and we also experienced no sticking when making béchamel. We did, however, have some sticking when cooking rice, but nothing that couldn't be released without a little elbow grease when it came time to clean up.

If you’re going to invest in a cookware set, especially one that may not come with as many pieces for the price, you want it to be functional and long-lasting, and this set is certainly that. Design touches like its slightly flared lip make pouring fairly easy, and three layers of metal for superior heat conductivity make cooking effortless. We found this set one of the easiest to clean, and we only needed a dish sponge and hot, soapy water. The pieces withstood staining and scratching in our tests, indicating their durability.

Pieces Included: 8.5-inch skillet, 10.5-inch skillet, 1.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, 3-quart sauté pan, 6-quart stockpot, 4 lids | Construction: 3-ply stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 600°F | Induction-Safe: Yes

Best Ceramic Cookware Set

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

$445

$356 at Amazon $445 at Sur La Table View on The Container Store

When we tested ceramic cookware, this design-forward ceramic nonstick cookware set ranked high in performance, design, and easy cleanup. The ultra-smooth surfaces are scratch-resistant, and the stainless steel handles are comfortable to hold and maneuver. Everything we cooked slid right out, living up to its nonstick name. While performance is critical, aesthetics are important, too. The set’s contemporary color options, like perracotta (pink terracotta), navy, and marigold, make it a fun, vibrant addition to any kitchen. 

Another big plus with this set is that while it’s nonstick, it’s free of PFAs, PFOA, PTFE, and heavy metals. Simply put, you’ll get the stress-free qualities of nonstick (just watch those eggs easily slide right out), but there’s no danger of toxic fumes being released during cooking. For being nonstick, it’s also pretty impressive that you can put the pots and pans in the oven up to 550°F. We recommend hand-washing for a longer lifespan, but their slick surfaces rarely need more than a wipe-down and rinse with warm water and soap. We even lifted from the sauté pan and poured chili from the Dutch oven without fond. From using this set at home, we can also attest that the nonstick properties don't wear out after regular use.

Maybe you’re choosing this set because you only want the essentials and don’t have space for extra pots and pans. Well, in addition to being a stackable set, the product includes modular pan racks for storing the pots and pans upright, along with a canvas lid holder with pockets that you could fix to the inside of a cabinet. 

Pieces Included: 10.5-inch fry pan, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, a 5-quart Dutch oven, and a 3-quart saucepan with lid (plus pan rack and lid holder) | Construction: Hard-anodized ceramic with diamond-infused thermal; stainless steel handles | Maximum Temperature: 550°F | Induction-Safe: Yes

More Ceramic Cookware Faves

Our Place Home Cook Duo

$284

$239 at Amazon

GreenPan GP5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

A higher price but excellent results from our tests.

$728 at Amazon

Best Value Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Calphalon Classic 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$200 at Amazon $200 at Wayfair

$240

$200 at Perigold.com

While not the most luxurious or highest-performing set we've tested, this 10-piece stainless steel set covers the basics for frying, stewing, and steaming, making it a standout value. The stainless steel conducts and retains heat very well, and we found it easy to control; it did not heat up too quickly, and it was effortless to brown gradually without sticking or burning. Each piece is very comfortable to lift and carry and is quite light overall (even the stock pot). We found all the pieces used in testing to be well-balanced, and the handles feel nice in your hand. While we experienced some sticking, a little bit of liquid easily deglazed the pan, releasing whatever had built up.

We also appreciate the design: The rivets are very close to the edge, so there's no room for food to get stuck there. When you’re through cooking, there’s no added stress during cleanup: All the items in this set fit in the dishwasher.

Pieces Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart sauté pan, 6-quart stockpot, 4 lids | Construction: Stainless steel with aluminum base | Maximum Temperature: 450°F | Induction-Safe: Yes

Best Cast Iron Cookware Set

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 5-Piece Cookware Set

$600 at Amazon

$852

$600 at Williams Sonoma

$852

$600 at Le Creuset

This cookware set is beautiful in terms of both its design and craftsmanship. It’s available in a wide range of eye-popping colors, and it's made with enameled cast iron that retains heat well, minimizes sticking, and is easy to wipe down when cleaning. While it may feel super precious, there’s a lot of practicality with this set since there’s no seasoning required, the knobs for the lid are oven safe, too, and the enamel is resistant to staining and chipping. The items are even dishwasher-safe if you can believe it. We still say to handwash it, though. 

One big drawback with this set is that despite the high price, you still don’t get as many useful pieces of cookware as other sets. There’s no large frypan or sauté pan here. But you do get a signature Dutch oven from the famous brand that may make up for it. 

Pieces Included: 9-inch skillet, a 1.75-quart saucepan with lid, and a 5.5-quart Dutch oven with lid | Construction: Enameled cast iron, stainless steel knobs | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Safe: Yes

Best Space-Saving Cookware Set

Ninja NeverStick Premium 10 Piece Pots & Frying Pans Set

$380

$350 at Amazon

If space is a concern, a set that nests into each other may be the way to go. We liked this Ninja set for a few reasons: Its pieces stack conveniently inside one another, it has a slick nonstick interior, it's dishwasher-safe, and it's oven-safe up to 500°F. We found it sets up the home cook with every cookware essential, including a large stockpot and four different pan options, making it a great gift for newlyweds or a graduating senior.

However, if you prefer high-heat sears, this may not be your ideal set. The aluminum can cool quickly (on the flip side, the trade-off is a quick-to-heat material), so this set probably cannot handle executing a lovely crust on a steak or a higher-heat setting on something like a delicate egg. It can, however, be a reliable option for many other types of cooking, making this a pretty versatile choice for your kitchen.

Pieces Included: 8-inch frying pan, 10.25-inch frying pan, 1.5-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart sauté pan, 6.5-quart stockpot, 4 lids | Construction: Aluminum, stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 500°F (400°F for lids) | Induction-Safe: Yes

Best Splurge Cookware Set

Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$836 at Amazon $860 at Wayfair $860 at Williams Sonoma

For a stainless steel and splurge cookware set, we’re big fans of this one from Le Creuset, which earned a perfect score in our tests for its design, performance, and sturdiness. Pick up any piece of this collection, and you’ll feel how well-made it is with its balance and durability. With five essential pots and pans, plus a colander insert you can use as a steamer or pasta basket, this set is exceptionally versatile and would make any kitchen well-rounded.

We loved the wide angles and sloping side of the frying pan because it let us scrape the edges with utensils of different sizes, and we thought the other pieces could benefit from more rounded sides. We had no issues with hot spots, and we found even heat distribution to be a strong point. When it comes to stainless steel cookware, handles can get hot, but we only noticed this with the stockpot. The other handles stayed cool or neutral to the touch and felt comfortable as if molded to fit our palms. The lids fit snuggly.

This set mostly resisted sticking, except for the béchamel, which overheated, and some fond from the steak. It didn't weather any damage in our tests, whether scratches or staining. The pieces are dishwasher-safe, but it's also easy to wash by hand with a bit of detergent and a sponge. You will be able to use the set for a long time due to its quality construction and compatibility with all cooktops, even induction.

Pieces Included: a 10-inch fry pan, a 2-quart saucepan with lid, a 4-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and a 9-quart stockpot with colander insert and lid | Construction: 3-ply stainless steel with aluminum | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Safe: Yes

Best Nonstick Cookware Set

Made In ProCoat 6-Piece Non Stick Cookware Set

$666

$599 at Madeincookware.com

A nonstick cookware set is a smart choice for those who want their cooking and cleaning to be as fuss-free as possible. This well-rounded set includes a frying pan, a saucepan, a sauté pan, and a stockpot. Thanks to its nonstick capability and heat retention, this set performed well in our tests. In addition to their modern, attractive design, these pans are made without lead, cadmium, or BPA.

We've performed many cookware tests, and this Made In set was above par compared to others we've tested. Its nonstick properties held up throughout the tests, and the heft to the pans helped with the overall cooking and browning aspect. It also resisted scratching until we took a paring knife to one of the pans; even then, the scratch on the coating seemed more superficial. If you’re working with gas, electric, or induction and want a large cookware set that ranks high in durability and performance, this is an excellent choice. And if you frequently move cookware from the stovetop to the oven, note that this set is oven-safe up to 500°F.

Pieces Included: 10-inch frying pan, 4-quart saucepan, 4-quart sauté pan, 8-quart stock pot, 3 lids | Construction: 5-Ply stainless clad with multiple layers of professional-grade Nonstick | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Safe: Yes