Choosing between Hexclad and All-Clad can be confusing at the first glance. All-Clad provides high-end stainless steel cookware that is geared more toward professional cooks while Hexclad offers hybrid pots and pans with unique features that can suit every cook.
It is understandable if you are having some concerns. However, In this Hexclad vs All-Clad comparison, you will learn exactly the similarities and differences between these two brands, their pros and cons, and which one is superior in terms of performance, durability, and design.
Quick Summary
Feature | All-Clad | Hexclad |
|---|---|---|
Construction | 3-Ply and 5-Ply | 3-Ply hybrid |
Material | Stainless steel / Hard anodized-aluminum / Copper / Ceramic / Nonstick | Stainless steel / Aluminum |
Oven-safe temperature | Up to 600 degrees | Up to 500 degrees |
Induction compatibility | Yes (except for hard-anodized collection) | Yes |
Metal utensil-safe | Yes | Yes |
Dishwasher-safe | Yes | Yes |
Handle type | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Lid type | Stainless steel | Glass with a vent hole |
Number of collections | 9 | 1 |
Lifetime warranty | Yes (covers only defects) | Yes (covers only defects) |
Price |
Introducing Hexclad
Hexclad was founded by Daniel Winer in 2016. It was the first company to invent the hexagonal design where it combines clad stainless steel with nonstick technology producing hybrid cookware.
Hexclad is an American brand however it has a collaboration with several manufacturing partners who are specialized in the laser etching process within Asia, mainly in China and Korea.
Pros of Hexclad Cookware
- Hybrid cookware. The unique hexagonal design combines the durability and performance of stainless steel with the smooth quality of nonstick.
- Superb performance. Hexclad pans secure great heat control while providing an even distribution to cook food perfectly.
- Durable surface. The laser etching process creates a protective layer that can withstand the test of time while allowing the use of metal utensils during cooking. The stainless steel layer protects the cookware from flaking and peeling, therefore you can expect a long-lasting nonstick performance for decades.
Cons of Hexclad Cookware
- A little bit heavy. Hexclad pots and pans are a bit heavier compared to other nonstick brands making them a little bit uncomfortable for the average person. That’s to be expected from the tri-ply constructions.
- Discoloration. I have noticed after a few uses, discoloration started to happen on the sides which can be a bit difficult and tiresome to remove. However, this is only a matter of cookware appearance since the discoloration does not affect the performance at all.
- Separated lids. If you are planning to buy individual Hexclad pieces then get ready to buy lids separately as they don’t come together with the pans.
- Vent hole. The lids are designed with a vent hole that serves to release pressure. But, it can get in the way of perfectly steaming certain recipes.
Introducing All-Clad
All-Clad is known for its bonding or cladding construction that produces superb stainless steel collections which can easily cater to the demands of busy kitchens. All-Clad is a definite favorite among expert cooks since every piece is crafted to excel in both performance and durability.
Pros of All-Clad Cookware
- Different types of cookware material. All-Clad is recognized as the master of stainless steel cookware however, it started using a variety of materials to produce different types of pots and pans to match the tastes of its consumers.
- Long-lasting performance. This brand uses bonded sheets of high-grade stainless steel and aluminum as the core to create robust cookware that can endure even the harshest tasks in the kitchen without sacrificing performance.
- Lifetime warranty. All Tri-ply and Penta-ply cookware come with a lifetime warranty to prove how confident All-Clad is in its products. However, the warranty doesn’t cover wear and tear but only defects.
- Excellent heat conductivity. This brand combines different types of cores with layers of metal to improve heat retention and conductivity. The core varies depending on the cookware model. Sometimes it’s pure aluminum like in D3, or a tri-ply core alternating stainless steel and aluminum as in D5, and it can even be a pure copper core as we have already mentioned in the All-Clad copper core review.
RELATED: All-Clad D5 vs. Copper Core Cookware
Cons of All-Clad Cookware
- Expensive. All-Clad pots and pans are 15% more expensive than most cookware available in the market. Yet, taking into consideration the long-term cost of buying brand new budget pans from time to time, saving for All-Clad can be a wise decision.
- Lack of nonstick collections. Compared to stainless steel lines, there are fewer hard-anodized and nonstick models to choose from which makes your options a bit limited. Not to mention, some of the nonstick collections can only be bought locally.
- Hard to clean. It’s quite difficult to clean up All-Clad cookware due to the stainless steel surface. You probably will end up using a cleaner with boiled water and a scraper to wash your pans, especially if there is much gunk around the cookware.
Hexclad vs All-Clad: Differences and Similarities
All-Clad and Hexclad differences far exceed their similarities. There are notable distinctions in almost every aspect, whether it’s constructions, material, design, performance, or price. Without further ado, here are the top five points you need to know before choosing either brand.
Material and Construction
All-Clad focuses on 3-ply and 5-ply constructions where it bonds various metals together to create superb pots and pans that are designed to deliver the best cooking performance possible while securing the highest durability.
Every pan is built with a magnetic base therefore, you can expect great heat control and even distribution whether on gas stoves or induction cooktops. However, since the surface is pure stainless steel, cleaning by hand can be a bit difficult and time-consuming.
RELATED: Best Cookware for Induction Cooktops
Similar to All-Clad, Hexclad uses a Tri-ply construction with a hexagonal design to create hybrid cookware that can offer the durability and performance of high-grade stainless steel with a nonstick feature.
This hybrid technology consists of an aluminum core that’s covered first with a layer of ceramic nonstick coating, then a protective laser-etched stainless steel layer that’s made up of hundreds of tiny hexagons.
The aluminum provides quick, even heating whereas ceramic coating serves to add that smooth nonstick feature for easy cooking and cleaning.
The final hexagonal layer act as a shield to protect the coating while allowing the use of metal utensils and dishwashers.
Cooking Surface
All-Clad as I have mentioned earlier produces most of its cookware with the same stainless steel surface that has a brushed polish to enhance their nonstick qualities. However, while some collections have a three-layer of PFOA-free nonstick coating, it is still made with pure stainless steel thus, food can stick to the surface over time.
In order to ensure a complete nonstick quality, All-Clad designed new models which rely primarily on hard-anodized aluminum to create smooth surfaces instead of stainless steel. Read this HA1 vs B1 comparison for more information.
Hexclad on the other hand offer non-toxic cookware with great nonstick performance. The laser-etching process creates a durable nonstick surface that’s made entirely from ceramic coating free from any harsh chemicals.
The layer of tiny hexagons will protect the coating giving it the ability to withstand not only metal utensils but also dishwashers. Although, most of the time you wouldn’t really need to use the dishwasher due to how easy food comes out when handwashing.
Design
All-Clad focuses more on performance than appearance. Most of its products showcase a shallow design with inclined edges.
The shallow design reduces some of the weight obtained from the cladding or bonding process making every piece a little bit easier to carry by everyone. While the inclined edges facilitate pouring and sliding your cooking off the pan.
Hexclad prefers shallow sides with wide surfaces and grooved lip design. The shallow sides offer great evaporation which helps you get that nice brown look on your food, while the grooved lip makes it easy for drip-free pouring.
Unlike All-Clad, Hexclad lids are bought separately which requires around $50. That being said, the lids are designed with a vent hole to help reduce the boil-overs and release the pressure. This extra feature provides several benefits however, as I have described before, it can get in the way of steaming your food perfectly.
Handle
Both All-Clad and Hexclad don’t usually add any great stay-cool hand grips nor a helper handle for their cookware. They are quite simplistic when it comes to designing their handles.
Both brands craft long stainless steel handles that are secured with high-quality steel rivets to provide a comfortable, safe grip and to slow down the heat. Thanks to this design, the handle’s temperature will mostly remain around 75 degrees even when the cookware itself reaches 500 degrees.
Price
All-Clad mainly focuses on creating high-end cookware that can offer superb performance to satisfy every cook including expert chefs. Thus, it carries a heftier price tag than Hexclad.
Hexclad is leaning more towards crafting hybrid cookware sets at a reasonable price.
For a better understanding of the cost, here are some examples of Hexclad and All-Clad cookware prices:
- Hexclad Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Set: $330
- Hexclad Stainless Steel 7-Piece Cookware Set: $400
- Hexclad Stainless Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set: $700
- All-Clad Essentials 10-Piece Cookware Set: $400
- All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized Aluminum 13-Piece Cookware Set: $600
- All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set: $700 ($800 for the nonstick version)
- All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set: $800
- All-Clad Copper Core 10-Piece Cookware Set: $1450+
All-Clad vs Hexclad: Cookware Sets Comparison
Cookware Brand | Cookware Set | Cooking Surface | Core Type | Induction Compatibility | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hexclad Cookware Set |  | Mixture of stainless steel and ceramic nonstick | Aluminum | Yes | |
All-Clad Ha1 Cookware Set |  | PTFE, PFOA-free | Hard anodized aluminum | Yes | |
Hexclad Hybrid Cookware Set |  | Mixture of stainless steel and ceramic nonstick | Aluminum | Yes | |
All-Clad D3 Cookware Set |  | Mirror polish only | Solid Aluminum | Yes | |
All-Clad D5 Brushed Cookware Set |  | Brushed or polished | Bonded stainless steel and aluminum | Yes | |
Hexclad Hybrid Wok Pan |  | Mixture of stainless steel and ceramic nonstick | Aluminum | Yes | |
All-Clad Copper Core Cookware Set |  | Highly polished | Copper | Yes |
The Final Verdict
The key difference between Hexclad and All-Clad is that Hexclad provides hybrid cookware that can deliver high nonstick performance with great stainless steel durability, while All-Clad focuses on creating different types of cores to produce a variety of cookware that targets professional chefs as well as home cooks.
If you are looking for a mixture of stainless steel and nonstick cookware that can provide quick heating and is durable enough to last for decades then I highly recommend choosing Hexclad. However, if you are in need of high-end stainless steel cookware that can deliver the best cooking performance then go for All-Clad.