You just invested in a high-tech induction cooktop, and you're ready to find out how these modern marvels help make cooking easier. But that excitement quickly comes to a halt when you realize your pots and pans aren't induction cooktop compatible - induction cookers use magnetic fields instead of flames or centralized metal coils to heat cookware.
Before you scrap the whole thing and return to a more traditional cooktop, consider some of our recommendations below. We've revisited our favorite cookware sets to find the best pans for induction cooktop cooking. Each of these sets offers a quality, effortless cooking experience and is guaranteed to be a perfect match for your new induction cooker.
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The Best Cookware For An Induction Stove Top
The Sous Chef Set from Made In is the perfect cookware for anyone transitioning to an induction cooktop. These pots and pans all feature magnetic base materials that are highly responsive to induction cooking. Plus, each one is designed for maximum performance and easy cleaning.
Most pots in this 11-piece set are made of 5-ply stainless steel clad aluminum. But the set also features a carbon steel frying pan and a non-PFOA, nonstick frying pan - both of which are induction friendly. That way, you can choose the perfect pan to compliment whatever you're cooking.
What We Look For in Induction Pans
Choosing pans for an induction cooktop requires many considerations. They should be made with the right materials, lightweight enough to avoid damaging the cooktop and offer benefits beyond their compatibility with an induction surface.
We chose our best pans for induction cooking based on these factors and more.
If you haven't settled on an induction cooktop and are looking for pans that will work with various cookers, check out our list of the best cookware sets.
Induction Cooktop Compatibility
Induction cooktops work by sending an electric charge through a coil of copper. This creates a magnetic flux, which acts on any ferrous pan placed on top of the burner. An eddy current forms in the pan, which causes heat as the eddy flows through the resistance of the metal.
All the cookware we chose features a highly ferrous base, so you can be sure it is induction hob compatible.
Materials Used
There are a variety of induction-compatible pan types to choose from. But not all of them are equal in terms of how easy they are to cook with.
For induction cooking, stainless clad is one of the best choices because it combines the ease of use of stainless steel with the balanced heating of aluminum or copper. Another option is straight stainless because it is simple to maintain and cheaper. However, it isn't as easy to cook with. On the other hand, carbon steel holds heat almost as well as cast iron but is lighter, making it safer for glass-top induction cookers.
You will see these three materials featured the most heavily in our list below.
For more information on how different materials perform on the stovetop, check out our article on the best cookware material.
Size Of Cookware
The size of cookware is important for two reasons.
First, the cookware you choose must be properly sized for your cooktop. Remember, induction cooking relies on creating eddy currents instead of heat. So, surface area contact is incredibly important. Many low-magnetic pots and pans will only work on induction surfaces if the burner area is the same size or slightly larger than the base of the pan.
We chose sets with more standardized cookware base sizes, so they are more likely to work well with a wide variety of different induction cooktop models.
Second, large and oddly-shaped pots and pans can be difficult to store. We chose sets that included easily nestable cookware and those that feature special storage solutions. That way, any home chef, no matter how small their kitchen, can enjoy using these cookware sets.
Weight
Weight is another important consideration when it comes to induction cook surfaces because they are often made of glass-ceramic. This material is easily scratched and can shatter if a heavy pot is dropped on it.
The cookware sets we chose are lightweight enough to be used safely on induction cooktops. They also feature smooth surfaces that won't easily scratch glass cook surfaces.
If keeping your glass cooktop safe is one of your biggest priorities, you'll want to read our article on the best cookware for glass top stoves for more great product recommendations.
Cost
Whether you're looking for a premier cookware set that will last for decades or a quality set you can buy on a budget, we've got you covered. We made sure our choices included options from the higher end of the price spectrum and plenty of the best budget-friendly sets out there.
Warranty
Whether priced high or low, the warranty on a cookware set is an important marker for its quality. Companies who believe in their products will provide long warranty periods to protect against manufacturing defects. We looked specifically for sets with included long-term warranties.
The Best Cookware for Induction Cooktops
Looking for a large cookware set that comes with plenty of options and works with maximum efficiency on your induction cooktop? The Made In Sous Chef Cookware Set is what you exactly need.
There are many things to love about this well-priced 11-piece set, but let's start with the fact that it is optimized for induction use. The cooking surface of each stainless steel pot and pan is 430 stainless steel, which offers super-quick heating and responsiveness on your induction top versus most types of stainless steel.
Our next favorite thing about this set is that it comes with options. Each of the three frying pans is made with different materials, so you can choose the best pan for each meal you make.
Like the pots, the 10" stainless steel frying pan is made of 5 layers of 4 different metals. The cooking surface is food-safe, easy-to-care-for 18/10 stainless, while the bottom features the highly ferrous 430 stainless steel.
The set also comes with a 10" non-stick frying pan that features a stainless steel bottom layer and a non-PFOA cooking surface. This nonstick layer is incredibly durable and will last ten times longer than your traditional nonstick pan.
Last is the 12" carbon steel frying pan. This beauty is highly magnetic and retains heat like a cast iron pan but is lighter and easier to use. You will need to do a little extra work to care for it, including using the carbon steel seasoning wax that comes with the set, but this pan is well worth it.
There's a lot to love about this set and even more about the brand. Made In pots and pans are 100% American made. These products are made to rival those premiere brands but are available at a more reasonable price and come with a lifetime limited warranty.
If you love stainless but want something that holds heat better than your average steel pan, you should consider the 360 Cookware 9-Piece Set.
Each of these pots and pans is made with stainless steel clad aluminum. The cooking surface features food-safe 18/8 surgical grade stainless steel, while the bottom surface is made with T-400 series stainless.
This steel alloy contains less nickel than most stainless steel, making it more magnetic and an excellent match for induction ranges.
Each layer covers a thick aluminum core that heats up quickly and retains heat exceptionally well. While many tri-ply pans use this same design, few use layers as thick as those featured in these pans.
This added thickness, along with the unique rounded shape of the pans and their lids, means you can use these pans to steam cook without added water. This oil-free cooking method makes it super simple to create healthy, low-calorie meals that taste amazing. To learn more about this cooking method, check out our full 360 Cookware review.
This 9-piece set features five pots, including a large 11.5" frying pan and four specialty lids.
All 360 products are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty. This larger set comes with a decent price tag, but these quality pans are well worth the investment for those with induction cooktops and those looking to cook a little cleaner.
For quality kitchenware at an affordable price, Misen has always been our go-to. If you're after a full cookware set that is highly compatible with induction cookers, the Misen Complete Cookware Set is an excellent choice.
This large set features 12 pieces, including seven pots and pans and five lids. Each of these thick, durable pots is made with five layers of different metals. The cooking surface and outer layer are premium stainless steel that works with induction cookers.
These layers surround multiple layers of aluminum for exceptional heat retention. The thickness of these pots and pans also means they are more durable than your typical stainless set.
Another thing to love about these Misen pans? They are partially nestable with each of the two frying pans, saute pans, and sauciers stacking together for easier storage. Though not nestable, the low-profile lids are also easy to store.
Misen started after an impressively successful Kickstarter campaign that promised quality cookware at a price more attainable to the average person. They have certainly followed through on that promise. These pots and pans are as good as the premier brands in terms of quality, craftsmanship, and useability.
To see more of our favorite offerings from Misen, check out our Misen knife review and Misen dutch oven review.
Large cookware sets are great if you have a passion for cooking and plenty of storage space. But if you only need the bare necessities, The Set from Abbio Cookware is the way to go.
This 8-piece set includes only what you absolutely need to make most meals: a stockpot, a saute pan, a saucepan, and two frying pans. Each pot is made of 3-ply stainless steel clad aluminum that is induction compatible. The makeup of the frying pans is similar but has an added layer of nonstick on the cooking surface.
This nonstick layer is made of Abbio's proprietary blend. It is chemical and PFOA-free, safe to use, and highly heat resistant.
One of our favorite features of this cookware is the oversized carrying handles on the larger pots. These make it exceptionally easy to carry, pour, and maneuver these beautiful pans. Plus, each order comes with a free silicone hot pad so you can serve straight from the oven or stovetop to your table.
These intelligently designed pots and pans work with induction cook surfaces of any size. Each of the smaller pieces nests into its larger counterpart for simple storage even in tight spaces.
The only downside to this set? It only comes with a 1-year warranty. But, considering the quality of the craftsmanship, most customers don't have issues with their cookware not lasting.
Want to know more about what makes Abbio great? Check out our full Abbio Cookware review here.
The Proclamation Duo is a worthy investment for chefs and home cooks who don't have much room to spare in the cupboards.
This two-pan-plus-lid set was ingeniously designed to do the job of all the pots and pans included in your typical cookware set. The large skillet is wide enough to fry up multiple fish filets or chicken breasts at once. It also has high, curved sides that double as a saute pan.
The larger of the two pots - the hybrid pot - has high sides and a massive surface area. It can be used as a stockpot, wok, or large saucepot. It is large enough to hold an entire chicken or boil 2 pounds of pasta.
But what makes this set unique is the skillet that doubles as a tall lid for the hybrid pot. When used in this way, these pots transform into a dutch oven for broiling and baking.
Thanks to the multi-ply stainless steel design, this cookware is induction cooktop compatible and highly heat conductive. You'll never have to dial your burner up past medium with these pots.
For the induction cooking family with very little storage room but a wide-ranging menu, you won't find a better option than this duo. Read our full Proclamation Duo review to learn about the other tricks this set has in store.
The All-Clad Stainless Cookware Set is another great option for home cooks who love stainless.
Each piece in this 10-piece set features 5-ply stainless steel clad aluminum. A bottom surface of low-nickel stainless guarantees optimal performance on induction cooktops, while alternating layers of aluminum and stainless allow for better heat distribution. This is another set that works best on low heat for more efficient cooking.
The All-Clad set includes all your basics to get started. You'll get two frying pans, two saucepans, a saute pan, and a stockpot/dutch oven. Each pot comes with a well-fitting, low-profile stainless steel lid.
Given the price point and the patience required for cooking with these premium pans, we don't recommend them to novice chefs. But for the home cook who knows their way around a quality cookware set, this one is definitely worth considering.
These pots and pans are semi-nestable for easier storage and come with a limited lifetime warranty. The pans and pots are made in the USA with locally sourced materials.
One of the best materials for heat conduction is aluminum. Unfortunately, this material is also prone to discoloration and leaching metals into your food. That's one reason many aluminum pans are clad in stainless steel.
Another option to get all the benefits of aluminum without the drawbacks is to opt for anodized aluminum, like what you'll get with the KitchenAid Nonstick Cookware Set.
The thick aluminum construction of these pots means they hold heat exceptionally well. You'll almost never have to turn the dial above medium-low to cook with this cookware. Thanks to the full aluminum makeup, you'll also never have to deal with hotspots.
Aluminum is great for heat conductivity but is not magnetic. To make these pots and pans compatible with induction cooktops, the manufacturers added a coil of stainless steel to the bottom of each piece. This ferrous coil interacts with induction cooktops and heats the aluminum to your desired temperature.
This design means these pots aren't as reactive on induction surfaces as other options listed here. But, as long as your burners are the correct size (slightly larger than the bottom of the pan), you should have no problem using these on your new stovetop.
Each pot and pan is also coated with a triple layer of PFOA-free nonstick material for easy cleanup.
These KitchenAid pans come with a limited lifetime warranty and are surprisingly affordable.
Looking for a cookware set that won't break the budget? The Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cookware Set is incredibly affordable and works impressively well with induction cooktops.
These pots and pans are made of simple, effective stainless steel. The bounded bases contain additional layers to increase heat conductivity and cooking efficiency. Most importantly, this simple design allows them to work effortlessly with all induction cooktops.
With this well-priced set, you'll get everything you need. In addition to your standard pots and skillets, the set also includes a strainer insert and nonstick frying pan. The high-profile glass lids are perfect for locking in flavor and allowing you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks.
Considering this is a 13-piece set, you really cannot beat the price. But, as with all bargain-priced pans, you'll have to take extra care of these to assure they last. They are advertised as dishwasher safe, but we recommend hand washing and drying immediately for best results.
This large set comes with a lifetime warranty. The bases are impressively thick, but the sidewalls are thin and must be treated with care.
The only cooking material more heat-conductive than aluminum is copper. Unfortunately, much like aluminum, copper is difficult to keep clean and very reactive with different substances. One way to get the benefits of copper (and to assure the pans work with your induction cooker) is to look for stainless-clad copper bottom cookware.
One of our favorite options in this category is the Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Set.
This gorgeous 10-piece set features stainless steel pots and pans made with a 5-layer specialty base. Heat-conductive copper is layered with aluminum for a core that retains heat and cooks incredibly efficiently. And the bottom layer, which is made of magnetic stainless steel, is optimized for induction performance.
Gorgeous tulip-shaped pots give this set a look reminiscent of classic European cookware. Wide handles and inset glass lids complete this unique look and promise to add elegance to your kitchen.
This set comes with a lifetime warranty.
Induction Compatible Cookware Specifications
Induction Pots and Pans Buying Guide
Shopping for induction cooktop compatible cookware is not as easy as it seems. Many sets that are advertised as "induction ready" or "induction capable" won't work at all on most induction surfaces. Others may heat up but aren't nearly reactive enough to maximize the benefits of cooking with induction.
To help you find just the right pans for your cooktop and your needs, we put together this helpful buying guide.
Compatibility
Induction cooktop compatibility all comes down to the materials. Most specifically, the bottom outer layer of the pan. As mentioned, induction cooktops work by stimulating the magnetic nature of certain metals.
If you use non-induction traditional cookware, the magnetic field can't pass through and thus no heat is generated.
Cookware types that are induction cooktop compatible include:- Stainless steel (ferrite/low nickel)
- Stainless clad (ferrite/low nickel)
- Cast iron (raw or enameled)
- Carbon steel
- Multi-ply (assuming the cook surface material is magnetic stainless steel)
- Ceramic or ceramic clad
- Copper or bare copper bottom
- Aluminum or aluminum clad
- Glass
- Stainless steel (high nickel/austenitic)
If you aren't sure what type of stainless your cookware is made from or aren't sure what type of metal lines the bottom of your pans, there is an easy way to check for induction capability - you can stick a magnet to the bottom.
If it sticks, it will work. If it doesn't stick or the connection is weak, it is not a great choice for your induction cooktop.
Base Size
Matching your pan base sizes to your burner sizes is a good practice no matter what type of cooktop you have, but it is especially important for induction cookers. There are a few reasons for this.
First, pans that are too large for the burner can heat unevenly as all the induction power is focused on the center of the pan. This is not a problem for highly conductive pans like those with copper or aluminum cores. But it will cause uneven heating problems for simple stainless steel pans.
Second, very large pots can potentially hang over onto the control panel. The heat generated by induction at the center will spread to the edges of the pot and could potentially damage the control panel. Most cooktops have alarms that will sound if the control panel comes in contact with a hot pan.
Lastly, non-ferrous pots (such as anodized aluminum) that feature a magnetic base or coil, require full surface contact to work with induction tops. This means you cannot put a large pan on a smaller burner. In these situations, the largest pan in your set should be about an inch smaller in diameter than your largest burner for optimal performance.
In general, you'll want to find a cookware set where the largest pan is as wide or smaller than your largest burner.
Weight
In general, a heavy pan is a dependable pan. But when you're shopping for your induction hob, you'll want to take a note from Goldilocks and look for pans that aren't too heavy or too light, but just right.
That is because most induction cook surfaces are made of glass-ceramic. Like traditional glass-top ranges, this fragile material is prone to cracking and chipping. And one of the biggest risks comes from heavy cookware.
At the same time, you don't want to opt for the lightest pots and pans you can find. Light cookware tends to be made of thin metals that don't hold heat well. These pots aren't efficient for cooking no matter what type of stovetop you're using.
So instead, look for cookware that is a good balance between heavy-duty materials, like copper and aluminum cores or multi-ply stainless steel, and weight-reducing designs. The 360 Cookware Set is a great example of thick, durable cookware that is crafted in such a way that it is not overly heavy.
Storage
Storage is another important factor to consider before you invest in a new cookware set.
Many sets, large and small, are nestable or partly nestable. This means the different pots and pans fit into one another so they take up less space in the cupboard. Sets in which only one or two pots can fit together will require much more space for storage and are best suited to large kitchens or kitchens with a hanging storage option.
Special consideration should be given to the lids included in the set. Often, even if the pots are nestable, the lids will require extra storage space. Many are not easily stackable and cannot be hung up.
If lid storage space is at a premium in your kitchen, look for low-profile lids and sets with lids designed to fit multiple pots so you have fewer to store.
If your kitchen cupboards are already bursting, then you may consider a consolidated set, such as the Proclamation Duo or The Set from Abbio Cookware. Smaller sets like these feature hybrid and specialized pots that can do the jobs of multiple pots to reduce how much cookware you need overall.
The Best Cookware for Your New Induction Cooktop
When it comes to cookware sets that are induction compatible, you have a lot of great choices.
Our absolute favorite is The Sous Chef Set by Made In. This classic 11-piece set includes three different kinds of frying pans so you can choose the right material for whatever you're cooking. Whether you opt for stainless steel, carbon steel, or nonstick, you can be sure they'll work perfectly with your induction cooker.
At a close second is the Misen Complete Cookware Set. This 12-piece set features 5-ply stainless steel clad aluminum for optimal heating and high induction reactivity. And, considering what you get, you just can't beat the price.
