![Caraway ceramic cookware set on a stovetop and countertop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/y54iFZbtQQfoRKR1oRvyRUMKB0M=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-ceramic-cookware-sets-june-24-test-caraway-plus-nsimpson-332-badge-46c141d163df4880a4c37d148e35f879.jpg)
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While you can build your cookware collection one stockpot or pan at a time, there’s something to be said for investing in a set. First off, buying individual items can add up quickly. Going for a cookware set can be more cost-effective, plus it saves you time from having to research and hunt down each separate piece. With so many high-quality options available, you can easily find a set that meets your needs, from the number of pieces included to the material you prefer.
Taking into consideration important factors like material, versatility, and maintenance, we selected winning sets from years of testing to determine the best cookware sets out there. Continue reading to learn what cookware sets earned a spot on our list.
Best Overall
Caraway Stainless Steel Cookware Set
There’s sturdy construction, a thoughtful design, and a great warranty behind these pieces.
It’s also on the pricier side for how many pieces you get. The handles of the Dutch oven get very hot.
This cookware set comes with the essentials that home cooks need regularly: a frying pan, a saucepan, a sauté pan, and a Dutch oven, plus an organizer to store them. We tested this 100% non-toxic set in our lab, and we loved the results. We experienced even heating with little to no sticking. The handles were always cool to the touch, and the stainless steel pieces are oven-safe up to 550°F and are compatible with all cooktop types.
If you’re going to invest in a cookware set, especially one where you may not get as many pieces for the price, you want it to be functional and long-lasting, and this set is certainly that. Design touches like a slight curve to the fry pan for easy scooping and pouring, notches on the handles to keep hands from nearing the heat, and five layers of metal for superior heat conductivity make cooking easy. We should note that the handles of the Dutch oven got too hot for us to touch, though the other handles stayed comfortable.
Steak and mirepoix lifted from the surface without any sticking. Both left a bit of fond in the cookware, as did the bechamel we made, but deglazing helped remove it. We found this set one of the easiest to clean, and we only needed a dish sponge and hot, soapy water. While stainless steel is a dishwasher-safe material, Caraway recommends hand-washing for longevity. The pieces withstood staining and scratching in our tests, which speaks to their durability. To top it off, a lifetime warranty backs the set.
Pieces Included: 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid | Construction: 5-ply stainless steel with aluminum | Maximum Temperature: 550°F | Induction-Safe: Yes
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Best Ceramic
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set
This set offers the benefits of nonstick cookware while also being non-toxic, safe in a super-hot oven, and useful for browning.
Limited variety in what's included, but we appreciate the smart storage solution that comes with the set.
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 behind. 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
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This comprehensive set has high-performing pieces that are dishwasher-safe, and it's half the cost of other stainless steel sets.
The handles aren't very comfortable, and we experienced some sticking and scorching.
While not the most luxurious or highest-performing set we've tested, this 12-piece stainless steel set has your bases covered for frying, stewing, or steaming, which makes it a standout value. The 3-ply stainless steel conducts and retains heat very well. Sometimes, that means the handles require using a pot holder or towel — our issue with the Cuisinart set's handles, however, was not the heat but the grooved shape, which digs into the hand. We also found the angle created by the sides meeting the bottoms of cookware made stirring and whisking at the edges a bit difficult (we prefer more of a curved edge), but it's not a dealbreaker.
Steak and mirepoix browned mostly evenly, and we had no issues with sticking. The heat left a mark on the bottom of the stockpot, but the pieces saw no damage otherwise. When you’re through with cooking, there’s no added stress during cleanup: All the items in this set can go in the dishwasher.
Pieces Included: 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart stockpot with lid, 8-inch skillet, 10-inch skillet, and steamer insert with lid | Construction: 3-ply stainless steel with aluminum | Maximum Temperature: 450°F | Induction-Safe: Yes
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Best Nonstick
GreenPan Cookware Set
These pans scored well in durability, performance, and design during testing.
The handles could be more comfortable to hold, and the pans are heavier than others on this list.
A nonstick cookware set is a smart choice for those who want their cooking and cleaning to be as fuss-free as possible. Included in this well-rounded set are two fry pans, a saucepan, a sauté pan, and a stockpot. This set performed well in our tests thanks to its nonstick capability and heat retention, and pots and pans felt nicely lightweight. Apart from its modern, attractive design, these pans are 100% non-toxic and made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium.
We found this set to be lighter than others and impressively nonstick. While burnt oil stained the fry pan we cooked steak in, the Nova released food easily and cleaned up spotlessly otherwise. 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 600°F.
Pieces Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 3.26-quart saucepan with lid, 5.11-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.61-quart stockpot with lid | Construction: Diamond-infused ceramic nonstick coating over aluminum; stainless steel handles | Maximum Temperature: 600°F | Induction-Safe: Yes
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Best Stainless Steel
Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Great for home cooks and professionals alike, this durable, sleek cookware set delivers high performance.
Aside from the fry pan, the sides of the pots and pans could have more of a curve to make scraping easier.
For a stainless steel 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 fry 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 bechamel, 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
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Best Cast Iron
Le Creuset 5-Piece Signature Set
This colorful, artisanal cookware set will bring a spark of joy to your cooking along with quality performance.
There isn’t much variety in the pieces included, and it’s expensive.
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
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Best Copper
Williams Sonoma Thermo-Clad Cookware Set
You get the benefits of copper and the advantages of some other materials with this refined cookware set.
It’s a big price to pay, and it doesn’t work with induction cooktops.
There’s just something about copper kitchenware and tools that exude elegance. That, plus the durability of the material, makes a copper cookware set something that could easily become a family heirloom. When we tested this set, we were fans of the sloped skillet sides that made tossing ingredients easier and the straight side of the sauté pan that made it nicely equipped for pan roasting. We found the set to be durable in its entirety, with thick, stainless steel handles and superior even-heating bases.
Unfortunately, this set is not compatible with induction cooktops. Otherwise, the items are good to go on electric and gas cooktops. When it comes time to clean, the lids can go in the dishwasher.
Pieces Included: 2 skillets (10, 12 inches), 2 saucepans (1.5, 4 quarts), sauté pan, stockpot, 4 lids | Construction: Copper and stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 450°F, lids 375°F | Induction-Safe: No
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Best All-In-One
Our Place Home Cook Duo
This stylish, versatile set covers a lot of cooking needs in just two main pieces of cookware with its unique design and add-ons.
It has a low oven-safe temperature compared to other cookware sets.
More doesn’t always mean better. Whether you’re working with a small kitchen or simply prefer to go the minimalist route, this small set could be the perfect fit. Upon first glance, it may seem like you just have a pan and pot, but look closer and you’ll see that there’s a lot of stackable functionality, like a custom roasting rack for the pot, that can also be used as a steamer, or the steamer basket that can be used with the pan. You even get a beechwood spoon and spatula that are designed to nest right into the cookware. As much as this set can do, it’s really not great for finishing recipes in the oven since it’s only safe up to 425°F. When we first got our hands on the new and improved Our Place pan, we were impressed by its versatility, improved ceramic coating, and already thoughtful design.
Looking at more technical specs, we appreciate that the nonstick ceramic coating used for both the pot and the pan is PFOA-, PTFE-, lead-, and cadmium-free. It’s also nice how lightweight both items are without sacrificing durability. The cherry on top is the gorgeous color options, which are not what you usually see offered with cookware, including a vibrant electric blue to a pretty, soft lavender.
Pieces Included: 10-inch pan with a nesting spatula and steamer basket and a 5.5-quart pot with lid and nesting spoon | Construction: Heavy-gauge aluminum with ceramic coating | Maximum Temperature: 425°F | Induction-Safe: Yes
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Our Favorite Cookware Sets
We named the Caraway Stainless Steel Cookware Set as our overall favorite cookware set because of its variety, quality construction, and outstanding performance. For a totally nonstick option, the Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Set and the GreenPan Nova Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set are great for their usability and non-toxic materials.
Factors to Consider
Material
Stainless steel cookware is durable and long-lasting, so you don’t have to worry so much about chipping, warping, rusting, or any special maintenance with cleaning. Stainless steel cookware is also non-reactive, which means that you won’t unintentionally flavor your food with a metallic taste while cooking, and it’s okay to cook acidic foods like tomato sauce inside.
Cast iron holds heat well, so once you get it hot, it’ll stay hot for a while. You can cook with cast iron on a variety of surfaces, including induction and even an open fire (if the cast iron is uncoated, that is). There’s a big difference between uncoated cast iron, which requires seasoning and special care, and coated cast iron, which is often made with a layer of enamel that minimizes sticking and rusting.
Nonstick is a favorite of many home cooks because of how easy it is to use. It’s specifically designed so that food doesn’t get stuck on it, making it less of a hassle while frying up food and also while wiping it down afterward. To protect this coating, you have to be careful about what utensils you use on it and how you clean it. The nonstick may come from a specific synthetic coating or from ceramic.
Copper cookware conducts heat quickly and evenly (and cools quickly), so it’s useful for dishes that require delicate heat control. A more expensive material, copper is reactive, so depending on how the cookware is made, you have to be careful when working with acidic foods. A lot of copper cookware actually has an interior coated with tin or stainless steel to avoid this issue.
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FOOD & WINE / JENNIFER CAUSEY / WILL DICKEY / FRED HARDY / JOY KIM / ABBY MILLIGAN
Versatility
There are small cookware sets with just four or five pieces, and there are large cookware sets with 10 or 12 pieces. When looking at the number of pieces included, keep in mind that most places count each lid as a separate item. Stripping things to the bare minimum, we think having at least a frying pan, a saucepan, and a stockpot for everyday cooking needs is essential. Whether you want a set that throws in multiple versions of those items in different sizes plus other cookware like a sauté pan or a Dutch oven depends on what you like to cook and how many people you’re cooking for. And you can always buy more open stock pieces down the line, such as an additional frying pan or specialty pans.
Maintenance
The type of material you choose for your cookware will affect what kind of maintenance you’ll need to do. Maybe you like the ease of nonstick when cooking, but the trade-off is hand-washing without any abrasive materials to protect that coating. Other cookware (stainless steel, for example) may be totally dishwasher-safe. If you’re going to invest in a cookware set, make sure you’re ready to give it the proper maintenance required to get the longest life out of your buy.
How We Tested Cookware Sets
Since we test cookware all year long, these choices are a culmination of some of our top performers and lasting winners from various tests. During testing, we test a number of different ways, to assess each set's performance, design, ease of cleaning, and overall value. We look for things like even heat distribution and retention, a practical design that any home cook can easily worth with or maneuver, durable materials, and an easy cleanup job. We think all of these qualities determine a set's overall value.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What pieces should you look for in a cookware set?
You can find cookware sets with any assortment of pieces, but it’s standard to have at least one frying pan, sauté pan, saucepan, and a stockpot or a Dutch oven. With those four items, you can fry food, sear meat, simmer sauces, braise dishes, boil ingredients, cook soups and stews, and more.
“My go-to piece is an excellent nonstick sauté pan; this is a must,” says Maxcel Hardy, restaurateur and head chef of JEDs Detroit and COOP Detroit. The Dutch oven is also one of his must-haves. “It's a perfect piece for some quick and simple recipes,” he adds. “A saucepan and an omelet pan are also good to have in a set.” -
What is the best material for cookware?
The best material for cookware is a matter of personal preference. It depends heavily on how you like to cook and what food you cook the most often. For example, if you’re new to cooking, you might prefer nonstick for the low risk of food getting stuck on the pan. “I like nonstick pans because it gives a little forgiveness when cooking,” Hardy says. “Nothing will stick and it is a little tougher to burn your dish.
Many professionals opt for stainless steel because of how durable and indestructible it is, but there is a learning curve to using it and preventing food from sticking. Really, each material has its pros and cons. Hardy says copper is also nice, saying it “helps food cook evenly because of the heat distribution.” You might also consider, too, the surface of your cooktop; cookware for glass stoves vs. induction, vs other methods as gas. -
Are nonstick cookware sets safe?
Nonstick cookware is safe as long as you follow some simple steps to protect the coating. For example, don’t exceed the maximum recommended temperature on the stovetop or oven while using it, don’t use metal utensils that could scratch its surface, and take the time to clean it properly by hand. Otherwise, you risk damaging the cookware’s coating, which can potentially result in the release of toxic fumes. For extra peace of mind, you can look for nonstick products that are PFAS-, PFOA-, lead-, and cadmium-free.
“It is essential to wash your nonstick pan with good dish soap and a soft scrub versus a metal scrub brush,” Hardy says. “You don't want to scrub the nonstick off. As long as you use newer PFOA-free nonstick cookware, you should have no worries in the safety department.” -
What is a hard-anodized cookware set?
“Anodized cookware is aluminum that is sealed and fused with nonstick coating, which is suitable for cooking food at high temperatures and great for braising and stewing meats,” Hardy says. “It is also good when cooking food with high acidity levels. It is also one of the easiest metals to clean and maintain.”
Compared to traditional nonstick, hard-anodized cookware is considered more durable, and compared to stainless steel, it has more of a nonstick quality. The flip side is that this type of cookware is best preserved with hand-washing and most likely isn’t induction-safe unless it has a magnetic base.
Our Expertise
- Cindy Brzostowski is a freelance writer and avid home cook who has previous experience in cookbook publishing. Her writing has been featured in Allrecipes, Blue Apron, The Kitchn, and EatingWell, among other publications. For additional insights, she spoke to Maxcel Hardy, restaurateur and head chef of JEDs Detroit and COOP Detroit.
- Dana Fouchia updated this piece with new testing insights. She is the Senior Commerce Editor and has over eight years of experience writing for publications like the Chicago Tribune, LA Times, New York Daily News, Allrecipes, and more.