Induction cooking is very energy efficient but not all cookware works for induction cooktops. Here’s how to choose the best cookware for induction cooktops, plus our top choices for induction-friendly pots and pans.
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The best cookware for induction stovetops is made of magnetic materials that efficiently conduct heat. Induction-friendly cookware has to contain a good amount of ferrous metal.
Why?
Because induction stovetops work by creating a magnetic field that induces a current in the cookware itself. That means that instead of transferring heat from an element to a pan, induction generates heat directly in the pot or pan.
This is much more energy efficient, with far less energy lost in the process of transferring heat from element or burner to pan.
The trouble is that not all cookware contains ferrous metal. Pots and pans made with pure ceramic, for instance, won’t work with induction as there’s no metal in this cookware to create a current.
The best cookware materials for induction cooktops
To use an induction cooktop to its fullest potential, look for cookware made with:
- Stainless Steel – almost always compatible with induction stovetops. Look for “induction-ready” labeling or a magnetic base. Pots and pans with a thicker, heavier base are usually very good for induction.
- Cast Iron – compatible with induction cooking due to its magnetic properties. Make sure pots aren’t too heavy for the cooktop though.
- Enameled Cast Iron – also suitable for induction cooking. The enamel coating provides a smooth surface and makes it easier to clean.
- Carbon Steel – work well with induction cooktops and are lighter than cast iron but offer similar heat retention properties.
- Magnetic Stainless Steel – specially designed stainless steel cookware for induction cooking, featuring a magnetic stainless steel base. Check product info to ensure compatibility.
- Induction-Ready Aluminum – comprises an aluminum core with an induction-ready stainless steel or magnetic base. Again, look and feel for a heavier, thicker base.
Cookware that won’t work with induction cooktops includes:
- Pure aluminum – with no ferrous metal, there’s nothing for the electro-magnetic field to heat.
- Pure ceramic or porcelain – same as above; no ferrous metal, no heat.
- Copper – while beautiful, copper cookware without an interface stone or specially designed induction-ready magnetic base won’t work on an induction cooktop.
- Glass – while you can heat some glass cookware on an electric or even gas stove, it won’t work on induction cooktops.
Other top tips for choosing induction-friendly cookware
In addition to choosing your cookware materials wisely, look for cookware that has a flat bottom. This ensures maximum contact with the induction surface for efficient heat transfer.
You also want to make sure your cookware is the right size for your induction element(s).
Induction stovetops only heat what they come into contact with. That means an 11-inch frying pan won’t heat evenly on a 9-inch element. And, unfortunately, some induction elements appear to have functional heating ranges a little narrower than advertised.
If you’re looking to maximize the efficiency of your induction stovetop, look for cookware that is comfortably smaller in diameter than the largest element.
Technically, even non-ferrous cookware can work with induction, if you use something magnetic to bridge the gap. Induction interface elements contain ferrous metal and will heat on an induction burner. The disc or metal stone then acts as a heating element to warm any pot or pan you place on top of it.
This is a decent workaround if you have an induction stovetop but no induction-friendly pots and pans. The downside is that the cooking process is very inefficient and you don’t get the benefits of precise temperature control or safety that come with using induction cooktops directly.
Other pitfalls of induction interface elements include:
- Extra weight and pressure on your cooktop, which can cause scratches, cracks, or error messages
- Extremely hot interface element and possible burn risk
- Longer cooking times
- More warming of the air around the cooktop.
Some interface discs aren’t flat, though they should be for best results. Watch out for ones with little bumps on the bottom as these are more likely to scratch or crack your cooktop.
Some interface discs aren’t made with good quality materials and can blister and discolor over time.
Two good options for induction converter discs are:
- Max Burton Interface Stone for Induction- View on Amazon
- Runzi Induction Converter (with options for detachable handle) – View on Amazon.
Top picks
Alva Cookware Forest Collection
Highlights: Robust but light and beautiful blue carbon steel wok and frying pan with acacia wood handle. Easy and fun to use!
- Induction-friendly!
- Free of forever chemicals and heavy metals
- Third-party lab testing
- Super fun to cook with and looks great!
- Non-stick with proper seasoning
- Green packaging
- Lightweight and versatile
- Acacia wood handle means not oven-safe
- Handwash only
- Only three options currently: wok and frying pans
- Can warp if pans heat/cool too fast
- Price: $79-$99
- Materials: Carbon steel, acacia wood handles
- Sizes: 8.5-inch, 9-inch, and 11-inch options
- Care: Handwash only
- Oven safe: No
- Country of Origin: China
The Forest cookware collection from Alva is totally induction compatible, beautiful, and fun to cook with.
These blue carbon steel woks and frying pans are light, versatile, and non-stick with proper seasoning. They’re also third-party tested for PTFE and other chemicals of concern, and Alva uses recycled materials and plastic-free shipping to make everything even more sustainable.
A great choice if you love cast iron but don’t like the weight, all but one of these carbon steel pans have flat bottoms, meaning good heat transfer.
Check out Alva’s Maestro, Chef, and Nori cookware collections too. These are all non-toxic, PTFE-free, and a blast to cook with (I’ve tested the Chef and Maestro collections and love them!). See our full review of Alva cookware for more details.
The Alva Forest Wok is a keeper! It’s a lot lighter than cast iron, induction-friendly, super fun to cook with. I fully expect the frying pan to be very similar and I plan to get one to test out on my new portable induction cooktop shortly.
The forest wok is:
- Perfectly balanced
- Perfectly flat on the bottom (essential for induction)
- Easy to clean
- Easy to season and maintain seasoning
- Beautiful
- Robust enough to withstand rough handling
- Non-stick without PTFE
- Made with recycled materials
- Relatively resistant to warping (mine hasn’t warped at all over six months of use).
Lodge Cast Iron Chef Collection Skillet
Highlights: High-quality cast iron at a great price. Durable, balanced, smartly designed, and totally induction friendly and free from PTFE and PFAS.
- Totally non-toxic
- Prop 65 certified
- Affordable
- Oven-safe
- Can pass down from generation to generation
- Robust and versatile
- Not totally non-stick
- Heavy – too heavy for some seniors and older kids
- Could be too heavy for some induction cooktops (check specs!)
- Handles get very hot
- Can rust if not properly cared for
- Price: $24.95-$49.95
- Materials: Cast iron
- Skillet sizes: 8.75-inch (3.17lbs, 0.14 qt.); 12.79-inch (6.55 lbs, .39 qt.)
- Care: Handwash only
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: U.S.
Lodge cast iron will last for generations to come and is one of the longest standing cookware brands still made in the U.S. Don’t let that fool you though. This cookware is compatible with modern induction cooktops and is a great choice if you don’t mind the weight of cast iron.
Lodge cookware is very affordable, readily available, and comes pre-seasoned, so you can get cooking right away.
Read our full Lodge cast iron skillet review.
The seasoned surface is naturally non-stick, though you’ll still want to use some cooking oil for most dishes.
Lodge uses cast iron from two foundries on the banks of the Tennessee River in the small town of South Pittsburg, Tennessee. This makes it an attractive choice for U.S. customers wanting to support local business and avoid the environmental toll of importing heavier cookware from farther afield.
Lodge cast iron is also California Prop 65 certified and US FDA certified for 7.5.1.4a Leachability of Lead and Cadmium for Glazed Ceramic Surfaces. Their silicone products (like pan handle covers) are certified by suppliers to be free of both BPA (Bisphenol A) and phthalates.
The Chef Collection skillet boasts improved features over the standard collection, including:
- An ergonomic handle
- Pour spouts on the sides for better handling sauces and gravies
- Sloped sidewalls to ease stirring with a spatula.
Whether you’re cooking in a modern kitchen or on the campfire, the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet does it all.
As with all cast iron, it’s best not to let water sit in this pan and to avoid using harsh soaps unless you want to strip seasoning. Never put it in the dishwasher.
The entire Lodge cast iron collection comes with a lifetime warranty and can be used on the stove, campfire, barbecue, and in the oven. Cast iron is virtually indestructible and retains heat and seasoning well (unlike some carbon steel).
An old Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, as well as one of their mini-models, is a staple in our home kitchen. We’ve used these pans for years, and love their ability to season over time.
Alva Cookware Maestro Collection
Highlight: Stainless steel cookware (including a non-stick pan) with a modern, ergonomic design. Fun to use and easy to clean. Made with some recycled materials and totally non-toxic (even the non-stick PFAS-free ceramic coated pieces!).
- Quality, affordable cookware
- Made with recycled metals
- Robust riveted handles
- Balanced, ergonomic design
- Flat bottoms with steep sides for maximum cooking area
- 3-ply or 5-ply depending on the piece
- Even, fast heating
- Long warranties
- Oven-safe
- Dishwasher-safe (some exceptions)
- Stay-cool handles
- Limited collection currently in the U.S. (more coming soon!)
- Price: $89-$179
- Materials: 3-ply or 5-ply stainless steel with aluminum
- Sizes and specs: Frying pans, skillets, non-stick frying pan (PTFE-free), stock pots, and casserole dish
- Care: Dishwasher safe (except for the ceramic non-stick pans)
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: Belgium
The Alva Maestro collection is wide-ranging, gorgeous, practical, and fun to cook with. I’ve tested several of these pots and pans at home and absolutely love them. I’m so happy to have these for my portable induction cooktop and love the fast and even heat distribution,
I’ve used both the Maestro small saucepan and the non-stick ceramic coated pan, as part of my comprehensive review of Alva cookware.
Suffice it to say that the Maestro pieces have become staples in my kitchen.
The saucepan has a lightweight, ergonomic design and earned compliments from my MiL about the two pouring spouts and overall functionality. The pan is easy to pour sauces from or to drain water and has a ventilated lid that fits well. The straight-edge design maximizes the cooking surface (20% more than with sloped sides), which is great for induction cooktops as it means more contact and even heating.
The Maestro saucepan comes with a 25-year warranty, and I can easily see it lasting that long and for years after. It is oven-safe to 392 F, suitable for all stovetops, and safe for the dishwasher too.
The non-stick Maestro frying pan is also a winner. It has survived unscathed over many months of regular use in our clumsy kitchen and is truly non-stick. It looks great, feels perfectly balanced, and has a stay cool handle that actually stays cool. It has a robust flat bottom ideal for induction stovetops and is a joy to cook with.
The handles on both pieces are welded stainless steel and have a smart design that minimizes food residues, meaning it’s easier to clean these pans than many riveted pans. The handle isn’t too close to the top of the pan lip, either, but it is still a good idea to use a bottle brush or similar to really get into that gap between handle and body if you’ve had a boil-over incident.
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Highlights: Triple-ply stainless steel construction with magnetized stainless steel, aluminum core, and 18/10 stainless steel.
- Affordable full cookware set (individual pieces also available)
- Triple-ply construction for fast, even heating
- Flat bottoms resistant to warping
- Oven safe and dishwasher safe
- Easier to handle than cast iron
- PFOA, PTFE, and PFAS free
- Handles stay cool
- Not non-stick
- Can develop water marks in dishwasher or if not dried quickly after washing
- Price: $209
- Materials: 3-ply stainless steel with aluminum
- Sizes and specs: 1.5 Quart saucepan with cover; 3 Quart saucepan with cover; 3.5 Quart sauté pan with helper handle and cover; 8 Quart stockpot with cover; 8-inch skillet; 10-inch skillet; 20cm steamer insert with cover
- Care: Dishwasher safe (except for the ceramic non-stick pans)
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: China
Cuisinart’s 12-piece 18/10 stainless steel set is a comprehensive, induction-friendly replacement for all your cookware that’s not induction compatible.
The Multiclad set offers 3-ply stainless steel construction with magnetized stainless steel, aluminum core, and 18/10 stainless steel. This means excellent heating and good resistance to warping.
These pieces come with a lifetime warranty against defects and are oven safe to 550 F and dishwasher safe too. The handles are riveted to the body of the pans, making for sturdy, reliable construction, and the lids are tightfitting, so you can keep steam, flavor, and aroma where you want it. Tapered rims and cool-grip handles make for easier pouring.
For a full set of lighter induction-friendly cookware that won’t break the bank or your cooktop or wrist, Cuisinart’s Multiclad is ideal.
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Caraway Cookware
Highlights: Non-toxic, non-stick, LeafScore tried and tested cookware. Works with induction, gas, and electric stovetops, is oven-safe, easy to clean, and very easy on the eyes – available in nearly a dozen color options!
- Lightweight ceramic coated cookware with magnetized base
- Free of forever chemicals and heavy metals
- Provided third-party lab testing
- Very convenient
- Non-stick
- Green packaging
- Lightweight
- Discolors over time
- Coating can scratch with use
- Not built to hand down to future generations. After using the products for a year, we are concerned with longevity.
- Price: $81-$745 (for complete set with minis)
- Materials: Ceramic coated aluminum with magnetized steel base
- Sizes and specs: Unique Caraway Storage System; 10.5 inch Fry Pan (see review here); 3 qt Sauce Pan; 4.5 qt Sauté Pan; 6.5 qt Dutch Oven
- Care: Handwash only
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: China
If you want more colorful cookware for your induction cooktop, Caraway is your best choice. That said, Caraway cookware can discolor soon after use. After about one year especially, the cookware won’t look as it does fresh out of the box.
This non-toxic, PTFE-free ceramic coated cookware is third-party tested for PFAS, lead, cadmium, and other chemicals of concern. The company is transparent and sent me copies of its test results when I reached out.
The pots and pans comprise smooth ceramic-coated aluminum with a steel bottom. This means the cookware is lighter than cast iron or carbon steel but still works on induction cooktops. It’s also oven-safe and easy to clean, requiring minimal oil for cooking.
Notes:
- The Dutch Oven and Sauce Pan share a lid, minimizing material use and cupboard space
- Caraway includes its unique storage system with every cookware set, but you can’t buy this separately, so if you want it, buy the complete set!
- Caraway ships everything without single-use plastics, using recycled and recyclable cardboard and reusable cork trivets instead.
The company also offers top-quality non-toxic bakeware.
As detailed in our Caraway cookware review, we have tested this brand extensively. Unless you give this cookware to your dog to lick clean, it seems quite robust, adds a splash of color to the kitchen, and is fun to cook with!
De Buyer Carbon Steel Frying Pan
Highlights: De Buyer carbon steel cookware offers excellent heat distribution for easy grilling, searing, and browning of foods on the stovetop (including induction), camping stove, barbecue, or in the oven.
- Long-lasting if treated with care
- Non-toxic
- Oven-safe
- Affordable
- Carbon steel can discolor if you don’t maintain the seasoning
- Not dishwasher safe
- Only a 2-year warranty
- Needs seasoning at home (which is fussy)
- Price: from $25 (for a crepe pan)
- Materials: Carbon steel (unseasoned)
- Sizes and specs: Huge variety!
- Care: Handwash only
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: France
De Buyer makes beautiful, robust, hard-wearing carbon steel frying pans that are induction friendly and affordable. The pans have riveted handles and are made in France using traditional techniques. This company has been making carbon steel cookware for almost 200 years!
The sloped sides mean there’s a bit less cooking surface area compared to Lodge cast iron pans, but there’s still plenty of space in these pans to cook up a storm.
If you want the benefits of cast iron without the weight, carbon steel is an excellent choice for non-toxic, eco-friendly cookware. These pans are also great if you like to toss food around, though this can trigger auto-shut-off on some induction cooktops!
De Buyer’s carbon steel skillet feels high quality and is ergonomic but John had a hard time with seasoning and effectively ruined a skillet with poor seasoning.
Unlike with the Alva blue carbon steel, which comes preseasoned, the De Buyer carbon steel requires seasoning at home. This can be a fun project but will also be frustrating for some folks. John suggests that this is a cookware line for expert chefs only (but I have faith in you, amateur cooks everywhere!).
Le Creuset Enameled Signature Skillet
Highlights: Le Creuset offers the even cooking of cast iron with an enameled cooking surface that makes clean up and maintenance almost effortless. Busy cooks will appreciate the lighter material as well.
- Excellent quality and durability
- Range of colors
- Peace of mind that the product is non-toxic
- Excellent heat retention
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe
- Not 100% non-stick – need some oil for cooking
- Some Le Creuset cookware is made with PFAS – stick to cast iron and enameled cast iron
- Price: $120 – $205
- Materials: Enameled cast iron
- Sizes and specs: 6 ⅓ inch model: 10.24 inches, 2.82lbs. 11 ¾ inch model: 13 ½ inches, 6.5lbs
- Care: Handwash only
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: France
Le Creuset’s Signature Skillet doesn’t disappoint and is a great example of this longstanding French cookware brand’s excellent induction-friendly cookware.
The enameled cast iron surface is naturally less sticky than pure cast iron or stainless steel and eliminates any need for the material’s traditional seasoning and maintenance. You can also use this skillet for high-temperature cooking (it’s oven-safe to 500F) and over time it develops a natural patina that also makes it easier to keep clean.
The design is ergonomic, despite the weight, and the cast iron retains heat well and cooks evenly. The enamel is robust, resisting scratches and chips, and is also dishwasher safe. We also found the skillet relatively light for cast iron, which makes it easier to maneuver and better for induction cooktops with weight restrictions.
We cooked an egg in a Le Creuset signature skillet to test its nonstick abilities. The middle picture represents the small amount of a fried egg that stuck to the pan after we fried the egg.
De Buyer Induction Ready Copper Cookware
Highlights: Stunning mirror polished cooper cookware that is lightweight, durable, ergonomic, and has a built-in magnetized base for induction stovetop compatibility. Very expensive though!
- Rare induction compatible copper cookware
- Includes saucepan and frying pan
- Riveted cast stainless steel handle that stays relatively cool
- 2 mm thick and under 3 lb.
- Oven-safe and dishwasher-safe
- Luxury price tag
- Small collection – just two pots/pans
- Rounded bottom at perimeter, reducing surface contact area
- Price: c $890 for the set
- Materials: 90% copper with 10% stainless steel; stainless steel handles
- Sizes and specs: 8-inch frying pan and 6.25-inch saucepan
- Care: Handwash only
- Oven safe: Yes
- Country of Origin: France
De Buyer’s copper cookware collection got an upgrade in recent years, adding two induction ready items for copper cookware fans who can’t do without.
Thanks to the price tag, I haven’t checked out these pans myself, but they get rave reviews and I can easily see why.
Copper cookware usually isn’t induction friendly because copper isn’t magnetic, so there’s nothing the induction element can heat. These De Buyer pans feature 10% stainless steel, though, meaning they heat up fast and evenly while still maintaining that beautiful mirror polished copper aesthetic.
The Prima Matera Copper Small Cookware Set includes one 8-inch fry pan and one 6.25-inch saucepan. The actual cooking surface is much smaller for the frying pan, however, at 5.3-inches, as well as for the saucepan, thanks to the rounded bottoms. This is a real shame as the best induction pans are those with a flat bottom and steep sides, for maximum surface area contact with the induction plate.
These copper beauties weigh barely anything, at 2.9 lb. for the frying pan and 3 lb. for the saucepan. This is significantly lighter than cast iron and much lighter than stainless steel too.