Consumer Reports' Highest-Rated Nonstick Cookware Set Is More Affordable Than You'd Expect

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If you're in the market for quality nonstick cookware but can't fathom paying the premium price, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that an affordable set is also Consumer Reports' highest-rated. The publication reviewed multiple cookware products, with judging factors including cooking evenness, nonstick food release, nonstick durability, speed of heating, simmering performance, handle temperature, and handle sturdiness as well as the materials, versatility, and included features. Figmint is Target's private-label line of houseware items and it scored the highest with its $180 12-piece Ceramic-Coated Aluminum Cookware Set earning a score of 94 out of 100.

The Figment 12-piece Nonstick Ceramic-Coated Cookware Set includes a 10- and 12-inch frying pan, 3- and 1.5-quart saucepan, a 5-quart sauté pan, and a 6-quart stockpot all made from aluminum with nonstick ceramic coating free of PTFE — the toxic coating that may be lining your air fryer. It also comes with six glass lids. The set earned a 5 out of 5 for its cooking evenness and nonstick food release, with Consumer Reports rating both as excellent. The nonstick durability, handle temperature, and heating speed were also rated very good, while the handle sturdiness received a 3 out of 5. Despite the lower handle score, Consumer Reports noted that the model had no performance flaws.

Something we all can appreciate is a stockpot that heats fast and simmers well. Consumer Reports rated the set's stockpot as very good for how quickly it could heat 4 liters of water to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and how well it could maintain slow-simmering temperatures for a flavorful tomato sauce.

If you're curious how Consumer Reports rated products from top nonstick cookware brands like All-Clad, Calphalon, and Caraway, you may be surprised by where these popular brands landed. All-Clad is known for its bonded nonstick pans designed for speed and durability (its Ina Garten's favorite bougie brand of pot and pans), but it didn't have any cookware sets rated above 83. Calphalon uses a beloved, hard-anodized material, and its 11-piece Premier Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set earned an admirable 93 while costing almost three times as much at $499. Aesthetically pleasing modern kitchenware brand Caraway earned its highest rank with its Nonstick Ceramic-Coated Non-Stick Frying Pan earning an 89, but its 12-piece Nonstick Ceramic-Coated Cookware Set was close behind with an 88. But Caraway's cookware set costs more than both the Figment and Calphalon cookware sets, with a regular price of $675.

When it comes to cookware, great performance doesn't have to come with a great-big price tag. Figmint's top Consumer Reports rating proves you don't have to spend hundreds more for a cookware set that performs great. If you're looking to upgrade your kitchen without emptying your wallet, the Figmint set for $180 might be the solution.