Ninja NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Cookware Set ($329.99)

When it comes to cooking, there are almost too many options: There are cast iron lovers who swear by it. Fancy cooks who love the look of stainless steel cookware. Then there's the overwhelming number of people who choose nonstick cookware because it's so much easier to care for. In 2020, Ninja created a cookware set that appeases the masses.

Having spent the last several months navigating the hassle of stainless steel cookware (There are only so many times I can burn a stainless steel pan without wanting to cry). I jumped at the opportunity to test out Ninja's brand new NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Cookware Set.

I initially wrote this review in September 2020 and all the way in March 2022, I still use this cookware daily and the inside looks brand new. I recently reviewed Scrub Daddy PowerPaste to revive the bottoms of my cookware set and realized it was a big deal that the interior of this cookware set still looks incredible.

This cookware line is called Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverStick™ – could Ninja possibly cram anymore trademarked words into a product title? Anyway, after using the Ninja NeverStick pans, I no longer have to worry about my food getting crusted and stuck on the pan. This cookware is like nonstick and cast iron had a baby.

Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverStick™ cookware has:

Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverStick™ Premium Hard-Anodized Fry Pan, Starting at $29.99

I've used cast iron skillets to make steak and cookie pizzas many times. I've always loved how steak tastes when cooked on a cast iron, and a traditional nonstick pan just cannot cook it the same. Nor could stainless steel. The Ninja NeverStick 10.25" skillet is the next best thing for cooking a steak.

The whole gimmick of Ninja's NeverStick cookware is that it will never chip, flake, or stick – a problem that plagues other nonstick cookware. Ninjas pans are made at 30,000°F (wow), while traditional nonstick cookware is made at 900°F (still... hot). That lower temperature is what sets back traditional cookware, as it will rapidly lose its nonstick feature.

What makes the NeverStick cookware more enticing than other nonstick cookware is that it's meant to go in the oven. That is where its comparability to cast iron comes in: You can move your skillet from the stove to the oven, to cook virtually anything. The handle and nonstick coating are oven safe up to 500°F. After using this cookware, I can say it feels almost as heavy as a regular cast iron pan. But a little bit prettier? Yes, definitely a little prettier when you really look at it.

I've cooked asparagus, eggs (scrambled and fried), steak, and chicken in my Ninja pans. Nothing has stuck. I don't even need to scrub to get any residue off the pans. Normally, if I let my old stainless steel pans cool off before washing them, the burnt mess would congeal and become a part of the pan. Not my Ninja cookware! I let the pans cool after cooking each time, even if that sizzle of water on a hot pan is oddly satisfying.

Instead, once the cookware has cooled off, I rinse it off with soap and water, and any residue is instantly gone. I don't need to scrub to get rid of the caked-on mess. To avoid scratching (though this does say it is scratch-resistant), I use a soft sponge to get rid of any built-up oil from cooking.

I returned to update this article after 18 months of use just to confirm that the quality of this Ninja cookware set is unparalleled. I've had cheaper nonstick cookware sets that looked terrible within six months of use. My Ninja pots and pans look great after all of this time.

While the interior of these pans is still flawless, be warned that the bottoms of these pots and pans are easy to burn. I burned several of my pans, but I also own up to the fact that is a user error. I often set the heat too high and don't give the pan a chance to naturally warm up. While the bottoms of the pan burn, the food inside has never burned while cooking. 

After 18 months of daily use, there's not a single scratch on the interiors of these NeverStick pans.

At over $300 retail, this isn't a cheap product. Most Ninja products are pricey but worth the cost (just like the Ninja Foodi). You can spend less on cookware on Amazon, but it probably will not last you a year, let alone 18 months. My cookware still looks great after using it daily for several meals a day. I don't think I'll need a new set for years and years, so long as I get better about my cooking habits and stop burning things. It does have a 10-year warranty, so here's to testing that out!

You can get individual pans and pots from this collection, or the 10-piece and 13-piece set from Best Buy and Bed, Bath & Beyond. The 10-piece set is $299.99, while the 13-piece set is $399.99. The individual fry pans and saucepans range in price from $29.99 to $119.99. 

Ana Suarez is the senior commerce editor for Hearst Newspapers. She is always on the hunt for good sales, but really, she just won't shut up about her senior dog, Tyrone.