ReviewHome & Garden
HexClad Review: Durable, Metal-Safe Hybrid Pans With Excellent Support — Use Fat and Moderate Heat
HexClad's hybrid pans sear beautifully, work on induction and survive metal utensils, backed by 7,100+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.6 / 5 and a lifetime warranty. They aren't as slick as pure nonstick, so cook with a little fat and don't blast them on high heat.
rating 8.1 / 10
8.1/10
- Best for
- Home cooks who want one pan family that sears like stainless and releases like nonstick, handles metal utensils, and comes with a lifetime warranty
- Price
- 12" Fry Pan ~$175–$199 / 12-piece set ~$699 (sale) / 14-piece set ~$740hexclad.com
The shortlist
04 PRODUCTS · PRICES CHECKED AUTOMATICALLY
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Our pick Best Overall Pick HexClad 12" Hybrid Fry Pan — ~$175–$199 $249 HexClad
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Best Value Set HexClad 12-Piece Set — ~$699 (on sale) $699
$999HexClad -
Premium / Upgrade Pick HexClad Deep Sauté Pan / Wok $189 HexClad
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Approach With Caution Using HexClad as Your Only Egg Pan $139 HexClad
How this works — Links to shops may earn FailleGlam a commission. It never decides what we recommend, the score, or the order. Prices are read from each shop and shown with the time we last checked. How we review →
01 Why We Reviewed HexClad
HexClad launched in Los Angeles in 2016 and became famous through its partnership with chef Gordon Ramsay. The pans use a tri-ply stainless steel body with a laser-etched hexagon pattern: raised stainless peaks protect a nonstick layer set in the valleys. The idea is stainless-steel searing, nonstick release and metal-utensil durability in one pan. They work on every cooktop including induction, handle very high oven temperatures (lids are lower), and come with a lifetime warranty.
The honest caveat is the coating history. In 2023 a class action alleged HexClad's original coating was wrongly marketed as "non-toxic" and "PFAS-free." HexClad denied wrongdoing and settled for a reported $2.5 million. It had already moved its range to a proprietary ceramic called TerraBond, marketed as free from PTFE, PFAS, lead and cadmium. Testers still recommend the pans, but with conditions: hand wash, cook with enough fat, and avoid very high heat. On Trustpilot, the main complaints are about food starting to stick after months of use.
02 HexClad at a Glance
At a glance
- Founded
- 2016 — Los Angeles, California
- Product Category
- Hybrid stainless/nonstick cookware, knives, cutting boards, accessories
- Price Range
- 12" Fry Pan ~$175–$199 / 12-piece set ~$699 (sale) / 14-piece set ~$740
- Ships To
- USA, UK, Canada, Australia and more
- Made In
- Manufactured overseas
- Warranty
- Lifetime warranty (against manufacturer defects)
- Return Policy
- Trial/return window on direct orders — check current terms
- Available At
- hexclad.com, Costco (select), Amazon, Williams Sonoma and more
- Review Count
- 7,100+ Trustpilot reviews (4.6/5, 85% five-star)
- FailleGlam Rating
- 8.1 / 10
03 What FailleGlam Found: The Honest Breakdown
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+01
✅ Excellent searing. The stainless peaks give a real crust on steaks, chicken thighs and scallops, which pure nonstick can't match.
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+02
✅ Metal-utensil and scratch resistant. The hexagon design protects the coating from tongs, whisks and spatulas.
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+03
✅ Works everywhere. Induction, gas, electric and very high oven temperatures, so one set covers every kitchen.
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+04
✅ Standout warranty support. Reviewers describe warranty replacements handled in a "remarkably smooth and stress-free manner."
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+05
✅ Even heating. Tri-ply construction gives consistent browning and "fantastic, reliable results for daily meals."
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−01
❌ Not truly nonstick. Eggs and delicate fish need oil or butter, and some owners say food sticks after a few months.
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−02
❌ Coating history. The 2023 PFAS lawsuit and settlement, now resolved with TerraBond ceramic, still worries some buyers.
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−03
❌ Premium price. A 12" pan costs about $175–$199, and sets run $700+.
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−04
❌ Care rules matter. Testers recommend hand washing and moderate heat for long-term performance.
Our readHexClad is a durable, versatile hybrid. It's not a magic nonstick pan, and buyers who understand that are the happiest.
04 Best HexClad Products Worth Considering
Based on testing and owner feedback, here's where HexClad offers the most value.
HexClad
HexClad 12" Hybrid Fry Pan — ~$175–$199
The single most useful HexClad piece. It sears, sautés, shallow-fries and handles weeknight eggs with a little butter. Start here before committing to a full set.
HexClad
HexClad 12-Piece Set — ~$699 (on sale)
Frying pans, saucepans and a stockpot with lids, often heavily discounted. It's worth it if you're replacing a whole worn-out kitchen, and the lifetime warranty covers every piece.
HexClad
HexClad Deep Sauté Pan / Wok
Testers loved the shallow-but-tall sides for dishes like shepherd's pie, and the glass lid for one-pan dinners. It's a great second piece after the fry pan.
HexClad
Using HexClad as Your Only Egg Pan
If you cook lots of eggs and omelettes with little oil, keep a cheap dedicated nonstick pan as well. HexClad works best with some fat.
05 What Buyers Are Actually Saying
A buyer on warranty support:
Handles warranty replacements in a remarkably smooth and stress-free manner.
Another on daily cooking:
Heat evenly and deliver fantastic, reliable results for daily meals.
On the concerns side, a buyer on sticking:
Ingredients continue to stick to the surface" after three months of use.
And one on coating wear:
Non-stick surface degraded after extended use and required frustrating follow-ups.
The pattern: 85% of reviews are five-star, mostly praising performance and warranty service, while complaints focus on food release over time.
06 HexClad vs The Competition
| HexClad vs The Competition | Our pick HexClad 12" | Made In Stainless 12" | Our Place Always Pan 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$175–$199 | ~$130–$150 | ~$135 |
| Quality / Build | ✅ Tri-ply hybrid | ✅ 5-ply stainless | ✅ Ceramic nonstick |
| Searing | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Food Release | ⚠️ Good with fat | ❌ Needs technique | ✅ Very good (new) |
| Metal Utensils | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Warranty | ✅ Lifetime | ✅ Lifetime | ⚠️ Limited |
| Unique Strength | Sear + release hybrid | Pro-grade stainless | Multi-function design |
| Best For | Do-it-all cooks | Serious cooks | Small kitchens |
07 Is HexClad Right For You?
Perfect For
Cooks who want one durable pan family for searing and everyday cooking, households that use metal utensils, and anyone who values a lifetime warranty.
Worth Considering If
You mainly cook eggs and delicate fish with little oil. HexClad works, but keep a dedicated nonstick pan too.
Skip It If
You want the slickest possible nonstick, prefer to put pans in the dishwasher regularly, or are on a tight budget.
08 FailleGlam Recommends
HexClad
HexClad 12" Hybrid Fry Pan — ~$175–$199
Start with the 12" pan. It shows what HexClad does best: searing plus easy release with a little fat. Season lightly before first use, hand wash, keep heat at medium, and register the lifetime warranty. Buy the set during a sale if you love it.
09 HexClad — Questions We Get Asked Most
Q.01Is HexClad worth the money?
For durability, searing and warranty support, yes. Just don't expect pure-nonstick slickness.
Q.02Is HexClad's TerraBond coating safe?
HexClad markets TerraBond as free from PTFE, PFAS, lead and cadmium. A 2023 lawsuit over earlier claims was settled.
Q.03Why does food stick to my HexClad pan?
Usually too little fat or too much heat. Use medium heat, preheat, add oil, and re-season if needed.
Q.04HexClad vs Made In — which is better?
HexClad for easier release with metal-safe durability. Made In for pure stainless performance at a lower price.
Q.05How does the HexClad lifetime warranty work?
It covers manufacturer defects. Owners report quick, smooth replacements through customer service.