Best saucepan sets to buy for your kitchen, tried and tested

The Stellar eclipse range is a premium saucepan set that has been designed to last, and that claim is backed up by the brand’s lifetime guarantee. These pans are made from quality 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminium core for fast and even heat distribution. The set consists of three pans in sizes 16cm, 18cm and 20cm and matching lids for each.

During testing I found that they warmed up soup and custard perfectly, the whole pan was evenly heated so there were no cold or burnt patches. It also brought a pan to the boil very quickly making cooking pasta and potatoes that little bit faster. The pans can be used on all hob types including induction. They are not non-stick as they are stainless steel but food didn’t get burnt on to the surface, especially if a little oil was used. The sides of the pan heated up quickly too, which was really useful when warming through a large portion of soup and it didn’t need much stirring before it was hot enough to eat.

The handles are long and thin, and I found they had a good grip, but something to be wary of is that the handles of the lids get very hot, very quickly, which I found out when boiling some water. They are also oven and dishwasher safe, but we found them easy to clean by hand, especially as food didn’t really stick to the pan. This is an ideal set for anyone who wants to invest in a good set of pans that will last.

These Salter pans from the timeless collection are proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good reliable saucepan set. This pan set includes 16cm, 18cm, and 20cm saucepans with lids so whatever you’re cooking, you’ll have the right pan.

Straight out of the box these pans feel lightweight and easy to handle, but they still feel sturdy. When testing, I was impressed by how well food cooked. The pans did heat up quickly but, when warming tomato sauce, the edges got hot before the middle, so you do need to stir your sauces or soups if you’re warming something through. That said, food didn’t burn on to the pans, the lids fitted well although they did rattle a little when water was bubbling at full temp.

Cleaning was effortless and they are dishwasher-friendly if you want to keep the washing up at a minimum. That being said, food didn’t really stick to the base of the pans, despite it not having any non-stick coating. Of course, there are compromises, the steel is a little thinner than some of the more pricier options I’ve tested, but it still did a really good job. This is an ideal set for anyone who is kitting out their first kitchen, or wants to replace worn out pans on a budget.

If you don’t have much space in your kitchen cupboard but want a full set of pans then Lakeland’s easy store set is perfect. This 14 piece set comes with two saucepans and two frying pans, as well as two lids, felt protectors, two storage lids for placing leftovers in the fridge and two handles.

During testing, the whole bundle slotted nearly into a single stack and the detachable handles meant everything fitted into the pan drawer without the usual pan Jenga. This design instantly made everything feel less chaotic and left more space for other kitchen items, too.

The pans themselves are lightweight and they have a nice non-stick coating which worked well. During testing, I found that no food stuck to the pan at all, and the heat distribution was even. They heated up really quickly and also reacted fast when turning the heat down too. Cleaning was really easy, food slid out of the pan with nothing clinging to the edges, so you just need to give them a quick rinse and they’re ready to be put away.

The detachable handles feel very sturdy when they’re on, but they do take a bit of getting used to. There are only two of them though, so if you’re planning to use all the pans at the same time, you’ll need to switch them around. The pans are oven safe, but of course, remember to remove the handles. The lids fit well and as a bonus they come with storage lids, which is ideal for storing left overs in the fridge. This pan set is brilliant for anyone who wants to save on space but not give up on quality.

The ProCook professional saucepan set feels like an expensive set for not really very much money. This set consists of four saucepans each with their own lid. They’re made from 18/10 stainless steel which is very solid and durable, although that is a downside as the pans, especially the larger ones, can be very heavy when full.

During testing, I found these pans performed really well. When cooking soup the heat was evenly distributed so it cooked well throughout. The larger pans did take a little more time to come to temperature, but given the volume that’s to be expected.

One thing I really loved about the pans is the cool touch handles. Even when the pan has been bubbling on the hob for a while, the handles don’t get hot. The toughened glass lids are also another great touch, they sit firmly within the pans without rattling and the integrated steam vents do a good job of preventing any liquids from boiling over.

These pans are induction safe and suitable for use in the oven up to 260C. They are not non-stick, and during testing I did have a slight issue with baked beans sticking to the bottom of the pan, but after a short soak it lifted off fine. They are, however, dishwasher safe so for any stubborn stuck on food, it’s best to just bung them straight in the dishwasher. Overall, if you’re looking for a premium set of pans without the premium price tag, these are a great option that will last you for years.

This saucepan set from Fissler is one of the most premium saucepan sets I tested. Right out of the box you can feel the quality and I will admit that these are an investment purchase, but in my opinion a worthwhile one. The set includes three cook pots in sizes 16cm, 20cm and 24cm with lids, a stewing pot with lid and a serving pan. So there’s everything you could ever need. The pans are also compatible with all hobs, including induction and they are oven safe up to 220C.

Made from 18/10 stainless steel, they feel incredibly solid. The handles sit to the side which makes carrying them easier. They also fit on the hob better if you’re using more than one, because you don’t have to negotiate long handles. Although it’s a little more tricky to handle the pans just using one hand – especially if you’re draining pasta or potatoes. The handles also stay cool during cooking, which makes lifting them a lot easier. During testing I was really impressed by how quick they heated up, although this was a more gradual raising of the temperature so food didn’t burn, which was ideal when sautéing vegetables. The heat spread well which was ideal when warming soup.

The inside of each pot also has measure markings which is really handy. The lids have a snug fit so they don’t rattle about. But the downside of them being all stainless steel is that you can’t peek in and see how the food is cooking – however, the lids do have a condensate-plus function so it enables the steam to push back in to the pot so you don’t have to worry about letting the heat out and the food stays moist. The lip on each pan is also another huge plus point as when you pour out sauces or soup, it doesn’t drip down the outside. They aren’t non-stick but clean really well and the set is dishwasher-friendly. The only real drawback is the size of the pans, they don’t stack as well as some other ones as they did take up quite a lot of space. But if you’re looking for serious, professional-grade cookware that has a superb heat performance, build-quality and versatility then this is the set for you.

The Cermalon pan set is a great choice if you’re just setting up home and want a pan for every dish. It is an 11-piece set which comes with a steamer, 14cm pan, 16cm pan, 18cm pan, 20cm pan, a 20 and 24cm frying pan, three lids and a milk jug.

Its also a budget-friendly choice coming in at under £100. They are one of the lightest pans I’ve tested which was ideal when draining pasta. Although, the weight did make it feel less luxurious than some other brands. The pans heat up quickly in the middle but it takes some time for that heat to distribute out to other parts of the pan which did result in some burning when frying onions and even boiling noodles.

They are non-stick, which means you can’t use metal utensils with them. Despite being non-stick, they do still need a little oil, however, the instructions state not to use spray oils as this will leave a gummy residue that will lead to more sticking. The handles also get very warm and, while they can be cleaned in the dishwasher, the manufacturer recommends handwashing to avoid damaging the non-stick coating. Cleaning wasn’t too bad though, the food just slid off with a quick rinse and the burnt on food came off with some gentle scrubbing. Overall, this is a brilliant starter set, ideal for new homeowners or students at a budget price.

The Kuhn Rikon fiveply pan set is what you’d expect from this brand. They feel very luxurious right out of the box, and the mix of stainless steel and aluminium means they are solid and durable but still feel lightweight. The set includes a 16cm and 20cm saucepan alongside a 24cm frying pan, so there’s something for every dish.

I absolutely love that there’s quart markings inside the saucepans, which is great if you’re making a risotto and want to make sure you’ve got the right measurements. The pans heat up really quickly with the heat evenly spread, so food cooks well throughout without having to stir too much. The frying pan has a non-stick coating which works really well, I tested it with an egg and it just slid around the pan without the need for any oil.

The handles on the smaller saucepan and frying pan are nice and long so they’re easy to manoeuvre. The large sauce pan has side handles which makes it a little tricky when draining but is easier to lift especially when full. The handles all stay cool too, regardless of how long they've been on the hob. These pans are oven safe up to 260C but just be wary the handles do get hot when placed in the oven. The set is easy to clean, the lines are all really clean and straight so there’s no where for food to be caught. During testing no food stuck to the pans so it was easy just to rinse off. Overall, this is a well built and durable set that is perfect for serious home cooks who want professional standard cookware.

The Bodum Chicago pan set stands out immediately. It’s shunned the boring stainless steel look and gone for a matte black finish with stainless steel handles. This set has everything you need with three saucepans and two frying pans, it’s ideal as a starter set.

The pans are noticeably lightweight, which makes a huge difference when you’re draining pasta or moving a full pan from hob to the table, but they still have enough weight to them that they feel stable. During testing, the pans performed well. They do heat quickly and during testing I did burn some onions, so if you get these pans, pop them on a medium heat until you’re ready to throw in your meat or veggies. When it came to warming up soup and boiling water for pasta, the saucepans distributed the heat evenly and again, super quick warm up times.

They do have a non-stick coating, but I did still need to add a little oil to the pan when frying. However, food didn’t stick at all so it was easy to just rinse off, which is just as well because they do recommend you hand wash these pans. The pan with the burnt on food, that was also easy to clean, I just soaked it for half an hour and the food just wiped clean off. They also work on all hob types including induction. This pan set is a stylish, easy to use option that’s ideal for anyone who wants a full set of lightweight pans that don’t put style over substance.