The 6 Best Cookware Sets of 2024

Best Overall Cookware Set

Tramontina Prima Set

PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadmium in Construction?	No
Non-Stick Material	None
Internal Material	Stainless-steel (18/10) & aluminum core
Components	8" and 10" fry pans, 5.5-quart covered deep sauté pan; 1.5-quart., 2-quart. & 3-quart covered sauce pans, 8-quart covered sauce pot
Oven Safe?	Yes

The Tramontina Prima Set is our favorite; it makes the crispiest bacon, cooking evenly throughout and providing exceptional heat management. It comes with all the necessary pieces to keep your kitchen fully stocked and ready for any meal. We love the easy pour-over rims and the durable lids. What's more, the cooking performance is stellar. We can sear meat easily, roast veggies evenly, and cook rice without sticking. The stainless steel construction works well with metal tools and ensures that cleanup is easy. Take a stainless steel scrubber to the surface to remove caked-on food, or simply run it through the dishwasher. While this set is an investment, it's worth the cost.

While the Tramontina Prima is our favorite set, it's not perfect. First, the steel easily gets watermarks and can discolor. Special care is also needed to maintain its shimmering stainless steel finish. We love the ergonomic skillet handles, but they do get hot. Finally, it's not nonstick in nature, and butter or oil is required for cooking, with some practice to ensure food doesn't stick. This is our favorite stainless steel set tested with exceptional performance and a look that'll perk up any kitchen, but if you're just getting your feet wet as a chef, and you need a smaller set, take a look at the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro.

Best Bang for the Buck

CAROTE 10pc Nonstick Granite Induction

PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadmium in Construction?	No
Non-Stick Material	Mineral-based
Internal Material	Aluminum
Components	9.5" fry pan, 11" fry pan, 4.5-quart sauce pan with lid, 4.3-quart casserole with lid, 2.3-quart saucepan with lid, steamer, silicone spatula
Oven Safe?	Yes

The Carote 10pc Nonstick Granite Induction perfectly blends high-end performance with an attractive price point, making this stylish cookware collection one of the best deals on our list. Its super-smooth mineral-based "granite" nonstick surface performs exceptionally well, which is a win-win for the chef and for the unlucky soul-pulling dish duty. We also like the comprehensive, versatile nature of the Carote collection. It boasts two frying pans, a saucepan, a casserole pot, a generous sauté pan, a vegetable steamer, and several robust, vented lids. Whether sautéing, boiling, searing, braising, or frying, each piece performed very well in all our tests, leaving us scratching our heads as we compared this product's excellent performance and quality against its reasonable price tag. The words "tremendous value" came to mind several times. Aesthetically, this collection has an inviting style that blends a modern vibe with a traditional stoneware flare. We loved cooking with our Carote pots and pans, and we fell in love with their pleasant, easy-to-grip, always-cool handles. In fact, they are our favorite handles of the whole lot.

Although technically dishwasher safe, we weren't happy to find the manufacturer strongly suggests handwashing Carote products. They also recommend placing a cloth or paper barrier between each piece when stacking. Additionally, the product's nonstick granite surface does not play well with metal utensils, so make sure you have a healthy stash of plastic or wooden spatulas and spoons. We were also disappointed with the collection's casserole (larger pot). It's simply a bit too small, so plan for smaller batches of soup, stews, pasta, or chili. We also noticed that the release of natural oils and colors during cooking slowly discolored the granite surface, even on Carote's darker color schemes. However, that said, we absolutely love this cookware set for its style, performance, and price. The T-Fal Signature Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 12pc is another inexpensive, non-stick option.

Best Non-Stick Cookware

Calphalon Premier Set

PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadmium in Construction?	Yes, PTFE
Non-Stick Material	Non-stick coating
Internal Material	Hard-anodized aluminum
Components	8" and 10" fry pan, 3.5-quart and 2.5-quart sauce pan with covers, 6-quart stock pot with cover
Oven Safe?	Yes

Not only does the Calphalon Premier Set feature the most durable nonstick coating we've tested, but it's also incredibly easy to store. It fits easily in our cupboards and won't take much to maintain. Cooking performance is excellent, with even heat distribution that makes sautéing and searing a breeze. Given its nonstick nature, loads of oil or butter aren't needed to keep food from sticking to the surface. The nonstick finish is amazingly durable, which means it's okay to use with metal tools. Quick cleanup without extra maintenance is what this cookware set is all about. It can handle the oven up to 450 °F max and comes with high-quality construction and ergonomic handles and lids.

Even though it boasts easy maintenance and storage, we worry about the glass lids breaking if accidentally dropped. The lids stack easily, but the long handles get in the way, which means you can potentially knock them off the burner. Finally, be aware that you may need to use pot holders when the heat gets cranked up. We do, however, appreciate the sleek, stackable look. If you're looking for a non-stick cookware set that is less expensive, check out the Cuisinart GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized. However, the Calphalon Premier is still our top recommendation.

Perfect Stainless Steel Starter Set

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro

PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadmium in Construction?	No
Non-Stick Material	None
Internal Material	Stainless-steel (3-ply) & aluminum core
Components	1.5-quart and 3-quart saucepans with covers, 8-quart stockpot with cover, and 10" skillet
Oven Safe?	Yes

Not only is the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro a top-quality cookware set, but it heats up quickly, which is unusual for stainless steel. This high-quality collection comes with fewer pieces than other top models but also costs significantly less, making it a perfect starter kit for a budding chef who wants to stick with tradition and cook on stainless steel. Its stunning exterior looks at home in any kitchen, and its 3-ply construction with aluminum core ensures even cooking on any stovetop. We cooked eggs (sunny-side up), made pancakes, roasted potatoes, and boiled rice without a fuss. The cooking performance is similar to our top-performing models, without the additional price. To clean up, try an abrasive scrubber or throw it in the dishwasher.

Like any stainless steel cookware on the market, it requires cooking know-how to ensure that food doesn't stick. While stickiness wasn't a problem for us, we had to be diligent about pre-heating and used a temperature gun to ensure the skillet was ready to sear meats and make eggs. Once you get this technique down, food quality is excellent. Another important note — be sure to use oil or butter every time you cook with sticky foods. The handles don't feel particularly ergonomic, and the metal pan scratched when we used metal utensils or tried to clean them with steel wool. Fortunately, this doesn't compromise cooking performance; it is stainless steel, after all. The Tramontina Prima Set is a more comprehensive set with more pieces, but if you're seeking a great deal on a simplified stainless steel cookware set, this is your best bet.

Best Cast Iron Set

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Set

PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadmium in Construction?	No
Non-Stick Material	None, preseasoned
Internal Material	Cast iron
Components	10.5" griddle, 8" skillet, 10.25" skillet, 5-quart (10.25") Dutch oven and cast iron cover that fits 10.25" skillet and 5-quart Dutch oven
Oven Safe?	Yes

The Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Set is our favorite cast iron cookware set because it offers excellent heat retention and cooking performance. It can sear a tuna steak like no other, fry up eggs and pancakes, and includes a Dutch oven in the set, which we used for baking bread. When properly maintained and seasoned (and not overheated), cooking performance is unparalleled. If you're seeking a skillet, Dutch oven, and tortilla maker that'll last you for decades, this cast iron set is a great choice.

Extra care, seasoning, skills, and maintenance are required to use cast iron sets in general, and some folks simply aren't interested in taking on these chores. The surface comes with a pebble finish, which may scrub off over time when metal tools are used. Be prepared to heat it slowly and use oil or butter for all cooking dishes; otherwise, you'll be dealing with stuck-on foods. Even though it's marketed as "pre-seasoned," we recommend seasoning it yourself to ensure its nonstick performance. Cleaning is straightforward and doesn't require delicate care like nonstick pans, but you do need to dress it with oil after use. While maintenance does take a little extra time, you won't be disappointed with its cooking performance or longevity. If you'd like a similarly priced cast-iron set to compare the Lodge against, take a look at the Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron.

Best Stacking Ceramic Set

GreenPan Levels Hard-Anodized Stackable

PTFE/PFOA/Lead/Cadmium in Construction?	No
Non-Stick Material	Diamond-infused ceramic non-stick coating
Internal Material	Hard-andonized aluminum
Components	10" frypan, 12.5" covered frypan, 11" round grillpan, 1.6-quart covered saucepan, 3.2-qurart covered saucepan, 6-quart covered stockpot, stainless steel foldable flower steamer, 3 protective sheets
Oven Safe?	No

The GreenPan Levels Hard-Anodized Stackable ceramic nonstick offers the best stackability and storage of any cookware set we tried. The finish is built with multiple layers of diamond-infused ceramic, which is meant to make it quite durable. It stands out for its excellent cooking performance, features, and simple stackable design. The pans are balanced and sturdy, and the handles stay cool while you cook. We appreciate the pour-off features on the pots that make transferring soups or sauces quite easy. It's also simple to wipe clean, or you can put it into the dishwasher. The pans feel heavy and sturdy, which lends a sense of good craftsmanship.

While we found a lot to like about this set, we also have a few gripes. We noticed the nonstick is stickier than other contenders. The egg stuck and tore during our egg test, which wasn't an issue we had with most other nonstick cookware. The GreenPan Levels are not recommended for use above medium heat, which feels very limiting if you like to sear or stir fry in the kitchen. If a clean ceramic set that stacks well is what you seek, take a look at this product. The Calphalon Premier Set is a high-end set that also stacks well but not as uniformly as the GreenPan Levels.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	80	Tramontina Prima Set Best Overall Cookware Set	$275
	76	Calphalon Premier Set Best Non-Stick Cookware	$570
	75	Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Perfect Stainless Steel Starter Set	$200
	74	CAROTE 10pc Nonstick Granite Induction Best Bang for the Buck	$130
	72	Cuisinart GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized	$250
	71	Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Set Best Cast Iron Set	$106
	70	GreenPan Levels Hard-Anodized Stackable Best Stacking Ceramic Set	$320
	69	T-FAL Excellence Non-Stick	$180
	67	Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron	$118
	66	GreenLife Soft Grip	$172
	63	T-Fal Signature Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 12pc	$96

How We Test Cookware Sets

To start our scientific testing, we began with extensive online research of currently available cook sets. After choosing eleven sets to test, we bought them at retail prices and got to work. We spent over 40 hours in our kitchen, cooking up a storm. Tests included release evaluations with pancakes and eggs, searing tuna steaks, whipping up rice, and boiling water. With all sets in hand, we took the time to meticulously compare each, noting performance differences while working through a carefully designed testing regime. After our testing period commenced, we were able to provide you with our feedback. We continue testing throughout the year, providing updates on durability and performance as we continue to use the sets.

Our testing of cookware sets is divided across six different metrics:

• Cooking Performance (25% of overall score weighting)

• Maintenance & Clean Up (25% weighting)

• Ease of Use (20% weighting)

• Quality & Durability (15% weighting)

• Storage (10% weighting)

• Features (5% weighting)

Why You Should Trust Us

Lead testers Amber King and Ben Applebaum-Bauch know their way around a kitchen. Amber is a long-time cook, baker, and gear tester. Over the last seven years working for GearLab, she's reviewed hundreds of different products and over 20 different categories, including the popular Camping Cookware review. Amber has been cooking and baking for over 15 years and loves to spend her extra time concocting new recipes, baking bread, and making new things. As a self-trained cook, she's spent countless hours reading about cookware, stovetops, and cooking techniques. She brings a wealth of experience and the perspective of a self-made cook. Similarly, Ben has been testing kitchen equipment and home goods at GearLab for six years. In that time, he has reviewed 200 products across an array of categories. He has worked in multiple commercial kitchens over the years and is an avid at-home cook. Reviewer Jason Wanlass has been part of the greater GearLab Team for seven years. An avid adventurist, he has tested many products and written numerous reviews on camping gear. He recently combined his love for all things gear with a passion for cooking and now shares his insight on cooking-related products. Jason is no stranger to simmering with the best slow cookers, baking with a best mixers, and cooking up crispy fries with the best air fryers. He has an eye for detail and likes finding the little things that make a product great to use.

Best Cookware Sets

Here are four important considerations when deciding on your next cookware set.

What Material is Best?

Material selection will largely depend on your cooking style and food preferences. For example, someone who enjoys searing meats will prefer a cast iron or stainless steel pan, while someone who prefers making items such as breakfast staples will prefer nonstick frying pans. Other food types such as stews and roasts will want a stock pot or dutch oven. Some will seek out a non-toxic cooking surface. Prioritizing your cookware needs and identifying what material type suits your cooking preferences will go a long way in choosing the right cookware set.

What Size Set Do You Need?

Cookware sets can vary in size and pieces as well as price. First, consider how much space you have and if you can accommodate for storing lids. It's also important to consider the amount of people you feed and how frequently you cook. While having plenty of pots to work with can be beneficial, extra pots and pans can also take up space and become a nuisance if they're not used frequently. Consider your budget, cooking needs, and how many mouths you plan on feeding at a time.

Does Your Cooktop Type Matter?

Certain cooktops may be incompatible with cookware sets depending on size and material. Those with induction cooktops need to make sure cookware is made up of magnetic materials capable of properly heating the pans. A general rule of thumb is that if a magnet can stick to a pan, then it will be compatible with induction tops. For electric stoves, a pan or pot with a flat bottom is important to evenly distribute heat. Gas stoves are generally compatible with almost any style of cookware but it is still important to have proper contact across the pan and stove.

What Type of Pans and Pots Do You Need?

Depending on the size and orientation of a cookware set, you may find all the necessary items already bundled together. Do you think you'll use a more specialized piece like a griddle pan or casserole pan? Generally, a cookware set will include sauce and saute pans along with a stock pot or sauce pot. From there you can decide what other pieces are necessary for creating your complete kitchen cookware set.

Analysis and Test Results

Any functional kitchen needs some excellent cookware, and that's where we can help. With eleven sets tested and compared, we offer our recommendations after thoroughly using each. To help us evaluate the product quality, we focus on important metrics for each, showcasing which are the best and which can be left at the warehouse.

Value

Price is not explicitly factored into our overall product scores. However, it is often an essential criterion that may very well be the difference in your ultimate purchase decision. With that in mind, we account for price by considering value. In the context of this review, value is the overall score of any given product relative to its price. We seek to understand whether an expensive item is really the creme de la creme in terms of performance. If its scoring can justify the cost, it has a high value. Similarly, we look for models that may not be the very best overall but still overperform relative to their price. In the case of cookware sets, the fairly priced Tramontina Prima Set and CAROTE Granite Induction Set are two of our top performers, and the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro has solid performance as well.

Cooking Performance

To test cooking performance, we cooked. We also constructed several careful tests to see how each set compared to one another. We specifically looked at cooking evenness, pan stickiness, rate of boiling, and searing ability. We also tasted the food to see which offered the best quality (yum!)

The cast iron sets, including the Amazon Basics and Lodge, performed very well, offering some of the tastiest and crispiest food of all. They were bested by the Tramontina and Cuisinart Multi Clad, and Calphalon Premier Set.

Cooking Evenness

To test the cooking evenness of each set, we put each on medium heat and used an infrared temperature gun to measure temperature differences on the pan when on medium heat. We also made pancakes. We carefully watched to see how the pancake batter spread and bubbled, then examined the cake pattern to look for hot spots or unevenness. In general, nonstick sets with thicker layers and an aluminum core offer the best cooking evenness. Thick stainless steel is also great, with thinner materials and cast iron doing the worst.

Of all the sets, the T-Fal Titanium (+/-5 °F) proved to have the lowest variations in temperature on the pan. This is followed by the Greenpan Stackable (+/- 10.8 °F) and the Cuisinart Stainless Steel (+/-10.9 °F). All cooked evenly, and when using butter or oil, heat distribution was even better. It's not surprising that cast iron is quite uneven, given that the casting process results in different levels of materials in different concentrations along the side of the pan. These temperature differences weren't noticeable when searing or cooking, even though the temperature gun showed variations up to 33 °F.

Stickiness

To evaluate pan stickiness, we looked at the surface of each pan and tested it out. We cooked eggs, pancakes, bacon, and seared meats. We evaluated how easily food lifts off the pan and which has foods that stick. We also cooked at a medium temperature, pre-heating the pans appropriately and using oil for both the cast iron and stainless steel sets (as recommended). We learned that the nonstick pans are the least sticky, but more importantly, ceramic nonstick is stickier than those constructed with Teflon-like materials.

Of the nonstick cookware, the T-Fal Titanium is the least sticky, followed by the Calphalon Premier. Food slid right off the pan, making cleanup super easy. Both are made with traditional nonstick materials, with the Calphalon providing the best durability. Of the ceramic-based nonstick options, the Greenpan Stackable and Cuisinart GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized have nearly the same performance level. While both are nonstick when completely clean, food clung a little to each pan, becoming stickier the longer we cooked. The same is true for the Greenlife 16 set, but after just a few meals, this set became noticeably more sticky than the others. Our only granite-based nonstick model, the CAROTE Granite Set performed exceptionally well during our sticky tests, leaving us highly impressed.

It's no secret that cast iron takes work to get to a state where food won't stick. It must be appropriately seasoned and cared for to ensure food doesn't stick or hold on. It's also important to use oil or butter when making foods like eggs or pancakes. Every time you use it, the more oil the cast iron absorbs, the more it will become "seasoned" and avoid sticking to food in the future. In our testing, we made sure to pre-season each set following these instructions, even though each set claimed that they came pre-seasoned.

Out of the box, each felt rough and pebbly, with the Lodge being the smoothest and the Amazon Basics Cast Iron being much rougher. When cooking, we didn't have any issues with stickiness following all these directions. We cooked at medium heat and pre-heated the pan. With a little oil, we were able to make an egg sunny-side up without a problem. While it does require priming and isn't as smooth as nonstick cookware, the cooking performance supersedes stainless steel and nonstick contenders.

Stainless steel is a tricky material that requires skill and knowledge to ensure that it won't stick. Most importantly, sticky food results from differences in temperatures. Properly pre-heating a pan will ensure that stainless steel doesn't stick. We didn't have an issue with either the Tramontina or the Cuisinart Stainless Set when following these directions. However, it's not nearly as nonstick as either cast iron or nonstick cookware.

Rate of Boiling

Boiling time is all about material conductivity and the structural integrity of the material. Materials like aluminum with casted and seamless construction will boil water faster than sets with less conductive materials (i.e., titanium) or with baseplates that have been welded on. Of all the sets tested, the nonstick ceramic set and stainless steel offer the best boiling times. We boiled water in the pots and pans of each set, standardized the data, and looked at the averages to determine success in this metric.

The Cuisinart GreenGourmet had the best rate of boiling (1:50 min), followed by the GreenPan Stackable (2:27 min) and the Greenlife (2:35 min). All have a delicate ceramic overcoat with an aluminum core that conducts heat well. The Calphalon Premier and Tramontina (both at 2:50 min) followed. The Calphalon Premier also has an aluminum core but a thicker construction of nonstick materials, making it slower to heat than the other ceramic nonstick options. The Tramontina uses 3-ply stainless steel, which takes much longer to heat up but holds heat well. The T-Fal Titanium (3:05 min) is the slowest of the nonstick, which isn't surprising because titanium used in its core doesn't conduct heat nearly as well as aluminum.

Of these sets, most of the smaller pots boiled water in under two minutes. Those with a welded-on bottom, like the T-Fal, took a lot longer to heat the water as it comes only from the bottom and very little from the sides. The CuisinartGreen Gourmet has a full cast construction, which maintains its conductivity. Of the larger pots, it was able to boil two cups of water in 2:13 min. The Tramontina also has a full cast construction and boils water in 3:50 min; the non-cast construction of the Cuisinart Muliclad took 7:31 min.

Even though cast iron sets don't have pots, we performed the tests in the skillets. Here we learned that the Lodge skillet could boil water in 3:25 minutes, while the Amazon Basics took 9:10 minutes.

Searing Ability

During this test, we put two tablespoons of oil in the skillet of each set and allowed it to pre-heat to 400 °F (measured with an infrared temperature gun). We then put a chunk of seasoned tuna of the same thickness into each skillet. We allowed it to sit for 45 seconds on each side, monitored the temperature, and analyzed the final product.

The Lodge and Amazon Basics cast iron skillets are the best for searing. Even though these pans took longer to pre-heat, the outer was the crispiest and most delicious. This was followed by the Tramontina and the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro — both the stainless steel options. Of the traditional nonstick contenders, the T-Fal Titanium prevailed, with the Greenpan Stackable winning the nonstick ceramic category.

Maintenance & Clean Up

You don't want to spend precious minutes scrubbing pans when you could be with your family. So, how hard is it to clean up and maintain your cookware? While testing this, we took the time to scrub each pot, pan, and lid by hand. We also loaded up pieces that could be put into the dishwasher to see how they fared on a hot water rinse cycle. We were most impressed by the stainless steel pot sets, specifically the Tramontina and Cuisinart Multi Clad.

Though the stainless steel sets are stickier than nonstick and cast iron sets, they proved to be the toughest. Being constructed of 3-ply stainless steel, you can use metal utensils, steel wool, and other abrasive materials to clean up stuck-on foods. Even though the Cuisinart Muliclad shows scratches after wear, it doesn't affect performance because the entire piece is made from these heavy metals. While both might need to be polished from time to time, neither need to be seasoned or treated carefully. Both can be put into the dishwasher.

All the nonstick cookware sets, like the Calphalon Premier and T-Fal Titanium, are easy to clean up. The nonstick coating doesn't hold onto food, so it doesn't require an abrasive brush or much muscle to clean up. Our only gripe with this type of cookware is that you're not supposed to use abrasive sponges on most of the sets. So, if you're dealing with stuck-on rice, you're limited in the tools you can use to remove this food. However, a simple soak with hot water and soap usually does the trick. Some lids are harder to clean than others, with numerous cracks and crevices. Most of the sets can be put into the dishwasher.

The granite-based surfaces of the CAROTE Granite Set were exceptionally easy to clean. Virtually nothing sticks to these pots and pans for long, making kitchen duty a breeze. However, we didn't like the hand-wash-only recommendations from the manufacturer. Some nonstick ceramic sets, like the Cuisinart GreenGourmet, need seasoning twice a year to maintain their nonstick layer.

This is similar to cast iron sets. However, with a little know-how, we found both the Amazon Basics and Lodge to be incredibly easy to maintain. The cleanup is simple — you can take a pot scraper or steel wool to the set and even use a little soap if needed. You can scrub the material without worrying about damaging it. It's important to dry it completely on your burner or with a towel (or it will rust) and add a little oil, which will keep it seasoned and maintained. You also can't put cast iron in the dishwasher.

Ease of Use

When assessing ease of use, we noted key features and details about the functionality of each set. For example, does the lid fit tightly? Is the handle ergonomic? Do you need to use potholders when using each pan? We also considered which sets require cooking skills and which can be used out of the box with ease.

Hands down, cheaper nonstick sets like the T-Fal Titanium and the Greenlife are the easiest to use. Their nonstick constructions don't require much prior experience, and even the newest chef can quickly figure out how to keep food from sticking. They are also lightweight and come complete with all pieces, making them super easy to use in the kitchen. Neither, though, have pots that pour exceptionally well. We also loved the functionality of the CAROTE Granite Set. Its cushy handles and thick glass lids are divine. They are also easy to reposition and lift, and the large frying pan and oversized saute pan are perfect.

Of the higher quality nonstick sets, we prefer the Celaphon Premier and the Greenpan Stackable. The Greenpan set features a lighter construction than the Calphalon Premier and comes with two lids with drainage holes, perfect for straining water without using a colander. It also features pour-out runnels that add convenience.

The Calphalon Premier has bigger glass lids that are bulkier and harder to use, but each skillet has a compatible lid. Unfortunately, the handles on it get hot after cooking for over half an hour. It's no surprise that all the nonstick sets, which are easy to use out of the package, don't require special cooking skills.

The cast iron sets don't come with lids, get hot, and require the use of potholders. They are also quite heavy, which can be difficult for some. Cooking can also be a challenge if these sets aren't properly maintained or cooked with; both are virtually identical, except the Lodge set comes with larger skillets. However, the Amazon Basics has a Dutch oven with a hanging wire, which the Lodge does not. If you plan on camping and taking your cast iron with you, the Amazon Basics is a better investment.

Of the stainless steel sets, we prefer the Tramontina over the Cuisinart Multiclad. Even though the pieces are heavier, the Tramontina has a more balanced and ergonomic design that doesn't slip when pouring or moving pots and pans around. The Cuisinart Stainless Steel has thinner handles that are much more difficult to hold, especially when loaded with food. The Cuisinart handles also get much warmer than the Tramontina, so make sure you have potholders available.

Quality & Durability

When buying cookware, this is probably one of the most important metrics to consider. You don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new cookware set only to find that you have to re-purchase a new one a few years down the line. While we didn't have any of these sets for years to truly test durability, we made sure to do online research and assess the quality of the materials at our testing facility. We also used metal utensils on all cookware (just to see how they fared) and cleaned each up with steel wool. In general, those constructed of higher quality materials, with more layers, did best in this category.

It's no surprise that our cast iron contenders totally crushed in this metric. For example, cast iron has been known to last for decades if cared for properly. Of our two contenders, the Lodge offers the highest level of quality. Lodge has been making cast iron skillets for over 120 years, and the cooking performance shows. These sets are well-cast, balanced, and crafted. While the Amazon Basics brand does good work, it feels lighter and not as balanced in hand, earning a lower score in this category.

Stainless steel is also an incredibly high-quality material, so it's no wonder most chefs stock their kitchens with it. Look for a set with at least 3-ply construction. The Tramonina set is our favorite because the pieces seem to be thicker, with a cast construction throughout. The Cuisinart Multiclad Set is a good choice, but the pieces are thinner and don't regulate heat. Of the two, the Tramontina seemed to discolor more quickly than the Cuisinart. But this didn't seem to affect performance. With proper maintenance, a quality stainless steel set can easily last you 10+ years.

Nonstick cookware is the least durable of all cookware types because the nonstick material can eventually chip away and scratch, which isn't ideal when cooking. Of all the nonstick cookware, the Calphalon Premier and Greenpan Stackable (ceramic nonstick) are our favorites, and both have a super-durable surface. When cleaning both with steel wool (not recommended) and using metal utensils, we didn't notice any scratching on the surface. All the other nonstick cookware scratched easily. While titanium is a durable metal, it's prone to deforming because it's quite malleable.

Storage

In this metric, we evaluated how easily each set was to store. How do the lids stack with the pots and pans? Do the lids have big handles, resulting in a cluttered mess? Or does the entire set nest together? All the cookware has holes in the handles for hanging if you prefer to store your cookware that way. If you have cabinets, however, stacking might be the easiest solution. Of all the contenders, the Calphalon Premier and Greenpan Stackables dominated this category.

Both offer excellent stacking capabilities. The Greenpan Stackable uses only two lids that fit both pots, but there are no lids for the skillets, making things easier to manage. Fewer pieces, right? The Calphalon Premier uses lids for all the pieces, and they stack into each other in a variety of ways.

We like the Greenpan Stackable for its simplicity, while the Calphalon Premier uses completely flat lids with handles on them to get around the problem of lid handles, making the cookware challenging to stack. It takes time to unstack and access the pots and pans you might need with stackable sets like this. While it looks good, it's not quite as functional in some situations.

Other sets that aren't marketed towards storage solutions but do well in this metric include the Cuisinart GreenGourmet, Tramontina, and the Cuisinart Multiclad set. The Green Gourmet nests nicely in a tower with balanced handles that don't fall over. The lids need to be stored separately. The Tramontina has many pieces, but if you flip the lids upside down, the pots and pans nest together; this is a bit of a balancing act, but it works. The Cuisinart Stainless Steel just has a few pieces, and they nest well, especially if you store the lids separately.

Features

In this section, we just looked for neat features and what's included in all the sets. The more features each had, the better they did.

For example, the Tramontina offers all the right pieces you'd want in a full kitchen set. There are no extraneous pieces that you'd never use, and it has everything you need. The Calphalon Premier also has everything you need. The flat glass lids are pretty nifty, with latch points that articulate well with each pot and pan, making them stable and easy to use.

Other cheaper sets like the Greenlife, T-Fal Titanium, and T-Fal Signature Set come fully loaded with everything you'd want in a starter kitchen set, from a tiny little egg pan to strainers to cooking tools. While they aren't the highest quality, this is a set you'd appreciate if you want all pieces at once, without a need for the best of the best or the highest in quality.

Conclusion

Finding an excellent kitchen cookware set can be troublesome, especially with so many options out there. You're in luck, though, because we've done the hard work for you. Our recommendations are thoroughly researched and unbiased and will help you find what you need for your kitchen ambitions. After taking the time to read through this article, we hope we've helped you find the cookware set of your dreams.