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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
If you're lucky enough to have an induction range in your home, you know the advantages of this sleek, energy-efficient cooktop. Tech-savvy cooks love induction stoves because of their heating precision, energy efficiency, and safety. Controlled by an electromagnetic field under a glass cooktop, electric currents go straight into the cookware and instantly heat it up; the moment the stove is turned off, the burner surface is cool again. With all the benefits of an induction stove comes one caveat: They require special cookware—specifically, a pan with a magnetic bottom.
We've tested dozens of cookware sets over the years on all types of cooktops, paying special attention to performance, design, and ease of cleaning. You may already own a piece or two that can be used with an induction range, but if you're in the market for a complete set to outfit your kitchen, here are our best picks for induction-friendly cookware sets.
Best Overall
Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Stainless Steel Set
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Amazon
Great performance when searing and browning
Durable and well-built
Comes with the essentials
Lifetime warranty
Some might find pots unbalanced
Pieces don't stack together nicely
We're put this Tramontina cookware line through our testing process three times, and it still impresses us. When making béchamel sauce and browning butter, we found the saucepans quickly reacted to lowered heat and allowed for them to gradually come together. Our mirepoix easily cooked without burning, and when we placed the dry pan over high heat, it seared steak and scallops to perfection. The amazing performance, plus its outstanding durability and design are why we love this cookware for induction.
The pieces are made from 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum core that allows for the magnetism necessary for induction. Another design feature is the handles. They're riveted for durability, and are ergonomic—they'll consistently be comfortable throughout any long day of cooking. And don't worry about intense cleaning afterward. We overcooked rice, and it peeled right off when we hand-washed the pot. You could also put these in the dishwasher.
A few drawbacks did come up for us. A few of us disliked that the weight of the pots is very centered, and that you need dedicated storage space for the complete set. You also might need to pick up a nonstick skillet to complement the set.
Price at time of publish: $298
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended | Number of Pieces: 10 | Warranty: Lifetime
Best Starter Set
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stainless Cookware Set
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Amazon
Attractive design
Includes steamer insert
Sturdy stainless steel construction
High sides prevent splatter
Skillet is on the small side
Pans can get very hot
While Cuisinart is typically recognized for its top-performing kitchen appliances, its collection of cookware doesn't disappoint either. This Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is made from stainless steel with an induction-compatible aluminum core. The pans heat quickly and retain heat well, are great for searing and sauteing, and are oven-safe to 500 degrees so you can confidently finish a dish in the oven when needed.
We consistently experienced these pans browning food well and not having any hot spots, a testament to the even heating of these pans. Also worthy of noting it that since they're so heat-conductive, you don't have to use full heat to get excellent results. Medium-high heat was enough to get water boiling fairly quickly, and there can be some burning if the heat is too high. High sides prevented splatters—though one tester found it difficult to see into the pan because of them—and the curved edges let you effortlessly move food around. The entire set is well-balanced, with evenly distributed weight and comfortable angled handles.
While the pans are dishwasher safe, they're also a cinch to clean by hand–food remnants release fairly easily, especially if you add a little liquid to the warm pan. Since the pans, lids, and handles are all made of stainless steel, they will heat up a bit when in use, so be sure to use a potholder when touching handles during cooking.
Price at time of publish: $300
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The Spruce Eats / Nick Kova
Material: Stainless steel with aluminum core | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 12 | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Ceramic
Caraway Cookware Set
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Amazon
Retains heat well
Durable ceramic nonstick coating
Comes in a variety of colors
Hand wash only
Stainless steel handles get hot
While there are many ceramic cookware sets on the market, Caraway offers some of the best performance out there. Each piece in its cookware set is made from ceramic-coated aluminum that is free of PTFE, cadmium, and lead, and features securely riveted stainless steel handles for secure transport on and off the stove. The pans are safe to use in the oven, able to withstand up to 550 degrees, and are touted as being "cooktop agnostic," which means they'll work just fine with induction stoves.
We've put this set to the test twice now. We love how well this set conducts heat (no need to turn the burner to high!) and not a single bit of food stuck to these pans whether you're frying an egg or searing a steak. During our tests, these heated up evenly when simmering pasta sauce, producing even bubbling and no splatters. We also really appreciate the well-thought-out design like how the lid for frying pan also fits the Dutch oven.
The only qualms we've had so far with Caraway is the handles. They tend to get hot when the pans are on the stove for a while, and the screws came loose when we did a drop test. There was also a wish for another smaller frying pan.
Price at time of publish: $395
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The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Causey
Material: Ceramic-coated aluminum | Oven Safe Temperature: 550 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Hand-wash recommended | Number of Pieces: 8 (including organizer) | Warranty: Limited one-year
Best Budget
T-fal C515SC Professional Nonstick Pots and Pans
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Amazon
Heats up very fast
Nonstick surface cleans easily
Thermo-Spot indicator
Can get too hot and start smoking
Hand washing is preferable
This induction-safe, nonstick cookware set won’t break the budget, and it includes plenty of useful pieces, like a steamer insert that will come in handy for fish, vegetables, or even Chinese buns. The pieces have a nonstick interior with a patented Thermo-Spot indicator that changes color when the pots are preheated and ready for food to be added.
That indicator came in handy when we tested the set. We found that it heats up fairly quickly and evenly, so you do need to pay attention to your pan and modify the heat once it comes to temperature. Not monitoring the pan can lead to scorched food and too high heat will cause the nonstick coating to start smoking. While the set includes a 3-quart saucepan, there isn't a bigger one or a sauté pan. Additionally, it includes a small “one-egg wonder” frying pan that is not induction compatible.
The pots are oven-safe for heat up to 400 degrees, while the lids can handle temperatures up to 350 degrees, and all are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The lids are made of tempered glass with generous, insulated handles.
Price at time of publish: $166
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The Spruce Eats / Nick Kova
Material: Aluminum with nonstick coating | Oven Safe Temperature: 400 degrees without lids | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 12 | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best with Copper
Anolon 75818 Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware
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Amazon
Excellent assortment of pieces
Great responsiveness to heat
Oven safe to 500 degrees
Might need to buy extra pieces
This stylish set from Anolon looks attractive, with a graceful shape and a copper stripe along the bottom. It includes pieces you’ll actually use and no silly extras that increase the piece count. The bottom layer of the pots has a copper core and a stainless-steel cap for excellent performance on induction cooktops. The lids are stainless steel, so there’s no risk of breakage, and the very large handles offer a sure grip.
We found that the copper layer led to these pans heating thoroughly with no hot spots, giving scallops a nice crust and color, and cooked an omelet beautifully with just a little bit of sticking. We appreciated the angled sides of the pans, which make it easy to toss vegetables while cooking. Cleaning off any stuck food debris was surprisingly easy, and we didn't notice any discoloration from use.
Due to the thickness, these did take an extra minute or two to get to temperature any time we tested. One of the biggest issue with the set is the size—if you tend to batch cook or have to cook for a large number of people, you may find this set a bit small.
Price at time of publish: $300
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel with copper midlayer | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 10 | Warranty: Lifetime
Best Nonstick
Oxo Ceramic Professional Non-Stick 10-Piece Cookware Set
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Amazon
Solid hard anodized aluminum construction
Heat and oven safe to 425 degrees
Easy to clean
Not a budget buy
Some pieces don't have lids
Oxo is a highly trusted brand when it comes to home kitchen tools, so it makes sense that this cookware set performs beautifully for the everyday cook. This set is constructed from hard-anodized aluminum, coated with a durable ceramic coating that stands up well to metal utensils. Brushed stainless steel handles are securely riveted in place, and the tempered glass lids also have stainless knobs and trim. All the pans are oven safe to 600 degrees without the lids, and to 425 degrees with the lids.
We like the even-keeled heating ability of these pans—they don't heat as quickly as thin aluminum or copper, but aren't slow to heat like cast iron and responded well to any adjustments in heat. They easily handled higher heat for stir-frying and sautéing, but also turned out lovely omelets and scrambled eggs on gentler heat settings. We enjoy the excellent variety of sizes, with our tester citing her ability to cook large and small quantities of pasta and soups, finding just the right vessel for whatever she wanted to cook.
This set includes a 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, 2.3-quart saucepan with lid, 3.3-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and 5.2-quart casserole with lid. All pieces are dishwasher safe, but thanks to the nonstick coating, are also incredibly easy to clean by hand.
Price at time of publish: $400
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The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Material: Hard anodized aluminum, stainless steel base | Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees (425 degrees with lids) | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 10 | Warranty: Lifetime
Best High-End
All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set
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Williams-Sonoma
Very high quality construction
Oven safe to 600 degrees
Comprehensive assortment
Expensive
Heavy
This stainless steel cookware set from All-Clad is a top-of-the-line choice, and while it does come with a pretty steep price tag, we think it's absolutely worth the investment. The 5-ply construction gives these pieces heft so they won't budge on the stovetop, and they stand up well to heavy use. It does also mean the material is thick and takes an extra minute or two to get to temperature.
Our tests demonstrated that these pans indeed heated evenly, giving beautifully golden crusts to seared scallops and cooking a frittata to perfection with some minor sticking. We witnessed excellent heat conductivity, but noted that the handles did get a bit hot when the pots are in use. Some felt those handles were a bit uncomfortable to hold due to the divot in the middle.
This set includes everything you really need: an 8-inch frying pan, a 10-inch frying pan, a 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart saucepan with lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. All of the pans are oven-safe up to 600 degrees and can even go under the broiler.
Price at time of publish: $900
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Tri-ply stainless steel with aluminum core | Oven Safe Temperature: 600 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: No | Number of Pieces: 10 | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Fry Pans
All-Clad Hard Anodized E785S264/E785S263 Set of 2 Fry Pans
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Amazon
Durable hard-anodized construction
Pans are oven safe to 500 degrees
Comes with two sizes
No large diameter pan
Steep sides limit flipping ability
Whether you're scrambling a couple of eggs for breakfast, sautéing some spinach for dinner, or browning ground beef for a casserole, it's important to have the right-sized frying pan for the job. We love that this hard-anodized set by All-Clad comes with two different sizes—8-inch and 10-inch—to tackle any cooking task and are oven safe up to 500 degrees. These pans stand up well against scratches that might typically happen with sharp utensils or stacking, and are incredibly easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
This set is versatile and perfect for cooking a variety of foods, from breakfast foods to dinner entrees. They looked new even after weeks of use. Their excellent nonstick performance along with ease of cleaning mean that they'll be used quite often in any kitchen. While they aren't the most inexpensive frying pans on the market, you'd be hard pressed to find similar quality pans at a cheaper price point.
Price at time of publish: $110
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The Spruce Eats / Justin Park
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Oven Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Number of Pieces: 2 | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Our top-rated pick is the Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Stainless Steel Set, thanks to its excellent performance, selection of pieces, and great value. If you're in search of a budget-friendly set, the T-fal C515SC Professional Nonstick Pots and Pans are a fantastic choice that provides performance and value.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
We've tested more than 50 different cookware sets, both in our Lab and in home kitchens. We measured temperatures across the surfaces of each pan during heating, tested out their searing and broiler-use capabilities, and judged their performance properties while cooking foods that tend to stick, like eggs. To test durability in our Lab, we also subjected pans to an ice-bath test, evaluating the pieces for any warping or distress. After, we rated each set on its performance, heating ability, durability, design, ease of cleaning, and overall value.
What To Look for in Induction-Friendly Cookware
By Bernadette Machard de Gramont
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Induction Compatibility
For cookware to work with induction cooktops, it must contain ferromagnetic materials. This means that it must have magnetic properties to work with the magnets in the stove. The simplest way to find out if your cookware is compatible is to take a magnet and see if it sticks to the bottom of the pot. If the magnet clings to the pot’s bottom, it should work with the stove. If the magnet’s pull feels weak, it may not work well with your induction range. If there is no pull at all, the cooktop won’t be able to send heat into the pan at all.
Material
Most induction-compatible cookware is made of cast iron or carbon steel, stainless steel, or hard-anodized aluminum. Cast iron or carbon steel cookware is fantastic because it is extremely durable and holds heat very well. Since these types of pans are made of an alloy that contains iron, they will almost always work with induction cooktops, though there are a couple of requirements. First, they must have a flat surface for complete contact with the stove’s element; second, they must have a smooth surface; and last, they must attract magnets. Uncoated cast iron, though compatible with induction, is not recommended because its rough surface might scratch the cooktop, so you may want to opt for an enameled version.
Stainless steel cookware is crafted from an alloy of steel that contains 10.5 percent or more of chromium (and, commonly, a small percentage of nickel), making it a sturdy material that is non-reactive and resistant to rust and corrosion. High-quality, multi-clad stainless steel cookware typically includes an aluminum or copper core sandwiched between steel layers to aid the pot or pan with heat conduction. If the nickel content in the stainless steel is too high, it prevents the steel from having a magnetic reaction and can’t be used with an induction stove. The heating disc can also be bonded to the external surface of the pan, but this type of disc may eventually separate from the pan’s body.
Hard-anodized aluminum cookware is made from electrochemically hardened aluminum (making it more durable than stainless steel) and has an oxidized top layer that protects it from scratches and scrapes. Typically, hard-anodized aluminum cookware is not induction-ready, but if it has a built-in iron or magnetic steel disc, it has been specifically designed to use with your induction cooktop.
Heating Capacity
As with all cookware, the maximum heat capacity depends on the material and manufacturer. Generally speaking, uncoated pans will have a higher heat threshold than those that have ceramic or PTFE nonstick coatings. The range of most induction stoves goes from 100 to 500 degrees, with a few higher-end models that will surpass the 550-degree mark. When choosing your induction-friendly pieces, be sure to find pieces that will stand up to the temperatures you are most likely to use (including in the broiler and oven).
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Maintenance
Maintaining your induction-friendly cookware is not very different from caring for non-induction pans; it really just depends on what your cookware is made of. Stainless steel and hard-anodized aluminum can typically stand up to rigorous use, and can be hand-washed or placed in the dishwasher. Carbon steel and cast iron pans should be wiped clean and oiled to maintain their seasoning. Pans with nonstick coatings should be hand-washed to prolong the lifespan of the cooking surface, even if the piece is said to be dishwasher-safe. For induction-compatible pieces, you will also want to monitor the magnetic properties of the bottom of the pan and check to see if there is any separation of the induction disc if it is externally bonded. If the pan shows signs of a weak magnetic attraction or the disc’s bond has been compromised, it may be a sign it is time to replace it.
FAQs
What's an induction cooktop?
Induction cooktops have become increasingly popular in recent years, preferred by many experienced cooks because they heat quickly, evenly, and are extremely responsive to their temperature controls. These high-tech ranges are also sleek in design, incredibly energy-efficient, and safer than traditional gas and electric ranges—the cooktop’s surface is cool once the pot has been removed from the stove, eliminating any danger of accidentally burning yourself on a still-hot stovetop.
Here's how it works: When the stove’s element is on, an alternating current flows through a copper wire coil located beneath the cooktop’s surface. This creates an oscillating magnetic field that sends an electric current into the cooking vessel on that element, creating the heat used to cook your food. This is known as “Joule heating” or “resistance heating” and only happens when the pot is in contact with the stove’s heating element.
What kind of cookware shouldn't you use on an induction cooktop?
Like any other glass range, you should stay away from cookware that has a rough or textured bottom, as this can damage the cooktop's surface. While a bare cast iron pan does indeed function on an induction stove (because of its ferromagnetic properties), you'd be better off using an enameled version in order to prevent scratches. For a more details about what you can use, here's how to tell if your cookware is induction compatible.
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The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Boyers
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Cookbook author Donna Currie was gifted her first set of pots and pans as a child, when her mom’s new cookware came with a miniature, fully functional set. Since then, she graduated to full-size cookware, researching and testing a wide variety of products for The Spruce Eats to find the best. Since she previously worked in a metal-related industry, Donna knows all about the magnetic stainless steel that’s required for induction-compatible cookware. She’s used that knowledge to create this roundup of the best cookware for induction stovetops.
This piece was updated by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a 2-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.