April 21st, 2023 | 11 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect cooking products with our Induction Cooking Buying Guide
In this article, you will learn all about the seven best induction cooktops. You'll see four brands you may know from years past and three newer names.
Why the change?
Buying an induction cooktop will be a problem due to availability issues.
In this list, we’ll share a few defaults to turn to if your favorite brand is unavailable.
Also, at the end of the article, you will learn the basics of induction, from how it works to the benefits.
Then we will show you the best induction cooktops to consider, including reliability based on over 33,000 service calls completed by our service team last year.
Lastly, we'll cover the answers to our clients' top induction questions.
Let's get started.
Author's Note: You will see many similar features between cooktops. Most have the larger burner in the middle with two flex burners for odd-shaped pans on either side, except Wolf and Gaggenau. These units were chosen for reliability and availability.
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The Best 36-Inch Induction Cooktops for 2023
Gaggenau CX492611 - $6,099
Gaggenau is like the more famous Thermador Freedom induction cooktop but has more functionality in choosing burner size.
You can place pots and pans anywhere on the Gaggenau CX492611 400 series induction cooktop.
It automatically detects the size and position of your cookware and adjusts the burner zone.
You can fit as many as six pots and pans to cook simultaneously, as the entire surface is one large cooking zone.
If you're using larger cookware, the Gaggenau CX492611 cooktop can reach a maximum output of up to 5500 watts.
The TFT touch display on this cooktop makes it easy to adjust cooking zones, heat levels, and other settings.
Additionally, the booster function helps you quickly boil a pot of water.
The timer function allows you to manage cooking times and automatically switch off the heat when the set time has elapsed.
Gaggenau features residual heat indicators, automatic shut-off in case of overheating or prolonged use, and a child lock function to prevent accidental changes to settings.
Furthermore, pan size recognition ensures efficient energy usage by automatically adjusting the cooking zone to match the size of your cookware.
Bosch Benchmark NITP660SUC - $3,449
Bosch, Gaggenau, and Thermador are all part of the BSH corporation. Bosch is like many cooktops on this list, with a central power burner in the middle and expandable burners on either side.
The burner in the middle is good for larger pots, and you can place odd-shaped pans like a griddle on either side.
With 17 power and five frying levels, Bosch cooktops offer precise control over the cooking temperature. The Direct Select 2.0 interface and FlexInduction technology make it easy to adjust the heat for any type of cooking.
Plus, with the added feature of operating your hood by your cooktop, you can manage the settings for both the cooktop and matching hood directly from the cooktop itself.
You can program your hood from your smart device to start the fan and lighting when turning on your cooktop.
Despite these features, one of the key reasons to consider Bosch is their reliability.
Based on over 33,000 service calls logged last year, Bosch Benchmark has an average service rate of 2.7% for induction cooktops. Bosch, Bosch Benchmark, and Gaggenau are three of the top four most reliable cooktops.
Bosch Benchmark NITP6605SUC Burner Profile:
- Front left zone: 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,600 watts
- Back left zone: 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,600 watts
- Center zone: 3,300 watts / 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,600 watts / 3,400 watts
- Back right zone: 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,600 watts
- Front right zone: 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,600 watts
Wolf CI36560T/S - $3,940
The Wolf CI36560T/S induction cooktop is a chef's favorite for its performance.
This cooktop features five burners, including four 8-inch burners and one 11-inch burner. Each burner can deliver up to 3700 watts of cooking power on the boost setting.
Wolf's induction cooktops now feature LCD touchscreens and independent timers for each cooking zone, providing a seamless and sleek look that matches their wall ovens. The new touchscreens are also easier to use.
Its dedicated settings for simmering and melting make it easy to cook at lower temperatures.
For peace of mind, Wolf's safety features include:
- Pan detection
- A hot surface indicator
- A child lock function
You can buy this cooktop with a full beveled stainless trim to protect the glass surface.
The cooktop can also be mounted flush with the counter, BUT you will need a qualified installer.
Wolf's cooktop has a full two-year part and labor warranty (three years with Yale Installation).
Keep in mind this unit will require a 50-amp electrical connection.
Wolf Induction Cooktop CI36560T/S Burner Profile:
- Left front zone: 2,100 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Left rear zone: 2,100 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Center zone: 2,600 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Right front zone: 2,100 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Right rear zone: 2,100 watts with a boost function up to 3,000 watts
Fisher & Paykel CI365PTX4 - $3,599
In a sea of stainless-steel appliances, Fisher & Paykel stands out with some unique styling (of course, style is only a matter of opinion).
Along with style, you have two powerful 5500-watt burners on this cooktop when you opt for the boost function.
Fisher & Paykel has two of the fastest burners on this list.
With two 5500-watt burners, it is possible to run two to three cooking zones at maximum power simultaneously without any heat loss from the other burners, as long as they are not positioned directly behind each other.
Fisher & Paykel Induction Cooktop CI365PTX4 Burner Profile:
- Front left zone: 1,850 watts with a boost function up to 3,000 watts
- Back left zone: 1,400 watts with a boost function up to 2,200 watts
- Center zone: 3,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Front right zone: 1,850 watts with a boost function up to 3,000 watts
- Back right zone: 1,400 watts with a boost function up to 2,200 watts
Signature Kitchen Suite SKSIT3601G - $4,199
What's so impressive about SKS (Signature Kitchen Suite) is its parent company LG. From reliability to availability, LG is the best for the same reason.
They produce more components and don't have problematic supply chain issues like other companies.
By producing motors and other major parts, LG has become the most reliable brand sold at Yale, with a service rate of only 4.4% within the first year versus 9.7% for the average.
The cooktop specifications are surprisingly good, with a 7,000-watt burner and three 3700-watt burners.
SKS has Wi-Fi to check the burners and sync to an SKS hood through their reliable ThinQ App.
Lastly, SKS has a full three-year warranty.
Service availability has been a problem for LG. Then again, service is a problem for every manufacturer to a certain degree.
Signature Kitchen Suite Induction Cooktop SKSIT3601G Burner Profile:
- Front left zone: 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Back left zone: 1,400 watts with a boost function up to 2,000 watts
- Front middle-left zone: 1,850 watts with a boost function up to 3,000 watts
- Back middle-right zone: 1,850 watts with a boost function up to 3,000 watts
- Front right zone: 2,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Back right zone: 1,400 watts with a boost function up to 2,000 watts
Café Appliances CHP95362MSS - $2,999
We didn't service one Café Appliances or GE induction cooktop last year. However, GE (Café's parent brand) has some availability issues, so Café is similar with some added features.
Café's Gourmet Guided Cooking system combines video-guided recipes from chefs with automatic adjustments to time and temperature.
On top of Café's guided cooking system, this induction cooktop features a precise Control Mode.
This mode keeps a set temperature within one degree for temperature-sensitive cooking methods.
Furthermore, the GE Red Probe Accessory JXPROBE1 enables sous vide cooking when paired with the cooktop, expanding its versatility in the kitchen.
Plus, Café's touch controls make it easy to adjust the heat with just one swipe. The control lock capability prevents unintended burner activation.
In addition to this safety feature, you can connect the cooktop to Wi-Fi for even more control.
Café Appliances' induction cooktops offer a mail-in rebate for a Hestan Q pan, which can be conveniently used with their app.
Café Appliances CHP95362MSS Burner Profile:
- Front left zone: 1,400 watts with a boost function up to 2,200 watts
- Back left zone: 2,500 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Center zone: 3,200 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Back right zone: 2,500 watts with a boost function up to 3,700 watts
- Front right zone: 1,400 watts with a boost function up to 2,200 watts
Which Induction Cooktop Should You Buy?
All make compelling arguments for being the best cooktop. Of course, the best features now include availability because you can wait up to 15 months for appliances.
The Wolf induction cooktop is a chef's favorite for its fast-heating response. It is the best cooktop for odd-shaped pans because of the four-burner bridge.
Gaggenau has the sensor moving the power when you move the pan. It is undoubtedly the most versatile.
Do you take a chance on a newer brand?
The Fisher & Paykel induction cooktop has decent output and style.
SKS's induction cooktop is an interesting choice because its parent company is so good. Then again, so is GE, the parent company of Cafe Appliances.
Availability in your area may impact your options and cut this list in half.
Once you have identified which induction cooktop brands are available, it is important to consider the features you want and the availability of local repair services.
Induction Cooking 101
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
Induction cooking utilizes electric currents to excite the molecules within the pan, causing the pan to become the cooking surface and bypassing the need for direct contact with the glass cooktop.
While residual heat may heat the glass surface of an induction cooktop, similar to an electric cooktop, it dissipates much more quickly, resulting in a faster cool-down period than a traditional electric cooktop.
For this reason, induction is the most efficient cooking method, as there is little heat loss.
Benefits of Induction Cooking
Induction is the most child-safe because the magnets need to sense metal to activate.
Thus, your child can't accidentally turn it on, plus the glass stays relatively cool, unlike an electric cooktop or gas burner.
Speed and Simmer
As previously said, induction is faster than a professional gas cooktop or range. Induction boils faster and can hold a better simmer than an electric or gas cooktop.
Cleanability
Induction is also the easiest to clean. Food can't be baked on your cooktop since the elements don't heat the glass.
It also does not require a professional ventilation hood like a gas cooktop because there is less heat emission.
Massachusetts Residents Take Note: Induction complies with Massachusetts Make-Up Air Laws requiring make-up air over 400 CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute), whereas professional gas does not.
That is huge, by the way. You can use an existing hood for induction but not a professional gas cooktop.
What to Consider When Buying an Induction Cooktop
First, your pans need to be magnetic (do not worry, most are), and if you plan to buy some new pots and pans, you do not have to spend a fortune buying special pans.
If a magnet sticks to the bottom, you are good to go. We recommend any grade 5 or better.
Induction cooking surfaces work well with pans with a high ferrous metal content at the base. Cast iron, black metal, or iron pans will work on an induction cooking surface.
Pan Sizes
Pan size issues are a hot topic on the internet, but all the cooktops mentioned adjust to the size of the pan.
Induction Cooktop Power Boost Function
The boost function on an induction cooktop increases the power output of a cooking zone beyond its normal maximum level by using the power of the adjacent burner.
Many of the cooktops on this list have similar specifications, with a large burner in the middle and two flexible burners for odd-shaped dishes on either side.
Smart Technology
For smart technology, you can synchronize your SKS or Bosch Benchmark cooktop to your ventilation hood to activate as soon as you turn on your cooktop. Smart features are fairly simple for the moment for induction cooktops.
Read More: How to Buy an Induction Range
Induction Cooktop Reliability
Induction cooktops require far less service than most appliances, with a service rate of 4.6%. Induction cooktop reliability is excellent for all major brands. The average appliance service rate is 9.7%.
Electric, in general, has always been good because the burner is protected by glass.
However, it is not an easy repair when you do need service. Check to make sure you have a capable service department in your area.
Induction Cooktop Reliability from January 2022 – December 2022
The following service rates are based on at least 25 cooktops sold and a total sample of over 300 cooktops.
| Service Rates | |
| GE Profile | 0% |
| Bosch | 0% |
| Bosch Benchmark | 2.7% |
| Gaggenau | 2.8% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 8.8% |
| JennAir | 8.8% |
| Miele | 15.6% |
| Grand Total | 6.2% |
Bosch Benchmark and GE Profile are the best on this list, being under 3%.
The average service rate of 4.6% for induction cooktops is more reliable than the appliance average of 9.7%. Then again, induction is under glass, so the chance for breakage is minimal.
Most cooktops use 40-50 amps, so you must plan your electrical system properly.
Read More: Most Reliable Induction Cooktops
Induction Cooktops Over Wall Ovens
Consider the manufacturer's specifications if you plan to put a wall oven below your induction cooktop.
Only certain brands and models are approved to have an oven placed below in the same cabinet.
Most can accommodate, but you always want to be sure by checking the specifications.
Read More: How to Choose Between a Wall Oven and Cooktop vs. a Range
Additional Resources
Read our Induction Cooking Buying Guide for features, buying tips, and ratings of every available induction cooking product in the market. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide. Induction is our most popular.
Related Articles:
Looking for answers about Induction Cooking?
Choosing a new cooking appliance can be a confusing and time-consuming experience. We've taken the pain out of the decision process with our Induction Cooking Buying Guide.
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
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