The 11 Best Cookware Brands, Tested & Reviewed by Editors

Caraway launched into the cookware space in 2019 as a “healthier” nonstick option that marries form and function. With bright color options and smart design elements, it’s become a millennial (and Instagram) favorite.

In my own test, I was impressed by the slick ceramic nonstick surface, the oven-friendly design and the lack of hotspots (its aluminum core allows the pan to heat quickly and evenly, despite its large capacity). I love the Sauté Pan for cooking vegetables for the week ahead, or a big batch of pasta or beans. I also adore the Sauce Pan for cooking rice and the Mini Fry Pan for eggs. That said, because it’s a newer, direct-to-consumer brand, you won’t find as many product options as some other brands out there.

“I never fully believe brands that claim, ‘you can cook with no oil!’ (you can’t do that),” Gillen states, “but Caraway is slippery enough to fry eggs, fillets of fish and delicate crab cakes with a touch less oil than I’d use with stainless steel or cast iron.”

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Sauté Pan, Minis Duo
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Max Oven Temp: 550°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: ceramic nonstick

GreenPan is basically the OG “nontoxic” nonstick cookware brand. GreenPan’s nonstick surface is made from silicon-based Thermalon, which is scratch resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 850°F. There are plenty of open-stock styles to choose—from skillets to stockpots, quick-heating to ultra-durable—or you can opt for a full set.

PureWow associate SEO editor Marissa Wu swears by the frypan set's nonstick powers and lightweight design. "I burned quinoa to the bottom and was able to use a silicone spatula to scrape away the debris," she explains. "The designs are plentiful and pretty, from brass and gold handles to various colors. I'd cook pancakes, eggs, really anything that you're afraid might stick."

One thing to note? She says you should avoid using metal utensils on these to maintain the nonstick surface. "Don't use anything abrasive; it scratches easily."

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick Frypan Set
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Max Oven Temp: 600°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: nonstick

Upgrading your old cookware? Building a registry? Getting serious about searing? There’s All-Clad for that. While the 50-year-old company offers ceramic, nonstick and hard anodized cookware, it’s the stainless steel collection that keeps me coming back. In fact, when I interviewed Lisa McManus, executive editor of ATK Reviews and America's Test Kitchen reviewer of 17 years, on the best cookware sets, All-Clad's three-ply pieces, designed with aluminum cores and stainless steel, were her top choice.

"It's the type of pan you get and keep for life," PureWow editor Dara Katz asserts. "The size makes it a multipurpose workhorse, at least in my house. This pan is ideal for meat and fish (on stainless, it's ready to turn when it no longer sticks to the pan) and deglazing the pan bits for a sauce. It can also take high heat, so you can use the broiler on it, too."

The brand offers everything from tea kettles to massive 12-quart stockpots, and while it’s not the cheapest option on the market, it's a worthy investment.

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: D3 Stainless 3-Ply Sauté Pan with Lid
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Max Oven Temp: 600°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: stainless steel

Everyone should have at least one cast iron skillet in their cookware collection, and Lodge is a no-brainer. The brand is extremely affordable, offers pieces in a myriad of sizes and styles and will last forever with proper seasoning and care. (FYI, the new models come pre-seasoned).

The main cons about cast iron are that it’s tougher to maneuver and takes a long time to heat up, so it’s not great for every task (like sautéing). But don't let that deter you. "The stuff is virtually indestructible," Wu raves. "I've heard stories of people rescuing rusting pans from the antique store and cleaning them up, good as new. They're hefty, durable and perform. Yes, they're heavy, but otherwise low-maintenance."

Cast iron is ideal for getting a gorgeously brown, crusty sear on proteins, and it does double-duty for baking projects (hello, skillet cookie). The key to making your cast iron last forever and easier to cook with is seasoning it regularly. "It's naturally nonstick; anything you're afraid would stick to stainless steel comes off easily on cast iron, and it just gets slipperier the more it's seasoned," Wu adds.

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: 6.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Max Oven Temp: 650°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: cast iron

The glossy enamel! The jewel-like colors! The French je ne sais quoi! What I'm trying to say is, Le Creuset (founded in 1925) is a staple among cookware brands. "We got this as a wedding gift eight years ago, and it's held up amazingly well," Katz claims. "For reference, I use this at least once a week to make family dinner. I love the vibrant, rich color, so I keep this out for a decor 'moment.' I appreciate that I can bring this straight to the table from the oven and serve directly from the pot without it being an eyesore."

It’s not all flash though—the pieces are as high-performing as they are good looking, and if you’re willing to spend a little (OK, a lot) cash, the investment will serve you well for years to come. "Aesthetics aside, I use this basically any time I make a soup, stew or a one-pot meal. I love that you can sear on the stove and then stick it in the oven. The enamel also means you get the pros of the cast iron without any of the tedious seasoning," Katz adds.

There are size and shape options in addition to color, and the enameled cast iron is great for searing and braising. But keep in mind that these pieces are significantly heavy.

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Signature Round Dutch Oven
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Max Oven Temp: 500°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: enameled cast iron

TBH, whether you prefer Staub or Le Creuset is a personal preference—they’re both top performers. But Gillen thinks Staub (also a French heirloom brand) has a slight edge for certain uses, thanks to the innovative design tweaks in its ovens. The lid has a patterned, textured surface that continually returns moisture to the pot, ensuring that braised, slow-cooked dishes turn out moist and tender. Plus, the enameled cast iron retains and distributes heat evenly, and the interior is slightly textured for superior browning. It’s not available in quite as many colors, though, and is heavy and expensive like Le Creuset.

PureWow editor-in-chief Jillian Quint loves how easy on the eyes her Staub Dutch oven is—and how long-lasting it's proven to be. "It’s extremely durable," she says. "We’ve had it for five years and it’s really held up. It has great weight and thick walls, which means it holds heat nicely. It's best for stews, soups and braising."

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Max Oven Temp: 500°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: enameled cast iron

Real talk: Many nonstick cookware brands aren’t all that durable. But Calphalon’s signature style, hard-anodized aluminum is designed with durability in mind. It has a nonstick surface for easy cooking and cleanup, but the try-ply construction ensures it'll hold up to regular use. The only downside is that the pieces are heavier and more expensive than other nonstick brands.

That said, Gallery Media Group's director of audience development Mary Rogers has gotten a lot of mileage out of her stainless steel Calphalon pieces, which is just right for small kitchens. "The way this set can stack together to save space made it a perfect cookware set for our New York apartment," Rogers says. "The lids not having top handles is a huge help. The fact that they're dishwasher safe has also made my life so much easier. They're super sturdy and I find they're well balanced for heat distribution, too."

That said, stainless steel is generally not as easy to use as nonstick or carbon steel, since it's clunkier and requires more refined cooking skills to prevent a stuck-on mess. "While I love how sturdy and heavy the pans are, they are heavy," Rogers notes. "I often need an extra set of hands for pouring; straining pasta is usually a two-person event."

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Premier Space-Saving Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Max Oven Temp: 450°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: stainless steel

Founded as a home appliance brand in 1971, Cuisinart made its name on the food processor. But its cookware line is just as useful for everyday kitchen tasks. With an extensive range of saucepans, skillets, stock pots and other essentials (all in a variety of finishes, all at reasonable prices), it strikes the ideal balance between high quality and user-friendliness. (Read: It’s not so expensive that you’ll only use it on special occasions.)

"This is the brand's newest collection, and after using it, I see it as a more affordable play on Caraway cookware," Pire writes. "It's an easy win for folks who need an overhaul, or newbies moving into their first apartment. Most cookware sets like this don't include a stockpot, so I love that this one does, although it's a bit small if you're used to cooking for a crowd. That said, you can really make just about anything with these slippery, easy-to-clean pieces. Personally, the tiny saucepan is my go-to for rice."

She also loves the lid organizer, which you can keep on your counter for easier storing of the pots and pans in your pantry, oven or cabinet.

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Culinary Collection 12-Piece Set
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Max Oven Temp: 450°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: ceramic nonstick

Fun fact: T-Fal was the first cookware company to introduce Teflon nonstick to home cooks (T-Fal is a portmanteau for Teflon and aluminum). It’s still known for being an accessible, budget-friendly option, making it ideal for new cooks.

"I love that after 5+ years of use, its nonstick is as reliable as ever, whether I'm flipping pancakes or making eggs," PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison raves. "The pan is incredibly lightweight, so if I need to pour whatever I'm making into another dish, I can do so one-handed, using a spatula in the other hand to clean out the pan. I struggle to do that with cast iron. It's a great pan for beginners, because the T-Fal logo in the center turns red once the pan is preheated, so you know it's ready to go."

While it’s a smart choice for budding chefs or outfitting an apartment kitchen, Gillen found that the pieces aren’t as durable as some other options. "The brand says it's dishwasher safe, but I hand wash it, which may factor into its longevity," Davison notes. "Other dishwasher-safe pans have lost their nonstick powers after a few washes, so I avoid it across the board these days."

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: Experience Nonstick 8-Inch Frypan
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Max Oven Temp: 400°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: nonstick

If you’ve ever been caught red-handed scraping at a nonstick pan with a metal spatula, HexClad has your name written all over it. The commercial-grade cookware is etched with a hexagonal pattern that is not only nonstick but also scratch-resistant and safe to use with metal utensils. (During a demo in the PureWow office, a HexClad rep turned an electric hand mixer on high and ground it into the pan. No marks—swear!)

The line earns bonus points for being dishwasher safe and stovetop agnostic, but it is on the expensive side. That said, its hybrid design offers the effects of stainless steel *and* the ease of nonstick. "It's a breeze to use, and even when you accidentally burn something, like a scrambled egg, the laser-etched surface makes it easy to clean," says senior director of special projects and royals Rachel Bowie.

"This particular model is a bit heavy and large, but nowhere near as clunky as cast iron," Pire adds. "The one-of-a-kind cooking surface makes for crispy edges, impeccable browning and slide-right-out magic, plus it looks good doing it."

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: 12-Inch Hybrid Frying Pan with Lid
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Max Oven Temp: 500°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: hybrid stainless steel-nonstick

Cast iron and carbon steel lovers will fall hard for Smithey’s selection of skillets, Dutch ovens and griddles, all of which are made to last a lifetime and look like vintage heirlooms. The pieces retain heat like a dream, and although they’re constructed of cast iron, the interior surfaces are smoother than other brands.

"Smithey wins hands down in the aesthetics department for me, even over Staub and Le Creuset," Wu assets. "It's expensive as hell, but it's hammered in South Carolina and doesn't have that industrial, off-the-conveyor-belt quality. I love the brass/copper color that makes it feel both understated and special."

When properly seasoned and cared for, they’re very slick. "It comes pre-seasoned, they're easy to clean and pretty nonstick. I was able to scrape chicken bits from the bottom of the pan with a silicone spatula and just a little grease from some olive oil and water from the veggies I'd thrown in the pan."

Wu warns that these are especially clunky, even compared to other cast iron heavyweights.

Fast Facts

• Product Tested: No. 6 Skillet
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Max Oven Temp: 650°F
• Induction Compatible: yes
• Material: cast iron, carbon steel