12 great cookware sets for every type of kitchen
Take your culinary skills to the next level
Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Pots and pans are expensive, especially if you buy them one at a time. One way to save money is to buy a complete set of cookware, which also looks better than mixing and matching different brands of pots and pans.
The options for cookware sets are overwhelming, but we have done the homework for you to track down some of the best sets available.
1. All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
If you’re specifically looking for nonstick cookware, we recommend this All-Clad set.
With a sleek, black finish and shiny metal handles, the All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized cookware not only looks great in the kitchen, but these pans also aced all of our tests. The handles are long enough to create perfect balance, and they feature All-Clad’s signature concave shape that’s extremely comfortable to hold.
When it came to performance, we had very few complaints. All-Clad coats the pans with three layers of PFOA-free nonstick material, which creates a slick non-stick finish. We had no problems creating a hard sear on our chicken skin, an area where non-stick pans generally struggle. The lids also fit nice and snug, creating some of the best rice in the testing group.
These pans are built with heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum, making them durable and a bit on the heavy side. They also didn’t nest very well, which can make storage a bit tricky if you lack room in your kitchen drawers.
The set includes 8- and 10-inch frying pans, 2.5- and 3.5-quart saucepans, a 4-quart sauté pan, and an 8-quart stockpot.
Get the All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set at Hudson’s Bay
2. Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set
The Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set offers incredible performance at a great value.
Incredible performance, with a modest price tag, this set from Cuisinart is our value pick. It has everything you need to cook a meal, including two saucepans (1 1/2- and 3-quart), an 8-quart stockpot, a medium-sized 3.5-quart sauté pan, two skillets (8- and 10-inch), and a steamer insert—all with comfortable handles and a design that creates a nice balance when holding the pan.
We loved how well this set performed. The triple-ply construction allowed for great heat conductivity, sizzling and searing our meat to perfection. The anodized aluminum core also helps to keep the weight down.
Something to keep in mind, big retailers often put this cookware set on sale, which makes it an even better big for your buck, so keep an eye out.
Get the Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set at Wayfair Canada
3. Hestan NanoBond Titanium 10-Piece Ultimate Set
We were impressed by the exceptional performance of the Hestan NanoBond 10-piece set.
An exceptional line of cookware, if you can afford it. This set is gorgeous to look at, with performance to match. You can expect even heating and steady simmering in sauce pots with no burning at the bottom or the corners. This set can withstand temperatures of up to 1050°F (565°C).
Thousands of layers of titanium-based nano layers are bonded with the stainless-steel surface. Hestan claims that makes this set 400% stronger than traditional stainless steel sets. It also makes it resistant to staining and scratching.
While this set does look beautiful, these pots and pans are fingerprint magnets, so expect to spend a chunk of time polishing them.
The 10-piece set includes 8.5- and 11-inch skillets, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepans, a 3.5-quart sauté pan, and an 8-quart stockpot.
Get Hestan NanoBond Titanium 10-Piece Ultimate Set at Hestan Culinary
4. Hestan ProBond Forged Stainless Steel 10-Piece Ultimate Set
The Hestan ProBond is a great-looking and high-performing cookware set.
Not quite as durable as Hestan’s Nanobond line, but this ProBond Forged Stainless steel set provides a great experience in the kitchen. Even heating, modest weight and flush rivets for easy cleaning.
This 10-piece set includes a good variety, including 8.5- and 11-inch skillets, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepans, a 3.5-quart sauté pan, and an 8-quart stockpot. Sadly the Dutch oven is not an option, so you may have to look at another brand if that is a must in your kitchen.
Get the Hestan ProBond Forged Stainless Steel 10-Piece Ultimate Set at Hestan Culinary
5. MasterChef Champions’ Collection 5PC Fry Pan Set
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-clean nonstick cookware set, look no further than this set.
Inexpensive and easy to clean. Those are the two biggest benefits to buying this nonstick cookware set by MasterChef.
Nonstick pans often lack the ability to give meat a good sear, yet this set has no trouble. You can cook eggs without any extra oil, or simmer sauces and cook rice with no scorching.
This set includes three fry pans which nest, plus two pan protectors to keep them scratch-free.
Get the MasterChef Champions’ Collection 5PC Fry Pan Set at Fusion Guard Cook
6. Equal Parts The Cookware Set
Equal Parts made one of our favourite nonstick pans, so it’s no surprise that we loved the Equal Parts Non-Stick Cookware Set.
Each pan in this set features a ceramic non-stick coating which offers a great sear without burning residue on the bottom. The handles are comfortable and don’t get very hot, which is a bonus. We also loved the fact this set stacks nicely for easy storage.
We wish more pans were included in this set as the price tag is a bit high considering you only get four. The set includes an 8-inch Fry Pan, 3.5-quart Sauce Pan, 10-inch Essential Pan (a sauté pan with 2.5-inch tall sides), and an 8-quart oven-safe stockpot.
Get the Equal Parts The Cookware Set at Goop
7. GreenPan Premiere Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set
The nonstick properties on these pans were top-notch, and the set included small details that we appreciated.
GreenPan was the first company to introduce non-stick ceramic pans and has since produced various sets.
You get six well-built pots and pans in this set. All performed well in our non-stick tests, and we loved the fact the rivets were recessed, which always helps when it comes time for cleaning. The handles also stayed nice and cool to the touch.
Sadly, these pans didn’t distribute heat as evenly as some of the competitors we tested, and it was a bit difficult to stir in the corners of the saucepans. They also felt a bit on the heavy side.
This nonstick ceramic set, exclusive to Williams Sonoma in Canada, includes 9.5- and 12-inch frying pans, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepans, a 3-quart sauté pan, a 6-quart stockpot, and a stainless steel steamer insert.
Get the GreenPan Premiere Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set at Williams Sonoma
8. Anolon Advanced Home 11-Piece Cookware Set
If you’re specifically looking for a nonstick pan set, this one from Anolon won’t disappoint.
This hard-anodized aluminum cookware set performed well in our nonstick tests. Eggs flipped with ease, and rice didn’t scorch or stick to the bottom of our pots. The soft ergonomic handles stayed cool, even after extended use.
We did have issues producing a sear on our chicken thighs (which is common in nonstick pans), and they didn’t heat quite as evenly as competing stainless steel sets.
This set includes two sauce pots (1.5- and 3-quart), an 8.5-quart stockpot, and a medium-sized 3-quart sauté pan, plus a small and a large skillet (8.5- and 12-inch). Some retailers will add in a bonus skillet and pot, so watch for promotions.
Get the Anolon Advanced Home 11-Piece Cookware Set at Bed Bath & Beyond
9. Caraway Cookware Set
When it came to performance, these pans absolutely met our expectations.
This ceramic nonstick cookware set exceeded all of our expectations. The nonstick properties were amazing, allowing us to cook eggs with absolutely no oil, and the lids feature a small hole to allow steam to escape. The Caraway set produced some of the best rice in our testing group.
The set comes with a modular rack, store the pans on their side, and a canvas lid holder that can hang off the side of a door.
The biggest drawback here is the price. They aren’t cheap, and you certainly don’t get a full set of pots and pans despite the high price point. You get one 10.5-inch frying pan, a 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart sauté pan and a 6.5-inch Dutch oven. If you don’t need a full set, then this option from Caraway is certainly one to consider.
Get the Caraway Cookware Set at Crate & Barrel
10. All-Clad Brushed Stainless Steel 5-Ply Bonded 10-Piece Cookware
If you’re willing to dish out the coin these pots and pans will last a lifetime.
We can’t deny the superior heat distribution and overall performance of this stainless steel set from All-Clad. They are extremely durable and perfect to put on a wedding registry, as they will last a lifetime. That being said, there are a few reasons why this set fell in our rankings.
The heavy materials make it difficult to flip vegetables, eggs, or pour out sauces. The straight handle design doesn’t help. You can really feel the weight of these pans. This set also costs a lot.
The set comes with two sauce pots (1.5- and 3-quart), an 8-quart stockpot, a medium-sized 3-quart sauté pan, and two skillets (8- and 10-inch).
Get the All-Clad Brushed Stainless Steel 5-Ply Bonded 10-Piece Cookware at Amazon Canada
11. Tramontina 12-Piece Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set
If you regularly make large amounts of soup or stock, you may want to consider this Tramontina set.
If you make a lot of soup, stock, or chilli, this set may very well appeal to you. This is one of the few sets with a larger 12-quart stockpot. While it may be overkill for boiling pasta, it is perfect for making large batch recipes. In fact, the set contains several larger-sized pots and pans.
We found the tri-ply construction provided even heating and some nice searing. Yet it didn’t scorch our sauces, even at higher temps. The wider handles were also extremely comfortable.
You’ll find two sauce pots (3- and 5-quart), two stockpots (5- and 12-quart), a large 5-quart sauté pan, and two skillets (10- and 12-inch) in the set.
Get the Tramontina 12-Piece Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set at Amazon Canada
12. Circulon Symmetry Black 11-Piece Cookware Set
In addition to acing the nonstick tests, the Circulon pans performed well overall.
A unique feature of this Circulon set is that each pan has a set of raised concentric circles on the nonstick surface. We can tell you this signature trait isn’t just a gimmick; they actually work to prevent food from sticking to the pan. All the pots and pans performed very well (except for the stockpot, which took the longest of any pot we tested for boiling water).
This set has a nice variety of items, including three sauce pots (1-, 2-, and 3-quart), an 8-quart stockpot, a medium-sized 3-quart sauté pan, and two skillets (8.5- and 10-inch). Everything you’d need in just the right sizes.
Get the Circulon Symmetry Black 11-Piece Cookware Set at Bed Bath & Beyond