The 8 Best Places to Buy Cookware in 2023
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These online retailers have enviable selections.
Williams Sonoma
When you're shopping for pots and pans, you want to be able to compare prices and features, browse colors, and explore the full range of a brand at your own pace. And if you're splurging on a Dutch oven or grill pan, for example, time to make an informed decision (or hold out for a sale) matters. It's no wonder online retailers have become the go-to for most kitchen needs.
Researching and testing kitchen products for a living, and having once worked at the Williams Sonoma headquarters, I've gotten to know kitchen retailers inside out. The retailers on our list sell the brands we've tested and trust; one is direct-to-consumer. Not only that, the best places to buy cookware make purchasing simple, with navigable websites and wide selections. Read on for where to shop, when, and how — including tips for finding site-exclusive offers and brand promotions to get the best deals.
Amazon
We couldn’t mention online shopping without giving credit to Amazon for offering hundreds of cookware sets and pieces at every price point. In fact, there’s such a large selection that it may be difficult to choose by browsing alone, so you may want to have an idea of what you want before you start searching. If you’re seeking a pot or pan of a particular shape or size, you can filter by material, price point, and even color to narrow your results. Amazon Prime members can get items delivered for free within a couple of days, which is helpful when nearby brick-and-mortar stores don’t have what you need. And while some exceptions apply, returns are allowed for most items within 30 days for a full refund.
A Product We Love: Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Restaurant Fry Pan, 10"
Shipping Cost: Free shipping for Amazon Prime members on select items.
Shipping Time: Depends on the item and seller, but many items are available to ship from Amazon’s warehouse within 1-2 days. See individual listings for more accurate shipping times.
Return Policy: Most items can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
Williams Sonoma
Serious cooks are faithful to Williams Sonoma because of its extensive array of kitchen goods, ranging from high-quality nonstick skillets to specialty pieces (like this Nordic Ware ebelskiver pan). The online selection includes heritage brands like Le Creuset and Ruffoni, and it often features exclusive colors and sets you won’t find anywhere else. Williams Sonoma also makes its own cookware pieces, designed with home cooks in mind. While the retailer tends to carry higher-end pieces, those on a budget will appreciate the Open Kitchen collection, a curated assortment of kitchen essentials at a wallet-friendly price.
A Product We Love: Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
Shipping Cost: Varies by order total.
Shipping Time: Between 3 to 5 days for in-stock items.
Return Policy: Eligible for a refund within 30 days with original receipt on most items.
Related: We Found the 8 Best Cookware Sets of 2023
Sur La Table
Sur La Table rivals Williams Sonoma with its selection of iconic cookware brands like Staub, DeBuyer, and All-Clad, stocking a plethora of individual pieces and comprehensive sets that will delight anyone who loves to cook. In addition, Sur La Table has its own line of cookware available in stainless steel, ceramic nonstick, hard anodized nonstick, and carbon steel, designed by chefs to deliver restaurant-quality performance at home. Be on the lookout for flash sales and various specials on the site throughout the year, and score $15 off your first order totaling $75 or more by signing up for email updates.
A Product We Love: Le Creuset Signature Round French Oven 5.5 Qt. in Artichoke
Shipping Cost: Free standard shipping for orders over $75 in the continental U.S. Expedited and overnight options are available for an additional charge.
Shipping Time: In-stock items are typically delivered within 5-7 business days.
Return Policy: Returns are accepted within 30 days with the original receipt. Returns by mail are subject to a $12.95 fee per shipment ($26.95 for Alaska and Hawaii).
Crate & Barrel
While people often turn to Crate & Barrel for furniture and home decor, they’re also a great resource for cookware, offering a fantastic assortment of sets from GreenPan, Cuisinart, All-Clad, Viking, and more. A recent addition to their lineup is the popular ceramic nonstick set from Caraway, available in a dreamy array of colors. Crate & Barrel also has their own line of pots and pans, available in durable five-ply stainless steel or stylish ceramic nonstick, both just a little less expensive than their competitors.
A Product We Love: Crate & Barrel EvenCook Core 12-Inch Stainless Steel Fry Pan
Shipping Cost: Varies based on merchandise total.
Shipping Time: In-stock items ship within 3-5 business days. Premium/priority and express shipping options are also available.
Return Policy: Returns and exchanges of unused items are accepted within 90 days of purchase with a valid receipt. Shipping and handling feeds will not be refunded.
Food52
The Food52 shop feels like an art gallery and cookware store rolled into one, as much of their tightly curated collection is simply great to look at. Take, for example, the Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Saucepan: it has a distinctly Scandinavian design and comes in a variety of bright hues, perfect for adding a splash of color to your kitchen. If you’re on the hunt for more traditional cookware, look to their All-Clad or Hestan options, but also take a minute to admire the polished cast iron pieces from Smithey Ironware and DeBuyer’s French Copper collection. Don’t miss the Five Two by GreenPan collection, a line of nonstick and stainless steel essentials available exclusively through Food52.
A Product We Love: Milo by Kana Cast Iron Cookware Set
Shipping Cost: Free standard shipping on orders $199 and up, $9.99 shipping on orders under $199; Express shipping available for an additional fee. (Additional shipping charges may apply to Alaska and Hawaii.)
Shipping Time: Depends on item availability; in-stock items can ship as quickly as one business day.
Return Policy: Returns on unused products can be made for a refund minus a $14.99 flat-rate return fee, within 30 days of delivery.
Macy’s
Though Macy’s has downsized its brick-and-mortar presence, it remains a popular online retailer of cookware, offering a massive selection of sets at a wide range of price points. You can find affordable starter sets from brands like Anolon and T-Fal, or investment-worthy pieces from All-Clad, ScanPan, or Le Creuset. One of the best things about Macy’s is that they run promotions often, giving you plenty of chances to get a deal on cookware you’ve been eyeing. Make sure to keep tabs on closeouts on customer favorites, like this Martha Stewart Collection 8-Quart Dutch Oven, priced at nearly half off.
A Product We Love: Blue Diamond 10-Piece Cookware Set
Shipping Cost: Free Shipping (on $49+ pre-tax purchase) or $10.95 (on under $49 pre-tax purchase) in the continental U.S.
Shipping Time: In-stock items ship within 3-6 business days.
Return Policy: Returns are accepted via mail or at any Macy's store within 30 days from purchase date.
World Market
The cookware selection at World Market is a small but mighty assortment of affordable and durable pieces. You’ll find a variety of cast iron skillets from Lodge, budget-friendly BK carbon steel pans, and a few different nonstick ceramic favorites from GreenPan — all tried and true kitchen pieces. If you’re looking for an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, you can easily pick one up for under $100 here. World Market also carries a few types of cookware to explore global cuisines, including painted tagines from Morocco, paella pans and terracotta ollas from Spain, bamboo steamer baskets, and hand-hammered woks to whip up your favorite Chinese stir-fried entrees. Members of the World Market rewards program receive multiple discount offers throughout the year, along with free shipping and 10 percent off in-store pickup.
A Product We Love: Amira Large Hand Painted Ceramic Tagine
Shipping Cost: Standard ground shipping starts at $4.95 within the continental U.S. and varies by order total.
Shipping Time: In-stock items leave the warehouse in 1-2 business days.
Return Policy: Online orders can be returned by mail or in-store within 60 days, as long as item is in original condition.
Target
Target is a one-stop shop for just about everything, including an enormous inventory of cookware from well-known brands like T-fal, Calphalon, Cuisinart, and Lodge. The variety includes nonstick options as well as stainless steel and hard-anodized pieces, so you’ll be able to easily find a pan or pot — or complete set — that suits your style of cooking. Target’s own brand, Made By Design, is a collection of kitchen utensils and cookware at very affordable prices, great for those who are cost-conscious or just learning how to cook.
A Product We Love: Select by Calphalon with AquaShield Nonstick 10" Fry Pan with Lid
Shipping Cost: Free ground shipping on orders over $35.
Shipping Time: Orders arrive 3-5 days after they leave the warehouse.
Return Policy: Most items can be returned by mail or in store within 90 days (120 days for RedCard purchases), and up to a year for Target-owned brands.
Factors to Consider
Selection
When shopping for cookware online, a well-organized site with a range of brands and products is ideal for anyone who likes to browse options. Retailers with brick-and-mortar locations tend to stock more options and inventory online than they can carry in-store, making it easier to find exactly what you need.
Brand Exclusives
Larger cookware retailers like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table have the advantage of offering exclusive colors, sets, and shapes from brands like Le Creuset, Staub, and others, which you won’t see anywhere else. And nowadays, some of these companies carry their own lines of cookware that are designed in-house to compete with legacy brands, making them a fantastic combination of quality and value.
Direct-to-Consumer Brands
While we’ve focused on retailers that sell numerous brands in one place, there are a handful of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands that have emerged over the last decade that are worth checking out. More popular DTC brands, like Made In and Caraway, are now even for sale on Amazon. Many of these newer brands feature contemporary designs and colors, in addition to focusing on sustainability and quality. Don’t be shy about trying them, especially if you enjoy leading the pack when it comes to new finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to buy cookware?
In preparation for the holidays, the period just before Thanksgiving is when you’ll start to see big discounts on cookware that extend all the way through the new year. You’ll also get great deals around many major holidays, including President’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Labor Day, and just before the summer wedding season.
Should I buy cookware as a set?
That depends on who you ask. “I never recommend buying as a set,” says Ayesha Nurdjaja, executive chef at New York-based restaurants Shuka and Shukette. Instead, focus on buying pots and pans you know you will consistently use, essentially creating your dream set, according to Nurdjaja.
Yet, you may prefer a set because of the consistency of materials and construction. “It allows you to manage different cooking methods and is easy to organize in your home when not in use,” says Mitsunobu Nagae, chef and co-owner of Michelin-starred l’abeille in New York City.
Should I buy nonstick or stainless steel cookware?
Both have a place in the kitchen. “Nonsticks are no-brainers for things like eggs, fish, or frying up some halloumi,” says Nurdjaja. “Something like searing chicken breast or getting good caramelization on onions, stainless steel would be my choice.” With all the options available these days, you can always look for a set that includes both.
Our Expertise
Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. After a two-year stint at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.
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