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In the world of kitchens, there may be no appliance more zeitgeist-y than the induction cooktop. You’ve probably heard the rumbling on social media: Do you need specific pans? (Possibly.) Are they worth the price? (Many say yes.) Do you need a range hood? (Maybe.) Are they better for the environment? (Arguably!) Here is one thing that’s for sure: These sleek, streamlined, and easy-to-clean cooktops are a dream. If you’re in the market for a small-scale kitchen upgrade, an induction stove just may be in your not-so-distant future. 

We researched the best induction cooktops on the market, solicited recommendations from the pros, and rounded up what we feel are the best available options. These are our favorites, based on function, precision, and, of course, form. 

Our Favorites

Best Overall: Bosch 800 Series 36-Inch Electric Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 37-by-21 inches | Finish: Smooth top | Wattage: 9,600  | Smart capabilities: No | Touch control: Yes 

What we like:

  • Five cooking zones and 17 power settings
  • Child lock
  • Touch control

Worth noting:

  • Not smart capable
  • No automatic shutoff
  • Higher price point

Why we chose it: A design-forward induction top that offers just about everything you need.

The beveled frameless glass on this Bosch cooktop makes it an obvious choice for anyone looking for an unobtrusive and sleek range that won’t take away from other design features. But beyond the look, this appliance is a true powerhouse. With its high wattage, multiple cooking zones and power settings, touch control, and child lock, this design has a little bit of something for everyone. It’s one of the more comprehensive models on the market, in fact, which is why Domino’s editors placed it at the very top of our list.

Best Value: Bertazzoni Professional Series 30-Inch Electric Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 29.5-by-30 inches | Finish: Glass-ceramic | Wattage: 7,400 | Smart support: No | Touch control: Yes

What we like:

  • Hot surface indicator
  • Digital controls
  • Touch controls

Worth noting:

  • Lower wattage than some models
  • Not smart compatible
  • No overcooking sensors

Why we chose it: A budget-friendly option that still offers tons of great bonuses.

At well under $2,000 for the 30-inch model, this Bertazzoni induction range is worth considering if you happen to have a small kitchen (or a small budget). With its touch controls and hot surface indicators, this model has plenty to praise, although it does have lower wattage than some other high-price models, meaning you may have to wait a little longer for the range to heat up. The cooktop also lacks some of the other bonuses of luxury models, like overcooking sensors, smart capability, and child locks. Still, it packs in a lot of wow for the money, and it looks great doing it. 

Best Midrange: Gaggenau 200 Series 36-Inch Electric Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 35.75-by-9.625 inches | Finish: Smooth top | Wattage: 10,800 | Smart support: App control | Touch control: No 

What we like:

  • Child lock
  • Removable magnetic knobs for easy cleaning
  • Overcooking sensors

Worth noting:

  • Limited touch controls

Why we chose it: An excellent midrange cooktop with lots of bells and whistles.

This Gaggenau has lots to love, including a child lock, magnetic knobs that detach (we see you, fellow clean range lovers), and overcooking sensors that will keep you from going too wild in the kitchen. There are a host of other features that accompany this cooktop, too, from frying sensors to cooking sensors to a keep-warm function. While it lacks some of the more sophisticated features—touch controls for every function, for instance—it’s a great midrange buy for those looking to learn the ropes of induction cookers. 

Best Sleek Look: Smeg 36-Inch Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 35-by-19 inches | Finish: Smooth top | Wattage: 11,000  | Smart support: No | Touch control: Yes 

What we like:

  • Automatic shutoff
  • Touch controls
  • Automatic pan detection

Worth noting:

  • Not smart compatible
  • Limited warranty
  • Expensive to repair

Why we chose it: A sleek, high-performing cooktop that will not disappoint. 

Instead of circles denoting where your pots should land on the cooktop, Smeg uses graphically pleasing straight lines—and a little design goes a long way here. This sleek cooktop is a dream to look at, and it’s also a dream to use, with cool built-in functions: an automatic shutoff to guard against cooking mishaps, pan detection, and touch controls as well as superhigh wattage (at 11,000 watts, it’s the highest of the models we recommend here). There are overcooking sensors and a limited warranty, but sadly no smart capability. 

Best Vertical: Fisher & Paykel 9 Minimal Series 12-Inch Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 18-by-10 inches | Finish: Smooth top | Wattage: 7,400 | Smart support: Yes | Touch control: Yes

What we like:

  • Smart compatible
  • Touch controls
  • Pan detection system

Worth noting:

  • Low wattage
  • Only two cooking zones
  • No child lock

Why we chose it: Space-saving vertical configurations are great for small kitchens, like those found in condos and apartments. 

Configure your induction range vertically with this Fisher & Paykel cooktop, a smart-compatible offering with a pan detection system, zone bridging, and touch controls. One perk to the vertical life? More countertop space to spread out and do the cooking you love. That being said, keep in mind that the wattage is low (only 7,400), the model contains no child lock, and there are only two cooking zones. 

Best Smart Cooktop: Monogram 30-Inch Smart Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 28-by-19 inches | Finish: Smooth top | Wattage: 10,500 | Smart support: Yes | Touch control: Yes 

What we like:

  • Melt setting
  • Smart compatible
  • Smart Hestan Cue pan included

Worth noting:

  • No overcooking sensors
  • Expensive
  • Limited warranty

Why we chose it: Great smart compatibility, plus other added bonuses. 

If you’re looking for an induction cooktop that can communicate with your phone, the Monogram is the one for you. In addition to a slew of fun bonuses—a delicate-melt setting perfect for butter and chocolate; gourmet-guided cooking programs; and an included Hestan Cue pan, which tells you when to flip or stir—this model is known for its superlative smart support. It also comes with a limited warranty. This cooktop is on the pricier side, however, and there are no overcooking sensors nor is there a child lock. 

Best Luxury: Thermador Liberty Series 36-Inch Built-In Electric Induction Cooktop

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Dimensions: 37-by-21.25 inches | Finish: Smooth top | Wattage: 10,800 | Smart support: Yes | Touch control: Yes 

What we like:

  • Extra-large cooking zones
  • Preset heat zones
  • Smart compatible

Worth noting:

  • Expensive
  • Limited warranty (two years)
  • No child lock

Why we chose it: For a price, you can have just about everything. 

The Thermador Liberty is the crème de la crème when it comes to induction cooktops. Not only is it smart compatible, it comes with the Home Connect app, which can generate recipes, pair food and wine, assist with grocery shopping and list making, and essentially make life a little bit easier. The cooktop itself comes with extra-large cooking zones as well as preset heat zones so that you can easily shift pans around to change the power level. There are, though, a few downsides to this luxe range, including the price point (high), the warranty (limited), and the child lock (nonexistent). 

How We Chose These Products

We researched induction cooktops based on a number of criteria—design, material, price, brand reputation—and a few specific features, including wattage, durability, and size. We also solicited the opinions of two experts in the appliance field with in-depth knowledge of induction cooktops for their insider tips and pointers (below). 

Our Shopping Checklist

Design

When it comes to the design of induction cooktops, the devil is in the details. Look for sleek upgrades like beveled glass, artfully designed pot placement, and even different colors to make it so much dreamier. 

Size

Induction cooktops, says Larissa Taboryski, culinary educator for the appliance industry, are generally available in widths of 30 or 36 inches. “Luxury brands such as Gaggenau make individual units in 12 and 15 inches, allowing the consumer to combine these smaller cooktops with other 12- to 15-inch units such as a wok burner, Teppanyaki griddle, or indoor grill to customize the cooking station to their preference,” she adds. Depending on the size of your kitchen and your individual needs, you can look for the size that suits you best. 

Power

“When shopping for an induction cooktop, you want to pay attention to the size and power of the burner,” says Albert Fouerti, founder and CEO of e-commerce platform Appliances Connection. “Take note of how low and high the heat goes and the spacing for the pots. Keep in mind how you will most use the cooktop and what would be in line with your needs.”

Induction cooktops, Taboryski notes, often require a dedicated circuit. Amperage can vary, but she says to expect to use about 50 amps. “A lot of power is drawn when using high heat levels, such as a Power Boost function, but these are generally used for shorter periods of time when boiling water.” She suggests discussing power and specific needs with your retail salesperson, however. These cooktops can also offer power-conserving benefits; be sure to ask the salesperson about that, too. 

Extra Features and Safety

Some of the features to look for in induction cooktops include smart capability; touch sensors; and Power Boost, a function designed to boil water quickly. Regardless, Fouerti says, “what is most useful is that the heating is so precise, it cooks everything more evenly.”

Safety is also key. “The most important feature is that induction cooktops are a lot safer than the older heating elements,” notes Fouerti. That’s because, Taboryski adds, “when you remove the pan from the cooktop, the cooktop will remain active for a few seconds; if the pan is not placed back on the cooktop, the power shuts down, so you can never leave the cooktop on accidentally.” A child lock offers extra peace of mind.

Ask Domino

Q: What’s the difference between an electric cooktop and an induction cooktop? 

In general, electric cooktops heat the cooktop surface, which heats the cookware on it, while induction heats the cookware directly. “Induction cooktops feature a series of micro-inductors to generate heat,” says Taboryski. “Heat can only be generated when a pan that has ferromagnetic [iron-based] content is used. When an electric current passes through the inductor, it creates electromagnetic energy. The heat is controlled by choosing a power level, and the response when changing power levels is faster than cooking with gas.” 

Q: Do induction cooktops use more power than electric ones?  

“No, they do not use more power and are actually a lot more efficient,” says Fouerti. “An induction cooktop takes a lot less to preheat, and it’s a lot more accurate in heating since it targets the pot or pan directly. You achieve optimal heating this way, and it is more efficient.”

Q: Does an induction cooktop require special cookware?  

Induction does not require special cookware, Taboryski says, but the cookware used must have some iron content to be a conductor. “Cast iron, enameled cast iron, and good-quality stainless steel all work well,” she says. 

The Last Word

The best induction cooktops offer a little of everything: seamless design, a performative edge, and a modern twist on that most important kitchen appliance.