The 7 Best Cookware Sets for 2023 Reviews

Any southern kitchen needs a good cookware set, which includes skillets, pans, and pots for creating sumptuous meals on family weekends or a quick breakfast.

Whether you want to replace your old, valuable set or want to purchase a new set for a perfect fit, we’re here to help make the decision process a lot easier. Choosing a new cookware set can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers.

So, without further ado, let’s consider the best cookware set on the market, from cast iron to ceramic pots and pans.

America’s Test Kitchen Best Cookware Sets for 2023 Reviews

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

Specifications

• Brand:  Cuisinart
• Color:  Silver
• Size:  12-PC Set
• Material:  Stainless Steel
• Weight:  26 Pounds
• Dimensions:  24.2 x 14.2 x 10.7 inches

The first thing to love about the Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is its polished cooking surface that does not alter flavors, react with food or discolor. These products feature cool grip handles secured with self-basting, tight-fitting lids, and stainless steel rivets for secure and safe handling.

What’s more? This set of cookware comes with triple-ply construction, which offers excellent heat conductivity that a pure aluminum core cannot match. Its durable construction delivers even heat distribution and optimum heat retention. Thus, you don’t have to deal with hot/cold spots.

Each piece is oven safe up to 550 degrees F, which is good enough to allow you to cook just about anything safely with these pots and pans. Even better, the rims are tapered to ensure a drip-free pouring experience.

This model comes with tight-fitting stainless steel to lock in your food’s nutrients and natural juice for more flavorful, healthier results. The pans and pots, including the covers, are dishwasher safe which makes cleanup a breeze.

This 12-piece cookware set sports a brushed stainless exterior for appealing looks and durability. Plus, these pots and pans are suitable for use on any cooktop, including induction.

Pros:

• Oven safe up to 550 degrees F
• Induction cooktop compatible
• Stainless steel construction
• Features Triple Ply construction
• Lifetime limited warranty

Cons:

Customer service could be better.

T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 17 Piece Cookware Set

Specifications

• Brand:  T-fal
• Color:  Black
• Size:  17-Piece
• Material:  Aluminum
• Weight:  28.8 pounds
• Dimensions:  21.84 x 13.85 x 15.41 inches

The T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 17 Piece Cookware Set features a hard titanium-reinforced, toxin-free, and scratch-resistant interior crafted to withstand the rigors of everyday use. Its non-stick interior makes this unit perfect for browning, sauteing, and frying. Also, it offers quick, easy food release and hassle-free cleanup.

This cookware set features a Thermo spot indicator that notifies cooks that the pans and pots are ready and perfectly preheated to start cooking. It features vented lids and riveted handles, designed for safety and comfort. Also, the included vented tempered-glass lids trap enough moisture and heat while maintaining visibility for a perfect result every time.

Each piece is suitable for all stovetops except induction and oven safe up to 400 degrees F to allow users to create a wide range of food varieties. This cookware is dishwasher safe for a convenient cleaning experience and backed by a lifetime limited warranty to offer users peace of mind.

Pros:

• Durable non-stick coating
• Riveted silicone handles
• Dishwasher safe
• Hard anodized construction

Cons:

• The non-stick performance could be better.

Calphalon Premier Space Saving Pots and Pans Set

Specifications

• Brand:  Calphalon
• Color:  Black
• Size:  15-Piece
• Material:  Hard-Anodized Nonstick
• Weight:  37.76 Pounds
• Dimensions:  28.74 x 17.52 x 15.16 inches

The Calphalon Premier Space Saving Pots and Pans Set offers super, long-lasting non-stick performance to deliver effortless food release and allows you to cook even the most delicate food without any hassle.

On top of that, each piece features a 3-layer non-stick interior that is metal utensil safe. Also, they feature a hard-anodized exterior that’s dishwasher safe for stress-free cleanup. With this unit, users enjoy an excellent cooking performance that would serve you for a long period.

This model has several non-stick layers and each additional layer to improve your durability and bring outstanding non-stick performance to any kitchen. Furthermore, this product features the thickest gauge construction to ensure professional-grade durability and reliable performance that holds up everyday use.

The Calphalon Premier Space Saving Pots and Pans Set offers even heat distribution and offers improved and predictable cooking results. Thus, users can cook with confidence and consistent results every time.

Thus, this cookware set is crafted for nesting and stacking to help save up more space, thanks to its flat lids, which makes stacking these pots and pans taking up small space.

Pros:

• Stainless steel handle for easy maneuvering
• Versatile pots and pans compatible with all oven types
• Dishwasher safe
• 3-layer non-stick interior

Cons:

• It could be more durable

Gotham Steel Cookware + Bakeware Set

Specifications

• Brand:  GOTHAM STEEL
• Color:  Graphite
• Size:  20 Piece Set
• Material:  Aluminum
• Weight:  28 Pounds
• Dimensions:  34 x 16 x 24 inches

This product comes complete with saucepans, steamers, bakeware pans, stockpots, fry pans, and more. Each piece features a Ti-Cerama coating for quick food release without requiring butter or oil.

That’s not all: Gotham Steel Cookware + Bakeware Set is metal utensil safe, scratch-proof, and ultra-durable. This model features a lightweight design to ensure a comfortable cooking experience.

Similarly, each piece is only oven safe up to 500 degrees F to support creating any recipe. Also, these pots and pans work well with all stovetops, excluding the induction stovetop. The  Gotham Steel Cookware + Bakeware Set is dishwasher safe for effortless cleanup.

Even better, these pots and pans come with stay-cool handles that are cool to the touch for safe and comfortable handling. Equally important, this manufacturer boasts of toxin-free products built to stand up to several years of use.

Pros:

• Ultra-durable design
• Scratch-proof & metal utensil safe
• Ti-Cerama coating for effortless food release
• Stay cool handles

Cons:

• The non-stick performance doesn’t last

GreenLife Soft Grip Healthy Ceramic Nonstick, Cookware Pots, and Pans Set

Specifications

• Brand:  GreenLife
• Color:  Turquoise
• Size:  Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 16 Piece
• Material:  Aluminum
• Weight: 14.72 pounds
• Dimensions:  13 x 10.2 x 21 inches

Next on the list is GreenLife Soft Grip Healthy Ceramic Nonstick, Cookware Pots, and Pans Set crafted with recycled aluminum.  Plus, it features a wobble-free base for uniform heat distribution and extra strength.

This unit features an easy-to-clean and healthy ceramic non-stick coating that delivers unparalleled food release performance and an effortless cleaning experience.

What’s more? These pats and pons feature soft-grip bakelite handles that stay cool for optimum comfort and safe handling. On top of that, it’s dishwasher safe, and most messes can easily be cleaning with a single wipe.

GreenLife Soft Grip Healthy Ceramic Nonstick, Cookware Pots, and Pans Set sports rivetless interior to avoid food buildup and snags. Even better, it includes durable glass lids, which help maintain visibility and lock your food’s natural flavor and juice.

Pros:

• Toxin-free Thermolon non-stick coating
• Vibrant color finish
• Easy cleanup
• Effortless food release

Cons:

• Tend to chip with time

Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set

Specifications

• Brand:  Rachael Ray
• Color:  Sea Salt Gray
• Size:  12 Piece
• Material:  Aluminum
• Weight:  17.06 pounds
• Dimensions:  23.5 x 11 x 13 inches

For cooks looking to own colorful, stylist non-stick pots and pans, you can’t go wrong purchasing this best cookware set from Rachael Ray. Each piece features a sturdy hard, enamel porcelain exterior and durable aluminum construction to ensure they can withstand the rigors of a busy kitchen.

Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set is easy to clean up and offers effortless food release, thanks to its PFOA-free, espresso-colored non-stick coating. This 12-piece non-stick cookware set comes with shatter-resistant glass lids to seal your heat and moisture for perfect results every time. Plus, it features dual-riveted rubberized stainless steel handles for comfortable and secure handling.

Even better, this model includes a spoon and slotted turner for a seamless cooking experience. Each piece is oven safe up to 400 degrees F, and these versatile sets of cookware are suitable for all stovetops except induction.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Different color options
• Oven safe to 400 degrees F
• Dual-riveted rubberized stainless steel handles

Cons:

• Poor quality control

Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

Specifications

• Brand:  Calphalon
• Color:  Silver
• Size:  10-Piece
• Material:  Stainless Steel
• Weight:  22.6 pounds
• Dimensions:  24.96 x 14.57 x 10.75 inches

This is arguably the best 10-piece stainless steel cookware set out there. This product features an impact-bonded aluminum base that delivers even heat distribution. Thus, this cookware set is suitable for sauteing, searing, and browning.

The Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Pots and Pans come with long stainless steel handles that stay cool on the stovetop. Besides, they feature convenient measuring marks, straining covers, and pour spouts which increases your cooking efficiency.

Like our top picks in this guide, this cookware set can be tossed into the dishwasher, making cleanup a breeze. Further, Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Pots and Pans are oven-safe up 450 degrees F, which should make creating just about any recipe seamless and effortless.

Also, you get tempered glass lids to help seal heat and moisture for perfect cooking results. Besides, you can use these pots and pans with most stovetop, including glass, electric, gas, and induction.

Pros:

• Durable and modern stainless steel construction
• Long, stay-cool handles
• Dishwasher-safe
• Impact-bonded aluminum base for even heat

Cons:

• Tend to stain
• Cleaning can be challenging.

Things to Consider When Shopping for the Best Cookware Sets

Types of Cookware Material

Nonstick

Skillets, pans, and pots with a non-stick coating interior are mostly sought after since they allow cooks to cook with less oil to support healthier cooking. Non-stick cookware is convenient to use and easier to clean since they offer effortless food release.

Besides, non-stick cookwares are not as durable as stainless steel counterparts. Also, low-quality ceramic cookware requires delicate care and has a short lifespan. Another drawback about these pots and pans isn’t metal utensils safe, which means using sharp edges might damage the cookware’s non-stick coating.

Stainless Steel

If you are looking to purchase safe cookware, you should consider a stainless steel cookware set. Unlike non-stick cookwares with Teflon, stainless steel is more environmentally friendly and does not release toxic fumes at high heat. Also, they are more durable and robust than their ceramic counterparts. Plus, they will never tarnish or rust.

Because this cookware can be used with extreme heat, making them much more versatile and suitable with various cooking styles. That being said, stainless steel is metal utensil safe. While these stainless steel pots and pans do not rust, most users have complained of discoloration with low-quality cookware.

Do not forget; stainless steel does not offer a non-stick performance, which means cleaning might be challenging, especially when trying to remove burnt-on food. Some models feature several layers of stainless steel sandwiched with an aluminum or copper core for uniform cooking.

Copper

Copper cookware offers a more elegant look, high thermal conductivity, and moderate corrosion rate. Safe for jam pots and other specific types of cookware, copper cookware doesn’t have an interior pure copper coating.

Thus, copper cookware is usually enameled with stainless steel for better heat conduction and suitable for boiling water, melting butter, making tomato sauce, sauteing beef, and more. Some models feature a tin lining, which we advised customers to stay away from since they are quick to wear out and susceptible to scratches.

Cast Iron

The cast iron is a perfect material for cookware – and for good reasons: the ability to work excellently and safely at extreme temperature, high heat retention, and corrosion resistance. However, it requires proper seasoning for a decent non-stick performance. The cast-iron cookware is known for its exceptional durability; it’s important to opt for high-quality options.

Weight

Cookware with a lightweight design is much easier to handle. Flipping or shaking a heavy pot or pan for a long period can lead to serious wrist pain. Thus, it’s best to opt for cookware weighing between 2.0 – 3.5 lbs.

This light cookware offers a balance between the comfort of handle, ease, and performance without straining your wrist. However, heavier pans or pots are suitable for people not looking to move the cookware around during cooking.

Handle

The handle of cookware can be made of stainless steel or silicone, or other materials. Regardless of your choice, it would be best if you opted for cookware with handles permanently secured with rivets for safe handling.

Even better, a handle featuring an ergonomic design offers a comfortable grip and prevents slippage. Also, having a hanging hole or loop offers easier access and saves space.

Cookware Sets & Which Pieces to Buy

Conclusion

There you go – the top 7 best cookware sets on the market. Now, it’s up to make a choice based on your cooking needs and preference. But if you still don’t know which cookware to settle for, check out our buying guide to ensure you make a smart decision.