Anolon and Calphalon offer an array of nonstick cookware that target both home cooks and professional chefs. Both brands provide a variety of collections of different sizes to meet the needs of consumers. However, deciding on which brand to go for can be a tough choice if you don’t know their differences and similarities.
For that reason, I have made this in-depth comparison between two of the most popular nonstick brands Calphalon and Anolon.
Introducing Calphalon
Calphalon is owned by Newell Rubbermaid, which started producing hard-anodized cookware years before Anolon. They construct various kitchen tools and equipment that focus more on home cooks.
After mastering the way to create nonstick cookware, they started to move more toward stainless steel by combining aluminum as the core with several layers of metals.
Pros of Calphalon Cookware
- Lightweight. The nonstick pans that Calphalon produces are known for their lightweight to be handled by anyone. This is ideal for those who wish to cook a lot of food at once.
- Robust build. Every collection feature an aluminum core that undergoes a hard-anodized process to improve the durability of the cookware to withstand the heavy-duty use
- Excellent cooking performance. Calphalon uses high-grade metals in a unique formula to craft the interior for its nonstick collection which can deliver superior cooking performance than most standard brands.
Cons of Calphalon Cookware
- Expensive sets. Calphalon offers few cookware sets under $200. However, most of its high-end stainless steel collections exceed $600 and are not within the budget of average cooks.
- Replaceable over the years. Calphalon doesn’t offer a lifetime guarantee for their budget cookware. They are likely to start losing their qualities over years which is expected from the affordable price. However, you can still expect great performance for at least the first 5 years.
- Low heat tolerance. This brand is famous for its nonstick models however as great as they may be, they cannot tolerate high degrees. The majority of its cookware can endure temperatures around 400 degrees Fahrenheit while very few can get to 500 at max.
Introducing Anolon
Anolon is known as the pioneer in the making of hard-anodized nonstick cookware since 1986. From durability, longevity, to versatility and performance, their high-end pots and pans are designed to perfect every single nonstick aspect there is giving rise to reliable cookware that can serve the various needs of all types of cooks.
Pros of Anolon Cookware
- Inexpensive. Anolon craft several cookware sets within all price range. From low to high range, you will surely find a great set that suits your needs without breaking the budget.
- Superb nonstick quality. The way the interior is designed makes cooking and cleaning as easy as apple pie. The unique coating secures a smooth surface while ensuring high durability to allow the use of metal utensils as well as dishwashers.
- Robust cookware. Anolon’s pots and pans are constructed with different materials starting from hard-anodized aluminum to stainless steel in order to create reliable cookware with high durability that can handle the demands of a busy kitchen.
- Excellent performance. The construction method this brand follows creates cookware that can secure superb heat control with an even distribution to handle even sudden temperature changes.
Cons of Anolon Cookware
- Lack of compatibility. While the cookware sets this brand produces are oven-safe, most of them can only tolerate temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit while a small number of sets can reach 500 degrees. Not to mention that some of their collections are not designed for induction cooktops.
- Multi-clad construction. Anolon does excellent work in creating hard-anodized nonstick cookware. However, when it comes to the multi-clad category they fall a bit short compared to All-Clad and Vikings.
- Not great handles design. I didn’t like the way they design the handles for their pans. Depending on the cookware, some handles may fail to deliver the full protection of burn while some may not be completely fit for everyone to use due to the length.
Calphalon vs Anolon: Differences and Similarities
Calphalon and Anolon earned their reputation in fabricating remarkable pots and pans for our stovetops. They are direct competitors when it comes to nonstick cookware. Both brands offer a variety of collections that target beginners as well as professional cooks. While they may look similar at first glance, they have many differences than you can imagine. Here are the top five important distinctions between Anolon and Calphalon.
Material
Both brands present various cookware made from different materials starting from stainless steel, ceramic, to nonstick. While both use their unique formula to create smooth surfaces, the main difference lies in their specialties.
Calphalon earned its reputation thanks to its nonstick collections that provide superb performance. However, this company doesn’t rely simply on hard-anodized aluminum. It has a series of cookware sets made from numerous materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, and oil-infused ceramic which is recognized for its easy release and healthy cooking. Calphalon constructs every model to excel in a specific area, whether it’s heat control, nonstick quality, durability, or versatility.
Anolon on the other hand is highly known for its Autograph®2 Gourmet nonstick technology that secures a slick surface for all its cookware. That being said, every pot and pan features an aluminum core covered between layers of metals to enhance durability to an extent that it can endure heavy-duty cooking while maintaining a lighter weight to suit every cook.
Cooking Surface
For the nonstick models, Calphalon features either dual or triple-layered nonstick coating that’s PTFE and PFOA-free. The smooth coating permits you to slide even the most delicate food with ease. However, in order to improve the nonstick quality to its highest level, Calphalon started implementing the oil-infused ceramic for its ceramic collections which eliminate any need for using oil or butter.
As for Anolon, it has its signature triple-layered premium-quality nonstick which is known as Autograph®2 Gourmet nonstick. This technology serves to create a slick yet durable surface for all its pots and pans to prevent food from sticking thus making cleaning and cooking effortless tasks to do.
Design
In terms of design, Both brands provide multiple collections with different sizes and colors to match your kitchen design.
Anolon prefers the use of cutting edge for its cookware. The whole surface from edge to edge is nonstick which makes it easier for you to pour food on a plate or bowl smoothly.
Calphalon, on the flip side, is more straightforward with its design. A great number of its pots and pans are deeper with straight edges to contain more food while providing you the versatility you need to test out various dishes. Nevertheless, this design makes it a bit harder for you to pour food onto a bowl or plate.
Handles
Sadly for Anolon, they don’t usually add any stay-cool hand grips. However, they have their unique designs to keep the handles as cool to the touch as possible while cooking.
Personally, I don’t like much the way this brand designs and crafts the handles. Depending on the cookware, you will find some handles fail to secure the full protection of burn while some may not be totally fit for everyone to use due to the length.
Calphalon contrarily produces thick handles with a stay-cool ability that features thin double-riveted bolsters curving high over the cookware to improve the overall control and offer better support while decreasing the chance of heating up.
Price
Both Calphalon and Anolon offer affordable cookware sets for everyone. Most of their budget sets are under $300 so you are guaranteed to find the perfect collection for your needs. However, Calphalon's high-end cookware carries a heftier price tag since some of its collections can get beyond $700. Having said that, here are some examples of Anolon and Calphalon cookware prices:
- Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized 11-Piece Cookware Set: $300+
- Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set: $300+
- Anolon Advanced Tri-Ply 10-piece Cookware Set: $300
- Anolon Allure 12-piece Cookware Set: $400
- Anolon Smart Stack 11-Piece Cookware Set: $450
- Anolon Accolade 12-Piece Cookware Set: $549
- Calphalon Classic Nonstick 10-piece Cookware Set: $240
- Calphalon Simply 10-piece Cookware Set: $250
- Calphalon Premier Stainless Steel Cookware Set: $480
- Calphalon Premier Space-saving 10-piece Cookware Set: $570
- Calphalon Signature Stainless Steel 10-piece Cookware Set: $730
Anolon vs Calphalon: Cookware Sets Comparison
Cookware Brand | Cookware Set | Cooking Surface | Core Type | Induction Compatibility | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Cookware Set |  | Triple-layer premium-quality nonstick | Heavy-gauge Aluminum | No | |
Anolon Nouvelle Cookware Set |  | Brushed stainless steel | Copper | Yes | |
Anolon Smart Stack Cookware Set |  | Infinity Slide | Heavy-gauge aluminum | Yes | |
Anolon Accolade Cookware Set |  | Infinite Slide | Forged hard-anodized aluminum | Yes | |
Calphalon Classic Cookware Set |  | 2-layer nonstick | Medium-gauge Aluminum | Yes | |
Calphalon Simply Cookware Set |  | 2-layer nonstick | Medium-gauge Aluminum | No | |
Calphalon Premier Space Saving Cookware Set |  | 3-layer nonstick | Heavy-gauge Aluminum | No | |
Calphalon Premier Stainless Steel Cookware Set |  | Stainless steel | Heavy-gauge Aluminum | Yes |
The Final Verdict
Calphalon and Anolon offer inexpensive non-toxic cookware sets that can be afforded by anyone. Both brands follow their unique construction method to craft a variety of nonstick cookware that can live up to your expectation.
If you are on a budget and looking for a set that can deliver the best nonstick performance then I would suggest choosing one of Anolon’s sets. But, if you are looking for a more robust one that offers higher durability alongside the performance then I recommend one of the Calphalon premier models.