Best pan sets 2024 UK – for all hob types

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Best pan sets 2024 UK – for all hob types

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The humble saucepan is probably one of the most heavily used pieces in the kitchen, so it makes sense to invest wisely. The best pan sets heat up quickly and evenly to cook your food thoroughly, with delicious end results, before rinsing clean easily.

From non-stick to stainless steel, these are the best pan sets at a glance, as tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, but scroll on for our detailed reviews:

In the GHI, we test pan sets using a range of different ingredients – including meat, sauces, caramel and rice – across gas, electric and ceramic hobs. For frying pans, we also flip pancakes and cook eggs, to see if heat is distributed evenly.

Our experts look at non-stick capabilities and how easy the pan is to clean after use. If it claims to be oven safe, we test it at its highest recommended temperature, and those that claim to be dishwasher-safe are washed numerous times to see how they fare.

We've listed our best buys for every kitchen below, along with a handy breakdown of different pan types and the hobs they work best for.

Grabbing the winning spot with near-perfect marks is this Circulon set. Its impressive non-stick coating only needed a small amount of oil to deliver with both the saucepans and frying pans performing well across all hob types. The set is simple yet sleek too, so it is sure to match any kitchen aesthetic and give mealtimes a stylish boost.

Nicely balanced and lightweight, the handles remained cool during cooking – there’s no danger of burning your hands – and you can happily use the pans in the oven. There was little to no change after the dishwasher either so cleaning up will be a breeze. An all-round top set!

Another high-scoring set, these pans made cooking and cleaning easy. The effective non-stick coating meant we only had to wipe them down to clean, while they also stayed in top condition after a cycle in the dishwasher. They’re easy to stack too, making storage simple, and the handles were comfortable to use.

We would have liked the pans to be more responsive when we lowered the heat, as they took a while to cool down, and they were generally slow on induction hobs, but otherwise, they’re super durable and will make a wise investment.

With quick heat-up times and a reliable non-stick design, this pan set impressed, especially considering its affordable price tag.

Minced meat browned particularly evenly in the frying pan, and there was minimal food residue left in the pans after use. The full set can also go in the dishwasher for easy clean-up. Note, though, that this set is not suitable for induction hobs.

For anyone looking for an affordable set that can be used on induction hobs, try these robust pans. Suitable for all hob types, their handles and lids remained cool on test. The non-stick coating also impressed, with pans needing little more than a quick rinse after use.

Testers noted the particularly effective steam vents and secure lids (even at full boil), while meat browned beautifully and our white sauce reduced at a steady rate. In fact, only our pancake efforts were a tad disappointing, taking a little longer to brown than with some of the other sets we tested. Overall though, this set is excellent value for money.

Living up to the brand's stellar reputation, Le Creuset’s set is a quality investment. Cooking notoriously difficult caramel was effortless, as there was no sticking or burning on any hob type and it also rinsed off easily.

After completing all our tests, the pans were still in pristine condition. They’re heavy, though, and the metal handles and lids can get hot, so keep oven gloves close by. They're pricey, but coming with a lifetime warranty, these may well be the only pans you ever need to buy...

Our Place has taken its Instagram-famous Perfect Pot and Always Pan and made them mini – ideal for singles, couples or those with limited storage space in their kitchens. Both are oven-safe and compatible with all stove tops, including induction hobs. They also boast Our Place’s signature aesthetically pleasing design and come in a range of chic, muted shades.

In our tests, they cooked mince and onions like pros, with Our Place’s special Thermakind™ non-stick ceramic coating ensuring there was no sticking or burning, and cleaning was effortless (note, they aren’t dishwasher-safe, so you’ll need to hand wash). We made some beautiful fried eggs, too. The slot in the handle for storing your spatula also came in handy for mess-free mixing.

The only hiccup came when we were cooking caramel as there was a tiny bit of sticking – but caramel is notoriously tricky. Our testers also found the handles’ square shape took some getting used to and they could sometimes get quite hot, so make sure to use your oven gloves if you’re lifting them. Otherwise, this is a versatile and stylish duo.

The ergonomic design of this set’s handles means all the pans are comfortable to hold and manoeuvre, no matter how long you’re cooking for. They remained cool throughout testing too, with the pans performing best when cooking pancakes.

Avoid using this set in the oven, though, as it damaged the handles. We would recommend you hand wash them too, as one chipped slightly when we put it in the dishwasher during testing. This lightweight set is a reliable option for under £100 though.

These pans are green in more ways than one – they’re made with 75% recycled aluminium and are all recyclable. They also have a plant-based, non-stick coating that’s free from palm oil.

Eco credentials aside, they were pleasing to cook with too – the non-stick coating meant food slid or poured out easily, leaving little to clean up afterwards. We’d suggest keeping them out of the dishwasher though, as there was some damage after a number of washes.

If you like to keep your cookware on display in the kitchen, this stackable copper set will make an eye-catching statement. They shone on test, scoring top marks for caramel and near-perfect scores for white sauce, thanks to no sticking or burning and just a simple wipe clean after cooking.

We did find the pans were slow to respond to heat changes on ceramic hobs – particularly when we used the 16cm pan to boil milk – and they didn’t come through the dishwasher unscathed. But the frying pan was perfect for pancake flipping (ideal if Pancake Day isn’t a once a year event in your home!)

The original Always Pan combined 10 pieces of cookware in to one, saving us money and cupboard space, and scoring a pretty impressive 84/100 in our tests. So, we were excited to hear that Our Place was releasing a shiny, revamped version and couldn’t wait to see how it fared in testing. The results are in...

What’s new about this model is that it can now be placed in an oven up to 230°C, making it even more versatile than the original. And this new sturdier pot proved itself to be a reliable addition to the kitchen in our lab tests, cooking mince and onions well with only a little sticking when used on an induction hob; and coping impressively with sticky caramel – washing up required little scrubbing.

The Always Pan 2.0 comes with a steamer basket and colander, a wooden spatula (that can be slotted into the handle when not in use), a steam-release lid and two pouring cups. It’s also made with Our Place’s special non-stick technology. While it impressed in our lab tests, after a few months of using the pan, some of our testers noticed changes in the non-stick and scratches to the pan – something definitely worth bearing in mind if you’re planning to use it almost every day of the week.

All in all, it's a reliable pan that’s light, easy to use, and comes in a range of colours that would suit any kitchen aesthetic.

While it’s not the cheapest pan set on test, it is excellent quality for its price. The frying pan reached optimum temperature for frying eggs in a speedy two-and-a-half minutes, and cooked them to perfection.

When cooking minced meat, some stuck to the pan though, and we had to scrub fairly hard to remove it. And despite their ergonomic design, the thin handles weren’t the comfiest to hold, especially if the pan was full. However, well-rounded sides make it easy to serve up food and the pans stack away securely.

This set reached 180 degrees in one minute and 50 seconds, making it the ideal choice for those who want speedy meals. The heat was also evenly distributed, meaning our minced meat had an even colour on test, and its non-stick impressed too, making flipping a pancake effortless.

It took a long time to bring our milk to a simmer and, despite having steam vents, we also noticed steam escaping between the pot rim and the lid during our boiling test, which can make the saucepan lids rattle and heat up the handles.

Note, this set isn’t suitable for induction hobs.

You can stack these pans high thanks to their clever design; the removable handle lets you grab each pan easily and go straight from hob to oven to table. On test, the frying pan was the star performer, with little to no stuck on or burnt food when cooking eggs and pancakes.

The saucepans were a little less impressive though, with the small 16cm pan less responsive on a ceramic hob, while some food stuck to the bottom of the medium 20cm pan.

They were responsive during our milk test, scoring the highest marks of all the pans we tested. They’re also fine in the dishwasher, as we only noticed the slightest of marks after a few cycles. A top set, especially if you’re tight on kitchen space.

Before you buy, you need to establish what type of cookware will be suitable for your hob. Many manufacturers put symbols on the bottom of their cookware to show which heat source it will work with.

Here’s a quick guide to the main hob types.

Use any pans except for ones made from copper or stainless steel with an exposed copper base. Make sure the pan has a smooth, flat base to provide the best contact with the hob ring.

Traditional cast-iron pans can be used, but be careful not to drag them across the hob as they may cause damage.

All pans are suitable for gas hobs. Remember to regulate the flame to prevent it from extending beyond the base of the pan, as this can damage the handle and waste gas.

Pans must have a magnetic material in the base, such as cast iron or stainless steel, to work on induction hobs. Pure aluminium or copper pans won't work.

An indicator light on the hob will start flashing if it’s not the correct type of pan, or it will simply not heat up.

All sets in our roundup can be used across all hob types apart from the Amazon Basics and Tefal Essential sets.

You also need to consider the material of the pans you’re using. Here are the pros and cons.

Many aluminium pans have an enamel coating on the outside and a non-stick coating on the inside. This makes them tough, easy to clean and resistant to scratching and staining.

You can also get hard-anodised or cast aluminium – which looks like cast iron but has the weight and good heat conductivity of aluminium.

Uncoated aluminium pans are not suitable for cooking acidic foods.

This material heats up slowly but retains warmth well, so it’s good for slow, even cooking at a low heat, and achieves the perfect sear on meat. Remember, though, that your food will continue to cook for some time after the heat has been turned off.

Uncoated cast iron is not dishwasher safe but most cast iron pans have enamel exteriors and enamel or non-stick interiors to avoid this problem. Uncoated non-stick cast iron pans will need to be seasoned to build up a patina.

Copper has excellent heat conductivity. Good copper pans are very expensive but should last a lifetime. As this metal can react with acidic foods, fish and meat, these pans are normally lined with tin or stainless steel to act as a barrier.

Copper pans have to be cleaned with a dedicated copper polish to keep them looking their best.

Distinguished by their deep grey or black colour, these pans feature a hard finish that will not chip, crack, peel or react with acidic foods. You can also use metal utensils, although these can mark the surface.

These pans aren’t usually dishwasher safe, but their surface is stick-resistant. They’re reasonably lightweight and heat up rapidly, eliminating hot spots, but they don’t work on induction hobs.

Stainless steel pans are designed to last a lifetime, and won’t react with any food types. They’re also dishwasher safe. Stainless steel on its own is liable to hot spots, so copper or aluminium is usually incorporated into the base.

It’s best to use them on low heat settings and with a splash more oil to avoid sticking.

While many pan sets on our list are dishwasher safe, hand washing with a quick rinse will be enough to clean most non-stick pans. To protect the non-stick, avoid scouring pads, steel wool and abrasives.

For many sets, you can’t use metal utensils either as they can scratch away the non-stick. This isn’t the case for every set though, so check before you buy if you prefer metal spatulas and spoons.

Take care to dry your pans thoroughly before putting them away, too.

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market. When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her cooking, running and exploring London’s foodie hotspots – or trying to make friends with every dog she passes. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall and on X @megan_geall

Blossom is our Senior Homes Tester. Passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for our readers, she has tested everything from blenders to pizza ovens. Blossom enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols for hundreds of items. Innovative items like robot vacuum cleaners and wine coolers are among her favourite tests to date, and her most notable accomplishment is toasting 360 slices of bread in a determined bid to find the best toaster. In her free time, Blossom openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.

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