World-renowned chefs and home cooks share at least one thing in common: a love for all things All-Clad. The brand, which literally invented bonded cookware — or cookware that bonds various metals together to get all of the beneficial properties from each metal — has been a leading cookware brand since its inception in 1971. But like any hot-ticket item (and in All-Clad's case, arguably the best cookware on the market), prices are high. Unless you're willing to wait for one of the brand's infamous factory seconds sales, get ready to pay up for some enviable pots and pans.
Luckily, competitors have been making comparable cookware to All-Clad albeit without the allure of the "All-Clad" name. Big name brands. like Cuisinart, have their own lines of bonded cookware, and the advent of direct-to-consumer brands, like Made In, have made it more approachable than ever before for those cash-strapped chefs to get to-die-for cookware without having to sell their soul for it. So whether you're looking for an affordable alternative to All-Clad, or you just want something that's different from the pack, here are the best All-Clad alternatives to buy.
If You Want All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Cookware ...
All-Clad's D3 cookware is its flagship product, a continuation of what All-Clad's founder John Ulam crafted back in the '70s. The "3" in "D3" stands for the three layers of metal in the cookware: a bottom layer of induction-compatible stainless steel, an inner core of rapid-heating aluminum and a top layer of nonreactive 18/10 stainless steel. In layman's terms, the cookware gets hot evenly and stays hot for longer. The pots and pans are compatible on all cooktops, and they're safe to use in the oven at up to 600°F.
Get Cuisinart's Tri-Ply Pro Stainless Steel
Cooks have long turned to Cuisinart for its affordable and trustworthy cookware and kitchen gadgets. Its Tri-Ply Pro cook ware is similar to its All-Clad D3 counterpart touting three layers of stacked metal. With Cuisinart's cookware set you get more bang for your buck, and the pots and pans are also good to use on all cooktop surfaces, as well as in ovens, albeit with a maximum temperature of 500°F. Instead of offering stainless steel lids like All-Clad, Cuisinart's Try-Ply Pro series offers glass lids, which allow you to watch your food while it cooks while keeping the lid on.
More Alternatives to All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Cookware
If You Want All-Clad D5 Stainless Steel Cookware ...
The line of D5 cookware from All-Clad ups the three bonded layers from D3 to five bonded layers. It alternates between layers of stainless steel and aluminum, and it's thought to add increased protection against warping (plus, a little extra heft since there are more layers). Five-ply cookware also has even faster, more even heating with few hot spots. All-Clad offers its D5 cookware in a brushed finish, which is matte, and a polished finish, which is shiny.
Get Made In's Stainless Steel Cookware
Made In has quickly become a fan favorite in the direct-to-consumer cookware market. Celebrity chefs back the brand, and it's easy to see why. Its cookware is a direct alternative to All-Clad, minus the huge markups. Its stainless steel pots and pans are comparable to D5 because of its five-ply makeup, which is equally as good as All-Clad's. Made In's stainless steel cookware is oven safe up to 800°F versus All-Clad's D5's maximum oven temperature of 600°F, though there are probably few instances when your oven would need to get the hot (or if it's able to at all).
More Alternatives to All-Clad D5 Stainless Steel Cookware
If You Want All-Clad Copper Core Cookware ...
Few pieces of cookware elicit as much awe as All-Clad's Copper Core cookware. It builds upon the D5 model by swapping out the middle layer of stainless steel for copper, which heats up incredibly fast, but also cools down just as quickly — this responsiveness to temperature control gives cook ultimate control over whatever they're making.
Get Anolon Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel Cookware
Anolon's Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel is way more affordable than All-Clad's Copper Core pots and pans, offering a copper layer on the bottom of the pan, which gives a similar effect to the copper core. However, Anolon's copper pans are impact bonded, which means the price is lower, but heat doesn't distribute as rapidly up the pan since it's only the base that has copper.
More Alternatives to All-Clad Copper Core Cookware
If You Want All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Cookware ...
Stainless steel is All-Clad's crème de la crème, but it also makes a very good line of non-stick pots and pans. It has a stainless steel base, which is compatible for induction cooktops; hard-anodized aluminum, which heats fast and evenly; and a coating of three layers of a PFOA-free nonstick material. The coating is resistant to chipping and peeling, offering top-of-the-line non-stick capabilities. Unlike most other non-stick cookware, All-Clad's is safe to use in the oven at a fairly high 500°F.
Get Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware
Calphalon has a reputation for making good non-stick cookware at approachable price points. Its Classic Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware is similar to its All-Clad counterpart in that it has two layers of PFOA-free non-stick coating, just one fewer than All-Clad. The Calphalon cookware can go into the oven, but only at a maximum temperature of 450°F. Minor details like pour spouts and stay-cool handles make Calphalon's non-stick cookware an easy choice for those looking for an All-Clad alternative.
More Alternatives to All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Cookware
