We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy The 8 Best Places to Buy Cookware in 2024 These online retailers have enviable selections. By Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette Machard de Gramont Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products, specifically cookware. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 4, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Factors to Consider FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine When shopping for pots and pans, you want to be able to compare prices and features, browse colors, and explore the full range of a brand at your own pace. If you're splurging on a Dutch oven or grill pan, for example, time to make an informed decision (or hold out for a sale) matters. It's no wonder online retailers have become the go-to for most kitchen needs. If you're a fan of brick-and-mortar shopping — feeling the weight of pans, inspecting the nonstick coating in person, color-matching the various hues to your kitchen — you're in luck, because many of the retailers we love have both physical and online stores. Deciding on cookware can be a multi-step process, so if you live near one of these retailers, you can always check out the items you like in person and then compare them while shopping online from our pool of trusted sites. Over years of researching and testing kitchen products, we've gotten to know kitchen retailers inside and out. The retailers on our list sell the brands we've tested and trust; they're also the retailers we use to purchase cookware for the test kitchen and our homes. Read on for where, when, and how to shop like a Food & Wine editor — including tips for finding site-exclusive offers and brand promotions to get the best deals. Amazon PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon We couldn’t mention online shopping without crediting Amazon for offering hundreds of cookware sets and individual pieces at every price point. In fact, there’s such a large selection that it may be difficult to choose by browsing alone, so you may want to have an idea of what you want before you start searching. If you’re seeking a particular pot or pan, you can filter by shape, size, material, price point, and even color to narrow your results. You can also find individual storefronts for popular brands like Tramontina, All-Clad, Le Creuset, and Cuisinart, which let you compare different styles from the same reliable manufacturer. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you'll also get free, fast shipping on most items — which is helpful when nearby brick-and-mortar stores don’t have the selection you're looking for. Depending on your location, you may even be able to order some items for same-day delivery. Returns (with some exceptions) are allowed within 30 days for a full refund. To find the best deals, browse the Today's Deals tab and toggle your search for home and kitchen. Return Policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund Tramontina 10-Inch Nonstick Skillet $60 $31 at Amazon $75 $20 at Target Kook Moroccan Tagine $75 at Amazon $90 $80 at Target All-Clad Copper Core Saute Pan w/Lid $270 at Amazon $250 at Williams Sonoma Staub Cast Iron Grill Pan $150 at Amazon $130 at Williams Sonoma Williams Sonoma View on Williams Sonoma Serious home cooks are faithful to Williams Sonoma because of its extensive array of fancy kitchen goods, ranging from high-quality all-purpose nonstick pans to unique tools like Nordic Ware's ebelskiver pan for making distinctive Danish pancakes. The online selection includes heritage brands like Le Creuset and Ruffoni, and Williams Sonoma often carries exclusive colors and sets you can’t get anywhere else. It also stocks harder-to-find specialty items like egg poachers or paella pans. The high-end retailer carries several pricey brands but also makes its own more budget-friendly cookware: The Open Kitchen collection is a curated assortment of kitchen essentials at wallet-friendly prices. So, whether you're looking to invest in an heirloom set or want to save a few bucks, Williams Sonoma can be the place to look. Return Policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund Mauviel Copper Paella Pan $600 at Williams Sonoma Hestan 8-Quart ProBond Stainless Steel Stockpot $370 at Amazon $370 at Williams Sonoma All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set $100 $69 at Amazon $56 at Williams Sonoma $80 at Sur La Table Emile Henry Loaf Pan $57 at Williams Sonoma Sur La Table PHOTO: Sur La Table View on Amazon View on Sur La Table Sur La Table rivals Williams Sonoma with its selection of iconic cookware brands like Staub, GreenPan, and All-Clad, stocking a plethora of individual pieces and comprehensive sets that will delight anyone who loves to cook. Sur La Table also carries excellent international brands, including du Buyer's French copper cookware and its gorgeous traditional jam pan. In addition, Sur La Table has an original line of cookware available in stainless steel, ceramic nonstick, hard-anodized nonstick, and carbon steel, designed by chefs to deliver restaurant-quality performance at home. Be on the lookout for flash sales and various specials on the site throughout the year; you can also score $15 off your first order of $75 or more by signing up for email updates. Return Policy: Returns are accepted within 30 days; $12.95 fee for returns by mail ($26.95 from Alaska and Hawaii) Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte $32 $22 at Amazon $22 at Williams Sonoma $22 at Sur La Table Staub Rectangular Baking Dish Set $50 at Amazon $90 $50 at Sur La Table $50 at Crate & Barrel Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven $300 at Amazon $300 at Williams Sonoma $300 at Sur La Table Sur La Table La Marque Nonstick Skillets View on Sur La Table Crate & Barrel View on Crate & Barrel While people often turn to Crate & Barrel for furniture and home decor, it's also an excellent resource for cookware, offering a fantastic assortment of sets from GreenPan, Cuisinart, All-Clad, Viking, and more. A recent addition to its lineup is our favorite ceramic nonstick set from Caraway, available in various dreamy colors. Look to Crate & Barrel's curated selection of cookware for items that not only make cooking feel luxurious but look good doing it, too. You can easily create a cohesive design from your cooktop to the rest of your home with this decor-focused retailer. Crate & Barrel also has its own line of pots and pans, available in durable five-ply stainless steel or stylish ceramic nonstick, both just a little less expensive than competitors. Return Policy: Returns and exchanges are accepted within 90 days of purchase; shipping and handling fees are non-refundable All-Clad All-Clad Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with Rack $160 at Sur La Table $180 at Crate & Barrel $180 at Macy's Staub Round Cocotte $381 at Amazon $130 at Williams Sonoma $400 at Sur La Table Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Sauté Pan $145 $130 at Amazon $145 $131 at Sur La Table $175 at Crate & Barrel Crate & Barrel Red Cast Iron Fondue Set $40 at Crate & Barrel Food52 PHOTO: Food52 View on Food52 The Food52 shop feels like an art gallery and cookware store rolled into one, as much of its tightly curated collection is simply great to look at. Take, for example, the Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Saucepan: It has a distinctly Scandinavian design and comes in a variety of bright hues perfect for adding a splash of color to your kitchen. If social media–worthy recipe photos and the perfect backdrop for entertaining are on your cookware list, Food52 has the best selection of vibey statement pieces that still prove their worth in function, too. If you’re on the hunt for more traditional cookware, look to its All-Clad or Hestan options, but also take a minute to admire the polished cast iron pieces from Smithey Ironware, and de Buyer’s French copper collection. Don’t miss exclusive kitchenware pieces like the wooden-handled Le Creuset Alpine Enameled Cast-Iron Skillet, either. Return Policy: Returns are accepted within 30 days; $14.99 flat-rate return fee Hestan Provisions OvenBond Half Sheet Pan $130 at Amazon $80 at Food52 Dansk Butter Warmer $99 at Amazon $72 at Food52 Smithey No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet $85 at Food52 $170 at Crate & Barrel Food52 x GreenPan 8-Piece Thermolon Nonstick Cookware Set $299 at Food52 Macy’s View on Macy's Though Macy’s has downsized its brick-and-mortar presence, it remains a popular online cookware retailer, offering a massive selection of sets and individual pieces at a wide range of prices. You can find affordable starter sets from brands like Anolon and T-Fal or investment-worthy pieces from All-Clad, ScanPan, or Le Creuset. One of the best things about Macy’s is that it runs promotions often, giving you plenty of chances to get a deal on cookware you’ve been eyeing. Make sure to keep tabs on closeouts and act fast, as favorites from big brands like Martha Stewart and Sedona Kitchen are priced at nearly half-off and sell out quickly. Macy's is also known for huge discounts during major yearly sales like Black Friday, so shopping strategically can mean big savings. Return Policy: Returns are accepted via mail or at any Macy's store within 30 days of the purchase date. Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set $100 $74 at Amazon $100 at Target $100 at Macy's Scanpan Classic 2-Piece Fry Pan Set $100 at Amazon $100 at Williams Sonoma $160 $100 at Sur La Table Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel Stockpot $150 at Sur La Table $260 $150 at Macy's Anolon Anolon Advanced Home Wok View on Amazon View on Macy's Target PHOTO: Target View on Target Target is a one-stop shop for just about everything, including an enormous inventory of cookware from well-known brands like T-fal, Calphalon, Cuisinart, and Lodge. The variety includes nonstick options as well as stainless steel and hard-anodized pieces, so you’ll easily find a pan or pot — or complete set — that suits your cooking style. Target’s own brand, Figmint, is a collection of kitchen utensils and cookware at very inexpensive prices, great for those who are cost-conscious or just learning how to cook. Target is generally a lower-priced retailer with less of a focus on luxury brands; it's a great place to shop if you're outfitting a brand-new kitchen from scratch, especially since Target also carries budget silverware, plates, bowls, glassware, and more. Return Policy: Most items can be returned by mail or in-store within 90 days (120 days for RedCard purchases) and up to a year for Target-owned brands Calphalon Premier Space-Saving Stainless Steel Cookware Set $455 at Amazon $280 at Target $470 at Crate & Barrel Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Multiclad Pro Saucepan $30 at Amazon $30 at Target $30 at Macy's Lodge Cast Iron Skillet $30 at Amazon $30 at Target T-fal Ingenio Expertise Nonstick Cookware Set $150 $130 at Amazon $129 at Target West Elm PHOTO: West Elm View on West Elm You may immediately think of West Elm as the millennial-favorite luxury furniture and home decor store, but it has an impressive stock of cookware as well. You can find tried-and-true pieces from Staub and GreenPan, plus aesthetically driven items like a powder-pink Le Creuset saucepan, as well as social media–favorite upstart brands like Great Jones. West Elm's entire site (and stores) are carefully curated, and we already love to shop its other kitchenwares; we found several of our favorite cereal bowls in its collection, and we love the washable rugs. If you're already browsing West Elm for the latest must-have mid-century modern pieces for your home, flick through the cookware section as well. You'll be sure to find a few pieces that match the vibe of your kitchen, from colorful to moody to minimalist. Return Policy: Returns are accepted up to 30 days after an order is placed; shipping and fees are non-refundable Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Braiser $290 at Amazon $290 at Williams Sonoma $368 at Food52 BergHOFF Vintage Copper Tri-Ply Cookware Set $500 at Amazon $500 at Sur La Table $500 at West Elm GreenPan Padova Reserve Cookware Set View on Macy's $400 at West Elm Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan $40 at Nordstrom View on Greatjonesgoods.com Factors to Consider Selection When shopping for cookware online, a well-organized site with a range of brands and products is ideal for anyone who likes to browse options (the same goes when shopping for bakeware). Retailers with brick-and-mortar locations tend to stock more options and inventory online than they can carry in-store, making it easier to find exactly what you need. Brand Exclusives Larger cookware retailers like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table have the advantage of offering exclusive colors, sets, and shapes from big-name brands that you can't get anywhere else. And many of these companies now produce their own lines of in-house cookware to compete with legacy brands, making them a fantastic combination of quality and value. Direct-to-Consumer Brands While we’ve focused on retailers that sell numerous brands in one place, a handful of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands have emerged over the last decade that might not have physical stores but are worth checking out. More popular DTC brands like Made In and Caraway, are now even for sale on Amazon. Many of these newer brands feature contemporary designs and colors, in addition to focusing on sustainability and quality. If you're curious about new or perhaps lesser-known brands, buying from a trusted retailer like Amazon or William Sonoma is a great way to try something out since larger retailers usually have better return and shipping policies if you decide something isn't right for you. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Frequently Asked Questions When is the best time of year to buy cookware? The period just before Thanksgiving is generally when you’ll start to see the biggest discounts on cookware, and between Black Friday and holiday-season sales, they can extend all the way into the beginning of the new year. You’ll also find great deals around many major holidays, including President’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. For Amazon specifically, you'll find many of best deals during the Prime Day sale event, which usually happens in the summer. Should I buy cookware as a set? That depends on your cooking style, what foods you like to cook, and how big your kitchen is, among other factors. You may prefer a set because of the consistency of materials and construction. “It allows you to manage different cooking methods and is easy to organize in your home when not in use,” says Mitsunobu Nagae, chef and co-owner of Michelin-starred l’abeille in New York City. Cookware sets are also great if you're just starting out in a new kitchen or are a beginner and aren't quite sure exactly what you'll need.If you're short on cabinet space, consider a smaller set or opt for buying the essential pieces of cookware separately. Additionally, consider the type of cooking you like to do. A set of stainless steel cookware may not be right for you if you're often making omelets or pancakes in your trusty nonstick pan. If getting the perfect sear on a steak is important to you, a fully ceramic set may not be the best way to go. However, if you find a set you like, you can always supplement it with a few extra pieces of cookware, like a good cast iron skillet or the perfect egg pan. Should I buy nonstick or stainless steel cookware? Both have a place in the kitchen. Nonstick (and ceramic) cookware won't stick to food as readily, and are incredibly easy to clean because of their slick surface. However, they're more delicate: the nonstick coating can flake off into food if scratched, and can break down and create toxic fumes at high temperatures. Additionally, nonstick coatings can't build up a fond or create quite the same level of deep browning.Stainless steel is great for high-heat cooking and searing and is a great choice for nontoxic cookware. Just know that stainless is more likely to stick to food — especially if you don't let it pre-heat fully — and requires more effort to clean. Stainless is often much more expensive than nonstick, while both materials are prone to scratching if you don't treat them with care. With all the options available, you can always look for a set that includes both, or mix and match individual pieces. Our Expertise Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles–based writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. After a two-year stint at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of bakeware, cookware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight. The 8 Best Kitchen Appliance Brands for 2024, According to Editors and Experts Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit