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From cast iron to stainless steel to nonstick, the options for cookware are practically endless. But a skillet is just a skillet—or is it? To narrow down your selection, we’ve parsed through the market to find the best cookware brands available, from the most aesthetically pleasing to the workhorses you’ll use for every recipe. What are the different kinds of cookware?

The exact cookware you choose will depend on a few things: your budget, your cooking style and your aesthetic preferences. That said, here are a few types of cookware you’ll find:

Scroll down for in-depth breakdowns of each pick.

RELATED: The 10 Best Cookware Sets for Every Type of Home Cook, from Newbies to Seasoned Pros

Caraway launched into the cookware space in 2019 as a “healthier” nonstick option that marries form and function. With bright color options and smart design elements, it’s already become a millennial (and Instagram) favorite. In our own tests, we were impressed by the slick ceramic nonstick surface, the oven-friendly design, the lack of hotspots and the included modular storage solutions. But because it’s a newer, direct-to-consumer brand, you won’t find as many product options here. The cookware line includes essentials only: a 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauce pan, 4.5-quart sauté pan and 6.5-quart Dutch oven.

You might know OXO more for its kitchen gadgets than its cookware, but the brand applies the same considerate design to its pots and pans that it does to its corn peelers and iconic POP containers. All of OXO’s cookware has a similar aesthetic, but you have a few options to choose from: Non-Stick, with silicone-wrapped handles; Non-Stick Pro, with stainless handles; and Stainless Steel Pro, which isn’t nonstick. The cookware is accessibly priced, too, so it’s a great option for beginner cooks or someone outfitting their first kitchen. However, seasoned pros might feel limited by the somewhat small lineup—it’s mostly skillets unless you buy a whole set.

Never heard of carbon steel? No worries: Like cast iron, it’s made from an alloy of iron and carbon, but contains slightly less carbon content, making it thin, smooth and lightweight. When seasoned properly, it can be as slippery as a nonstick pan, and it heats up lightning fast for searing and sautéing. Misen’s carbon steel is versatile and affordable (but performs just as well as a higher priced, “premium” brand). The brand—which launched on Kickstarter as a solution to the cheap but low-quality tools available to home cooks—also offers stainless steel and nonstick pans. The cookware line is all essentials, but the brand adds new pieces frequently.

GreenPan is basically the OG “nontoxic” nonstick cookware brand. Quick refresh: Teflon was the gold standard for nonstick cookware, until the FDA found that certain chemicals used in its manufacturing process are toxic to our health and the environment over time. GreenPan’s nonstick surface is made from silicon-based Thermalon, which is scratch resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 850°F. There are plenty of open-stock styles to choose—from skillets to stockpots, quick-heating to ultra-durable—or you can opt for a full set. Prices range from $150 to $720 for multi-piece collections.

Upgrading your old cookware? Building a registry? Getting serious about searing? There’s All-Clad for that. While the 50-year-old company offers ceramic, nonstick and hard anodized cookware, it’s the stainless steel collection that keeps us coming back. It’s made from two layers of stainless bonded with aluminum for conductivity, durability and overall performance. The brand offers everything from tea kettles to massive 12-quart stockpots, and while it’s not the cheapest option on the market, consider it a lifetime investment.

Everyone should have at least one cast iron skillet in their cookware collection, and Lodge is a no-brainer choice. It’s extremely affordable, available in a myriad of sizes and styles, and will last forever with proper seasoning and care. (FYI, the new models come pre-seasoned). Cast iron is ideal for getting a gorgeously brown, crusty sear on proteins, and it does double-duty for baking projects (hello, skillet cookie). However, it’s very heavy and takes a long time to heat up, so it’s not great for every task (like sautéing).

The glossy enamel! The jewel-like colors! The French je ne sais quoi! What we’re trying to say is, Le Creuset (founded in 1925) is a staple among cookware brands. It’s not all talk though—the pieces are as high-performing as they are good looking, and if you’re willing to spend a little (OK, a lot) cash, the investment will serve you well for years to come. There are size and shape options in addition to color, and the enameled cast iron is great for searing and braising. But keep in mind that these pieces are capital-H heavy.

TBH, whether you prefer Staub or Le Creuset is a personal preference—they’re both top performers. But we think Staub (also a French heirloom brand) has a slight edge for certain uses, thanks to the innovative design tweaks in its French ovens. The lid has a patterned, textured surface that continually returns moisture to the pot, ensuring that braised, slow-cooked dishes are moist and tender. Plus, the enameled cast iron retains and distributes heat evenly, and the interior is slightly textured for superior browning. It’s not available in quite as many colors, though, and is heavy and expensive like Le Creuset.

If you’re a sucker for retro design and Scandinavian style, Dansk is all but sure to win you over. The 1950s brand is known for its Kobenstyle casserole with a stout shape and lid that doubles as a trivet. The construction is enameled carbon steel, so it heats up quickly and evenly and is available in a rainbow of colors. Once a vintage find, it’s now easy to scoop up since being acquired by Food52.

Many professional chefs will scoff at the mention of nonstick anything, but Scanpan is the rare exception. “I love and use Scanpan all the time,” the Institute of Culinary Education’s lead chef, Barbara Rich, tells us. That’s because the Danish cookware heats evenly, is relatively lightweight and is oven-safe up to 500°F. While the brand offers plenty of styles, we like that the CTX line combines the look of stainless steel with a food-safe ceramic interior for a slick surface that’s also nontoxic. You can also pick and choose pans as you please if you don’t want to commit to a whole set, but the cookware can get costly depending on the line you choose.

Real talk: Many nonstick cookware brands aren’t all that durable. But Calphalon’s signature style, hard-anodized aluminum, is designed with durability in mind. It has a nonstick surface for easy cooking and cleanup, but the try-ply construction ensures it will hold up to regular use. The only downside to this is that the pieces are heavier and more expensive than other nonstick brands.

Founded as a home appliance brand in 1971, Cuisinart made its name on the food processor. But its cookware line is just as useful for everyday kitchen tasks. With an extensive range of saucepans, skillets, stock pots and other essentials (all in a variety of finishes, all at reasonable prices), it strikes the ideal balance between high quality and useability (read: it’s not so expensive that you’ll only use it on special occasions).

If money is truly no object and you can’t resist shiny new (kitchen) toys, behold Mauviel’s copper cookware. The French brand, hailing from Normandy and founded in 1830, is known for its premium products and eye-catching copper-coated steel offerings. But it’s not just for looks: The copper encourages heat conductivity and control while cooking. But this also means it’s extraordinarily expensive—it’s not a must-have, but a worthwhile luxury if you’re looking to treat yourself.

Fun fact: T-FAL was the first cookware company to introduce Teflon nonstick to home cooks (T-FAL is a portmanteau for Teflon and aluminum). It’s still known for being an accessible, budget friendly option, making it ideal for new cooks. (Don’t worry: The nonstick coating is safe as long as it’s not heated beyond 500°F.) While it’s a smart choice for budding chefs or outfitting an apartment kitchen, we’ve found that the pieces aren’t as durable as other brands.

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