Best Non Stick Cookware 2025

As for safety, the American Cancer Society, confirms that PFAS chemicals are barely present, if at all, in the final PTFE product coating your nonstick pan. Nonstick pans is safe to cook with if used correctly at moderate temperatures, below 400 degrees Fahrenheit (medium-low to medium on a stovetop range).

Both are excellent options, but ceramic cookware eliminates the need for PTFE coatings entirely—ensuring no risk of PFOA exposure. That’s why you’ll often see ceramic cookware labeled as “nontoxic.”

Additionally, ceramic coatings are harder and more heat-resistant than traditional PTFE coatings. Most companies advise their customers against heating ceramic-coated pans above 500 degrees — any hotter, and the ceramic coating could decompose.

Ceramic Cookware’s Drawback: It typically has a shorter lifespan than traditional PTFE nonstick pans.

According to the Cookware & Bakeware Alliance (PDF), “Conventional nonstick PTFE coatings provide very good release for a longer period of time.” Ceramic nonstick pans typically last about a year—often less—while high-quality PTFE pans can serve you well for 3–5 years. All of our picks are coated with much more durable PTFE than what’s considered entry level.

My Recommendation:
With proper care—avoiding scratches or damage to the coating—both PTFE and ceramic cookware are completely safe. However, PTFE nonstick pans last longer, making them the more durable choice in the long run.