The holiday cooking season is upon us, and if you’re finding your pots and pans a bit worse for wear, now is a good time to take stock of the cookware in your kitchen.

Faced with a smorgasbord of cookware styles, materials, and prices—from cast iron and stainless steel to aluminum and copper—it’s wise to be well-informed of what the differences are and which are best for cooking various foods. One thing we learned is that you don’t have to pay a lot for top-performing cookware. In our tests, we found plenty of affordable sets and pieces that cook just as well as more expensive models.

Don’t have a lot of storage space? Not to worry. We highlight the cookware and appliances that will allow you to whip up a feast in 5 Essentials You Need in a Small Kitchen.

Cookware Confidence
Consumer Reports buys and tests stainless and nonstick cookware sets, Dutch ovens, and a variety of frying pans, including nonstick, stainless, cast iron, carbon steel, and copper. Undecided about which kind or kinds you want? Consider the information below before you start shopping.

Sets vs. Open Stock
Take inventory of the pots and pans you own to determine what has to be replaced or new pieces you’d like to have. Individual pots and pans—called open stock—are widely available. If you need to swap out only a scratched frying pan, open stock is a cost-saving way to go, and it’s the most common way cookware is sold.

If you decide that you want a new cookware set, make sure the pieces in the set you choose complement your cooking style so that you aren’t storing pans you rarely use.

What’s Cooking?
Think about what you cook frequently; this will influence your choice of pots and pans. For example, if you sear meat often, a cast-iron skillet facilitates even browning. Nonstick frying pans are best for scrambled eggs, pancakes, and delicate foods such as fish. And stainless is perfect for virtually any food that needs searing or browning. For a deeper dive, read The Best Frying Pans for the Way You Cook.

Though a good stock pot is great for soups or boiling pasta, if you like to cook stews or sauces low and slow, consider a Dutch oven. A Dutch oven can brown, braise, boil, and bake bread and moves easily from the oven or stovetop to your table. In fact, you can cook almost anything in a versatile Dutch oven. For inspiration, see Why Every Home Cook Needs a Dutch Oven.

Match Your Cookware to Your Cooktop
Last, consider how your new cookware pairs with your cooktop. Flat-bottomed pans that don’t warp are essential for a smoothtop range. Gas ranges are a little more forgiving, but you still want good contact between the bottom of the pan and the burners. Cookware with magnetic properties is a must for an induction cooktop. Bring along a magnet when you shop. If it sticks to the bottom, it’ll work with an induction range or cooktop. And in our ratings, we note which pans are induction compatible.

8 Reasons to Use a Dutch Oven
A great Dutch oven can bake, braise, simmer, and sear, with excellent results. You might consider using one instead of a variety of expensive countertop appliances. Here’s how.