All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware Set

All Clad is probably the best known brand among the listed manufacturers. The 9 piece set is priced at about $570 and has been very well reviewed at Amazon, averaging 4.59 out of 5, based on 53 reviews.

Pros:

Durable
Very high build quality
Easy to clean once you know how

Cons:

Uncomfortable handles
hard to clean
expensive $570.00

Amazon Stats:

ave rating 4.57 out of 5 based on 52 reviews
#14,678 in Home & Garden

CIA Masters Collection 7-Ply Copper Clad Stainless Steel 10 Piece Cookware Set

The CIA-Masters 10 piece set sell for about $510, making it a less costly alternative to the All Clad. These pans are heavy and well-made. Although there are only 5 reviews at Amazon, all but one reviewer gave them a 5 out of 5 rating. One reviewer has used both the All Clad and the CIA-Masters and prefers the CIA, based one better low-heat performance and superior handle design.

Pros:

Durable
Heavy
Great low-heat performance
Larger pans have a second “helper handle” for easy manuvering

Cons:

Heavy

Amazon Stats:

4.57 out of 5 based on 7 reviews
#18,925 in Home & Garden

J.A. Henckels International Classic Clad 10-Piece Cookware Set

The Henckels set is the most affordable, priced at just under $250 for the 10 piece set. Owners cited excellent low heat performance heavy quality construction. The few negative comments were actually regarding their non-stick line, the “Twin Cast”. The Classic Clad line featured here is does not have a non-stick surface.

Pros:

aesthetically appealing
comfortable handles
good low-heat performance
price
capacity markings on the inside of the pans

Cons:

hard to clean
non-stick surface comes off in their “Twin Cast” line (not featured here)

Amazon Stats:

ave rating 4.2 out of 5 based on 5 reviews
#347,101 seller in home and garden

The All-Clad stainless product line is their flagship product, and their best selling. In addition it is one of the few stainless steel cookware sets that in induction compatible. This is due to employing magnetic stainless steel into their proprietary sandwich construction system. Included in this 9 piece set is a 10″ fry pan, 3-quart casserole pan, 6-quart stockpot, and 3-quart covered saute pan. (more…)