The 8 Best Ceramic Cookware Sets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Nonstick pots and pans without the Teflon.
Real Simple / Marcus Millan
Fact checked by Rich Scherr
Ceramic cookware is a favorite among home cooks because it’s easier to clean than stainless steel, does not require seasoning like cast iron, and isn’t made with the same chemicals as traditional nonstick.
“Ceramic pans offer an alternative to Teflon-coated metal pans, while steering clear of the laborious reputation of cast iron,” says Abra Berens, cookbook author and executive chef at Granor Farm. “Plus, they come in a rainbow of colors, which is so much fun.”
We tested 16 of the best ceramic cookware sets in our Lab, evaluating them on performance, design, and ease of cleaning. We also looked at the number of pieces, heat thresholds, nonstick coatings, and care specifications of each set. For expert advice, we tapped Berens, Odette Williams, The New York Times best-selling cookbook author of Simple Pasta and Simple Cake, as well as Rebecca Fuoco, MPH, the director of communications for the Green Science Policy Institute.
Best Overall Ceramic Cookware Set: Caraway Cookware Set
What Stands Out
It’s a sleek and easy-to-clean set of nonstick ceramic pots and pans.
What Could Be Improved
The pans are on the heavier side and are not dishwasher-safe.
Caraway’s signature set is just as functional as it is attractive. The super slick finish allows for scrub-free cleaning—which is important given that the pans are not dishwasher-safe. The aluminum body heats quickly and evenly, and the pots and pans are oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit (although they are not recommended for use under the broiler).
When we tested making scrambled eggs, rice, and onions, there were no hot spots in the pans, and the nonstick quality was great; the food slid right out, and wiping the pans clean was simple. While the food is easy to maneuver in the pan, there are no spouts on the sides, and the sides of the skillets don’t have much of an angle. This gives the pans more surface area for cooking but can make pouring food out more challenging.
The handles of most of the pots and pans are curved, and there is a bump stop on the bottom to let you know when the handles get hot. Otherwise, the handles stay cool to the touch and are sturdy, though the pans are bulky. Most of the weight is distributed throughout the pans, so they can feel heavy and unbalanced when food is in them, especially if you are trying to hold them with one hand.
The set comes with a 10.5-inch frying pan, a 3-quart saucepan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, three lids, a canvas lid holder, and four modular pan racks to keep your pans neat and organized. In the future, we’d love to see a smaller fry pan included for frying a single egg, but otherwise, this is a set you’ll rely on for nearly any kitchen task. Plus, with a myriad of colorful exteriors, the set can coordinate with any kitchen decor.
Price at time of publish: $395
Number of Pieces: 7 (plus 4 modular pan racks and a canvas lid holder) | Oven Safe Temperature: 550 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: Yes | Care: Hand wash
Best Budget Ceramic Cookware Set: T-fal Initiatives Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
What Stands Out
It’s a lightweight and easy-to-clean set that provides you with everything you need on a budget.
What Could Be Improved
The pieces tend to be a little clunkier and are only oven-safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
This cost-effective set is ideal for anyone starting out on their cooking journey. It includes everything you need for stress-free cooking: three frying pans (8.5, 10.5, and 11 inches), two saucepans (1 and 2 quarts), a Dutch oven (5 quarts), and even four nylon utensils. All of the products (minus two of the frying pans) come with a lid as well.
The nonstick coating is effective, but we found that the pans tend to run hot. The set is great for low- and medium-heat cooking applications, such as sauteing, but since the tempered glass lids can only withstand 350 degrees Fahrenheit, you can’t use it for high-heat cooking in the oven. The pieces are on the clunkier side but they’re medium lightweight, so you can still hold them and move them around with one hand. The handles feel a little plasticky and rigid, but they don’t get hot during use and have a large hole for hanging if you’re low on cabinet space.
Perfect for those moving into their first apartment, the ceramic cookware set features a nonstick interior coating that’s scratch- and stain-resistant, so it’s easy to cook with. And when it’s time to clean, every piece of the set is dishwasher-safe—just be sure to wash the utensils on the top rack to avoid melting plastic.
Price at time of publish: $90
Number of Pieces: 14 | Oven Safe Temperature: 350 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: No | Care: Dishwasher safe
Best Splurge Ceramic Cookware Set: GreenPan GP5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
What Stands Out
The set is both attractive and effective, with great nonstick capabilities.
What Could Be Improved
The sticker price may not be accessible to everyone, and the different pieces heat inconsistently.
For home cooks looking to upgrade their cookware, there’s no better choice than the GreenPan GP5 14-piece set. Crafted from two layers of stainless steel and three layers of aluminum and protected by wrapped rims and a ceramic nonstick interior, this GreenPan set is the right combination of durable and easy to clean. The pots and pans don't have the same colorful appearance as other ceramic cookware sets, but the sleek finish gives off an undeniably sophisticated look.
The nonstick surface performs extremely well—during a fried egg test, the egg slid out without the help of a spatula. Due to the different sizes and thicknesses of the bottoms, our tests found that each piece heats slightly differently (though heating may be more consistent when using an induction burner). The cookware is also easy to clean by hand, with food coming out of the pan quickly.
The pieces are medium-heavy weight and a little front-heavy, but they’re generally comfortable to hold with one hand. The handles are long but don’t have a bump to stop your fingers from getting too close to the pan, where it tends to get very hot. The set is also not tailored to any particular skill level, so both beginners and advanced home chefs can use it.
The set is chip- and dent-resistant, and there’s no worry of blistering if the pans get too hot. The lids even include steam-release holes to limit bubbling over. In total, you'll get two fry pans, two saucepans with lids, one sauté pan with lid, one stock pot with lids, and three pan protectors.
Price at time of publish: $700
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees Fahrenheit (lids are safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit) | Induction Ready: Yes | Care: Dishwasher safe, hand washing recommended
Best Stainless Ceramic Cookware Set: GreenLife Stainless Pro 10-Piece Cookware Set
What Stands Out
This is a lightweight stainless steel set that heats evenly and is ideal for simple, daily meals.
What Could Be Improved
The glass lids don’t have vents so they can fog and accumulate condensation when cooking.
If stainless steel is your preference, both in terms of cooking and aesthetic, the GreenLife set is a great option. This cookware set is made with two layers of stainless steel surrounding an aluminum core, with a ceramic nonstick coating and stainless steel handles.
In our cooking tests, we found that food didn’t stick to the pan and that there were no hot spots. The center of the fry pans is slightly raised, so oil rolls to the edge of the pan instead of sitting over the direct heat source. Despite being stainless steel, the pieces are fairly lightweight, and the curved handles are ergonomic and hollow to help keep the weight manageable. The smooth, ceramic coating also makes cleaning the cookware a cinch.
The set includes two fry pans, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, a 2-quart saucepan with lid, a 5-quart stock pot with lid, and two bamboo cooking utensils. All the lids are glass and oven safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, though they don’t have vents to prevent fogging while cooking.
Price at time of publish: $130
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees Fahrenheit (lids are safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit) | Induction Ready: Yes | Care: Dishwasher safe, hand wash recommended
Most Durable Ceramic Cookware Set: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Vitale 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set
What Stands Out
It’s a well-balanced set with a three-layer nonstick coating that can be used for all types of cooking.
What Could Be Improved
The handles on the lids get very hot while in use.
This set is versatile and long-lasting, thanks to a three-layer nonstick coating that’s reinforced with hardening speckles to be super durable. Even after our metal test, there were just faint scratches that were only noticeable in certain lighting. The cooking surface of each piece is textured and extends almost all the way to the edge to give you plenty of room for cooking. We found that the heat distribution is gentle so you can control browning vs. burning.
With this cookware set, you can sear, fry, braise, bake, and more, as it’s oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The nonstick coating helps with cleaning as well; we were able to wash most food residue off with just water pressure—and a sponge and some dish soap make the job even faster.
The pieces are slightly bulky but well-balanced, though if they are full of food, you may want to use two hands to lift them. The handles are long and have a divet on top to allow for a more comfortable grip, and they stay moderately cool as long as they aren’t sitting over the cooking surface. The handles on the lids, however, get very hot and are untouchable while the lids are in use. Included in the set are two fry pans, 1-quart and 2-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and a 6-quart Dutch oven with lid.
Price at time of publish: $550
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: Yes | Care: Dishwasher safe
Most Stylish Ceramic Cookware Set: Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 12-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
What Stands Out
This aluminum set has a clean, simple design and is ideal for lower-temperature cooking.
What Could Be Improved:
The handle attachments have exposed bolts on the inside, which may be harder to clean.
From Drew Barrymore’s affordable cookware collection with Walmart, this stylish set comes complete with 8- and 10-inch fry pans, a 3-quart sauté pan, a 2-quart saucepan, a 5-quart Dutch oven, and four cookware protectors. Not only are these pots and pans compatible with all cooktops (even induction), but they also heat evenly and can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven (including the lids). Do note that the coating chips if used with metal or sharp utensils, although this is not unusual for ceramic-coated cookware.
The pieces are made from aluminum and have a heavy bottom to mitigate hot spots and allow for even, consistent cooking. Despite that, the set is lightweight with long, stainless steel handles that are flat on top and rounded on the bottom to make them easy to hold and maneuver. The handles on the stock pot do get hot when water is boiling, and the lid handles also get warm enough to require using pot holders, but the handles on the skillets and saucepans stayed cool during cooking in our tests. Overall, the cookware is designed well for effective cleaning by hand, though the handle attachments have exposed bolts on the inside surface, which may be harder to clear and oxidize over time.
A couple of things to note: Even though the set is advertised as including 12 pieces, four of those are cookware protector pads. The instructions also say the cookware can be damaged or discolored if the heat source is too high, so it’s best to use this set for meals cooked at lower temperatures.
Price at time of publish: $129
Number of Pieces: 12 | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: Yes | Care: Dishwasher safe, hand wash recommended
Best Ceramic Cookware Set for Beginners: Bialetti Ceramic Pro 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set
What Stands Out
This basic ceramic cookware set is easy to maneuver and oven safe.
What Could Be Improved
The set has a lower oven-safe temperature and isn’t dishwasher-safe.
For beginner chefs, this 10-piece ceramic Bialetti cookware set has all the basics to cover your kitchen adventures. It comes with two sauté pans (8 and 10 inches), 1.5-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart deep sauté pan with lid, and a 6-quart Dutch oven with lid.
We didn’t notice any hot spots in our tests, and we found that the pans have large cooking surface areas. The pieces are lightweight and balanced, and they can be handled with ease even with food in them. The handles stay cool to the touch and have a curved bottom that allows for one-handed holding, flipping, and moving. There are no spouts on any of the pieces, but the edges are rolled, which helps with pouring.
The Bialetti cookware set is not dishwasher-safe, but we found that washing with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge removed food residue without much effort. The cookware is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is on the lower end compared to the other sets we tested—but it still allows for some versatility for recipes that call for roasting and braising.
Price at time of publish: $239
Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe Temperature: 400 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: No | Care: Hand wash
Best Small Ceramic Cookware Set: Frieling Black Cube Quick Release 7-Piece Cookware Set
What Stands Out
This cookware set comes with just seven pieces, so you don’t get more pots and pans than you’d need.
What Could Be Improved
The lids have a rubber rim, which doesn’t allow for as tight a seal on the pots.
Not everyone needs or has room for a giant set of pots and pans, which is why this Frieling stainless steel set stands out. It’s smaller than the other sets on our list (just four pots and pans) but still sufficient for most cooking needs. You’ll get a 9.5-inch fry pan, a 2.5-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and a 7.5-quart stockpot with lid.
In our tests, we had no problems cooking or removing a fried egg, but rice and scrambled eggs did get stuck in the saucepan and required a little more effort to scrub off. The cooking surfaces have a textured stainless steel pattern, but it doesn't impede cleaning. The pots and pans have a nice heft while still being maneuverable—even the stockpot, which felt particularly well-balanced.
The lids twist open and close for steam release, but they have a rubber rim all around, which prevents a tight seal when on the pots. The knobs on the lids do get warm, so you need a potholder or an oven mitt to touch them. However, the handles on the sauté pan and skillet stayed cool during cooking in our tests. The price does seem on the higher side for a smaller number of pieces, but the nonstick quality is generally reliable, and the set is both oven- and dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $450
Number of Pieces: 7 | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees Fahrenheit | Induction Ready: Yes | Care: Dishwasher safe
Final Verdict
The Caraway Cookware Set tops our list as the best overall ceramic cookware set, standing out for its chic look and durable build. Plus, the ceramic nonstick coating could not be easier to clean. However, if you’re looking to spend a bit less on quality cookware, opt for the T-fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware Set. It’s dishwasher- and oven-safe, and comes with 14 pieces (including cooking utensils!)—you can’t ask for more bang for your buck.
Our Testing Process
We tested 16 ceramic cookware sets in our Lab and evaluated them based on performance, design, durability, and ease of cleaning. We ran five different tests using various pots and pans in the sets.
First, we tested either stock pots or Dutch ovens to boil water. We poured four cups of 72 degrees Fahrenheit water (measured via a thermometer) into the stock pot or Dutch oven, put the pot on the burner, turned the burner to high, and immediately started a stopwatch. Once the water reached a boil (212 degrees Fahrenheit, measured by the instant-read thermometer), we stopped the stopwatch and recorded the time. We used pot holders to carry the pot to the sink and slowly poured out the water, noting the pot’s maneuverability while lifting and pouring, as well as how comfortable the handles were. After the pot cooled, we dried it off with a towel to see if there was any discoloration on the bottom from the burners.
To fry eggs, we tested 8-inch skillets (if not available, 10-inch skillets). To gauge the skillet’s nonstick properties, we put it on top of a gas burner and set the burner to medium-low. We then started a stopwatch and let the skillet heat for two minutes. After it had heated, we lightly coated the skillet with two teaspoons of oil, cracked an egg into the pan, and let the egg cook undisturbed for three minutes. Then, we removed the skillet from the burner and tipped it to see if the egg would slide off easily, and if we needed the aid of a spatula. For skillets that were compatible with metal utensils, we used a metal turner and checked for scratches after. For skillets that were not compatible with metal utensils, we used a silicone or rubber spatula. After use, we washed and dried the skillet by hand and observed if there was any stuck food and if it was difficult to remove it.
Next, we tested a saute pan or 12-inch skillet to make scrambled eggs. We put the pan on top of a gas burner, set it to medium-low heat, and let the pan heat for two minutes. We then added one tablespoon of butter to the pan (allowing it to fully melt), poured in two cups of liquid eggs, and then let the eggs cook for one minute undisturbed. Using a silicone or rubber spatula, we pushed one edge of the eggs into the center while tilting the pan to allow the liquid eggs to flow to the other side. We repeated this until there was no liquid left. After, we turned off the heat and continued stirring the eggs until all the uncooked parts became firm, paying attention to how easy it was to move the eggs around the pan. We used the spatula to scrape the scrambled eggs onto a plate and noted both if the eggs stuck to the pan or rivets and how easy it was to lift and maneuver the pan. After washing and drying the skillet, we looked for any stuck-on egg pieces and noted how difficult it was to remove them.
For our rice pilaf test, we used a saucepan. We microwaved 1.5 cups of broth until it reached a boil and put the saucepan on top of a gas burner. After setting the burner to medium heat, we added butter and diced onion, stirring with a wooden spoon. We added uncooked rice, stirring constantly until the rice was fully coated with butter. We then increased the burner temperature to high, added the stock, brought the mixture to a boil, and then lowered the heat to medium-low. We covered the saucepan with the lid and let it cook for 15 minutes, noting how securely the lid fit on the saucepan and if the lid was hot to the touch. After the rice was cooked, we let it sit in the saucepan covered and undisturbed for 10 minutes. We then removed the lid, fluffed the rice, and used a wooden spoon to scrape the rice into a bowl, observing how easy it was to lift the saucepan from the stove with one hand. After washing and drying the saucepan by hand, we looked for any stuck food, discoloration, or other difficulties in cleaning the pan.
Finally, to test scratching and durability on metal-compatible sets, we took a 12-inch skillet (or a 10-inch saucepan if a skillet wasn’t available) and firmly dragged the blade of a paring knife across the cooking surface from the top left corner to the bottom right corner, and then from the top right corner to the bottom left corner, and looked for any surface damage.
How to Shop for Ceramic Cookware Like a Pro
Material
Ceramic cookware is lightweight (generally lighter than stainless steel), allowing for maneuverability with one hand while carrying and pouring. The nonstick property of ceramic coating allows for easy cooking and cleaning, even if you’re cleaning by hand, but it isn’t always compatible with metal utensils.
“Glazing ceramics is a complex science,” says Odette Williams, The New York Times best-selling cookbook author. “Technically, most pans are mostly metal with a thin ceramic coating.” While they are often aluminum or stainless steel at their base, ceramic pan coatings are crafted from a sand-based glaze called Sol-gel, which creates a nonstick surface as it heats.
Rebecca Fuoco, MPH, the director of communications for the Green Science Policy Institute, says to “look for brands that say they are PFAS-free (see the Green Science Policy Institute's list here) and disclose third-party testing showing no detectable levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, and other harmful metals.”
Size and Quantity
Deciding what size cookware set to purchase, along with the number of pieces, is largely up to personal preference. A large cookware set is a big investment, so Williams suggests buying one piece to see if that kind is the right fit.
For those with smaller kitchens or infrequent cooking schedules, a smaller set with just the essentials (like the Frieling Black Cube Quick Release Cookware Set) is a great choice. However, if you’re one to cook every night of the week and love expanding your culinary skills, a set with eight or more pieces gives you the flexibility to try new things without having to hand wash pans in between courses.
Oven Safe
Whether it’s 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 600 degrees Fahrenheit, every ceramic pan has a different maximum oven-safe temperature. This just means that above that threshold, the pan is subject to damage like blistering, peeling, and warping. But unlike stainless steel or cast iron, ceramic pans are rarely broiler safe, so it’s important to check the individual standards, there’s not a rule that encompasses all. It’s also important to note that the lids, whether glass or ceramic, are often less durable and will have a lower heat threshold.
Care
The better you care for your pans, the longer they will last. In our tests, we found that many of the sets were listed as dishwasher-safe, but most manufacturers recommend hand-washing with a mild detergent to extend the life of the cookware. It’s important to check the individual care instructions, but unless otherwise specified, hand wash pans only with standard dish soap. The best feature of ceramic nonstick coatings is the ease in which foods will slide off, so scrubbing while washing should be kept to a minimum.
When caring for the coating, try to avoid metal cooking utensils (metal serving spoons, tongs, and spatulas) because these will snag on the coating and accelerate the disintegration process and cause the coating to chip. Unlike cast iron, ceramic pans require no seasoning or oil coating to keep them high quality.
More Ceramic Cookware to Consider
Blue Diamond Classic Cookware Set: This budget-friendly set includes 10 lightweight pieces that are best suited for simple cooking and for feeding a small number of people. However, they feel more cheaply constructed than some other sets we tested, and we found there isn’t a lot of cooking surface area.
Farberware Eco Advantage Recycled Aluminum Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set: This simple cookware set has 13 pieces made from recycled aluminum that you wouldn’t mind taking on a camping trip or getting a little beat up. The pots and pans are very lightweight and easy to clean, but they’re only oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Questions You Might Ask
Is ceramic cookware better than traditional nonstick cookware?
For Abra Berens, cookbook author and executive chef at Granor Farm, it depends on how you define “better.” While ceramic nonstick tends to degrade and chip faster than traditional (Teflon) nonstick, it’s often considered a safer alternative to traditional nonstick, as the latter can release toxic fumes when used at high temperatures (above 500 degrees Fahrenheit). In Berens’ mind, “the best pans are the ones that last the longest.” She continues, “Ceramic, stainless steel, and cast iron are more likely to be longest-owned tools in my kitchen and I think the longer the lifespan of something the better it is for our pocketbooks, our families, and our world.”
On the other hand, Fuoco explains that ceramic cookware is healthier for both us and our food. “Traditional nonstick cookware is typically coated with PFAS, most often PTFE (Teflon). Ceramic cookware generally does not contain Teflon or any other PFAS. Instead, it has a thin coating acting as a barrier between the metal base and food you’re cooking.”
Is ceramic cookware made without chemicals?
Ceramic-coated pans are made free of PTFE (commonly called Teflon). However, in any man-made product, there will be a certain number of chemicals involved. Most ceramic coating is made with Sol-gel, a type of silicone oil that is released every time the pan is used.
Fuoco explains that “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or ‘forever chemicals’ are chemicals that contain strong carbon-fluorine bonds, giving them chemical properties that make products nonstick, waterproof, or stain-repellent. Unfortunately, these same carbon-fluorine bonds also make PFAS extremely resistant to break down.”
How long does ceramic cookware last?
Ceramic cookware will last anywhere from one to five years. The metal pan itself is often highly durable and long-lasting, but the nonstick coating tends to only last about a year.
But according to Berens, as long as the coating is not chipping into your food or blistering from high heat, the pan remains totally safe to use. “You can always add some fat to the pan to make up for a lack of non-stickiness,” she says. “As long as it’s not Teflon, where the coating degrades into your food, you can continue to use the pan.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Kate McGregor and Lesley Chen, contributing writers for Real Simple. We tested 16 ceramic cookware sets, evaluating each on performance, design, and ease of cleaning. We also consulted Odette Williams, The New York Times best-selling cookbook author of Simple Pasta and Simple Cake; Abra Berens, cookbook author and executive chef at Granor Farm; and Rebecca Fuoco, MPH, the director of communications for the Green Science Policy Institute.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
Related: The 8 Best Induction Cookware Sets of 2023
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