The Best Cookware Set 2025 Consumers Report [America’s Test Kitchen]

Your cookware is the most important set of equipment in your kitchen, whether new or old. This kitchen gear is instrumental when cooking up a tasty batch of your favorite dish. Whether you cook regularly or not, it’s imperative to have a high-quality cookware set as part of your kitchen tools.

Even the most basic of meals, like scrambling eggs or preparing stir-fry, still needs a base to be prepared on. A sturdy set of cookware exists to serve as a tool for you to cook just about anything you want.

Procuring your own set of cookware might seem like an easy process that requires little to no contemplation, but you need to be careful when choosing between your options. As such, we’ll expertly handpicked and reviewed the best cookware set America’s test kitchen.

Reviews of Best Cookware Set America’s Test Kitchen 2020

Here are top 10 cookware set for your kitchen on the market today

#1 – AmazonBasics 8-Piece Non-Stick Kitchen Cookware Set, Pots and Pans

This cookware set is excellent in terms of overall performance and features, amongst other things. This set is manufactured by the top online brand, Amazon, using the nonstick coating for easy maintenance and cooking. The simple package contains all the essential basic sizes of pots and pans you will need in the kitchen.

The 8-piece Non-Stick Set comes with two frying pans, two saucepans, a pot, and three glass lids for the saucepans and pot. This is more than enough for you to prepare most of the meals you intend to make. This model is affordable and very durable because of the stainless steel and aluminum parts.

It should be noted that this kind of pot requires hand washing rather than using a dishwasher. This is because they aren’t built to handle the power a dishwasher creates, and it can cause uneven heat distribution. It can also cause the coating to peel off in tiny pieces and probably get mixed in your meals.

However, with the right kind of maintenance, you stand to use these products for a very long time.

Pros:

• Durable design
• Easy to maintain
• Contains all the essential sizes
• Glass lids feature a hole to release steam
• Handles don’t conduct heat

Cons:

• Incompatible with dishwashers
• Handwashing is the only mode of maintenance
• Volume is limited

#2 – Gotham Steel 20-Piece All-in-One Kitchen Cookware + Bakeware Set with Non-Stick Durable Ceramic Copper Coating

This is a unique product in the long line of models available in the market, the cookware set is made using Aluminum, and the surface is coated with a Ti-Cerama material. The coating gives the product a copper look; the product in its entirety is very durable, and the coating makes it a nonstick model.

You can make use of the dishwasher to clean these products, and they can withstand the heat of ovens up to a temperature of 500⁰F. Metal cutlery and utensils can be safely used on the surface without incurring any damage or scratches. This model is guaranteed to last for a long period with the proper maintenance.

The entire set covers frying pans, deep pans, stockpots, bakeware pans, a fry basket, and a steamer. There are lids included in the package for use on the fitting components. This model should be able to tend to most of your basic cooking and baking needs in the kitchen without having to spend extra money on additional items.

Pros:

• Perfectly covers a wide range of cooking and baking
• Dishwasher-safe option
• Oven-safe up to a temperature of 500⁰F
• Nonstick ceramic coating that makes it scratch-resistant

Cons:

• More expensive option

#3 – Rachael Ray 87375 Brights Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set

This model features hard-anodized aluminum construction that grants the cookware set fast and even distribution of heat. The handles are the only parts that don’t conduct heat because this is the part you will be in contact with mostly. They allow a firm grip and are rubberized for extra strength.

 A nonstick coating is made on the surface of the products to make cooking and cleaning afterward, an easy process. The cookware set contains saucepans, stockpots, and sauté pans, which all come with shatter-proof lids that can lock in the moisture and flavor of your meals. Frying pans are also included in the package.

The warranty, design, and materials certify the durability and performance of these cookware products.

This model is designed to ensure that you attain the best cooking experience in your kitchen. Each of the components can complement your cooking and baking in a unique hassle-free way.

Pros:

• Fast and even heat distribution
• Beautiful design
• Oven-safe up to a temperature of 350⁰F
• Nonstick coating allows quick and easy release of food

Cons:

• The exterior tends to discolor after some period which affects the look
• The riveting of the handles can make cleaning a bit arduous

#4 – Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

This cookware set features an Aluminum construction with a brushed stainless steel exterior, which makes the components very tough and durable. The neatly polished stainless steel coating makes the set rust-resistant, and the pieces are not susceptible to corrosion. They can survive the use of dishwashers for cleaning and maintenance.

There is even heating to make sure your meals are properly cooked, although the pan temperature can drop below the needed temperature range if cold items, like fish or meat, are put in it. The handles are designed for the user to have a good grip and balance when frying or cooking.

The lids are shatter-proof and feature a handle with a loop design for easy maneuverability. The lids also have a ridge at the end to ensure they latch on tightly to the pan, pot, or insert.

Pros:

• The lids are tight-fitting to ensure retention of flavor and nutrients
• Not prone to discoloration
• Dishwasher and broiler safe
• Oven-safe up to a temperature of 550⁰F

Cons:

• Food can get stuck when cold

#5 – Richard Ray 87641 Cucina Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Cookware Pots and Pans Set

This is a 12-piece cookware set that comes with an Aluminum construction with durable Silicone and Stainless steel handles to complement the overall design and performance as well as heat protection. There is an interior nonstick coating that makes sure the food doesn’t stick to the surface of the pot or pan during cooking.

The coating makes the set very easy to clean and maintain for an extended period. The cookware set includes a limited lifetime warranty as part of its purchase agreement. There are shatter-proof and transparent lids, with curved rubber handles, which viewing your cooking foods easier.

The set is dishwasher-safe and allows even distribution of heat; the price for this set is quite affordable when compared with other options.

Pros:

• High-quality finish
• Dishwasher-safe
• Durable construction
• Even heat distribution
• Shatter-resistant lids

Cons:

• Contain an unhealthy constituent, PTFE
• Tends to discolor quickly when washed in the dishwasher

#6 – Paula Deen 12513 Signature Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 15 Piece

This was the best cookware set for the year 2017. It’s known to give your kitchen that classy and unique look. The interior is coated with a nonstick material, which makes cooking easier for you since it releases food quickly. This coating also makes the cookware stain-resistant with minimal cleaning.

The set is made of solid Aluminum, which makes the components strong and durable for a prolonged period of use. The set can evenly distribute heat and is safe for oven use for up to a temperature of 350⁰F. Contained in the collection is a covered stockpot, saucepans, skillets, sauté pan, and a five-piece set of measuring spoons.

This model grants you enough flexibility to work with during cooking or cleaning; the components are lightweight and provide one of the best performances in the market.

Pros:

• Shock-resistant transparent glass lids with an easy handle
• Nonstick interiors
• Highly durable
• Evenly distributes heat

Cons:

• The riveted handles take more time to maintain

#7 – Richard Ray 16344 Cucina Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set

This model is constructed using solid Aluminum and hard enamel porcelain exteriors, which makes the entire design strong, durable, and sturdy. This 12-Piece set contains saucepans, stockpot, skillets, sauté pan, a slotted turner and spoon. The product is safe for oven use for up to a temperature of 400⁰F.

The handles are easy to grip with their dual riveted rubberized stainless steel nature. The nonstick attribute allows your food to be quickly released, and it also eases the maintenance process. The surface is scratch-resistant, and heat is evenly distributed to all parts of the cookware.

Pros:

• Durable and scratch-resistant
• Oven-safe
• Easy handling
• Elegant design

Cons:

• Can get discolored when washed with a dishwasher

#8 – T-fal E765SC Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 12 Piece Cookware Set, Dishwasher Safe Pots and Pans Set

The product package includes frypans, covered saucepans, covered Dutch oven, slotted spatula, and a solid spoon. The cookware features a thermos spot which helps to seal all the natural flavors contained in your meals. They also help to reduce overcooking of food; the nonstick interior makes the cookware durable and scratch-resistant.

They can be safely used with metal utensils without the fear of damage; the set is also safe for dishwasher and oven use. The glass tempered lids are transparent to enable you to see the food as it is being cooked. Each base of the pieces in the set is made to withstand very high temperatures without incurring damage.

Pros:

• Nonstick interior
• Safe for oven and dishwasher use
• PFOA-free which makes it very safe for cooking
• Heat-resistant handles

Cons:

• The cookware set is not compatible with induction cooking

#9 – Cook N Home NC-00250 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

This set includes a saucepan, casserole pans, stockpot, and a frying pan, all of which come with a lid for easy sealing of your food’s flavors. The set is made of Stainless steel with an Aluminum disk as the base; the entire structure of the set is rigid and strong.

The material also allows quick heating, but there is an uneven distribution of heat around the whole piece.

This set doesn’t feature the nonstick attribute, which makes cleaning and maintenance a problematic process. The entire collection is inexpensive when compared with other brands.

Pros:

• Affordable option
• Dishwasher-safe
• Compatible with induction

Cons:

• Small sizes of pieces in the set
• Can’t withstand high heat temperatures

#10 – Circulon Premier Professional 13-piece Hard-anodized Cookware Set

This product is manufactured by one of the most popular brands in the market, Meyer Corporation. The set features a construction using hard-anodized material with a nonstick coating to allow quick release of your foods. The nonstick material is PFOA-free, which makes the cooking safe for any user.

The cookware is dishwasher-safe with the nonstick complementing easy cleanup of the pieces. The set is also safe for oven use and can withstand temperatures up to 400⁰F. The set comes with a limited lifetime warranty; the package contains saucepans, skillets, a large stockpot as well as a sauté pan.

Pros:

• A suitable range of sizes
• Safe for dishwasher and oven use
• Heat distribution is even
• Beautiful look

Cons:

•  Water gets trapped inside the handles
• The limited availability of this model makes the price vary

What Pieces Should You Look For in a Cookware Set?

Consider the components that are included. Keep in mind that some of the items are lids, and the manufacturer occasionally throws in a few plastic utensils and counts them as part of the piece count.

• Every kitchen should have 8- and 10-inch skillets, as well as a 12-inch covered skillet or straight-sided sauté pan. We give bonus points to sets that include a 12-inch pan because it is so versatile for frying, stir-frying, and one-pot dishes like paella or chicken with dumplings. While you can always find a reasonably priced small fry pan for eggs and crepes, rounding out your set with a large pan can be pricey.

• Every set will also include one or two saucepans, and larger ones are more useful because a 3-quart pot can warm a cup of soup but a 1-quart may not be able to make enough rice for the entire family.

• Finally, a piece that can be used as a stockpot or Dutch oven is always part of a set. A 6-quart pot is plenty big enough for a batch of soup or stew and boiling water for pasta, but if you’re a pasta purist who wouldn’t think of boiling spaghetti in anything less than an 8-quart pot, you might want to check to see if one is included.

How We Picked These Cookware Sets

We relied on years of rustling pots and pans in our test kitchens and on our own home stoves to choose our best cookware sets. We looked at what professional reviewers had to say about their test results, as well as what home cooks had to say about long-term use.

In addition to how well the pots and pans cooked and how easy they were to use and clean, we looked at the variety of pieces included in each set. Our picks include a variety of pots and pans that we believe will meet the majority of your cooking needs.

Alternative Video: Best Cookware Set Review

Things to Consider When Choosing The Best Cookware Set

Getting the right cooking equipment to set up in your kitchen can be quite confusing due to the presence of many cookware brands in the market. However, only a fraction of those products are top quality when duly compared under some factors.

1. Material

The material of each model differs from the others. This can determine the durability and lifetime of the product you acquire. Materials like Stainless Steel are used in some of the best products in the market. Some of which retain their look and performance for a longer period than others.

Another thing to factor in is that some metals tend to conduct heat better than others. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, while Stainless Steel falls behind on this attribute. You need to go for cookware that can conduct heat efficiently to allow even cooking of your food but still durable enough for you to achieve maximum value.

2. Maintenance

Every product requires a different amount of effort for proper maintenance and shine. Cookware made from copper and cast iron can take some work to keep them looking fresh and spotless. However, stainless steel can be quite easy to maintain.

This attribute determines how much effort will be going into cleaning up the cookware after use. You need to go for a set that can be easily maintained through minimal effort. Aluminum is moderately easy to maintain; the nonstick models are straightforward to clean up.

3. Nonstick Models

 These models are made from a combination of metals, Aluminum, and Stainless steel, with a nonstick coating commonly known as Teflon. These models possess high conductivity due to the Aluminum constituent. They are moderately durable under the best practices of maintenance.

Since these models don’t allow meals being prepared to stick on the surface of the cookware, you can easily clean them up but avoid scraping the surface with metal parts.

4. Cooking Needs

This factor should also determine the kind of cookware set you need to set your eyes on. You need to ascertain the type of meals you’ll mostly be making. The sizes of pans and pots you need for the preparation of such meals should be added as requirements for the cookware set being procured.

What’s the Difference Between Cookware Set Materials?

Copper cookware heats the most evenly and is the most responsive (take your pan of hollandaise off the burner and it immediately stops cooking, eliminating the risk of curdling). However, copper is very expensive and requires a lot of maintenance to keep its bright, shiny finish.

Aluminum is the next best material for heat distribution. When you cook directly in aluminum, however, some of the metal leaches into the food, giving it a grayish cast. To prevent this from happening and to make cleaning easier, the vast majority of aluminum cookware has some kind of finish, either enamel or nonstick.

Some aluminum pans have been hard-anodized, which means they’ve been through an electrochemical process that strengthens and darkens the metal, preventing denting and interacting with whatever you’re cooking. Aluminum cookware cannot be used on an induction burner unless it has a stainless steel layer in the bottom.

Stainless steel is valued for its beautiful appearance as well as its durability. It is, however, a poor heat conductor. Any “worth its salt” stainless cookware will be clad, which means it has an interior core of aluminum that extends through the base and up the side, or will have a layer of aluminum in the bottom to provide even heating. Stainless steel cookware is expensive, and grease splatters can be difficult to remove.

Nonstick cookware sets make cooking and cleaning easier, especially for inexperienced cooks, but the coatings don’t last forever, and some people are concerned about their safety. Continue reading to learn how to select the best nonstick cookware set for you.

Conclusion

For you to get an excellent investment out of your purchase, we created this guide to lead you through acquiring the best cookware set while sticking to your budget. You can make use of the information provided above to make an informed decision when purchasing your own collection.

Frequently Asked Questions