So, you were thinking: new cooktop?
You then read my article on the differences between induction, gas and electric cooktops and out of the three, induction cooktops caught your eye.
Then you read my article on what induction cooking is and what the pros and cons are and decided that an induction cooktop is exactly what you need.
Or, you just wanted to buy an induction cooktop from the start, and you are weighing your options.
Either way, you are at the right place!
First, I will cover some basics of what to look for in an induction cooktop.
Then I will run through some of the best induction cooktops out there.
So, without further ado, let’s delve in!
In this article I will discuss:
Considerations when buying an induction cooktop
Power
When it comes to power, you want the gentle giant factor.
It should be powerful enough to get water to a boil, quickly, yet also have the sensitivity and gentleness to slow simmer that perfect sauce.
You want a high range of heating capabilities.
That is why induction cooktops are so good at what they do.
Most induction cooktops range from 1 700 W to 3 400 W.
There is also what you call an induction generator.
That is where two or more elements are paired together to form one larger heating zone.
Size
The right size induction cooktop is determined by three factors.
1. The number of heating zones required
How many heating zones do you need?
How many pots and pans would you be using simultaneously?
The general number is four. It’s rare for an everyday cook to use more than four, especially simultaneously.
2. The space available in your kitchen
The two most common sizes of induction cooktops (and any other cooktop for that matter) is 30” and 36”.
You do get smaller and you do get bigger, but we will focus mainly on the average.
A point to take note of here is that with the fitting of your induction cooktop, it is highly recommended (and required by law in some places) that a qualified electrician connects the cooktop to the wiring of the kitchen to ensure the power demand of the induction cooktop does not exceed the capacity of the circuit.
3. What size you want
Yes, we all know it, practicality is not the only aspect to consider.
You also want to buy something for YOU.
At the end of the day it your kitchen, your rules, your decision.
If you want a $ 5000 36“ Thermador Masterpiece, why not?
And if you’re wondering, yes it’s in my list of best induction cooktops!
Price
Unless you have that $ 5000 saved up specifically for the Thermador Masterpiece, price is also something to consider.
You can expect to pay in the $800 to $2000 range for a decent induction cooktop.
Take into account that there may be additional costs because you don’t have any induction compatible cookware.
Reliability
Price, in general, goes hand in hand with reliability and extended warranties.
Touch control induction cooktops have minimal moving parts and therefore, chances are that if something goes bang, it is electrical in nature.
It is harder to define reliable in these terms vs mechanical, therefore a good warranty would be a good indication of a manufacturer’s trust in a product.
Design
As for design, there are less variables than for example with a gas cooktop.
A gas cooktop has different design burners, knobs, grates and drip trays, all that needs to be considered to fit into the style and design of your kitchen.
On the other hand, induction cooktops, especially the ones with the touch controls, are flat black glass surfaces.
You do have some variations with the rims and trimmings.
They generally present elegant as a rule and therefore, as opposed to other cooktops, don’t require as much consideration.
Ventilation
Another aspect that is applicable to any cooktop and range in general is ventilation.
An induction cooktop produces less excess heat and therefore by itself doesn’t require any ventilation system.
However, as with cooking in general, you do get odours and the occasional smoke (yes, its normal, we all burn food every now and then) that needs to be extracted from the kitchen.
The 12 best induction cooktops
Samsung 36” 5 heat zones cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- 5 heat zones with 4 being high powered
- Blue virtual flame projected onto your cookware to indicate the zone is switched on
- Intuitive touch controls with the option to use a magnetic knob for when you prefer more traditional controls
- WiFi enabled
- Stainless steel trim
- Excellent safety features
- More on the expensive side with a price tag of approximately $ 2 300
- Product code – NZ36K7880UG
- Product Homepage
Samsung 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Key features
- Same as the 36’ above except for 4 heat zones instead of 5
- Product code – NZ30K7880UG
- Product Homepage
Thermador Freedom 36” cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- The Thermador Freedom is different in many ways including that its entire cooktop surface is a heat zone. You could use up to 5 pots and pans simultaneously in any position.
- Frameless or stainless steel trim
- Thermador has an app called HomeConnect and features numerous recipes and the ability to control the Thermador WiFi enabled cooktop. Additional sensors are sold that attaches to pots and pans and measures the internal temperature. They also help prevent overcooking by communicating with the cooktop
- Brightly lit and intuitive touch screen for controls
- Excellent customer reviews
- Expensive with an average price tag of $5300
- Product code – CIT36XWB
- Product Homepage
Thermador Freedom 30” cooktop
Key features
- This 30” cooktop has the same features as its bigger cousin above except for not having the optional stainless-steel trim and being smaller
- Product code – CIT30XWBB
- Product Homepage
Empava 24” 4 heat zones cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- 4 heat zones
- 9 Power levels
- No bridging element
- Power is applied in 30 second intervals
- Well priced at an average of less than $ 500
- Good quality and reliable as is expected from Empava
- Product code – EMPV-IDC24
- Product Homepage
Kenyon SilKEN2 21” 2 heat zones cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- 2 heat zones
- 16 power levels
- Less powerful compared to the ones above with both heat zones powered at 1 300 W
- 240 V
- No smart features
- Easy to clean
- Has an included silicone mat to prevent cookware slipping especially in mobile situations like RVs and boats
- Each zone has its own timer
- Excellent where a smaller compact induction cooktop is required for example boat or RV
- Product code – B81335
- Product Homepage
Frigidaire Gallery 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- 4 heat zones
- Bridging element
- Smaller heating zones compared to the others
- 9 Power levels
- Warming feature for keeping food warm without overcooking it
- Touch controls
- Heat zones adjust automatically to the fit the cookware you are using
- Well priced at approximately $ 880
- Product code – FGIC3066TB
- Product Homepage
GE Profile 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- 4 heat zones
- 9 Power settings with excellent boiling as well as melting and simmer capabilities
- Bridging element
- Excellent safety features including auto-pan detection and child-locks
- Slightly heavier priced at approximately $ 1 500
- Product code – PHP9030SJSS
- Product Homepage
Bosch 800 Series 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Image by Amazon
Key features
- 4 heat zones
- All heat zones are high powered with simmering and low heat capabilities
- Auto sizing capable where the cooktop automatically adjusts for the size of the cookware
- Bridging element
- Intuitive touch controls
- Comes with a AutoChef feature that incorporates pre-set and programmed cooking settings
- More on the expensive side with a price tag of approximately $ 2 100
- Good customer reviews including for reliability
- Product code – NIT8069UC
- Product Homepage
GE Café 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Key features
- 4 heat zones of which 3 is high powered
- Bridging element
- 20 Power settings
- Powerful digital touch controls
- Multi element timer that can be tracked via the app
- Full safety features including locking to prevent accidental powering up.
- Auto switch off when a pot or pan is taken off a heat zone
- Stainless steel trim
- Griddle pan included
- Exceptional fast boiling times
- Excellent simmering and low heat capabilities
- More on the expensive side with an average price of $2 200
- Good customer reviews especially in terms of reliability in the long term
- Comes with a Bluetooth pan and a feature called “Gourmet Guided Cooking” where you have access to numerous video recipes on the Café app. The cooktop itself is WiFi enabled and the guide will adjust temperature, time and pace
- Product code – CHP95302MSS
- Product Homepage
Bosch Benchmark 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Key features
- 4 heat zones, 3 large and 1 small
- Bridging element
- Individual timers for different heating zones
- 17 Power settings including one preventing over- and undercooking
- Excellent safety features including control lock
- Auto switch off when a pot or pan is taken off a heat zone
- More on the expensive side with a price tag of approximately $ 2 500
- Product code – NITP069UC
- Product Homepage
KitchenAid 30” 4 heat zones cooktop
Key features
- 4 heat zones
- Bridging element
- 12 Power levels with good high-power functions as well as simmering and low-heat capabilities. It includes a dedicated melt function as well
- Touch controls
- Safety features include control lock functions and auto-off switch when no cookware is detected
- Product code – KICU509XSS
- Product Homepage