I’ll admit, when I first got an induction hob several years ago, I had no idea it could only be used with certain pans. Several of the ones I owned didn’t work at all, so I had to do a deep-dive into the best induction pans available when replacing them.
Induction hobs use magnetic fields to conduct heat, so only pans with a flat, magnetic base, such as cast iron or stainless steel, will work. Fortunately, manufacturers label pans to show they are suitable for induction cooking. High-quality induction pans are essential because the base itself is heated, rather than the surface of the hob, which can cause thin pans to warp, causing poor heating, uneven cooking and, eventually, the hob to stop detecting the pan at all. I speak from hard-won experience.
When choosing an induction pan, it’s worth thinking about what sort of food you like to cook, so you know whether to invest in a wok or stockpot, whether you need a non-stick pan for whizzing up pancakes or even if you like to serve food at the table straight from the pan. Whatever suits your kitchen, these are the best induction pans to choose, all tested on my home hob.
Read more: Best cast iron skillets for sizzling up a storm, tested by a food writer
The best induction pans for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Our Place titanium always pan pro: £170, Fromourplace.co.uk
- Best budget option – Salter megastone 20cm frying pan: £14.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best frying pan – Circulon scratchdefense stainless steel frying pan: from £60, Johnlewis.com
- Best induction saucepans – Ninja ceramic pro three-piece saucepan set: £174.99, Argos.co.uk
Read more: 10 best stainless steel pans, tested by an expert
Our Place titanium always pan pro
Best: induction pan overall
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminium, titanium
Sizes available: 21.6cm, 27.6cm, 31.6cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Oven safe: Yes, up to 535C
Why we love it
- Heats up very quickly
- Food never sticks
- Very versatile
Take note
- Large for the dishwasher
- Expensive
The best induction pan I tested is Our Place’s titanium always pan pro. I already owned the brand’s much-hyped ceramic always pan 2.0 (£140, Fromourplace.co.uk) and didn’t think it could be improved upon, but here we are. This pan is made from stainless steel, aluminium and titanium layers that the manufacturers claim are 300 per cent harder than stainless steel, and it certainly cooked like a dream. Food heated up in seconds, cooked evenly, and never seemed to stick thanks to an ingenious nonstick surface that is pressed into the titanium rather than coating the pan.
I cooked everything from bacon to stir-fries in it, and everything turned out perfectly, which sadly can’t be put down to my cooking skills. I loved the fact I could use metal utensils without causing scratching and that it could transfer straight into the oven – though beware, the handle does get hot if you do that. Better still, the pan can be thrown straight in the dishwasher afterwards, which is a big plus in my book.
The downside is the price. If you’re looking to spend less, the Circulon scratchdefense stainless steel frying pan is another good option, but if you can splurge, I expect Our Place’s pan will last a lifetime.
Buy now £170, Fromourplace.co.uk
Salter megastone 20cm frying pan
Best: budget induction pan
Materials: Forged aluminium
Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 28cm, 30cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Oven-safe: No
Why we love it
- Super lightweight
- Durable non-stick coating
- Little oil is required when cooking
Take note
- Magnetic base may not last well
If you’re looking for the best budget induction pan then Salter’s megastone is the one I’d recommend. It's a great little frying pan that I found invaluable when cooking. Though larger sizes are available, I tested the 20cm one and found it ideal for cooking smaller portions of food such as fried eggs and mushrooms.
It’s extremely easy to use, with a soft-touch handle that stays cool and makes lifting it from hob to sink no bother. I was also impressed by the non-stick coating, which Salter says is 10 times tougher than standard non-stick, so it can be used with metal utensils. I was sceptical and proceeded cautiously with a metal spatula, but found it didn’t scratch at all.
The pan can be used with no oil, especially with fattier foods, but I found that a little helped avoid any food sticking and also made it easier to clean afterwards. I’ve noticed in the past that pans with magnetic materials bonded on the base often don’t last as long as those made of solid construction, but at this price, that’s a risk worth taking.
Buy now £17.99, Salter.com
Circulon scratchdefense stainless steel frying pan
Best: induction frying pan
Materials: Stainless steel
Sizes available: 22cm, 25cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: No
Oven-safe: Yes, up to 260C
Why we love it
- Food never sticks
- Lightweight
- Heat distributes evenly
Take note
- Pricey compared to others
It’s worth spending a little more on the best induction frying pan to make sure it stands the test of time. Circulon’s scratchdefense pan is made from scratch-resistant stainless steel, which has a a non-stick cooking surface made of triple-layer aerospace-grade material. This sounds high tech but this essentially means that it’s guaranteed not to scratch or flake, according to the brand (there’s a lifetime guarantee, too).
I was really impressed with how easy it was to cook with. It was light to handle and heat distributed evenly to ensure excellent results every time. Nothing seemed to stick, either, including omelettes, salmon fillets and even slices of halloumi.
I would have loved it if it went in the dishwasher, but I found it extremely easy to hand wash, as dirt was wiped away in a flash.
Buy now £77.99, Circulon.uk.com
Le Creuset cast iron saucepan
Best: cast-iron pan induction pan
Materials: Enamelled cast iron
Sizes available: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Oven-safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Looks fantastic
- Heats evenly
- Versatile
Take note
- Extremely heavy
- Pricey compared to others
For the best cast-iron induction pan, I recommend Le Creuset’s saucepan. It goes without saying it’s a looker, too. Its distinctive graduated bright orange brought a welcome pop of colour to my kitchen, and I would happily bring it straight from the hob to the table to use it for serving (aka show off).
It’s seriously pricey but cooks like a dream, heating up evenly when I tested it while making a variety of dishes, including a cheese sauce; rice; and a vegetarian chickpea casserole.
However, it’s worth noting that Le Creuset recommends only using silicon or wooden tools, as metal utensils can cause damage. It’s also extremely heavy to handle, and I struggled to lift it with one hand, so it wouldn’t suit anyone with limited mobility.
Buy now £209, Lecreuset.co.uk
Tefal ingenio emotion 22-piece pan set, stainless steel
Best: stackable induction pans
Materials: Stainless steel with detachable handles
Sizes available: Frying pans: 22cm, 24cm, 26cm, 28cm; saucepans: 16cm, 18cm, 20cms; 24cm saute pan, 26cm wok
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but handles need hand washing
Oven-safe: Yes, up to 260C (without handle)
Why we love it
- Fantastic space-saver
- Comes with utensils
- Effective non-stick coating
Take note
- Would need to switch handles if cooking with more than two pans at once
When Tefal’s ingenio emotion set arrived, I thought there’d been some mistake. There was surely no way nine pans, three lids, four utensils and four pan protectors could fit in such a small box. But that’s the beauty of this clever set – all the pans stack together, using up to 50 per cent less space in the cupboard than traditional cookware.
The secret is in the two removable handles, which can be used interchangeably on any of the pans. I thought this may feel a little unstable but the handles click into place with a three-point safety system, and feel extremely secure with zero wobbling. The only downside is that if you’re using more than three pans at once, you would need to swap handles between pans, as the set only comes with two.
There are other benefits to removing the handles, though. They can click off so the pans can be used in the oven as baking tins or even in the fridge to store leftovers. I especially liked the fact the handleless pan took up far less space in my dishwasher (though you do need to hand wash the handle itself). The largest saucepan could even double up as a mixing bowl and has measurements marked inside.
The pans’ stainless steel exterior feels solid and good quality, so shouldn’t warp over time. The titanium non-stick coating also worked well, though it can’t be used with metal utensils.
Buy now £231, Amazon.co.uk
Ninja ceramic pro three-piece saucepan set
Best: induction saucepans
Materials: Recycled aluminium body with ceramic coating
Sizes available: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes, though hand-washing recommended
Oven-safe: Yes, up to 285C
Why we love it
- Require little or no oil
- Very versatile
- Look the part
Take note
- Slower to heat than other pans
The best induction saucepans are from the kitchen essentials heavyweight Ninja. You’ll need more than a frying pan for your new induction hob, so this set of three saucepans is a great addition, with three suits-everything sizes. They each have a 100 per cent recycled aluminium body with a PTFE-free ceramic coating, which is super-slippy, helping to stop food sticking.
I used them for everything from a Mexican rice dish with peppers and onions to a chicken curry, and every dish turned out well. Although I did find the pans took a little longer to heat up initially than some others I tested.
They all looked great out on my hob and the stainless steel-rimmed glass lids were handy to check on food while it was cooking. I also loved the fact that the saucepans could be used in the oven – I used the largest to make a cottage pie, which I baked after preparing the meat on the hob.
However, I would recommend taking care when stacking the pans or storing them away, to avoid chipping the coating and ensuring they last in tip-top condition for as long as possible.
Buy now £174.99, Argos.co.uk
HexClad 30cm hybrid wok
Best: stainless steel induction pan
Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 25cm, 30cm, 35cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Oven-safe: Yes, up to 480C
Why we love it
- Perfect for cooking in bulk
- Excellent non-stick coating
- Good heat distribution
Take note
- Large to store
- Quite heavy
- Pricey compared to others
HexClad’s hybrid wok is the best stainless steel induction pan I tested. It’s available in three different sizes, but I tested the 30cm wok, which is nearly 8cm deep, meaning it has room for almost everything. As well as stir-fries, I also used it to sear steak, cook a mammoth portion of bolognese and even deep-fried homemade fish goujons, as there was plenty of room for the oil without risking spitting or spilling.
The PTFE-free, ceramic non-stick coating was one of the best I tested and nothing stuck to it at all during testing. The pan also held heat really well, and I found I could even use a lower temperature than expected when cooking without affecting the results.
The wok was comfortable to hold, thanks to its stay-cool handles, although I did find it fairly heavy, especially when tossing stir-fries. It also takes up a lot of space in the dishwasher, so I tended to hand-wash it, but that was well worth the minimal effort to have this do-anything pan in my kitchen.
Buy now £139, Hexclad.co.uk
George Home hybrid stainless steel stockpot 28cm
Best: induction pan for a big family
Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 28cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Oven-safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Fantastic price
- Heats up quickly and evenly
- Easy to lift
Take note
- Glass lid can’t be used in oven
If you love to cook in bulk or have to cater for a crowd, George Home’s hybrid stainless steel stockpot is the best induction pan for big families. At nearly 14cm deep, there’s little it can’t tackle, and I used it to make huge portions of beef stew, risotto and chilli. The stainless steel body has an aluminium core for quick and even heating, and the non-stick coating worked well – though I did find it was better with a touch of oil, particularly when sweating onions.
It's not as heavy as it looks and the solid handles on either side make it easy to lift around the kitchen. I also liked the fact that I could check on cooking progress through the glass lid, however, the packaging states that the pan is only ovenproof without the lid, which is a real shame. I had to use foil instead to cover my stew when I transferred it to the oven, which seemed a little wasteful.
It also looks far more expensive than it is, so no one will ever believe you picked it up in your local supermarket.
Buy now £38, Asda.com
Sherwood five-piece mixed pan set
Best: induction pan starter set
Materials: Forged aluminium body
Size: Saucepans: 16cm, 18cm and 20cm; frying pans: 20 and 28cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: No
Oven-safe: No
Why we love it
- Effective non-stick coating
- Comfortable handles
- Excellent price
Take note
- Can’t be used in the dishwasher
- Not oven-safe
When you’ve just forked out on a new hob, you probably don’t want to blow the budget buying several new pans. Luckily, Sherwood’s five-piece mixed pan set is fantastically priced and has all you’ll need to cook almost anything. This includes two differently sized frying pans and three saucepans, two of which come with lids.
During testing, I cooked all kinds of dishes in them, including sautéed vegetables, pancakes, butternut squash soup and even a humble boiled egg. I found they all heated up well and evenly, and they were easy to move around the kitchen with the comfortable wood-effect handles.
Food was easy to lift off the PFAS-free ceramic coating, too, though it should be noted that using metal utensils is to be avoided. The pans can’t go in the dishwasher or oven either, though hand-washing took seconds. Despite that, these pans are hard to beat if you need a starter set for a reasonable price.
Buy now £54.99, Backmoorhome.co.uk
Green Pan Barcelona pro grillpan 28cm
Best: induction griddle pan
Materials: Aluminium
Size: 28cm
Hob compatibility: All
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Oven-safe: Yes, up to 220C
Why we love it
- Excellent at cooking meat
- Effective at grilling veg
- Sturdy handles make it easy to move
Take note
- Move carefully on the hob to avoid scratching
Meat-eaters will never go back once they’ve added the best griddle induction pan to their kitchen repertoire. I expected Green Pan’s Barcelona pro grillpan to be a dream for searing steaks but was surprised just how much difference it made. I also used it for sliced halloumi, asparagus, burgers and even made some tasty grilled paninis on it, proving it was more versatile than I first thought.
At 28cm, it’s a great size for cooking, but not so large it’s a pain to store when not in use. And it can still squeeze in the dishwasher. The two mirror-finish handles on either side are very sturdy, so it’s easy to move, and the PFAS-free, ceramic non-stick coating was fantastic for searing without the meat getting stuck to the pan. In fact, I wouldn’t use a normal pan for meat after trying this one.
However, the base is quite textured, so it’s worth using caution when moving it around an induction hob – lifting rather than dragging it, to avoid scratches.
Buy now £90, Johnlewis.com
Your induction pan questions answered
What is the best induction pan?
If you can only buy one induction pan, I’d invest in the Our Place titanium always pan pro. It can cook almost anything, has a very effective non-stick surface and heats up quickly and evenly. If the always pan pro is out of budget, I also rate the Salter megastone 20cm frying pan, which requires little oil when cooking and is super lightweight. If you’re short on space or need to buy a whole set in one go, opt for the Tefal ingenio emotion 22-piece pan set, which has removable handles that be used interchangeably between the pans.
How I tested induction pans
I used all of these induction pans in my own kitchen over several weeks, to get an idea of which ones were worth a permanent place in my kitchen cupboard. With each pan, I cooked a range of dishes from casseroles to curries and assessed it according to the factors below:
What pans work with induction?
Pans must be made of magnetic materials to work on an induction hob, so look for cast-iron and stainless-steel pans. Essentially, if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, it will usually work well. However, always double check the pan is compatible with induction cooking before buying (check the packaging or the manufacturer’s website). Those showing a coiled spring symbol are the ones to look for. Thick-based pans work the best, as induction hobs heat the pan rather than the hob, and the magnetic field can cause thinner pans to warp over time.
Can you use induction pans on gas?
Most induction-compatible pans can also be used on a gas hob, so you may not necessarily need to buy a whole new set of pans if you make the switch. Stainless steel and cast iron pans should usually work on both, but if the pan is particularly thin or has a non-stick coating, an open gas flame could cause damage. It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s guide to be sure before cooking.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s product guides are carefully curated, featuring items that our experienced shopping team has personally tested and approved. Siobhan Grogan is a journalist with years of experience in testing products for the home, from the best tabletop dishwashers to the best mattress protectors, so is an expert in evaluating their quality and, ultimately, whether they’re worth your time and money.
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