The Very Best Pots and Pans Every Home Cook Needs for 2022

Readers ask us all the time if All-Clad is worth the money, and we tell them that it is — especially when it comes to this fry pan. It has three bonded layers (that's what the d3 means), so it heats super evenly and gives meat that coveted sear. It's also comfortable to hold and doesn't discolor easily. And it'll last for ages.

If you are truly looking for nonstick, only a nonstick skillet will do. This is the one that's at the top of our list. Fried eggs, omelets, and crêpes slide off its surface. Plus, it's one of the lightest we've ever tested, with a smooth, rounded handle that’s super comfortable to hold and stays cool throughout cooking.

Lodge is a household name for a reason: The brand's budget-friendly cast iron pans are high quality and extremely versatile. "I use mine for anything I want to get nicely browned and crispy: cornbread, roasted Brussels sprouts and other vegetables, and any type of meat," says Senior Food Editor, Megan O. Steintrager. There are definitely more expensive cast iron pans out there, but there's no need to splurge.

This Dutch oven is "an investment you'll use for a lifestime," says Contributor Patty Catalano. She leans on hers the most during the fall and winter when it's "filled every night with stews, braises, and sauces." We especially love its black enamel interior (which shows less wear and tear), tight-fitting lid, and self-basting spikes that keep moisture in the pot. (It tied for first in our Best List testing.)

Don't let the name fool you! This is not just for braises. In fact, we reach for this braiser almost daily. "It's great for one-pot pastas, skillet chicken, sautéed veggies, stovetop granola — this pot does it all," says Senior Contributing Food Editor Kelli Foster. Of course, it is also great for braises.

A saucepan is great for sauces, sure, but it also comes in handy for reheating leftovers, whisking up a roux, or making an after-dinner crème brûlée. If we had to pick just one saucepan, we'd pick this one from lesser-known Brazilian brand Tramontina. It distributes heat evenly and holds its own against repeated use and washing. It won the top spot in our Best List testing.

Part sauté pan, part skillet, this versatile pan is a must-have. It features deep, curved walls and holds up to three quarts. "You can use it like a mini Dutch oven and totally just bring this right to the table for serving," says Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand.

If you've been wondering if your stockpot is big enough, the answer is probably no. You can pretty much do anything in a big stockpot, but you’ll find a too-small one incredibly limiting. This one holds up to 12 quarts and has a solid base layer that manages heat well, comfortable handles, and a snug-fitting lid.

We have a short list of things all good woks should have. First, it should be made of carbon steel, which is durable, inexpensive, and becomes virtually nonstick over time. It should have a flat bottom and a 14-inch diameter. And it should have wood handles on both sides. That brings us to this stellar wok. Faith has half-joked that this wok is the one thing she'd grab from her house in a fire (once her family was safely outside, of course!). That's how much she loves it.

This best-in-class casserole dish cooks casseroles to perfection and has grippy handles and an oven-safe lid that can keep food piping hot for three hours. It cleans easily, too, and has a glazed bottom that doesn’t easily scuff on oven racks. Plus, the whole thing is gorgeous and ideal for serving right at the table.

If you are going to invest in a roasting pan, this one is well worth the splurge: It cooks beautifully in the oven and on the stovetop and has wide, tall handles that are easy to grip. It comes with a V-shaped rack that cradles poultry easily and has sizable handles that are a cinch to grab. It's dishwasher-safe and easy enough to clean by hand, too.

Please allow us to rave about these universal lids, which come in three sizes, and fit on any pot, pan, dish, or bowl. Drop one on your vessel and it'll magically form an airtight seal. Made from BPA-free, high-quality silicone, they're also dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe. Rave. Rave. Rave.