Cookware that saves cabinet space without skimping on functionality.
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When it comes to kitting out your kitchen with the right tools, a functional and versatile cookware set should be at the top of your list. But amidst considerations of material and design, there's one crucial factor that often goes overlooked: your kitchen’s storage space.
If you’re tight on cabinet space, stackable pots and pans can be a game changer. Stackable cookware sets are designed specifically with small spaces in mind with thoughtful design elements that enhance their space-saving capabilities, such as removable handles, interchangeable lids and clever nesting solutions. That’s right, no more precarious stacking or creative Tetris-ing your pots and pans to fit.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, we've rigorously evaluated over 150 sets of cookware, including induction-friendly and nonstick options. Our evaluation of stackable pots and pans begins by selecting cookware sets that stack, followed by our usual slate of cookware tests for heat distribution, browning and scorching. For nonstick cookware, we test how well eggs release. For stock pots, we conduct a boil test to see how quickly they heat up. We also assess whether the cookware cleans up easily, how hot the handles get and the type of rivets used.
At the end of this guide, you can read more about how we evaluate cookware in our Lab, plus everything you need to know about different types of cookware materials and what to look for when shopping for stackable pots and pans. Looking to invest in additional pans? Check our guides to the best egg pans and best bakeware sets to add even more variety to your collection.
These Calphalon pots and pans are slightly tapered so as to nest within each other perfectly and form two sturdy towers that can also be stacked on each other. When it comes to performance in our Lab tests, the stainless-steel fry pan nicely browned steak and pan-fried veggies, but it was a bit difficult to clean afterward.
The large handles are comfortable to grip, and the tempered glass lids are unique in that they are flat with side handles but no knobs on top, which allows them to be stored inside the pots and pans. It’s a different user experience, but effective. This set is stainless steel, but Calphalon makes a nonstick version too.
For the minimalist cooks, this lower-priced set offers plenty of versatility because it includes nonstick pots and pans as well as a stainless steel stock pot. (The nonstick coating is handy for sauteing sticky ingredients but unnecessary for stock pots, which are commonly used for boiling liquids.)
There are also three protectors for stacking these sleek pots and pans together without scratches. The two pots nest within each other and then nest inside the two frying pans. The set’s two universal stainless steel lids stack on top of the pots and pans and are designed with vent holes to release steam.
In our Lab tests, the set scored high for performance and ease of use, offering good heat distribution, steak browning and egg release. Plus, they’re easy to wash. Lab testers said the pots and pans were lightweight yet sturdy and the handles were nice and comfy. At-home testers loved that the lids don’t condense steam and the sleek design prompted many to comment that this would be an excellent starter set for newlyweds or someone’s first apartment. They only wished the large pan had a helper handle.
We liked this cookware so much, we even gave it a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award.
GreenPan ceramic cookware is a Lab favorite due to its lightweight nature and ease of cleaning. The hard-anodized exterior and ceramic nonstick interior offer a nice balance of durability and cooking performance.
The one thing to keep in mind is that ceramic coatings wear faster than traditional nonstick. The lids are clear with stainless steel handles that are designed to strain your food when it’s done. Plus, the handles feel comfortable to hold and protrude a bit to fit comfortably in your grip while cooking.
The set comes with three protectors to help prevent scratching when storing. The pots nest into each other and stack on top of the pans, which also nest into each other. The lids can then be stacked on top.
For the ultimate in space-saving, this stackable set from T-fal features removable silicone handles, which the company claims allows the set to take up 50% less space than their fixed-handle counterparts.
All the vessels in this nonstick set nest within each other to form one stack. The pots and pans can go from stovetop to oven to refrigerator and come with two storage lids to keep your leftovers fresh. If you have a tiny kitchen or are living the RV life, this set is ideal for cooking with limited space.
T-fal cookware is lightweight, and a thermo-heat indicator in the center lets you know when they're hot and ready to use. In our Lab tests, T-fal pans scrambled eggs and cooked pancakes evenly with zero sticking. Plus, pieces clean up beautifully, thanks to the nonstick finish. A downside is that testers noticed that the rims can get scratched easily.
Tramontina’s 11-Piece Nesting Nonstick Cookware Set is a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award winner for its space-saving design. We love how this set satisfyingly nests and locks into one stable and compact stack.
The pots and pans are made of aluminum with a porcelain enamel exterior and nonstick interior. The tempered glass lids are finished with silicone-wrapped knobs and edging, designed to be stored inside the larger pot or pan without scratching the nonstick interior. During storage, the handles lock together and give each vessel space for more protection when tucked away in your cupboards. One tester said, “The lids nesting with the pans makes storage so much easier.” Another tester considered it a “major benefit for those with limited storage space.”
Testers found the individual pieces lightweight and easy to handle, the nonstick coating easy to clean and they appreciated the wide handles, though noted that they can get hot. The glass lids also allow you to monitor food while it's cooking and the pretty design and fun enamel color options (red, navy or gray) make it easy to choose this set.
In our Lab testing, we find that Ninja consistently makes very good pans with durable nonstick coating, offering one of the most even heat distributions among the cookware we tested. Ninja’s nonstick cookware also offers great steak results, nice egg release and easy clean-up.
The cradle-like handles are designed to allow for easy stacking, but keep in mind that the set actually forms three separate stacks for pots, pans and lids. A downside is that testers found that the bonded base can discolor in the dishwasher, so it may be better to hand wash the cookware.
This stunning cast-iron tower holds three vessels, including a Dutch oven, grill and braiser, and it's even pretty enough to keep it on the counter. It even won a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award for its minimalist design. The 5-quart Dutch oven is smaller than your classic Dutch oven, so you can still have a separate Dutch oven and find this set useful.
Testers found that the grill pan seared well despite having high sides and the braiser is the perfect size for shallow frying. To top it all off, one lid fits all three pans. The universal lid has interior spikes that funnel juices back onto the food. To store the set, little plastic grippers sit on the lips of the slightly tapered pans so you can nest the pots and pans without scratching. But brace your back before putting away: The set weighs 27 pounds.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, we’ve tested more than 150 sets of cookware over the years, including stainless steel pans and cast iron skillets.
We evaluate performance and ease of use through tests that determine how evenly they heat, how well they maintain temperature and how easy they are to handle and wash. In addition to these performance tests, we score many ease-of-use features like handle temperatures, oven-safe temperatures, whether the cookware is dishwasher-safe and more.
To test heat distribution, we coat the skillets with a floury mixture and measure how evenly they brown. In our nonstick test, we fry eggs and scramble eggs 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. In our scorch test, we use canned sauce to test how well the saucepans retain temperature and, again, assess the ease of clean-up. 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.
We then see how our top-performing pots and pans stack up for storage. We look at features that allow the vessels to nest into each other, lid design, stability, protection from scratches and whether the set truly combines into one stack.
✔️ Storage: Stackable cookware sets are already geared towards seamless storage, but if you have an especially tight kitchen or limited storage space, measure your available area before shopping our picks to make sure the stacked dimensions will fit with a little room to spare on all sides. Some sets stack neatly into one tower but some nest into two separate stacks. And while some sets offer integrated lid storage, some require you to accommodate the lids in a separate stacked pile that you may or may not be able to rest on top of the pots and pans.
✔️ Material: The material you pick for your stackable pots and pans will make a huge difference in their longevity. The right material also comes down to your type of cooktop and the way you like to cook. For example, induction stovetops can only be used with cookware that contains magnetic materials, such as stainless steel or cast iron. Before purchasing any cookware set, make sure to read the compatibility details to ensure it’s suitable for your stove. If you like to go from stove to oven while cooking, you’ll also need to check to see what temperatures the cookware can accommodate.
✔️ Included pieces: Make sure the set has everything you need. You’ll want at least one 10-inch skillet, one small pot for boiling eggs and a bigger pot for soups and pasta. Check to see how many lids are included; many sets come with universal lids that fit multiple pots and pans to save even more space.
✔️ Price: Like any cookware, premium quality stackable pots and pans come at a premium price. Spending several hundred dollars can get you a set that lasts a lifetime. Less expensive cookware can also perform well, but the material and construction of the pan may be less durable for the long haul.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: Many of our selected picks are deemed dishwasher safe, but we don't always recommend it, especially with nonstick, because it can cause pots and pans to wear quicker or discolor.
Perry Santanachote is a contributing writer for Good Housekeeping. She has been testing and writing about the best kitchen appliances and cookware — from toaster ovens and air fryers to handheld mixers and nonstick pans — for over 10 years. She has even more experience in the food industry, working as a recipe developer, food stylist and cook.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, where she oversees testing and content related to all kitchen gear. She has tested many of these cookware sets herself and has been using an induction burner for years.
Perry Santanachote (she/her) has more than 15 years of experience in service journalism, specializing in food and consumer goods. She tests and reports on kitchen appliances and cooking tools. She also evaluates food products and cleaning supplies. She’s an experienced writer, product tester and recipe developer who has worked in labs, test kitchens and media organizations, including Thrillist and Consumer Reports.
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.
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