Constructed of non-toxic, PFOA-free materials, this 6-piece set comes with two 10-inch frying pans and two pots (2-quart and 8-quart) with lids. One pan is nonstick, and the remaining three pieces are stainless and dishwasher-safe. In addition to loving the stay-cool handles, we appreciated the even heating of the pots and pans, the lack of spills when pouring from the pots, and the versatility offered by their oven safety.

The stainless steel pieces are oven-safe to 800°F, and the nonstick pan is safe up to 500°F. While the price of this set is hefty, the lifetime warranty for the stainless pieces and one-year warranty for the nonstick pan help make it worthwhile. And the brand is great for more than just cookware. In fact, we’re big fans of Made In kitchenware overall, including their quality knives, bakeware, and more.

Purveyors of everything from waffle makers to roasting pans, All-Clad is known for quality and longevity, and this set is no exception. You’ll get six pieces and four lids with this set, sufficient to cover nearly any basic meal prep needs as the sizes range from an 8-inch skillet to an 8-quart stockpot. We loved the smoothness of cooking items like fried eggs, thanks to the bonded D3 nonstick material, and we were impressed at the browning we were able to achieve on onions. Outside of our lab tests, this All-Clad cookware set is my personal go-to for at-home use as well.

“All-Clad is some of the best cookware available,” Narins tells us. “The company was started by a metallurgist, and they really understand bonded metals and heat distribution. There are also always pieces going on sale that you can add to your collection. It’s good looking, durable, and easy to clean.” Our only sticking point was how food bits accumulated in the rivets as we cooked in the pots and pans, but we didn’t find that it took long enough to clean to be a major problem.

Compatible with all cooktops, including induction, this ceramic set of nonstick, non-toxic cookware is free of PFOAs, PTFEs, and PFAs. And it even includes a Dutch oven. While we did find some of the pieces to be slightly unwieldy in height and bulk, that is compensated for by the stylish storage rack they come with, which is magnetic.

We admired the even heating of each piece, the level of nonstick, and how simple the pieces were to clean. The opaque lids, although they look great, were a slight issue because you can’t see inside the pots and pans while you’re cooking. But overall, this set is durable and functions well.

From the brand synonymous with the word Dutch oven, this Le Creuset cookware set includes a 9-inch skillet, a 1.75-quart pot with a lid, and a lidded 5.5-quart Dutch oven. Like the Caraway set, this one is offered in a wide array of colors. The difference is that Le Creuset’s pieces are bright and dark, compared to Caraway’s more muted pastels.

If you enjoy cast iron cookware but not the endless effort of seasoning it, this set is the perfect solution, as its enamel finish requires no seasoning. We found that its heat retention was solid, it was easy to clean, and sticking was minimal. It’s also oven-safe, including the lids, and you can put it in the dishwasher as well. Narins says, “I love the way the pieces in this set fit together. Of course, it’s also just gorgeous cookware, and their warranty is top-notch.”

With options for even larger sets than this 10-piece one, Tramontina stainless steel cookware has a strong price point. We appreciate that by being lighter in weight than many other options, it also offers a more accessible option for those who can’t work with heavy materials like cast iron. And for not being nonstick, we found it very fast and easy to clean.

We did note that sauces can be cumbersome to stir due to the placement of rivets on the pots. But they’re pretty easy to care for since they’re dishwasher-safe and bear a lifetime warranty. You can even use these pieces on standard or induction burners. They’re also oven-safe up to 350°F.

Our Place makes everything from tableware to small appliances with sturdy bodies and a range of pastel colors. Free of toxic components like lead and cadmium, this set also includes added steamer baskets, nesting spatulas, and modular lids, which make it more versatile than it might seem at first glance.

Safe up to 425°F in the oven, this set gave us several options of ways to cook, despite the small number of pieces included. It features large pouring spouts, induction compatibility, and modular lids that also have locking capabilities. The steamer basket even doubles as a colander, saving you from having to purchase one separately.

So useful we had to include it despite there not being an option for a set like the other brands, a Lodge cast iron skillet can last you for generations to come. Narins says, “As the author of two books on cast iron, I’m the biggest fan of Lodge, but I don’t see a reason to get a whole set. One skillet is a good start. If you really love it, add on, but unless you need everything in your kitchen to match, one piece is perfect.”

Because the handle will get hot during use, it comes with a silicone cover that slides over the pan’s long handle. We value its even heating sans hot spots, ability to transition directly from stovetop to oven, and how well it works as a baking pan. Unlike frying pans that might yield a stronger sear on one side of protein or the other, this cast iron skillet is useful for applications like a steak that is perfect on every side.