Nonstick cookware is great for sticky and delicate foods cooked over low to medium heat, like eggs, pancakes, crepes, tortillas, certain fish and shellfish, sautéed veggies, rice, grilled cheese and other cheesy dishes. It's also nice for preparing foods with little to no added fat in the pan. However, nonstick cookware isn't well suited to tasks like searing and browning, and most of these products shouldn't be used over high heat.
Every home chef should have a few different types of cookware, and a nonstick set is one of the must-owns because it often makes cooking and cleanup much easier. But with so many on the market at such a wide range of prices, it can be tough to settle on the set that's right for you.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
What to Consider When a Purchasing Nonstick Cookware Set
Material: Traditional nonstick cookware is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/Teflon-coated aluminum. It's generally lower-priced, lightweight and not particularly durable—good for starter sets or anyone on a tight budget. There have been concerns about the toxic effects of PTFE/Teflon, but all cookware sold in the U.S. today must be free of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the related compound that's potentially harmful. Still, many nonstick manufacturers have stopped using PTFE/Teflon simply because it has a bad reputation, undeserved though it may be. Sturdier nonstick cookware is made of hard-anodized aluminum. It tends to be a bit pricier, but it should last longer—and this goes for its nonstick capacity too, which is baked in rather than coated on. A third option is ceramic-coated cookware. It's typically the highest-priced, but it's heavier duty, longer-lasting and it can go over high heat (including in the oven for most products), making it more versatile. Also, it doesn't use a chemical-based nonstick application.
Pieces: Consider which cookware you want and will actually use. A typical cookware set comes with a small and medium covered saucepan, a medium to large covered stockpot, a covered sauté pan, and a medium and large fry pan. Sometimes, the stockpot is called a casserole pan or a Dutch oven. Pay attention to the size of the stockpot, as this is one factor that varies, usually from 5 to 7 quarts; if you prepare large batches of soup, stew, pasta, etc., you'll want a larger stockpot. Lids and most accessories are counted as pieces when the manufacturer labels the number for the set. This standard assortment covers you for just about anything you'd use your nonstick cookware for, but if you want specialized pieces—perhaps a griddle pan or an extra-large skillet—you can probably find a set that has it.
Dishwasher or Oven Safe: These are two key features that vary and that you may or may not care about. Nonstick cookware should be easy to clean by hand since gunk shouldn't stick to it. But if you prefer to put it in the dishwasher, many sets available today are dishwasher safe. However, manufacturers often still recommend hand washing, as the dishwasher wears away the nonstick surface over time. Those made of hard-anodized aluminum fare better in the dishwasher than those made of coated aluminum, and ceramic cookware is also better suited to the dishwasher. Ceramic is also the way to go if you want nonstick cookware you can use in the oven at high heat. Other nonstick cookware can often go into the oven, but only at lower temperatures.
By thinking about how you'll use your nonstick cookware, these factors—along with your budget considerations—can help you pick the right set for your needs and preferences.
The Best Overall Nonstick Cookware Set
Anolon Advanced Home Hard-Anodized Aluminum 11-Piece Cookware Set
This set performs exceptionally well when it comes to evenly heating and cooking, and its nonstick coating lives up to the name. It includes two covered saucepans, a large covered stockpot, a covered sauté pan and two frying pans. The items are notably sturdy and durable for nonstick cookware and the glass lids are shatter-resistant, so everything should last relatively long (which is reflected in the price). They can go into the oven to finish dishes too, up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, even with a lid. The silicone-covered stainless steel handles stay cool during use, and they're comfortable. Another nice feature is the extra-deep 12-inch skillet, a bit bigger than the largest one in most sets; it has a helper handle, as does the sauté pan.
At a Glance:
- Manufacturer: Anolon
- Material: Nonstick-coated hard-anodized aluminum
- Lid Material: Glass
- PTFE/Teflon: No
- Pieces: 1.5-qt. saucepan with lid, 3-qt. saucepan with lid, 8-qt. stockpot with lid, 4-qt. covered sauté pan, 8.5-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan with lid
- Dishwasher Safe: No
- Oven Safe: Up to 400° F (with lid)
- Induction Compatible: No
The Best Budget Nonstick Cookware Set
T-fal Signature Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set
T-fal is a go-to name for quality nonstick cookware at a low price point. This lightweight, scratch-resistant set includes two covered saucepans, a mid-size covered stockpot, a medium and large fry pan, a griddle pan, and a few nonstick coating-friendly cooking utensils. The long handles don't get hot, and they even have a thumb indent for better control when tossing and flipping pan contents. This cookware has one of T-fal's cool features, too: The red circle with a T in the center of pan interiors is a thermo-spot indicator that turns solid red when the pan is properly preheated. The pans heat quickly and evenly, the nonstick coating does its job well, and cleaning these pans—in or out of the dishwasher—is a breeze.
At a Glance:
- Manufacturer: T-fal
- Material: Nonstick-coated aluminum
- Lid Material: Glass
- PTFE/Teflon: No
- Pieces: 1-qt. saucepan with lid, 2-qt. saucepan with lid,
5.5-qt. stockpot with lid, 7.75-inch fry pan, 11-inch fry pan, 10.25-inch griddle, spoon, ladle, slotted spatula
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Oven Safe: Up to 350° F (with lid)
- Induction Compatible: No
The Best High-End Nonstick Cookware Set
All-Clad Essentials Nonstick Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Cookware Set
If you're looking for a high-end nonstick cookware set, this elegant, durable option is a great pick. It comes with just one covered saucepan, rather than the usual two, but you get an uncommon 13-inch square pan instead; conveniently, you can do a lot with it—especially in the way of one-pan dinners for the family —as this cookware is oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The set also includes a large covered stockpot and a multipurpose insert, as well as two fry pans, a covered sauté pan and two silicone trivets (that arguably make this a 12-piece set). All pans have a helper handle, too. This sturdy cookware heats and cooks evenly, offers good temperature control and its nonstick surface performs reliably. These pans also hold heat and sear and brown well for this cookware category. The contents of the set nest neatly, minimizing storage space needs.
At a Glance:
- Manufacturer: All-Clad
- Material: Nonstick-coated hard-anodized aluminum
- Lid Material: Glass
- PTFE/Teflon: No
- Pieces: 2.5-qt. saucepan with lid, 7-qt. stockpot with lid and multi-purpose insert, 4-qt. sauté pan with lid, 8.5-inch fry pan, 10.5-inch fry pan, 13-inch square pan, two silicone trivets
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Oven Safe: Up to 500° F (up to 350° F with lid)
- Induction Compatible: No
The Best Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard-Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set
GreenPan is known for high-quality cookware with ceramic nonstick coating as an alternative to traditional nonstick finishes that have in some cases prompted health concerns. This set is on the pricey side, but it should last longer than typical nonstick products. It contains two covered saucepans, a medium covered stockpot, a covered sauté pan and three frying pans (that's one more skillet than most sets have). Thanks to its ceramic coating, this cookware can be used over high heat on the stove, it's safe for use with metal cooking utensils, and it's oven and broiler safe up to an impressive 600 degrees Fahrenheit, or 425 degrees Fahrenheit with a lid. This makes it considerably more versatile than most nonstick cookware—another justification for the price tag.
At a Glance:
- Manufacturer: GreenPan
- Material: Diamond-infused ceramic nonstick-coated hard-anodized aluminum
- Lid Material: Glass
- PTFE/Teflon: No
- Pieces: 2-qt. saucepan with lid, 3-qt. saucepan with lid, 5-qt. stockpot with lid, 3-qt. sauté pan with lid, 8-inch fry pan, 9.5-inch fry pan, 11-inch fry pan
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Oven Safe: Up to 600° F (up to 425° F with lid)
- Induction Compatible: No
The Best Dishwasher-Safe Nonstick Cookware Set
Cuisinart Dishwasher Safe Hard-Anodized 11-Piece Cookware Set
Nonstick cookware is known for being easier to hand wash than other types of cookware, but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to wash it by hand. If you're looking for a set you can toss in the dishwasher without worrying about undue wear on the nonstick finish, this set is for you. It comes with two covered saucepans, a good-sized covered stockpot with a pasta insert, a covered sauté pan and two frying pans. All have long, ergonomic handles, and the glass lids are break-resistant. And not only is this cookware dishwasher safe, but it's also oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit without a lid. It's a good price point for all these advantages, the reliably even heating and cooking, the quality nonstick finish and the durable hard-anodized construction.
At a Glance:
- Manufacturer: Cuisinart
- Material: Nonstick-coated hard-anodized aluminum
- Lid Material: Glass
- PTFE/Teflon: Yes
- Pieces: 1-qt. saucepan with lid, 2.5-qt saucepan with lid, 6-qt. stockpot with lid, 3-qt. sauté pan with lid, 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, pasta insert (fits 6-qt stockpot)
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Oven Safe: Up to 500° F (350° F with lid)
- Induction Compatible: No
