Hestan NanoBond vs. ProBond vs. CopperBond: Key Differences Explained

Are you shopping for cookware but can’t decide between Hestan NanoBond, ProBond, and CopperBond?

Besides price, what’s the difference between these collections? Which should you buy?

In this comparison, I break it all down. You’ll learn the similarities and key differences between all three collections.

I also reveal the results of my controlled tests that prove which collection has the best durability, heat conduction, and heat retention.

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Use the links below to navigate this comparison:

• Comparison Chart
• Similarities
• Difference 1: Materials
• Difference 2: Design
• Difference 3: Durability
• Difference 4: Heat Conduction and Retention
• Difference 5: Non-Stick Performance
• Difference 6: Sealed vs. Exposed Rims
• Difference 7: Weight
• Difference 8: Oven-Safe Temperature
• Difference 9: Price
• Bottom Line: Which Hestan Collection Is Best for You?

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Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of Hestan’s NanoBond, ProBond, ProBond TITUM, and CopperBond collections. The chart displays the dimensions of each collection’s 12.5-inch frying pans.

Hestan Collection	NanoBond	ProBond	ProBond TITUM	CopperBond
Price	$$$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$$
Orgin	Italy	Italy	Italy	Italy
Materials	3-ply stainless steel with titanium nanolayers	3-ply stainless steel (aluminum core)	3-ply stainless steel (aluminum core) with non-stick coating	5-ply stainless steel (copper core)
Rim to Rim (in)	12.4	12.4	12.4	12.4
Cooking Surface (in)	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5
Height (in)	2	2	2	2
Weight (lb)	3.5	3.5	3.5	4.1
Thickness (mm)	2.9	2.9	2.9	2.9
Handle (in)	8.7	8.7	8.7	8.7
Oven Safe Temp	1050°F	600°F	500°F	600°F
Induction?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dishwasher?	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Flush Rivets	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sealed Rims	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Metal Utensil?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Similarities

Before I get into their differences, let’s quickly review the features that Hestan NanoBond, ProBond, and CopperBond pans have in common:

Where It’s Made: All three collections are manufactured in Hestan’s factories in the Bergamo and Bologna regions of Italy. Hestan owns and controls the entire manufacturing process, from design to construction to shipping.

Dimensions And Shape: The cookware pieces have identical measurements across all three collections. For example, the 12.5-inch frying pan in each collection has a 12.4″ rim diameter, 9.5″ cooking surface diameter, 2″ wall height, and 2.9mm thickness. The gently curved walls are shallow enough to easily slide food onto a plate and toss ingredients, while still being deep enough to prevent liquids from splattering over the sides.

Handle Design: Each collection features the same ergonomic handle design, with an upward angle, top groove, and curved bottom for comfort. A safety bump near the pan warns when your hand is getting too close to the heat. All handles have a large hanging loop at the end. In my opinion, the loop is unnecessarily large, so you can’t comfortably grip the end of the handle.

Flush Rivets: All three collections have flush rivets, an upgrade over standard protruding rivets that tend to collect grease and grime. While easier to clean, the seams around these flush rivets can still catch some food particles.

Cooktop Compatibility: NanoBond, ProBond, and CopperBond pans are compatible with all cooktops, including induction.

Utensil Safety: All three collections are safe for use with metal utensils.

Difference 1: Materials

Construction and materials are the main differences between Hestan NanoBond, ProBond, and CopperBond cookware.

NanoBond features 3-ply construction (3 bonded layers) with an aluminum core and a unique titanium-bonded stainless steel exterior and interior.

Michael Kane, Hestan’s cookware concierge, explained to me that the titanium is not part of the steel alloy like 316Ti steel used by brands like Heritage Steel; instead, it’s vaporized into ions and bonded to the pan’s surface in a high-heat vacuum chamber.

This process creates an ultra-thin coating, as thin as a human hair, which makes the surface four times harder than typical stainless steel. Hestan claims this ultra-hard surface is non-porous, less reactive, and virtually scratch-proof.

ProBond shares the same three-ply construction as NanoBond, but its interior and exterior layers are made of standard stainless steel without the added titanium coating.

Within the ProBond line, there’s a sub-collection called ProBond TITUM. These pans have the same base construction as ProBond but feature a 5-layer non-stick coating on the cooking surface reinforced with diamond particles and anchored to the pan using durable titanium plasma technology.

The CopperBond collection stands out with its five-layer construction. At its core is a layer of pure copper, known for its superior heat conductivity. This copper core is sandwiched between outer layers of stainless steel and bonded together by two thin inner layers of aluminum.

Due to copper’s higher conductivity than aluminum (the core material in the other two collections), CopperBond pans theoretically heat faster. I tested this, and you’ll see the results in a minute.

The key point is that each collection is built for a different purpose. NanoBond pans are the most durable and scratch-resistant, CopperBond pans conduct heat the fastest, ProBond TITUM pans provide the best non-stick performance, and ProBond stainless steel pans offer a more traditional stainless steel experience.

Difference 2: Design

While the shape and dimensions are consistent across Hestan’s collections, their visual aesthetics and finishes differ significantly.

NanoBond pans feature a highly polished, glossy, and smooth finish. The titanium-bonded surface gives these pans a slightly darker hue, appearing gray or even bluish in certain lighting conditions. When you run your fingers over the surface, it produces less noise compared to the other collections.

ProBond, in contrast, has a more traditional stainless steel look. Its interior and exterior have a brushed finish, complemented by a ring of polished steel around the top of the exterior.

CopperBond resembles a typical copper pan from the side. After bonding the five layers, Hestan strips away the outer steel and aluminum layers on the pan’s sides to showcase the copper core. However, they keep the steel bottom to maintain induction compatibility. This approach is similar to All-Clad Copper Core, but Hestan’s design features a larger copper cutout on the sides.

Although NanoBond and CopperBond’s polished finishes look stunning, they require frequent cleaning and polishing to maintain their beauty. Fingerprints and smudges are highly visible on these pans. ProBond’s brushed finish is the most low-maintenance.

The polished finishes of NanoBond and CopperBond offer a striking appearance but come with a trade-off: they readily show fingerprints and smudges. You need to clean them often to maintain their lustrous look. In contrast, ProBond’s brushed finish is more forgiving. It effectively conceals these marks and requires less maintenance.

Difference 3: Durability

Hestan claims that their NanoBond pans are four times harder than typical stainless steel, making them nearly scratch-proof compared to the ProBond and CopperBond collections. To verify this claim, I conducted two tests using NanoBond and ProBond skillets.

In the first test, I applied approximately 5 pounds of pressure and rubbed the rough side of a Scotch-Brite sponge on the inside of each pan for 10 seconds.

The ProBond pan showed a very noticeable rough patch of micro scratches, while the NanoBond pan was completely unscathed, even after repeating the test on a different spot.

For the second test, I used a serrated table knife, applying the same pressure and sliding it back and forth about an inch 15 times on both pans.

The ProBond pan showed a significant gouge, while the NanoBond pan did show a scratch, but it was noticeably less deep. I repeated this test on the bottom of both pans with similar results.

These tests confirm Hestan’s claims about NanoBond’s superior hardness and scratch resistance. However, it’s important to note that while NanoBond is more durable, it’s not entirely scratch-proof. You still need to be careful with sharp metal utensils.

It’s worth mentioning that minor scratches, like those from my sponge test, are primarily cosmetic and don’t impact the pan’s performance. However, if you want to maintain an impeccable appearance over time, NanoBond has a clear advantage.

While I didn’t test the CopperBond pan, its stainless steel interior is made of the same materials as ProBond and should behave the same in terms of scratch resistance. However, copper is softer than steel, so the copper exterior is more prone to scratches and dents.

Difference 4: Heat Conduction and Retention

I conducted several tests to determine which Hestan collection heats the fastest, retains the best, and distributes heat most evenly. Here’s a quick summary of each test’s methodology and results.

Water Boiling Test: I poured 2 cups of cold water into each pan and timed how long it took to reach a boil. CopperBond was fastest at 2:07, followed by ProBond TITUM (2:19), ProBond (2:45), and NanoBond (2:47).

Heat Retention Test 1: After boiling the water, I removed the pans from the heat and measured the water temperature after 10 minutes. CopperBond cooled fastest to 95°F, while ProBond TITUM retained most heat at 102°F. NanoBond and ProBond both cooled to 98°F.

Heat Retention Test 2: I heated each pan to 400°F, removed it from heat, then measured the center temperature after 5 and 10 minutes. Here are the results:

Frying Pan	Pan Temperature After 5 mins	Pan Temperature After 10 mins
Hestan ProBond TITUM	127°F	102°F
Hestan ProBond	115°F	105°F
Hestan NanoBond	134°F	106°F
Hestan CopperBond	127°F	104°F

Heat Distribution Test: I placed each pan on high heat and measured temperatures at the center, edge, and sidewall after 1 and 3 minutes. CopperBond heated most evenly and quickly, reaching 319°F at the center after 1 minute and 424°F after 3 minutes.

Frying Pan	Center (1 Min)	Edge (1 Min)	Wall (1 Min)	Center (3 Mins)	Edge (3 Mins)	Wall (3 Mins)
Hestan ProBond TITUM	265°F	259°F	241°F	411°F	394°F	344°F
Hestan ProBond	234°F	233°F	210°F	454°F	377°F	319°F
Hestan NanoBond	295°F	267°F	209°F	415°F	366°F	272°F
Hestan CopperBond	319°F	291°F	261°F	424°F	385°F	360°F

While all three Hestan collections heat evenly, CopperBond stands out with its thick copper core. It consistently demonstrated the fastest heating and cooling, offering superior temperature control. This responsiveness makes CopperBond ideal for precise cooking techniques requiring quick temperature adjustments.

If you don’t need such rapid responsiveness, you might prefer the NanoBond or ProBond collections. These pans heat and cool more gradually, giving you more time to adjust the temperature before food burns.

Difference 5: Non-Stick Performance

ProBond TITUM pans have the best non-stick properties across all Hestan collections due to their non-stick coating — that’s not debatable.

However, Hestan also claims that NanoBond pans are stick-resistant. When I talked to their product expert, Michael Kane, he told me that the titanium-hardened surface is completely non-porous. And because of that, food is less likely to adhere to it, similar to how paint doesn’t stick well to non-porous glass.

My testing confirmed that NanoBond does demonstrate slightly better non-stick properties than standard stainless steel pans. However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t perform like a true non-stick pan. You still need to preheat the pan and use oil or butter to prevent sticking.

ProBond and CopperBond aren’t as hard or smooth as NanoBond, so eggs and other delicate foods are more prone to sticking.

Difference 6: Sealed vs. Exposed Rims

Hestan’s collections differ in their rim construction, which impacts their durability and maintenance:

NanoBond and ProBond feature sealed rims that offer two key benefits:

• Safety: The sealed edges prevent the rims from becoming sharp over time, especially after repeated dishwasher cycles.
• Durability: This design protects against delamination, where the bonded layers of the cookware can start to separate at the edges.

Thanks to these sealed rims, you can toss your NanoBond and ProBond pans in the dishwasher without a second thought.

CopperBond, on the other hand, has exposed rims that are more vulnerable to wear and tear, particularly in a dishwasher’s harsh environment. As a result, Hestan recommends hand-washing CopperBond cookware to preserve its integrity and appearance.

Difference 7: Weight

CopperBond is the heaviest collection due to copper’s higher density. We can see a clear difference using the 12.5-inch frying pans as an example.

The NanoBond, ProBond, and ProBond TITUM all weigh 3.5 pounds, while the CopperBond weighs 4.1 pounds.

While this difference might seem small on paper, that extra half-pound can be noticeable during extended cooking sessions or when maneuvering a full pan.

The added weight of CopperBond provides some additional stability on the stovetop, but it’s also a consideration if you prefer lighter cookware.

Difference 8: Oven-Safe Temperature

Hestan’s collections vary significantly in their heat tolerance.

Thanks to its titanium-hardened surface, NanoBond can withstand temperatures up to a whopping 1050°F, making it safe to use on grills or even in pizza ovens.

ProBond and CopperBond both offer impressive heat resistance up to 600°F.

ProBond TITUM, however, has a lower limit of 500°F due to its non-stick coating, which can release harmful fumes if heated beyond this point.

Difference 9: Price

Hestan cookware is undoubtedly a premium product, and its cost reflects that positioning.

NanoBond is the most expensive, likely due to its innovative titanium-bonded surface. CopperBond follows as the second priciest option, which is unsurprising given the cost of copper as a material. ProBond TITUM comes in third, with its non-stick coating adding to the price. The standard ProBond collection, while still high-priced, is the most affordable of the Hestan lineup.

It’s worth noting that prices can fluctuate based on sales and promotions. You can compare the current prices across all collections on Hestan’s website and Amazon at the links below:

• NanoBond on HestanCulinary.com and Amazon
• CopperBond on HestanCulinary.com and Amazon
• ProBond TITUM on HestanCulinary.com and Amazon
• ProBond on HestanCulinary.com and Amazon

Bottom Line: Which Hestan Collection Is Best for You?

Choosing the right Hestan collections for you ultimately comes down to performance and price.

NanoBond is the crown jewel of Hestan’s lineup. It offers superior scratch resistance, better non-stick properties than CopperBond and ProBond, and unmatched heat tolerance. However, this exceptional performance comes with a premium price tag.

If precise temperature control and responsiveness are your top priorities, CopperBond is the clear winner.

If you’re looking for excellent stainless steel performance without breaking the bank, ProBond is a fantastic choice. It costs slightly more than competitors like All-Clad, Made In, and Heritage Steel but comes with upgrades like flush rivets and sealed rims.

The one collection I don’t recommend is ProBond TITUM. While its performance is undoubtedly excellent, the high price is difficult to justify for a non-stick pan. Despite its impressive 5-layer coating system, no non-stick surface lasts forever, so spending hundreds on a pan that will eventually need to be replaced is not worth it.

Ultimately, your choice should align with your cooking style, performance needs, and budget. Whether you opt for the top-tier NanoBond, the responsive CopperBond, or the value-packed ProBond, Hestan offers a high-quality option for every serious home cook.