Lakeland's stylish and 'great value' pan is so similar to designer but is over 50% cheaper

Whether you're a keen home cook or, like me, you're simply lured in by cute and quirky kitchenware, chances are you've already heard of the Always Pan by Our Place. This high-end, multipurpose pan has built quite the reputation, not just for its chic, minimalist design and matte pastel colour options, but also for its functionality. Branded as a "10-in-one" pan, it's marketed as the only one you'll ever need in your kitchen arsenal.

But at £125 for the standard version (there's also a mini and a larger version), it's definitely a splurge. That's where Lakeland comes in with its own version of the cookware, aptly named the Only Pan. The pan looks so similar that it made me do a double-take.

Designed with the same sleek matte finish and curved silhouette, it's currently available in three colours: white, grey, and a soft sage green (which happens to be my favourite). But at just £59.99, it's more than half the cost of the Always Pan.

Despite its affordable price, the Only Pan has been highly reviewed by customers on the Lakeland website. It actually sold out and has only recently come back into stock. At the time of writing, it holds a 4.5-star rating from customers-matching the rating of the original Our Place version. One satisfied reviewer shared: "The Only Pan is my new favourite go-to pan that I can rely on to cook everything in my busy kitchen, and it's great value for money compared to other brands."

Aesthetically, the main difference between the two pans is the addition of a built-in spoon rest on the Only Pan's lid, something the Always Pan doesn't include. However, Our Place does offer a wider range of colour options, including pink, blue, dark grey, stone, and green, whereas Lakeland sticks to a smaller palette at present.

When it comes to performance, the Always Pan markets itself as having 10-in-one functionality, while the Only Pan offers eight. But when you look closely at the actual uses, they line up pretty closely.

Both pans are non-stick, allowing for easy frying. They can also boil (each offering around a three-litre capacity), strain, and steam, thanks to an included steamer basket that doubles as a colander. They also handle sautéing, braising, and simmering. Realistically, the day-to-day cooking experience between the two pans seems almost identical.

"I love this pan! Tried six of the eight ways it says you can cook, and so far so good," said one shopper.

In terms of size, the standard versions are nearly the same diameter-26cm for the Always Pan and 26.7cm for Lakeland's Only Pan. But here's an interesting detail: the Only Pan actually holds slightly more, with a 3.1-litre capacity compared to the Always Pan's 2.46 litres. For those wanting even more space, Our Place does offer a larger 31.8cm pan, which sells for £140.

Both pans come with useful extras. The Always Pan includes a matching lid, a beechwood spatula that neatly nests into the pan handle, and a steamer basket that doubles as a colander. Meanwhile, Lakeland's Only Pan comes with a stainless steel steamer basket (also usable as a colander) and a silicone turner. While slightly different in design and extras, both brands maximise versatility with the add-ons included.

They're also well matched when it comes to materials and compatibility. Both pans are made from sturdy aluminium and claim to be free from toxic materials. They're suitable for all hob types, including induction. That said, one customer did flag a potential issue with compatibility: "We bought one of these pans, hoping to use it with our induction hob, but it doesn't work. The description says that it works with induction hobs, but clearly not with all of them."

Both pans are also oven-safe, making it easy to transition from stovetop to oven without switching cookware. This is great for one-pan meals or finishing off a dish under the grill.

One final point to consider is the guarantee. The Always Pan comes with a lifetime guarantee, while Lakeland's Only Pan includes a 10-year guarantee. While shorter than the Our Place guarantee, it still seems to be a big selling point for shoppers. One customer commented: "The 10-year guarantee makes me very confident this is going to last a long time."

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