Nonstick cookware is by no surprise one of the most popular because of the pure convenience factor nonstick coatings provide. While stainless cookware and copper cookware are excellent for many uses, a good nonstick cookware set is a great everyday material for the kitchen.
Due to the popularity of nonstick cookware sets, there are many, many choices out there which can make the process of choosing the best set very confusing and overwhelming, especially when you start looking at sets that won’t break the bank.
Below are my top 3 picks in the Best Budget Nonstick Cookware Sets category, and as an added bonus I also included my favorite set over $100 that still won’t break the bank so be sure to scroll down!
WearEver Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set
I use this set on a regular basis, and really like the properties of the ceramic material (related: read about the best cookware material) and can attest personally to the effectiveness of the nonstick coating. My favorite part about this set is that they are dishwasher safe, which means way less clean up work after cooking! They are durable, easy to clean and provide an even heat distribution on the electric glass top range at my house.
As a bonus, they have a lifetime warranty and the set is available in either 10 piece (sub $100) or 15 pieces.
>> Get more info about this set here.
T-fal Signature Nonstick Expert Thermo-Spot Cookware Set
I own a few pieces of this T-fal set, and love the sheer durability and convenience. One of my favorite pieces is the large skillet which I use on a regular basis when I need extra room in the pan or when cooking a larger meal.
An extremely welcome added bonus is the fact this set is also oven safe up to 350 degrees, so you can either start or finish your dish in the oven without having to transfer to another piece of cookware.
For the $70 it is currently selling for, this is a great utilitarian set to have around the house. It’s available in black, blue and red.
>> Get more info about this set here.
T-fal Professional Total Nonstick Cookware Set
If you’re looking for a step up from the previous T-fal set, or just want something even more durable then take a look at the Professional series nonstick cookware from T-fal for about $15 more.
This set is dishwasher safe, oven safe and provides a heavy duty nonstick coating which you can use metal cooking utensils on, without the fear of scratching and contaminating your food.
>> Get more info about this set here.
Added Bonus: Best Nonstick Cookware Set over $100
While I own a few pieces of some of the sub $100 cookware sets, I also really like to have some better pieces to round out my cookware collection and the Circulon Contempo Nonstick Cookware Set is really appealing to me for a number of reasons:
- Hard Anodized Heavy Gauge Construction
- Oven safe to 400 degrees
- Domed glass lids for visibility & utility
- An excellent non-stick surface that is metal-utensil safe
This set retails for over $300 in most brick and mortar stores but is available online for less than $200 – which is a great deal in my opinion.
>> Get more info about this set here.
Wait! What about IKEA or Some Other Budget Brand Cookware?
I have to start this with admitting that I LOVE IKEA – for most things. I can spend hours looking at everything in their store and love many of the bargains they offer, including for some kitchen products.
However, cookware sets are not one of the things I like from IKEA, and most other super budget brands.
In most things, I have found that the saying “you get what you pay for” can be quite true and this definitely applies to my opinion on cookware sets. If you can get, for example, a 7 piece cookware set for less than $30 it raises quality concerns for me.
I have owned a few IKEA sets and other brands, and have found them to be of marginal quality. The handles have fallen off, and the bottoms of the pans themselves have warped from the heat of usage rending them all but useless. Rather than spending $30 often, I personally prefer a better quality product I only have to buy once.
This video is also helpful, so be sure to watch it as well: