We've Tested Nearly 100 Nonstick Cookware Sets. These 6 Are Actually Worth Your Money. (2024)

Cookware material: Aluminum | Oven-safe temperature: Up to 400ºF | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Induction compatible: Yes | Set includes: 1-qt and 3-qt saucepans with straining lids and pouring spouts, a 6-qt stockpot with lid, a 3-qt sauté pan with lid, and 8.5-in. and 12-in. frying pans

We think nonstick pots and pans should be easy to use, from how they handle to how they perform. This set from Circulon, was a hit amongst our Lab analysts and consumer testers. The pots and pans offer some heft and performed well in our tests. The dark interior also helps hide any imperfections.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The pan showed even heat distribution and all the eggs we tested in it slid out without any use of grease or a spatula. It also cleaned up easily in our scorch test in which we simmer sauce for 30 minutes and see how well it rinses off.

The handles are wide and grippy, and they stayed cool during cooking; we didn't even need to use oven mitts to touch the lid or the handle during our scorch test. Consumer testers noted they liked how the pots have pour spouts and built-in strainers in the lid. One tester said the cookware felt too heavy.

They also liked how durable the nonstick surface was and how the ridged design on the pan's surface resisted scratching. While we didn't perform a formal test to see how well the pots and pans could hold up to metal utensils, as noted on the packaging, our Lab analyst and omelet enthusiast uses a metal spatula on hers often and hasn't noticed any scratching.

Cookware material: Aluminum | Oven-safe temperature: Up to 350ºF | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Induction compatible: No | Set includes: 7.75-in. and 11-in. frying pans, 1-qt and 2-qt covered saucepans, 5.5-qt covered Dutch oven, 10.25-in. griddle pan, spoon, ladle and slotted spatula

T-fal's nonstick coating makes these pots and pans great for turning out crepes, frittatas and other sticky foods. The wide handles stay cool to the touch and include finger grips to help you position your hand for the most comfortable control. They’re lightweight and should be used over low to medium heat, and the thermo-heat indicator lets you know when they're ready to use.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our tests, scrambled eggs and pancakes cooked evenly with zero sticking. Plus, the griddle was a fun addition for cooking breakfast items, especially bacon. These pieces clean up beautifully, thanks to their dark nonstick finish inside and out.

Cookware material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Oven-safe temperature: Up to 600ºF | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Induction compatible: Yes | Set includes: 8-in., 9.5-in. and 11-in. frypans; 2- and 3-qt saucepans with lids; 3-qt skillet with lid; 5-qt casserole with lid

GreenPan is top-tested favorite in our Lab. This set is easy to clean and features a hard-anodized exterior and a ceramic nonstick interior, which our team verified is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead and cadmium.

It includes a great assortment of cookware, including different-sized pots and pans for all your needs. Each is lightweight, strong and durable and can withstand high heat up to 600˚F. The lids are clear with stainless steel handles that are designed to stay cool. Plus, the handles feel comfortable to hold and protrude a bit to fit comfortably in your grip while cooking.

One perk is that the pan comes with protectors to help prevent scratching when storing. Even so, its light-colored interior prevents any nicks and scratches on the rim from being too noticeable.

Greenpan recently released this popular line with a stainless steel exterior which offers additional heft.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: These pots and pans are incredibly easy to wash and handle. I've used these pieces for about a year in my home, and I've only switched them out to get experience with another cookware set. They're induction-friendly and performed well in all of our tests.

RELATED: The Best Ceramic Cookware Sets

Cookware material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Oven-safe temperature: Up to 500ºF | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Induction compatible: Yes | Set includes: 8-in, 10.25-in and 12-in. frying pans, 2.5-qt covered saucepan, 3-qt covered sauté pan, 6.5-qt covered stockpot

Ninja, the brand that makes our best overall air fryer, has designed pots and pans that are durable enough to handle a steak, but light enough to move around for the simplest of tasks, like frying an egg or boiling water.

They have straight sides, which help maximize the cooking surface area, a bonus when you're cooking for a family or just looking for a good sear on food. (More space means more room to spread the food out and let it brown). Both the cookware and the lids are oven-safe up to 500ºF. These pots and pans are designed to be scratch-resistant and metal-utensil safe.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: One of our testers has been using this set for over a year and has not reported any scratching on the interior or exterior of the pan. The one downside is that the aluminum base discolored in the dishwasher during testing.

Cookware material: Stainless clad nonstick | Oven-safe temp: Up to 500ºF | Dishwasher-safe: No | Induction compatible: Yes | Set includes: 8-qt stock pot with lid, 4-qt sauté pan with lid, 4-qt saucepan with lid, 10-in. frying pan

The Nonstick Set from Made In stands out for having the heft of stainless steel pans but with the ease of nonstick pans. We particularly like how the lids fit smoothly onto each pan, an often overlooked detail.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our tests, they heated evenly and maintained a steady simmer; plus, the pan and lid handles stayed cool.

Eggs and pancakes slid off the pan without any grease, and the inside of the pan easily wiped clean. The skillet browned steak well and is great for sautéing, thanks to its flared edges.

The pots and pans are easy to handle and wash, though the outside of the pans got marred over higher temps as is common with stainless steel. They also worked well on an induction cooktop, a not-so-easy feat for many nonstick pans made of lighter materials.

RELATED: Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets

Cookware material: Recycled aluminum | Oven-safe temperature: Up to 350ºF | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Induction compatible: No | Set includes: 1-qt and 2-qt saucepans with lids, 5-qt Dutch oven, 3-qt sauté pan, large vented lid that fits the sauté pan and Dutch oven, 8.5-in. and 10-in. frying pans, and four kitchen utensils (slotted turner, slotted spoon, pasta fork and solid spoon)

Made from recycled aluminum, this lightweight ceramic cookware set has wide, plastic handles that are comfortable to hold and oversize handles on the lids.

HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: It scored a five out of five in our heat distribution test, in which we assess how evenly the pan heats. It also did an excellent job at cooking our steak quickly and evenly.

Eggs and sauce stuck to the bottom of the pans a little, but we recommend using these pans over lower heat — the thin walls heat up quickly. The sauce stained one of the pots, but the discoloration improved over time.

Testers liked how lightweight the pots and pans were and several noted that they were surprised how well they all worked for their heft and price point. They also said they cleaned up easy.

One of the first performance tests we conduct is a heat distribution test in which we coat the 10-inch skillet with a mixture to see how evenly it heats.

Once we clean up that mixture, we perform a nonstick test in which we fry three eggs in a row and then scramble two eggs on each pan with no grease to see how well they release and how they clean up.

We use two cans of sauce in our "scorch test" to test how well the saucepans retain temperature and, again, assess the ease of clean-up. We also boil water in the stockpots to get an idea of how long it would take someone to boil a pot of water at home for pasta.

In addition to these performance tests, we score many ease-of-use features like handle temperatures, oven-safe temperatures, whether the cookware is dishwasher-safe and more.

✔️ Type of nonstick cookware: The first thing to consider is whether you'd like traditional nonstick cookware or ceramic cookware. All nonstick pots and pans require care to better preserve their coating. (More on that below!)

• Traditional nonstick tends to last longer and be more nonstick, but it shouldn't be used at high temperatures.
• Ceramic nonstick can withstand higher temperatures but isn't as nonstick and doesn't usually last as long as traditional nonstick.

✔️ Weight: Mid-weight cookware sets are versatile enough to reach high temperatures but are still easy enough to handle. Lightweight pots and pans heat quickly which can lead to food burning if you're not careful. Heavy ones can withstand more heat and usually retain it better but can be harder to maneuver. Weight is often directly correlated to the material. Stainless steel is durable but heavy; aluminum is lightweight and heats quickly. You may see some sets labeled as "hard anodized," which is a coating that makes some materials, like aluminum, stronger.

✔️ Handles: Long, thick or wide handles are comfortable to hold and are typically designed to stay cool. Some have grips that encourage a particular hold for better balance, and helper handles are another nice feature to look for that make carrying large or heavy pans easier. In addition to the design of a handle, the material makes a difference too. When it comes to versatility, stainless steel handles can often be used in the oven at higher temperatures than plastic ones.

✔️ Cooktop compatibility: Most cookware is designed to be compatible with gas and electric cooktops. But if you have an induction cooktop, make sure that the cookware you are purchasing is compatible. An induction-ready piece of cookware will have a base made out of a magnetic material, like iron. Most manufacturers will list this feature right on the box and even directly on the cookware item.

Is nonstick cookware safe?

Traditional nonstick pans have gotten a bad rap because most are made with Teflon, a fluorinated coating also known as PTFE, which can release gaseous and particulate compounds at high temperatures that have been linked to health concerns.

In the past, Teflon was made with PFOA, a chemical linked to certain cancers, but it was banned in 2016 in the production of food contact articles in the United States. It's important to note, however, that in some cases PFOA has been replaced with a similar chemical that's part of the same PFAS family.

While cooking with Teflon-coated cookware has been considered safe when used properly and not overheated, there is growing concern about the prevalence of PFOA and other PFAS in our environment and how they can affect us. There is legislation on the table surrounding the use of it in cookware and how it should be disclosed to consumers.

Can nonstick cookware go in the dishwasher?

Most nonstick cookware can go in the dishwasher. We, and some manufacturers, recommend against it, however, because it can decrease the longevity of your pots and pans. Dishwashers reach hot temperatures that can break down coatings faster, but the bigger concern is actually the dishwasher detergent. Some can be abrasive.

Can nonstick cookware go in the oven?

Some nonstick cookware can go in the oven. Always check your user guide for the oven-safe temperatures that's recommended. If you don't have your user guide handy, 350ºF is a relatively safe temperature to keep in mind, especially if the handles aren't made of metal. Most nonstick cookware can handle temperatures up to 400ºF and some on our list can handle up to 600ºF.

• Use medium or low heat unless the pots and pans are made of a heavy-duty material. Nonstick pans tend to be thinner than stainless steel and other materials so they heat quickly.
• Don't heat an empty nonstick pan — it'll get hotter faster and can quickly approach the the 500˚F mark faster, which is when Teflon starts to break down.
• Use less oil than you would in a stainless steel pan. You won't need it to coat the pan and more oil can burn and make your kitchen smoky.
• Don't use metal utensils if you can help it. Some nonstick cookware says it's metal utensil-safe but it'll last longer if you're more delicate with it and use silicone, nylon or wooden utensils.

• It's always a good idea to wash your pots and pans after you use them. We recommend soapy water and hot water to break through any lasting grease. While most nonstick cookware these days claims to be dishwasher-safe, we still recommend washing by hand to help preserve the coating. Detergents and other harsh conditions of the dishwasher can cause it to break down faster.
• For the rare case you come across a stubborn stain, gently use the back part of your sponge. Magic Erasers can also be good tools to remove stickiness. Some ceramic cookware companies now include them in their sets. Do, however, use them with caution and not too often as they can also cause the coating to wear.
• Line your nonstick cookware with tea towels or paper towels if you have to stack them for storage. This trick will help prevent scratching.

Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou wrote this guide and oversaw the testing behind it. A trained chef, she's personally tested over 80 cookware sets over the past five years, including almost all of the sets featured in this article.

Kitchen Appliances Lab Analyst Eva Bleyer also contributed to testing for this guide.