HexClad Vs. All-Clad – Which is Better Choice?

If you’re looking for top-quality cookware, you’ve probably come across HexClad and All-Clad. Both brands are known for their durability and performance. So, HexClad vs All-Clad which is the better choice?

With over a decade of hands-on professional cooking experience and home cooking, I’ve had the chance to use both brands. I have also dedicated years of research to compare different cookware brands. 

Here’s what I can say from my experience: both HexClad and All-Clad cookware are excellent choices. They’re both well-made and will last you a lifetime if you take care of them properly.

However, there are some critical differences between the two brands. Let’s take a closer look at HexClad and All-Clad to see how they compare.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Comparison Chart

Let’s discuss in detail now.

What is HexClad cookware?

HexClad is a new type of cookware that is taking the cooking world by storm. It combines the best features of stainless steel and non-stick cookware with cast iron’s durability. HexClad is new to the market and was created by Daniel Winer and Cole Mecray in 2016.

Gorden Ramsey calls it the “Rolls Royce of Pans”

The HexClad trademarked process produces a unique “hexagon” pattern on the cookware. This pattern not only looks great, but it also provides even heating and prevents sticking.

This patented hexagon technology is on the interior and exterior surfaces of the fully Clad cookware. I will discuss this in detail in the construction and design section.

What is All-Clad Cookware?

All-Clad is a well-known and respected brand of cookware that has been around for over 50 years.

All-Clad invented the fully clad cookware, which is a type of cookware that sandwiches an aluminum core, copper core or graphite core between two or more layers of stainless steel. This construction provides even heat distribution and prevents the formation of hotspots.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Construction and Design

The surface of the HexClad Cookware is made up of hexagon-shaped peaks of stainless steel and valleys of PFOA– free non-stick material. The non-stick is a high-grade, nontoxic Japanese coating infused with diamond dust. This hexagon pattern is a patented signature of HexClad.

HexClad is also tri-ply with a fully clad aluminum core that is sandwiched between high-grade stainless steel. The bottom stainless steel layer is magnetic, so HexClad can be used on Induction cooktops.

This design provides these key benefits.

• It prevents the formation of hotspots, ensuring that food cooks evenly. 
• It makes the cookware resistant to sticking and easy to clean. 
• The cookware is oven-safe and can be used on all types of cooktops, making it a versatile choice for any kitchen. 
• It allows the use of metal utensils.
• It allows perfect searing and deglazing.

With its combination of durability, performance, and style, HexClad cookware is a top choice for home cooks and professional chefs.

While HexClad has one construction design, All-Clad has many. They have tri-ply, 5-ply, 7-ply, copper core, graphite core and 3-layer PFOA-free non-stick series. 

HexClad has patented innovative hexagon technology surface design, and All-Clad has patented 7-ply construction.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Cookware Choices

HexClad has only one cookware series, which is the Hexclad Hybrid Cookware set. In contrast, All-Clad has multiple cookware series available depending on the construction design.

D3 Series: tri-ply construction with aluminum core

D5 brushed and D5 polished: 5-ply bonded construction with alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum for warp-free durability and supremely even heating that eliminates hotspots. You can get a polished or brushed finish.

D5 is also available with 3 layers of PFOA-free non-stick coating to ensure effortless release and clean-up.

Copper Core: 5-ply bonded construction with stainless steel, aluminum, and a thick copper core for fast/even heating, warp-free strength, and ultimate responsiveness.

D7: Patented seven-ply construction throughout the pan to deliver maximum evenness of heat for browning and searing. Four layers of stainless steel retain heat for ultimate energy efficiency.

G5: Its graphite core is 80% lighter than copper, making it easier to toss like a pro

And it is more conductive than copper, making G5 perfectly even for crisp, delicious browning.

HA1: Hard anodized aluminum exterior and magnetic base, 3 layers of PFOA free non-stick interior

Essential: 3 layers of PFOA free non-stick interior and heavy gauge hard anodized aluminum exterior

Fusiontec: thick steel core and PFOA-free natural ceramic finish 

All-Clad is a better choice when it comes to cookware choices.

Do you want or need a non-stick? If so, there’s an All-Clad for that. Do you want copper’s fast and even heat distribution but don’t want to spend the money on a full copper set? There’s an All-Clad for that too. With so many choices, it’s easy to find the perfect All-Clad cookware for your kitchen.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Handle Design

All-Clad is a well-known brand in the cooking world, but I found their handles uncomfortable. The pan weighs heavily, so when you lift it, the edges of the handle dig into your Palm.

The HexClad handle is round and big, which makes it more comfortable to grip.

HexClad has a better Handle Design than All-Clad

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Heat Conduction

Good and lousy cookware is often determined by how efficiently it can conduct heat. The test I conducted comparing the Hexclad 12” Hybrid Wok with Lid to All-Clad’s HA1 Nonstick Universal pan showed that both pots took about three minutes to boil water on a medium burner.

Then I used All-Clad Copper Core Saute Pan to run the same test, and it took just under two minutes to boil the same amount of water on the same burner.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Heat Retention

Hexclad cookware is made with an aluminum core that is sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. This construction ensures even heat distribution and prevents hotspots from forming. All-Clad copper core cookware is also made with stainless steel but has a copper layer in the middle. This construction provides better heat retention.

In my experiment, it was clear that the All-Clad’s D5 and Copper Core Series retained heat better than the Hexclad.

But if you compare the All-Clad’s Essential, D3, or FusionTec cookware ranges with the HexClad, HexClad retained heat better.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Oven Safe Temperature

All-Clad cookware series with non-stick surfaces and all HexClad are oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit which means they can be used for braising, searing and deglazing. The non-stick material of both is also PFOA free. Other All-Clad cookware is oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit

All-Clad is the winner here.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Dishwasher Safe

HexClad and All-Clad are dishwasher safe, although All-Clad is recommended to hand wash with soapy water as the dishwasher can discolor the stainless steel finish.

When it comes to ease of cleaning, HexClad is the winner here. Just pop it in the dishwasher, and you are good to go.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Metal Utensil Safe

Hexclad is metal utensil safe, whereas, with All-Clad non-stick, it is not recommended as it can damage the non-stick surface. With other All-Clad cookware series, it is safe to use metal utensils.

In fact, in this video, The CEO of HexClad used a metal spatula, pizza cutter and an electric egg beater on the HexClad pan to show how their patented hybrid surface design is metal utensil safe.

If we just consider the non-stick surface, HexClad is the winner because you can use any metal utensil without damaging the surface.

Fried egg test

I conducted a little experiment to see how well these cookwares performed in frying an egg. I used an All-Clad non-stick 12” fry pan and Hexclad 12” fry pan. I added some oil to both pans. Then I cracked an egg in each pan.

I noticed that with HexClad, the egg started to stick to the surface after some time. But with All-Clad non-stick, it didn’t stick at all. The egg just slid right off.

All-Clad is the clear winner here, as the eggs didn’t stick to the surface.

Induction Compatibility

If the cookware can be used on an induction stovetop then it is called induction compatible or Induction ready.

HexClad and all All-Clad cookware series except one are induction ready as they have a magnetic bottom.

I will consider it a tie, as both are induction compatible.

Seasoning Requirement

Seasoning is the process of heating oil or fat in a pan until it forms a coating on the pan. This coating protects the pan from rust and makes it non-stick.

All-Clad cookware does not require seasoning. HexClad cookware needs to be seasoned once before use.

All-Clad is the winner here, as it doesn’t require seasoning.

Warranty

Hexclad offers a lifetime warranty for its products, and all All-Clad products come with a limited lifetime warranty.

I will consider it a tie as both companies offer a lifetime product warranty.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Made in

Hexclad is designed in the USA and made in China.

All-Clad cookware is Bonded, engineered and assembled in the USA with the exception of All-Clad FusionTec, which is made in Germany and All-Clad HA1 Series and Essential Series, which are made in China.

Made in China doesn’t mean that low-quality cookware is being produced. Many high-end cookware brands use Chinese manufacturers to produce their cookware.

Both Companies claim to use high-quality materials and construction.

HexClad Vs All-Clad: Pricing

The price of the cookware depends upon the construction design and size. The 7-ply construction All-Clad D7 slow cooker, All-Clad G5 Saute pan, and Copper Core Cookware sets and pieces are on the expensive side.

The All-Clad Essential cookware range is the most affordable, followed by the HA1 Hard Anodized Aluminium D3 and D5.

Hexclad is also on the expensive side.

HexClad Vs All-Clad – Our Verdict

After testing and comparing both cookware brands, it is clear that both HexClad and All-Clad offer high-quality cookware. Both of them are significant investments and claim to last for a lifetime,

All-Clad has already proved its worth with its 50 years in business. While HexClad still has to prove itself in the long run.

Before giving my verdict I want to summarize

HexClad is a hybrid of stainless steel and non-stick and needs to be seasoned once. It conducts and retains heat well. You can use metal utensils on it, and it’s dishwasher safe. The maximum temperature it can be in the oven is 500F.

HexClad has limited cookware in terms of construction and design, and all are induction compatible. HexClad pan also failed the fried egg test, but it is still a good pan. It is made in China.

All-Clad has a lot of different pots, pans, and cooking sets. They come in different construction designs, most of which are induction compatible. All-Clad cookware conducts and retains heat well; some are many times better than HexClad.

All-Clad cookware can go in the dishwasher, but it is better to wash it by hand. All-Clad Stainless steel can handle temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not safe to use metal utensils on All-Clad non-stick cookware.

All-Clad cookware is made in America, China, and Germany. The All-Clad non-stick pan passed the fried egg test.

While both are excellent choices, the right cookware for you is ultimately a matter of personal preference.

In my opinion, If you want the best, I recommend All-Clad. It’s among many top cookware brands with an impeccable reputation and track record for superior performance – plus it has durable non-stick surfaces that are long-lasting compared to other non-stick in the market. All-Clad G5 pans have received the Good Housekeeping best kitchen gear award, Popular Science’s Best of what’s new Award, and some other All-Clad cookware sets are among the top cookware in the market.