We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Appliances Large Appliances The Best Induction Cooktops for More Efficient Cooking Our favorites provide precise heating and faster cook times. By Summer Rylander Summer Rylander Summer is a freelance food and travel writer who began by writing about Swedish cheesemaking traditions in 2018. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 27, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Induction Cooktop Factors to Consider Why Use Induction? FAQ Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine / Kristin Kempa You may have heard that induction cooking is more efficient than either gas or electric stoves, and it’s true — with an induction cooktop, at least 85% of the energy used is transferred directly to the cookware. In fact, it’s the actual pot or pan that is heated through induction technology, not the stovetop surface itself. What is Induction? Induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to cause a reaction between the cooking surface and compatible pots and pans. The electromagnetic current passes through a copper coil below the glass surface, which creates a magnetic current in the cookware to generate heat. This means that induction cooktops can offer faster cook times with more precise heating, saving you precious pennies on electricity costs and, if you prefer, less time spent in the kitchen. Induction yields a safer surface after dinner prep is finished, too, which can be especially valuable if your household includes curious kids or pets. And no, you don’t necessarily have to go out and buy all new pots and pans if you want to switch to an induction cooktop — if a magnet sticks to the bottom of your existing cookware, you’re good to go. Though induction cooktops have been popular around Europe for some time now, their adoption has been sluggish in the U.S. But as concerns around health and environmental impact continue to grow, we expect to see a significant shift toward induction in the coming years. If you’re looking to make the switch in the near future, these are our favorite induction cooktops on the market right now, including a few of our favorite tested portable options. Our Top Picks Best Overall: GE Profile PHP9036 36-Inch 5-Burner Smart Induction Cooktop at Amazon $1,769 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Miele KM 7740 FR 36-Inch Smart Induction Cooktop at Mieleusa.com Jump to Review Best Portable: SALE Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop at Amazon $152 $115 Jump to Review Best Portable Splurge: Breville Induction Cooktop at Amazon $1,500 Jump to Review Best Overall GE Profile PHP9036 36-Inch 5-Burner Smart Induction Cooktop PHOTO: Amazon $1,769 at Amazon $1,998 at Wayfair $2,665 $1,999 at Lowe's Pros This cooktop is loaded with features and power settings to make cooking easier. Cons The warranty could be longer. GE’s induction cooktop has the right balance of features, performance, and price. It offers an intuitive control panel, 19 power settings, and a convenient bridging function that lets you turn two burners into one — perfect for use with a griddle or a larger-sized pot. It’s a smart appliance, too, with WiFi capabilities and an app that lets you set a precise temperature and make adjustments from your phone should you need to step away from the kitchen. We also think it’s neat that the GE Profile induction cooktop lets you control its lights and sounds — most cooktops do not. Our only complaint is that GE’s one-year warranty feels a little weak, but the brand is fortunately known for its reliability, so we’re willing to trust this cooktop. Dimensions: 4.62 x 36 x 20.37 inches | Number of Burners: 5 | Wattage: 1800 to 3700 watts | Smart Features: Yes | Warranty: 1 year Best Splurge Miele KM 7740 FR 36-Inch Smart Induction Cooktop PHOTO: Miele View on Mieleusa.com Pros The long warranty is a great indicator of quality from a trusted appliance brand. Cons Programming the settings isn’t as straightforward as we’d expect. Miele’s induction cooktop has a big advantage with its generous 10-year warranty, but we’d be interested anyway with its useful features — like an auto-heat mode that quickly heats a pan to your desired temperature, and a handy keep-warm function. With nine power levels that can be micro-controlled up to 17 levels, the Miele cooktop has impressive flexibility. That said, navigating its control panel isn’t the most intuitive task, so keep the user manual nearby until you’re well-acquainted with this appliance. Dimensions: 36 x 3 x 21.5 inches | Number of Burners: 5 | Wattage: 1400 to 3700 watts | Smart Features: Yes | Warranty: 10 years Best Portable Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop PHOTO: Amazon $152 $115 at Amazon $122 at Walmart Pros A low-commitment introduction to induction Cons Limited cooking surface. If you’re induction-curious but reluctant to rip out your gas or electric stove just yet, a portable induction cooktop is the perfect way to dabble without making a big investment. This single-burner portable cooktop features 20 power levels, a keep-warm feature, an automatic timer, and an automatic shut-off feature. It performs just like a built-in stove but with a much smaller — and more affordable — footprint. As a bonus, you can take it with you on weekend getaways, to a friend’s house, or use it as an additional cooking surface next time you’re hosting a dinner party and running out of burners. Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 2.5 inches | Number of Burners: 1 | Wattage: Up to 1800 watts | Smart Features: No | Warranty: 2 years PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson Best Portable Splurge Breville Induction Cooktop PHOTO: Amazon $1,500 at Amazon $1,500 at Williams Sonoma View on Breville Pros This cooktop lives up to its name with one-degree temperature increments and adjustable power levels. Cons It’s heavy and expensive. Not only can you control the temperature in one-degree increments, you can also adjust the intensity with the Breville Control Freak. We like the user-friendly LCD panel, which is easy to see and intuitive to use. When we tested portable induction cooktops, the Breville turned out pleasantly al dente pasta — though we did find it ran a little hot. Cookware was often 20 degrees hotter than the set temperature, and the center of the pan or pot would be noticeably hotter than the edges. Despite the learning curve that comes with making the most of this ultra-adjustable cooktop, we think it’s a worthy splurge if you need a pro-level portable induction cooktop. Dimensions: 14 x 18.5 x 4 inches | Number of Burners: 1 | Wattage: Up to 1800 watts | Smart Features: No | Warranty: 2 years PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson PHOTO: Food & Wine / Nick Simpson Our Favorite Induction Cooktop The GE Profile PHP9036 36-Inch Smart Induction Cooktop is a well-balanced, user-friendly cooktop that is full of features without being overwhelming. For a smaller step into the world of induction cooking, the Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop is a great choice. Factors to Consider Ease of use If you’ve always cooked on electric or gas stoves, switching to induction may take some getting used to — but only briefly! That said, the more intuitive your cooktop’s control panel, the easier it’ll be to adapt. Digital touch controls and straightforward power levels help to eliminate guesswork. Installation type Most induction cooktops are of the drop-in persuasion, which likely means you’ll need to do some kitchen remodeling unless you already have a similar setup. Consider your counter space, or whether you have a slide-in range, you can more easily replace. Size and number of burners Again, this will largely depend on your available space. Four burners is standard, five is a nice bonus. A portable induction cooktop will likely just have one. Added features Since efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to induction cooktops, you can widely expect multiple heat settings, usually with a power boost setting to allow for even faster heating—ideal for boiling water. If connectivity is key, choose a smart cooktop, and if multiple features are important to you, consider opting for a range. Why Use Induction? Induction cooktops have several advantages over gas and electric cooktops: Induction is energy efficient. Induction cooktops are up to 10% more efficient than conventional electric ranges, and they’re up to three times more efficient than gas ranges. Plus, they don’t pollute indoor air quality. Induction cooktops can be safer. Not only do these cooktops automatically shut off if cookware is not detected, the surface also cools much faster than alternative ranges. With induction, heat is generated in the cookware itself — not the surface of the cooktop. Cooking can be faster and easier. Because you don’t have to wait for an element to heat and then wait again as the element transfers heat to your cookware, induction is considerably faster, and temperature adjustments are more responsive. Clean-up is a breeze. The smooth, flat glass surface of induction cooktops means that cleaning is as simple as wiping the surface once it has cooled. There are no coils, buttons, or knobs to trap grease and crumbs. Frequently Asked Questions What is an induction cooktop? Induction cooktops are electric appliances that utilize electromagnetic waves to generate heat. Cookware used on an induction cooktop needs to be magnetic (more on this below!) to facilitate the connection necessary to produce heat — remember that it’s the cookware that actually heats up in this case, not the surface of the stove. What are the advantages and disadvantages of induction cooking? “Induction is as responsive — if not more so — than gas,” says Tiffany Swan, a professional chef and food scientist. “Once you get used to it, you’ll find you have even more precision in your heat control than with gas.” Swan also touts induction’s easy-to-clean surface and lack of polluting fumes as a big plus. That said, she cautions that “the glass surface of an induction cooktop could potentially scratch, especially when using cast iron” and notes that some cookware may have to be replaced if it doesn’t have a magnetic base. Do I need specific pots and pans? Pots and pans do need to be magnetic in order to work with an induction cooktop.“The best way to test if your cookware is induction-ready is to see if your refrigerator magnets stick to the bottom of your pan,” says Swan. How do you clean induction cooktops? One of the many perks of induction cooktops is how easy they are to clean! Spills easily wipe up with a soft cloth, and a good glass and ceramic stovetop cleaner will help keep fingerprints and micro-scratches at bay. Our Expertise This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. Summer has been cooking with induction since she moved to Germany in late 2015 and cannot recommend it enough. For this piece, we also spoke with Tiffany Swan, a professional chef and food scientist. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit