The 9 Best Cookware Sets of 2025, Tested by Our Editors (Plus Shopping Tips from an Expert)

PureWow’s former senior food editor Katherine Gillen gave this sleek Caraway cookware set 90 out of 100 points in her PureWow100 review for a few key reasons. It heats up evenly and requires less oil; it’s oven safe up to 550°F; it comes with modular storage and matching lids, and it’s super easy to clean. You also won't need to use the pans over high heat because of how well the ceramic retains heat. (Most nonstick pieces aren't designed to be used over high heat anyway.) She also loves that the set includes a wide range of sizes.

"I have used every piece since owning the set, and I particularly like the giant skillet for making pasta sauce, then dumping the cooked pasta directly in," she says. As a bonus, it’s available in a whopping 12 modern colorways, from perracotta to silt green to marigold. To clean the pieces, all you'll need to do is gently scrub them clean with soap and water. You can buy each piece individually, but the set will save you more than $200.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 4.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.5-quart Dutch oven with lid, storage organizer, canvas lid holder
• Material: nonstick ceramic
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Warranties: limited one-year warranty
• Return Policy: 30 days for a full refund (proof of purchase, original packaging and accessories required)

If you’re ready to make an investment, McManus recommends this 10-piece set from All-Clad. The three-ply pieces boast aluminum cores and stainless steel construction, meaning the cooking surfaces will be evenly heated and stay that way—no hot spots here. A starburst finish will also help keep food from sticking, and the stainless steel handles are secured with stainless steel rivets for long-lasting durability. Most importantly, the stainless steel interior is non-reactive, so it won't give your meals a metallic taste.

"It's the type of pan you get and keep for life," PureWow editor Dara Katz asserts. "The sauté pan is a multipurpose workhorse, at least in my house. This pan is ideal for meat and fish (on stainless, it's ready to turn when it no longer sticks to the pan) and deglazing the pan bits for a sauce. It can also take high heat, so you can use the broiler on it, too." Hand wash each piece to ensure they last as long as possible.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 2-quart covered sauce pan, 3-quart covered sauce pan, 3-quart covered sauté pan, 8-quart covered stockpot
• Material: stainless steel
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Warranties: All-Clad will repair and replace qualifying purchases once a claim is made and approved by the buyer
• Return Policy: 30 days for a full refund (proof of purchase required, must be in new condition)

With a wide range of saucepans, skillets, stock pots and other essentials (all in a variety of finishes at fair prices), Cuisinart cookware strikes the ideal balance between high quality and user-friendliness. It’s not so expensive that you’ll only want to use it on special occasions.

I tried this pick from the brand's newest collection, and after using it, I see it as a more affordable play on Caraway cookware. It's a homerun for folks who need a kitchen overhaul, or beginners moving into their first home. Most cookware sets like this don't include a stockpot, so I love that this one does, even if it's a bit small for a crowd. That said, you can make just about anything with these easy-to-clean pieces. The tiny saucepan is my go-to for rice, but I also adore the lid organizer, which you can keep on your counter for painless storage.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: stock pot, saucepan, two frying pans/skillets, sauté pan, three lids, three cooking utensils
• Material: ceramic nonstick
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Warranties: no commercial warranty
• Return Policy: 30 days with proof of purchase

Calphalon's hard-anodized aluminum is designed with durability in mind. It has a nonstick surface for easy cooking and cleanup, but the try-ply construction ensures it'll hold up over time. The only downside is that the pieces are heavier and more expensive than standard nonstick.

That said, Gallery Media Group's director of audience development Mary Rogers has gotten a lot of mileage out of her stainless steel Calphalon cookware set, which is just right for small kitchens. "The way this set can stack together to save space made it a perfect pick for our New York apartment," Rogers says. "The lids not having top handles is a huge help. The fact that they're dishwasher safe has also made my life so much easier. They're super sturdy, and I find they're well-balanced for heat distribution, too."

Stainless steel is generally not as easy to use as nonstick or carbon steel, since it's clunkier and requires more refined cooking skills to prevent sticking. "While I love how sturdy and heavy the pans are, they are heavy," Rogers notes. "I often need an extra set of hands for pouring; straining pasta is usually a two-person event."

Fast Facts

• What's Included: stock pot, two saucepans, two frying pans/skillets, sauté pan, four lids
• Material: stainless steel
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Warranties: lifetime product warranty (wear and tear not covered; failure to follow recommended care will void warranty)
• Return Policy: 30 days with proof of purchase

If you're new to the kitchen, a huge cookware set is overwhelming (and unnecessary). This five-piece Misen kit covers all the essentials but is far from basic. The pieces are constructed from five-ply steel, the handles stay cool as you cook and the cookware is compatible with all types of stoves.

Former director of branded content Cristina Polchinski says this set checks her boxes for looks, quality and versatility. "It's held up really well to my touch-and-go cooking. I bought it after having to throw away a large set of ceramic cookware that just didn't last, and it was the best kitchen swap I've ever made." The pieces are both oven and dishwasher safe, but they'll be a cinch to hand wash as well.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 10-inch skillet, 3-quart sauté pan, 3-quart saucier, two lids
• Material: stainless steel
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Warranties: limited lifetime warranty against defects
• Return Policy: 60 days (does not include final sale items; shipping and handling charges are non-refundable)

Wait, your beloved Le Creuset is ceramic? Yep. While it’s often referred to as “enameled cast iron,” the coating is a type of porcelain, and porcelain is a ceramic material. While this Le Creuset cookware set is an investment, the versatile pieces will last a lifetime with proper care—plus, they're decidedly iconic.

"Beyond the colorful enamel being aesthetically pleasing, I was amazed at how evenly and consistently the pieces cooked, and how they could take the beating of being used all day, every day," says PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison. This cookware offers superior heat distribution and retention thanks to a cast iron core, plus it works with any type of stovetop and is oven-safe up to 500°F. Choose from French grey, red Cerise, blue Lapis and Matte White.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 4.5-quart round Dutch oven with lid, 1.75-quart saucepan with lid, 2.25-quart braiser with lid, 10.25-inch skillet, 10.25-inch square grill pan, 5.25-quart roaster, 10-inch diameter glass lid
• Material: ceramic
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Warranties: lifetime limited warranty
• Return Policy: 30 days with proof of purchase

Hexclad's claim to fame is the brand's patented laser-etched hexagon surface design, which provides all the durability of stainless steel and slip of nonstick. PureWow senior editor Rachel Bowie can't rave enough about this collection.

"I actually thank HexClad aloud (even though they can't hear me) every time I use these pans because they're scratch-resistant, so my husband—who does most of the cooking in our house—doesn't scold me and I don't panic when I use a metal utensil in them." she says. They're also oven-safe up to 500°F, boast both stainless steel and nonstick surfaces and are dishwasher-safe (but "they scrub clean fairly easily if you're hand-washing, thanks to the laser-etched stainless steel design," adds Bowie).

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 12-inch hybrid pan with lid, 10-inch hybrid pan with lid, 8-inch hybrid pan with lid, 12-inch hybrid wok, 2-quart hybrid pot with lid, 3-quart hybrid pot with lid, 8-quart hybrid pot with lid
• Material: stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Warranties: lifetime limited warranty
• Return Policy: 30 days with proof of purchase

Ceramic cookware isn’t 100 percent scratch-proof, so stacking and storing comes with its risks (unless you put a paper towel between each pan). But this GreenPan set features a multi-layer, diamond-infused ceramic coating that can hold up to stacking and still perform on the stove. PureWow executive editor Alexia Dellner warns that egg dishes tend to stick, but the pans still stack nicely and look sleek in her cupboards.

Former managing editor of branded content Rachel Gulmi adds that they're a breeze to clean, and most messes can be wiped away with a paper towel. The included lids also double as strainers to replace your bulky colanders. The entire 11-piece set measures just 13.5 inches tall when stacked. "I bought these last year and they're worth every penny. Easy to store, nonstick and super easy to clean," adds a reviewer.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 1.6-quart saucepan with straining lid, 3.2-quart saucepan with straining lid, 6-quart stockpot with straining lid, 10-inch fry pan, 12.5-inch fry pan with lid, 11-inch round grill pan, stainless steel foldable flower steamer, three protective sheets for storage
• Material: nonstick, aluminum
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: yes
• Warranties: lifetime limited warranty
• Return Policy: 90 days (Walmart) with proof of purchase

By now, not a single home cook hasn't seen these colorful multipurpose pieces on their Instagram or TikTok feed. The cast-aluminum, nonstick Always Pan gained a cult following first, since it was designed to replace an 18-piece cooking set and look good doing it. The Perfect Pot followed suit, standing in for your stockpot, sauce pot, Dutch oven, roasting rack, steamer, strainer, braiser and spoon rest. I've had both for years, and I'm particularly fond of how lightweight, versatile and attractive Our Place's cookware is.

If you're a newbie with limited storage, these two pieces will help you get the job done without cluttering your cabinets. Of course, these Insta-worthy pieces are available in eight chic colors, like steam, sage and butter yellow.

Fast Facts

• What's Included: 10.5-inch pan with nestable steamer and lid, 5.5-quart pot and lid, two wooden spoons
• Material: nonstick ceramic
• Induction Safe: yes
• Dishwasher Safe: no
• Warranties: three-year warranty
• Return Policy: 100 days, not including final sale