The Best Ceramic Cookware Sets In 2023
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Ceramic cookware has taken the world by storm in recent years. While enameled cast iron pots and pans have been around for over a century, according to The Cast Iron Collector, enameled cookware has taken on new life with the push away from Teflon-coated nonstick cookware. Ceramic-coated pots and pans have seen a huge uptick in recent years, and for good reason. The ceramic coating acts as a nontoxic, Teflon-free alternative. Consumers no longer have to choose between uncoated metal pans that are prone to sticking and Teflon-coated pans that can easily scratch and release plastics (albeit generally not harmful) into the food. Ceramic-coated aluminum is less expensive than stainless steel, eco-friendly, lightweight, and not reactive to acidic foods, according to Prudent Reviews. Plus, they come in pretty colors.
But as with any product, not all cookware is created equal. It can be time-consuming to wade through all the options to find the right pan for your needs. What's right for one task might not be right for another. Luckily, we have done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the best of the best. If you're in the market for some new cookware, then keep reading. You won't want to miss our roundup of the best ceramic cookware sets of 2023.
How we selected our products
As with any cooking implement, we wanted first to make sure the products on this list cooked well. If your pots and pans don't heat evenly, then they are of little use to you. We judged our pans based on how well and evenly they heated and cooked food. We combed through reader reviews and professional testers to ensure the cookware would prepare your food to perfection. We also wanted to ensure that the ceramic coating truly helped prevent sticking. Ceramic is touted as the answer to the nonstick pan dilemma, so having a pan that sticks, or whose coating wears away after only a few uses, defeats the purpose.
We also looked at specific features that would appeal to people with specific needs. For those with induction stovetops, we wanted to see which pans were induction-compatible. For those who like or need an easy cleanup, we looked at whether they were dishwasher safe. We checked on their oven and heat tolerance and their life expectancy. Finally, since one of the big draws of ceramic cookware is the color capability, we also took style into account. Traditional nonstick pans are nothing to look at, so if ceramic cookware is truly going to be a rival, it needs to deliver on all fronts.
Best overall ceramic cookware set
Cuisinart's 11-piece Advantage Ceramic XT Cookware set comes with a lot of great attributes. In addition to offering many pots and pans, this set also comes with a steamer basket. While the nonstick coating isn't perfect, according to some of the Amazon reviews, it is better than nothing. The pans aren't compatible with induction stoves and are only oven-safe up to 350 degrees. But Cuisinart has something up its sleeve that sets these pans apart: The silicone handles are ergonomically designed to make them both easy to hold and nonslip. They also don't heat up the way many pot and pan handles do, which helps avoid burns. According to the manufacturer, this makes it possible for cooks to get a solid grip on the pans, avoiding incidents. At just over $100, this set is a cheap and solid (yet lightweight) option.
Purchase Cuisinart Advantage Ceramica XT Cookware Set from Amazon starting at $84.
Best budget ceramic cookware set
"Best budget" was a category where we were both blessed and cursed with plenty of good options. We wanted to find a set that was inexpensive without being cheap. For this, it came down to two sets: the Farberware Ceramic Nonstick Cookware 12 Piece Set or the T-fal Initiatives 14 Piece Ceramic Set. Both offer similar qualities, such as being dishwasher- and oven-safe. They are both under $100, and they both come in a lovely selection of colors.
For us, though, there were a few key points that tipped the scale to T-fal's advantage. The first is that while both are technically oven-safe, Farberware is only oven-safe up to 350 degrees. That may be good for reheating, but not for much else. T-fal, on the other hand, is oven-safe to 570 degrees. The set is also a little larger, offering an additional lid and kitchen tool. The user experience with the pan was generally favorable, saying it really was nonstick, though one commenter warns that they are more prone to overheating and staining more than other more expensive options. Finally, this is the budget category, and T-fal Initiatives does come in cheaper than its Farberware competitor.
Purchase T-fal Initiatives 14 Piece Ceramic Set from Amazon starting at $89.99.
Best splurge
Caraway is one of the most heavily advertised ceramic cookware brands. The company's reputation precedes it, and for good reason. Caraway offers beautifully designed and constructed cookware that practically ooze luxury. The Caraway Non-Toxic Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set is fancy, and it knows it. The set comes with a magnetic pan rack and canvas lid holder to help store them appropriately. And in addition to being a bigger monetary investment, they also require more of a time commitment: The pots and pans in this set are not machine-washable.
With all that in mind, we still feel if you are able to put the time and effort into treating this set as it wishes to be treated, these pots and pans are worth it. The set is gorgeous; the design is sleek, colorful, and timeless. They would feel at home in any kitchen. They are heat-resistant up to 650 degrees and are induction-compatible. While their lids aren't see-through, they do have steam vents which help to gauge what cooking stage the food is at. Perhaps most importantly, reviewers from The Kitchn commented on how quickly and evenly the pans cooked. At nearly $400 they are certainly a splurge, but hey, at least they come with the pan rack and lid holder.
Purchase the Caraway Non-Toxic Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set from Caraway for $395.
Best ceramic cookware set for induction stoves
There are many advantages to having an induction cooktop. They only heat up the pot or pan that's been placed on them, meaning the rest of the cooktop remains cool to the touch. They do not release toxins into the air, and they heat up faster than traditional electric or gas options. The major downside is that not all pots and pans work for them. Traditional aluminum pots and pans are not good conduits for induction and will not heat up appropriately.
This cookware set by Blue Diamond offers the benefits of a ceramic coating while still being induction-compatible. The thing that sets Blue Diamond apart is their use of ceramic-coated stainless steel instead of aluminum. While there are ways to make aluminum pans appropriate for induction, the stainless steel gives the pan a sturdier base than their aluminum counterparts and allows for an even cooking experience. Blue Diamond's diamond-infused coating claims to be stronger and last longer than traditional nonstick coating. If the Amazon reviews are correct, the pans cook exceptionally well. They are especially heat-resistant and can be baked at up to 600 degrees, with one reviewer commenting how they have survived being abused at high heats and burned on food beautifully.
Purchase the Blue Diamond Cookware Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Ceramic Nonstick 7 Piece Cookware Pots and Pans Set from Amazon for $87.62.
Best for ovens
If you are specifically looking for a pot and pan set that is good for using in the oven, the GreenPan Sear Smart Anodized 10 Piece Cookware Set is the one for you. It isn't just that this cookware set is oven-safe to 600 degrees — it is also all the other perks GreenPan have included in this set.
In addition to the pans being oven-safe, so are the lids (up to 425 degrees). This offers versatility in cooking for the chef. The surface of the pan has a unique texture infused with literal diamonds to help crisp and release foods cooked in it. This means the pans are not flat, as many of the Amazon reviews point out. While they may not be ideal for all surface work, they are great for use in the oven. The set is also resistant to scratches from metal utensils, which is not a given for all ceramic cookware. Because of this, you are able to use more cooking and serving implements in the pan without damage. Finally, the GreenPan Sear Smart features a unique design that allows for 40% more cooking space, an excellent feature if you don't want to clean pan overflow off the bottom of your oven.
Purchase the GreenPan Sear Smart Anodized 10 Piece Cookware Set from Amazon starting at $349.99.
Best baking set
Maybe you aren't looking for a stove top set at all; maybe you want a good cookware set specifically for baking. For that, it's time to hit up a classic: Staub.
Staub is known in the industry for their quality, production, and yes, their price. Staub has been around for decades, and many of their pieces are still made in France. We have chosen the Staub 6 Piece Ceramic Baking Dish Set as our top pick. At $169.95, the set isn't cheap, but it also isn't the most expensive choice the company has to offer. The dishes are all oven- and broiler-safe, as well as being microwave-safe (a bonus for reheating leftovers). The pieces are scratch-resistant and offer true handles to make them easy to maneuver. Additionally, the pieces have a beautiful, classic, rustic French feel to them, making them wonderful for serving as well.
Purchase the Staub Ceramic Baking Dish Set from Amazon starting at $99.99.
Best for small kitchens
If you have a tiny kitchen with limited space for pots and pans, don't worry. We have the perfect ceramic cookware set for you, too. Neoflam offers a unique cookware set that will save you both space and money.
The Neoflam Nine Piece Nonstick Cast Aluminum Cookware Set comes with four pot and pan bases, and here is the part that sets it apart: There is only one handle. The handle that comes with the set is removable, which allows all the pots and pans to be stacked evenly. It also comes with two cooking lids, plus snap-on lids for food storage. The pans themselves (though not the handle or the lids) are oven-safe up to 455 degrees, meaning these pans can double as baking dishes. While the single handle can be limiting for more advanced cooks, they are a great space-saving set. Plus, everything in the set is safe for the dishwasher.
Purchase the Neoflam 9 Piece Nonstick Cast Aluminum Cookware Set from Amazon starting at $95.62.
Best style
Neoflam really has the niche corner of the ceramic cookware market cornered. As we mentioned, one of the big draws to ceramic pans are all their potential style options. Gone are the days of simple black Teflon or stainless steel. Instead, buyers now have a choice of color and elegance. While brands like Caraway and Staub do offer gorgeous cookware sets, they are both outdone and underbid by our top pick for style.
Neoflam Retro Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set beautifully melds style and functionality. The retro design comes in both mint blue and pink, and the insides and handles match the tan color of the ball on the top of the lid. Everything about these pots and pans screams sleek and curvy, somehow offering a modern, clean look with classic, arching elegance. The set is relatively small but is comparable to that of Caraway's, offering two pots, a frying pan, two lids, and two silicone pot holders in matching colors. The lids are clear, which adds to the sleek look and allows for better monitoring of food than Caraway. The set isn't induction- or oven-safe, though it is fine for the dishwasher. And really, these are the kinds of pans you get for show and not extravagant cooking.
Purchase the Neoflam Retro Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set from Amazon for $109.73.
Best warranty
One of the best things in life is a good warranty. Knowing that you aren't out the money if something breaks can be huge. Why risk your time and energy on something if you could get a dud? Luckily, the people at Bialetti understand, and that's why they offer a 10-year warranty on their pots and pans.
The Bialetti 10-Piece Hard Anodized Ceramic Pro Pots and Pans Kitchen Cookware Set is everything you would want (and a little more!) from a mid-price pan set. The pans themselves aren't much to look at. They have a matte black base and black interior, both uncommon and somewhat boring, considering the options available for ceramics. That said, they are sturdy workhorse pans — as long as you don't have an induction stove. Along with their 10-year warranty, the pans are oven-safe up to 400 degrees. While the pans are only hand-washable, their nonstick surface is so impressive that you won't care. According to one reviewer, even burned on food slips right off. They also report that the pans are thick enough to provide an even cooking. For under $200 you get the guarantee of a good cook for the next decade with Bialetti.
Purchase the Bialetti 10-Piece Hard Anodized Ceramic Pro Pots and Pans Kitchen Cookware Set from Amazon for $139.99.