Is the HexClad Cookware Set Worth It?
Based on tests by Reviewed (May 2025). How we score
Save $305Depends. All-Clad HA1 for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 30, 12:31 AM EDT (details)
Why
Reviewed's chicken thighs had "some of the most even, gorgeous searing of any skillet we’ve used," and the hexagon surface "holds its own against metal utensils, unlike most nonstick." But "They can’t cook an egg without oil," and testers saw "Frequent staining after high temperature cooking." Reviewed's favorite nonstick set, the All-Clad HA1, also sears hard and costs much less. Buy the HexClad if you want nonstick that takes metal utensils and a very hot oven. (Reviewed tested the same pans and lids sold as a 12-piece; this listing adds two trivets.)
HexClad warranty: Lifetime, for manufacturer defects (when sold by HexClad)
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the HexClad
HA1 Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Set
From 1 tester: Reviewed
From 1 tester: Reviewed
Reviewed's Best Traditional Nonstick Cookware Set: "It aced our tests," its tight lids made "some of the best rice in the testing group," and "This set creates a hard sear most nonstick pans can’t touch." Unlike the HexClad, its coating isn't metal-utensil safe. The pans are heavy and "don’t nest very well." Reviewed now links All-Clad's newer HA1 Expert set; this is the HA1 set it tested.
Sources: Reviewed: The Best Cookware Sets (updated May 27, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Extended Life Premium Ceramic 9-Piece Cookware Set
From 1 tester: Reviewed
From 1 tester: Reviewed
Reviewed: "we were impressed." Its "slick nonstick interior" releases "delicate eggs and sticky sauces with minimal oil and effort," it heats evenly and gave "an even sear." It's ceramic nonstick, not metal-utensil safe like the HexClad, and oven safe to 550°F rather than 900°F. Ninja claims the coating lasts five years of regular use.
Sources: Reviewed: The Best Cookware Sets (updated May 27, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
Can you use metal utensils on HexClad?
Yes. HexClad says its pans are metal-utensil safe, and Reviewed found the hexagon surface "holds its own against metal utensils, unlike most nonstick."
Do HexClad pans need oil?
Yes. Reviewed found "They can’t cook an egg without oil," and HexClad says seasoning is essential for its nonstick performance.
Sources: Reviewed: The Best Cookware Sets (updated May 27, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
