The 12 Best Cookware Sets of 2023, Vetted for Every Type of Home Cook (Plus Shopping Tips from an Expert)

• What We Like: nontoxic ceramic finish free of PFTEs, oven-safe up to 550°F, stovetop agnostic, includes lids and storage
• What We Don't Like: set doesn’t include a mini skillet, handles get hot
• What's Included: 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart sauté pan, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, storage
• Material: ceramic

We gave this sleek Caraway cookware set 90 out of 100 points in our 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. Senior food editor Katherine Gillen 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 $100.

• What We Like: extremely durable, professional-quality construction, aluminum core with steel finish for even heating and retention, oven- and broiler-safe up to 600°F, stovetop agnostic
• What We Don't Like: expensive
• 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

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, meaning the cooking surfaces will be evenly heated and stay that way as you go—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 is the best set of pots I have ever used," writes one reviewer. "No hot spots, everything cooks perfectly and very easy to use. I have copper pots that cost a fortune and these All-Clad are just as good. I am thrilled that I bought them!" Hand wash each piece to ensure they last as long as possible.

• What We Like: heats quickly and evenly, professional-quality materials, set includes only versatile essentials
• What We Don't Like: somewhat heavy
• What's Included: 10-inch skillet, 3-quart sauté pan, 3-quart saucier, two lids
• Material: stainless steel

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. Director of branded content Cristina Gutierrez 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.

• What We Like: heats quickly and evenly, professional-quality materials at a more modest price, oven safe up to 550°F, relatively affordable, induction stovetop compatible
• What We Don't Like: nothing
• What's Included: 1.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, 10-inch skillet, 8-quart stockpot, three lids
• Material: stainless steel

No matter what type of stovetop you have, this simple set from Goldilocks will be a match. Constructed of three-ply stainless steel on the base and sides and an aluminum core, heat will be distributed quickly and evenly, while the riveted steel handles will stay cool as you cook. We also love the rolled edges that make for mess-free pours, as well as the domed lids that drip condensation back into the pan, keeping your food juicy and moist. Because the pieces are free of nonstick coatings, you won't need to worry about replacing them in a few years either. "The set has exceeded our expectations. I had never cooked with stainless steel before, but everything I make seems to turn out better now. The weight and quality is similar to much more expensive options. The handles on the sides stay cool. I have not had any issues with food sticking," raves one reviewer.

• What We Like: cold grip handles allow for easy handling of pots and pans while on stovetop, compatible with induction cooking tops, oven safe up to 550°F
• What We Don't Like: only the lids are dishwasher-safe, heavy
• What's Included: 1.5-quart saucepan with cover, 3-quart saucepan with cover, 3.5-quart sauté pan with helper handle and cover, 8-quart stockpot with cover, 8-inch skillet, 10-inch skillet, 20-centimeter steamer insert with cover, 4-quart saucepan
• Material: stainless steel

This stainless steel Cuisinart set contains saucepans with lids, skillets, covered sauté pans, a stockpot and a steamer. The rims are tightly fitted to prevent any drips, sealing in the flavor of what you’re cooking. The polished surface prevents discoloration over time, and the triple-ply construction allows for better heat distribution. "We have a glass cooktop and these are great! They heat up fast and distribute the heat better than my oldies...They come clean pretty well, they don’t slide across my cooktop when I stir them and the handle does not get hot," writes one Amazon reviewer. Bonus? The pieces are dishwasher safe, compatible with induction stovetops and won't discolor over time or react with food.

• What We Like: hard-anodized bodies and nonstick interiors are scratch-resistant and durable, thoughtful ergonomic design, set includes 8- and 9.5-inch skillets, a 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 3- and 6-quart stock pots with lids
• What We Don't Like: oven-safe only up to 390°F
• What's Included: 8-inch fry pan, 9.5-inch fry pan, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 3-quart and 6-quart stock pots with lids
• Material: PFOA-free nonstick

Some larger cookware sets can cost as much as a month of rent, but this 10-piece OXO set covers all your bases at a comparatively reasonable price. The pieces are designed with angled walls for quick evaporation of liquids and easy stirring, the handles are ergonomic and silicone-coated for easy grip and the scratch-resistant three-layer nonstick coating is PFOA-free. We also love that the glass lids allow you to take a peek at your food without letting all the steam out. "I started with the saucepan set several years ago and have been surprised how well they have held up. I'm now hooked on OXO pots and pans," asserts one reviewer.

• What We Like: will last a lifetime with proper care, versatile pieces with excellent heat distribution and retention, oven safe and stovetop agnostic, pretty
• What We Don't Like: expensive
• 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

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 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 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 orange Flame, red Cerise, blue Marseille and white.

• What We Like: aluminum body is durable, porcelain enamel exterior withstands high heat, nonstick coating for easy cooking and cleanup, rubberized handles ensure easy handling of hot pots, oven safe up to 400°F
• What We Don't Like: not compatible with induction cooktops, not dishwasher safe
• What's Included: 1-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, 6-quart stockpot with lid, 8.5-inch and 10-inch frying pans, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, slotted turner, slotted spoon
• Material: nonstick

This 12-piece Rachael Ray set includes saucepans with lids, a stockpot with a lid and two skillets, in addition to a sauté pan, a slotted spatula and a cooking spoon. The lid handles are rubberized and stay cool while cooking. It’s also available in multiple colors to fit the aesthetic of modern kitchens. "I hated cooking because the pan would be too hot or food would stick and burn...These nonstick pans and smooth finish make cleaning a breeze and my meals have been on point. This set is sturdy, gorgeous and makes cooking and cleaning easy. Enjoy cooking every night again!" says one Amazon reviewer. Color options include Agave Blue, Cranberry Red, Lavender Purple, Lemongrass Green, Mushroom Brown, Pumpkin Orange and Sea Salt Gray. As far as cleaning goes, you'll need to hand-wash the pieces with a soft sponge, warm water and soap (a mix of water and lemon juice or vinegar will work on stubborn, stuck-on messes).

• What We Like: thin, lightweight material heats up fast and is great for searing and sautéing, as slippery as nonstick if seasoned properly, good for experienced cooks, oven safe up to 1,200°F
• What We Don't Like: requires regular seasoning for maintenance, does not include lids
• What's Included: 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, 11-inch perforated grill pan, seasoning wax
• Material: carbon steel

A quick primer in case you’re unfamiliar with carbon steel: Like cast iron, it’s made from an alloy of carbon and iron, but since it contains less carbon, it behaves and feels different. It’s stronger and harder, so it can be manufactured thin and lightweight, and its smooth surface heats up in a flash. This Made In carbon steel set includes three different frying pans—one of them especially for grilling—and seasoning wax (you'll need to season it regularly to develop a patina...more on that here), so you can keep your cookware in working order. "This set is beautiful, resistant, efficient and everlasting. One of the reasons I bought it after having kept my eye on it for a long time is its ability to be used in the home, in the fire pit and on camping adventures. All things are cooked to perfection, keeping all favors and textures to make your mouth water," claims one reviewer.

• What We Like: dishwasher-safe, scratch-resistant, long-lasting, set includes a wide range of sizes and pieces, oven safe up to 500°F, chemical-free nonstick surface, tri-ply construction
• What We Don't Like: expensive, only certain pieces are dishwasher safe
• 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

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. 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).

• What We Like: the coating is strong enough to stack without scratching, saves storage space, nonstick coating is free from PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium, oven-safe up to 400°F, dishwasher- and metal utensil-safe
• What We Don't Like: lid knobs get hot during cooking
• 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

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. Executive editor Alexia Dellner warns that egg dishes tend to stick, but the pans still stack nicely and look sleek in her cupboards. 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.

• What We Like: the pan and pot replace 18 cookware pieces in your collection, nonstick surfaces, aesthetically pleasing colors and design, oven safe up to 450°F
• What We Don't Like: not as durable as others on this list, according to our editor tests, can't be used on high heat, not dishwasher safe, can't be used with metal utensils
• What's Included: 10.5-inch pan with nestable steamer and lid, 5.5-quart pot and lid, two wooden spoons
• Material: nonstick ceramic

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. 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 ten chic colors: Char, Steam, Blue Salt, Cielo, Tierra, Sage, Spice, Lavender, Azul and Rosa.