If you're leveling up your kitchen, you've probably come across Misen. They’ve become a favorite for home cooks who want pro-level kitchen gear without the professional price tag. Misen's direct-to-consumer model delivers sharp knives and durable cookware with a clean, functional design that’s hard to beat.
For those who love Misen's blend of quality, minimalism, and a fair price, there are plenty of other brands that hit a similar sweet spot. From classic German steel to innovative direct-to-consumer cookware, here are 19 brands like Misen worth checking out for your next kitchen upgrade.
1. Global
Famed for their razor-sharp blades and lightweight design, Global knives are a staple in professional kitchens around the world. These Japanese knives are made from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel, giving them a seamless, futuristic look that's also super hygienic. Their signature dimpled handle provides a surprisingly secure grip.
While Misen offers fantastic value, Global takes precision and craftsmanship to the next level, positioning itself as a premium tool for serious cooks. If you prioritize an ultra-light, nimble blade for delicate tasks, Global's distinct style and sharpness are worth the investment.
Shop now at globalknives.com
2. Victorinox
From the makers of the legendary Swiss Army Knife, Victorinox offers a wide array of durable and affordable kitchen cutlery. Their knives are known for being workhorses - reliable, easy to sharpen, and equipped with comfortable, ergonomic Fibrox handles that provide excellent grip. It’s no wonder they’re a common sight in culinary schools and restaurant kitchens.
Compared to Misen's performance-focused aesthetic, Victorinox is all about no-frills function and practicality. If you're looking for dependability and excellent value across a huge range of tools, from chef's knives to paring knives and peelers, Victorinox is a smart and time-tested choice.
Shop now at victorinox.com
3. Zwilling J.A. Henckels
With a legacy of German craftsmanship dating back to 1731, Zwilling is practically synonymous with high-quality knives and cookware. They are masters of forged steel, creating robust blades known for their exceptional durability, balance, and edge retention. While they offer various lines, their professional series is a top choice for serious home cooks willing to invest in heirloom-quality tools.
While Misen brings premium features to an accessible price point, Zwilling represents a step up into traditional, high-end cutlery. If you appreciate the heft and precision of traditionally forged German steel, Zwilling offers a lifetime of reliable performance.
Shop now at zwilling.com
4. Mercer Culinary
Mercer Culinary supplies tools to a massive percentage of culinary academies and food service professionals, which speaks volumes about their quality and durability. Their products are designed to withstand the rigors of a commercial kitchen, featuring high-carbon stainless steel blades and super comfortable, non-slip handles.
Like Misen, Mercer focuses on delivering professional-grade performance at a reasonable price. Mercer’s aesthetic is slightly more industrial and function-forward, making it a great option if you want reliable, restaurant-grade essentials without a designer-brand price tag.
Shop now at mercerculinary.com
5. Oxo
While Misen excels at knives and cookware, OXO is the undisputed champion of thoughtfully designed kitchen gadgets. From their iconic salad spinner to peerless vegetable peelers and measuring cups, every OXO product is designed with ergonomics and user comfort in mind. They identify everyday kitchen frustrations and create simple, elegant solutions.
Both brands prioritize creating better tools for home cooks, but their focuses are different. While you'd go to Misen for a core set of pans and knives, you'd turn to OXO to fill out your drawers with high-functioning utensils and prep tools that make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
Shop now at oxo.com
6. Wüsthof
Another titan of German knife-making, Wüsthof has been forging high-quality knives in Solingen, Germany, for over 200 years. Their knives are renowned for their impeccable balance, precision-sharpened edges, and classic, triple-riveted handle design. A Wüsthof Classic chef's knife is often considered a "knife for life."
Compared to Misen's modern, minimalist designs, Wüsthof offers a more traditional and prestigious tool. Both brands deliver incredible sharpness and long-lasting quality, but Wüsthof’s heritage and meticulous forging process appeal to those who see their kitchen knives as a long-term collection.
Shop now at wusthof.com
7. Lodge
For over a century, America's Lodge has been the go-to for durable, affordable cast iron cookware. Their iconic skillets, Dutch ovens, and griddles are celebrated for their incredible heat retention and versatility, capable of searing a steak or baking cornbread. They're nearly indestructible and only get better with age.
Where Misen offers sleek stainless steel and non-stick options, Lodge provides a more rustic, time-honored cooking experience. If you're looking for cookware that connects you to generations of tradition and offers unparalleled searing power, a Lodge skillet is an essential, budget-friendly addition.
Shop now at lodgecastiron.com
8. OXO Good Grips
While closely related to the main Oxo brand, the "Good Grips" line specifically highlights the company's commitment to inclusive, universally comfortable design. Each tool features the signature soft, non-slip handle that is easy for any hand to hold - whether young, old, arthritic, or just busy. This line includes everything from spatulas to can openers.
This deep focus on ergonomics sets them apart. Like Misen, OXO Good Grips aims to empower home cooks with better tools, but their primary mission is to ensure those tools are supremely comfortable and easy to use, making kitchen tasks smoother for everyone.
Shop now at oxo.com
9. Made In
Made In is a direct-to-consumer brand that's a very close competitor to Misen. They work with top chefs to design professional-quality cookware and knives, selling them at a fraction of the traditional retail cost. They offer everything from carbon steel pans to 5-ply stainless clad cookware and high-quality knives made in Thiers, France.
Both Made In and Misen are challenging the old guard of kitchenware with better value and quality. Made In often aims for a slightly more premium market, with highly specialized products that appeal to serious, knowledgeable home cooks looking to replicate a restaurant experience.
Shop now at madeincookware.com
10. Hestan
Hestan operates at the luxury, innovation-driven end of the cookware spectrum. They’re known for their cutting-edge technology, like NanoBond molecular titanium surfaces for supreme durability and ProBond pans with flush rivets for easy cleaning. This is high-performance cookware designed for discerning chefs who want the absolute best.
If Misen is the accessible entry to pro-level gear, Hestan is the top-tier, money-is-no-object upgrade. Both prioritize performance, but Hestan pushes the boundaries of material science and design for a truly luxury cooking experience.
Shop now at hestan.com
11. All-Clad
All-Clad is the brand that popularized fully-clad stainless steel cookware in America. Renowned for its patented bonding process that extends conductive aluminum all the way up the sides of the pan, All-Clad offers unrivaled heat distribution and control. Their cookware is an investment, beloved by professionals and serious home cooks for its performance and longevity.
Like Misen, All-Clad is focused on performance materials. However, All-Clad is a legacy brand with a much higher price point, reflecting its US-based manufacturing and patented technology. It is often seen as the benchmark against which other stainless cookware is measured.
Shop now at all-clad.com
12. Laguiole
Known for its French heritage and exquisite craftsmanship, Laguiole is famous for its elegant steak knives, corkscrews, and cutlery. Each piece is a work of art, often featuring a signature "bee" emblem at the bolster and beautiful handles made from woods, horns, or other fine materials. They are designed to elevate the dining experience.
While Misen's aesthetic is clean and modern, Laguiole embodies artisanal European tradition. If you want a functional tool that also serves as a beautiful statement piece for your dinner table, Laguiole's timeless designs are unmatched.
Shop now at laguiole.com
13. Cangshan
Cangshan offers a perfect mix of Western and Eastern design, producing knives that are both beautiful and incredibly functional. They have won numerous design awards for their unique aesthetics, which combine slim, sharp blades with visually striking handles. Importantly, they manage to do this while keeping prices firmly in the accessible-premium category.
Cangshan walks a similar path to Misen, delivering high-performance tools with a strong design sensibility at a fantastic price point. If aesthetic appeal is just as important to you as performance, Cangshan's diverse and stylish collections are definitely worth a look.
Shop now at cangshan.com
14. GreenPan
GreenPan pioneered healthier, non-stick cooking with the creation of their Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating. Free of plastics like PFAS and PFOA, their cookware is perfect for health-conscious cooks who don't want to compromise on performance. Their pans offer great food release and are easy to clean, all while being environmentally friendly.
While Misen offers non-stick options, GreenPan's entire brand is built around its safe, ceramic technology. If your top priority in a non-stick pan is a non-toxic cooking surface, GreenPan is the category leader and an excellent Misen alternative.
Shop now at greenpan.us
15. Viking
Best known for its powerful, professional-style kitchen ranges, Viking also offers a line of equally robust cookware. Their multi-ply cookware is designed for serious performance, durability, and superior heat transfer, mirroring the power of their acclaimed appliances. The aesthetic is industrial, heavy-duty, and built to last.
Viking aims squarely at the serious home chef who wants restaurant-grade power and build quality. It occupies a higher, more premium price point than Misen, making it a great choice when you're ready to make a significant investment in your culinary hardware.
Shop now at viking.com
16. Barebones Living
Barebones Living creates thoughtfully designed kitchen tools, cookware, and outdoor goods with a rustic, heirloom quality. Their products often feature natural materials like cast iron, wood, and steel, blending a modern-utilitarian aesthetic with timeless appeal. They create pieces that feel just as at home over a campfire as they do on a modern stovetop.
This artisanal, rugged charm is a stark contrast to Misen’s sleek minimalism. If you are drawn to quality craftsmanship with a handcrafted and slightly rustic feel, Barebones offers gorgeous essentials that celebrate simple, intentional cooking.
Shop now at barebonesliving.com
17. Le Creuset
Le Creuset is an icon of the kitchen space, celebrated for its legendary enameled cast iron Dutch ovens. Available in a rainbow of stunning colors, their cookware is as much a statement piece as it is a culinary workhorse. Known for even heating and incredible durability, a Le Creuset piece is often passed down through generations.
Where Misen focuses on sleek performance tools, Le Creuset combines lifetime durability with vibrant aesthetic appeal. It's a premium investment in cookware that excels at slow cooking and becomes the centerpiece of your kitchen.
Shop now at lecreuset.com
18. Sabatier
One of the great names in French cutlery, Sabatier has a long history of producing high-quality, traditionally crafted kitchen knives. Sabatier knives are known for their high-carbon steel blades that are sharp and easy to maintain, along with a classic, versatile French chef’s knife profile.
Compared to Misen's modern DTC model, Sabatier represents old-world craftsmanship and heritage. For cooks who appreciate the history and unique character of French cutlery, a Sabatier knife offers fantastic performance with a touch of classic prestige.
Shop now at sabatier.com
19. Farberware
Farberware has been a reliable staple in American kitchens for decades, providing accessible and dependable everyday cookware and tools. They offer a huge variety of products at a very budget-friendly price point, making them a fantastic choice for stocking a first kitchen or for home cooks who need reliable basics without a high price tag.
While Misen offers an entry point to chef-grade quality, Farberware provides an even more accessible option focused on simple durability and function. It's the practical, dependable brand for getting the job done efficiently and affordably.
Shop now at farberware.com
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