HexClad vs. Caraway – which non-toxic cookware brand should you buy?

As someone who tests cookware for a living – and has the crowded cabinets to prove it – I know that not all non-stick pans are created equally. Some dazzle with design, others deliver on durability, and very few do both.

That’s why the showdown between HexClad vs. Caraway is such an interesting one. On the stovetop, they couldn’t appear more different: one looks like it belongs in a professional chef’s kitchen; the other could star on a minimalist Pinterest board. Both brands have devoted fan bases, and both claim to offer the best non-toxic cookware on the market. So, which one is worth spending your money on?

Last month, I wrote an in-depth HexClad cookware review, and I've spent the past few weeks cooking with Caraway's best-selling frying pan to differentiate them on performance and style. After hours of sautéing, searing, simmering, and hand-washing, here's my take on the HexClad vs Caraway debate – and which brand is the best buy in the upcoming Amazon Prime Day sales.

HexClad vs. Caraway: at a glance

You'll find the details from every test below, but here are the headlines of HexClad vs. Caraway. If I had to pick just one pan to keep in my kitchen, HexClad takes the win. It’s more versatile, more durable, and better suited to the kind of high-heat, flavor-packed cooking I love to do. Caraway may look prettier, and it certainly earns its place in a modern kitchen, but HexClad is the one that keeps up with my recipes.

Materials & design

First, let's look at HexClad. The design is famous for the unique honeycomb surface, which includes laser‑etched peaks of stainless steel with valleys of ceramic non-stick coating, layered over an aluminum core. The stainless steel provides robust searing power, and the ceramic brings non-stick ease, without Teflon or PFAS chemicals. The materials can also withstand extremely high temperatures, spanning up to 900°F in the oven. You can add a tight-sealing, glass lid for simmering with visibility.

Caraway opts for a 100% ceramic coating, layered over cast aluminum core with a stainless steel handle. The overall build is more lightweight and I actually prefer Caraway's handle; it feels more comfortable in my small hands. The coating is smooth and completely non‑toxic, and the aluminum core ensures quick, even heat distribution. Finally, Caraway comes in a range of pretty colors that’ll brighten your kitchen, but the material can only withstand temperatures up to 550°F, so it isn't as versatile. You can also add a glass lid for an extra $55 at Caraway.

Winner: HexClad incorporates stainless steel for better searing and temperature versatility, but I do appreciate Caraway's lightweight design and colorful options.

Cooking performance

As you might have guessed from the difference in materials, there is quite a contrast in performance. HexClad is much better for any ingredient that needs real heat. I’ve seared steaks to a perfect crust, crisped up chicken skin-side down without sticking, and even popped the pan straight into the oven to finish off a frittata.

The hybrid surface really does live up to the hype. It delivers that golden-brown Maillard reaction that food lovers (and science nerds like me) chase, all while releasing food more easily than you'd expect from a pan that is 100% stainless steel. You can also use a sharp, stainless steel turner (I swear by this one from Field Company) to get right underneath your food and flip it for a perfect finish, without risking damage to the pan.

Caraway, on the other hand, doesn’t quite develop that same sear. I tried browning mushrooms in it and ended up with soft, steamed slices instead of caramelized edges. It’s not a deal-breaker for most home cooks, but if flavor depth from browning matters to you, it’s worth noting. It's especially important when building sauces.

Caraway shines brightest in the everyday. Think eggs, pancakes, sautéed vegetables – anything delicate or likely to stick. The ceramic coating is incredibly slick when new, but you must avoid using metal utensils, as it will damage the performance over time.

Winner: HexClad is more versatile and better suited searing without sticking and building flavorful dishes.

Cleaning & maintenance

When it comes to cleaning, I couldn’t call an immediate winner between Hexclad vs Caraway – both are genuinely easy to clean after everyday use. Food residue tends to lift off easily with warm water and a soft sponge (I use this one from Williams Sonoma). Although both brands advertise their pans as dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is the better route if you want to preserve the non-stick surface.

HexClad feels more forgiving when it comes to deep cleaning. After charring some sweetcorn in the HexClad pan, I ended up with a stubborn layer of dark brown residue in the pan. Following HexClad’s cleaning advice, I made a paste of baking soda and water, gave it a gentle scrub, and then re-seasoned the surface with a light layer of grapeseed oil. The pan came out spotless, and the non-stick continued to perform excellently.

By contrast, Caraway doesn’t offer the same kind of recovery options. If the ceramic non-stick coating starts to degrade, you can use the same baking soda paste, but re-seasoning won't work. I’ve found that if you keep Caraway within its comfort zone, it holds up beautifully, but it’s less resilient when pushed beyond that.

Winner: HexClad wins by a whisper, since you can re-season the pan to restore non-stick performance. However, both pans are easy to hand-wash.

Price

Hexclad vs Caraway's pricing tells you something about the intended audience. HexClad positions itself as an investment piece – something a keen home cook might save for. At around $149 for a 10-inch pan, I personally think it is quite expensive, especially in comparison to brands like Le Creuset, which have similar price points and can become real heirloom pieces that increase in value when handed down the generations.

I suppose HexClad's cost reflects the complex construction, celebrity hype, the non-stick versatility and durability – each pan comes with a limited lifetime warranty. I have seen some experts predicting HexClad pans to last around 20 years, which is unheard of for non-stick.

A Caraway pan costs less, at around $110. It seems to be pitched at the cook who wants a good non-stick pan without worrying about harmful chemicals, and who doesn’t mind replacing it in a few years if necessary. It’s still quite expensive, but worth it if you want something that looks gorgeous on the stovetop and matches your kitchen aesthetic – without stretching to the colorful cast iron cookware that's made by the likes of Le Creuset or Staub.

Winner: Caraway is cheaper, but HexClad is a better long-term investment.

The range: beyond the frying pan

HexClad’s full range includes saucepans, sauté pans, woks, and even a lightweight Dutch oven that’s become a favorite of mine for one-pot family meals. Everything is built with the same hybrid material, making the collection feel cohesive and professional, but I wouldn't describe it as aesthetically chic. HexClad also makes Japanese knives from Damascus steel, and walnut wood cutting boards, which have just arrived in my test kitchen for trial.

However, Caraway offers a more comprehensive range, which includes cookware sets, plastic-free food containers, cutting boards, bakeware, wooden utensils, and more. Each piece is designed to match, with a range of pastel hues to choose from, which is ideal for anyone curating a functional yet beautiful, clutter-free kitchen.

Winner: Caraway offers an extremely wide range of kitchenware, bakeware, and food storage at accessible price points.

The verdict: which brand should you buy?

If you're a performance-driven cook who values flexibility, high heat, and long-term durability, HexClad is hard to beat. It does the job of a stainless pan and a non-stick one, and it can stand up to almost any cooking task, making HexClad the overall winner in the Hexclad vs Caraway tests.

But if you’re drawn to bright colors, lightweight construction, and you need a more accessible price tag, Caraway might be your match. It’s stylish and easy for everyday meals that don’t require a professional-grade finish. However, in my opinion, Caraway can't outperform or outlast HexClad, so it isn't such a great investment.

Having tested them both, I personally prefer HexClad's professional sear and sturdy build, but your choice really depends on your budget, kitchen aesthetic, and what kind of cook you are, or aspire to be.