8 Best Nonstick Cookware Sets 2023, Tested & Reviewed by Experts

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

These pans, pots and skillets make cooking easy.

We carefully reviewed this article in April 2023 and stand by our top-rated picks.

A great nonstick pan will make your life easier in the kitchen whether you're a professional or a beginner. They're typically lighter weight than stainless steel and cast iron, can be used with less oil and are overall easier to clean. They're great for cooking eggs and other delicate foods that are prone to sticking like pancakes and pan-seared fish. We also like using them for quick sautés since they generally heat up quickly and are easy to handle.

There are two main types of nonstick cookware: traditional nonstick and ceramic nonstick. While the body of each can be made from any common cookware material like aluminum or stainless steel, their coating is what makes them nonstick. Traditional nonstick cookware is often made with PTFE, also known as Teflon, while ceramic nonstick cookware can either be made with a ceramic coating or glaze. Traditional nonstick is often more nonstick than its ceramic counterpart and tends to last a bit longer. Some people prefer ceramic, however, because it's not usually made with the same chemicals as traditional nonstick cookware. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've tested more than 100 cookware sets since 2015. Our favorite nonstick pans are the ones that can do it all, from cooking an egg with no oil to searing a steak, while remaining easy to clean. Below are our favorite nonstick cookware sets, including top-tested picks and editor favorites.

After our picks, read on for how we evaluate nonstick cookware in our Lab — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect cookware set. Looking to invest in more state-of-the-art pans? Check our guides to the best egg pans and best copper cookware sets, as well as best bakeware sets if you want even more variety in your collection.

This set combines unbeatable performance with durability. It's made of anodized aluminum, which means it's strong but not heavy, and it's excellent at resisting stains. In our tests, it heated evenly, boiled water quickly and was able to make a nicely seared steak. Plus, the nonstick coating was so effective that we could scramble eggs or sauté veggies without oil or butter — they slid right off the pan! Each piece is oven-safe up to 450˚F.

T-fal's nonstick coating makes these pots and pans great for turning out crepes, frittatas and other sticky foods. Their handles stay cool to the touch and include finger grips to help you position your hand for the most comfortable control.

They’re lightweight and should be used over low to medium heat, and the thermo-heat indicator lets you know when they're ready to use. In our tests, scrambled eggs and pancakes cooked evenly with zero sticking. Plus, the griddle was a fun addition for cooking breakfast items, especially bacon.

Whether you hand-wash or use the dishwasher, these pieces clean up beautifully thanks to their dark nonstick finish inside and out.

This easy-to-clean set from GreenPan is a personal favorite in our Lab. It has a hard-anodized exterior and a ceramic nonstick interior, which our team verified is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead and cadmium.

It includes a great assortment of cookware, including different-sized pots and pants for all your needs. Each is lightweight, strong and durable and can withstand high heat (up to 600˚F). The lids are clear with stainless steel handles that are designed to stay cool. Plus, the handles feel comfortable to hold and protrude a bit to fit comfortably in your grip while cooking. One perk is that the pan comes with protectors to help prevent scratching when storing. Even so, its light-colored interior prevents any nicks and scratches on the rim from being too noticeable.

The Non-Stick Set from Made In stands out for having the heft of stainless steel pans but the ease of nonstick pans. In our tests, they heated evenly and maintained a steady simmer; plus, the pan and lid handles stayed cool. We particularly liked how the lids fit smoothly onto each pan, an often overlooked detail. Eggs and pancakes slid off the pan without any grease, and the inside of the pan easily wiped clean.

The pots and pans are easy to handle and wash, though the outside of the pans got marred over higher temps as is common with stainless steel. They also worked well on an induction cooktop, a not-so-easy feat for many nonstick pans made of lighter materials.

The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized pans earned high scores in our tests for heat distribution and stain resistance. They also scored well for easy release and browning. The two small pots are great for boiling eggs and heating soups and the silicone-grip handles make moving them around easy. They’re a popular pick on Amazon and come in three colors: blue, orange and red. The set includes all the pieces you need to make an assortment of sides and main dishes for a good value. Plus, the included slotted spoon and fish spatula are helpful bonuses.

This new cookware set got a lot of positive feedback in both our Lab tests and consumer tests. It even earned a Kitchen Gear Award in 2022 for its innovative design. The pieces are lightweight but sturdy and especially nonstick. In our tests, eggs slid around the pan and didn't require any effort to clean up and sauce didn't leave behind residue in our scorch tests. The thick, rounded handles are comfortable to hold. Each piece nests neatly, including the lids.

One of the most unique factors of this beautiful and thoughtfully designed set is its two universal lids that cut down on clutter but perfectly fit the pots and pans. One our of Lab analysts has been using this set for more than a year now and says they're still in good shape even though she put them in the dishwasher at least 20 times each. She also noted that she likes that the stock pot has a metal interior versus a nonstick coated one like most other nonstick cookware sets.

Ninja, the brand that makes our best overall air fryer, has designed pots and pans that are durable enough to handle a steak, but light enough to move around for the simplest of tasks, like frying an egg or boiling water. They have straight sides, which help maximize the cooking surface area, a bonus when you're cooking for a family or just looking for a good sear on food. (More space means more room to spread the food out and let it brown.) Both the cookware and the lids are oven-safe up to 500ºF. One of our testers has been using this set for over a year and said the pieces look just like new, even after numerous rounds in the dishwasher.

All-Clad has often been a top performer in our cookware tests; it heats evenly, prevents food from sticking and browns meat well. While we haven't tested this All-Clad set, we are pleased to see that the nonstick line is oven-safe up to 500˚F. We’re also fans of sets like these that include small and medium sauté pans.

We also like that each piece has a helper handle which offers extra control when moving the pan. The 13-inch square pan is a unique size, ideal for browning and then braising or baking; it can be stored under the large skillet, while the rest of the pots and pans can be nested on top for compact storage. The entire set is dishwasher-safe.

With the Scanpan Classic line, you can enjoy the perks of nonstick without the use of Teflon. They're lightweight compared to stainless steel, but feel just as durable and can be used for high-heat searing and sautéing; plus, they’re oven safe up to 500˚F and super easy to clean. The handles are wide and comfortable to hold, which makes flipping ingredients a cinch. This set stands out for offering the basics you need; we previously recommended the larger size for those who really like to have a complete collection.

When we test nonstick cookware sets in the Good Housekeeping Institute, we conduct a heat distribution test on each 10-inch skillet, a nonstick test and a browning test. During these tests, we "fry" three eggs and scramble two eggs on each pan with no grease to see how well they release and how they clean up. We also sear a steak and assess the evenness and time it takes to cook.

We use two cans of sauce to test how well the saucepans retain temperature and, again, assess the ease of cleanup. We also boil water in the stockpots to get an idea of how long it would take someone to boil a pot of water at home for pasta.

In addition to these performance tests, we score many ease-of-use features like handle temps, oven-safe temps, whether the cookware is dishwasher-safe and more.

✔️ Type of nonstick cookware: The first thing to consider is whether you'd like traditional nonstick cookware or ceramic cookware. Traditional nonstick cookware tends to last longer and be more nonstick, but it shouldn't be used at high temperatures. Ceramic can withstand higher temperatures but isn't as nonstick and doesn't usually last as long. All nonstick cookware requires care to better preserve its coating. (More on that below!)

✔️ Weight: Mid-weight cookware sets are versatile enough to reach high temperatures but are still easy enough to handle. Lighter pots and pans heat quickly which can lead to food burning if you're not careful. Heavier ones can withstand more heat and usually retain it better but can be harder to maneuver. Weight is often directly correlated to the material. Stainless steel is durable but heavy; aluminum is lightweight and heats quickly. You may see some sets labeled as "hard anodized" which is a coating that makes some materials, like aluminum, stronger.

✔️ Handles: Long, thick or wide handles are comfortable to hold and are typically designed to stay cool. Some have grips that encourage a particular hold for better balance, and helper handles are another nice feature to look for that make carrying large or heavy pans easier. In addition to the design of a handle, the material makes a difference, too. When it comes to versatility, stainless steel handles can often be used in the oven at higher temperatures than plastic ones.

✔️ Dishwasher and oven safety: Dishwasher-safe cookware saves time and energy but, even if your cookware says it's dishwasher-safe, we don't always recommend it because it can wear quicker. Some more durable coatings (usually the ones that feel textured or rougher) can withstand the dishwasher better.

Oven-safe temperatures are helpful to keep track of if you like cooking on the stovetop and in the oven. Searing steak on the stovetop, for example, and letting it finish cooking in the oven is a pro technique. ✔️ Cooktop compatibility: Most cookware is designed to be compatible with gas and electric cooktops. But if you have an induction cooktop, make sure that the cookware you are purchasing is compatible. An induction-ready piece of cookware will have a base made out of a magnetic material, like iron. Most manufacturers will list this feature right on the box and even directly on the cookware item.

Traditional nonstick pans have gotten a bad rap because most are made with Teflon, a fluorinated coating also known as PTFE, which can release gaseous and particulate compounds at high temperatures that have been linked to health concerns. In the past, Teflon was made with PFOA, a chemical linked to certain cancers, but it was banned in 2016 in the production of food contact articles in the United States. It's important to note, however, that in some cases PFOA has been replaced with a similar chemical that's part of the same PFAS family.

While cooking with Teflon-coated cookware has been considered safe when used properly and not overheated, there is growing concern about the prevalence of PFOA and other PFAS in our environment and how they can affect us.

✔️ Avoid heating an empty pan. It will get hot quickly and can approach the 500˚F mark faster, which is when Teflon starts to break down.

✔️ Use medium or low heat to cook with nonstick unless it's made with a heavy-duty material. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for what temperature they recommend.

✔️ Use less oil than you would in a stainless steel pan. You won't need it to coat the pan.

✔️ Avoid using metal utensils that can scratch the nonstick coating unless your instruction manual explicitly says you can.

✔️ Try not to put nonstick cookware in the dishwasher; most nonstick coatings will wear faster.

Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She's a trained cook, avid home cook and has been testing cookware since she started at Good Housekeeping. Nicole constantly meets with brands to learn about the latest and greatest cookware sets and road tests many on the regular to be able to better understand the pros and cons of each.

Unlock exclusive content and money-saving deals with our all-access membership program. LEARN MORE

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She's an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

The Best Cookware Material

10 Best Camping Cookware Sets

Great Jones Cookware Review 2023

5 Best Woks in 2023

9 Best Fondue Pots of 2022

5 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets of 2023

5 Best Dutch Ovens of 2022

5 Best Sheet Pans of 2022

6 Best Pie Pans of 2023

8 Best Casserole Dishes in 2023

The Best Nonstick Pans

Is Nonstick Cookware Actually Safe?