The Henckels Hxagon and HexClad are both premium cookware options that feature a distinctive hexagonal pattern, but they are fundamentally different. Henckels Hxagon, from the renowned German brand Zwilling, is a classic tri-ply stainless steel cookware with a modern textured exterior. In contrast, HexClad is an innovative hybrid pan that combines a stainless steel and non-stick cooking surface, offering a unique blend of searing power and easy food release.
Here's what you need to know to decide between Henckels Hxagon’s traditional performance and HexClad’s modern hybrid technology.
Henckels Hxagon Cookware
The Henckels Hxagon line is a recent collection from Zwilling, a celebrated German brand with centuries of experience in quality cutlery and cookware. Hxagon focuses on providing the time-tested performance of tri-ply stainless steel cladding enhanced with a modern, design-forward aesthetic. Its defining feature is the textured hexagonal pattern on the exterior, designed to improve durability and add a unique, sophisticated look to any kitchen.
- What it is: A premium tri-ply stainless steel cookware collection with an aluminum core for exceptional heat conduction and a modern textured exterior.
- Key features: Full tri-ply construction, brushed stainless steel cooking surface, oven safe up to 500°F (300°F with lids), dishwasher safe, chic exterior hexagonal texture for durability.
- Price: Ranges from around $100 for a small frying pan to $250 for larger pots.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and contemporary. The clean lines and satin finish reflect its German engineering heritage.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality tri-ply composition with an aluminum core sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel, ensuring even heat distribution from base to rim.
- Pros: Excellent heat control and retention for perfect searing, durable and built to last, aesthetically pleasing modern design, backed by a reputable and historic brand.
- Cons: Lacks any non-stick properties, meaning there is a learning curve for beginners, can be difficult to clean if food residue burns on, higher price point for standard stainless steel.
The Henckels Hxagon is ideal for home cooks who appreciate the precision performance of traditional stainless steel cookware and want a durable, stylish set backed by German engineering.
Shop this product: zwilling.com/us/henckels-hxagon/
HexClad Cookware
HexClad is an innovative American cookware brand that disrupted the market with its patented hybrid technology. The cookware features a distinctive laser-etched hexagonal pattern on the interior cooking surface, which combines stainless steel "peaks" with non-stick "valleys." This design aims to offer the best of both worlds: the durability and searing capability of stainless steel with the easy food release and cleanup of a non-stick pan.
- What it is: A unique hybrid cookware that merges a tri-ply stainless steel construction with a PFOA-free non-stick coating.
- Key features: Patented laser-etched hybrid cooking surface, tri-ply construction with an aluminum core, highly scratch-resistant (metal utensil safe), oven safe to 500°F, dishwasher safe.
- Price: Individual pans are typically $100-$150, with full sets ranging from $150 to $400 or more, often with bundle deals and discounts.
- Style: Industrial, rugged, and high-tech. The polished steel exterior and unique interior grid give it a very modern, performance-oriented look.
- Materials/Construction: A tri-ply build (stainless steel exterior, aluminum core, stainless steel interior) featuring an overlaid network of non-stick coating in the etched valleys.
- Pros: Excellent versatility for searing meat, deglazing sauces, or cooking delicate items like eggs, highly durable and scratch-resistant, effortless to clean, often available in value-oriented sets.
- Cons: A premium price for non-stick technology, is not as completely non-stick as pure ceramic or Teflon pans, requires proper pre-heating and some oil for best results.
This cookware lineup suits multitasking home chefs who value performance and low-maintenance convenience and want a single pan that can do almost everything.
Shop this product: hexclad.com
Henckels Hxagon vs. HexClad Comparison
Materials & Construction
Both cookware lines use high-quality tri-ply construction with an aluminum core, which is the gold standard for even heat distribution. The critical difference lies in the application of the hexagonal pattern and the cooking surface itself. Henckels Hxagon uses a pure, brushed stainless steel cooking surface, and its hexagonal texture is purely on the exterior for aesthetic and durability purposes.
HexClad, on the other hand, integrates its pattern directly into the interior cooking surface. Its patented design creates a grid of stainless steel to protect the PFOA-free non-stick coating in the recessed valleys. This core difference defines their performance: Hxagon is a very well-made, traditional stainless pan, while HexClad is a totally different product category - a hybrid pan.
Cooking Performance & Versatility
Henckels Hxagon performs exactly as you would expect from premium stainless steel. It excels at creating a deep, brown crust on steaks, allows for easy fond development for pan sauces, and offers precise temperature control. It is less forgiving for delicate foods like eggs or fish, and it requires proper technique and fat to prevent sticking.
HexClad aims to bridge that gap. The stainless steel grid allows it to achieve a good sear, while the non-stick portions offer easier food release. This makes it more versatile for a wider range of cooking tasks in a single pan and more forgiving for beginners. It may not get quite the same aggressive sear as pure stainless, but its everyday usability is significantly higher.
Durability & Maintenance
Both are extremely durable, oven-safe options. However, HexClad stands out by being one of the few non-stick pans marketed as metal utensil-safe. The stainless steel ridges protect the non-stick coating from scratches. For cleanup, HexClad is the clear winner, its hybrid surface is dramatically easier to wipe clean compared to the Hxagon, where burnt-on food can require significant soaking and scrubbing.
Price & Value
On a per-pan basis, both brands are in a similar premium-priced bracket. Henckels Hxagon's value comes from the Zwilling brand's reputation for creating heirloom-quality products - this is cookware that can last a lifetime. HexClad's value is in its convenience and technology. It often comes in discounted bundles and sets, which can make outfitting an entire kitchen more accessible. If you prioritize easy cleaning and multifunctionality, HexClad arguably delivers more day-to-day value.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both collections offer excellent kitchen performance, but they serve very different types of cooks.
Choose Henckels Hxagon if:
- You're a cooking purist who loves the unmatched searing power of traditional stainless steel.
- You appreciate a clean, modern, and high-end aesthetic in your kitchen tools.
- You value the long-standing heritage and German engineering of the Zwilling brand.
- You have the patience for, and don't mind the cleanup involved with, stainless steel cookware.
Choose HexClad if:
- You want the convenience of non-stick cooking without sacrificing the ability to get a good sear.
- Easy cleanup and minimal maintenance are top priorities for you in the kitchen.
- You often use metal utensils and need scratch-resistant, durable cookware.
- You are drawn to innovative kitchen technology and enjoy finding great value in comprehensive sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Henckels Hxagon and HexClad?
The primary difference is the cooking surface. Henckels Hxagon is a traditional tri-ply stainless steel pan with a hexagonal texture on the exterior. HexClad is a hybrid pan with a laser-etched hexagonal pattern on the interior cooking surface that combines stainless steel with a non-stick coating.
Is HexClad truly non-stick?
HexClad is a non-stick hybrid. It offers significantly better food release than traditional stainless steel but is not as slippery as pure Teflon or ceramic coatings. For best results with items like eggs, it's recommended to pre-heat the pan and use a small amount of oil or butter.
Which brand is more durable?
Both brands offer excellent durability due to their tri-ply construction. Henckels Hxagon represents traditional, long-lasting stainless steel. HexClad's durability is noteworthy for a non-stick product, as its design is specifically engineered to be scratch-resistant and safe for metal utensil use.
Can you use metal utensils on Henckels Hxagon?
While you technically can, it is generally not recommended to use metal utensils on traditional stainless steel cookware like the Hxagon as they can cause cosmetic scratches on the surface over time. HexClad is explicitly designed to be used with metal utensils.
Are both brands oven safe?
Yes, both lines of cookware are oven safe up to 500°F, making them versatile for recipes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven.
Which pan is easier to clean?
HexClad is significantly easier to clean. Its hybrid non-stick surface allows most food residues to be wiped or rinsed away with minimal effort, whereas Hxagon, like all stainless steel, can require soaking and scrubbing to remove stuck-on food.
Which is a better value?
Value depends on your priorities. Hxagon offers great value if you want classic, heirloom-quality cookware from a top-tier brand. HexClad offers better value for those seeking modern convenience, low maintenance, and the versatility of a do-it-all pan, especially when purchased in sets during promotional periods.
Are both Hxagon and HexClad compatible with induction cooktops?
Yes, both cookware lines feature stainless steel exteriors, making them fully compatible with all cooktop types, including induction, gas, and electric.
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