Tested in a real family kitchen
Induction cooktops, tested on real family dinners
Best Induction Cooktop Guide tests built-in and portable induction cooktops in a real family kitchen, so you can see which ones boil fast, simmer low and are worth your money before you buy.
- 150+ cooktops and burners tried
- 9 years cooking on induction
- 13 product categories covered
Best induction cooktops to buy right now
The three cooktops I'd buy again, from my built-in, portable and 36-inch guides.
Built-in or portable induction cooktop?
What is an induction cooktop?
An induction cooktop is an electric cooktop that heats the pan directly with a magnetic field instead of heating a burner first. A copper coil under the glass creates the field, a magnetic pan turns it into heat, and the glass itself stays much cooler.
New to induction? Start here
Read my six short steps in order. You'll know how it works, whether your pans and wiring are ready, what it costs and which cooktop to buy.
- 1Understand it
- 2Is it right for you
- 3Check your kitchen
- 4Budget
- 5Choose
- 6Install and cook
Popular induction cooktop buying guides
The Best Induction Cooktops of 2026: I Tested 10 Built-In Models at Home
I cooked family dinners on 10 built-in induction cooktops and ranked them, with the Bosch 800 Series NIT8061UC as my top pick. Read it if you're replacing or remodeling a cooktop and want one tested list.
The Best Portable Induction Cooktops I Tested at Home
Eight portable induction cooktops tested on our counter and at a campsite, with the Duxtop 9600LS as the burner I'd buy again. It's for trying induction, small kitchens and extra cooking on a regular outlet.
The Best 30-Inch Induction Cooktops I Tested at Home
Seven 30-inch induction cooktops tested side by side, from the Bosch 800 Series NIT8061UC I'd put in my own kitchen to a budget Frigidaire. It's for the most common counter size in American kitchens.
The Best 36-Inch Induction Cooktops I Tested at Home
Six 36-inch induction cooktops tested on real family dinners, with the GE Profile PHP9036DTBB as my pick for most families. It's for big families, remodels and anyone with a wide opening to fill.
The Best Double-Burner Induction Cooktops I Tested
Seven double-burner induction cooktops tested with both sides on high, to show how they share one outlet's power. The Duxtop 9620LS is my pick for anyone who needs two zones without a full range.
The Best Induction Cooktops for RVs and Camping
Seven induction cooktops tested on our travel trailer's inverter, battery and campsite power, with the NuWave PIC Flex as the one we kept. It's for RV owners and campers who want to cook without propane.
How I test induction cooktops
Every cooktop gets the same four tests in my own kitchen.
- 1
Timed boils
A quart of tap water to a full boil, three times, then 6 quarts for pasta night.
- 2
Low simmer
2 cups of water on the lowest setting for 30 minutes, checked with a probe thermometer.
- 3
Even browning
A thin layer of flour in a skillet shows where each zone runs hot.
- 4
Real dinners
Pancakes, pasta and a 2-hour tomato sauce for six, with wet fingers on the controls.
Induction help and how-to guides
Basics
Cookware and cooking
Power, cost and care
- Induction Cooktop Electrical Requirements (Volts, Amps and Breakers)
- How to Install an Induction Cooktop (and What It Costs)
- How Much Does an Induction Cooktop Cost in 2026?
- How Much Electricity Does an Induction Cooktop Use?
- Induction Stove Rebates and Tax Credits: What Is Available Now
- How to Clean an Induction Cooktop (and Remove Stains and Scratches)
- Induction Cooktop Not Working? 12 Fixes to Try
Induction comparisons: gas, electric and brands
Induction vs gas
Induction and gas cooktops tested side by side for boil time, simmer, kitchen heat and indoor air. Read it if you're replacing a gas cooktop and want to know what you'd gain and give up.
Induction vs electric
Induction and a radiant electric glass-top tested side by side for speed, control, energy and cleanup. It's for anyone choosing between the two electric options or upgrading an old smoothtop.
Breville Control Freak vs Control Freak Home
I cooked with the Breville Control Freak Home for 30 days and compare it with the original Control Freak. Read it if you're deciding whether a $1,500 precision induction burner is worth it for your kitchen.
Portable vs built-in
Coming soon
Duxtop vs NuWave
Coming soon
Duxtop 9600LS vs NuWave Pro Chef
Coming soon
Induction cooktop brands
- Bosch (review coming soon)
- GE Profile (review coming soon)
- Frigidaire (review coming soon)
- Samsung (review coming soon)
- LG (review coming soon)
- KitchenAid (review coming soon)
- Thermador (review coming soon)
- Miele (review coming soon)
- JennAir (review coming soon)
- Fisher & Paykel (review coming soon)
- Wolf (review coming soon)
- Empava (review coming soon)
- Breville
- Duxtop (review coming soon)
- NuWave (review coming soon)
- AAOBOSI (review coming soon)
- Hamilton Beach (review coming soon)
- Vollrath (review coming soon)
- Avantco (review coming soon)
Who tests these induction cooktops?
I'm Sarah Simon, a US mom of four, and I've cooked on induction for 9 years, first on a Frigidaire Gallery and now on a Bosch 800 Series. I test every cooktop and pan in my own home, the same way each time.
How this site makes money
Some links on this site, including the Shop now buttons, are affiliate links: if you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I test every cooktop independently, and brands can't pay for placement or rankings. Read my disclosure and editorial policy.
Induction cooktop questions, answered
What is the best induction cooktop?
In my testing, the Bosch 800 Series NIT8061UC is the built-in induction cooktop I'd recommend to most people. It boiled a quart of water in 2 minutes and 41 seconds and held a lazy simmer for half an hour. For a 36-inch opening, get the GE Profile PHP9036DTBB; for less money, the LG CBIH3013BE.
Do I need special pans for induction?
You need pans with a magnetic base. Hold a fridge magnet to the bottom of the pan: if it sticks firmly, the pan will work. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, carbon steel and most clad or disc-bottom stainless steel work. Plain aluminum, copper, glass and ceramic don't, unless they have a magnetic steel plate in the base.
Is induction cooking safe?
Yes, induction cooking is safe for most people. There's no open flame and no combustion gas, and a zone won't heat without a magnetic pan on it. The magnetic field is low-frequency and drops off within a few inches. If you have a pacemaker or an ICD, follow your device maker's distance advice.
How much does an induction cooktop cost?
Induction cooktops cost from about $50 for a basic portable burner to several thousand dollars for a premium 36-inch built-in model. Most families buying a 30-inch built-in spend in the low-to-mid thousands, plus installation if a new 240-volt circuit is needed. Income-qualified households may get up to $840 through the HEAR rebate.
Can I plug an induction cooktop into a normal outlet?
A portable induction burner plugs into a standard 120-volt kitchen outlet. A built-in induction cooktop can't: it needs its own dedicated 208/240-volt circuit, usually 30 to 50 amps depending on the size and model. The exact breaker size is in the installation guide, and a licensed electrician should confirm your wiring.