After Weeks of Testing, We Found the Best Nonstick Cookware Sets for Any Kitchen

Our Top Pick

Ninja Foodi NeverStick Cookware Set

$250 at Amazon $250 at Wayfair View on Bed Bath & Beyond

I’m most familiar with this brand for its high-quality blenders, but this 8-piece cookware set proves its reputation further. It comes with two fry pans, one saucepan, one sauté pan, and a large stock pot, with lids included for each piece except for the smallest fry pan. The pieces in this set are constructed from aluminum, which heats up fast and retains heat evenly. 

The nonstick coating is made from plasma ceramic particles, which helps make it more durable even over years of use. That durability also means that you can choose to use metal utensils while cooking if you wish. The handles on each piece are made from iron and are ergonomically designed for comfort, so it’s easier to transfer the pots or pans as needed. And if you need to go from stovetop to oven, whether you’re keeping food warm or melting cheese, each piece can withstand temperatures up to an impressive 500°F. When it comes time to clean, each piece in the set can be put in the dishwasher.

According to Allstar Jenny Aleman de Bolaños, this cookware set is as stunning as it is functional. In tests, the nonstick coating proved exceptionally durable even after being used with metal utensils and running through the dishwasher. Fried eggs cooked evenly and didn't stick to the bottom, the steak came out seared to perfection, and the stockpot was large enough to accommodate long linguini pasta and homemade Alfredo sauce. The tempered glass lids with stainless steel rims offered clear visibility and locked in moisture—especially when it came to cooking rice.

However the handle did become too hot to hold without a dish towel while preparing certain dishes, it wasn’t a dealbreaker. “Its performance surpasses other cookware in the same price range, and even outshines much more expensive options,” she says. “The look and quality are exceptional; you'd expect to pay significantly more for a set of this caliber.”

The Details: 8 pieces; oven safe up to 500°F; induction compatible; dishwasher safe

Best Value

T-fal Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set

$130 $117 at Amazon $130 at Target $123 at Walmart

If you’re looking for a full cookware set that will give you just about everything you need to outfit your kitchen, this is an excellent option at a great price. This set from T-fal has 12 pieces, including two fry pans, three different sizes of saucepans with lids, a Dutch oven with a lid, along with a large spoon and a slotted spatula so you have tools ready for stirring your favorite dish. With that many pieces in the set, each pot or pan comes in at less than $13.

The cookware in this set is made from aluminum for quick heating with a titanium non-stick coating and comfortable silicone handles. Need to know exactly when the pan is hot enough to add vegetables or meat to sizzle? The red spot in the center of the pan will tell you.

Allstar Jenny loves this set for its durability and versatile design. “This 12-piece collection boasts a sleek, modern design that effortlessly blends with any decor,” she says. “The black finish is both stylish and practical, while the glass-vented lids offer a clear view of your cooking process without compromising heat retention or moisture.” In tests, everything cooked evenly and the Thermo-Spot proved helpful time and time again—making this a great value set for beginner cooks. 

This particular set is not induction-safe, but it can still be used on typical electric, glass-top, or gas stovetops. And after cooking your meal, all that’s left for easy cleanup is to place the pot or pan in the dishwasher.

The Details: 12 pieces; oven safe up to 400°F; not induction compatible; dishwasher safe

Best Splurge

Made In ProCoat 6-Piece Non Stick Cookware Set

$726 $599 at Madeincookware.com

If you’re someone who loves to be in the kitchen cooking every meal, an upgraded nonstick cookware set may be worth the splurge. Made in Italy, this Made In set includes a 10-inch frying pan, one saucepan, one sauté pan, and a large stock pot. Each piece is constructed from 5-ply stainless steel, meaning five layers of quick-heating stainless steel are molded together to make these kitchen workhorses ultra-durable. The set comes with lids constructed from stainless steel for each pot, except the frying pan. Each piece is also equipped with a stainless steel handle with a hollow core design, so you don’t have to worry about the handle getting too hot to touch while cooking.

Making everything from sauteed peppers and onions to a seared pork chop is easy on these pans thanks to the multiple layers of non-stick coating, which you can choose in two colors: Graphite or Harbour Blue. The cookware pieces in this set are not dishwasher safe, but luckily, the nonstick coating works so well that just a quick gentle scrub with soap will do the trick. This set is definitely an investment, but with proper care, these well-trusted pots and pans will last for years. 

I have used a Made In saucepan without any issues for three years running, but we also asked Allstar Jenny to try the whole set at home. The saucepan heated evenly and quickly, making efficient work of her family’s favorite turmeric rice recipe. Her t-bone steak was juicy, tender, and perfectly seared on high heat, and chicken Milanese achieved a perfectly golden and crispy crust with minimal oil. “I was impressed by the cool handle, which allowed me to cook without gloves,” she says. While she did wish the lid were made using glass rather than stainless steel, the material is bound to last much longer.

The Details: 7 pieces; oven safe up to 500°F; induction compatible; not dishwasher safe

Best Starter Set

Cuisinart 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set

$180 $130 at Amazon $180 $130 at Macys $180 at Tractor Supply Co.

A starter set is necessary for those looking to build out their cookware collection, whether you’re moving into your own place for the first time or replacing well-used nonstick cookware. The key to finding the best starter set? Choosing an option that includes plenty of helpful cookware pieces at a price that won’t break the bank. This 10-piece Cuisinart set has everything you need to get cooking.

The aluminum set includes two saucepans, one sauté pan, and a stock pot with stainless steel handles, all of which come with glass lids to easily see into the pot or pan while cooking. It also includes an 8-inch and 10-inch skillet. The nonstick coating contains titanium, which helps to reinforce it and even makes it possible to use metal utensils. After scrambling eggs or tackling an easy chicken skillet dinner, handwashing with dish soap is a breeze.

Allstar Faith Nettles was a big fan of the sauté pan and stockpot in this set. The sauté pan provided enough room for a one-pot spaghetti recipe and the handle on the side was a huge help while moving it to a cool burner. The rivets stayed clean despite using the pans to prepare sauces, and everything was wiped clean with no issues. Although it may not have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive set, Faith found this cookware to be well-constructed and high-quality for the price. 

The Details: 10 pieces; oven safe up to 500°F; not induction compatible; not dishwasher safe

Most Durable

Calphalon Nonstick Cookware Set

$249 at Amazon $250 at Walmart

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing nonstick cookware sets is durability. It’s crucial that the cookware pieces are durable enough so the nonstick coating won’t scratch—something this set from Calphalon ensures with its multi-layer design.

Each piece in this set is constructed from anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum is relatively lightweight and will heat up quickly and evenly. That construction also ensures it will remain incredibly tough through plenty of use in the kitchen. The interior of each pan has two layers of nonstick coating for excellent performance, allowing food to release easily without the need to add extra oil or butter for cooking. The pans are also outfitted with convenient measuring marks and pour spouts.

With tempered glass-lidded saucepans, a sauté pan, and one stock pot, along with two frying pans, it includes everything you need to cook a variety of recipes. As long as you take care of each piece well, handwashing instead of putting pots and pans in the dishwasher, this set is built to last. Plus, the cookware set comes with a lifetime warranty to back the life and durability of the product.

“Everything cooked evenly and browned beautifully,” says Allstar Faith. “I love the handles, and especially the fact they're made to stay cool while cooking.” The set also features draining lids, which come in handy while preparing food like pasta and boiled potatoes. 

The Details: 10 pieces; oven safe up to 450°F; not induction compatible; not dishwasher safe