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How to buy the best induction hob pans
While many pans are compatible with induction hobs, not all are created equal.
With a wide range of options available, finding the perfect match for your induction hob requires understanding the key features and materials that make a pan truly stand out.
Our guide is here to help – we answer your top questions to help you buy the best induction hob pans.
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The best induction hob pans from our tests
When we test pots and pans, we use a thermal imaging camera and analyse the results to measure the heat distribution of each saucepan and how fast they heat up.
The best heat evenly across the entire surface – and quickly – while others take longer to reach their top temperatures. In fact, when we tested non-stick pans, the worst pans varied in temperature by as much as 180°C across the pan's surface.
All the pots and pans we've tested are induction-compatible. See our quick brand and score summary here or head to our guides to the best saucepans and best non-stick pans to see the full test results.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our induction hob pan test results.
Join Which? and visit our best non-stick pans guide to get instant access and see our Best Buy recommendations.
| Full frying pan review | Price | Which? test score |
|---|---|---|
| Dunelm Essentials stainless steel frying pan | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12876020 | |
| Eaziglide Neverstick2 non-stick frying pan | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12882198 | |
| Eaziglide Neverstick3 professional frying pan | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12881937 | |
| GreenPan Venice Pro ceramic non-stick frying pan | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50001606 | |
| Habitat aluminium frying pan | Available from Argos (£17) | |
| Hexclad hybrid pan | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12876026 | |
| Ikea 365+ frying pan | Available from Ikea (£15) |
Brands are in alphabetical order. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
We've also tested more than 100 induction hobs to find the best available – see our induction hob reviews
Do you need special pans for an induction hob?
In short, no, but some materials work better than others. It's best to look out for pans marked 'induction-ready' when you're shopping around.
For a pan to work effectively on an induction hob, it must be made from (or partially made from) a naturally magnetic material, such as stainless steel or cast iron.
An easy way to check this at home is to try attaching a magnet to the base – if it sticks, the pan will likely be compatible with an induction hob.
There are some materials – including aluminium and copper – that sometimes work with induction hobs, but not very well, and then sometimes not at all. Pots and pans made from these materials may contain a mix of metals that enhances their compatibility with induction hobs.
If a pan has a perfectly flat base that's thick enough to ensure food is cooked evenly and not too quickly, that will also help it to work well on an induction hob:
You may also want to consider the following features as nice-to-haves, but not necessities for your pans:
- A clear glass lid
- Non-stick coating
- Stay-cool handles
Not sure about induction hobs? See our gas vs induction hob guide to find out which is right for you
What happens if you use a normal pan on an induction hob?
You're unlikely to damage the stovetop or your pan if you use a non-compatible pan, but you won't be able to cook easily (or at all in some cases).
Non-magnetic materials such as copper or aluminium won't work well on an induction stove unless they're combined with magnetic ones.
You might consider using a hob pan adapter to make your regular pans compatible with induction.
Induction hob pan adapters: Which? expert view
Ruby Gordon, scientific adviser at Which? says:
'Induction hob pan adapters (sometimes called diffusers) are designed to allow you to use the pans that aren't induction hob compatible (not made from ferromagnetic materials) on an induction hob. They are placed on the cooking zone under the pan and convert magnetic waves into heat.
'This allows you to use the pans you already have if you don't want to buy a new set. Also, as poor induction hobs can sometimes struggle with distributing heat evenly across the cooking zone, a diffuser could help. They're often pretty cheap, too.
'However, we believe there are more negatives than positives. They significantly decrease both the efficiency and responsiveness of the hob while also increasing cooking time. In a nutshell, they make your hob slower, less energy efficient and harder to control.
'Overall, they aren't a good permanent solution as they can't make non-induction pans as effective as induction-compatible ones. However, they could be used as a temporary measure.'
Our in-depth guide reveals which hob brands are the most reliable.
Can you use Le Creuset cookware on an induction hob?
Most Le Creuset cookware should work on induction hobs, as it's made from cast iron.
Le Creuset recommends using a ring the same size as your pot, placing it over a low heat and gently heating up your oil or butter before cooking.
More top tips from the manufacturer:
- Check that the whole base of the pot makes contact with the induction ring.
- Take care when lifting and setting down your pot to avoid scratching or cracking the hob surface.
- Let the hob and the pan heat up at the same time, together.
- It's recommended that you use low to medium heat with Le Creuset pots so they heat evenly.
It's important to note that if your Le Creuset was previously used on a gas hob, this may have caused the base to warp, thus making it less effective on induction.
Want a hob that also extracts steam? See the best venting hobs for our favourites.
Where to buy induction pots and pans
Most pans on the market are induction-compatible, and available from a range of retailers. Many retailer's website also allow you to filter for induction hob-safe products.
Here are some of the most searched-for retailers:
- Amazon sells induction pot and pan sets and individual items from brands like Tefal, Salter and Morphy Richards, as well as their own Amazon Basics range.
- Dunelm stocks over 200 induction-safe pots and pans from Ninja, Tower, Meyer and more. Its Essentials range has stainless steel saucepans for under £10, while larger sets can cost upwards of £200.
- John Lewis has a large range of over 300 induction-compatible pans, woks and saucepan sets. There are plenty of John Lewis-branded products, plus options from Tefal, Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph, among others. Prices range from around £10 for a single non-stick pan, to over £700 for the largest collections.
- ProCook sells its own branded range online, including stainless steel, cast iron and ceramic-lined options. The cheapest non-stick pan is around £15, while bigger pots cost up to £100, and sets range from £120 to £400.
Find the best pans for you: see the best saucepans and best non-stick pans from our testing
