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The best cookware sets for 2024, tested and reviewed
Cook like a pro with top pots and pans from Le Creuset, Caraway, Made In, All-Clad and more.
Every decade or so, I get the urge to wipe the slate clean and start fresh when it comes to pots and pans, so when my editor suggested I test the best cookware sets, I nodded enthusiastically. I love to cook and with a teen and a tween at home, I'm constantly in the throes of meal prep or cleanup, so it doesn't hurt to have my kitchen stocked with just the right pots, pans and utensils for the job. I set out to test 10 cookware sets, ranging from budget brands all the way to high-end splurges. Some sets came with everything you could imagine, while others were more streamlined with just a few essentials.
Cuisinart 12-Piece Cookware Set
Best cookware set overall
Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium 12-Piece Cookware Set
Best easy-to-clean cookware set
All-Clad D5 5-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set, 10-Piece
Best splurge cookware set
Table of contents
More top cookware sets we recommend
What to look for when shopping for a cookware set
I have a degree from the French Culinary Institute and years of experience working in restaurants and writing about food and cooking, so I understand what home cooks want and need when putting meals on the table: easy-to-use, low-maintenance, durable products that you'll look forward to putting to work! Nothing too hard to clean and definitely nothing that fails you after a few months of wear and tear. And I'm not going to lie, I appreciate if it looks good, too.
There are tons of cookware sets out there, and choosing the right one for you can be daunting. But don't worry — I tested 10 top-rated cookware sets from the high-end to the everyday. Keep scrolling for a look at our picks for 2024, plus tips on how to choose the best cookware set for your needs and how to care for it.
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Best cookware set overall
Set includes: 8-inch and 10-inch skillet, 1.5-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart stock pot with lid and a steamer insert with lid | Material: Stainless steel | Oven safe: Yes, up to 500°F with silicone grip; up to 500°F for broiler use | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Induction: Compatible | Warranty: Lifetime
Cuisinart is a trusted name in cookware and this 12-piece triple-ply stainless steel set offers a ton of value. With two skillets, three pots and a steamer insert (hello, broccoli), you're ready for almost any cooking task. And at $300 — when it's not on sale for even less — it's truly a steal. All the pieces can go from stovetop to oven and can even withstand a blast under the broiler.
As with all the pots and pans I tested, I scrambled eggs and seared chicken breasts in one of the skillets and boiled water and heated tomato sauce in the smallest saucepan. I preheated the Cuisinart skillet on low-medium heat for about 75 seconds, then added less than a teaspoon of avocado oil. The eggs didn't stick at all. They slid right out of the pan and left no residue.
Also of note, the pots and pans were medium weight and while not the easiest I've ever maneuvered, they were certainly manageable and felt balanced. The handles remained cool while on the stovetop.
When sauteed, the chicken breast got golden brown and released easily. There was no stuck-on food in the pan after cooking either. However, I needed to do a good amount of scrubbing to clean the browned oil inside the pan.
Cleaning stainless steel pans is always more challenging than their nonstick counterparts, so prepare to put in some elbow grease when washing up after cooking with this set. While the pieces are technically dishwasher-safe, I suggest you handwash and dry them most of the time, as this will extend their lifespan. The brand cautions against using steel wool or steel scouring pads as that may result in scratches.
- Tremendous value
- Lids included are tight-fitting
- Oven-safe up to 500°F
- Cleaning can be a challenge
More top cookware sets we recommend
Set includes: 8-inch, 10.25-inch and 12-inch frying pans with glass lids, 1.5-quart and 2.5-quart saucepans with glass lids, 3-quart sauté pan with glass lid, 8-quart stock pot with glass lid | Material: Aluminum with stainless steel handles | Oven safe: Yes, up to 500°F | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Induction: Compatible | Warranty: 10 years
Yahoo editors love how Ninja products make our lives easier, and this set of nonstick pots and pans is no exception. They're easy to maneuver and not overly heavy, yet distribute heat evenly. The nonstick surface has an unusual texture that feels a bit like sandpaper but works so well. I'm interested to see how it holds up over time.
There's value here, as the set includes seven pots and pans (many with coordinating glass lids), but I can't help feeling like some of the saucepans are too similar in size and therefore a bit redundant. Do I really need a 2.5-quart saucepan and a 3-quart sauté pan? Probably not.
This set's most valuable asset is its nonstick surface. I scrambled eggs in the 8-inch frying pan using less than a teaspoon of cooking oil. The eggs slid right off the surface like they were on a luge, and the chicken breast I seared browned nicely with no residue left behind. When I washed the fry pan and the saucepan (after heating up tomato sauce and letting it sit around for a while), all it took was a few seconds with a soapy sponge to get everything looking as good as new.
This is an excellent set for someone furnishing a post-college kitchen or anyone who simply despises the work of scrubbing after meals.
- Slick cooking surface
- Very easy to clean
- Variety of sizes
- Looks bulkier than other sets
- Redundant pot sizes
Set includes: 8-inch and 10-inch fry pans, 1.5-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, 3-quart sauté pan with lid and 8-quart stockpot with lid | Material: Stainless steel | Oven safe: Yes, up to 600°F | Dishwasher safe: No | Induction: Compatible | Warranty: Limited Lifetime
This set from All-Clad packs a punch with six versatile cookware pieces and four corresponding lids. It's absolutely a splurge, but considering all you're getting and its expected longevity, it might just be worth it. When you buy cookware from a heritage brand like All-Clad, expectations are high. I want every piece to be uber-practical. This set fit the bill, with the exception of the 3-quart sauté pan. I wish it was a bit larger for braises and other one-pot meals that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven.
A reminder that stainless steel takes more work to get clean than slick nonstick pans. I preheated the frying pan on low-medium heat according to the brand's instructions and used a nominal amount of oil and my food did not stick. The cleaning challenge came from the browned oil splatters in the pan after searing proteins. After a soak in warm, soapy water, I was able to scrub the pan mostly clean. All-Clad recommends using a nonabrasive cleanser like Bar Keeper's Friend for stubborn burnt fat or charred food remnants.
Having said my piece on cleaning, I'll reiterate that these are durable, high-quality pots and pans that can be used on all types of cooktops and are oven- and broiler-safe up to 600°F. They heat evenly and retain heat well. If you handwash and dry them, you should be able to use them for decades, making the set a worthwhile investment.
- Oven-safe up to 600°F
- Even heat retention
- Good variety of pots and pans
- Sauté pan is small
- Hand-wash only
What to look for when shopping for cookware sets
I evaluated each set for its value both in contents (some were minimalist and included just a few essential pots and pans with lids, while others included up to seven pots and pans with lids) and usefulness (the set may come with a lid holder, but will you ever use it?). Here are some other key factors to keep in mind:
Purpose: When choosing a cookware set, it's helpful to prioritize pieces that work for your daily needs. If you cook for two, you may not need a skillet larger than 10 inches and may never need an 8-quart stock pot. If you cook for four or more people, a 12-inch skillet is a must and you may use a 4-quart saucepan more than a 2-quart.
Stove compatibility: You should also consider your stove type. A gas range can support a wide variety of cookware; glass-topped electric is more delicate and, therefore, works best with lighter pans. We recommend reviewing product descriptions and any manufacturer disclaimers for terms like "induction-compatible" to be safe.
Maneuverability: When it comes to comfort, lighter materials make for nimble cooking, while rounded, elongated handles are easier to grip and hold. Then there's also the safety factor (some handles heat up when you're cooking on the range, whereas others are coated for added protection).
Maintenance: Some materials require more TLC (for example, stainless steel will require more elbow grease to get sparkling; copper needs frequent polishing to keep its patina), whereas nonstick and dishwasher-safe options are a cinch to clean.
Materials: The best cookware is whatever you’re most comfortable with (i.e. likely to use). And because much of the above depends on the material, a quick overview:
Stainless steel cookware is typically non-reactive (meaning it won’t affect food flavor) and, while a bit tougher to clean, usually dishwasher-safe. On its own, steel may not cook food evenly, though copper and aluminum are often incorporated to help with distribution and durability.
Carbon steel cookware (mostly iron mixed with some carbon) offers the heat retention we tend to see with cast iron, but with easier maintenance. Like cast iron, when cared for properly, carbon steel will develop seasoning that will act practically like a nonstick surface with repeated use.
Copper cookware is known for its high heat retention, even distribution and durability (enduring and classic, cue the old-timey burger bistros). Copper also requires more maintenance, such as polishing, and therefore isn’t as practical for frequent use.
Aluminum cookware is lightweight and retains heat well. Anodized aluminum tends to be more durable — it's hardened through a process that ensures it's also non-reactive (so it won’t latch onto food).
Cast iron cookware is known for its extreme durability and high heat tolerance (you can use it on the stovetop, in the oven or — when placed on a grate — over an open flame). Because it isn’t coated, it will require some extra care, like deep cleaning and seasoning (oiling it to prevent food from sticking).
Enameled cast iron cookware is treated with a porcelain coating to help prevent tarnishing and make for easier cleaning. You can often choose from a range of colors. And like cast iron, enameled cast iron can withstand very high heat.
Ceramic-coated cookware often consists of a base material (such as aluminum) coated with a smooth silicone, ceramic-like finish that offers non-stick properties without any of the chemicals that can be found in traditional non-stick options. Like enameled cast iron, the coating often comes in a wider color range.
Nonstick cookware is treated with a special coating that ensures a slick surface for flipping (think pancakes and eggs) and tends to be easier to clean.
How we tested
I tested the maneuverability, ease of cleaning and, of course, how each piece performs in real life when the eggs need scrambling and the spaghetti needs saucing. I selected one skillet and one saucepan from each set: I used the skillet to scramble eggs and sauté chicken breast and used the saucepan to boil water and heat up tomato sauce. I monitored how long it took the pans to heat up, if there were hot spots, if the pan felt too heavy or too light (or simply unbalanced) and if the handles stayed cool or got hot. I noted if food stuck to the cooking surface or left stains and how much work it took to clean the pots and pans.
Other cookware sets we tested
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron 7-Piece Cookware Set ($1,000): While this set is certainly a splurge, Le Creuset cast iron pieces are built to last ... and last. I have had my Le Creuset 6.75-quart Oval Dutch Oven for nearly 20 years. This set includes five pieces of cookware you'll likely turn to over and over again as enameled cast iron retains heat beautifully and transitions well from stove to oven to table. My biggest complaint was that the sauté pan was simply too heavy for me to use on a daily basis as one would for foods that require maneuverability like eggs, simply seared proteins or a vegetable stir-fry. As with any cast iron piece, the handles on these pans get hot when you're cooking on the stovetop for more than a couple of minutes. On the plus side, these pans don't need to be seasoned and clean up easily with warm water and a soapy sponge. And have I mentioned the rainbow of colors you can choose from?
HexClad Hybrid Perfect Pots and Pans Set, 12-Piece ($699): When I first tried a HexClad pan while testing nonstick cookware earlier this year, I was impressed by its unique textured nonstick, yet oven-safe surface. This set, which includes six frying pans and pots, each with a coordinating glass lid, features an array of pots and pans with that trademark, highly versatile surface. That surface makes for a great nonstick experience and exceptional ease of cleaning. Also worth noting, the brand says metal utensils (not sharp ones) are just fine to use with HexClad cookware. The pots and pans are easy to maintain, though I found them on the heavy side for my petite, 5-foot-tall frame. If prefer a bit of heft to your cookware, however, this set is a good, sturdy choice.
Made In 6-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set ($529): Falling squarely in the middle of all the sets I tested, this is a high-quality, but smaller cookware bundle consisting of a 5-ply stainless steel 8-quart stock pot with lid, a 10-inch stainless steel skillet and a 2-quart stainless saucepan with lid, plus a 10-inch nonstick pan (which I consider to be a very helpful addition to the weekday cooking slog). You could consider this a minimalist's cookware set with the essentials for everyday cooking, except that if I were choosing pieces on my own, I would trade in the 8-quart pot for a more usable 4-quart saucepan with a lid. However, if you cook lots of soups in the winter or steam corn and lobsters in the summer, then this set might be perfect you.
Mauviel M'Heritage 150 S 1.5mm Polished Copper and Stainless Steel 5-Piece Cookware Set ($700): This is a very high-end, small set of three pieces of cookware — a 1.9-quart saucepan with lid, a 3.4-quart sauté pan with lid and a 10.24-inch frying pan. Considering these copper and stainless steel pans are made in France, it's not surprising that the sizes are slightly different from standard US offerings. What is surprising is the excellent heat distribution and conduction you get when cooking with these. They require far less heat to cook foods properly; the downside to copper pans is that you must handle them with care and they will require polishing as they tarnish on the outside.
All-Clad D3 Stainless Everyday Cookware Set, 10-Piece ($650): Similar to the All-Clad D5 Cookware Set mentioned above, this is a high-quality set of stainless steel pots and pans and four coordinating lids. It includes an 8.5- and 10.5-inch skillet, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepan with lids, 3-quart sauté pan with lid and a 6-quart stockpot with lid. It performed well. With a teaspoon of avocado oil over surface of the heated pan, chicken breast seared and eggs scrambled beautifully — they only stuck when I swirled them higher on the sides which had no fat. My concern with this set is that I find some of the sizes of the pieces redundant and therefore the practicality is compromised. Do I need both a 3-quart saucepan and sauté pan? Probably not. My recommendation would be to select individual pieces you know you'll use and purchase them separately instead.
Caraway Cookware Set ($395): If you're in the market for a smaller set of essential pots and pans and you prefer ceramic nonstick cookware, try the Caraway cookware set. It has some major curb appeal with its sleek design and handy organizational accessories. The set includes a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 3-quart saucepan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan and a 6.5-quart Dutch oven with three corresponding lids, a lid organizer and a pan organizer. I tested the fry pan with scrambled eggs and seared chicken and found that it performed well and left almost no food residue in the pan, which was very easy to clean. I wish the pan had been a bit lighter as I had a tough time maneuvering it. I also wonder if there's much value in the canvas lid holder if you don't end up putting it to use, and the same goes for the pan organizer. I would prefer the addition of an 8-inch fry pan, which is always handy at breakfast and when cooking for two.
Cookware set FAQs
Is nonstick cookware safe?
There is a lot of information about the safety of nonstick pans out in the world because many nonstick coatings like Teflon are made with chemicals called PTFE (short for polytetrafluoroethylene). These chemicals are produced using PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals), also known as forever chemicals.
As National Resources Defense Council scientist Katie Pelch explains it, "Safety concerns arose because, at least in the past, these PFAS chemicals have lasted so long that they received the nickname of forever chemicals as they can accumulate in our bodies and our environment. The communities surrounding the factories that use these chemicals have been linked to various health issues such as cancer, liver disease, thyroid disruption and more."
The bottom line is that if you have any hesitation, opt for a different kind of cookware. And if you do cook with nonstick pans, always use them on the stovetop at moderate temperatures, below 400° F (low to medium heat). Do not sear anything over high heat on the range, since it can degrade the PTFE, releasing toxic fumes. And do not use metal utensils, which may scratch or chip the coating and then find its way into your food.
What is the healthiest type of cookware to use?
Some of the healthiest cookware materials include raw materials such as cast iron, stainless steel and ceramic. When in doubt, we suggest visiting respective brand websites for more information on materials and how their products are made.
Can you use oil in a ceramic pan?
Ceramic pans are traditionally nonstick, so you don't have to use as much oil or fat as you would with a stainless steel or cast iron pan.
What is the best thing to clean pots and pans with?
You can use warm soapy water and a scratch-resistant sponge to clean most pots and pans. If more elbow grease is required, consult the brand's instructions for deeper cleaning. Some recommend soaking their pans in hot soapy water for 20 minutes before tackling the job again.
Meet our expert:
Katie Pelch, scientist at the National Resources Defense Council. Pelch received her PhD in biology from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Office of Health Assessment and Translation at the National Toxicology Program.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
