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5 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, According to Expert Testing

Plus, some tips and tricks on how to clean and cook with stainless steel cookware.

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mike garten

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Stainless steel cookware can handle high temperatures, is very durable and will last you for years. Whether you are searing steak in a skillet, boiling water in a stock pot or simmering pasta sauce in a saucepan, a high-quality stainless steel cookware set will provide a great foundation for years of amazing meals. If you didn't already need more reasons to make the investment, most stainless steel cookware sets on this list are induction-compatible and dishwasher- and oven-safe.

Our top picks:

  • 1
    Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

    Best Overall Stainless Steel Cookware Set

    Hestan Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

    $1,800 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set

    Best Value Stainless Steel Cookware Set

    Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set

    Read more
  • 3
    D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

    Best Tri-ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set

    All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

    Read more
  • 4
    MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set

    Best 12-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

    Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set

    Read more
  • 5
    Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit

    BEST Five-Ply STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET

    Made In Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit

    Read more

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've tested more than 115 cookware sets since 2015 in a variety of cookware materials, including stainless steel, cast-iron, carbon steel and nonstick pans, plus more specific types of cookware like Dutch ovens and grill pans. When we evaluate cookware we assess factors like how evenly they heat, how well they brown a steak and how easily they clean up. The best stainless steel cookware heats evenly, can handle high-heat jobs and isn't a burden to clean.

Read on after our picks for more info on how we tested stainless steel cookware sets and what you should look for when shopping for them. We also share expert tips on how to clean stainless steel pans and the best quality of stainless steel for cooking. Looking to compare cookware sets? Check out our guides to the best nonstick cookware, ceramic cookware and copper cookware.

      1
      Best Overall Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      Hestan Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

      Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
      1
      Best Overall Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      Hestan Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

      $1,800 at Amazon$1,800 at Nordstrom$1,800 at Wayfair
      Credit: Hestan
      Pros
      • Sturdy construction
      • The easiest-to-clean stainless steel cookware pieces that we tested
      Cons
      • Pricey

      This cookware set excelled in our tests. The pots and pans are infused with titanium, which makes them strong and practically nonstick, which can be one of the biggest pain points of stainless steel cookware, especially when it comes to cleaning. In our Lab tests, they barely required any elbow grease, and, in our home tests, testers found that soaking them for a bit makes them even easier to clean. Plus, they have flush rivets so food has even fewer areas to hide. Their color deepens over time but can be brought back to like-new condition with the included Hestan cleaner.

      The 11-inch fry pan is our go-to for almost every meal. (We've been using it at home almost daily for the past three years and then some!) In our tests, it heated evenly and browned steak nicely on both sides with little staining. Like the rest of the pans, it's sturdy with a long handle and finger grip on the underside that helps balance the pan well. Plus, it has a wide surface area and shallow edges that make it great for sauteing. The other pieces in the set are useful as well, including two saucepans that retain heat well. They cleaned up with a quick wash after our sauce scorching test, and all pieces are oven-safe up to 1050ºF. While the Hestan Nanobond 10-Piece Cookware set may seem pricy at first glance, it's priced competitively with other high-end cookware and outperforms many.

      Material18/10 stainless steel bonded with titanium
      Oven-safe temp1050ºF
      Number of pieces in set10
      Induction compatibleYes
      Dishwasher-safeYes
      2
      Best Value Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set

      Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set
      2
      Best Value Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set

      Credit: Tramontina
      Pros
      • Excellent heat distribution
      • Stockpot boiled water quickly
      Cons
      • Rivets on the inside of the cookware

      This Tramontina set offers the perfect combination of affordability and great performance. In fact, we've been using the 8- and 10-inch skillets for years to test gas and electric ranges in our Lab because the cookware offers excellent heat distribution. In our scorch testing, we were able to easily remove burnt-on tomato sauce from the 2-quart saucepan without any staining. And the stockpot boiled 6 quarts of water in under 18 minutes on both a gas and induction stove. We also noticed that the handles and lids were still cool to touch even after simmering tomato sauce for 15 minutes.

      This tri-ply cookware set is lightweight compared to other pieces of stainless steel, but remains very durable. We did notice that the interior rivets can collect food, but this cookware set is dishwasher-safe to minimize the cleaning effort. The cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F as well. If you're looking for a larger cookware set, Tramontina also sells a 10-piece and 12-piece set, both at affordable prices.

      MaterialTri-ply with 18/10 stainless steel interior
      Oven-safe temp500°F
      Number of pieces in set8
      Induction compatibleYes
      Dishwasher-safeYes
      3
      Best Tri-ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

      D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
      3
      Best Tri-ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

      Now 38% Off
      Credit: All-clad
      Pros
      • Top-tested All-clad cookware set
      • Easy to maneuver handles
      • Saucepan handle remained cool to touch in testing
      Cons
      • Heavy

      All-Clad's D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set is our pick for the best overall All-Clad cookware set. When we tested eight different All-Clad sets, this one came out on top for it's great performance. Each piece is made of three layers: a stainless steel interior and exterior and an aluminum core. In our tests, the skillet heated evenly and produced an evenly browned steak thanks to its sloped edges. The skillets and saucepans feature a uniquely shaped handle: it's thin with a long, deep indent that promotes a good grasp when flipping ingredients.

      The 2-quart saucepan is one of our favorites for boiling eggs. It has a small surface area and tall, straight edges, which translates to less time at the sink filling it with water. After our scorching test, we did find the saucepan required a good scrubbing to remove the burnt-on tomato sauce compared to competitors, but the handle remained cool to touch after simmering tomato sauce for 15 minutes. Take note these pans are heavier than other stainless steel sets we tested, and the brand recommends you hand-wash them.

      MaterialTri-ply with 18/10 stainless steel interior
      Oven-safe temp600°F
      Number of pieces in set10
      Induction compatibleYes
      Dishwasher-safeNo
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      4
      Best 12-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set

      On Sale
      MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set
      4
      Best 12-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

      Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set

      Now 27% Off
      Credit: Cuisinart
      Pros
      • Stainless steel steamer basket included
      • Stock pot boiled water in under 14 minutes
      • Skillets have even heat distribution
      Cons
      • Experienced some tarnishing after use on high heat

      The Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece cookware set is the largest cookware set on this list with two saucepans, a saute pan, a stock pot, two skillets, a steamer insert and five lids. We're especially excited about the steamer insert which is a rare inclusion that's great for steaming veggies or draining pasta water. When testing, we appreciated this cookware's square handles with lots of surface area to place your thumb. In our tests, this tri-ply cookware had rather even heat distribution, but the walls of the skillet do heat faster than the center. After simmering tomato sauce for 30 minutes in the 2-quart saucepan, we found that the sauce stuck a bit on the edges of the bottom and the sides, but did not burn. The sauce cleaned away easily.

      This easy-to-hand-wash cookware is also dishwasher safe and can be used on an induction cooktop. In fact, when we boiled 6-quarts of water in the 8-quart stock pot on an induction range it took less than 14 minutes to come to a boil and only 18 minutes on a gas stove. The cookware did tarnish a bit from the high heat, so we recommend keeping Bar Keepers Friend by your sink.

      MaterialTri-ply with 18/10 stainless steel interior
      Oven-safe temp550°F
      Number of pieces in set12
      Induction compatible
      Dishwasher-safe
      5
      BEST Five-Ply STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET

      Made In Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit

      Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit
      5
      BEST Five-Ply STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET

      Made In Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit

      Now 17% Off
      Credit: Made In
      Pros
      • Includes four basic pots and pans
      • Durable and conducts heats well
      • Nonstick pan included
      Cons
      • Hard to clean

      Made In's solid pots and pans have a restaurant-kitchen feel to them. They're five-ply, meaning they're made with five layers of stainless steel and aluminum, so they heat evenly and are super durable. We found them to be sturdy with a long, ergonomic handle designed for easy handling and moving around the stovetop. Plus, they're oven-safe up to 800ºF (except for the nonstick skillet which shouldn't get hotter than 500ºF). This smaller set comes with four cookware essentials: A 10-inch skillet, a 10-inch nonstick skillet, a 2-quart saucepan with a lid and a 5-quart stock pot with a lid. The nonstick skillet is a unique inclusion for added versatility compared to other stainless steel sets, and it's ideal for cooking eggs, pancakes or any other delicate ingredients. Made In also sells a 10-piece set with more frying pans and a 13-piece set with a wok and roasting pan.

      In our tests, both skillets heated evenly and produced nicely browned steak, though the stainless steel skillet was hard to clean. Eggs slid off the nonstick pan with no added oil., and water boiled quickly compared to other saucepans.

      MaterialFive-ply stainless clad
      Oven-safe temp800ºF for stainless steel pieces; 500ºF for nonstick pan
      Number of pieces in set6
      Induction compatibleYes
      Dishwasher-safeYes for stainless steel pieces; no for nonstick pan

      How we test stainless steel cookware sets

      line break

      At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've been testing cookware for decades. We've tested more than 115 sets over the years, including nonstick cookware and stainless steel cookware.

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      heat distribution pattern in stainless steel pan
      Eva Bleyer / Good Housekeeping Institute

      When we test cookware, we test how evenly it heats first with no food in the pan, then by searing a steak. We also assess how quickly it comes up to temperature and how well it retains that temperature over a period of time. Pictured here is how we test each stainless cookware set's heat distribution using Crisco and flour.

      two saucepans simmering tomato sauce
      Eva Bleyer / Good Housekeeping Institute

      Several different tests, including our steak browning test and a sauce scorching test, help us determine how easy they are to clean. Steak and the oils it cooks in have a tendency to stick, which can be hard to clean. We also intentionally scorch sauce to see how well the pans release a burnt-on mess.

      We also boil water in the saucepans to assess how quickly they heat. The best cookware heats evenly, can sear a steak well on both sides, can bring water to a boil quickly, can maintain a steady simmer and cleans well.

      What to look for when shopping for stainless steel cookware sets

      "

      ✔️ Material: All stainless steel cookware is made of stainless steel, right? Yes and no. Stainless steel is often the main material in stainless steel cookware, but it's usually not the only one. It's not the greatest conductor of heat so it's usually paired with other materials like aluminum and copper to help it heat quicker and more evenly. Stainless steel is hefty, tough and durable, which helps stainless steel cookware last for years.

      ✔️ Number of layers: You'll often see stainless steel cookware touted as being three-ply or five-ply, that number represents the layers of metal that make up the pot or pan. The more layers, the more durable it's thought to be, but more layers also typically make it heavier.

      ✔️ Included pots and pans: Sets are notorious for including products that aren't always useful. But we like having pots and pans that match, which is why we lean towards sets in our own kitchens. Our favorite sets include at least one fry pan that's either 10 or 12 inches, but having a couple of fry pans is even better. We also like having at least one small saucepan — about 2 quarts to boil eggs easily — and another larger one for sauces and sides. Stock pots are essential for boiling full boxes of pasta, and a braiser or sauté is beneficial for rounding out your set so you can make saucier dishes than a fry pan could handle.

      ✔️ Handles: Larger, longer and wider handles make maneuvering easier and stay cooler during cooking. Stainless steel handles versus plastic or other types of handles make the cookware look more cohesive and indicate a higher-quality piece. They can also typically withstand higher oven temps, too, so you can move things from the stovetop to the oven with less fret.

      ✔️ Lids: Lids are often made of matching stainless steel or tempered glass so you can see inside. If you like keeping an eye on your cooking, this is something to consider when shopping.

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      What is the best quality stainless steel for cooking?

      mums

      You'll also often see high-quality cookware that is made of 18/10 stainless steel. This type of stainless steel is known to be long-lasting and rust-resistant thanks to its nickel and chromium makeup. Manufacturers will often tout if they use this type of steel but they won't tout if they use one of lesser quality that's more affordable. As a whole, stainless steel is durable but the lower grades may not last as long. 18/8 is a lower quality stainless that is great if you're on a budget but may not last as long as 18/10.

      What is the best cooking technique for using stainless steel cookware?

      mums

      There is some technique to mastering your stainless steel cookware to ensure less sticking and better results, here are our steps for cooking on stainless steel.

      1. Always pre-heat your stainless steel cookware. Stainless steel is porous when cold, and preheating the material closes the pores, creating a smooth cooking surface. If you drop a droplet of water on the pan and it sizzles, then you know you're at the right temperature.
      2. Oil your pan after it's preheated and allow that oil to heat up before adding your food. You will know the oil is ready once it shimmers in the pan and moves freely, coating the entire cooking surface.
      3. Allow your ingredients to cook thoroughly on one side before flipping, there is no need to flip sporadically as that will increase the chance of sticking.
      4. Allow your cookware to cool thoroughly after cooking and before cleaning to ensure the best results the next time you use it.

      What is the best way to clean stainless steel cookware?

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      The best way to clean stainless steel cookware is by hand with dish soap and a non-scratch sponge. While many stainless steel pieces of cookware are dishwasher-safe, hand washing with a non-scratch sponge yields good results and can help prolong the life of the pan.

      If a stainless steel pot or pan has burnt-on stains, it's best to still use a non-scratch sponge (nothing abrasive) and a stainless steel cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend or baking soda. Make a paste out of the cleaner and scrub it in circular motions all over the affected areas until the stains are removed. It may take a few rounds of this method if there are layers of burnt-on staining.

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      Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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      Nicole Papantoniou has run the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab since 2019; she oversees all the content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear. She's a trained cook and published recipe developer and cooks all the time. She conducted the last side-by-side cookware test and continues to test all types, including stainless steel, nonstick, ceramic, cast iron, etc. There are few things she hates more than scrubbing dishes, so the pans that stand out the most to her are the ones that require the least amount of cleaning.

      Eva Bleyer has professionally tested all kinds of kitchen equipment, from oven ranges to juicers to kitchen scales to blenders. Eva has tested over 20 different cookware sets in her time at the Good Housekeeping Institute in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. Eva loves using stainless steel pans in her kitchen for everything from simmering sauces to shallow frying tofu.

      Headshot of Nicole Papantoniou
      Nicole Papantoniou
      Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director

      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.

      Headshot of Eva Bleyer
      Eva Bleyer
      Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Reviews Analyst

      Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.

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