Best Saucepan Reviews

Updated February 12, 2021

Everyone has a saucepan in the kitchen. And almost everyone wants to buy a few more. This is, after all, one of the most useful cooking pans.

We’re here to help you pick the best saucepans and show you which are the most attractive deals when it comes to saucepan sets.

Plenty of new things for you to learn!

You’ll soon enough discover how size, material, and heat distribution are just a few of the details that can make or break a deal.

Keep reading to see how many other design elements can add even more value to the humble saucepan, especially when it comes to its lid and handle.

Have we gotten your attention? Let’s move on straight to the best sets and individual pans that we got our hands on.

That, and a detailed buying guide to help you better navigate through the sea of options out there.

See Our Best Saucepan Sets

#PREVIEWProduct
1 Morphy Richards Non Stick Ceramic Coating 161820cm Saucepan Set
Best Overall
Morphy Richards 16/18/20cm Saucepan Set
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2 Prestige Everyday Saucepan Set With Lids Prestige Everyday Saucepan Set
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3 Salter BW05751S Megastone Collection 161820cm
Best For Higher Budgets
Salter Megastone Collection 16/18/20cm Saucepan Set
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1. Morphy Richards 16/18/20cm Saucepan Set

Highlights
  • Set of three saucepans with transparent lids and non-stick inner coating;
  • 2.5mm pressed aluminium body with heat-resistant exterior;
  • Suitable for both electric and gas stove tops;
  • Dishwasher safe.
Best Overall
Morphy Richards Non Stick Ceramic Coating 161820cm Saucepan Set

These high-quality saucepans with non-stick coating from Morphy Richards make for a great addition to any kitchen.

With a sturdy body, non-stick interior, and heat-resistant exterior, it’s so easy to cook in it and even easier to wash it.

Just to see how much attention to detail this product shows, each pan has double pouring spouts – one on the right side and one on the left side, to suit either left or right-hand users.

The stay-cool handle will spare you from accidental burns, and the lid will, once again, surprise you with its fast/slow straining rim.

The transparent tempered glass lid is designed with steam vents and fits neatly inside the saucepan’s rim, helping you to reduce the cooking time. Just perfect!

Specifications

Size:
16/18/20 cm
Weight:
2.8 kg
Material:
Aluminium & Ceramic

Pros

  • Come from a reputable manufacturer;
  • Easy to clean, manually or in the dishwasher;
  • Allow cooking without oil;
  • 1-year guarantee can be extended up to 4 years.

Cons

  • Not suitable for induction or oven.

2. Prestige Everyday Saucepan Set

Highlights
  • Set of three saucepans made of stainless steel with non-stick interior;
  • Suitable for all hobs types;
  • Designed with pouring lips and straining lid;
  • Oven and dishwasher safe.

These Prestige saucepans are meant to be your go-to cookware every day you enter the kitchen.

Easy to clean and built solidly, with quality in mind, they provide great value for the money and work with literally any cooking appliance.

From boiling vegetables to cooking pasta, everything is possible thanks to the straining lid and pouring lips that come with it.

You’ll also love the practical, see-through lid, along with the stainless steel and riveted phenolic fittings that make these somewhat heavy saucepans feel easier to grip and more comfortable to hold.

Through it all, it’s a great set that comes at a great price, and the 5-year guarantee makes it even more appealing, wouldn’t you say so?

Specifications

Size:
14/16/18 cm
Weight:
3.84 kg
Material:
Stainless Steel

Pros

  • Solid saucepans, made to last;
  • Practical design for easy cooking and maintenance;
  • Work well both on induction cooktops and in the oven (up to 180°C);
  • Attractive 5-year guarantee.

Cons

  • Feels somewhat heavy.

3. Salter Megastone Collection 16/18/20cm Saucepan Set

Highlights
  • Set of three saucepans with ultra-non-stick interior;
  • Outstanding look, with silver rough textured finish on the outside;
  • See-through glass lids feature steam vents;
  • 100% PFOA free and soft-touch handles.
Best For Higher Budgets
Salter BW05751S Megastone Collection 161820cm

With these non-stick saucepans from Salter, you don’t need excellent cooking skills to enjoy savorous meals.

You can prep veggies, fish, and meat in a hot second, or even boil rice without worrying it will stick to the bottom.

Nothing sticks to its bottom, as they’re corrosion, abrasion, and scratch-resistant. So, you can stop stressing about what utensils to use with it – the metal ones will work just fine.

Safe for your hands and your health, without harmful chemicals, this is cookware that stands out in your kitchen and makes you feel perfect for choosing it. You’ll have to try it and see for yourself!

Specifications

Size:
16/18/20 cm
Weight:
3.22 kg
Material:
Aluminium

Pros

  • Nothing sticks to it;
  • Very easy to clean;
  • Nice looking and long lasting;
  • Handles stay cool.

Cons

  • Won’t work well on induction hobs.

See Our Best Saucepans

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1 Judge Everyday JDAY022 16cm Saucepan Judge Everyday JDAY022 16cm Saucepan
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2
Best For Low Budgets
2Tower Cerastone 14 cm Saucepan
Tower Cerastone 14 cm Mini Saucepan
Best For Low Budgets
Tower Cerastone 14 cm Saucepan
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3 Judge Vista JJ04A 14cm Saucepan Judge Vista JJ04A 14cm Saucepan
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1. Judge Everyday JDAY022 16cm Saucepan

Highlights
  • Aluminium saucepan with non-stick teflon coating;
  • 18 cm bottom with 1.8-litre cooking capacity;
  • Works with gas, ceramic, halogen, or solid plate hobs;
  • 5 years guarantee from the manufacturer.

A medium saucepan with non-stick coating for any kind of oil-free cooking, this 16cm model from Judge can quickly become your go-to pan in the kitchen.

With a sturdy bottom that heats up in a jiffy and handles that stay surprisingly cool, this saucepan will sit nicely on any hob.

Apart from the fact that it doesn’t have a pouring lip, so you’ll have to be a bit more careful when pouring liquids from it, everything else about this model seems just about perfect.

The price is tempting, in case you were wondering, but if you have any doubts, they will be easily erased by the 5-year guarantee.

Specifications

Size:
9 x 39 x 14.5 cm
Weight:
1.03 kg
Material:
Aluminium

Pros

  • Facilitates healthy cooking;
  • Cleans up without effort;
  • Gets hot really fast;
  • Handles stay cool.

Cons

  • No pouring lip.

2. Tower Cerastone 14 cm Saucepan

Highlights
  • Aluminium mini saucepan with marble-effect finish and 14cm bottom;
  • Non-stick interior for cooking with little oil;
  • Ergonomic handle with stay-cool, soft-touch design;
  • Glass-lid features steam vent.
Best For Low Budgets
Tower Cerastone 14 cm Mini Saucepan

Comfort, enhanced control, and prolonged durability are just a few of the benefits this saucepan will tempt you with.

If you’re searching the market for a small but really mighty pan, this 14 cm mini model might be the one. It has a distinctive look and works with all hob types except for induction.

Even though the manufacturer recommends hand washing, it will do well in the dishwasher too.

But considering how small it is, perhaps it takes you longer to put it in the dishwasher than to give it a quick wipe in the sink.

And speaking of size, the mini format makes it perfect for singles or couples who want to put together a quick healthy meal. If that’s you, don’t miss out on the opportunity of getting this saucepan!

Specifications

Size:
14 x 27.2 x 11 cm
Weight:
380 g
Material:
Aluminium

Pros

  • Made of quality materials;
  • Promotes healthy, easy cooking;
  • Prevents finger burning;
  • Works on a wide range of hobs.

Cons

  • Not suitable for induction cooking.

3. Judge Vista JJ04A 14cm Saucepan

Highlights
  • Stainless-steel, induction-ready saucepan with 14 cm bottom;
  • High rounded sides and non-stick interior;
  • Toughened lid made of glass, with vent hole, and stainless steel rim;
  • 25-year guarantee from Judge Homewares.

Good value for the money is one of the first thoughts that will cross your mind once you lay your eyes on this stainless-steel mini saucepan from Judge.

It certainly feels as solid as it looks, the see-through glass lid makes a convenient addition, and the inside markers for measurements will also come in handy.

If you intend on using it in the oven, make sure it won’t be with temperatures higher than 180°C. Other than that, it should fit any type of hob.

The induction-ready construction coupled with the 25-year guarantee makes this saucepan an irresistible deal.

Specifications

Size:
30.8 x 16.6 x 9.7 cm
Weight:
898 g
Material:
Stainless Steel

Pros

  • Works with all types of hobs;
  • Can be used in the oven with temperatures of up to 180°C;
  • Phenolic handle stays cool, doesn’t burn fingers;
  • Can be washed in the dishwasher.

Cons

  • A tad heavy for its size.

Saucepan Buying Guide

Sets

One of the first decisions you’ll have to take when shopping for saucepans is whether to go for just one of them or a set.

The sets of 3 pieces are an appealing choice, and given the versatility of saucepans, it can never hurt having more than one size.

This is where purchasing a set comes in handier than going for individual items from different sellers.

A set is often the better choice as it doesn’t just save you money, but it also offers you matching items that will look great in your kitchen.

Whether for personal use or as a gift to a college student or really to anyone moving in their own home, a 3 pieces saucepan set will be a practical, much-appreciated choice.

Heat Distribution

Saucepans take the heat from your hob, retain it, and distribute it throughout their entire surface. 

It’s how they cook the ingredients you put inside, and it’s why proper heat distribution is crucial for getting your food just right. 

If a saucepan doesn’t properly distribute heat, its bottom won’t heat evenly. Instead, it will form a hot spot on the cooking surface that sits right on top of the heat source, leaving the sides cooler.

Whatever will sit on top of a hot spot will overcook or even stick to the pan, while the rest of it may not be sufficiently cooked.

Copper and aluminium are two of the most effective materials when it comes to heat distribution. 

When combined with stainless steel, what you get is a saucepan that heats up quickly and evenly and that washes reasonably easily.

Non Stick Coating

While saucepans are mostly used for dishes with liquid, having a non stick coating makes them even more valuable. 

Not only does it allow you to cook healthier foods effortlessly, but it also makes the cleanup a breeze.

If the liquid evaporates too fast, you don’t have to worry that your food will stick to its bottom or burn. 

If you choose to cook something with oil or butter, you can use considerably smaller amounts, again, not having to worry that the food will bond to the pan’s surface.

By far, Teflon is the most common non stick coating you’ll find with the saucepans on the market. 

Since 2013, PFOA (a chemical used for non-stick cookware linked to multiple health risks) is no longer used in Teflon-coated cookware production.

Aside from the Teflon now free of any PFOA – which is also known as PTFE -, you’ll find options with ceramic, silicone, or enamel non stick coating.

If you are looking for more pans with non-stick coating, check out our induction pans.

Oven Safe

“Can you put saucepans in the oven?” is a common question since one can cook so many different dishes in a saucepan.

The short answer is that it depends. Most saucepans are only safe to use in the oven if the temperature doesn’t go over 180°C.

Generally, if the saucepan is made of stainless steel, cast iron, copper, ceramic, or aluminum, it could be oven safe, provided you take the maximum temperature into account.

As always, best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you don’t see it explicitly mentioned, you probably shouldn’t try using it that way.

Dishwasher Safe

The best saucepans out there typically come with the dishwasher safe label. 

However, you’ll see that some manufacturers use this label and then add an extra mention that they still recommend you to manually wash it.

The reason for this discrepancy is that the non stick coating of the saucepan may be susceptible to premature wear if you frequently put it in the dishwasher.

If you don’t respect the maintenance recommendations, there’s a high chance that the non stick coating will break down, and the saucepan will start sticking or burning your food.

Just like with the oven safe feature, this one too should be checked with the manufacturer.

Size

Saucepans come in all sizes and are often advertised as either large/big or small/mini. 

You have to know that the most important measurement is the diameter, the size in centimetres from one side to the other.

At the same time, the volume that a saucepan can hold is yet another essential detail.

A standard saucepan labelled as large can measure 20 cm in diameter. A really big one can have even 24 cm. Its volume equivalent would be 4.5 litres.

By contrast, a small saucepan can have a diameter of only 12 cm, with a volume of 0.7 litres.

If you go for sets of 3 pieces, you’ll typically find them as either 14/16/18 cm or 16/18/20 cm.

Material

Most saucepans are made of a particular metal – or an alloy – with glass lids and thermosetting plastic handles. 

The metal used for the pan’s base will dictate its most valuable features – the weight, heat retention, heat distribution, reactivity to certain foods, and ease of maintenance.

The glass lids are perfect for easy cleanup, and they allow you to see through it during the cooking process without having to remove the lid that often.

The thermosetting plastic used with many saucepans is chosen for its low heat conductivity. 

The most popular saucepans have stay-cool handles, though you’ll also find some models with handles made of iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

Cast iron saucepans are one of the most attractive options. They don’t cost much, they are durable, work well in the oven, and are excellent heat retainers. 

However, the catch is that they are not suitable for acidic foods and that they require special maintenance to prevent them from rusting.

Stainless steel saucepans are very popular, though not all models share the same quality. The material in itself is nonreactive, meaning it won’t alter the food’s taste, and it is also oven and dishwasher safe, provided it is entirely made of stainless steel. 

Heat retention is not their strength, so it’s best if you find something with a mixture of aluminium or copper.

Copper saucepans are the best when it comes to heat retention and even cooking, but they’re not for everyday use. You’ll typically find them as a combo of copper and stainless steel, which gives you the best of both worlds.

Needless to say, copper is, just like cast iron, reactive to acidic foods, and the price tag can be quite intimidating too.

Aluminium saucepans are attractive because they are more lightweight and more affordable. But if you go for cookware made of regular aluminium, you’ll enjoy it for being cheap, easy to handle, and a great heat retainer, while you’ll hate that it reacts to certain foods.

The solution is to go for anodized or hard anodized aluminium, which is a bit more expensive, yet also sturdier, with a higher scratch-resistance and increased durability.

Pricing Range

Like with any other cookware that comes in many different sizes and materials, the pricing range for saucepans varies greatly.

If you go for a single saucepan, you could pay for it between £20 and £30, depending on its size, and you should consider it a good deal.

The more economical option of buying a set of three pieces could cost you around £50, though, at times, you might bump into a surprisingly cheap package of £25 for a set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What saucepan is suitable for an induction hob?
A:

The saucepans suitable for an induction hob must either be made of ferrous material or come with a built-in induction plate.

Cast iron cookware should be a good choice for induction hobs, but if you want to go for stainless steel, you have to be sure it’s the 18/10 type.

Simple stainless steel, simple aluminium or hard anodised aluminium, or copper saucepans must have that induction plate inserted at their base to work on an induction hob.

Some buyers complain that saucepans advertised as suitable for induction don’t really work.

If the manufacturer can’t be trusted with such information, there’s a simpler way to confirm this compatibility.

Because induction hobs only work with saucepans that have ferrous metal in their base, the magnet test is all you need.

Hold a magnet next to your saucepan’s base. Does it attract it? If so, the saucepan will work on induction. It’s that simple.

Our Verdict

The right saucepan will make you enjoy cooking once again, whereas a not so good one will make you crawl under a blanket and order some food.

However, our best saucepans buying guide from above is all the introduction you need to find cookware that will serve you well, making a great investment of your money and time.

Pick a versatile material and a design with a sturdy lid, look for stay-cool handles, and spot a great deal for a set of three pieces.

You won’t need anything more to get you started cooking simple dishes with less oil and without the stress that your food could scorch.

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