15 Best Induction Cooktops – 2021 Rating

• What to look for when choosing an induction hob
• The best manufacturers of induction hobs
• The best inexpensive induction cooktops
• The best built-in induction hobs price-quality
• The best 4-burner induction cooktops
• The best 2-burner induction cooktops
• Best 3 Burner Induction Cooktops
• Let's compare the models
• Which induction hob is better to choose?

An induction hob is the optimal device for those who want to cook comfortably. At a minimum, it reduces the risk of burns. But it’s easy to make a mistake when buying induction panels due to the large range and complex technical functions. The rating of the best induction hobs for 2021 will help you solve the problems of choice.

What to look for when choosing an induction hob

One of the main advantages of an induction hob is its high efficiency. For such appliances it reaches 90%, while gas stoves barely reach 60%. The fact is that induction panels do not heat the air or the burners, but the cookware itself. This also reduces cooking time. Other important parameters of this technique:

• The number of burners depends on the volume of food prepared per day; the optimal number for a home is from two to four;
• Power consumption of modern technology is from 3 to 10 kW;
• The size ranges from 30 centimeters to a full meter in width and length;
• The heating adjustment range is from 14 to 16, but for cheap models it is much smaller;
• Power and mode controls can be touch-sensitive, or rise above the induction panel;
• According to the energy efficiency class, it is better to choose hobs of class A, A+.

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What kind of cookware is needed for an induction cooker?

I’ll say right away: the problem with the dishes is purely illusory. It's just that fear has big eyes. You can easily use an induction hob without having to buy new cookware, even if none of your pans work directly with induction.

You can easily determine how suitable your cookware is for a future purchase.

Everything is very simple. Take an ordinary magnet and try to lean it against all the pots and pans that you have in your kitchen. Those dishes that do not respond to a magnet with an induction panel will not work.

It will look like this: you put a pan of water and turn on the stove. For the first few seconds everything will be as usual, but then the indicator light for the corresponding burner will flash and the stove will turn off, as if you just turned on the stove but did not put anything on it.

Many people say that ordinary enamel saucepans can be safely thrown away, but dishes with a thick metal bottom are what you need.

All these are prejudices. Here's a good old enamel saucepan that works great with an induction hob:

At the same time, the Zepter cookware I have with a thick metal bottom categorically refuses to serve. The induction hob simply “does not see” it. Or rather, “doesn’t feel it.” My wife discovered this and came to tell me that “there is something strange with our stove.” I approached and for a long time could not understand why the Zepter pan with such a thick bottom, made of stainless steel, was stubbornly “not detected” by the induction cooker.

Then he brought a magnet - and sure enough! The bottom of Zepter cookware is not magnetic. That was the number! Having scoured the Internet, I found out that the new dishes from this company have already been adapted. I have a set from 15 years ago. At that time, they didn’t even know what an induction hob was.

I had to take out a tile from the mezzanine and cook on it. But a new question arose: what to do next? You can’t use tiles all the time, can you?

The best way out of this situation is to buy an adapter for an induction cooker. This is a metal pancake that you place on the surface of the stove, and then place a pan on it, which by itself cannot work with induction. When you turn on the stove, the adapter heats up and transfers heat to the pan.

Of course, all this looks a little strange, but it is much cheaper to buy an adapter than to change the entire set of Zepter dishes.

Many people are not aware of the existence of adapters. They throw away or give away excellent cookware to friends just because it doesn’t work with the induction hob. The adapter costs from 1000 to 2000 rubles. It’s much easier to buy it and use the good old and so familiar cookware than to lament and scold your husband at all costs for bringing this “induction nonsense” home.

In a word, you don’t have to worry about dishes. The main thing is to buy one or two adapters along with the stove and “continue to live.”

The best manufacturers of induction hobs

The quality of hobs directly depends on which company produced them. Not all manufacturers use high-quality materials and assemble in official factories. But the following companies operating internationally can be trusted:

• Electrolux is a Swedish company, one of the top leading manufacturers of professional and home appliances;
• Bosch is a German group that has been developing household appliances since 1886;
• MAUNFELD is a brand that assembles devices for the home and kitchen based on British designs;
• Weissgauff is a design bureau from Germany that supplies equipment all over the world;
• LEX is a manufacturer of built-in household appliances with offices in Italy, China and Poland;
• Haier is the world's largest manufacturer of household appliances operating in China.

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Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• the heating speed of the burner is close to the heating speed of the dishes on a gas stove;
• since the heat is directed exclusively to the bottom of the cookware and is not spent on “heating the air” - the efficiency of such stoves is about 90%, while the efficiency of conventional electric stoves ranges around 60%, and for gas stoves - about 50%);
• the burner only works when suitable utensils are placed on it; you won’t be able to burn it “in vain”;
• when you remove a pot or pan from the burner, it turns off automatically and does not require additional steps to turn off the stove;
• the stove maintains the set temperature within fairly small deviations;
• practically independent of network voltage;
• the surface of the stove heats up only under the bottom of the pan, while the rest of the surface remains cold, which significantly minimizes the likelihood of burns; also - it cools down quite quickly;
• expanded functionality is possible: most of these stoves operate on a timer, have child locks, protection against spilling liquids, etc.;
• convenient to use and easy to clean;
• during cooking, combustion products characteristic of gas stoves are not released;
• has no odors, does not retain the odors of food, including spilled food;
• protects dishes, since there is no open fire or significant heating that damages the dishes from the outside;
• looks beautiful and stylish.

Flaws:

• quite high cost compared to conventional stoves: gas or electric;
• There are only 2 burners, which will not allow you to use only the stove for cooking; other kitchen appliances will be required;
• utensils with special properties are required;
• when cooking food in dishes with a thin bottom, an “intermittent boiling” effect is possible due to the peculiarities of power regulation;
• many stoves have common generators for several burners, that is, if you cook on all burners at once, you will not be able to heat them all to maximum power;
• It is better to remove food that gets on the protective glass immediately, since after it burns it will be much more difficult, if not completely impossible;
• such stoves are noisy during operation, especially at high heating levels;
• There is debate about the effects of magnetic radiation from a cooker on human health or other appliances.

Let's compare the models

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Installation and connection

In many ways, the disadvantage of the installation features and complexity of connecting an induction hob is exaggerated. Restrictions on placement are expressed in recommendations not to install the hob above an oven, dishwasher or washing machine. Also, it is better to initially design the kitchen so that the refrigerator is located at a distance from the hob, and not only because of the induction effect. Hot dishes near the refrigerator increase the temperature inside the chambers.

Another feature of the installation is the greater degree of care shown by the technician who will perform the work. The glass-ceramic surface is quite fragile and careless actions can ruin both the appearance and performance of the hob.

To connect the induction panel, experts advise connecting a separate power cable with a separate circuit breaker to the installation site from the electrical panel. For convenience, it is better to connect the wire to a separate outlet and connect the hob to it, rather than connecting directly. The seat in the countertop for the hobs is cut out with a jigsaw. It is worth sticking a “furniture edge” on the end cuts or treating them with silicone sealant. This measure will protect the chipboard countertop from moisture, which leads to swelling and destruction of the material.

The panel is carefully inserted into the resulting cutout, leveled using a level and secured using special fasteners, which usually come with hobs. When the equipment is built-in, you can turn it on and check the operation of the panel.

Which induction hob is better to choose?

In order not to be disappointed in the purchased induction hob, you need to choose a model from a reliable company. You also need to take into account the estimated cost: some devices will be too expensive, so before purchasing, learn to navigate the prices. You also need to take into account the number of burners; in fact, this is a decisive factor. If you live with a large family and often cook at home, take large models with at least three pieces. It is desirable that they have different diameters. This will make cooking much easier than usual. If you cook at home only according to your mood, a panel with one burner will be enough.

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The best two-burner induction hobs

Two-burner stoves are compact, and many can be used to create an expandable Domino worktop. But more often they are purchased by small families and bachelors. However, such induction cookers are also suitable as an addition to the main gas or electric stove.

Weissgauff HI 32 – universal mini-panel

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

89%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

The compact hob can be used as a built-in or free-standing one – this is why it comes with removable legs. The panel has two burners with a power of 1.5 and 2 kW, the far one has a heating zone expandable to 18 cm.

In total, the oven has 9 levels of thermal power with smooth adjustment. And although the control panel sensors are too sensitive to pressure, the locking function eliminates false alarms.

The stove has boil-over protection and automatically turns off if liquid gets on it. Each burner is equipped with a residual heat indicator to prevent burns.

Advantages:

• Crockery recognition;
• Children's castle;
• Residual heat indication;
• Timer with fine adjustment from 1 to 99 minutes;
• Low price.

Flaws:

• The cord and plug will have to be purchased separately.

Weissgauff HI 32 is suitable for a small kitchen or garden. For 8,000 rubles you get the entire basic set of functions with useful additions - without unnecessary bells and whistles.

READ ALSO

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Maunfeld EVI 292-BK – heated stove

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

88%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Here, the power of both burners is the same 1.5 and 2 kW, but the functionality has become richer. In addition to the standard recognition of dishes and emergency shutdown, a “turn-off” timer (up to 99 minutes), a mode for maintaining the temperature of prepared food, and fast heating, in which the water in the dishes boils within a minute, have appeared.

The control panel displays the cooking time and the selected operating power. Safety is ensured by residual indication of hot burners and child lock.

Advantages:

• Timer with auto shut off;
• Temperature maintenance mode;
• PowerBoost function for “transferring” power to one of the burners;
• Self-diagnosis of faults;
• Impact-resistant glass surface.

Flaws:

• Noisy operation compared to analogues;
• Unsuccessfully implemented operation at minimum power.

Maunfeld has 9 heat levels, but at the lower limit the stove simply switches to intermittent operation. This can cause thick foods to burn instead of simmering over low heat.

READ ALSO

17 Best Gas Cooktops

Reviews

Maria

I chose a Bosch induction hob and have never regretted it. Maintenance is minimal: I wipe it every time after cooking with a damp soft cloth. Even once the milk escaped and didn’t burn, everything came off on its own, without effort. However, you need to handle the coating carefully: salt got between the coating and the pan, and then a scratch remained. There are no complaints about the preparation of food; on the contrary, it takes less time to cook than when cooking on a gas stove.

Anna

An induction cooker is a great thing to have around the house. When purchasing, I was immediately faced with the need to buy new dishes, a little expensive, but what can you do. But it is very convenient to cook. I also like that except for one burner, nothing else gets hot. I have a small child, so safety is very important. After cooking, each time I wipe the panel with a damp cloth and then with a dry towel. This is not comparable to the long cleaning of a gas stove and the grates on it.

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We offer a 2021 ranking of the best induction hobs.

Alternative options

If you still don’t know whether to buy an induction cooker or not, try to consider replacement options. Manufacturers of household appliances for the kitchen produce combination stoves and hobs. These models have several types of burners: often 1-2 gas and induction are installed. Sometimes instead of gas ones there are electric ones.

Combined slabs allow you to “kill several birds with one stone” at the same time:

• save energy;
• Any utensil is suitable for cooking;
• enough heat is generated from the electric burner for other processes.

One of the disadvantages is the high cost of the combined slab and panels.