We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?

The nonstick pans, pots and skillets that make cooking easy.

This article was updated in July 2022 to ensure all product picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab were up-to-date and in stock.

A nonstick pan is an essential piece of cookware in every chef's kitchen, from the most professional to the very beginner. And no matter whether you cook on a gas range, electric range or an induction cooktop, a quality nonstick cookware set will get put to use often. Nonstick cookware makes cooking eggs — especially scrambled eggs — easier, and it makes pan-searing fish simpler. A nonstick pan can also prevent your favorite pancake recipe from tearing apart in the pan. There are two main types of nonstick cookware: traditional nonstick and ceramic. The difference lies in the nonstick coating and sometimes the material of the pan. This list focuses on traditional nonstick, but you can also check out our picks for the best ceramic nonstick cookware, which includes even more options.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we have tested more than 100 cookware sets and individual cookware pieces over the years, including stainless steel sets and cast iron skillets. Our favorite nonstick pans are the ones that can do it all, from cooking an egg with no oil to searing a steak, while remaining easy to clean after use. Below are our favorite nonstick pans, including top-tested picks, editor favorites and new releases with innovative features that make searing or pan-frying easy.

Read on for how we evaluate nonstick cookware in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect cookware set — at the end of this guide. Looking to invest in more state-of-the-art kitchen appliances? Check out our guides on best electric knives and best blenders.

Made of anodized aluminum, which gives it some heft, and a nonstick finish that's Teflon-free, this set combines unbeatable performance with durability. We love that the handles stay cool while cooking and were blown away by the set's outstanding heat distribution, quick boiling and even searing. The nonstick coating was so effective that we could scramble eggs or sauté veggies without oil or butter — they slid right off the pan! Each piece is oven-safe up to 450˚F. • What’s in the set: 8-in. frypan, 10-in. frypan, 3-qt. covered saucepan, 6-qt. covered stockpot, 5-qt. covered saucepan, 2.5-qt. covered saucepan • Material: Anodized aluminum • Dishwasher safe: No • Oven safe: Yes, up to 450˚F • Induction safe: No

T-fal's Teflon-free nonstick coating makes these pots and pans foolproof when it comes to turning out crepes, frittatas and other sticky foods. Their handles stay cool to the touch and include a finger grip, so they’re comfortable to hold when cooking. They’re lightweight and should be used over low to medium heat, and the thermo-heat indicator lets you know when it's ready to use. In our tests, scrambled eggs and pancakes cooked evenly with zero sticking. Plus, the griddle was a fun addition for breakfast items, especially bacon. Whether you hand-wash or use the dishwasher, these pieces clean up beautifully thanks to their dark nonstick finish inside and out.

• What’s in the set: 7.75-in. fry pan, 11-in. fry pan, 1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 5.5-qt. covered Dutch oven, 10.25-in. griddle pan, spoon, ladle and slotted spatula • Material: Nonstick-coated aluminum • Dishwasher safe: Yes • Oven safe: Yes, up to 350˚F • Induction safe: No

The Non Stick Set from Made In comes with the essentials needed to cook nearly everything you can think of from eggs, fish and steak to sauces, side dishes, pasta and braises. The pieces stand out for having the heft of stainless steel pans but the ease of nonstick pans. In our tests, they heated evenly and maintained a steady simmer; plus, the pan and lid handles stayed cool. We particularly liked how the lids fit smoothly onto each pan, an often overlooked detail. Eggs and pancakes slid off the pan without the use of any grease, and the inside of the pan wiped clean.

All of the pots and pans are easy to handle and wash, though the outside of the pans got marred over higher temps as it commonly does with stainless steel. They also worked well on induction, a not-so-easy feat for many nonstick pans made of lighter materials.

RELATED: Read Our Full Review of Made In's Non Stick Set

• What’s in the set: 8-qt. stock pot with lid, 4-qt. saute pan with lid, 4-qt saucepan with lid, 10-inch frying pan • Material: Stainless clad nonstick • Dishwasher safe: No • Oven safe: Up to 500ºF • Induction safe: Yes

The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized pans (made without Teflon) earned high scores in our tests for heat distribution and staining. They also scored well for easy release and browning. The two small pots are great for boiling eggs and heating soups and the silicone-grip handles make moving them around easy. They’re a popular pick on Amazon and come in three colors: blue, orange and red. The slotted spoon and fish spatula are a useful bonus.

• What’s in the set: 1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 6-qt. covered stockpot, 8.5-in. frying pan, 10-in. frying pan, 3-qt. covered sauté pan, nonstick slotted spoon and fish spatula • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum • Dishwasher safe: Yes • Oven safe: Yes, up to 400˚F • Induction safe: No

Ninja, the brand that makes our best overall air fryer, has designed pots and pans that are durable enough to handle a steak, but light enough to move around for the simplest of tasks, like frying an egg or boiling water. They have straight sides, which help maximize the cooking surface area and slim lids. Their nonstick coating is applied at a very high temperature to help avoid chipping and scratching and is oven-safe up to 500˚F. Unlike most cookware, Ninja’s lids are also oven-safe up to 500˚F.

• What’s in the set: 8-in. fry pan, 10.25-in. fry pan, 2.5-qt. covered saucepan, 3-qt. covered sauté pan, 6.5-qt. covered stockpot • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum • Dishwasher safe: Yes • Oven safe: Yes, up to 500˚F • Induction safe: Yes

All-Clad has been a top performer in our cookware tests; it heats evenly, prevents food from sticking and browns meat well. While we haven't tested this All-Clad set, we are pleased to see that the brand's new nonstick line is oven-safe up to 500˚F. We’re also fans of sets like these that include small and medium sauté pans.

We also like that each piece has a helper handle, which offers extra control when moving the pan. The 13-inch square pan is a unique size, ideal for browning and then braising or baking; it can be stored under the large skillet, while the rest of the pots and pans can be nested on top for compact storage. The entire set is dishwasher safe and Teflon-free.

• What’s in the set: 8.5-in. fry pan, 10.5-in. fry pan, 4-qt. covered sauté pan, 2.5-qt. covered saucepan, 7-qt. covered stockpot with multi-purpose insert, 13-in. square pan and two silicone trivets • Material: Hard-anodized aluminum • Dishwasher safe: Yes • Oven safe: Yes, up to 500˚F • Induction safe: No

This set from GreenPan has a hard anodized exterior and a ceramic nonstick interior, which the company claims is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead and cadmium. It's strong and durable with stainless steel handles and can withstand high heat – up to 600˚F — which makes searing or browning food in the oven possible. The lids are clear with handles that are designed to stay cool. In our tests, omelets rolled out of the pan, and steak browned nicely. The saucepan also performed well in our scorch test — barely any sauce stuck to the bottom of it. Thanks to the magnetic base, this cookware set is also our pick for the best nonstick cookware set for induction ranges.

• What’s in the set: 8-in. fry pan, 10-in. fry pan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 3-qt. covered saucepan, 3-qt. covered sauté pan, 5-qt. covered casserole • Material: Ceramic nonstick • Dishwasher safe: Yes • Oven safe: Yes, up to 600˚F • Induction safe: Yes

With the Scanpan Classic line, you can enjoy the perks of nonstick without the use of Teflon. They're lightweight, but durable and can be used for high-heat searing and sautéing; plus, they’re oven safe up to 500˚F and super easy to clean. The handles are wide and comfortable to hold, which makes flipping ingredients a cinch. The assortment of fry pans and pot sizes especially stands out in this set – they’re perfect when you’re cooking for one or an entire family.

• What’s in the set: 1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 2.75-qt. covered sauté pan, 3-qt. covered saucepan, 6.5-qt. covered Dutch oven, 8-in. skillet, 10.25-in. skillet, 10.5-in. nonstick grill pan and 12.5-in. skillet • Material: Nonstick stratanium • Dishwasher safe: Yes • Oven safe: Yes, up to 500˚F • Induction safe: No

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we fried 165 eggs, seared 50 steaks and simmered and boiled to rate more than 35 new cookware lines. We tested how evenly skillets distributed heat on gas and electric ranges and how well they browned meat. We assessed how well saucepans maintained a steady simmer and resisted scorching sauce. We evaluated how well the nonstick surfaces released eggs and pancakes and how easy everything was to clean. Finally, we checked ease of use for all of the items, including whether handles became hot to the touch and whether each piece was oven- and/or dishwasher-safe.

✔️ Number of pieces: Consider how many pots and pans you actually need. We recommend at least an 8-inch fry pan for quick, small tasks like eggs and pancakes; a 10-inch fry pan for cooking larger dishes or for family sizes; a stockpot for pasta and batch sauces and soup; and a small saucepan that's deep enough to boil an egg and a good size for reheating and simmering.

✔️ Weight and size: You want a cookware set that’s mid-weight, so make sure the pots and pans have some heft. Very lightweight pans are too flimsy and heat too quickly; heavier-weight cookware allows you to get a good sear but may be difficult to lift. For easy, efficient storage, we love sets that nest neatly to save space, though you might want to line with cloth or paper towels to prevent scratching.

✔️ Handles: How cookware feels in your hand is important: You want to be comfortable and to have control when cooking. Some have silicone-wrapped handles which generally stay cooler to the touch and feel more comfortable in the hand than metal handles. For easy maneuvering, look for helper handles (an extra handle on the opposite side of the main one), which are beneficial for lifting to create extra balance.

✔️ Dishwasher and oven safety: Dishwasher-safe cookware saves you time and energy — you can just pop it into the dishwasher instead of scrubbing it. Keep in mind that hard anodized metal will stand up to multiple washes, whereas other coatings can fade faster with repeated washing. Oven safety is useful for a range of dishes since it allows you to move your cookware from the stovetop to the oven to finish cooking or to keep warm.

✔️ Cooktop compatibility: Most cookware is designed to be compatible with gas and electric cooktops. But if you have an induction cooktop, you have to make sure that the cookware you are purchasing is compatible. An induction-ready piece of cookware will have a base made out of a magnetic material, like iron. Our picks from GreenPan and Ninja are compatible with an induction burner.

✔️ Never heat an empty pan. It will get hot quickly and can approach the 500˚F mark faster.

✔️ Use medium or low heat to cook with nonstick, but refer to the manufacturer's instructions for what temperature is best.

✔️ Use less oil than you would in a stainless steel pan. You won't need it to coat the pan.

✔️ Avoid using metal utensils that can scratch the nonstick coating unless your instruction manual explicitly says you can.

✔️ Avoid putting nonstick cookware in the dishwasher; the coating will wear faster.

Traditional nonstick pans have gotten a bad rap because many were made with Teflon (also known as PTFE), which at high temperatures can release compounds that have been linked to some cancers. Today, nonstick pans produced in the United States are made without PTFE (though PTFE might be used in production by manufacturers outside the U.S.), and nonstick cookware is considered safe as long as you use it properly and don't overheat it.

How hot is too hot? PTFE starts to break down at 500˚F and can decompose more significantly at or above 660˚F, so use your nonstick pans over a medium or low flame.

Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014. She started cooking at 12 years old, and she is now trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer. She has led the testing for stainless steel and cast iron cookware as well.

Unlock exclusive content and money-saving deals with our all-access membership program. LEARN MORE