What’s the Difference Between the All-Clad Cookware Lines?

When it comes to stainless steel pots and pans, All-Clad is one of the most recognizable names in the game. We've highly recommended their cookware in many of our tests, and we’ve used All-Clad’s pots and pans at home and in the test kitchen for years. Pretty much any Serious Eats staffer can speak to their durability and practicality. 

But with so many different products—and vague identifiers like D3 and D5—what’s the difference between All-Clad's cookware lines? We decided to break down the most popular lines we've tested.

First, Let's Talk About Ply

Descriptors you’ll see over and over again when shopping for stainless steel cookware are “3-ply” or “tri-ply” or “triply.” They all mean the same thing, which is triple-layered material. This is usually a sandwich of stainless steel with a layer of aluminum in the middle because aluminum is great at conducting heat but it isn’t exactly food-safe on its own. Some of our favorite All-Clad cookware, like the D3 stainless steel skillet, is tri-ply, and thus super responsive and quick to heat.

Thus, when you see a reference to “5-ply,” it should be no surprise that this means there are five layers of metal rather than three. In All-Clad’s case, they alternate layers of stainless steel and aluminum for added durability and even heat distribution. Because there’s more material, 5-ply pans are pricier and heavier. We've liked both kinds of pans, but think that tri-ply is often totally adequate in most cases and for most cooks.

The Two Major All-Clad Cookware Lines

The All-Clad D3 Stainless Line

All-Clad Stainless-Steel Fry Pan

$130 at Amazon $100 at Williams Sonoma $170 at Walmart

All-Clad Saucepan

$120 at Amazon $120 at Williams Sonoma $155 at Sur La Table

All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply 3-Quart Stainless Steel Sauté Pan

$215 at Amazon $180 at Williams Sonoma $176 at Walmart

All-Clad Stainless Bonded Cookware Set

$700 $659 at Amazon $700 at Williams Sonoma $700 $630 at Macy's

What it is: The All-Clad D3 Stainless collection is try-ply, as referenced by the D3 moniker. This means pots and pans in this line have three layers of metal: two layers of stainless steel and a layer of aluminum in between for conductivity.

What we think: This line performed exceptionally well in all our tests (even heating; great durability; nicely balanced), and many pieces are our editor's go-to cookware. The D3 stainless steel skillet is a longtime favorite for its incredible responsiveness and heat conduction, as well as its durability. Some of our favorite saucepans, saute pans, stockpots, and stainless steel cookware sets are also part of this line.

Key Specs

• Line includes: 28 products, plus 12 options for sets or pairs
• Layers: Three
• Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum
• Induction compatible: Yes

The All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Line

All-Clad d5 Brushed Stainless-Steel Fry Pan

$250 $229 at Amazon $150 at Williams Sonoma

All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set

$900 at Amazon $900 at Williams Sonoma $900 at Sur La Table

What it is: Stepping up to 5-ply construction, the All-Clad D5 series provides two additional layers and has a brushed finish. Given those extra layers, D5 pans are heavier than D3 ones. They’re more expensive, too, with D5 products starting $85 higher than those in the D3 Stainless line and going far beyond that, too. The D5 Brushed's 10-inch skillet is $250 compared to the $130 D3 Stainless.

What we think: When we tested a D5 Brushed pan as part of our stainless steel skillet review, we didn’t see enough difference in performance to justify paying more. We felt the same way about the D5 Brushed saucepan and cookware set when we tested them: they were nice to use, but not worth the added price over the D3.

Key Specs

• Line includes: 17 products, plus options for sets 
• Layers: Five
• Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum
• Induction compatible: Yes

Other All-Clad Cookware Lines

The All-Clad D3 Everyday Line

All-Clad D3 Everyday 3-Ply Bonded Cookware, 10-Piece Set

$1,160 at Zola

All-Clad’s D3 Everyday shares a lot of the traits of the D3 Stainless, but adds in some features that some may find more user-friendly, like handles that are rounded and indent-free (for those that have taken issue with the classic All-Clad handle). The 3-quart saucepan in this line also features a flared pouring rim (to minimize dribbling), which we have wished the D3 Stainless saucepan had as we poured brown butter, sauces, and soups out of it. Price-wise, the D3 Stainless and Everyday lines are also similar. For example, their 10- and 10.5-inch skillets cost $100 a pop, but the Everyday's doesn't come with a lid.

Key Specs

• Line includes: 7 products, plus 3 options for sets or pairs
• Number of layers: Try-ply
• Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum
  
• Induction compatible: Yes

The All-Clad D5 Polished Line

All-Clad D5 Stainless Polished 5-ply Bonded Cookware, Saute Pan with lid, 3 quart

$300 at All-clad.com

Yep, you guessed it: All-Clad’s D5 Polished line is just like the D5 Brushed, but with a polished finish. Again, this line's price is high—and we remain skeptical of the added performance benefits you'll actually notice/care about for the additional cost. However, we haven't formally tested anything from this line.

Key Specs

• Line includes: 24 products, plus 6 options for sets or pairs
• Number of layers: Five-ply
• Induction compatible: Yes

The Copper Core Line

All-Clad Copper Core 5-ply Bonded Cookware Set, 7 piece Set

$1,079 at Amazon $1,100 at All-clad.com

These pans are 5-ply and combine stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. The Copper Core line is meant to be ultra-responsive to heat changes (we’ve written about copper cookware and how it both heats and cools quickly). That said, since the All-Clad cookware we’ve tested is already heat-responsive, we’re not totally sold on this line’s added cost. For example, the 7-piece cookware set is a whopping $1,100 compared to the D3 set's (still whopping) $799.

Key Specs

• Line includes: 12 products, plus 3 options for sets
• Number of layers: Five-ply
• Induction compatible: Yes

The Graphite Core Line

All-Clad G5 Graphite Core Stainless-Steel Fry Pan

$180 at Williams Sonoma $200 at All-clad.com

If you're looking for a lightweight stainless steel pan that'll heat up lickety-split, then consider this newer line. Made with a graphite core, the 12.5-inch skillet weighs a mere two pounds, 14 ounces. That's nearly two pounds lighter than the D3 12-inch skillet—and with an extra half-inch of surface area to boot. This skillet is also sold in eight and ten-inch sizes and sports a rounded handle that's comfortable to hold.

Key Specs

• Line includes: 17 products, plus 2 options for sets
• Number of layers: Five-ply, with a graphite interior instead of steel
• Induction compatible: Yes

So, Which All-Clad Line Should I Buy?

Our tests continuously prove the All-Clad D3 Stainless line to be the best value for its performance, price, and durability. In fact, across all of our cookware reviews, it's the only All-Clad line we've recommended. If you're already spending a lot, you shouldn't spend more—especially if you won't notice performance differences. That said, if you feel like splurging, the All-Clad D5 is another solid line, as is the Graphite core line, which heats up incredibly fast.

FAQs

What's with the All-Clad handle?

Nearly all of All-Clad's cookware has the same handle that features an indent on the top that runs its length. Some people dislike it, preferring rounded handles that feel smooth to hold. However, we've found this indent has a purpose: it prevents the handle from rotating in your palm as you pour. It's also just a nice place to put your thumb for added leverage as you toss, pick up, and move the cookware. All that said, All-Clad has changed up some models, like their graphite core G5 series, adding rounded handles that are a bit more user-friendly.

How do you clean All-Clad cookware?

Always wash your All-Clad cookware by hand, and only after it cools down. While stainless steel cookware can go in the dishwasher, we recommend hand-washing it to preserve its longevity.

Are the All-Clad nonstick pans any good?

Really, the only All-Clad nonstick piece we recommend is the reasonably-priced HA1 nonstick skillet. We seldom use nonstick except for delicate things like cooking eggs or crepes—and think stainless steel is, generally, a much better investment. And because we don't recommend spending a lot on nonstick pans, that puts All-Clad's pricey Fusiontec skillets out of the running for us from the jump.

Can All-Clad cookware go in the oven?

All-Clad stainless steel cookware is oven-safe up to 600°F. Be aware that extended exposure to heat above 500°F may result in discoloration, but pan performance won’t be affected.

Does All-Clad work on induction?

All-Clad's D3, D5, and Copper Core cookware are compatible with induction cooktops.

Does All-Clad cookware have a good warranty?

All-Clad’s stainless steel products—including pots, pans, skillets, and cookware sets—are backed by a lifetime warranty. 

Why We're the Experts

• Summer Rylander is a journalist who's written for Serious Eats since 2022.
• We've tested and published numerous reviews on stainless steel cookware (including All-Clad).
• You can read our full review of stainless steel skillets here.
• Grace Kelly is an editor at Serious Eats.
• She's owned the 12-inch D3 stainless steel skillet for years and recently added the 12.5-inch G5 skillet to her collection.