Henckels Paradigm (formerly Henckels HXagon) pans have a hybrid cooking surface with stainless steel peaks that prevent utensils from scratching the non-stick coating.
According to Henckels, these pans provide the durability and searing power of stainless steel with the convenience of non-stick cookware.
But are these claims valid? Is this cookware worth buying?
In this review, I break down the pros and cons of Henckels Paradigm pans. You’ll learn about their design, construction, and performance. I also reveal how they compare to other hybrid cookware brands like HexClad.
By the end, you’ll be able to decide if Henckels Paradigm pans belong in your kitchen.
Note: When Henckels first released this collection, it was called Henckels HXagon. It has since been renamed to Henckels Paradigm.
Use the links below to navigate the review:
- Henckels Paradigm Review: Key Takeaways
- Pros of Henckels Paradigm
- Cons of Henckels Paradigm
- Bottom Line: Are Henckels Paradigm Pans Worth Buying?
Henckels Paradigm Review: Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of Henckels Paradigm. Throughout the full review, you’ll find detailed analysis, test results, comparisons, and photos I captured during testing.
Henckels Paradigm Pros
- Durable: The cooking surface features raised steel hexagonal peaks that protect the non-stick coating. Because of this, you can use metal utensils without causing damage.
- Heat Conduction: Henckels Paradigm pans heat up fast and evenly. I’ve tested over 30 cookware brands and these heat faster than all but three.
- Non-Stick Properties: When the surface is greased with oil or butter, delicate foods like eggs don’t stick.
- Searing Power: These pans excel in searing meat thanks to their hybrid cooking surface and fast-heating aluminum core.
- Smooth Bottom: The polished steel bottom minimizes the risk of scratching glass stovetops, unlike HexClad and other brands with textured bottoms.
- Price: Henckels Paradigm cookware is an excellent value — the 3-piece set costs less than one pan from other hybrid cookware brands.
Henckels Paradigm Cons
- Heat Retention: These pans struggle to maintain a consistent temperature due to their thinner construction (2.4 mm). Based on my tests of over 30 cookware brands, Henckels Paradigm pans have average heat retention.
- Induction Efficiency: While compatible with induction cooktops, Henckels Paradigm pans heat slower than some competitors.
- Rounded Handles: The rounded handles can be slippery and may rotate when you tilt the pan. You need to grip the handle tight when transferring food or pouring liquids.
- Made In China: Despite Henckels’ German heritage, these pans are manufactured in China.
- Selection: This collection currently has only one item: a 3-piece frying pan set without lids.
- Unproven: As a new collection launched in 2024, the long-term durability of these pans remains to be seen.
Is Henckels Paradigm Cookware Worth Buying?
Henckels Paradigm pans are durable, versatile, and heat up fast. The main downside is that they don’t retain heat as well as thick-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel skillets. But for eggs, vegetables, and quick, simple meals that most people cook in non-stick or hybrid pans, heat retention is less critical. If you’re looking for hybrid pans and HexClad gives you sticker shock, Henckels Paradigm is a quality and much more affordable alternative.
Read my in-depth comparison of Henckels Paradigm vs. HexClad to learn more, or check the current price on Amazon.
Pros of Henckels Paradigm
Henckels Paradigm pans are durable, versatile, and affordable, especially compared to other hybrid cookware brands. Let’s dive into the pros of this collection in more detail.
Durability
One of the most notable advantages of Henckels Paradigm is its durability. The innovative hybrid cooking surface features raised steel hexagonal peaks. These peaks protect the non-stick coating underneath.
This design allows you to safely use metal utensils without scratching or damaging the non-stick surface. As you glide a metal spatula or spoon across the surface, it will only touch the steel peaks without making direct contact with the non-stick coating.
Although sharp utensils like knives and forks can still fit between the peaks and damage the coating, this design eliminates most of the potential for scratches. The risk is negligible if you stick to spoons and spatulas and don’t use pointy utensils.
While the durability of Henckels Paradigm over many years is still unknown since this collection first hit the market in 2024, early signs point to impressive longevity. I’ve been using similar hybrid HexClad pans for years now without any scratches, degradation, or performance issues.
Heat Conduction
Another positive characteristic of Henckels Paradigm pans is that they heat up fast and evenly.
I’ve been cooking with these pans for several months. I’ve also conducted head-to-head tests against similar brands like HexClad and Anolon X.
In one test, I wanted to compare how quickly the Henckels Paradigm and HexClad pans could cook an egg. I preheated the 12-inch versions of both pans on the stove at the same low heat setting for the same amount of time (a couple of minutes). I then cracked an egg into each pan and let it cook without stirring or moving.
Within just another couple minutes, the egg in the Henckels pan was already starting to brown and get crispy, caramelized edges. But the egg in the HexClad pan was cooking at a much slower pace and remained mostly white/unbrowned.
I also cooked pancakes side-by-side in Henckels Paradigm and HexClad pans. Despite turning the burners to the same temperature and preheating for the same period, the pancake in the Henckels pan started bubbling and browning much quicker.
To confirm my observations, I conducted my standard water boiling test, which I perform for every cookware brand I review.
I poured two cups of cold (55°F) water into the Henckels Paradigm 12-inch pan and turned the heat to the highest setting.
The water started bubbling at 1 minute and 36 seconds and began boiling at 2 minutes and 19 seconds. While the pan heated up, the bubbles were uniform across the cooking surface. That’s a good sign that the pan distributes heat evenly without hot or cold spots.
Out of the 30+ pans I’ve tested, Henckels Paradigm performed better than all but three in heating speed. Top brands like All-Clad, Made In, and HexClad took slightly longer to boil the water. Below are the full results:
Pan | Time to First Bubbles | Time to Boil |
---|---|---|
Farberware | 1 minute and 2 seconds | 1 minute and 29 seconds |
All-Clad G5 fry pan | 1 minute and 17 seconds | 2 minutes and 4 seconds |
All-Clad Copper Core fry pan | 1 minute and 21 seconds | 2 minutes and 18 seconds |
Henckels Paradigm fry pan | 1 minute and 36 seconds | 2 minutes and 19 seconds |
Made In stainless steel fry pan | 1 minute and 40 seconds | 2 minutes and 21 seconds |
Anolon X pan | 1 minute and 35 seconds | 2 minutes and 22 seconds |
Misen fry pan | 1 minute and 50 seconds | 2 minutes and 25 seconds |
Caraway | 1 minute and 53 seconds | 2 minutes and 26 seconds |
Anolon Advanced fry pan | 1 minute and 55 seconds | 2 minutes and 27 seconds |
HexClad fry pan | 1 minute and 40 seconds | 2 minutes and 30 seconds |
Made In non-stick fry pan | 1 minute and 53 seconds | 2 minutes and 31 seconds |
Zwilling fry pan | 1 minute and 45 seconds | 2 minutes and 31 seconds |
T-fal fry pan | 1 minute and 50 seconds | 2 minutes and 32 seconds |
Gotham Steel fry pan | 1 minute and 58 seconds | 2 minutes and 32 seconds |
Rachael Ray fry pan | 1 minute and 47 seconds | 2 minutes and 36 seconds |
Viking fry pan | 1 minute and 42 seconds | 2 minutes and 39 seconds |
Calphalon fry pan | 1 minute and 45 seconds | 2 minutes and 40 seconds |
Sardel fry pan | 1 minute and 41 seconds | 2 minutes and 46 seconds |
Pioneer Woman fry pan | 2 minutes and 2 seconds | 2 minutes and 46 seconds |
Hestan fry pan | 1 minute and 52 seconds | 2 minutes and 47 seconds |
GreenLife pan | 2 minutes and 11 seconds | 2 minutes and 47 seconds |
Our Place Always Pan | 2 minutes and 2 seconds | 2 minutes and 48 seconds |
Ninja NeverStick Pan | 2 minutes and 7 seconds | 2 minutes and 49 seconds |
Tramontina fry pan | 1 minute and 53 seconds | 2 minutes and 52 seconds |
Circulon fry pan | 2 minutes and 7 seconds | 2 minutes and 55 seconds |
All-Clad D3 fry pan | 1 minute and 55 seconds | 2 minutes and 55 seconds |
All-Clad HA1 fry pan | 2 minutes and 12 seconds | 2 minutes and 58 seconds |
All-Clad D5 fry pan | 1 minutes and 58 seconds | 3 minutes and 4 seconds |
Goldilocks fry pan | 2 minutes and 17 seconds | 3 minutes and 5 seconds |
Demeyere Industry fry pan | 2 minutes and 3 seconds | 3 minutes and 10 seconds |
Ballarini fry pan | 2 minutes and 15 seconds | 3 minutes and 12 seconds |
Heritage Steel fry pan | 1 minute and 59 seconds | 3 minutes and 15 seconds |
Demeyere Atlantis fry pan | 2 minutes and 11 seconds | 3 minutes and 25 seconds |
Xtrema fry pan | 3 minutes and 41 seconds | 6 minutes and 7 seconds |
Non-Stick Properties
If you’re looking for a pan with a slick surface that prevents food from sticking, you’ll be happy to learn that these pans have excellent non-stick properties — but there’s one requirement.
When I initially tried cooking eggs without greasing the pan, it had trouble releasing them cleanly. The raised steel hexagons that protect the non-stick coating make the pans less slick than traditional non-stick. The eggs stuck and torn apart when I tried to move them.
However, when I prepped the Paradigm pan by greasing the surface with just a small amount of oil and butter, the eggs slid right off without sticking.
Pancakes performed similarly — as long as I added butter to the pan before adding the batter, they released without sticking.
With traditional non-stick pans that have a smooth cooking surface, food won’t stick even if you use little to no oil or butter. But that’s not the case with Henckels Paradigm (or other hybrid pans, including HexClad).
Searing Power
One of the major selling points of this cookware is that it sears like stainless steel. And based on my testing, this claim is valid.
Traditional non-stick pans aren’t known for their searing power. Most are thin, so they don’t retain heat well, and the non-stick coating adds a layer between the hot metal and the food. That barrier makes it more difficult for the Maillard reaction to occur.
With Henckels Paradigm, the raised steel pattern on the cooking surface eliminates that barrier and delivers more heat to the food. The steel also keeps oils in the center of the pan under the food, which aids in browning and searing. Oil often moves to the edges of traditional non-stick pans because the surface is so smooth, and there’s not enough friction to keep it in place.
Here’s a chicken thigh I seared in a Henckels Paradigm pan.
And here’s a hamburger. If I told you I cooked this in a stainless steel or cast iron pan, you would believe me.
The bottom line is that Henckels Paradigm pans are versatile — the non-stick coating prevents delicate foods like eggs from sticking, and the steel hexagon and excellent heat conduction result in crispy golden browning on meat.
Smooth Bottom
Henckels Paradigm pans feature a smooth, polished steel bottom. Competitors like HexClad extend the textured hybrid coating to the exterior.
While the smooth bottom without non-stick coating can show some discoloration and staining over time and be a little more challenging to clean, it poses less risk of scratching delicate glass stovetops.
Pans with a textured bottom, like HexClad, can scratch delicate surfaces. A Prudent Reviews reader recently reached out and told me the raised hexagons on the bottom of her HexClad pans scratched her glass cooktop. The flat bottom of the Paradigm eliminates this potential damage risk.
Price
One of the biggest advantages of Henckels Paradigm cookware is its affordability. HexClad, the most comparable brand with a similar design and performance, costs more than twice as much.
For example, you could buy a 3-piece Henckels Paradigm set with 8-, 10-, and 12-inch frying pans for less than the price of one single 12-inch HexClad pan.
Cons of Henckels Paradigm
There’s a lot to love about Henckels Paradigm pans, but they’re not perfect. In this section, I break down the flaws and limitations so you have the whole story before buying.
Heat Retention
Henckels Paradigm pans have a lot to offer, but heat retention is one area where it struggles. The thinner construction, at 2.4 mm compared to HexClad’s 3 mm thickness, leads to notable temperature fluctuations.
In other words, these pans heat up quickly but can also overheat if you’re not careful. Also, when you add cold ingredients like burgers or steaks straight from the fridge, the pan loses heat. It takes time for the pan to heat back up, which can result in inconsistent searing.
I noticed this during my burger test. The first side of the burger got a crispy dark brown crust, but when I flipped it, the other side took much longer to brown. And while I waited for it to sear, the inside of the burger overcooked.
To understand these dynamics better, I conducted a heat retention test. After boiling two cups of water in the 12-inch Henckels Paradigm fry pan, I measured the temperature after 5 and 10 minutes.
The water cooled to 113°F after 5 minutes and to 96°F after 10 minutes.
I conducted the same test with a HexClad pan (and every pan I review), which is significantly thicker. As expected, HexClad retained heat better. The water was 120°F after five minutes and 102°F after 10 minutes.
As you can see in the result below, Henckels Paradigm has an average heat retention compared to the cookware industry — it’s not the best, but certainly not the worst. The key takeaway is that you need to pay closer attention when cooking with Henckels than with thicker pans like HexClad, Demeyere, and Made In because the heat fluctuates more.
Pan | Temperature After 5 Minutes | Temperature After 10 Minutes |
---|---|---|
Xtrema fry pan | 142°F | 113°F |
Made In stainless steel fry pan | 121.1°F | 106.6°F |
Demeyere Atlantis fry pan | 122.0°F | 106.3°F |
Made In non-stick fry pan | 120.2°F | 105.8°F |
Ninja NeverStick Pan | 130.5°F | 104.8°F |
Misen fry pan | 118.6°F | 103.4°F |
Zwilling fry pan | 121.1°F | 103.0°F |
Rachael Ray fry pan | 126.3°F | 102.7°F |
Goldilocks fry pan | 122.0°F | 102.5°F |
HexClad fry pan | 120.7°F | 102.4°F |
Circulon fry pan | 133.3°F | 102.0°F |
Tramontina fry pan | 118.5°F | 101.3°F |
Calphalon fry pan | 112.8°F | 101.1°F |
All-Clad D3 skillet | 111.6°F | 100.9°F |
Ballarini fry pan | 120°F | 99.9°F |
Heritage Steel | 120.1°F | 98.2°F |
All-Clad HA1 fry pan | 117.9°F | 98.1°F |
Hestan fry pan | 114.4°F | 98.0°F |
Sardel fry pan | 114.0°F | 97.8°F |
All-Clad D5 fry pan | 112.7°F | 97.3°F |
Henckels Paradigm fry pan | 113.5°F | 96.7°F |
Our Place Always Pan | 118.0°F | 96.7°F |
Demeyere Industry fry pan | 115.2°F | 96.6°F |
All-Clad G5 fry pan | 115.3°F | 96.6°F |
Caraway fry pan | 116.6°F | 96.4°F |
Anolon X pan | 114.1°F | 96.0°F |
Viking fry pan | 106.6°F | 95.9°F |
All-Clad Copper Core fry pan | 117.7°F | 95.5°F |
Farberware fry pan | 112.0°F | 95.4°F |
GreenLife fry pan | 119.0°F | 95.0°F |
Gotham Steel fry pan | 113.0°F | 95.0°F |
Anolon Advanced fry pan | 112.7°F | 90.9°F |
Pioneer Woman fry pan | 104.3°F | 90.9°F |
T-fal fry pan | 108.7°F | 88.0°F |
Induction Efficiency
Induction cooktops work differently than traditional gas or electric ranges. Rather than relying on hot burners or coils, induction uses electromagnetic fields to create electric currents directly in the pan itself.
Because of how induction cooktops work, the materials and construction of pots and pans significantly impact heating efficiency. I conducted a simple test to see how fast Henckels Paradigm cookware heats on induction.
I poured two cups of 55°F water into 8-inch Henckels Paradigm and HexClad pans, placed them on an induction cooktop, and turned both burners to high at the same time. Note: 248°F is the maximum temperature my cooktop could reach when both burners are on.
The HexClad pan was more responsive, reaching a simmer at the two-minute and 10-second mark and boiling at the five-minute and 30-second mark.
Water in the Henckels Paradigm pan started simmering after three minutes and boiled around the six-minute mark.
So, while you can certainly use the Henckels Paradigm line on an induction cooktop, it won’t heat as fast as its biggest competitor.
Rounded Handles
The rounded handles on Henckels Paradigm pans are comfortable. But unlike flat handles, they can rotate in your hand when you tilt the pan to slide food or pour liquids onto a plate. I’ve lost grip a few times from the handle twisting.
For example, let’s say you cook a sauce in the pan. When you go to pour the sauce onto a plate or bowl, you need to use two hands or grip the handle tight. Otherwise, the weight of the pan causes the handle to slip. Rotating isn’t a problem with flat handles because the edges provide a better grip.
Additionally, the handle has a polished finish. While it looks nice and shiny, the smooth texture makes the handle even more slippery. Handles with a brushed or textured finish are more secure.
During regular cooking like stirring with a spatula, the handle works fine. But be extra careful when pouring, sliding, or moving food.
Made In China
Henckels is a German company with a long history and reputation of producing quality kitchenware. However, the Paradigm cookware collection is manufactured in China.
Based on my testing, the performance and durability of these pans meet Henckels’ standard regardless of origin. However, I realize negative stigma still surrounds Chinese-made goods. If you only want to buy cookware made in the USA or Europe, this manufacturing detail may be a dealbreaker.
Related: My guide to the best cookware not made in China.
Selection
The Henckels Paradigm collection is currently limited to a 3-piece set. The set comes with 8-, 10-, and 12-inch frying pans without lids.
This limited selection is a downside if you’re looking for various non-stick cookware for different cooking needs. But, I believe a frying pan is the only essential piece of non-stick cookware. Saucepans and larger pots generally cook liquid foods that don’t stick anyway.
For those shapes and sizes, buying stainless steel cookware that will last forever is a wiser investment.
Unproven
While Henckels has a long-standing history of producing quality kitchen knives and cookware, the Paradigm collection launched in 2024.
Given the HexClad-like hybrid design, I expect these pans to last longer than traditional non-stick cookware, but the longevity remains unproven. There is no long-term data on how these specific pans will hold up over years.
Bottom Line: Are Henckels Paradigm Pans Worth Buying?
Now that you understand the pros and cons of Henckels Paradigm, it’s time to decide if cookware is right for you.
On the positive side, these pans heat fast and evenly, foods don’t stick when the surface is greased, and they sear meat well. They’re highly versatile pans that perform well on all foods.
Lack of heat retention is the one major downside. Because of its relatively thin construction, maintaining a steady temperature is difficult. Since they heat so quickly, you need to monitor food closely and ensure it doesn’t burn. And when you add ingredients and the pan loses heat, you need to adjust the knob to bring the temperature back up.
Bottom line — if you’re tired of non-stick pans that scratch easily and need to be replaced every two to five years, and HexClad’s high price has you looking for other options, Henckels Paradigm is a quality and much more affordable alternative.
Read my in-depth comparison of Henckels Paradigm vs. HexClad to learn more, or check Henckels’s current prices on Amazon.
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