Who knew that finding the right cookware for your kitchen could be so expensive? While it’s tempting to kit out your kitchen with the best cookware that you can find, it’s all too easy to become restricted by a budget.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be spending a fortune on cookware just because I need to get different pots and pans. When shopping around, I try and look for the best quality cookware that also meets my budget.
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I’ve shopped around to find the best cookware set under $100. I looked through hundreds of different products to find the best value cookware available.
All of these cookware sets offer great value for money, with different types of cookware for you to use. They all come in under budget, too!
Take a look at the 5 best cookware sets under $100 that I’d recommend below.
OUR TOP PICK
GreenLife 16 Piece Cookware Set
EDITORS CHOICE
T-fal Signature 12 Piece Cookware Set
BEST VALUE
OUR TOP PICK
GreenLife 16 Piece Cookware Set
The GreenLife 16 piece cookware set will be just the thing your kitchen needs. This particular set gives you outstanding value for money, as it includes 16 different pieces for use with cooking.
This cookware set includes a 4 inch mini frying pan, 7 inch and 9.5 inch frying pans, 1 quart and 2 quart saucepans with lids, 5 quart stock pot with lid, 2.5 quart saute pan with lid, 7 inch stainless steel steamer, and 4 kitchen utensils.
This will be more than enough to get you cooking in style!
This cookware set is also super easy to clean. The pans easily wipe clean, and all parts of this set are dishwasher safe.
This makes for easier cleaning, and will save you from scrubbing for ages. The pans also feature a rivetless interior which helps prevent the buildup of burnt food.
GreenLife has constructed every piece of this cookware set with durability in mind. The pans have been crafted from recycled aluminum, and these have then been reinforced with a wobble-free base.
This gives the pans added strength, even when they’re being heated.
All of the pans feature soft grip Bakelite handles. These have been designed to stay cool when the pans are heated making for safer handling.
Another great feature of these pans is that the non-stick coating has been made using sand. You won’t have to worry about PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium contaminating your food.
Pros
- Value for money – includes 16 pieces and comes in under budget
- Safe cooking – doesn’t contain harmful chemicals or substances
- Non-stick coating – food slides right off and makes the pans easier to clean
Cons
- Medium heat- not designed to be used at a constant high temperature
EDITORS CHOICE
T-fal Signature 12 Piece Cookware Set
The T-fal Signature 12 piece cookware set gives you excellent value for money. You’ll get 12 separate pieces all under the budget of $100.
In this set you get 7.75 inch and 11 inch frying pans, 1 quart and 2 quart saucepans with lids, a 5.5 quart Dutch oven with lid, a 10.25 inch griddle, spoon, ladle, and slotted spatula.
This will be more than enough to keep you busy in the kitchen creating your favorite dishes for family and friends! It also works out cheaper than having to buy all the parts separately.
A great feature of these pans is that they evenly distribute heat. This will be essential for evenly cooked food. These T-fal pans also feature a thermal spot indicator.
The T spot in the middle of the pans turns red to indicate that they’re hot enough for cooking your food. All of the pans included in this set are oven safe for up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
You won’t have to worry about painstakingly scrubbing away at these pans in the sink. They’re all dishwasher safe, so you can easily pop them in your dishwasher for easier cleaning.
The pans also feature a handy non-stick coating. This prevents any food from getting stuck to the pans during cooking.
You won’t have to worry about burnt bits of food accumulating, either. The non-stick coating also makes the pans easier to clean.
Pros
- Value for money – includes a set of 12 pieces for use in the kitchen
- Non-stick coating – food slides off easily and makes the pans easier to clean
- Easy cleaning – all of the 12 pieces are dishwasher safe
Cons
- Frying pan lids – the set doesn’t include lids for the frying pans
BEST VALUE
Goodful 12 Piece Cookware Set
The Goodful 12 piece cookware set gives you all the essentials you need for quality cooking.
This set includes an 8 inch frying pan, 10 inch frying pan, 2 quart saucepan with a tempered glass lid, 5 quart Dutch oven with a tempered glass lid, 4 quart deep saute pan with a tempered glass lid, stainless steel steamer, 10 inch square griddle pan, bamboo turner, and a bamboo spoon.
These will be more than enough to give you the versatility you need in your cooking.
All of the pots and pans included in this cookware set feature a non-stick coating. This will help your food to slide right off the surface onto your plate.
You won’t have to worry about food sticking to the pans and ruining them. The non-stick coating is highly durable, and has been reinforced with diamonds to make it even stronger than competitive products.
You won’t have to worry about any uncooked food with this set of pans. All of them feature a unique spiral pattern on the base.
This helps to evenly distribute the heat from the stovetop for perfectly cooked food every time.
These pans are also super easy to clean. They’re all dishwasher safe, so you can pop them in your dishwasher for easier cleaning.
Pros
- Even heating – uses the spiral pattern on the base of the pans to give you perfectly cooked food
- 12 piece cookware set – includes all the essential pots and pans that you need for everyday cooking
- Non-stick – features a durable non-stick coating that prevents food from sticking to the pans
Cons
- Wooden utensils – the wooden utensils are on the basic side
RUNNER UP
Amazon Basics 8 Piece Cookware Set
If budget is your main concern when it comes to buying a cookware set, then don’t worry. The Amazon Basics 8 piece cookware set will give you all the essentials you need for everyday cooking without compromising on quality.
This set is also at a much more affordable price than some of the other picks on our list, making it the perfect choice for those wanting to stick to a budget.
This set includes an 8 inch frying pan, 10 inch frying pan, 1.5 quart saucepan with a lid, 2 quart saucepan with a lid, as well as a 3 quart casserole pan with a lid.
These pans have been manufactured with durability in mind. They have been constructed using aluminum.
They have also been combined with a non-stick coating for easier cooking and cleaning. These pots and pans are free from BPA, so you won’t have to worry about any nasty chemicals infecting your food.
The Amazon Basics cookware set has been designed for fast and efficient cooking.
The pans feature a spiral bottom design to distribute heat evenly across the whole of the pan base.
These particular pans are suitable for use with gas, electric, and glass stovetops. It’s worth bearing in mind that this set won’t be ideal for induction hobs.
You won’t have to worry about accidentally burning yourself with these pots and pans. They come with a comfortable soft-touch handle for easier handling.
This helps keep them cool to the touch whenever you want to move the frying pans or saucepans during cooking. The saucepans also come with vented glass lids to let the steam escape once cooking.
Pros
- Budget friendly – 8 piece cookware set that’s more budget friendly than competitive products
- Versatile – includes a range of sizes to help with more varied cooking
- Even heat distribution – pans feature a spiral bottom to help evenly distribute the heat when cooking
Cons
- Hand wash only – this cookware isn’t safe for use in the dishwasher
RUNNER UP
Gotham Steel 12 Piece Cookware Set
The Gotham Steel 12 piece cookware set gives you everything you need to get started in the kitchen.
This particular set includes an 8.5 inch skillet, 10.5 inch frying pan with a tempered glass lid, 5 quart stock pot with a tempered glass lid, 1.5 quart saucepan with a tempered glass lid, an XL steamer insert for the 5 quart stock pot, as well as a bonus shallow square frying pan that also comes with a tempered seal tight lid.
This range of pots and pans will give you the versatility you need for cooking a wide array of dishes.
This cookware set has been designed with superior non-stick properties in mind.
The surface of the pans has been coated 3 times. This coating has been reinforced with ceramic and titanium to give you superior food release.
This means food won’t stick to the pans, and you also won’t have to use lots of oil as you would with traditional pans.
The non-stick coating also makes the cookware easier to clean. These pots and pans are suitable for use in the dishwasher, so you can easily clean them up after you’ve finished using them.
You won’t have to worry about washing them all by hand to maintain the non-stick coating.
All of the pans included in this cookware set have been designed with superior durability in mind. The non-stick coating has been designed to withstand damage from metal utensils such as spoons, spatulas, and whisks.
The exterior of the pans is dense, nonporous, and has been designed to deliver a long lasting, wear-resistant performance.
Pros
- Durable – designed to withstand metal utensils and deliver a solid, reliable performance
- Non-stick coating – all of the pans feature a non-stick coating for easier cooking and cleaning
- 12 piece set – includes all of the essential cookware you need for efficient, varied cooking
Cons
- Handles – be careful when cooking as the handles may become quite hot
Best Cookware Set Under $100 Buying Guide
Searching for the best cookware set under $100 can prove a challenge. Just because you want to find a decent quality cookware set shouldn’t mean that you have to pay a fortune. Luckily, there are many different cookware sets to choose from.
It can be easy to just opt for the first cookware set that you find, but hold that thought. Does it suit what you’ll need it for?
I’ve put together a handy buyer’s guide to help you. I’ve collated all of the essential features you will need to look for in a cookware set. The more of these points that your chosen cookware set is able to cover, the better. Or you can skip ahead to the frequently asked questions down below!
Take a look at everything you need to know about cookware sets under $100.
Number of pieces
One of the main things to consider when choosing the best cookware set for under $100 is how many pieces are included in the set. The more pieces you get as part of the cookware bundle, the better.
This will give you better value for money overall. It will be much cheaper to spend a little bit extra on a set that includes 12 pieces, rather than having to spend more money in total on each item individually.
Similarly, you should consider each piece that’s included in the cookware set carefully. Will you really need to use that smaller saucepan? Or will the slightly cheaper cookware set that only includes 2 different sized saucepans see more use?
If you’re paying extra for a utensil you won’t use, you might be better off opting for a set where you know you will use each and every piece.
Durable
You will want to choose a cookware set that is as durable as possible. The more durable the cookware set, the longer it will last you in general. This will come down to the types of materials that the manufacturer has used in construction. Stainless steel is always a good material to opt for, as this metal has been specifically designed to be resistant to rust.
Most quality cookware will also feature a non-stick coating. Take a look at the materials that have been used to create this, and see how durable it is compared to other products.
Non-stick
Looking for a cookware set that features non-stick coating will be essential. This will make cooking so much easier in the long run. A good quality non-stick surface will help food slide right off the pan and onto your plate. It will prevent burnt bits of food from accumulating on the pan. It will also make the cookware easier to clean as a result.
You should also consider which pieces in the cookware set you want to have a non-stick coating. Do you want every piece to have it, including the saucepans? Or will you get more use out of the frying pans with a non-stick coating?
Easy to clean
Easier cleaning will make for an easier life. Cookware that’s harder to clean can become a pain, and could make you reluctant to use it.
I’d suggest going for a cookware set that works to make your life easier. Look for a cookware set that is dishwasher safe. This will be so much easier to clean if you do have a dishwasher. You won’t have to spend ages scrubbing away at the kitchen sink.
Simply pop your new cookware in the dishwasher and voila! They’ll be ready for you to use in no time at all.
It’s worth bearing in mind that some cookware may need to be washed by hand. While this may seem like a pain, it will be best to follow the manufacturer’s advice in order to maintain the non-stick coating of the pans.
Even heating
There’s nothing worse than cooking your favorite dish only to find the edges are burnt, but the meat is still raw in the middle. To combat this issue, you should look for a cookware set that promises even heating.
This will ensure that the pan surface gets an even distribution of heat, and you won’t have to worry about accidentally burning your food while other parts of the pan stay cool.
Most pans should make use of a spiral design on the base to help distribute the heat evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cookware set for the money?
The best cookware sets for the money are:
- GreenLife 16 Piece Pots and Pans Set
- T-fal Signature 12 Piece Cookware Set
- Goodful 12 Piece Cookware Set
- Amazon Basics 8 Piece Cookware Set
- Gotham Steel 12 Piece Cookware Set
How do I choose a cookware set?
There are many factors you will need to consider to find the best cookware set for your needs.
Factors you will need to consider will be budget, how many pieces have been included, how durable they are, how easy the cookware is to clean, how evenly the heat is distributed, and whether they come with a non-stick coating. You should also ensure that the cookware is safe for use with your preferred stovetop.
