Ceramic cookware is all the rage right now, but it can be expensive. Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up the best ceramic cookware sets for under $100.
Finding ceramic cookware at this price wasn’t easy, but we managed to find some high-quality inexpensive ceramic cookware sets.
Take a look at what we found!
Top 5 Picks For The Best Ceramic Cookware Sets for Under $100
We searched the internet looking for the best ceramic cookware sets for under $100. The best sets:
- Are constructed of aluminum
- Have comfortable handles and tempered glass lids
- Have a healthy, eco-friendly non-stick ceramic coating
- Are manufactured by trusted brands (we stayed away from Chinese knock-offs)
Take a look at our detailed reviews of the best ceramic cookware sets for under $100 below.
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The GreenLife Soft Grip Health Ceramic Nonstick Cookware set comes packed with features and pieces, making it our top choice for best ceramic cookware sets for under $100. This set is a great affordable wedding or housewarming gift.
It comes in 9 different colors, and can be purchased in a 12 or 16-piece bundle.
The bodies of the cookware are constructed of recycled aluminum. Not only are you doing something good for the environment by purchasing this set, but aluminum is an excellent heat conductor and this cookware heats up quickly and evenly.
Silicone-wrapped handles stay cool during cooking and the silicone covers the entire handle, which is important because some sets are designed with exposed metal ends that can get hot during cooking.
GreenLife’s ceramic-based Thermolon non-stick coating is free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. According to the manufacturer this cookware is dishwasher safe, although we still recommend washing non-stick cookware by hand.
Finally, GreenLife’s pans come with a lifetime warranty that covers any defects in materials or manufacturing.
PROS
- Excellent heat conductivity
- Made from recycled material
- Set comes with utensils
- Handles stay cool when cooking
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe up to 350° Fahrenheit
- Lifetime warranty
CONS
- Not suitable for induction cooking
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Cuisinart’s Advantage Ceramic XT Cookware Set is another one of the best ceramic cookware sets for under $100. If you’re not really concerned about getting the utensils that come with GreenLife’s set then this may be a better choice.
There’s nothing particularly exciting about the design of this cookware set – it comes in a choice of red (pictured) or black, with a contrasting gray non-stick interior. The cookware handles are wrapped with comfortable silicone grips, and the lids are made from tempered glass.
The core of the cookware is made from aluminum and then coated with a titanium-reinforced non-stick coating that’s free of PTFE, PFOA, and PFOS.
We have to be honest, the non-stick coating used by Cuisinart is overall pretty fragile and the cookware:
- Is not dishwasher safe
- Should not be used with metal utensils
- Is only oven safe up to 350 Fahrenheit for 20 minutes
But we believe Cuisinart makes high-quality products and many other non-stick cookware exaggerate the durability of their product. We appreciate that Cuisinart is honest about how to care for the Ceramica XT set and doesn’t try to mislead consumers by claiming their cookware is dishwasher safe when it’s not.
The Cuisinart Advantage Ceramica XT set comes with a lifetime warranty that covers any defects in material or workmanship.
PROS
- Sturdy aluminum construction
- PTFE, PFOA and PFOS free non-stick coating
- Stain-resistant interiors
- Durable silicone handles
- Tempered glass shatterproof lids
- Cookware has drip-free rims
- Lifetime warranty
CONS
- Not dishwasher safe
- Only oven safe up to 350° Fahrenheit for 20 minutes
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Copper cookware is beautiful to look at it, but it’s also expensive and difficult to clean. Enter Gotham Steel. Their Premium Ceramic Cookware Set gives you the elegance of copper with the convenience of non-stick, and they do it for under $100.
Each piece of cookware is constructed with a solid but lightweight aluminum core for perfect heat distribution. The Granite Stone non-stick coating is free from harmful PFOA, PFOS, lead, and cadmium.
Unlike some of the other sets we looked at, the handles of the Gotham Steel Premium Ceramic Cookware Set are crafted from solid stainless steel, which means the set is oven safe to a higher temperature than some of its competitors.
Not only is this set beautiful, but it’s also versatile. The Gotham Steel Premium Ceramic Cookware Set is dishwasher safe, safe for metal utensils, and suitable for induction stovetops. It comes with a 10-year warranty that covers any defects of materials or workmanship.
PROS
- Attractive hammered copper design
- Lightweight solid aluminum construction
- Healthy-nonstick coating is free of PFOA, PFOS, lead, and cadmium
- Suitable for induction stovetops
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe up to 500° Fahrenheit
- 10-year warranty
CONS
- Some users have complained that the non-stick coating wears off quickly
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Non-stick cookware is inherently delicate – usually, it must be hand-washed, isn’t oven-safe, and can get trashed if you use metal utensils. If you ain’t got time for all that nonsense we recommend the durable Gotham Steel Ultra Non-Stick Ceramic Cookware Set.
Like most of the ceramic cookware we’ve reviewed, the bodies of the pots and pans are made from aluminum that has been finished with a non-stick coating. Gotham Steel’s non-stick coating is triple-layered and extremely durable – the cookware is dishwasher safe and you can even use your metal utensils.
The tempered glass lids in this set can survive a few drops without breaking, and the stainless-steel handles are designed to be comfortable and stay cool while cooking. The cookware itself is also oven safe up to 500° Fahrenheit and backed with a 10-year warranty.
It’s important to note that this set is not suitable for induction stovetops. If you need induction-friendly cookware we recommend the Gotham Steel Premium Ceramic Cookware Set instead.
PROS
- Durable multi-layer construction
- Triple-layer non-stick coating for easy food release
- Safe for use with metal utensils
- Comfortable handles stay cool while cooking
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe up to 500° Fahrenheit
- 10-year warranty
CONS
- Not suitable for induction stovetops
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Cook N Home NC-00359 Ceramic Coating Cookware Set is a great budget cookware set with everything most people would need to outfit their kitchen.
This set has a fun, retro feel to it and comes in a choice of four finishes. We really liked the green, which is similar to a green apple color and not a color we typically see in cookware sets.
The cookware itself is constructed of thick gauge aluminum that’s designed to heat quickly and prevent hot spots. The handles of the cookware are designed to stay cool while cooking and the tempered glass lids are shatterproof.
Because this is a budget set it has more limitations than the rest of the sets in our reviews. The set is not dishwasher safe, can’t be used on induction stovetops, and can’t be used in the oven. We recommend this set if you are on a tight budget and don’t need the extra features you’d find with the other sets we reviewed.
Unfortunately we couldn’t find any information about the product warranty.
PROS
- Budget-friendly
- Cute retro design
- Healthy non-stick coating
- Comfortable "stay cool" handles
- Shatterproof tempered glass lids
CONS
- Not dishwasher safe
- Can't be used in the oven
- Not suitable for induction cooking
What to Look for When Purchasing Inexpensive Ceramic Cookware Sets
Ceramic cookware has exploded in popularity in recent years, especially given the health concerns that surround Teflon.
Related article: Ceramic vs Teflon – Comparing 2 Popular Non-Stick Coatings
This means that there are a lot of new players in the market, and a lot of sub-par products. During our research, we observed a huge number of Chinese knock-off brands competing in the $50 – $100 price range.
There are several factors to consider before purchasing inexpensive ceramic cookware. Understanding each attribute and how to evaluate it will empower you to be an educated consumer on your quest to find the best ceramic cookware sets for under $100.
The Overall Construction of the Set
Which is better, an aluminum core or a hard-anodized aluminum core? The basic construction of a cookware set has a huge impact on how well the cookware conducts heat and whether or not it will have hot or cool spots.
Aluminum cookware is primarily what you’ll find in this price range, and it’s a solid heat conductor. Hard-anodized aluminum provides some extra durability but won’t typically be found in cookware sets that are under $100.
A great inexpensive ceramic cookware set will also have tempered glass lids. Tempered glass lids are four times stronger than normal glass lids, making them more likely to survive being dropped or abused.
Finally, the cookware set should always have handles that stay cool while cooking. Stay away from cookware sets with cheap handles – there’s nothing worse than getting burned while cooking!
The Non-Stick Coating
One of the biggest reasons to choose ceramic-based non-stick cookware is because the ceramic coatings are generally considered safer than older Teflon-based coatings.
There’s a wide variety of ceramic non-stick coatings, but they are generally made of sand or a similar substance.
Ceramic coatings are free of the chemicals that used to be found in Teflon-based coatings such as PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium. They can also withstand a higher temperature than Teflon, which begins to degrade at 500 Fahrenheit. Finally, while Teflon can give off harmful fumes when it’s overheated, ceramic-based coatings do not.
When you’re trying to find the best ceramic pans, verify that the coating is free of the chemicals listed above. Also, try and pick ceramic cookware with at least a triple-layer non-stick coating, which will hold up longer than a thinner coating.
The Product Warranty
If you’ve poked around this website you might already know that I consider non-stick cookware disposable. A great non-stick set that’s lovingly cared for will most likely still only last a few years.
This is why it’s really important to choose a ceramic cookware set with a great warranty. Look for sets with at least a 10-year warranty for defects in materials or workmanship. Also, make sure you read the care instructions that come with your ceramic cookware set to avoid accidentally voiding the warranty.
Additional Features
Other features to look for in inexpensive ceramic cookware sets include:
- Oven safe: Is it oven safe and up to what temperature?
- Dishwasher safe: Can the cookware set be washed in the dishwasher?
- Metal utensil safe: Can you use your metal utensils on the cookware?
- Induction stovetop compatible: Do you do a lot of induction cooking? Better choose a set that’s compatible with induction stovetops!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is inexpensive ceramic cookware safe?
Yes! Ceramic cookware is considered safer than other non-stick alternatives because the non-stick coat doesn’t contain chemicals like PFOA. Inexpensive versions of ceramic non-stick cookware use the same non-stick coatings as the more expensive versions.
What are some good inexpensive ceramic cookware brands?
Gotham Steel and GreenLife are two great brands that offer inexpensive ceramic cookware. If you’re willing to pay a little more then we’d also recommend GreenPan’s products.
Do I need to worry about lead or heavy metals in inexpensive ceramic cookware?
Yes. Make sure you read the product descriptions closely and only buy cookware advertised as lead and cadmium free. Stay away from knock-off cookware brands you’ve never heard of.
Can inexpensive ceramic cookware be used with induction stovetops?
It depends on the set and might be difficult to find at this price point, but the Gotham Steel Premium Ceramic Cookware Set we featured in our review can be used with induction stovetops.
Conclusion
When we started looking for the best ceramic cookware sets for under $100 we weren’t really sure what we’d find.
But we found some really great sets that would be at home in any kitchen with features that rival far more expensive sets.
Found a set you love that we didn’t feature? Let us know about it in the comments below. 🙂
