Is stainless steel or nonstick cookware better for a first set?

Reviewers across The Spruce Eats, Wirecutter (referenced in r/cookware), and Consumer Reports generally recommend a tri-ply stainless set as the long-term backbone, supplemented by one or two nonstick pans for eggs and delicate proteins. Stainless lasts decades; nonstick coatings — even premium ones — typically degrade within 3–5 years according to r/cookware consensus.