HexClad vs. Ninja NeverStick Cookware: 11 Key Differences

Are you shopping for pots and pans but can’t decide between HexClad and Ninja NeverStick?

HexClad is marketed as the ultimate all-purpose cookware, offering the convenience of non-stick and the durability and searing power of stainless steel.

Although Ninja is best known for its air fryers, blenders, and other small appliances, its NeverStick cookware collection is gaining attention due to claims that the coating won’t scratch, chip, or flake.

So which brand should you buy? What are the key differences?

In this comparison, you’ll learn how HexClad and Ninja NeverStick cookware differs in materials, design, performance, warranty, price, and much more. 

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Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• HexClad vs. Ninja NeverStick: Key Takeaways
• Difference 1: Cooking Surface
• Difference 2: Product Offerings
• Difference 3: Finish and Colors
• Difference 4: Handles
• Difference 5: Cooking Performance
• Difference 6: Heat Conduction and Retention
• Difference 7: Oven-Safe Temperature
• Difference 8: Company History
• Difference 9: Downsides
• Difference 10: Price
• Difference 11: Warranty
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy HexClad or Ninja NeverStick?

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Difference 1: Cooking Surface

One of the most significant differences between HexClad and Ninja NeverStick pans is their cooking surfaces.

HexClad’s cooking surface features laser-etched steel hexagons that extend up the sides, with a steel band wrapping around the rim.

This design isn’t just for looks; it serves an essential function. The stainless steel “peaks” protect the non-stick “valleys” from wear and tear. So if you drag metal utensils, like tongs and spatulas, across the surface, the non-stick coating remains untouched.

In 2024, HexClad updated its non-stick coating to TerraBond, a PTFE-free ceramic coating that offers the same slick surface but without the safety concerns linked to PTFE.

Ninja NeverStick pans are more traditional, sporting a PTFE (Teflon) coating on their cooking surfaces. But unlike most non-stick coatings that are heated only to around 900°F during manufacturing, Ninja’s coating is heated to 30,000°F.

This extremely high temperature bonds the coating to the aluminum underneath, creating a hard, durable surface.

And this extra step during manufacturing is why Ninja promises that its coating won’t stick, chip, or flake. Plus, the coating is safe for use with metal utensils, just like HexClad.

Difference 2: Product Offerings

When it comes to product offerings, HexClad keeps it simple. It offers a single line of 3-ply stainless steel cookware with its unique stainless steel and non-stick hybrid cooking surface.

You’ll find various pot and pan sizes catering to a wide range of cooking needs. They make woks, grill pans, griddles, and other specialty pans. If you’re starting from scratch and need a complete cookware set, HexClad offers plenty of options.

Ninja NeverStick diversifies with three main cookware offerings.

Premium cookware: This range features a 4.5 mm hard-anodized aluminum base and non-stick coating. You can choose from a variety of individual pots, pans, and complete sets.

PossiblePot and PossiblePan: These are all-purpose pans aiming to compete with popular multi-function cookware like the Our Place Always Pan and Perfect Pot. The PossiblePan is a 4-quart non-stick aluminum saute pan with a steamer basket and spatula. The PossiblePot is a 7-quart stock pot with a steamer basket and spatula.

If you’ve seen my breakdown of the cookware brands you should never buy, you’ll know I’m not a fan of these all-in-one pans.

They tend to be overpriced, and cooking everything in one pan often results in less-than-stellar outcomes. And, unless you only cook one-pot meals, you’ll likely need more than one pot or pan.

I understand that Ninja is trying to take advantage of the trend of all-in-one pans, but you’re better off buying a few pans that can handle each task better.

Nesting cookware: This collection is all about smart storage. The cookware sets are designed to stack, reducing clutter in your kitchen. The design and materials mirror the Premium cookware line but with a twist: the handles have grooves that rest on the rim of the pan beneath, preventing scratches and ensuring neat, straight stacks.

Difference 3: Finish and Colors

Every HexClad pan is black, accented by steel hexagons and a polished stainless steel rim around the top of the walls. This uniform look is part of HexClad’s brand identity, instantly recognizable in any kitchen.

Ninja NeverStick offers a few color options. The Premium NeverStick and Nesting cookware are black, inside and out.

However, with the PossiblePots and PossiblePans, you can choose from several unique colors, including:

• Sea Salt Grey
• Smoked Paprika
• Macaron Blue
• Vanilla Bean
• Army Green
• Cherry Tart

These color choices allow you to match your cookware with your kitchen decor or personal style.

Difference 4: Handles

Another area where HexClad and Ninja NeverStick differ is in the handle designs.

HexClad’s handles are made of polished stainless steel, which gives them a high shine and modern look. They’re round and angled for ergonomic comfort.

However, the rounded design can sometimes be tricky to handle, especially when your hands are greasy or wet. When you tilt the pan to pour, the handle can rotate in your hand, potentially causing a situation where it slips from your hand.

The handles branch out in a ‘Y’ formation at the base to help keep them cool during cooking and are securely attached with two rivets.

Ninja NeverStick opts for brushed stainless steel handles. These have a more matte appearance due to the brushed finish.

Unlike HexClad’s rounded handles, Ninja NeverStick features square handles for a more stable grip. Like HexClad, Ninja NeverStick handles also form a Y at the base to disperse heat.

One important point to consider is maintenance. The polished handles on HexClad may need more care to keep them looking nice, as smudges and scratches are more visible. In contrast, the brushed handles on the Ninja NeverStick are more forgiving when it comes to minor wear and tear and smudges.

Difference 5: Cooking Performance

I’ve been cooking with HexClad for several years and Ninja NeverStick for over six months; here’s how they compare in terms of performance.

HexClad is one of the most versatile cookware brands I’ve reviewed. Thanks to its hybrid construction, you can use it to sear and brown meats, fry eggs, and saute vegetables.

That said, the surface isn’t as slippery as traditional non-stick pans. With HexClad, a fair amount of oil or butter is necessary to prevent food from sticking.

Ninja NeverStick does a much better job cooking foods prone to sticking. Eggs, fish, and vegetables glide around the pan surface effortlessly. Although I like the flavor that oil and butter add to eggs, you don’t need it. I’ve cooked several eggs in an ungreased Ninja NeverStick pan without sticking.

When it comes to searing and high-heat cooking, HexClad is the clear winner. Its textured surface grips meat effectively, facilitating a better crust than Ninja NeverStick. The slick coating on the Ninja NeverStick doesn’t grip meat enough to get a desirable sear.

Don’t get me wrong; Ninja cooks meats evenly. But it doesn’t produce a crispy crust like HexClad.

Another downside of Ninja NeverStick pans is that the thinner sides heat up faster than the base. So if food touches the sides, you need to monitor it closely to ensure the edges don’t burn. Ideally, you’d leave plenty of room between the sides and the food, but that’s not possible with every meal.

Another advantage of HexClad is its flared rims, which make drip-free pouring easy. Ninja NeverStick rims aren’t flared, so sauces tend to drip down the sides and bake into the exterior coating if you don’t clean thoroughly.

One of the most noticeable differences between HexClad and Ninja NeverStick is the handles.

HexClad pans can be tricky to maneuver due to their rounded handles, especially when holding a towel or wearing an oven mitt. You need to grip the handle firming when pouring or tilting to prevent the handle from rotating. Ninja NeverStick hands are more squared and feel secure in my hand.

Overall, HexClad is versatile all-purpose cookware that performs well in various cooking scenarios. But if it’s the non-stick properties you value most, Ninja NeverStick is the better option. Both brands offer even heat distribution and impressive heat retention.

Difference 6: Heat Conduction and Retention

In addition to my hands-on tests in the kitchen, I also conducted two controlled experiments to measure the heat conduction (how fast and evenly it heats) and heat retention (how well it maintains heat) of HexClad and Ninja NeverStick.

In the first experiment, I poured two cups of cold water (55°F) into each brand’s pan and set them on high heat.

The HexClad pan began to bubble at one minute and 40 seconds, reaching a boil at two minutes and 30 seconds.

The Ninja NeverStick pan lagged slightly, with the first bubbles appearing at two minutes and seven seconds, achieving a full boil at two minutes and 49 seconds.

The bubbles in both pans were uniform across the cooking surface, which indicates even heat distribution.

Here’s how both brands’ heat conduction compares to several others I’ve tested:

Pan	Time to First Bubbles	Time to Boil
Farberware	1 minute and 2 seconds	1 minute and 29 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 minute and 39 seconds
Calphalon fry pan	1 minute and 45 seconds	2 minutes and 40 seconds
Pioneer Woman fry pan	2 minute and 2 seconds	2 minute 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 skillet	1 minute and 55 seconds	2 minutes and 55 seconds
All-Clad HA1 fry pan	2 minute and 12 seconds	2 minute and 58 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 minutes 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

The next experiment evaluated heat retention. You want a pan that can maintain a steady temperature as you add cold ingredients.

After removing the pans from the heat and letting them cool, I measured the water temperatures at five and ten minutes.

After five minutes, the HexClad pan had a temperature of 120.7°F, which dipped to 102.4°F at the ten-minute mark.

The Ninja NeverStick pan registered higher initial heat retention with 130.5°F after five minutes, dropping to 104.8°F after ten minutes.

So, while Ninja NeverStick took longer to heat, it held onto its heat slightly better than HexClad.

As you can see in the results below, both brands’ heat retention is above the industry average.

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
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 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
Demeyere Industry fry pan	115.2°F	96.6°F
Our Place Always Pan	118.0°F	96.7°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
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

Difference 7: Oven-Safe Temperature

HexClad pots and pans can safely handle oven temperatures up to 500°F. However, the tempered glass lids are only oven-safe up to 400°F.

Ninja NeverStick cookware is oven-safe up to 500°F, including the lids.

Difference 8: Company History

HexClad is a Los Angeles-based start-up founded in 2016 by Daniel Winer and Cole Mecray. After discovering the technology behind HexClad, they collaborated with its inventor to bring this innovative cookware to the United States.

HexClad’s direct-to-consumer business model and early adoption of digital advertising campaigns contributed to the brand’s rapid popularity. You can’t shop for cookware today without seeing HexClad ads, and they recently brought on celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as their lead spokesman.

SharkNinja, the parent company of Ninja NeverStick, has a much longer and more diverse history. The brand, initially known as Euro-Pro, was established in Montreal in 1994 by Mark Rosenzweig and his parents.

Today, SharkNinja is renowned globally for its SharkClean and NinjaKitchen household brands, covering a broad spectrum of products ranging from vacuums and air purifiers to kitchen appliances and cookware.

The NinjaKitchen brand is best known for its countertop appliances like air fryers, blenders, food processors, and multi-cookers. But they’ve recently expanded into cookware, kitchen knives, and bakeware.

Difference 9: Downsides

Before you buy HexClad or Ninja NeverStick cookware, consider these downsides.

HexClad Downsides:

Price: HexClad cookware doesn’t come cheap. This high cost might make you hesitate, especially since the non-stick material will eventually degrade and require a replacement, even with the stainless steel’s protection. The good news? Their warranty covers most issues.

Food Sticks: A common complaint is that food tends to stick due to the stainless steel component. To get the most out of HexClad, you’ll need to avoid high heat, season the pan now and then, and keep it very clean – basically, treat it like a stainless steel pan.

Prone to Warping: The first thing I noticed when I unboxed the HexClad pan was that its cooking surface wasn’t completely flat; it had a slight bow in the center. This didn’t affect the cooking process significantly, but oil and liquids flowed to the edges. The pan eventually flatted out after several uses. This minor defect, rarely mentioned in other reviews, raises questions about HexClad’s quality control.

Not Ideal for Searing: Although HexClad performs better than traditional non-stick pans like Ninja, its searing abilities still fall short of stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron. The hybrid stainless and non-stick coating prevents meat from sitting completely flat on the cooking surface and forming a nice crust.

Heavy: At four pounds, the 12-inch HexClad fry pan might feel a bit heavy compared to other pans like the Made In 12-inch Stainless Steel Skillet (three pounds) or the Tramontina Professional 12-Inch Non-Stick Fry Pan (three pounds).

Short Handles: The 12-inch HexClad fry pan comes with an 8-inch handle, which is shorter compared to the 9-inch handles of All-Clad Non-Stick pans. This means your hand will be closer to the heat, and it could start to get hot about 2 inches past where the handle forks.

Round Handles: Although the round handles feel comfortable, there’s a slipping risk, especially if your hands are greasy, wet, or you’re holding a towel or pot holder. While they work for most cooking techniques, you’ll need to be extra careful when tilting the pan.

Polished Handles: The polished steel handle looks great initially but tends to gather smudges and fingerprints. If you want it to continue looking new, you’ll need to give it a regular buff.

Unproven Track Record: HexClad is a newcomer to the cookware scene. While it promises durability, only time will tell if the unique hybrid construction lives up to the hype.

Ninja NeverStick:

Heavy and Unbalanced: Ninja NeverStick pans feel heavy and unbalanced due to their 4.5 mm base and hollow, lightweight handle. The handle doesn’t feel sturdy enough to support the pan’s weight.

Lids Don’t Vent: The lids don’t vent steam, so you’ll have to keep an eye out when boiling or simmering. Without proper venting, liquids can quickly boil over the side.

Food Sticks: Despite claims, the non-stick coating doesn’t perform flawlessly straight out of the box, partly due to its slightly textured surface. For instance, over-easy eggs may still stick if you don’t use any oil or fat.

Lacks Versatility: As classic non-stick pans, Ninja NeverStick is great for eggs and delicate sticky foods but not so much for searing meats like steak, salmon, and shrimp. Good searing requires the pan to grip the food initially, something Ninja pans can’t do.

Heats Slowly: The pan’s thick base (4.5 mm) takes a while to heat up fully. Based on my water boil tests, Ninja NeverStick conducts heat slower than the industry average.

Sides Get Hot: These pans are made of forged hard-anodized aluminum with thick rims, thin sides, and a thick bottom. Ninja claims this varied thickness improves heat distribution, but in practice, the thin sides heat up faster than the bottom. So, if you’re cooking food that touches the sides, it could burn or cook too quickly.

Difference 10: Price

HexClad is significantly more expensive than Ninja NeverStick. If you compare the 12-inch fry pans, HexClad’s price is more than twice that of Ninja NeverStick.

Compare both brands’ current prices at the links below:

• HexClad on HexClad.com and Amazon
• Ninja NeverStick on NinjaKitchen.com and Amazon.

The chart below shows the current prices of both brands on Amazon. Click the prices to learn more about each pot, pan, or set.

Difference 11: Warranty

HexClad cookware comes with a lifetime warranty that aligns with their longevity claims. However, delving into the details reveals some stipulations. The warranty primarily covers manufacturer defects, which means that if your pan arrives damaged, they will replace it free of charge.

I reached out to HexClad to better understand their terms, and they said the warranty is a performance warranty and would cover issues affecting performance, such as a scratched non-stick coating leading to food sticking, even years later.

Ninja NeverStick offers a 10-year guarantee on the non-stick performance of its cookware. That means they assure you the non-stick coating will not chip, stick, or flake under normal usage for 10 years.

However, the warranty doesn’t cover scratches, stains, or discoloration due to regular wear-and-tear if these don’t affect the non-stick properties. Additionally, damage caused by overheating above 500°F is not covered under their warranty.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy HexClad or Ninja NeverStick?

When choosing between HexClad and Ninja NeverStick, the two most significant factors to consider are performance and price.

HexClad sears and browns better than Ninja NeverStick and lasts longer due to its unique hybrid design. But Ninja NeverStick pans have superior food release, which is ideal for eggs. Plus, you could buy three Ninja pans for the price of one HexClad.

Bottom line — if you’re looking for a versatile, all-purpose pan, HexClad is a worthwhile investment. Its durability, even heating, and excellent heat retention make it suitable for a range of cooking tasks, from searing meats to flipping pancakes.

Ninja NeverStick is perfect for cook eggs or other delicate ingredients, thanks to its superior non-stick surface. But, if you go with Ninja, you’ll need to supplement with other pans, like stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel, for searing steaks and browning chicken.

If you’re ready to buy or want to read more reviews, check out HexClad on HexClad.com and Amazon and Ninja NeverStick on NinjaKitchen.com and Amazon to learn more.