All-Clad vs. Mauviel: Which Premium Cookware Is Better?

Are you in the market for a new set of cookware, but can’t decide between Mauviel and All-Clad? 

The key difference between All-Clad and Mauviel is that All-Clad specializes in fully-clad stainless steel cookware while Mauviel is best-known for copper. Stainless steel is low-maintenance, ultra-durable, and fits any kitchen decor. Copper heats and cools quickly, providing more control, but it tarnishes, requires regular polishing, and is very expensive.

That’s the primary difference between All-Clad and Mauviel, but premium cookware is not cheap, so it’s essential to get all the facts before deciding which brand to buy.

In this comparison of All-Clad vs. Mauviel, you’ll discover their cookware compares in terms of performance, design, price, and much more.

After reading, you’ll understand the similarities and differences between Mauviel and All-Clad, and have the information necessary to make the right choice for your kitchen.

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Use the links below to navigate:

• All-Clad vs. Mauviel: Comparison Chart
• Introducing All-Clad
• Introducing Mauviel
• Advantages of All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware
• Advantages of Mauviel Copper Cookware
• Design
• What Others Are Saying
• Price
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy All-Clad or Mauviel?

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All-Clad vs. Mauviel: Comparison Chart

	All-Clad	Mauviel
Price (Amazon)	$$$$	$$$$$
Performance	Heats evenly and retains temperature.	Heats and cools faster than All-Clad, providing more control.
Construction	Fully-clad stainless steel	Copper and stainless steel
Cooking Surface	Stainless steel	Stainless steel, tin, or copper (baking only)
Core	Aluminum or copper	Copper
Exterior	Polished or brushed stainless steel	Copper
Oven-Safe	up to 600°F	up to 680°F
Induction-Compatible	Yes	Pans with copper exterior are not
Dishwasher-Safe	Yes	No
Where It's Made	United States	France
Top Reasons to Buy	Even heating, incredible durable, classic look	Elegant copper exterior, precise heat control
Top Reasons to NOT Buy	Doesn't heat or cool as quickly, heavy	More expensive than All-Clad

Introducing All-Clad

Founded in 1971 by metallurgist John Ulam, All-Clad specializes in finely crafted fully clad stainless steel cookware.

Unlike many American brands that have outsourced manufacturing to China, All-Clad produces its cookware in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, right outside of Pittsburgh, where they use American-made steel and aluminum.

Whether you’re a home cook with serious know-how or a novice just getting started, All-Clad offers a wide range of cookware collections to meet all your cooking needs.

The top collections include D3, D5, and Copper Core, all of which feature a gorgeous stainless steel exterior and a non-reactive, ultra-durable steel cooking surface.  

While known for its stainless steel collections, All-Clad features quality cookware made from other materials as well.

If you’re looking for something a bit more elegant, the C4 Copper collection features a copper exterior. The steel handles and cooking surface offer the ultimate combination of heat conduction and durability. (Note: All-Clad discontinued the C4 Copper collection in 2020, but it’s still available on Amazon until inventory runs out).

All-Clad also features high-quality non-stick collections (HA1) if you’re looking for a no-fuss pan with the signature All-Clad look.

Introducing Mauviel

If All-Clad is the king of stainless steel cookware, Mauviel is the commander of copper. In fact, after reviewing several top-rated options, I named Mauviel the best copper cookware brand.

Mauviel, founded in 1830 by French craftsman Charles Mauviel, has been at the forefront of premium copper cookware for almost two centuries. It’s made in France, high-performing, and classy; five-star chefs swear by it.

Mauviel specializes in copper with four collections — M’Tradition, M’Heritage, M’Passion, and M’Minis — but they also offer a limited selection of stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum cookware.

Besides the obvious beauty of Mauviel cookware, one thing that makes it stand out is the fact that most pieces are entirely hand-made using centuries-old techniques.

When you buy Mauviel, in some ways, you’re also buying a work of art.

But is all this tradition and hand-made craft worth the high price tag? Let’s take a close look at how Mauviel and All-Clad compare.

Advantages of All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware

When comparing All-Clad vs. Mauviel, the first thing to consider is the type of cookware you want.

As I mentioned, All-Clad specializes in fully-clad stainless steel while Mauviel specializes in copper.

It’s important to note that stainless steel cookware is not entirely stainless steel. Instead, the outside is stainless steel, and the core is either aluminum or copper. 

Why? 

Because stainless steel is as durable as it gets, but it’s a poor heat conductor. Aluminum and copper, on the other hand, are excellent heat conductors.

So, to get the best of both worlds, All-Clad bonds exterior layers of stainless steel with a core layer of aluminum or copper. 

Fully-clad stainless steel cookware usually consists of three-layer top to bottom construction, though All-Clad also has cookware options with five layers (for example, the D5 collection).

This type of construction, referred to as fully-clad or multi-clad, allows the pan to heat quickly and evenly while maintaining it’s tough, easy-to-maintain exterior and cooking surface.

Another benefit of stainless steel is that it’s non-reactive, meaning you can cook ingredients with high acidity, like citrus and tomatoes, without tiny fragments of metal leaching into your food.

Stainless steel cookware is low-maintenance and requires no seasoning or extra care to prevent rust.

It also requires no special cleaning process or care like other cookware. Dish soap and water are all that’s needed to clean unless you scorched the pan (here’s what to do if that happens).

Another advantage of All-Clad stainless steel cookware is its ability to transition from the stovetop to the oven. Certain recipes require this, and All-Clad makes it safe and easy with an oven-safe temperature of 600°F.

All-Clad offers a variety of stainless steel options. Its most popular collection is D3 (available on Amazon and All-Clad.com). It features 3-ply construction (three layers) with two steel layers (cooking surface and exterior) and an aluminum core for quick, even heating.

The D5 collection (view on Amazon and All-Clad.com) boasts 5-ply construction: two layers of steel on the outside, then two layers of aluminum, and a thin layer of steel at the center. The steel center actually slows heat transfer, making this collection more forgiving. In other words, you’re less likely to overcook or burn your food when you accidentally turn the temperature too high.

All-Clad’s Copper Core collection (view on Amazon and All-Clad.com) is made with steel on the outside, then two layers of aluminum, and, finally, a copper core layer. Since copper has higher thermal conductivity than aluminum, this cookware heats up fast and delivers precise heat control.

Bottom line — stainless steel is ultra-durable, high-performing, and low-maintenance. All-Clad offers a ton of options to fit your needs.

Advantages of Mauviel Copper Cookware

Chefs and expert home cooking enthusiasts are fond of copper cookware, and Mauviel provides top of the line options.

Copper is known for its ability to conduct heat and electricity. It’s no coincidence that home electrical systems use copper wire. When you put a copper pan on the stove, it gets hot quickly.

An advantage of copper is its ability to cool just as quickly. Copper does not retain heat like stainless steel or cast-iron, which gives you more control over the temperature. 

Copper’s responsiveness comes in handy when cooking sauces and one-pan meals that often require quick heat changes.  It’s the main reason French and fine-dining chefs usually prefer copper.

Although copper has superior heat conductivity and lower heat retention, copper is a very malleable metal. Copper cookware, including Mauviel, scratches easily and requires a higher level of care than other cookware options.

While one of the major benefits of Mauviel copper is the finesse it provides, it also serves as a display piece for your kitchen. But keep in mind, routine polishing of the exterior will be necessary for the cookware to keep its shine.

Mauviel’s most popular and extensive copper collection is the M’Heritage. Similar to All-Clad’s multi-layer construction, Mauviel cookware is not entirely copper. Instead, this collection has a thick copper exterior (90%) and a thin stainless steel cooking surface (10%), along with stainless steel handles. 

Copper is an extremely reactive metal, so you would never want to cook acidic food directly on a copper surface. Doing so could cause particles of metal to release into the ingredients, which is unappetizing and dangerous. Thus, the stainless steel cooking surface.

Design

How does All-Clad and Mauviel cookware compare in terms of design?

The most significant difference is the exterior. All-Clad features a polished or brushed steel exterior, while Mauviel is copper.

All-Clad’s steel is an elegant, yet eye-catching look that fits with most kitchens. Mauviel copper is a gorgeous showpiece, but the warm glow may not fit with your kitchen’s design aesthetic.

Some pieces within the Mauviel M’Traditions collection features a gorgeous hammered finish. All-Clad pots and pans have a smooth finish (they don’t offer any pieces with a hammered finish).

The popular All-Clad D3 collection features flared edges to ensure drip-free pouring, and contoured stainless steel handles riveted in place for a comfortable and secure grip.

The All-Clad D3 Everyday collection (available on All-Clad.com) is a version of the original D3 but with two minor tweaks. The handles are redesigned to be more comfortable and the cooking surface is 30% larger.

Unlike All-Clad, Mauviel does not feature flared pouring rims on all its pieces. In fact, none of the pots or pans in the M’Heritage or M’Traditions collections have flared rims.

Flared rims make it easy to transfer food or sauces to the plate, but are more prone to spills and splatter compared to straight rims.

Mauviel gives you a choice between bronze, steel, or cast iron handles, and the design varies by collection.

All-Clad doesn’t proved many options—all handles are stainless steel.

No matter which brand you choose, both All-Clad and Mauviel boast an elegant yet functional design.

When it comes to aesthetics, everyone has their preferences. Perhaps the bright stainless steel look of the All-Clad D3 collection is not the look you want. If this is the case, consider their D5 collection with a modern brushed matte finish.

If you want a copper exterior, but favor the All-Clad craftsmanship, consider their C4 Copper collection (Note: All-Clad discontinued the C4 Copper collection in 2020, but it’s still available on Amazon until inventory runs out).

Aside from hammered copper, Mauviel offers different finishes like black tin or stainless steel with copper bottoms that suit your kitchen design needs.

What Others Are Saying

Both Mauviel and All-Clad have sterling reputations in the culinary world. Let’s have a look at the accolades each brand has received.

Wirecutter: Best Cookware Set Upgrade Pick (see full review)

The New York Times Wirecutter says the All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel collection is “superior-quality” cookware with lifetime durability and praises its even heat and shine.

Business Insider: Best Fish Pan (see full review)

Business Insider says the D3 Armor Oval Fish Pan offers “just the right thickness” for the temperature versatility needed to cook fish properly. The long handle provides flexibility for those fish dishes that require range-to-broiler transfers.

CNET: Favorite Overall-All Clad D3 (see full review)

CNET calls the All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel “arguably the absolute best” cookware set, lauding its superior durability. This cookware, they maintain, should last a lifetime.

Good Housekeeping: Best High-End Stainless Steel Cookware Set: All-Clad D5 (see full review)

Good Housekeeping calls the All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel set “splurge-worthy” because of its superior craftsmanship and perfect five-ply heat distribution. 

Consumer Reports: Mauviel 6544.26 M250C Copper: Very Good (see full review)

The Mauviel 6544.26 M250C 10.2-inch copper frying pan receives a “Very Good” rating from Consumer Reports for its even heating. The handle, they state, is sturdy and remains cool to the touch. 

The Spruce Eats: Best Copper Frying Pan-Mauviel M’Heritage 250S (see full review)

The Spruce Eats states that the Mauviel M’Heritage 250S carries a hefty price tag, but provides the delicate heat control copper cookware is known for. This is the type of pan that can be passed down through generations. 

Bon Appetit: Best Copper Jam Pan – Mauviel (see full review)

While not a review of a specific collection or piece, Bon Appetit maintains that any copper Mauviel jam pan, like the Mauviel M’Passion 2193.40 Copper Jam Pan, will yield the best jam. They praise the smooth copper’s heat flexibility.

Price

All-Clad and Mauviel are not budget-friendly cookware brands. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. When you buy cookware from either brand, you’re making a long-term investment. It’s not non-stick cookware that only lasts a few years. It’s the highest-performing, longest-lasting cookware you can buy.

Another reason for the high price tag is that both brands produce their pots and pans in either the United States or France, rather than China. The higher quality standards are part of why the cookware is so well-made, but it’s also why it’s so expensive.

In general, Mauviel is more expensive than All-Clad, but the price difference depends on which collections you compare.

To see how the price of All-Clad and Mauviel compare across several popular products, refer to the chart below (click the prices to view more details on Amazon).

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about each brand.

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

Comparing All-Clad vs. Mauviel can be challenging as both companies offer top of the line cookware made from the best materials.

Both are expertly crafted, elegantly designed, and built to last.

Bottom line—if you’re willing to invest in an expensive set of All-Clad or Mauviel cookware, you’re already making a great choice.

The right brand for you depends on your cooking style, budget, and design preferences (copper vs. stainless steel).

If you love the look of copper and want pans that provide superior control and precision, go with Mauviel. If you prefer classic-looking stainless steel pans that are low maintenance and will last a lifetime, go with All-Clad.

If you need help with your decision, I highly recommend All-Clad.

Why? All-Clad offers supreme versatility and durability. Stainless steel cookware, which is All-Clad’s specialty, will last a lifetime if properly maintained. While Mauviel’s copper offers finesse and an elegant look, it requires a lot more maintenance—and most home cooks don’t have the time for it.

While Mauviel offers fully-clad stainless steel cookware, All-Clad is the leader in this category, producing the finest stainless steel pots and pans in the world.

All-Clad stainless steel products, while expensive, are still more cost-effective than Mauviel copper cookware.

Please don’t mistake me; if you purchase Mauviel, you get excellent cookware. Yet, the sky-high price tag and the extra care needed to maintain Mauviel cookware push All-Clad to the top.

Consider the classic 7-piece D3 All-Clad Stainless Set (available on Amazon), my personal favorite of the brand. Or, if you’re not sure which set to buy, check out my comparison of the best All-Clad collections where I break down the pros and cons of the brand’s full lineup.

Both brands are available at kitchen supply stores and on Amazon at the links below:

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