For more information, see our free cookware buying guide, which includes a primer on different types of cookware and the materials they’re made of. Below are the 10 best cookware sets from CR’s latest tests, both nonstick and stainless steel, listed alphabetically by type. CR members can jump to our cookware ratings for details on how each set performed, and even more options. Anolon is behind many of our favorite kitchen products (like its top-notch roasting pan), so it was no surprise that this set excelled during testing. Each pot and pan is comfortable to hold, easy to clean and we didn’t have any trouble with food sticking. In one fell swoop, but your collection of pots and pans will look cohesive as a little aesthetic bonus.
You can get the Caraway Cookware Set in seven different colors, but my personal favorite of the bunch is Perracotta. Set your kitchen up for success with this durable collection of pots and pans. Made from hard-anodized aluminum, this cookware set is designed to heat quickly and evenly. Long-lasting nonstick provides effortless food release and easy cleanup. Sure, this set has comfortable handles and cooks food well, but what we really appreciated was the variety of products included. The set includes three sauce pots (1-, 2- and 3-quart), an 8-quart stockpot, a medium-sized 3-quart sauté pan and two skillets (8.5- and 10-inch).
This four-piece set will get you pretty far, but GreenPan also makes an 11-piece one, should you really want to go all out. If you don’t need an entire kitchen cookware set, you might think about nabbing one or two frying pans. I love All-Clad’s nonstick frying pans with comfortable handles and relatively tough PFOA-free coating. For quick stir-fries, omelets and reheating leftovers these are my go-to pans. In this set you’ll get the versatile 10.5-inch pan an the 12-inch for larger meals. These pieces feature a lustrous brushed-copper exterior and satin stainless steel interiors and lids, and they have an inner aluminum core for superior heat conduction.
The saucepan-heavy set comes with 1-, 2- and 3-quart saucepans plus a 5.75-quart Dutch oven with lid and an 8- and 9.5-inch deep skillet. This flashy ceramic cookware set gets points for being budget-friendly and stylish. The ceramic pots and pans also hold up well in tons of online buyer reviews.
The riveted handles are designed to be ergonomic and resist heat. You can stick these pieces of cookware in the oven or broiler, but they don’t work with induction cooktops and shouldn’t ever be put in the dishwasher. Folks rave about the beautiful, regal look of these pans, but be warned that copper cookware requires more maintenance than your average stainless steel pan. Cuisinart offers quality midprice wares, and many people have good things to say about the 12-piece stainless steel cookware set. The cookware pots and pans have an elegant, minimalist look and have a variety of features that will make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. To help make your decision a little easier, here are some of our absolute favorite cookware sets for any budget, style and skill set.
If you live in a studio or have a small kitchen, this is the set for you, even with the 5-quart behemoth. For the sauté pan, I cooked 6-ounce thin, boneless and skinless chicken breasts for five to six minutes per side, removed them, and used the pan to make a lemon-butter sauce. I wanted the proteins to have a golden-brown crust Cookware Sets on the exterior with an interior that was still juicy but cooked through. If dinner normally consists of pasta and soups this clever set is perfect for your one-pot lifestyle! We love that the tops lay flat and that everything stacks with ease. You can even remove or add the pot handles if your kitchen is low on storage space.
It’s large and in charge—my go-to pan when I’m making a giant one-pan meal for a group. I’m a professionally trained baker with 15 years of cooking experience. I’ll admit, years of bad press about nonstick cookware producing subpar food, being shoddily made and even potentially harmful gave me pause on whether to recommend a brand at all.