The best induction hob pans combine a magnetic base, a flat cooking surface and a useful mix of sizes. For most households, the strongest choices here are the IKEA 365+ six-piece stainless-steel set, Tefal’s five-piece non-stick set at Argos and the lower-cost Scoville Neverstick set. Choose stainless steel for high-heat cooking, non-stick for easier release or Scoville for a lower upfront cost.
Prices are retailer listings and can change, so treat the figures below as a snapshot rather than permanent prices.
| Set | Pieces | Recorded price | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA 365+ | 6 | £35.00 | Durable everyday stainless steel |
| Tefal Induction | 5 | £75.00 | Non-stick cooking and easy release |
| Scoville Neverstick | 5 | £45.32 | Lower-cost non-stick cookware |
Argos recorded the Tefal set at £75.00, reduced from £150.00, with a 4.8/5 rating from 241 reviews. The same retailer listed the Scoville set at £45.32, reduced from £68.00, with a 4.8/5 rating from 495 reviews.
This is the most balanced choice if you want induction-compatible stainless steel at a relatively modest price. IKEA lists the six-piece set at £35.00 and states that it works on all hobs. That makes it suitable for someone replacing several old pans at once and wanting a set for regular use.
Stainless steel handles high heat and is suitable for frying, browning and searing, but it rewards careful technique. Heat the pan appropriately and use enough fat to reduce sticking. If you mainly cook delicate foods and want the easiest release, a non-stick set may be more convenient.
The Tefal set is the clearest choice for a buyer who prioritises non-stick cooking and wants a five-piece induction hob pan set from a widely recognised cookware brand. The Argos listing showed £75.00, reduced from £150.00, and a 4.8/5 rating from 241 reviews.
Non-stick coating is useful for foods that tend to cling. A glass lid and stay-cool handles can also be useful features when included. Check the listing for the exact pan sizes and care instructions: the number of pieces alone does not show whether the set contains the sizes you use most.
The Scoville set is the value-led non-stick option among these picks. Argos recorded it at £45.32, reduced from £68.00, with a 4.8/5 rating from 495 reviews. It is worth considering if you want a complete five-piece set without moving into the higher price of the Tefal option.
A five-piece set can include several pans plus lids, so count usable cooking vessels separately from accessories. Also look for a flat, sufficiently thick base: this supports more even heating on an induction hob and helps prevent food cooking too quickly in isolated hot spots.
Pans containing magnetic or ferromagnetic material work on an induction hob. Magnetic stainless steel and cast iron are the main examples. Aluminium and copper pans work only when they have a magnetic layer or induction-compatible base.
Induction hobs heat the pan directly through electromagnetic energy rather than heating the glass surface first. To check an existing pan, place a magnet against the outside of its base. If it sticks firmly, the pan is likely to be compatible. The pan should also have a flat, suitable base and a size that matches the hob zone. Bosch explains the materials and induction process, while Which? covers the magnet test and pan design.
Cast iron does work on induction, but it conducts heat relatively poorly. If the pan is not matched to the hob zone, heating can be uneven. It can also be exceptionally heavy, may have hot handles, generally needs more care than non-stick cookware and is not dishwasher-safe. For most everyday saucepan sets, magnetic stainless steel or induction-ready non-stick cookware is easier to handle.
Start with compatibility, then choose the material and set size that match your cooking. Use this checklist:
Choose stainless steel when you want pans that tolerate high heat and suit frying, browning and searing. Stainless steel can be heavy, its handles may become hot and it can cost more than non-stick alternatives. It also requires more control of temperature and fat to prevent food sticking.
Choose non-stick when easy release and straightforward everyday cooking matter most. Useful features can include a glass lid and stay-cool handles, but the coating makes care instructions especially important. Which? found temperature differences of up to 180°C across the surface of the worst non-stick pans it tested, so a flat, well-designed base remains important even when the coating is the headline feature.
A pan diffuser can allow some non-induction cookware to be used, but Which? says it reduces efficiency and responsiveness, increases cooking time and is best treated as a temporary solution. Replacing incompatible pans with induction-ready cookware is usually the more practical long-term approach.
IKEA’s recorded prices include £35.00 for the IKEA 365+ six-piece stainless-steel set, £12.00 online for the ANNONS five-piece set and £45.00 for the HEMLAGAD six-piece non-stick set, reduced from £55.00. IKEA also listed the HEMKOMST seven-piece stainless-steel set at £99.00.
At the more premium end, Which? described ProCook sets as ranging from £120 to £400. Its retailer-level information put John Lewis prices at around £10 for a single non-stick pan to more than £700 for the largest collections, while Dunelm’s larger sets can exceed £200. Price alone does not establish that a set will heat more evenly or last longer; construction, base design and care requirements matter more.
If the pan is not magnetic, the hob may not detect it and it will not heat effectively. A diffuser can make some conventional pans usable, but it makes cooking slower and less responsive.
You need suitable magnetic cookware, so some aluminium, copper, glass and other non-magnetic pans may need replacing. This is why checking the base, rather than relying on the pan’s material or appearance, matters when choosing cookware.
Choose a saucepan with a magnetic, flat and sufficiently thick base, even heat distribution, a comfortable handle and a well-fitting lid. Stainless steel suits high-heat cooking but may need more technique; non-stick is easier for delicate foods but depends on coating quality and careful use.
