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    Best Induction Cooktops of 2023

    The top models from CR's tests offer rapid boiling and steady simmering—and they're not necessarily the most expensive

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    Overhead view of Bosch 800 Series NIT8060UC cooktop with skillet filled with peppers and chicken and wooden countertop around cooktop
    Induction cooktops harness the power of the electromagnetic field, below the glass surface, to quickly heat pots and pans.
    Photo: Bosch

    Induction cooktops receive some of the best Overall Scores of any appliance in Consumer Reports’ tests. The majority score well enough to recommend, and four of the models in our ratings have an Overall Score of 95 or higher. One model even boasts an Overall Score of 100—a rare feat.

    But you still have to shop carefully. Multiple induction cooktops we’ve tested in the past failed to deliver the rapid boil times and steady simmering for which induction is known. And even some of the top performers are hindered by subpar reliability.

    Start with our cooktop buying guide to learn how induction cooktops set themselves apart from conventional electric cooktops, and what might work best for you. CR members can also delve right into our electric cooktop ratings, where they can sort according to size, price, predicted brand reliability, and more. 

    More on Cooktops and Wall Ovens

    So what is an induction cooktop and what is its secret to speedy cooking? It’s a special type of electric cooktop that harnesses the power and precision of the electromagnetic field, below the glass surface, to quickly heat.

    “Since you’re heating the pan directly, you’re not losing time while heat transfers from a radiant electric burner,” says Tara Casaregola, who oversees cooktop testing at Consumer Reports.

    Note that price doesn’t track with performance. Some lower-priced models in our ratings heat faster and simmer more steadily than high-end models.

    How CR Tests Induction Cooktops

    We test every cooktop—gas, electric smoothtop, and induction—at low and high heat. Just about any cooktop will fare well enough when cooking over medium heat, but a stellar model will also boil quickly and simmer steadily. “The extremes between low- and high-heat tasks are where we really see differences,” Casaregola says.

    For high-heat cooking, we use a standardized pot filled with about 4 quarts of water on the largest cooktop burner. We jack up the burner to the highest setting and note how quickly the water heats up.

    For low-heat cooking, we use the smallest burner to melt chocolate and then simmer water and tomato sauce, gauging how well a cooktop holds a steady simmer temperature without dropping too low or scorching the contents of the pan.

    We test 30- and 36-inch induction cooktops from brands such as Frigidaire, GE, KitchenAid, Samsung, and Whirlpool. We also test pro-style induction cooktops from brands like Bosch, GE Monogram, and Thermador.

    CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of six of the best induction cooktops from our tests.

    Do You Need Special Cookware for an Induction Cooktop?

    If you’ve considered an induction cooktop or range, you’ve probably heard that not all cookware is induction-compatible. The truth is, any magnetic pot or pan will work on an induction cooktop, and you may already have pots and pans that do. (Test them out by seeing whether a magnet sticks to them.)

    If you’re looking for new cookware, check the Features & Specs tab on the model page of any cookware model or set in our cookware ratings to find out whether it is induction-friendly. You can also take a magnet with you when you’re shopping in a store.

    Best Induction Cooktops: 30-Inch

    Best Induction Cooktops: 36-inch


    Paul Hope

    Paul Hope is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports and a trained chef. He covers ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens, as well as grills, drills, outdoor power tools, decking, and wood stains. Before joining CR in 2016, he tested kitchen products at Good Housekeeping and covered tools and remodeling for This Old House magazine. You’ll typically find him in his old fixer-upper, engrossed in a DIY project or trying out a new recipe.