Brivara vs. Caraway: Which brand should you buy?

Brivara vs. Caraway: Which is better for you? Compare sleek, minimalist designs with vibrant, non-toxic cookware. Discover which brand fits your kitchen needs.
Written by:
Spencer Lanoue

Brivara crafts sleek, contemporary kitchenware with a focus on space-saving, minimalist design at a mid-range price point. By contrast, Caraway is known for its design-forward, non-toxic ceramic cookware that comes in a rainbow of vibrant colors at a more premium price. Brivara prioritizes high-quality, durable materials and a clean, monochrome look, while Caraway puts health, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal at the forefront.

Let's compare everything you need to know to pick the right cookware for your kitchen.

Brivara: The Modern Minimalist Solution

Brivara is a contemporary kitchen brand focused on functional, stylish cookware and storage for modern homes. The brand appeals to city dwellers and home cooks who appreciate a clutter-free kitchen, offering sleek designs that blend practicality with a minimalist aesthetic. Their goal is to provide versatile, durable tools that look as good as they perform without breaking the bank.

  • Product mix: A focused range of cookware sets, individual pans, and innovative, space-saving kitchen storage solutions.
  • Style/vibe: Modern minimalist. Expect monochrome color schemes, clean lines, and subtle details that fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchen designs.
  • Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Cookware sets typically start around $150, with individual items priced between $30 and $100.
  • Quality: Built for daily use with high-quality materials like hard-anodized aluminum and reinforced stainless steel. Many products feature durable, eco-friendly non-stick coatings and scratch-resistant surfaces.
  • Key Features: Many Brivara products are designed to be modular and stackable, making them an ideal choice for smaller kitchens or anyone wanting to maximize cabinet space.
  • Warranty: The brand stands behind its products with a lifetime warranty on many core items, signaling a commitment to longevity.
  • Shopping Experience: Brivara is a direct-to-consumer brand selling primarily through its clean, easy-to-navigate website with responsive customer service.

Brivara is perfect for those who want sleek, functional kitchen tools that are built to last without a high-end price tag.

Shop Brivara: brivara.com

Caraway: The Non-Toxic, Colorful Choice

Caraway has become a household name by creating visually stunning cookware that is also 100% non-toxic. The brand’s mission is to raise the standard for what we cook with, offering ceramic-coated pots, pans, and bakeware free from chemicals like PTFE and PFOA. This focus on health, combined with a signature palette of bright, modern colors, has made them a favorite among design-savvy and health-conscious consumers.

  • Product mix: Extensive collection of cookware and bakeware, including pots, pans, Dutch ovens, and baking sheets, often sold in complete, well-organized sets.
  • Style/vibe: Playful modernism. Best known for vibrant colors like Sage, Perracotta, and Navy that add a pop of personality to the kitchen. The look is clean and minimalist but with a fun, expressive edge.
  • Price point: Mid to high-range. A complete cookware set starts around $395, while single pieces range from $50 to $150.
  • Quality: Caraway cookware has an aluminum core for even heating, coated with a durable, non-stick ceramic finish. The materials are designed for performance but may require more careful handling (no metal utensils) to preserve the ceramic coating.
  • Key Features: The primary benefit is the non-toxic coating that is better for you and the environment. Sets famously come with a magnetic pan rack and a canvas lid holder for easy organization.
  • Trial Period: The brand offers a 30-day trial, allowing you to try the products at home and return them if you're not satisfied, which adds a layer of confidence to the purchase.
  • Sustainability: Caraway ships its products in recycled and biodegradable packaging and uses ethical manufacturing partners.

Caraway is the go-to brand for shoppers who prioritize health and safety while wanting their cookware to be a central design statement in their kitchen.

Shop Caraway: carawayhome.com

Brivara vs. Caraway Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Brivara is positioned as a more affordable, mid-range option, with sets starting around $150. This makes it an excellent choice for first-time homebuyers, renters, or anyone wanting to upgrade their kitchen tools on a budget without sacrificing style or durability.

Caraway is a premium investment, with its iconic cookware set priced at $395. This higher cost is justified by the brand's non-toxic materials, high-end design, clever storage solutions, and strong brand recognition. If budget is a key factor, Brivara offers much better value upfront. If your priority is non-toxic cooking and a specific aesthetic, the price of Caraway may be worthwhile.

Style & Aesthetic

Style is where these brands diverge most. Brivara embraces modern minimalism with a serious, sleek feel. Its collections are typically offered in monochrome palettes like black, gray, and stainless steel. This aesthetic is designed to blend in seamlessly with a clean, contemporary kitchen rather than stand out.

Caraway’s entire identity is built around color and design. With a palette of bold and pastel hues, its cookware is meant to be seen and displayed. The design feels warmer and more expressive, inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and modern design trends. If you want cookware that complements a minimal decor, choose Brivara. If you want cookware that is the decor, choose Caraway.

Quality & Materials

Both brands deliver quality, but their focus is different. Brivara uses established, heavy-duty materials like hard-anodized aluminum and stainless steel, known for their longevity and excellent heat conductivity. Their construction feels sturdy and is designed for the rigors of everyday cooking, from high-heat searing to simple reheating.

Caraway’s quality is defined by its materials' health benefits. The aluminum cookware features a ceramic coating that provides a safe, chemical-free non-stick surface. This coating performs wonderfully for easy food release and cleanup, but ceramic generally requires more careful maintenance - avoiding metal utensils and abrasive sponges is key to preventing chips and extending its life.

Product Selection & Sizing

Brivara is hyper-focused on efficiency, offering multi-functional cookware and compact storage solutions ideal for smaller living spaces. Their product sizing is often geared towards maximizing kitchen space, which is a major plus for anyone living in an apartment or condo. The inclusion of storage solutions in their lineup also makes them a great one-stop-shop for kitchen organization.

Caraway offers a well-curated but more traditional selection of cookware essentials, including pans, a sauté pan, and a dutch oven, along with a full line of bakeware. The sizing is standard for most home kitchens. Their best-selling sets are designed to cover all the bases for a typical home cook and come with helpful organizers to solve storage issues.

Shopping Experience

Both Brivara and Caraway are primarily direct-to-consumer businesses with excellent, easy-to-use websites. Caraway has a distinct advantage with its 30-day trial period, giving customers peace of mind when making an expensive purchase. Both brands offer free shipping and are known for responsive customer support teams that handle issues efficiently.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both companies make sustainability a priority. Brivara uses eco-friendly materials and designs products for longevity to reduce waste. Caraway takes it a step further organization-wide, from its non-toxic material sourcing and ethical manufacturing partners to shipping its products in plastic-free, recyclable packaging. For environmentally conscious shoppers, Caraway's vocal and transparent commitment gives it a slight edge.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Brivara and Caraway offer excellent cookware, but they are built for different kitchens and priorities.

Choose Brivara if:

  • You have a smaller kitchen and need smart, space-saving designs.
  • Your budget is moderate, and you're looking for the best style and quality for the price.
  • You prefer a sleek, minimalist, and monochrome aesthetic that blends into your kitchen decor.
  • You value heavy-duty construction and long-term durability from materials like stainless steel.

Choose Caraway if:

  • Non-toxic and chemical-free cooking surfaces are your absolute top priority.
  • You want your cookware to be a colorful design statement in your kitchen.
  • You are willing to invest in a premium set and appreciate extras like storage solutions.
  • You want the peace of mind that comes with a 30-day risk-free trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brivara or Caraway cheaper?

Brivara is significantly more affordable. Its full cookware sets typically retail for around $150, whereas Caraway's main set costs $395. This makes Brivara a much more budget-friendly option.

Which has better quality cookware?

Both brands offer high quality but of different kinds. Brivara uses very durable and time-tested materials like stainless steel and hard-anodized aluminum. Caraway focuses on a high-quality non-toxic ceramic coating paired with an aluminum core that provides excellent non-stick performance and even heating, though ceramic may require gentler care.

Is Caraway cookware really non-toxic?

Yes. This is Caraway's main differentiator. Their ceramic glaze is completely free of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), lead, cadmium, and other potentially toxic heavy metals commonly found in traditional non-stick coatings.

Which brand is better for small kitchens?

Brivara is the better choice for small kitchens. A key part of its design philosophy is creating space-saving, modular, and multi-functional products specifically to address the challenges of smaller, urban living spaces.

Are both brands sold in stores?

Both brands operate primarily as direct-to-consumer companies, selling directly from their own websites. This helps them control costs and offer better prices and customer service. Caraway has limited retail partnerships with select stores but online is their primary channel.

Which brand is more durable?

Brivara skews towards greater long-term durability due to its use of materials like hard-anodized aluminum and stainless steel, which are less prone to chipping or scratching. While Caraway’s ceramic is designed for performance, all ceramic coatings eventually wear down and can be damaged by improper use (like with metal utensils or high heat).

How do their return policies differ?

Caraway has a more generous policy, offering a 30-day trial where you can test the products in your home. Brivara has a more traditional return policy, which is straightforward but doesn't include a home trial period.

What style kitchens is each brand best for?

Brivara's sleek, monochrome designs are perfect for modern, minimalist, and industrial-style interiors. Caraway’s fun, colorful aesthetic works well in modern farmhouse, Scandinavian, and eclectic kitchens where color is celebrated.

At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.

Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.

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