The 8 Best Cookware Sets for 2024, According to Our Rigorous Testing

Best Overall

Caraway Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$695 at Amazon $695 at Nordstrom View on Carawayhome.com

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

Best Ceramic

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

$395 at Amazon $395 at Target $395 at Nordstrom

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

Best Value

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12 Piece Stainless Cookware Set

$300 at Amazon $300 at Target $300 at Williams-Sonoma

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

Best Nonstick

GreenPan Cookware Set

Orig. $300 $200 at Amazon View on Greenpan.us View on Perigold.com

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

Best Stainless Steel

Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$850 at Amazon $850 at Williams-Sonoma $850 at Nordstrom

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

Best Cast Iron

Le Creuset 5-Piece Signature Set

$570 at Amazon $575 at Williams-Sonoma View on Lecreuset.com

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 Copper

Williams Sonoma Thermo-Clad Cookware Set

$1,500 at Williams-Sonoma

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

Best All-In-One

Our Place Home Cook Duo

Orig. $315 $250 at Amazon View on Fromourplace.com

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