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10 best cake tins to buy in 2023
Essential for simple bakes as well as special occasion cakes, having a collection of dependable cake tins is always a good idea. We round up the best cake tins to add to your kitchen arsenal.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Jan 9, 2023
Whether you’re a lockdown banana bread newbie, a birthdays-only baker or someone who whips up a batch of breakfast muffins every Sunday without fail, having the right cake tin to hand makes all the difference. There’s nothing worse than a perfect sponge that’s welded to the base of a rubbish cake tin, or a baked cheesecake that’s leaked out of the sides of your springform.
There’s an array of materials, designs and brands to choose from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The proof of each cake tin is quite literally in the pudding, so doing your research is a wise choice. Different cakes call for different cake tins, so there’s a lot to consider, and you’re likely to want more than one in your cupboard.
We’ve done the hard work for you, harnessing the collective wisdom of Mumsnet to put together the crème de la crème of bakeware to suit everything from muffins to traybakes. Rest assured we haven’t forgotten the accessories Mumsnetters swear by either – getting these right will make your tins live longer and your cakes even more delicious.
For show-stoppers or family recipes, you’re bound to find the right cake tin in our run-down.
Here are the best cake tins to buy in 2023.
1. Best overall cake tin: Anolon Advanced Bronze Non-stick Bakeware
Price: £27.52 | Buy now from Amazon
“The best value for money despite being not cheap is a rectangular Anolon 13''x9''.”
Anolon’s distinctive bronze colour isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it’s actually been developed to provide a more even bake. The silicone-coated handles make it easy to grip when it’s hot (you’ll still need oven gloves though). The non-stick coating is durable, as long as you’re gentle with it. Mumsnetters recommend keeping your cake tins out of the dishwasher and using a non-abrasive sponge. The pan is a solid weight, which is a good indicator of quality, and this rectangular shape is especially good for squidgy brownies.
Key specs
- Size: 40 x 27 x 5cm
- Material: Carbon steel
- Maximum temperature: Oven safe up to 260C
2. Best silicone cake tin: Super Kitchen Large Muffin Tray
Price: £6.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“I love them and have never had problems. You have to use your judgement as to what to bake in them. They are excellent for loaf cakes, Financiers and Friands; little muffins, Madeira and Pound Cakes.”
Silicone divides opinion on Mumsnet, and a lot can go wrong with a low-quality silicone cake tin. Larger moulds like loaf tins can easily warp in the oven without reinforcement, but silicone comes into its own when you’re baking in miniature form. This Super Kitchen muffin tray will help you bake perfect muffins with no need for cases or greasing. It’s got extra support on each cup to make it pretty sturdy, but you do need to put a baking tray underneath to stop a slight droop between the bars of your oven shelf. Silicone trays can even go in the microwave if you fancy gooey cupcakes in a hurry, and they’re great for freezing kid-sized portions of soups or chillis.
Key specs
- Size: 33 x 25 x 3cm
- Material: Silicone
- Maximum temperature: Oven safe to 230C
3. Best springform cake tin: La Forme Springform Cake Tin
Price: £23.32 | Buy now from Amazon
“La Forme springform tins are IMO far better than any other.”
La Forme is the gold standard in springform. The base of the tin is leak-proof and it’s coated in patented cut-resistant enamel so nothing sticks to it and you won’t leave behind any scratches if you cut your cake while it’s still in the tin. There are lots of moving parts in any springform, so they can be quite high-maintenance in terms of cleaning. They’re great for cheesecakes or cobblers, where you’ve got some wobble in the cake itself and it needs gentle handling to keep it in one piece. Although some purists might object, you can also bake normal cakes in a springform - especially in a good, leak-proof one like this.
Key specs
- Size: 22 x 8.8 x 22.2cm
- Material: Alloy steel
4. Best loaf tin: Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Bakeware 2lb Loaf Tin
Price: £24.53 | Buy now from Amazon
“My grandmother swears by Le Creuset.”
Le Creuset is an icon among bakeware. Best known for colourful ceramics, they do an equally good line in tins too. This loaf tin is PFOA-free and made from anti-warp metal.
It’s got a roll top all the way round and silicone grips at both ends, so it’s really easy to hold onto when it’s hot. The carbon steel gives a nice even heat distribution, and the non-stick aspect is really good quality too. A loaf tin is essential for baking bread, pound cakes and, of course, loaf cakes.
Key specs
- Size: 29 x 17.5 x 7.5cm
- Material: carbon steel
- Maximum temperature: Oven safe to 240C
5. Best set of cake tins: Masterclass Smart Space
Price: £29.35 (was £47.21) | Buy now from Wayfair
If you’re starting from scratch, or buying for a child who’s flying the nest, this set of cake tins is a great option. Including seven types of tin – from a shallow traybake roaster to a dinky flan tin – the best part is, they all stack together, so it’s a great choice if you’re pushed for space. The set doesn’t include a loaf tin or a springform tin, but what is included will be suitable for a variety of recipes. Rolled tops mean the tins are easy to grip, and they’re a good weight for the price.
Key specs
- Size: Various
- Material: Carbon steel
6. Best square cake tin: Silverwood Square Loose-Based Cake Tin
Price: £32.95 | Buy now from Silverwood
“Silverwood every time - beautifully made and British too.”
Silverwood is a favourite among discerning Mumsnetters. It’s pricey but you’re getting professional grade materials and design, so it's worth splashing out. The cake tins are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the anodised aluminium material means they’ll never warp or rust. The non-stick coating is great quality, and according to the Silverwood website, it actually improves with use. Like springform tins, loose-based tins are best for cakes that can’t be turned upside-down, but as long as the batter isn’t too runny, you can use them for a variety of recipes. Each Silverwood tin comes with a reassuring 25-year guarantee.
Key specs
- Size: 20 x 20 x 7.6cm
- Material: Aluminium
7. Best round cake tin: Lakeland Loose-Based Sandwich Tin
Price: £8.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“Their loaf tin and cake tins are the best I own, very strong and good quality non-stick.”
Lakeland cake tins are much-loved by Mumsnetters. This sandwich tin is perfect for tiered birthday or wedding cakes, as it produces a shallow cake. It even has fill lines to take the guesswork out of baking multiple layers. It’d be rude not to give an honourable mention to Lakeland’s range of pre-cut cake tin liners which many Mumsnetters swear by. The whole range stacks together, and the unrolled edges mean there’s no difficult-to-dry space under the rim, meaning less chance of rust or erosion and the added bonus of being dishwasher safe. They have silicone inserts and moulded grips, so you don’t lose out on grip-ability.
Key specs
- Size: 15 x 4cm
- Material: Carbon steel
- Maximum temperature: Osafe to 240C
8. Best Deep Cake Tin: Prestige Inspire Round Cake Tin
Price: £16.61 | Buy now from Amazon
This heavy duty, deep cake tin from Prestige is a wise choice for Christmas cake and other dense or tall cakes. Its heavy-gauge carbon steel design gives an even bake and its high-quality non-stick coating means it’s easily hand washed. Deep cake tins are also best for high-rising cakes to ensure the cake doesn’t overflow and keeps an even shape. The loose base of the tin is textured to help air-flow and make it even harder for your cake to stick to the bottom.
Key specs
- Size: 26 x 9.5cm
- Material: Carbon steel
- Maximum temperature: Oven safe to 240C
9. Best budget cake tin: Pyrex Magic
Price: £9.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“I've had my trays for five years, the coating has remained undamaged and the non-stick coating still works just as well. They have an extended lip that acts as a handle too, which is useful.”
Pyrex is another trusted brand that also does a great line in bakeware. Its simple design and bargain price makes this a brilliant budget choice. This tin makes shallow cakes, so it’s useful for tiered or quick single-layer recipes. The range earns its ‘Magic’ name thanks to its non-stick abilities. Like other non-stick cake tins, if you look after it, the coating on this tin will last. There’s a whole Pyrex Magic range which stacks together, all with the innovative teardrop-shaped handle for an easy grip.
Key specs
- Size: 26 x 5cm
- Material: Carbon steel
- Maximum temperature: Oven safe to 230C
10. Best tin for a traybake: Mary Berry with Lakeland Traybake Tin
Price: £11.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Mary Berry’s traybake recipes come highly recommended by Mumsnetters, so of course the woman herself has designed a show-stopping tin for Lakeland, specifically for her famous traybake recipes. The tin even comes with notches around the rim so you can avoid arguments about unequal pieces (to be ignored when an extra-large slice is in order). With 48 perfect portions marked out, the tin is big enough to feed a whole class of kids with plenty to spare for the grown-ups.
Key specs
- Size: 36.5 x 26 x 4cm
- Material: Aluminium
How to buy the best cake tin
Good quality cake tins will last a lifetime and they’re worth the investment if you’re a keen baker. Lower-quality tins might save you money in the short-term, but non-stick coatings can degrade easily and you’ll end up having to replace them sooner or later. Using pre-cut liners, greaseproof paper or a baking spray will protect your tins and lengthen their lives. The less your cakes stick, the gentler you can be when cleaning the cake tins and the longer they’ll last. The advice from Mumsnetters is to never put your bakeware in the dishwasher, no matter what it says on the label, as this can lead to all manner of damage and disaster.
There’s a lot that can go wrong with a cake tin – the sides can get warped, the corners rusty, and in the case of a springform tin, parts can break. So it’s one of those purchases you’ll be really thankful you did your research on before buying. Opting for the heaviest tin your budget can stretch to is a good rule of thumb: the weightier the cake tin, the better the quality.
It’s also worth considering what kind of cakes you’re likely to bake and buy accordingly. It’s not necessary to have every style in your cupboard, so start off with a selection of basics and buy more specific models as needed.
What kind of cake tins do professionals use?
Anodised aluminium is the material of choice for most professional-standard cake tins.
What's the best cake tin size to buy?
This totally depends on the cakes you plan to bake. While it might seem like a larger tin is more versatile, baking is a pretty precise science and the size and shape of the tin can have a big effect on how well your cake turns out. The most common sizes you’ll find in cake recipes are around 18cm to 26cm so these sizes are a good place to start.
What’s the best cake tin to buy?
The best cake tin is the Anolon Advanced Bronze Non-Stick Cake Pan. It’s a great weight and features a durable non-stick bronze coating, designed to ensure an even bake.
Lakeland comes a close second – its fill-lines are an inspired addition and the store itself has everything you could possibly need for cake-baking.
How we chose our recommendations
We first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which cake tins discerning Mumsnetters recommended and had bought themselves, noting their feedback about these brands. We then drew up a shortlist of those that were repeatedly mentioned.
From there, we did some research across the wider web, consulting independent review sites and taking into account what customer reviews said about the products featured. Having collated all that information, we picked the cake tins we thought were worthy of taking the titles in an array of interest categories.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.