Induction cooking might feel like a shiny new kitchen flex, but the technology itself has been around since the early 20th century. What is new is how widely it’s catching on. For more and more home cooks, induction cooktops sit at the top of their kitchen upgrade wish lists.
“To be able to control temperature precisely, to be able to boil water rapidly, it’s awesome,” says Joseph DeCasperis of southern California–based home design firm the High End. He estimates that induction stovetops take up a little over a third of his firm’s installations.
There’s also the safety factor. Unlike gas or traditional electric ranges, induction only heats the pot itself, not the surrounding surface. Many models even shut off automatically when no cookware is detected. Plus, they’re known to use less energy.
Once you’ve swapped out an electric or gas stovetop for an induction one, getting induction-compatible cookware is a must. From internet stars to restaurant chefs’ favorites, I tested 10 of the top options at a range of price points. Read to the end for important things to consider when buying induction cookware, too.
Why you should trust me
I spent two years on Williams Sonoma’s e-commerce team immersed in cookware specifications, manufacturing and performance. Afterwards, I became the resident cookware expert at The Spruce Eats, where I tested, researched and interviewed other experts and wrote about kitchen tools and appliances. For the last five years, I’ve also tested, reviewed and written about cookware for Food52, Food & Wine, The Kitchn and more.
How I tested induction cookware
I gathered 10 of the most promising sets of induction cookware based on online reviews, buzzy social media trends and what I discovered in kitchen stores.
For a month, I put these pans through a battery of tests on an induction burner: timing how quickly pans came to temperature or boiling water, taking their surface temperature to gauge how they distributed heat and noting how well they responded to temperature changes.
I also rotated the pans through my everyday cooking routines: making roux-based sauces, searing proteins, simmering soups and making many batches of arroz con pollo, a dish that tests multiple cooking styles – searing, sauteing, simmering and steaming. And I considered how substantial, steady and balanced they felt in the hand, plus how easy to clean and maintain they were.
The best induction cookware at a glance
Best overall: Caraway 12-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set With Complimentary Storage
Best budget: Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Best splurge: Staub Cast Iron 4-Piece Stackable Set
Best for hardcore cooks: Made In Small Spaces Set
Best design: Our Place Ceramic Cookware Duo
<em>Best overall:</em>Caraway 12-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set With Complimentary Storage
Why we love it
After searing, frying, sauteing and braising my way through all of the cookware sets, I found that Caraway came out on top. This eye-catching assortment features four key cookware pieces: a 6.5qt Dutch oven, 10.5in frying pan, 4.5qt saute pan and 3qt sauce pan, plus three lids and a storage rack.
They’re extremely versatile – they went from the stovetop to oven (up to 550F), performing beautifully in almost all manner of cooking. On an induction cooktop, they heated up quickly without overshooting the target temperature – something some of the lighter-weight sets struggled with. I was also very impressed with how evenly the pans distributed heat, a key component in maintaining control when cooking. The nonstick surface was great for eggs and other foods that tend to stick, which also meant they were a breeze to clean up.
Unlike most traditional nonstick cookware, these pieces also have a durable ceramic nonstick coating that’s free of lead, cadmium and harmful chemicals such as PTFE, PFOA and Pfas.
It’s a shame that … you can’t crank up the heat for searing in these pans, so you may need to supplement with a carbon steel or cast iron skillet. Also, you still have to be fairly careful handling the surface. Avoid scratching it with sharp utensils and stick to hand-washing whenever possible to preserve the longevity of the nonstick coating.
Material: Ceramic-coated, heavy-gauge aluminum
Included pieces: 6.5qt lidded Dutch oven, 10.5in frying pan, 4.5qt lidded saute pan, 3qt lidded saucepan, three lids, a storage rack
Dishwasher safe: No
<em>Best budget</em>:Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Why we love it
When it comes to bang for your buck, this set really delivers. It consists of 10 stainless steel pieces, including two different-sized frying pans, two different-sized sauce pans, and a 6qt stock pot, plus glass lids. The stock pot and saute pan feature measuring marks on the interior, and the saucepans and stock pot have handy strainer lids and pour spouts to prevent messes. The pieces are also dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 450F.
I’ve used dozens of stainless steel cookware pieces over the last decade and can confidently say that this set performed way above its modest price point. On the cooktop, it was as quick as the Caraway set to come to temperature, and also distributed heat very well, demonstrated by its perfectly cooked rice in a batch of arroz con pollo. I was also able to achieve some nice browning when I turned up the heat for searing the chicken thighs. And though it’s triple-clad, the pieces aren’t so heavy that they’re difficult to maneuver.
It’s a shame that … the pieces are on the small side, so if you regularly cook for a crowd, you may need a set with larger vessels. Also, cooking delicate items like eggs or fish fillets on stainless steel without sticking takes some getting used to, so you may find you need a nonstick pan to complete your set.
Material: Triple-ply stainless steel with bonded aluminum base
Included pieces: 8in and 10in frying pans, 1.5qt and 2.5qt lidded sauce pans, 3qt lidded saute pan and 6qt lidded stock pot
Dishwasher safe: Yes
<em>Best splurge</em>:Staub Cast Iron 4-Piece Stackable Set
Why we love it
I am a huge fan of long-lasting enameled cast iron cookware, but they can be bulky and hard to store. Enter this French-made, stackable set by Staub, featuring a 10in grill pan, 3.5qt braiser, 5.25qt cocotte, and a universal lid that fits all three. These pieces are dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500F. If you appreciate color options, this set comes in several rich, deeply saturated finishes with a matte black interior.
Cast iron is an obvious choice for induction cookware: it heats well, retains its temperature and is perhaps one of the most durable materials out there. This set had not only the most even heat distribution, but also held up to high heat: all its pieces were capable of providing a gorgeous, deep brown sear for maximum flavor. The heavy lid features Staub’s signature spikes that redirect moisture down into the pan, creating a “self-basting” effect that keeps meats and steaming rice from drying out during cooking. The pieces aren’t too small, providing a decent amount of cooking surface. Even though the set has only three main pieces, I found it quite versatile and really liked that its stacking design took up the storage space of just one Dutch oven.
It’s a shame that … this set is on the expensive side. It’s also fairly heavy, so it may not be suitable for anyone with strength or mobility issues.
Material: Enameled cast iron
Included pieces: 10in grill pan, 3.5qt braiser, 5.25qt cocotte, universal lid, detachable bumpers
Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended
<em>Best for hardcore cooks:</em>Made In Small Spaces Set
Why we love it
Made In is a supplier to many of the country’s top restaurants. This chef-approved set includes three pieces: a 10in frying pan, a 2qt saucepan, and a 3qt saucier. (The saucier’s rounded sides make it ideal for whisking sauces like bechamel and hollandaise.) Five-ply stainless steel construction with an aluminum core means durability and good heat distribution, and the pieces are oven-safe up to a whopping 800F.
Designed with chefs’ input in mind, this set is built to withstand heavy, frequent use. Even if you’re not cooking with the same intensity as a professional line cook, you still get top-tier performance to boost your culinary skills. These pans heat up just a hair slower than some of the others I tested – presumably because of how thick they are – but once they got to my desired temperature, they held on really well, providing consistent heat that rendered the fat and crisped up the skin on chicken thighs beautifully. They’re also surprisingly light for how substantial they are, with easy-to-hold handles that stay cool on an induction burner.
It’s a shame that … the assortment doesn’t include a larger stock pot, which would have been my personal preference for such a tightly curated set. Also, if you’re not an experienced cook, there’s a bit of a learning curve when cooking eggs and other sticky foods in stainless steel – you may want to supplement with a single nonstick pan.
Material: 5-ply stainless steel with an aluminum core
Included pieces: 10in frying pan, a 2qt lidded saucepan, a 2qt lidded saucier
Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand-washing is recommended
<em>Best design:</em>Our Place Ceramic Cookware Duo
Why we love it
This duo consists of the viral Always Pan 2.0 and Perfect Pot – the brand’s signature pieces in dreamy colorways. The 2.6qt pan and 5.5qt pot are made of lightweight aluminum with a nonstick ceramic coating, and come with beechwood utensils that won’t scratch or damage their surfaces. Oven-safe up to 450F (without the lids), it’s a great set for someone who enjoys a minimalist aesthetic.
The thoughtful design is what stands out: the modular lid can be turned to let out steam or locked to seal everything in, the wooden utensils have designated resting spots, and the included steamer basket fits perfectly in the pot and pan. Since they’re lightweight, they’re easy to maneuver and they heat up incredibly quickly – you only have to use low to medium heat settings for most cooking. The saute pan made an impressively good arroz con pollo, meaning that the pan heated evenly and let just the right amount of moisture escape during the simmering process. I also found the pot a lighter alternative to my similarly sized but heavier Dutch oven for making a roux-based seafood chowder. And because the pans are nonstick, eggs and other delicate foods slide right off; plus, they are very easy to clean by hand (the recommended washing method).
It’s a shame that … because they heat up so quickly, you have to really monitor your heat settings so they don’t overheat. Also, since this isn’t the first time I’ve tested the buzzy Always Pan, I will mention that the nonstick factor tends to fade noticeably within a year, even if you’re gentle with these pieces, though that doesn’t impact overall performance.
Material: Ceramic-coated aluminum
Included pieces: 2.6qt lidded saute pan, 5.5qt lidded stock pot, beechwood utensils, steamer basket
Dishwasher safe: No
The best of the rest
<em>Best for new cooks:</em>T-Fal Ceramic Excellence Reserve 10-Piece Set
T-Fal is known best for its nonstick cookware, and this set is just another example of why. The assortment is excellently broad: 8in and 10.25in frypans, 1.5qt and 3qt lidded saucepans, a 3qt covered saute pan and a 5.7qt covered Dutch oven or stock pot. Unlike so many traditional nonstick sets, these are oven-safe up to 500F (350F for the glass lids), making them great for starting on the stove and finishing in the oven.
When I tested them, I noted that the pans were fairly weighty, heated up quickly, and proved to cook well even on medium heat. I also appreciated the ThermoSpot technology, an indicator in the center of the frying and saute pans that turns solid red once the pans are ideally heated.
It didn’t make the final cut because … some pieces had smaller capacity than other budget sets I tested.
Material: Ceramic-coated aluminum
Included pieces: 8in and 10.25in frypans, 1.5qt and 3qt lidded saucepans, a 3qt covered saute pan, a 5.7qt covered Dutch oven/stock pot
Dishwasher safe: No
<em>Best for cookware collectors:</em>Smithey No 10 Cast Iron Skillet
This 10in skillet from Smithey prides itself on being heritage quality and features a smooth, polished interior – a more elegant iteration than the typically rustic, rough-surfaced versions.
The skillet performed beautifully when it came to searing proteins, and also had some of the best results when it came to making arroz con pollo. It’s also a great size, and weighs in on the heavier end of cast iron skillets at 6.7lbs, which keeps it stable on the stove top.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the $180 price tag is tough to swallow for a single skillet. Plus, the upkeep needed for a cast iron skillet may not be for everyone, especially at this price point.
Material: Polished cast iron
Included pieces: 10in skillet
Dishwasher safe: No
Other induction cookware we tested
Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
While this set is affordable and decently expansive, the thin handles on the stockpot were very uncomfortable to hold when the pot was full.
Henckels Paradigm Nonstick Frying Pan Set
A good option for those who want durable nonstick skillets that are compatible with metal tools, but learning how to slide the eggs off easily can take some time.
Sea to Summit Detour Stainless Steel Collapsible Pouring Pot
A great pot for camping or even for an efficiency kitchen, but not quite outstanding enough.
What you should know about induction cookware
What are the benefits of induction cooking?
Induction cooktops are known to be extremely energy efficient and safe, as many only generate heat when compatible cookware is in contact with the stove. They’re also quick to heat and much more precise than traditional electric or gas stoves, as many induction cooktops allow you to select exact temperatures, sometimes down to single degrees.
How do I know if my cookware is induction compatible?
First, look for the coil-like induction symbol on the bottom of your cookware. If you don’t see one, you can also try the magnet test: place a refrigerator magnet on the bottom of the pot, and if it sticks well, it is compatible with induction.
What are the key factors to look for when buying induction cookware?
Aside from the magnetic component, many induction pots and pans require two more things to work well. First, they need a flat bottom that comes in direct contact with the burner, and second, a pan diameter that is the right size. If your pan is warped or has too small a diameter, it can cause the burner to heat poorly or unevenly or not activate at all.
Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance food, wine and lifestyle writer who has spent more time than she’ll admit testing kitchen gadgets, mastering a “no makeup makeup” look, and seeking the perfect carry-on suitcase. A Francophile/Francophone with a practical streak, she writes about everything from cookware to cultural quirks with equal enthusiasm.
