Stainless Steel Non-Stick Cookware On A Budget: The Ultimate Set For Savvy Chefs

Whether you're a professional or a beginner, a good set of non-stick pans is a must-have for any kitchen. Non-stick pans are generally lighter than stainless steel and cast iron, and they're easier to clean.

If you're looking for an inexpensive set of stainless non-stick pans, there are a few options to consider. The T-fal Signature Nonstick Cookware Set is a great value option, with long, stay-cool handles and a griddle pan included. The Circulon A1 Series with ScratchDefense Technology is another good choice, with scratch-resistant and comfortable handles. For a ceramic option, the GreenPan Valencia Pro 11 Piece Nonstick Cookware Set is a durable and oven-safe choice.

When choosing a set, consider the type of non-stick coating, the weight of the pans, the design of the handles, and whether the set is dishwasher and oven safe.

Best non-stick cookware sets

Non-stick 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 non-stick pan will ensure your food releases without hesitation, with the added bonus of easy cleanup.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Made In 7-Piece The Non Stick Set. These pans aced our tests and proved to be a real joy to work with.
• Best Value: T-fal Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set. This set includes a range of pan sizes and is easy to clean with smart, non-stick-coated rivets.
• Best Splurge: All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded 10-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set. These pans offer excellent heat distribution and highly effective non-stick coating.
• Best for Pros: Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Pro Cookware Set. This is an easy-to-clean, consistently heating set from a beloved brand.
• Best Ceramic: Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Cookware Set. The non-stick coating is effective, and the rivets don't trap food particles.
• Best Hybrid: HexClad 10-Piece Hybrid Stainless Steel Cookware Set. The hybrid cooking surface really works to combine the heating effectiveness of stainless steel with the convenience of a non-stick coating.
• Best All-In-One Pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0. This convenient, multi-purpose pan is great for small spaces and comes in lots of colours.

What to Consider When Buying Non-Stick Cookware

When shopping for non-stick cookware, it is important to consider how you intend to use the pots or pans. Non-stick 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.

It’s also important to consider each item’s 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.

While some non-stick 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 non-stick interior.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

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

Other Recommendations

• Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set: Excellent heat distribution.
• Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set: Includes a stainless steel steamer basket.
• Hestan Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set: The easiest-to-clean stainless steel cookware pieces we tested.

Best stainless steel cookware sets

Stainless steel cookware is durable, can handle high temperatures, and is compatible with induction cooktops. While stainless steel is not a great conductor of heat, it is often combined with other materials like aluminium and copper to improve heat distribution.

Best Overall: Hestan Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set includes titanium-infused pieces that are practically nonstick and very easy to clean. The 11-inch frypan is perfect for almost every meal, and the saucepans retain heat well. The pieces are oven-safe up to 1050ºF.

Best Value: Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set

This set offers excellent performance at an affordable price. The skillets provide even heat distribution, and the stockpot boils water quickly. The handles and lids stay cool even after extended use. The set is dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500°F.

Best Tri-ply: All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set includes a stainless steel interior and exterior with an aluminium core for even heating. The skillets have sloped edges for even browning, and the handles are designed for a secure grip. The saucepans are ideal for boiling eggs, and the set is oven-safe.

Best 12-piece: Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece Cookware Set

This set includes a steamer insert, two saucepans, a stock pot, two skillets, a saute pan, and five lids. The handles are designed for a comfortable grip, and the set is dishwasher-safe and induction-compatible. The stock pot boils water quickly, and the skillets have even heat distribution.

Best Five-Ply: Made In Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit

This set includes a nonstick skillet, a stainless steel skillet, a saucepan, and a stock pot. The pieces have long, ergonomic handles and are oven-safe. The skillets heat evenly and produce nicely browned food, and the nonstick skillet is ideal for cooking delicate ingredients.

Best ceramic cookware sets

Ceramic cookware is a great alternative to traditional non-stick cookware, as it is non-toxic, non-stick, and can handle higher temperatures. Here are some of the best ceramic cookware sets available:

• Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set: This set is functional and attractive, with a super slick finish that requires minimal scrubbing during cleaning. The set includes a frying pan, saucepan, sauté pan, Dutch oven, three lids, a canvas lid holder, and four modular pan racks.
• GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Ceramic Set: This set includes a variety of different-sized pots and pans, with a light-coloured interior that resists stains and a dark exterior that hides them. The handles are comfortable and rest easily in the palm.
• T-fal Initiatives Ceramic Nonstick 14-Piece Cookware Set: A budget-friendly option that includes three frying pans, two saucepans, a Dutch oven, and four nylon utensils. The non-stick coating is effective, and the set is dishwasher-safe.
• Bialetti Ceramic Pro 10-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set: A basic ceramic cookware set that includes two sauté pans, two saucepans, a deep sauté pan, and a Dutch oven. The set is lightweight and balanced, with curved handles that stay cool to the touch.
• GreenLife Stainless Pro 10-Piece Cookware Set: A lightweight stainless steel set with a ceramic non-stick coating. The set includes two fry pans, a sauté pan, a saucepan, a stock pot, and two bamboo cooking utensils. The pieces are oven-safe up to 425°F.
• Zwilling J.A. Henckels Vitale 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set: A versatile and durable set with a three-layer non-stick coating. The set includes two fry pans, two saucepans, a sauté pan, and a Dutch oven. The handles are long and comfortable to grip, and the set is dishwasher-safe.
• Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set: A stylish set available in several colour options. The set includes two fry pans, a sauté pan, a saucepan, a Dutch oven, and four pan protectors. The pieces are lightweight and easy to handle, with flat, rounded handles.

Best copper cookware sets

Copper cookware is beautiful and offers superior heating to other types of cookware, but it can be costly and difficult to maintain. Here are some of the best copper cookware sets on the market:

Best Overall:

Williams Sonoma Thermo-Clad Copper 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set offers excellent heat distribution and includes all the essential cookware pieces. It features a 1.2 mm gauge copper exterior, which provides impressive heat efficiency without adding too much weight. The stainless steel lids are dishwasher-safe, but the pots and pans should be hand-washed.

Best Budget:

Mauviel Copper Triply 7-Piece

For under $1,000, this set offers most of the benefits of copper cookware. It includes four key pans that will cover almost all your cooking needs. The set has a copper exterior, an aluminium core, and a stainless steel interior, providing a good balance of durability and even heating.

Best Splurge:

Mauviel M'200 Cl Copper 10-Piece

This set is made of heavy-gauge copper bonded to a non-reactive stainless steel interior, enhancing its durability and heating efficiency. The 2 mm gauge copper exterior provides excellent heating performance, though it makes the pieces heavier.

Best Single Piece:

Ruffoni Historia Copper Frying Pan

If you're not ready to commit to a full set, this single skillet offers traditional copper cookware performance and style. The body is solid, hammered copper, and it's lined with a traditional tin interior. It provides optimal heating performance and is ideal for frying and sautéing.

Best Overall Runner-Up:

Hestan CopperBond 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set is well-designed and functional, with impressive heating and cooling responsiveness. The pieces are slightly lighter than some competitors, making them easier to handle. They also feature curved lips for easy pouring.

Best Design:

Mauviel Copper M’200 CI 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set is absolutely stunning and offers excellent performance. The 2 mm copper thickness provides quick and even heating, with no hot or cold spots. The handles are comfortable and stay cool, except if they get too close to the heat. However, it is very expensive and can be hard to clean.

Easiest to Maintain:

Hestan CopperBond 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set from Hestan features a copper exterior and a copper core, providing exceptional conductivity, responsiveness, durability, and ease of cleaning. The flush rivets also make cleaning easier, as there are no crevices for food to get trapped in.

Best bakeware sets

If you're looking for a new bakeware set, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, what type of baker are you? If you're just starting out, a small set of 4 or 5 pieces might be the best option. If you're a more experienced baker, you might want to go for a larger set with more variety.

Another thing to think about is the material of the bakeware set. Here are some of the most common materials used in bakeware sets, along with their pros and cons:

• Stainless steel: Durable and easy to clean, but not the best conductor of heat.
• Silicone: Highly adaptable and flexible, but can be difficult to handle due to its lightweight characteristics.
• Glass: Relatively inexpensive and versatile, but can result in unevenly cooked food due to poor heat distribution.
• Ceramic: Contains no harmful chemicals and has a naturally non-stick surface, but can be easily scratched or damaged.
• Non-stick: Requires less butter or oil, making dishes healthier, but is highly susceptible to scratching.

Now, let's take a look at some of the best bakeware sets on the market:

• CopperKitchen 5-piece Bakeware Set: This set is our top pick as it is environmentally friendly and free from harmful chemicals. It includes a muffin pan, loaf pan, square pan, cookie sheet, and round pan.
• Calphalon 10-piece Bakeware Set: A great option for both new and experienced bakers, this set includes a large baking sheet, two baking sheets, a round cake pan, two brownie pans, a cake pan, a cooling rack, a loaf pan, and a muffin pan.
• Rachael Ray 10-piece Nonstick Bakeware Set: This set is made of heavy-gauge steel and includes two baking sheets, two round cake pans, a square cake pan, two loaf pans, a rectangular cake pan, and a muffin pan.
• Elbee Home 8-piece Non-Stick Bakeware Set: This set includes a roasting pan, a square cake tin, two oven trays, two muffin pans, and two round cake tins. It is made of aluminum-coated carbon steel, which makes it rust-resistant.
• Nordic Ware 6-piece Bakeware Set: This set includes two cake pans, a loaf pan, two half-sheet pans, and a muffin/cupcake pan. The aluminum construction ensures even heat distribution, and the galvanized steel rims keep the pans from warping.
• Amazon Basics 6-piece Nonstick Oven Bakeware Set: An affordable option that includes all the essentials, such as a loaf pan, two round cake pans, a muffin pan, a roast pan, and a baking sheet.

Frequently asked questions