If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The Best Cookware Sets, From Stainless Steel to Copper Upgrade your cookware with one of these quality sets. Credit: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel While there are many essentials home cooks should have in their kitchen, few items are more important than a set of quality cookware. But with so many materials to choose from, from stainless steel to exquisite copper (Martha's preference!), it can be daunting to find the right set for you. To help, we've rounded up the most popular cookware sets across four categories: stainless steel, copper, nonstick, and cast iron. KellyAnn O'Donnell, senior product manager for All-Clad Giulia Ruffoni, president of Ruffoni Types of Cookware Stainless steel: Stainless steel cookware is incredibly versatile, especially when it's made from premium materials. "Premium multi-layer bonded construction means heat is distributed evenly throughout the entire surface of the pan without any hot or cold spots," says KellyAnn O'Donnell, senior product manager for All-Clad. "This ensures perfect searing, sautéing, simmering, and even oven roasting every time." Copper: If you want something more specialized, consider copper. The cookware is lauded for its beauty, but it performs well in the kitchen. "Thanks to copper's conductivity, when the heat source is removed, the cooking will stop immediately, avoiding overcooking," says Giulia Ruffoni, president of Ruffoni. Nonstick: Every home cook should own at least one nonstick skillet for making delicate foods, like eggs, pancakes, and fish. Nonstick pans are forgiving, especially for beginner cooks—treat them well (meaning don't put them in the dishwasher), and they'll last for years to come. Cast iron: This material has the easy release of nonstick cookware with the durability and versatility of stainless steel. Choose from enameled cast iron, such as the colorful products from Le Creuset, or non-enameled cast iron, like Lodge, which can be used for both campfire and home cooking. The Best Cookware to Shop Now Stainless Steel: decorvow 10 Piece Stainless Steel Nonstick Cookware Set, $100 Copper: Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 7-Piece Cookware Set with Acorn Knobs, $1000 Non-stick: decorvow Collection 10-Piece Hard-Enameled Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set, $133 Cast iron: Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron 5-Piece Bundle, $180 Ahead, find all of our picks for the best cookware to shop now. The Best Cookware Sets, From Stainless Steel to Copper 01 of 12 Stainless Steel: decorvow 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair This set from Martha includes all of the essentials: two saucepans, two skillets, one sauté pan, a Dutch oven, and matching glass lids. They're oven-safe up to 480° Fahrenheit and can be used on both gas and electric stove-tops. $100 at Wayfair 02 of 12 Stainless Steel: Cuisinart Multiclad Tri-Ply Stainless-Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma The aluminum core in this versatile set of cookware ensures even heat conduction and no hot spots. The set includes 8 ½-inch and 10-inch fry pans, 1 ½-quart and 3-quart saucepans, 3 ½-quart sauté pan, 8-quart stockpot, one steamer insert, and five lids. $300 at Williams-Sonoma 03 of 12 Stainless Steel: All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Amazon The crème de la crème of stainless steel cookware, All-Clad is beloved by our food editors and is prized for its high-quality construction, durability, and sleek look. The set includes 8-inch and 10-inch fry pans, 1 ½-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart saucepan with a lid, and an 8-quart stock pot with a lid. $850 at Amazon 04 of 12 Copper: Cuisinart Copper Tri-Ply 8-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Walmart For home cooks who haven't cooked with copper before, this copper-stainless steel blend is a fabulous introduction to the wonders of the material. This set includes a 2 ½-quart saucepan, 4-quart sauté pan, 6-quart stockpot, 8-inch skillet, and 10-inch skillet. $300 at Walmart 05 of 12 Copper: Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Cookware Set with Acorn Knobs Credit: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma This copper cookware set from Ruffoni, a family-owned Italian company that was founded in 1931, is perfect for someone looking to build their collection of copper cookware. It includes a 10-inch fry pan with lid, 2 ½-quart saucepan with lid, 4-quart chef's pan, and 4 ¾-quart stockpot with lid. Unlike stainless steel, copper cannot withstand high heat and must be hand-washed to preserve its quality. $1,001 at Williams-Sonoma 06 of 12 Copper: Mauviel Copper 150b 12-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma Cook like the French with this stunning set of copper cookware that features a stainless steel interior. The bronze handles add an extra modern, super chic touch to this timeless collection. This large set includes two fry pans, two saucepans with lids, a sauté pan with a lid, a stewpan with a lid, and an oval cocotte with a lid. $2,000 at Williams-Sonoma 07 of 12 Nonstick: decorvow Collection 10-Piece Hard-Enameled Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Amazon For a set of nonstick cookware you can bring from stovetop to table, consider Martha's stunning collection. It's available in a range of colors, but we're partial to this milky white hue. The set is complete with a Dutch oven, sauté pan, two saucepans, two fry pans, and accompanying glass lids. And at a budget-friendly price point, this set is just right for beginner cooks. $133 at Amazon 08 of 12 Nonstick: GreenPan Prestige Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Crate & Barrel The PFOA-free nonstick ceramic surface on this set of pots and pans means that they feature an easy-release surface and non-toxic coating. The complete set includes two fry pans, two saucepans with lids, sauté pan with a lid, stockpot with a lid, and a stainless steel steamer. $400 at Crate & Barrel 09 of 12 Nonstick: Calphalon Classic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Crate & Barrel Make cooking a breeze with this quality set of nonstick pots made with heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum, and tempered glass lids. Unlike most nonstick pans, these pieces can be safely put in an oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. $600 at Crate & Barrel 10 of 12 Cast Iron: Lodge Seasoned Cast-Iron 5-Piece Bundle Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Get to know cast iron with this basic set from Lodge, America's oldest family-owned cookware company. It includes a 10-inch skillet, 8-inch skillet, Dutch oven, and round griddle. Each piece in the set has incredible heat retention and even heating to expertly sear fish, roast chicken, and even make skillet cookies. $180 at Amazon 11 of 12 Cast Iron: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 8-Piece Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma In addition to performing well, Le Creuset cookware also looks beautiful on your stovetop (choose from four bright hues: flame, lapis, ocean, and red). This complete set, which includes a 12-inch fry pan, skinny grill pan, 3 1/2-quart braiser, 4 1/2-quart Dutch oven, and 6 3/4-inch Dutch oven, comes with all of the essentials. $1,400 at Williams-Sonoma 12 of 12 Cast Iron: Cuisinel Cast-Iron Cookware Set Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Each piece of cookware in this set is crafted with seasoned cast iron that can outlast years of regular cooking and washing. The pans can be used for everything from frying and baking to grilling and broiling. The tempered glass lids retain heat, prevent splashing, and preserve steam and moisture. This set comes with 8-, 10-, and 12-inch skillets, a 2-in-1 Dutch oven, grill pan, griddle, pizza pan, and pan rack. $202 at Amazon Explore more: Food & Cooking