Staub Stackable Set Review – This Genius Nesting Cookware Is Keeping My Small Kitchen Clutter-Free in 2026

I test cookware for a living, and over the past year, my kitchen cupboards quietly filled with around 30 pans. Moving into a tiny new city kitchen forced me to rethink. I needed to cut down, keeping only the most versatile high-performers for an effective clutter-free space.

So when a stackable set from Staub arrived for testing, just before my move, I was thrilled. If you are wondering how to choose the best cookware for a small space, this clever design is a big win. It combines low-stick, cast-iron, non-toxic cookware (I chose the fry pan, braiser, and cocotte) with a nesting design that saves cupboard space without compromising performance.

I tested the three-piece Staub Stackable Set on everything from delicate omelettes to chicken casserole. Aside from one extra-large non-stick wok I adore for weekly stir-fries, it’s now the only cookware I see myself using for the foreseeable future.

Staub Stackable Set: Specifications

Design & First Impressions

The Staub Stackable Set is designed for kitchens where space is at a premium. In the three-piece set, there's a 24 cm cocotte, sauté pan, and frying pan – and you can add a griddle with the four-piece set.

Each piece nests neatly, with a single universal lid that fits them all. Protective bumpers prevent scratches, so the pans stack safely, keeping cupboards and countertops clear and tidy. The glossy, majolique exterior wouldn’t look out of place in an open kitchen cabinet either; it is chic and nice to display.

Made in France from thick, enamelled cast iron, these pans feel built to last a lifetime (not just a stint in a small apartment!). The best cast iron cookware is known for distributing heat evenly and retaining it for longer, which is ideal for searing, browning, and slow-cooked dishes.

Cooking Performance

In my kitchen, I cook mostly fried egg breakfasts and family dinners, like pastas, risottos, and casseroles. This set handles all of my favorites beautifully.

First, the frying pan: it is small but well proportioned for two to three servings and handled everything I threw at it: fried eggs, French omelettes, sautéed vegetables, all cooked evenly, with no sticking or staining. It is as good as the best non-stick fry pans; I liked that I could use it without fear of chipping or flaking coatings.

The sauté pan is a little deeper, which works nicely for sauces, risottos, pastas, etc. I noticed the heat retention of the cast iron keeps cooking consistent, so sauces and braises bubble evenly from edge to edge.

I braised my mum’s classic chicken casserole, then everything emerged perfectly cooked – deep flavors, tender chicken, and crispy rice edges. I quickly sautéed garlic prawns in the frying pan, then added them on top, too. The slightly rough enamel surface gives food a beautiful golden texture on protein.

What I love most is the universal lid that fits onto each pan in the set. Staub lids are renowned for their interior spikes, which drip condensation back onto the food, so stews, casseroles, and braises remain moist and not dried out.

I also loved the large cocotte, which transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven, making it exceptionally versatile and space-saving. The same design is already featured in my guide to the best Dutch ovens. One note for stir-fry lovers: none of the pans are spacious enough to toss a proper stir-fry. If that’s a regular recipe in your weekly rotation, you will probably want a separate wok (I'm a fan of the HexClad one).

Cleaning & Maintenance

Storage is the name of the game with this stackable set. They nest easily and neatly, like Russian dolls, so you don’t waste space, and your cupboards stay clutter-free.

If you’re a fan of dishwasher-safe pans, these are hand-wash recommended, but rest assured: they only require a quick rinse to get clean. I used soapy water and a soft sponge; I wouldn't use anything too harsh. The hard-wearing black enamel interior is naturally thick and non-staining, but the. brand still recommends wooden or silicone utensils (personally, I use the Supoon I got from Amazon for pretty everything).

I left the pans on the side to dry before remembering you need to hand-dry cast iron cookware to prevent rust. Luckily, Staub uses a triple-layer enamel, so you don’t need to season your pans with oil. We have a guide on how to clean and care for every type of ccookware, if you need more guidance.

How Does it Compare?

I haven’t seen many options on the market like Staub’s stackable set, apart from Joseph Joseph’s non-stick nesting pans from Amazon. Our Living editor, Martha, wrote about these back in November – she got them for a similar reason to me, as she was moving into a small flat.

Personally, I prefer Staub’s stackable cast iron – it feels like an heirloom set, designed to be used, loved, and passed down for decades. The price tag is a little higher, but they will travel well with you throughout life (unlike non-stick coatings, which tend to last only 2-3 years).

I also compared Staub to Le Creuset. In the picture above, you’ll see the Dutch oven my mom has owned for 30 years. I personally prefer Staub for the dark, textured enamel (easier to keep looking clean and gets better textures on meat). You can also see that the three stacked pans are not much taller than one Le Creuset Dutch oven, which is handy.

Should You Buy It?

If you live in a small kitchen, love clutter-free spaces, or simply enjoy beautifully engineered cookware, the Staub Stackable Set is hard to beat. It’s versatile, reliable, and space-saving – exactly the kind of set that makes cooking feel effortless rather than a chore. And under $600, I think it's actually quite a good value. The only thing you might want to add is a spacious wok for stir-fries.

How We Test Cookware

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about the testing process behind how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we test each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

Having trained at a professional cookery school and worked as a food writer and recipe editor for some of the world's leading recipe companies, from Mindful Chef to Deliciously Ella, I do have exacting standards.