Best novelty Christmas decorations and quirky baubles for foodies
Looking for a fun way to decorate your Christmas tree? Choose from our best foodie baubles of 2025, from pigs in blankets and mince pies to stand mixers, Christmas dinners, a cake stand adorned with treats, and more...
Foodie Christmas baubles may have been considered a passing trend but have become a firm fixture of Christmas decorations. With foods from Brussels sprouts to roast potatoes, a classic turkey and all its trimmings, mince pies and sparkly layer cakes, there are even pigs in blankets all dressed up and ready to decorate the tree, wreath or table. There's a fantastic array of decorations out there from glass to wood, metal, and acrylic, and prices range from a few pounds for a bit of fun, and upwards for the larger and more intricate or handmade. Whether your tree is for the family, creating a fun display for the children or making an elegant statement, there will be something to suit everyone. Doubtless, many of these baubles are bound to become cherished keepsakes brought out each year to evoke their treasured memories. We have chosen a selection of our favourites that made us smile, gasp with delight or both. For more festive inspiration, visit our reviews section to find over 400 buyer guides, including the best advent calendars and the best Christmas hampers to buy. Best Christmas baubles and decorations for foodies Oliver Bonas croissant sequinned decoration Available from Oliver Bonas (£8.50) Everything gets a sparkly makeover at Christmas and this croissant is no exception. Embroidered entirely with gold sequins, it will catch the lights perfectly on your tree. Bonus points for the neon pink loop to hang it from, too. Available from: Oliver Bonas (£8.50) John Lewis custard cream felt tree decoration Available from John Lewis (£6) This soft custard cream bauble has impressive detail and is a great non-breakable option. You can complete your biscuit tin collection with a felt bourbon and jam biscuit too. John Lewis baubles tend to sell out fast, so make sure you pick one up quickly if you're keen. Available from: John Lewis (£6) Emma Bridgewater Christmas stars tiny teapot decoration Available from Emma Bridgewater (£22) One for the Emma Bridgewater fans, this is a fun way to incorporate their signature prints into your Christmas decor. Important to note that this is made from pottery and on the larger side for a Christmas bauble, so make sure you hang it securely! Available from: Emma Bridgewater (£22) Maldon salt Christmas tree decoration Available from Amazon (£7.50) A bauble for the person who has to add salt to everything, or values the difference between table salt and sea salt. This quirky green tin is like a mini of the iconic Maldon salt boxes, tied with a green ribbon for hanging on your tree in style. Available from: Amazon (£7.50) M&S Colin the Caterpillar glass hanging decoration Available from M&S (£5) A Colin the Caterpillar cake is a staple at special occasions and now he's part of Christmas with this cute Christmas bauble, new this year. M&S decorations also sell out quickly (some of our favourites have already gone), so act fast if you're a Colin devotee. Available from: M&S (£5) Petersham Nurseries lemon bauble in glass Available from Petersham Nurseries (£10) An elegant addition to your Christmas tree and a lovely celebration of the seasonal citrus that brightens up winter fruit bowls. This glossy glass bauble has a gently shimmering finish to reflect the twinkling fairy lights of a tree perfectly. Available from: Petersham Nurseries (£10) studio THIE Heinz Ketchup felt ornament Available from Anthropologie (£14) Some of our favourite foodie Christmas baubles bring the nostalgia, and this Heinz collection available from Anthropologie certainly does that. There are embroidered felt creations of Heinz beans and spaghetti hoops too, but the ketchup is our favourite. The long shape is great for filling any awkward gaps between branches on your tree. Available from: Anthropologie (£14) March Muses Dutch pot decoration Available from March Muses (£8.50) For the home that always has a soup, stew or casserole bubbling away on the stove in winter... let the Dutch pot have its celebratory moment with this simple glass bauble. Lots of decorations are excessively big, but we love the perfect size of this little pot. Available from: March Muses (£8.50) Dunelm popcorn hanging decoration Available from Dunelm (£1.50) Celebrate the season of great TV and Christmas films with this fun popcorn bauble. We love the retro stripy bucket design. At just £1.50, this would make a great stocking filler or part of a Secret Santa gift too. Available from: Dunelm (£1.50) Sous Chef Brussel sprout decoration Available from Sous Chef (£4) It's not Christmas without Brussel sprouts and now that includes on your tree, too. Made from glass, it's impressively realistic – with a sprinkling of green glitter for an extra festive touch. At under £5, this is another bargain bauble pick. Available from: Sous Chef (£4) ASDA hotdog and burger glass baubles Available from ASDA (£8 for 2) Christmas baubles have gone far beyond just Christmassy foods themselves. Bring the fast food fun with this duo of these playful hot dog, burger and fries baubles. Available from: ASDA (£8 for 2) Fortnum and Mason caramel truffle bauble Available from Fortnum and Mason (£14.95) This elegant bauble will not only look pretty hanging from the Christmas tree – open it up, and inside you will find delicious Fortnum and Mason handmade milk chocolate caramel truffles. As this bauble also comes in a handsome box, it makes a perfect gift, too. Illustrated with 2025, it's great for marking a special year. Available from: Fortnum and Mason (£14.95) Willow and Stone fish hanging decoration Available from Willow and Stone (£15.95) This beautiful handcrafted tree decoration may not have much to do with Christmas. Still, this brass fish, made from recycled metal, will look elegant on the tree or wreath and can be used decoratively around the house after the festivities. As each one is handmade, there may be slight variations. Available from: Willow and Stone (£15.95) Fortnum & Mason cake stand decoration Available from Fortnum & Mason (£26.95) A tier of iconic afternoon tea treats in bauble form, this hand painted decoration makes the prettiest statement. We love how much detail there is on here: spot the fondant fancies, neat cucumber sandwiches, slice of Battenberg and more. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£26.95) Christmas Concepts sweets baubles, set of 8 Available from Amazon (£8.99) Ideal if you've got a larger Christmas tree, this set of eight mini shatterproof baubles will fill out your tree. There's a very wide range of 19 colours to choose from so there's one for every Christmas theme, from lime green to champagne cream. Available from: Amazon (£8.99) Sass & Belle Christmas pudding decoration Available from Amazon (£10.50) One for the traditionalists, this holly-topped felt pud decoration is handmade and intricately embroidered with beads to sparkle under the Christmas lights. Available from: Amazon (£10.50) More Christmas gift guides 50 best budget gifts under £15 Best gifts for foodies Best Advent calendars Best Christmas hampers to buy Best gins to buy as gifts Best whiskies to buy as gifts Best panettone to buy Best Christmas sandwiches If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Best hand blenders for making smoothies, salad dressings and more
Get whizzy with it and invest in a stick blender to make soups, smoothies, sauces and much more. We put them to the test and picked our favourite versions
Why not add a versatile stick blender to your kitchen armoury? They take up far less space than a traditional jug blender or food processor and are an easy way to whip up soups and sauces in record time. No need to decant hot food into another container while cooking — simply take the wand straight to the pot. Many come with safety guards to ensure that pans and casseroles won’t be scratched. Plastic or steel casings cover the blades and draw ingredients up to be blended perfectly. Although they’re compact and can easily fit in the smallest kitchen cupboard, some immersion blender models come with extra beakers and blades, so will take up more room. If you simply want smooth soups and sauces, then even a basic model will do wonders for the quality of your dishes and the speed you get dinner on the table. The latest additions were tested and reviewed by Lesley Jones. Best hand blender deals Looking for a discount on one of the hand blenders in this list? We've been scouring the market to find the best deals. Good Food in partnership with Tower hand blender: Good Food Digital Hand Blender | £69.99 £48.99 at Tower (save £21 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30) More hand blender deals: KitchenAid GO cordless hand blender | £179 £161.95 at Harts of Stur (save £17.05 or 10%) Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Food Prep System | £99.99 £79.99 at Ninja (save £20 or 20%) Bamix Classic hand blender | £109 £98.10 at Harts of Stur (save £10.90 or 10%) Russell Hobbs Desire 3-in-1 hand blender set | £49.99 £32.30 at Amazon (save £17.69 or 35%) For more kitchen appliances deals, visit our guide, discover how our experts test products and let us do the hard work for you. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website View Green Video on the source website Best hand blenders at a glance Best cordless hand blender: KitchenAid GO cordless hand blender, £161.95 Best professional-quality blender: Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Food Prep System, £99.99 Best hand blender for large quantities: Kenwood Triblade XL+ Hand Blender, £109.99 Best budget hand blender: ProCook Hand Blender, £39 Best multifunctional hand blender: Gastroback Design Hand Blender Advanced Pro, £91.92 Best designed hand blender: Bamix Classic hand blender, £109.99 Best for occasional use: Salter Cosmos 3 in 1 blender set, £27.99 Best mid-range hand blender: Russell Hobbs Desire 3-in-1 hand blender set, £49.99 Best hand blender for practicality: Dualit 700W hand blender, £90 Jump to: Best hand blenders to buy in 2025 How to use a hand blender How we tested hand blenders How we tested hand blenders We scored a range of hand models against the following criteria on our testing matrix: Weight: nothing too heavy or large. Hand blenders are about as long as a ruler and some weigh nearly as much as a bag of sugar, so they can be exhausting to control and hard to get a good grip. Easily controllable: you want the blender to be able to blitz a thick soup. Too fast, especially if you're doing delicate jobs like making mayonnaise, the mixture will curdle. So sensible speeds and easy-to-reach speed controls are a must. Cleaning: you want a model that cleans quickly and doesn't have too many nooks or crannies for food to linger in, making it unhygienic. Versatility: with good quality attachments and accessories, hand blenders can perform multiple kitchen tasks saving you cupboard space and money on separate appliances. Best hand blenders to buy in 2025 Good Food in partnership with Tower hand blender Available from Amazon (£42.78), Tower (£69.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Blend, whisk, froth and more with this powerful five-in-one hand blender developed in partnership with Tower. A 1000-watt motor and five interchangeable stainless steel blades offer impressive versatility, while the ergonomic grip and coiled cord ensure comfortable, tangle-free use. From soups to smoothies, it handles every task with ease. It also comes with a holster stand and accessories holder, so your kitchen stays tidy. Available from: Amazon (£42.78) Tower (£69.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 KitchenAid GO cordless hand blender Available from Harts Of Stur (£161.95), KitchenAid (£179) Best cordless hand blender Pros: Cordless Powerful Easy to store Lightweight Cons: Expensive While this is undoubtedly an investment purchase, its cordless functionality is worth the money alone – meaning no more dangling cords near your chopping device. It's a part of KitchenAid's GO range, which comes with a rechargeable battery that's compatible with other appliances in the range, including a mini chopper and food processor. It's lightweight but powerful, and though there's a bit of a knack to handling it – we had to grip it with both hands during our first few uses – our blending was controlled and efficient. A 700ml BPA-free beaker is also included for blending smoothies and sauces, but if you want to mix ingredients straight in the pan, there's a protective guard that prevents any scratching. undefined Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Prep System Available from Very (£99), Ninja (£99.99), Currys (£99.99) Best professional quality blender Pros: Professional-sized, robust hand blender Easy to hold and use Super-speedy Attachments included Motor recognises each attachment Optimised speed settings for attachments Cons: A little heavy No beaker Star rating: 5/5 The Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Food Prep System is a serious hand blender. It is weighty at just shy of 2kg, so for some, it may feel a little heavy, but the weight distribution is even, so it feels lighter. Behind that weight, there is an 850W motor driving this machine, which makes short work of anything in its path. The hand blender has just two speeds, and toggling between the low and turbo settings is easy. The box also includes a five-speed hand mixer attachment and two beaters, making this an incredibly versatile package. However, there is no beaker for mixing smaller quantities, so a jug is needed. Read our full Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Food Prep System review. Latest Deals Gastroback Design Hand Blender Advanced Pro Available from Harts of Stur (£91.92) Best multifunctional hand blender Pros: Five speeds Attachments included Potato masher attachment Powerful 800W Generous 800ml beaker with lid Cons: Confusing instructions Star rating: 5/5 The Gastroback Advanced Pro hand blender is, as suggested by its name, a professional looking and sturdy machine capable of tackling most blending jobs in the kitchen. From its ergonomic soft-touch handle, the 800W motor that makes light work of most ingredients, five easily adjustable speeds, and titanium coated four-fold blade, this is a serious hand blender. And, if that is not enough, the Gastroback Advanced Pro also has an enviable range of accessories included in the box with a 500 ml mini chopper, whisk and a generous 800 ml beaker with a non-slip base, which turns into a lid for the beaker and a special attachment for mashing potatoes. Read our full Gastroback Advanced Pro review. Available from: Harts of Stur (£91.92) Kenwood Triblade XL + Hand Blender HBM60.307GY Available from Amazon (£69.90), Kenwood (£109.99) Best hand blender for large quantities Pros Variety of attachments Larger blades for bigger dishes Long wand Cons Expensive Space needed to store accessories Wide blade may not fit in smaller containers Star rating: 4.5/5 So much more than just a hand blender, this set from Kenwood comes with lots of accessories to help around the kitchen. There’s a useful metal whisk, an attachment for smooth mashing and puréeing and a handy 0.5L chopper attachment that’s perfect for herbs, nuts and fine grinding. Safety first with this model, especially as the three blades are very sharp indeed, but the wand has a soft-touch cover that makes it non-slip as you hold it. Although weighty, this added to the quality feel, rather than making it difficult to use. The power to this robust 1000W unit is controlled by a sliding control on the wand, with a turbo button for extra power for pulsing. Longer than many models, with an extra-wide blade, we found it extra speedy at blending large volumes, with a double batch of creamy leek & potato soup smooth and aerated without any lumps or fibres. The beaker with pouring lip is a generous size, but we had a tricky time making our favourite basic mayonnaise recipe and resorted to our own narrower container in the end, which created more of a vortex for the ingredients to emulsify. The super berry smoothies we tried were whizzed up in no time, with silky results. undefined ProCook hand blender Available from ProCook (£39) Best budget hand blender Pros Great price Easy to use Compact Cons Accessories sold separately Short power cord Glossy casing shows fingerprints Star rating: 4.5/5 If you’re looking for a more basic model that can handle simple blends with ease, this is a great choice. No bells and whistles here; the ProCook hand blender comes with a single power unit wand and a twist-on stainless steel blade attachment, arriving in a surprisingly small box. No need for anything larger as there aren’t beakers, attachments or extra blades, although they’re available separately. But considering the ProCook’s performance and price, this was still a top choice for us. There are speed settings from one to six (as well as a boost button) we used to pulse a fibrous butternut squash soup as well as blitzing through the oats and fruit in our favourite berry smoothie. The quality stainless steel attachment to the main power wand gave plenty of clearance for ingredients to whizz around underneath the blades, and it was narrow enough to use in smaller containers for kids’ milkshakes and single-serve salad dressings. The glossy black casing of the main handle did slip once or twice when dealing with a buttery bearnaise sauce, but that served more as an important reminder not to use any blender without clean, dry hands. We’d have liked a slightly longer power cable, but overall, our list of gripes with this budget blender was also short. undefined Bamix Classic hand blender Available from Lakeland (£109.99) Best designed hand blender Pros: Powerful Long cord Easy to clean Cons: Unclear instructions Star rating: 4.5/5 This is a design classic that’s been around, pretty much unchanged, since 1954. No fancy bells and whistles here, just a sturdy hand unit with three stainless-steel discs to chop, whisk or blend. The Classic model comes with the basic stainless-steel attachments but with interesting designs. Instead of the usual balloon whisk, we made whipped cream using the flat whisk ‘disc’ with perfect results. These small additions could be easy to mislay in the kitchen drawer though, and although this set comes with a basic stand for the main unit, it could do with somewhere to stash those precious blades. There are lots of extra accessories available to buy for your Bamix, like mincer blades, shredders, jugs and beakers and a processor for grinding spices. There’s also a deluxe stand with those all-important cubby holes for the attachments if you’d like to upgrade. We liked the simple black casing of this model, which was easy to clean and didn’t require too much effort to remove the end pieces as we moved from recipe to recipe. Latest Deals Salter Cosmos 3-in-1 blender set Available from Amazon (£23.49) Best hand blender for occasional use Pros: Affordable Lightweight Useful storage stand Cons: Cheaper plastic parts may not stand the test of time Short cable length Whisk feels flimsy Star rating: 3.5/5 With only two speed settings – 'on' and ‘turbo’ – there’s not a lot of choice in terms of control with this model, but you do get attachments to blend, chop and whisk, with the addition of a lidded chopping bowl. We found this model more than capable when making smoothies and mayonnaise, but we’re not sure how long it would last with constant use. There were no lumps in our smoothies and nothing got caught up in the wide mouth of the blender attachment, but we had less success with the small chopping bowl accessory. This blender’s motor parts are plastic and we think these might wear down faster than the other, more robust models we looked at. The plastic also means it was louder in use than other models tested, especially on the faster speed setting. However, if a hand blender only gets occasional light use in your kitchen, then this budget choice may just fit the bill. And when it’s stashed away in a cupboard, the different components won’t go missing as a handy plastic stand can be placed on top of the mixing beaker to keep everything together. Just slot all the components on there to keep everything in one place. Latest Deals Russell Hobbs Desire 3-in-1 hand blender set Available from Amazon (£32.30) Best mid-range hand blender set Pros: Dishwasher-safe detachable components Really quiet Simple two speed settings Cons: Backwards locking system Narrow 700ml beaker Sleek with a matte-black finish design, this hand blender set felt more powerful than its 500 watt motor and was notably quiet during use. It's covered by a three-year manufacturer's guarantee which indicates the brand’s confidence in its performance. Additional accessories include a 700ml beaker, which is tall with a sturdy base but it's also quite narrow and could be broader. It was fine for smoothies and lumpy soups, but whipping cream with the whisk attachment would be better done in a large mixing bowl than in the beaker. The long, stainless-steel blender arm was easy to clean and allows for plenty of height if batch-cooking large quantities of soups. Plus, there are smart design sections, like the 500ml chopper, which has a silicone lid that doubles up as a non-slip base during chopping. All the components except the motor unit are dishwasher-safe on the top shelf. All the attachments are compact enough to be simply stored in a cupboard, while the blades have blade guards, so the blender arm and whisks could also be put in a utensils drawer. Read our full Russell Hobbs 3-in-1 hand blender set review. Latest Deals Dualit 700W hand blender Available from Harts of Stur (£90) Best for practicality Pros: Ergonomic hooked handle Minimal suction Cons: Slippery feeding spout This high-gloss silver blender is hooked at the top so it rests on your hand, making it feel more secure during use. At low and medium speeds there was very little suction to the saucepan base, making it easy to move the blender around. It comes with a solidly built 1-litre jug with helpful volume markings on the side. The mini chopper was efficient and has a useful feeding spout, but it did slip around a bit so it needs to be held during use. The whisk attachment felt sturdy and made gently whipped cream on the low speed. It also comes with a detailed manual with helpful troubleshooting tips. The attachments are dishwasher-safe, too. Latest Deals How to use a hand blender Assembling a hand blender is super easy. There are usually just two sections: the motor housing, where the control buttons are, and the blade section. Many blenders come with beakers for preparing smaller amounts of food, such as spice pastes or salsa. The beakers are tall and narrow, and the blender should fit comfortably. Use tall jugs or bowls to avoid splashing if you do not have a beaker When processing anything with hot liquids, start at a low speed if your hand blender's speed is adjustable. If not, approach the hot liquid carefully to avoid splashing, which can burn Never overfill the beaker. Otherwise, you will struggle to puree and must force the blade down, which can cause the beaker to slip or the food to spill out, which is dangerous Overfilling and forcing the blender can also cause a vacuum in the bottom of the beaker, which prevents it from working correctly. To avoid a vacuum, tip the beaker slightly at an angle, which allows any trapped air to escape You can use a hand blender directly in pans and mixing bowls. Be careful not to drag the blade housing on the bottom of a pan, especially a non-stick pan, as it may scratch Always carefully handle or clean the very sharp blade section. When cleaning your hand blender, never submerge the motor housing in water; wipe the handle clean instead Related reviews Best blenders Best smoothie blenders Best food processors Best stand mixers Best juicers Best spiralizers Best Cuisinart ice-cream makers Is the Ninja Swirl worth it? Appliance deals Air fryer deals Microwave deals Dishwasher deals Pizza oven deals Do you have any hand blender recommendations? Leave us a comment below...
We've tested dozens of cookware sets - these are the best pan sets 2025
A good set of pans will enhance your culinary adventures for years to come. Read our reviews of stainless steel and aluminium offerings, from cheap to blowout, to find out which is best for you
The best pan sets should be robust and reliable enough to withstand years of use, and while the cost of buying an entire set might be off-putting, purchasing them individually might end up being more expensive in the long run. With a matching set, you'll also have familiarity with the pans you use and understand how quickly they heat, along with other special features. And, if that isn’t enough to tempt you, a matching set does look good, too. When choosing a pan set, your first port of call is to consider what you want: light or heavy, how many pans and your budget. Good pans with extended guarantees are solidly built with outstanding conductivity and heat quickly. They're also easier and cheaper to use, less likely to burn and have a longer life. But, equally, some excellent pans don't cost a fortune, as you'll see from my recommendations. Pan sets come in so many combinations of sizes and types, it can be difficult to decide what to go for. Every one of the combos I've tried and tested here has different items that can be added to complete your ideal collection. From steamers to casseroles, sauté pans to woks, there’s a lot you can add later to the basic trio of lidded saucepans. Read on for our tried-and-tested recommendations. Best pan set deals Hoping to find a discount on one of the pan sets in this list? We've been scouring the market to find the biggest savings – these are the best we've found so far: Good Food in partnership with Tower pan sets: Good Food 3-piece stainless steel saucepan set | £99.99 £74.99 at Tower (save £25 or 25%) Good Food Tri-Ply 5-piece cookware set | £299.99 £209.99 at Tower (save £90 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30) More deals: Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set | £149.99 £79.99 at Cuisinart (save £70 or 46%) Stellar Stay Cool 4-Piece Draining Saucepan Set | £300 £90 at Stellar (save £210 or 70%) For even more savings, take a look at our round-up of the best kitchen appliance deals and find out how we put each product to the test, so you can shop with confidence. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best pan sets at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS 5/5 stars Best pan set if you don't use induction: Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set, £149.99 Best fast-heating pan set: Stellar Stay Cool, 4 Piece Draining Saucepan Set, £90 Best pan set overall: Kuhn Rikon all-round 3-piece saucepan set, £129 Best non-stick pan set: Ninja Zerostick stainless steel 3-piece pan set, £149.99 Best stainless-steel pan set: HexClad Hybrid Pot 6-piece set, £399 Best of the rest Best premium pan set: Our Place Titanium Pro cookware set, £420 Best stylish pan set: ProCook Soho Cookware Set, £99 Best ceramic pan set: Joseph Joseph Space folding-handle 6-piece cookware set, £615 Best-looking pan set: Circulon Style Anodised 3-piece saucepan set, £179.99 Best hybrid pan set: Circulon C Series SteelShield 3-piece pan set, £240 Best value pan set: Stellar 7000 5-piece pan set, £258 Jump to section: Best pan sets to buy in 2025 How to choose the best pan sets How we tested pan sets I put a range of pan sets to the test by cooking a variety of foods in the appropriate sized pan. I started with breakfast foods and cooked custardy scrambled eggs in the smallest pan to see how well I could control the heat, and if I was able to reach into the edges to ensure everything was fully incorporated. I also cooked notoriously difficult-to-clean porridge in the smallest pan. In the medium-sized pan, I cooked fried onions to see if they could cook slowly and caramelise evenly. I also played around with the temperature on this test to see how well the pan responded to changes. Finally, in the largest pan, I cooked pasta. I brought the pan up to a boil from cold to see how quickly it heated up and how evenly the pan distributed heat. After adding the pasta, I popped the lid on, as I wanted to see whether the pan would bubble over and if I could still see through the lid. For the pan sets that also came with frying pans as standard, I cooked American pancakes and omelettes. As well as how the sets looked together on the hob, there was a long list of attributes on my list of must-haves: Efficient cooking: crucially, the pans had to have excellent, non-stick linings and efficient heat distribution, with responsive heating and cooling when I adjusted controls. Weight and balance: heavy-based pans are great for cooking, but they couldn’t be so weighty that I'd struggle to move one from hob to sink, or so light they could tilt easily on the stove. Build quality: the pans had to be built to last, with firmly welded or riveted handles, which had to feel comfortable to grip when the pan was full. Storage: finally, I looked at how the sets stacked together for storage, marking down any that were likely to topple over and cause cupboard chaos. Why you can trust Good Food reviews Across Good Food's team of expert product testers, we've reviewed a wide range of cookware over the last five years and have tested around 20 pan sets from various brands. Every pan set in this list was tested in the Good Food Test Kitchen, which is set up to mirror the average home kitchen rather than a laboratory-like environment. Plus, we only ever use Good Food's triple-tested recipes when reviewing products, so you can rest assured that if a pan set performs well in our kitchen, it should in yours, too. We also operate independently and don't share any reviews with retailers or manufacturers before publication. We don't accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, either. Best pan sets to buy in 2025 Good Food in partnership with Tower 3-piece stainless steel saucepan set Available from Amazon (£64.99), Tower (£74.99), Very (£80) The Good Food three-piece saucepan set – created in partnership with Tower – makes family mealtimes a breeze. Ideal for cooking sauces and soups, boiling veg, melting chocolate and so much more, this handy set has been Tried and Tested by Good Food’s recipe development team, and includes one 16cm pan, one 18cm pan and one 20cm pan, each of which has been crafted with high-quality stainless steel. The pans also have internal markings to help you can measure ingredients with ease, and are oven-safe up to 230C. Available from: Amazon (£64.99) Tower (£74.99) Very (£80) Good Food in partnership with Tower hard anodised 3-piece saucepan set Available from Amazon (£128.19), Tower (£179.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30, Very (£180) Whether you’re a culinary novice or a seasoned cook, the Good Food three-piece saucepan set – created in partnership with Tower – will bring versatility and efficiency to your kitchen. Tried, Tested and Trusted by Good Food experts using our rigorous testing methods, the pans (16cm, 18cm and 20cm) are crafted with ultra-durable hard-anodised aluminium, combined with a non-stick coating for easy food release and guaranteed durability. They’re also suitable for use on induction hobs and in the oven up to 220C, while the pouring lids offer simple serving without risk of spillages. Available from: Amazon (£128.19) Tower (£179.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Very (£180) Good Food in partnership with Tower 5-piece cookware set Available from Amazon (£188.04), Tower (£249.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Comprising everything you need to cook classic weekday meals, Sunday roasts, or speedy lunchtime recipes, the Good Food five-piece saucepan set is the ideal piece of kitchen kit to have in your arsenal. Created in partnership with Tower, the set includes two frying pans (20cm and 28cm) and three saucepans (16cm, 18cm, and 20cm), each of which is crafted with 3.5mm forged hard-anodised aluminium and a ceramic non-stick coating. All of the pans can also be used in the oven up to 220C, are induction compatible, and like the other sets in this list, have earned our Tried, Tested and Trusted seal of approval. Available from: Amazon (£188.04) Tower (£249.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Good Food in partnership with Tower TriPly 3-piece saucepan set Available from Amazon (£100), Tower (£194.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Every kitchen needs a quality pan set. The Good Food Tri-Ply three-piece saucepan set, in collaboration with Tower, includes 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans, each with a tempered glass lid featuring steam vents and two sizes of straining holes for easy, spill-free serving. Made from 2.5mm tri-ply stainless steel with an aluminium core, these pans offer excellent heat retention and durability. Oven safe up to 220C and suitable for all hob types, including induction, this set is designed to work seamlessly with our extensive library of recipes. Plus, it's dishwasher safe for hassle-free cleaning. Available from: Amazon (£100) Tower (£194.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Good Food in partnership with Tower Tri-Ply 5-piece cookware set Available from Amazon (£189.99), Tower (£299.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 The Good Food five-piece Tri-Ply cookware set, in partnership with Tower, brings versatility and durability to your kitchen. The set includes 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans with tempered glass lids, along with 20cm and 28cm frying pans, providing everything you need for everyday cooking. Crafted from 2.5mm tri-ply stainless steel with an aluminium core, these pans ensure even heat distribution. The superior ceramic non-stick coating means you’re able to cook with less oil. With a sleek satin interior and mirror finish exterior, this set is oven safe up to 220C and compatible with all hob types, including induction. Available from: Amazon (£189.99) Tower (£299.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set Available from Amazon (£74.99), Cuisinart (£79.99) Best pan set if you don't use induction Pros: Light yet robust Fast heating Great conductivity Stay-cool handles A comprehensive set Cons: Not induction compatible Star rating: 5/5 Our first impression when testing the Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set was surprise: it's not induction compatible, which is quite unusual for modern cookware. However, if you're specifically looking for a non-induction set or simply have no need for it, this one might be ideal. With 11 pieces, the set covers all bases for stovetop cooking from boiling to braising, sautéing and steaming. The pans are oven-safe but limited to a maximum temperature of 175C for no more than 20 minutes. We found the pans light but sturdy, perfect for anyone struggling to lift heavy items. They have excellent conductivity thanks to the aluminium core and a sensational non-stick ceramic coating free of PTFE, PFOA and PFAS. The test results were excellent and the only thing we were less than happy with was that the American pancakes were quite dark each time. Nevertheless, for the quality and functionality, this comprehensive set is excellent for the price. Set contains: 1.4L and 2.4L saucepan with lids, 2.8L sauté pan with lid, 5.7L stockpot with lid, 20cm and 25cm skillets and an 18cm steamer insert Materials: Aluminium core Warranty: 3 years Oven-safe: Yes, but only to 175C and no longer than 20 minutes Induction-compatible? No Available from: Amazon (£74.99) Cuisinart (£79.99) Stellar Stay Cool 4-Piece Draining Saucepan Set Available from Stellar (£90) Best fast-heating pan set Pros: Superb quality at the price Rapid, even heating So easy to clean Easy drain lids Cons: Only oven-proof to 180C Star rating: 5/5 The Stellar 4-piece pan set is impressive. Made from stainless steel, it comes from the box, all shiny and promising. Even at first glance, it is a serious set claiming to be safe with handles that stay cool, and they do. Further claims highlight their effortless usability. The lids, with silicone rims, fit securely onto the pan, while draining spouts on both sides make draining remarkably easy. Additionally, the firm-fitting lids help lock in nutrients during cooking, making meals healthier. All of these were borne out in the test, as everything I cooked from the eggs, onions and porridge was excellent, and I was blown away by the speed the pans heated up with pasta water boiling in 1 minute 40 seconds; so, they're also economical to use. The only slight niggle is that they're only oven safe to 180C, which most of us can live with for this quality. Specifications: Set contains: 16cm non-stick milk pan, 18cm draining saucepan with lid, 20cm draining saucepan with lid, 24cm non-stick frying pan Materials: Stainless steel Warranty: Lifetime guarantee Oven-safe: Up to 180C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Kuhn Rikon All round 3-piece saucepan set Available from Kuhn Rikon (£179.95) Best pan set overall Pros: Excellent quality for the price Glass lids with steam vent Strainer function in the lid Oven-safe to high temperature Cons: None Star rating: 5/5 This Swiss-designed pan set certainly impresses on first viewing. The three pans come in generous sizes and are made in a hefty 18/20 stainless steel, so they have an almost professional feel. They're solid rather than heavy, and easy to handle even when filled with food. The thick, solid base makes them suitable for all cooking surfaces, including induction, and I was impressed by their ability to heat super-fast and respond instantly to lowering the heat. This was essential when caramelising the onions, which came out a delicious, even golden brown. Likewise, when cooking the porridge, the heat had to be lowered once the porridge thickened and the response was immediate. The handle was comfortable to hold and never became hot while using on induction, though this may not be the case if the pans are used on a high gas flame, and they'll most certainly get hot when used in the oven. The lids are glass, which also meant I could see what was happening without removing a hot lid. Specifications: Set contains: 1.9L saucepan with lid, 2.7L saucepan with lid, 3.7L saucepan with lid Materials: 18/20 stainless steel Warranty: Lifetime guarantee Oven-safe: Up to 240C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Ninja Zerostick stainless-steel 3-piece pan set Available from Argos (£149.99), Very (£150) Best non-stick pan set Pros: Robust pans Glass lids Stay Cool handles Oven-safe to 260ºC Exceptional non-stick Cons: Edging towards heavy with food Star rating: 5/5 These stainless-steel Zerostick pans from Ninja come with several promises, including being 20x tougher than traditional non-stick, with no flaking or peeling; being dishwasher- and metal utensil-safe, plus scratch-resistant; being oven-safe to 260C; and having a 10-year replacement guarantee, including the Zerostick coating. I was able to test out at least some of these promises, especially the non-stick, when cooking both the onions and the porridge. Nothing stuck, the pans heated super-fast and were responsive to the raising and lowering of the heat. And, though there is no need to put the pans in the dishwasher because a quick hand-wash was more than sufficient, I was happy with the dishwasher results. With the pasta, I heated the 1.5 litres of cold water to boiling in an impressive four minutes. I couldn’t test Ninja’s longevity claims, but the pans certainly feel sufficiently well made to bear this out. They were sturdy and well balanced on the stove and edging towards heavy when filled with food, so they may not suit some. But if you are after well-made, efficient pans that refuse to have anything stuck inside or out, these are the pans for you. Specifications: Set contains: 16cm saucepan with lid, 18cm saucepan with lid, 20cm saucepan with lid Materials: Stainless steel with aluminium core Warranty: 10-year replacement guarantee Oven-safe: Up to 260C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined HexClad Hybrid Pot six-piece set Available from Amazon (£399), HexClad (£399) Best stainless-steel pan set Pros: Commercial standard hybrid pans Includes a generous 26cm stock pot Oven-safe to 260C (lids 240C) Dishwasher-safe Metal utensil-safe Hexagonal steel ridges for better searing High-grade, non-toxic Japanese coating for toughness Cons: Expensive Need seasoning before use Star rating: 5/5 If it was possible to fall in love with a pan, it could easily be the hybrid HexClad. They're extremely handsome, with a shiny, heavy-gauge stainless steel exterior, and signature laser-etched hexagon design on the inside. Each hexagon is a hybrid of stainless-steel ridges and non-stick valleys, giving superb searing potential coupled with total non-stick on the bottom and partly up the sides. Above this, the hybrid continues with a zigzag pattern and lines up to the rim. The result of all this patterning is that the HexClad pans are incredibly robust, and claimed to withstand all metal utensils, including spatulas, whisks and even electric mixers. Despite the hefty robustness of these pans, they do need a little TLC with seasoning before use, much like a cast iron pan, and this does need to be repeated from time to time. Also, unlike some non-stick, using a little oil when cooking is recommended as you're cooking on steel and non-stick. On the test, the pans were sublime. The 1.5 litres of water boiled in three minutes and five seconds and stopped dead when I switched off the heat. The gentle simmering of the onions was on the lowest heat. It produced soft caramelisation in 20 minutes instead of the expected 40, and the porridge similarly cooked super-fast, with zero sticking. Cleaning was a doddle and despite these being totally dishwasher-safe, they only needed a quick rinse. The pans may be expensive, but with just a little TLC, they will pay back in bucketloads with their ease of use, fast, quality cooking, and stunning appearance. You will not want to put them back in the cupboard. Read more about HexClad in our guide: Is HexClad worth it? Specifications: Set contains: 1.8L saucepan with lid, 2.8L saucepan with lid, 7.5L saucepan with lid Materials: Stainless steel with aluminium core Warranty: Lifetime Oven-safe: Up to 260C Induction-compatible? Yes Available from: Amazon (£399) HexClad (£399) undefined Our Place Titanium Pro cookware set Available from Our Place (£420) Best premium pan set Pros: Wide range of pan types and sizes included Oven-safe up to 260C Easy to clean Fully recyclable packaging Cons: Expensive Shows fingerprint marks easily Pan surfaces leave an imprint on some foods Star rating: 4.5/5 For fans of the viral cookware brand Our Place and its Titanium Pro range, this bundle is undoubtedly one of the most stylish options on this list. Better yet, if you were considering buying each pan individually, you can also save £240 by purchasing them as a set. Expanding beyond its signature pastel hues, Our Place's Titanium Pro range has a sleek chrome finish that shines on the countertop – though it is susceptible to fingerprint marks. Each pan also has a chemical-free non-stick surface that's suitable for utensils and even the dishwasher, and the pans heated quickly and evenly during our tests. The pans are weighty and feel high-quality, too, with comfortable handles and well-fitting lids – though the smaller pans gets a little hot at the base. The hexagonal surface also left behind an imprint on our omelettes and pancakes, which didn't look very appealing. Cleaning them, however, is a breeze, and for home-cooks seeking pro-level performance with a bit of flair, the Titanium Pro set delivers style and substance in equal measure. Specifications: Set contains: 27.6cm Titanium Always Pan Pro, 21.6cm Titanium Mini Always Pan Pro, 27.6cm Titanium Perfect Pot Pro, 21.6cm Titanium Mini Perfect Pot Pro, metal spatula, silicone spoon Materials: Stainless steel with aluminium core Warranty: Limited lifetime Oven-safe: Up to 535C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined ProCook Soho cookware set Available from ProCook (£79.20), Amazon (£132.95) Best stylish pan set Pros: 10-year warranty Super non-stick coating Choice of three great colours Cons: Excessive heat must be avoided Star rating: 4.5/5 From the box I was impressed by these stylish, contemporary-looking pans from ProCook. The pans are light and easy to lift, and on all our tests, they passed with flying colours, especially the delicious shakshuka. The non-stick was silky, smooth and tough, with a ten-year guarantee. ProCook, however, does not recommend using excessive amounts of heat when cooking with these pans. But you shouldn’t need to, as they are made from aluminium and stainless steel and heat up fast and evenly. This is an excellent set of pans that's perfect for those just starting to cook and an astonishing price for the quality. Specifications: Set contains: 18cm saucepan with lid, 26cm sauté pan with lid, 24cm frying pan, 24cm casserole dish with steamer insert Materials: Stainless steel and aluminium Warranty: 10 years Oven-safe: Up to 260C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Joseph Joseph Space folding-handle six-piece cookware set Available from Joseph Joseph (£615) Best ceramic pan set Pros: 20-year warranty Quality non-stick ceramic coating Innovative fold-in handles Excellent quality Cons: Hot spots in the centre of the pans Some non-recyclable packaging Star rating: 4.5/5 If you're after practical pans for everyday tasks, but space comes at a premium in your kitchen, this ceramic set from Joseph Joseph is an excellent investment. Each pan (with the exception of the casserole pan) has a fold-in handle that reduces its footprint in storage. Even with the handles folding inwards, they can be stacked, too. It's a large set, comprising a range of saucepans, frying pans and a casserole dish, as well as three felt pan protectors. All the pans are robust and nicely balanced, and come with tempered glass lids that fit well. The heat distribution was relatively even but with some hotter spots in the centre. I was, however, impressed by how quickly the pans reacted to temperature changes, and the non-stick performed well too: even stubborn residue left behind by porridge lifted easily with light scrubbing. As there are six pans included, the price tag is naturally higher than others on this list – but the 20-year warranty and premium design assured us that this is a cookware set built to last. Specifications: Set contains: 15cm saucepan with lid, 19cm saucepan with lid, 20cm frying pan, 24cm frying pan, 28cm sauté pan, 28cm shallow casserole dish, three felt pan protectors Materials: Stainless steel and aluminium Warranty: 20 years Oven-safe: Up to 232C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Circulon Style anodised three-piece saucepan set Available from Amazon (£179.99) Best-looking pan set Pros: Stylish flared shape Attractive stay-cool handle on pan and lid Oven-safe to 260C Non-stick lasts 15 times longer than others Dishwasher-safe Cons: Expensive Star rating: 4.5/5 There's a good reason why these pans from Circulon are called Style, being by far the most stylish on our test, with their tall, black, flared sides which make for excellent pouring from any angle. I particularly liked the beautifully contrasting stainless steel lids with distinctive S-shape stay-cool handles, which are very comfy and secure to hold. The Circulon pans offer a non-stick that lasts 15 times longer than others and guarantees nothing will stick, and they are three times more resistant to the dishwasher. All of this bore out well in our test. Nothing stuck, not even the porridge which is a chief sticking culprit – the pan was almost clean after use and hand-washed quickly and easily. The anodised pans are robust and not heavy, and even with food, they were well balanced and secure to carry around. Our test results were excellent: fast heating (1.5 litres of water took 4½ minutes to boil for the pasta), responsive to raising and lowering the temperatures, which worked well when caramelising the onions, and the porridge cooked in minutes with no sticking. These pans are expensive at full price, but given the lifetime guarantee, excellent quality and great cooking results, they are a good investment and should give years of use. Specifications: Set contains: 16cm saucepan with lid, 18cm saucepan with lid, 20cm saucepan with lid Materials: Hard-anodised aluminium Warranty: Lifetime Oven-safe: Up to 260C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Circulon C Series SteelShield three-piece pan set Available from Circulon (£119.99), Amazon (£119.99) Best hybrid pan set Pros: Slim ergonomic handles Distinct S-shaped handles Oven-safe up to 260C Size of pan detailed on underside Dishwasher-safe Metal utensil-safe Cons: No steam vent Can’t place lids ajar Star rating: 4.5/5 If you’re torn between a non-stick or uncoated saucepan set, this Circulon set promises the answer. These pans are non-stick, but cook like steel, producing an intense sear while also managing to cook delicately. These pans are attractive and feature Circulon’s tell-tale concentric circle design. The lid handles are also a distinctive S-shape. I struggled a little with the lids as they don’t have a steam vent, so steam escapes underneath – with that in mind, be sure to aim the steam away from you. On the whole, cooking on these pans was a joy. They’re quick to heat up, but keep you in control. Our only minor gripe was that food got stuck to the ridges and overcooked slightly, but this would only be a concern if cooking something that needed to be silky smooth, like custard or béchamel. Read our full Circulon C Series SteelShield three-piece saucepan set review. Specifications: Set contains: 16cm saucepan with lid, 18cm saucepan with lid, 20cm saucepan with lid Materials: Stainless steel Warranty: Lifetime Oven-safe: Up to 260C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Stellar 7000 five-piece pan set Available from Stellar (£129), Harts of Stur (£129.95) Best value pan set Pros: Helpful draining holes in lids Big pouring lips on pans Handles are long and comfortable Cons: Handles get hot Star rating: 4/5 With its striking high-shine finish, this five-piece set from Stellar is professional-looking, but comes at a reasonable price. These pans come with added extras like draining holes in the lid, which means there are no frantic searches for a colander or sieve. Very little stuck to these pans either, so clean-up was a doddle. The milk pan and frying pan are useful additions, particularly if you’re looking for a complete set. The non-stick coating on both of these pans is effective, too. Water came to a boil quickly and, for added ease and versatility, they’re all dishwasher- and oven-safe up to 210C. Read our full Stellar 7000 five-piece saucepan set review. Specifications: Set contains: 14cm milk pan, 16cm draining saucepan with lid, 18cm draining saucepan with lid, 20cm draining saucepan with lid, 26cm non-stick frying pan Materials: 18/10 stainless steel Warranty: Lifetime guarantee with 10 years for the non-stick Oven-safe: Up to 200C Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Other pan sets tried and tested Salter Megastone three-piece pan set review, £38.64 How to choose the best pan set There’s a lot to consider before choosing a pan set. If you’re starting out, a three-pot set will give you everything you need to cook most meals. All your hob needs for a Sunday roast are covered – there will be a pan for potatoes, vegetables and gravy. As with any equipment you use daily, buy the best you can afford. A thin aluminium set with plastic knobs may be binned in a few months, but higher-grade stainless steel pans will last and save you money in the long run. If you’re a seasoned cook, consider what gets used most in your kitchen (we all have our favourites) and look for a set that incorporates that style of pan in its wider range, if not already included in the box. You should also think about how much room you have to store pans. A heavy base is crucial for distributing heat efficiently. Consider the lining – we all love non-stick properties but some need to be oil-seasoned every month and may not be suitable to go in the dishwasher. Well-fitting lids are important, too, as are comfortable handles. In terms of size, ask yourself if that giant casserole is going to languish on the shelf, or whether you really need a tiny milk pan. A number of the sets on this list form part of a wider collection of pans, like frying pans and sauté pans, meaning you can add to your set later on. Stick to the basics, with at least two 16-20cm pans, and you can grow your kitchen collection from there. What to look out for when choosing a pan set The majority of the pan sets we’ve tested include three different sized saucepans. Some sets also come with a frying pan and milk pan, while others also come have sauté pans. Consider what you need and what you already have – you don't want to buy a set with a frying pan if you already have a much-loved one in your kitchen. Weight: depending on the material used, the pans can get very weighty when full. Look for lug-handles for extra support. At the other end of the spectrum, a lightweight pan isn’t necessarily a good thing; they tend to be unbalanced on the hob and can be easily knocked. Hob suitability: choose a set that’s suitable for your hob. Ideally choose one suitable for all hob types, so there’s no risk of the set becoming redundant if you move from gas or electric to induction. Oven-proof: a pan that can go from hob to oven offers added versatility. It's simpler to cook dishes like oven-baked risotto, that start on the hob and move to the oven, in a pan that can do both, and there’s less to wash up after. Check the maximum temperature the pan is ovenproof to – anything above 180C is ideal. Easy to clean: in an ideal world, pans would always be washed by hand, but we’re all busy and it’s uber convenient to be able to pop the pans in a dishwasher once you’ve finished cooking. Always check whether the pans are dishwasher-safe before washing. More pan reviews and related content Best non-stick frying pans Best cast iron skillet pans Best pancake pans Best griddle pans Best sauté pans Best paella pans Best woks Best casserole dishes Best stainless-steel frying pan Always pan: First-look review Smeg cookware range: First-look review How to store pans How to care for non-stick cookware Is Our Place worth it? Best eco dishwasher tablets Best stainless steel frying pans More appliance reviews Best air fryers Best stand mixers Best food processors Best multi-cookers Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best coffee pod machines Best espresso machines Best ice cream makers More deals Air fryer deals Coffee machine deals Microwave deals Fridge freezer deals Dishwasher deals Stand mixer deals Pizza oven deals Breadmaker deals If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
14 of the best roasting tins for perfectly cooked Sunday roast
From traybakes for the table to a succulent roast dinner with all the trimmings, a solid roasting tin is an essential piece of kitchen kit – discover our pick of the best to buy
A robust roasting tin is essential for cooking Sunday roasts and midweek traybakes. As such, it’s important not to purchase this indispensable kitchen staple without doing some homework. Buy right and it should give you years of faultless use and still be easy to clean. Most roasting tins come with lengthy guarantees to indicate their manufacturers' faith in the longevity and we guarantee you won’t regret buying a quality pan. To find the best, we tested a range of oven roasting tins, ranging from budget buys to those costing more than £150, and most performed adequately when cooking a set recipe of chicken thighs with garlic cloves, potatoes and onion rings. We picked out the tins that helped make an even roast, crisping veg and adding a crunchy edge to spuds without burning on the sides or warping when we carried the food from oven to counter. Every tin in our final selection also scored well for browning without sticking. Read on for our recommendations. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best roasting tins at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS 5/5 stars: Best roasting tin for easy handling: JosephJoseph Nest roasting tray, £40 Best blowout roasting tin: HexClad roasting pan with rack, £179 Best UK-made roasting tin: Lakeland deep roasting tin, £9.99 Best two-piece roasting tin set: Circulon Ultimum non-stick roasting tray set, £34.99 Best roasting tin set: Falcon Bake Set, £94.95 Best of the rest: Best roasting tin for smaller households: ProCook stainless steel roasting tin, from £30 Best budget roasting tin: ProCook non-stick granite roasting tin, £14 Best roasting tin for families: Circulon non-stick roasting oven tray and rack, £25.60 Best roasting tin for entertaining: Zwilling Plus stainless-steel roaster, £99.95 Best value roasting tin: Salter Marblestone non-stick roasting pan, £9.99 Best roasting tin for eco credentials: Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro roasting tin, £49.95 Best classic roasting tin: Le Creuset Signature cast iron roaster, from £239 Best investment roasting tin: Staub 3.5l roasting dish, £109 Best roasting tin for Sunday roasts: Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip, £15.99 Jump to section: Best roasting tins to buy in 2025 How to clean a roasting tin How we tested roasting tins We tested using an all-in-one roast combination of chicken thighs, potatoes, garlic (the high sugar content of which makes the unpeeled cloves prone to sticking), lemon wedges and herbs. We looked for an even finish and crispy skin. We judged each roasting tin on several criteria: Non-stick ability: Our most important criteria – whether the tin stood up to is non-stick claims. Handle: Handles or a lip can make moving the tin in and out of the oven easier, but handles that are too high use up valuable oven space. We discounted handles that were either too small, too high or seemingly pointless. Flameproof: Ideally the tin could be used over a gas flame to reduce juices to a gravy or sauce. Maximum temperature: The tin needs to be able to handle high heats over and over again, otherwise it’ll buckle and render itself useless. Durability: As ever, we subjected tins to the Good Food 'drop test' to mimic the effects of long-term kitchen wear and tear. Anything that dented didn’t cut the mustard. Some of the pans we considered were not recommended to be used on direct heat – so, no gravy making on the hob for those – but others could happily warm on induction and even be placed directly under grills or into the freezer once cooled. Best roasting tins to buy in 2025 Joseph Joseph Nest roasting tray Available from Joseph Joseph (£40) Best roasting tin for easy handling Pros: Integrated easy pull/hold handles Deep sides Carbon steel with excellent conductivity More tins to buy, which nest together Cons: Hand wash only Star rating: 5/5 The sizeable non-stick roasting tin from Joseph Joseph comes in a striking blue colour that, at first glance, seemed like a strange choice. Surprisingly, though, it worked well with the colourful chicken bake we tested it with and makes it easy to find in the kitchen cupboard. The tin is weighty but not heavy and heats up so quickly thanks to its carbon-steel construction. Our favourite feature was the integrated easy-hold and pull handles, which extend seamlessly from the deep sides of the tin and curve downward. We found them so easy to pull from the oven - of course, with heatproof gloves. The chicken bake was faultless: the onions and peppers cooked quickly and evenly across the pan, the chicken was tender, and nothing stuck. Just a shame the tin is handwash only, but it cleaned easily by hand. Material: Carbon steel Sizes: H8 x W41 x D30 cm Maximum temperature: 240C Dishwasher safe: No Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: 10 years Available from: Joseph Joseph (£40) HexClad Roasting Pan with Rack Available from HexClad (£179) Best blowout roasting tin Pros: Hybrid surface of stainless-steel and TerraBond non-stick Easy to clean Hob, oven and BBQ safe to 480C Non-stick roasting rack included Metal safe Dishwasher proof Cons: Heavy Handles get very hot Star rating: 5/5 Undoubtedly, the HexClad Roasting Pan with Rack is a thing of beauty; it has a hefty price tag, but in our test, it delivered quality and performance in heaps. The pan is heavy, even without the non-stick rack. The weight comes from the materials: a three-layer construction of magnetic stainless steel, an aluminium core and a second stainless steel layer. The handles are chunky and good to hold. HexClad recommends heating all their pans slowly, and their construction ensures even heating across the whole pan. Our bake was superb: cooked more quickly than others, with tender chicken, well-cooked vegetables and beautifully browned potatoes. The pan is dishwasher-safe, you can use metal utensils, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, and it looks gorgeous on the stove. What's not to like? Material: Three-layered magnetic stainless-steel, aluminium core, outer layer of stainless-steel Sizes: H8.2 x W28.5 x D42 cm Maximum temperature: 480C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: HexClad (£179) Lakeland deep roasting tin Available from Lakeland (£9.99) Best UK-made roasting tin Pros: Made in the UK Incredible price for the quality and versatility Light but sturdy Dishwasher friendly Oven safe up to 230°C Cons: None Star rating: 5/5 The Lakeland roasting tin is such a revelation. At just £9.99, we expected a value-priced light tin, but we were so wrong. It's not the heaviest pan, but it is far from flimsy, being made of high-grade carbon steel. The tin is 6cm deep, making it – we feel – roomy and big enough for a family roast and we liked the generous lip, which makes it easy to handle. The tin is coil-coated with two layers of non-stick, PFOA-free PTFE coating, making it healthier to use and easier to clean. Though Lakeland says the tin is dishwasher-proof, they also state that handwashing is ultimately better for longevity. We had no grumbles at all with the traybake, the tin heated quickly and evenly with excellent results. However, our favourite aspect of the tin is that it is made in the UK, in Accrington, and coil-coated in Birmingham. It also comes with a 3-year guarantee. We love it. Material: High-grade carbon steel Sizes: W26 x L32 cm, 6cm deep Maximum temperature: 260C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: 3 years Available from: Lakeland (£9.99) Circulon Ultimum non-stick 2-piece roasting tin set Available from Circulon (£34.99), Amazon (£34.99) Best two-piece roasting tin set Pros: Super easy to clean 2-piece set Great conductivity Supreme non-stick Cons: Not induction-friendly Star rating: 5/5 Unwrapping the Circulon roasting tin, it was a lovely surprise to find two inside the box: one a good 39.5cm x 25cm tin for roasting, and a smaller square cake pan that can also double as a small roaster. The two carbon-steel pans are coated with a shiny non-stick surface and feature the Circulon “Hi-Low” grooved bottom. This clever bit of engineering is not to make the pans pretty; the ridges we found helped prevent sticking, made lifting food from the pan easier and helped with browning. Our bake was beautifully and evenly cooked, particularly the chicken, which coloured well while remaining tender and tasty, as were all the vegetables. We loved the ergonomic handles, which make the pans safe and easy to handle, and they are also dishwasher safe. Circulon does believe in this product, offering a lifetime guarantee. Material: High-grade carbon steel Sizes: Dimensions: 39.5cm x 25cm x 5cm - rectangular pan, 23cm x 23cm - square pan Maximum temperature: 230C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Circulon (£34.99) Amazon (£34.99) Falcon bake set Available from Falcon (£90), Liberty London (£90) Best roasting tin set Pros: Stack together easily Good range of sizes Come in different colours Cons: Not microwave safe Star rating: 5/5 This is a versatile addition to any kitchen, offering a range of durable enamelware for baking, roasting and more. The set includes three bake pans (37cm, 34cm and 31cm) and two 20cm pie dishes, all designed to withstand oven temperatures up to 270C. This set practical for everyday cooking, with the enamel coating providing even heat distribution and a sturdy feel. The bake pans performed well with roasting and baking, though we did notice some food sticking when sauces and juices reduced. However, this wasn’t a major issue, as the surfaces cleaned up well with a soak and gentle scrub. Being dishwasher-safe, freezer-friendly and hob-safe (gas and electric), this set offers impressive versatility. At £90, it's an investment, but one that suits home bakers and cooks looking for a stylish, functional and durable set. Material: heavy-gauge steel Sizes: 2 x 20cm, 31cm, 34cm, 37cm Maximum temperature: 270C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes – gas and electric only Guarantee: No Available from: Falcon (£90) Liberty London (£90) ProCook Stainless Steel Roasting Tin Available from ProCook (from £30) Best roasting tin for smaller households Pros: 260C top heat Wide lip for easier carrying Completely dishwasher safe 25-year guarantee Buckle resistant Cons: Not induction-friendly Doesn't heat as fast as some, but still has good conductivity Star rating: 4.5/5 There's really nothing not to like about the ProCook stainless steel roasting tin. It is a classic, simple, sturdy tin made of 18/10 stainless steel and will be buckle-free up to 260C. At 630g, the pan is also light and the lip, we found, is a good size for carrying it safely to and from the oven. Our traybake was delicious. Though it didn't heat quite as fast as some carbon-steel tins, it was no slouch either. The chicken was cooked through and tender, as were all the vegetables. This tin will also work wonderfully on all stovetops except induction. Though not the largest tin on the test (larger sizes in this range are available), its great price and 25-year guarantee make it an excellent choice for the smaller household or for those with limited storage space. Material: 18/10 stainless steel Sizes: W24 x L36 cm, 5.5cm deep Maximum temperature: 260C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: 25 years ProCook non-stick granite roasting tin Available from ProCook (£14) Best budget roasting tin Pros: Effective non-stick Fully recyclable packaging Four sizes available 10-year warranty Cons: A little heavy Not suitable for metal utensils Star rating: 4.5/5 We liked the practicality of this roasting tin from ProCook, which has deep recesses under the rims that were generous enough for oven-gloved hands to grip. It passed our drop test with flying colours, and there was no buckling when transporting the tray from oven to counter. Our finished dish scored highly too, with our chicken traybake cooked to perfection. Potatoes crisped nicely and the thighs were evenly roasted. There’s a generous ProCook guarantee of 10 years on this tin, and at such a low price, this is a quality buy if you want a no-frills, functional roaster. Material: Carbon steel Sizes: 26 x 19.5cm, 31 x 23cm, 36 x 27cm, 41 x 31cm Maximum temperature: 260C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 10 years Available from: ProCook (£14) Circulon non-stick roasting oven tray and rack Available from Amazon (£24.95), Circulon (£31.99) Best roasting tin for families Pros: Roasting rack allows hot air to circulate Easy to clean by hand Cons: Grooves could harbour food debris Non-stick may scratch over time Star rating: 4.5/5 Circulon’s non-stick family roasting oven tray and rack uses the same non-stick system as the rest of the Ultimum range, consisting of a triple layer of non-stick coating combined with a grooved interior to prevent food from sticking. In testing, any traybake residue wiped away easily by hand, though the black surface doesn’t make it easy to spot residue, and we had to pay attention to the grooves to make sure nothing was left behind. This is fortunate, as while the roasting tin is dishwasher-safe, handwashing is recommended. What we liked most about the tin, besides the simple clean, was that it came with a rack: meaning that it could be handy for roasting fatty meats, such as duck, as well as elevating any food that has the potential to burn on the base. We felt it was good value for money. Material: Non-stick coated carbon steel Sizes available: 39.4cm x 30.7cm x 6.5cm Maximum temperature: 230C Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but handwashing recommended Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: Limited lifetime Available from: Amazon (£24.95) Circulon (£31.99) Zwilling Plus 41cm Stainless-Steel Roaster Available from Zwilling (£159) Best roasting tin for entertaining Pros: Grill insert for cooking fish Scratch-resistant, high-gloss surface Easy to clean Cons: Expensive Heavy Star rating: 4.5/5 Zwilling’s Plus 41cm 18/10 stainless steel roaster is an investment buy, squarely aimed at those who enjoy cooking for themselves and others. Indeed, the claims that you can fit in large poultry, such as a goose, as well as use the lid for frying, speak to its multitasking cooking capabilities. It’s a large and heavy tin (3.94kg) with a capacity of 8.5 litres, which should be enough to satisfy any keen entertainer. In testing, it performed brilliantly – food roasted well and was removed with ease, and it was simple to wash afterwards – debris just slid off. The only downside we found is that, even with two generous handles, its size and weight meant we found it awkward to get in and out of the oven. Filled with food, we imagine this could be more of a challenge. Material: 18/10 stainless steel construction with aluminium core and magnetic chromium steel base exterior Sizes available: 40.8cm x 25cm x 13cm Maximum temperature: 240C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Zwilling (£159) Salter Marblestone Non-Stick Roasting Pan, Carbon Steel, 36 cm Available from Salter (£9.99), Amazon (£9.99) Best value roasting tin Pros: Slim Non-stick coated Cons: Not suitable for metal utensils Handwash only Star rating: 4.5/5 Huge roasting tins can hog space in the oven, but Salter’s slim Marblestone non-stick roasting pan allows you to cook other food at the same time. It’s still big enough to be practical, with high sides and a brilliant non-stick coating that, in testing, made removing food and cleaning it afterwards effortless. The speckled grey finish makes it easy to spot any debris, too. It’s affordable for the size compared with many we tested, and we liked that it came only packaged with a card label. However, you won’t be able to use metal utensils on its non-stick surface. The maximum temperature it can withstand is only 220C, and it’s not suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher. Material: Non-stick coated carbon steel Sizes available: 36 x 24 x 5.5cm Maximum temperature: 220C Dishwasher-safe: No Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 10 years Available from: Salter (£9.99) Amazon (£9.99) Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro Roasting Tin with lid Available from Kuhn Rikon (£49.95), Amazon (£79.95) Best roasting tin for eco credentials Pros: Vacuum lid for storage Freezer-safe Eco-friendly 3-layer ceramic non-stick coating Cons: Lid not leakproof Can't use metal utensils Star rating: 4.5/5 The Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro Roasting Tin is a good sustainable option. It’s made from recycled aluminium from Europe, and its makers claim that it’s produced with up to 95% less energy than conventional aluminium ovenware. The different alloys of aluminium also make it stronger, and it has a lid so you can cut back on cling film use. In tests, the non-stick aspect performed well – food released easily and clean-up by hand was quick. We liked the ease of getting it out of the oven and how light it was, and felt that its versatility made it ideal for a busy kitchen. However, the price in relation to its size and potential lifespan (it only has a five-year guarantee) made it poor value compared to the others we tested. Material: Polypropylene lid and aluminium tin Sizes available: 6 x 20 x 32cm, plus two others – small 1.1 litre and large 4.7 litre Maximum temperature: 240C Dishwasher-safe: Dishwasher-safe, but cleaning by hand is recommended Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 5 years Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£49.95) Amazon (£79.95) undefined Le Creuset Signature cast iron roaster Available from Amazon (£161.99), Harts of Stur (£206.29), Le Creuset (£229) Best classic roaster Pros: Selection of colours Good heat retention for keeping food warm at the table Lifetime warranty Cons: Heavy A colourful oven-to-table dish, this cast-iron roaster is a kitchen classic. But does it still rank amongst the best ways to crisp, roast and bake? Short answer – yes. The form and function combo of these dishes is hard to beat. In a choice of standard and modern colours, they look great on the table, and available in a range of sizes too. You’ll undoubtedly curse the weight of them at some point (even a 33cm roaster comes in at nearly 4kg), but it’s the heft that gives them an even bake and the ability to retain heat at the table, making them the perfect choice for traybakes. Cast iron with enamelled coating, the pans can be used on all types of hob and come with a lifetime warranty. Material: Enamelled cast iron Size: 29, 33 or 27cm Maximum temperature: 250C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes, induction included Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Amazon (£161.99) Harts of Stur (£206.29) Le Creuset (£229) Staub 3.5-litre roasting dish Available from Amazon (£102.43), Staub (£139) Best investment roasting tin Pros: Keeps dishes hot at the table Lifetime warranty Cons: Heavy Hefty investment Staub pans are made of cast iron that has been poured into a sand mould – hence the slightly rough feeling of the interior surface. Although this pan is not a non-stick roaster, we found that chicken, garlic and potatoes crisped nicely to its enamelled interior, with great heat distribution and no hotspots. This one of the heaviest we chose for our final selection (although still a kilo lighter than the Le Creuset cast iron). This one scores extra for keeping dishes hot for far longer than thinner, metal tins, so it’s ideal for moussaka, lasagne or oven-to-table dishes. That goes for chilled dishes too, of course. There’s a lifetime guarantee from Staub if it’s properly looked after. Never heat the pan dry (without oil) in the oven and never pour cold water directly onto it when hot as that could cause damage. Hefty pan, hefty investment, but this one is going to be in use for ages. Material: Cast iron Size: 38 x 20 x 7cm Maximum heat: 260C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes, induction included Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Amazon (£102.43) Staub (£139) Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip Available from Amazon (£15.99) Best roasting for Sunday roasts Pros: Practical depth for layered roasting Integrated pouring spout Cons: Not hob-friendly For a budget tin, this one has good features – a generous capacity, easy-to-clean and a non-stick surface. The raised bumps on the bottom of this roaster make heat circulation more efficient, and ‘roughed up’ roast potatoes as we tossed them around in hot oil, helping to give them a crunchy finish. With deep edges, this would be a good choice if you decide to roast meat on a bed of potatoes or other veg, though it’s not hob-friendly, so you need to transfer to another pan to make sauce or gravy. That's easy, though, thanks to the wide lip in one corner, which made pouring juices into a saucepan easy. Great quality for the money. Material: Carbon steel Size: 42 x 27.5 x 8.5cm (including handles) Maximum heat: 240C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 3 years Available from: Amazon (£15.99) Other roasting tins, tried and tested Samuel Groves Mermaid 12-inch hard-anodised roaster, £110 Le Creuset non-stick toughened rectangular roaster, £169 Nordic Ware oven crisp baking tray, £55.30 How to clean a roasting tin Roasting tins are prone to becoming caked in baked-on grease, so a thorough clean after every use is a must. Your first stop is a soak: fill it with boiling water, add some washing up liquid and leave for an hour to soften the debris before giving it a scrub: a non-scratch sponge is best for pans with non-stick coating. You can speed this process up by filling and popping it back in the oven on a low heat for up to 30 minutes before washing. If burnt-on bits remain, sprinkle over bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar in equal amounts, followed by hot water. Soak for half an hour. If the tin doesn’t have a non-stick coating, you can use a scourer with some salt added (as an extra abrasive) to help shift stubborn mess. If you don’t have bicarb and vinegar to hand, try substituting a dishwasher tablet or even biological laundry detergent. Add them to the roasting tin, fill with water, pop on the hob, simmer for 10 minutes or so, then any debris should be easily wiped away. Most manufacturers prefer you to hand-wash roasting pans, always allowing them to cool before immersing in water to avoid metal buckling or cast iron cracking. Many of our selection can be placed in the dishwasher when you don’t have time to don washing-up gloves. What to cook in your roasting tin Our best-ever roast recipes Summer roast recipes Vegetarian roast recipes Video: How to make gravy More reviews Best meat thermometers Best casserole dishes Best oven thermometers Best griddle pans Best sauté pans Best cast iron skillet pans Best non-stick frying pans Best dishwashers How to season cast iron More product reviews If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
The best potato ricers for making silky smooth mash
A potato ricer will help you make perfectly smooth, lump-free mash. Read our round-up of the best potato ricers that won't cost the earth, but will be a game-changer for mashed potato lovers.
The success of a plate of perfectly mashed potatoes hangs heavily on the texture, and deliciously fluffy, lump-free mash can be hard to get right with a regular masher. Unlike a traditional masher, a ricer gently presses cooked potatoes through small holes to create a light, fluffy finish with no lumps. It can also handle other soft veggies, making it a handy kitchen tool if you cook regularly. The best potato ricers are sturdy, comfortable to hold and simple to use. Build quality matters, as a weak hinge or thin handles can make ricing difficult. Stainless steel models tend to be more durable, but lightweight plastic can be easier to handle. Easy cleaning is a plus, whether that means removable parts or a dishwasher-safe design, as we found during testing, cold mashed potato can be difficult to clean, even with good old elbow grease. We tested a range of the best potato ricers in the UK: there's a wide range out there, from the classic French wedge-shaped ricer to those with gears and cogs. None of them are particularly costly, ranging from £10 up to £50, and there are sizes to suit most needs. So, whether you want silky mash to pair with your favourite pie or a versatile tool that works for gnocchi and purees too, we've found picks that stand out for performance and ease of use. Visit our reviews section for advice and over 600 buyers' guides on everything from the best whisks to the best dishwashers, plus food and drink round ups including best gin, best recipe subscription boxes and much more. JUMP TO REVIEWS How we tested potato ricers We looked at the sturdiness and quality of each ricer by pressing cooked potatoes, carrots, celeriac and parsnips through the ricers. The texture and quality of the purée, how easy it was to press, what was left behind and how easy was it to clean them after use. We also wilted spinach and used the ricers to squeeze out the water. All the ricers performed this well. Potato ricers get can become messy and difficult to clean, so look for those that come apart, or at least are dishwasher proof (most are). Weight is a factor as it can make it harder to squeeze the handles. Size matters if you have lots of people to feed as you will only be able to put a few vegetables through at a time. Consider what your day-to-day use will be. Quality is important. As the ricer comes under a lot of pressure, it needs to be robust and sturdy to stand up to the rigours of pressing and cleaning. Best potato ricers at a glance Best overall potato ricer: Chef'n Fresh Force potato ricer, £27.54 Best looking potato ricer: Joseph Joseph helix potato ricer, £26 Best potato ricer for ergonomics: Oxo Good Grips potato ricer, £32.49 Best value potato ricer: KitchenCraft chrome plated potato ricer, £14.95 Best potato ricer for versatility: Judge potato ricer, £16.95 Best cheap potato ricer: Ikea Idealisk potato ricer, £10 Best cheffy potato ricer: Hotlike stainless steel vegetable ricer, £16.99 Jump to section: Best potato ricers to buy 2025 What is a potato ricer? What's the difference between a potato ricer and potato masher? Best potato ricers to buy 2025 Chef'n Fresh Force potato ricer Available from Amazon (£27.54) Best overall potato ricer Pros: Beautifully engineered, making for effortless ricing Cons: Heaviest on test Star rating: 5/5 The solidity and excellent engineering of this ricer made it one of the best in the test. It's easy to press; the vegetables flew out of the pressing plate with hardly any food left behind. The clean design means there's nowhere for food to hide, and with its removable stainless-steel basket, it's easy to wash. The Fresh Force is slightly heavier than the other ricers, but it's easy to use and makes excellent purées. Available from: Amazon (£27.54) Joseph Joseph Helix potato ricer Available from Amazon (£14), John Lewis and Partners (£14), Joseph Joseph (£26) Best looking potato ricer Pros: Smart appearance Easy to use Cons: Small Star rating: 5/5 The simplicity of the design and soft colouring of the Joseph Joseph ricer is lovely. There's no style-over-substance here, though – this one works like a dream. The two-part ricer has a stainless-steel chamber and an inner, solid plunger. The helix design means the plunger slips into the barrel and, with the gentlest twist of the handles, it pushes the puree through the bottom. Nothing comes out of the top and the inside is clean when untwisted, so washing it is easy. Though the ricer is small in size, the pressing plate holes are large enough to create light, fluffy purées – even fibrous parsnip was smooth. Available from: Amazon (£14) John Lewis and Partners (£14) Joseph Joseph (£26) OXO Good Grips potato ricer Available from Amazon (£32.49), Lakeland (£32.49), John Lewis and Partners (£32.50) Best potato ricer for ergonomics Pros: Great soft grip Non-slip knob Cons: Small Star rating: 4.5/5 The OXO Good Grips is one of the smaller ricers on the test, so we could only use a small handful of vegetable chunks at a time. It was very easy to use, and gave silky, soft purées, except for the parsnips, which left a little veg in the chamber. The real benefit of this product is the soft silicone on the handle, which allows a really good grip for ease of use. On the opposite side of the handle is a sizeable, silicone non-slip hook, which sits extremely well on the side of the bowl. This ricer may be small, but it's well-formed. Available from: Amazon (£32.49) Lakeland (£32.49) John Lewis and Partners (£32.50) KitchenCraft chrome plated potato ricer Available from Amazon (£14.95) Best value potato ricer Pros: Great details at a budget price Cons: Clangs a lot Star rating: 4/5 The KitchenCraft is a budget-priced ricer that delivers some surprising details. We liked that the basket is removable as it's easy to wash up. The soft-grip handle is a great bonus as pressing the vegetables takes little effort. It's a small touch but a useful one; the plunger has small indentations in its base, which prevent the vegetables from sticking to it. This was the only ricer where the spinach had to be scraped off. The plunger is quite loose in the handle and swings around a little furiously, which makes a clanging noise, but at this price, it can be forgiven! Available from: Amazon (£14.95) Judge potato ricer Available from Harts of Stur (£14.95), Amazon (£16.95) Best potato ricer for versatility Pros: Great versatility for the price Cons: Basket is hard to remove Star rating: 4.5/5 The Judge potato ricer impressed. Though plastic, it's solidly built and very light. There are three grooves for resting the ricer on a bowl or pan, which were especially useful for adding even more stability. The smooth edges make it so easy to clean. There are two interchangeable, stainless steel pressing plates – one with large holes, which proved great for the parsnips, and a smaller one for silkier purées. And, though chunky, the handles had a really good spring to them, making it even easier to press. Our only gripe was that removing the chamber for washing was difficult – it refused to budge and took several goes to get it out. Hopefully, that will become easier over time. Available from: Harts of Stur (£14.95) Amazon (£16.95) IKEA IDEALISK potato press Available from Ikea (£10) Best cheap potato ricer Pros: Bargain at the price Great for small amounts Cons: Veg left behind Star rating: 4/5 The cheapest and smallest on the test, but this one stull delivers. It's good-quality stainless steel, and the setting of the plunger is precisely balanced, so no swinging around and clanging. Though the diameter of the chamber is small, we liked that the holes come a third of the way up the sides. The advantage of this was that more purée comes out of the bottom and sides and less from the top. The purées were great, and only the parsnip was a problem, with the fibres and stuck to the bottom. There really is nothing to dislike about this ricer, and if you only need to make small amounts, this is the one. Available from: Ikea (£10) Hotlike stainless steel vegetable ricer Available from Amazon (£16.99) Best cheffy potato ricer Pros: A classic design Strong sturdy construction Cons: The bottom handle falls off Star rating: 4/5 This ricer is a classic design. This cheese-wedge shape is still a favourite of professional chefs as it holds more than others of the size, and the shape stands up to heavy pressing and banging around. We found it heavier than others and harder to press, but with holes on two sides and a large surface area, it gave great results, and even the parsnip passed through easily. Vegetables did tend to catch into the corners and needed scraping out. Annoyingly, the ricer tends to come apart as it is only slotted together, a design fault that for some reason, has never changed. Available from: Amazon (£16.99) What is a potato ricer? Potato ricers make short work of whipping up a creamy mash. You can use it on cooked root vegetables, too, which is helpful if you have a baby that's weaning. Potato ricers operate using a hinged movement to press cooked ingredients through small holes, making your mash lump-free. What is the difference between potato ricer and a potato masher? For rustic mashed potatoes with texture, a masher not only provides a bit of a workout but will also help you maintain some texture. A ricer will produce smoother and creamier mash. Both of them operate using a manual plunge action. A potato masher is a simple T-shaped utensil that applies pressure to ingredients in a pan or bowl. With a ricer, the ingredient is added to a chamber, and the hinge is closed to feed the ingredient through the pressing plate. Related reviews Best hand mixers Best stand mixers Best baking trays Best pan sets Related recipes Our best mashed potato recipes Sweet potato mash inspiration How to make the ultimate mashed potato Colcannon recipes Weaning recipes If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Steamers lock in flavour and nutrients as they gently cook vegetables, rice and fish. Read our review of the top electric food steamers.
Though not strictly a kitchen essential, for some, electric steamers are an indispensable tool. Often, steamers are bought for health reasons on the grounds that steaming preserves more vitamins and nutrients than boiling. It's a far gentler form of cooking than most, retaining the flavour and texture of all foods. Steamers aren’t just for veg, either – they can also be used to cook meat, fish, shellfish, eggs (in their shells), pasta, grains and even puddings. Steaming can be as simple as a colander over a pan of boiling water. That method, though, is an inexact science and led more by guesswork. An electric steamer comes into its own by cooking in a controlled environment with a steady, even flow of steam, constant temperature and a timer. Simply load, switch on and leave until the timer pings so you can get on with other things. Using multiple baskets, it's possible to steam an entire meal and can be more energy efficient than using the oven and hob. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website JUMP TO REVIEWS How we tested steamers The instruction manual: notably, the instruction booklet can make or break for those new to steaming. Understanding the importance of food positioning in a steamer (food on the top cooks more slowly), the accuracy of guidance from the manual is paramount. Knowing cooking times by weight and time, fresh or frozen, makes so much easier and less wasteful than trial and error. Efficiency: A steamer should cook food quickly and evenly. We looked for machines that produced steam fast for tender fish and bright, al dente veg. Size: Steamers can be space-consuming, so we considered both height and footprint. We favoured steamers with baskets that stacked inside one another for ease of storage. Versatility: We looked for the inclusion of baskets for rice, grooves to hold eggs for steaming, and the ease of cooking a whole meal in the steamer at once. Rice: most of the steamers we tested had rice bowls included. We cooked two servings of basmati rice and looked for dry, fluffy, evenly cooked grains. Mixed load: to test the ease of cooking a whole dinner, we steamed salmon and potatoes with green beans. This meant using all the baskets and testing the manufacturer’s guidance for timings. Best steamers to buy at a glance Best smart steamer: Sage the Fast Pro multi-cooker, £179.95 Best steamer multi-cooker: Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker, £229.99 Best high-spec steamer: Magimix steamer, £192 Best value steamer: Judge three-tier steamer, £75 Best small food steamer: Salter food steamer, £29.99 Best budget steamer: Russell Hobbs three-tier food steamer, £29 Best designed steamer: Morphy Richards Intellisteam food steamer, £99.99 Jump to: Best steamers to buy in 2025 How to choose the best steamer Best steamers to buy in 2025 Sage the Fast Slow Pro multi-cooker Available from Harts of Stur (£178.95), Amazon (£179.95), Sage (£179.95) Best smart steamer The Fast Slow Pro is a popular appliance in our review of the best slow cookers, but it's also technically a multicooker that offers a whole range of functions. It comes with slow- and pressure-cooking functions, as well as searing, sautéing, reducing and steaming, with all the presets displayed on the large, bright LED screen. The machine is tall but has a small footprint. It's attractively designed with high-grade brushed steel, solid handles and ceramic-coated steel inner pot through to the secure removable lid. Rice is cooked directly in the pot, but for the fish and vegetables, we use a stainless-steel rack that sits snugly inside the removable pot and doubles up as a stand for raising the steaming colander above the waterline. Using the charts in the instruction book, we cook each component precisely as suggested and have excellent results across all the foods. The downside to using a cooker such as this is that, unlike a traditional steamer where you can cook many different foods simultaneously, here they are done individually. But what you do get is many other functions and different cooking methods rolled together, and the Sage is a master at this style. Available from: Harts of Stur (£178.95) Amazon (£179.95) Sage (£179.95) Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker Available from Lakeland (£229.99) Best steamer multi-cooker Pros: 3 steam settings Mostly recyclable packaging Easy to control temperature Intuitive controls Cons: More expensive to run than other steamers Star rating: 4.5/5 The Ninja Speedi is so much more than a traditional steamer – it has a unique rapid-cook setting that combines steam with convection heat to turn meals around in 15 minutes. Among it 10 settings are 'steam air fry', 'steam bake' 'roast', 'sauté', 'grill', and its double-layer design allows you to cook two different ingredients simultaneously. We achieved particularly good results with the steam bake setting, and adapted our flourless chocolate & almond cake by adding 500ml of water to the cooking pot (as suggested in the Ninja Speedi manual) – before inserting the cake tin filled with batter inside, then steam baking it for 20-25 minutes. Once done, our cake had a fudgy, brownie-like centre with a firm top. Read our full Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker review. Available from: Lakeland (£229.99) Magimix multifunction steamer Available from Amazon (£192), John Lewis and Partners (£215) Best high-spec steamer The Magimix steamer was the most expensive on our test, but it is a powerful, sturdily built 12-litre steamer made with the highest-quality stainless steel. It fits together seamlessly and consists of a base unit, two dishwasher-safe steaming baskets, a heavy-duty glass lid with a heatproof silicone handle and a multifunctional stainless-steel bowl with a lid for cooking rice or reheating food. The upper steaming basket has a removable perforated bottom for cooking large dishes – a steamed pudding will fit in comfortably – making this an excellent choice for family cooking. However, the large footprint takes up quite a lot of space, so it's not best for smaller kitchens or those lacking storage space. The machine has four temperatures (100C, 80C, 60C, 40C). This means that in addition to steaming, you can gently cook fish and use it to reheat or keep food warm. The lowest temperature can be used for setting homemade yogurt. There's a boil-dry safety system when the water is low, and topping up involves removing the baskets, which must be done carefully to avoid accidents. Otherwise, the steamer is easy to operate, with one dial and four pre-set cooking temperatures, including a yogurt setting and keep-warm function. We like the instruction and 55-recipe book, but we find the instructions for cooking a piece of fish vague, giving timings for a fish fillet by number, not weight. That said, all is cooked quickly and easily with beautiful clear flavours – superb-quality cooking from a great machine. Available from: Amazon (£192) John Lewis and Partners (£215) Judge three-tier electric steamer Available from Amazon (£33.31), Judge (£75) Best value steamer The Judge is the cheapest on our test, but robust as it's made from strong plastic. The baskets are clear and all have removable bases, so it's possible to steam oversized items. The steamer is oval rather than round and at 32cm, does not have an enormous footprint, but is not so small that you can't quickly cook fish and vegetables for two to four. The base unit is clear and straightforward, with a large bright button telling you that the machine is heating, another to indicate power and a 60-minute timer button. We find it a little noisy as it comes to the boil, sounding more like a kettle boiling. This is the only steamer on the test where the water starts to boil dry. The instruction leaflet provides all you need to know to get started quickly. There are no recipes or tips on how to descale the steamer, but there are good timings for different weights and sizes of vegetables and meat. The fish is soft and tasty and the rice a little sticky, but there are no complaints with the potatoes and beans. This is certainly a decent little steamer at a bargain price. Available from: Amazon (£33.31) Judge (£75) Salter EK2726Z three-tier 7.5-litre food steamer Available from Salter (£29.99) Best small food steamer The Salter steamer is compact but tall. It has three separate dishwasher-safe baskets that neatly stack on top of each other using a divider. For storage, these can stack inside each other, which is handy in a small kitchen. The base unit is made from stainless steel, with a single timer button on the front. The three baskets are made of light plastic but do fit together well, and the top basket has a good-sized secure handle. The Salter is undoubtedly a budget-level steamer, but that doesn't mean it doesn't do its job. Unlike some of the other steamers on the test, this one requires 500ml boiling water to use, which is a timesaver as you're not heating from cold. It claims that amount of water is sufficient for an hour of cooking. There is room enough to cook for a small family, especially if using all baskets at once. We cook the rice in the top using the rice bowl, veg in the middle and fish at the bottom. In 30 minutes, everything is cooked to perfection, including the best rice on the test. The seal between the layers is excellent and no steam escapes, so it is doing its job on the inside. It's a little hard to see what is going on as it steams up, but we trust the process. Available from: Salter (£29.99) Russell Hobbs three-tier food steamer 21140 Available from Amazon (£29), Argos (£35) Best budget steamer The Russell Hobbs steamer is another budget machine, but a good size for family cooking at 9 litres. There are three dishwasher-safe baskets, each slightly smaller than the other, so they must be placed correctly. The baskets fit inside each other, which is handy for storage. They are made of flimsy plastic, though, and with no removable bases they can only take smaller foods. We particularly like the waterspout feature that means you can top up the reservoir during cooking without unstacking the hot steaming baskets. There is one clear timer dial on the front, which is barely audible when it reaches time – at first, we miss the signal. We like the transparent base unit, making it possible to see the water level throughout the cooking. Even at this price, it has a boil-dry function which is very useful. The instruction book is thin, but has everything you need to know on timings and sizes for steaming different foods, plus tips on food safety and details on descaling the steamer, which it will require from time to time. We are happily surprised by the food from this steamer – the rice is light and fluffy and cooks in 20 minutes. The salmon is soft, moist and has good flavour, and the veg is spot-on. Available from: Amazon (£29) Argos (£35) Morphy Richards compact Intellisteam food steamer Available from Amazon (£53.99), Morphy Richards (£99.99) Best designed steamer Ideal for two people, this neat steamer has one basket that can be divided into two compartments, with a removable wall. We particularly like that separate timers can be set for the two compartments. The steamer automatically delays the start for the shorter cooking time so that both compartments finish steaming together. It produces good, fluffy rice and al dente carrots. It has a water inlet for filling during cooking and an alarm sounds if the water drops below minimum. There is a safety feature to cut the machine off if the water dries out. Easy to clean, the container (though not the lid) is dishwasher-safe and the reservoir can be descaled with vinegar using a descale setting. Available from: Amazon (£53.99) Morphy Richards (£99.99) How to choose the best steamer Size and available space: steamers needed for family cooking can be huge, with a large footprint and deep, wide baskets that will take up room on the worktop and in the cupboard. If space is at a premium, choose a taller model rather than wider and one that has baskets that stack one inside the other. Most steamers are around 9 litres, which is big enough to cook a meal for four. If cooking for one to three people, it might be better to opt for a smaller steamer that will take up less space. Safety: look for models with sturdy, well-balanced baskets and robust, easy to grip, heatproof handles. A boil-dry cut-out that will automatically switch the machine off if the water runs out is hugely important, as is the ease of filling up the water tank during use. An external tank with a spout is the best, but not all models have this and having to remove baskets not only affects cooking times, but you also risk injury from hot steam. Price: there is a broad range of prices with electric steamers. The top price range will have many extra features and be made of high-quality materials, but do not discount the mid and budget range. All here performed exceptionally well in the test. Steamer recipes Pork & prawn wontons Bao buns Chinese steamed bass with cabbage Steamed leeks & peas More appliance reviews Best food processors Best blenders Best toasters Best kettles Best health gadgets If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Best soup makers 2025, tried and tested by experts
For a quick and healthy supper solution, a soup maker will deliver with minimum effort. From basic models to sophisticated multi-purpose blenders, we round up our favourite models
Making homemade soup is not complicated; it is one of the easiest jobs in the kitchen and can be very satisfying. So is a soup maker worth it, or is this just another machine crowding the kitchen? A soup maker takes all the faff out of making soup by hand and delivers delicious, healthy soups quickly and easily. It saves time and effort and reduces washing up, freeing you to get on with other things. Soup makers are also rarely just for soup recipes; many make smoothies, cold drinks, quick batters, dips, sauces and even baby food, making your money go even further. A soup maker is also a great way of quickly using leftover veggies in the bottom of the fridge, using up a glut from the garden, or using odds and ends from a veg box, thus reducing food waste. Read on to discover our favourite soup makers and, for more inspiration, check out some of the best soup maker recipes we're loving right now. Best soup maker deals Looking for a discount on one of the soup makers in this list? We've been scouring the market to find the best offers – here are the best we've found so far: Good Food in partnership with Tower soup maker: Good Food 1.6L soup maker | £69.99 £48.99 (save £21 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30 ) More soup maker deals: Morphy Richards Classic soup maker | £79.99 £59.95 at Amazon (save £20.04 or 25%) Ninja Foodi blender and soup maker | £179.99 £129.99 at Ninja (save £50 or 28%) For even more savings, take a look at our round-up of the best kitchen appliance deals and find out how we put each product to the test, so you can shop with confidence. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best soup makers at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS Best soup maker: Morphy Richards Clarity 1.6L Soup Maker, £90 Best small soup maker: Lakeland Compact Soup Maker, £45.99 Best value soup maker: Tower Vizion 1.6L Soup Maker, £69.99 Best soup maker and blender: Tefal Perfectmix Cook BL83SD65 Soup Maker, £175 Best soup maker with sauté function: Ninja Foodi blender and soup maker, £129.99 Best budget soup maker: Daewoo 1.6L soup maker, £39.99 Best everyday soup maker: Morphy Richards Classic soup maker, £51.30 Best basic soup maker: Tower 1.6 Litre soup & smoothie maker, £48.99 Jump to: Best soup makers to buy in 2025 What makes a good soup maker? Is it worth getting a soup maker? How we tested soup makers Smooth setting: We followed the basic instructions to make our carrot & coriander soup in order to compare texture, taste and ease of use. Chunky setting: We also tried at least one of the manufacturer's chunky recipes as, depending on whether this setting blended or simply heated, results could vary. We also wanted to see how good the provided recipes were! Other settings: We took the machines through their paces, trying a variety of other settings and functions – from smoothie making to grinding – to get an idea of how versatile the machines really were. Why you can trust Good Food reviews Our team of product-testing experts at Good Food has reviewed a wide range of soup makers over the last five years, using our strict testing criteria to put each gadget through its paces. Every product is reviewed in the Good Food Test Kitchen, which is set up to replicate the average home kitchen rather than a lab-like setting. That means we can guarantee that if something performs well in our kitchen, it should in yours too. We also don't share reviews with manufacturers or retailers before they're published, and we never accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, either. Best soup makers to buy in 2025 Good Food in partnership with Tower soup maker Available from Tower (£69.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30, Amazon (£54.99) From silky smooth tomato soup to chunky winter warmers, this versatile soup maker handles it all. With five smart functions – including blend, sauté and juice – and a 1.6-litre capacity, you can whip up generous batches with minimal effort. The LED panel is intuitive and the clean-up is quick. Available from: Tower (£69.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Amazon (£54.99) Morphy Richards Clarity 1.6L soup maker Available from Argos (£90) Best soup maker Pros: Quality for the price Fold down handle Keep warm function Light Tritan plastic jug 11 recipes Cons: Most needed two cleans Smoothie needed several blends Star rating: 5/5 Straight from the box, we were impressed by the Morphy Richards soup maker, which has a maximum capacity of 1.6 litres. The soup maker is also sturdy, yet much lighter than expected, thanks to its Tritan plastic jug — a plastic tougher than glass, which does not scratch or stain, and is BPA-free. There are two outstanding features we loved here: a 'keep warm' programme, helpful for second helpings or latecomers. And the handle on the lid folds down and tucks away into the rim of the lid, making storage of such a large machine much easier than many. We had no complaints with either soup; both were tasty, with great texture in the smooth tomato and excellent tenderness in the chunky version. We felt the blend function needed considerably longer to get a velvety smoothie, and the clean function was a bit hit and miss, requiring a lot more rinsing after use. Otherwise, this is a strong, powerful machine that delivers really well. Wattage: 1000W Capacity: 1.6L Weight: 2.15KG Functions: smooth, chunky, blend, clean Warranty: 2 years standard, plus an extra year upon registration Available from: Argos (£90) undefined Lakeland Compact Soup Maker Available from Lakeland (£45.99) Best small soup maker Pros: Compact for smaller kitchens Easy to set up Great quality for the price Excellent auto clean function Cons: Short electrical lead Not many recipes Can't see the food cooking Star rating: 5/5 There is nothing not to like about the Lakeland Compact soup maker, especially if you have a smaller household or limited kitchen storage space. Plus, it's lightweight, even when filled with soup, making it ideal for anyone who struggles with lifting. The machine is easy to use and is up and running straight from the box, after a quick wash. It makes two generous portions of soup. Our smooth tomato soup was excellent, and the chunky one was cooked to perfect tenderness, stopping just before becoming mushy. We were especially impressed with the cleaning function on this machine; it worked effectively and required little to no further rinsing. The jug is made of stainless steel, and though seeing food being cooked is beneficial, the reliability of this machine means there's no need to worry; it's doing its job. This may be smaller than most, but in performance, it comes into its own. Wattage: 800W Capacity: 1L Weight: 1.24KG Functions: chunky, smooth, blend, clean Warranty: 3 years Available from: Lakeland (£45.99) undefined Tower Vizion 1.6L Soup Maker Available from Tower (£69.99), Amazon (£53.99) Best value soup maker Pros: Sturdily built machine Intuitive buttons Easy to use Lightweight Tritan jug Great soup results Cons: No recipes Clean function struggles Star rating: 5/5 The Vizion from Tower was an impressively designed machine, especially considering its price. It offers a 1.6L capacity, promising the usual smooth or chunky soups, juices, and blending options, which also incorporates a cleaning function that we found to be somewhat ineffective. The Vizion jug is exceptionally light, as it's made of Triton plastic, which is tougher than glass, scratch- and stain-proof, and BPA-free. We immediately liked the digital interface, which connects to every programme and is easy to understand. The instruction book was detailed, and although it lacked recipes, it provided clear instructions on how to prepare the ingredients, as well as many other handy tips for achieving the perfect soup. The soups delivered were delicious and tender, especially the chunky soup, and the smooth tomato had a lovely, silky, and thick consistency. The smoothie, using the blend function, took a few attempts to blend thoroughly. Despite a few niggles this is an excellent machine for the price. Wattage: 1000W Capacity: 1.6L Weight: 2.19KG Functions: smooth, chunky, juice, blend Warranty: 1 year standard, plus two extra years upon registration Available from: Tower (£69.99) Amazon (£53.99) undefined Tefal Perfectmix Cook BL83SD65 Soup Maker Available from Amazon (£175) Best soup maker and blender Pros: Removable blades Easy to assemble Very quiet while cooking Impressive safety features Super-fast blades Cons: No recipes included Many parts are not dishwasher-proof Star rating: 5/5 As we lifted the Tefal Perfectmix soup maker from its snug cardboard box, we admit it looked rather daunting but is also extremely well-built. The machine is not simply a soup maker, so the front panel offers 10 automatic programmes with just two related to the soup: smooth and chunky. The Perfectmix is fast and suitably noisy when blending but quiet while cooking. We were impressed by the machine's safety features, and it will not work if any part of the lid is not firmly in place. The sharp stainless-steel blades can be removed easily with care for washing. This powerful, high-speed blender we discovered on the test delivered a super smooth creamy tomato soup and chunky roast vegetable soup in 30 minutes. It made short work of crushing ice and effortlessly whizzed a fluffy smoothie. This is an expensive machine for a soup maker, but given everything else it will do - even make multigrain milk - it makes a brilliant investment if you want to roll other machines into one. We loved it. Wattage: 1400W Capacity: 2L Weight: 5.8KG Functions: smooth soup, chunky soup, milkshake, smoothie, dessert, ice crush, compote, stir, multigrain milk, hot sauce, manual, blend, heat and cleaning settings Warranty: 2 years undefined Ninja Foodi blender and soup maker Available from Ninja (£129.99) Best soup maker with sauté function Pros: Lots of presets Glass jug Multifunctional Cons: Expensive Heavy jug Star rating: 5/5 This is a multifunctional blender and soup maker that performs well, no matter whether it’s blending milkshakes or cooking soup. With just a 1400ml capacity for soups, it’s a little smaller than some others on this list, but we think its versatility makes up for the lower capacity. With a chop and sauté function on top of four cold blending programs and four hot blending programs, this is a useful bit of kit. And unlike many other soup makers, it really does function as a full-size blender too, so there’s no need to double up on appliances. On the downside, it is pricey, and the heavy glass jug will be a struggle for some people to lift, particularly when full. That said, this is a top performing model that’s intuitive to use and it’ll earn its place in your kitchen. Wattage: 1000W Capacity: 1.7L Weight: 5.6KG Functions: smooth soup, chunky soup, jam, sauce, smoothie, frozen drink, dessert, milkshake, chop, sauté, manual blend, manual cook Warranty: 2 years Latest Deals Daewoo 1.6L soup maker Available from Amazon (£39.99) Best value soup maker Pros: Inexpensive Simple to use Good capacity Cons: Can’t be used for small quantities Star rating: 4/5 If you’re looking for a basic soup maker that can make decent smooth and chunky soups, without breaking the bank, this Daewoo soup maker is not a bad option. The settings include smooth, chunky, juice, and blend, plus there’s an LED display that shows a countdown timer. It’s simple to use but the control panel is somewhat unsophisticated. In our tests it successfully created smooth and chunky soups, but the juice function – which is supposedly for smoothies too – couldn’t handle our super berry smoothie with frozen berries. So it can’t take the place of a traditional blender. The stainless-steel jug is sturdy and has a decent 1.6-litre capacity. But since it’s a budget option, there are no handy extras such as a sauté or keep warm function. It can create a tasty smooth soup from scratch in just 21 minutes though, so if you simply want to make soup, you won’t be disappointed. Wattage: 1000W Capacity: 1.6L Weight: 2.66KG Functions: smooth, chunky, juice, blend Warranty: 3 years upon registration Latest Deals Tower 1.6-litre soup & smoothie maker Available from Amazon (£48.99) Best basic soup maker Pros: Lengthy 3-year warranty Available with a flask Simple to use Cons: Can’t add ingredients during cooking Star rating: 4/5 The Tower 1.6-litre soup maker is available on its own or, for an extra £10, with a 500ml flask so you can have tasty hot soup on the go. It’s a straightforward soup maker with just the essential smooth and chunky soup settings. But if the lid is removed during use, it resets, which means you can’t add ingredients or seasoning part-way through cooking, which will be frustrating for some. The blend function acts like a pulse button and allows you to further blend your soup if needed. Meanwhile there’s a juice function for blending cold mixtures such as smoothies, but it failed to liquidise a frozen berry and yogurt smoothie, so won’t take the place of a blender. While it lacks anything other than the basic settings, the control panel is simple to use, and the soup maker is effective at creating smooth soup in just 21 minutes. Wattage: 1000W Capacity: 1.6L Weight: 2.4KG Functions: smooth, chunky, juice, blend Warranty: 3 years Latest Deals Morphy Richards Classic soup maker Available from Amazon (£51.30) Best everyday soup maker Pros: Simple settings Hot soup in 21 minutes Cons: Lid can’t be opened during cooking Outside gets hot Star rating: 4/5 Morphy Richards have quite a large range of soup makers and this is one of the cheaper models the brand offers. Though the RRP is still a bit steep given the fact that it’s incredibly similar to some of the more budget soup makers on this list. Nevertheless, it’s simple to use and can produce silky smooth soup in just 21 minutes, or a chunky version in 28 minutes. It can’t be opened up without resetting the programme though, which will be frustrating if you’re a hands-on cook who likes to taste and season as you go. But the blend setting acts like a pulse button, so you can easily blend fresh herbs in at the end. The juice programme doesn’t work for thick frozen smoothie mixtures, so while this is an effective soup maker that can do some blending, it won’t take the place of a separate blender. Wattage: 1000W Capacity: 1.6L Weight: 2.07KG Functions: smooth, chunky, juice, blend Warranty: 2 years standard, plus an extra year upon registration Latest Deals Other soup makers tried and tested Tefal Easy Soup review, £59.99 Vitamix Ascent A2500i, £597.95 Is it worth getting a soup maker? A soup maker is a game-changing piece of kit if you buy and eat soup regularly. And while there's an upfront cost to consider, by switching from supermarket soup to homemade, you could save some serious cash in the long-run. Here's a look at some of the other benefits: Time saved: If you already enjoy cooking soup from scratch, a soup maker streamlines the process and does the hard work for you. Many models even come with automated settings, so all you need to do is add your ingredients, then let your gadget take care of the rest. Additional functions: Not just reserved for soup, some soup makers come with extra presets for making smoothies and yogurt, or creamy sauces, dips, and purées. Better awareness of ingredients: For those with dietary requirements or preferences, making soup from scratch is an easier way to keep an eye on which ingredients have been used. Control over consistency: Whether you prefer chunky or smooth, achieving the perfect texture when cooking on a hob can be tricky. But with a soup maker, you can programme your appliance to achieve the exact consistency you're after. What makes a good soup maker? Size, weight and appearance are all factors to consider when buying. The simple models tend to be lighter and take up less space. The versatile models can be larger and heavier, especially if they have a glass jug. Instruction manual: Helpful, accurate guidance from the manufacturer on set-up, timings and how to prepare various types of soups was a must. We gave extra marks for a variety of recipes. Ease of use: A soup maker should reduce the work involved in cooking. We looked for easy-to-use machines, where we felt confident that the process minimised the fuss of preparing ingredients and cooking them. Ease of cleaning: Although we were open to hand-washing (most machines, because of their size and electric output are not dishwasher safe), we still kept an eye out for machines that made life easier when it came to washing-up. Aesthetics and size: Soup makers can be space-consuming, so we considered both height and footprint. We favoured compact soup makers for ease of storage, unless they were enhanced with additional functionality, which justified a bigger size. Attractive design was also taken into consideration. Versatility: We looked for soup makers that didn't just stick to the norm and brought other uses where possible. Soup maker recipes Soup maker mushroom soup Soup maker carrot & coriander soup Soup maker tomato soup Soup maker butternut squash soup Soup maker leek & potato soup Soup maker broccoli & Stilton soup Soup maker lentil soup Soup maker roast chicken soup Soup maker vegetable soup Soup maker pea and ham soup More appliance reviews Best air fryers Best food processors Best dishwashers Best blenders Best slow cookers Best toasters Best kettles Best gadgets for health lovers If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Best Stanley Cup dupes 2025, tried and tested
A Stanley Cup is the reusable cup of choice for those looking for stylish and durable drinks wear, but the popular cup comes with a hefty price tag. How did these 7 Stanley Cup dupes stand up in testing?
The Stanley 40oz Quencher Cup is the ‘must-have’ reusable cup of the moment; it comes with excellent credentials and looks great. However, it is pricey coming in currently at around £45. So, we looked around to see what dupes were on offer and whether they stood up to the same promises as the Stanley. Here are our favourites; all except one are under £50, with one as low as £10. However, do they stand up to their claims? Read on to discover what we found. How we tested Stanley Cup dupes When testing the Stanley dupes, we looked for the following: Effectiveness: All cups were tested for temperature retention over a 12-hour period and robustness by being dropped from a height onto a hard surface. Value: Is the cup worth its price? Leakage promises: We tested how secure the cups were if they were 100% leakproof, turning them upside down and giving them a severe shake. Stand-out features and innovation: We checked out any stand-out features that made the cup more effective and easier to use, as well as the aesthetic, style, and sustainability of each. Best Stanley Cup dupes at a glance Best for 100% leakproof: Camelbak Thrive Stainless Steel Mug, £19.80 Best for quality and performance: Yeti Rambler 42oz (1242ml) Straw Mug, £46.28 Best for adults and children: Hydrojug 20oz Traveller Cup, £23 Best for sustainability: Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler 1064ml (36oz) Straw Lid Tumbler, £34.50 Best for quality on a budget: Smash Stainless Steel Travel Cup, £10 Best flexible straw lid: Hydro Flask All Around 32oz Travel Tumbler, £28 Jump to section: Best Stanley Cup dupes to buy 2025 What to consider when buying a Stanley Cup dupe Why are Stanley Cups so popular Best Stanley Cup dupes to buy in 2025 Camelbak Thrive™ Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug 1L Available from Amazon (£19.80), Cycle Store (£24.50), Leisure Lakes Bikes (£36) Best for 100% leakproof Pros: 100% leakproof One-litre size Rubber non-slip, protective base Soft handle Good insulation Seven colour choices BPA/BPS/BPF free Lifetime Guarantee Cons: Chipped paint when dropped Star rating: 5/5 If size matters and you want hours of hydration from a cup without being overly heavy, then the one-litre Camelbak Thrive may be the one. The cup is 100% leakproof; no matter how hard we shook it, nothing escaped. The insulation is excellent, and it kept the water cold for 12 hours, only losing 1.5C. It was the best on the test, and it suffered minimal damage in the drop. There’s a non-slip protective base, and though there’s no straw with the cup, they can be bought separately. We were impressed by the handle on this cup, as it was soft to hold but also felt secure. With seven colours, there will be one to suit everyone. The Camelbak Thrive comes with a lifetime guarantee, which bears testament to all the qualities of this great cup. What more can you ask for? undefined Yeti Rambler 42 oz (1242 ml) Straw Mug Available from Yeti (£45), Amazon (£46.28) Best for Quality and Performance Pros: Great quality Exceptional range of colours BPA free Straw lid Stainless steel base and rim Elongated handle Dishwasher safe Shatter resistant lid Cons: Need to buy another lid for hot drinks Star rating: 5/5 The Yeti Rambler cup has the largest capacity on the test, at a whopping 1242ml (42oz), just 42 ml larger than the Stanley Quencher. Even at that size and full, the Rambler does not feel too heavy. The Yeti came second on the test to the drop in temperature over 12 hours at 1.9C and barely flinched when dropped, just a tiny dent and a little scratch. There’s an elongated handle that will fit most hand sizes well, a stainless-steel base for protection, and a shatterproof see-through straw lid. We loved the long reusable straw, which is dishwasher safe, as is the cup. Our only slight downside was that the straw lid is only for cold drinks; if you want to use it for hot drinks, you need a separate lid. This is a small detail that does not distract from this being a seriously good-quality cup and contender to a Stanley. Available from: Yeti (£45) Amazon (£46.28) HydroJug 20oz Traveller Cup Available from HydroJug (£23) Best for adults and children Pros: Compact 20oz size Removable rubber base cover Non-slip Leakproof Light to carry Keeps water cold for 24 hours Left or right hand friendly Great for children too Cons: Only for cold drinks Star rating: 5/5 Though the Hydrojug 20oz cup is only for cold drinks, this did not stop it from being a favourite on the test. Its small capacity, at 591ml, makes this a great cup that is not too small for an adult or too overpowering for a child to use. The Hydrojug comes with some thoughtful touches. There’s a removable rubber base making it non-slip and unlikely to scratch delicate surfaces. There’s a secure, fold down straw which alongside the strong seal on the lid makes this small cup leakproof and has an ambidextrous lid for left or right-handed use. The cup is triple walled to keep drinks cold and, in the test, only dropped 2.5C. The Hydrojug Traveller was the only cup on the test that did not have any dents or the tiniest scratch in the drop test, another great feature especially if used by children. Available from: HydroJug (£23) Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler 1064ml (36oz) Straw Lid Tumbler Available from Amazon (£34.50), Klean Kanteen (£39.95) Best for sustainability Pros: 90% recycled 18/8 stainless-steel Easy refilling with flip-up lid Stainless steel straw, silicone tip Dishwasher safe Climate Lock™ vacuum insulation Two ways to drink BPA free Cons: Not leakproof Star rating: 5/5 The Rise Tumbler from Klean Kanteen is another serious Stanley dupe with its size, lovely two-tone colours and unique features. The Rise holds just over a litre of water and keeps it seriously cold, only losing a respectable 2C in 12 hours though it did take a bit of a bashing on the bottom in the drop test. The Rise straw lid has dual features: a stainless-steel straw with a soft silicone top and a flip top revealing a thin rim to make drinking from this side easy. Even though the seal around the straw and on the lid is strong, the cup is not leakproof but makes a good attempt at being spill proof depending on the angle of the straw. However, the standout of this cup must be its sustainability credentials. It is by far the best on the test as it is made of 90% post-consumer recycled steel, which is impressive. Available from: Amazon (£34.50) Klean Kanteen (£39.95) Smash Stainless Steel Travel Cup - 850ml Available from Argos (£10) Best for quality on a budget Pros: Budget price BPA free Sturdy cup Spill proof One year guarantee Cons No straw Star rating: 4.5/5 There’s nothing to dislike about this lovely travel cup from Smash. The cup comes in at a great price so is perfect for those on a budget. The price does not reflect the quality of the cup though. The Smash cup is made from stainless steel, sturdy, and has double-wall insulation, but it does not have a handle and does not come with a straw. It promises to keep iced water cold for 12 hours and can also be used for hot liquids. In the test, after 12 hours, the cold water had only risen by 2.5C, and in the drop test, the damage was only very slight, less than some at a higher price. Our favourite feature, however, is the lid, which is well-sealed. It makes the cup spill-proof, and even with a good shake upside down, only a few drops escape. The Splash certainly has a lot going for it. undefined Hydro Flask All Around 32oz Travel Tumbler Available from Amazon (£32.99) Best for flexible straw lid Pros: Flexible straw lid Secure holder for the straw Color Last™ powder coat Dishwasher safe Double wall insulation BPA free Cons: Lower temperature drop Star rating: 4.5/5 The Hydro Flask 32oz cup is another cup for serious hydration, holding just under a litre (they also offer a 40oz (1183ml) version). The cup promises to keep drinks hot and colder longer with its double-wall vacuum insulation, and we were happy with a test result of just a 1.9C drop over 12 hours. Made from 18/8 stainless steel with a powder-coated finish, stainless steel accents, and a sturdy handle, this cup is a great one to carry around. In the drop test, the Hydro Flask took a knock at the bottom, but the paint stayed intact. What made this cup stand out in the test, though, was the clean, unfussy straw lid. There are no awkward crevices to clean, and the straw tip is flexible silicone, tightly sealed into the lid, making the snug, secure lid splash but not leakproof. undefined What to consider when buying a Stanley Cup dupe With such a choice of size, weight, and type on offer, it is essential to first decide what you want the cup for, how you intend to use it, and your budget. Size: If constant hydration is your aim, you may want a larger cup. This cup will hold more and need fewer refills, but it will weigh more and be bulkier to carry around. Carrying: Most, but not all, cups have handles. Is the handle comfortable and secure, and are those without handles easy to carry? Leakage: You may want to carry the cup in a backpack or in the car, in which case spill-proof should suffice. However, if you want to pop your cup into a handbag, it must be 100% leakproof. Hot, Cold or Both: Not all cups offer hot and cold drinks storage, so it is important to check before buying, especially if you want both. How Long Will Drinks Stay Hot or Cold?: This is a must if you use it all day/night long. Some pledge up to two days for iced drinks. All the cups we tested held the temperature well with a minimum drop. Straws: There are many variations of straws and lid openings, some flexible, fixed, fold-down, or even no straw at all, just a flip-up lid. All with straws will always be spill rather than leakproof. Why are Stanley Cups so popular? With eyes very much on sustainability, buying and using a reusable cup ticks all the boxes, and for health and well-being, keeping hydrated is a must. The Stanley Cup not only offers both in bucket loads, but it also does with style and big claims. The Stanley, founded in 1913, claimed in its early adverts that their bottle “cannot break!” and seemingly, it still doesn't. Stanley also pledged that drinks would stay cold for 11 hours and that ice would last as long as two days, and they do. Stanley has a range of cup sizes, but the 40oz Quencher has captured the most attention as its size means hydration is on hand without constant refilling. The super-sized handle makes it easy to carry. Plus, the Stanley Quencher looks good, with a range of delicious colours and a secure straw lid, making it easy to see why they are so popular. Related reviews Best water bottles Best sparkling water makers Best water filter jugs Best flasks and thermal cups Best iced coffee makers Best reusable coffee cups Best cocktail jugs and pitchers Health guides Top 5 health benefits of drinking water How much water should you drink everyday How much water should my child drink each day? What to eat and drink in a heatwave 15 best foods to help you stay hydrated
The best pressure cookers tried and tested
Read our review of the top pressure cookers on the market. Plus, we have cookery advice and recipe ideas for this speedy, economical piece of kit.
A pressure cooker's fundamental purpose is to speed up cooking time. From stews, curries and legumes to steamed puddings and cheesecake, there isn’t much that won't go in a pressure cooker. It requires less water than other conventional cooking methods and means more vitamins and minerals are retained. Lack of exposure to air also prevents oxidation of the nutrients in the food. To top it all off, you'll save time and money on your energy bills. We've tried and tested the market's pressure cookers, so you can find the perfect model – read on to discover our top picks. As for the slow cooker vs pressure cooker debate, the two one-pot gadgets operate very differently and have pros and cons to each. Read more about the best slow cookers and how to use pressure cookers. JUMP TO REVIEWS View Affiliate Playlist on the source website How we tested pressure cookers We tested a representative range of pressure cookers and scored them against our test criteria, focusing on the following four areas. Size and storage: is the pressure cooker easy to store? Are there any features that would make it more compact? Design: we assessed the aesthetic credentials of each model. Cooking results: we tried a variety of recipes to really put them through their paces, including meats that take a long time to tenderise, pulses and recipes with a lot of liquid, to see if it escaped on pressure release. Ease of use: we looked at how easy the model was to open and close and whether the functions and accompanying literature were useful and straightforward. Best pressure cookers at a glance Best pressure cooker: Sage the Fast Slow Pro, £179.95 Best stainless-steel pressure cooker: ProCook Professional Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, £100 Best pressure cooker for speedy results: Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Neo Pressure Cooker, £165 Best budget pressure cooker: Tower One-Touch Ultima Pressure Cooker, £54.99 Best electric pressure cooker: Tefal Cook4me Smart Touch Multi-Pressure Cooker, £249.99 Best basic pressure cooker: Tower Pressure Cooker, £40.49 Jump to: Best pressure cookers to buy in 2025 Which pressure cooker should I buy? What can you make in a pressure cooker? Best pressure cookers to buy in 2025 Sage the Fast Slow Pro Available from Harts of Stur (£178.95), Sage (£179.95), Amazon (£179.95) Best pressure cooker Pros: Excellent quality for the price Versatile Cons: Some non-recyclable packaging Star rating: 5/5 Wattage: 1500W It is hard not to be impressed by the sleek good looks of this multicooker, with its brushed steel exterior and large LED screen accessing 11 pre-set and various manual programs. Every aspect of the machine feels solidly made, from the handles and ceramic-coated steel inner pot to the secure removable lid, making cleaning the Sage super easy. The cooker is tall but has a small footprint relative to large multi cookers. It couldn't be easier to start cooking with the Fast Slow. First, turn the machine on and use the sauté or searing functions, depending on what you are making. Next, select pressure, choose from a range of programs (or custom cook your recipes) add the ingredients and liquid, then close and turn the large knob in the centre of the lid, check the pressure valve is in the correct position, and away you go. The machine will do the rest, including controlling the level of pressure, time and best form of steam release. The Sage has 7 pressure levels and the added safety of three types of steam release; all are hands-free and only need the press of a button. Read our full Sage the Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker review. Latest Deals ProCook Professional Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Available from ProCook (£100) Best stainless-steel pressure cooker Pros: Great-quality cooker glass lid included 25-year guarantee Cons: No recipes included Star rating: 4.5/5 The ProCook 6-litre pressure cooker is a side handled stovetop cooker made from high quality brushed stainless steel with a 7mm impact bonded base that is suitable for all hob types. The ProCook can also be used as a regular stock pot, thanks to the additional glass lid. This is straightforward to use from the box and can be up and running immediately after a quick wash and dry. It is so simple to use, with a single-handed closing mechanism and clear open-close buttons on the central column of the lid, which snap the lid jaws firmly shut with a reassuring thump. The pressure gauge, set to one side of the lid, is easy to see and read. The cooking results are excellent with this pressure cooker: we had beautifully cooked, tender meat, vegetables with great colour and texture and a rich, thick gravy made in under an hour — all of this with a staggering 25- year guarantee. The only downside is that there are no recipes in the instruction book, so this could be a problem to getting started and making the most of your pressure cooker unless you are familiar with this cooking style already. Read our full Pro Cook pressure cooker review. undefined Kuhn Rikon 5-litre Duromatic Classic Neo Pressure Cooker Available from Kuhn Rikon (£165) Best pressure cooker for speedy results Pros: Superior quality Silent during cooking Economical cooking Cons: Requires an app for recipes Star rating: 4.5/5 The Kuhn Rikon stovetop 5-litre pressure cooker made in Switzerland is impressive in its quality. It feels robust and well-made but not overly heavy. It has a 'super-thermic' sandwich bottom for energy-efficient heat transmission and distribution. In addition, it has side handles which are strong and feel secure when moving the pressure cooker around. This is a great pressure cooker with its high-quality, robust build, ease of use and speed of cooking with excellent results: our stew cooked amazingly fast at only 25 minutes on level two. The cooker comes without recipes but these can be found on an app to download. However, there are cooking times on the cooker's lid, along with the multi-lingual instruction book. Though this was not the cheapest stove top on the test, the superior quality, speed of cooking and ease of use make this a great investment piece. Read our full Kuhn Rikon 5-litre Duromatic Classic Neo Pressure Cooker review. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£165) Tower One-Touch Ultima Pressure Cooker Available from Amazon (£54.99), Argos (£60) Best budget pressure cooker Pros: Excellent quality for the price Removable timer included Cons: Lighter than some models Star rating: 4.5/5 The Tower One Touch is an excellent pressure cooker for those on a budget. It is good for those starting pressure cooking and comes at a phenomenal price for the quality. The cooker performed as well as many of the more expensive models, and at 6 litres in size, it has a manageable footprint and is a good size for the average family. The cooker comes with a thorough instruction booklet, and a complete novice could approach setting up and using it immediately. The lid and locking system's opening mechanism is straightforward with just one hand and a simple twist. Included with the cooker is a detachable timer complete with batteries, which is handy with a manual cooker as you can keep an eye on the time as you move about your home. Read our full Tower One-Touch Ultima Pressure Cooker review. Latest Deals Tefal Cook4me Smart Touch Connected Digital Multi Pressure Cooker CY912840 Available from Amazon (£249.99), Currys (£409.99) Best electric pressure cooker Pros: Family-sized smart pressure/multi-cooker Lots of recipes Cons: Instructions can be confusing Star rating: 4/5 The Tefal Cook4me CY912840 is an innovative pressure/multi cooker, but this one is technology smart. The interactive and intelligent cooker is for those who like the latest gadgets and will not be disappointed. The 36cm round cooker is a striking black with some silver accents, and until the screen lights up, it does look slightly menacing. That changes when the large tilting screen lights up and the recipe programme kicks in. The cooker needs to be connected to wi-fi, and the app downloaded, for access to a staggering 400, mainly pressure cooking, recipes which guide you step-by-step. The Cook4me is not as complicated as it seems at first. If you are tech-savvy, this is a brilliant cooker and excellent for busy households where quickly getting healthy, exciting and delicious food on the table is needed. Read our full Tefal Cook4me Smart Touch Connected Digital Multi Pressure Cooker review. Available from: Amazon (£249.99) Currys (£409.99) Tower pressure cooker Available from Tower (£40.49) Best basic pressure cooker Pros: Budget price Easy to use Suitable for all hob types Cons: Not many recipes Less versatile than other models This offering from Tower is relatively lightweight and comes with a vegetable steaming basket and stand. There's comprehensive information in the instruction manual on cooking times, but only two recipes. The design is super simple, meaning it's both easy to seal and doesn't have any bits that are awkward to clean. In this price range, you're unlikely to get much more. Suitable for all hob types, it comes in 4-litre and 6-litre versions. Latest Deals Other pressure cookers tried and tested Instant Pot Duo review, £89.99 Which pressure cooker should I buy? If you purchase a large pressure cooker, look for one with two side handles. The pots get heavy when they contain food, so it's easier to lift and handle a pressure cooker if they have them. Folding handles require less storage space. Many recipes call for the use of accessories such as a steamer basket or cooking rack, so you'd get the best value for your money if you buy a pressure cooker that comes with one or two of these accessories. What can you make in a pressure cooker? View Green Video on the source website More advice on buying kitchen kit Best multi-cookers Best slow cookers Best bullet blenders Best toasters Best kettles Best fridge freezers 10 tips for using a pressure cooker Pressure cooker recipes Lemony prawn and pea pressure cooker risotto Asian short ribs with herb salad If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
An electric hand mixer is a useful piece of kitchen equipment, especially if you enjoy making cakes. Here, we reveal our favourite models.
The best hand mixers – sometimes called hand whisks or hand beaters – make light work of more tiresome baking tasks like whisking egg whites, creaming butter with sugar and whipping cream. Typically compact and inexpensive, they tend to be less powerful than most stand mixers, which makes them ideal for smaller quantities or if you need more direct control over the mixture. Hand mixers can be used in short bursts for kneading soft doughs, too. Nearly all the models in our test, however, struggled to incorporate flour from the edges of bowls. Additionally, heavy doughs or long kneading can damage the alignment of the gears and put the motor under strain, so a stand mixer may be a better investment for regular bread bakers. We tested a range of hand mixers from popular brands like KitchenAid, Kenwood, Smeg and Dualit, so read on to discover which models came out on top. For more baking kit, you can also read our guide to the best stand mixers. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best hand mixers at a glance Best hand mixer: Smeg HMF01, £149.95 Best compact hand mixer: Kenwood Quick Mix Go, £39.99 Best premium hand mixer: Dualit hand mixer, £84.99 Best cordless hand mixer: KitchenAid 5KHMB732, £149 Best lightweight hand mixer: VonShef hand mixer, £21.99 Best value hand mixer: Breville Flow Collection VFM034, £19.93 Best handle on a hand mixer: Russell Hobbs Desire hand mixer, £26 Best quiet hand mixer: Bosch CleverMixx MFQ2420, £42.99 Jump to section: Best hand mixers to buy in 2025 How to choose a hand mixer How we tested hand mixers Egg whites Each mixer was used to whisk 100g egg whites to stiff peaks using the beater attachments, and again with the balloon whisk attachment. We noted how fast the eggs whipped, what the final volume was, the thickness of the foam, size and regularity of bubbles, and the glossiness of the whites. Double cream The second test was whipping 200ml double cream with beaters, then balloon whisks. Cream is easy to over-beat, so this was to test that the lowest speed setting was gentle enough. Buttercream This was to test the speed and power of the hand mixers. Achieving soft, fluffy buttercream takes a lot of beating. We looked out for overheating, dragging of the beaters and unhealthy motor sounds. Kneading Each mixer was used to knead a dough made with 250g flour. Again we were looking at power, sturdiness of the attachments and ease of control. Best hand mixers to buy in 2025 Smeg HMF01 hand mixer Available from Amazon (£142.45), Smeg (£149.95), Boots (£149.99) Best hand mixer Pros: Available in a range of colours Efficient Backlit digital screen Cons: High price tag Star rating: 5/5 Wattage: 250W There’s no denying it, this Smeg mixer is expensive. But it’s well built, and we found it comfortable to use. With a choice of six colours and a distinct retro style, it has a quirky appearance that sets it apart from others on the market. On test it was impressively speedy at whipping cream and didn’t struggle with tougher tasks like mixing bread dough or making buttercream. With nine speeds to choose from, it offers plenty of control and the backlit screen on the handle shows how long you’ve been mixing for. It comes with dishwasher-safe whisks, beaters and dough hooks, plus a handy cotton bag to store them in. We also like the trigger below the handle which makes ejecting the attachments very easy. Available from: Amazon (£142.45) Smeg (£149.95) Boots (£149.99) Kenwood Quick Mix Go hand mixer Available from Amazon (£38.70), Kenwood (£39.99) Best compact hand mixer Pros: Easy to store Five speed settings Made from 30% recycled plastic Cons: Reassembling the parts can be fiddly Star rating: 4.5/5 Wattage: 350W If you love to bake but face the challenge of storing all your equipment in a small kitchen, Kenwood's latest gadget is one of the most space-efficient mixers we've ever used. Released as part of the brand's Go collection, which also includes a stand mixer and food processor, this stylish hand mixer comes with cord storage and a lid that slots securely on top, so you can keep it proudly on display without cluttering up the counter. Available in two colours, 'storm blue' or 'clay red', this model has five speed settings and two attachments (a whisk/beater and dough hook), both of which handled our mixtures with ease on test. The manual is also impressively detailed, with diagrams and a usage table that should help you avoid overworking the appliance or selecting the wrong attachment. Remembering how everything fits back together might be a little fiddly for some at first, but most users should get the hang of it after a few uses. You can even clean the attachments in the dishwasher. Available from: Amazon (£38.70) Kenwood (£39.99) Dualit hand mixer Available from Amazon (£75.99), Currys (£85.99) Best premium hand mixer Pros: Robust build Powerful motor Cons: Expensive Slightly heavy Star rating: 4.5/5 Wattage: 400W The Dualit whisk has delightful sleek lines and curves, and is all shiny chrome and black, making it a handsome, sturdy machine. With a 400W motor, it’s also a little heavy, which may be a problem for some. There are only four speed settings, but each packs a punch – at the top speed, this mixer flies. The efficient motor performed exceptionally well in all our tests, including the bread dough, though it did start to struggle after a couple of minutes. We love the retractable cable storage that tucks the cord neatly away inside the machine. Though one of the more expensive hand mixers on test, it’s justified thanks to the excellent results it produces. Available from: Amazon (£75.99) Currys (£85.99) KitchenAid cordless hand mixer 5KHMB732 Available from Harts of Stur (£99) Best cordless hand mixer Pros: Lightweight Easy to store Cordless design Four colours to choose from Cons: Only one set of beaters Star rating: 4.5/5 Wattage: 16W This KitchenAid hand mixer is more expensive than most, and as it only comes with one set of beaters, it’s less versatile. Having said that, what it does offer is KitchenAid’s signature style, four colour options to choose from and the freedom of cordless mixing. Once charged you can use it anywhere, which is great if you have a kitchen island without plug sockets or you like to prep on the dining table. There are seven speeds to choose from, and in test we thought it was effective at whisking egg whites and cream and mixing light, fluffy buttercream. The mixer is also well balanced and doesn’t feel heavy, and despite being quite straight, the handle is comfortable to hold. It will perform a quick charge in 10 minutes – if you get caught without any life in the battery – but a full charge takes two hours, so it's best to plan ahead. Available from: Harts of Stur (£99) VonShef hand mixer Available from Amazon (£23.99) Best lightweight hand mixer Pros: Easy to handle Value price Good looking Cons: Attachments don't feel 100% secure Wattage: 300W The VonShef is a well-built and stylish whisk, with a retro shape and cream-and-silver colours. It’s a light 800g, and though not overly large, performed extremely well during our test thanks to a robust five-speed 300W motor and good-quality accessories. We especially like the generous curved handle with two finger grips. We’d like a firmer, more reassuring click when inserting the accessories and a firmer push is needed to eject them, but despite this, the attachments stayed in during our test. We highly recommend this affordable, robust whisk not just for the great results it produces, but also its good looks and great handling. Read our full VonShef hand mixer review. Available from: Amazon (£23.99) Breville Flow Collection VFM034 hand mixer Available from Robert Dyas (£19.93) Best value hand mixer Pros: Budget-friendly price Efficient motor Cons: Ridged design can be tricky to clean Heavy Star rating: 4/5 Wattage: 240W As part of the Breville Flow collection, this hand mixer matches a range of other small kitchen appliances, should you want to buy a matching set. It’s a great budget choice and is one of the least expensive mixers you can buy. It doesn’t feel cheap or poor quality and the performance is very good. Despite only being 240W, it didn’t struggle to mix bread dough or thicken buttercream and it whisked egg white and cream with ease. The main downsides are that it’s a little heavy and the on switch, which is also the speed switch, requires a bit of effort to move, meaning it’s easy to accidentally push it past the first speed setting and end up on a faster setting than you intended. The ridged design isn’t the easiest to wipe clean but thankfully the sturdy attachments are dishwasher-safe. Overall, given the price, this is a good all-rounder. Available from: Robert Dyas (£19.93) Russell Hobbs Desire hand mixer Available from Amazon (£24.99) Best handle on a hand mixer Pros: Lightweight Good range of accessories Cons: Confusing eject button Star rating: 4/5 Wattage: 350W The five-speed Russell Hobbs is a good-looking whisk, with a black matte and shiny finish. It comes with impressive accessories made of good-quality stainless steel, with an unusual but efficient cross between a beater and whisk that performed extremely well in our test. The large, comfortable handle and great balance make this an easy whisk to use, though there is some vibration and noise at the top speed. The Russell Hobbs is an excellent whisk that, despite feeling a little flimsy at first, is, in fact, a sturdy little workhorse with excellent accessories at an affordable price. Read our full Russell Hobbs Desire hand mixer review. Available from: Amazon (£24.99) Bosch CleverMixx MFQ2420 hand mixer Available from Amazon (£29), Bosch (£29.99) Best quiet hand mixer Pros: Not too heavy Efficient Cons: Power cord is positioned awkwardly Beaters are a tad flimsy Star rating: 3.5/5 Wattage: 400W This simple-to-use mixer is lightweight and won’t break the bank. There are just four speed settings to choose from which might not be enough for some. But during our tests it was fast enough to whisk up cream and egg whites quickly, yet also slow enough to mix buttercream without creating clouds of icing sugar. Our only complaint is that it’s easy to flick the switch to turbo as you’re turning it off, which could be messy if you have a habit of removing the beaters as you switch it off. The main beaters feel flimsy, but the dough hooks are very sturdy and cope well with heavy dough. Both are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. It’s quiet in use and has a comfortable handle, but the plastic has no grip so it’s best not to hold it with damp or greasy hands. Additionally, the power cord is poorly positioned, so can catch on your wrist during use. Available from: Amazon (£29) Bosch (£29.99) Other hand mixers tried and tested KitchenAid nine-speed hand mixer review, £125.95 Kenwood Handmix Lite review, £34.99 Morphy Richards hand mixer review, £20.21 How to choose a hand mixer Hand mixers are straightforward machines. Nearly all models come with twin beater and twin kneader attachments. Balloon whisk attachments can be very useful, so look out for these. Some models come with a bowl and stand that the hand mixer clips onto. This will not be as powerful or large as a purpose-built stand mixer, but these accessories are particularly helpful for those who struggle to hold a hand whisk or don’t have the storage space for a full-blown stand mixer. What to look for in a hand mixer Weight and balance: We looked for mixers that were easy to hold for several minutes of whisking, that didn’t tilt up and weren’t too heavy. Handle: This needed to be comfortable, not too broad or sharp-edged. We favoured those that were non-slip. Ease of operating: It should be possible to both hold the mixer and change the speed setting with only one hand. This leaves the other hand free to steady the bowl or add ingredients while mixing. Speed: The speed settings should be distinctly different, with gentle speeds for softly whipping cream and faster settings for tackling buttercreams and thick batters. Quality of build: We looked for sturdy attachments that clip easily into the mixer. Vibrations: We rejected mixers that vibrated too much in the hand as this can be very uncomfortable. Storage: We looked for clever storage solutions for attachments and cords. More reviews Best blenders Best cake tins Best food processors Best stand mixers Best toasters Best slow cookers Best kitchen scales Best mixing bowls Best baking trays Best stand mixers Best coffee machines Is KitchenAid worth it? What equipment do they use in The Great British Bake Off? If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.