The 9 best cookware set brands to shop in 2024, tested and reviewed

Some people love cooking with all of their hearts, while others prefer ordering in or grabbing takeout from their favorite restaurant (and we don’t blame you).

Whether you’re the first or latter, you should always have reliable cookware sets at home. But we get it; everyone may be looking for something slightly different that meets their individual needs (and wallet).

So whether you are searching for nonstick options from Made In or ceramic cookware from Caraway, the cheapest option or the best cookware sets to gift someone else, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and found the best cookware brands for serving your finest dishes (or leftovers) on your go-to dinnerware.

Read on to discover reliable shops stocked with everything from casserole and baking dishes to pressure cookers.

Happy cooking!

(Related: Best flatware and silverware sets)

Click to go straight to our FAQs or our winners of the best cookware sets by category:

How We Tested

Testing cookware is no small feat, and we didn’t cut any corners. We paid close attention to the following criteria when judging each cookware set.

Material quality:

• Durability
• Heat conductivity
• Resistance to corrosion
• Non-reactivity
• Non-toxicity

Performance and user experience:

• Heat retention
• Non-stick properties
• Versatility
• Cooktop compatibility
• Volume capacity

Safety:

• Handle heat resistance
• Lid fit
• Stability

Each piece in every set was tested with user instructions — pasta and sauces were made in sauce pans, steaks and sides were made in sauté pans, and soups, stews, and breads were made in Dutch ovens. We used them as we normally would, cranking up the heat and subjecting them to the occasional overnight in the sink. How easy are the sets to clean? Do they take up much space? How much do the pieces weigh? We considered these questions and more to determine our ratings and inform our reviews.

Best Cookware Sets

Best Overall: Caraway 12-Piece Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

Jump on board the healthy cooking train with the chemical-free brand Caraway. We’re a personal fan of the Caraway frying pan, and its results are truly delicious. Each piece is coated with ceramic and comes in a sophisticated selection of colors such as cream, navy, sage, and more, with a new limited edition stainless steel cookware set just in time for holiday foodie gifting.

Caraway cookware sort of has a cult following, and we’re not surprised. The brand makes gorgeous cookware sets that work with a variety of stovetops, so regardless if you find yourself cooking with gas or electric, you’ll be good to go. None of the pans have any nasty toxins, plus they’re available in a wide variety of colors.

“I love using the Caraway frying pans for my breakfast scrambles just as much as I love its large pot for boiling pasta for dinner,” said our commerce journalist Victoria Giardina. “Not only does it look good but it performs just as good, too. Each pot’s handles make it ergonomic to lift while cooking (with pot holders or an oven mitt, of course) and I love how they’re oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a pretty strong heat retention and they’ve been holding up for one year so far.”

“Whenever I use Caraway Cookware, I instantly feel like I’m using the crème de la crème of cookware,” she continued. “With each piece’s glossy exterior and nonstick coating, everything comes out delicious — from scrambled eggs in the morning to taco filling in the evening. It performs well under low and high heat alike and the quality remains even after cleaning.”

Set includes: 10.5-inch frying pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, four modular magnetic pan racks, and a canvas lid holder with hooks

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Best Design: Our Place Always Pan 2.0 Trio

Our Place sells some of the best pots and pans out there, and there’s no denying it! If you feel like sticking with an internet favorite, we recommend opting for the brand’s Always Pan 2.0 Home Cook Trio. With just one pan, you can boil, crisp, bake, braise, roast, steam, strain, serve, pour, and so much more.

RELATED: Read our review of the fan-favorite Always Pan

The cookware from Our Place is made with 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum, which we feel really good about. It also doesn’t contain lead or PFAS, so if you’re trying to limit exposure to harmful metals, this a great brand to try. What we like best about this particular cookware set is that it’s designed to nest, which saves you major cabinet space. And while this set only comes with three pans (each of a different size), you can get the Our Place Perfect Pot in a selection of sizes if that’s what you’re after, or go all in and opt for the Ultimate Cookware Set which features all of the essentials any home chef needs to create delicious, camera-ready dishes for just a few, or for a full house.

According to our Associate Manager of Commerce Strategy and Development Sophie Cannon, “If you treat it right, it will last! I will say that I am an intense cook, and so when used on high heat or with some acidic ingredients, the pots and pans may lose their non-stick abilities faster than other brands. Performance-wise, I use the Always Pan Mini and Perfect Pot Mini every day and leave them on my stovetop. I cook for one, so the mini size is perfect, and having a wipe-clean non-stick surface is a time saver when cleaning up.”

Set includes: 4-quart pan with lid, 2.6-quart pan with lid, 1-quart pan with lid, and 3 nesting spatulas

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Best Ceramic: Xtrema Signature Series Set

“Once you go ceramic, you never go back,” Commerce Journalist Miska Salemann mused. Xtrema’s unique ceramic pieces are handcrafted by skilled Chinese artisans, produce an even cooking surface and amount of heat, and are extremely lightweight.

“I honestly was not expecting to like this brand so much because I’ve always believed that everything tastes and looks better on cast iron,” explained Salemann. “I was wrong. In terms of quality, I would say Xtrema is just as nice — sleek, glossy, plus it contains no metals that could make their way into your food. The ceramic is VERY lightweight. That was the first thing I noticed. Definitely makes cooking a lot easier when you don’t have to struggle to move a cast iron pot or pan.”

She continued: “Something else interesting about ceramic vs. cast iron: With cast iron if you accidentally overheat the skillet, it’s very difficult to bring down the temperature which can ruin your food. That doesn’t happen with ceramic. You can easily take the pan off the stove and it will adjust quickly. It’s super helpful for beginner cooks.”

Set includes: 1-quart Traditions Saucepan with Lid, 1.5-quart Traditions Saucepan with Lid, 2.5-quart Traditions Saucepan with Lid, 9-inch Signature Skillet, and two 100% Organic Cotton Handle Potholders

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Best High-End: HexClad Hybrid Perfect Pots & Pans 12-Piece Set

If you love to cook like Gordon Ramsey, consider splurging on this incredible set from HexClad.

“As someone who has been in the commerce business for many years, I’ve tried dozens of cookware brands but HexClad is the only one that goes above and beyond,” said Camryn LaSala, Commerce Editor for the New York Post, Page Six and Decider.

“They’re completely non-stick and super versatile. Want to whip up a fluffy omelet? Maybe sear a filet? No problem. HexClad takes my cooking to the next level every time I use my favorite pots and pans (which is a lot)!”

Set includes: 12-inch hybrid fry pan with tempered glass lid, 10-inch hybrid fry pan with tempered glass lid, 8-inch hybrid fry pan with tempered glass lid, 2-quart hybrid saucepan with lid, 3-quart hybrid saucepan with lid and 8-quart hybrid saucepan with lid.

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Best Budget : Amazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware 15-Piece Set

For an easy buy, opt for a cookware set from Amazon Basics. Choose from 15-piece sets, non-stick options and more to customize your cooking to your needs.

Even if you’re not much of a chef, it’s smart to have a cookware set handy. This one doesn’t break the budget, has amazing reviews on Amazon, and is of the non-stick variety. A spiral bottom helps to distribute heat throughout each pan, and the handles are soft and cool to the touch. To keep them in prime condition, we suggest not turning up the heat super high, but this will definitely get you through midnight munchies and your morning oatmeal.

“This was my first cookware set when I lived in my tiny starter apartment,” Commerce journalist Kendall Cornish said. “Not only did it do the job (and well), but it didn’t cost an arm and a leg, each piece was easy to handle, and everything could be tossed in the dishwasher. Easy, affordable, and quality.”

Set includes: 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

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Best Cast Iron: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 5-Piece Cookware Set

Since 1925, Le Creuset (pronounced ‘luh-CROO-zay’) has been leaving its mark in kitchens across the world. You can look forward to bold, chip-resistant colored cast iron, fine French craftsmanship, and superior performance.

We know you know Le Creuset. How can you not? The cookware brand is iconic, especially for its Dutch ovens. We love it for that single piece alone, which may be the reason we like this 5-piece set so much. Use it to create a hardy stew (via the Dutch oven) while sautéing greens or a protein in the others. Available in practically every color of the rainbow, you won’t even want to put the set back in its cabinet.

“Le Creuset is an excellent and iconic brand that every serious home chef appreciates,” raved Holly J. Coley, our Commerce Updates Editor. “I like its Dutch ovens best, especially for stews or anything you need to let cook for a longer time. Unlike the cheaper cookware I own, the interior is more durable and resistant to burns. It’s also easy to clean.”

“On a scale of 1-10, I’d say the cookware’s performance is a 10,” she continued. “It works for gas, electric and the oven. Pieces are designed so food items are not overcrowded in the pans, which helps everything heat properly.”

Set includes: 5.5-quart round Dutch oven, 1.75-quart signature saucepan, and 9-inch signature skillet

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Best Copper: Mauviel M’Heritage Copper 7-Piece Cookware Set

Made in France and forged to perfection, it doesn’t get much better than Mauviel M’Heritage when it comes to copper cookware. Although an investment, culinary professionals and novices with an appreciation for fine cuisine adore this brand, and so do we.

This copper cookware is an investment. However, it’s something you’ll be able to keep for years and even pass down to future generations. An excellent conductor of heat, the made-in-France cookware features stainless steel handles that keep your hand cool while you cook. If you find you need one extra pot or saucer, an 8-piece set, as well as a 12-piece copper set, is available at Williams Sonoma.

“There’s something incredible about a copper cookware set, especially a high-quality one made in France,” Cornish said of the set. “It’s my absolute favorite material to cook on — surpassing even cast iron — for literally everything. This set is a gorgeous heirloom that will be used for generations after me…or at least displayed.”

Set includes: 1.9-quart saucepan with lid, 3.6-quart saucepan with lid, 3.2-quart sauté pan with lid, 10.2-inch frying pan, and 5-ounce bottle of copper cleaner

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Best Premium Quality: 360 Cookware 6 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

360 Cookware’s surgical-grade stainless steel allows you to cook evenly at low and high temperatures, use less oil when cooking thanks to proprietary Vapor Technology, and looks good doing it. For some of the highest quality cookware on the market, 360 Cookware is a solid and highly impressive option.

“The brand 360 Cookware needs to be on more people’s radar,” raved Giardina. “Namely, its stainless steel composition and elegant composition make it a dream to not only cook with but also to display on your countertop when not in use. Each piece from 360 Cookware boasts proprietary Vapor Technology that helps create fast, even heat to help create the finest end result. The lids are specially designed, too, helping to capture heat to move around your food — not escaping out at the sides.”

“Additionally, I never feel like the coating or interior is jeopardized when I clean each pot or pan after cooking,” she continued. “It’s evident that the brand uses the highest-quality stainless steel with the most glossy finish I’ve ever seen. The products are all backed by a lifetime warranty as well.”

Set includes: 8″ covered fry pan, 2-quart saucepan with cover, 4-quart stock pot with cover, and stainless steel cleaner

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Best Long-Lasting: All-Clad Copper Core 7-Piece Cookware

For half a century, All-Clad has been revolutionizing the cookware industry. Born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the heart of the American steel, copper core and aluminum market, All-Clad’s metal fabrication is unmatched.

Okay, we know this is a pricier cookware set, but it’s copper core ya’ll! It’s one of the best materials to make sauces, gravies, and basically anything you need to cook evenly over a longer period of time. The handles of the pots and pans have a curved silhouette for comfortable gripping, and we’re definitely not mad at its glossy exterior.

“The construction of All-Clad cookware is impressive to say the least,” Cornish stated. “Easy to clean and care for thanks to a lack of crevices and connective joints, it’s as if each All-Clad piece is dipped in silver before it finds its way to your stovetop.”

Set includes: 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 2-quart saucepan with lid, and 8-quart stockpot with lid

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FAQs

What cookware do professional chefs use?

Professional chefs use a variety of cookware depending on whatever they are preparing. However, certain types of cookware are more popular than others.

One type of cookware favored by culinary professionals is stainless steel. It doesn’t react to acid, can have a copper core for even heat distribution, and is good for making sauces, deglazing, and searing.

Another type of cookware that chefs work with is cast iron. It’s good for dishes that need to be cooked slowly, like braised pork or caramelized onions, and also works for frying and searing. Capable of developing a non-stick surface over time, cast iron is also wonderful at retaining and distributing heat. If you’re interested in this type of cookware, we highly recommend checking out Le Creuset. It’s long-lasting and has iconic Dutch ovens.

Additionally, copper cookware is popular amongst chefs. It’s ideal for dishes that must maintain a specific temperature, such as sauces or syrups. It’s on the pricier side, but the plus is that it can be handed down through generations if properly cared for.

What is the least harmful cookware?

If you’re wary of non-stick cookware, you’re not alone. The main concern many have is the risk of toxic substances such as perfluoroalkyl or poly fluoroalkyl (PFAS) getting into the food once it hits a certain temperature. Fortunately, today, there is no shortage of healthy non-stick cookware options.

Cookware brands we like are Caraway Cookware, which has a non-toxic coating, and Our Place Cookware, which is PFAS-free, made without Teflon and comes in biodegradable packaging. Another alternative is sticking to stainless steel cookware sets.

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