Our Favorite Bakeware Sets For Every Budget

Feb 19, 2025

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When you're in need of a bakeware refresh, these are the best sets to buy.

In This Article

Southern Living / Kristin Kempa

Nothing gets you thinking about fresh-from-the-oven baked goods like new bakeware. Whether you're a fan of rich chocolate chip cookies or a cake connoisseur, your favorite dessert is just moments away with the use of bakeware and a few pantry staples.

But, when it comes to stocking your kitchen with the right bakeware, it can quickly turn into a daunting task. From quantity to material and other special features, there's a lot to consider when buying bakeware.

“I look for how many different uses I can get out of a singular piece of bakeware. I also like to have items that are durable and can last, because I would love to pass them down from generation to generation," says executive pastry chef Tonya Thomas.

To come up with our list of the best bakeware sets, we spent hours researching products and considered factors like material, construction, number of pieces included, finish, heat resistance, and more.

Lots of variety

Round and square cake pans

Oven safe up to 450° F

Nonstick coating

Silicone grippers

Carbon steel may warp over time

Not dishwasher safe

This 10-piece set includes everything you need to get baking. Cookies on the menu? Two baking sheets make it easy to pop a couple of batches in the oven. Round and square cake pans give you options for your next red velvet cake, while the two loaf pans make that next round of banana bread a cinch.

There’s also a bread pudding-sized rectangular pan with a lid for easy transport, and a large muffin tin for some chocolate cupcakes. The heavy-gauge carbon steel construction with rolled rim edges ensures durability, even after heavy, everyday use.

For the home baker though, the nonstick coating means easy release of baked goods without all the messy spray or inserts needed. The versatility of the set cannot be overstated—sheet pans can be used for galettes, cookies, or even a whole mess of roasted butternut squash. Cake pans double as roasting vessels, and the lidded baking dish fits a lasagna or other casseroles. Plus, those adorable red silicone grippers make moving your bakeware around seamless.

All the pieces in the Rachael Ray bakeware set are oven safe up to 450° F, and the carbon steel material offers even heat distribution (so no hotspots). The one thing to watch out for with carbon steel pans is warping after extended use. Though these can’t go in the dishwasher, the nonstick coating makes hand-washing as simple as a little soap, warm water, and a sponge.

Material: Carbon steel | Oven-Safe to: 450° F | Care: Hand-wash only | Included Pieces: 10- x 15-inch cookie pans (2), 9-inch round cake pans (2) , 9-inch square cake pan, loaf pans (2), 9- x 13-inch rectangular cake pan with lid, 12-cup muffin and cupcake pan

Affordable

Perfect for small cabinets

Easy to clean

Includes all the essentials

Can warp or corrode

If you are outfitting your first apartment or just diving into baking and don't want to make a big financial investment, the Amazon Basics 6-piece bakeware set has all the essentials at an affordable price tag. It includes a loaf pan, two round cake pans, a muffin pan, a roast pan, and a baking sheet. Each piece is constructed with heavy-duty carbon steel and features a nonstick coating that makes easy release of baked goods like homemade brownies.

Oven safe up to 428° F, this set can handle any baking task you throw at it, including a pan of chicken and biscuits. Like our top pick, this set has a tendency to warp and corrode with extended use, but at this price, you could easily buy a new set without touching the cost of the more expensive carbon steel sets. Though the pans cannot be loaded into the dishwasher, the nonstick coating makes them easy to hand wash, cutting down on cleanup time.

Material: Carbon steel | Oven-Safe to: 428° F | Care: Hand-wash only | Included Pieces: Loaf pan, round 9-inch cake pans (2), 12-cup muffin pan, 13- x 9-inch roast pan, 13- x 9-inch baking sheet

Light-colored aluminum prevents overbrowning

Even heat distribution

Lightweight

Rust resistant

Galvanized steel rims prevent warping

Hand-wash only

If you walk into a restaurant supply store or a neighborhood bakery, chances are you will find stacks of aluminum baking pans. It is the choice of material for professional bakers and pastry chefs. The Nordic Ware Naturals six-piece bakeware set features natural aluminum construction known for even heat distribution, quick, consistent heating, and perfectly browned-on-top, moist-on-the-inside baked goods, like zucchini bread.

The other great thing about this set is the galvanized steel rims which aid in keeping these pans warp resistant for decades. This versatile set includes two cake pans, a loaf pan, two half-sheet pans (the workhorse of every kitchen), and a muffin/cupcake pan.

Nordic Ware has been putting out quality bakeware since 1946, crafted from locally sourced Minneapolis materials. They are the creator of the original Bundt pan, and though the bakeware is hand-wash only, the aluminum material releases food easily and wipes clean without much effort. And unlike steel pans, aluminum never rusts.

Sorge bakes exclusively with light-colored, heavy-duty, non-coated aluminum pans like what’s in this set. He adds, “I am partial to the high-quality metal baking pans from companies like Nordic Ware and Fat Daddio’s. Non-coated aluminum pans withstand almost any oven temperature, they conduct heat very efficiently and evenly, giving you crispier crusts and faster baking. Metal pans are lighter weight and easier to store than most glass or ceramic pans.”

Material: Aluminum with galvanized steel rims | Oven-Safe to: 450° F | Care: Hand-wash only | Included Pieces: 8-inch round cake pan, 9-inch round cake pan, loaf pan, half-sheet pans (2), 12-cavity muffin pan

Won't react to acidic foods

Oven safe up to 550° F

Easy to carry

Heavy-duty construction

Rolled rims for easy handling

Lacks variety

Touted by many bakers, pastry chefs, and recipe developers, including Sorge who called them out as a reliable, even heating option, Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum 4-tiered cake pan set is ideal for layered cakes, pizzas, and even acidic foods.

Unlike the other aluminum or steel options from our list, this option goes through a process that keeps it from reacting poorly to acidic dishes, like lemon or sour cream-based cakes. The rolled rims make for easy handling, and the pans are oven-safe up to an enviable 550° F.

These round cake pans reflect heat rather than absorb it, meaning it warms and cools rapidly. Instead of absorbing heat, anodized bakeware reflects it so that it warms and chills quickly. Plus, the heavy-duty construction will last through lots of wear and tear.

You can even trust these pans with delicate cheesecake (as long as you give it quick spray and lining), and you can use the large pan as your water bath vessel for perfectly creamy, evenly cooked cheesecake.

We do wish these pans came in a comprehensive set that included more of the essentials, but the price tag is so affordable that you can afford to stock a basic set piece by piece. Like other aluminum pans, these are hand-wash only, but clean up easily.

Material: Anodized aluminum | Oven-Safe to: 550° F | Care: hand-wash only | Included Pieces: 6- x 3-inch round cake pan, 8- x 3-inch round cake pan, 10- x 3-inch round cake pan, 12- x 3-inch round cake pan

Dual handles for easy lifting

Even heating

Interchangeable silicone grips

Pre-seasoned pans

Requires more upkeep

We know that Lodge is the choice for cast iron skillets. In fact, in recent testing in the lab, it took overall best pick, as well as two other categories. With this set, the venerable brand has entered the bakeware scene. Lodge Baker’s Delight covers most baking tasks with its heavy-duty, casserole, pie, skillet, and baking pans.

Known for even heating and great temperature retention, cast iron is the choice for a batch of golden brown, bubbly blackberry cobbler, and this set is oven safe up to 425° F. Sorge even keeps one of these skillets on hand for, “...crispy-crusted cornbread.”

The large dual handles make lifting pans easy, and the removable silicone grips can be used interchangeably with any of the pans. Each pan in this set comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. As for cleanup, we found hand-washing or even just wiping out is the only way to go with occasional reseasoning to maintain that deep nonstick finish. However, the silicone grips can be washed in the dishwasher.

Material: Cast iron with silicone grips | Oven-Safe to: 425° F | Care: Hand-wash only, silicone grips are dishwasher safe | Included Pieces: 9- x 13-inch casserole, 9-inch pie pan, skillet, baking pan

Borosilicate glass withstands extreme temperature changes

Generous handles

Pieces easily transform into a serving dish

Freezer safe

Microwave safe

Takes longer to heat

Glass bakeware often gets snubbed for being too delicate, but this OXO Good Grips 14-piece set crafted from borosilicate glass withstands extreme temperature dips without cracking or shattering. The generous handles allow a safe and secure grip while moving the dishes in or out of the oven, and the glass finish makes them lovely candidates to double as serving dishes.

The set includes two different-sized baking dishes, a loaf pan, and four sizes of Smart Seal containers. The Smart Seal Containers provide leakproof storage, ensuring food stays fresh and liquids are contained when tabs are locked.

Each dish is microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. So don’t count out a sturdy glass baking dish. We found they may take longer to heat, but retain the heat better.

Material: Borosilicate glass | Oven-Safe to: Not listed | Care: Dishwasher safe | Included Pieces: 9- x 13-inch baking dish with lid, glass 8- x 8-inch baking dish with lid, glass loaf pan, glass pie plate, 1-cup round smart seal container, 2-cup round smart seal containers (2), 4-cup round smart seal container

Non-slip grips

Two color options available

Pieces roll up for compact storage

Dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe

Flexible silicone makes collapsing pans a danger when full

The To Encounter Silicone Bakeware Set combines nonstick capability with an easy-to-clean surface. And it’s versatile enough to use for specialty items like madeleines while sturdy enough to bake doughnuts and breads.

The set includes a muffin pan, a loaf pan, a round cake pan, a baking sheet, a doughnut pan, and 36 silicone baking cups. Plus, those baking cups come in a kaleidoscope of fun colors and shapes to give some flair to whatever you bake.

The best part of these pans though, is the nonslip grips. Silicone can be slippery and these grips ensure you make it from the counter to the oven without spillage. One caveat with silicone is how flexible it is which makes collapsing pans a danger when full.

Heat resistant up to 446°F , this set is also microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Plus, when you finish cleaning it, you can roll each piece up for extremely compact storage.

Thomas shared a trick she likes to use silicone baking molds for, “The underside of pans, or silicone baking molds are a great vehicle to shape unusual garnishes or vessels.”

Material: Silicone | Oven-Safe to: 446° F | Care: Dishwasher safe | Included Pieces: 12-cup muffin pan, 8.7-inch loaf pan, 9-inch round cake pan, 11-inch baking sheet, 7-cavity donut pan, silicone baking cups (36)

Safe up to 550° F

Nonstick surface eliminates the need for sprays and liners

Includes two storage containers

Easy to clean

Nonstick coating may chip

Pricey

Stunning is an understatement when it comes to Caraway’s Nonstick Ceramic Bakeware Set. It comes in nine colors like slate, marigold, and perracotta, and arrives sustainably packaged in recycled cardboard with no single-use plastic to be found. Plus, you get two attractive storage containers to keep your set neat and tidy.

Along with Caraway’s Holy Sheet, the inclusion of another baking sheet, muffin pan, rectangle pan with handles, square pan, loaf pan, two round cake pans, and cooling rack make this set a sweet deal. The ceramic-coated aluminum construction can withstand temperatures up to 550° F and requires less prep than our other aluminum picks from the list—no sprays or liners necessary.

This is a splurge purchase as the most expensive on our list, but the investment will last for a long time. Like other coated picks, chipping may be a problem with extended use. Cleanup is easy with a simple hand-wash.

Material: Ceramic-coated aluminum | Oven-Safe to: 550° F | Care: Hand-wash only | Included Pieces: 18- x 13-inch baking sheet with handles, 10- x 15-inch baking sheet, 12-cup muffin pan, 9- x 13-inch rectangle pan with handles, 9-inch square pan, 1-pound loaf pan, 9-inch circle pans (2), 18- x13-inch cooling rack, storage organizers (2)

Light color prevents overbrowning

Wide, comfortable handles

Durable steel material

Nonstick coating

Acidic food may corrode coating

If you want a bakeware set that will withstand heavy usage, these All-Clad Pro-Release pans, made of heavy-gauge aluminized steel, fit the bill. The 10-piece set includes a half-sheet pan with a nested nonstick cooling and baking rack, a cookie sheet, a muffin pan, two round cake pans, a rectangular baking pan, a square baking pan, a quarter-sheet pan, and a loaf pan. The wide, comfortable handles make moving batches in and out of the oven easy.

This bakeware set is oven safe up to 450° F, and the added quarter sheet pan makes quick work of heating up small amounts of leftovers in the oven. The aluminized steel conducts heat evenly, and the durable, ceramic-reinforced nonstick ensures easy release of baked goods without the necessity of spray or liners.

One of the best attributes of this set is the lighter-colored nonstick which prevents overbrowning that can occur with traditional dark-colored nonstick pans. Beware that acidic foods may corrode the nonstick coating and cause peeling. To preserve your bakeware set, be sure to use silicone, nylon, or wooden utensils, and always hand-wash.

Material: Aluminized steel | Oven-Safe to: 450° F | Care: Hand-wash only | Included Pieces: Cookie sheet, half sheet with cooling rack, round cake pans (2), square pan, 1-pound loaf pan, 12-cup cupcake pan, rectangular pans (2)

Made out of steel and aluminum

Multiple styles available

Galvanized steel rims prevent warping

Scratch resistant

Hand-wash only

As our second entry on the list, it's obvious Nordic Ware knows bakeware. In fact, 15 years ago they pioneered natural aluminum bakeware for consumers and now boast over 40 styles in the collection.

These cake pans are crafted from uncoated natural aluminum with a solid core steel rim, providing uniform heat conductivity and maximum scratch resistance. And like other natural aluminum on the list, the galvanized steel rims prevent warping or rusting.

A cornerstone of baking, these four round cake pans can withstand temperatures up to 450° F, and are versatile beyond making cakes. Lucas selected round cake pans as the first bakeware he purchased for himself. “I chose it because it's a piece of bakeware that serves as a fundamental tool in pastry making. It's perfect for baking a wide range of cakes, from simple sponge cakes to quiches,” says Lucas. They are hand-wash only, and can benefit from a bit of parchment paper to ensure they stay beautiful.

Material: Aluminum with galvanized steel rims | Oven-Safe to: 450° F | Care: Hand-wash only | Included Pieces: 4-inch round cake pan, 6-inch round cake pan, 8-inch round cake pan, 10-inch round cake pan, 12-inch round cake pan

Slow heat conduction for an even bake

Doubles as serveware

Large handles on casserole dish

Perfect for pies and casseroles

Dishwasher safe

Stoneware may hold moisture

These stoneware cuties from Great Jones live up to the hype. The duo includes a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish known affectionately as the “Hot Dish,” and a 10-inch pie plate called the “Sweetie Pie.” The adorable art-deco-looking design comes in fun colors, and the wavy rim on the pie plate will ensure a perfectly-crimped crust every time.

The versatile pieces go from oven to table to freezer to dishwasher, and the ceramic stone construction conducts heat slowly for an even bake. Do watch out for baking moist items in the casserole pan as stoneware tends to hold moisture, making food wetter than expected. Each piece can withstand oven temperatures up to 500° F, and can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. The fun design makes these great candidates for serveware, eliminating dishes dirtied. Plus, the large handles on the casserole dish make transporting between oven, table, and refrigerator easy.

Material: Stoneware | Oven-Safe to: 500° F | Care: Dishwasher safe | Included Pieces: 9- x 13-inch casserole dish, 10-inch pie dish

If you are looking for a versatile, comprehensive bakeware set that has a reliable nonstick coating, we recommend the Rachael Ray 10-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set because it has all the pieces you need for multiple batches of baked goods, and the heavy-gauge carbon steel construction with rolled rim edges ensures durability, even after heavy use.

If you want a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on versatility and material construction, choose the Amazon Basics 6-Piece Nonstick Oven Bakeware Set. It has all the essentials with a convenient, easy-to-clean nonstick finish.

This is the most important category to consider when shopping for bakeware sets. For Thomas, material durability is an important factor. She adds, “I tend to choose aluminum pans because they are heavier and more durable. I choose those that are light in color so that it doesn’t produce darker items than what I prefer, and it provides more even baking for pastries.”

Like Thomas, you can opt for metals like steel, anodized aluminum, or natural aluminum. As she pointed out, aluminum pans, like the Nordic Ware on our list, conduct heat effectively, bake evenly, and will not warp or bend when exposed to high heat. It is not dishwasher safe but cleans easily by hand.

Their anodized sisters (like the Fat Daddio set from our list) provide a more durable finish that won’t scratch or mar, but because of the anodization process, they have a shorter lifespan than natural aluminum.

When it comes to nonstick pans, steel ones provide an easy release but have been known to heat unevenly and warp. And, while nonstick sets tend to break down with use, you don't need to worry about liners or spray when using them.

Another material that releases easily without help from sprays, liners, or other aids, are silicone sets. They are flexible, clean up easily, and offer built-in nonstick capability. The downside is their lack of good heat conductivity, and the flexibility of construction can make accidental spills easy.For glass bakeware sets, note that they are excellent at heat retention. Which makes them a great option for going from oven to table service. They also allow you to see your food as it is baking, but glass is fragile and prone to breakage and thermal shock.

Don’t necessarily go for the set with everything in it if you won't use it—you will just clutter up your cabinets with pans you may never touch. Evaluating your needs before shopping is critical.

Sorge breaks down some of the important considerations when shopping for bakeware, “The baking pan MVP is definitely a half-sheet pan. You can use it for cookies, galettes, hand pies, breads, and much more. Including the half-sheet pan, I think a good basic kit includes: a quarter-sheet pan, a loaf pan with straight sides, a couple of 9-inch metal pie pans, a 9- x 13-inch baking pan or 9-inch square pan, and a pair of 8-inch round cake pans.”

He adds, “With this kit, you can bake almost any good recipe out there: pie, bread, brownies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, you name it. If you want to level up your baking, invest in a 9-inch springform pan, a muffin pan, an 8-inch removable-bottom tart pan, and definitely a decorative Bundt pan for celebrations. Bundt pans practically do the decoration for you. Hold off on niche bakeware like a madeleine pan, donut pan, or mini-loaf pans until you find a couple of recipes that call for them or you think of a fun use for them. If you’re getting serious about baking and enjoy the creative aspect of it, hunt around for vintage pans, or interestingly shaped pans.”

Sorge loves to visit local kitchenware stores and flea markets while on vacation to discover hidden bakeware treasures. He scored a couple of British meat-pie tins while in England that double as a souvenir from the trip and useful baking pans.

Look for bakeware that can withstand 400° F. This may be more than you need for a batch of cookies (usually 350° F) or a cake (325-425° F), but it will cover you for those high-heat items like breads or pizza dough.

Like the world of savory cooking, the world of sweet baking is large and varied. When shopping for bakeware sets, consider what you like to bake. If you are a cookie, galette, and focaccia baker, make sure your set has some reliable cookie sheets.

If you love to bake a cake, ensure there are some round pans or maybe rectangles for a fun shape. If brownies and bars are your thing, opt for a set that has some deeper bakers, preferably square or rectangular. Evaluate your needs and purpose for the bakeware and buy the set that fits that. The other thing to consider is nonstick versus natural. Nonstick makes baking quicker and easier, but naturals tends to deliver more evenly cooked food.

There is a shade of difference between cookware and bakeware, though cookware can double as bakeware. Cookware can be used on your stovetop and in some cases, segue to your oven. Bakeware, on the other hand, is meant to be used in an oven almost exclusively.

We rounded up the essential baking pans every Southern baker should have in their arsenal. We even broke down the finer points of bakeware, “...baking pans are made of metal while baking dishes are made of ceramic, tempered glass, or pottery. They conduct heat differently, which affects baking times and the texture of the baked goods.”

There is definitely a division among our experts on this front. Both Sorge and Thomas prefer aluminum for its reliable heat retention and even cooking. “Look for heavy-duty aluminum pans—they won’t warp in the oven, which is critical. They’ll last for a long, long time, are affordable, and they are easy to store,” says Sorge. He adds that you don’t need to spend a lot and to look for “...quality that a restaurant might use—it’s not fancy, but it will hold up to a lot of uses.”

He eschews nonstick-coated bakeware for two reasons. “For some recipes, like a chiffon cake, you actually want the cake to stick to the sides of the pan, so non-stick won’t work. Secondly, any sort of coating on a pan may eventually flake off or lose the nonstick property at some point,” Sorge says. “I’m not always gentle with my bakeware, so I need something tough. Uncoated heavy-duty aluminum is the way to go. It’s easy to butter your pan or line it with parchment paper if you’re worried about sticking.”

He also recommends looking for versatile shapes you might use for more than one recipe and stocking up on pre-cut parchment sheets or a reusable silicone mat to prevent sticking and lengthen the life of your pans.

Lucas prefers heavy-duty nonstick pans. “If you don’t mind paying a little premium, I would always go for a nonstick/Teflon pan. It makes unmolding a lot easier and with proper care, you can keep your mold for years,” he says. He also cautions to be very careful not to use sharp utensils when unmolding, and always clean them with a soft sponge to keep peeling and corrosion away.

Much of this depends on what point in your baking career you are.

According to Lucas, “For a beginner baker, I would recommend three pans and one or two silicone mats. A square nonstick pan is ideal for brownies, focaccia, sponge cakes. A round nonstick pan is perfect for baking small layered cakes like red velvet or black forest cake. Finally, an oval nonstick pan is an amazing pan for pound cake, carrot cake, Japanese cheesecake, and more.” He adds that one or two silicone mats will make life easier. “You don’t have to worry about cutting your parchment paper to the right dimensions or worry it will fly around the oven” says Lucas.

Thomas suggests five pans is the right number. She lists a loaf pan, cake pan, muffin pan, 13-x 9-inch baking pan, and sheet pan as her must-haves. She adds, “My favorite is a 9-inch round cake pan, which I also consider the MVP of pans.”

This is very dependent on how heavy you use the pans and if they have a coating. A good rule of thumb for nonstick-coated bakeware is five years with moderate use.

Of course, if the coating begins to peel away, rust, or corrode, it’s time to retire it. With baking sheets or cake pans, look for warping or stickiness on the pans. For glass and stoneware, be on the lookout for chips and cracks.

The best insurance for longevity is to buy high-quality bakeware, take care of it by using parchment paper, gently but thoroughly clean it, and store it neatly to avoid breakage or scratches. Quality cookware, well-maintained can last 25 years or more as evidenced by all the vintage bakeware that fills a Southern baker’s kitchen.

The delta is wide when it comes to purchasing bakeware sets. Budget options like the Amazon Basics set from our list come in at less than $40 for a six-piece set that includes all of the must-haves. But with these affordable sets, you run the risk of warping and rusting after extended use.

For a heavy-duty nonstick ceramic set like the Caraway, the price tag goes up significantly, but the longevity does as well. Same for the heavy steel sets like the All-Clad Pro-Release with its ceramic reinforced nonstick that requires a $200 investment, but is made to last.

Then there’s the pastry chef’s overwhelming choice: aluminum. Price points sit in the middle with all of the aluminum choices from our list with the most expensive being the Nordic Ware Naturals 6-Piece Bakeware Set—it costs just over $100, but it will reliably bake cakes, focaccia, galettes, and more for a lifetime with even heat distribution.

In the end, it comes down to what you want to bake, how much you are willing to spend, and how important nonstick is to you.

Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who believes in eating dessert first. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has baked thousands of pastries, pies, and cakes—she knows the importance of reliable pans when dealing with the chemistry of baking. She loves her Nordic Ware aluminum pans for tasks large and small, including the occasional wedding cake. To compile this list, Carrie spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for bakeware sets, including versatility, material, construction, ease of cleaning, pieces included, heat resistance, and durability. For expert tips on what to look for in bakeware, she spoke to Jean-Baptiste Lucas, pastry chef and instructor; Tonya Thomas, executive pastry chef and partner at Heirloom Food Group; and Martin Sorge, baker, recipe developer, and 2023 winner of Great American Baking Show.