Top 3 Best Induction Ranges in 2023:
- Top Portable Induction Range: Duxtop 9620LS
- Top Built-in Induction Range: Empava EMPV-IDC24 Electric Induction Cooktop
- Top Free-standing/Slide-in range: SAMSUNG NE58H9970WS Slide-In Induction Range
When they first hit the market on a large back in the 70’s it seemed induction ranges were a blessing sent down from heavens only to make the cookers’ lives easier. There were simply too few of the things not to like.
The induction ranges were heating up approximately 50% faster than the regular ones thus saving you a lot of energy, they were incredibly easy to clean and the fact the only the cookware activated the heating all the suddenly made cooking a lot safer.
So, what changed? Really nothing – induction stoves are still just as awesome as they were half a century ago. But, instead of a couple of high-quality brands that made them, we have countless manufacturers with shady backgrounds trying to make the money of this lucrative piece of market cake.
Don’t worry, though. Here we are going to rank some of the most popular units on the market and see which one of them deserves to carry the title of the best induction range and find a place in your kitchen.
The Things You Should Know Before Buying An Induction Range
Of course, before we proceed to our great product roundup, we need to take a look at some of the features that make a good induction range. Why? Well, we need to set some criteria we will use to rank our products.
Second, it’s always good to learn something new. Even if you don’t agree with our choices, these insights can help you to find your ideal match. So, before further ado, let’s jump into the features that make a good induction range.
1. The Type
The type of the induction range is the single most important feature you will need to take into consideration when buying. Based on the type you will base all of your later decisions.
But, before we delve deeper into this needlessly complicated issue, let’s get one thing straight – the range is a broad term that applies to the top section of the stove. Keeping that in mind induction ranges can be divided into four distinct groups:
- Portable induction ranges – To put it simply, these are the small induction units that can be easily carried around and plugged wherever you need them.
- Built–in induction cooktop – These neat appliances can be installed directly into the countertops. Since these two elements make one cohesive surface, built-in cooktops make one very pleasing addition to every kitchen. However, the price of the installation combined with the price tag of these units can produce one very hefty expense.
- Freestanding countertop induction units – As the name suggests, these are the freestanding units most akin to traditional stoves, with the only difference being the induction top section.
- Slide-in induction units – In their essence, slide-in induction units are very similar to freestanding ovens. The only difference is that their top overlaps the countertop surface, so they can be neatly slid into the custom kitchen elements.
2. The Number Of Burners
The number of burners (or elements) is a pretty obvious choice you will nevertheless have to make. Now, most of the commercial units often feature between two and five burners. Depending on the unit, burners can feature different size and power.
The good news is that you need the lesser number of burners you will be able to get away with a regular portable unit. That, however, most likely means you will need to say goodbye to neat ovens that come built into the freestanding and slide-in units.
3. Maintenance
When it comes to the maintenance, induction ranges are inherently forgiving. But, some of the units pack some interesting features that make this job even easier. Namely, certain ranges feature a built-in self-cleaning feature that melts the accumulated grease and prepares the glass surface for effortless cleaning.
Also, keep in mind that induction ranges work only with heavy iron cookware. It is in your best interest to buy a unit that will feature a tempered glass surface that’s going to be more resilient to scratches and bruising.
When it comes to the maintenance of the kitchen, built-in and slide-in induction ranges leave no free room between the unit and the countertop which makes the cleaning of the elements much easier.
4. Pan Detection
Some induction stoves and ranges come with a built-in pan detector. What this incredibly useful addition does is to detect the size of the pant that’s being placed on the burner and adjust the heat for that specific size.
Also, pan detection identifies when the pan has been removed and immediately shuts down the unit, thus further optimizing energy consumption.
5. Special Features
Special features are not essential for cooking (heck, our ancestors haven’t even had electricity but made some incredibly delicious meals). But boy do they make a chef’s life easier.
So what these essential features are? Well, things like programmable timers, oven lock, different cooking modes (broiling, slow cooking, baking, roasting, etc.), delayed shutdown, and so on, and so on.
The common denominator for all these functions is that they give you a great deal of autonomy and allow you to do other things while the range keeps cooking in check.
6. Smart Capabilities
We were tempted to put smart capabilities under special features. But they are so much more than that. If special features provide you autonomy, smart capabilities allow you to operate your range remotely via smartphone.
They also raise the range’s price onto the whole another level, so as a piece of honest advice – do some healthy assessment just how much do you need these functions before spending money.
7. Warranty
Last but not least, you should make sure that your induction range comes packed with a warranty that will allow you to discover all possible assembly errors and eventually replace your unit if you are not satisfied.
Since most of the breakdowns that are caused by poor assembly show their ugly face within the first year of use, your warranty should be able to cover this initial period.
10 Best Induction Ranges In 2023: Detailed Reviews
And now that we’ve spent some time discussing the features that make good induction ranges and learned how to distinguish one from another, it’s time to take a look at the 10 most popular induction and see how they rank.
1. SAMSUNG NE58H9970WS Slide-In Induction Range
Samsung is a manufacturer that requires very little introduction. This Korean powerhouse has a stake in everything ranging from consumer electronics to integrated systems. Fortunately for ambitious chefs around the world, their quality is consistent all throughout their portfolio and appliances are no exception.
What does that mean for this beautiful range? Well, Samsung did its best to impress. The body of the range is made from beautiful Inox steel, with its top covered with a beautiful piece of durable glass that hides four different sized burners.
Also, the range includes one spacious oven that can be used either in its entirety, either in double-oven cooking mode. The range extends well over the countertop and cooking times are cut by good 30 minutes.
So, you have all the building blocks of a great range. But, that’s only the beginning. The range does an excellent job managing the heating temperature, so as soon as you remove your cookware from the burners they will become cool in a matter of seconds. So much so that food spills will rarely get the opportunity to bake on.
You also get a pretty clear LCD screen that gives you essential feedback on the range’s current status and allows you a couple of basic programming options. Nothing too fancy, but nothing feels gimmicky, either. Everything serves some purpose.
Of course, there are some gripes, but they are very minor. For instance, the heat settings are not continuous but rather feature 10 settings for each burner. Also, the sound alarm could be louder. But, as we already mentioned, these are some very minor flaws.
2. Duxtop LCD P961LS Professional Portable Induction Cooktop Commercial Range
Duxtop LCD P961LS as by-the-numbers cooktop commercial range as it gets. People may pass by it in a store and never truly bat an eye. Still, the first impression, at least, in this case, can be deceiving. Because this little fella packs much more power than meets the eye.
For a start, the range is very power-efficient – it uses 120 volts and only 15 amps of electricity. However, this solid foundation allows the range to use 20 different heat settings and cook your meals at temperatures that go all the way up to 240 degrees Celsius (approximately 460 degrees Fahrenheit).
And that’s not all – P961LS features a beautiful stainless steel body that looks like it can withstand a lot of traffic, if not abuse. Throw into the equation the manageable weight of 6.25 kilograms and you’ll get a unit that won’t have a problem finding a place anywhere from professional restaurants to the trunk of your car and occasional field trips.
Also, the range features a nice LCD screen that allows you to easily program the unit up until 10 hours in advance and set up automatic shut off. The cooking performance is consistent and the burner cools off very fast which makes the maintenance all that easier.
As for the downside, the range can host the cookware that weighs up to 11 kilograms, but you couldn’t expect more from a portable unit. A much bigger problem is the size since you will be able to efficiently cook only with smaller pans.
3. Empava EMPV-IDC24 Electric Induction Cooktop
Empava may not be as well established as some companies like Samsung and Bosch. They still need to make a lot of effort to enter this league. But, what the manufacturer is currently famous for is bringing the high tech at lower price segments by making smart choices of what needs to stay and what features can be omitted.
This built-in induction cooktop is the perfect example of this design philosophy.
First of all, the unit is extremely well—built. Surprisingly so taking into consideration its affordable price. The top surface is covered with smooth tempered glass that allows you to use even some heavy and rugged kitchenware as well as make the maintenance as effortless as possible.
As for the burners, the cooktop features for of them – a pair of 2100W and a pair of 1500W of elements. All the burners can be controlled with nine different heat level (with the heat going all the way up to 240 degrees Celsius) which gives you more than enough freedom to play with.
It is also worth mentioning that range deals very easily even with larger pans, distributes temperature very evenly and works near silent. What we are left in the end with is an excellent piece of kitchen tech that offers a rock-solid core performance and incredibly high endurance – all that at a very affordable price.
Of course, we would like to see more advanced features and advanced options but it’s clear some compromises needed to be made to make the product so affordable. We are always more in favor of reliability than flashy gimmicks.
4. Verona VEFSIE304PSS 30″ Freestanding Induction Range Cooktop 4 Zones
Verona is a very famous Italian manufactures with a very strong presence in Europe. Although they are not so well established stateside, they still pack a lot of quality no buyer should ignore. Their freestanding induction range cooktop has all the features that made Verona famous – good quality, solid design, and relatively affordable price.
So, let us start with the looks – with its beautiful yet very traditional (more malicious reviewers could even call it dated) stainless steel body, the unit doesn’t feel out of place in virtually any type of kitchen. Its compact dimensions play into this story of versatility exceptionally well.
But, we are here for cooking, right? Well, everything is just fine in this department.
The cooktop features four induction cooking zones and one spacious oven that features two heavy-duty oven racks. All these elements are controlled by smooth stainless steel knobs that feature continuous adjustment. So yeah, you’ll be in for some fine cooking tuning.
The unit is not devoid of some special features, either. You get your programmable electronic display board, hot surface indicator, and one pretty useful self-cleaning mode.
So, is there anything wrong with Verona? Well yes and no. Although very appealing, the manufacturer is still not at the same level of craftsmanship as some other contenders on this list. The unit features all the right ingredients but it should have been brewed with more attention.
But, let this fact not discourage you. If you are looking for a capable range with continuous adjustment, Verona still makes one very worthwhile purchase.
5. Schönes Bauen Lyon Induction Cooktop
As a manufacturer, Schönes Bauen represents a very interesting marriage of German precision and dedication to details and Mexican resourcefulness. This product is the best example of how these colliding worlds can work together to create something very practical, and what’s even more important, very affordable.
Simply by looking at the unit, we can say the German side is definitely ruling its look. The range looks utilitarian and powerful, and its build quality is closely following this philosophy. The top of the unit is covered with thermal shock black glass and features water resistance that allows you to play with the controls even if you’re hands are wet.
The two burners are sufficiently powerful for all the usual meals that can cross your mind (they can heat up to 240°C) and can withstand the weight up to 15 kilograms per zone which is really nice.
Throw into the equation programmable timer and easy to polish top surface and you might wonder if there is anything this unit is missing? Well, as a matter of fact, there are a couple of such things. First, the unit packs a very limited amount of features. They are not completely absent, but they are scarce.
Second, although very tough, the top surface is not that well protected. Be aware not to slide your steel pots across it.
Although not essential these inclusions are more than welcome. If Schönes Bauen somehow managed to squeeze them in, even at the cost of a couple of dollars more, we would have a two-zone portable range very hard to compete with.
6. Duxtop 9620LS LCD Portable Double Induction Cooktop
Duxtop 9620LS sets out to do virtually the same thing as the cooktop coming from Schönes Bauen. Comparing them is very interesting because, putting aside visual differences, Duxop somehow managed to make all the same choices as their German-Mexican direct competitors.
So, let’s start with the looks. As much as Schönes Bauen ditched any sophisticated design elements and tried to make their unit utilitarian, Duxtop obviously set its aim for elegance, and you know what – they scored big time.
With its sleek and elegant black body, this cooktop is simply a feast for the eyes. But, we are here to talk about cooking, and when it comes to sheer performance, 9620LS definitely does its job above the average.
Both of the induction burners use 120V and 15 Amps of electricity which gives them enough fuel to reach the temperatures you can expect from the unit of this type (240°C). Also, you get to choose between 20 different temperature settings which are enterer with intuitive touch controls.
You also get to choose between Power and Temperature modes which allows for some quick, on-the-go adjustments. As you would expect, the surface is very easy to clean and the unit is light enough (6.7 kilograms) to be easily transported around.
Unfortunately, advanced features and stronger glass protection are once again missing. So we are left with a unit that features some construction and power limitations but still packs enough versatility and pizzazz to find itself a place in this crowded market.
7. True Induction TI-2B Counter Inset Double Burner Induction Cooktop
True Induction TI-2B induction cooktop is without a doubt a competent product. It does too many things right to be easily dismissed. However, it is hard not to get the impression that similar, more affordable units simply pack a lot more bang for the buck.
Be that as it may, TI-2B is a pretty versatile double burner unit that can that packs as much as heats up the cooking surface up to 230 degrees Celsius. Once the maximum temperature is reached, the range will automatically stay at it and never exceed it.
The manufacturers were also kind to include the power-sharing technology that splits the current wattage between the two burners instead of powering them both at once, which is a nice power saving feature.
The body feels sturdy, the top surface is easy to clean and all seem well in the construction department.
Unfortunately, the unit hides some curious design quirks. Namely, the official user manual says that range should be unplugged after use, or else the unit may end up damage. This is not something we are happy to see with built-in units and hard to reach outlets.
Also, the range, for some reason produces above-the-average levels of noise. So much so, that standing beside it for prolonged periods of time can become a chore.
Take into consideration these two pitfalls and the fact that range features only two burners (this is not an objective complaint, some people simply don’t need more than two), and you will see why, in spite of all things it does well, True Induction TI-2B ultimately tells the story of the wasted potential.
8. HII8055U 30 800 Series Induction Slide-In Range with 4 Cooktop Elements
It doesn’t take more than a passing look at this piece of kitchen tech to conclude ware talking about one ambitious product. But, ambition and wishful thinking are one thing. The harsh reality is something completely different.
On the paper, 800 Series has all the pieces of a good slide-in induction range. You get your four differently sized induction burners (a pair 3700W’s and a pair of 2200W’s). All of them produce enough power to allow smooth cooking and while digital touch commands allow you enough room to play with temperature settings.
The thing is, although these parts work well on their own, the manufacturer simply didn’t know how to put them together into one coherent unit. This way, the range is extremely prone to various malfunctions and controls feel very unresponsive.
Keeping this in mind, speaking about the programmable functions doesn’t make too much sense because you’ll hardly ever get to use them.
The similar thing can be said about the oven. It’s more than serviceable but getting it to work properly will take you some time and force you to call upon your warranty at least once. And just for the record, the problem wasn’t with our unit. Several other customers have reported similar problems.
Too bad because the beautiful stainless body and a basic set of features this product packs showed a lot of promise.
9. Empava EMPV-IDC36 Electric Induction Cooktop
Putting one excellent induction range on the market is something too many up and coming manufacturers struggle to do. Empava managed to do it twice positioning itself as one of the top contenders in the mid-range built-in induction range market.
Now, this bold claim comes with one huge asterisk. Namely, EMPV-IDC36 is nothing more than EMPV-IDC24 on steroids. It features all the same building blocks but expands its size to accommodate yet another cooking zone raising the total number of available burners to five.
Of course, the mentioned upgrade also carries with itself a much heftier price tag. So, it really boils down to your personal preferences.
But, if you are in need of more space of cooking space, you will be glad to know that features three powerful 2100-watt elements and one pair of 1500W’s. Much like its smaller predecessor, EMPV-IDC36 features a smooth but very strong glass surface that’s extremely easy to clean and can accommodate some pretty heavy kitchenware.
We would still be in favor of a more comprehensive setting that would allow us to choose more than nine different temperatures, but that’s something the range simply carries in its DNA.
At this price point though, we are far less inclined to forgive such missteps. But still, if you are in need of high-quality if somewhat featureless built-in induction range that won’t cost you an arm and a leg Empava EMPV-IDC36 is one of the best options you can find.
10. Duxtop 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
When people talk about uninspired products, they usually think about the likes of Duxtop 8100MC. The thing with uninspired products is that they are not particularly bad. Some of them are actually pretty good. They just struggle to do anything different enough to warrant the customers’ attention.
And Duxtop 8100MC is exactly that – one very solid portable induction that does too many things well to be overlooked, but really has no place in this crowded market.
Anyway, we are talking about a moderately handsome unit that packs one 1800W-powered burner that’s able to raise the cooking surface’s temperature up to 237 degrees Celsius, which is, by all means, ok.
Also, you get tempered glass overlay, that makes sure the quality glass surface won’t get scratched. Unfortunately, these things are not that uncommon, even in the single-burner market segment, even at this price point.
The same can be said about a set of useful, albeit limited programmable features and a nice bright LED screen.
Speaking in more objective terms, we would like to see smaller increments when adjusting the temperature. Also, our unit had a nasty habit of turning off in the middle of cooking. Not too often, but frequently enough.
So, there you have it. A pretty solid unit plagued with some minor and not so minor flaws. If the competition wasn’t so fierce we’d give it a pass. Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve…
Final Thoughts
Finally, the time has come for us to collect our thoughts and declare the winners of this roundup. Once again, we have the old case of apples and oranges – the products that can’t and shouldn’t be compared to each other.
So, as always we’ll resort to good old cheating and declare you the winners by categories.
Top portable induction range: Duxtop 9620LS
The competition in this category was surprisingly fierce, but Duxtop 9620LS somehow managed to snatch the victory. Not by a landslide, but deservedly so. After all, we are talking about a very versatile, reasonably powerful and incredibly stylish product that makes a worthy addition to any kitchen.
Top built-in induction range: Empava EMPV-IDC24 Electric Induction Cooktop
All the considerations in this category very quickly became an Empava private party. Even so, we had a very hard time deciding between two excellent products coming from this company. In the end, the prize finally went to Empava EMPV-IDC24 which ultimately proved to be a more compact and better-priced product.
Top free-standing/slide-in range: SAMSUNG NE58H9970WS Slide-In Induction Range
The battle in this field was mostly won between Samsung and Verona – both of the companies put some truly excellent products for us to consider. In the end, the victory was decided (for the most part), by the simple fact that Samsung’s product was a slide-in unit that ends up looking better and offers far simpler maintenance.