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10 best woks to buy in 2023
A wok isn’t just great for stir-fries. It’s a useful utensil for all sorts of cooking. Here’s our pick of the best woks to buy in 2023.
By Laura Martin | Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Woks are a go-to staple for cooking up delicious Chinese recipes. But they’re also ideal for sautéing and searing in all manner of cuisines, and can be a handy alternative to frying pans if needed.
This essential piece of kit has become a popular addition to British kitchens over the past 30 years thanks to its versatility and efficiency in producing mouth-watering meals for the whole family. Its deep bowl shape means that heat is quickly and evenly distributed during cooking, and careful maintenance and seasoning of a wok over time can result in the kind of traditional flavours associated with the best quality dishes.
Buying a wok can seem like a tricky task thanks to the huge range of materials and designs available. To help you choose the right one for you, we scoured the Mumsnet forums and beyond for tried-and-tested recommendations that are sure to leave you satisfied.
Here are the best woks to buy in 2023.
1. Best overall wok: Tefal C6451942 Titanium Excel Wok Pan
Price: £59.98 | Buy now from Amazon
This superb extra-deep wok from Tefal is made from reinforced titanium resulting in one of the most durable woks you can buy.
Its low maintenance coating requires no seasoning, making it a versatile pan that can be used for all manner of cooking. It also features Tefal’s unique Thermo-Spot indicator which lets you know the best moment to start cooking so that you get great results every time.
Key specs
- Material: Titanium
- Coating: Titanium
- Size: 28cm
- Weight: 990g
- Lid: No
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob compatible: Yes
2. Best budget wok: IKEA Tolerant Wok
Price: £9 | Buy now from IKEA
“I have had an IKEA one for about 10 years and it's still going strong.” 3boysandabump
If funds won’t stretch to the Tefal then let us point you in the direction of this popular alternative from IKEA, which is made from aluminium for optimum heat distribution and has a particularly lightweight design.
It also has a non-stick coating and two handles to help you lift it, making this wok a good option if you're not a fan of heavy kitchenware.
Key specs
- Material: Aluminium
- Coating: Teflon
- Size: 33cm
- Weight: 998g
- Lid: No
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob compatible: Yes
3. Best non-stick wok: Scoville Neverstick Performance Wok
Price: £21.78 | Buy now from Amazon
“I have this Scoville Neverstick Performance Wok and it’s brilliant.” GinForDinner
Our Mumsnet army love this much-recommended wok from kitchenware manufacturer Scoville. It features their own unique Neverstick technology, which actually does what it claims, cooking up the stickiest of stir-fries with ease and making washing up a doddle.
Be aware though that this wok is a little smaller than our other recommendations so it's more suited to cooking for a smaller family.
Key specs
- Material: Aluminium
- Coating: Neverstick aluminium
- Size: 28.5cm
- Weight: 862g
- Lid: No
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob compatible: Yes
4. Best wok for induction hobs: Circulon Ultimum High Density Forged Aluminium Non-Stick Wok with Lid
Price: £125 | Buy now from John Lewis & Partners
“I have this wok and it’s great. I’ve had it for about seven or eight years and it still looks perfect, but I do look after it.” Notcontent
This aluminium wok from Circulon also comes recommended by Mumsnetters and, while on the pricey side, the cost is justified.
It has a high-density forged aluminium base which is perfect for use on an induction hob (although it’s suitable on any hob type), plus it has an impressive 35cm diameter and comes with a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.
Key specs
- Material: Aluminium
- Coating: Aluminium
- Size: 35cm
- Weight: 2.6kg
- Lid: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob-compatible: Yes
5. Best carbon steel wok: Masterclass Professional Large Carbon Steel Wok
Price: £28.22 | Buy now from Amazon
For an authentic Asian cooking experience, purists will point you towards a carbon steel wok which, ideally, will have been pre-seasoned to make it ready to use straight away.
To maintain the perfect cooking surface over time, you should avoid cleaning it too much and you should never put it in the dishwasher. Instead, keep it regularly seasoned by coating it in a layer of oil and then placing it onto a searingly high heat until the oil has stopped smoking.
This particular wok is crafted from the highest quality 2mm thick carbon steel and, treated regularly, will maintain its own non-stick layer which will give a lovely smoky flavour to your cooking.
Key specs
- Material: Carbon steel
- Coating: Carbon steel
- Size: 35.5cm
- Weight: 1.85kg
- Lid: No
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Oven-safe: Yes
6. Best cast iron wok: Kichly Cast Iron Wok
Price: £16.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Time and time again this cast iron wok from Kichly popped up on our radar, with thousands of happy customers raving about its sturdy design and non-stick properties.
It's been through a factory seasoning process using soy-based oil, which is the equivalent to 15 rounds of home seasoning. But, like its carbon steel counterparts, you'll need to season it regularly to keep the black non-stick surface in tip-top condition. When properly maintained, you'll find the Kichly Cast Iron Wok second to none in the kitchen.
Key specs
- Material: Cast iron
- Coating: Cast iron
- Size: 30.5cm
- Weight: 3.05kg
- Lid: No
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob-compatible: Yes
7. Best traditional wok: Craft Wok Traditional Hand Hammered Carbon Steel Pow Wok
Price: £45.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Hammered by expert wok makers in Guangzhou, China, this traditional carbon steel wok is the choice of many professional Chinese chefs and will give you a truly 100% authentic cooking experience.
Take note - it has a round bottom so you can’t use it on an electric hob and it will need lots of seasoning to maintain its perfect cooking surface.
Key specs
- Material: Carbon steel
- Coating: Carbon steel
- Size: 35.5cm
- Weight: 1.99kg
- Lid: No
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob-compatible: No
8. Best electric wok: Domo DO8708W Electric Wok
Price: £60 | Buy now from Amazon
If you’re concerned that your new wok may not be compatible with your regular hob, then this electric wok should allay your fears.
The electric base is perfectly designed to spread heat to every single area of the wok, including the sides, resulting in an even cooking surface that mimics a traditional wok in every way.
Key specs
- Material: Aluminium
- Coating: Non-stick coating
- Size: 35.5cm
- Weight: 3.9kg
- Lid: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Oven-safe: No
- Induction hob-compatible: No
9. Best wok set: Ken Hom Carbon Steel Seasoning Wok Set
Price: £27.98 | Buy now from Amazon
“I've got a Ken Hom one that's lasted years.” Banhaha
“We had a Ken Hom one as a wedding gift nine years ago, and it’s still going strong and looking pristine after many many uses. Bought one for SIL last year who was also very impressed.” 40nottrendy
As one of the world-leading experts in all things Chinese cuisine, famous chef Ken Hom’s range of cookware is one of the most popular among cooks who are looking for an authentic piece of kit that will serve up delicious dishes over and over again.
This wok set is a great-value option if you’re just starting out or looking for a culinary gift for a friend or family member, and it comes with a lid and wooden utensils, which are the best tools to use when cooking in a wok.
Keys specs
- Material: Carbon steel
- Coating: Carbon steel
- Size: 31cm
- Weight: 1.93kg
- Lid: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob-compatible: Yes
10. Best wok with lid: Homeries Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Wok with Wooden Lid
Price: £83.16 | Buy now from Amazon
For a stylish addition to your kitchen arsenal, a wok with a wooden lid is perfect for keeping your dish warm before serving. You can buy wooden lids separately, but we like this set from Homeries which includes a pre-seasoned cast iron wok that’s ready to use straight from the box.
Key specs
- Material: Cast iron
- Coating: Cast iron
- Size: 35.5cm
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Lid: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Oven-safe: Yes
- Induction hob-compatible: Yes
What is the best material for a wok?
Traditional Chinese woks are made from the best quality carbon steel, with a thickness of just 2mm, which is the best material for conducting heat. This ensures that the entire wok, including the sides, is the same temperature and therefore the best for cooking food evenly. Woks made from carbon steel should be pre-seasoned before use and then regularly seasoned to maintain the optimum non-stick cooking surface.
Cast iron woks are similar to carbon steel although much heavier to use and will also need seasoning. Carbon steel and cast iron woks should not be cleaned using detergents and should never be put in the dishwasher or they will lose their seasoning.
For a lower maintenance wok, choose an aluminium, titanium or Teflon surface which are also non-stick but will not have the longevity or durability of their carbon steel counterparts.
How do I choose the best wok?
Aside from choosing the material of your wok you should also consider:
- The size: If you are cooking for a family then you will need a good sized wok to cook a large stir-fry. A wok with a diameter of 35cm or more should be more than adequate.
- The weight: Some woks, particularly those made of cast iron, can be extremely heavy when they are full of ingredients so consider how adept you are at handling such weight. Some woks have two handles to make them easier to carry.
- Hob type: Which wok you buy is largely determined by your hob type. Almost all woks can be used on a gas stove, but if you have an electric or induction hob you will need to make sure your hob has a flat bottom and is made of a compatible material.
What woks do chefs use?
Professional Chinese chefs use hammered carbon steel woks for the perfect cooking surface. The traditional Craft Wok Carbon Steel Pow Wok is a great option if you’re looking for an authentic cooking experience.
What is the best wok to buy?
The best overall wok to buy is the Tefal C6451942 Titanium Excel Wok. While not made from carbon steel, it’s a low maintenance wok that will offer an excellent non-stick cooking surface for all your culinary needs, not just stir-fries.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which woks discerning Mumsnet users had bought for themselves.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which woks had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers' reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we picked the woks we thought would make the best buys in several 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.