Upgrade Your Outdoor Dinnerware for Summer With One of Our Top-Tested Sets (2024)

The Our Place Classic Stacking Set was a favorite with our consumer panel and had the highest score in attractiveness of all the sets we tested. In particular, people commented on how much they loved the style and how the off-white color contrasted with the tan rims. If this colorway isn't for you, the set is also available in char, spice and a limited edition terracotta.

Aside from its good looks, the dinnerware set aced our Lab tests. It resisted cuts from steak knives and stains from marina sauce, plus it also still looked as good as new after 14 cycles in the dishwasher. Our pros appreciate how this dinnerware set stacks neatly and looks organized if you want to display them on open shelving in your kitchen. However, the plates and bowls stack higher since they don't nest as deeply as some other dinnerware sets.

The Classic Stacking Set comes with 20 pieces, but if you need more, there's also the Complete Stacking Set which has 36 pieces.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 dinner bowls, 4 dessert plates, 4 soup bowls | Material: Ceramic stoneware | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Gibson’s simple white porcelain set impressed us with its quality and style. In our tests, it resisted scratches and stains. It wasn't too hot to touch after microwaving the plate for two minutes and stood up to multiple washes in the dishwasher. Not only is this set durable, but it comes with 30 pieces for under $70.

You'll get mugs, dinner plates, dessert plates, standard bowls as well as salad bowls that can be used in the microwave and cleaned in the dishwasher. Even though the salad bowls are on the smaller side with 4.5-inch diameter, we loved the versatility of the set overall.

What's included: 6 dinner plates, 6 dessert plates, 6 standard bowls, 6 salad bowls, 6 mugs | Material: Porcelain | Number of settings: 6 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

You'll want to reach for this set for just about any meal — it's chip-resistant and both microwave- and dishwasher-safe at an amazing price. "The Corelle brand has earned a reputation for dinnerware that is resistant to breaking, chipping, scratching and staining," said Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director

Nicole Papantoniou Corelle consistently tests well and it can even be used for outdoor tableware.

While its ultra-lightweight frame certainly doesn't feel sturdy, it's just as durable as a heavier, thicker porcelain piece. Though it may feel too thin for some people's preference. We highly recommend this set for families who want durable dinnerware but would prefer not to use plastic. It's also available in a variety of patterns.

What's included: 6 dinner plates, 6 salad plates, 6 bowls | Material: Vitrelle (laminated glass) | Number of settings: 6 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Classic blue bands elevate basic white dishes that are perfect for daily use. Our pros appreciate the wide rims, which allow you to grab the plate without getting food on your hand. The durable porcelain can stand up to everyday use, as proven in our tests.

This dinnerware set withstood 14 wash cycles and steak knife cuts without showing any signs of wear. Marinara sauce was left on the plate overnight and washed off cleanly, leaving no stains behind.

Our only complaint was that after heating the plate for two minutes, it was pretty hot to touch. We didn’t need a mitt to grab it, but we suspect heating over two minutes may require one. However, the plate cooled off quickly.

Choose from 5-, 16- and 20-piece sets. The 5- and 20-piece dinnerware sets come with soup bowls and the 16-piece set comes with cereal bowls.

What's included: 1 dinner plate, 1 salad plate, 1 soup bowl, 1 cup, 1 saucer (5-piece set) | Material: Porcelain | Number of settings: 1, 4 or 5 depending on number of pieces chosen in a set | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Prefer a minimalist aesthetic? This earthy yet modern pick works equally well for a casual or a more elevated table. The set is made from stoneware, which is an extra-dense material and one of the most durable types of ceramic so you won’t have to treat them too delicately.

In our tests, the dishes showed no signs of scratching after cutting with steak knives and marinara sauce washed cleanly off the plate after sitting overnight. After two minutes in the microwave, the plate was cool enough to touch and take out with our bare hands.

While on the pricey side, the dinnerware has a smooth, matte feel and is available in six muted colors and one speckled pattern. Our pros appreciated that the bottom of the dinnerware isn’t glazed and has a rough texture, making it easier to hold and won't feel as if it's going to slip out of your hand.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 large pasta bowls, 4 small breakfast bowls | Material: Stoneware | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Colored glass plates have been trending and they're a great way to add instant personality to your kitchen. "I’ve been using [this set] for a while now and have gotten so many compliments. It’s really durable and I’m not worried about things breaking in the sink or dishwasher," said Papantoniou.

Testers loved the shapes of all the pieces and noted that they weren't too heavy. In our tests, these plates did not scratch or hold on to stains. The plates were hot to the touch right after microwaving but cooled quickly.

Whether you choose clear or a color like blue or pink, a nice surprise is how the glass allows a tablecloth to show through. Though one tester noted there's some variation in the shade of the clear plates.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 cereal bowls, 4 pasta bowls | Material: Glass | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes| Microwave safe: Yes

This Lenox dinnerware set stands out with its organic, wavy shape and gold rims. Our consumer panel was split on whether they liked the way these looked, so this set may not be for everyone. But those who liked the design gave it top scores.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 dessert plates, 4 bowls | Material: Porcelain | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

White is one of the most — if not the most — popular colors for plates. The only problem is that some white dishes can look bland or too casual, which is why we love this set from Fortessa. The design is simple, yet has an elegant feel, thanks to its shiny finish and slightly sloped rims. It’s not surprising they were among the high scorers for aesthetics.

We also appreciate that they stack neatly and compactly. Though the bowls are very large, so they may not be suited for certain foods.

The plates were cool enough to remove out of the microwave after heating and the marinara sauce left overnight on the plates didn’t leave a stain. When cut with two types of steak knives, the plates didn’t show any signs of scratching. After 14 cycles in the dishwasher, they showed no signs of wear.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 pasta bowls, 4 mugs | Material: Fortaluxe vitrified china | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Wedgwood has a long history as a producer of quality dishware: The company has been making ceramics for over 260 years. We like the unique and subtle textural design of this pick.

Made of bone china, the set is expensive, but the dishes are light, thin and neatly stackable. Although they look delicate, they are durable enough to withstand the rigor of daily use — you don't have to set them aside to use only for special occasions. This dinnerware set had top scores for staining, scratching, microwaving and dishwashing.

Our pros love that this set is part of a collection that includes cups, bowls, plates and serving pieces that are sold separately — perfect if you accidentally break a piece or simply want to add on. One drawback our experts noticed while testing is that the 11.1-inch dinner plate is larger than most and may not fill well in smaller dishwashers.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls, 4 mugs | Material: Bone china | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

The highly popular Fiesta brand is known for its brightly colored dinnerware. This set is made of porcelain (also referred to as china), which is a more affordable option than bone china with similar durability and weight. The pieces are dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe up to 350°F.

Detailed with a fun concentric pattern around the rim, the dishes are available in a range of 13 colors. While the saturated colors may not complement food as well as white or more muted plates, they will definitely make a personality statement on your table. If you prefer setting your table with multiple colors instead of just sticking to one, or if you want to expand your collection or decorate for the holidays, the brand also offers three-piece sets in a variety of colors.

Our experts found the dishes to be sturdy and thick, and the brand claims the dishes are chip-resistant. In fact, Fiesta provides a five-year chip-replacement warranty.

What's included: 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls | Material: Porcelain | Number of settings: 4 | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

When testing dinnerware sets in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we thoroughly researched the available dinnerware on the market. Our pros in the Lab visit numerous trade shows per year and connect with brands to learn about the latest and greatest in tableware. We narrowed down the options to test based on our categorical expertise.

When we test dinnerware, our experts look at ease-of-use factors, such as the helpfulness of any included instructions or manual and if the dinnerware is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Finally, we have a consumer test panel rate the attractiveness of the dinnerware. We also consider specs like materials, price, style and what's included in a set. We note the number of place settings or if pieces are sold individually so you can create your own set or replace broken items.

In general, we like versatile sets that include at least a large dinner plate, a small salad plate and a bowl that can be used for soups, cereal or pastas.

✔️ Number of settings: If you live alone or with just one person, a four to six-serve dinnerware set might make sense so you can have extras for visitors. Or, look for single sets or open-stock dinnerware so you can mix and match exactly what you want. Larger households should consider six- or eight-serve sets in case something breaks or chips, or sets that offer replacements for damaged pieces.

✔️ Type of dishes included: The most comprehensive dinnerware sets include two types of plates, two types of bowls and a mug. If you just need to expand your collection, opt for sets that include fewer pieces — and just the ones you need.

✔️ Dish shape: The plate's shape can affect its functionality, such as how it stacks and how easy it is to carry.

• Plates with wide, flat rims provide a large space to grab, making it easy to carry but the tradeoff is that there's less space on the plate for food.
• Dishes with straight-walled rims provide ample space to maneuver and cut food. These also stack very neatly in a single column so they look organized on an open shelf. On the other hand, these types of plates tend to stack taller so you may not be able to stack multiple items like plates and bowls on top of each other in a shorter cabinet. We also noticed that dishes with higher rims were a tighter squeeze in the prongs of the dishwasher and sometimes the rims got in the way with other dishes that weren't shaped the same.
• Sloped rim dinnerware stacks neatly and compactly making it easy to store. The sloped sides are also a good medium between wide flat rims and straight-walled rims since they can provide a place to grab the plate or place more food.
• Low bowls or "blates" are a cross between a bowl and a plate. They have a wide shallow bottom with raised sides that are typically taller than a plate but shorter than a deep bowl. These are versatile enough so they can be used as a plate or bowl. Many of our staff members commented how they love low bowls and use them over their other dinnerware because they're so versatile, especially for meals where everything is together in one bowl like a poke or Buddha bowl.

✔️ Dish size: Another thing to keep in mind, small plates are easy to carry and store in tight spaces but hold less food. Large plates are great for loading up a plate but may not fit well in smaller dishwashers.

✔️ Care instructions: Be sure to read the fine print — not all dinnerware sets are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Some may include metallic banding that can't go in the microwave, while others can be made out of a delicate material that can chip in the dishwasher.

✔️ Durability: If you're cooking for kids or plan to take your dinnerware outside, you may want to consider lightweight, durable materials such as laminated glass or melamine. If you'd prefer a set that can be used both daily (with caution) and for more formal occasions, opt for bone china, porcelain or stoneware.

✔️ Bone china is formed when bone ash is added to porcelain. It creates a delicate, slightly translucent and perfectly constructed material that usually has a milky white, luminous glaze, making it a great choice for refined formal dinnerware. Bone china is lightweight and thin, but it is considered the most durable ceramic dinnerware. It is also the most expensive material. Not all bone china is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, so check the care instructions before you buy.

✔️ Porcelain, also referred to as china, is the most ubiquitous ceramic dinnerware. It is less expensive than bone china, and with the right balance of price, durability and weight, it's great for both daily use and formal dinner parties. It has a glazed, nonporous surface that makes it dishwasher-safe, microwavable and sometimes oven-safe.

✔️ Stoneware is a type of ceramic that's popular for its rustic, earthy aesthetic. It is often speckled off-white or ivory (rather than pure or bright white), but it also comes in muted colors. Stoneware is heavy, thick and durable. The more unique or handmade pieces may not stack uniformly for storage.

✔️ Laminated glass (also called Vitrelle) is an incredibly durable material proprietary to the Corelle brand. In our tests, we found it is resistant to breaking, chipping, scratching and staining. If dropped on a hard surface, it will shatter, but it's still a versatile choice for indoor and outdoor dining.

This article was most recently updated by Jamie Kim Ueda, a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in product development and manufacturing. She has tested and written about many kitchen-related products and cooking tools, including martini glasses, coupe glasses and bartending kits. She helped develop the testing methodology for this story and tested the products. She has a passion for good dinnerware that's functional and looks great.

Nicole Papantoniou reviewed this story and helped Ueda develop the testing methodology. As the director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, she oversees all of Good Housekeeping's content and testing related to kitchen appliances, tools, gadgets and gear. She's been testing kitchen appliances professionally since 2013.

Reviews Analyst Eva Bleyer tests all kinds of kitchen gear and food-related items. She contributed her knowledge about top materials, the best brands and hottest dinnerware trends.