Best Cookware Sets Available in 2025

CNET

4 days ago

Cookware set size
One big consideration is what pieces are included and whether they are essential to your kitchen. There are cookware sets as big as 14 pieces, but they're generally going to have lots of pots and pans in a range of sizes that you probably won't use. I wouldn't suggest going bigger than eight or nine pieces (including lids counted as pieces) unless you have the space and money for all those extras.
Picking the right cookware material
All cookware materials have their advantages and drawbacks. Nonstick cookware is a snap to clean, but scratches easily and doesn't get as hot as long as cast-iron or stainless-steel pans.
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The most important decision you'll make is what material you want your pots and pans are made from. Cookware is commonly constructed from aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, nonstick chemical compounds like Teflon or a combination of several materials. Each type of cookware surface has its pros and cons as it relates to cooking, cleaning, durability and storage.
For example, aluminum cookware is cheap, but it is not very durable and I wouldn't recommend buying a fully aluminum set. Stainless steel pots and pans will better withstand abuse and won't warp or dent like aluminum. Stainless steel is also a slow conductor of heat, which is why steel pans often have a core made from a more conductive material such as aluminum or copper.
For most people, stainless-steel cookware fitted with an aluminum core will be the best material composition for a set. Materials such as copper and cast iron have advantages, but they also have some serious pitfalls. Cast iron and carbon steel are both a bit heavy and require slightly more involved cleaning and care, so you might not want an entire set. Copper cookware is also more difficult to care for and generally costs much more than its stainless-steel counterparts.
Nonstick is another popular option. I recommend having at least one nonstick skillet -- either Teflon or ceramic -- for eggs and other sticky foods. You'll never be able to sear food using nonstick the way you can with other materials, so keep that in mind if you're opting for a fully nonstick cookware set. It also won't last as long since nonstick coatings break down over time.
Cost and budget
Made In's ceramic cookware isn't cheap, but the nontoxic pots and pans performed better than any other nonstick options we tried.
Made In
With cookware, you'll get what you pay for, but that doesn't mean you need to pay more than its worth. High-end copper cookware and stainless steel sets can run well into the thousands, but a quality set of pots and pans doesn't need to cost you much more than a few hundred dollars.
Cheap cookware is different from budget-friendly cookware. Our value pick is still plenty sturdy to handle your nightly recipes and shouldn't warp for many years. If you settle for cheap cookware, you might end up with busted handles and burned food thanks to uneven heating.
Nonstick and cast-iron cookware are the most inexpensive materials and there are reliable sets for under $100. Good stainless steel cookware sets of three or four pans will typically cost a few hundred dollars. Copper cookware is the most expensive and typically costs around $500 or more, even for a small set.