The 9 Best Nonstick Cookware Sets of 2024, Tested by PEOPLE

Oct 14, 2024

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These slick sets make cooking and cleanup a breeze

In This Article

People / Will Dickey

Whether you regularly curate restaurant-worthy meals for your family and friends or you impress yourself with a nicely fried egg in the morning, every home cook needs a reliable set of pots and pans.

Nonstick cookware is a popular option because it’s easy to maintain, it tends to be lightweight, and it requires less cooking fat. Of course, there’s a wide range of quality, durability, and performance in the world of nonstick pots and pans.

Don't feel like scrolling? Our top-performing nonstick cookware set is the Le Creuset Toughened Pro Cookware Set. But if you want to spend a bit less, we recommend the Amazon Basics 15-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set as our best budget pick.

We tested 16 popular sets of nonstick cookware to find the best options for every kitchen. We scrambled and fried sticky eggs, boiled water, and simmered rice to identify the most user-friendly, durable, and high-performing sets. Read on to learn how we tested the best nonstick cookware and which products lived up to their promises.

Super-slick nonstick surface

Comfortable stay-cool handles

Dishwasher-safe

Pans are heavy

Le Creuset is one of the most trusted names in the industry. This six-piece set is every bit as reliable, durable, and efficient as you expect from this legacy brand. The comprehensive set includes an 8-inch fry pan, 11-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan, and 4.25-quart saute pan.

During testing, the hard-anodized aluminum construction heated quickly, uniformly, and efficiently. We never had awkward hot spots that cooked food unevenly. The surface is super slick, so eggs and rice slid off easily. We love that the ergonomically designed handles are easy to hold and maneuver and that they never get hot during cooking.

This set is versatile enough to accomplish nearly any kitchen task. Each piece is oven-safe up to 500 degrees or 425 degrees with the included glass lids. They’re compatible with induction stoves and even resistant to scratching from metal utensils. The price is on the higher end, but we think it's worth every penny.

“It seems that with the variety of pots, pans, skillets, and sizes this set would be great for pretty much anything. Browning, searing, roasting, soups, stews, boiling, frying, sautéing, egg cooking, and can even be transferred to the oven with a heat threshold of 500 degrees.”

Nonstick Coating Material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (425 degrees with lids, 500 degrees without lids) | Pans Included: 4 | Lids Included: 2

No issues with food sticking

Lightweight and easy to clean

Includes utensils

Even, rapid heating

Not dishwasher- or induction-safe

Small handles are uncomfortable to hold

This simple set of pans performs exceptionally well without breaking the bank. With 15 pieces, including six pans, four lids, and handy utensils, you can fully equip a new kitchen with one easy purchase. During testing, even a sticky fried egg slid out easily, and we didn’t detect any hotspots. Each item pan quickly and evenly and nothing burned.

These pots and pans have a simple design and perform great on the stove and in the oven (up to 425 degrees) at an affordable price. That said, they’re not dishwasher-safe or induction-compatible.

“I would recommend this product to someone who is looking for a starter cooking set or a supplementary cooking set, say students getting an apartment or a dorm, a cook set that someone uses in their RV.”

Nonstick Coating Material: Aluminum | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (425 degrees with lids, 500 degrees without lids) | Pans Included: 6 | Lids Included: 4

Super easy to clean

Included magnetic organizers are great for storage

Food slides out with ease

Exterior may stain

The skillets and saucepans in this aesthetic set from Caraway are easy to use and clean, and they look great in the kitchen. We especially love the magnetic organizers they come with; pots and pans can be tough to store neatly, but not this set (of course, you’ll need the cabinet or drawer space to set up the organizer system).

The 12-piece set includes a 10.5-inch frying pan, a 3-quart lidded saucepan, a 4.5-quart lidded saute pan, and a 6.5-quart lidded Dutch oven. Everything is oven-safe up to 550 degrees. Our tester did note that one of her terracotta-colored pans became stained with curry that she’s never been able to wash off.

A major bonus? This cookware set is free of potentially toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and PFAS (or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which may be harmful over time.

“I grew up using T-Fal, so nonstick cookware is non-negotiable, and having a pretty kitchen is also non-negotiable. Caraway solves both of these problems for me.” —Erin Johnson, associate editorial director

Nonstick Coating Material: PFOA-free ceramic | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (550 degrees) | Pans Included: 4 | Lids Included: 3

Heavy-duty, durable materials

Super-slick nonstick surface

PFOA-free and nontoxic

Larger pots and pans than other sets

Slightly heavier cookware

Not dishwasher-safe

Made In’s line of cookware has the gleam and durability of professional stainless steel with an incredibly slick nonstick aluminum coating that makes cleanup easy. This seven-piece set includes a deep stockpot, a frying pan, a high-sided skillet, and a saucepan. Each piece conducts heat quickly and evenly without hot spots. We scrambled eggs without oil and served them up without leaving messy residue in the pan.

This heavy-duty cookware is heavier than other options, but we love that the pots and pans are also larger. You can sear multiple chicken breasts or thighs in the 10-inch frying pan without overcrowding. The chic set is available in two stylish colors and is free of PFOAs. Keep in mind that this set is not dishwasher-safe and should not be used with metal utensils.

“Most of the pans came clean with just a wipe of a paper towel before even washing them. The washing took less than a minute, and there aren't many places for food or water to gather.”

Nonstick Coating Material: Aluminum | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (500 degrees) | Pans Included: 4 | Lids Included: 3

Five fun color options

10- and 11-piece set options

Includes a baking sheet

Not induction-compatible

Only includes 2 lids for 5 pots and pans

During testing, our oil-free eggs and rice pilaf slid easily out of these pans without leaving a sticky mess. We didn’t detect any hotspots and each piece heated evenly and thoroughly. Water came to a boil in about six minutes in the stockpot, but only held its temperature for three, which is shorter than other more heavy-duty products we tested. Each piece has a sturdy silicone handle that stays cool. This affordable collection is great for beginners or home cooks in need of a versatile set. Note that the pieces are not dishwasher-safe or induction-compatible.

Nonstick Coating Material: Aluminum | Lid Material: Tempered glass with silicone rim | Oven-Safe: Yes (450 degrees) | Pans Included: 6 | Lids Included: 2

Stylish matte exterior

Large helper handles for a safe, sturdy grip

Easily hand-washed

Not induction-compatible

With a super-slick surface, six versatile pieces, and an affordable price, this nonstick cookware set offers great value. The long silicone-coat handles stay cool during cooking and smaller helper handles ensure a sturdy, comfortable grip, even with oven mitts on or a full, heavy pot of food.

These pots and pans have a sleek black matte exterior that looks great on the stove. During testing, we experienced minimal sticking from the eggs cooked without oil, and the minor food residue came off easily with soap and water. These pans are not induction-safe or dishwasher-safe.

“This cookware set is durable and performed as well as some other brands that are much higher priced.”

Nonstick Coating Material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (400 degrees) | Pans Included: 6 | Lids Included: 4

Super lightweight

Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean by hand

Not induction-compatible

The surface of this nonstick set from Calphalon is so slick that food wipes out easily with a cloth (though you can also pop them in the dishwasher). This is also one of the most lightweight sets we tested. It’s easy to maneuver these pots and pans from stovetop to oven to sink, even when full of food.

During testing, water came to a boil in about seven minutes in the stockpot and held its temperature steady for 15 minutes. Each piece is oven-safe up to 450 degrees, and the set includes four super-clear tempered glass lids that allow you to keep an eye on what’s cooking without letting heat escape. The set includes two frying pans (8 and 10 inches), a 3-quart high-sided saute pan, two saucepans (1.5 and 2.5 quarts), and a 6-quart stock pot.

Nonstick Coating Material: Aluminum | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (450 degrees) | Pans Included: 6 | Lids Included: 4

One of the most affordable and largest sets we tested

Shatterproof glass lids

Includes five nylon utensils

Angled edges for more comfortable cooking

Food gets stuck around the rivets, making cleaning a challenge

This affordable set is completely comprehensive and includes pots, pans, lids, a sheet pan, and four utensils. The nonstick surface is super slick. We had no trouble cooking and cleaning rice or eggs without oil. The edges of the skillets and saucepans are gently sloped, which makes it easier to stir food and transfer your dish to a plate.

This Farberware set is also very lightweight, so the pieces are comfortable to maneuver in the kitchen, to the dining table, or in the sink, even when filled with food. Our biggest complaint is that food tended to get stuck in the rivets, which made them harder to clean. They’re also not the most efficient or durable pans we tested — the lightweight handles make them feel a little cheap.

“I'm pleasantly surprised at the price of this set compared to the control I got from the heat disbursement. The results spoke for themselves, cooking everything without burning or overly browning. Things took a little longer than expected, but they cooked well and the nonstick properties held up throughout the tests.”

Nonstick Coating Material: Aluminum | Lid Material: Tempered glass with silicone rim | Oven-Safe: Yes (350 degrees, bakeware up to 450 degrees) | Pans Included: 6 | Lids Included: 4

Super-slick PFOA-free nonstick coating

Flared lip makes it easy to slide food onto a plate

Nests together for efficient storage

Handles get hot on the stove

This set from Anolon is pricier, but the cookware is professional-quality and durable enough to last for years. The 10-piece set includes two lidded saucepans (2 and 4 quarts), an 8-quart lidded stockpot, a 3.5-quart lidded saute pan, and two frying pans (10 and 12 inches). We love that the pieces nest together for compact storage.

These pots and pans are larger than many of the others we tested, which makes this set great for larger households or big-batch cooks. The PFOA-free nonstick aluminum coating is as slick as they come, and nothing stuck during our tests. Our oil-free fried eggs even slid right out of the frying pan, with no spatula needed. This set is induction-compatible and oven-safe up to 500 degrees. The pot handles do get hot when cooking, so make sure to use an oven mitt.

Nonstick Coating Material: PFOA-free aluminum | Lid Material: Glass and metal | Oven-Safe: Yes (500 degrees) | Pans Included: 6 | Lids Included: 4

People / Will Dickey

You can tell a lot about how durable your pans are by their weight and materials. Stainless steel, for example, is an especially long-lasting metal that heats evenly and maintains its temperature well. Heavier pans with riveted handles will also hold up to regular wear and tear better than lightweight options. To keep your cookware in tip-top shape as long as possible, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and utensils. Many nonstick coatings are easily scratched by metal cookware, so stick to wood or silicone.

Your perfect cookware set depends on how you plan to use it. If you’re an occasional home cook who needs a great pan for omelets and reheating leftovers, a pared-down, cheaper set, like our Amazon Basics pick, will do the trick. If you’re a regular entertainer or ambitious home cook, consider investing in a more comprehensive set with stockpots and saute pans, like our favorite dishwasher-safe pick from Calphalon. Oven-safe sets and those with multiple lids are also more versatile, like the Rachael Ray Cook + Create set.

This goes without saying, but safety should always be a consideration when working within a cooking space. Specifically, with nonstick coating, you should look for pans that are free of PFAs, a potentially dangerous chemical that could be released into the air if the pan is overheated and the coating begins to degrade. Five years is the average lifespan of nonstick cookware. If the cooking surface is pitted or starts to peel, it needs to be replaced.

To preserve the life of your cookware, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care. Most nonstick pans are easy to hand-wash, but there are dishwasher-safe options if you hate doing dishes, including the Calphalon set we love. That said, the coating will last longer if you wash even dishwasher-safe cookware by hand.

If you have grip strength limitations, opt for a lighter cookware set, such as the Farberware set. Just note that lighter pots and pans will heat faster, so keep an eye on things to avoid burning. Heavier cookware sets tend to heat food more evenly and can also withstand higher temperatures.

There’s a pretty wide range of prices in nonstick cookware sets, from a budget-friendly $65 for the Amazon Basics set to a whopping $600 for Made In's set. The average price of the products we tested was around $400, and we think that’s a reasonable price for a quality set, but if you want extra pieces or high-end design features, expect to pay more.

In search of the best nonstick cookware sets, our team of experts put 16 leading cookware sets through a series of tests in our PEOPLE Tested kitchen lab.

Ultimately, the Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro Cookware Set rose to the top during testing. It’s a durable, comprehensive set of pots and pans that were easy to clean and performed great across the board.

People / Will Dickey

Lizzy Briskin is a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE, as well as a food editor and recipe developer with culinary training from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. She’s the former print food editor at Real Simple and Food Network Magazines and regularly tests and writes about all kinds of cookware. For PEOPLE, she has covered the best kitchen knives, food storage containers, and single-serve coffee makers, to name a few. She compiled testing results from an expert panel of private and restaurant chefs, food stylists, and advanced home cooks for this guide.

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