If you’re looking for pans that are durable, versatile and easy to clean, the best stainless steel pans are the way forward. One of their main benefits is that they’re resistant to scratching and staining, so you won’t have to replace all your utensils. They also conduct heat more evenly, which is crucial for everything from boiling a pot of water for pasta through to browning meat or sautéing vegetables. And unlike non-stick pans, stainless steel can help to keep complex flavours in your food.
When it comes to selecting the best stainless steel pan there are a few things you have to keep in mind. For starters, the thickness of the pan – thicker pans distribute heat more evenly and also hold on to heat. They also have a longer lifespan as they’re less prone to warping or denting over time. Also think about the handles, for example do you need handles that stay cool or are extra long?
I’ve hunted down some of the best stainless steel pans and put them to the test in my kitchen. From stainless steel pan sets to one off pans that are a must buy. Here’s my top picks of the best stainless steel pans for 2026.
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The best stainless steel pans for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Pro Chef 3-Piece hexguard pan set: £84.99, Prochefkitchenware.com
- Best stainless steel pan set – Cuisinart chef’s classic stainless steel cookware set: £138.39, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget – Salter timeless collection 3-piece saucepan set: £37.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best high-end – Le Creuset signature 3-ply stainless steel 3-piece saucepan set: £515, Lecreuset.co.uk
- Best large pan – M&S stainless steel all purpose saucepan: £60, Marksandspencer.com
How I tested
I tested each pan over the course of two weeks to find out what the stainless steel pans were capable of. I cooked, warmed and sautéed a variety of different dishes to see how well they performed. However, one test that I did consistently on each and every pan that I tested was to see how quick it could boil a pan of water. We eat a lot of pasta in our house so having a pan heat up quickly is essential – it doesn’t matter what shape or size a pan is, they’re all capable to boiling water so this was the perfect test.
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ProChef 3-piece hexguard pan set
Best: stainless steel pans overall
Sizes included: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm
Material: Tri-ply stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes, up to 230C
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- HexGuard coating requires less than oil when cooking
- Lightweight
- Easy to handle
- Quick to clean
Take note
- Handles get hot
The ProChef 3-piece hexguard pan set is perfect for anyone looking for the best stainless steel pans, but without the huge price tag. Everything you could need is included, with 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans. This set is really impressive because it has a hex-pattern called HexGuard, which is a non-stick surface that means you don’t have to use much oil when cooking. It also cleans really easily.
These pans are made from a tri-ply stainless steel (aka three layers of metal) and they all rapidly heat up a pan of water boiling within a couple of minutes. They’re suitable for all hob types, including induction and also oven safe up to 230C. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the non-stick coating and getting new utensils because they are metal utensil safe.
The ProChef stainless steel pans are lightweight and really nice to hold, thanks to the ergonomic handles. Although these do get quite hot, so make sure you have a tea towel at the ready. The lids are see-through with vents, so you don’t have to worry about them boiling over, and they fit snuggly so they don’t rattle around whilst food is cooking. Overall, this is a superb stainless steel pan set that you can continue to build up.
Buy now £84.99, Prochefkitchenware.co
Salter timeless 3-piece saucepan set
Best: budget stainless steel pans
Sizes included: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm
Material: Stainless Steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Even heat distrubition
- Easy to clean
Take note
- Not the quickest to heat up
The Salter timeless set is a collection of three pans: 16cm, 18cm and 20cm. As the best budget stainless steel pans, they have everything you could possibly need without breaking the bank. Plus, because they’re from Salter, which is widely sold, you can always easily add to your collection if you need more.
The stainless steel pans are lovely to use because they’re lightweight but still feel solid. I was super impressed by how well my food cooked using the pans, although the sides take a little longer to heat than the base, so you will need to stir often to achieve a perfectly even temperature.
They are dishwasher friendly but if you’re using elbow grease, you’ll find them incredibly easy to clean as even burnt-on food came off quickly after a short soak. The Salter timeless set is fantastic if you want decent stainless steel pans for less.
Buy now £37.99, Salter.com
Zwilling twin classic 5-piece set
Best: stainless steel pans for batch cooking
Sizes included: 16cm x2, 20cm x2, 24cm
Material: 18/10 stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Heat up very quickly
- Pouring rim prevents drip
- Integrated scale inside pans
Take note
- Can be difficult to lift when draining
- Can't see food while it's cooking
The Zwilling twin classic five piece stainless steel pots are the best stainless steel pans for batch cooking, perfect for making big hearty meals like stews and casseroles. Made from 18/10 stainless steel (18 per cent chromium and 10 per cent nickel), I found that they all heated up extremely quickly with superb heat distribution, making them ideal for warming sauces as you won’t get any cool spots.
With exception to the 16cm pan, all the pans have side handles that makes moving them around easier (particularly when full), but can be a little tricky to manoeuvre when it comes to draining.
One thing I really loved about them was the pouring rim – this prevented sauce from dripping down the sides, making clean-up a lot easier. There’s also a measuring scale inside the pots, forgoing the need for a measuring jug. The lids are made from glass and stainless steel, so you can’t peek in and check the progress of your food, but they don’t rattle about when food is on the boil. Overall, this a wonderful set that’s ideal for home cooks.
Buy now £149, Amazon.co.uk
Cuisinart chef’s classic 6-piece stainless steel cookware set
Best: stainless steel pan set
Sizes included: 1.4L and 2.4L saucepans, 2.8L sauté pan, 7.6L stock pot, 20cm and 25cm frying pans, 18cm steamer insert
Material: Stainless steel, aluminium
Oven safe: No
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Versatile range of pans
- Easy to clean
- Heat up quickly
Take note
- Water spots can appear if not dried properly after washing
If you’re looking for the best stainless steel pan set, Cusinart’s chef classic set covers all bases. There are six pans in total, including a range of saucepans, frying pans and a steaming basket. These pans are suitable for all hob types, oven safe and freezer safe so you can easily save leftovers.
The handles are long so they’re easy to manoeuvre, although that does mean you have to play a little saucepan jenga when they’re being stored.
Performance wise, the pans heat up incredibly quickly although the handles do get a little warm, so it’s best to keep a tea towel nearby. The pans heat evenly on the base but the sides don’t heat as quickly, so if you’re warming through soup or sauces, stir often so you’re not left with any cool spots.
The inside of the pans have a measurement markings, which is handy if you’re following recipes. They are dishwasher friendly but cleaned easily. Overall, this is a brilliant choice if you want a full stainless steel pan set.
Buy now £138.39, Amazon.co.uk
Le Creuset signature 3-ply stainless steel 3-piece saucepan set
Best: high-end stainless steel pans
Sizes included: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm
Material: Stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes, up to 260C
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Gorgeous design
- Flared rims
- Long lasting
Take note
- Expensive
- Can't see food while it's cooking
The price tag on these Le Creuset stainless steel pans might on the higher side but after testing them out, I can confidently say that they’re an investment worth making.
The pans took a little longer to get water to a rolling boil compared to others, but they did heat up evenly. Whether I was boiling water or warming through a sauce I found there were not hot spots and that everything remained at an even temperature.
This pan set includes three pans, 16cm, 18cm, and 20cm, and each one has a precision rim to ensure that liquids don’t go everywhere we pouring. This is perfect for someone like me that gets sauces everywhere. The lids also have a snug fit and the only real downside is that you they’re also made of stainless steel, so you can’t peek in and see how your food is doing.
They pans work on all hob types including induction. Cleaning wasn’t an issue, although, they did need a bit of a scrub after browning meat. Overall, this set is perfect for serious home cooks who want a set of pans that’ll last for decades, especially when you take into account the brand’s lifetime guarantee.
Buy now £515, Lecreuset.co.uk
M&S stainless steel all purpose saucepan
Best: large stainless steel pan
Sizes included: 55cm
Material: Stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes
Dishwasher safe: No
Why we love it
- One pan for everything
- Deep sides are ideal for batch cooking
- Handles don't get too hot
Take note
- Difficult to store
- Heats up very quickly, so start on a low heat
- Can't see food while it's cooking
This saucepan, a collaboration between chef Tom Kerridge and M&S, and has been designed to do everything. It has an extra thick copper disc inside the base, which means it heats up fast and it cooks and warms food evenly. I found it perfect for making hearty dishes like curry, as there was just so much space for sauce.
It’s the best large stainless steel pan I tested, so you will need to make sure you have somewhere to store it. But with deep sides, it’s ideal for all dishes whether you’re boiling pasta, cooking up a big curry or even cooking a joint of meat (it’s oven safe, too). One downside of it’s size is handling it, especially when full as it can get quite heavy. However the handle is comfortable to hold and they don’t get too hot.
As the pan heats up so quickly, you do have to be careful that food doesn’t burn onto the surface. This happened to me once or twice while using it, but once I grasped it was best to use it on a medium heat, it was smooth sailing.
Cleaning isn’t too bad – it’s not dish washer safe so you‘ll need to apply some elbow grease if you’d fried anything, as it does brown slightly. Overall, if you’re looking for one stainless steel pan that will do it all, this is the perfect pick.
Buy now £60, Marksandspencer.com
ProCook elite tri-ply saucepan
Best: stainless steel pans for building a set
Sizes included: 14cm, 16cm, 18cm, 20cm (sold separately)
Material: Tri-ply stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes, up to 260C
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Even heat distribution
- Cool touch handles
- Easy to clean
Take note
- Quite weighty, especially when full
The ProCook elite tri-ply saucepan is a part of a collection that also includes a 14cm, 16cm and 18cm pan. I tested out the largest in the range (20cm) and thought it was an excellent pan for everything from boiling pasta to making casseroles. It’s oven safe too ,so I found it easy to start off dishes on the hob and just move them into the oven.
The pan is quite weighty, but it has a long handle and a helper handle to the front that makes moving it when full a lot easier.
Performance wise it heats up quickly, and warming up soup was flawless with even heating and no cold spots. It has a glass lid too, so you can keep an eye on your dish without having to lose any heat.
Cleaning was simple enough – it’s dishwasher friendly, but with a gentle scrub even dried on food comes off easily. Overall this is a great stainless steel pan for anyone building their own set or if you want an everyday pan without breaking the bank.
Buy now £80, Procook.co.uk
Stellar profile matte saucepan
Best: stainless steel pans for design
Sizes included: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm (sold separately)
Material: Stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes, up to 240C
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Brushed matte finish
- Handles stay cool
- Easy to clean
Take note
- Can't see food while it's cooking
Stellar makes some of the nicest pans and pan sets currently on the market. Its profile matte saucepans, in particular, don’t just perform well but they look good too. This is partly down to the brushed matte exterior, which also disguises any finger prints and marks that usually show up on polished stainless steel.
These pans come in a range of sizes from 16cm to 20cm you can purchase matching frying pans too) and they’re made from a tri-ply stainless steel (three layers with a core that conducts heat quickly).
They took a little longer than some of the other ones I tested to fully heat up, but when they did the heat distribution was even. The sides heated evenly, meaning no hot spots or scorching when I warmed through sauces and soup. The handles also stayed really cool, even when on a high heat for a prolonged period of time.
Cleaning was no issue with food easily coming off with gentle scrubbing. The downside is that the lids aren’t see-through, so you will have to keep peeking in at your food to check if it’s done. Nonetheless, this is definitely a pan set for anyone who wants style without losing substance.
Buy now £64, Amazon.co.uk
Denby stainless steel saucepan
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Best: mid-range stainless steel pan
Sizes included: 14cm, 16cm, 18cm, 20cm (sold separately)
Material: Stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Draining lids included
- Sturdy feel
- Heats up evenly
Take note
- Takes a while to heat up
If you’re looking for a quality pan without the eye-watering price tag, this stainless steel range from Denby is perfect. The pans are sold separately, so you can build your collection depending on what you need, with 14cm, 16cm and 18cm pans available (I tested the 20cm).
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The Denby pans have a tri-ply stainless steel construction, so food is warmed through consistently with no scorching at the bottom – this was particularly noticeable when cooking sauces. This pan was a bit slower to heat than others I’ve tested out, with a pan of water taking around six minutes to come to a boil, but this isn’t the end of the world.
The design of this pan is what really impressed me. It has a lip around the rim, which means sauces and soups don’t drip everywhere. The lids lids also have draining holes, which is super handy when cooking pasta or rice. The handles are thick and sturdy, although they do get very hot and the pans are quite weighty.
Cleaning was easy – nothing seemed to stick, so it was just a case of giving them a wash, but they can also go in the dishwasher.
Buy now £52.5, Denbypottery.com
Stellar eclipse 3-piece saucepan set
Best: stainless steel pans for everyday
Sizes included: 16cm, 18cm, 20cm
Material: Tri-ply stainless steel
Hob compatibility: All
Oven safe: Yes, up to 210C
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Slim handles for easy handling
- Heats up quickly and evenly
Take note
- The lid handles can quickly get very hot
The Stellar eclipse range is a premium set that has been built to last. During testing I was super impressed by how evenly these pans warmed through food. They were quick to heat up a pan of boiling water, taking a little more than four minutes. The sides were also quick to heat up, which is great when warming a large volume such as water or soup.
They’re lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, although the handles get very hot, very quickly so always make sure that you have an oven glove or tea towel to hand.
Cleaning is easy enough – you can pop them in the dishwasher, but even slightly burnt-on sauce came off quickly with minimal scrubbing.
Buy now £124.94, Wayfair.co.uk
What are the best stainless steel pans?
You can’t go wrong with a set of stainless steel pans. While I love all the pans on this list, my ultimate favourite were the HexGuard pans from ProChef. These pans have a non-toxic, non-stick coating which makes them ideal if you don’t want to use a lot of oil, plus they heat up rapidly. I also really rated the Cuisinart chef’s classic stainless steel set as there was everything in there that you could possibly need, ideal for when you’re starting out or you just want to completely upgrade your pan sets.
If you do have a bit of extra money to spend then you can’t go wrong with Le Creuset’s steel 3-piece saucepan set – they’re pricey, but come with a lifetime guarantee.
How the best stainless steel pans were tested
Here’s what I looked out for while using these stainless steel pans to boil, fry, stew and more:
How to clean stainless steel cookware
Many stainless steel pans are dishwasher safe. However if you want to prolong the life of your cookware, it’s better to wash them by hand and avoid frequent exposure to the high temperature of your dishwasher. The main thing to remember is not to plunge your hot stainless steel pan into cold water, as this can cause it to warp.
After you’ve left your pan to cool, gently clean it in hot soapy water and avoid using an abrasive sponge. If there are any water spots left after drying, rub these gently with lemon juice and they should shift.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As The Independent's review section, IndyBest has a team of testers who put products through their paces in real-world settings, using objective and thorough testing criteria to bring you their honest verdict. You can trust that when we recommend something, you can feel confident that it’s actually worth buying.
Rachael Penn is one of our kitchen appliance writers. She has written reviews on everything from the best air fryers to the best ice cream makers. She has put dozens of culinary gadgets through their paces and knows which brands are worth having on your radar. Rachael’s reviews are honest and realistic to help you make the best purchase for your home.
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