Best Induction Cooktops of 2022
The top models from CR's tests offer rapid boiling and steady simmering—and they're not necessarily the most expensive
By Paul Hope
Induction cooktops come as close to perfection as any product Consumer Reports tests. An astonishing number score well enough to recommend, and three of the models in our ratings have an Overall Score of 95 or higher. (In our past testing, one now discontinued model even earned a perfect Overall Score of 100.)
But you still have to shop carefully. Multiple models we’ve tested in the past fail to deliver the rapid boil times and steady simmering for which induction is known.
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.
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 smooth top, 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 cooktops hold 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 work with induction. (Test them out by seeing if 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 if 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
More from Consumer Reports:
Top pick tires for 2016
Best used cars for $25,000 and less
7 best mattresses for couples
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
