There are so many fancy appliances and gadgets out there in the world today, that there is seldom anything people want these days. But most times, this statement holds true for people who have no budget restrictions.
There is a significant section of people who want to use products that give them value for money as well as allows them to not spend too much for having access to something essential.
Cookware being one of those essential objects in every household, we all want to work with things that get the job done well without having to splurge.
If you are a college student, or an intern that’s recently moved into a big city or are responsible for a medium to large family – then obviously you want to stick to a clearly defined budget when you shop for essentials.
In this article, I have collated some of the best cookware sets that the market has to offer, all under $100. That should be more than enough for kitchen necessities, regardless of whether someone has financial constraints.
I have outlined the main advantages and disadvantages of each cooking set for you to make an informed choice. Most of them offer all that you may ever need in a kitchen, and are manufactured by prestigious brands.
So, you need not look any further than this if good cooking under $100 is what you are after.
Table of Contents
These pots and pans are made up of heavy gauge aluminum and protected with Teflon coating.
The build is quite sturdy and is consistent with the usual T-Fal quality.
Heat retention with this cookware set is notably good as these feature T-Fal’s own Thermo-spot heat indicators that aid in the proper preheating of pans.
Comes With:
- 7.75 inches and 11 inch fry pans,
- 1 quart and 2 quart saucepans with lids,
- A 5.5 quart Dutch oven with lid,
- A 10.25 inch griddle,
- A spoon, ladle, and slotted spatula
- Sturdy build; consistent with usual T-Fal quality
- Thermo-spot heat indicators help in faster and more flavourful cooking of dishes and lets the user know when the pan is ready for cooking
- Offers even heat distribution for effortless cooking, all while heating up pretty fast too
- Oven safe up to 350°F
- Dishwasher safe
- Handles are heat resistant and comfortable to hold and grasp
- Stackable pots and pans for convenient storage
- Vented glass lids to let the proper amount of heat and moisture out during cooking
- Comes in 2 colors – black and grey
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
This appealing cookware set is a complete and no-nonsense product by T-fal that aims to provide an all-rounded value to your kitchen. The items in this set are durable and quite resilient, given its aluminum construction.
This set can be a very valuable addition to the kitchen, and at an affordable price.
Comes With:
- 3 quart saucepan,
- 1 quart saucepan with lid,
- 8 inches frying pan,
- 2 quart saucepan with lid,
- 5 quart stockpot,
- 10 inches skillet with lid
- 4 quart stockpot
- 11 inches frying pan
- Slotted spoon, Slotted turner
- Strong build that lasts for a long time
- Non-stick interior to prevent sticking of food
- Comes in an attractive color pair
- Even heat distribution with the base of the pans heating up swiftly
- Oven safe up to 350°F
- Dishwasher safe
- Ergonomically designed handles for better grip
- Glass lids are vented and tempered
- Lids come with knobs to adjust the temperature during cooking
- Not compatible with induction cooktop
This is a 15 piece cookware set by Cook N Home that will make cooking a breeze, even for amateurs. Made from excellent quality aluminum, this versatile cooking set is bound to last for a long time and can take a beating.
Not to say you should handle them with any less care than you do your expensive kitchenware – but the quality that comes at the price is quite incredible.
Comes With:
- 1 quart and 2 quart saucepans with lids,
- 3 quart casserole with lid,
- 5 quart stock pot with lids,
- 8 in and 10 in frying pans and
- 5 piece utensil set with pasta server, soup ladle, slotted turner, serving spoon, and slotted serving spoon
- Constructed from thick gauge aluminum that proves to be very long lasting
- The Interior is non-stick coated which makes for a smooth cooking process
- The coatingng on pans and pots are lead and cadmium free so no need to worry about toxin leeching
- Fast heat-up times
- Oven-safe up to 500°F
- Sturdy handles coated with silicone to keep them cool during use
- Riveted handles also provide a steady grip
- See-through glass lids help prepare dishes much easier by allowing greater control
- Lids are also well-fitting and vented to let steam out
- Scratch-resistant
- Also claims to be corrosion free
- Not compatible with induction cooktop
The Cuisinart brand needs no introduction, of course. And this set is just as value for money as the rest of its manufactured products.
This set may not have a bunch of cooking gadgets to awe consumers, but it certainly does have the essentials and boasts of sheer quality.
Built from pure stainless steel, Cuisinart’s outstanding quality doesn’t let the customers down with this one.
All items in this set stand big and beautiful, users have loved cooking with these and do not want to look back.
Comes With:
- 1.5 Quart saucepan with glass cover,
- 2.5 Quart saucepan with glass cover,
- 3 Quart saucepan with helper handle and glass cover,
- 8 Quart stockpot with glass cover,
- 8″ Skillet,
- 10″ Skillet,
- 18cm Steamer insert
- Since it is made from 100% pure stainless steel, the initial heating time is super fast
- Heat retention is fantastic and distribution is even and quick
- Durability is great and handles are tough
- Riveted handles also provide greater control and grip
- Glass lids are tempered and see-through making cooking an effortless process
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- Compatible with induction and gas cooktops
- Food may stick to the surface
- Can attract rust formation
This attractive set of kitchen essentials by GreenLife is surely one to keep in your watchlist. Not only is it affordable but also offers tremendous value.
Free of toxins, this set will allow you to retain your peace of mind when it comes to making healthy choices while you cook.
It’s reliable and would perform optimally in any kitchen, so definitely one to look out for.
Comes With:
- 7” & 9.5” frying pan/skillets,
- 2 quart saucepan with lid,
- 3.8 quart sauté pan with lid,
- 5 quart casserole/stockpot with lid,
- 7” stainless steel steamer plate,
- Nylon ladle, nylon slotted turner, and 2 spatulas
- Constructed from recycled aluminum, so at least you will be doing your share of making sure your buying choices do not impact the environment negatively
- Pots and pans have a strong forged base that keeps them from wobbling
- The diamond-reinforceded body makes these utensils extremely tough and durable
- Provides fast and even heating
- The pans have a non-stick ceramic coating that is healthier in comparison to many oto f its peers due it being PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium free
- No toxic leeching or fumes during cooking
- Handles are built from Bakelite so they remain strong and provide a steady grip. And they also stay cool upon touch, even on a heat source
- Handles are also stackable for ease of storage
- Oven safe up to 350°F
- Dishwasher safe
- Not scratch or stain resistant
- Exterior is prone to chipping
Rachel Ray cookware sets have their own reputation. These may not be Cuisinart or Calphalon, but when it comes to having a kitchen set that is recommended by a celebrity chef, we all want to be in the queue.
Even if that’s not true in your case, this particular set from the chef is one that has garnered much appreciation and good reviews.
Certainly, wouldn’t hurt to check it out if I were you, especially at the offered price.
Comes With:
- 1-quart saucepan with lid,
- 2-quart saucepan with lid,
- 5-quart Dutch oven with lid,
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid,
- 7-inch frying pan, 9-inch frying pan,
- 11-inch frying pan,
- 9.6-inch small nylon turner, 11.4-inch large nylon turner, 9.4-inch mini silicone spoonula, 9-inch x 13-inch cookie sheet pan
- Crafted from hard anodized aluminum for greater durability and strength
- Distributes heat evenly
- Contains a non-stick coating for smooth cooking
- Non-reactive with acidic food
- Oven safe up to 350°F
- Dual riveted handles made from rubber to allow for better grasp and prevent slipping
- Well fitting lids made from tempered glass
- Comes with additional turner utensils
- Easy cleaning
- Not scratch resistant
- Reports of non-stick coating getting peeled off after some use
This kitchen set by NutriChef checks all the right items off our list – when one looks for kitchenware that offers some of the best features within a set budget.
Not only does this come in an alluring color, but it also seems to be an environment friendly purchase by claiming to release up to 60% less CO2 emissions than traditional non-stick coatings.
Comes With:
- 1 and 2 quarts saucepan pots with lids,
- 5 quart casserole with lid,
- 3 quart sauté pan pot with lid,
- 8-inch and 10-inch open fry pan,
- Soup ladle, pasta fork, and strainer
- Resilient aluminum alloy construction
- Has a non-toxic transparent non-stick coating
- Non-stick coating is free of PFOA, PTFE, lead, cadmium, nickel and other harmful metals
- Outer surface of utensils is coated with a heat resistant lacquer to prevent them from getting heat damaged or warped
- Ergonomically designed handles that provide comfort while gripping as well as a stylish element to the overall look of the set
- Lids are vented and see-through to allow better control of your food’s exposure to the heat source
- Oven safe up to 350°F
- Gas and electric stovetop compatible
- Prone to some discoloration after some time
- Sizes are smaller than what you would expect
- Do not work for many induction cooktops
Very similar to the Cook N Home option listed above, this product comes with 3 fewer utensils for a lesser price, but offers the same amazing quality just like the rest of its range.
The stunning set comes in two alluring colors – turquoise and marble red. So, you can choose whichever matches your aesthetic.
Comes with:
- 5 and 2 quart saucepans,
- 3 quart casserole with lid,
- 5 quart Dutch oven with lid,
- 8 and 9. 5 in. fry pans and
- Nylon spatula and spoon
- Constructed from thick gauge aluminum that proves to be very long lasting
- The interior is non-stick coated which makes for a smooth cooking process
- The coating on pans and pots is lead and cadmium free so no need to worry about toxin leeching
- Fast heat-up times
- Oven-safe up to 500°F
- Sturdy handles coated with silicone to keep them cool during use
- Riveted handles also provide a steady grip
- See-through glass lids help prepare dishes much easier by allowing greater control
- Lids are also well-fitting and vented to let steam out
- Scratch-resistant
- Also claims to be corrosion free
- Not compatible with induction cooktop
Going by the name, obviously one would think this isn’t for them. It is suitable more for people that tend to spend a lot of time outdoors, hike and camp in the woods and therefore do all their cooking in nature’s lap.
While that may be true, there’s nothing about it that says one can ONLY use it outside and not inside. The optimum performance and long-lasting strength Stanley offers is a good enough reason for them to be used anywhere and not regret it.
Let’s take a look at some of its features.
Comes with:
- 3.7 Quart pot, vented lid
- 7″ 3-ply frying pan cutting board
- Spatula
- Serving spoon
- 6″ plates – 4 pieces
- 22oz bowls – 4 pieces
- Sporks – 4 pieces
- Dish drying rack
- Heat resistant trivet
- Locking bungee
- Significantly rugged and tough stainless steel build
- Pots are vacuum insulated to retain heat effectively
- Comes with a large number of distinct utensils to aid the user in cooking a variety of dishes regardless of wherever they might be
- Cooking pieces can be nested together to save space for convenient storage and transport
- Resistant to scratches and stains
- BPA-free material used
- Also comes with a bungee to hold and lock everything together in place
- Less prone to rust formation
- Claims to be leakproof
- Dishwasher safe
- Effortless cleaning with just warm water and sponge or even steel wool for more stubborn particles
- The plates provided could have been larger in size
- Spatula and sporks are not on the sturdy side
20 pieces of kitchenware and all from T-Fal, one of the most reputed leaders in the cookware manufacturing industry. Now when I say 20 T-Fal pieces and ‘under 100 bucks’, one would seem to think there’s obviously a catch.
Technically there is one. The majority of utensils provided are of nylon and the rest, are aluminum.
Mostly spatulas, measuring cups and spoons, ladles, and the like are included as nylon assistance tools needed during cooking.
But the pots and pans provided do not disappoint. Made from rigid and toughened aluminum, T-Fal’s quality is yet to be beaten by its lesser known peers.
Comes With:
- 1-quart saucepan and glass lid,
- 3-quart saucepan and lid,
- 5.5 quart double-handled pot with lid,
- 5-inch sauté pan,
- 8.5- and 10-inch sauté pans with lids,
- 10-inch griddle spatula,
- Serving spoon, slotted spoon, ladle, whisk, pasta server
- 4 measuring cups, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1 cup
4 measuring spoons 1/4, 1/2, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp - 2 seven-inch square silicone rubber pot holders
- Built from sound and reliable aluminum
- Offers optimum performance and quick heating up
- Pots and pans are lightweight for ease of handling
- Distributes heat evenly
- Has Thermo-spot indicators to let the user know when the pans are ready to be used
- Pans have a smooth non-stick interior that is resistant to chipping off
- Handles are well designed to give a solid grip and aid in comfortable cooking
- Well fitting lids that are vented and see-through
- Oven safe up to 350°F
- Smooth manual cleaning process; dishwasher safe too
- Nylon and plastic utensils could have been manufactured with stronger materials
- Good set for beginner cooks, but people who know their way around the kitchen would be left wanting for more essential kitchenware to be included in the set instead of trivets and tools
As opposed to the option above, this set from Lagostina discards any non-essential items from the product and includes only the most necessary gadgets for your kitchen.
This collection of cookware may not have a lot of takers, but those who did, claim to have a pleasant experience cooking with these.
Lagostina provides you with the most required wares for you to improve your cooking skills, all while staying way below your budget. The quality isn’t anything to be dismissed either.
- Impressive hard anodized aluminum construction, that lasts for a long period
- Heavy-gauge build prevents the wares from getting easily damaged
- They have a dual-layer nonstick interior to aid in a smooth and burn-free cooking process
- The pots and pans are all safe to use with metal utensils, but it is always recommended to avoid using those too much to not attract any unwanted chipping and flaking of the interior
- Lids are built from hammered stainless steel to give a better fit
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
Now these were some of the best cookware I could find under a 100 bucks. I would say some of these are actually quite a steal. They look good, perform even better in the kitchen and most importantly, they are cost-friendly.
This list is good for any person with a budget and strict cooking preferences. Although, if you want to take a moment browsing through kitchenware that is most compatible with gas stovetops, among others, then you can check this out.
Have fun experimenting in your kitchens!
