Misen vs. All-Clad Cookware: 11 Key Differences

Are you ready to buy new cookware but can’t decide between Misen and All-Clad?

In this comparison of Misen vs. All-Clad, you’ll learn how their cookware differs in construction, design, performance, pricing, and much more.

By the end, you’ll have all the facts necessary to decide which cookware brand is right for you.

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Use these links below to navigate the article:

• Misen vs. All-Clad: Comparison Chart
• Difference 1: Construction
• Difference 2: Design
• Difference 3: Thickness
• Difference 4: Product Offerings
• Difference 5: Heat Conduction
• Difference 6: Heat Retention
• Difference 7: Induction Compatibility
• Difference 8: Oven-Safe Temperatures
• Difference 9: Company History
• Difference 10: Price
• Difference 11: Downsides
• What Others Are Saying
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy Misen or All-Clad?

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Misen vs. All-Clad: Comparison Chart

This chart gives you a quick view of the differences between Misen and All-Clad.

	Misen	All-Clad
Stainless Steel Construction	5-ply stainless steel with an aluminum core	3-ply or 5-ply stainless steel with an aluminum, copper, or graphite core
Non-Stick Construction	Aluminum with PTFE non-stick coating	Hard-anodized aluminum with PTFE non-stick coating
Product Offerings	Four cookware categories (one collection per category), kitchen knives, and kitchen tools	Seven cookware collections, kitchen electrics, bakeware, and kitchen tools and accessories
Offers Carbon Steel Cookware?	Yes	No
Induction-Compatible	Yes	Yes, except for Essentials non-stick collection
Oven-Safe Temperature (Stainless Steel)	500°F	600°F
Oven-Safe Temperature (Non-Stick)	450°F	500°F
Oven-Safe Temperature (Carbon Steel)	900°F (without silicone handles)	N/A
Metal Utensil-Safe	Stainless: Yes Non-stick: No	Stainless: Yes Non-stick: No
Where It’s Made	China	Stainless: USA Non-stick: China Ceramic non-stick: Germany
Company History	Launched on Kickstarter in 2015	Founded in 1971
Downsides	Heavy, no warranty, stainless gets discolored quickly	Costly, food sticks
Price	$$ (Amazon, Misen.com)	$$$$ (Amazon, All-Clad.com)

Difference 1: Construction

All-Clad and Misen both offer fully-clad stainless steel and non-stick cookware, but Misen has some additional options: carbon steel and enameled cast iron.

Within each cookware category, Misen only offers one collection, while All-Clad offers several.

For example, if you’re shopping for stainless steel cookware, Misen gives you only one option; All-Clad has several collections available, each with unique construction and design.

Even though Misen and All-Clad have some similarities in construction, there are several differences to consider.

Misen Stainless Steel

All Misen stainless steel cookware is fully-clad with a 5-ply construction. The core is a triple layer of aluminum and aluminum alloy sandwiched by a top and bottom layer of 18/10 stainless steel.

Misen Non-Stick

Misen non-stick cookware uses DuPont Platinum, a PTFE-based, PFOA-free tri-layer non-stick coating. Before the non-stick layer is applied, Misen uses a Plasma Primer — a titanium-infused layer that boosts the durability and abrasion resistance of the non-stick layers.

The body of the pan is 4.2 mm thick commercial-grade aluminum. The bottom features a bonded stainless steel plate that is compatible with any cooktop (including induction).

Misen Carbon Steel

Misen carbon steel pans offer the best of stainless steel, cast iron, and non-stick cooking.

First, it offers the quick, even heating of stainless steel. Then, it boasts the versatility of cast iron cookware while being lightweight and non-reactive to acidic foods. Finally, with seasoning, carbon steel mimics the easy food release of non-stick cookware.

Misen Enameled Cast Iron

Misen’s enameled cast iron Dutch oven boasts a four-layer premium enamel coating over a premium cast iron core. Each coat is fired separately to ensure evenness down to the millimeter. It features a large base diameter for ample room to cook, braise, brown, and sear.

All-Clad Stainless Steel

All-Clad, the brand that invented the process of bonded cookware, is known for its fully-clad stainless steel pots and pans.

The company offers 3-ply and 5-ply stainless steel cookware with alternating layers of aluminum and stainless steel.

One high-end stainless steel collection (Copper Core) uses copper to make it highly responsive. Another (G5) uses a graphite core.

With All-Clad, you have more options. Here’s the breakdown of each collections’ construction:

• All-Clad D3 (Amazon, All-Clad.com) — This collection features an aluminum core with a top and bottom layer of stainless steel. The aluminum core makes it very responsive to heat.
• All-Clad D5 (Amazon, All-Clad.com)  — This collection has a steel core with a layer of aluminum on both sides, finished with stainless steel on the interior and exterior. The thin steel core diffuses heat transfer, which makes this cookware heat slower but more evenly. It’s also more forgiving, so you won’t immediately burn your food if you accidentally turn the burner too high.
• Copper Core (Amazon, All-Clad.com)  — This collection features a layer of copper in the center, sandwiched by aluminum layers with a top and bottom layer of stainless steel. This construction is highly responsive to heat — more so than D3.
• All-Clad G5 (Williams-Sonoma.com)  — G5 cookware features a graphite core with a layer of aluminum on each side, encased by stainless steel on the top and bottom. Graphite is the defining trait of this collection; it’s 80% lighter than copper with even more heat conductivity. Of all the collections, it boasts the quickest heat response.

All-Clad Non-Stick

All-Clad offers complete lines of non-stick cookware. Plus, the stainless steel collections include some non-stick pieces.

So, if you’re looking for low-maintenance cookware, All-Clad gives you options.

All-Clad’s non-stick collections include:

• All-Clad HA1 (Amazon, All-Clad.com) — This collection is made with heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum, and a triple-layered PFOA-free non-stick coating. Like Misen non-stick cookware, this collection features a steel plate bonded to the base, making it induction-compatible.
• All-Clad Essentials (Amazon, All-Clad.com)  — This collection also features hard-anodized aluminum construction with triple-layer PFOA-free non-stick coating. However, it differs from the HA1 collection in that it doesn’t have the steel plate bonded to the base, and it’s more affordable.

Difference 2: Design

Misen has fewer design options than All-Clad, but both have features that you’ll find appealing.

Misen:

If you prefer a traditional, minimalist design, then Misen might be the better option. With Misen, you get a straightforward offering of stainless clad, non-stick, carbon steel, and enameled cast iron.

The signature brand color is a soft blue, and you’ll see it on non-stick and carbon steel pan handles. It’s also a choice for the enameled cast iron Dutch oven, although Misen offers four other colors: black, gray, red, and sage green.

Let’s get into the details of each option.

Stainless Steel

All Misen stainless steel pots and pans have a brushed stainless exterior. The brushed exterior contrasts with the polished stainless steel handles.

The edges of the handles are rounded for a comfortable and secure grip. Their hollow design allows heat to escape, keeping the handle cool on stovetops. The handles are secured by two rivets that protrude on the interior of the cookware.

Misen prides itself on offering a larger cooking surface than premium cookware companies. They feature wide, flat bases with gently sloping sides or rounded walls so you can get more ingredients in the pan.

Some cookware, like the saucier, comes with matching brushed stainless steel lids. For the lid-free skillets, you can purchase a universal cover. The oven-safe (up to 400°F) silicone lids come in multiple sizes and have an airtight seal with a pinch and release handle.

These lids also fit the non-stick and carbon steel cookware.

Non-Stick

The profile of the non-stick pans is similar to Misen’s stainless steel offerings. They feature wide bottoms for more cooking area and double-riveted stainless ergonomic handles designed to stay cool on cooktops.

But, with the non-stick pans, the handles are not rounded as they are on the stainless steel pans; they’re flat with a slight incline. You can also use the included heat-resistant, removable silicone cover to give it extra grip and make it easier to maneuver.

The non-stick skillets feature a brushed aluminum base and a triple-layer non-stick interior.

Although some brands feature non-stick cookware not suitable for induction, Misen includes a steel plate for induction compatibility and added durability.

Update: In 2022, Misen launched a new design of its non-stick cookware. The materials and performance are the exact same, but there are a few design differences. The new handles are rounder and don’t have a silicone wrapper, and the exterior features a ceramic coating.

Watch me unbox the new version of Misen’s Non-Stick Cookware in the video below. I also compare it side-by-side to the original Misen non-stick pan:

You can also watch this video on YouTube.

Carbon Steel

The carbon steel skillet comes out of the box gray, much like a dark, matte stainless steel. But it’s not designed to stay that way.

Over time, expect it to develop a dark brown patina. That is the result of seasoning and cooking with the skillet. In fact, the darker it gets, the better it performs.

The carbon steel pan handle is flat with an upward curve. Just like the non-stick skillet, Misen includes a heat-resistant, removable silicone handle cover.

The design of the handle protects you from the heat when cooking, and the added cover improves control.

The handle is attached by two rivets, the same as the stainless steel and non-stick pans.

One standout design feature is the height of the pan’s sides. They’re tall enough to prevent splatter but short enough to allow steam to escape so you can get a good sear.

Enameled Cast Iron

Misen’s enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are available in the exterior colors of black, gray, red, bright blue, or sage green.

The interior surface is light-colored, making it easy to see the browning progress of food.

It features wide handles, perfect for handling with bulky oven mitts.

Like Misen’s other cookware, the 7-qt Dutch oven features a large base to extend the cooking surface. On average, the Misen Dutch oven is one to two inches wider than comparable brands.

You also get a choice of a standard lid or a lid that transforms into a grill pan with an enameled exterior and a bare cast iron interior (giving you two pieces of cookware in one).

All-Clad:

All-Clad boasts various styles, giving you options to choose just the right look for your kitchen.

Across the brand, you’ll find double-riveted stainless steel handles, but the shapes vary depending on the collection.

The long handles on most stainless cookware and the HA1 collection are cup-shaped. Some home chefs find this design uncomfortable, but it prevents the pan from rotating when pouring by forming a lock grip. A round handle increases comfort but can rotate in your hand when tilting.

The long handles on the Essentials and G5 collections are more rounded.

The lids are stainless steel on the stainless steel collections and tempered glass with stainless rims on non-stick collections.

Stainless Steel

You can choose from brushed or polished stainless steel collections. Brushed stainless features a matte look and hides scratches, fingerprints, and smudges.

Polished stainless steel shows everything, but it is a more traditional look.

The Copper Core collection has a subtle and attractive copper ring along the base of each pot and pan.

Non-Stick

The hard-anodized non-stick offerings (HA1 and Essentials) have black exteriors. The walls of the pots and pans are thick.

The interiors are black with a smooth triple-layer non-stick coating.

The HA1 collection features a steel plate bonded to the base for extra warping resistance and induction cooking.

Difference 3: Thickness

The cookware’s thickness indicates how long it will take to get hot and how well it will retain heat.

Misen stainless steel cookware is thicker than All-Clad. Misen cookware is 3.0 mm thick, while All-Clad cookware is 2.6 mm thick.

The added thickness of Misen’s pans helps to retain heat better and distribute heat more evenly.

Keep in mind that thickness lends to the heft of the pan, so that must be considered.

To be clear, you can still maneuver the skillets of both brands with one hand if you desire, but Misen is noticeably heavier.

Difference 4: Product Offerings

If you want a variety of cookware collections, All-Clad is your best bet. The company offers seven cookware collections, as well as bakeware, kitchen electronics, kitchen tools, and accessories for home chefs.

Misen’s product lineup is relatively limited but caters to the home cook who wants a streamlined, simple offering.

Misen:

Misen’s cookware is categorized by pan material, not collections. So, you get options for 5-ply stainless steel, aluminum-based non-stick, carbon steel, and enameled cast iron (view all of these products on Misen.com and Amazon):

• Misen Non-stick Pan: Comes in 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes.
• Misen Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Comes in one size: 7-quart.
• Misen Carbon Steel Pan: Choose from 8-inch, 10-inch, or 12-inch pans.
• Misen Stainless Skillet: Offered in 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes.
• Misen Saucier: You have a choice of 2-quart or 3-quart sizes with matching lids.
• Misen Saute Pan: A 3-quart pan with a lid.
• Misen Rondeau: A wide, 6-quart pot with a lid.
• Misen Stockpot: A deep, 8-quart pot with a lid.
• Misen Roasting Pan: A long pan with shallow walls and handles on each side.

You can also buy cookware sets and cookware-knife bundles:

• Misen Starter Cookware Set: A 5-piece stainless cookware set that includes a 10-inch skillet, 3-qt. saute pan with matching lid and a 3-qt. saucier and lid combo.
• Misen Essentials Cookware Set: A 9-piece stainless set with a 10-inch skillet, a 12-inch skillet with lid, and a 3-qt. saucier, 3-qt. saute pan and 8-qt. stockpot with matching lids.
• Misen Complete Cookware Set: A 12-piece stainless set with a 10-inch skillet, 12-inch skillet with lid, 3-qt. saute pan and lid, 6-qt. rondeau, 2- and 3-qt sauciers with lids, and an 8-qt. stockpot with lid.
• Misen Chef’s Knife and Skillet Bundle: A 10-inch stainless steel skillet and 8-inch chef’s knife.
• Misen Cookware and Knife Bundles: Choose from Starter, Essentials, or Complete cookware sets and add on the chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated knife.

Over time, Misen will release more products. For example, the carbon steel wok is one of the newest releases. You can always check the Misen Labs section of misen.com to see what products are on the horizon.

Additionally, Misen offers high-quality knives and kitchen prep/maintenance tools to make cooking easy and organized. Check out my video review of Misen knives below to learn more:

All-Clad:

All-Clad has been in the cookware business longer than Misen. Over time, All-Clad has developed a more comprehensive range of cookware options, including a growing number of kitchen electronics such as slow cookers, waffle makers, and electric skillets.

All-Clad has seven cookware collections (view all of these products on All-Clad.com and Amazon):

• All-Clad D3: This 3-ply stainless collection offers two lines — Everyday and Stainless. This collection has the most variety, with over 50 cookware options, including stainless steel and a few PTFE-based non-stick pieces.
• All-Clad D5: This 5-ply stainless collection also has two lines — Brushed and Polished. Essentially, the construction of the cookware is identical except for the stainless steel finishes, although there are more cookware pieces in the Polished line.
• All-Clad Copper Core: A 5-ply stainless collection with a thick core of copper for excellent heat conductivity.
• All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized: A triple-layer non-stick collection with a heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum body and a steel disc bonded to the bottom for heat conduction and induction compatibility.
• All-Clad Essentials Hard Anodized: This collection features a 3-layer non-stick coating on a heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum base.
• All-Clad G5 GRAPHITE CORE: This 5-ply stainless steel collection is the only one All-Clad offers with a graphite core. It has the highest heat conductivity of all All-Clad collections and is lighter than other fully-clad options.

Difference 5: Heat Conduction

One of the most important attributes of cookware is how well it conducts heat. In other words, you want cookware that heats fast and distributes heat evenly.

To find out how All-Clad and Misen compare in this category, I conducted a quick test.

First, I poured two cups of cold water into an All-Clad and Misen pan. Then, I placed both pans on burners of the same size. Finally, I turned the heat on both burners to high and set a stopwatch.

The goal was to see which pan boiled the water fastest and distributed the heat more evenly.

Heat distribution is difficult to measure, but, typically, when the bubbles are uniformly dispersed across the cooking surface, that’s a good sign.

In some cases, the bubbles will concentrate on the edges or in the middle of the pan. That’s an indication that the pan has hot or cold spots.

The good news is that both the All-Clad and Misen pans displayed excellent heat distribution. The bubbles were completely even across the cooking surface. So, with both brands, you can expect even heat and consistent results.

That said, the pans didn’t heat up at the same rate.

With the Misen pan, bubbles started to form after 1 minute and 50 seconds, and the water came to a full boil after 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

With the All-Clad pan, bubbles started to form after 1 minute and 55 seconds, and the water came to a full boil after 2 minutes and 55 seconds.

I conducted the same test with several other brands’ pans to get a benchmark. Here are the results: 

Pan	Time to First Bubbles	Time to Boil
All-Clad skillet	1 minute and 55 seconds	2 minute and 55 seconds
Misen fry pan	1 minute and 50 seconds	2 minute and 25 seconds
Circulon fry pan	2 minutes and 7 seconds	2 minutes and 55 seconds
Anolon fry pan	1 minute and 55 seconds	2 minute and 27 seconds
Made In fry pan	1 minute and 40 seconds	2 minutes and 21 seconds
Calphalon fry pan	1 minute and 45 seconds	2 minute and 40 seconds

As you can see, Misen was one of the fastest pans to heat up, while All-Clad was tied with Circulon for heating the slowest.

One major caveat is that I only tested the All-Clad D3 pan. Since the construction varies by collection, my results may have differed if I tested an All-Clad D5, Copper Core, or G5 pan.

Difference 6: Heat Retention

Another vital attribute of cookware is heat retention. You want cookware that can maintain its temperature.

Heat retention is especially important for searing meats. When you place a cold steak or burger on a pan, you want the pan to remain hot. Otherwise, you won’t be able to achieve a golden-brown crust.

To find out how the All-Clad and Misen’s heat retention compare, I conducted another test.

After recording the results of the heat conduction test, I took both pans off the heat and placed them on the counter. At the five-minute and ten-minute marks, I recorded the temperature of the water in both pans.

After five minutes, the water temperature in the All-Clad pan was 111.6°F. After ten minutes, the water temperature was 100.9°F.

After five minutes, the water temperature in the Misen pan was 118.6°F. After ten minutes, the water temperature was 103.4°F.

Although the difference was minor, it’s worth noting that the Misen pan retained heat slightly better than All-Clad.

I performed the same test with several other pans to see how Misen and All-Clad stack up. Here are the results:

Pan	Water Temperature After Five Minutes	Water Temperature After Ten Minutes
All-Clad skillet	111.6°F	100.9°F
Misen fry pan	118.6°F	103.4°F
Circulon fry pan	133.3°F	102.0°F
Anolon fry pan	112.7°F	90.9°F
Made In fry pan	121.1°F	106.6°F
Calphalon fry pan	112.8°F	101.1°F

The Made In pan showed the best heat retention, but Misen wasn’t far behind. All-Clad showed the second-worst heat retention, only behind Anolon. However, the water temperature in the All-Clad pan was within a few degrees of Misen, Calphalon, and Circulon.

Difference 7: Induction Compatibility

All Misen cookware is compatible with induction cooktops — even the non-stick options.

All-Clad’s stainless steel cookware and HA1 non-stick pans are induction-compatible. The All-Clad Essentials collection, which happens to be the most affordable, is not induction-compatible.

Difference 8: Oven-Safe Temperatures

Misen stainless steel cookware and the enameled cast iron Dutch oven is oven-safe up 500°F.

Misen non-stick cookware tops out at 450°F.

Misen carbon steel is oven safe up to 900°F without the silicone handles. With the handles, you can use it safely up to 450°F.

The Misen silicone universal lid is oven-safe up to 400°F. The stainless steel lids are not oven-safe.

All-Clad’s stainless steel cookware is broiler- and oven-safe up to 600°F. The ceramic non-stick and PTFE-based non-stick cookware is oven-safe to 500°F but not broiler-safe.

None of All-Clad’s stainless steel or tempered glass lids are oven-safe.

Check out this guide that includes more safety tips about cooking with All-Clad in the oven.

Difference 9: Company History

Misen is a cookware start-up, while All-Clad is one of the most established cookware brands in the world.

Here are some quick facts about both brands’ histories.

Misen:

Misen was launched in 2015 on Kickstarter. The founder, Omar Rada, was frustrated with the price and quality of cookware and kitchen tools. He founded Misen to offer premium options with thoughtful designs and quality materials at a more affordable price.

The brand started with a single offering: a Chef’s knife. Today, Misen offers a variety of knives, cookware, and kitchen accessories.

The start-up uses a direct-to-consumer model to cut out the retail markups, keeping the pans accessible to people who love high-end cooking without the hefty price tag. However, they recently started offering select products on Amazon.

All-Clad:

All-Clad was founded in 1971 by John Ulam, a brilliant metallurgist with a keen talent for metal crafting. He used his expertise in bonding metals in other industries and applied it to cookware. He is credited with inventing the process for manufacturing fully-clad cookware.

All-Clad is still the industry leader even though other brands use the same process Ulam invented to make their cookware.

D3 is All-Clad’s flagship cookware collection, representing where the brand started, but its new innovative collections (like G5) show how it has advanced over time to meet the demands of today’s chefs.

Difference 10: Price

All-Clad fully-clad stainless steel cookware is more expensive than Misen.

Here’s why:

• It’s made in the United States, and manufacturing costs are higher than overseas.
• It’s well-established and in high demand.
• All-Clad sells direct but also sells through third-party retailers who markup the price.

Misen cookware is made in China, so it has lower manufacturing costs. Plus, it only sells direct to the consumer (and on Amazon), which keeps costs down.

To compare All-Clad and Misen’s current prices, check out the following chart:

Cookware	All-Clad	Misen
10-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet	Amazon	Misen.com
12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet	Amazon	Misen.com
12-Inch Non-Stick Skillet	Amazon	Misen.com
8-Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot	Amazon	Misen.com
3-Quart Sauté Pan	Amazon	Misen.com

Difference 11: Downsides

Every cookware brand has its downsides. Let’s dive into the issues I’ve noticed with Misen and All-Clad.

Misen:

Where it’s made

Misen is made in China, and that’s a downside if you prefer American-made cookware or cookware not made in China.

Limited track record

Misen is a newer brand. Time will tell how long its products will last. You usually get a feel for a cookware company after it has been in business for at least a decade. That’s long enough to see how the products hold up.

Limited offerings

Misen doesn’t have many options. There is only one collection within each cookware category.

No Warranty

Misen offers no warranty on any of its products. It does offer a 60-day no-questions-asked guarantee, but it’s one of the few cookware brands that doesn’t fully guarantee its materials and craftsmanship for the product’s lifetime.

Limited purchase options

Misen is only available through Misen.com or Amazon. If you’re the type of shopper that likes to touch and feel the product before you buy, you don’t have that option.

All-Clad:

Uncomfortable handles 

Many customers complain that the handles feel too lightweight for the heft of the pans, and they also say that the cup-shaped design is uncomfortable. While I agree that rounder handles are more comfortable, the cup-shaped design offers more control when tilting and pouring.

Sticking food

Another common complaint about All-Clad is that food sticks. However, this issue is not exclusive to All-Clad. Food inherently sticks to stainless steel pans, but you can minimize it through proper culinary techniques like cooking at the correct temperature, properly heating and oiling a pan before adding food, and keeping the pan clean (watch this video to learn the proper way to clean All-Clad).

Expensive

All-Clad is one of the most expensive cookware brands. The fact is, cookware costs more to make in the United States. Furthermore, All-Clad uses high-quality materials. Premium stainless steel cookware can last forever, but it comes with a price.

What Others Are Saying

So what do experts think about Misen vs. All-Clad? Keep reading to find out.

On the Bob Vila website, All-Clad was named one of the Best Cookware Brands. It’s praised for its durability, variety, and innovation. The 10-piece All-Clad Essentials Non-Stick Set received the honor of being the Editor’s Choice.

Good Housekeeping recently named the 10 Best Non-stick Cookware Sets, and it’s no surprise that All-Clad made the list. The Essentials collection was chosen as the most versatile non-stick cookware. “Trusty All-Clad” was a top performer in Good Housekeeping cookware tests and reviewers loved the helper handles on each pan, as well as the square 13-inch pan.

The Spruce Eats rated the 11 Best Cookware Sets and gave All-Clad D3 Stainless top honors for being the most durable. The collection got accolades for even cooking, ease of cleaning, high-quality construction, and a lifetime warranty. On the flip side, reviewers thought the cookware was heavy and expensive.

The Strategist names the All-Clad Hard-Anodized Non-Stick 2-Piece Fry Pan Set as “the best non-stick deal you’ll find.” It was celebrated for its durability even after everyday use for a few years.

Epicurious recently chose a fully-clad Misen stainless steel set as one of The Best Cookware Sets from direct-to-consumer companies. In vigorous tests, the brand held its own against cookware giants All-Clad. The 3-qt. saucier got high praise for its performance. 

Architectural Digest listed The Best Cookware Brands to Know, and Misen made the cut. Misen’s offerings are described as “obsessively engineered and designed with care.”

The Kitchn tested the Essential Cookware Set from Misen and found the offerings useful and thoughtful. Reviewers were impressed by the comfortable stay-cool handles, steep-sloped sides, and the overall quality of the pans.

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

Now that you have the facts about Misen and All-Clad, one question remains:

Which cookware brand is right for you?

Before I give my recommendation, let’s review how Misen and All-Clad differ:

• Construction: All-Clad has more options than Misen in terms of fully-clad stainless, but Misen offers carbon steel and enameled cast iron.
• Design: With All-Clad, you get a choice of seven different collections, each with unique designs. Misen offers only one design within each type of cookware.
• Thickness: Misen cookware walls are thicker than All-Clad, making the cookware heavier.
• Product Offerings: All-Clad offers multiple cookware collections, kitchen electronics, bakeware, kitchen accessories, and tools. Misen offers cookware, kitchen knives, and kitchen tools.
• Heat Conduction: Based on my test, Misen stainless steel pans heat up faster than All-Clad stainless steel pans.
• Heat Retention: Misen’s pan showed superior heat retention. However, both brands performed well compared to benchmarks.
• Induction-Compatibility: All Misen cookware is induction-compatible. All-Clad cookware is also induction-compatible with one exception: the Essentials collection.
• Oven-Safe Temperatures: Misen stainless and enameled cast iron cookware maxes out at 500°F, while All-Clad stainless can be used in the oven or broiler up to 600°F. Misen’s carbon steel can withstand 900°F without the silicone handle.
• Company History: Misen launched in 2015 and is still a new, unproven brand, and they manufacture all cookware in China. All-Clad has been around since 1971 and is the pioneer brand of stainless clad cookware.
• Price: All-Clad is the pricier of the two. Misen is not cheap, but it is less expensive than All-Clad and perfect for those who want quality cookware on a budget.

Bottom Line — Misen is an excellent low-cost alternative to All-Clad, but if you have the budget, get All-Clad. It’s expensive, but the brand’s long track record of superior performance and durability justifies the price.

Plus, since All-Clad is known to last for decades (or longer), the cost of ownership over time is actually quite low.

Although I recommend investing in premium, fully-clad stainless steel cookware, you should save your money on non-stick.

No matter what, non-stick cookware will eventually need to be replaced, so don’t break the bank. Go with All-Clad Essentials or try Misen non-stick.

If you’re buying your first stainless steel set and are on a budget, go with Misen. It’s an up-and-coming brand that is quickly gaining popularity, and its cookware is thoughtfully designed and well built.

Although Misen cookware could last as long as All-Clad, the brand hasn’t been around long enough to know for sure.

If you’re ready to buy or just want to read more reviews and compare current prices, check out All-Clad on All-Clad.com and Amazon and Misen on Misen.com and Amazon.