The best induction cookware in NZ overall is the Scanpan Impact 5-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, a Danish-designed, fully recycled stainless steel set with a bonded base that heats evenly and covers the core pieces most kitchens need.
Induction cooktops only heat magnetic cookware, so the base matters as much as the brand. This guide compares seven induction-compatible sets and pieces currently available, judged on construction, base type, heat performance and everyday practicality rather than spec sheets alone.
Each pick lists an honest trade-off alongside what it does well, because a nonstick set for easy weeknight cleanup and a stainless steel set for searing and browning suit very different cooks. Use the comparison table for a quick overview, then read the full picks. Pairing new cookware with the right induction cooktop or electric frypan is worth checking too.
Quick comparison
| Rank | Set | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scanpan Impact 5-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set | Best overall |
| 2 | Circulon Premier Professional Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10 Piece Cookware Set | Best nonstick set |
| 3 | Anolon Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel 10 Piece Cookware Set | Best premium / best heat distribution |
| 4 | Tefal Ingenio Emotion Induction Non-Stick Stainless Steel 4 Piece Frypan Set | Best space-saving (removable handles) |
| 5 | GreenPan Padova Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 10 Piece Cookware Set | Best ceramic nonstick / most eco-friendly |
| 6 | Scanpan Impact Stainless Steel Stockpot, 26cm/11 Litre | Best stockpot for batch cooking |
| 7 | RACO SmartStart Nonstick 6 Piece Cookware Set with 4 Utensils | Best value starter set |
1. Scanpan Impact 5-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set – Best overall
A genuine all-rounder built by Scanpan’s Danish design team, this five-piece set covers the everyday basics without overcrowding the cupboard. The set includes a 16cm/1.5L saucepan, a 20cm/3.5L saucepan, a 24cm/4.8L casserole with lid, a 26cm fry pan, and a steamer insert that fits the saucepans and casserole, an unusual and useful inclusion for a five-piece set rather than a second lidded pot. It has a contemporary satin-finished stainless steel exterior with a mirror-polished interior marked with capacity measurements, so you can measure liquids without reaching for a jug.
The construction relies on Scanpan’s 6.4mm thick bonded sandwich base, which is what allows the set onto induction as well as gas, ceramic and electric cooktops. Day to day, glass lids let you watch food cook without lifting them, there is a drip-free pouring rim for tipping sauces, and the handles are riveted in stainless steel, so Scanpan recommends a tea towel or oven glove since they do conduct heat. The bonded base is designed for even heat distribution, and the set carries a 10 year warranty. One genuine trade-off: the New Zealand retail listing does not publish an oven-safe temperature for this particular set, so anyone planning to finish dishes in the oven should confirm with Scanpan directly. It also includes only one lidded casserole, so it suits a couple or small family better than a household cooking in bulk.
Pros
- 6.4mm bonded base handles induction, gas, ceramic and electric cooktops evenly
- Steamer insert doubles up on the saucepans and casserole, adding real versatility for a 5-piece set
- 10 year warranty and a drip-free pouring rim for everyday convenience
Cons
- Oven-safe temperature isn’t published on the NZ retail listing, so check before grilling or roasting
- Satin stainless exterior can show fingerprints and needs regular wiping to keep looking new
- Only one lidded casserole in the set, so it suits smaller households more than big-batch cooking
Key specs: Stainless steel with 6.4mm bonded base, 5 pieces (2 saucepans, lidded casserole, fry pan, steamer), model 22035.
2. Circulon Premier Professional Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10 Piece Cookware Set – Best nonstick set
Circulon’s Premier Professional set aims squarely at cooks who want nonstick convenience with the heft of proper cookware, and largely delivers. The 10-piece count covers six cookware pieces plus four lids: a 1.8L and a 2.8L straining saucepan, a 7.5L stockpot, a 4.7L saute pan with a helper handle, and 25.4cm and 30.4cm open skillets. It has a hard-anodised aluminium body in a dark, professional-looking finish, teamed with tempered glass lids that include built-in straining holes and a pouring spout, a genuinely useful touch when draining pasta or vegetables.
The construction is heavy-gauge hard-anodised aluminium, which the brand describes as twice as hard as stainless steel, with a triple-layer nonstick interior said to outlast standard nonstick coatings tenfold. Stainless steel handles stay cool enough to grip, the straining lids reduce the need for a separate colander, and the whole set is both dishwasher safe and induction-ready. The aluminium core gives fast, even heat pickup, and the range is oven safe to 200 degrees Celsius, useful for finishing a saute pan under the grill or moving a casserole into the oven. The trade-off: at close to 12kg for the full set it is noticeably heavier to store and handle than a basic nonstick starter set, and like all nonstick cookware the coating will eventually wear and need replacing, unlike bare stainless steel. A strong pick if nonstick convenience matters more than long-term stainless steel longevity.
Pros
- Hard-anodised aluminium body is twice as hard as stainless steel and heats quickly and evenly
- Straining lids with built-in pour spouts save reaching for a colander
- Oven safe to 200C and dishwasher safe for easy everyday cleanup
Cons
- At around 12kg for the full set, it is heavier to store and handle than a basic nonstick set
- Nonstick coatings wear over time and will eventually need replacing, unlike bare stainless steel
- Dark hard-anodised finish can show scratches and cooking marks more visibly than polished steel
Key specs: Hard-anodised aluminium, triple-layer nonstick, 10 pieces (6 cookware + 4 tempered glass lids), oven safe to 200C.
3. Anolon Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel Cookware Set – Best premium & heat distribution
Anolon’s Nouvelle Copper set is the premium pick of the seven, built around a genuine copper core rather than a copper-look coating. The 10-piece range covers a 14cm/1.2L saucepan, an 18cm/2.3L saucepan and a 24cm/2.8L saute pan, each with a lid, a 24cm/6.1L stockpot with lid, and 20cm and 27cm open skillets, giving a genuinely complete run from small saucepan to full stockpot. It has a polished stainless steel exterior with a brushed interior and cast stainless steel riveted handles, a classic, restaurant-style look rather than the flat matte finishes common on nonstick sets. The build sandwiches a full layer of copper between two layers of aluminium, fully encapsulated in stainless steel, a combination Anolon credits with unmatched heat distribution and precise control, useful for anything from a delicate sauce to a hard sear.
Lids and riveted handles are dishwasher safe, and the tri-metal base means it works on induction as well as gas, ceramic and electric. It is oven safe to 260 degrees Celsius, among the highest of the seven sets in this guide, and the 6.1L stockpot has genuine batch-cooking capacity, backed by a lifetime warranty. The trade-off: it has a bare stainless interior rather than nonstick, so eggs and delicate fish need proper preheating and fat to avoid sticking, and the copper-core construction adds noticeable weight plus a step up in cost over the aluminium-core sets in this guide. For cooks who value heat control over convenience, it is hard to beat.
Pros
- Genuine copper core sandwiched in aluminium and stainless steel for fast, even heat distribution
- Oven safe to 260C, among the highest oven ratings in this guide
- Complete 10-piece range from a 1.2L saucepan to a 6.1L stockpot, dishwasher safe and backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Bare stainless steel interior (not nonstick) means eggs and fish need proper preheating and oil to avoid sticking
- Copper-core construction adds noticeable weight compared with an aluminium-core set
- Premium copper-core build is a step up in cost over standard stainless or nonstick ranges
Key specs: Copper-core stainless steel (copper between two aluminium layers, stainless exterior), 10 pieces (1.2L to 6.1L), oven safe to 260C.
4. Tefal Ingenio Emotion Induction 4 Piece Frypan Set – Best space-saving
The removable-handle system is the headline feature here, and it is where Tefal’s Ingenio range earns its keep in a smaller kitchen. This four-piece set is a run of 22cm, 24cm and 28cm frypans that share one removable handle, so there is no saucepan or stockpot included, just a size range of frypans from eggs through to family-sized dishes. The pans have brushed stainless steel bodies with a titanium-based nonstick interior, paired with Tefal’s usual sturdy clip-on handle in black and stainless. The internal titanium coating in this range is rated to last twice as long as Tefal’s standard titanium nonstick, backed by an extra-thick, high-impact bonded base built to resist warping over time. Unclip the handle and the pans nest flat for storage, or go straight from stovetop to oven to fridge without separate ovenware or storage containers, a genuine space-saver for smaller kitchens or apartments.
Full induction technology is built into the base for even heat diffusion across gas, electric, ceramic and induction cooktops, and the handle itself is rated to hold up to 10kg with a 10 year guarantee. The trade-off: the pans are dishwasher safe, but Tefal still recommends handwashing to protect the nonstick coating over the long term, and because this set is frypans only, anyone wanting a saucepan or stockpot will need to add pieces separately. It is a clever storage system rather than a full cookware set, best suited to buyers prioritising cupboard space over complete range.
Pros
- Removable handle lets all three frypans nest flat for storage, ideal for small kitchens
- Full induction base plus compatibility with gas, electric and ceramic cooktops
- Handle rated to hold up to 10kg with a 10 year guarantee
Cons
- Frypans only, no saucepan or stockpot, so it isn’t a complete cookware set on its own
- Dishwasher safe but handwashing is still recommended to protect the titanium nonstick coating long-term
- One shared handle means only one pan can be actively lifted or poured from at a time
Key specs: Stainless steel with titanium nonstick coating, 4 pieces (22/24/28cm frypans + 1 removable handle), model L897S474.
5. GreenPan Padova Healthy Ceramic Cookware Set – Best ceramic nonstick / most eco-friendly
A ten piece set that covers nearly every stovetop job without asking you to buy pans one at a time. GreenPan’s Padova set, seen here in Cream White on GreenPan’s own New Zealand site, bundles a 20cm frypan, 28cm frypan, 18cm saucepan with lid (2.01L), 20cm saucepan with lid (3.02L), 24cm skillet with lid (3.1L) and a 24cm stock pot with lid (4.71L), plus a three piece protective sheet set and a cleaning sponge, so the box genuinely delivers ten usable items rather than padding the count with lids alone. The cream white exterior sits on duo forged hard anodised aluminium, pre-treated before anodising as part of GreenPan’s Scratch Guard technology, and topped with matte gold tone stainless steel handles that give a secure grip moving from stovetop to oven. Inside, the Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating is reinforced with diamonds and rated by GreenPan as ten times longer lasting than its original ceramic coating, NSF certified, and free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium.
Every piece works across gas, electric and induction via GreenPan’s Magneto base technology, and the whole set is oven safe to 220 degrees Celsius, with clear glass lids for checking on dinner without lifting them. It is dishwasher safe, though GreenPan recommends handwashing to keep the non-stick surface performing at its best over the long run, which is the one real trade-off against a hard-anodised or stainless set built for daily dishwasher abuse. A genuinely comprehensive, induction-ready set for cooks moving away from PFAS coatings.
Pros
- Genuinely bundles ten usable pieces, from a 20cm frypan up to a 4.71L stock pot with lid, plus a protective sheet set and cleaning sponge
- Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating is diamond-reinforced, NSF certified, and free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium
- Works across gas, electric and induction via GreenPan’s Magneto base technology, and is oven safe to 220C
Cons
- GreenPan recommends handwashing rather than relying on the dishwasher to protect the non-stick coating long term
- Ceramic non-stick coatings, even a reinforced one, generally do not match the scratch resistance of hard-anodised or stainless steel over years of daily use
- The Cream White exterior will show marks and staining more readily than the darker Padova colourways
Key specs: Duo forged hard anodised aluminium with Thermolon diamond-reinforced ceramic non-stick coating, 10 pieces (6 main + 4 lids), oven safe to 220C, Cream White.
6. Scanpan Impact Stainless Steel Stockpot – Best stockpot for batch cooking
Need a bigger pot than a standard cookware set includes? This 26cm/11 litre stockpot is Scanpan’s answer, built for batch cooking rather than everyday saucepan duties. It is a single-piece 26cm stockpot with an 11 litre capacity and a tempered glass lid, sold separately rather than boxed with a whole range, so it slots in alongside an existing set. It has an 18/10 stainless steel body with the Impact range’s signature two-tone matte-and-polished look, with an internal mirror polish plus capacity markings for measuring stock or water without a jug. The build uses the same 6.4mm thick bonded base as the rest of the Impact range, with an encapsulated aluminium core sandwiched in stainless steel for even heat distribution.
Riveted handles on either side make it easier to lift when full, and the tempered glass lid means you can check on a simmering stock without losing heat by removing it. It is induction suitable as well as gas, ceramic and electric, oven safe to 220 degrees Celsius with the lid on or 250 degrees Celsius without it, and backed by a 10 year warranty against manufacturing defects. The trade-off: an 11 litre stockpot is genuinely large and heavy once filled, so it needs a big element or hob ring to heat evenly and solid cupboard space to store, and it is very much a one-job pot rather than an everyday piece, better suited to stock, soup or preserving days than routine dinners. For anyone who batch-cooks or makes their own stock, it fills a real gap that a smaller five or six-piece set leaves.
Pros
- Large 11 litre capacity with a 6.4mm bonded base for genuine batch cooking and stock-making
- Oven safe to 250C without the lid, or 220C with it on, backed by a 10 year warranty
- Tempered glass lid and internal capacity markings make it easy to monitor and measure while cooking
Cons
- Heavy and bulky once full, so it needs a decent-sized element and sturdy cupboard space
- Overkill as an everyday pot, best suited to occasional big-batch cooking rather than daily use
- Sold as a single piece, so it is an add-on purchase rather than part of a boxed set
Key specs: 18/10 stainless steel with bonded aluminium-core base, 26cm / 11 litre capacity, oven safe to 220C (lid on) / 250C (lid off).
7. RACO SmartStart Nonstick 6 Piece Cookware Set – Best value starter set
Positioned as an entry point into RACO’s range, this six-piece set plus four utensils is built to cover a new kitchen from day one without extra purchases. It includes two lidded saucepans, a 16cm/1.4L and an 18cm/1.9L, a 24cm/5.2L stockpot with lid, a 28cm/4.7L saute pan with lid, and 20cm and 30cm open frypans, rounded out by a slotted turner, a slotted spoon, a solid spoon and a soup ladle, a genuinely complete starter kit rather than just pots and pans. It has dark nonstick interiors inside a straightforward aluminium body, with tempered glass lids and cool-touch phenolic handles designed to stay comfortable to hold over a burner. RACO’s Aerolift technology, combined with a triple-layer nonstick coating, is designed to lift food slightly off the base for better browning alongside easier release and cleanup.
The set is dishwasher safe throughout, the phenolic handles do not heat up as fast as metal, and the base works across gas, ceramic, electric and induction cooktops. It is oven safe to 180 degrees Celsius, on the lower end of the sets in this guide, and the coating is free from PFOA, lead and cadmium, a reassurance for everyday family cooking. The trade-off: 180 degrees Celsius is meaningfully lower than the 200 to 260 degree range on the pricier sets here, so it isn’t the pan to reach for when finishing something under a hot grill, and as an entry-level nonstick range it won’t have quite the longevity of hard-anodised or copper-core cookware. Still, as a complete, ready-to-cook starter kit it is hard to beat for value.
Pros
- Complete starter kit: 6 cookware pieces plus 4 utensils (turner, slotted spoon, solid spoon, ladle) in one purchase
- Aerolift technology and triple-layer nonstick aim for better browning with easier food release
- Cool-touch phenolic handles and dishwasher-safe pieces make everyday use straightforward
Cons
- Oven safe only to 180C, lower than the hard-anodised, copper-core and Scanpan sets in this guide
- Entry-level nonstick coating is unlikely to match the longevity of hard-anodised or stainless steel
- Phenolic handles, while cool-touch, are not built for the same oven exposure as full metal handles
Key specs: Aluminium with triple-layer nonstick, stainless steel induction base, 6 pieces + 4 utensils, oven safe to 180C.
How to choose the best induction cookware in NZ
Check the base is genuinely induction-ready. Induction cooktops heat through a magnetic field, so the base must contain enough ferrous metal to respond. Stainless steel with an encapsulated or multi-ply base, and hard-anodized aluminium with a steel disc bonded in, both work reliably. A simple magnet test on the base confirms it before buying.
Decide between stainless steel and nonstick. Stainless steel handles high heat, browning and searing well and lasts for years, but needs a little more care to avoid sticking. Hard-anodized or ceramic nonstick coatings make eggs, fish and delicate sauces easier to cook and clean, but coatings wear over time and usually need hand washing to last.
Match the set size to how you cook. A large 10-piece set suits a big household or someone who cooks a wide variety of dishes, while a compact frypan set or a single stockpot suits smaller kitchens or a specific gap, like batch-cooking soup or stock. Buying only what you will actually use saves cupboard space.
Weigh up weight, handles and oven safety. Stainless steel and copper-core cookware is heavier than aluminium nonstick, which matters for anyone with limited wrist strength. Stay-cool handles matter for stovetop safety, and checking the oven-safe temperature rating matters if a recipe finishes a dish under the grill or in the oven.
Round out the kitchen with the right extras. New cookware is only half the setup. It is worth checking guides to non-stick frying pans and pressure cookers for the rest of the kitchen.
If you are building out the prep side of the kitchen, the guides to food dehydrators and hand blenders are a useful next read.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cookware is induction compatible?
The simplest test is holding a fridge magnet against the base of the pan. If it sticks firmly, the cookware contains enough magnetic material, such as stainless steel or cast iron, to work on an induction cooktop. If it does not stick, or only sticks weakly, the pan will not heat. Many induction-ready pans also carry a coil symbol stamped on the base.
Can you use any pan on an induction cooktop?
No. Induction cooktops heat cookware directly through an electromagnetic field, so only pans with a magnetic base, typically stainless steel, cast iron or enamelled steel, will work. Non-magnetic materials such as plain aluminium, copper, glass and ceramic will not heat unless they have a magnetic disc built into the base.
Is stainless steel or nonstick better for an induction cooktop?
Stainless steel with a magnetic base works on every cooktop type, including induction, and handles higher heat for searing and browning. Standard nonstick cookware usually has an aluminium base that will not work on induction unless it is specifically built with a magnetic stainless steel layer, so check for induction-rated nonstick if that is your preference.
What is the best cookware material: stainless steel, nonstick or cast iron?
There is no single best material. Stainless steel is durable and handles most everyday tasks including searing and sauces; cast iron retains heat exceptionally well for slow cooking and roasts but is heavy and needs seasoning; nonstick suits delicate, low-mess cooking like eggs and fish but should not be pushed above around 200C.
What is the best induction cookware in NZ?
Multi-ply stainless steel cookware is considered a strong all-rounder for induction in NZ, heating evenly and handling high heat, while cast iron holds heat well for slow cooking. Popular brands stocked in NZ include Scanpan, Circulon, Anolon and RACO, spanning stainless steel, hard-anodised and nonstick options.
Do induction hobs need special pots and pans?
Yes, induction hobs need cookware with a magnetic base; standard aluminium or copper pans without a magnetic layer will not heat up on them. Look for cookware labelled induction compatible or suitable for all cooktops, test with a magnet if unsure, and choose a flat base close in size to the cooktop zone for the most even heating.
Verdict
There is no single best induction cookware set for every NZ kitchen, only the right set for how you cook. The Scanpan Impact 5-Piece Set is the best all-round stainless steel pick, the Circulon Premier Professional 10-Piece Set is the best nonstick set for easy cleanup, and the Anolon Nouvelle Copper Set is the best premium choice for even heat distribution.
Smaller kitchens are well served by the space-saving Tefal Ingenio Emotion set, eco-conscious cooks by the ceramic nonstick GreenPan Padova set, and batch cooks by the standalone Scanpan Impact Stockpot. Budget-conscious first-time buyers get genuine value from the RACO SmartStart set with its included utensils. Whichever set you choose, confirm the base is genuinely induction-ready and match the piece count to how often you actually cook.
