A well-equipped kitchen requires a variety of pots and pans. Whether you’re a newbie in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, you want to choose high-quality cookware that lasts and performs well—and won’t break your budget. We test and recommend cookware from brands you trust and like, including All-Clad, Le Creuset, and Cuisinart. You can also assemble your own set by purchasing individual pieces or a complete set that includes a fry pan, saucepan, and stockpot.
Most standard cookware sets include an 8- or 10-inch skillet, a medium-sized saute pan, and a 3-quart or 4-quart saucepan with lids. Some may also include a large stockpot, which is especially useful if you cook for more than two people.
The best cookware is made from hard-anodized, stainless steel, or enameled cast iron. Stainless-steel cookware is a good choice for anyone who wants to avoid using nonstick pans, which can release potentially harmful fumes (known as PFOA) over time, and because it conducts heat more evenly than other materials. Stainless-steel is also superior for searing and browning because it won’t warp or burn the bottom of the pan.
We’ve found that the Abizoe 12-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set is an affordable option for those who need nonstick cookware that won’t chip or peel, but it’s not our top pick because a handle broke off a couple of weeks into testing. Another option we’ve tested is the Granitestone Stackmaster cookware set from Gotham Steel and E. Mishan & Sons, which improves on other stackable sets by letting you arrange the cookware in any order and hooking them into each other at the handles and opposing edges.