We’ve tested both brands. Learn how Made In compares to Hexclad in terms of sustainability and performance.
Hexclad upped its game recently by ditching PTFE and launching a ceramic-coated version of its signature pans. How does Hexclad hold up against Made In, though? We compare these cookware collections, focusing on materials, durability, brand transparency, and environmental impact.
Hexclad vs. Made In
| Hexclad | Made In | |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | 3-ply stainless/aluminum core, hybrid lattice | 5-ply steel (with aluminum cores), carbon steel, enameled cast iron, copper PTFE on ProCoat pans |
| Coating | Terrabond ceramic non-stick (PTFE-free) – old Hexclad pans pre-2024 are made with PTFE | Ceramiclad ceramic non-stick (PTFE-free), and ProCoat (PTFE) |
| Third-party testing | None available | Yes, tested by Light Labs and shown to be free of PFAS, heavy metals, and BPA |
| Notables | Dishwasher safe, metal utensil safe, hybrid cooking surface, oven safe | Oven safe, tried and tested for 18-months without loss of non-stick |
| Very robust design with exceptional heat distribution | Not as strong | Yes |
| Manufactured in | China | US and Europe |
| Price for a 10-inch fry pan | $149 | $149 |
| Cookware recycling program | No | Yes |
| Color options | Black and stainless steel | Cream with steel or brass handles |
Hexclad materials
Hexclad’s newest line of cookware features its signature hexagon pattern raised stainless steel cooking surface. The pans all have three-ply construction, with aluminum sandwiched between stainless steel.
The big difference with the newer pans is that instead of PTFE, the non-stick surface is made with Hexclad’s proprietary TerraBond™ ceramic non-stick coating.
Hexclad isn’t transparent about the composition of its coating and doesn’t provide any third-party safety testing.
Made In materials
One of our favorite brands at LeafScore, Made In offers professional-grade, non-toxic cookware that is a dream to use.
The Ceramiclad line, which we tested before its launch in mid-2024, includes various pan sizes and shapes. These all feature Made In’s proprietary ceramic non-stick coating. These pans have five-ply construction, comprising three layers of aluminum between two layers of stainless steel. This makes the pans exceptionally robust and great for even heat distribution.
Made In also offers cookware made with:
- Stainless steel (5-ply) without coatings
- Carbon steel
- Enameled cast iron
- Copper.
In this respect, Made In offers a much wider range of cookware than Hexclad. It also provides third-party test results showing that Ceramiclad pans are free from PFAS, heavy metals, and BPA.
Unfortunately, Made In still sells PTFE non-stick pans (its ProCoat line), which we definitely don’t recommend.
Hexclad durability
Hexclad marketed itself as a cookware brand with pans that even the toughest chefs could bang around with impunity. These PTFE pans seem to hold up well, in large part because of the three-ply construction, which was rare for non-stick pans.
The Hexclad hexagon lattice also appears to help protect the PTFE coating, or at least make it harder to see where it’s damaged and flaking away.
The same is likely true for the latest iteration of Hexclad’s pans without PTFE. The lattice can help protect the ceramic coating, and the three-ply construction means the pans are less likely to warp, and you won’t be exposed to aluminum if the coating does start to chip.
Technically, you can use metal utensils when cooking with Hexclad pans. However, these kinds of utensils can still scrape the sides of the pan and cause damage, reducing longevity.
We’ve run the newer Hexclad pan through the dishwasher several times now and it’s still holding up well. Typically, ceramic-coated pans are not dishwasher-safe. That includes Made In Ceramiclad pans, which you have to wash by hand.
Given Hexclad’s ceramic-coated pans have only been around for a year or so, it’s hard to tell how long they’ll last. We suspect that, like most ceramic coatings, the pan will lose some of its non-stickiness within a year or two. Updates to come!
Hexclad still offers a lifetime warranty, but it’s important to note that this doesn’t cover wear and tear on the coating, making it basically useless except for manufacturing defects.
Made In durability
We’ve been using the Made In Ceramiclad large frying pan for nearly 18 months and it is still performing well, with no loss of non-stickiness and excellent heat distribution on all kinds of stovetops.
The coating has started to show some staining, but the pan still looks great and has proven surprisingly resistant to chips and scratches. And, even if it does get scratched, the 5-ply design means no exposure to aluminum below.
We expected to see some loss of non-stick by now, as was the case with the Always Pan from Our Place and others we have tried in the past. The overall quality of the Made In pan really shines through now it’s a little older, though. The riveted handle has never wobbled, and the pan still performs beautifully long after lesser pans would have bit the dust.
Hexclad performance
While some folks complain that Hexclad’s lattice design makes it tricky to cook eggs or other delicate foods, we’ve actually found it’s quite easy, if you use a bit of oil.
Sure, these pans don’t give you the sear you can expect from a smooth surface non-stick pan, but they do make for quick and easy cooking.
The Hexclad pans are also easy to maneuver, well balanced, and resistant to being banged around a bit. They’re easier to store, too, given the protective lattice.
Made In performance
Made In’s Ceramiclad pan is fun to cook with, well balanced, and not all that heavy, despite the 5-ply construction.
These pans are also robust enough to stay still on the stove and resist some banging around. The non-stick surface is impressively non-stick even after 18 months, and the pan is easy to clean by hand.
The biggest risk with this pan is overheating. We never use it at anything more than a medium temperature and typically err on the side of low to medium heat. Otherwise, it heats up very fast, retains heat longer than you might expect, and can easily burn food, making it harder to clean.
We’ve used the Ceramiclad pan in the oven a few times to finish off a soccatata or to keep food warm. We never put it in at a temperature higher than about 375 F, though it is oven safe to 550 F.
Transparency
Hexclad has yet to publish any third-party testing to show its newest pans are non-toxic. There’s also no lifecycle analysis or details on manufacturing processes and environmental controls.
Seemingly, Hexclad pans are made in China, where working conditions, labor rights, and environmental regulations are less robust than in Europe and the U.S., where Made In makes its pans.
Made In also uses more sustainable packaging than Hexclad (though both still use some single-use plastics) and has an active cookware recycling program. Made In is also more transparent about its sourcing practices, though it’s disappointing that the company continues to make PTFE cookware.
The biggest difference between the cookware brands, though, is that Made In provides third-party test results from Light Labs. The results demonstrate that Ceramiclad pans contain no PFAS (forever chemicals), heavy metals, or BPA.
Final thoughts
We would still like to see greater transparency from both Hexclad and Made In for their ceramic coatings.
However, based on build quality, performance, and durability, Made In’s Ceramiclad beats out Hexclad’s new ceramic-coated pans. The company’s commitments to US and EU manufacturing, the robust warranty, and cookware recycling program are also laudable.
That said, if you like the aesthetic of Hexclad, this may be the pan for you, especially given the similar price point and relative newness to the market. The pan may not be quite as robust, but we’re certainly glad Hexclad finally went PTFE-free.