Whether you’re an experienced chef or just starting out with cooking, you’re probably familiar with All-Clad Cookware. That’s because All-Clad is a well-known, high-quality cookware brand you’ll often find lining the store shelves, donning a price tag as large as its reputation. However, just because it’s popular in the cookware aisle doesn’t mean that All-Clad is the best choice for your kitchen.
When it comes to selecting the perfect cookware for your culinary needs, there are a variety of factors that must be taken into consideration. From affordability, performance and durability to ease of use and aesthetics, even factors like customer service or product reviews can influence which brand is right for you! Furthermore, what type of cooking you plan on doing will decide the material best suited; from stainless steel and cast-iron to nonstick hybrids, each feature various pros and cons depending on their particular brand. So, whether an amateur chef or a professional connoisseur it’s best to compare and contrast in order to make the best decision.
If you’re in the market for cookware, especially stainless steel products, there is another brand you may want to consider in addition to All-Clad. There is a younger, less-known cookware brand that despite its newness, has come to rival more well-established brands: HexClad Cookware. While All-Clad is known for its durable and high-performance bonded fully clad stainless steel cookware, HexClad has introduced an innovative hybrid design that combines both clad stainless steel and non stick technology to produce high surface heat conductivity and superior durability. After a careful review of both brands, we’ve determined that All-Clad offers better performance, durability and ease of use for experienced chefs. The brand boasts an 8.98 Brand Overall Scoring, with HexClad not far behind, scoring 7.42. We’d recommend HexClad for entry-level home cooks or anyone who is particularly rough on their cookware. Novice chefs and shoppers with a lot of questions or needs may especially appreciate the fact that HexClad offers better-rated customer service and support than All-Clad. If you’re curious further about whether you should invest in either of these brands for your kitchen, continue reading because we’ve compiled the benefits and drawbacks of HexClad vs. All-Clad in a comprehensive review below to help you choose the best brand for your cooking needs.
Customer Rating Overview
Despite their product quality, neither All-Clad nor HexClad earned a single 5-star customer rating in several categories including Shipping & Returns, Customer Support, Trial & Warranty, Performance, Durability or Ease of Use.
HexClad was rated the lowest by customers for durability with 3/5 stars, likely due to the nature of most non stick cookware which has a shorter lifespan than materials like clad stainless steel. However, the brand claims to have the durability of cast iron and that their products “last a lifetime,” plus they offer a unique design that features raised stainless steel honeycomb shapes designed to protect the nonstick material, so with proper care you may be able to get more use out of them than with other non stick products. All-Clad rated lowest at 3.5/5 starts for Customer Support. Long wait times, unhelpful customer service chatbots and emails that were not returned are among some of the chief complaints. So, keep in mind that if there is an issue with the products you purchased from All-Clad, you might have difficulty reaching them.
Shipping, Warranty, and Return Policies
All-Clad only offers free shipping on orders of $99.95 and up, while HexClad offers free shipping with no threshold. However, both brands offer returns for up to 45 days from receipt of purchase. Additionally, both All-Clad and HexClad cover manufacturer’s defects under their lifetime warranties, but be sure to review the warranty information for both in-depth before making a purchase to ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions. For instance, because All-Clad cannot control the quality of its products sold by unauthorized sellers, its warranty does not cover cookware products purchased from unauthorized retailers.
Customer Service
While All-Clad is known for a high caliber of products, its reputation for customer service is less than brag-worthy. In fact, customers rated this area the lowest at just 3.5 out of 5 stars. Their contact information is hard to find on their site, buried under a section for care & use instructions and FAQs. The contact page offers web form submission as a sort of “first stop” or “gatekeeper” before finally providing their phone number. HexClad offers slightly better customer service; despite their comprehensive help center, their contact page also defaults users to a web form versus a chatbot or phone number which other cookware brands offer on their sites.
Why Choose All-Clad?
Ideal For:
- Both professional chefs and home cooks who can afford to invest in high quality performance cookware built to last
- Anyone looking for top-of-the-line, USA-made stainless steel, hard anodized, ceramic and nonstick cookware and bakeware, or who simply appreciates premium cookware with a nice aesthetic
- People who prefer domestic-made products will appreciate that every piece of fully-clad cookware is made in the USA
Considerations:
- The upfront cost of All-Clad is higher than most cookware brands, however it comes with an incredible value including a lifetime warranty on cookware & bakeware
- People looking for nonstick cookware should be aware that All-Clad’s nonstick pieces will not last forever like their stainless steel, but it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty
- While All-Clad cookware is relatively easy to clean and maintain, stainless steel must be heated properly to avoid food sticking to the pan, and harsh detergents should be avoided
Why Choose HexClad?
Ideal For:
- People looking for a pan that will release food as well as traditional non stick cookware, but will pan-sear meats, fish and vegetables better
- Those in search of pots and pans sets with lids and woks that use HexClad non stick hybrid technology for more versatility and durability than traditional non stick
- Ideal choice for avid chefs or home cooks who are particularly rough on their cookware causing it to break down quickly
Considerations:
- If non stick is your preferred material for daily cooking, a HexClad pan will save you from having to replace your pan as often
- HexClad fry pans may perform better than traditional non stick skillets, but they won’t replace a stainless pan when it comes to searing your favorite foods
- While HexClad’s cookware is free of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an alternative compound used in non-stick cookware coatings, they do use polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
All-Clads’s Best Seller
D3 Stainless Cookware Set
Includes:
- 10″ Stainless Clad Frying Pan
- 8″ Stainless Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan
- 8″ Stainless Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan with Lid
- 10″ Stainless Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan with Lid
- 1.5 QT Stainless Clad Saucepan with Lid
- 3 QT Stainless Clad Saucepan with Lid
- 8 QT Stainless Clad Stock Pot with Lid
HexClad’s Best Seller
Hybrid Cookware Set
Includes
- 8-Inch Frying Pan
- 10-Inch Frying Pan
- 2-Quart Saucepan with Lid
- 3-Quart Saucier with Lid
- 8-Quart Stockpot with Lid
- Glass Lids for all pans
All-Clad Report
We consolidated verified reviews from existing Made In customers – here’s how they rated the brands product categories
Stainless Cookware
Avg. Customer Rating
Non Stick Cookware
Avg. Customer Rating
Bakeware
Avg. Customer Rating
Kitchen Knives
Avg. Customer Rating
HexClad Report
We consolidated verified reviews from existing Made In customers – here’s how they rated the brands product categories
Stainless Cookware
Avg. Customer Rating
Non Stick Cookware
Avg. Customer Rating
Bakeware
Avg. Customer Rating
Kitchen Knives
Avg. Customer Rating
Noteworthy Awards & for These Cookware Brands
All-Clad cookware sets have a long history of awards and accolades from CNET, Good Housekeeping, Popular Science, Forbes, The New York Times and many more, often topping Best Cookware lists. Despite being a younger brand, HexClad has won several awards for its innovative design and performance, including winning awards from CNN, Esquire, Bustle and Buy Sid from The Wall Street Journal. Furthermore, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay promotes HexClad, even using it himself at home as well as outfitting The Gordon Ramsay Academy with the brand’s cookware.
All Clad’s Awards
HexClad’s Awards
- Consumer Reports’ Best Cookware Sets of 2022
- CNET’s Best Cookware Sets for 2022
- CNET’s Best Direct-to-Consumer Cookware for 2022
- CNBC UPSTART 100 2019
- Made In’s Universal Lid Is One of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2018
- HexClad’s 10-Inch Hybrid Pan is one of CNN’s Best Non Stick Pans of 2022
- HexClad 1 of Esquire’s 12 Best Cookware Brands Worth Investing In for 2022
- Bustle’s 2022 Choice for The Overall Best Pan For Oil-Free Cooking
- HexClad’s 13-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set Buy Side from WSJ’s Best Non Stick Cookware Set in 2022
Pricing + Affordability:
All-Clad cookware is of the highest caliber and a worthwhile investment for both professional chefs and avid home cooks. While you can expect to pay more than $100 per piece, All-Clad stands by an unbeatable lifetime warranty that makes the investment worth it in the long run. From full sets of pots and pans down to individual pieces, this luxury kitchen brand is perfect for both professional chefs seeking reliable equipment with maximum output or home cooks aiming to upgrade their cooking experience.
HexClad cookware is a more affordable choice of cookware; however, because their products feature a non stick component, comparing the cost to other non stick brands vs. stainless steel is more relative. Using this perspective, HexClad is a more expensive choice for non stick cookware. Additionally, it’s on the higher end of the cost for pans that are made in Asia and pricier than most Chinese-made brands of clad stainless cookware. If you’re looking for long-lasting cookware All-Clad is a better option. Likewise, if you’re looking for a high-quality non stick pan, you can find one at a lower cost. However, if you’re a fan of the hybrid design and versatility that HexClad offers, it might be worth the price tag.
Product Performance
All-Clad’s stainless steel cookware is a cut above the rest when it comes to performance and durability. Their stainless steel is bonded cookware ensuring that each layer of metal has been chemically fused together for strength and performance. However, it’s worth mentioning that a large number of customers have reported All-Clad handles as being uncomfortable or not sturdy enough for the weight of the pans. On the plus side, a unique factor of All-Clad amongst other manufacturers is that their bonded metals extend all the way up from the base to the sides for even and superior heat distribution. HexClad’s products are also known for excellent heating performance; however, while their products may release food as well as traditional non stick cookware, they don’t sear as well as fully clad stainless steel cookware. Also notable is that customers have complained about the performance of HexClad products when it comes to cooking delicate foods such as eggs.
Product Durability
All-Clad offers the highest quality stainless steel cookware that promises to be a lifelong kitchen companion. If you’re looking for an investment piece, All-Clad is your best bet. Their nonstick line, however, may not last as long due to normal wear and tear unlike the hybrid design of HexClad. As with most non stick cookware, HexClad products will have a shorter lifespan than stainless steel. So, if you prefer cooking on materials with stainless steel and want long-lasting products, All-Clad is the better choice.
Product Ease of Use
Although stainless steel requires a bit more prep before cooking than other materials, and non stick cookware is generally easier to manage, compared to HexClad All-Clad takes the lead when it comes to ease of use. That’s because, unlike traditional non stick cookware, HexClad should be seasoned before its first use or if you prefer, with every use. Also, the stainless lattice design of HexClad cookware is heavier compared to other non stick cookware products, making it closer in weight and handling to stainless steel products like All-Clad.