Updated on Mar. 26, 2025
The discussion regarding HexClad vs. All-Clad is one hot kitchen topic. Lucky for conflicted buyers, there's no wrong choice between the two stellar cookware companies. We tested both brands and can confirm they're worth the hype—and price.
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When it comes to quality cookware, there are two names you’ll hear over and over again: HexClad and All-Clad. These high-quality brands come with a steeper price tag, but forgoing cost-effective ceramic and carbon steel pans and picking your side of the HexClad vs. All-Clad debate is worth it.
While cheaper, we should note that ceramic and carbon steel pans are great alternatives to high-end brands for routine, everyday cooking. These options perform well for quick family meals while being dishwasher-safe and lightweight.
New luxury cookware like HexClad and All-Clad should be treated as seriously as any big-ticket item, like stoves, small appliances and countertops. After all, you’re in the kitchen to cook, so why skimp on your most important piece of equipment? You undoubtedly want to eat delicious food every day, and it’s hard to cook anything to perfection with shoddy pots and pans.
Excellent cookware can, and should, last for the rest of your life, so “splurging” ends up saving money in the long run. Bonus points if the kitchen gadgets do everything to help you cut back on overflowing cabinets or drawers. If you’re struggling to determine whether HexClad or All-Clad is right for you, here’s a little primer to help you out.
Manufacturing some of the best cookware money can buy since 1971, All-Clad is a favorite among professional chefs and serious home cooks. Made from stainless steel with a bonded aluminum core, All-Clad pans are known for their ability to heat up evenly, providing superior temperature control while cooking. They also last longer than ceramic cookware. All-Clad cookware boasts a signature polished look and ergonomic handles for easy maneuvering.
VIA MERCHANT
With chef-quality stainless steel interiors and induction-compatible exteriors, All-Clad is a prime pick for home cooks and budding chefs alike.
Launched in 2017, HexClad cookware is the new kid on the block. It has made a massive impression on the culinary world in just a few short years. Gordon Ramsay himself has called HexClad “the Rolls-Royce of pans.” This cookware is made with a combination of stainless steel and nonstick coatings and has a unique hexagonal pattern that helps food release easily.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
HexClad hybrid cookware has a signature hexagon-shaped pattern made from stainless steel and nonstick materials.
Two things these brands have in common: quality and price. Even when they’re on sale, both All-Clad and HexClad cookware cost a pretty penny, but it’s important to remember that you’re getting what you pay for. The kitchen gear from both brands is built to last a lifetime, so don’t expect to replace the purchase any time soon—if ever.
Chef Karen Akunowicz notes that, when it comes to clad cookware, layering different metals maximizes performance. While both brands do this, their methods and materials differ.
“The key is to look for multiple layers (typically three-ply or five-ply) with a core of aluminum or copper for excellent heat conduction. You want a pan that heats evenly and responds quickly to temperature changes, which is especially important for delicate cooking techniques,” notes Karen. “If you plan to use it in the oven, make sure it’s oven-safe to at least 500 degrees.”
With this in mind, one key difference between the brands is heat tolerance and materials. HexClad’s stainless steel and cast iron pots and pans don’t handle high heat as effectively as All-Clad’s pure stainless steel. That said, both brands are oven-safe up to at least 500 degrees, with steel pans like those from All-Clad tolerating up to 600 degrees. These pans also weigh less and adapt to temperature changes more quickly than HexClad’s offerings.
Overall, HexClad provides even cooking, durability and an excellent nonstick surface. All-Clad, on the other hand, is ideal for quick maneuvering in the kitchen or for slow-cooking soufflés, casseroles or meats over high heat.
HexClad cookware combines the best parts of cast-iron, stainless steel and nonstick pans. Like cast iron, it’s sturdy and durable and retains a tremendous amount of heat. Like stainless steel, it’s non-reactive and distributes heat evenly across the surface of the pan. And, like nonstick pans, it’s, well, nonstick.
Senior Editor Katie Bandurski tested and reviewed HexClad products for over 18 months. “I’ve used many types and brands of cookware, and the HexClad skillet is my all-time favorite,” she says. “It’s truly a Goldilocks pan, combining elements of stainless steel, cast iron and nonstick. I love that it doesn’t need to be babied—I can use sky-high temperatures and metal utensils, no problem.”
These pans begin with the base of a stainless steel pan, which is then coated with a high-grade, nontoxic, nonstick material that’s infused with diamond dust for extra strength. Fancy, right? A laser-etching process is then employed to create a hexagonal pattern on the bottom of each pan, allowing heat to diffuse evenly.
Because of their magnetic steel base, these pans rapidly conduct heat, and they’re also suitable for induction cooktops. It’s safe to use these pans in the oven or under the broiler, too. And when you’re done cooking, HexClad cookware is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.
HexClad offers a range of cookware products, including frying and saute pans, woks, griddles, knives, stockpots, Dutch ovens and saucepans. Additionally, the brand has expanded beyond the stove and now offers cutlery, cutting boards and cooking accessories. Our team of expert editors have tested over 10 HexClad items and can confirm that they live up to the hype.
HexClad’s high-quality kitchen gear is designed to last a lifetime. We should note that HexClad cookware comes with a nonstick coating that may lead to chemical leaching over time, especially if used on extremely high heat. But, all pots, pans, cutlery and salt and pepper grinders are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defect, provided they’re purchased directly from the HexClad website or through an authorized retailer, like Amazon.
The cookware also offers great longevity, according to Katie. “Over the past 18 months, I’ve tested a lot of HexClad products. I’ve reviewed three skillets, a Dutch oven, a wok, the knife set, a market tote, a pepper mill and a pizza steel in my home kitchen.”
Additionally, the knives impress even after generous use. “Even after some abuse—like forgetting to dry them after washing or leaving them covered in brownie crumbs for a few days—they easily wipe down. I also have noticed zero rust spots or handle cracks,” says Katie.
Writer and cookware expert Allison Robicelli also loves this cookware. She says in her HexClad skillet review: “HexClad cookware might be pricey, but it’s worth the money and will pay for itself 10 times over. Not only does the hybrid pan do the work of three other pans, but it’s also built to last. It might very well be the last pan you ever buy.”
Cookware prices range from $110 to $200, but items can be cheaper if you look for HexClad sales. If you’re unsatisfied with your purchase, HexClad has a 30-day return policy.
TASTE OF HOME
This multi-functional pan features HexClad's signature nonstick coating to handle everything from eggs to sauces to proteins. It comes in 7, 8, 10 and 12 inches.
KATIE BANDURSKI FOR TASTE OF HOME
With sharp, durable blades and ergonomic handles, this 7-piece knife set is high quality enough to last a lifetime.
ALLISON ROBICELLI FOR TASTE OF HOME
A powerhouse on the stovetop and oven safe up to 500 degrees, this wok will make quick work of stir fries and more. Plus, it's dishwasher safe!
All-Clad started in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1971, and still manufactures its pots and pans in the U.S. All-Clad offers a wide array of kitchen products, such as electric griddles, waffle makers, immersion blenders, knives, bakeware and beyond, but it’s best known for its iconic stainless steel pans.
We tested the 10-inch skillet alongside nine other pans, opting to make three meals with each. Former Taste of Home culinary assistant, Mark Neufang, used the same recipes and processes for each meal and noted any differences or adjustments required while cooking with each pan. The result? It secured the top spot as the best stainless steel cookware we’ve tried.
The chef-favorite cookware features a triple-ply design with a steel interior, aluminum core and induction stainless-steel exterior, which heats evenly and quickly. All-Clad’s stainless-steel pans are dishwasher-safe and can be used on all sorts of cooktops, including induction burners.
The most popular line of All-Clad pans is the D3 Stainless Steel Collection, which is excellent for everyday at-home cooking. For those looking for a higher level of temperature control, the D5 Stainless Steel Collection features two additional layers of conductive metals. (We rated the All-Clad G5 Graphite Core pan “best overall” in our stainless steel cookware test.)
All-Clad also offers a professional-level Copper Core Collection that possesses five layers of steel and an inner layer of highly conductive copper. The brand also offers nonstick cookware made with a nontoxic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. However, sites like ChefTalk discuss how stainless steel cookware like All-Clad can result in nickel release, which may be an issue for those concerned about ingesting certain metals.
All-Clad cookware costs more than many other brands, but its pieces are well worth the investment. These pans are built to last—a fact that’s backed up with a lifetime warranty.
TASTE OF HOME
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
Alison T.S. Robicelli has over 12 years of experience as a professional chef and recipe developer and 10 years of full-time writing experience at Taste of Home, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Eater, The Takeout and The Washington Post. She has written two cookbooks and regularly contributes her advice to cooking, baking and kitchenware content. Given her extensive expertise in cooking, kitchen tools, and the food industry, she is an excellent choice for comparing HexClad and All-Clad cookware.
Alexandra Mantella, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this piece. She has over five years of experience in product testing, research and commerce writing. Previously, she served as a commerce content update editor at Bob Vila.
For this piece, we also spoke to Karen Akunowicz to discuss what to look for when choosing clad cookware. Karen is a James Beard award-winning chef, restauranteur and television personality with appearances on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions.”
Many professional chefs can take pride in using All-Clad pans as they provide excellent results and last for years. However, HexClad has been endorsed by Gordon Ramsay as one of his go-to cookware brands.
HexClad and All-Clad pots and pans are made to last forever (if they are cared for properly!). To extend the longevity and reliability of your cookware, ensure that you follow the use and care manual when maintaining it.
HexClad cookware can be placed in the dishwasher after use for effective cleaning. However, it is recommended that All-Clad pots and pans be washed by hand with soap and warm water to keep them looking fresh and new.
If you’re struggling to decide between HexClad vs. All-Clad, the good news is you can’t go wrong with either decision. Both companies make some of the best cookware on the market, and you can reasonably expect whatever pieces you buy to last for decades.
The best place to purchase HexClad cookware is through the brand’s website so you can take advantage of the warranty and return policies. You can also buy HexClad pans on Amazon or Walmart.
The entire All-Clad cookware line can be found on its website, as well as on Amazon. Retailers like Nordstrom and Wayfair carry many of the brand’s bestselling pieces, too. Get ready for a lifetime of quality cooking!
