Best induction pans—thoroughly tested, durable induction pans and sets for enthusiastic cooks

For any cooking enthusiast, having a good quality set of the best pans for induction hobs stashed away in your kitchen is essential. We've tested the best induction pans on the market, to discover which ones offer the best results.

Induction hobs use specialist technology, which is more complex than traditional gas or electric and offers a better user experience. They generally heat up faster, cool down faster, and offer a more even cooking result, whether you're making eggs, pancakes, or a sauce. And while induction pans are specifically tailored to the specialist technology devised for induction hobs, most induction-compatible pans can also be used on other hob types (unlike gas or electric pans, which don’t have transferable use).

There is a huge range of pans out there, so we’ve whittled the selection available down to the very best induction pans you can buy—including the incredibly popular but pricey Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel 24cm frying pan, which we loved for its quality feel, even cooking, and quality feel, and the ProCook Professional Granite Cookware Set, one of our favorite induction pan sets due to its tough non-stick coating and very reasonable price point (and while you're upgrading your kitchen kit, you may want to take a look at our guides to the best blenders and best food processors). 

What should I consider before buying induction pans?

Before buying your new induction cookware, it’s important to clarify three things—your budget, the main purpose for buying the equipment, and your storage: 

• Budget and type—the best induction pans vary vastly in price. Often, this is because you can buy induction pans as sets or as individual pans. Consider which type you need. For example, if you’re moving into a new home and have never needed induction pans before, it’s probably best to get an induction pan set to cover the basics, if you want value-for-money. Or, you may just need a single frying pan, as an upgrade to your current one. Generally, spending more on your induction pans will likely increase the guarantee. Pricier pans tend to be higher quality (not always, but generally speaking). 
• What you'll be cooking—the best induction pans for each person will vary depending on what you like to cook. Non-stick frying and griddle pans are good for when you want to minimize the need for additional fat. However, according to several chefs we spoke with, when cooking sauces, pots without non-stick technology are preferable as you get a better de-glaze and caramelization, which will provide added flavor. It's also worth noting that heavy-based induction pans have better heat distribution for more even cooking. However, heavier pans also make moving around the kitchen harder and might not be good for those who struggle with joint pain or arthritis.
• Your storage—we've listed the best individual induction pans and sets below, but the one you choose to buy will depend on how much space you have for them in your kitchen. If you're clearing out your existing pans to make way for a new load of the best pans for induction hob, one of the sets may be best for you, rather than buying individual pans. But, some might only have space for a new induction wok. Bear this in mind when browsing.

The best induction pans as tested by our experts

Below you’ll find the best induction pans split into pan types, from saucepans to woks, sets, frying pans, and more. We've then narrowed these down to the best products available within each of these categories. And, if you’re not sure which induction pans you need, or indeed the nuances between the types of pans, scroll down to the bottom where food expert and our tester Jessica Ransom explains the differences.

The best induction pan sets

If you want to display your pans rather than storing them away, this pan set is a great option. Crafted from brushed stainless steel, with modern, curved handles the S Series set from Crane is undeniably good-looking. And they all work very well too. The base of each pan is slimline enough to come up to heat fast and well, while the stainless steel conducts efficiently for an even cooking temperature. 

We liked that these felt super premium to use, with a good weight and great cooking results. Because of the stainless steel surface, we found cooking everyday family food and batch recipes in the Crane pans preferable to making things like burgers (which did tend to stick a bit in the frying pan). Durability was another plus point for us. When anything did stick, a good scrub was all that was needed to remove the debris, and it didn’t feel like it was damaging the interior. In fact, Crane cookware comes with a lifetime guarantee. We threw ours in the dishwasher a few times for good measure too and saw no warping, streaking, or scratching. For an attractive induction hob all-rounder, we thought these were hard to beat, which is why they've also made our list of the best cookware. 

This is a great starter kit at a reasonable price point, and perfect for varied cooking, which is why they are one of our best induction pans picks. The non-stick is excellent, but overall the pans lack a luxury feel or finish—so if this is what you're after, you might be better buying another set. 

The handles are only attached at a single joint which means they could loosen or break with prolonged use, which is very unlikely in several of the other pans we have tested. The pans do not have a long guarantee and are hand-wash only, which is why we deducted an additional half a star. However, overall these offer a great user experience, are easy to cook with, and offer fantastic value-for-money. And if you want to see more non-stick pans, see our selection of the best non-stick pans available to buy on the market at the moment. 

For anyone looking to tidy up their pots and pans cupboard, the Ingenio range from Tefal is a real life-saver. It’s compact, stackable and provides over 50% space-saving. Although it’s a 9-piece set, that doesn’t mean you get 9 pans. Instead you’ll find four pans with two handles, two glass lids and a preservation lid. The signature red spot in the centre of the pan turns a solid red when it’s at the optimum temperature. 

The insides of the saucepans also have measuring marks, which is very helpful, though not unique. Although we enjoyed the clip-on-and-off handle, it does stiffen over time and gradually marks the edges of your pans. But overall, a great luxury set. The best pans for induction hobs don't need to be expensive, but we reckon it's worth paying a bit extra for this set if you can. If you do opt for this set, be sure to read up on our clever pan storage ideas so that you can keep these organized and in the best condition.

See our full Tefal Jamie Oliver Ingenio collection review

The best induction saucepan sets

The design, durability and quality of this saucepan set really is very impressive given the price point. Forged from a single piece of aluminum, they have excellent heat distribution and no unwanted rattles—something which is prevalent, and rather annoying, with some other 'layered metal' induction pans. 

They responded well to changes in temperature on the hob, and the ergonomic handles are Cooltouch so they don’t heat up. The lightly textured granite effect surface would look smart in any kitchen and is subtle enough not to cheapen the look of the pans, unlike others we tested. The non-stick is fantastic and the set comes complete with self-basting glass lids for each of the pans.

See our full ProCook Professional Granite Cookware Set review

While these pans lack the finesse of others we tested, there’s no denying that they would make an excellent starter kit for anyone in a hurry to start cooking on their induction hob. The three saucepans have a non-stick technology that boasts to be five times stronger than others. It fared well in our testing and also means you can cook with little, if any, butter and oil. 

The handles don’t feel as robust as others but the soft touch is comfortable and for occasional home cooking, it’s very unlikely you’d run into any problems. The pans had a good response to heat changes and were relatively quiet when they had the lid on with minimal rattle.

Undeniably the most attractive set of saucepans we tested. These Robert Welch saucepans are stylish, sleek and a pleasure to use. The smooth, concave-finish handle is comfortable to hold and works far better as a pan handle vs a frying pan handle.

The pans don’t feel too heavy but were certainly weightier than others, which adds to the premium feel. There was minimal rattle when using the lid, though due to the stainless steel the handle did get hot from condensation, though less hot than others that were tested. They have a good heat distribution and the stainless steel means they are a good pan choice for cooking caramel. They were also easy to clean—a big plus in our books. Overall, worthy of an investment and a place on our list of the best induction pans.

The best individual induction saucepans

The speediest of all the saucepans we tested to come to the boil and responded excellently to changes in temperature on the induction hob, so it's definitely a contender on our best induction pans round-up. It has a clean, attractive finish with a helper handle at the top of the saucepan, which is useful for added support. 

There is an internal measuring guide which is helpful when pouring in liquids and judging how much water has gone from the pan or how much our sauce has reduced. The pan was quite noisy when fitted with the lid and the handle did get warm, making it essential to use a tea towel or oven glove when picking it up. Despite this, the Le Creuset pan is a great size and weight and an ideal investment if you’re only looking for one pan that’s multi-functional and durable.

This was one of the quietest pans we tested when used, which is why it's made our list of the best induction pans—and with the lid on there was a good reaction to changes in temperature on the induction hob. The glass lid is fitted with a rubber handle making it easy to remove, as it doesn’t heat up. 

The design and finish is less premium than other pans we tested but, for the very affordable price, it’s an excellent choice and can also be purchased as part of wider pan sets. The non-stick held up very well during testing too and they were very easy to clean. Overall an option that will slot easily into your kitchen, providing a great cooking experience with minimal fuss.

The best induction frying pans

The wide base offers even cooking and from our tests the non-stick performed very well. It’s compatible with all hob types and suitable for oven and grill cooking too. Although it has a comfortable, strong-feeling handle it is noticeably heavier than some of the pans we tried, a characteristic most Le Creuset loyalists prefer. 

This is no doubt a pricier option, but the quality and the lifetime guarantee means you should never have to buy another induction frying pan again. It’s perfect for everyday cooking, and looks great in your kitchen too—so if you are able to make the investment, we reckon it is well worth it. One of the best induction pans we tried.

See our full Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel 24cm Non-stick Frying Pan review

The best induction pans can be pricey, but this one had a more premium finish and feel than you’d expect from the price point. It was comfortable to hold and had a longer handle than other frying pans we tested, which would be good when cooking foods that are likely to spit. It’s available in two other sizes, 20cm and 28cm, which may fit your cooking needs better. We found the non-stick held up very well during testing and there was a good even distribution of heat. 

The Trustone interior is designed for ultimate scratch resistance, though it’s always recommended you avoid using metal utensils. After multiple uses at high heat, there was some deterioration in colour to the inside of the pan, and because it was a lighter design this was more noticeable than others. This pan was one of the quietest in terms of the interaction with our induction hob, but this could vary. It has a bonded steel base and is compatible with all hob types.

If you can call a frying pan beautiful, that’s the title we’d give this one—which is why we've included it in our round-up of the best induction pans. The design is sleek, stylish and will undoubtedly impress anyone lucky enough to receive it as a gift. It’s exceptionally heavy, and therefore didn’t fare very well in our pancake testing, though it’s very well suited to cooking steak or frying onions and feels as premium as it looks. 

The pan has an Excalibur non-stick coating, which is considered to be “the toughest most durable non-stick coating in the world”—our tests were no match for this.

This is a really excellent choice of induction frying pan if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. It proudly boasts that no oil or butter is needed when frying as it has Rock Pearl Plus non-stick Swiss technology, and this performed well in our tests. It’s an ideal size and weight for cooking pancakes or omelets, as it’s easy to toss too. 

It doesn’t have a premium look or feel but given the price point this should be expected—and it's still one of our best induction pans. The mottled marble color effect will be desirable to some and it is likely to age better than its stainless steel equivalents. It has an ergonomic soft-touch handle and is suitable for all other hob types too—including the best portable induction hobs.

The best induction woks

The Sous Chef Wok was a standout performer, which is why it has made our pick of the best induction pans. It had by far the best heat distribution, heating almost instantly and providing searing heat over the entire surface. The handle remained cool and the wok wasn’t too heavy to toss yet still weighty enough to feel durable. 

Being stainless steel it lacked non-stick capabilities—this resulted in more difficulties when washing (hence failing to score the perfect five). However, by not having a non-stick, the wok was better for searing and deglazing. Every part of the design felt like it had a purpose, from the sturdy two-point rivets, the long handle, the large domed surface (far larger than other woks we tested) to the small secondary handle. The wok also looks fantastic but handle it with some care as the polished stainless steel scratches and won't stay looking brand new for long.

While the non-stick was beneficial for cleaning, it did mean the pan didn't sear the food as well as competitors and had to be used at maximum heat in order to prevent the food from stewing. 

The food was easy to toss in the pan and the non-stick helped this, though at times it did feel as though the pan wouldn't be able to contain all the ingredients. The handle felt solid as did the wok's finish, which didn't scratch as easily as the stainless steel competition. Overall it was a lovely wok to use and though it wasn't the best performer, it gave a good finish and so presents itself as a great value choice, which is why we've included it in our best induction pans round-up.

How we selected the best induction pans

To determine the best induction pans, cooking expert, and food writer and stylist for woman&home, Jessica Ransom, rated them on several factors: the overall look and feel, suitability for purpose, quality, value, and guarantee. Jessica ran several experiments on the best pans for induction hobs, including making caramel to test staining and claims of non-stick, as well as comparing how fast the induction pans changed temperature. Many pancakes were eaten during the testing process, as cooking them enabled us to test for heat spots, and once again challenge claims of any non-stick induction pans. And finally, the best cookware should be easy to clean, so Jessica also put the induction pans and pots through many dishwasher cycles to see how they would fare.

What is an induction hob and what does it do?

If you're still a little stumped about what an induction hob actually is—or does—never fear. To make it clear, an induction hob is when electricity is passed through copper coils in the hob. This creates a magnetic field. When a pan with a magnetic base is placed directly on top of the hob the magnetic field causes the pan to heat up. This is how induction hobs and the best induction pans work together.

What pans work on inductions hobs and why?

If you're new to induction pans and hobs, you might be wondering, how do induction cookers work? For the best induction pans to work on an induction hob, it must have a flat magnetic base. Pans that are appropriate will have a coil shown on the box and a magnet will stick to the base of the pan (if the magnet does not stick strongly to the bottom of the pan it will be less effective when heating).

This means that all kinds of pans can work with induction hobs—such as non-stick pans, stainless steel pans, and cast iron pans—as long as they have one of these two things. If they are not induction-specific pans, many pans will also explicitly state whether or not they work with induction hobs on the product description. 

You can also test pans before purchase. During a chat with Jessica at The Langham's cookery school Sauce, Michelin star chef Michel Roux Jr suggested carrying a strong magnet with you when you go to purchase your induction pans, so that you can see for yourself how well the pan connects. 

It is important to note that the heating process in induction hob cooking takes place in the base of the pan, and therefore if the pan is not compatible it will not work and the hob will remain cold.

What are the benefits of induction hobs?

There are three main benefits of induction cooking and using an induction hob:

• Safety: In the induction hob vs gas hob debate, this is where induction may win out. The induction hob itself does not become hot. This means that unless an induction-specific pan is placed on top of the hob it will not heat up, thus removing a potential safety hazard. Plus, given that it is the pan that heats up, once this pan is removed the hob will lose any of the residual heat quickly and return to cold (even if it is left on).
• Efficiency when cooking: Induction cookers heat up very quickly, meaning your cooking will be very efficient. Multiple pans reached maximum temperature in less than a minute. The key is that less energy is wasted on heating the surroundings (the outside of the pan or the base of the hob). Instead only the inside of the pan is heated. The best pans for induction hobs only work to improve this efficiency.
• Efficiency when cleaning: Given that induction hobs only heat the pan and not the hob, it is very rare for food to burn onto the hob itself. This reduces the time spent cleaning and means only a damp cloth is required—though a glass cleaner every couple of months doesn't go amiss.
• More precise temperature control: Induction pans and hobs allow you to control the temperature at which your food cooks instantly, meaning if something is heating too quickly or too slowly, you can rectify any cooking mistake within seconds. This equals less burnt food, and generally, more controlled cooking.

Is it important to look for induction pans that are PFOA-free?

In each product we have reviewed above, we have noted whether or not the product is PFOA-free. Various items—including clothing, carpets, takeout boxes and cookware, as well as the air we breathe and the water we drink—contains PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid—also known colloquially as C8).

This can cause concern, because they stay in the environment and the body for long periods of time, and some studies (though it hasn't been conclusively proven) have suggested a link between PFOA exposure and cancer. As such, pans that are free from PFOA are generally preferred for customers.

But, while a PFOA-free pan is preferable, it's worth noting that non-stick cookware that is not PFOA-free is still one of the smallest exposures of PFOA that can be found in the household. And, just because an item is PFOA-free does not mean that it is completely safe and harm-free, as often manufacturers swap them out for other chemicals.

It's also good to know that when even the very best induction pans become scratched or overheated, the potential dosage of PFOAs consumed may increase. This is why many manufacturers recommend changing pans when damage occurs.

Which is better—gas or induction?

If you are currently deciding whether to install an induction cooktop, or replace your gas cooktop with an induction one, you might be wondering which is better when it comes to cooking, energy-efficiency and of course, price.

Many believe that induction cooking is superior to gas cooking in terms of time efficiency, because induction hobs will heat the base of your pan incredibly quickly—and cool it down just as fast too. Gas hobs, on the other hand, take time to warm up your pan, meaning that food takes that bit longer to cook. The speed at which induction hobs cool down also means they are generally considered to be safer too. 

Similarly, induction hobs are considered to be much more energy-efficient, as they use energy to directly heat pans, while gas hobs heat up pans indirectly via the heat of the burner. This means that the energy is concentrated exactly where it needs to be with an induction hob, making them generally better at saving energy. 

However, if you're considering installing an induction hob, it's worth noting that they do tend to be pricier than regular gas hobs. This is because induction hobs are, on the whole, just that bit more complicated than gas hobs to set up. However, because they are so energy efficient, once installed, the running costs of induction hobs can be very low—so it's a trade-off you'd have to consider against your own budget.