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This article was updated on 21/11/2024 to show the latest deals we've found. It has also been fact-checked and any out-of-date information removed.
Once you're using one of the best saucepan sets in your kitchen, you'll understand why upgrading the quality of your cookware is so essential. While it can be tempting to opt for a cheap set, no kitchen can thrive without high-calibre pots and pans, so it's fair to say that everyone from beans-on-toast masters to Michelin-star wannabes should be invested in their cooking tools.
For that very reason, we've decided to put the saucepans below to the test, with our Kitchen Appliances Editor and our resident home economist reviewing them at our test facility and at home. Trying out sets from the likes of Le Creuset (a brand that also features heavily in our guide to the best cast iron cookware), Ninja, ProCook and Tefal, we've been able to gauge the quality of each set so that you can make the most informed decision before you invest.
This list has picks for all requirements - whether you’re looking for the best pans for induction hobs or you’re looking for non-stick options that will help to keep your cooking disasters to a minimum. The downside of good quality cookware is that it can be pricey, but the upshot is improved cooking results, and less need to replace your sets and pans any time soon. Here are all of our tried and tested top picks.
Early Black Friday saucepan set deals
If you want to take advantage of early Black Friday offers before the big day on the 29th of November, this is a collation of the best deals we've found on saucepan sets that we've tried.
Best saucepan sets 2024
Why you can trust Ideal Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best saucepans - the quick list
If you’re short on time but still want to make sure that you’re buying the best saucepans, take a look below. We’ve put together a quick list of everything you need to know before we get into the more detailed nitty-gritty.
Best stainless steel
Favoured by home economists and professional chefs alike, a stainless steel pan set is hard to beat. This set is the favourite of our Kitchen Appliances Editor, who thinks that the quick heat-up times, heat-resistant handles and measuring markings on the inside of this set make it simply unbeatable, whether you're making broth for a ramen or boiling water for pasta. The one downside during testing? This set is only oven-safe up to temperatures of 240°.
Best ceramic
Ceramic saucepan sets can very efficiently conduct heat, which we found was certainly the case with this set when testing it, combined with a very impressive nonstick surface. Easy to clean and with high-quality finishes on the lids and handles, it's got our enthusiastic seal of approval, though our process showed that it may not have the build to last as long as our #1 on this list.
Best premium
Le Creuset is known for its cast iron, but their 3-Ply cookware will seriously blow you away. It comes with a lifetime warranty as the brand is so sure you'll love it, and conducts heat beautifully, especially on induction hobs. It's gorgeous too, obviously. The one kicker is that the non-stick pan in this set is not dishwasher safe.
Best non-stick
Ninja has cracked the code when it comes to non-stick, and this impressive set is not only great for flipping and frying, but for boiling and stewing. It's lightweight, easy to keep clean and looks good as new even after months of use. It's available in two different configurations: with 3 saucepans or 5.
Best for small kitchens
This set has high walls and therefore allows more space for your cooking needs, as well as welded hinges and an incredibly stackable design. The pricetag is more affordable than you might think with the premium finish to this set, but the metal lids do unfortunately rattle when in use.
Best 3 piece set
This high-quality set is made in the UK and functions as the perfect trio for smaller households. It's a pricey set, sure, but it'll stand up against any cooking test you throw at it, as it did during our tests. It has long, thin handles too, which look much nicer than an average set.
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Best duo set
Though Our Place rose to fame thanks to pans that look great, after using this set for over a year, our Kitchen Appliances Editor can also vouch for the quality. The non-stick is yet to falter despite everyday use and the relative sizing of the Pot and Pan are simply perfect for 2-4 people. They win the beauty competition too!
Best durable
This set is a reliable favourite of ours from John Lewis after being tried and tested at home. The comfy handles never get hot while cooking, and clean after clean, they emerge looking brand new. The drainage holes in lids and easy-pour spouts are also simply genius.
Best with removable handle
If your cupboards are looking a little crammed, then welcome in this seriously space saving set from Tefal, which is also compatible with induction hobs. It makes storing leftovers straight from the pan a doddle, too, and has the seal of approval from our Deputy Print Editor Ginevra.
Best saucepan set overall
In our view, the best saucepans are typically those high-quality fuss-free stainless steel types. The Stellar 3 Piece Eclipse Saucepan Set is our favourite iteration of that type we've ever tried, with a tri-ply construction for even heating. This set comes with 16, 18 and 20cm pans - all backed by a lifetime guarantee. We were so impressed with the sleek construction that felt incredibly high-quality, with riveted handles and inner capacity markings to make measuring easier.
Each pan comes in a drawstring bag and the packaging is largely recyclable. Although the pans can go through the dishwasher, hand-washing will keep them blemish-free for longer - although the same could be said for any pan set. They are oven-safe, but up to 240°, which is less than some of the other pans in our guide, but during testing, this never proved to be too much of a problem.
This set won one of the most integral tests during our review process, which is the battle of the fastest heat-up time. For quickly cooking pasta and rice, if you're grabbing for this set then you're in safe hands.
Best ceramic saucepan set
Ninja is a brand we love at Ideal Home for its best air fryers, but did you know it's also a great place to shop for cookware? We recently took this ceramic 3-piece set to task at home to see how it measured up and found that it measured up when it came to a variety of cooking tests, including heat retention and nonstick ability.
We found the benefits of the ceramic surface to be increased nonstick capabilities in our tests. Ninja also claims that the surface type has CeramicLock Technology, meaning that it's dual-bonded for extra durability. As we continue to test this set in the long term we will see if that's true, as well as see if the nonstick lasts up to five years as promised.
We also love how this set is suitable to use up to temperatures of 285°C, oven-safe and compatible with all hob types. The amount of oil we needed to use with these pans was also minimal, so there is an argument that they may prove to be healthier for you to use in the long term.
Best premium saucepan set
Strikingly high–quality, this 3-ply Stainless Steel 4-piece Cookware Set from Le Creuset is backed by a lifetime warranty, which is rare to find when it comes to cookware. Included is a 16cm saucepan, 18cm saucepan, 20cm deep casserole, and a 24cm non-stick frying pan, which is a versatile mix.
We enjoyed how well this set stacked together, and the double handle design means you can lift these pans in and out of the oven without any trouble. The lids are made of stainless steel, so you won’t be able to look in as your food cooks, but in our experience as discussed in #1, this material lends itself to lasting longer and yields the best possible cooking results. We also found that the base heated quickly due to the 3-ply stainless steel construction. The one downside is that the non-stick frying pan is best not placed in the dishwasher.
Best non-stick saucepan set
One standout feature of the ZeroStick range from Ninja is that you are free to use metal utensils when cooking. During our tests, it felt pretty weird to use a metal whisk and slatted spoon when cooking in the set, but it was one less thing to worry about in the kitchen, and also cuts back on the less-durable and often plastic alternatives you're forced to buy with non-stick saucepan sets.
The handle is angled upwards, which makes for an ergonomic experience and also lightens the load when it comes to pouring. All of the pans and lids can go in the dishwasher, and even in the oven, up to 260°C. We like this set for the price, which is very reasonable for such a durable range. Our major gripe is that the set is tricky to stack, and the ZeroStick coating is a little less attractive than more conventional cookware.
Best saucepan set for small kitchens
Robert Welch may be best known for making some of the best chef's knives and best knife sets, but that doesn't mean the brand can't make a brilliant saucepan. The Robert Welch Campden Saucepan Set 3-Piece is tactile to use, and the flat handles make it a very stackable set of pans.
Tested by our Kitchen Appliances Editor, who has a small kitchen and a love of quality cookware, we couldn't fault much when it came to meal prepping for two people with these pans. The large one was plenty for making a batch of bolognese, and the small one was brilliant for egg poaching or reheating soup. Of course, if you're in a larger home or have more mouths to feed, this set may be a bit snug for meals for four and over.
The metal lid rattles a little when simmering stocks or slow-cooking, which is because there's no in-built ventilation. We do prefer a glass lid, but at least these can go through the dishwasher. For the price, there's a lot of quality in this set.
Best saucepan set trio
Buying the best saucepan set will often mean spending a lot of money, but if it's within your budget, the Samuel Groves 3-Piece Classic Set is a worthy investment.
While it's not the typical kitchen set, its three components are all necessary for any kitchen and will allow you to cook just about anything you may wish. It comes with a 26cm casserole, 20cm saucepan and 28cm non-stick frying pan The saucepan is ideal for boiling veggies and heating smaller portions, whereas the casserole has a quality design and sturdy handles to cook up large servings of bolognese or rice.
While not heatproof, the longer handles do stay a little cooler throughout use thanks to the elevated design. Enjoyable features include the fact that it comes in a burlap bag that can be used for groceries and other storage needs and that it’s handcrafted in the UK. The brushed exterior meant that heat spread evenly in testing, and the tri-ply stainless steel feels high quality and long-lasting. The company also offers a 'Pan for Life' refurbishment service, so they will re-polish and restore any damage it may incur over the years.
Best pan and pot duo
If space is at a premium in your home, then you're going to need one or two pans that do the job of an entire set. That's where this duo from Our Place comes in, with the promise of replacing an 18-piece cookware bundle with their Always Pan and Perfect Pot.
To put that claim to the test, our Kitchen Appliances Editor tried this set at home for several months and used nothing else for every single meal she cooked. In her small London flat, there's no space for a full saucepan set, but there's no need for one with this pair, which excel at everything from frying eggs to cooking rice. Even better, the new Always Pan is also oven-safe, so nothing is off-limits recipe-wise either.
These Instagram-famous pans sometimes get talked down a little due to the nin-stick, but in her time testing, Molly didn't find an issue with the non-stick capabilities. Her only complaint is that the pair can be a little trickier to clean than competitors, namely her Le Creuset cast iron pans. But it's a small price to pay for two pans that really can replace a full set.
She's not the only one who thinks so too. Ideal Home's Deputy Editor Ginerva is also a signed-up fan of Our Place.
'I succumbed to the endless advertising on Instagram in early 2022 and snapped up the Always Pan. I loved using it so much that I soon after treated myself to the matching Perfect Pot. In hindsight, I should have bought both at the same time to save money! I love using them and while I have a selection of other saucepans and pots, I nearly always turn to these first. This is partly because they're both a generous size (without being too big), but also because I tend to always leave them out on my hob - they're so nice to look at!'
Best durable saucepan set
This relatively inexpensive set from John Lewis wins top marks from Ideal Home's Content Editor Amy thanks to its durable design and useful features, such as the heatproof handles.
Highlights with this set include the fact that they fare well in the dishwasher, and have a bunch of small qualities to make your life easier. That includes drainage holes in the side other lids for when you're boiling vegetables, and spouts on either side of the pan for easy pouring. You can leave the lid on to drain water out too, so that you don't have to dirty your colander during the cooking process either.
Another plus is the litre measurements written on the inside of the pan so that following a recipe is a little bit easier. They're also easy to manoeuvre thanks to their lightweight feel, and the holes in the handles mean that you can store them more easily.
Best space saving design
This set of pans wins the accolade of the cleverest design on this list, with removable handles to make stacking in your cupboards so much easier. You can pick up either the 3-pan set or the 5-piece version, which also features two non-stick frying pans that work on induction hobs.
Ideal Home team member Andrea Childs owns the five-piece set and loves cooking with them at home. Not only does she love the space-saving design, but also the fact that they come with airtight lids, which means that you can pop any leftovers in your pan straight into the fridge instead. Andrea also loves the draining slots in the lid to make pouring away pasta water or boiling water much easier.
How we tested the best saucepan sets
How did we review the best saucepan sets? Every set in this guide has been used hands-on by a member of the Ideal Home team for at least two weeks, as well as during a grouped testing session at our review facility. Certain pans have also been tested long term within the homes of team members, so that we can tell you more about durability and wear.
We looked out for how evenly the pan heated, the quality of the design, how enjoyable the handles and lids were to use and store, and the versatility of each set. Where a saucepan set was non-stick, we made sure that this would last and tested how well it cooked our fried eggs and bacon. Other features to look out for are oven-safe designs and heat-resistant handles. We tested for both, where appropriate, as well as evenly heated bases and the convenience of cleanup and day-to-day use.
FAQs
Is it worth investing in a high quality saucepan set?
As Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, after testing dozens of saucepans, the main difference I've found in using a high-quality version is improved consistency in cooking results. You don't just have to take my word for it. I spoke with Irini Tzortzoglou, winner of series 15 of MasterChef UK, to find out why investing in a good quality saucepan set was so important to her.
Irini says 'One of the first things I knew I needed to do when I applied to MasterChef was to buy a good set of saucepans. Previously I bought based on looks and over my 30+ years in London I got through quite a few (the lids came apart, the handles fell off, the coating got damaged, etc.)'
'The set I bought and have enjoyed for 5 years now – my stepdaughter wants them left to her in my will - are English made (which is important to me) by Samuel Groves. They are good looking, easy to clean, suitable for all stove tops and oven too, in that sense ideal for when I want to brown something quickly and then finish in the oven.'
The main thing that Irini loves about her high-quality saucepan set? 'They are made of stainless steel which is durable and conducts heat evenly and doesn't react with alkaline or acidic foods either. No special care or cleaning is required. I think they are perfect and you don’t need a mortgage for them either.'
After testing a Samuel Groves set myself (which you can find at #8), I can also vouch for the brand's quality and the importance of high-quality cookware overall.
What size saucepans do I need?
After trying out many different combinations, I think saucepans measuring 16, 18 and 20cm are good standard sizes to aim for if you want a set of three. Then optionally a larger stockpot for big dishes. The other size worth considering is a 14cm milk pan; these tend to have pouring spouts but no lids, perfect for sauces, gravy, custard, hot chocolate and more.
Features of a good saucepan set
What are the pans made from?
Materials-wise, most modern pans use a combination of aluminium and stainless steel. The stainless steel is durable and low maintenance while the aluminium (usually a disc of it, encapsulated in the pan base) is light and spreads heat quickly and evenly. Meanwhile, cast iron is tough and induction-friendly but takes a long time to heat up (and cool down).
Should I go for non-stick coatings?
Non-stick coatings are easy to clean and tougher than they used to be, but they do wear over time. Ceramic pans are an alternative that avoids the chemicals in traditional non-stick coatings made using Teflon and PFOA.
What style of pan handle is best?
Phenolic (black, plasticky) handles are cooler to the touch, so you can handle pans and lids without resorting to oven gloves. Metal handles and knobs get hotter but they’re oven-safe to higher temperatures. If you like to finish dishes in the oven or grill, go for metal. If not, weigh up the practicality and looks of both options. The trend is currently more for metal handles.
What other extra features are handy?
Nice extra features include graduations for measuring quantities and lid materials – metal is tough and easy to clean; glass lets you keep an eye on cooking without lifting the lid. And if you’re short of storage space, look out for pans that stack well or fit inside each other neatly.
Are they dishwasher safe?
Most pans (and all the ones featured here) call themselves 'dishwasher safe' but the care instructions usually suggest hand-washing is better for them in the long term. It's your call, but you won’t do them major harm by using the dishwasher.
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