ConsFirst / Cookware sets
Cookware sets: the downsides, first
Food that starts sticking and surfaces that scratch, chip or discolor each come up for five of the eight sets we compared — stainless, nonstick and ceramic alike. Coating claims vary: we report "PFAS-free" and "non-toxic" only as makers and testers state them. Here are the most popular cookware sets in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared16 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 cookware sets, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
All-Clad
$$$Tri-ply stainlessScore 4.3/5
6%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The 1,844 ratings appear to include other sizes of the D3 set on the same listing (a top review is for a 7-piece size).The set Wirecutter, Serious Eats and Food & Wine all rank at or near the top: the most even heating, pans that look new after a decade, and made in the USA. It costs about $800, has no 12-inch skillet, and its concave handles divide testers.
Top complaints
- Expensive for the piece countVery common
Wirecutter says it is much more expensive than its top pick; Serious Eats calls it admittedly expensive; Food & Wine notes it may not come with as many pieces for the price. Amazon owners are split on weight.
- Handle shape divides peopleVery common
Wirecutter says some may find the handle shape uncomfortable, Serious Eats says some folks aren't fans of the indented handles, and Food & Wine says the handles could be more comfortable.
- Sticking and discolorationMentioned often
Food & Wine had some sticking when cooking rice. Amazon's summary says cleaning and sticking get mixed feedback and some owners report discoloration after first use. Wirecutter says All-Clad doesn't recommend the dishwasher.
What owners love
- The most even heating tested
Wirecutter says it cooked food more evenly than its top pick and the caramel bubbled uniformly; Serious Eats had consistently great results, even with beurre blanc; Food & Wine saw even heating and no scorching.
- Looks new for years
Wirecutter says it was one of the only sets that looked like new after cleaning, even after a decade of heavy use; a Serious Eats tester has used the D3 skillet for 15 years. Food & Wine says it withstood staining and scratching.
- Flat, durable, made in the USA
Serious Eats notes stable, flat bottoms that don't warp at high heat; Wirecutter toured the US factory and calls the pieces extremely durable. Amazon owners call it built to last a lifetime.
Skip it if…- Your budget is under $500
- You dislike narrow, concave handles
- You want a 12-inch skillet or nonstick in the set
Good for- Buy-it-for-life stainless cookware
- Sauces and caramel that need very even heat
- Keeping pans looking new
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating5.0
Why 5.0?
More even than the Tramontina in Wirecutter's tests; consistently great results at Serious Eats; even heating at Food & Wine. - Useful pieces4.0
Why 4.0?
All the essentials including an 8-qt stockpot and a 3-qt sauté pan, but the largest skillet is 10 inches (Wirecutter). - Handles & lids3.5
Why 3.5?
Ideal weight and easy-to-grab lids (Wirecutter), but the concave stick handles are divisive (Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Food & Wine). - Cleaning & care4.0
Why 4.0?
Looked like new after cleaning in Wirecutter's tests and discolors less than most; Amazon owners are mixed on cleaning and some see discoloration. Hand-washing recommended. - Durability (coating, warping)5.0
Why 5.0?
Decade-plus durability (Wirecutter, Serious Eats); flat bottoms don't warp at high heat (Serious Eats).
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: best-quality cookware it tested, heats more evenly than the top pick, worth the extra cost for longevity. Lacks a 12-inch skillet.
- Serious Eats (stainless sets): Best stainless set (July 2026; tested as the D3 Everyday 10-piece): outstanding performance worth the price; some dislike the indented handles.
- Food & Wine (cookware sets): Best stainless set (August 2026): durable and evenly heating; handles could be more comfortable and rice stuck a bit.
#2
Circulon
$$Nonstick (PTFE)Score 4.1/5
5%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The 2,615 ratings are shared with other A1 Series listings, including the 2-piece skillet set.Good Housekeeping's best nonstick set: very slick, easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, and its coating survived a year of home use with metal utensils. It is oven-safe only to 400°F, and the outside of the pans scratched in testing.
Top complaints
- Exterior scratchesMentioned often
Good Housekeeping noticed light scratching on the outside of the pans, though it didn't affect performance.
- Low 400°F oven limitMentioned often
Food & Wine counts the 400°F temperature limit against it; Good Housekeeping also lists 400°F.
- Not the best value anymoreOccasional
Food & Wine says a cheaper, more durable ceramic set (Quince) displaced it as its best-value pick.
What owners love
- Highly nonstick and easy to clean
Good Housekeeping says eggs slid right out and barely needed a sponge; Amazon owners praise the non-stick surface and easy cleaning.
- Coating held up over a year
A Good Housekeeping analyst used the set at home for more than a year, including metal utensils, with no chipping or scratching of the coating; it held up in the dishwasher.
- Handy details
Silicone-grip handles, straining lids and pour spouts (Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine).
Skip it if…- You finish dishes in a hot oven (400°F limit)
- You want a 12-inch skillet (it's in the 10-piece version)
- You want to avoid coated cookware
Good for- An affordable, easy-clean nonstick set
- Straining lids and pour spouts
- Dishwasher users
Scores (tap for why)
- Useful pieces3.5
Why 3.5?
8.5- and 10-inch frying pans, 1- and 3-qt saucepans, a 3-qt sauté pan and a 6-qt stockpot (Good Housekeeping); no 12-inch skillet in the 9-piece. - Handles & lids4.5
Why 4.5?
Long, wide handles with a silicone grip; balanced pots; snug glass lids with built-in strainers (Good Housekeeping, Food & Wine). - Cleaning & care4.5
Why 4.5?
Barely needed a sponge and held up in the dishwasher (Good Housekeeping); Amazon owners praise easy cleaning. - Durability (coating, warping)4.0
Why 4.0?
Coating unchanged after a year of home use with metal utensils (Good Housekeeping), but the exterior scratched and the oven limit is 400°F.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best nonstick (August 2026): highly nonstick, easy to clean, coating held up over a year; the outside scratched lightly.
- Food & Wine (nonstick sets): Another great value (10-piece version): helpful features and a coating that beat Circulon's pricier C1, but a 400°F limit and a cheaper set it likes better.
#3
HexClad
$$$HybridScore 4.1/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (210 ratings). The Amazon listing is the 14-piece set: the same pans and pots as the 12-piece plus 2 silicone trivets.A tri-ply set with a steel-and-ceramic hexagon surface that sears well, cleans easily and holds up, per The Kitchn and Serious Eats. It is not as nonstick as a coated pan (eggs can stick without oil), it is expensive, and Serious Eats reports a 2025 settlement over its 'non-toxic' marketing.
Top complaints
- Not fully nonstickVery common
Serious Eats' over-easy eggs stuck without oil, and an editor who has owned HexClad for years says it isn't as nonstick as claimed. Amazon's summary says some owners report food sticking after prolonged use.
- ExpensiveVery common
The Kitchn calls the price hefty (12-piece set listed at $999, on sale for $699 when reviewed). Serious Eats says you could buy separate nonstick and stainless pans for the price, and Amazon owners are mixed on value.
- Heavier, little fondMentioned often
The Kitchn says the tri-ply pans can feel a bit heavy and leave almost no fond for pan sauces; Serious Eats calls the 12-inch pan a tad heavy at about 3 lb.
What owners love
- Sears and releases
The Kitchn got crisp chicken skin with no sticking and a browned steak crust; Serious Eats got good sears and crepes that didn't stick.
- Durable so far
Serious Eats found no scratches after whisking a pan sauce, and one of its editors has used a HexClad pan since 2016 without damage.
- Easy cleanup, even heat
The Kitchn says the pans clean with one swipe and are dishwasher-safe; Amazon owners report uniform heat on induction and easy cleaning.
Skip it if…- You want truly nonstick eggs with no oil
- You want fond for pan sauces
- You're on a budget
Good for- One set that sears and mostly releases
- Metal-utensil and dishwasher users
- Three skillet sizes up to 12 inches
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
Tri-ply base spreads heat evenly with no hot spots (The Kitchn); fast heating (Serious Eats); Amazon owners report uniform heat on induction. - Useful pieces4.0
Why 4.0?
8-, 10- and 12-inch fry pans, 2- and 3-qt saucepans and an 8-qt stockpot (The Kitchn); no sauté pan. - Handles & lids4.0
Why 4.0?
Comfortable, balanced, stay-cool handle (Serious Eats, The Kitchn), but the pans are on the heavy side; lids are tempered glass. - Cleaning & care4.5
Why 4.5?
Cleans with one swipe and is dishwasher-safe; high-heat grease stains needed a soak (The Kitchn). - Durability (coating, warping)4.0
Why 4.0?
No scratches after whisking and years of editor use without damage (Serious Eats), but Serious Eats says ceramic wears over time and the warranty excludes misuse.
What experts say
- The Kitchn: Very positive month-long review of the 12-piece set (August 2026): unmatched release and good sear; heavier, little fond, hefty price. The reviewer was asked to cook exclusively with HexClad for the review.
- Serious Eats (HexClad review): 12-inch pan review (updated July 2025): sears well and seems durable, but not entirely nonstick and expensive; HexClad now says its coating is PTFE-free ceramic (TerraBond).
#4
Tramontina
$$Tri-ply stainlessScore 4.0/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The 1,748 ratings are shared by the 8- to 13-piece versions of this Amazon listing (titled 'Tramontina Signature Tri-Ply Clad').Wirecutter's top pick and Good Housekeeping's best value: fully clad, even-heating, comfortable and built to last for about $300. Expect the pans to discolor over high heat, and note that Serious Eats and Food & Wine found hot spots in other Tramontina tri-ply sets they tested.
Top complaints
- Discolors over high heatVery common
Wirecutter's skillets tarnished and kept a tint after cleaning; Good Housekeeping's skillet discolored over high heat and was a little hard to clean. Serious Eats saw dark spots and a bronzed finish after one steak in the Tramontina 10-piece set it tested.
- Hot spots in some testsMentioned often
Serious Eats measured hot spots that grew on the burner (a 22-degree swing) in a Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-piece set, and Food & Wine found hot spots and a slightly raised center in the sauté pans of the Tramontina Signature 12-piece set. Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping found even heating.
- Food sticks for some ownersMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says some owners report no sticking while others say food frequently sticks to the pans.
What owners love
- Even heat at a fair price
Wirecutter found every piece heats evenly (browned chicken, caramel without burning, no scorching in the stockpot). Good Housekeeping's 10-inch skillet scored 5 out of 5 for heat distribution and steak browning. Amazon owners also praise the even heat.
- Comfortable handles and lids
Wirecutter liked the rounded, wide stick handles and lid handles big enough to grab with a towel; Good Housekeeping says the tall lid handles stay cool.
- Built to last
Wirecutter has used an older version since 2022 and it still heats evenly; Good Housekeeping says the pans hold up after repeated use. Tramontina offers a lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects (per Wirecutter).
Skip it if…- You want a 12-inch skillet in the box
- You want pans that stay shiny
- You need nonstick for eggs
Good for- A complete stainless set for about $300
- Big-batch cooking (8-qt stockpot, 6-qt deep sauté pan)
- All cooktops, including induction
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
Even in Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping tests (5/5), but Serious Eats and Food & Wine found hot spots in related Tramontina tri-ply sets. - Useful pieces4.0
Why 4.0?
Seven pots and pans including an 8-qt stockpot and a 6-qt deep sauté pan; skillets are only 8 and 10 inches, and the 1.5- and 2-qt saucepans overlap (Wirecutter). - Handles & lids4.5
Why 4.5?
Wide, rounded, comfortable stick handles and easy-to-grab lid handles that stay cool (Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping). - Cleaning & care3.0
Why 3.0?
Discolors over high heat and keeps a tint; Good Housekeeping found it a little hard to clean. Amazon owners call it easy to clean. - Durability (coating, warping)4.5
Why 4.5?
Wirecutter expects decades of use and its older set still performs after years; Good Housekeeping says it holds up after repeated use.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (updated November 2025): even heat, durable, comfortable, about $300. Flaws: skillets tarnish, and it has an 8-inch skillet instead of a 12-inch.
- Good Housekeeping: Best value (August 2026): 5/5 for heat distribution and browning; the skillet stains over high heat.
- Serious Eats (stainless sets): Not a winner: a Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-piece set gave good budget performance but had hot spots and stained after one steak; cheaper sets offer better usability.
#5
GreenPan
$$Ceramic nonstickScore 3.8/5
16%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Serious Eats' best non-toxic set, with three skillets, no hot spots and cool handles; Good Housekeeping picked the larger 22-piece version as its best ceramic set. Amazon owners often report sticking, chipping and discoloration over time, and Serious Eats warns ceramic is less durable.
Top complaints
- Food starts stickingVery common
Amazon's review summary says some owners report constant food sticking, while others see minimal sticking.
- Chips, scratches and discolorationVery common
Amazon owners report chipping and discoloration with use, and durability gets mixed reviews. Serious Eats says ceramic is generally less durable than traditional nonstick, and Good Housekeeping saw the rims of the 22-piece set scratch over time.
What owners love
- Even heat, no hot spots
Serious Eats found no hot spots in the brown butter test and a well-browned pork chop. Good Housekeeping found the 22-piece set's frying pan heated evenly and seared nicely.
- Useful pieces, cool handles
Serious Eats says every piece is useful (8-, 9.5- and 11-inch skillets) and the handles stayed cool; it calls it the best-value non-toxic set it tested.
- Easy cleanup
Serious Eats hardly had to scrub; Amazon owners say it performs well and is easy to clean.
Skip it if…- You want nonstick that lasts for years
- You use metal utensils or scrub hard
- You need a big stockpot (it's 5 qt)
Good for- Avoiding PTFE (GreenPan sells it as PFAS-free)
- Three skillet sizes in one set
- Induction cooktops
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
No hot spots in Serious Eats' test and even heating in Good Housekeeping's (22-piece); Amazon owners are mixed on heat distribution. - Useful pieces4.0
Why 4.0?
8-, 9.5- and 11-inch skillets, 1.5- and 3-qt saucepans, a 3-qt sauté pan and a 5-qt stockpot; Serious Eats says none is filler. - Handles & lids4.0
Why 4.0?
Handles stayed cool (Serious Eats); Good Housekeeping finds the Valencia Pro handles comfortable. - Cleaning & care4.5
Why 4.5?
Hardly any scrubbing (Serious Eats); Amazon owners find it easy to clean. - Durability (coating, warping)2.5
Why 2.5?
Amazon owners report chipping and fading nonstick; Serious Eats says ceramic is less durable; GH saw rims scratch.
What experts say
- Serious Eats (non-toxic sets): Best non-toxic cookware set (July 2026): reasonably priced, no hot spots, no filler pieces. Ceramic is generally less durable; long-term testing is ongoing.
- Good Housekeeping: Best ceramic (the 22-piece Valencia Pro set): lightweight, good release, heats evenly; rims scratched over time.
#6
All-Clad
$$$Nonstick (PTFE)Score 3.6/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (887 ratings).Food & Wine's best nonstick set: very slick, even heating and eight pots and pans including a 12-inch skillet. The PTFE coating needs gentle treatment, and Amazon owners report scratches, dents and hot handles.
Top complaints
- Coating scratches; needs delicate careVery common
Food & Wine says everything needs delicate treatment, metal utensils scratch the coating, and it is more delicate than the ceramic sets it tested. Amazon's summary says scratch resistance is a negative, with visible scratches and dented pots.
- Bulbous pot shapeMentioned often
Food & Wine says the pot walls bow outward, making corners harder to reach while stirring or cleaning.
- Handles divisive; lids and handles get hotMentioned often
Amazon's summary says some find the handles nice and heavy, others a deal breaker, and some note the lids and handles get hot.
What owners love
- Flawless release
Food & Wine says eggs and salmon slid out effortlessly and everything rinsed away with a sponge; Amazon owners call the non-stick surface amazing.
- Even, gentle heating
Food & Wine found no hot spots or burning thanks to the aluminum body and steel base.
- Lots of pieces for the money
Eight pots and pans plus five lids, including 8-, 10- and 12-inch skillets and an 8-qt stockpot; Food & Wine calls the price per item quite reasonable.
Skip it if…- You use metal utensils or the dishwasher
- You want to avoid PTFE
- You want cookware that lasts decades
Good for- A big all-nonstick set with three skillets
- Eggs and fish with almost no oil
- Induction cooktops
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating4.0
Why 4.0?
Even with no hot spots in Food & Wine's tests; Amazon opinions on heat retention are mixed. - Useful pieces5.0
Why 5.0?
Eight pots and pans including 8-, 10- and 12-inch skillets, a 4-qt sauté pan and an 8-qt stockpot (Food & Wine). - Handles & lids3.0
Why 3.0?
Amazon owners are split on the handles and some say lids and handles get hot; Food & Wine dislikes the bulbous pot shape. - Cleaning & care3.5
Why 3.5?
Rinses clean with a sponge, but Food & Wine says the pots and pans can't go in the dishwasher (lids can). - Durability (coating, warping)2.5
Why 2.5?
Coating scratches with metal utensils and is more delicate than ceramic options (Food & Wine); Amazon owners report scratches and dents.
What experts say
- Food & Wine (nonstick sets): Best overall nonstick set (July 2026): flawless nonstick and even cooking. Requires delicate treatment; the coating contains PTFE and Food & Wine says heating it above 500°F can release toxic chemicals.
- Food & Wine (cookware sets): Strong contender: heats evenly and is very nonstick, but the coating is prone to scratches and the pots have an odd rounded shape.
#7
Caraway
$$Ceramic nonstickScore 3.3/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
Food & Wine's favorite nonstick set and a Serious Eats pick: very slick, colorful and comes with storage racks. But the 12 pieces include only four pots and pans, Food & Wine saw slow, uneven browning, and Serious Eats found the fry pan heavy.
Top complaints
- Only four pots and pansVery common
Food & Wine notes the 12 pieces include just four actual pots and pans; the racks and lid holder don't add as much value as another pan would.
- Slow, uneven browningMentioned often
Food & Wine's nonstick testers found the pans heated inconsistently, with minor hot and cold spots and slower browning, and they don't sear terribly well.
- Heavy fry panMentioned often
Serious Eats says the frying pan weighs almost five pounds, which can make it hard to lift while cooking.
What owners love
- Very slick release
Serious Eats says the coating easily released eggs; Food & Wine says everything slid right out and rinsed clean without scrubbing.
- Stays nonstick in long-term use
Food & Wine says that in its at-home long-term testing the nonstick properties haven't worn out with regular use.
- Cool handles, smart storage
Serious Eats says the handles stayed at a manageable temperature even while boiling water; the set includes magnetic pan racks and a lid holder (Food & Wine).
Skip it if…- You want many pots and pans for the money
- You want a strong sear
- You need a light skillet
Good for- Avoiding PTFE (Caraway says it's made without PTFE, PFOA and PFAS)
- Kitchens where looks and storage matter
- Higher oven temperatures than most nonstick (550°F per Food & Wine)
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating3.0
Why 3.0?
Serious Eats found good heat retention, but Food & Wine's nonstick test found inconsistent heating and slower browning. - Useful pieces2.5
Why 2.5?
Only four pots and pans: 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-qt saucepan, 4.5-qt sauté pan and a Dutch oven (Food & Wine). - Handles & lids3.5
Why 3.5?
Comfortable stainless handles that stay cool (Food & Wine, Serious Eats), but the fry pan weighs almost 5 lb (Serious Eats). - Cleaning & care4.0
Why 4.0?
Usually just a wipe and rinse (Food & Wine), but hand-wash only. - Durability (coating, warping)3.5
Why 3.5?
Food & Wine calls it scratch-resistant and says it hasn't lost its nonstick in long-term use; no other long-term data.
#8
Cuisinart
$$Tri-ply stainlessScore 3.0/5
7%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The 11,230 ratings are shared with the 13- and 15-piece MultiClad Pro sets on the same listing.One of the most-rated stainless sets on Amazon, and owners like its heat and durability. But Wirecutter dropped it as its runner-up after every skillet it tested warped over high heat, and Serious Eats found pieces unbalanced.
Top complaints
- Skillets warped over high heatMentioned often
Wirecutter found the skillets bowed so much that they wobbled on a flat surface; it tested multiple skillets and all warped. Cuisinart's manual says to use low to medium heat.
- Unbalanced, awkward handlesMentioned often
Serious Eats says some pieces felt unbalanced and the handles were awkward to grip when the pan was full.
- Food stickingMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says some owners report food sticking to the pots and pans.
What owners love
- Owners report even heat and durability
Amazon's summary says owners find it durable and heavy-duty, with excellent heat distribution and even cooking.
- Easy to clean, good looks
Amazon owners find it easy to clean and like the stainless appearance.
- Fair price
Serious Eats likes its price point; Cuisinart lists it at $299.95.
Skip it if…- You sear over high heat
- You cook on a flat glass or induction top and need pans to sit flat
- You want well-balanced handles
Good for- A fully clad set around $300
- Low-to-medium heat cooking (as Cuisinart's manual advises, per Wirecutter)
- Shoppers who value a huge owner track record
Scores (tap for why)
- Even heating3.5
Why 3.5?
Amazon owners praise even heat distribution, but no expert reported a heat-evenness result, and Wirecutter's skillets bowed over high heat. - Handles & lids2.5
Why 2.5?
Serious Eats: handles awkward to grip and pieces unbalanced when full. - Cleaning & care3.5
Why 3.5?
Amazon owners find it easy to clean; some report sticking. - Durability (coating, warping)2.5
Why 2.5?
Wirecutter saw all its test skillets warp over high heat; Amazon owners still describe it as durable.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed (former runner-up): the skillets warped over high heat and wobbled on a flat surface, even though Wirecutter's picks haven't warped after years of high heat.
- Serious Eats (stainless sets): Not a winner: some pieces felt unbalanced, though Serious Eats likes the price point.