The 6 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, According to Lab Testing 

Best Overall

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12 Piece Stainless Cookware Set

$300 $220 at Amazon $220 at Target $220 at Wayfair

Overall, the best stainless steel cookware set is the Cuisinart MCP-12N MultiClad Pro Triple Ply 12-Piece Set. During our testing, we found that the cookware set felt durable and like it would last a long time. Plus, it was very easy to clean.

This set is oven safe to 500 degrees and during testing, the temperature of the pan stayed pretty even. The temperatures ranged from 350°F to 400°F to 334°F around the pan, which means when you're browning meat or fish it's going to be evenly cooked without a lot of fuss.

After heating up one of the pans, we cooked up several scallops and found they did not stick, had clean flipping, and were easy to remove from the pan. Overall, the pan gave the shellfish an even, golden browning.

We found that they got similar results when they cooked a frittata as well, noting that there was little sticking and that the pan offers a nice, even sear. After cooking, we noted that the pans could be easily cleaner and had little discoloration.

We liked that the handle of the pan remained cool to the touch even with high heat, an ideal safety feature especially if you have small children at home. We also loved how durable this set felt.

It's worth noting that since the lids aren't glass, you'll have to lift them to check on your dishes as they cook. However, all of the pieces are dishwasher safe, so they'll be easy to clean in case anything spills over.

Product Details: Number of Pieces: 12 | Pieces Included: 1.5-quart saucepan with cover, 3-quart saucepan with cover, 3.5-quart sauté pan with helper handle and cover, 8-quart stockpot with cover, 8-inch skillet, 10-inch skillet, and 20-centimeter steamer insert with cover | Construction: Triple ply construction, aluminum core, and a brushed stainless finish | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (cookware and covers)

Best Budget

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel 7-Piece Cookware Set

$120 $90 at Amazon $120 at Walmart $120 at Home Depot

If you're looking for a set that's less expensive than other options, consider the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel 7-Piece Cookware Set—this set received one of the highest ratings overall.

While cooking, we found that the pan heated evenly and gave the scallops a nice hard sear with even browning. The egg frittata slid right out of the pan with very minimal sticking as well, and we noted that the handles didn't stay hot for too long afterward. We also didn't notice any real warping or discoloration.

In terms of design, the set received a near-perfect score, and we loved the glass lids and the included steamer pot attachment. We also appreciated the traditional design on this set and noted that the pieces feel substantial.

Plus, another detail that makes this one of the best sets is that the inside of the pans has measurements, so even beginner chefs can cook up something.

Product Details: Number of Pieces: Seven | Pieces Included: 1.5-quart saucepan with cover, 3-quart saucepan with cover, 8-quart stockpot with cover, 10-inch skillet, and a steamer basket attachment | Construction: Stainless steel, aluminum | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (cookware and covers)

Easiest to Clean

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$298 at Amazon $298 at Wayfair $27 at Walmart

Whether you entertain often or just dislike doing the dishes, the Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set is the best stainless steel cookware set for you. This comprehensive set won us over with how easy it was to clean, making it a must-have for any kitchen.

Overall, we found that the pieces in this cookware set felt well-built. The pieces had sturdy handles and after cooking, we didn't notice any warping. They specifically liked how easy the set was to clean, earning it a near-perfect score in that category. With just water and a spatula, we were able to rid the pan of food remnants. It's dishwasher safe too, making it even easier to give it a thorough clean.

When it came to cooking, we noted that the pan we tried heated quickly and very evenly—around 400°F all across the pan—to the point that the butter for the frittata seemed on its way to burning. This caused the frittata to stick to the pan a bit while scallops quickly caramelized and left discoloration and marks on the pan.

We found the pan had some serious discoloration after removing it from the oven too, and the scallop marks have gotten even darker. There was even more discoloration around the sides and edges, which we thought was probably from the cooking oil.

Product Details: Number of Pieces: 12 | Pieces Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 6-quart covered deep sauté pan, 1.5-quart covered saucepan, 2-quart covered saucepan, 3-quart covered saucepan, and an 8-quart covered stock pot | Construction: Tri-Ply clad construction, stainless steel, aluminum, magnetic stainless steel | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (cookware and covers)

Best for Even Heating

Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Cookware Set

$300 $230 at Amazon $300 at Wayfair $26 at Walmart

When it comes to stainless steel cookware, even heating is a key factor and the Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Cookware Set certainly didn't disappoint. We were impressed by the pools of melting butter the pans created during testing, earning it a perfect score in that category.

During testing, we found that the pan heated evenly at all points, with the average temperature being around 325°F. The scallops cooked with a little stick on the first flip but when they were removed from the pan but they had a nice, even "crusty crust."

Overall, we felt that the pan did a great job searing the shellfish, but there was a bit of a crust left on the pan. However, the pan ended up being easier to clean than expected.

While cooking a frittata, the eggs took a bit of coaxing with the spatula to get them out of the pan without sticking. However, it didn't leave any marks or discoloration. Overall, the handle stayed cool to the touch during the cooking process and there was no warping when the pan cooled off in the ice bath afterward. However, we felt that the handle felt loose.

It's worth noting that the lids on this set have a rounded, dome shape that might be hard to store in a kitchen. We also found that the pots were a bit heavy and might be hard to stack, so the set may be more ideal for someone who stores their set on a hanging rack.

Product Details: Number of Pieces: 10 | Pieces Included: 1.25-quart saucepan with lid, 2.5-quart saucepans with lids, 6.5-quart stockpot with lid, 8-inch frying pan, 10.5-inch frying pan, 3-quart sauté pan with lid | Construction: Stainless steel, copper | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (cookware and covers)

Best Starter Set

Calphalon Classic 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$240 $199 at Amazon $160 at Wayfair $199 at Walmart

Whether you're moving into a new home or just tapping into your cooking skills, the Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware Set is a set you should consider. We appreciated the set's price point and liked that it offers even cooking and an easy clean-up.

During cooking, we liked that this pan heated up fast and reached 400°F—it cooked both the scallops and frittata perfectly, without any sticking. It's worth noting, however, that while testing durability, there was some discoloration and flexing of the material. They also felt that the pan walls feel thin and the pieces were not as well constructed as some of the other tested sets.

Overall, we noted that the pans cleaned up very easily. The eggs only needed a light brush to remove any leftover bits. The seared scallops did leave a mark however it was easy to remove with the help of Bar Keepers Friend.

Although we were concerned about the set's durability, we felt it was very well designed and had solid handles that felt comfortable to grip. We did note that the stock pot felt a bit small for batch cooking; however, we liked that the set had glass lids that make it easy to monitor food.

Product Details: Number of Pieces: 10 | Pieces Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart. saucepan with cover, 2.5-quart saucepan with cover, 3-quart saute pan with cover, and a 7-quart. dutch oven with cover | Construction: Stainless, aluminum | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (cookware and covers)

Best Design

All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set

$900 at Amazon $900 at Williams Sonoma $900 at Sur La Table

The All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set one of our highest-rated picks and is the best choice if you're in the market for a stylish and durable design. Though the set is an investment, we felt like the look of the brushed finish and the high-quality pieces are worth it.

In terms of design, we noted that the pan handles had a balanced feel and found that the squared-off lid handles fit comfortably in our hands. The bigger pans and pots have a helper handle for ease of holding anything heavier or hot as well. Overall, we felt that the set had a substantial feel that helped justify the price point.

When cooking, neither the scallops nor eggs stuck to the pan. In fact, both cooked with a nice, even heat, and there was no noticeable warping when we dipped the pan into ice after cooking. The set was noticeably easy to clean, which is a plus given that it's not recommended to put the pieces in the dishwasher.

Product Details: Number of Pieces: 10 | Pieces Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart sauté pan, and an 8-quart stock pot | Construction: 5-ply bonded construction with alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum | Dishwasher Safe: Not recommended