HexClad vs. All-Clad (Head-to-Head Cooking Tests) - Prudent Reviews (2024)

Are you shopping for cookware but can’t decide between All-Clad and HexClad?

All-Clad is an established leader in fully-clad stainless steel and ultra-durable, hard-anodized aluminum non-stick cookware. HexClad is a new name in the industry with a unique design and rapidly growing fanbase.

So what’s the difference between these brands? Which cookware is best for you?

In this comparison of HexClad vs. All-Clad, you’ll learn how their cookware differs in construction, design, price, and more.

After breaking down their differences, I’ll show you the results from my head-to-head cooking tests. I compare HexClad against an All-Clad stainless steel pan to see which sears better, and I put HexClad head-to-head against an All-Clad non-stick pan to determine which cooks eggs and releases food more effectively.

Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• HexClad vs. All-Clad: Key Takeaways
• Comparison Chart
• Difference 1: Construction
• Difference 2: Design
• Difference 3: Product Offerings
• Difference 4: Heat Conduction
• Difference 5: Heat Retention
• Difference 6: Induction-Compatible
• Difference 7: Oven-Safe Temperatures
• Difference 8: Where It’s Made
• Difference 9: Company History
• Difference 10: Price
• Difference 11: Downsides
• Cooking Test Results
• What Others Are Saying
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy HexClad or All-Clad?

Comparison Chart

If you’re in a hurry, the chart below shows the main differences between HexClad and All-Clad. I’ll cover each difference in-depth throughout the article.

Difference 1: Construction

The major difference between HexClad and All-Clad cookware is how it’s constructed.

Let’s start with HexClad.

All HexClad cookware is fully-clad with a tri-ply construction.

The first layer of magnetic steel is the foundation of the cookware. The importance of magnetism comes into play if you have an induction cooktop (pans made of metals that are not magnetic will not work on induction cooktops).

Next, HexClad uses an aluminum core. This middle layer of aluminum, which is highly-conductive, delivers heat evenly to all areas of the cooking surface.

Finally (and here is where it gets interesting), the interior and exterior features a patented, hybrid mix of PFOA-free non-stick and high-quality stainless steel. Yes, both the cooking surface and exterior are non-stick.

This innovative cooking surface features a connected series of laser-etched hexagons that form a network of peaks and valleys. The peaks are stainless steel, while the valleys are made from non-stick material.

Here’s why that matters:

• The stainless steel portion of the surface lends itself to searing, browning, and deglazing.
• The stainless steel also offers protection against peeling and scratching of the non-stick surface.
• The construction allows you to use any utensil, including metal, without damaging the cookware. When you run a spatula over the cooking surface, it only comes into contact with the steel, sparing the non-stick coating.
• The PTFE non-stick is made from high-grade Japanese ceramic coating and infused with diamond dust for extra toughness.

These pans promise a durable non-stick experience with the appeal and benefits of stainless steel.

What about All-Clad?

All-Clad invented the fully-clad bonding process with stainless steel pans in the 1970s and has established itself as the leader in the category.

Its stainless steel collections include D3 (3-ply with an aluminum core), D5 (5-ply with an aluminum and steel core), and Copper Core (5-ply with a copper core).

The D3 and D5 collections include pans with the same fully-clad base, but the cooking surface is coated with three layers of non-stick coating.

But besides stainless steel, All-Clad also offers three non-stick collections with unique construction:

HA1 (view on Amazon or All-Clad.com): Heavy-gauge (thick), hard-anodized aluminum exterior with a tri-layer PFOA-free non-stick cooking surface and a magnetic steel base for induction cooking.

Essentials (view on Amazon or All-Clad.com): Heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum exterior with a tri-layer PFOA-free non-stick cooking surface.

The key takeaway is that HexClad offers one type of construction (fully-clad, 3-ply with a unique steel/non-stick exterior), and All-Clad construction varies by collection.

Difference 2: Design

Every All-Clad pan has a smooth surface, whether steel or non-stick.

The stainless steel cookware has either a brushed or polished exterior finish exterior, while the non-stick has a black finish resulting from the anodizing process.

HexClad pans feature a network of stainless steel peaks and non-stick valleys that form tiny hexagons. This pattern goes up the pan’s sides, ending with a solid steel band around the rim.

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The idea behind this design is that the steel peaks don’t allow spatulas, tongs, and forks to touch the non-stick coating. So you can cook with metal utensils without scratching and ruining the pan.

Another significant difference between the design of HexClad and All-Clad is the handles. HexClad features riveted, polished stainless steel handles that are round and hollow in the middle to disperse heat and stay cool.

All-Clad handles are also stainless steel and riveted, but the design is different. Instead of round, most All-Clad handles are cup-shaped with a groove on top.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both designs. HexClad’s rounded handles look nice and are comfortable, but they’re prone to slipping and rotating in your hand.

Let’s say you’re boiling pasta and grab the handle while wearing an oven mitt. When you tilt the pan to pour the pasta into a strainer, there’s a chance the handle will slip, and you could spit the hot water.

All-Clad’s handles are less comfortable, but the cup-shaped design locks it into your hand, giving you much more control.

Besides the shape, All-Clad handles are straight and positioned at a higher angle, so you get more leverage when shaking or flipping food.

HexClad and All-Clad’s non-stick collections come with tempered glass lids with stainless steel rims.

But, All-Clad’s D3, D5, and Copper Core collections come with stainless steel lids.

Difference 3: Product Offerings

With seven unique cookware collections, All-Clad’s product lineup is significantly more extensive than what HexClad offers.

Here’s what you can get with All-Clad:

• D3 Stainless (3-ply stainless clad with non-stick pieces)
• D5 Brushed (5-ply stainless clad)
• D5 Polished (5-ply stainless clad)
• Copper Core (5-ply stainless clad)
• HA1 (hard-anodized aluminum non-stick)
• Essentials (hard-anodized aluminum non-stick)
• Bakeware (ceramic non-stick)
• Kitchen Electrics
• Kitchen Tools and Accessories

HexClad has one collection of hybrid stainless steel and non-stick cookware.

When you compare HexClad vs. All-Clad in terms of variety, it’s no contest. All-Clad covers all your cookware needs while HexClad offers just one collection.

Difference 4: Heat Conduction

Heat conduction refers to how fast and evenly cookware heats up. To see how All-Clad and HexClad stack up in this category, I performed a quick experiment.

I poured two cups of cold water into the HexClad 12-inch pan, All-Clad D3 12-inch pan, and All-Clad HA1 12-inch pan and placed each on the stove. After turning the burners on high at the same time, I set a stopwatch to measure which pan boiled the water faster and which had a more even distribution of bubbles.

The results were surprising. The HexClad pan boiled water in 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the All-Clad D3 pan boiled water in 2 minutes and 55 seconds, and the All-Clad HA1 pan boiled water in 2 minutes and 58 seconds.

Although the difference is minor, my experiment proved that HexClad conducts heat faster than All-Clad.

With all three pans, the bubbles were evenly dispersed, indicating uniform heat distribution.

I conduct this test with every cookware brand I review. Here’s how HexClad and All-Clad compare to the rest of the industry:

Difference 5: Heat Retention

After I recorded the heat conduction test results, I tested each pan’s heat retention. Pans that retain heat well are ideal for searing because they can maintain a high temperature when you place cold ingredients on them.

To determine which pan had better heat retention, I removed all three pans from the heat and measured the water temperature at the 5- and 10-minute marks.

After five minutes, the water in the HexClad pan was 120.7°F, the All-Clad D3 pan was 111.6°F, and the All-Clad HA1 pan was 117.9°F.

After ten minutes, the water in the HexClad pan was 102.4°F, the All-Clad D3 pan was 100.9°F, and the All-Clad HA1 pan was 98.1°F.

Based on these results, HexClad retains heat better than All-Clad D3 and HA1. As you can see in the chart below, both brands are above the industry average in terms of heat retention.

One caveat with these experiments is that I used pans in the All-Clad D3 and HA1 collections. The results could have been much different if I had used one in the D5 or Copper Core collections.

Difference 6: Induction-Compatible

All HexClad cookware is induction-compatible. Each piece has a magnetized steel base, which is necessary for induction cooking.

All-Clad’s stainless steel clad collections (D3, D5, and Copper Core) and the HA1 hard-anodized collection are all induction-compatible.

Essentials, which is the most affordable of All-Clad’s offerings, is not induction-compatible.

Difference 7: Oven-Safe Temperatures

HexClad and All-Clad pots and pans are safe to use in the oven, but the maximum oven-safe temperatures differ.

All HexClad cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F.

All-Clad non-stick cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F and the stainless steel collections can withstand up to 600°F.

All-Clad lids are not oven-safe, and the non-stick cookware can’t be used under the broiler (you can get away with it for a minute, but I don’t recommend it).

Difference 8: Where It’s Made

HexClad cookware is designed in California, but it’s manufactured in China.

All-Clad stainless clad cookware is made just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Their hard-anodized non-stick cookware (HA1 and Essentials collections) is manufactured in China.

Related: Watch me break down the best cookware not made in China in this video.

Difference 9: Company History

HexClad is a Los Angeles-based start-up that was launched in 2016 by its two co-founders: Daniel Winer and Cole Mecray.

Winer and Mecray, who have been in the cookware industry since the late ‘90s, discovered the technology behind HexClad and began working with the inventor to bring it to the United States market.

They wanted to combine the ease of non-stick with the superior performance and toughness of stainless steel.

Much of the cookware’s popularity can be attributed to the direct-to-consumer model and early use of digital advertising campaigns — something the cookware industry wasn’t doing at the time.

You can watch Winer test the durability of HexClad on this video. He scrapes the pan with a metal spatula, presses a hand mixer with metal beaters into the interior, and runs a metal pizza cutter across the surface.

It’s a pretty convincing demonstration of this unique cookware’s ability to tolerate sharp, metal utensils, something you wouldn’t dare to do with other non-stick cookware.

All-Clad was founded in 1971 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, by John Ulam, an innovative metallurgist who invented the process to make fully-clad stainless steel cookware. At the time, this was a significant breakthrough because it combined the durability of stainless steel and the heat conduction of aluminum.

Since then, fully-clad cookware has been adopted by most cookware brands, including HexClad. However, All-Clad remains the industry leader thanks to its focus on quality craftsmanship and premium materials.

Difference 10: Price

All-Clad prices vary across collections. For example, the Essentials hard-anodized aluminum non-stick collection is the least expensive, and the Copper Core collection is, by far, the most costly. The HA1, D3, and D5 collections fall in the middle.

If you compare HexClad to All-Clad’s high-end stainless steel collections like Copper Core and D5, the prices are similar. But if you compare it to All-Clad non-stick collections, HexClad is much more expensive.

Considering HexClad uses non-stick material that will eventually wear down, it’s difficult for many home cooks to justify such a high price.

To see current prices for both brands, refer to the chart below:

Difference 11: Downsides

While HexClad and All-Clad come with many benefits, there are a few downsides to consider.

Both Brands Are Expensive

As you learned in the previous section, both brands are a significant investment. Spending hundreds on a premium stainless steel set is justifiable since you can expect it to last for years, but all cookware that’s made with non-stick coating (including HexClad) eventually needs to be replaced.

So consider that as you shop. And, since HexClad is still new to the market, only time will tell how long the cookware will last.

Customers Complain That All-Clad Handles Are Uncomfortable

Many home cooks describe All-Clad handles as being uncomfortable or too lightweight for the heft of the pans. I’ve never had an issue with All-Clad’s handles, but enough people have complained that it’s worth mentioning.

HexClad handles are round and very comfortable; you won’t find many complaints about them.

Food Sticks to All-Clad Stainless Steel

If you’re looking for a non-stick experience with All-Clad stainless steel collections, you won’t get it. The top complaint about All-Clad stainless steel pans (and stainless steel pans in general) is food sticks.

Yet, you can minimize sticking if you use the proper cooking techniques and proper cleaning techniques.

Delicate Food Sticks to HexClad

Several HexClad customers have complained about the cookware performance when it comes to delicate foods such as eggs or crepes. I’ve found in testing HexClad that this complaint is completely valid.

I’ve tried cooking eggs several times, and, in most cases, the eggs stuck as if I was using a traditional stainless steel pan.

While I think it’s possible to get good results with proper temperature and the right oil, you’ll save yourself some frustration by using a traditional non-stick pan with those ingredients.

HexClad Non-Stick Coating Might Wear Down

All non-stick cookware will eventually wear down.

The stainless steel peaks protect the non-stick valleys on a HexClad pan, but over time, high temperatures, soaps, and utensils will contact the non-stick coating and degrade its non-stick properties. Check out HexClad on Amazon and search the critical reviews to see proof.

HexClad Requires Seasoning

If you want a maintenance-free non-stick pan, stick with traditional. HexClad recommends seasoning before the first use and periodically throughout the life of the pan. All-Clad non-stick cookware does not need seasoning.

Cooking Test Results

The idea behind HexClad is that the hybrid cooking surface gives you the best of both worlds. It can sear like stainless steel and cook eggs like a non-stick pan. So, in theory, one HexClad pan should be able to do the job of two All-Clad pans.

To find out if that was true, I conducted two tests.

The goal of the first test was to compare HexClad’s ability to sear versus All-Clad stainless steel. For this test, I used the 12-inch HexClad pan and the 12-inch All-Clad D3 pan.

First, I seasoned two pieces of salmon with salt and garlic powder and preheated both pans for the same time at the same temperature. Once the pans were hot, I greased them with the same amount of oil.

Then, I placed the two pieces of salmon skin-side down and let them sear for a couple of minutes in both pans. After flipping the fish, you can see a nice sear and color on the skin side of both pieces.

Once the fish was seared, I placed both pans in the oven to finish cooking. And after about 4 minutes, both pieces of salmon were done.

As you can see, both HexClad and All-Clad did a great job searing and roasting the salmon. The outside had good texture and color, while the inside was cooked just right.

If you still don’t buy the fact that HexClad is good for searing, here’s another salmon I cooked recently. This piece was thicker, so I could brown it more with overcooking.

The only noticeable difference between the two pans is that the HexClad pan barely had any residue or discoloration from the oils. It took less than 30 seconds to clean. The fish didn’t stick to the All-Clad pan, but some leftover staining took about a minute to scrub off.

Because HexClad’s cooking surface has a non-stick coating beneath the steel hexagons, it releases food better than a traditional stainless steel pan.

But I wanted to see how it compared to a traditional non-stick pan with a smooth cooking surface. So, for the second test, I put HexClad head-to-head against All-Clad’s most popular non-stick pan within the HA1 collection.

First, I cooked an egg in each pan without oil or butter. I preheated both pans for a couple of minutes, but since the HexClad pan is 3 mm thick and the All-Clad pan is 4 mm thick, the HexClad pan was hotter when I added the eggs.

At first, the egg didn’t stick to either pan, but after flipping the egg in the HexClad pan, it began to stick, and I accidentally broke the yolk when I nudged it with a spatula.

The All-Clad pan made cooking the eggs much easier. Because it’s thicker and heats slower, the egg cooked more evenly without browning too much, and it didn’t stick at all to the smooth, non-stick surface.

I cooked another egg in each pan, but instead of leaving the pans dry, I greased the surface with a bit of oil and butter. This time, the eggs slid around both pans without any sticking.

But again, after preheating for the same amount of time at the same temperature, HexClad’s thinner walls made the cooking surface hotter, and the eggs overcooked slightly. I could have lowered the temperature to correct that, but I wanted to show you a direct comparison of HexClad vs. All-Clad while minimizing the variables.

The key takeaway is that you can sear meats and cook eggs in a HexClad pan, but All-Clad non-stick pans stick less with little to no grease.

What Others Are Saying

HexClad and All-Clad are endorsed by Michelin-star chefs and receive high praise from independent product testers. HexClad boasts tons of positive press, and All-Clad is a frequent headliner or contender on top cookware lists.

Here’s a quick look at these brands’ recent accolades.

CNN Underscored named the HexClad 10-Inch Fry Pan as the Best Restaurant-Quality Pan. It was one of three pans to receive top honors by the review site. It was described as a “tough-as-nails pan you’d find in professional kitchens.” Reviewers praised the HexClad pan for its construction, design, and cooking performance.

Good Housekeeping chose the All-Clad Essentials 10-Piece Cookware Set as the Most Versatile Non-Stick Cookware. They loved the even heating, effortless food release, and high oven-safe temperature (500°F). The set also got accolades for the space-saving design.

Good Housekeeping also selected the HexClad 12-Inch Wok as the Best Non-Stick Wok according to kitchen experts and reviewers. Calling it “sturdy, but relatively lightweight to handle,” the wok is loved for being dishwasher-safe and mimicking stainless steel’s heat qualities.

CNET gave the All-Clad D3 10-Piece Cookware Set the top honor, naming it as the Favorite Overall Cookware Set. According to CNET, it’s arguably “the absolute best cookware set, no matter the price.” Reviewers noted the even heating, beautiful appearance, and limited lifetime warranty.

As you can see, both brands have a good reputation in the marketplace. You can check out HexClad and All-Clad on Amazon to read more about what verified purchasers have to say.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy HexClad or All-Clad?

All-Clad is continuously at the top of the “best cookware” lists, but HexClad is getting serious attention due to its unique and innovative design.

So, which should you choose?

The truth is, it depends.

I’ve been cooking with both brands for several years. Both heat up fast and evenly, both retain heat well, and you can use both for just about any cooking technique and ingredient.

With All-Clad, you get a much more traditional cooking experience. You can use their American-made stainless steel pans for searing, roasting, frying, broiling, and pan sauces.

And if you want a convenient option for eggs and other low-fat cooking, their non-stick pans do an excellent job releasing food with little to no oil.

Before testing it, I thought HexClad was a gimmick, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how well it cooks.

This cookware can sear better than most non-stick pans and releases food better than stainless steel. It’s convenient and versatile, and its unique hybrid design minimizes scratches and extends its lifespan.

If you’re looking for a nudge in one direction, I recommend All-Clad. It’s one of the best cookware brands in the world with a proven track record of superior performance and durability. Plus, its non-stick cookware is long-lasting and significantly less expensive than HexClad.

HexClad’s hybrid construction is an interesting invention, but some cooking scenarios are better suited for either stainless steel or non-stick. Combining the two won’t provide optimal performance for all cooking scenarios.

HexClad costs as much as premium stainless steel cookware, but it won’t last forever. You’ll eventually have to replace HexClad when the non-stick portion of the cooking surface wears down (likely in 5 years or less, depending on how frequently you use it).

Bottom line — All-Clad is an established brand that’s been consistently delivering performance, durability, and style for decades. HexClad is a market-disrupting start-up getting much-deserved praise for its stainless steel/non-stick hybrid cookware.

Both are excellent options, and the right cookware choice comes down to your personal preferences.

To learn more, read consumer reviews, and view the current prices, check out HexClad and All-Clad at the links below:

• All-Clad on Amazon and All-Clad.com
• HexClad on Amazon and HexClad.com