Induction cooktops are a favorite choice for many people when renovating their kitchens due to their functionality, appearance, ease of use, safety, and other features that other types of cooktops don't offer.
They can heat up faster than gas and other electric stoves due to their operating principle based on Faraday's Law, where the coils (copper windings) induce a magnetic field in the base of the pot/pan, generating an electric current and transforming it into heat.
They also boast low energy consumption, even reducing the consumption by 50% compared to other electric stoves. This is why they are considered economical and environmentally friendly.
If they get dirty, they can be easily cleaned because food doesn't stick to the ceramic glass surface. They also prevent the risk of burns because heat is transmitted only between the plate and the base of the container. In this regard, induction cooktops are especially suitable if you have children at home.
When choosing an induction hob, it is important to consider several key factors, such as:
- Size: Hobs range from 28 cm to 90 cm. The larger the size, the more burners it will have, allowing you to cook different foods at the same time.
- Other factors such as power levels, timing functions, sprint, alarms, among others, allow you to conveniently control the operation of the hob.
Keep reading if you want to learn more about this type of kitchen and the most recommended models.
Index
- 1 What are the best induction cooktops?
- 2 Our recommended models
- 3 Comparison of the best induction cooktops
- 4 Buying Guide
What are the best induction cooktops?
After testing different models and analyzing user reviews, this is our list of the best induction cooktops so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
5. Balay 3EB864ER
The ideal induction hob to expand your kitchen
It has three simple burners of 15 cm, 18 cm and 24 cm, as well as basic and advanced functions:
- Memory
- Automatic start
- Alarm
- Operation programming (timer)
- Sprint
- Blockade
It has 17 power levels, offering greater precision when adjusting the temperature at which we want to heat a dish.
Its touch-sensitive control panel can be activated by drops of water or contact with clothing, making it highly sensitive. However, it's very easy to operate and clean.
In our tests, we noticed that pressing the buttons makes a loud noise. However, the audible alerts can be disabled using the mute function.
Although it takes a few minutes to heat up, its sprint function speeds up the cooking process and has food ready in no time.
Considering the number of burners it has, it consumes little energy (4,600 W when all are used at the same time), for this reason, its impact on the electricity bill is average.
- Various power levels
- Different functions
- Intermediate energy consumption
- It takes a while to warm up
- High sensitivity on the buttons
- It makes a loud sound when you press its buttons.
4. Cecotec Full Crystal
The best induction cooktop for small kitchens
This is a portable induction cooktop with a single 28cm burner where you can prepare and heat small and large pans and paellas.
It has different functions:
- Automatic shut-off once heating is complete
- Timer up to 180 minutes
- Overheat protection.
It's lightweight (weighing 2.2 kg) and can be easily moved anywhere. It also has its own base so you can place it on the countertop without needing a special recess.
It includes four preset programs to heat rice, soup, coffee, or keep a container warm. This makes it easy to use and saves energy, as the temperature is adjusted to suit your needs.
Although it has 10 power levels, adjusting the temperature isn't very intuitive at the intermediate levels, as it heats with the same intensity as at the maximum setting. However, it takes very little time to heat up.
We felt that your manual omits important information such as the duration of some programs or their different functions, but this is a minor inconvenience.
This hob can help you save money, as it only consumes 2,000 W when used at its maximum setting. If you're looking for a low-power model, this hob could be an excellent choice.
- Portable and lightweight (2.2 kg)
- Low energy consumption
- Heats up quickly
- Incomplete instruction manual
- Difficulty controlling temperature
3. Siemens EH651FDC1E
The best induction cooktop for large families
It has two single burners measuring 15 cm and 21 cm, and a triple burner measuring 21 cm, 26 cm, and 32 cm. The triple burner allows you to place large containers on the burner to prepare more elaborate dishes.
It incorporates different functions:
- Frying sensor: controls the oil temperature and prevents food from burning
- Sprint: reduces cooking time
- Quickstart: Activates the required zone according to the container size
- Memory: saves previously established settings
- Lock: temporarily disables the panel (child safety)
- Energy consumption indicator
- Timer
- Alarm: 3 types of alarms that notify you if the food is ready
We found it somewhat inconvenient to always have to select the zone to use first, since it uses the same sliding potentiometer to control all three zones. However, it has 17 power levels, allowing food to be cooked to your desired level.
Due to its high power, it generates some noise when working, which can be a bit annoying if you are looking for a quiet hob.
It consumes 7,400 W when all its burners are used, which can be reflected in your electricity bill. However, its high power means it can quickly heat several dishes at once.
- Speed of heating
- Large area (32 cm) for large containers
- Variety of functions
- It generates some noise
- It does not have a power selector for each zone
- It consumes a lot of energy
2. Teka IZ 6315
The ideal hob for cooking experts
It features two single burners measuring 14.5 cm and 18 cm, and a double burner measuring 18 cm and 28 cm. Its dimensions allow you to heat even large paella pans, casseroles, and frying pans.
It has 9 power levels to heat food to the right temperature. This allows you to adjust the cooking level according to the type of food.
We found the STOP & GO function, which interrupts the cooking process for 10 minutes if we need to leave, very useful. It also includes other functions: silence, auto-off, residual heat, and a timer.
We found the timer to be impractical, as it's the same for all zones. Its touch buttons are highly sensitive and can be activated by water or clothing. However, it does have a lock function that disables the panel.
Its installation is very simple thanks to its Fast-Click system, which allows for quick adaptation to the countertop cavity.
It has a high energy consumption (7,200 W) when all burners are used. However, it heats up quickly, saving time and resources.
- Speed of heating
- A slider for each burner
- Easy to install
- High electricity consumption
- The timer is shared for all three burners
- Buttons with high sensitivity
1. Balay 3EB865FR
The best hob for renovating your kitchen
It has two single burners measuring 14.5 cm and 21 cm, and a double burner with zones measuring 21 cm and 28 cm, where you can heat anything from a small coffee maker to an induction pan.
It incorporates different functions:
- Memory: saves the established configuration in case of power off
- Auto Start: Turns on at a preset time
- Alarm: emits a sound when the cooking time has finished
- Sprint: speeds up the cooking process
- Timer: allows you to set the cooking time
It has 17 energy levels, offering greater precision when controlling temperature. This is especially useful when preparing more elaborate dishes.
The spacing between burners is small, which makes it difficult to use all zones at the same time, as pots and pans can take up some space.
It also makes some noise when operating and takes a while to heat the containers. However, the sprint function can speed up cooking.
Its installation is simple thanks to its dimensions and the explanations in the manual. It's easy to use and clean, as it doesn't leave stains when food scraps fall on it.
Considering the number of burners it has, it is a very energy-efficient hob, as it consumes 4,400 W when using all zones simultaneously.
- Low energy consumption
- Easy to install, use and clean
- Variety of functions
- Little separation between burners
- It generates some noise
- It takes a while to warm up
Our recommended models
Among the induction cooktops we analyzed, we selected two that stand out for their performance in their category. We recommend choosing one model or another based on your specific needs.
The best affordable induction hob: Cecotec Full Crystal
This model is suitable for those who have never had an induction cooktop but want to purchase one without spending a lot of money.
For its price range, it offers a large area that allows you to heat large containers and prepare different dishes.
It may be the ideal option when:
- You don't usually cook much at home.
- You live alone and usually cook few meals.
- Your kitchen is small and you don't have much space.
- Looking for a portable induction cooktop for walks and camping days?
Having a single burner means it consumes little energy. This means the impact on your electricity bill is relatively low.
The disadvantage of this type of stove is that it is more difficult to cook on them when we need to heat several containers at the same time.
The best induction hob for the price: Balay 3EB864ER
Without a doubt, this Balay induction cooktop is very reasonably priced for the features it offers.
Its three burners of different sizes allow you to cook several foods at the same time. It also has 17 power levels that provide more precise adjustment of cooking temperatures.
Although it may take a while to heat up, the sprint function speeds up the cooking process so you can have everything ready in no time.
In our tests, we found the timer, alarm, and auto-start functions to be easy to use. These also offer greater convenience while working.
Despite having three burners, this cooktop consumes less power than other stoves, making it a very efficient option.
Comparison of the best induction cooktops
Here's a comparison table of the top-rated induction cooktops so you can compare and decide based on your needs:
Note: If you're viewing this on a mobile device, swipe to see all the columns.
| Model | Dimensions (height x width x length) (cm) | Number of burners | Burner size (cm) | Power levels | Power (W) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Balay 3EB864ER
|
5.1 x 52.2 x 59.2 | 3 singles | 15 / 18 / 24 | 17 | 4,600 | |
 Cecotec Full Crystal
|
9 x 39 x 31 | 1 single | 28 | 10 | 2,000 | |
 Siemens EH651FDC1E
|
5.1 x 52.2 x 59.2 | 3 (1 triple and 2 singles) | 15 / 21 / 32 | 17 | 7,400 | |
 Teka IZ 6315
|
5 x 51 x 60 | 3 (1 double and 2 singles) | 14.5 / 18 / 28 | 9 | 7,200 | |
 Balay 3EB865FR
|
5.1 x 52.2 x 59.2 | 3 (1 double and 2 singles) | 14.5 / 21 / 28 | 17 | 4,400 |
Buying Guide
Before purchasing an induction cooktop, you should keep in mind some important factors to make the right choice and acquire one that meets your specific needs.
Dimensions
Induction cooktops come in different sizes. This depends on the number and size of burners, as well as the layout of the buttons used for operation.
Hobs typically measure no more than 5 cm high. Hob widths range from 28 cm (single-burner hobs) to 90 cm (four-burner and flexible hobs). However, the most common options are 60 and 90 cm.
The size of the plate is usually defined by the following factors:
- Countertop size: Countertops typically have a recess for a stovetop. Therefore, you'll need to purchase an induction cooktop that matches the dimensions of that recess. For example, if the recess is 60 cm wide, a 60 cm cooktop would be best.
- Kitchen layout: If you're remodeling your kitchen, this is the perfect time to consider the size of the cooktop you're planning to install. This way, you'll be able to estimate whether you need a 60 cm or 90 cm cooktop.
Number of burners
Also known as burners or cooking zones , they are the number of spaces where the stove can heat pans, pots, casseroles and other kitchen utensils.
There are portable induction cooktops with 1 burner, with 2 burners aimed at small kitchens, and with 3 and 4 burners, which are usually the most common.
It's possible to find induction cooktops with flexible burners. This technology consists of several zones that ignite upon detecting the cookware and estimating its size. This type of cooktop allows for the use of large cookware as well as circular ones: rectangular, oval, square, and others. However, they tend to be the most expensive on the market due to their performance and versatility.
Some cooktops feature two or more concentric burners (also called double or triple burners), allowing you to heat pans of different sizes in a single zone. This can save electricity, as only the energy needed is used, depending on the size of the pan.
Power levels
Power levels, also called cooking levels, allow you to adjust the heat of the burner. Some cooktops may have 10, 15, 17, or more levels.
The more power levels the hob has, the greater the sensitivity to the generated magnetic field and, therefore, greater the precision in temperature adjustment. This allows food to be heated to the most appropriate temperature to achieve the desired results.
There are two types of control for adjusting the power level:
- Using touch buttons +/- (increase/decrease power)
- Through a touch slider that allows you to adjust the power simply by moving your finger over it (sliding potentiometer)
Frequency of use
You need to consider how often you'll be using the stove. If you rarely cook at home, a cheap stove with one or two burners and few power settings will probably be useful.
On the other hand, if your household cooks up to 5 times a day, it would be best to get a stovetop with 3 or 4 burners, more than 15 power levels, a timer, and sprint functions to speed up the cooking process.
Although these types of cooktops aren't the most economical, they are suitable for cooking several foods at once and are also designed for more frequent use.
Timer and alarms
Most induction cooktops have a timer , which allows you to program the cooking time for a specific period.
The timer is a versatile feature; once programmed, we can focus on other household tasks. When the set time has elapsed, the hob automatically shuts off and notifies you with an alarm.
There are also cooktops that incorporate a reverse timer, meaning they can pause the cooking process for a certain amount of time and then allow the cooktop to continue operating. However, this time is usually predetermined and cannot be changed. This is useful when we are cooking and must leave for some reason.
Advanced Features
Although there are induction cooktops with basic functions (timer, power adjustment), it is also possible to find models with advanced features that, despite possibly having a higher price, provide greater comfort and ease when cooking.
Some advanced features on induction cooktops are:
- Sprint: Also known as the turbo function, this feature can double the cooking speed. Although it increases the cooktop's power consumption, it allows food to be ready in the shortest possible time.
- Lock: Locks the control panel, providing added security when you have children in the home.
- Controlling the oil temperature: This feature allows you to maintain the oil at a specific temperature, depending on the type of food you want to prepare. Once the oil has reached the specified temperature, the hob will alert you with an alarm, indicating that it's time to add the food.
Finishes
The aesthetics of a cooktop aren't a feature that should go unnoticed. Choose a model that matches your kitchen in terms of color (black, white, beige, gray, etc.) and countertop material (granite, marble, ceramic, etc.).
If you already have a gas stove and are simply looking to expand your kitchen's furnishings, you'll likely come to two conclusions when choosing an induction cooktop:
- Place it on a base on the countertop
- Place it flush with the countertop in a cavity
The first option is suitable if you're not worried about the hob being visible, but you'll want to make sure it has a metallic glass or stainless steel finish to prolong the life of its edges.
If the second option seems better to you, additional work will be required on the countertop to recess the cooktop and maintain the kitchen's aesthetic. The downside is that it involves more expense, as remodeling work must be done to install the cooktop.
Power
Induction cooktops consume a considerably high level of power (although less than other electric cooktops) when all burners are used.
However, this depends on the number of burners and the power levels of the hob. The more zones and levels it has, the higher its power consumption.
For this reason, it's important to select a model that meets our needs but also has a low impact on our electricity bill.
Although the sprint function speeds up the cooking process, keep in mind that it doubles the energy consumption to achieve increased heat.
