The Best Nonstick Cookware of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Food & Wine / Will Dickey

From stainless steel to cast iron, there’s lots to choose from when it comes to cookware. And while it won’t last forever (even if you buy the pricey stuff), nonstick cookware is a joy to work with, thanks to its slippery-smooth cooking surface. Whether you’re frying an egg or reheating last night’s tomato sauce, an excellent nonstick pan will ensure your food releases without hesitation, with the added bonus of easy cleanup.

To determine which nonstick cookware is worth a spot in your kitchen, we tested more 20 different sets and dozens of individual pieces, assessing performance on everything, including boiling water, cooking rice, scrambling and frying eggs, and resistance against scratches. Seven nonstick cookware sets and pieces stood out from the rest during our tests, so read on to learn more about our top picks and our testing methodology.

These pans aced our tests and showed exceptional heat distribution and evenness.

They're significantly heavier than most competitors.

Made In makes some great cookware, including one of our favorite carbon steel pans, and this nonstick set is no exception. They were the only pans to register a perfect score in every category we rated; these pans blew everything else out of the water. With a 5-ply stainless steel construction and internal nonstick coating, this set is well-designed and durable.

During testing, our fried egg came off the pan with crispy edges and a nicely browned underside, our scrambled eggs were tender and yielding without any browning, and our onions browned nicely without a hint of sticking. These pans even passed our rice test without issue, offering up lovely crispness with no hot spots or pesky adhesion—all the food in our tests cooked up incredibly evenly with unmatched heat distribution.

We like how the sides of the Made In nonstick sauté pan curve gently away from the center, which makes it easy to move food around without anything getting lost along the edges, and in general, we found each piece of this set roomier than most, which helps prevent overcrowding. We also appreciate the safety notch that lets you know where to stop your hand from burning yourself when using this cookware. They're easy to clean, too; most pieces come clean with just a wipe of a paper towel before even washing them. This set is heavier than some competitors, but the weight is a worthy tradeoff for the quality and performance of these pots and pans.

Material: Stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: No | Includes: 10-inch frying pan, 4-quart saucepan, 4-quart sauté pan, 8-quart stock pot, 3 lids

These pans offer excellent heat distribution and highly effective nonstick coating.

The price is pretty high, and cleaning around the rivets might take some extra attention.

All-Clad's beautiful all–stainless steel pans came out tops in our stainless steel cookware tests, and we love this nonstick version, too. The fried egg slid out without any coaxing at all, there was a nice browning on the chopped onions, and our scrambled eggs cooked evenly with no complaints. All the pans in this set have incredible nonstick capabilities and work beautifully with little oil; neither eggs nor rice stuck. Like other All-Clad cookware we've tested, these pans got very hot, very fast, and the heat was dispersed evenly, which many nonstick pans struggle with.

The pans have beveled, partially rounded handles so they feel comfortable and balanced in hand, and the stockpot has two handles for easier transferring between stovetop to sink. As is expected from a quality nonstick surface, All-Clad’s pans are easy to clean after use, though we had to pay closer attention around the rivets, where food particles tended to collect during our tests. The major negative is cost: The stainless steel material, quality construction, and All-Clad brand name all command a high price.

Material: Stainless Steel | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: No | Includes: 8-inch frying pan, 10-inch frying pan, 2-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, 3-quart sauté pan, 8-quart stockpot, 4 lids

This is an easy-to-clean, durable set from a trusted brand.

The pots and pans are quite heavy, and fairly expensive.

Le Creuset often makes our list of recommendations, and not just for its famed cast iron. This hard-anodized aluminum nonstick set certainly didn't disappoint. It was especially durable in testing — we couldn't scratch the nonstick coating even when we purposefully tried, and everything cleaned up with ease. These pans can handle the wear and tear of professional kitchens.

During our egg tests, the fried egg released without the aid of a spatula, and heating was distributed evenly across the cooking surface with no hot spots detected. We barely had to clean these pans; there was no stuck-on food or residue to rinse off. The results were consistently amazing, whether we were sautéing, frying, or simmering.

Thanks to long, easy-grip steel handles, Le Creuset’s nonstick cookware is comfortable to work with and feels nicely balanced, and the handles remain cool enough on the stovetop to touch with bare hands. We found this set to be heavier than most, so we would not recommend it to anyone with trouble maneuvering bulky or heavy objects. It's also somewhat expensive for a 10-piece cookware set, though not wildly so.

Materials: Aluminum, stainless steel, glass | Maximum Temperature: 500°F (pans), 425°F (lids) | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes | Includes: 8-inch frying pan, 11-inch frying pan, 2-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, 3.5-quart sauté pan, 6.33-quart stockpot, 4 lids

This set's nonstick material is effective, and the rivets don’t trap food particles.

Heating proved somewhat inconsistent in our tests.

Caraway uses a ceramic material with an aluminum core as its alternative to a nonstick coating, which provides a highly heat-tolerant and slippery surface. The fry pan turned out excellent eggs during our tests with no signs of sticking. In fact, it provided some of the cleanest dishes in general, with little to no food residue left behind in all tests. We liked the broad, flat surfaces, though we noticed some inconsistent heating across the pans. In both the egg and steak tests, some areas browned more quickly than others.

With a four-slot modular magnetic pan rack and a canvas lid holder that hangs over a cabinet door, Caraway’s set also includes helpful space-saving options. The pans are nicely balanced, comfortable to work with, and easy to clean. We also appreciate the price point, which is just about average for the sets we tested; the high-quality Caraway set an excellent value and a great choice for beginners or anyone looking for great-looking, dependable, nonstick cookware. (To fully outfit your kitchen, you might consider adding on the Caraway Steamers Duo, a pair of steamer/strainer baskets that fit in this set's saucepan and Dutch oven.)

Materials: Ceramic, aluminum core, stainless steel handles | Maximum Temperature: 550°F | Induction-Compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (hand-wash recommended) | Includes: 10.5-inch frying pan, 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart sauté pan, 6.5-quart Dutch oven, pan rack, and a lid holder with hooks, 3 lids

This beautiful pan melds above-average heating capabilities with a superb nonstick coating.

After just two uses, it acquired seemingly permanent stains.

Material is a favorite brand among Food and Wine editors, so it's no surprise that we loved its nonstick pan. Material's design, which has a 5-ply copper core with aluminum and stainless steel layers on top, means that this pan heats impossibly evenly and consistently. It reacts like high-end copper or stainless steel cookware, but with the added benefit of a nonstick coating.

This superb heating, combined with the ease of the nonstick coating, prompted senior editor Danielle St. Pierre to say, "I had a hunch I’d like the Coated Pan, but after testing it every day for a week straight, I didn’t expect to love it." After she brought the pan home for long-term testing, it became a regular part of her cooking routine. "This gorgeous pan has easily earned a coveted spot in my tiny New York kitchen," she says.

The eggs and steaks we tested cooked evenly and easily slipped out of the pan without coaxing. We even declared that this pan yielded one of the best steaks of all the pans we tested. However, that perfectly cooked steak came at a price: smoking oil left behind some staining that couldn't be washed off even with aggressive scrubbing. Thankfully, this doesn't affect performance.

Pan Diameter: 10.5 inches | Materials: Aluminum, copper, stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This convenient, multi-purpose pot is compact, versatile, and comes in lots of colors.

It doesn't have as high a temperature capacity as other nonstick cookware.

We tested the Our Place Perfect Pot in a duo with the editor-loved Our Place Always Pan 2.0. Not only does it feature an effective nonstick surface, but it also comes with a built-in strainer in the lid, two Hot Grips potholders, and a beechwood spatula that cleverly nests into the handle. This versatile pot can do everything from frying an egg to boiling and straining pasta to cooking up a double batch of chili.

Since everything can nest inside the pot, it takes up minimal space in storage, and Our Place's variety of colorways (there are six pastel-ish options) means yours can match or stand out however you like. Our tests showed that this pot was best used for meals that require a true nonstick surface, like fried eggs or batches of rice pilaf. However, we wouldn't recommend this pot for higher-heat jobs like searing. It can only handle up to 450°F; that's mostly oven-safe, but the broiler or a really blasting stove burner could damage the nonstick coating.

Our Place more than makes up for the temperature issue with the slickest nonstick coating we tested. It was the easiest piece of cookware to clean, and we were delighted with how easily food slid right out without even help from kitchen utensils.

Capacity: 5.5 quarts | Material: Aluminum | Maximum Temperature: 450°F | Induction-Compatible: No | Dishwasher-safe: No | Includes: strainer lid, spatula, 2 silicone pot holders

This hefty skillet combines the heating benefits of cast iron with a glassy and effective nonstick coating.

It's quite pricey, and it can't handle as high a temperature as traditional cast iron.

Cast iron has lots of advantages for cooking, thanks to its high heat capacity and ability to both sear and simmer accurately. But some cooks are intimidated by the reseasoning process required to maintain a smooth surface. Enameled cast iron solves the problem by covering the iron in a glass-like glaze that releases food easily. This Le Creuset pan dominated in our enameled cast iron skillet testing thanks to its heft, functionality, and durability. You can even use metal tools and throw it in the dishwasher without having to worry about chipping, rust, or corrosion. We also love the pour spouts on either side, which are great at keeping spills off your counters.

The downside is that Le Creuset pans are expensive. This is a piece of cookware that can last from generation to generation, and it's priced accordingly. Another disadvantage is common to all enameled cast iron: It doesn't have the same heat resistance as non-enameled. Le Creuset's skillet is safe up to 500°F, but you don't want to put it under the broiler or on the grill.

Pan Diameter: 10.25 inches | Material: Cast iron | Maximum Temperature: 500°F | Induction-Compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

It's not a surprise that our two favorites read a bit like a face-off of Made In vs Material; these brands are both so consistently well regarded. The Nonstick Set by Made In is our top pick thanks to its excellent performance, quality construction, and useful pot and pan sizes. If you're only going to purchase one nonstick pan, we recommend Material's The Coated Pan because of its versatility and ultra-even heating.

FOOD & WINE / WILL DICKEY / JOY KIM / ABBY MILLIGAN

This roundup incorporates results from multiple rounds of testing that incorporated more than 20 full nonstick cookware sets along with dozens of individual nonstick pots and pans. We began by picking up and holding the items to evaluate general design, weight balance, and handles, and then performed a series of more regimented tests. We paid particular attention to any hot spots, how easy or difficult it was to maneuver, and whether any design flaws hindered cooking or cleaning. While some sets had unique features and qualities that performed well, the stand-out cookware scored highest in these key metrics: heat distribution, nonstick performance, design, ease of cleanup, and overall value.

After testing, we revealed the items' prices to consider value for money. At the time of testing, the nonstick cookware sets ranged from $77 to $1,200, with an average a bit over $400. For individual pots and pans we did the same kind of comparison, using the average prices from our tests of those particular pieces of cookware.

When it comes to nonstick cookware, the nonstick coating may seem like the most important factor, but the material beneath determines how quickly and evenly the pan will heat. Aluminum and copper both heat very quickly, while steel heats more slowly but also more evenly; most metal pans use layers of these different materials to get a combination of their characteristics. Often used by itself, cast iron is heavier and denser than any of those others and takes the longest to heat, but it also holds heat longest and transfers it into food quite evenly.

When it comes to the actual nonstick coating, what's most important is how much heat it can handle. Most types of nonstick material start to break down above a specific temperature, damaging the pan and potentially releasing toxic fumes. This tends to be in the 450 to 550°F range, which is within the capabilities of your stove and oven, so make sure you check your manual. Generally, it is advisable to keep nonstick pans on low to medium heat, avoid sharp or metal utensils on the pan's surface, and always follow the brand's care and usage instructions.

Handle and lid materials are another consideration. Heatproof plastic might be easy to grab and move around without burning your fingers, but it's likely not oven-safe. And glass lids typically have a lower maximum temperature than metal ones — they can be used on the stove but maybe not in the oven.

When shopping for nonstick cookware, it is essential to consider how you intend to use the pots or pans you want to buy. Nonstick skillets are essential tools for delicate ingredients like eggs, fish, pancakes or crepes, and for fast cleanup of easy meals like grilled cheese sandwiches. If you're only making one or two servings at a time, you probably want a smaller one, but a big family needs a big skillet. When it comes to pots, it's a good idea to have at least one small saucepan for, well, sauces, and one big stockpot for soups and stews. A full set of nonstick cookware is a great way to outfit a kitchen all at once, but you can generally buy any of the individual pieces a la carte if you prefer. If space is a premium you can consider stackable cookware, or smaller sets.

It’s also important to consider each item’s weight and size. Your pans should easily move around the kitchen with you rather than have you struggle to get a clean pour or turn a pan on its side. Whipping up a batch of pancakes or making the perfect rolled omelet can involve some flipping or at least a bit of lifting off the burner, so consider the weight if these are the types of recipes you prefer. It may be worth reconsidering a heavy brand, especially if you have difficulties with strength or arthritis.

While some nonstick cookware can be put in the dishwasher, it's generally best to hand-wash to avoid scratches from other items and long-term damage from the heat and abrasive detergents. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to clean off nonstick cookware with just dish soap and a towel or soft sponge. If you wind up with food stuck or burnt onto a nonstick surface, try a long soak in hot, soapy water. If that doesn't work, you can fill the pan partway with water and bring it to a boil. Do not use abrasive cleansers or scrubbers, which can flake off bits of nonstick coating.

Generally yes, as long as your follow the care instructions. Nonstick coatings often contain "forever chemicals" like PFAS that don't break down easily in nature and can cause environmental harm. There are also some indications that these can cause harm to people, but the science is unclear, especially when these chemicals are used in nonstick cookware. For now, the FDA has authorized the use of PFAS in nonstick pots and pans; as long as you don't heat the coating above its safe temperature, it will remain bonded to the pan and won't end up in your food. If you're worried, there are non-toxic nonstick pans that use a ceramic material instead of PFAS or other potentially harmful chemicals. No matter what, if you see bits of nonstick coating start to flake off, it's time to stop using the pan and throw it away.

You should replace your nonstick cookware when it stops being nonstick, or if the coating is scratched or starts to chip off. All nonstick surfaces will eventually wear out with use, but you can preserve their longevity by avoiding exposure to high heat, hand-washing instead of putting your pans in the dishwasher, and avoiding sharp or metal utensils. Nonstick cookware can last for years, but it won't last an entire lifetime.

Nonstick and hard-anodized cookware are sometimes confused for each other, but they're separate processes. "Nonstick cookware has a manufacturer's special coating, which makes it easy to clean and eliminates scrubbing," says Bev Shaffer, a chef, culinary instructor, recipe and R&D specialist. Hard-anodizing is a process that oxidizes the surface of the metal, which makes it harder and helps nonstick coatings adhere more firmly. Nonstick cookware can be hard-anodized or not, and hard-anodized cookware can be nonstick or not.

Yes and no, says Shaffer. "If the manufacturer says you can, technically you can, but understand that it will shorten the life of the pan." You will always get a longer life out of your nonstick cookware if you wash it by hand to prevent the high temperatures and harsh detergents from damaging the nonstick surface.

Scanpan Classic 14-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($700 on Amazon)

This is a decent set of pans, but the high price makes it somewhat less desirable. We didn't like its shallow pan design, which caused spattering and spillage.

Cuisinart GreenGourmet 12-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($250 at Amazon)

While this is a value-priced set from a strong brand that gave us overall firm performance, there was a noticeable chemical smell when we heated the pans the first time. It was unclear if this would persist after multiple uses, and we didn’t want to take the chance.

KitchenAid Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($260 at Amazon)

While this set is simple and attractive in design, its performance varied drastically from pan to pan, most notably in heat distribution. Some of the pieces browned and charred unevenly.

Anolon X Hybrid 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($579 at Amazon)

This is a quality set that performed well. We didn’t notice any uneven heating, and it even proved to be relatively easy to clean. It’s priced on the higher side, which is really the only thing giving us pause.

Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set ($240 at Amazon)

We found these pans hard to control when it came to heat, and they even burned most food in our testing.

While we loved a lot of the nonstick cookware we tested, a few fell short. Beyond our favorites mentioned above, we tested many more sets over several rounds and categories of testing that just didn't cut it for one reason or another. Some had design flaws that made maneuverability difficult, weren’t truly nonstick, had non-durable surfaces, or experienced uneven heating. Some sets scored well in our first round of testing, but over time, other sets pulled ahead of them in the pack. Some of our top picks were discontinued or difficult to find in stock. Still, some performed admirably in our lab tests, but when we subjected them to long-term testing, they failed the durability test.