If you are an avid cook, then you know what you cook with is almost as important as the food that you make. That's why you want to ensure you have the proper cookware to work with to make your meals amazing. Unfortunately, the number of choices out there can be rather daunting. Do you go with stainless steel or nonstick? Should you use oil on one but not the other? The options are endless.
We may not have all of the answers to your culinary woes, but we have discovered the best pots and pans under $500 that will make you enjoy—at least a little bit—cooking a four-course meal. So, to save you a little bit of time and headache, we give you the 5 best cookware sets under $500 to help you become the culinary master you always knew you were.
1. Caraway Cookware Set
- 12-PIECE COMPLETE COOKWARE SET: Includes a 10.5″ frying pan, 3 qt. saucepan with lid, 4.5 qt. sauté pan with lid, 6.5 qt. Dutch oven with lid, 4 magnetic pan racks, and a canvas lid holder for organized kitchen storage.
- NATURALLY NON-STICK: The kitchen cookware is designed with a slick ceramic surface that smoothly releases food with minimal oil, making both cooking and cleanup quick and effortless. Spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meals.
- STOVETOP & OVEN SAFE: Built for versatility, this non-toxic cookware set is compatible with induction, gas, and electric ranges and is oven safe up to 550ºF, making it easy to move from stovetop sautéing to oven baking with reliable performance.
Price: $395
Usually, we like to save the best for last, but this best-selling of cookware is the perfect addition to your kitchen. With its many reviews, social media, popularity, and non-toxic materials, you wonder why you ever cooked with anything else.
2. T-fal Stainless-Steel Cookware Set
- Premium Stainless Steel Construction: Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, our kitchen pots and pans set ensures long-lasting durability for consistent cooking performance over time.
- Stylish and Practical Stainless Steel Pan Set: Includes 8 & 10 Inch Frypans, 3.5 Quart covered sauté pan, 1.5 & 3 qt covered Saucepans, 7 qt covered Dutch Oven, plus a Stainless Steel steamer; making it the perfect set for your kitchen!
- Even Heating: This induction cookware set prevents hot spots and ensures consistent reliable cooking results every time.
Price: $129.99
Although this brand may have gotten a bad wrap in the past, this stainless steel cookware set by T-fal makes up for it—and the price point doesn't hurt. With over 17,000 reviews and the many benefits of this set, including durability and the fact that you get 11 pieces in one, purchasing this set is a no-brainer.
3. Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad
- 10-Piece Set Includes: 2 Frying Pans (8 and 10-in), 2 Sauce Pans with lids (1.5 and 3-qt), a 3-qt Saute Pan with lid, and a 8-qt Stock Pot with lid
- Tri-Ply Clad Construction: Features an aluminum core for even heat distribution and precise cooking control
- Versatile Compatibility: Suitable for all cooktops, including gas, electric, induction, and ceramic glass. Oven safe up to 500°F without the lid and 350°F with the glass lid. Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Price: $229.95
We're seeing this set everywhere, and now we know why! Not only will you get high-quality pots and pans at a bargain, but this set well last year for years to come. It has premium Tri-ply clad construction and comes with everything you'll need to cook gourmet meals.
4. Calphalon 10-Piece Pots and Pans Set
- Impact-bonded aluminum base distributes heat evenly, for exceptional browning, searing, and sauteing
- Stainless steel long handles stay cool on the stovetop
- Convenient measuring marks, pour spouts, and straining covers allow you to cook with efficiency
Price: $199.99
This cookware set is not only a well-known cookware brand but it's a great price and has some pretty desirable features. This includes the fact that it's dishwasher–safe and stainless–steel, which means that your food will cook quickly and evenly, making less time in the kitchen.
5. Our Place Cookware Set
- VERSATILE 16-PIECE SET FOR EVERY MEAL: 4” mini frying pan, 7” and 9.5” frying pans, 1QT and 2QT saucepans with lids, 5QT stock pot with lid, 2.5QT sauté pan with lid, 7” stainless steel steamer, and 4 kitchen utensils—your kitchen essentials in one set.
- TOXIN-FREE CERAMIC NONSTICK COATING: Our easy-to-clean ceramic nonstick delivers effortless release and is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium for healthier cooking every day.
- STAY-COOL HANDLES: Soft Grip Bakelite handles are designed to stay cool on the stovetop for maximum comfort.
Price: $119.99
With a price point that you just can't beat, it's no wonder this pot and pan set by GreenLife has over 52,000 reviews. It's nonstick, dishwasher-safe, and—most importantly—free of toxins. If that wasn't enough, it comes in an array of fun colors. What more could you want in a cookware set?
And there you have it! The best cookware sets under $500 that will make cooking for your family—or just yourself—easier than ever. Although there are many more cookware options out there that will do the trick, we found that these options will get you the most bang for your buck. So, whatever you decide to experiment with in the kitchen, just know the tools you’ll use are something you won’t have to worry about. Happy cooking!
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