The 7 Best Nonstick Cookware Sets for 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Jun 25, 2023

Because we like a fuss-free cooking surfaces and easy cleanup.

Summer is a freelance food and travel writer who began by writing about Swedish cheesemaking traditions in 2018.

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Food & Wine / Will Dickey

From stainless steel to cast iron, there’s lots to choose from when it comes to cookware. And while it won’t last forever (even if you buy the pricey stuff), nonstick cookware is a joy to work with, thanks to its slippery-smooth cooking surface. Whether you’re frying an egg or reheating last night’s tomato sauce, a great nonstick pan will ensure your food releases without hesitation, with the added bonus of easy cleanup.

To determine which nonstick cookware sets are worth a spot in your kitchen, we tested over 20 different sets, assessing performance on everything from boiling water to cooking rice, scrambling and frying eggs, to resistance against scratches. Seven nonstick cookware sets stood out from the rest during our tests, so read on to learn more about our top picks and our testing methodology.

Made In

These pans aced our tests and proved to be a real joy to work with.

They’re heavier than some competitors.

Made In makes some great cookware, and this nonstick set is no exception. With a 5-ply stainless steel construction and internal nonstick coating, this attractive, modern, and well-designed set comes with everything one needs in a basic cookware set, including a perfect-sized fry pan, saucepan, sauté pan, and stock pot. And rest assured, these pans are 100% non-toxic and made without PFOAs.

During testing, our fried egg came off the pan with crispy edges and a nicely browned underside, our scrambled eggs were tender and yielding, and our onions browned nicely without a hint of sticking. These pans even passed our rice test without a hitch, offering up lovely crispness with no hot spots or pesky adhesion.

We like how the sides of the Made In nonstick sauté pan curve gently away from the center, which makes it easy to move food around without anything getting lost along the edges. The beveled lip on all pieces of the set makes for easy pouring with minimal drips or spills, and in general, we found each piece of this set roomier than most, which helps with overcrowding. In addition, we found the handles to be flatter than most other sets, although they aren't uncomfortable to hold. We also appreciate the safety notch that lets you know where you need to stop your hand from burning yourself when using this cookware.

Made In’s cookware proved to be heavier than some competitors, but the weight is a worthy tradeoff for the quality and performance of these pots and pans. They’re easy to clean and quick to dry, too.

Price at time of publish: $599

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Amazon

This set includes a range of pan sizes and is easy to clean with smart, nonstick-coated rivets.

Temperature is a little inconsistent over the pan surface, and the design is lacking compared to other higher-end brands.

For a complete set with strong value, we turn to this T-fal set. These lightweight pans scored well in performance, but we don't recommend using them in the oven because of the handles and the low overall safe temperature rating of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a nice feature for less experienced cooks is the indicator showing when the pan is preheated and ready for cooking. During the omelet test, some eggs stuck on the side, yet the omelet rolled out quickly. The 2-quart saucepan cooked sauce and rice well without sticking, scorching, or burning. Pots and pan temperature surface test showed some inconsistency; however, it was marginal.

Overall, we found the nonstick-coated rivets to be a smart feature and prevent food from sticking, and we like the transparent lids for easy stovetop monitoring. We also found this set very easy to clean, and the deep pans are perfect for cooking large batches for a family or crowd. The sizes of the pans are good, and given the price point, this cookware set offers affordable and exceptional value with good performance.

Price at time of publish: $93

Food & Wine / Jennifer Causey

Food & Wine / Jennifer Causey

Food & Wine / Jennifer Causey

Food & Wine / Jennifer Causey

Food & Wine / Jennifer Causey

Amazon

These pans offer excellent heat distribution and highly effective nonstick coating.

Cleaning around the rivets might take some extra attention.

We can’t help but praise All-Clad’s remarkable nonstick performance. The name-trusted cookware demonstrated its quality in each test. The fried egg slid out without any coaxing at all, there was a nice browning on our chopped onions placed in our rice, and our scrambled eggs cooked evenly with no complaints. Neither eggs nor rice stuck to these well-constructed pans, which conduct heat evenly and reliably across the entire cooking surface.

The pans have beveled, partially rounded handles so they feel comfortable and balanced in hand, and the stockpot has two handles for easier transferring between stovetop to sink. As is expected from a quality nonstick surface, All-Clad’s pans are easy to clean after use, though you may have to pay closer attention around the rivets, where food particles tended to collect during our tests. But this is far from being a dealbreaker as these pans perform well, are built to last, and are equally suited to professionals and beginners alike.

Price at time of publish: $795

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Amazon

This is an easy-to-clean, consistently heating set from a beloved brand.

Six pieces offers less gear to work with than some competing sets.

Le Creuset often makes our list of recommendations, and their nonstick set certainly didn't disappoint. Our tests demonstrated that the nonstick coating on these Le Creuset pans is very effective, with absolutely no issues with sticking. Even the fried egg was released with the aid of a spatula, and heating was distributed evenly across the cooking surface with no hot spots detected.

Thanks to long, easy-grip handles, Le Creuset’s nonstick cookware is comfortable to work with and feels nicely balanced, and the handles remain cool enough on the stovetop to touch with bare hands. We did find this set to be heavier than most, so we would not recommend it to anyone who has trouble maneuvering bulky or heavy objects. Cleanup is easy, though rivets may need additional care to remove any left-behind particles. Overall, this nonstick set is well-made and fairly priced for its quality and performance.

Price at time of publish: $586

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Amazon

The nonstick coating is effective and the rivets don’t trap food particles.

Heating proved slightly inconsistent during our tests.

Caraway uses a nonstick ceramic with an aluminum core as their alternative to Teflon, which provides a robust, heat-tolerant, slippery coating. The fry pan turned out excellent eggs during our tests with no signs of sticking or inconsistency with temperature across the cooking surface. In fact, in all tests, it provided some of the cleanest dishes with little-to-no food residue left behind.

These pans are nicely balanced and comfortable to work with, and they’re easy to clean. That said, with thick, straight walls and no rivets on the edges of the pan, this is not the most ideal set for pouring. We did find the surface area to be plenty, with very little issue of overcrowding.

With four modular magnetic pan racks and a canvas lid holder with hooks, Caraway’s consideration for a simple storage solution does not go unnoticed. We also appreciate the price point here; though not as inexpensive as others on this list, its middle-range cost makes the Caraway set an excellent value and a great choice for beginners (or anyone looking for a fresh, new, great-looking, nonstick surface).

Price at time of publish: $395

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

Amazon

The hybrid cooking surface really works to combine the heating effectiveness of stainless steel with the convenience of a nonstick coating.

The set doesn’t include a basic frying pan.

Hybrid cookware is meant to bring together the best of both worlds: stainless steel and nonstick surfaces. This is perhaps an especially great concept for smaller spaces where it may be less practical to amass a varied collection of cookware, but whichever the case, we like HexClad’s performance.

These pots and pans cooked food evenly during our tests, and there were no issues with sticking eggs or rice. What’s also nice is that the HexClad pans aren’t excessively heavy; you can move them around without feeling like you’re in the middle of a workout, but they still feel solidly constructed and high-quality. This cookware is dishwasher-safe but easy to clean by hand, with HexClad even noting that it’s acceptable to use scouring pads to help bring a shine back to the stainless steel bits.

Price at time of publish: $650

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Food & Wine / Will Dickey

Our Place

This convenient, multi-purpose pan is great for small spaces and comes in lots of colors.

It has a lower oven-safe temperature than many competitors.

We just love the versatility of the Our Place Always Pan 2.0. Not only does it feature an effective nonstick surface, but it also comes with a steamer basket, a colander, and a beechwood spatula that cleverly nests into the handle. This pan can do everything from frying an egg to boiling and straining pasta.

Since everything can nest inside the pan, the Always Pan 2.0 takes up minimal space in the kitchen, and its variety of colorways means yours can match (or stand out) however you like. We have found this pan is best used for meals that require a true nonstick surface (like fried eggs or batches of rice), while it’s best to use more durable surfaces for higher-heat jobs like searing. This pan is oven safe, though you’ll want to avoid exposing it to temperatures above 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a little lower than some competitors. That said, the Always Pan 2.0 more than makes up for it with versatility, convenience, and good looks.

Price at time of publish: $150

Food & Wine / Joy Kim

The Nonstick Set by Made In is our top pick, thanks to its excellent performance, quality construction, and useful pot and pan sizes. For a value pick, we like the T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set for its range of pans, good quality, and impressive nonsticking abilities.

When it comes to nonstick cookware, the nonstick coating may seem like the most important factor, but it’s the material underneath that determines how quickly and evenly the pan will heat in the first place.

Stainless steel pans are usually 3-ply, which means aluminum is sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. Aluminum heats quickly and effectively, but isn’t food-safe on its own. Stainless steel adds strength, safety, and valuable heat-retention properties. Ceramic pans, meanwhile, tend to take longer to heat up but will retain heat nicely. Ceramic coating is derived from sand and thus has a higher heat tolerance without risk of releasing fumes. Teflon is the coating used on most nonstick cookware, and it’s the brand name of a chemical coating called polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE. It’s safe up to temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit; beyond that, it may start to break down and release potentially toxic fumes.

In general, it is advisable to keep nonstick pans on low to medium heat, avoid sharp or metal utensils on the pan's surface, and always follow the brand's care and usage instructions.

When shopping for nonstick cookware, it is important to consider how you intend to use the pots or pans you are shopping for. Nonstick skillets are essential tools for delicate ingredients like eggs or fish, pancakes or crepes, and for fast cleanup of easy meals like grilled cheese sandwiches. When choosing the right one, look at how you will most often use the cookware. For example, if you want to be able to sear on the stovetop and finish in the oven, you'll need one with oven-safe handles and finishes. You'll also have to decide if you need lids or not since some nonstick cookware, especially skillets, do not necessarily come with lids.

It’s also important to consider each of the items’ weight and size. Your pans should easily move around the kitchen with you, rather than have you struggle to get a clean pour or turn a pan on its side. If the pans’ weight or bulkiness proves to be a challenge, it may be worth reconsidering.

While some nonstick cookware can be put in the dishwasher, it's best to hand wash them as the high heat can damage the coating, and the racks or other items in the dishwasher can scratch the nonstick interior. Since nonstick does not allow food to adhere, you should only need a soft rag or soft plastic brush and nonabrasive cleanser to keep it clean. If you are working with a nonstick surface that is "seasoned" to make it nonstick, such as carbon steel or cast iron, you will want to wash it gently with warm water and soap and then give it a thin oil coating before storing. If you have stuck-on food with one of these surfaces, fill the pan halfway with water and bring it to a boil to loosen; do not use abrasive cleansers or scrubbers, as it will require re-seasoning.

Yes, with proper care and maintenance. What chemicals and materials are used to make the pans resist stains, oil, and grease might be another consideration when choosing a nonstick cookware set. Popular terms like "healthy, non-toxic, PFOA-free, PFAS-free, and Teflon-free" are often listed as a selling point. Like we mentioned earlier, it's advisable to keep nonstick pans on low to medium heat, avoid sharp or metal utensils on the pan's surface, and always follow the brand's care and usage instructions.

You should replace your nonstick cookware when it stops being nonstick, or if the coating starts to chip or flake away. All nonstick surfaces will eventually wear out with use, but you can preserve their longevity by avoiding exposure to high heat and by choosing to hand-wash instead of putting your pans in the dishwasher.

"Nonstick cookware has a manufacturer's special coating which makes it easy to clean and eliminates scrubbing," says Bev Shaffer, a chef, culinary instructor, recipe and R&D specialist, "Hard-anodized cookware has a bonded surface and traditionally lasts longer than nonstick."

There is no simple answer to this since no nonstick cookware is forever. "Depends on how good the initial quality of the pan is and how you treat it," cautions Shaffer. "Using wood, silicone, or plastic utensils will extend its life." Still, you should think about replacing your cookware when you start noticing scratching or wear and tear on your surfaces.

Yes and no, says Shaffer. "If the manufacturer says you can, technically you can, but understand that it will shorten the life of the pan." You will always get a longer life out of your nonstick cookware if you wash it by hand to prevent the high temperatures and harsh detergents from damaging the nonstick surface.

Our team of professional testers subjected over 20 nonstick cookware brands to many rigorous performance tests to determine the best sets. They evaluated temperature consistency and assessed pan design across brands. Using a 5-point rating scale, our team performed an omelet, sauce, and rice pilaf test to determine what cookware performed best as nonstick.

First, we tested how quickly the pans boiled water. We then fried an egg to assess how easily the egg would release from the cooking surface. Next, we scrambled eggs to see how evenly the eggs would scramble and release from the surface. We then prepared rice pilaf to further determine the pans’ nonstick properties over an extended period of cooking. Finally, we scratched the surfaces with a paring knife to assess the durability of the coating. Through all of these tests, we paid special attention to any hot spots, how easy or difficult it was to maneuver, and if there were any design flaws that hindered cooking or cleaning.

While some sets had unique features and qualities that performed well, the stand-out cookware scored highest in these key metrics: surface pan temperature and temperature consistency within the set, nonstick performance, design, ease of cleanup, overall perception of value, and price.

Scanpan Classic 14-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($700 at Amazon)

The price makes it less desirable than more affordable brands, and its shallow pan design prived to be messy, causing spattering or spillage.

Cuisinart GreenGourmet 12-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($200 at Amazon)

While this is a great-priced set with a strong brand name and overall firm performance, there was a noticeable chemical smell when heated. It was unclear if this would persist after multiple uses, and we didn’t want to take the chance.

KitchenAid Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($260 at Amazon)

While this set is simple and attractive in design, its performance varied drastically, most notably the heat distribution of individual pieces.

Anolon X Hybrid 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($579 at Amazon)

This is a quality set that performed well. We didn’t notice any uneven heating, and it even proved to be relatively easy to clean. It’s priced on the higher side, which is really the only thing giving us pause.

Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($200 at Amazon)

We found these pans hard to control when it came to heat, and they even burned most food in our testing.

While we loved many of the sets we tested, a few fell short. Beyond our favorite mentioned above, we tested more sets from T-fal, Farberware, Rachel Ray, Circuon, and more. Some had design flaws that made maneuverability difficult, weren’t truly nonstick, had non-durable surfaces, or experienced uneven heating.

This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She made her selections based on our in-depth testing insights and her own expertise.

In addition, this article was also written by Kara Mickelson, a professional chef, recipe developer, producer, writer, food stylist, an alumnus of UCLA and Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts, and the creator of Styled Delicious, a boutique culinary brand. She has trained in Spain and Napa at the famed French Laundry and has worked behind the scenes with top Food Network chefs.