Can recipe subscription boxes help you get cooking? We put Gousto, HelloFresh and more to the test
Thinking of signing up for a recipe box subscription that delivers meal kits direct to your door? We put popular brands to the test to see whether they're a match for traditional home cooking.
Recipe subscription services – the concept of ingredients, individually portioned up for cooking meals at home and delivered straight to your door complete with detailed recipe cards– have boomed in recent years. They are certainly a convenient way to make evening meals without the hassle of planning recipes and visiting the supermarket. It's a step up from ready-meals as the food is prepared by hand, but it cuts out the legwork of cooking from scratch. However, they can be an expensive way to cook, especially if you like to hunt for reduced ingredients or shop at inexpensive local markets, plus there is no shortage of inspiration for easy recipes online if you're stuck in a food rut. There are also environmental pitfalls to using these services – they sometimes come with excessive packaging that can't be recycled. If you're thinking of signing up to a recipe delivery service, bear in mind the value for money, convenience factor and any limitations, especially the terms around cancelling a subscription. It's also worth considering any dietary requirements you have (some recipe boxes are more flexible than others) and how many people you want to serve. For solo cooks, few brands offer recipe boxes for one, but many offer meals for two if you're happy to have leftovers the next day. We tested and scored popular brands to help you make your decision. For more, visit our reviews section and find more than 400 practical buyer's guides offering unbiased advice on what foodie products and services are worth spending money on, including the best meal delivery services for when you don't want to cook at all, the best healthy meal box subscriptions and the best veg boxes to order to your door. We also have thousands of simple recipes for everyday mealtime inspiration. Jump to: The best recipe boxes to order to your door in 2025 Are recipe boxes worth it? What to consider when choosing a recipe subscription box How we tested recipe boxes Best recipe boxes at a glance Best overall recipe box: Gousto, from £10.25 for two meals Best recipe box for diverse recipe ranges: HelloFresh, meals from £1.62 per person Best healthy recipe box: Mindful Chef, from £22 for two meals Best for accessible healthy meals: Green Chef, from £22.50 for 3 meals Best letterbox-friendly recipe box service: SimplyCook, first box is free, just pay £1 postage Best organic recipe box: Riverford, from £7.50 for one meal Best recipe box for adventurous cooks: The Cookaway, from £35 to serve two Best recipe box for pasta: Pasta Evangelists, from £9 for one meal Best for indecisive cooks: Nonna Tonda, from £5.83 for one meal Best for video learning: Chefs for Foodies, from £14.95 per box The best recipe boxes to order to your door in 2025 Gousto recipe box Sign up for the Gousto recipe box here Best overall recipe box Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Wide choice of recipes and dietary options Flexible subscription Option to have recipe boxes for one Cons: Ingredients in the box aren't divided by recipe – can be complicated to work out what you need each day Some unusual ingredient quantities – either extremely generous or quite minimal Gousto is one of the original recipe box providers and its offering is accomplished. There are over 150 recipes on offer at any one time, with the menu rotating each week, including recipes to suit plenty of different dietary requirements. This is the ideal choice for busy professionals who don't have time to shop, and want something quick, easy and tasty. It's also good for people who want to try cooking new dishes and need some inspiration. There are lots of different recipe styles to choose from (such as Double Protein, Quick & Easy, Everyday Favourites or Premium) and you can filter by dietaries too so you can create what suits you, such as vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten-free recipe boxes. When our Gousto box arrived, the ingredients were all intact and felt good quality. Unlike some other recipe boxes, the ingredients inside weren't divided by recipe, meaning it was quite tricky to work out what ingredients were required each day. You need a careful eye to divide it all up, and some plastic packaging was still present on ingredients, such as mini sachets of vinegar. Our recipe box served four people, but you can also get options for two (with either two, three or four recipes per box). The first recipe we tested was Moroccan-style meatballs with bulgur wheat grain bowl, one of Gousto's high-protein recipes. The meatballs were easy to make, with a quick sauce. It's great to get a chance to use a more unusual spice such as baharat without needing to buy a whole jar that you might not use again. There was a huge amount of bulgur wheat for two people compared to the amount of sauce, but it's good to see portion sizes are generous. We also made a roasted red pepper orzo with goat's cheese. This was a quick and easy crowdpleasing midweek meal that we can see becoming a staple. Again, the ingredient quantities were slightly off – only nine cherry tomatoes between two (we added more), but a very generous whole log of goat's cheese to crumble on top. The variety on offer from Gousto is its biggest appeal. You'll never run out of recipes to try, and it's a great way to try new things. If you're a regular customer, the Gousto app makes ordering and saving your favourite meals easy. The packaging could see some slight improvements, and you may need to be flexible with the quantities to expect. Read about how to sign up for the Gousto recipe box HelloFresh recipe box Sign up for the HelloFresh recipe box here Best recipe box for diverse recipe ranges Score: 4/5 Pros: Different recipe ranges for every need Speedy recipe options from 20 minutes Can deliver when you're out Cons: Some packaging tricky to open Low vegetable levels Optimistic suggested cooking times HelloFresh is another of the leading recipe box brands and remains a strong all-rounder. The dishes on offer are adventurous and bold, drawing on interesting flavour combinations from around the world, with plenty of choice and varied ranges designed for different needs, from family-friendly meals to calorie-smart healthy options. Weekly menus are available up to six weeks in advance. You can choose whether to get from two to five recipes per week, and whether to serve two, three or four people. HelloFresh will take your first selection as your custom plan, but you can change this week to week. Ingredients are, true to the name, fresh and mainly high quality, and ingredients for each different recipe are clearly marked in paper bags. Plastic use is relatively minimal but not completely eliminated, with some elements tricky to open compared to more familiar supermarket packaging. The first recipe I made was a Tuscan-inspired pulled chicken stew, which was straightforward to pull together and worked very well as a one-pot meal with very little washing-up. I'd make this again, even without reordering the box. The method was easy to follow, the kitchen smelled fantastic while it cooked, and the end result was excellent: a creamy, flavourful sauce with crunchy ciabatta for dipping. Although the recipe card suggested a 25–30 minute cook time, this felt slightly optimistic given steps such as frying for eight minutes and baking for 25, plus preparation in between. The portions of vegetables felt a little stingy, with just a few cherry tomatoes and 4og of spinach between two – I’d have happily added more if we’d had them to hand. Serving it with extra broccoli helped boost the veg count. I also made a sausage and roast potato traybake. The sausages were a slight letdown, with a lower meat content (75% pork) and a less premium feel than you might get from some rival recipe boxes. However, HelloFresh does excel at thoughtful finishing touches: generous herbs on the roast potatoes, a honey glaze over the sausages and a punchy harissa mayo all helped elevate the recipe and were easy extra elements I wouldn't have thought to add myself. This felt like exactly what I'd use HelloFresh for: interesting new cooking inspiration and techniques when you're in a rut, clever use of ingredients across different elements of the meal, plus the ability to make varied dishes packed with flavour throughout the week without having to have a fully stocked cupboard – and no waste at the end of the week. Overall, HelloFresh delivers reliable, tasty meals with minimal effort and plenty of flavour, even if ingredient quality and packaging could be improved. Read about how to sign up for the HelloFresh recipe box Mindful Chef recipe box Sign up for the Mindful Chef recipe box from £22 for two meals Best healthy recipe box Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Inventive recipes with no refined carbs or sugars Ethically sourced protein Range of serving sizes available Wide recipe choice Cons: Some inaccurate cooking times Read our full Mindful Chef review Mindful Chef is a health-focused food box delivery service, first launched in 2015. Each of the recipes are designed to be nutritious and low-carb, and all use ethically sourced ingredients from small UK farms and producers. All Mindful Chef boxes are gluten- and dairy-free, plus they mention Paleo-friendly options on the menu. Each week, there’s a rotating menu of 20 recipes to choose from, with lots of vegan and vegetarian options, too. You can choose between 2-5 recipes per box, and choose a box for one, two or four people. You can also order up to eight weeks in advance, longer than many other services, which is great if you like to plan ahead. The recipes we tried were delicious and well-portioned. The recipes were easy to prepare with no special equipment required – we used a baking tray, frying pan, saucepan and chopping board for our recipes. Our highlight was salmon with a potato, olive and tomato sauce where the fish felt very high quality. The dishes are innovative and use different flavour pairings, so it's good for people who want some inspiration in discovering new dishes that are still healthy. Read about how to sign up for the Mindful Chef recipe box Green Chef Sign up for the Green Chef recipe box here Best for accessible healthy meals Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Lots of dietary options to choose from Making healthy eating accessible Wide recipe choice Add-ons available, e.g. tofu, vegan burgers Cons: Lots of washing-up midweek from some recipes If you know you want to eat healthily but aren't sure where to start, or you want to make nutritious meals for your family, Green Chef is a great place to start. There are six diet options – vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, lower carb, keto and flexitarian – so there's plenty of flexibility, and you'll never feel like you're eating 'diet food'. Even with its healthy mindset, recipes still feel indulgent and easily accessible as Green Chef aims to break down the barriers of healthy eating. All recipes are approved by nutritionists with menus changing weekly, and you can see recipe choices three weeks at a time to help you plan ahead. Boxes can be ordered for two or four people, with a maximum of five recipes per box. We tested out a selection of recipes including pinto bean tostadas – a meat-free dish with lots of colours and textures for a midweek meal that breaks you out of a 'meat, carb and veg' mindset when cooking. It involved lots of prep and chopping, but nothing complicated, and it came together quickly. We also tried double cheesy pork meatballs and peri peri chicken thighs – recipes that might not scream healthy at first glance, but had been cleverly developed. Read about how to sign up for the Green Chef recipe box Riverford recipe box Sign up for the Riverford recipe box here Best organic recipe box Score: 3.75/5 Pros: Good quality organic ingredients Easy recipes to follow Generous portions Creative recipes Guest chefs Cons: Small recipe selection Often had leftover ingredients Expensive Riverford Organic’s recipe box puts seasonal produce at the heart of its colourful menu, with 13 recipes available each week across plant-based, vegetarian and meat categories. You can order as many as you like, with each recipe serving two or four people and prices starting from £7.50 per person. We tried one recipe from each category. For the meat option, we cooked a Mexican chicken, corn and tomatillo salad. We were excited to try tomatillos, a tricky ingredient to find in the UK, and the salad was full of flavour. It was the favourite of the three, though we felt it could have been taken further. The recipe suggested serving the corn raw or blanching it, but charring would have added more depth. We were also left with part-used ingredients, like half a courgette, one tomatillo and some chipotle paste. The vegetarian option was a courgette and spinach gnocchi carbonara. It was hearty and veg-packed, though not particularly memorable. Again, we ended up with leftovers including lemon, half a pot of cream and an egg white. The vegan choice, a Sri Lankan-style French bean curry, was vibrant and full of spice, but left us with three-quarters of a tin of coconut milk unused. The quality of the organic produce is undeniable and the recipes are straightforward to follow. Each dish felt nourishing and satisfying thanks to the abundance of fresh vegetables. The main drawback is waste: leftover ingredients cropped up in several recipes. There’s also less choice compared with some competitors, and Riverford’s once-a-week delivery policy may not suit those who need more flexibility. That said, the policy reflects the company’s commitment to reducing food miles. Riverford stands out for its ethics and quality, but the higher price and occasional inconvenience may not work for everyone. If you value organic ingredients and enjoy cooking with seasonal veg, it’s a strong option. Read about how to sign up for the Riverford recipe box SimplyCook recipe box Sign up to the SimplyCook recipe subscription box here Best letterbox-friendly recipe box service Score: 4/5 Pros: Fits through letterbox Long shelf life Covers wide range of cuisines Cons: Majority of ingredients must be purchased separately Read our full SimplyCook review SimplyCook is a unique service in that, unlike other recipe boxes, it's letterbox-sized. Each delivery contains four 'recipe kits' – dry ingredients in pots, to which you add your own fresh ingredients. The recipe list features a good mixture of cuisines, satisfying hot meals such as stews, curries and bowl food. It's a great option if there are cuisines you've not cooked before and are keen to try out before you commit to filling your storecupboard with new ingredients. The recipes are customisable, because the box is just recipe cards, pastes and seasonings. All of the other ingredients you buy yourself from the shops and suppliers you like/have access to. There are optional garnishes and additional serving suggestions too, should you want to customise further. You can filter by dietary requirements of vegan or vegetarian, but not gluten-free or dairy free. The portions are generous (kits serve 2-4 people) and the finished dishes very flavoursome. We also noted that it feels like a lot of thought has gone into using as little packaging as possible, with minimal excess. We liked that you’re not tied to it if your plans change. The sachets have a long shelf-life, so there's no pressure to cook the recipes within a limited time frame. Read about how to sign up to the SimplyCook recipe subscription box The Cookaway Order a The Cookaway box here Best for adventurous cooks Score: 4/5 Pros: Interesting recipes to choose from 95% of packaging is recyclable Good quality ingredients Can choose halal meat Cons: Expensive Read our full The Cookaway review. The Cookaway is the recipe box to choose when you're getting bored of your own cooking repertoire and want to try something new. Based around menus from eight different cuisines, there are over 55 menus to choose from, designed by expert chefs that specialise in Malaysian, Pakistani, Spanish, Indian and more cuisines. There is no subscription method here, you simply choose a recipe you want to cook – most come as a main and accompaniment in one box, and others may even have more dishes if you're choosing a meze or tapas-style feast. You can choose to serve 2 or 4 people. Our delivery was in a compact cardboard box and packaging didn't feel excessive. Recipes will introduce you to new ingredients and learn more about different global cuisines than the cliche dishes we may know. They also host free cook-alongs to join as you make your dish. It is expensive, so works best as a one-off treat or cooking experience to do as a couple and enjoy, rather than a shortcut for midweek cooking. Read more about how to order The Cookaway box. Pasta Evangelists Sign up to Pasta Evangelists here Best recipe box for pasta Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Quick and easy to prepare Minimal plastic packaging Good for freezer filling Cons: Dishes rotate regularly Can get expensive if ordered often Read our full review of Pasta Evangelists Billing itself as the first fresh pasta recipe box, Pasta Evangelists deliver fresh pasta to your door, complete with quality sauces and garnishes. There are over 15 pasta recipes to choose from each week, plus a couple of side dishes and dessert options. You can filter by ‘meat & fish’, ‘free-from’ and ‘vegetarian’ options and can view four weeks at a time if you’re planning ahead. You can add as many recipes as you'd like to your basket – handy for filling up the freezer. Recipes serve one or two, but again you can add as many portions as you need if you'd like to serve more people. The dishes are priced individually, from approximately £7-11 per portion. We feel this makes sense, depending on the cost of ingredients, much like in a restaurant (e.g. a £7.50 tomato rigatoni vs a £10.50 lobster and crab tortellini). Pasta Evangelists is a great option if you're looking for recipe boxes for one, as standard portions are for one. Slightly different to other recipe subscription boxes, there is minimal cooking involved as everything is done for you. Meals are ready in minutes – simply boiling the pasta and reheating or melting sauces. We were very impressed by the quality of the finished recipes; they live up to the ‘restaurant-quality’ claim. We liked the extra touches, such as tubs of parmesan with each pasta. Read about how to sign up to Pasta Evangelists Nonna Tonda Sign up to a Nonna Tonda pasta subscription here Best for indecisive cooks Score: 4.5/5 Pros: Quick and easy to prepare, no cooking skills required Fresh and high-quality ingredients Great results Cons: Gets expensive if ordered often Limited dietary filters No recipe choice Read our full review of Nonna Tonda If you get overwhelmed by choice, Nonna Tonda is the pasta delivery service for you. A hybrid of a meal delivery service and a recipe subscription box, Nonna Tonda delivers two pasta dishes a week. The choice is whether to go meat or vegetarian or a combo – there’s only two of each on the menu. Just boil the pasta, reheat the sauce, and dinner is served. You can also add an antipasti selection to your order, which changes weekly. Portions serve two, four or six – you could have leftovers the next day if you're cooking for one. We were impressed by how compact our delivery was, deceptively containing two pastas to serve two, and two antipasti selections in a cardboard box. Each pasta, cheese and sauce comes in a sleek cardboard box, so it's clear which elements go together. A lot of the packaging is recyclable and reusable – we kept the resealable bags that our ciabatta and pasta came in to use again. Finished recipes were impressive, and we'd definitely be tempted to order more as a treat for busy weeks. Sign up to a Nonna Tonda pasta subscription Chefs For Foodies Try out a Chefs for Foodies recipe box here Best for video learning Score: 4/5 Pros: Chef-led video to watch Complex recipes made simple Learn a new skill Cons: Lots of plastic packaging No physical recipe card Read our full Chefs for Foodies review Chefs for Foodies describes itself as 'recipe kits by award-winning chefs'. It's not a recipe subscription box – it's more like a restaurant meal kit, so you just pick one recipe you want to try at a time. Chefs and restaurateurs share their skills and expertise in signature recipes, whether that's a chicken tikka masala from the head chef of an Indian restaurant, pizza kits from Italian masters of pizza dough, or classic recipes such as beef wellington from MasterChef winners. There was more range when we tested the kit, but currently on offer are pizza, pasta or dessert recipes. We tested the chicken tikka masala, and appreciated the breakdown of step-by-step results and delivery of complex spices that would be tricky to source on our own. The amount of plastic packaging was disappointing, but Chefs for Foodies has told us that they're working on it. Try out a Chefs for Foodies recipe box Are recipe boxes worth it? The decision over whether a recipe subscription box suits you will depend on your lifestyle and what you’re hoping to get out of them. For busy weekdays or when you’re trying to reset your routine, recipe subscription boxes can take the stress out of meal planning and grocery shopping. You don't need to find time to go food shopping as everything arrives measured and ready to go, which saves time and reduces waste. On the plus side, they introduce variety and can help you learn new cooking skills, with clear recipes and fresh ingredients delivered to your door. Some services such as Gousto or HelloFresh offer hundreds of recipes a week to choose from, so you can break out of your traditional recipe rotation. Others, such as Pasta Evangelists and Nonna Tonda, are essentially delivering fully cooked meals with minimal cooking at all – good for busy weeks when you'll be home late. But they’re not perfect for everyone: the cost per meal is usually higher than shopping yourself, and the packaging can feel excessive. If you love choosing your own ingredients or eat very specific diets, the pre-selected meals might feel restrictive. Ultimately, they’re worth it for some, especially when life gets hectic, but less so if cost and control are your top priorities. What to consider when choosing a recipe box There are lots of recipe subscriptions to choose from, and finding the right one for you means thinking about a few things: How much cooking do you want to do? Some boxes will deliver elaborate recipes that can be great weekend projects or ideal for keen cooks, whereas others deliver you fully prepared meals that you essentially just reheat. Do you have specific dietary restrictions? Not all subscriptions can cater to all requirements, so check that there are enough dishes on offer that you want to eat. How many people are you cooking for? Not all boxes offer deliveries for one (Gousto and Pasta Evangelists do), and most only go up to servings for four people. Consider ingredients – for example, Riverford is a suitable choice if eating organically is important to you. Flexibility – if your schedule is regularly changing, make sure you check that the recipe box you sign up to is equally flexible. Lots let you opt in and out for different days and cancel when you need, whereas others have strict delivery days you have to adhere to. How we tested recipe box subscriptions Members of the Good Food digital and cookery teams each tested a week of each recipe box subscription. There were several key criteria that teams based their verdict on: Range of recipes: was there plenty to choose from, and did recipes rotate regularly if you were going to repeatedly buy? Were all dietary options covered? Was it possible to scale recipes up or down to serve different family sizes? Ease of cooking: we looked for clear instructions (photos and obvious step-by-step methods were a bonus), accurate suggested cooking times and clear ways to distribute ingredients between elements and steps. Quality of the ingredients: some of the recipe boxes provided organic ingredients, but regardless we were looking for ethically sourced, fresh, high-quality ingredients. Packaging: with small quantities of ingredients individually sent, packaging can quickly add up. We looked for packaging to be sustainable, with minimal plastic where possible. Quality of the finished recipes: the all-important cooking results! After accurately following the recipes, we wanted delicious meals that we would want to cook again. Portion size and whether the meals were balanced were other consider. Value for money: how does the subscription compare to cooking from scratch? Would it be practical to regularly get a recipe delivery, or would it be more of a one-off purchase? Related reviews The best meal delivery services The best healthy recipe boxes tried and tested The best meat delivery boxes tried and tested 8 of the best veg boxes Best chocolate subscriptions Best baking subscriptions Are you signed up to a recipe delivery service? We'd love to hear about your experiences. Leave a comment below... 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.
Are Gozney pizza ovens worth the hype? If you do these 6 things, we think so
Gozney's pizza ovens are some of the most expensive on the market, but they could be worth the investment if you tick even one of these six boxes
Pizza ovens have become one of the most sought-after cooking gadgets of recent years, and having tested a fair few in our time, we can confidently say we get the appeal. Perfectly puffed crusts, loaded toppings, stretchy mozzarella and even the fun of slinging dough into a flaming hot oven – what's not to love? As the trend grows, so too has the demand for high-performance, easy-to-use ovens that are built to last, and since launching in 2010, Gozney has undoubtedly become one of the most covetable brands out there. Known for its distinctive dome-shaped designs, Gozney currently has six models in its product range, most of which have been remodelled and upgraded over the last 15 years. With prices ranging from £399.99 to £2,499.99 (and that's without any accessories on top), it also sits at the more premium end of the market. With that in mind, investing in a Gozney isn't something to be taken lightly, and if you're working with a restricted budget, you want to be sure the model you're buying is best for your needs. So, should you purchase a Gozney pizza oven? If you relate to one or more of these six things, we think the answer is 'yes' – but let's take a closer look. You love making fresh, Neapolitan-style pizza Whether you're seasoned dough-slinger or total novice, perhaps the most obvious selling point of a Gozney pizza oven is the fact you can make restaurant-quality pizza without needing to leave the house (or order from a local pizzeria). These ovens can reach temperatures of 500C, which is what will give your pizza the mottled crust, crisp base and oozing cheese that's synonymous with professional pizzerias, and the results of each model we've tested have been consistently impressive. You love to entertain and feed a crowd If you relish being the host and want a statement cooking gadget to keep your guests fed and happy (particularly when the weather is warm), a Gozney pizza oven will elevate any outdoor gatherings you throw. Models like the Arc and Dome (and their XL counterparts) offer ample space to cook large pizzas quickly, plus you can invite friends and family to bring and add their own pizza toppings. The speed at which these ovens cook – usually just under two minutes – also means you can keep a steady flow of food coming, with relatively minimal effort. You want to cook outdoors more (and not just pizza) While pizza is the main event, Gozney ovens also have large cavities with room for other dishes, too. The Dome, Arc and Tread models all have enough space for a tray of veggies, a steak in a cast-iron skillet and even a spatchcocked chicken, and the high temperatures are ideal for roasting, baking and searing. Just make sure you have a trust pair of oven gloves to hand so you can safely remove items in and out of the oven. Smaller models like the Roccbox are designed for little more than pizza, but that's not to say you have to stick to a traditional margherita – our chocolate pizza recipe works perfectly as a dessert. You want to take your pizza oven with you on the road Not all pizza ovens are made for travelling, but models like the Gozney Tread and Gozney Roccbox are specifically designed with portability in mind. The Tread in particular has a lightweight build and carry handles across the top, and while not exactly designed for hiking cross-country (it's just over 13kg), it will fit easily into the back of a car boot. The Roccbox, on the other hand, has fold-in legs that make it easy to transport, and if you'd rather not travel with a gas canister, it also comes with a detachable wood burner. You're willing to invest in a few accessories Gozney pizza ovens don't come with any accessories or tools as standard, but to get the most from them we recommend investing in a few tools like a pizza peel – so bear that in mind when weighing up the cost. Some models like the Gozney Tread and Arc benefit from having a stand (especially if you're on uneven ground). To keep your gadget protected when it's not in use, you might want to purchase an all-weather cover, too. Other nice-to-haves include a mantel attachment, pizza cutter, roof rack, infrared thermometer and turning peel – though these aren't strictly necessary to make great pizza, they'll elevate the overall experience. You can also save on the overall cost of buying a Gozney pizza oven and accessories by purchasing a pizza oven bundle, which vary in price depending on how much extra kit you'd like. You want outdoor cooking kit that's well designed and built to last Looks aren't everything, but we can't deny that Gozney's pizza ovens are impressively stylish. Each model also comes in a choice of colours, typically 'bone' or 'off black', but with the Tread you can select one of three shades – 'olive', 'off black' and 'Matty', the latter of which is a collaboration with the US chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson. Gozney uses ultra-robust commercial-grade materials for the construction of its ovens, too, including a ceramic bonded outer shell and high-grade 304 stainless steel for the interior. This means they can easily withstand the rigours of the outdoors, but you'll still want to keep yours protected with an all-weather cover when it's not in use – if only to protect the pizza stone inside. For added assurance, a limited one-year warranty is included as standard, which can be extended to five years when you register your product on the Gozney website. How to clean a Gozney pizza stone A Gozney pizza stone will naturally discolour the more you use it, so don't fret if yours isn't looking as fresh as when you first bought it – that's just the sign of a well-used oven and shouldn't affect the performance. Any bits of residue left behind from cooking will eventually burn away, but you can also use a wire brush or scraper to lift these off. Avoid using detergents to clean the stone, as these could be absorbed (and nobody wants to taste soap on their pizza). If there any stubborn marks you can wipe down the stone with a damp cloth, but don't ever soak it in water as it might crack. Top-rated Gozney pizza ovens we've tested Gozney Tread pizza oven Available from Gozney (£499.99), John Lewis & Partners (£499.99) Star rating: 4.5/5 As Gozney's most compact model, the Tread is the perfect pizza oven to take with you on camping trips, to the beach or out and about. We loved how easy it was to use, and it produced superb results at speed – our pizzas were perfectly cooked in just 90 seconds. It cools down quickly too, so you can have it packed away and ready for your next pitstop in no time. Available: Gozney (£499.99) John Lewis & Partners (£499.99) Gozney Arc Available from John Lewis & Partners (£499), Gozney (£599.99), Lakeland (£599.99) Star rating: 4.5/5 If you love the classic Dome design but want something more lightweight and affordable, the Arc is the perfect alternative. The regular version comes with a 14-inch capacity, while the Arc XL pizza oven has space for a 16-inch pizza. We tested this pizza oven on a cold, windy day, and even battling against the elements it maintained high temperatures impressively well. It was also easy to keep an eye on the heat levels using the digital thermometer on the front, and our pizzas had perfectly blistered crusts and crisp toppings in just 90 seconds. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£499) Gozney (£599.99) Lakeland (£599.99) Gozney Roccbox pizza oven Available from Gozney (£399.99) Star rating: 4/5 The Roccbox was Gozney's first compact pizza oven, and has an impressive build and foolproof functionality. Despite its pint-sized design there's nothing flimsy about it, though for a model that claims to be portable, it still takes some effort to move it around – it weighs a not-exactly-featherlight 20kg. It's also relatively expensive for such a small piece of kit, but for this price you get versatility and quality. Read our full Gozney Roccbox pizza oven review. Available from: Gozney (£399.99) More reviews and recipes Best pizza ovens Best pizza stones Best pizza cutters Best pizza oven accessories Best Ooni pizza ovens Best Ooni accessories What can you cook in a pizza oven? Pizza oven deals Basic pizza dough recipe Pizza dough recipes Pizza sauce recipe Sourdough pizza 10 tips for making next level margherita pizza Video: How to make pizza How to season cast iron Gozney vs Ooni pizza ovens Best Weber BBQ Is HexClad worth it? Best electric barbecues Best oven thermometers Are Smeg appliances worth it?
If you’re in need of a sleep-health overhaul, then look no further – we’ve rounded up the best sleep trackers to help you analyse your shut-eye and achieve an optimal night’s rest.
Sleep trackers use your heart rate and movement to evaluate the efficiency of your rest, help you establish a healthy sleep routine and allow you to analyse those horrible nights spent tossing and turning. It’s important to prioritise sleep – regular poor sleep can have negative impacts on everything from cognitive function and blood pressure, to immune health and inflammation. If you don’t want to wear a sleep tracker, which you usually strap to your wrist, then there are non-wearable devices that slide under your mattress and communicate your sleep data via your WiFi. All devices are usually supported by an app, which gives a daily breakdown of how you slept, often alongside other insights such as fitness activity, stress levels and SpO2, also known as pulse oximetry, which measures oxygen saturation in your blood and can detect sleep apnea. Read on to discover our pick of the best sleep trackers and don’t forget to scroll down to our detailed buyer's advice section to research further before you invest. For more like this, visit our reviews section and discover over 400 practical buyer’s guides offering unbiased advice on what equipment is worth investing in, including the best fitness trackers and best gadgets for health lovers. Our health section also features expert advice on optimum sleep habits, including tips to improve your sleep hygiene, what food to eat before bedtime, and dietary changes that will help you sleep better. The best sleep trackers at a glance Best budget sleep tracker: Xiaomi Mi Band 5, £39.99 Best high-end sleep tracker: Apple Watch Series 6, from £379 Best all-in-one sleep tracker: Garmin Venu Sq, from £179.99 Best for ease of use: Whoop, from £30 (subscription) Best for sleep apnoea: Withings Sleep Analyzer, £99.95 Best wearable tracker for fitness fans: Polar Unite, £134.50 Best non-wearable tracker for fitness fans: Emfit QS Active, €299.98 Best for sleep and stress tracking: Fitbit Sense, £299.99 Best discreet sleep tracker: Oura Ring, $299 The best sleep trackers to buy online Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Available from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fitness-Tracker-Activity-Bracelet-Magnetic/dp/B08DV4GXZ7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Mi+Band+5&qid=1608741209&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMVRRSTNUSElCRTVBJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDk4NTQzMVBNTzhIRjdRN1ZYQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTQzOTQ4MU1DV0RDTEQ4T0NLMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&tag=bbc00-21&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-675274" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Amazon (£39.99) Best budget sleep tracker For this price we thought it impossible to find a reliable, durable sleep tracker, but we were proven wrong when we tested the Mi Band 5. You don’t get a breadth of intuitive functions and display options here, but you do get sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring and GPS activity tracking (when paired with your phone). The sleep tracking – which offers a sleep score, measures cycles, disturbances and efficiency – easily holds it own against rival, more expensive trackers. And the device’s app is easy to follow and it’s possible to isolate specific intel, plus you can integrate Apple Health or Google Fit into it. The touchscreen is responsive and easy to read, the device is water and swim proof, and the battery life is up to 14 days. The downsides are fair for under £40: only 11 sport modes, no wallet app and no inbuilt GPS, so you will always have to take your phone with you when you work out. Available from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fitness-Tracker-Activity-Bracelet-Magnetic/dp/B08DV4GXZ7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Mi+Band+5&qid=1608741209&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMVRRSTNUSElCRTVBJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDk4NTQzMVBNTzhIRjdRN1ZYQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTQzOTQ4MU1DV0RDTEQ4T0NLMCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&tag=bbc00-21&ascsubtag=bbcgoodfood-675274" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Amazon (£39.99) Apple Watch Series 6 Latest Deals Best high-end sleep tracker You will pay top dollar for Apple’s latest watch (£379 is a starting price), but if you want every function, metric and app, plus beautiful and intuitive design, then the Series 6 is your only choice. Most importantly (for our testing purposes) it contains sleep tracking. Rather than a nerdy data-driven experience, the Series 6 pushes you to create a healthy sleep routine. To get the best of it, you need to follow its advice. Set a bedtime and sleep time, embrace the nightly Wind Down function, make the most of the mindfulness and breathing apps and use the data generated from your rest to improve your daily sleep schedule rather than a stick to beat yourself with. There are a lot of bells and whistles: an SpO2 sensor, a hand-washing feature, music apps, Alexa, excellent GPS fitness tracking and an ECG app to record your heartbeat. It’s hard to have such data whizzing around on your wrist and not look at it constantly – especially when all your calls, messages and social media is feeding into it – but we played around with the settings and after a few days, felt we had the right mix of information and peace. Battery life is 36 hours at best so you’ll need to find 83 minutes to charge it every day or so. Latest Deals Garmin Venu Sq Available from: Garmin (£179.99), Argos (£179.99). Currys (£179) Best all-in-one sleep tracker The Venu Sq packs in a lot of functions with only two buttons and a touch screen to navigate. It’s not a watch for sausage fingers, but it is a brilliantly reliable all rounder that ticks several important boxes. Sleep tracking is done in the background and must be viewed on the free Garmin Connect app, which could be seen as a downside but since the sleep data is so detailed, we preferred looking at it on an app. The app reviews sleep stages with a clear graph and stats, which we found accurate, alongside pulse ox analysis and respiration (the latter on-point, the former hard to verify). There’s a one-day and seven-day sleep review but note the sleep tracking doesn’t work for naps. On top of this, it has a stress tracking function, which is complemented by breath work and mindfulness functions – we utilised them in the evening as part of our sleep routine. There’s also menstrual tracking and accurate GPS fitness tracking for most sports (it’s waterproof up to 50 metres). Standby battery life is a decent six days, the strap is simple to adjust (something frustratingly rare in sleep trackers) and there’s also a music-enabled option for £229.99. Available from: Garmin (£179.99) Argos (£179.99) Currys (£179) Whoop Available from Whoop (join from £30) Best for ease of use If you’re only interested in sleep data then you need Whoop, a wrist strap so discreet and comfortable you’ll forget you have it on. The purchase model is different to other trackers: select a strap (black is included in your subscription, or there are 11 other colours that start at £25 each) and choose from one of three payment plans (from £18 a month). There’s no screen on a Whoop, instead analytics are viewed on its app, which might frustrate some but we enjoyed one less distraction in our data saturated lives. The app collates expected data: heart rate, calorie burn, hours slept, sleep stages, disturbances and respiratory rate. It also uses algorithms to generate scores for ‘strain’ (how far you’ve pushed your body) and ‘recovery’ (how rested your body is). It also measures heart rate variability (HRV) – the variance in time between the beats of your heart. Studies show the greater HRV, the more able your body is to perform at more strenuous levels. These metrics are Whoop’s USP. It’s an incentive to look after yourself, but also to push yourself when your watch says you can. The device has a five-day battery life and is charged by a USB battery pack. The only negative? The fabric strap needs replacing every few months. Available from Whoop (join from £30) Withings Sleep Analyzer Latest Deals Best for sleep apnoea This thin mat, which slips under your mattress, is the best way to check for sleep apnoea, a disorder that causes a person’s breathing to be interrupted during sleep and can cause extreme fatigue and headaches, and can lead to high blood pressure and a higher chance of stroke. You will need one mat per person and a plug socket within three metres of the bed to power it. Data is sent to Withings’ app, Health Mate, which presents the mat’s insights – including snore detection thanks to a small mic in the mat – in a helpful traffic light design. iPhone users can add their Apple Health data to incorporate daily steps and workouts. We found the sleep data accurate – particularly the nighttime wakings – and the daily sleep score usually matched how we ‘felt’ we’d slept. The stand out feature is its ability to detect signs of sleep apnea and while that function is awaiting FDA approval in the US, in a clinical trial, the Analyzer was shown to achieve similar results to polysomnography, a diagnostic test usually performed in sleep labs. Results are presented on a scale (mild, moderate, severe) with explanations of each, surveys to take and advice on when to see a doctor. It won’t replace a professional diagnosis but based on the research and our own results, it’s a reliable indicator of a potential problem. Latest Deals Polar Unite Fitness Watch Latest Deals Best wearable sleep tracker for fitness fans Endorsed by a long list of professional runners and triathletes, Polar Unite’s expertise lies in providing accurate insights on a range of activities and metrics, plus reliable evaluation of how you perform when you aren’t active. All the standard issue sleep analysis is present – sleep time, actual sleep percentage, disturbances, sleep cycles and sleep continuity – but it’s the measure of your autonomic nervous system recovery that sets it apart from other trackers. Your autonomic nervous systems activates in stressful situations – including workouts – but should stabilise. If it doesn’t – because you’re anxious or intoxicated, for example – that will affect your body’s ability to recover and perform. Unite reflects this in its Nightly Recharge score, which is available to view on the mostly touchscreen watch or in Polar’s Flow app. Fitness-wise, the device can track, and offer feedback on, 100 activities and features. The stand out is the FitSpark function, which recommends workouts to help improve your personal fitness levels. Add to that waterproofing up to 30 metres and an elegant watch face, and you have a reliable, accurate, wearable device all at a price much lower than competitors. The only negative is the GPS, which isn’t in-built and must be paired with a phone. Latest Deals Emfit QS Active Available from Emfit (€299.98) Best non-wearable sleep tracker for fitness fans Emfit QS Active isn’t for tracking the minutiae of every physical exertion. Instead, it gathers your nighttime data (heart rate, cycles, respiratory rate, disturbances), and informs you of your sleep quality and recovery state, which can then be used to formulate training plans and rest days. Like Whoop, heart rate variability is a key component here – the higher your HRV, the more ready you are to push yourself. And like Polar’s Unite, it also assesses your autonomic nervous system to gauge your recovery state. It’s a reliable, fuss-free way to measure your body’s ability to cope with strain. The device is a thin belt-like sensor that sits under your mattress, with a two-metre long cable for plugging it in. Data is viewed on a desktop app, which is easy to follow despite the scientific UX, and you can drill down on individual stats to gain more granular insights. Helpfully, information can be exported via CSV format, allowing you to share it with a fitness buddy or trainer. One bug bear is the multi-stage set up, which will only be successful if you are connected to your Wifi’s 2.4 GHz, rather than the standard 5GHz. Available from Emfit (€299.98) Fitbit Sense Latest Deals Best for sleep and stress-tracking Sleep and stress go hand in hand, or rather they don’t, which is where Fitbit’s Sense comes to the rescue. The smartwatch features the same spot-on sleep tracking tech that all its models do, but also offers daily stress-tracking and the world’s first electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor. Using EDA responses, detected via the conductivity of your skin, the device can measure your stress levels. The EDA scan doesn’t run in the background – you need to sit still for two minutes while it works its magic – but it’s worthwhile for the results, which we found spot on, and the mindfulness exercises were beneficial on high-stress days; we particularly liked using them before bedtime. Speaking of which, Fitbit’s sleep tracking is impressive, with data on your baseline temperature, SpO2 tracker to help spot sleep apnea and a thorough breakdown of your sleep cycles, efficiency, disturbances and so on. However, you will need a premium subscription to get a full breakdown (currently free for a 90 day trial). The smartwatch comes with several apps as standard, including wallet, Alexa and Spotify, plus a host of other paid-for apps that can be added. Battery life is six days (providing you don’t turn on GPS for long). Latest Deals Oura Ring Available from Oura ($299) Best discrete sleep tracker Prince Harry and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey are reportedly fans of Oura, a minimalist tracker ring, which comes in two styles and up to four finishes, and packs a lot into such a tiny accessory. You will first need to measure your finger via a postal kit, and then order your ring. The exterior looks like a chunky ring, but the inside contains infrared LED sensors, two body temperature sensors, a 3D accelerometer, and a gyroscope. Your data pops up on Oura’s stylish app, an impressively comprehensive combination of data. Sleep duration, efficiency, cycles and latency are all present, but so too are heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, respiratory rate and training frequency. On top of that, the app features advice on sleep hygiene and audio stories, which act like guided meditation, and are designed to help you relax and fall asleep. The sleek design and holistic approach means Oura doesn’t feel like a tracker, rather a self care tool. Our only niggle is the charger cradle, which the ring sits on top of – but isn’t locked in. It’s fine for charging at home, but if you’re on the go – or have small children around who pick up everything – we can imagine the ring getting misplaced quickly. Available from Oura ($299) Sleep tracker buyer’s advice guide What is a sleep tracker? Sleep trackers monitor your heart rate and movement, interpret the data and display the results on an app on your phone or desktop, and in some cases show the data immediately on the device screen. They are mostly worn on the wrist but there are non-wearable devices, usually in the form of a thin sensor, which is mains-powdered and sits under a mattress. How do they work? By tracking heart rate and movement, they can detect your sleep cycles, how often you wake up, how long you were awake for and how long it takes you to fall asleep (known as latency). A person’s sleep cycles between non-rapid eye movement sleep (which has three stages: light, slow wave brain activity and deep sleep) and rapid eye movement sleep (where you dream). A sleep tracker will evaluate each night’s sleep, breaking it down into easy-to-understand graphs and percentages, often marking you an overall score for your night’s rest. The higher your sleep efficiency (what percentage of your time in bed you were actually asleep) the better your quality of rest. For the best results, wearables should be worn all the time (most are waterproof). Some sleep trackers measure only that; others track several activities, including fitness, stress levels and Sp02 levels, which can detect sleep apnea. There are also sleep trackers that can be synced with your smartphone to mirror your message, calls, photos and music apps. How accurate is a sleep tracker? For true accuracy you would need to be hooked up to an electroencephalograph to measure your brainwaves – but sleep trackers are the most accurate way of assessing your sleep efficiency and cycles without sleeping in a lab. There is also the function to edit data, so you can update your nightly results to help improve the accuracy, and import data from other health and fitness apps. Sleep trackers alone aren’t the golden pill for sleep health – they should be used in conjunction with good sleep hygiene. For some people, sleep trackers can add to their anxiety over sleep - or lack of it. If you suffer from orthosomnia – a sleep disorder where a patient becomes preoccupied by their sleep efficiency – then you should try a more intuitive sleep approach, and consider seeking professional help. Head here for more tips on how to get a good night's sleep. How should I choose a sleep tracker? Which device is right for you depends on how you want to track your sleep (on your body or in your room) and what data you want to collect (sleep, fitness, stress levels and so on). There are devices that will only track sleep, but if you also want to listen to music, field messages and track your fitness, then you would be wise to consolidated it all into one device. You should also consider style, materials and ease of use. Usually, the bigger the range of functions, the higher the price, ranging from £40-£400 depending on the spec. How to set up a sleep tracker Most devices have a straightforward set up. Wearables usually need a period of charging, and then they can be switched on and paired with your phone, often through a free app from the manufacturer. You can then review and edit your data at any point. With non wearables, the set up can be more complicated, as it involves connecting with your home WiFi, which you will need to be strong in the room you are sleeping in (a Wifi booster can help with this). All the devices we tested came with printed instructions, and we found YouTube tutorials on set up and usage for many of them. Running an app constantly in the background of your phone will drain your battery quicker, but it will allow your data to be processed immediately. What we looked for when testing Every device featured was tested for 24 hours a day for a minimum four-day period (often longer). We assessed the sleep tracking functions, battery life, fit, set up, design, and additional functions, such as music, activity tracking and messaging. Finally, we considered the type of person best suited to each device – if you only want to evaluate your sleep, there’s not much point in having a watch that can measure your mile pace or swimming speed. If you’re an athlete, on the other hand, those features will be essential. Health and fitness recipes and guides What to eat for better sleep How to tackle sleeplessness 5 tips to improve your sleep hygiene 7 late-night snacks for a healthier bedtime The best gadgets for health lovers Why am I always tired? 5 reasons you're waking up tired with no energy Fitness and nutrition advice This review was last updated in January 2021. 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.
We've found the best chocolate hampers to treat a lucky loved one, from crowd-pleasing Cadbury and Lindt to luxury hot chocolate hampers and more
An indulgent hamper will always feel like an absolute treat to receive, and never more so than when it is filled to the brim with chocolate. The best gift for any chocoholic you know, this is sure to bring a smile to their face for a generous treat. If you're giving gifts this Christmas, a chocolate hamper filled with more treats is the ultimate gift for chocolate to last the whole festive season. The world of chocolate hampers is booming and there are a wide variety of styles to choose from. Some hampers focus on one specific area such as trunks filled with truffles from top chocolatiers, baskets dedicated to one brand or a quirky popcorn-themed gift boxes. Others focus on giving a little bit of everything, combining bars, biscuits, fudge, booze and more for the ultimate chocolate-themed selection box. We've found chocolate hampers from some of the best known chocolate brands: think baskets of Cadbury, boxes of Hotel Chocolat treats and popcorn-themed offerings from Joe & Seph. Starting at under £20 and going all the way up to a decadent £145 option for a special Christmas chocolate hamper, there's a chocolate hamper to suit everyone. Read on for our full reviews of the best chocolate hampers to buy this year. For even more gifts for foodies, check out our best hampers, best budget gifts all under £15 or best sustainable gifts. Continue the chocolate theme with our best chocolate subscriptions and discover over 400 more buyer’s guides in our reviews section on everything from the best stand mixers to drinks, all tested and rated by Good Food experts. Best chocolate hampers to buy at a glance Best crowd-pleasing chocolate hamper: Cadbury chocolate basket, £35 Best all-rounder chocolate hamper: Hotel Chocolat Everything Collection hamper, £34.95 Best luxury chocolate hamper for variety: Chococo giant festive chocolate hamper box, £145 Best for chocolate truffles: Lindt Lindor collection hamper, £55 Best unusual chocolate hamper: Snowdonia Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Basket, £48 Best chocolate hamper for popcorn lovers: Joe & Seph’s Chocoholic popcorn gift box, £35 Best chocolate and alcohol hamper:Hampers.com red wine and chocolate hamper, £35 Best chocolate hampers to buy 2025 Cadbury chocolate basket Available from Cadbury Gifts Direct (£35) Best crowd-pleasing chocolate hamper It’s impossible not to love the sight of some signature Cadbury chocolates, so this hamper is sure to please, whether for nostalgia factor or just appealing to a seriously sweet tooth. With a Milk Tray plus boxes of Roses and Heroes, it’s great for sharing, plus there’s classic bars, buttons and Crunchie rocks to keep the Cadbury fix going. It's all wrapped up in a sweet mini wicker basket for that classic hamper feel. Available from: Cadbury Gifts Direct (£35) Hotel Chocolat Everything Collection hamper Available from Hotel Chocolat (£34.95) Best all-rounder chocolate hamper If you’re buying a chocolate hamper as a gift and are not sure what type of chocolate the lucky recipient likes, this hamper is the solution. The appropriately named ‘Everything Collection’ has a variety of Hotel Chocolat’s popular signature treats, including milk chocolate batons, Trillionaire’s shortbread truffles and an ‘Everything’ selection box including fruity and boozy chocolates. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£34.95) Chococo giant festive chocolate hamper box Available from Chococo (£145) Best luxury chocolate hamper for variety Swap a wicker basket for a box filled to the brim with top quality chocolate with this Chococo hamper offering. As the name suggests, there’s a varied selection (14 different items!) of popular Chococo items hidden in here. Highlights include a box of assorted truffles, sea salt caramel stars, a blonde chocolate penguin and tin of hot chocolate flakes. It's a great one for families, with some items sure to please children as well as other more grown-up flavours. Available from: Chococo (£145) Lindt Lindor collection hamper Available from Lindt (£55) Best for chocolate truffles Surely one of the most decadent chocolate hampers we’ve tried, we love the element of personalisation involved in this 1.6kg offering from Lindt. As well as three boxes of truffles, plus a selection of large and small bars, the compact box is completed by choosing a whopping 650g of Lindt truffle pick 'n' mix. Fill your quota however you like – go all in on 650g of a favourite, or choose a selection from the wide range of flavours, some of which we hadn’t seen before, such as matcha, mango and popcorn truffles. The lucky recipient will be kept going with chocolate for a very long time. Available from: Lindt (£55) Snowdonia Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Basket Available from Snowdonia Cheese (£48) This chocolate hamper is a whole unique tasting experience. Snowdonia Cheese have collaborated with Willie's Cacao to pair four cheeses with four chocolates, with a tasting leaflet to guide you through this experience. Delivered in a gift basket a lucky recipient can keep, these unusual pairings can be tried together as well as enjoyed separately – think chilli cheese with white chocolate, or garlic and herb-infused cheddar with tangy lime milk chocolate... Available from: Snowdonia Cheese (£48) Joe & Seph’s Chocoholic popcorn gift box Available from Not on the High Street (£35) Best chocolate hamper for popcorn lovers The dream chocolate hamper for settling down in front of a Christmas movie and a winning gift for chocoholic popcorn lovers, this contains a whole medley of popcorn treats and best of all, you can pick exactly what goes into it yourself. Choose your ideal flavours of popcorn, popcorn bites and caramel sauce from a wide range, plus add a gift box and gift note if giving as a present. Available from: Not on the High Street (£35) Hampers.com red wine and chocolate hamper Available from hampers.com (£35) Best chocolate and alcohol hamper No need to choose whether to take chocolate or wine next time you’re a guest! Hosts will be thrilled by this simple, smart hamper combining a bottle of Spanish Garnacha with a mini box of ribbon-tied chocolate truffles. All Hampers.com hampers are also 100% carbon neutral, including delivery. Available from: hampers.com (£35) Related reviews Best hampers The best chocolate subscriptions and clubs The best sweet subscriptions and clubs Best Easter eggs to buy Best marshmallow toasting kits 50 best budget Christmas gifts Best foodie advent calendars Hotel Chocolat Black Friday deals This review was last updated in December 2025. 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.
13 of the best healthy cookbooks to buy that will transform how you cook
This is our definitive list of the best healthy cookbooks. We've included our favourite gluten-free, veggie, vegan, healthy student and family books – add them to your repertoire and you'll never run out of ideas
We've got good news. Eating healthily (or making considerable changes to your diet) doesn't have to be hard. When you're armed with the right cookbook, you have a whole world of recipes to explore, meaning you'll never run out of inspiration and hopefully find it easier to stay on track. But with so many cookbooks available to buy, how do we know which ones are best? We asked our team of food experts to recommend their favourite cookbooks with a healthy angle and compiled a list of our top finds. From books which help with losing weight, eating less dairy, going gluten-free or following the change of the seasons, we have everything you need below. There are books filled with healthy family dishes, hearty salads, vegan brunch recipes, veggie weeknight dishes and even nourishing student meals. For more cookbook inspiration, head to our cookbooks review hub and check out our guides to the best keto cookbooks, best air fryer cookbooks or best gluten-free cookbooks. For more unbiased expert buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section to find over 400 round-ups, including the best healthy cereal, gluten-free bread and high-protein snacks. 13 best healthy cookbooks at a glance Best for easy healthy recipes: Eat Yourself Healthy, Jamie Oliver, £15 Best for avoiding UPFs: The Unprocessed Plate, Rhiannon Lambert, £14.61 Best vegetarian cookbook: A Modern Way to Cook, Anna Jones, £22.33 Best for uni students: The Green Roasting Tin, Rukmini Iyer, £13.60 Best for families: Joe's Family Food, Joe Wicks, £8 Best for healthy classics: Honestly Healthy for Life: Healthy Alternatives for Everyday Eating, Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson, £9.99 Best for fresh flavours: A Change of Appetite, Diana Henry, £13.80 Best for understanding nutrition: How Not to Die, Michael Greger, £15.93 Best budget vegan cookbook: Broke Vegan, Saskia Sidey, £7.32 Best healthy Indian cookbook: Chetna's Healthy Indian, Chetna Makan, £11.75 Best for seasonal cooking: The Magnificent Book of Vegetables: How to Eat a Rainbow Every Day, Alice Hart, £21.13 Best for gut health: The FODMAP Friendly Kitchen, Emma Hatcher, £21.13 Best for overall health: The Doctor's Kitchen, Dr Rupy Aujla, £12.96 The best healthy cookbooks to buy 2025 Eat Yourself Healthy by Jamie Oliver Available from Amazon (£15), Waterstones (£15) Best for easy healthy recipes If you want to start cooking more healthy recipes at home but aren't sure how to start, this is the book for you. In his signature approachable style, Jamie Oliver makes healthy eating feel easy with plenty of quick recipes using familiar ingredients that are sure to slip easily into your everyday routine. The 120 recipes will keep you on the healthy track, from sticky steak and aubergine salad to a supergreen stir-fry and hasselback salmon which is impressive enough for entertaining. The full-size photos will draw you in and have you bookmarking page after page. The book also has a two-week meal plan to get you started, and 50 easy healthy hacks to help you transform how you shop, cook and eat. Available from: Amazon (£15) Waterstones (£15) The Unprocessed Plate by Rhiannon Lambert Available from Amazon (£14.61), Waterstones (£15.99) We hear a lot about processed foods and the dangers of UPFs but it can be hard to know how to tackle these in daily life. This Sunday Times-bestseller from Rhiannon Lambert aims to help you understand the truths about UPFs and how to avoid them, with lots of unprocessed recipes. In a time where there can be a lot of myths and confusing information around 'healthy' foods, this unpacks the big questions as well as practical advice like easy swaps you can make when food shopping and how to build a UPF-free storecupboard. The recipe section puts this advice to good use with recipes for everything from overnight oats and homemade bread to vibrant salads, soups and traybakes filled with veg that make eating the rainbow feel easy. Available from: Amazon (£15.71) Waterstones (£15.99) A Modern Way to Cook by Anna Jones Available from Amazon (£22.33), Waterstones (£28) Best vegetarian cookbook This is the second book from Anna Jones, who we consider a queen of vegetarian cooking. Her first, A Modern Way to Eat, specialised in simple yet delicious meals, all made without meat. A Modern Way to Cook continues in this vein, but introduces slightly more adventurous dishes and unusual flavour pairings. It includes clean, nourishing, vegetable-focused recipes which can be enjoyed any night of the week. Chapters are broken down into cooking times (under 15, 20, 30 and 40 minutes). In classic Anna Jones style, every recipe is balanced – taste, texture, acidity, spice, sweetness and crunch are always considered. And she uses clever tricks to both save time and enhance flavour. The kale, tomato and lemon one-pot spaghetti, which makes a silky sauce using the starchy water, will change the way you cook pasta forever. Available from: Amazon (£22.33) Waterstones (£28) The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer Available from Amazon (£13.60), Waterstones (£20) Best for uni students Rukmini Iyer's roasting tin books have been hugely successful, and for good reason. She takes one tin and a few simple ingredients then pops them in the oven, what comes out is a balanced, healthy meal that you can enjoy any night of the week. There are six books to try, and we love this veggie and vegan one. It contains 75 meat-free recipes, including hearty three-bean chilli with guacamole, miso aubergine, and beetroot, chickpea and coconut curry. We appreciate that there are no complicated ingredients and absolutely no faff. Available from: Amazon (£13.60) Waterstones (£20) Joe's Family Food by Joe Wicks Available from Amazon (£8) , Waterstones (£20) Best for family meals You'll probably recognise Joe Wicks from the cover of his Lean in 15 books, which promote healthy eating habits and helped millions to lose weight. Now he focuses his attention on helping families put nourishing meals on the table, while spending less time in the kitchen and more time together. His book offers family recipes with a healthy twist. It's approachable, as most of the recipes are classics the kids already know and love, from pasta to pizza, burgers and even popcorn. The chapters are divided into sections like speedy suppers, big batch and hob recipes, so you can choose meals depending on how much time and effort you feel like putting in. Available from: Amazon (£8) Waterstones (£20) Honestly Healthy for Life: Healthy Alternatives for Everyday Eating by Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson Available from Amazon (£9.99) Best for healthy classics Honestly Healthy is a book for anyone following the alkaline diet – a way of eating which aims to reduce acid in the body and restrict the amount of sugar, meat and processed foods consumed. The recipes are mostly vegetarian and packed with pulses, nuts, fruit and sprouted grains. There's lots of helpful information about the alkaline diet, should you wish to learn more. There's even a short five-day cleanse with meal plans to help get you started. Although there's no scientific evidence for some of the claims made about the diet, you'll still benefit from reducing your intake of processed ingredients and eating more healthy, balanced meals. Available from: Amazon (£9.99) A Change of Appetite by Diana Henry Available from Amazon (£13.80), Waterstones (£30) Best for fresh flavours This is senior food editor Anna Glover's go-to cookbook when she's looking for something lighter. "It made me think about eating healthy as something to enjoy rather than fear," she told us, "and I knew the recipes would be full of flavour and interesting. I was bookmarking every page as a ‘to make’ which is when I know it’s a good cookbook! The griddled Vietnamese chicken with table salad, Burmese chilli fish with hot and sour salad, and Israeli chicken with harissa griddled peaches and mint were the first things that caught my eye." Available from: Amazon (£13.80) Waterstones (£30) Foyles (£30) How Not to Die by Michael Greger Available from Amazon (£15.93), Waterstones (£12.99), Foyles (£12.99) Best for nutrition Dr. Michael Greger's best-selling book focuses on enriching your diet so that you can you reduce your risk of illness and disease. In a time when most doctors prescribe medicine or surgery, he suggests that adopting a healthy, plant-based diet could be enough to avoid some types of sickness and even reverse the effects of disease. Beyond the sensationalist title is a selection of excellent plant-based dishes waiting to be enjoyed. As well as cutting edge nutritional science and a helpful checklist of 12 foods we should consume every day. It offers a clear, actionable path for anyone looking to eat more mindfully to boost longevity. Available from: Amazon (£15.94) Waterstones (£12.99) Foyles (£12.99) Broke Vegan by Saskia Sidey Available from Amazon (£7.32), Waterstones (£12.99) Best budget vegan cookbook Whether it's for the health of the planet or ourselves, we all want to increase the amount of plant-based recipes in our repertoire. But going vegan can be expensive – there's meat and dairy-alternatives to buy, not to mention all the extra nuts, herbs and spices for flavour. Luckily there's this handy cookbook from food stylist Saskia Sidey, who breathes new life into vegan cooking while keeping costs down. From uni students to inexperienced vegans, plenty of people will enjoy this book. It's full of recipes that use whatever you have on hand, such as back-of-the-fridge fritters, vegetable tart and frozen smoothie bowls. Plus, there are tips for making food go further, batch-cooking ideas, and sweet recipes for times of indulgence. Available from: Amazon (£7.32) Waterstones (£12.99) Chetna's Healthy Indian Vegetarian by Chetna Makan Available from Amazon (£11.27), Waterstones (£20) Best healthy Indian cookbook You may remember Chetna from her time on The Great British Bake Off or her first best-selling cookbook, Chai, Chaat and Chutney. Either way, you'll be seriously impressed by this healthy offering. Its pages are lined with healthy and vibrant Indian recipes, all made without meat. Recipes include courgette kofta curry and spicy roasted cauliflower. Chetna proves that veg really can be the star of the show. Perfect for those times when you want big flavours without the calories, salt or fat. It's inspiring, especially to anyone who thinks Indian cooking only covers the cream-laden dishes we often order in restaurants. Available from: Amazon (£11.27) Waterstones (£20) Foyles (£20) The Magnificent Book of Vegetables: How to Eat a Rainbow Every Day by Alice Hart Available from Amazon (£21.15), Waterstones (£26), Foyles (£26) Best for seasonal cooking We all know the benefits of eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, with this beautiful collection of vegetarian and vegan recipes, you'll be eating a rainbow in no time. The book is split into seasons, so you can choose new wholesome dishes throughout the year. The focus is on simple-yet-satisfying flavours and ingredients which nourish our bodies and minds. Highlights include crispy courgette and sweetcorn fritters, beetroot puttanesca and purple sprouting broccoli pasta. Available from: Amazon (£21.13) Waterstones (£26) The FODMAP Friendly Kitchen by Emma Hatcher Available from Amazon (£21.13), Waterstones (£25) Best for gut health FODMAPs are foods which cause problems for anyone with digestive issues, such as coeliac disease and IBS. After suffering from a sensitive gut for years, Emma Hatcher was recommended the FODMAP diet by a doctor and never looked back. Now, she brings the joy of cooking and eating back to anyone living with bloating, tummy pains and feelings of discomfort by making recipes without these problem foods. Her recipes prove it's possible to look after your gut while enjoying quick, easy and nourishing meals every day. Try the baked eggs with tomatoes and feta, quinoa, kale and feta patties with rainbow slaw and rhubarb polenta cake. Available from: Amazon (£21.13) Waterstones (£25) The Doctor's Kitchen by Dr Rupy Aujla Latest Deals Best for general health For those who want to forget the fad diets and follow a doctor's advice, there's this fantastic first book from Dr Rupy Aujla. He's a strong believer in the power of food as medicine, something he calls 'plates over pills'. Within the pages, he explains the principles of living healthily, the impact of what we choose to put on our plate and how dangerous it can be to self-diagnose our intolerance to things like gluten. He includes plenty of wholesome recipes to get you started – each one is a balance of nutrients, as well as textures and flavours. Available from: Amazon (£14.19) WHSmith (£15.63) Waterstones (£16.99) Hungry for more? Try these... The best healthy cereals, tried & tested The best healthy chocolate The best gluten-free bread to buy Low FODMAP recipes Healthy vegan recipes Healthy vegetarian recipes Healthy gluten-free recipes Our most popular healthy recipes Best vegan cookbooks Best keto cookbooks Best gluten-free cookbooks Best vegetarian cookbooks This review was last updated in December 2025. 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. Do you have a favourite cookbook that hasn't been mentioned? Please let us know in the comments below.
7 of the best meat thermometers, tried and tested
Want to achieve succulent meat, cooked exactly to your liking, every time? Discover our guide to the top meat thermometers on the market, from smart wireless gadgets to low-tech options
For juicy, succulent roasts, a meat thermometer is a kitchen must. It takes the guesswork out of reaching that perfect level of doneness, so if you're looking forward to a medium-rare fillet of beef, that's exactly what you get. When hosting Christmas dinner, you can also check the turkey is cooked, taking the stress out of whether it's safe to eat, with the knowledge that the meat will still be tender and moist. Remember to test the thickest part of the meat, away from bones, fat or gristle, for the most accurate reading. Digital probes can't be immersed in water, so a good tip is to clean them with an antibacterial wipe or sterilise in boiling water. Whether you choose a low-tech or digital version, it's useful having a guide to temperatures and what they equate to for different meats, so you know if the meat is cooked to your liking. Keen cooks may want to choose a thermometer with a broad temperature range, allowing them to be able to test sugar, oil and perhaps also chilled dishes. Our expert reviews team has put a range of meat thermometers to the test. Read on to find out which models made the cut, and discover roast dinner essentials in our guides to the best roasting tins, best baking trays, best casserole dishes, and best cast-iron cookware. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best meat thermometers at a glance Best meat thermometer: Chef iQ Sense double-probe meat thermometer, £59.99 Best wireless meat thermometer: Ninja ProChef wireless thermometer, £69.99 Best meat thermometer for ease of use: Cosori Smart wireless meat thermometer, £48.58 Best instant-read meat thermometer: Thermapen Professional, £79,99 Best leave-in meat thermometer: Meater+, £49.99 Best budget meat thermometer: OXO Good Grips digital thermometer, £19.13 Best basic meat thermometer: Heston Blumenthal Precision by Salter meat thermometer, £19.99 Jump to: Best meat thermometers to buy in 2025 Which type of meat thermometer should you buy? How to use a digital thermometer for meat How we tested meat thermometers We tested a representative sample of gadgets on roasted meat and scored them on the following criteria: Accuracy: We tested thermometers against each other. Readability: We liked thermometers where you could see what the temperature was at a glance. Ease of use: A meat thermometer is a kitchen staple and you shouldn't have to pore over the instructions. Storage: With plenty of items jostling for room in kitchen drawers and cupboards, we looked for thermometers that were designed not to take up too much space. Value for money: Our sample ranged from £3 to £99; we gave extra marks for those that were good value. Best meat thermometers to buy in 2025 Chef iQ Sense meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£59.99) Best meat thermometer Pros: Includes two probes Intuitive app with thorough guidance 40-hour battery life with ultra-fast charging Visual and audible alerts Cons: Unable to see detailed view of both probes simultaneously within the app Star rating: 5/5 It's rare to find a dual-probe meat thermometer that allows you to track two food items at once, but this clever Chef iQ gadget is more than up to the task. It's operated via the Chef iQ app, which is packed with customisable features, how-to videos, recipes and step-by-step instructions, with options for poultry, red meat, veggies, plant-based proteins and even wild game. From there, you can select a specific cut of meat, fish or vegetable and the level of 'doneness' you'd like to achieve, with the recommended temperature listed next to it. As the probes are wireless, the Smart Hub (in which the probes sit) will need a quick charge when you unbox it. However, when we say quick, we really mean it: after less than 10 minutes, we found both probes were almost at full power. Both probes are 12cm long, have sharp ends and are slimline enough that they don't leave gaping holes behind. They're safe to use in an oven, air fryer or deep fryer, and can handle temperatures up to 400C. In test, we found tracking the temperature and resting time of two different cuts of steak remarkably simple, and with audible and visual alerts all the way through, we felt comfortable putting our trust in the on-screen guidance rather than following the packet instructions. To our delight, both probes were spot on. If we're being very picky, we'd like to be able to see a detailed view of both probes at the same time while using the app, but that's really z`aa§1nitpicking. The Chef iQ Sense thermometer was a joy to use, and should you prefer it, there's also a single-probe set and a triple-probe set available. Specifications: Leave in oven – yes, up to 400C Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Amazon (£59.99) undefined Ninja ProChef wireless thermometer Available from Very (£69), Ninja (£69.99) Best wireless meat thermometer Pros: 30-hour battery life with rechargeable case Easy to clean Suitable for outdoor use Heat-resistant up to 370C Compatible app with live updates Cons: More expensive than others on the market Material around the charging portal scratches easily Star rating: 5/5 This wireless thermometer from Ninja comes with a rechargeable case and compatible app, where you'll find settings for chicken, beef, pork, turkey, lamb, veal, fish, duck and plant-based ingredients, plus a manual mode. We used a coin to twist open the charging portal, as is suggested in the manual, but found it was quite stiff and the material scratched easily. A battery is included and you'll need to charge the probe at least an hour before use, though conveniently it will stay charged for up to 30 hours. We put the thermometer to the test by cooking a small whole chicken, then a rump steak, and had no trouble inserting the sharp probe into each piece of meat. Whenever you leave the thermometer in, the app will give live updates on the current temperature of the food as it cooks. In test we found it had some trouble identifying how much cooking time was left, but the probe was able to correctly identify when both pieces of meat were perfectly done. Specifications: Leave in oven – yes, up to 370C Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Very (£69) Ninja (£69.99) undefined Cosori Smart wireless meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£48.58), Cosori (£99.99) Best meat thermometer for ease of use Pros: Intuitive app with visible and audible alerts Fast, accurate reading Compact design Heat-resistant up to 300C Cons: More expensive than similar models Star rating: 4.5/5 As smart meat thermometers go, this model from Cosori is by far one of the easiest we've ever used. It connects to and is controlled via the VeSync app, which is simple to navigate and comes with a range of options for different types and cuts of meat, plus a manual mode. You can adjust various settings in the app, like audible alerts, unit of measurement (celsius or fahrenheit) and whether you want to keep the screen on during cooking. There are also reminders for flipping and resting that can be switched on/off, plus clear safety instructions that flash up before you start cooking. In test, we had some trouble getting the app to calculate the time remaining, but the internal food temperature and ambient temperature are displayed very clearly. You can even change the target temperature after you've started. The results were excellent. Our steak was medium-rare as intended, while the whole chicken we roasted was juicy and perfectly cooked through. Our only niggle with this thermometer is the price: the RRP is higher than other, potentially flashier models on the market, and doesn't appear to offer anything extra. This aside, it's an impressive piece of kit that's reliable and accurate. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Amazon (£48.58) Cosori (£99.99) undefined Thermapen Professional Available from Amazon (£79.99) Best instant-read meat thermometer Pros: Quick and easy to read Straightforward Accurate Cons: Limited features This thermometer simply reads the temperature of meat. There's no on/off button; it springs into life when you open the probe, and turns itself off when you close it or after a couple of minutes of inactivity to save the battery. The probe extends out of the body and folds back easily into place for storage. Thermapens are individually calibrated for extra reassurance and we found it consistently accurate. We would have liked a guide to suggested temperature for meats on the thermometer, however. The thermometer boasts a very clear display, which takes just a few seconds to find the temperature. The display rotates (like a smartphone) so you can always read it easily without having to crane your neck. It only needs to go 3mm into the meat so worked effectively on smaller pieces likes chicken thighs. We also liked the fact that the tip is very small, so you're not left with a big hole in the meat. This is nice to hold and satisfyingly chunky in the hand. It wouldn't take up much space in the drawer but wouldn't be easy to lose either as it comes in a range of vibrant colours (ours was red). There's a sensor that turns on if the ambient light is too dim. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – no Available from: Amazon (£79.99) Latest Deals Meater+ meat thermometer Available from Currys (£84.99), Robert Dyas (£90.99), Borough Kitchen (£99) Best leave-in meat thermometer Pros: Wireless Great app Cons: Very expensive You can get an app for just about everything these days – yes, even one that measures the temperature of roast meat. When not in use, the clever little thermometer that goes with it sits in a box that charges the battery. When you want to use it, you have to connect it to the app. Tap the screen to choose your meat and how well you want it done and it will select the temperature it needs to be cooked at. You can also choose the temperature manually, if you prefer. The rather dinky probe needs to be inserted deeply into the meat, and from there, it relays readings wirelessly. We placed it at the top of a joint of beef and pushed it into the side of a chicken leg. The app tells you the current temperature of the meat as it's cooking, the target temperature, the oven temperature and how long there is to go, although it took a few minutes to calculate the latter. You'll get a five-minute warning before your meat is ready, and an alert to tell you when it's done (as it cheerily wishes you 'happy eating'). We were particularly impressed with the results of our roast beef, as it saved us from overcooking it – we decided to trust it, rather than the instructions on the packaging. Specifications: Leave in oven – yes, up to 275C Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – yes Available from: Currys (£84.99) Robert Dyas (£90.99) Borough Kitchen (£99) Latest Deals OXO Good Grips Chef's Precision digital instant-read thermometer Available from Argos (£12.37), Amazon (£15.99), Harts of Stur (£19.13) Best budget meat thermometer Pros: Speedy reading Affordable price Thin probe Cons: Battery awkward to change This is a fast-acting digital thermometer that we found consistently accurate when testing beef, roast chicken thighs and a whole chicken. The head tilts into three different positions, making it easy to read, and the digital display is large and clear. Press a button at the top to turn it on or off and another at the back to switch between fahrenheit and celsius. We liked the size of this thermometer. The probe is thin but the chunky head means it's hard to lose in your utensil drawer, despite taking up minimal space. There's a protective sheath to slot it into for safety. The cover has cooking temperatures for red meat, ground meat, pork, ham and poultry, with different temperatures for different levels of doneness. There are also different temperature settings for thigh and breast meat when cooking poultry. General cooking times are listed on the other side for a ballpark figure. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – no Available from: Argos (£12.37) Amazon (£15.99) Harts of Stur (£19.13) Latest Deals Heston Blumenthal Precision Kitchen BBQ meat thermometer by Salter Available from Amazon (£19.99) Best basic meat thermometer Pros: Good all-rounder Cons: Hard to switch between celsius and fahrenheit This is a straightforward instant-read digital thermometer that is designed to work on everything from your Sunday roast to a barbecue. Its long probe means you don't need to get too close to the heat on a barbie, and its removable waterproof silicone covering protects it from rain. The digital display is easy to read and the main part of the unit is satisfyingly chunky in the hand and comfortable to hold. There's a big, easy to use on/off button and the probe comes with a protective sheath. The thermometer itself was pretty speedy to use and, overall, this is a well designed piece of kit. The only downside is the difficulty of changing between celsius and fahrenheit. The switch is located in the battery compartment, so you need to remove the silicone cover, take off the back of the battery compartment and remove the batteries to access it. This will only be a problem is you like to know both temperatures; if you usually work in one or the other, you can just set it and leave it. Specifications: Leave in oven – no Analogue or digital – digital Needs an app – no Available from: Amazon (£19.99) Latest Deals Which type of meat thermometer should you buy? We tested a variety of types, and which one you choose depends on what you like to cook. In-oven thermometers: These can be ideal if you want to be able to see what the temperature is without having to take things in and out of the oven. Analogue models: These tend to be bulky so aren't as good for small pieces of meat like chicken thighs. You'll need to have an oven with a working light to be able to read these (or open the oven door). Probe thermometers: These come with a probe which you insert when you put your meat in the oven and are attached by heat-resistant wire to the unit, which stays outside (they are usually magnetic so attach to the oven). This means you can read the temperature at any time just by glancing at the unit. They will show you the temperature of your meat and beep when it’s ready. If you are constantly opening the oven, for instance to baste, these can get in the way. Instant read thermometers: Take your meat out the oven and insert the thermometer. These come in both analogue and digital. Some simply tell you the temperature, while others show requirements for different meats so you can see at a glance if your turkey, for instance, is cooked. Most show you the temperature in both celsius and fahrenheit, or allow you to switch between them. Thermometers with apps: These are probes you put in the oven and connect to an app on your phone. You can set your desired temperature through the app. How to use a meat thermometer To get the most accurate reading with a digital thermometer, it needs to be inserted into the middle of the thickest part of the meat. If inserted too little or too far, the reading won't be accurate. For joints of meat that are on the bone, like a rib of beef or leg of lamb, make sure the tip of the thermometer isn’t in contact with the bone, or you'll get the temperature of the bone rather than the meat. For pieces of meat cooking on the barbecue or in a pan, it’s best to measure the temperature out of the pan, so you don’t get the residual temperature from the hot surface. For whole chickens and other birds, the most accurate place to take the temperature is the thickest part of the thigh, in the gap between the thigh and the breast, again, avoiding the bone. Once you are happy with where you've placed your thermometer, always wait for the temperature to stop fluctuating to get an accurate reading. Another thing to take into consideration, especially with large joints of meat or whole birds, is that the temperature will rise by at least another 5C as the meat rests, so if you're after a certain temperature, you're better to be slightly under. Related reviews Best roasting tins Best baking trays Best air fryers Best casserole dishes Best cast-iron skillets and pans Best cast-iron cookware Best gas barbecues Best charcoal barbecues Best pressure cookers Best slow cookers Best toasters Best dehydrators Best hand blenders Best oven thermometers 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. Do you swear by your meat thermometer? Leave 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, £79.99 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, £79.20 Best ceramic pan set: Joseph Joseph Space folding-handle 6-piece cookware set, £615 Best hard-anodised pan set: Circulon Style Anodised 3-piece saucepan set, £179.99 Best hybrid pan set: Circulon C Series SteelShield 3-piece pan set, £119.99 Best-looking pan set: Our Place Essentials Complete Cookware Set, £370 Best value pan set: Stellar 7000 5-piece pan set, £129 Jump to: 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 (£65.31), 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) undefined 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 hard-anodised 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 Amazon (£101.62), Circulon (£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: 20cm frying pan, 27cm frying pan, 31cm frying pan with lid, 2L saucepan with lid, 2.8L saucepan with lid, 3.8L sauté pan with lid, 6.6L stock pot with lid, 6.6L stainless-steel strainer basket, 100% recycled PP storage system (x4) Materials: Thermakind® ceramic nonstick coating with pressed aluminium body Warranty: 2 years Oven-safe: Yes, up to 232°C (glass lids oven safe up to 220°C) Induction-compatible? Yes undefined Our Place Essentials Complete Cookware Set Available from Our Place (£370) Best-looking pan set Pros: Effective non-stick Good-looking Fully recyclable packaging Cons: Heavy Some pans are too large for standard-sized hob rings Star rating: 4/5 Much like the rest of Our Place's cookware range, this is a pan set that's made for keeping out on display – be it on the hob or as part of the 4-piece storage system that's included. There are four colours to choose from (blue salt, char, cream and terracotta), and the stylish gold handles and knobs on the lids add to the premium feel. Most of the pans are very weighty and relatively well balanced, though the larger ones could do with an additional handle to aid with lifting and cleaning. The 3.8L sauté pan does come with an extra handle, but in test this was too hot to touch so wasn't particularly useful. If buying this set, it's worth checking the dimensions of your hob rings, too, particularly if cooking with induction or electric. I found most of the pans were too big for our kitchen's standard-sized hob rings, so they took much longer to heat up (even when on the highest heat). Once they'd finally hit temperature, though, I thought the cooking results were good – both the pancakes and omelettes were evenly browned, slipping from pan to plate with ease, and the diced onions caramelised nicely without burning. The non-stick performance was also impressive and after whipping up a batch of porridge, which is notoriously stubborn to clean, only a light scrub with a sponge was needed to lift off the residue. Specifications: Set contains: 20cm frying pan, 27cm frying pan, 31cm frying with lid, 2L saucepan with lid, 2.8L saucepan with lid, 3.8L sauté pan with lid, 6.6L stock pot with lid, nesting stainless-steel strainer basket for stock pot, 4-piece storage system Materials: Thermakind® ceramic nonstick coating, pressed aluminium body Warranty: 2 years Oven-safe: Up to 232C (glass lids up to 220C) Induction-compatible? Yes Available from: Our Place (£370) 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, £39.99 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 Microwave deals Dishwasher deals Pizza oven 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.
The best coffee beans to buy online, tried and tested
Love fresh coffee in the morning? Ordering beans straight to your door means you'll never run out. We've rounded up the best UK coffee roasteries and highlighted winning products from each
If you rely on a cup of coffee to kickstart your morning, you're in good company – coffee is now the most consumed drink in Britain according to a 2024 global survey by Statista, knocking the stereotypically British cup of tea down into second place. Whether you reach for an artisanal pour-over or a cafetière cup, no one wants to wake up to the terrifying realisation that they have no coffee. Thankfully, with the recent rise of outstanding roasteries across the UK, finding your perfect brew has never been easier. We tested 23 types of coffee bean and have selected our top nine below, measuring each coffee against four main flavour categories: sweetness, acidity, bitterness and balance. Because artisan bean production can have a quick turnover, some of these blends will only be in stock temporarily, but we've recommended the roasteries, too. For more on coffee, we've reviewed the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, espresso machines, coffee pod machines, filter coffee machines, iced coffee makers, cafetières, coffee grinders, milk frothers and reusable coffee cups. Plus, read our guide to picking the best coffee machine for your budget. Sponsored by Origin Coffee Experience the flavours of Christmas with Origin Coffee's seasonal blends What better way to celebrate the festive season than with Origin Coffee’s Christmas blends? For espresso lovers there’s the Christmas blend, which marries raspberry truffles, poached plums and cocoa flavours. If you're after something bolder and more complex, try San Antonio Christmas Single Origin coffee beans, which offers candied apple, prune and almond notes – ideal for French press or cafetière. You can experience both with the Christmas Coffee Duo Set, or if you own a coffee pod machine, try Origin Coffee’s Christmas pods, which are fully compostable. Shop the full range of Christmas blends now at OriginCoffee.co.uk. Best coffee beans to buy at a glance Best supermarket coffee beans: Grind – house blend, from £9.95 Best coffee bean blend: Kiss the Hippo – George Street blend, from £12 Best coffee beans for French press: Pact Coffee – house blend, from £11.19 Best coffee beans for latte: Origin Coffee Roasters – Resolute, from £10.65 Best medium-roast coffee beans: Rounton – Granary blend, from £9.75 Best coffee beans for espresso: Assembly Coffee – house espresso, from £11 Best organic coffee beans: Owens – Coast blend, from £8.95 Best all-rounder coffee beans: Volcano Coffee Works – Mount blend, from £9 Best coffee beans for coffee aficionados: Square Mile – Red Brick blend, £14.50 Jump to: Best coffee beans to buy online in 2025 How we tested coffee beans How to brew coffee How we tested coffee beans Sweetness: Coffee contains naturally occurring sugars that are brought out by the roasting process. While some beans have higher concentrations than others, the roaster is typically responsible for the sweetness in a cup. We looked for coffees with plenty of sugary notes and coffees with more unusual types of sweetness, which scored higher than those with more common features. Acidity: Most of us underestimate the importance of acidity in coffee but the level of acid signifies where a coffee is from, how it was processed and even at what altitude it was grown. Acidity, like sweetness, can range from simple to complex. We scored coffees with more complex or enjoyable forms of acidity higher in our blind taste test. Bitterness: When coffee is roasted, some of its inherent bitterness is diminished, making it more palatable for human consumption. However, if roasted too dark, the roasting itself produces bitter flavours, most of which we perceive as unpleasant. We looked for coffees with a low-to-medium bitterness, and with no acrid or carbonic notes. Balance: Much of what defines our favourite coffee experiences depends on our personal preferences. However, balance is a way of determining objective overall flavour. In our blind taste test, we defined balance as harmony across the three flavour categories. Combined with a good roast profile, these flavours work together to create a balanced cup. View oEmbed on the source website Best coffee beans to buy online in 2025 Grind coffee beans – house blend Available from Grind – 227g (from £9.95), Waitrose – 200g (£5), Tesco – 200g (£5.95), Amazon – 1kg (£29.95) Best supermarket coffee beans Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Brazil, Colombia Flavour notes: dark chocolate, almond, cherry, caramel Recommended brew methods: pour-over, Aeropress, cafetière, moka pot, espresso With 14 locations in London, including cafés, coffee shops and trucks, you can also find Grind whole coffee beans, grounds and coffee pods in most major UK supermarkets like Waitrose and Tesco. The brand's house blend is as simple and classy as it gets, and comes in a reusable pale pink tin that can be refilled at any of its locations. The coffee itself has an emphasis on big, sweet notes, with just enough acidity to keep things interesting. With a medium roast, this will satisfy a range of coffee drinkers, as it doesn't have the bitter or carbonic notes that we tasted in other house blends. We found it to be a solid all-rounder, performing well across different brew types and looking great while doing it. Available from: Grind – 227g (from £9.95) Waitrose – 200g (£5) Tesco – 200g (£5.95) Amazon – 1kg (£29.95) Kiss the Hippo – George Street Blend Available from Kiss the Hippo (from £12) Best coffee bean blend Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Rwanda, Colombia, Peru Flavour notes: chocolate, berries, butterscotch Recommended brew methods: pour-over, Aeropress, espresso Kiss the Hippo was launched in 2018, but assembling a team of professionals with impressive coffee credentials has already helped it rocket to the top of many coffee lovers' lists. Its house blends are a great place to start, with its George Street blend (named after its George Street location in Richmond) being a popular favourite. It has a classic coffee profile with sweet, chocolatey notes and a smooth, full body – good as a pour-over, but even greater as an espresso. We've also previously tested the classic Donna Blend, a darker roast sourced from Uganda and Brazil, which has notes of caramel, dark chocolate and walnut – perfect for a cafetière or moka pot. Available from: Kiss the Hippo (from £12) Pact Coffee – house blend Available from Pact Coffee (from £11.19) Best coffee beans for French press Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: multiple locations (not specified) Flavour notes: milk chocolate, toffee Recommended brew method: moka pot, French press/cafetière Pact Coffee has been running since 2012 and has become one of the most visible coffee subscription services in the UK. It's achieved B-Corp company status – its coffee bags can be recycled and it also offers coffee in recyclable aluminium pods designed to be compatible with coffee pod systems. We enjoyed the House Coffee dark roast blend, which is sourced from multiple coffee farms and roasted at Pact Coffee's HQ in Haslemere. This particular batch is smooth and sweet, with a hit of caramel at the front of the mouth from the first sip. As it's low in acidity, it worked especially well with brewing methods that require longer contact time, such as cafetière/French press or moka pot. Available from: Pact Coffee (from £11.19) Origin Coffee Roasters – Resolute blend Available from Origin Coffee (from £10.65 for 250g) Best coffee beans for latte Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Colombia, Nicaragua Flavour notes: stone fruit, caramel, milk chocolate Recommended brew method: espresso, pour-over, Aeropress, cafetière From Cornwall to the bustling streets of Shoreditch, Origin Coffee has made a name for itself. Taking top awards in many of the UK's coffee competitions, the team at Origin is made up of some of the country's most well-respected baristas, roasters and wholesalers. We tasted Origin's Resolute beans, a medium-roast blend from Huila, Colombia and Jinotega, Nicaragua. Huila is a region known for producing bright, acidic coffee with fruit notes, while beans from Jinotega have a creamier profile reminiscent of chocolate, raisins and vanilla. Together, this makes for a dynamic, complex brew that sings in a latte, but works perfectly as a pour-over, too. Available from: Origin Coffee (from £10.65 for 250g) Rounton Coffee Roasters – Granary blend Available from Rounton Coffee Roasters – 250g (from £9.75), Amazon – 1kg (from £31.50) Best medium-roast coffee beans Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Brazil, El Salvador, Uganda Flavour notes: chocolate, hazelnut, caramel Recommended brew method: pour-over, cafetière/French press North Yorkshire-based Rounton is working through a road map to sustainability. So far, its coffee bags are carbon neutral and fully recyclable, and it's involved with long-term projects designed to help the communities that grow its coffee, like Agri Evolve's ACE 2023 project, which supports farmers in Uganda. Rounton's Granary blend is named after the building in which the roaster is located and we thought it was a solid all-rounder with a nutty, chocolate base and smooth yet bold finish. It pairs well with milk but to appreciate its full complexity we recommend enjoying it black as a French press or pour-over. Available from: Rounton Coffee Roasters – 250g (from £9.75) Amazon – 1kg (from £31.50) Assembly Coffee – house espresso Available from Assembly Coffee (from £11) Best coffee beans for espresso Coffee type: single origin Sourcing details of coffee tested: Risaralda, Colombia Flavour notes: plum, brown sugar Recommended brew method: espresso, moka pot, Aeropress Brixton-based Assembly Roastery was founded in 2015 with a focus on quality, insights and innovation in the coffee industry. Passionate about premium coffee, you’ll find some very rare and exclusive coffee on its site. It goes into great detail in the descriptions for each offering, so if you feel about coffee the way a sommelier does about wine, this brand will really appeal. As an example of its passion for premium coffee, the head roaster Claire Wallace won the 2022 United Kingdom Barista Championship before heading to the World Barista Championships in the same year, where she came third in the final. For tasting, we enjoyed the house espresso from Risaralda, Caldas – one of Colombia's most prolific coffee regions. We loved this coffee as an espresso, where its rich, full-bodied profile combined with sweet, syrupy notes of stone fruits and brown sugar – making for a perfectly balanced cup. Available from: Assembly Coffee (from £11) Owens Organic Coffee – Coast blend Available from Owens Coffee (from £8.95) Best organic coffee beans Coffee type: arabica and robusta blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Honduras Flavour notes: chocolate, cherry and clove Recommended brew method: moka pot, cafetière, espresso Based in Devon, Owens was the first organic coffee roaster in the South West and has been roasting coffee beans since 2010. Sustainability is a huge focus for the business – all of the beans are organically grown via Fairtrade practices and its coffee bags can be recycled in the plastic recycling facilities usually found in most supermarkets. Owens also uses a high-tech smoke-free roaster, which is powered by 80% less energy than traditional roasters. There's a range of whole beans, pre-ground coffee and pods to choose from, plus single-origin and house blends. We sampled one of its newest offerings, Coast, which blends arabica and robusta beans to produce a dark, rich brew. If you're a fan of Italian coffee, which also typically uses robusta and is more bitter than acidic, this is an ideal pick – it's earthy and intense, with notes of dark chocolate. Available from: Owens Coffee (from £8.95) Volcano Coffee Works – The Mount Blend Available from Volcano Coffee Works (from £9) Best all-rounder coffee beans Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: El Salvador, Columbia, Brazil Flavour notes: Caramel, red grapes, milk chocolate Recommended brew method: espresso, Aeropress, moka pot, cafetière, pour-over Based in the suburbs of south London, Volcano Coffee Works was founded by Kurt Stewart in 2010. Bringing his experience of New Zealand coffee culture with him to the UK, the company is committed not only to coffee being not just good, but also sustainability and ethically traded. It's working towards carbon-neutral status and pays its suppliers more than the Fairtrade rates for the coffee. In the tasting we were impressed by The Mount Blend, which is a mixture of beans from El Salvador, Columbia and Brazil. As a blend, it has a more consistent flavour profile than a specific crop or specific harvest. We picked up smooth sweetness of milk chocolate, plus even a playful note of candy floss with delicate acidity to keep everything in balance. Subtle sharpness came through as hints of lime zest and sherry vinegar, while a light bitterness reminded us of grape and plum skins. We found this incredibly versatile, showing itself well in all brew methods. Available from: Volcano Coffee Works (from £9) Square Mile – Red Brick espresso Available from Square Mile (from £14.50) Best coffee beans for coffee aficionados Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Ethiopia, Costa Rica Flavour notes: Orange, fudge, caramel and cherry Recommended brew method: espresso If you're a fan of YouTube coffee influencer James Hoffman, you might already be aware of Square Mile. The East London-based roaster was founded by him and World Cup Tasters Champion Anette Moldvaer in 2008, and is now led by managing director Felicity Whitehead. Clear in its mission to "source outstanding, seasonal coffee, roast it to bring out its best and deliver a coffee experience that delights", Square Mile works closely with coffee farmers and operates within a sustainable, transparent supply chain. For aspiring baristas, it also runs tasting events throughout the year, as well as hands-on training programmes at its Prufrock Barista Training centre – where you can master a range of skills and earn qualifications. In testing, we tried Square Mile's signature medium-roast blend, Red Brick, which brings together beans from Costa Rica and Ethiopia to deliver rich, fudgy notes with a hint of citrus – perfect for an espresso. As the crops change throughout the year, so does the taste of the coffee; reflecting the shift in harvest cycles and celebrating the seasonality of the beans. A great pick for anyone who wants something a little more unique and premium. Available from: Square Mile (from £14.50) Other coffee beans tried and tested Redemption Roasters – The Block, from £9.90 Rave Coffee – Signature Blend, £7.75 How to brew coffee Below are basic quantities and timings for making coffee using popular methods. Espresso (single shot): 7g fine ground coffee 30ml hot water Total brew time: 25-30 seconds French press/cafetière: 75g coarse ground coffee per litre of water (adjust as necessary) Filtered hot water, just boiled (poured to an inch from the top) Total brew time: 4 mins Moka pot: 15g fine ground coffee (slightly coarser than for espresso) 250ml filtered water (poured to the level below the safety valve) Total brew time: 2 mins or until the pot starts gurgling Pour-over: 25-27g medium-fine ground coffee 415ml filtered hot water, just boiled Total brew time: 3 mins Aeropress: 18-20g medium-fine ground coffee About 250ml filtered hot water, just boiled (poured to the top) Total brew time: 2 mins Related reviews Best coffee machines Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best espresso machines Best cafetières Best iced coffee makers and accessories Best De'Longhi coffee machines Best kettles Best coffee grinders Best coffee gadgets Best toasters Best bullet blenders Best bread makers Best food processors How long do coffee beans last? Best moka pots Best gooseneck kettles Best coffee grinders Best decaf coffee Are Sage coffee machines worth it? Coffee recipes and tips How to make cold brew coffee How to make iced coffee Coffee types explained Best coffee kit essentials How to clean a coffee machine Can you recommend a brand of coffee beans? Leave a comment below... This review was last updated in January 2025. 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.
13 of the best roasting tins for a perfectly cooked Christmas roast
From traybakes for the table to a succulent Christmas roasts 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 Christmas dinner or – beyond that – 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, £7.99 Best two-piece roasting tin set: Circulon Ultimum non-stick roasting tray set, £34.99 Best roasting tin set: Falcon Bake Set, £90 Best of the rest: Best roasting tin for smaller households: ProCook stainless-steel roasting tin, from £24 Best budget roasting tin: ProCook non-stick granite roasting tin, £11.20 Best roasting tin for families: Circulon non-stick roasting oven tray and rack, £31.99 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 3.5-litre roasting dish, £109 Best roasting tin for Sunday roasts: Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip, £12.79 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, and looked for an even finish and crispy skin. We then judged each roasting tin on the following 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) undefined 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) undefined Lakeland deep roasting tin Available from Lakeland (£7.99) 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 (£7.99) 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) undefined Falcon bake set Available from Liberty London (£90), Amazon (£91.95) 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: Liberty London (£90) Amazon (£91.95) undefined ProCook Stainless Steel Roasting Tin Available from ProCook (from £24) 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 undefined ProCook non-stick granite roasting tin Available from ProCook (£11.20) 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 (£11.20) undefined Circulon non-stick roasting oven tray and rack Available from Amazon (£26.28), 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 (£26.28) Circulon (£31.99) undefined 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) undefined 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 (£191.20), Le Creuset (from £239) 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 (£191.20) Le Creuset (from £239) undefined Staub 3.5-litre roasting dish Available from Zwilling (£109), Amazon (£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: Zwilling (£109) Amazon (£139) undefined Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip Available from Amazon (£12.79) 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 (£12.79) undefined Other roasting tins, tried and tested Samuel Groves Mermaid 12-inch hard-anodised roaster, £110 Le Creuset non-stick toughened rectangular roaster, £175 Nordic Ware oven crisp baking tray, £58.05 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 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 wine for Christmas 2025, from prosecco to silky reds
Elevate your festive celebrations with these inspired wine choices, perfect for every kind of Christmas gathering
With the festive season fast approaching, deciding which wines to serve at Christmas can cause as much debate as the menu itself. Should you opt for crowdpleasing all-rounders or take the opportunity to try something new? Either way, whether you’re planning a cosy family gathering or hosting a large crowd, the right bottle can elevate any occasion, and it pays to choose bottles that are both versatile and a little bit special. This guide is designed to help you shop with confidence over the festive period, with selections to suit every taste and budget, from vibrant prosecco to elegant reds and aromatic whites. Read on to discover our pick of the best wines for Christmas, including some non-classic alternatives that promise to make your festive drinking deliciously memorable. For more wine recommendations, don't forget to check out our guides to the best prosecco, best pinot grigio, best pinot noir and best malbec. Best wine for Christmas 2025 Crémant If you're after a budget-friendly alternative to champagne, a bottle of crémant is ideal. Made using the same traditional method as champagne but from regions like the Loire, Alsace or Jura, it offers refined bubbles and a fresh, lively palate at a fraction of the price. Its lightness and gentle fruitiness make it a surefire crowdpleaser, great for festive parties or as a partner to seafood, white meats and nibbles. It also works well as a base for festive cocktails like bellinis or spritzes. We recommend: Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux Rosé 2022, £12.99 at Laithwaites Château de l'Aulée Crémant de Loire, £14.99 at Laithwaites Chardonnay Chardonnay is a classic white wine choice for Christmas, especially those that offer a little richness and restrained oak. Its rounded body and notes of citrus, melon and occasional hint of spice make it the perfect partner for roast turkey, creamy sauces and smoked fish. We recommend: Campanula Chardonnay 2024, £9.49 at Laithwaites Morillon Blanc Jeff Carrel Chardonnay, £16.99 at Laithwaites La Voûte 2024, £17.99 at Laithwaites Pinot grigio A popular choice, pinot grigio has a light, floral profile with notes of pear and melon, and a refreshing crisp finish. It works well with seafood and light starters like smoked salmon and also complements mildly spiced or Asian-inspired foods. Why not pair it with a leftover turkey curry, the ultimate Boxing Day dish? We recommend: East by North East Pinot Grigio 2024, £19.99 at Laithwaites Pinot noir <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/12/Hunters-Pinot-Noir-2023-and-Maison-Roche-de-Bellene-Bourgogne-Pinot-Noir-Cuvee-Reserve-2023-8c99f77.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="Hunter's Pinot Noir 2023 and Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Réserve 2023" title="Hunter's Pinot Noir 2023 and Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Réserve 2023" /> Pinot noir is a red wine that shines at Christmas thanks to its light to medium body, fresh red fruit and silky tannins. It's a classic match for turkey, but also works well with ham, cold meats and even vegetarian dishes. Its lightness means it shouldn't overpower a dish and it's also a safe bet when catering for guests with diverse tastes. We recommend: Hunter's Pinot Noir 2023, £17.99 at Laithwaites Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Réserve 2023, £19.99 at Laithwaites Sangiovese-based red wine Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or Toscana Rosso offer ripe blackcurrant, damson and a touch of spice, making them robust enough to stand up to meaty feasts and flavourful sides. These reds have a natural acidity that refreshes the palate, making them ideal for the riot of flavours on a Christmas plate. Their versatility also sees them through to Boxing Day, pairing well with cold meats and other hearty leftovers. We recommend: Saracosa 2024, £9.99 at Laithwaites Collezione di Paolo Chianti, £9.69 at Laithwaites Prosecco With a light, slightly sweet profile and more affordable price tag, prosecco remains a firm favourite for festive gatherings. It tastes excellent served on its own, or in cocktails like a bellini. Its refreshing style also makes it a great match for lighter starters, smoked salmon or even as an accompaniment to dessert. We recommend: Alessandro Gallici Prosecco NV, £10.99 at Laithwaites Il Papavero Rosé Prosecco Brut 2024, £8.99 at Laithwaites Orange wine If you're after something a little more unique, orange wine is an alternative that pairs well with Christmas staples like cheeseboards and charcuterie. Made by fermenting white grapes with their skins, orange wine has gentle tannins, a hint of dried fruit and a savoury edge. Its unique profile bridges the gap between white and red, making it a versatile choice for gatherings where tastes can vary. We recommend: The Future’s Bright Orange Wine 2024, £9.99 at Laithwaites More drinks reviews Best malbec Best English sparkling wine Best red wine for cooking What is orange wine? Best non-alcoholic wine Best wine gifts Best cava Best sloe gin Best bottles of gin to buy as gifts Best rum Best classic gin Best vodka Best tequila Best prosecco Best pinot grigio Best wine deals Best wine glasses Best champagne glasses Best whisky glasses Best champagne deals Best cava deals Best prosecco deals