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Whether you're buying a starter set of cookware or are upgrading, this set by Cuisinart aims to please and does. It's an excellent option. Read More
This durable ceramic-coated nonstick cookware can excel at a variety of kitchen tasks. Read More
During tests, this set cooked eggs perfectly with no extra oil and simmered sauces and cooked rice without scorching. Read More
Reliably nonstick surfaces, versatile sizes, high oven heat tolerance, but can’t be used on induction, is handwash only, and prone to discoloration. Read More
The performance on this hard-anodized nonstick cookware set was top-notch, and it comes with a lot of pots and pans for the price. That said, it’s missing a few key features. Read More
Truly cheap pots and pans may develop warped bottoms, scraped coating, loose knobs, and rickety handles over time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a quality cookware set at a budget price.
The best affordable cookware sets may not last as long as some expensive ones. But they still perform well, are easy to use, and are a good value.
After testing the best budget cookware sets, we picked the Cuisinart TPS-10 10-Piece Cookware Set (available at Amazon for $219.95) as the best overall. People who are looking for a nonstick cookware set should consider the Ninja Extended Life Premium Ceramic 9-piece Cookware Set (available at Amazon).
If you’re looking for a cookware set at a decent price point, you might want to consider one of the best affordable cookware sets we tested.
The Cuisinart Classic Tri-ply Stainless Steel set is the best budget cookware set we've tested.
The Cuisinart TPS-10 10-Piece Cookware Set is the slightly smaller version of the 12-piece set that’s among our favorite cookware sets. While it doesn’t have the steamer insert of the larger set, the 10-piece still includes everything you need to cook a meal. And its price is friendlier to your wallet.
The pans in this set are easy to use, with comfortable handles and a design that creates a nice balance when holding the pan. The triple-ply construction gives the pans the benefit of heat conductivity.
While testing the multi-clad 12-piece set, we loved its incredible performance: We had no complaints with the medium-sized sauté pan (which not only comfortably fit four chicken thighs but also seared each one to perfection) and the large stockpot is well-sized for making soup, cooking pasta, or blanching vegetables.
It was easy to name the Cuisinart as a top cookware set. It has everything you need for a starter kitchen and it’s a great choice for those looking to upgrade their old sets, too.
None that we could find
The Ninja Ceramic Nonstick Cookware set is durable, effective, and comes at a great value.
The Ninja Extended Life Premium Ceramic Set is an affordable cookware set, given its consistent performance, durable build, and diverse range of pots and pans included.
When we tested this set, we were impressed by how easily food glided around the pan with little-to-no oil added. And the brand's signature CeramiLock coating means it's PFAS-free and designed to last longer than traditional ceramic cookware. We even used metal utensils during testing (as encouraged by the manufacturer), and we didn't notice any deterioration in the interior.
And although nonstick cookware is not known for its ability to sear foods well, we were able to achieve well browned vegetables and chicken thighs in these skillets. Plus, the stainless steel handles feel well-constructed and durable, and they're comfortable enough to hold while flipping food.
The only downsides we noticed during testing was that the handles tended to get dirty with residual food easily, and we found it hard to clean them due to their inherent design.
Read our full review of the Ninja Extended Life Premium Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
A larger mid-size pot would be ideal
Handles can get dirty easily
The T-Fal Nonstick Cookware Set is one of the best affordable cookware sets.
Don’t let the low price on the T-fal C561SC Titanium Advanced Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set fool you: It scored higher marks on our tests than significantly more expensive sets.
There are plenty of advantages to both nonstick and stainless-steel types of cookware, but you’ll generally find nonstick is easier to clean. While a traditional nonstick pan will never rival a stainless one when it comes to searing meat, this set performed admirably during testing. It also cooked eggs perfectly without oil. The saucepans cooked rice and simmered sauces without scorching, and the stockpot boiled water faster than the competition.
The comfortable, padded handles, which are ergonomically designed, stay cool as you use them. The pans heat up quickly and evenly, and they’re oven-safe up to 350°F.
Cooked eggs and simmered sauces perfectly
Can't sear meat as well as a stainless set
This comprehensive ceramic nonstick set comes at a great value. It includes two saucepans, a stockpot, sauté pan, and two frying pans with four accompanying lids. And the set comes in several bright colors to liven up the kitchen.
The ceramic interior performed decently well during testing, releasing stubborn foods like eggs and fish without any troublesome sticking. However, we noticed that foods didn't glide around as easily as we've seen with other ceramic nonstick sets, and we needed to add oil or butter to encourage better nonstick results.
We also noticed that these pans deliver a decently good sear, delivering even browning across a batch of chicken thighs during testing. And each piece of cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F, which extends their capabilities beyond typical nonstick cooking tasks.
However, we did notice deterioration during the testing process. Discoloration appeared on the exterior after limited usage during testing, so we don't expect this set to last very long (at least, not in pristine condition).
Read our full review of the KitchenAid Ceramic 10-Piece Hard Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set
Comprehensive sizes for pots and pans
The Cuisinart Green Gourmet Hard Anodized 12-piece cookware set heats evenly and is easy to clean. During testing, we had no issues with this set’s nonstick properties, and it scored well on most of our performance tests.
There were, however, a few things we didn’t like. The saucepans don’t stack well for storage; the small saucepan kept getting stuck inside the larger pan, which led to scratched edges. The set includes a lot of value for the price, but the sauté pan is smaller than we’d like, and we felt this set missed out by not including a 12-inch skillet.
Part of Cuisinart’s eco-friendly line, this ceramic cookware has a nonstick coating that's PTFE- and PFOA-free. The company says the ceramic nonstick coating helps conserve existing oil supplies compared to petroleum-based coatings.
It’s one of the few nonstick pan sets we tested that comes with metal lids, something we appreciate since they’re more durable and easier to store.
Doesn’t stack well for storage
Doesn’t include a large skillet
It’s hard to beat the price on the T-Fal Endurance Platinum Nonstick 14-piece set, which also met our performance expectations. The pans did tend to get hotter faster than other sets we tested, so you need to be careful when using them over medium-high heat.
This set is a little heavy, and we didn’t love the tall buttons on top of the glass lids, which made them hard to store. The handles get hotter, too, so be sure to have a set of oven mitts ready.
This nonstick set comes with three metal utensils. Generally, we don’t recommend using metal on nonstick, as it can wear down the coating, even on pans rated for use with metal utensils.
This comprehensive set is an easy and affordable way to stock a new kitchen, thanks to the wide variety of cookware, bakeware, and utensils included with a low price tag. It's also easy to store, thanks to the universal glass lids that can be used for up to three pieces of cookware each.
We love that the interior of these pans is reliably nonstick, releasing delicate foods easily time and time again. It also features a lightweight design and comfortable handles that make them a delight to use in the kitchen.
Unfortunately, the low price comes at a cost. This may not be the most durable cookware set, and we noticed some minor deterioration after testing. Users should take extra care to follow manufacturer instructions to ensure the products last.
Read our full review of the Rachael Ray nonstick cookware set
Lightweight and easy to handle
The OXO Non-Stick 10 Piece Cookware Pots and Pans Set has superior nonstick abilities, and we loved the silicone-coated handles, which are ergonomically designed.
This set doesn’t heat as evenly as the others, however, and some of our vegetables burned before the rest cooked through. Also, the handle rivets are close together, making the pans harder to clean.
The set, which stacks nicely for storage, comes with a great variety of pots and pans, but we wish the 3-quart sauté pan was wider because the set lacks a 12-inch pan.
Good variety of pots and pans
We test affordable cookware by searing chicken, cooking rice, and tossing vegetables.
When evaluating affordable cookware sets, we design our tests around performance, ease of use, and value.
We sear chicken thighs in sauté pans, toss vegetables in skillets, simmer sauces and cook rice in sauce pots, and blanch vegetables in stockpots. To determine heat distribution, we monitor for any hotspots. With nonstick sets, we test its nonstick abilities by frying an egg without oil.
The best cookware sets try to anticipate your needs by providing a variety of small, medium, and large pots and pans. When shopping for a cookware set, look for one that includes at least two small sauce pots, one large stockpot, a small egg pan, and a larger skillet or sauté pan. Consider anything extra to be a bonus. Here are some other things to consider:
Pots and pans should not be difficult to use. The best cookware sets make cooking meals easier. They should handle well—allowing you to toss vegetables like a pro.
Additionally, they should be easy to clean. Most of the affordable cookware sets we tested were dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup even easier. When not in use, pots should be easy to store in cabinets.
People can find cheap pots and pans, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Quality cookware sets can last for years, so you could end up paying more in the long run if you’re constantly replacing skillets and other pans. With our recommendations, we’re looking for value—finding that balance between performance and cost.
Oftentimes, it makes more sense to invest in something like a 10-piece cookware set over individual pots and pans. That's because manufacturers offer discounted rates on sets compared to individually purchasing each piece of cookware.
However, you should take a closer look at what's included in the set before making the investment. If you're mainly just in the market for a couple of skillets, or for a larger stockpot, it may not make sense to plunge for a whole set. Similarly, if you need a certain size sauce pot and it's not included in that set, you should look elsewhere.
In short, investing in a full set is typically more economical than purchasing individual items—especially if you need to purchase a lot of new cookware at once. But take a close look at the sizes and variety included before making the plunge.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Lindsay is a professional chef, recipe developer, writer, and developmental editor. After years of working in restaurant kitchens, she turned to writing to share her passion for local, organic, and seasonal ingredients with home cooks and food enthusiasts.
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