The Best Induction Cooktops (By Features, Price, Power, and Reviews)

Induction Cooktop Reviews at a Glance

We grouped these induction cooktop reviews by category. Most come in both 30- and 36-inch sizes, noted for each model. If you're ready to shop, click over to the vendors, or scroll down to keep reading.

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Basic, Affordable Luxury, and Luxury Brands: How Do They Differ?

Appliances come in three basic levels: basic, affordable luxury, and luxury. You can find the best induction cooktop in any category, depending on what you're looking for.

Basic appliances are the least expensive and well-recognized brands. Basic appliances provide good quality, but without the frills you'll find in higher-end brands. The Frigidaire Gallery induction cooktop reviewed here is a basic brand.

Affordable Luxury appliances are a little higher end. They may have more features than basic appliances, or they may just have a higher end design, finish, or logo; they generally are not more powerful (or reliable) than basic appliances. They are certainly more expensive, but there's a big price range. The Cafe (by GE), is an affordable luxury brands. Other affordable luxury brands include JennAir, LG, Samsung, Bosch, and Dacor.

Luxury appliances are the top of the market. They have more features, a sleeker design (although that is subjective), and have the most power. (The power difference is most important in gas cooktops, which will have a higher BTU than basic and affordable luxury brands; with induction, the power differences are there, but even a basic brand provides adequate power for any kitchen.) Luxury appliances are also pioneers in technology, and they tend to get better reliability ratings. The Miele induction cooktop reviewed here is a luxury brand. Other luxury brands include Viking, Thermador, Gaggenau, and Wolf/SubZero. 

Unless you want the most powerful cooktop on the market, there is no right or wrong to which category to buy from. You should pick the design, features, and price that best fits with your kitchen and your personality. Luxury kitchen appliances are fashionable these days, but the great thing about induction is that these cooktops look sleek and modern and provide plenty of power, regardless of how much (or how little) you spend. 

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How We Picked The Best Induction Cooktops

To pick these best induction cooktops, we looked at several factors, including:

Consumer Reports magazine is one of the oldest and most respected consumer product organizations in existence. They don't take advertising, and they do extensive testing on every product they rate. It's an excellent place to start when shopping for just about anything. Here's their list of the best induction cooktops on the market:

We don't take Consumer Reports as gospel; after all, it's only one consumer testing organization. And they don't test every product, often leaning towards the middle of the market (which makes sense as that's where most people buy). They also don't update their information all that frequently (for example, one of the Frigidaire models they recommend is no longer made), and they don't take into consideration some significant factors, like the usability of controls--which is very important to the daily user (and a topic we cover thoroughly).

Nevertheless, CR is a good place to start because they have an excellent reputation for honesty and fairness, which makes their findings helpful, even if not perfect.

We also looked at user reviews on popular appliance web sites including Home Depot, Lowe's, AJ Madison, and ABT.com (our preferred vendors), and compared them to what CR said about the cooktops.

It's surprising how much the reviews vary; you really have to look at a lot of information to get a full picture.

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About the Manufacturers

We narrowed down results somewhat by looking at the manufacturers. Here are a few basics you might want to know:

GE: GE was bought by a Chinese conglomerate called Haier in 2016. Their induction cooktops are still made in the US, with no plans that we know of to be taken overseas. GE is a reliable brand at a decent price, and both their Monogram and Cafe models--luxury and affordable luxury brands--have excellent finger-swipe controls. They are top rated by Consumer Reports, so we included the Cafe model, their affordable luxury cooktop. The Monogram has identical features but is more expensive, with the only difference being that it can be installed flush with your countertop, while the Cafe cannot; it also comes in a few more color options. 

Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air are all made by Whirlpool corporation, an American company and the largest appliance manufacturer in the world. Whirlpool's products are designed to appeal to different market sectors, with Jenn-Air being the highest end and the most expensive. And even though Jenn-Air products are really nice, the quality is roughly equivalent to the less expensive sister brands in the Whirlpool line. Any Whirlpool product is probably a good option. However, the Whirlpool induction cooktops didn't really distinguish themselves in any interesting way, so we chose not to review them. Also, Whirlpool products may or may not be made in the USA; the most likely case is that they are partially made here, with some parts being manufactured overseas.

Thermador and Bosch are both owned by Bosch corporation (as well as Gaggenau, another luxury brand), a German manufacturing conglomerate that's been making appliances for a little over 50 years. Bosch was the first maker of induction cooktops. Their purchase of Thermador in 1998 was a great fit, as Thermador is also known as a great innovator in kitchen products. Both Bosch and Thermador are respected brands, with Thermador being the higher-priced of the two. Somewhat surprisingly, both the Bosch and Thermador induction cooktops are made in the USA. We like the Thermador induction cooktops and will probably do a review of them in the future, but none of them had the cool high-power feature like the Miele and they are very expensive, so they didn't make the cut.

We like Bosch induction cooktops and they're highly rated by Consumer Reports and elsewhere. You can read more about them in our Bosch Induction Cooktop Review. Though we didn't review one here, the Bosch cooktops are certainly worth a look.

Miele: Miele (pronunced MEE-la) is a German luxury brand, and its astounding 7700W of burner power--that's for one burner on power boost--caught our eye. (The next closest power boost we know of is Thermador's 4600W, with an industry average boost of around 3800W.) Miele is a family-owned German appliance manufacturer that's been in business more than 100 years. They are known for durable, high quality appliances marketed to the premium/luxury end of the market. So while the Miele induction cooktop isn't cheap, it's certain to offer top-of-the-line construction and performance. 

Samsung: Samsung is an Asian brand and now owns Dacor (formerly an American luxury brand), and the cooktops are almost identical, but the Dacor cooktop is about $1000 more. We like some of the features of the Samsung and reviewed them separately in our Samsung Induction Cooktop and Range Review.

We include this information to help you make better decisions. If you're aware of the backgrounds of the brands you're considering, you may be able to save money by buying the Samsung over the Dacor, or the KitchenAid over the Jenn-Air, without skimping on quality. If you want an American-made product, you should go with Bosch or Thermador, or GE (even though none of these brands are actually American-owned companies now). 

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About the Vendors

Many online retailers sell appliances nation-wide now. We've partnered with the ones that we think have the most to offer consumers.

Amazon: Everyone loves Amazon and nearly everyone has an Amazon account. They even offer installation services now. Thousands of vendors sell on Amazon. If you're looking for just an induction cooktop, Amazon can be a good place to buy. To be sure you get the factory warranty with the cooktop, buy from the manufacturer or an appliance dealer selling on Amazon. (More on this below.) Also, don't expect Amazon to have the lowest price--they don't always. Be sure to check the shipping terms, as well, because being a Prime member doesn't automatically guarantee free shipping. 

Home Depot and Lowe's: These nationwide chains are a safe bet for customer service, and often have sales going on. If they don't, ask for a price match if you find it cheaper elsewhere. These retailers will almost always be happy to price match, even for online purchases. 

AJ Madison: Another nationwide online retailer with a huge number of brands. They call themselves "the industry's foremost appliance authority" and offer interest-free financing and free nationwide delivery. They also offer appliance packages that could save you thousands if you need a whole kitchen suite. Be sure to talk to a customer service rep here, too, to make sure you can get appliance service in your area.

ABT.com is another nationwide appliance dealer that has a large brand selection, live chat to answer questions, excellent customer service, and promise to have (or match) the lowest prices. They are one of our newer partnerships, but so far we've been very happy with them.

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About Prices 

Since it's become a nationwide market (a global one, actually), you may not find huge price differences online (although they do happen). The best way to save money is to buy during a sale or to take advantage of a special offer (such as saving 5% by using your Lowe's credit card, or buying an appliance package from a dealer).

Even though prices will be close to the same, we suggest checking different vendors, because you may find a sale price--and even if you don't want to buy from the dealer with the lowest price, you'll probably be able to get the dealer you do want to buy from to price match.

It pays to shop around. 

For more about buying online, see the sections "Getting the Best Deal Online" and "Tips for Buying Online" below.

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Still Not Sure Induction Is For You? Read this First 

If you're on the fence about induction, read this section. If you know you want induction, you can skip this section. 

You can also check out several other articles about induction on this site: Is Induction Cooking Better than Gas?, Induction Cooktop Pros and Cons, Is Induction Cooking Safe?, Range Hoods and Induction Cooktops, The Advantages of Cooking with Induction. 

Here's a short video from Frigidaire that shows you the benefits of cooking with induction:

Video courtesy Frigidaire

What Is Induction Cooking and Why Is It So Cool?

This induction cooktop review may be more detailed than you need--if so, you don't need to read all the sections. This one, in particular, you may not need if you've already got your mind made up about induction.

Induction cooktops operate on an entirely different technology than conventional electric ranges. Yes, they're run by electricity--and most will fit right into an electric cooktop cutout and run on the same wiring--but the similarity ends there.

Induction works by magnetism. Induction hobs are essentially electromagnets, and placing magnetic cookware on an induction burner and sending current through it (that is, switching it on) completes a magnetic circuit. The cookware heats up, but the burner itself does not.

The reaction happens very rapidly--almost instantaneously--and since it's only the cookware getting hot, the method is extremely efficient, with little heat loss to ambient air. In fact, induction burners are about 80% more efficient than gas burners.

Induction technology has been around for more than 100 years and is used in several industrial processes. Induction cooktops came out in the 1970s. They've been slow to catch on in the US, comprising about 7% of the market, though that number is growing every year.

Induction cooking is hugely popular in Europe and the Far East, being about 70% of the cooktop market in many regions.

To read more about induction cooking, see this Wikipedia article.

If you've decided that you want to go with an induction cooktop, here are some important installation issues to consider before buying.

Size

Cooktops come in two standard sizes in the US: 30-inch and 36-inch. If you are replacing an existing cooktop, be sure to shop for the right size. If you are building or remodeling and have a choice, then your only size issue is which one you want (and making sure it's installed correctly).

Yes, there are other sizes available. Miele makes a 24-inch cooktop, for example (a nice option for RVs and tiny homes). But you'll have the most options if you go with a 30-inch or 36-inch.

If you go with the same size but switch brands, be sure the new one will fit in the existing hole. To be sure, measure your opening carefully (at least twice!) and look for models with installation specifications that fit. 

Alternatively, you can buy any cooktop you want if you don't mind doing the modifications to make it fit (or paying someone to do them). 

Electrical Hookups (Amperage): In general, 30-inch cooktops require a 40 amp hookup, while 36-inch cooktops require a 50 amp hookup. Most homes will have either a 40amp hookup (if the existing cooktop is 30-inch) or 50amp (if the existing cooktop is 36-inch). There's no "wrong" hookup configuration; it's just what's there.

If you live in an older home, your hookup may only be 30amp. If you have 30 amp wiring and want to buy a 40 or 50 amp cooktop, don’t despair. You can have new wiring installed or even do it yourself if you’re handy. Just know that you have to get this right, because if you use the wrong wiring, your circuit breakers will cut power in your kitchen when you try to draw too much--or worse, it could be a fire hazard (not to mention illegal).

The 30-inch Bosch Benchmark is an exception to this standard wiring hookup. It requires 30 amp wiring, so if you live in an older home, the Benchmark may be an easy way for you to upgrade to induction.

Some cooktops, like the Miele cooktop shown here, have to be flush mount. That is, inset to the level of your countertop.

While this looks extremely sleek and clean, it's a more complicated installation, particularly if you have granite or quartz countertops.

If you're not handy and want this look, we suggest you hire a professional installer (all dealers will offer you this option, including Amazon.)

Over-a-Wall-Oven Installation

Not all induction cooktops will fit over an oven. If you want to install an induction cooktop over an oven, make sure the cooktop is designed for this installation. 

Even if you're replacing an existing cooktop-over-wall-oven, make sure the induction cooktop you buy will work. A different model or even an upgrade of your existing model may have different installation specs than your old cooktop. 

We include this information in the reviews below for all of our picks.

Power tells you how much heat the cooktop can produce, and how fast it can produce it. In general, the more, the better--although even the lowest powered induction cooktops are going to be faster and hotter than standard electric cooktops.

To determine how powerful a cooktop is, you want to look at 1) max power per burner, 2) power boost, and 3) total power consumption.

Max power per burner tells you the max wattage available to individual burners. This is the most important spec because this determines how fast and powerful a burner is. 

Max power per burner varies greatly among induction cooktops, and while all are powerful, some offer considerably more power than others. Typically, extremely high power outputs are the result of a power boost feature.

Power Boost: Sometimes called speed boost or other trademarked names, power boost is a neat feature that sends extra power to one or two burners for a limited amount of time, usually 10 minutes. This makes tasks like boiling water lightning fast. An induction cooktop can have one burner with power boost, two burners, or all four, although because boost draws power from the other burners, you can't operate more than two burners at a time on boosted power. And when in use, the amount of power available for the other burners is decreased.

The Miele induction cooktop sends an astonishing 7700 watts of power to one burner. This is available on both the 30-inch and 36-inch cooktops. (So in this case, the boost draws power from all the burners to send it to one.) 

Do you need power boost? Induction is inherently faster than gas and electric, so even if you choose a model without a power boost feature, you will appreciate the speed and responsiveness of induction cooking. Yet power boost is a great feature when you want to speed up your cooking time even more. 

Total power consumption tells you the max power output of the cooktop. So for example, if the total power consumption rating is 10,000 watts and the cooktop has 5 burners, each burner can produce a maximum of 2,000 watts if all 5 burners are in operation. Power is not distributed equally, however; the largest burner is going to have a higher max output than the smaller burners (which is as it should be). But the total will never exceed 10,000 watts.

Most 30-inch cooktops have a max power of around 7,400 watts. Most 36-inch cooktops have a max power of around 10,000 watts. (So you can see that the power per burner works out to be roughly the same, and a bigger cooktop isn't necessarily going to be more powerful.) These are industry standards and not really important to installation or performance. (The power per burner, discussed above, is the spec that tells you what you really need to know.)

Most induction cooktops have electronic controls, and some are better than others. The best types have direct controls rather than a menu that uses +/- keys and require multiple presses to change a setting.

Electronic controls are great in that there are no knobs to collect gunk and to clean around. You just have one flat surface to wipe down and you're done. 

They can be not so great, too, because no matter how good they are, they're still not as fast as turning a knob.

Bridge Functionality

The “bridge” feature, "Sync," or "Flex Zone" (different manufacturers give it different names) allows you to operate two burners as one. This is incredibly useful for oversized pans, particularly oblong ones like griddles. If you've got visions of whipping out piles of pancakes for a crowd on Saturday mornings, you're going to want an induction cooktop with a good bridging feature.

How is it different than just turning on two burners? For one, the heat going into both burners will be exactly the same because they’re controlled as one. And on some cooktops (like Bosch), one entire side is a heating element, so there are no cold spots between burners. On some cooktops (Bosch again), you can use the large cooking zone for several small pots as well as one large one.

Some induction cooktops control two burners as one, but only heats the burners and not the space in between (the Cafe is an example of this). 

So, not all bridged burners are created equally. 

Here's a short video that shows how the bridge functionality works on the Bosch (which were the first to use a bridge feature):

Bevel Vs. No Bevel

Some cooktops have an option of a stainless beveled edge or no edge. A bevel can protect the cooktop from chipping, but it can also be a crevice where food and grease collect.

You can see how a bevel looks on this Bosch induction cooktop:

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Do I Need a Range Hood with Induction?

There is a common misconception that if you have an induction cooktop you don't need a range hood. It's true that induction produces less ambient heat and is cleaner than gas or electric, however, cooking odors and grease spatters are the same regardless of the technology you're using. Therefore, having some sort of ventilation over your cooktop is desirable.

For more information, see Range Hoods and Induction Cooking: What You Need to Know. 

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Getting the Best Deal for an Induction Cooktop Online

Besides getting the cooktop you want and can love, you'll also need to think about how to get the best deal. We think this is an important part of an induction cooktop review, so here are some thoughts on that.

Explore Buying Options

We've included a number of buying options; compare them to find the best deal. Online appliance dealers often offer sales prices, rebates, and price matching, while Lowe's and Home Depot often have the best price--if they carry the model you want. Sometimes Amazon offers a lower price than anybody on the right day. If financing is an option, then look for the best terms you can find. 

And much as we'd love for you to buy through one of our links, you should also go see appliances in person, if possible. Try them, see if they fit your cooking style. This doesn't mean you have to buy from the local dealer, and they often can't compete with the great deals you'll find online. But if they can, reward them by buying from them. 

You get the idea: shop around. This is how you'll find your best deal. 

Look for Package Deals

If you need more than a cooktop, you can often find great deals on packages from many dealers including Lowe's and sometimes Home Depot. If you need a cooktop, range, and fridge, for example, you can save several hundred dollars buying them all at once. 

If you buy from Amazon, this isn't likely to be an option. So once again, be sure to check other dealers. You may be amazed at how different pricing can be. For our purchasing links, we include package info when it's available.

Is There a "Right" Time to Buy?

The best pricing happens in September and October, when next year's models are released, and then again in January, when dealers want to clear out inventory. Black Friday can also be a good time to buy if you're buying online. So if you can buy at those times, do so. Check out this article for more details on the best times to buy.

Rebates, Special Pricing, and Price Matching

Some dealers offer rebates, sale prices, and price matching, so keep your eyes peeled for those deals, too. 

Some stores offer specials all the time if you do certain things. Lowe's, for example, automatically deducts 5% if you purchase with their store credit card. induction cooktop reviews

Look for deals, and don't be afraid to ask for them, either. It won't hurt to ask for a price match, for example. Most businesses are eager to sell to you, and will give you some sort of discount. All you have to do is ask. 

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Tips for Buying Online

The Internet has ushered in a golden age for consumers. It's almost impossible to not be a well-informed buyer these days. And the competition for your business is fierce, which means you should always be able to find great deals--often much better deals than you'll find at your local dealer.

On the other hand, buying online can be risky, especially for large appliances. For example, did you know that many manufacturer warranties are voided if you purchase through Amazon? While Amazon itself will usually cover returns, manufacturers may not. You should make sure (by e-mailing or calling the manufacturer) before buying from Amazon.

You can also check who is selling on Amazon. If it's the manufacturer or a reputable dealer, then all factory warranties should automatically apply. If it's someone you've never heard of, you should assume the warranties are voided unless clearly stated they are not.

How do you determine who the seller is on Amazon? Simple: it says right below the name of the product, as shown here:

If you read appliance horror stories online, you will find that it is often the result of "terrible service." With induction especially, which is the newest kitchen technology in the American market, many service people don't know much about repairs. If you buy online without checking that there are reputable, knowledgeable service technicians in your area, you could find yourself in a bad situation.

The moral: be sure you can get adequate service in the area where you live.

You'd be surprised how often you can't, so be sure to check with the dealer before you buy.\

Online dealers usually have service contracts with local dealers in major cities. Make sure, though, by emailing them or calling their service number. (If their website doesn't have a service number to call, buy somewhere else.)

Be sure you talk to the service department or customer service rep, not a salesperson, to get the right information. 

If you buy from a major national retailer like Home Depot or Lowe's, you'll probably be covered. But make sure before you buy.

As far as who you buy from, Amazon is probably the riskiest online place to buy from. Be sure you understand the terms before you click Add to Cart. 

And we can't recommend strongly enough that you purchase the extended warranty, no matter who you buy from.

3. Read A Lot of Reviews

Once again, as much as we'd like you to buy here--we are an affiliate site and receive a small commission at no cost to you--the smart thing to do is read a lot of reviews. You can check out other independent review sites like this one, as well as user reviews on Lowe's, Home Depot, Amazon, and elsewhere. The point is to find out as much as you can about a product before buying it.

Here's some advice: Review sites may be biased, so take information with a grain of salt. (Rational Kitchen is not biased--except in helping you find the best product for your needs--but you should still find out what other sites have to say.) And user reviews are most certainly biased. Often, 5 star reviews are from people still in the honeymoon phase with a product, while 1 star reviews are from the unlucky folks who got a rare lemon and bad customer service.

This doesn't mean you should ignore 5-star and 1-star reviews. But you should read several of each, as well as the ones in the middle, for the most balanced feedback. And don't automatically dismiss a brand that has a few 1-star reviews. Instead, read reliability ratings and try to find out what the actual statistics of service are (it's usually less than 10%).

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