All-Clad D3 vs. D3 Everyday: Key Differences Explained

Are you shopping for stainless steel cookware but need help deciding between All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday?

Both collections are high-performing, long-lasting, and made in the USA. But which is better?

In this comparison of All-Clad D3 vs. D3 Everyday, I reveal how these two cookware collections are similar, how they differ, and why those differences matter.

---

Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• All-Clad D3 vs. D3 Everyday: Key Takeaways
• Comparison Chart
• Similarities Between All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday
• Difference 1: Handle Design
• Difference 2: Handle Length
• Difference 3: Flared Rims
• Difference 4: Skillet Shape
• Difference 5: Product Offerings
• Difference 6: Where to Buy
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy All-Clad D3 or D3 Everyday?

---

Comparison Chart

	All-Clad D3	All-Clad D3 Everyday
Construction	3-ply fully-clad	3-ply fully-clad
Cooking Surface	18/10 Stainless steel	18/10 Stainless steel
Core	Aluminum	Aluminum
Exterior	Polished 18/0 stainless steel	Polished 18/0 stainless steel
Handle Design	Cup-shaped	Flat on top, rounded on bottom
Handle Length (12-inch skillet)	7¾ inches	8.25 inches
Weight (12-inch skillet)	2.8 pounds	3 pounds
Diameter Rim to Rim (12-inch skillet)	12 3⁄4 inches	12 3⁄4 inches
Diameter Rim to Rim (12-inch skillet)	9.5 inches	10 inches
Thickness	3 mm	3 mm
Flared Rims	All pots and pans have flared rims except saucepans	All pots and pans have flared rims
Max Oven Temperature	600°F	600°F
Induction-Compatible	Yes	Yes
Dishwasher-Safe	No	No
Where It’s Made	USA	USA
Where to Buy	All-Clad.com, Amazon, kitchenware retailers	All-Clad.com only
Price	$$$ (All-Clad.com, Amazon)	$$$ (All-Clad.com)
Top Reasons to Buy	Secure handles; More shapes and sizes	Comfortable handles; wider cooking surface
Top Reasons to NOT Buy	Uncomfortable handles; smaller cooking surface	Limited selection; not available in stores

Similarities Between All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday

Before I explain the differences between All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday cookware, let’s quickly review the similarities.

3-Ply Construction: Both collections are made up of three bonded metal layers. This type of construction is referred to as 3-ply or tri-ply. If you look closely at the rim, you can see the layering. With D3 and D3 Everyday pans, the cooking surface is 18/10 stainless steel, the core is a thick layer of aluminum, and the bottom layer is 18/0 stainless steel.

Performance: With the same 3mm thickness and 3-ply makeup, D3 and D3 Everyday pans offer nearly identical heat conduction and retention. In other words, they both heat fast and evenly and maintain a steady temperature as you add ingredients.

Polished Exterior: Both collections feature a gorgeous polished finish. It’s a classic look that goes well with any kitchen. Another popular All-Clad collection, D5, comes in polished and brushed exteriors. Some people like the brushed exterior because it hides fingerprints better, but the difference is purely aesthetic and has no impact on cooking performance.

Versatility: Both collections are compatible with all cooktops, including induction. And both are oven-safe up to 600°F. The stainless steel lids are not oven safe.

American-Made: The pots and pans in both collections are proudly made in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The handles and lids are produced in China but assembled in the United States.

Limited Lifetime Warranty: D3 and D3 Everyday come with All-Clad’s limited lifetime warranty covering defects in materials and craftsmanship.

Price: D3 and D3 Everyday are relatively expensive compared to other brands, especially ones made in China like Misen, Cuisinart, and Goldilocks. But these are two of the least expensive stainless steel collections within All-Clad’s lineup. Other collections like D5 and Copper Core are significantly more pricey.

Difference 1: Handle Design

The handle design is the most significant difference between All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday cookware.

D3 handles have All-Clad’s classic cup-shaped design, which people often complain about because the groove on top is uncomfortable to hold.

However, this design locks the handle in your hand, giving you complete control when tilting and pouring. The handle won’t slip or rotate even if you’re wearing an oven mitt or your hands are wet or greasy.

Despite the functional benefit of this design, All-Clad received enough negative feedback from customers to modify the handle design slightly with the D3 Everyday collection.

As you can see below, they made the groove on the top of the handle much more subtle, so your hand doesn’t sink into it as much. You still get a safe and secure grip, but the handle is more comfortable.

In addition to making the U-shaped indentation more subtle, All-Clad made D3 Everyday handles curved and more parallel to the pan’s cooking surface. Hence, your hand is at a more natural and comfortable angle. D3 handles are straight and positioned at a slightly upward angle.

Lastly, D3 handles have a small bump on the bottom to warn you not to move your hand any closer to the pan. D3 Everyday handles don’t have this bump.

Difference 2: Handle Length

In addition to the design, All-Clad D3 Everyday frying pans feature slightly longer handles than D3.

For example, the D3 Everyday 12.5-inch frying pan handle is 8.25 inches. The handle on the 12-inch D3 frying pan is 7 ¾ inches long. The extra length gives you more room to grip and allows you to keep your hand further from the heat.

Difference 3: Flared Rims

Another difference between All-Clad’s D3 and D3 Everyday lines is the rim design.

All pots and pans in the D3 Everyday collection feature flared rims for clean, drip-free pouring.

Most D3 pots and pans also have flared rims. However, the D3 saucepans have straight rims.

You can still pour out of these straight-rimmed saucepans, but oils, sauces, or other liquids are more likely to dribble down the exterior if you’re not careful.

Difference 4: Skillet Shape

Another difference between All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday pans is the skillets’ shape.

D3 skillets have rounded bottom corners and gently sloped walls that transition smoothly into the flat cooking surface. This design creates a ramp-like effect that is ideal for flipping eggs, pancakes, and other delicate items without a spatula. Transferring food to a plate is also easier with these gently sloped walls.

D3 Everyday skillets have steeper walls. Without the gradual transition, the flat cooking surface is larger.

For example, the 12-inch D3 skillet and 12.5-inch D3 Everyday skillet both have a 12 3⁄4-inch diameter rim-to-rim. But the flat cooking surface on the D3 skillet is 9.5 inches wide, while D3 Everyday’s flat area is 10 inches.

So while it’s easier to flip eggs and transfer food onto a plate with the D3 skillet, the D3 Everyday design provides more flat space to brown foods without overcrowding. When a pan is overcrowded, excess moisture from the food hinders browning and searing.

Difference 5: Product Offerings

D3 has been one of All-Clad’s most popular collections for years and has expanded over time. There are over 40 products within the D3 collection, including essential pots, pans, and specialized items like braisers, roasting pans, and butter warmers.

The D3 Everyday collection is much newer and more limited. It includes all the essentials like skillets, saute pans, saucepans, and stock pots, but fewer sizes and none of the specialty items.

Difference 6: Where to Buy

All-Clad D3 cookware is widely available across many popular retailers like Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, and Sur La Table. You can also find D3 pieces online on Amazon and directly from All-Clad’s website.

The D3 Everyday collection is exclusively sold on All-Clad.com; you won’t find it in physical stores or other online marketplaces. Because of this, you can’t pick up and hold D3 Everyday cookware before buying.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy All-Clad D3 or D3 Everyday?

All-Clad D3 and D3 Everyday cookware are made of the same materials with the same 3-ply construction, and both are manufactured according to All-Clad’s strict quality standards. 

So which should you buy?

Ultimately, I recommend the D3 Everyday collection over D3 for most home cooks. In fact, I recently named it one of the best stainless steel cookware collections after testing over 30.

While both collections offer the same heat conduction and retention, D3 Everyday’s longer, more comfortable handles and slightly larger cooking surface give it the edge.

That said, D3 is an excellent collection. It has a more extensive selection of pans and is more accessible. Since it’s available in stores, you can pick it up and get a feel for the weight, balance, and handles before buying. And despite being less comfortable, the cup-shaped handle design provides a safer and more secure grip.

So regardless of the collection you pick, you’ll be making a wise investment.

If you’re ready to buy or want to learn more, both collections are available on All-Clad.com (D3 Everyday, D3). The D3 collection is also available on Amazon.