All-Clad vs Made In: Which Stainless Cookware Wins? (2026)
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 23, 2026.
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All-Clad has been the benchmark for American clad stainless steel cookware for decades, and Made In is the direct-to-consumer brand that set out to challenge it. Both make fully clad stainless pans that heat evenly, sear beautifully and should last for decades. So the differences come down to construction, handles, finish, lids and price.
This guide answers one question: should you buy All-Clad or Made In? We compared testing from Serious Eats, America’s Test Kitchen, Prudent Reviews and Eater. We haven’t cooked with these pans ourselves, and every result below is credited. Prices are as reported and change.
The short answer: it’s close. America’s Test Kitchen names the All-Clad D3 10-piece and Made In 10-piece sets co-winners of its cookware set testing. Serious Eats gives a slight edge to Made In’s skillet for its price, ergonomic handle and brushed finish, but recommends All-Clad if you want a matching lid included.
Our picks at a glance
| All-Clad D3 | Made In Stainless | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 3-ply: aluminum core between stainless | 5-ply: aluminum core plus aluminum alloy layers |
| Weight | A few ounces lighter (Serious Eats) | About 3 lb for the 12-inch skillet (Serious Eats) |
| Oven-safe | Check listing | Up to 800°F (Serious Eats) |
| Lid | 12-inch fry pan comes with lid | Sold separately (universal lid about $100) |
| Finish | Polished, mirror-like | Brushed, nearly matte |
| Handle | Indented, upturned; some find it uncomfortable | Rounded; praised as comfortable |
| ATK cookware sets | Co-winner (D3 10-piece) | Co-winner (10-piece) |
Construction: 3-ply vs 5-ply
Cladding means bonding layers of metal together, typically a conductive aluminum core wrapped in durable stainless steel. Serious Eats explains that All-Clad D3 is three-ply, with an aluminum core between stainless layers, while Made In is five-ply, adding two layers of aluminum alloy strengthened with magnesium and manganese around its aluminum center.
Does it matter? Serious Eats didn’t notice a huge difference in its tests. Both pans produced evenly browned crêpes and crispy-skinned salmon. It also tested All-Clad’s five-ply D5 and found it performed similarly, though it costs more.
Heating and heat retention
Prudent Reviews ran a head-to-head heat test with 3 cups of cold water in 12-inch pans on identical burners. The Made In pan began boiling at 2 minutes 33 seconds and reached a rolling boil at 3:20. The All-Clad D3 started boiling at 3:18 and hit a rolling boil at 3:42. Both showed evenly distributed bubbles, a sign of even heating. After five minutes off the heat, the Made In pan was noticeably warmer. Prudent Reviews cautions that it tested only one All-Clad collection, and results would differ across All-Clad’s many lines.
In cooking, Prudent Reviews found the two hard to tell apart. Both gave an excellent sear on pork chops, and the Made In gave a slightly darker initial sear on chicken.
Handles and handling
This is where many cooks decide. Serious Eats has consistently loved Made In’s rounded handle, which makes the pan feel balanced for tossing. All-Clad’s indented handle improves grip, but Serious Eats notes some people find the upturned shape uncomfortable. All-Clad D3 is also a few ounces lighter thanks to its three-ply build. If you can, hold both before you buy.
Looks and lids
Made In’s line has a brushed, nearly matte silver finish. All-Clad D3 has a shiny, polished interior and mirror-like exterior. Serious Eats finds both easy to live with. All-Clad’s 12-inch D3 fry pan comes with its own lid, and oddly, it can be pricier to buy it without one. Made In’s skillet doesn’t include a lid, and its universal silicone lid cost $100 at the time of Serious Eats’ writing.
Durability
Both should last decades. Serious Eats says professional chefs tend to love All-Clad, and several of its editors have owned their All-Clad pans for years without warping or wear. Serious Eats has also been impressed by the Made In skillet since it first tested it five years ago. America’s Test Kitchen tested only fully clad sets and called both co-winners “an excellent selection of sturdy, well-shaped pans that cook beautifully.”
Our picks
1. Made In 12-Inch Stainless Skillet: best single pan
Best for: cooks who want one great skillet.
Serious Eats’ favorite stainless skillet after testing 27. It’s heat-responsive, induction compatible, oven-safe to 800°F and about 3 pounds, with a comfortable rounded handle. It comes in 8-, 10- and 12-inch sizes, and with an optional brass-finished handle.
No lid included.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Fast heating (Prudent Reviews)
- Lower price than All-Clad (Serious Eats)
Cons
- Lid extra
- Slightly heavier
2. All-Clad D3 12-Inch Fry Pan: best classic
Best for: cooks who want the proven standard and a lid included.
Serious Eats found it right in line with Made In for even heating and responsiveness, and listed it at $150 at Sur La Table. It’s lighter, comes with a lid, and has a long record among chefs.
Some cooks find the upturned handle uncomfortable.
Pros
- Proven durability
- Lid included
- Lighter
Cons
- Handle shape divides opinion
3. All-Clad D3 10-Piece Set: co-winning set
Best for: outfitting a kitchen at once.
America’s Test Kitchen co-winner for cookware sets.
Sets cost more upfront; buy only pieces you’ll use.
Pros
- ATK co-winner
- Classic shapes
Cons
- Expensive
4. Made In 10-Piece Stainless Set: co-winning set
Best for: a modern-looking set.
Also an America’s Test Kitchen co-winner, with Made In’s brushed finish and five-ply build.
Lids and some accessories cost extra.
Pros
- ATK co-winner
- Brushed finish
Cons
- Heavier pans
5. Goldilocks Cookware Set Plus: the value alternative
Best for: budget-minded cooks.
America’s Test Kitchen’s Best Buy: an eight-piece set that wasn’t quite as durable as the co-winners but matched their performance with especially good sizes at a fraction of the price.
Less durable than All-Clad or Made In per ATK.
Pros
- Great value
- Good sizes
Cons
- Less durable
Which should you buy?
- Choose Made In for a lower price, a comfortable rounded handle, a modern brushed look and slightly faster heating.
- Choose All-Clad D3 for a lighter pan, an included lid, and decades of proven durability.
- Either way, Serious Eats’ verdict applies: “you win.”
Cooking on stainless
Stainless steel rewards technique. Preheat the pan, add oil and let it shimmer, then add food and leave it until it releases naturally. Deglaze with wine or stock for pan sauces. To clean stuck-on bits, simmer water in the pan, and use a stainless cleanser such as Bar Keepers Friend for discoloration. For more, see our cookware sets guide and Le Creuset vs Staub for enameled cast iron.
Buying a set vs individual pans
Sets look like better value, but many include pieces you’ll rarely use. Most cooks get the most from a 10- or 12-inch skillet, a 3-quart saucier or saucepan, a sauté pan and a stockpot. If you’re starting from scratch, a set like the ATK co-winners can be economical. If you already own some cookware, buy individual pieces instead. Since both brands perform similarly in testing, you can also mix and match, for example a Made In skillet for its handle and an All-Clad saucepan with its lid.
Care and longevity
Fully clad stainless is close to indestructible with basic care. Avoid thermal shock, such as plunging a hot pan into cold water, which can warp lighter pans. Use moderate heat; clad pans heat efficiently, so high heat is rarely needed. Dry pans promptly to prevent water spots, and use a stainless cleanser for rainbow discoloration or browned residue. Both brands’ pans are generally dishwasher safe, but hand-washing keeps the finish looking its best. Check each maker’s care instructions.
Who should consider neither
If you cook mostly eggs and delicate fish, add a nonstick or carbon steel pan alongside your stainless. If you braise and bake bread often, an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven is the better tool. See Is Le Creuset worth it?. Stainless excels at searing, sautéing and pan sauces, but no single material does everything.
Induction cooks
Both brands’ stainless lines work on induction. Serious Eats lists Made In’s skillet as induction compatible, and clad stainless with a magnetic exterior is generally induction-friendly. If you’re planning a kitchen upgrade, see our high-end stoves guide.
How we researched this guide
We don’t run a test lab, so we built this guide from independent testing by Serious Eats, which tested 27 stainless skillets, America’s Test Kitchen, Prudent Reviews and Eater. Where they measured something, we report their numbers and credit them by name. Where sources disagreed, or a claim came only from a manufacturer, we say so. We also weighed long-term ownership factors that matter to luxury buyers: warranty terms, build quality, ease of care and how a product fits into a well-designed home. Prices quoted are as listed by reviewers or retailers at the time of their writing and will change, so check current listings before you buy.
Common stainless mistakes
- Adding food to a cold pan, which causes sticking.
- Moving food too soon, before it releases.
- Overcrowding, which steams instead of sears.
- Using metal scouring pads that scratch the finish.
- Cranking the heat too high on efficient clad pans.
Gifting cookware
A single excellent skillet is one of the best gifts for a home cook: useful every day and built to last decades. Pair a Made In or All-Clad skillet with a good spatula, a jar of flake salt or a cookbook. For more ideas, see our gifts for home cooks guide and knife sets guide.
FAQ
Is Made In as good as All-Clad?
In Serious Eats’ and ATK’s testing, yes. Performance was very close.
Which heats faster?
Made In, in Prudent Reviews’ water test against All-Clad D3.
Does Made In come with lids?
Not the skillets; Made In’s universal lid is sold separately.
Is 5-ply better than 3-ply?
Serious Eats didn’t notice a huge difference in cooking.
Which is lighter?
All-Clad D3, which Serious Eats says is a few ounces lighter thanks to its three-ply build.
The bottom line
All-Clad and Made In are both excellent. Choose Made In for value, handle comfort and a brushed look, or All-Clad D3 for a lighter pan with a lid and a long track record.
