Gas and electric cooktops are the popular choices for new home builders and renovators; however, a third heating element may be the answer to your own search for a new cooktop: induction heating. Induction heating is a great way to maximize the heat put out by a cooktop.
An induction cooktop centralizes this heat to the pot or pan on the surface, minimizing the spread and sending more of the heat to the right place. Due to the way this technology works, these cooktops do require induction compatible cookware. While not all pots or pans are induction-cooktop-compatible, if you’ve bought cookware in the last 17 years, your pans are most likely already compatible. An easy rule of thumb to determine compatibility is if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the cookware — if the magnet sticks, it is induction-friendly. Another benefit of induction cooking is that it delivers incredibly even heat across the entire surface of the pan for perfect, gourmet results. Cooking with induction also means there won’t be heat under spills, preventing substances from burning onto the surface, enabling quick and easy cleanup after use.
Like gas and electric, there are several induction models to choose from. So, what are the best induction cooktops on the market in 2021? Read on to find out.
At a Glance:
Best Overall: Bosch 800 Series 30” Black with Stainless Steel Frame Induction Cooktop (NIT8069SUC)
Best Budget: Frigidaire 30” Black Induction Cooktop (FFIC3026TB)
Best Splurge: Monogram 36” Silver Induction Cooktop (ZHU36RSPSS)
Most Reliable: Wolf Transitional 36” Stainless Steel Induction Cooktop (CI365TF/S)
Most Advanced: Thermador Masterpiece Freedom 30” Dark Gray Induction Cooktop (CIT30XWBB)
The Best Induction Cooktops: Our Top 5 Picks
Even once the search is narrowed down to a specific heating type, there are many qualified cooktops to choose from. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the top 5 induction cooktops in each category:
1. Best Overall: Bosch 800 Series 30” Black with Stainless Steel Frame Induction Cooktop (NIT8069SUC)
Our pick for the best overall induction cooktop is this Bosch 800 series model. This cooking surface offers consistent element temperature settings for more precise cooking results via AutoChef®, which regulates temperatures continuously during frying, adjusting them as needed to give you a perfect result. This cooktop can be installed in a frameless design, integrating more seamlessly with the countertop. It can also be inserted into a stainless-steel framed design, enabling it to become more of a standout feature than a blended part of your kitchen. In short, the streamlined look and precise performance of this Bosch induction cooktop make it a great choice for aesthetic-conscious buyers and dedicated home chefs alike.
Features:
- AutoChef®
- 11” cooking zone for larger pots and pans
- 17 power levels for each cooking zone
- Home Connect™ to remotely monitor your appliance to efficiently manage your day.
Why We Like It: A large cooking zone, installation flexibility, a sleek look, and a budget-friendly price point make this cooktop a great, well-rounded choice.
2. Best Budget: Frigidaire 30” Black Induction Cooktop (FFIC3026TB)
This budget find combines the high-performance specs of a luxury induction cooktop with a great price tag. This Frigidaire induction cooktop detects contact with pots and pans, generating heat only in this space. Most stainless-steel and cast-iron cookware is compatible with this heating method. Performance-wise, this value choice has a wide range of true temperatures. It can melt and simmer perfectly on low without scorching or burning. It can also sear, fry, crisp, and sauté with higher precision heat, but most importantly, immediate temperature response can take your dish from a powerful boil to a low simmer effortlessly.
Reaching that boil is easy and quick with Frigidaire’s induction boil, taking nearly half the time off time to boil compared to an electric stovetop. Plus, the built-in timer function automatically turns the heat off after a specified amount of time.
Features:
- Auto Sizing™ pan detection
- True Temp Melt and Hold
- Cooktop Timer
Why We Like It: Budget picks aren’t always as robust as other choices, but this Frigidaire cooktop takes the cake when it comes to pricing and features.
3. Best Splurge: Monogram 36” Silver Induction Cooktop (ZHU36RSPSS)
Monogram is a big name in luxury appliances, making the brand a great choice for our best splurge option. The Monogram 36” induction cooktop in silver has the look of luxury with its shiny pot placement guides and a flat, touch-enabled control panel that provides easy and precise temperature management with the swipe of a finger.
True to fashion, this Monogram induction cooktop delivers precise heating with compatible pans and a cool-to-the-touch surface that is easy to clean. It also supports a new level of rapid boil with a more powerful element and a gentle low setting to melt delicate foods evenly. Auto Off shuts down power when there is no pan present, and the control lock capabilities allow for control of two 7” elements simultaneously to evenly heat large cookware.
Features:
- Glide touch controls
- Five induction cooking elements
- 11” 3700W induction element
- SyncBurners
- Melt setting
- Control lock capability
- White LED display with patterned silver glass surface
- Gourmet Guided Cooking
- Custom settings
- Pan presence and size sensors
- Flush-mount capable
Why We Like It: Monogram is a leading name in luxury. This cooktop embodies the splurge look, and performance capabilities back the price point.
4. Most Reliable: Wolf Transitional 36” Stainless Steel Induction Cooktop (CI365TF/S)
Wolf products are designed and built to last more than 20 years. In the same way, Wolf induction cooktops are built with premium-grade materials and subjected to extreme tests prior to final release. Wolf offers an industry-leading full two-year warranty and a five-year limited warranty. Because of this, we’ve named the Wolf 36” induction cooktop as our pick for the most reliable.
Aside from reliability, this luxury-tier cooktop packs great performance into a sleek and contemporary stainless-steel design. The sleek black diamond glass surface resists scratching, staining, impact, and heat. It’s also incredibly easy to clean. Aside from optics, this cooktop exudes speed and heat efficiency via automatic pan detection and keeps the rest of the cooktop cool while instantaneously generating heat within the pan.
Features:
- Custom cooking array
- Worry-free warranty
- Rigorous testing
Why We Like It: Unbeatable warranties combined with longevity at the forefront of design make this Wolf cooking surface an instant pick for the most reliable model. Rigorous testing backs their claims, furthering the case for this cooktop.
5. Most Advanced: Thermador Masterpiece Freedom 30” Dark Gray Induction Cooktop (CIT30XWBB)
This pick was made based on technological advances present in the appliance, making this Thermador induction cooktop the clear choice. The TeppanyakiPro™ function divides a teppanyaki grill plate into one heated and one non-heated area. In the heated area, 48 inductor elements, combined with pot detection, automatically recognize the size, shape, and position of your cookware on the cooktop. MyZone™ then allows the change of a preset power by simply moving the pot or pan.
Heating power is the essential component for a most advanced pick, and Thermador packs plenty of heat into this model. The PowerBoost® feature increases element power by up to 50 percent, saving time to heat up pots containing large quantities of water, while PanBoost® heats up pans within 30 seconds. The most advanced model of any appliance must come with smart capabilities, and this Thermador cooktop certainly fits the bill. WiFi connectivity allows the cooktop and matching hood to communicate with one another to synchronize turning on task lighting and ventilation while the Cook Timer enables the cooking position to switch off automatically after a set period.
There is a risk associated with a cooktop even with a cool-to-the-touch 30” surface. This Thermador model further prevents accidents with a residual heat indicator for each side of the cooktop that indicates whether any side is still hot. It also features a panel lock, allowing you to lock the cooktop and prevent children from changing settings.
Features:
- TeppanyakiPro™ function
- MyZone™
- WiFi connectivity
- Largest 30” fully usable cooking surface
- Programmed settings move with the pots and pans
- PowerBoost®
- PanBoost™
- Cookware detection
- Transfer function
- Residual heat indicator
- Extra-large full-color interactive touch screen display
- Frameless design
- Dark gray glass
Why We Like It: This cooktop has the largest fully usable cooking surface available in induction cooking. If that’s not enough of a reason to purchase this Thermador cooktop, great performance features like PowerBoost™ can help convince even the pickiest home chefs.
Shop Induction Cooktops at Spencer’s TV & Appliance
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand appliances for great prices — we stock much more than just these 5 best induction cooktops. Shop online today or visit one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions.