Savvy Savings: Non-Stick Cookware Sets On A Budget

Non-stick cookware is a great addition to any kitchen. It is easy to clean, requires little oil to cook, and is scratch-resistant. There are a variety of non-stick cookware sets available online, with different materials, sizes, and colours to choose from. Some popular brands include Amazon Basics, CAROTE, T-fal, Rachael Ray, Ninja, and Calphalon. Prices for these sets range from $52 to $800, with some sets on sale or clearance.

Best non-stick cookware sets for every budget

Non-stick cookware is a great addition to your kitchen, thanks to its slippery-smooth cooking surface and easy cleanup. Here is a list of some of the best non-stick cookware sets for every budget:

Best Overall Nonstick Cookware: Calphalon Classic Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware SetThis set combines excellent performance with durability. The pots and pans are made of anodized aluminum, which means they're strong but not too heavy, and they're excellent at resisting stains. The nonstick coating is effective, and the clear lids and long handles make them comfortable to use.

Price: $240

Best Value Nonstick Cookware: T-fal Signature Nonstick Cookware SetIf you're looking for a complete set with strong value, the T-fal Signature Nonstick Cookware Set is a great option. This lightweight set includes a range of pan sizes and is easy to clean. It also features a thermo-heat indicator that lets you know when the pan is preheated and ready to use.

Price: $115

Best Scratch-Resistant Nonstick Pans: Circulon A1 Series with ScratchDefense Technology Nonstick Induction Cookware/Pots and Pans Set, 10 PieceThe Circulon A1 Series is a hit among testers, with its scratch-resistant technology and excellent nonstick performance. The skillet showed even heat distribution, and eggs slid out without any grease or sticking. The handles are wide and comfortable to use, and the pots have pour spouts and built-in strainers in the lid.

Price: $270

Best Ceramic Nonstick Cookware: GreenPan Valencia Pro 11 Piece Nonstick Cookware SetThe GreenPan Valencia Pro set is a personal favorite among testers. It has a hard-anodized exterior and a ceramic nonstick interior that is PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium-free. The set includes a great assortment of cookware, with different-sized pots and pans to suit all your cooking needs. The handles are comfortable to hold, and the pan comes with protectors to help prevent scratching during storage.

Price: $258

Most Durable Nonstick Cookware: Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Cookware SetThe Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium set is designed to be durable and scratch-resistant. These pots and pans are sturdy yet lightweight, with straight sides that help maximize the cooking surface area. Both the cookware and the lids are oven-safe up to 500˚F. Testers have used this set for over a year without any reports of scratching.

Price: $200

Best Stainless Steel Nonstick Cookware: Made In The Non Stick SetThe Made In The Non Stick Set stands out for having the heft of stainless steel pans with the ease of nonstick pans. They heated evenly and maintained a steady simmer, and eggs and pancakes slid off the pan with no grease. The lids fit smoothly onto each pan, and the handles stayed cool during testing.

Price: $599

Best Lightweight Nonstick Cookware: Farberware EcoAdvantage Ceramic Nonstick Cookware/Pots and Pans Set, 13 Piece - GrayThe Farberware EcoAdvantage set is made from recycled aluminum, making it a lightweight and eco-friendly option. It scored high in the heat distribution test and cooked steak quickly and evenly. While eggs and sauce stuck a little, using lower heat can help prevent this. Testers found the pots and pans to be lightweight and easy to clean.

Price: $97

Non-stick cookware sets with the best scratch resistance

Non-stick cookware is a great addition to your kitchen, offering a slippery-smooth cooking surface and fuss-free cleaning. Here are some of the best non-stick cookware sets with scratch resistance:

Circulon A1 Series with ScratchDefense Technology Nonstick Induction Cookware/Pots and Pans Set, 10 Piece

This set is a favourite among the Good Housekeeping Institute's Lab analysts and consumer testers. The skillet showed even heat distribution, and eggs tested without grease slid out without the help of a spatula. The handles are wide and grippy, and they stay cool during cooking. Testers also liked the pour spouts and built-in strainers in the lid. The ridged design on the pan's surface resisted scratching, and the dark interior helps hide any imperfections.

Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Cookware Set

This set is designed to be scratch-resistant and metal utensil safe. One of the 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 set includes an 8-inch fry pan, 10.25-inch fry pan, 2.5-quart covered saucepan, 3-quart covered sauté pan, and 6.5-quart covered stockpot.

HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Inch Fry Pan

This fry pan is part of a 10-piece hybrid stainless steel cookware set. The hybrid cooking surface combines the heating effectiveness of stainless steel with the convenience of a nonstick coating. The set includes 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans with lids, an 8-quart stockpot with lid, and a 7-quart sauté pan with lid. The fry pan is induction-ready and oven-safe up to 500°F.

All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set 2 Piece, 8, 10 Inch

This fry pan set is induction oven broiler-safe up to 500°F. The three-ply construction, with an aluminium core sandwiched between layers of stainless steel, provides more even heating. The set includes an 8-inch and 10-inch fry pan.

T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set 17 Piece

This dishwasher-safe set includes an 8.5-inch and 10.5-inch fry pan, 1-quart and 2-quart saucepans with lids, a 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, a 6-quart Dutch oven with lid, a spoon, and a turner. The thermo-spot feature indicates when the pan is preheated and ready for cooking.

Best non-stick cookware sets for professionals

Non-stick cookware is a joy to work with, thanks to its slippery-smooth cooking surface. Here are some of the best non-stick cookware sets for professionals:

Made In 7-Piece The Non Stick Set

This set includes a 10-inch frying pan, 4-quart saucepan with lid, 4-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. The 5-ply stainless steel construction and internal nonstick coating make these pans a real joy to work with. The sides of the sauté pan curve gently away from the centre, making it easy to move food around. The beveled lip on all pieces makes pouring easy, and the handles are comfortable to hold. This set is induction compatible and oven-safe up to 500˚F.

T-fal Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set

This set includes an 8-inch omelette pan, 10-inch frying pan, 1-, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, spoon, and slotted spatula. The lightweight pans are easy to clean and have a temperature indicator to show when they are preheated. The transparent lids are great for monitoring on the stovetop, and the deep pans are perfect for cooking large batches. This set is not induction compatible and has a low oven-safe temperature of 350˚F.

All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set

This set includes 8- and 10-inch frying pans, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. The 3-ply stainless steel construction with three layers of nonstick coating ensures even heat distribution. The pans have comfortable, partially rounded handles and are oven-safe up to 500˚F. They are easy to clean, but extra attention may be needed around the rivets. This set is induction compatible but not dishwasher-safe.

Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro Cookware Set

This set includes an 8-inch fry pan, 11-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, and a 4.25-quart sauté pan with lid. The nonstick coating is very effective, and the long, easy-grip handles stay cool enough to touch with bare hands. This set is easy to clean, but the six-piece set offers less gear than some competitors, and the lids can become hot. It is induction compatible and oven-safe up to 500˚F.

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

This set includes a 10.5-inch frypan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, four modular magnetic pan racks, and a canvas lid holder with hooks. The nonstick ceramic coating is robust and heat-tolerant, and the frypan turned out excellent eggs in tests. The pans are nicely balanced and comfortable to work with, and easy to clean. This set is induction compatible and oven-safe up to 550˚F, but heating proved slightly inconsistent in tests.

Other Recommendations

Other recommended non-stick cookware sets include the HexClad 10-Piece Hybrid Stainless Steel Cookware Set, the Our Place Always Pan 2.0, the Anolon SmartStack Hard-Anodized Nesting Cookware Set, the GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set, and the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard Anodized 7 Piece Set.

Best non-stick cookware sets for beginners

Non-stick cookware is a great option for beginners as it is easy to clean and requires less oil. Here are some of the best non-stick cookware sets for beginners:

Best Overall: Made In 7-Piece The Non Stick Set

This set includes a 10-inch frying pan, 4-quart saucepan with lid, 4-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. The 5-ply stainless steel construction and internal non-stick coating make these pans a joy to cook with. They heat evenly and release food effortlessly. The curved sides of the sauté pan and the beveled lip on all pieces make pouring and moving food around easy. The handles are flat and comfortable to hold, with a safety notch to prevent burns. This set is dishwasher-safe and induction compatible.

Best Value: T-fal Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set

This set includes an 8-inch omelet pan, 10-inch frying pan, 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, spoon, and slotted spatula. The lightweight pans perform well and are easy to clean, with non-stick coated rivets. The transparent lids and temperature indicator are useful features for beginners. However, the set is not induction compatible and has inconsistent temperature distribution.

Best Splurge: All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set

This set includes 8- and 10-inch frypans, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. The 3-ply stainless steel construction with a non-stick coating ensures even heating and excellent food release. The pans have comfortable, partially rounded handles and the stockpot has two handles for easy maneuvering. While this set is dishwasher-safe, it requires some extra attention when cleaning around the rivets.

Best Ceramic: Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

This set includes a 10.5-inch frypan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, four modular magnetic pan racks, and a canvas lid holder. The ceramic non-stick coating is robust and heat-tolerant, allowing for high-heat cooking. The pans are nicely balanced and comfortable to use, with an easy cleanup. The set also includes storage solutions like magnetic pan racks and a canvas lid holder. However, heating may be slightly inconsistent, and the rivets can be hard to clean.

Best Hybrid: HexClad 10-Piece Hybrid Stainless Steel Cookware Set

This set includes 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans with lids, an 8-quart stockpot with lid, and a 7-quart sauté pan with lid. The hybrid construction combines the heating efficiency of stainless steel with the convenience of a non-stick coating. The pans heat evenly and release food effortlessly, without sticking or scorching. They are also lightweight and dishwasher-safe, although the set does not include a basic frying pan.

Best All-In-One Pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0

This multi-purpose pan includes a 10.5-inch frypan with lid, spatula, steamer basket, and colander. It is perfect for small spaces and comes in a variety of colours. The non-stick surface works well for delicate foods like eggs and rice. The pan can also be used for boiling and straining pasta. However, it has a lower oven-safe temperature than some competitors.

Best non-stick cookware sets for small spaces

If you're looking for a non-stick cookware set that's perfect for small spaces, you'll want to consider the compactness of the set, the number of pieces included, and the size of each piece. Here are some of the best non-stick cookware sets for small spaces:

• Amazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware 8-Piece Set: This set includes all the basics, with an 8-inch and 10-inch fry pan, 1.5- and 2-quart saucepans with lids, and 3- and 5-quart casserole pans with lids. It's a great option for those who are tight on space and don't need larger pots and pans.
• T-fal Signature Nonstick Cookware Set: This 12-piece set offers a good variety of pan sizes, including an 8-inch omelet pan, 10-inch frying pan, 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, and a slotted spatula. The pans are lightweight and easy to handle, making them a good choice for small spaces.
• GreenPan Valencia Pro 11-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set: This set includes a nice assortment of cookware, with different-sized pots and pans to suit your needs. The pieces are lightweight yet durable and can withstand high heat. The lids are clear, and the handles are designed to stay cool.
• Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Cookware Set: This set includes an 8-inch fry pan, 10.25-inch fry pan, 2.5-quart covered saucepan, 3-quart covered sauté pan, and a 6.5-quart covered stockpot. The pieces are sturdy yet lightweight, with straight sides that help maximize the cooking surface area. They are also oven-safe up to 500°F.
• Farberware EcoAdvantage Ceramic Nonstick Cookware/Pots and Pans Set: This 13-piece set is made from recycled aluminum and has a lightweight design. It includes a 1-quart saucepan with lid, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 5-quart Dutch oven, 3-quart sauté pan, large vented lid, 8.5-inch frying pan, 10-inch frying pan, and four kitchen utensils. The pieces have wide, comfortable handles and are easy to maneuver, making them suitable for small spaces.

Frequently asked questions