The 5 Best Induction Cooktops to Elevate Your Kitchen

Best Overall

GE Smart Induction Cooktop

$2,399 $1,883 at Amazon $2,098 at Wayfair $2,699 $2,428 at Home Depot

We think the GE Profile induction cooktops (model number PHP9036, with all-black and stainless steel-trimmed variations) offer stellar features and flexibility while falling well below premium price points.

Like most cooktops at the 36-inch width, you get five heating elements with the largest in the center (30-inch models with four burners are also available). The central burner fits 11-inch pans and maxes out at a powerful 3,700 watts. Combined with the power boost setting, it can get your water boiling in no time. The two left burners can also sync up and serve as a longer element for heating griddles and other large cookware. 

Importantly, the PHP9036 supports 19 different power levels, providing the finest degree of control among the induction cooktops we've seen. You adjust these settings on a touch panel that includes circular glide rings mimicking the turn of a knob, though for many it won't quite match the feeling of traditional physical controls. 

You also have the option to connect to the internet with the cooktop's built-in Wi-Fi, letting you use a phone app or voice commands (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) to control individual burner power levels, timers, and more.

Pairing with Bluetooth-enabled cookware unlocks even more futuristic functions like precise temperature monitoring and automatic guided recipes. If that’s of interest, we did find that there are currently rebates available for a Hestan Cue Smart Pan. 

_{Dimensions: 36.125 x 21 x 3.25 inches | Number of Burners: 5 | Number of Power Levels: 19}

Best Value

Frigidaire Professional 30-inch Induction Cooktop

$779 at Amazon $2,199 at Home Depot $2,300 at Best Buy

The FPIC3077RF induction cooktop from Frigidaire's Professional line may be a relatively older model, but it's a standout value for its reduced price of around $700 for the 30-inch size. The company also makes a 36-inch version of the product, but it was less readily available at the time of writing.

While it's true you can find less expensive alternatives online and at major home improvement stores, going with a more established brand for your high-end appliance makes it more likely that you'll be able to get repairs or parts if things go wrong. In the FPIC3077RF's case, this includes a manufacturer's warranty covering your first year. 

In terms of heating elements, the cooktop has four burners, each indicated by cross-marks, which can make pan placement a little trickier than lit-up circles. The largest element is 10 inches and reaches a strong 3,800 watts of power. There's also a smaller 2,000-watt 6-inch burner and a pair of 2,600-watt 7-inch burners on the left that can be bridged together. 

You won't find higher-end bells and whistles like advanced cooking modes, app controls, or smart features, but this could be a plus depending on your preferences. Rather than touch controls that can get slippery or unresponsive, the FPIC3077RF uses precise physical knobs, a rare inclusion for modern induction cooktops that many home chefs may find familiar and appreciate. 

_{Dimensions: 30 x 20.625 x 3.625 inches | Number of Burners: 4 | Number of Power Levels: Not listed}

Best Professional

Miele 36-inch Induction Cooktop

$3,499 at Ajmadison.com View on Abt.com View on Us-appliance.com

For home chefs wanting to take advantage of the best induction cooking has to offer, Miele's KM 7745 FL is well worth a look. The German manufacturer has a long-standing reputation for durable, high-quality appliances, and you can opt to purchase extended warranties for 5 or 10 years to keep your cooktop covered for service and repairs. 

Unlike the 30- and 42-inch sizes that have a mix of round burners and longer rectangular zones, the 36-inch KM 7745 FL is simply divided into three flexible areas, each automatically recognizing up to two pans or pots of just about any size. Your larger cookware can go across the entire zone with a power boost that can hit up to 7,300 watts.

If you have to step away, a single button press can drop all active burners to low and keep your food warm. The cooktop supports Wi-Fi so you can check on it through an app, and it's able to pair with Miele's range hood to keep your cooking space optimally ventilated.

It doesn't, however, sync with smart cookware to track exact temps and follow recipes; our overall best pick is one of the few that does. 

_{Dimensions: 35.875 x 21.25 x 4.125 inches | Number of Burners: 6 | Number of Power Levels: Not listed}

Best Features

Thermador Electric Induction Cooktop

$6,199 at Best Buy View on Pcrichard.com View on Build.com

The Freedom series cooktop from Thermador (a sister company of Bosch and Gaggenau, who produce their own induction appliances) takes its name from the impressive flexibility in how you can use it. 

Sold in 30- or 36-inch sizes and with or without a stainless steel frame, the larger version (model CIT36YWB) touts its 36-inch wide fully usable surface as the largest on the market. You can set up to six pots and pans anywhere on the cooktop—no burner markings or zones to restrict you. It will detect the position and size of cookware and fire up a combination of its 56 induction elements accordingly. Your pan maintains its heat settings anywhere you move it, and you can easily see and adjust its power level on the 6.5-inch touchscreen. 

For times when you do want to change up the heat, you can use the MyZone function to adjust the power level on the fly by moving your pan forward or backward on the cooktop. There's even a teppanyaki mode that can heat just one section of a long pan while turning the other part off, for setting aside ingredients until it's time to grill them. 

Among today's premium products adopting full-surface induction heating, the Thermador Freedom is actually slightly less pricey. Still, it's a considerably heftier investment than models with regular structured burners and zones, so it's more for those who really value the flexibility and top-end technology. 

_{Dimensions: 37 x 21.25 x 4.125 inches | Number of Burners: 6 | Number of Power Levels: 17}

Best Portable

Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop

$133 $117 at Amazon $122 at Walmart

If you want to add a bit of induction capability to a small space or take it to a dorm, cabin, or RV, the Duxtop 9600LS can bring the portability and performance you need. It runs on just 120 volts and 15 amps, so you can plug the 5-foot-long power cord into most standard outlets. Its build is sleek and slim, and like its full-size counterparts, cleaning the induction cooktop is simple, so after it's fully cooled, you can quickly wipe it off and stash it away. 

With a single heating element only about 6 inches across and maxing out at 1800 watts, don't expect to get huge pots of water to an instant boil. It's plenty for heating smaller (compatible) cookware, though, with temperature settings between 100 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. The 20 power levels available within that range are very convenient, as are the quick boil and simmer functions, digital timer, lock mode, and automatic safety shut offs. 

One quirk is that some users report the 9600LS making a high-pitched noise during cooking. The company explains this is a normal occurrence, not specifically from the induction process but due to elements vibrating against each other. It doesn't happen in every instance, but it may alarm or annoy some users who aren't expecting it. 

_{Dimensions: 11.4 x 14 x 2.5 inches | Number of Burners: 1 | Number of Power Levels: 20}