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Top view of a couple eating a weeknight dinner on white dinnerware

Best Everyday Dinnerware That’s Affordable & Built to Last

/Updated /26 Comments/in , , /by Mary Hunt

A staff member just turned 30, so I joked that I own dishes older than he is. It’s true. I’ve used the same white porcelain dishes for nearly 40 years, and they’ve taught me what makes dinnerware worth buying. It has little to do with the price on the box. Here’s what I’d look for today, and what I’d buy if I were starting over.

Top view of a couple eating a weeknight dinner on white dinnerware

What 40 years with the same dishes taught me

Back in the late ’80s, Harold tackled a massive DIY project: painting our dark walnut kitchen cabinets white, inside and out. That, of course, meant new hardware and lighting, too. The transformation was stunning.

To celebrate, I treated myself to a brand-new set of dishes: white porcelain Cafeware from Crate & Barrel, service for 12, for about $300. They were everything I wanted. Classic. Just the right size. Sturdy enough for everyday use and nice enough for company. They went into the dishwasher, microwave and oven without complaint.

Those dishes became our everyday dishes, our company dishes, our holiday dishes. All of it. And nearly 40 years later, they’re still going strong. They’ve survived two major moves and thousands of meals, and somehow I’ve lost only four salad plates along the way.

Did $300 feel inexpensive back then? Not even close. But spread it over nearly four decades and it comes to roughly $8 a year for a full service for 12. Suddenly “expensive” looks pretty darn cheap.

Here’s the part I learned the hard way. Cafeware was discontinued, and when I finally went looking for four replacement salad plates, I found them on the secondary market. I paid $36. About three times what they cost originally.

Did I buy them? Of course I did. And just like that, I had service for 12 again.

That’s what those dishes taught me. The best inexpensive dinnerware is the set you can afford, enjoy using and won’t have to replace five years from now. The lowest price tag is only part of the story. And a cheap boxed set stops being a bargain the day one plate breaks and your only fix is another whole set.

So if I were starting over today, here’s what I’d look for and what I’d buy.

What makes dinnerware a good buy?

I have nothing against a bargain. Obviously.

But a rock-bottom price doesn’t help much if the dishes chip easily, take up half the kitchen cabinet or disappear from the market just when you need to replace one plate. Here’s what I’d check.

  • Durability. Everyday dishes have to survive everyday life. Look for a material and finish made for frequent use, not something you’d feel obligated to protect from dinner.
  • Dishwasher and microwave safety. Unless you truly enjoy hand-washing dishes, check before you buy. Don’t assume. Plenty of pretty dishes say no to one or both.
  • Weight. Pick up one plate and it feels fine. Pick up a stack of eight and you may change your mind. You’ll notice this especially with heavier stoneware.
  • Sizes. Pay attention to the actual measurements, particularly bowls. “Bowl” can mean anything from a modest cereal bowl to something large enough to bathe a small dog.
  • Replacement pieces. This one is easy to overlook. Can you buy one plate when one breaks, or will you have to buy another complete set?
  • A style you won’t be tired of next Tuesday. There’s a reason I still love plain white dishes. Food looks good on them, they work with every season and table setting, and they don’t announce which decade you bought them in.

Best overall: Corelle Winter Frost White

Product Image - Corelle Winter Frost White 18-Piece Service for 6 Dinnerware

Corelle Winter Frost White 18-Piece Service for 6 Dinnerware

If I needed everyday dishes tomorrow, I’d have a hard time arguing with Corelle Winter Frost White.

It’s made from Vitrelle, Corelle’s triple-layer glass. The plates and bowls are lightweight, nonporous and highly resistant to chips and cracks. They’re also dishwasher-, microwave- and preheated-oven-safe. Corelle makes its Vitrelle dinnerware in Corning, New York, and backs it with a three-year limited warranty. Nothing’s unbreakable, Corelle included. But it’s made for the bumps and knocks of everyday use.

What impresses me just as much is that this isn’t a dinnerware set that leaves you stranded when something breaks. Winter Frost White is available in all kinds of configurations, and individual pieces are widely available. That matters when you’re thinking past the first purchase. (Which, as you’ve figured out by now, I am.)

The 18-piece set serves six with six 10.25-inch dinner plates, six 6.75-inch appetizer plates and six 18-ounce cereal bowls. Fair warning: those 6.75-inch plates are small. If you’re picturing a traditional salad plate, check the size before you click.

Corelle is also compact. The company says its plates and bowls take up about half the cabinet space of ceramic dishes. If your kitchen is already overstuffed, that’s worth a look.

Corelle Winter Frost White 18-Piece Service for 6 Dinnerware
Corelle Winter Frost White 18-Piece Service for 6 Dinnerware
    $69.99
    Buy on Amazon

    Best classic porcelain: Crate & Barrel Aspen

    Product Image - Crate & Barrel Aspen Rimmed Porcelain Dinnerware

    Crate & Barrel Aspen Rimmed Porcelain Dinnerware

    Prefer the feel of traditional porcelain? Now we’re talking my language.

    I bought my Cafeware at Crate & Barrel, and it’s long gone. I can’t tell you Aspen is Cafeware’s successor, because I don’t know that it is. But if I walked in today looking for the same basic idea, Aspen is where I’d head first.

    It’s simple white porcelain that dresses up or down. The rimmed pieces are dishwasher-, microwave- and warm-oven-safe, and Crate & Barrel describes them as durable and chip-resistant. They’re made in Indonesia.

    But what really gets my attention is the open stock. You don’t have to buy an entire boxed set. Dinner plates, salad plates, cereal bowls, pasta bowls, mugs and serving pieces are available separately, with many individual pieces still costing only a few dollars each at the time I’m writing this.

    Compare that with my salad plate treasure hunt. I wish I could go back and explain open stock to my younger self.

    The trade-off is weight. Porcelain is heavier than Corelle’s glass, so if you’re short on cabinet space or strength, start with Corelle.

    Best budget pick: Amazon Basics White Porcelain

    Product Image - Amazon Basics 18-Piece White Dinnerware Set

    Amazon Basics 18-Piece White Service for 6 Dinnerware

    Sometimes the budget makes the decision. You need dishes. Preferably before dinner. In that case, the Amazon Basics White Porcelain Dinnerware Set is still worth a look.

    It’s plain white porcelain, typically sold as an 18-piece service for six with dinner plates, smaller plates and bowls. The simple white design can go from scrambled eggs on Monday morning to Thanksgiving dinner without looking out of place.

    But there’s an important difference between this set and my first two choices. I would buy Amazon Basics primarily as an inexpensive boxed set, not as the beginning of a dinnerware collection I expect to build and replace piece by piece for decades.

    That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. A first apartment, a college kitchen, a vacation home or a tight budget can make the low upfront cost exactly what you need. Just know what you’re buying.

    If the price difference is small when you’re shopping, I’d spend a few minutes comparing it with Corelle before automatically choosing the least expensive box.

    Amazon Basics 18-Piece White Service for 6 Dinnerware
    Amazon Basics 18-Piece White Service for 6 Dinnerware
      $54.99
      Buy on Amazon

      Also worth a look: IKEA 365+ White Dinnerware

      Product Image - IKEA 365 18-Piece White Dinnerware Set

      IKEA 365+ 18-Piece White Service for 6 Dinnerware

      One more set I wouldn’t want you to skip is IKEA 365+. It’s white feldspar porcelain, dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and made for frequent use. The current 18-piece set serves six, with dinner plates, side plates and bowls.

      What I particularly like is IKEA’s open-stock approach. Individual plates and bowls are sold separately, along with other pieces in the collection. Smart.

      The downside is weight. Porcelain is considerably heavier than Corelle’s Vitrelle glass, so think about that before you fall for the price. It also does much the same job as Aspen, so your pick may come down to which store is closer to you.

      What’s the best material for everyday dinnerware?

      Porcelain, stoneware, bone china, glass. Which one are you supposed to want? There’s no single right answer. Here’s the short version.

      • Glass, like Corelle’s Vitrelle, is remarkably light and compact. That makes it practical for everyday use.
      • Porcelain is my old favorite. It’s classic, goes with everything and comes in everything from inexpensive basics to very fine dinnerware. Good porcelain can be surprisingly durable.
      • Bone china is thin, light and strong, despite the delicate-sounding name. It can also cost considerably more.
      • Stoneware has a heavier, substantial feel that many people love, but that weight adds up quickly when you’re stacking dishes or loading the dishwasher.

      Don’t pay extra just because a material sounds impressive. Think about how you actually live.

      Before you buy dinnerware, try this

      Here’s my highly sophisticated dinnerware test: imagine using it on a Wednesday.

      Not the beautifully set Thanksgiving table. Not the dinner party you’re apparently going to start hosting every month once you own new dishes.

      Wednesday.

      You’re unloading the dishwasher. Reheating leftovers. Stacking eight plates in a cabinet. Somebody chips a bowl. Can you replace that bowl?

      Then, before you buy:

      • Check the manufacturer’s website for individual pieces.
      • Compare the dinner plate size to your cabinets and dishwasher.
      • Look at the bowl capacity.
      • Confirm dishwasher and microwave safety. Don’t assume.
      • In a store, pick up several plates at once. Your wrists may have opinions your eyes didn’t.

      Do you really need “special occasion” dishes?

      My Cafeware answered that years ago. No. At least, I don’t.

      Those same plain white dishes have held everyday sandwiches and holiday dinners. Change the linens, the centerpiece, the serving pieces or the glassware, and the whole table changes.

      There’s nothing wrong with owning beautiful china if you love it and use it. But don’t assume adulthood requires two complete sets of dishes, one for real life and another waiting for company.

      One good set can do both jobs.

      That’s when inexpensive dinnerware turns genuinely inexpensive. When it’s useful enough for tonight, nice enough for Christmas and sturdy enough that you won’t be shopping for it again anytime soon.

       

      Question: How old are the dishes you’re using every day, and would you buy them again? Share in the comments below.

      I’m a big believer in spending less where it doesn’t matter so you have more for where it does. That’s the kind of practical help I share every day in the Everyday Cheapskate newsletter: smarter ways to shop, save, solve household problems and make what you buy last. Subscribe here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox, free.

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      26 replies
      1. Lilly says:

        I currently use Mikasa’s Poppy Love China – a pattern available for only about 1 1/2 years, 1975-1977, or so. I originally rarely used it. Eventually bought my dream Wedgwood. However, I eventually sold everything BUT the Poppy Love, and started using it EVERY DAY: Microwave, dishwasher, whatever. I bought a bunch on E-Bay, so have at least 14 plates, bowls, dishes, teapot, egg cups, even some unique pieces.

        No longer do I “save” anything for “special events.” Bah! Life is short. Enjoy and USE what you have now – which I do with my china. It is a lovely, cheerful pattern, and I cannot believe I have had it for over 50 years. AND, I have enough of it so that if a piece breaks, I still have plenty in the cupboard.

        Our children aren’t going to want our “stuff.” Remember the days when we’d have china, crystal, sterling and “save” it for “special,” then the kids would get it – whether they wanted that pattern or not (usually not). I think those days are gone.

        I am now in my late 70s, and I use and enjoy everything I have (and if not, I get rid of it). These little pleasures make life so much more enjoyable than only using them for those special occasions. Who cares if it breaks? It’s just… stuff. Love and enjoy using your “stuff” as you are with your MOST important and irreplaceable asset: YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

        Reply
      2. Linda says:

        I had a set of stoneware and hated it. Not because of the weight, but because unless you preheated the plates beforehand, the stoneware drew all of the heat out of the food and it got cold a lot faster. I like my food hot, not lukewarm.

        Reply
      3. Alyson says:

        I love white china. I have an old set of Mikasa Antique White service for 8. I recently found out it is no longer available. I broke a salad plate and found replacements.com to buy a new salad plate.

        Reply
      4. Karen says:

        I have my original set of Mikasa French Countryside – made in Japan from the late 1980’s. I have only broken one bowl. I still own them and use them every day. They are heavy and one day I may decide to get the Corelle dishes since they are much lighter. These dishes are great for everyday and dressy enough for the holiday. Same with the flatware that I bought at the same time too. Take good care of things and they do last a life time.

        Reply
      7. Judy C says:

        I’m still using my Mikasa Ebony Meadow dinnerware (black with mauve flowers) from 1989 for all meals. Some of the plates shine has kind of diminished which concerns me. Honestly, I’ve grown tired of them and have some bad memories related to them. I have a 12 place setting complete with platter and large serving bowl. I’m hoping to sell it and downsize and to a 6-8 place setting in plain white. I have never cared for Correlle but will be looking into the others Mary mentioned along with other brands with open stock. Thanks for the timely article Mary!

        Reply
      8. Monica says:

        A great place to check for additional serving pieces of any style dish you like is eBay. There are other dish replacement companies, but they are just too darn expensive! eBay always seems to have new stuff coming in and often their prices can’t be beat.

        Reply
      9. Kate says:

        Before even reading the whole article I was ready to say that I have been serving meals on Winter Frost Corelle dishes for 56 years without having to replace anything more than a small bowl! We’ve changed households six times in those years and there have been no challenges with packing and moving these dishes. I’ve been able to easily add to the serving pieces as they’ve been introduced into the line. As Mary pointed out – these dishes are versatile for casual and formal occasions and readily adaptable to seasonal tableware/decor. I love the weight and the minimal space they occupy on my cupboard shelves. I don’t intend to change my mind on any of my dishes!

        Reply
        • Robyn says:

          I received 2 sets of Winter Frost Corelle dishes when I married in 1976. When my hubby was in the Army in Germany, we bought two sets of hunter blue and white plates from England for less than $40, which went well with the Corelle when entertaining large groups. What I like about Corelle White is that I am able to buy it open stock, most recently at Ralphs, a Kroger store, and on sale to boot.

          Reply
      10. Kelli Heflin says:

        I love Corelle–I had a set for years. But when my grandmother died, I took her Franciscan Desert Rose set because she was the best cook (well, 2nd best–we always said my grandpa was the best cook) and eating on those dishes reminds me of her. I hate stonewear, but these plates keep those memories close.

        Reply
      11. Carmen York says:

        I was all set to tell you that Corelle were the best dishes, but you placed them at #1. I fell in love with the Blue Onion design years ago. I started picking up pieces in yard sales. When I got to 12 plates (a few extra in case of breakage) I made myself stop. I now have plenty of bowls, lunch and desert plates, plus serving bowls and serving plates. What I’m trying to say is that I have dropped many a plate onto the floor and never had one break. I like the fact that they take up very little space and are lightweight.

        Reply
      12. Suzanne says:

        I had a Pfaltzgraff set for years. But I reached the point where the weight of my dishes was too much for me. I wanted something lighter and found Mikasa. It’s their Nellie pattern, and I’m wondering if there’s any difference between Nellie and Delray.

        Reply
      14. Robin Seibert says:

        I greatly appreciated this column, as I’ve just downsized into a much smaller home and need to downsize and simplify most parts of my life! I would be interested in suggestions and ratings on silverware as well; something priced well that is comfortable in the hand (and mouth!) and will last without rust spots, bent tines, etc. Thank you for all you do for us that don’t have but appreciate your research and knowledge!

        Reply
      15. linda says:

        when we moved, 15 years ago, i decided it was time to replace my dinnerware. i went to bed bath and beyond and bought fitz and floyd everyday porcelain service for 12. i went to bed, bath because they carried open stock so i could replace anything that broke. this worked fine…for a while. now bed bath and beyond is an online only. since i don’t have a credit card and i refuse to put any banking information online as i am not internet savvy enough to keep it safe, i am now stuck with three quarters of a set. i think when it’s time to replace it entirely, i will go to the dollar store.

        Reply
      16. lee says:

        I just recently read somewhere that before a certain date, I can’t remember what it was, you shouldn’t use them anymore because there was some kind of health risk due to the paint. Something to think about.
        Just googled it and this is what came up.

        While Corelle dishes purchased after 2005 are generally considered safe, older Corelle dinnerware (pre-2005) may contain lead in the paint, posing a potential health risk if the paint chips or cracks, so it’s recommended to use them for decorative purposes only and avoid eating or drinking from them

        Reply
      17. Lula Hanson says:

        Years ago I started collecting white place settings at places like Tuesday Morning. I have a large set of white dishes and I love that they are all different patterns, but match all the same.

        Reply
        • Lyn T says:

          Love this idea! Wish I had thought of it before I invested in the Mikasa Italian Countryside set; each piece, especially serving dishes, is an INVESTMENT!..

          Reply
      18. Lauren P. says:

        We’ve used Corelle dishes for 3 decades, and my mom used them most of her adult life (my sister now has Mom’s Corelle). In addition to them being lightweight, shatterproof and durable, they’re also made in the USA, which we love. We also use vintage, original USA made Corningware for cooking since it’s oven, stove-top, fridge, freezer, microwave & dishwasher safe.

        Reply
      19. Eileen says:

        I’m so glad to see you recommend Corelle. I’ve had several sets of Corelle over the past forty years. There are a number of things I love about them. First, they are really durable — they don’t smash into smithereens if they fall on the floor. I love the fact that they are fairly light weight. I’m tired of picking up plates that already seem to weigh half a pound with nothing in them. As I get older I appreciate that more and more. One of my absolute favorites is that they fit together on one shelf. You can usually fit 8 dinner plates, 8 lunch plates and 8 small bread plates in one stack on a shelf, then 8 pasta and 8 cereal bowls in another stack on the same shelf. all the bowls. That’s a huge space saver. I can stack six or more vegetable bowls on one shelf. Because they are not heavy you don’t have to worry about overloading your cupboard. I don’t use them for a company dinner, just for everyday, although I really think some of the patterns would look lovely on a dinner table. I’m okay with the fact that they are more expensive than they used to be. I truly believe they are worth it.

        Reply
      20. john says:

        I love Mary’s the best stirfry but so often she promoting buying something. Do mfg send her stuff to plug? I can imagine her with a savings mindset buying all that stuff. I mean you cant know what is best if you dont get your hands on it.
        We find plain white well plain. I have always loved Fransciscan which we use for breakfast lunch and dinner. Their full sized plates are too big so we use the mext size ddown for dinner and the small one for lunch. My wife uses the midsize or full size cause she has large bfasts but I use the small ones for bfast.
        They look wonderful on the table and displayed in a bookcase too. I counter top rack or glass door upper cabinets. If a person wanted a change, I never will, they have value for resale where the white plates above never will. But for economy if a person is looking to start a set, the Amazon basics are a good buy. When you done with them, take them to Goodwill. But I believe in buying just a few quality/interesting pieces and building. We have yellow, turguoise, and dark blue. Well also a red set for Cmas company.

        Reply
        • Mary Hunt says:

          No. Manufacturers don’t send me products because I refuse their offers. You can’t believe how many requests I get. I don’t want to be obligated in any way to write a positive review or endorsement. I pay for everything out of my own resources. One exception: I ordered a Shark Apex vacuum from SharkNinja years ago because I wanted to see what was so great about it. When the company saw my name and email address on the order, they contacted me and said they wanted to send it as a gift to thank me for all the posts I’d written about Shark products. There were no expectations and no strings attached at all. Over the decades I have personally paid for many, many products, many of which I have recommended to my readers. Items I do not need nor have room to keep, I donate to a local charity for their thrift store.

          Reply
      21. JOHN JAFFEE says:

        Best value is Walmart Mainstays Glazed White Stoneware Dinnerware Set. A set for 4 is $10.97, for 12 only $32.91! (Same for 12 at Amazon $79.98)
        https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Glazed-White-Stoneware-Dinnerware-Set-12-Pieces/855415392
        You can add 12 mugs for $1.12 each – https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Glazed-White-Stoneware-12-Ounces-Mug/211142390

        Reply
      22. Lee Anne says:

        Love the choices and the go-with-everything white. I went a step further and went to white 10” low pasta bowls to replace bowls, rim soup, dinner plates, salad plates, etc. one less decision when setting the table and so much more room in my cabinets!

        Reply
      23. Robyn says:

        I received 2 sets of the white Corelle for my wedding nearly 50 years ago. An overseas stint in the Army had us purchasing everyday blue & white hunting scene dinnerware, which had several serving pieces. The cost was $30 for two sets, since the dollar was high then. Back in the states and into our first (and only) home, I fell in love with the cobalt blue pieces I bought as open stock, which tied my previous two sets together and provided salad plates and various bowls. No problem when having a large family gathering, even with a broken plate or bowl. The white Corelle is available just about everywhere as open stock. The three sets display nicely in the top section of my 30″ wide buffet and will go with us into retirement.

        Reply

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