The best stainless steel pans 2024 tested for searing, stewing, and more

The best stainless steel pans are a staple in every kitchen thanks to their famously durable build, speedy heat transfer, and sleek aesthetic. I've tested over 20 full sets of stainless steel pans – from non-stick pans through to sets for under £99 – to bring you the best options on the market.

When you're shopping for the best stainless steel pans, you'll want to think about all the same features that you would for finding the best induction pans, and decide between 'multi-ply' or 'triple-ply', 'riveting' or 'welding', and 18/10 or 18/8 grade compositions, which I've explained below. Finding the perfect combination of all three will give you stainless steel pans that will last a lifetime, but these can be tricky to seek out – which is where my guide comes in.

The best stainless steel pans below are all induction hob-compatible, nice to handle, and effortless to use. Whether you're looking for a basic starter set or some professional-grade pans, I've found the perfect pans for you.

Terminology to know

You'll often see people talking about multi-ply or triple-ply pans. These will be the best sets because 'ply' refers to layers of stainless steel around an aluminium or copper core (these metals are better conductors of heat, but they don't make great pans without stainless steel).

Next, you'll see brands talk about 'riveting' and 'welding' handles onto their pans. Riveted handles tend to be more durable and a sign that you're investing in some of the best cookware out there. Welding is easier to clean, but they don't work as well under high-stress cooking.

Lastly, you'll see 18/10 or 18/8 grade compositions: these are the best ratios of nickel and chromium to have in your pans.

The best stainless steel pans of 2024

The best stainless steel pan sets

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Buying a complete set of stainless steel pans is always a good idea. It might be that you're starting a new home from scratch, or you're looking for a refresh that will upgrade your old set — either way, this is an easy way to shop. I've selected the Ninja, M&S, and Tefal collections as the best stainless steel pan sets on the market for a whole host of reasons. In each collection, I feel that every component adds value to the set: there aren't any redundant pans, nor do I feel that they're lacking anything. Each set is good value, with speedy, even heat transfer. I tested over 20 different sets to get to these three, so you can be sure that these really are the best.

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Best stainless steel frying pans

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If you heat stainless steel high enough, it creates a layer of its own, natural non-stick, which is perfect for a frying pan. I recently made the switch to stainless steel frying pans to escape cheaper, plastic-coated alternatives. I think I'm at the stage in life when I deserve a high-quality frying pan, don't you?

Investing in a separate stainless steel frying pan is the perfect way to meet your needs really specifically. The three that I have chosen below are perfect for searing, browning and high-heat cooking. They're all oven-safe and induction-hob compatible and, if we are keeping tallies of our most used pans, my stainless steel frying pan is easily at the top of the list.

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Best stainless steel saucepans

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Not all sets include stainless steel frying pans and milk pans, which can be a good thing. Some people like to invest separately in a set of saucepans and then buy their frying pans from a different brand, which makes sense if you know you have specific needs.

I looked for versatile saucepan sets, also known as stock pots. The best ones come with handles that didn't get too hot, lids that channelled steam perfectly, good weight distribution, and speedy heat transfer too. Here are my favourites for covering your most pressing kitchen needs.

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How we tested the best stainless steel pans

At woman&home we have a rigorous process for how we test stainless steel pans. I have personally tested over 20 full sets of stainless steel pans to find out which are the best ones out there. I've compared them to our best induction pans as well as some of the newest models on the market. When I'm testing any of the pans, be it a frying pan or a milk pan, I'm looking for the following:

• Performance: I have a series of different tests that each type of pan goes through. They need to heat up quickly and evenly, without the handles getting too hot or uncomfortable. I look for nice browning, consistent results, and a seamless cooking experience.
• Value: Stainless steel pan sets can get expensive, so I like to make sure that you're getting good value for money. The cheapest sets on this list come with lifetime warranty and welded handles, which is what you would expect from any premium set of pans. The most expensive sets still deliver good value, just with some extra special fine tuning.
• Versatility: I like to make sure that the pans are induction hob safe, oven safe, and dishwasher safe, so that they can be used across all parts of your kitchen. High maintenance pans aren't worth it. Trust me.
• Diversity: If you're buying a set, it's important to know that you've got a lot of different functions covered. I like to test my pans on a range of different tasks, so that you know you could cook any dish you want to with your pans.
• Durability: stainless steel pans should be able to last you for a lifetime, so I look at the composition, joins, and general craft of the pans. If there is a non-stick, it's good to know whether it's scratch resistant, or more high maintenance. There's nothing worse than making a big investment only to be let down by your pans,

How to choose the best stainless steel pan for you

• Think about how you will use them: When looking at how to choose the best stainless steel pans, it’s important to think about how you’re going to use them in your kitchen. For instance, if you’re lifelong loyal to a cast iron skillet for getting the perfect sear, you might prefer to go for a set of saucepans only, while if you’re looking to replace your full cookware set then it might be a good idea to ensure you have all shapes and sizes that you need, as well as a few non-stick frying pans to boot.
• Shapes and sizes: We’d recommend at least three saucepans in small, medium, and large for ensuring you have everything you need to make sauces through to soup recipes. Consider whether or not you’ll be using your pans in the oven a lot too, as pairs of short side handles are often better here, rather than one long one. Aside from regular pots, we’d also consider both a frying pan and a saute pan as essentials. The former is great for getting a searing high heat for cooking things like steak, as well as having it on hand for everyday tasks like frying eggs or making pancakes. The latter has to be one of our favorite shapes and is the ultimate multi-tasker when it comes to working hard in the kitchen. Traditionally saute pans have higher, straighter sides than frying pans and are great as a sort of hybrid model. Use them to warm sauces and gravies or get meat browned off easily before adding them to a stew. They’re equally as great for classics like risotto or paella, if you don’t want to shell out on a pan made for just one use.
• Requirements: A final consideration is whether or not your chosen pans come with lids or not—and what kind of lids they are—as this makes your set much more multi-functional. You might prefer stainless steel lids from aesthetic and durability points of view, but glass ones are also worth thinking about, as they provide easy access when wanting to check things like biryani, where you wouldn’t want to remove the lid and lose all the vital steam, but you still want to be able to check on progress.
• Budget: As with most things in life, when it comes to choosing the best stainless steel pans, you get what you pay for. With a few exceptions, which are detailed below, we’d say that it’s worth stretching the budget here a little to get the very best you can afford. Stainless steel is so durable that if you invest in high-quality pans once, they should see you through many a happy year in the kitchen and work out reasonably when it comes to cost per use.
• Compatibility: If applicable, remember to check that you’ve selected the best pans for an induction hob. More recently these have become the norm, as the induction technology simply needs a magnetic reaction to work, but it’s worth being doubly sure before you purchase. Other compatibility considerations include whether or not the pans can go into the oven or not, and if they come with lids (as mentioned above). It’s all the little things that will ensure you get the most use out of your chosen pieces.

FAQs

Why is stainless steel good to cook with?

There’s a reason you’ll find chefs all over the world stocking their kitchens with stainless steel pans—they’re reliable, durable and high-functioning. But why else are they preferable to cook with?

• They are great for acidic foods: While uncoated cast iron skillets, for instance, are great for high-heat cooking, they’re less able to deal well with acidic foods so don’t do well with basics like tomato sauce. Here stainless steel has no problems, making it a great choice of material to invest in if you’re a cook who likes to make acidic-based meals, as the metal doesn’t react when it comes into contact with ingredients such as tomato or vinegar.
• They hold heat very well: Stainless steel does a really good job of keeping a steady heat even after colder ingredients have been added. This might seem arbitrary but it’s not a given with all pans. Even after taking it off the heat, stainless steel will hold in heat well (with a lid on) which is especially handy if people are eating at different times. This means it is a great material to turn to during busy hosting periods, such as Christmas.
• They're ideal for searing: Stainless steel is a top-class cooking investment because of its ability to help you get that perfect sear, due to its great heat maintenance. Testing whether a stainless steel pan is hot enough to sear with is simple, just drop a little water onto the surface, and if it balls and disperses quickly it’s ready to go. When searing, don’t be tempted to move your meat, fish, or vegetables before they have had time to form a proper crust. You’ll know you’re ready to flip when you can gently move the food around the pan with just a shuffle of the handle, without having to scrape it aggressively.

How to clean stainless steel pans 

To keep your stainless steel pans performing perfectly and to their best ability, they need to be maintained appropriately, and you need to ensure you know how to clean stainless steel properly. But it should be quick and easy to do, so long as you follow a few key steps while using them:

• Firstly, when using your pans try not to let them get too hot too quickly as this can warp the metal irreversibly.
• Secondly, avoid allowing food to burn onto the surface, as it's this material that can build up and make your pans hard to use in the long run.
• Finally, always keep your plans clean and cared for by washing them only after they've cooled down. If you add cold water to a hot pan it can result in buckling of the base or interior of the pan, as well as discoloration, which will create an uneven cooking surface resulting in patchy cooking.

Luckily, most stainless steel pans are dishwasher safe, so can also be loaded in cycle after cycle if you’re happy to keep them maintained by your machine. Some people prefer to hand wash their pans the old-fashioned way, and because they’re tough they withstand being scrubbed if needed—although day-to-day maintenance should only require a wash with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.

A common complaint from stainless steel pan users is that food sticks to them, and that might be true, but this only happens if a couple of simple steps aren’t followed. To get the best efficiency from your pan purchase, make sure to heat the pan first, then add the oil.

If you add the oil while the pan is coming up to the temperature you’ll overheat it which not only results in a poor flavor experience but also can also mean food sticks immediately when it comes in contact with the hot oil, because of the extreme fluctuation in temperature. Ingredients should also be room temperature where possible, so should be brought out of the fridge for an hour or so before you begin to cook with them.

At woman&home we have a rigorous process for how we test stainless steel pans. I have personally tested over 20 full sets of stainless steel pans to find out which are the best ones out there. I've compared them to our best induction pans as well as some of the newest models on the market. When I'm testing any of the pans, be it a frying pan or a milk pan, I'm looking for the following:

• Performance: I have a series of different tests that each type of pan goes through. They need to heat up quickly and evenly, without the handles getting too hot or uncomfortable. I look for nice browning, consistent results, and a seamless cooking experience.
• Value: Stainless steel pan sets can get expensive, so I like to make sure that you're getting good value for money. The cheapest sets on this list come with lifetime warranty and welded handles, which is what you would expect from any premium set of pans. The most expensive sets still deliver good value, just with some extra special fine tuning.
• Versatility: I like to make sure that the pans are induction hob safe, oven safe, and dishwasher safe, so that they can be used across all parts of your kitchen. High maintenance pans aren't worth it. Trust me.
• Diversity: If you're buying a set, it's important to know that you've got a lot of different functions covered. I like to test my pans on a range of different tasks, so that you know you could cook any dish you want to with your pans.
• Durability: stainless steel pans should be able to last you for a lifetime, so I look at the composition, joins, and general craft of the pans. If there is a non-stick, it's good to know whether it's scratch resistant, or more high maintenance. There's nothing worse than making a big investment only to be let down by your pans,

Should I get stainless steel pans or non-stick pans?

Whether you should get stainless steel or non-stick pans will depend upon your needs and skill levels. Stainless steel pans are great if you'll be doing high-heat cooking. They're also naturally more versatile and durable than non-stick, but you'll need to use more oils to stop your food from sticking. Non-stick pans offer an easier clean up, especially with sticky foods, and they'll help you to reduce the amount of oil needed when you cook. If you like the sound of both, it is possible to buy stainless steel non-stick pans. The Ninja NeverStick and M&S 5-Piece pan collection are both stainless steel and non-stick.

Can I use stainless steel pans on an induction hob?

Not every stainless steel pan is induction hob friendly, but the chances are much higher that yours will be compared to other types of pans. This is because induction hobs work using magnets to detect where your pan is on a surface. Stainless steel is naturally magnetic, so good quality pans will be 'accidentally' induction hob friendly.

What's the healthiest material to cook with?

Stainless steel always does well in non-toxic, healthy cooking testing and reviewing, because it doesn't use any forever chemicals or microplastics like some non-stick materials do. You might need to use more oil to keep food moving around the pan, but I think it's worth it not to eat plastics.

What are the best non-stick coatings?

If your stainless steel pans can be uncoated, then stainless steel is the best layer to have on your pan. If you do have a non-stick, lots of experts recommend looking for ceramic, since this doesn't contain the forever chemicals and plastics that other coatings sneak in.

Should I buy a whole set of pans, or each individually?

If you want a full refresh, it's a good idea to buy a whole new set of pans. However, from a cost and environmental perspective, you can just replace whichever of your pans is getting the most tired, I like to look for pans that have a lot of hard working features, so deep frying pans and casserole pans are always a safe bet.