The Very Best Cookware We Tested in 2024

This stylish Dutch oven is super affordable at just $65 and is an editor-favorite piece of cookware from 2024. “It’s not every day you come across a Dutch oven that’s as price-friendly, pretty, and easy to cook with as this one. It’s kind of a triple threat,” Commerce SEO Writer Haley wrote in her review. “I find its 5.3-quart size pretty big, too, which is great for making larger meals for the week (or if you’re cooking for a family).”

For a sleek, timeless-looking saucepan, you’ll want to check out Quince’s 2-quart stainless steel model. Our Commerce Assistant Editor Morgan tested it out in the spring, noting in her review that it has become a go-to for her: “I use it nearly every day. You might be thinking that its 2-quart capacity is too small, but its size has been absolutely perfect for me, since I’m usually cooking individual portions for myself. It also makes cleanup less time-consuming, and it takes up minimal space in my cabinet.”

Whether you love making pizza entirely from scratch or want a foolproof way to cook your favorite frozen pizza, you’re going to want to add this pizza steel to your kitchen. Commerce Editor Britt reviewed this model a few months ago and was impressed by how well it cooked a frozen pizza. “The pizza turned out to be better than what I imagined,” she wrote. “Most of the time, it’s somewhat crisp around the edges and a little doughy in the middle, which I thought couldn’t be helped. However, the pizza steel ensured that my cheap little frozen pizza had a nice crisp crust from one side to the other! It actually made me feel like I was eating a slice that was far more expensive than it was.”

If you’re looking to start fresh with a whole new cookware set or this is your first-ever cookware set, then this one from GoodCook is an amazing option — especially since it’s just $130 for 12 pieces. “This is easily one of the best budget-friendly cookware sets I’ve ever had in my kitchen,” Britt said. “It even comes with a steamer basket that isn’t a pain to store since it’s compact. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, which is always a plus in my book. I also love the charming style of this set because I can comfortably use it every day instead of saving it for special occasions. It really comes with all the basic pieces you need for a full set of cookware!”

A great nonstick pan is something you’ll put to use all the time. And this one is affordable and loved by both Zwilling reviewers and Commerce SEO Editor Sarah, who tested it out last month. “The Zwilling Clad CFX Frying Pan is truly the Goldilocks of nonstick pans. It quite literally offers everything I could want (and need) in a pan,” she wrote in her review. “When I first got this in, I put it to the test with a full day’s worth of meals that typically require different pieces: sunny-side eggs for breakfast, a Spanish tortilla for lunch, and a beautiful rib eye for dinner. When I say this pan cooked everything to perfection, I mean it.”

For a gorgeous, do-it-all pan, look no further than Caraway’s Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet. It comes in six beautiful color options, can go in the oven and on your stove, and you don’t even have to season it! Britt reviewed this skillet and noted some of the ways her family has been using it: “In addition to becoming my family’s go-to for frying crispy bacon in the morning, we’ve cooked chicken and salmon, and even seared lamb to perfectly tender deliciousness.”

Xtrema’s Mini Skillet is quite possibly the most adorable piece of cookware I own. Its mini size makes it perfect for individual cookie skillets — a dessert I happen to love. Plus, I was pleasantly surprised by how effortlessly it wipes clean. It might not be a kitchen necessity, but frankly, I wouldn’t want to be without my mini skillets now.

Some cookware can be quite expensive, but if you’re on a budget, then this under-$50 set of pans from Amazon is a great option. And don’t worry, like all of the items in this list, we’ve tested this one, too — and contributor Ian called these nonstick pans “the best I’ve tried." “I can’t get enough of this set of frying pans — they look great (and are available in multiple colorways to match any and every kitchen aesthetic), they cook great, and they’re super easy to clean,” he noted in his review. “My favorite part about the set is the inclusion of silicone handles — they’re extremely comfortable to hold, and they don’t get hot, unlike some metal handles. The nonstick coating is also top-notch and superslick, which makes cooking and cleaning a total breeze.”

Complete with four dishes, each of which comes with a lid, this set is really cool for the fact that it can be used to whip up meals in the microwave — something Morgan really appreciated. “As a self-proclaimed easy meal lover, I’m mad at myself for how long it took me to discover Anyday,” she wrote in her review. “Recently, these dishes have been seeing more action than ever. I have an ankle injury and am hobbling around my apartment on crutches. The last thing I want to do is balance on one leg for hours in the kitchen. Instead, I’ve been using these miracle gadgets for everything. I follow Anyday’s easy-to-understand recipes to a T, and every time, they deliver.” Not to mention, these dishes can be tossed in the dishwasher, too, for super easy cleanup!

I tested this Dutch oven a few months ago and was shocked at how good it is for the price. This Dutch oven is under $100, comes in two beautiful color options, and works just as well as higher-end models (even cleaning easily, thanks to its enameled cast iron).

Available in eight gorgeous colorways, this grill pan features ridges to give you some good grill marks and a nonstick surface for effortless washing up. Over the summer, barbecue catering company manager Carl tested this pan for us and gave it a rave review. “The pan heats evenly and gives an even sear, more so than a standard grill,” he noted. “I also like that the pan can go inside the oven to finish off thicker cuts of steak and chicken.”

For an affordable pan that can absolutely help you feed a crowd, you’re going to want to grab this 14” pan ASAP! Sarah tried it out over the summer, and she and her mom appreciated the sheer size of this pan. “As soon as I got this pan in, I knew it was going to be a game-changer. Now I need to express this as best as I can: This pan is huge,” she wrote in her review. “So we put it to the test the best way we knew how: with another batch of chicken cutlets. As we got to frying, we were amazed with how many pieces we could fit in the pan without crowding it. What would have usually taken five or six turns at the pan only took three this go-around.”

You really can’t mention this cookware set without discussing just how stunning it is. Beyond its beautiful appearance, this set comes with eight nonstick stovetop- and oven-safe pieces. Not to mention, it has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to making storage nice and easy — something Britt appreciates about it. “What I love most about the Ombré Modular Cookware set is the removable handle and lid knob. Those simple details make a huge difference when it comes to storage,” she noted in her review. “While both pieces can be stored in the pot or pans, I love that the magnetic knob sticks to my refrigerator so I can have it available at all times whether I’m cooking on the stove or using the oven.”