Nonstick cookware is favorite for avid foodies, home chefs or even pros as it lets you cook delicate, tend-to-stick foods effortlessly—it allows for cooking not-brown omelets, crepes or other egg- and fish-based recipes like a pro, as well as is easy to clean. Plus, because the nonstick finish requires very few (or no) oil or butter, it’s salutary for healthy-enthusiastic people. With utterly crowded nonstick products, we picked the best nonstick sets for every need.
Nonstick pan fanatics? Also check our Best Nonstick Skillets to find the best items in the market.
We’re still be confident in Calphalon Contemporary as the winner for value, performance and sturdiness, while All-Clad HA1 has been continuing our best performer around here.
For budget pick, we recommended T-fal Ultimate Nonstick as providing pleasing nonstick results in very affordable price. While Anolon Advanced Bronze and Circulon Symmetry are also continuing in our list as standing out among mid-priced ranges. The new-in this round is Calphalon Premier Space-Saving, a new line of Calphalon, as it offers significantly practical cooking set that need very tiny storage.
Rachael Ray Cucina Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick ($149* for 10-piece set) has attractive design, cooks reasonably good and is easy to clean. However, there’re many complains about durability and safety issues—imbalance weight between handles and pots, easy to scratch and short lifespan. Moreover, it’s failed to sit firmly on the gas stoves, even filled with water and foods.
KitchenAid KCAS10ER Aluminum Nonstick ($149* for 10-piece set) is quite expensive for plain aluminum construction but feels solid than other sets in the same rages and cooks evenly. It’s more $50* expensive than our budget pick, or else it’s good to consider.
Simply Calphalon ($199* for 10-piece set), the economy line of Calphalon, provides acceptable results—not close to the higher-end lines (like the Contemporary and Premier) for heat distribution, ease of cleaning and durability—but good enough for daily routines. The set offers small size that fits for a couple or a small family.
Emeril Lagasse Nonstick Hard-Anodized ($199* for 12-piece set) is overall good for quality construction and even heating for the price. But, the new version has obviously lighter and slick bottom that make difficult to stir or slide around on the gas stoves. Moreover, it’s easier to get scratched.
OXO Good Grips Nonstick Pro ($299* for 12-piece set) is comfortable to hold, easy to use and clean. However, while the pans work flawlessly for releasing eggs and crepe with no oil, the pots don’t hold a steady simmer and cause burnt spots. So, we recommend buying skillets—the 12” fry pan, recommended by American’s Test Kitchen—instead of a whole set. Moreover, even claimed for dishwasher, do not put it in the dishwasher unless the Teflon coats get scratch and peel off so soon.
Anolon Nouvelle Copper ($379* for 11-piece set) has a 5-layers construction base that yields for very evenly cooking, so the Nouvelle Copper skillet is our favorite. However, for buying a whole set, we prefer the Anolon Advanced for much cheaper price and the performance isn’t too far from the Nouvelle Copper. Anyway, if you want a set that has improved construction and cooking ability or cooks on induction stoves, it’s a worth upgraded pick.
Anolon Authority ($399* for 11-piece set) has higher heat resistant (oven-safe up to 500°F) than the Advanced and allows for metal utensils and dishwasher machine, but it doesn’t work with induction. For the price, we suggest the Nouvelle Copper, instead.
Calphalon Signature ($499* for 10-piece set) sets a top line of Calphalon. It has Sear Nonstick surface found in the Unison line, which designed for efficient in high-heat techniques—like sears, browns or sautés for better keeping juicy texture and flavor. It has tough surface that some reviewers claimed for using no-sharp metal utensils and dishwashing machine (but we still not recommend doing these regularly). Still, at this cost, we’re slightly disappointed that it isn’t induction compatible.
All-Clad NS1 ($499* for 10-piece set) has identical material and construction as the HA1 but differs in shape and detailed designs. The NS1 has more traditional fry-pan shape—flared rims, shallower-sloped pans, straight-sided pots, and stainless-steel lids that is easier to slide-off eggs from a pan. While the HA1 has French-style skillets that is good for everyday multi-taskers—frying, searing or stir-frying like a substituted wok. It also has wider-base pots and glass lids, which are good for home cooks to stir and monitor foods easily but less durable than stainless-steel lids. So, if you prefer, more traditional style, the NS1 is a flawless alternative.
All-Clad B1 ($499* for 10-piece set) has slightly different in aesthetic designs, otherwise the same of the HA1. The whole design leans to the NS1 but has glass lids. Some people claimed that the B1 has more comfortable than the HA1, but insignificantly noticed. Honestly, as we’re not fond of All-Clad handles, a little improve isn’t enough to trigger.
Viking 40051-9910 Hard Anodized Nonstick ($499* for 10-piece set) share very similar character to All-Clad B1 and HA1. But has a smaller stockpot, 5 quart comparing to 8 quarts of All-Clad’s.
Scanpan Classic ($399* for 11-piece set, $499* for 10-piece set with induction-compatibility) received high contribution from many reviewers for solid-but-not-heavy construction and very tough surface—oven safe up to 500°F, metal utensils- and dishwasher-safe (hand-wash recommended, though). It takes a bit longer time to heat but once reaching up to temperature, it performs effectively in both nonstick ability and heat distribution. If you look for nonstick cookware that has reliable surface, this makes no disappoint.
Swiss Diamond ($599* for 10-piece set) got highest rating from Consumer Reports, is known as a hardest nonstick surface in the market. It passed Consumer Reports’ durability test as withstanding steel wool rubbing over a pan for up to 2,000 strokes. It cooks as excellent as the Scanpan Classic and has similar shape but commonly cost $100* more a set.
Woll Diamond Plus ($499* for 10-piece set) has a most patent nonstick coat in the market (but far behind those stainless-steel surface). It feels much like the Swiss Diamond for hard surface, boasts for thick cast aluminum, 500°F heat resistant and safe for metal utensils. The performance is besting, too. Still, some people might feel too heavy to maneuver.
GreenPan Valencia Pro ($299* for 10-piece set) has decent ceramic coat and good ergonomic design to use. It has less durable coat than Scanpan but still has impressive performance and is suitable with induction. Taking price into the account, GreenPan set is reasonably good buy.
See all Our top picked ceramic cookware.
