I Overlooked This Popular Brand's Cookware for Years – I Finally Tried Ninja's Non-Toxic Set, and I Think it is a Sleek, Affordable Upgrade in Time for Thanksgiving

I have cupboards full of ice cream makers, glass air fryers, and blenders from America’s hottest kitchenware brand, Ninja, so I’m not sure why I’ve ignored their cookware line for so long.

I suppose it is because I'm a bit of a cookware snob. As a trained cook and product tester, I've spent the past two years hunting for the best non-toxic cookware. Sleek, aesthetic brands like Caraway and Our Place caught my eye on the ceramic-pan scene (and it’s not just me – they’ve gone viral), while pro-level searers from HexClad and cast-iron classics by Le Creuset always demand my attention.

Ninja may not tick the heritage or 'chic' boxes, but it does offer affordable ceramic cookware that consistently earns rave reviews online. The 10-piece set is currently just $149.99 at Walmart, so I decided to ask the brand to send over a few pans so I could put them to the test and share my honest review ahead of the busy hosting season.

Ninja Ceramic Cookware: Specifications

Design

First off, I was pleasantly surprised by the design of the Ninja Ceramic Cookware Set. It felt different from best non-stick fry pans I have tested, with a moody navy-blue exterior, cream ceramic surfaces, brushed stainless steel handles, and glass lids with steel holders. The matching set looked sleek on my induction hob and I'd be happy for guests to see them.

I was testing the trio alongside a very professional-looking Caraway stainless-steel sauté pan – which costs more than the entire Ninja set – and, surprisingly, they looked quite nice on the stove together. Ninja didn’t look cheap at all, which was my main worry.

Cooking performance

The beauty of ceramic cookware is that it’s naturally non-stick, which is perfect for tricky ingredients like eggs, tofu, halloumi, or sticky sauces.

Annoyingly, Ninja sent me a set that didn’t include a frying pan – I received the saucepan trio – so I couldn't try out pan-fried dishes, like gyozas or omelets. Instead, I decided to test out some delicate side-dishes I'm planning for Thanksgiving and some everyday recipes, too.

First, I sautéed carrot ribbons in olive oil and lemon zest. I was eager to see if the carrot would burn or stick, but the delicate peel slid around the pan effortlessly and caught a nice golden color. The result was lightly cooked, vibrant, and exactly what I was hoping for.

I also tried garlic green beans, which turned out just as well; they quickly turned crispy brown and tender, without the need for great pools of oil or butter, or cooking on a high heat for too long. I liked using the glass lid at the end for a steam finish, while keeping an eye on their color.

Over the week of testing, I also experimented with mixed vegetable egg-fried rice (no sticky mess at the bottom, and it cleaned up easily), stewed caramel apples (my current obsession), and scrambled eggs – all of which turned out beautifully. I also successfully reheated leftovers without experiencing and sticking or burning.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Ninja Ceramic Cookware is technically dishwasher-safe, but the brand recommends washing by hand. It takes less than a minute with warm, soapy water, and I always use these soft, non-scratch sponges from Amazon to avoid scratching the non-stick surface.

That’s an important point with ceramic cookware – it’s still delicate. Ninja's care booklet (see the picture below) says metal utensils are fine, but honestly, I’d steer clear of them. Even though Ninja calls this their 'Extended Life' cookware, which can last up to five years, it doesn’t feel especially hardy to me, so I’d handle it with care to get the best results. I recommend silicone instead, and recently discovered the Supoon kitchen tool, which is so versatile and won't scratch your cookware.

You also need to use pan protectors like these from Walmart or a kitchen towel between each piece when stacking in the cupboard; otherwise, the coating could chip.

Finally, remember not to leave ceramic pans on high heat – you can turn up the flames to boil water or to quickly sear for a couple of minutes, but nothing more than that. If you specifically want a pan for high temperatures, look at the stainless steel and cast iron options in my guide to the best non-toxic cookware, instead.

How does it compare?

I’ve also tested Caraway’s ceramic cookware, as well as Our Place and GreenPan’s, and I think Ninja is a strong contender. In all honesty, the other brands are nice, with chic designs, but when it comes to performance, there's not much between them. Ninja holds its own – and at a better price point.

The best ceramic cookware I've ever tested is still the Made In CeramiClad Pan. I think that’s the only option worth spending extra bucks on; the stainless-steel bottom gives you great control, and the surface feels more robust than any other competitor I’ve tried.

That said, there’s not a single pure ceramic pan I’ve tested that’s great for high-heat searing or safe with metal utensils. For those tasks, you need a hybrid option, like a HexClad Fry Pan – which can handle the heat and deliver non-stick performance, all in one.

Our verdict: Should you buy it?

For a non-toxic, budget-friendly everyday set, Ninja Ceramic Cookware is hard to beat. It looks sleek and works like a dream for sautéed vegetables, scrambled eggs, or anything that tends to cling. Just use medium heat, clean gently, and avoid metal utensils to keep that slippery surface intact. And it won't sear well, so serious cooks will want to keep a HexClad or stainless-steel pan in their arsenal for proper searing.