We Tested Over 30 Ceramic Cookware Sets and Recommend These 5
These are the best for high-heat searing, sautéing, and more.
Tested by Lizzy BriskinContributer
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When I started working at Good Housekeeping in 2019, ceramic-coated cookware still felt new even though it had been around for years. It was introduced as an alternative to Teflon-coated nonstick cookware, but the early models were flimsy and wore out quickly. However, I’ve seen the category evolve significantly in recent years, with durable, higher-performing models and stylish, design-forward sets.
Our top picks:
✔️ Best overall: GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 16-Piece Cookware Set
A fully-equipped ceramic set appropriate for most kitchens
✔️ Best value: Farberware TrueCook 12-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set
An under-$100 pick that outperforms its price tag
✔️ Best modern design: Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set
A photo-worthy set that comes with a storage organizer
✔️ Best stainless steel: GreenPan Spectra Thermobond Hybrid 10-Piece Cookware Set
A durable, high-performing choice that’s great for searing
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab seared steaks, fried eggs, and simmered sauces in more than 30 ceramic cookware sets, testing multiple pans in each set for their nonstick performance, stain resistance, searing ability, ease of use, and cleanup. The versatile and reliable GreenPan Valencia Pro 13-Piece Set earned top scores across tests to earn our Best Overall spot.
Best Deal
Pros
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Comfortable handles
- Balanced
Cons
- Rims tend to scratch but less than others we've tested
Who it’s best for
Most home cooks looking for a complete set of ceramic cookware
What you’re getting (and what you’re giving up)
While GreenPan has introduced many ceramic-coated cookware sets since this Valencia line came out, it remains one of my favorites. Each piece is lightweight yet sturdy, with long, polished handles that bulge in the center to sit comfortably in your hand. The surface of each pan is wide, and the walls have a gentle flare for easy flipping.
The assortment of pieces in this set is versatile and functional. The pans and saucepans are well balanced—meaning they don’t feel awkwardly heavy or off-center in your hand—and they come with clear, well-fitting lids. I like the size and shape of the stockpot, which is short and wide, perfect for boiling and straining a pound of pasta.
Not only is the light interior attractive, but it hides the inevitable scratches that tend to appear on ceramic-coated pans (though these pans weren’t entirely scratch-free after several uses). Except for a few lids, the pieces nest together, and the included pot protectors help guard against scratches.
How it performed in testing
In our tests, fried eggs released easily with a nudge from a spatula, and simmered tomato sauce barely stuck to the bottom; it cleaned right up.
| Diashwasher-safe | Yes |
| Induction-ready | Yes |
| Oven-safe | Up to 600°F (lids up to 425°F) |
| Set includes | 8-in. frying pan, 9.5-in. frying pan, 11-in. frying pan, 5-qt stock pot with lid, 2-qt saucepan with lid, 3-qt saucepan with lid, 3-qt sauté pan with lid, 11-in. grill pan with lid, three pan protectors |
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Excellent nonstick performance
- Comes with four cooking tools
Cons
- Not induction-compatible
Who it’s best for
Cooks who prefer lightweight cookware and don’t have an induction stove
What you’re getting (and what you’re giving up)
While heft is often a sign of quality in cookware, a well-made lightweight set is easy to handle, which is one of the reasons this one stood out during testing.
The included pieces cover a wide variety of tasks, and the set stacks relatively neatly. It comes with four cooking tools (shears, tongs, a spatula, and a slotted spoon), which is a nice bonus, especially for the price. Plus, you can order the pieces individually if you don't want the entire set.
The pots and pans are available in taupe and a creamy green. They're aluminum, which means they are not compatible with induction stoves.
How it performed in testing
This is the least expensive set on our list, but it doesn't skimp on cooking performance. The pans showed great nonstick properties and cleaned up beautifully. Fried eggs slid right out of the pan, and the 10-inch skillet heated quickly and evenly in our heat distribution test. It also produced a tender and evenly browned steak.
The saucepans heated quickly and maintained a steady simmer for an hour. The handles are large, sturdy, and comfortable, and they stayed cool during cooking.
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Induction ready | No |
| Oven-safe | Up to 350°F |
| Set includes | 2-qt saucepan with lid, 5-qt Dutch oven with lid, 3.5-qt chef pan, 8-in. fry pan, 10-in. fry pan, tongs, shears with sheath, spatula, slotted spoon |
Pros
- Available in an array of eye-catching colors
- Comes with lid and pan storage
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Lid handles get hot
- Lids are not transparent
Who it’s best for
Kitchens where aesthetics are paramount
What you’re getting (and what you’re giving up)
This set from Caraway is an internet darling, but it offers all the basics your kitchen needs: a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 3-quart saucepan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan, and a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, as well as organizing systems for the pans and lids. It comes in an array of colors that are pretty enough to display on your stovetop year-round.
The pots have beautiful flat lids. While they're not transparent, you can purchase a 10.5-inch glass lid separately. Each lid has a small steam vent that's a good indicator of what's happening inside (high steam = rolling boil; low steam = about to boil). The lid handles can get hot and condensation can build up inside, so be careful when opening hot pans.
The set comes with a canvas storage sleeve for the lids and magnetic pan racks, which are useful but might not fit in your kitchen. The pans and lids are oven-safe up to 550ºF.
How it performed in testing
The skillet showed good nonstick performance and was easy to clean. It did, however, become less nonstick over time, which is common, so don't be afraid to use cooking fat as needed.
| Dishwasher-safe | No |
| Induction-ready | Yes |
| Oven-safe | Up to 550°F |
| Set includes | 10.5-in. frying pan, 3-qt saucepan with lid, 4.5-qt sauté pan, 6.5-qt Dutch oven with lid, four modular magnetic pan racks, canvas lid holder with hooks |
Pros
- Well-balanced weight
- Available in a range of colors
- Evenly distributed heat
Cons
- Eggs may slightly stick to pan
Who it’s best for
Anyone outfitting a new kitchen, like recent graduates or new homeowners
What you’re getting (and what you’re giving up)
For those buying their first pieces of cookware, this Nova set has you covered. It includes the pots and pans you need for basic cooking, along with a silicone spoon and spatula, while avoiding extra pieces that might go unused. Plus, it's a great price for colorful cookware that comes in an attractive assortment of earth tones, including coral, cream, deep teal, and ocean.
These pans are nicely balanced for a comfortable hold and their modern-looking curved lid handles are stylish and functional, so the pots are easy to grip and lift.
How it performed in testing
The set's performance impressed our expert testers. The fry pan has a large, wide surface, which showed uniform heat distribution and cooked an evenly browned steak with crisp edges. Scrambled eggs stuck a bit, but they wiped away easily with a sponge after cooking. The pans have a nice weight that makes them sturdy but easy to maneuver. The handles are wide and flat, which encourages a good grip, but can be uncomfortable for some.
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Induction-ready | Yes |
| Oven-safe | Up to 600°F |
| Set includes | 8-in. frying pan, 10-in. frying pan, 3.26-qt saucepan with lid, 4.37-qt sauté pan with lid, 6.61-qt stock pot with lid, silicone turner, two pan protectors, sponge |
Pros
- High-end design and look
- Displayed good heat distribution and browning in our tests
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Lid handles can get hot
Who it’s best for
Serious home cooks who use their cookware regularly and value durability
What you’re getting (and what you’re giving up)
The high-end GreenPan Spectra cookware combines ceramic nonstick with the durability of three-ply stainless steel. The interior of the pots and pans has an etched pattern that helps prevent food from sticking and is also coated with slick ceramic. They're heavy, but balanced.
The thick, sturdy frying pan handles are comfortable to hold, though the lid handle on the larger sauce pot got very hot during our sauce simmering test; you'll need oven mitts.
How it performed in testing
The pan heated evenly in our tests, and fried eggs slid right out, though scrambled eggs left behind a little residue. Steak cooked better in this set than in any other GreenPan set we tested, browning evenly with crisp edges. All tests cleaned up nicely.
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Induction-ready | Yes |
| Oven-safe | 850°F (Lids up to 425°F) |
| Set includes | 8-in. frying pan, 10.75-in. frying pan, 1.5-qt saucepan with lid, 3.25-qt saucepan with lid, 3.25-qt sauté pan with lid, 8-qt stock pot with lid, sponge |
Other ceramic cookware we tested
- OXO Professional 10-Piece Cookware Set: Oven-safe up to 600ºF, the pans have nice, wide bases. Though it's a solid set, the handles can get very hot—be sure to have an oven mitt handy.
- Good Cook 14 piece Removeable Handle Ceramic Cookware: Removable handles make it easier to stack the pans for storage, but it means more pieces to keep track of.
- GreenPan Stanley Tucci Ceramic 11-Piece Cookware Set: The pans are slightly heavy but have nice wide cooking surfaces. We especially like the handle design, though they got very hot during testing.
- KitchenAid 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Ceramic Cookware Set: This is a durable, lightweight set that performed well in our searing tests, but it showed wear and tear more readily than our other picks.
- KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Ceramic Cookware Set: We love the rich forest green color of this lightweight set, and it did great in our egg tests, but the exterior showed wear and tear quickly.
- Kilne Cookware Set: This luxury set looks pretty and received high scores in our egg tests. While beautiful, the look and style may not be for everyone.
- Made In CeramiClad Nonstick Frying Pan Set: Made In’s three-piece set is a stunner with its five-ply stainless steel body and creamy ceramic coating. While they perform well, the ceramic coating chipped and scratched during testing.
- Member's Mark 11-Piece Modern Ceramic Cookware Set: This is an affordable set that’s easy to use, but the pans are on the heavy side and don’t nest together well for storage.
- Quince Ceramic Nonstick 7-Piece Cookware Set: With an attractive, modern design, this set includes four pans with three opaque lids. The fry pan produced a nicely seared steak and showed even heat distribution in our tests, but we wished the pans nested together better.
How we test ceramic cookware
In the Kitchen Lab, we've tested more than 200 cookware sets, and more than 30 ceramic sets. We run each pan through the following tests to evaluate ease of use and performance:
✔️ Heat distribution and steak tests: We use a mixture of flour and cooking fat to see how quickly the fry pans heat and if they have hot spots. We also cook steaks to assess how well the pan can sear.
✔️ Egg tests: To measure food release, we cook fried and scrambled eggs without added oil.
✔️ Simmer and sauce tests: We assess how quickly the pots bring water to a boil and maintain a simmer. We also simmer tomato sauce in the saucepans to test for scorching and staining.
✔️ Ease of use: We consider balance, handle design, comfort, and how easy each piece is to clean.
What to look for when shopping for ceramic cookware
✔️ Material: Ceramic cookware can be made from a variety of materials. Ceramic that's glazed to make it nonstick can be quite heavy and slow to heat. Coated aluminum is lighter and heats faster, while coated stainless steel is heavier and sturdier. The heavier the pan, the better it will likely sear and retain heat without overheating, but lighter pans are appealingly quick to heat and easy to maneuver.
Ceramic cookware generally heats quickly, especially compared to stainless steel, so regardless of pan weight, use lower temps and keep a close eye on it.
The type of coating determines how nonstick it is and how long it will last, though most will only last a couple of years. Those with reinforced or multiple coatings, often advertised on the packaging, are designed to last longer.
✔️ Set size: Most of the sets on our list have about 10 pieces, including an assortment of fry pans, saucepans, and small stockpots. Opt for a set with the pieces you'll use most. Ten-inch fry pans are great for everyday use, while 12-inch fry pans come in handy for larger meals. A small 2- to 3-quart saucepan is suitable for boiling eggs and heating soups, while larger ones are good for pasta.
✔️ Cleanability: Most cookware is touted as dishwasher-safe, even ceramic cookware, but we recommend washing by hand to extend the lifespan. High temperatures and abrasive cleaning detergents can cause them to wear quickly and lose their nonstick properties.
✔️ Induction compatibility: If you have an induction cooktop, make sure your ceramic cookware is induction-compatible. As a tip, look for sturdier cookware with wider bases that can make better contact with the heating elements for the best results.
Is ceramic the healthiest cookware?
Brands often promote ceramic cookware as a "healthier" option because it's free of PFOA and PTFE. Here's what that actually means: PFOA is a type of PFAS chemical that was once used in the production of PTFE—the nonstick material best known by the brand name Teflon.
PFOA chemicals have been linked to some health concerns, and there's growing concern about their prevalence in nature. It's important to know that the use of PFOA has been phased out of the United States' cookware manufacturing process, but keep in mind that "[its replacements] haven't been around long enough for researchers to fully understand if they might have the same (or even different) health effects," according to Cancer.org.
Cookware without nonstick coatings, like stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, copper, and aluminum, don't contain PFOA or PTFE, so, according to the definition above, they're also considered "healthy." If you're looking for nonstick cookware you can feel good about, consider cast iron or carbon steel. At the same time, these materials require more care and maintenance, but they can naturally develop nonstick properties with more use.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she has led all cookware testing for nearly seven years.
Lizzy Briskin is a contributing product analyst in the Kitchen Lab, where she’s tested dozens of cookware sets, including many of the ceramic sets in this story, over the past year. She performed the most recent update to this guide.
Lizzy Briskin (she/her) is a contributing analyst and writer in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She tests kitchen appliances and gear for the GH Institute and writes about food and cooking. She is a food and lifestyle writer and recipe developer who has served as food editor at Real Simple, Food Network, and Pioneer Woman. Her writing and recipes have appeared in outlets including National Geographic, Bon Appétit, Women's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, and The Bump. She has a culinary degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and a BA in English from Amherst College.
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