If you only read one thingWant the best pan set we tested? The Cuisinart Ceramica XT is our top pick. 11 pieces, a brilliant non-stick ceramic coating free from PTFE, PFOA and PFAS, and all for under £100. It's not induction compatible, so if you cook on induction check the other picks in the guide, but for everyone else it's outstanding value.A good pan set is one of those investments that quietly transforms your cooking.

The right set makes everything easier: from scrambled eggs on a Tuesday morning to a slow cook for a dinner party, while a bad one will have you wrestling with hot spots, sticky surfaces and handles that get too hot to touch.We tested around 25 pan sets and narrowed the guide down to the 11 strongest performers, covering everything from compact three-piece sets to comprehensive multi-piece collections. Whether you're after non-toxic non-stick, sturdy stainless steel or something dishwasher-safe and metal-utensil friendly, there's a set here to suit most kitchens, hobs and budgets. Best pan set overall If you're after my top pick, the Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set earned five stars in our testing.

Jump to review View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The latest additions were tested and reviewed by Annie Collyer.Best pan sets at a glanceJUMP TO REVIEWS5/5 starsBest pan set if you don't use induction: Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set, £99.99Best pan set overall: Kuhn Rikon all-round 3-piece saucepan set, £259Best non-stick pan set: Ninja Zerostick stainless steel 3-piece pan set, £134.99Best stainless-steel pan set: HexClad Hybrid Pot 6-piece set, £399Best of the restBest premium pan set: Our Place Titanium Pro cookware set, £450Best stylish pan set: ProCook Soho Cookware Set, £125Best ceramic pan set: Joseph Joseph Space folding-handle 6-piece cookware set, £615Best hard-anodised pan set: Circulon Style Anodised 3-piece saucepan set, £205Best lightweight pan set: Zwilling Simplify 5-pc Pot Set, £349Best-looking pan set: Our Place Essentials Complete Cookware Set, £395Best value pan set: Stellar 7000 5-piece pan set, £258Jump to:Best pan sets to buy in 2026Good Food in partnership with Tower pan setsHow to choose the best pan setsHow we tested pan setsI tested around 25 pan sets by cooking a variety of foods in the appropriately sized pan for each task, so results were comparable across the guide.Scrambled eggs and porridge (smallest pan): These foods test the pan's heat control and non-stick-ability. Scrambled eggs require gentle, precise heat and the ability to reach into the edges of the pan, a good test of both temperature control and shape.

Porridge is notoriously difficult to clean, making it a reliable indicator of how well the non-stick surface performs under everyday conditions.Caramelised onions (medium pan): Cooking onions gently over a long period revealed how evenly each pan distributed heat at lower temperatures and how well it responded when the temperature was adjusted. Pans that ran too hot caught the onions; uneven heat showed up quickly.Pasta (largest pan): I brought each pan up to a boil from cold to assess heating speed and evenness, then added pasta and fitted the lid to check whether the pan would boil over and whether the lid stayed clear enough to see through.American pancakes and omelettes (frying pan, where included): For sets that came with a frying pan, I used the same tests as our best frying pans guide: checking non-stick performance, heat distribution and how well the pan responded to temperature changes mid-cook.

We also assessed each set for:Efficient cooking: Each pan needed an effective non-stick lining and responsive heat distribution: heating up quickly and cooling down reliably when the temperature was adjusted.Weight and balance: Pans needed to feel substantial without being so heavy they were difficult to move from hob to sink, or so light they tilted on the hob when full.Build quality: We looked for firmly welded or riveted handles that felt comfortable and secure when the pan was full, and surfaces that showed no signs of wear after repeated use.Storage: I assessed how well each set stacked together, marking down any that were likely to topple or take up an unreasonable amount of cupboard space.Why you can trust Good Food reviewsAcross Good Food's team of expert product testers, we've reviewed a wide range of cookware over the last five years and have tested around 25 pan sets from various brands.Every pan set in this list was tested in the Good Food Test Kitchen or in our expert contributors' homes, which is set up to mirror the average home kitchen rather than a laboratory-like environment. Plus, we only ever use Good Food's triple-tested recipes when reviewing products, so you can rest assured that if a pan set performs well in our kitchen, it should in yours, too.We also operate independently and don't share any reviews with retailers or manufacturers before publication. We don't accept payment in exchange for