Photo: Cuisinart
Induction cooking is the modern, fast and efficient method of preparing food. But it comes at a price. Unlike other types of cooktops, you can only use specific induction cookware to cook on an induction cooker.
Once you’ve got the right cookware though, you’ll enjoy the power, speed, and cleanliness of cooking with induction systems.
In this induction cookware review, you’ll learn the meaning of induction ready. Plus you’ll also get a list of the top induction cookware out there, so it’s easier to make a choice.
In this post:
- 10 Best Induction Cookware Sets – Review
- 1. Cuisinart MCP-12N – Best Overall Induction Cookware Set
- 2. Chef’s Star 17-Piece – Best Induction Cookware Set for the Money
- 3. T-fal C515SC – Best Budget Non-stick Induction Cookware Set
- 4. Cook N Home 02408 – Best Budget Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- 5. Cooks Standard 02459 – Best Stainless Steel Induction Cookware Set
- 6. Vremi VRM030046N – Most Beautiful Ceramic Induction Cookware Set
- 7. Secura Duxtop-10PC-1209 – Super Shiny Induction Cookware Set
- 8. Magma A10-360L-IND – Induction Cookware Set for RVs & Boats
- 9. Elo Top -P – German Induction Cookware Set
- 10. Nuwave 8155-2 – Ceramic Induction Cookware Set
- How to Buy the Best Induction Cookware Set
- Conclusion
10 Best Induction Cookware Sets – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
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1. Cuisinart MCP-12N (Best Overall) |
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2. Chef’s Star 17-Piece (Best For The Money) |
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3. T-fal C515SC (Best Budget Non-stick Set) |
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4. Cook N Home 02408 (Best Budget Stainless Steel Set) |
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5. Cooks Standard 02459 (Best Stainless Steel Set) |
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6. Vremi VRM030046N (Most Beautiful Ceramic Set) |
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7. Secura Duxtop-10PC-1209 (Super Shiny) |
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8. Magma A10-360L-IND (For RVs & Boats) |
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9. Elo Top -P (From German) |
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10. Nuwave 8155-2 (Ceramic Set) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Cuisinart MCP-12N (Best Overall)
|
2. Chef’s Star 17-Piece (Best For The Money)
|
3. T-fal C515SC (Best Budget Non-stick Set)
|
4. Cook N Home 02408 (Best Budget Stainless Steel Set)
|
5. Cooks Standard 02459 (Best Stainless Steel Set)
|
6. Vremi VRM030046N (Most Beautiful Ceramic Set)
|
7. Secura Duxtop-10PC-1209 (Super Shiny)
|
8. Magma A10-360L-IND (For RVs & Boats)
|
9. Elo Top -P (From German)
|
10. Nuwave 8155-2 (Ceramic Set)
|
1. Cuisinart MCP-12N – Best Overall Induction Cookware Set
Photo: Cuisinart
- Quantity: 12 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
Cuisinart prides itself in producing functional and beautiful items for kitchen use and this offer lives up to that promise. It includes very shiny stainless steel pans which Cuisinart guarantees for a lifetime.
The pan’s triple-ply construction includes stainless steel interiors and exteriors, which get bonded to an aluminum core. This combines the excellent heat conductivity of aluminum with the even heat distribution of stainless steel.
It also provides you with a brushed stainless steel cookware exterior with nice heating system and a highly polished cooking surface.
This Cuisinart induction cookware set includes 6 pans, plus a steamer insert and 5 stainless steel and tight-fitting lids to make it the best overall cookware set here.
Pros:
- Triple-ply construction offers many advantages
- Beautifully polished cooking surfaces are very durable
- Comes with cool-grip handles for convenience
- Pans are oven safe up to 550° F
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The price is on the high side
- Glass lids would have looked better
2. Chef’s Star 17-Piece – Best Induction Cookware Set for the Money
Photo: Chef’s Star
- Quantity: 17 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
Some people are always on the lookout for the best value for their investments and if that’s for you, then Chef’s Star has something for you.
This set features 17 pieces, which includes three stainless steel kitchen utensils, five glass lids with vents, seven pots, and pans, plus 2 steamer accessories.
They get made from 18/8 premium steel and come with a satin finish and this includes their handles, which are all stainless steel as well.
The downside is that the pans and pots are not a triple-ply construction all over.
Rather, they only feature an aluminum sandwiching at the base. Also, the warranty is just for a single year, but the set comes at a great price.
Pros:
- The set is a 17-piece package
- Set gets made using premium grade 18/8 stainless steel
- This set includes five beautiful glass lids
- Oven safe pans up to 550 degrees F
Cons:
- The warranty is only a year long
- Only the bases have a triple-ply construction
3. T-fal C515SC – Best Budget Non-stick Induction Cookware Set
Photo: T-fal
- Quantity: 12 pieces
- Material: Aluminum
T-fal is another good maker of great cookware and this offer comes with so many outstanding features to make it a great buy. If you are looking for the best non-stick induction cookware at a great price, then look closer.
The pans don’t look as beautiful as the previous stainless steel pans in this review but they do look okay in their black finish. Their handles are black silicone as well, but they are very comfortable and stay cool when cooking.
There are six pans in this set, including a steamer insert, three glass lids, and two nylon utensils. They are dishwasher safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and T-fal backs the set with a lifetime warranty.
Other interesting features include the T-fal red dot on the cooking surface that lets you know when the pan is hot. Another one is the glass lids which let you check your food without losing any flavor.
Pros:
- 12-piece set features non-stick pans
- Best non-stick budget induction cookware
- The lids are glass lids
- Dishwasher and oven safe up to 400 degrees F
- Backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Its black color is not as appealing as stainless steel
- Non-stick coatings always scratch
4. Cook N Home 02408 – Best Budget Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Photo: Cook N Home
- Quantity: 10 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
Stainless steel cookware is very beautiful and durable, but they don’t always need to cost a lot. As this offer from Cook N Home shows, good stainless steel induction cookware can also come at an affordable price.
Unlike the costlier models, which have 3-ply bodies, this one comes with just a single stainless steel body. But it includes an aluminum disc at the base of the pan to help spread out the heat evenly.
Another feature you’ll have to overlook is the silicone handles on the lids, which look rather cheap and can’t stand the heat much. This cookware is not oven safe and Cook N Home offers only money-back guarantees on the set, but it’s still a great offer for its price.
Pros:
- Made of high quality 18/10 stainless steel
- Offered at a low and affordable price
- Mirror polished inside out for best optics
- Works on all cooktops including induction
Cons:
- The lids and pans are not oven safe
- The silicon handles look cheap
5. Cooks Standard 02459 – Best Stainless Steel Induction Cookware Set
Photo: Cooks Standard
- Quantity: 10 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
Here’s another set of induction cookware that looks nearly the same as the Cuisinart offer above. This set features a 3-ply 18/10 stainless steel and aluminum constructing and it comes at a cheaper price.
The pans will also work on all types of cooktops including induction, and they are dishwasher and oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
You get two saucepans with lids, an 8-quart stockpot, a deep sauté pan, and a steamer insert. The pans also come with riveted stainless steel handles which use natural airflow to keep the handles as cool as possible.
Although this set costs less than the Cuisinart above, it does have its disadvantages, which includes coming with one pan less.
It comes with a lifetime warranty however, making it one of the best stainless steel cookware sets in the market.
Pros:
- Made using 3-ply stainless steel and aluminum
- Best stainless steel cookware set
- Pans and lids are oven safe up to 500 degrees F
- This set comes backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Stainless steel isn’t naturally a non-stick cooking surface
- Glass lids would have looked better
6. Vremi VRM030046N – Most Beautiful Ceramic Induction Cookware Set
Photo: Vremi
- Quantity: 8 pieces
- Material: Aluminum
What Vremi offers here is a top-rated induction cookware set that’s designed to offer you the best during cooking and presentation of your meals because Vremi makes the pans so beautifully.
You get stylishly curved pans and beautiful Bakelite handles with a wooden tone and ergonomic design. Furthermore, you can make your choice from three different colors, with which the exteriors get enameled.
The interiors are ceramic coated, but they get coated so beautifully to look like marble, further improving the value of this cookware. There are also further design features like the mess-free steam release.
On the downside, although this set is very beautiful, it comes with just a 1-year warranty, but if you love beauty, then I’m sure you won’t mind.
Pros:
- Very beautifully made cookware set
- Designed for both cooking & presentation
- Dishwasher safe pans and lids
- The interior ceramic coating offers excellent non-stick properties
Cons:
- This set is not oven safe
- Warranty is only 1 year
7. Secura Duxtop-10PC-1209 – Super Shiny Induction Cookware Set
Photo: Duxtop
- Quantity: 10 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
This Duxtop set is one of the best induction-ready cookware that you’ll find out there.
When you take a closer look at any of these Duxtop pans, you’ll discover that there’s indeed a difference between stainless steel materials. These pans are so finely polished that they reflect like mirrors, a feature that’s delight many cooks who love a good presentation.
There are 2 frying pans, a sauté pan, two saucepans, and a sauce pot. The set also includes four lids to make it a 10-piece set and although these lids are of high quality, they do lack the tempered glass lids’ elegance. The package also comes at a relatively high price.
On the positive side, this cookware set is dishwasher and oven safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and Duxtop backs the entire set with a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Features whole-clad tri-ply stainless steel construction
- The exterior and interior are very polished and shiny
- Dishwasher and oven safe up to 550 degrees F
- The manufacturer backs it with a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The price for a brand new set is very high
- They don’t come with beautiful glass lids
8. Magma A10-360L-IND – Induction Cookware Set for RVs & Boats
Photo: Magma
- Quantity: 10 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
Here comes the best induction cookware brand for boats and RVs, with the perfect offer for those who love some adventure but don’t want to skip on quality along the way.
The package features a 10-pc set for cooking your favorite meals using an induction cooker or even any other cooker of your choice. They get made using 18/10 stainless steel and feature tri-clad bottoms of aluminum sandwiched in stainless steel.
An included bungee rope helps you to tie the set together after you’ve stacked the pans together. This is possible because of the removable handles, which need just one click to attach or remove.
The disadvantage of this offer is that it won’t mean much to you if you’re not a sailor or RV enthusiast, but for those who are, it’s worth every penny of its price.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for RVs and boats
- Features nesting storage system for compactness & safety
- Super shiny stainless steel
- The set is oven and dishwasher safe
Cons:
- The handles need attaching and detaching
9. Elo Top -P – German Induction Cookware Set
Photo: ELO Cookware
- Quantity: 9 pieces
- Material: Stainless steel
Elo has been in the business of making kitchenware since 1934 and like other German manufacturers, it’s known for strong, effective, and reliable products.
This set includes four casserole pots, one saucepan, and four glass lids. They get made using high-quality 18/10 stainless steel and feature a precision machined look.
Each pot and pan also comes with a measuring scale inside it, offering you help in cooking with the right amount of liquid ingredients.
Pros:
- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- Each pot includes a measuring scale inside
- Features ergonomic and heat reducing stainless steel handles
- Backed by a 4-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons:
- No frying pans in the set
10. Nuwave 8155-2 – Ceramic Induction Cookware Set
Photo: Nuwave
- Quantity: 7 pieces
- Material: Aluminum & steel
Nuwave brings you a cookware set that’s designed for universal application, starting from frying eggs that don’t stick, to baking stuff in the oven.
Designed for induction cooking, you can also use them in a range of cooking applications. Moreover, the ceramic non-stick coating means you can cook different foods with very little or no oil, and this means healthier meals for you and your family.
The lids are glass lids, so they can handle plenty of high temperatures, plus they allow you to peek into what you’re cooking without opening the pot and losing valuable moisture and aromas.
Pros:
- Non-stick ceramic induction cookware
- The package includes beautiful glass lids
- Uses an aluminum construction for fast and easy heating
- Oven safe up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
- The warranty is for only 1 year
- There are only 7 pieces in the set
How to Buy the Best Induction Cookware Set
Photo: Vremi
The induction cooking system is totally different from other systems like gas and the electric stove, so there’s plenty to learn and understand before you set out to decide.
Following are the important considerations that you should make and the features that you should watch out for, in your search for the best induction cookware set.
1. Compatibility with Cooktop
Before you continue, you need to make sure that the cookware you’re getting is compatible with your cooktop. Unlike the other cooking systems out there, the induction cooktop is very different, so you should know what you’re dealing with.
Following is a short overview of the most popular cooktops that you’ll find in a kitchen.
Gas. Gas cooktops offer plenty of cooking heat and you can use just about any type of cookware on them. With gas cooktops, you can easily regulate the burner as you wish to get the best cooking temperature. Their downside is that they are noisy and too large flame can discolor your cookware.
Electric. Electric cooktops can also take different cookware. They take time to heat up and produce varying degrees of heat, depending on their particular technology and energy efficiency.
Ceramic. Ceramic cooktops are electric cooktops with modifications. The top usually features ceramic glass with an electric heating element below. Ceramic cooktops glow red when hot, they accept all kinds of cookware, but you need to take care not to scratch them.
Induction. This is the newest technology among the rest and it uses electromagnetism to create heat in an induction-ready pan. The beauty of this system is that the cooktop remains cool to the touch, even while the pan and its contents are boiling.
The problem with induction cookers is that not all cookware will work on them. For any cookware to heat up on an induction cook, it must have a magnetizable metal inside it like steel or cast iron. Copper or aluminum pans won’t work.
2. Your Cooking Style
One important feature of induction cookers is that they can get hot very fast and this can mean different things to different people. If you are the type that likes slow cooking and to take things slowly, then opt for heavy-duty induction cookware like cast iron, which will spread out the heat and help slow things down.
If you’re the fast and furious type, then check out lightweight and fast heating aluminum cookware because they’ll surely complement your cooking style by heating up as fast as possible.
3. Construction Material
This is one issue that you can never overlook when it comes to cooking pans. Different materials offer different heating and cooling properties, so when they’re used in cookware construction, the cookware naturally exhibits those properties.
The most common materials that get used in making induction cookware are as follows.
Stainless steel. This is a unique metal that has found use in different applications. It’s a metal alloy gotten by adding elements like chromium to iron. It does not rust and it’s very hard and durable.
You can use stainless steel cookware on all cooktops including induction cookers. They offer a fairly even heat distribution and will never warp, peel or break. On the other hand, they are often a little heavy.
Cast iron. Cast iron is another favorite material for making cookware because it’s affordable, offers non-stick features after seasoning, and can keep their heat for a long time.
Since it’s iron, it works on induction cooktops, but on the other hand, cast iron cookware is thick and heavy, making them slow to temperature changes and the perfect choice for slow cooking.
Aluminum. When you need your pans to heat up quickly, then you need them made of aluminum. The only problem here is that aluminum can’t work on induction cookers because aluminum is non-magnetizable.
This means that you can’t get an induction-ready pan that’s 100% aluminum. You’ll find aluminum cookware though with stainless steel bases, which makes them induction compatible.
Copper. Copper is also not magnetizable and so, not induction ready on its own. The solution here too is a stainless steel base to make it work.
4. Shapes & Sizes
When buying a cookware set, you’ll find that the different manufacturers offer different combinations of pans and pots, each offer unique in its own way. It’s then left for you to choose what you want based on your cooking needs and what’s available.
Also, keep in mind that most pans get designed for multi-use, so there’s nothing wrong with using a saucepan for something else. Be flexible and you’ll find what fits your household.
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of this induction cookware review and you’ve seen all the different and impressive offers out there, including their different technologies.
Needless to say, these varied cookware styles will appeal to different people from different backgrounds.
If you’re in a hurry, you can go with the best overall Cuisinart MCP-12N or you can also choose this list’s most beautiful induction cookware set, the Vremi VRM030046N.