Looking for an induction cooktop? We researched and tested numerous models to compile the 10 best options for you!
By Siem
We have to get rid of gas, that is, go electric cooking. There are several ways to do that, and cooking on induction is one of them. In this article, we weigh the pros and cons of induction cooktops against those of other electric cooking appliances. We also help you choose the right induction cooktop that suits you.
What forms of electric cooking are there?
Roughly speaking, you can say that there are 3 forms of electric cooking:
- The electric cooktop. This one is not often used anymore. Electric cooktops heat up slowly and use a lot of energy. They have the added disadvantage that the hot plates stay hot. In addition, it requires a separate group.
- The halogen or ceramic cooktop. Here, a halogen or electric element heats the cooking zones on a glass plate. The advantage is that you can set the temperature and they heat up quickly. This also requires a separate group.
- The induction cooktop. An induction cooktop itself does not heat up. A magnetic field heats the magnetic bottom of the pan. So you do need a suitable pan for it, but it works very quickly. With an induction cooktop you cook relatively energy-efficiently. Low-power cooktops do not require a separate group, but most do, and usually a Perilex plug and socket.
Why choose an induction cooktop?
Induction cooktops are relatively economical in terms of energy consumption. This is because when cooking on induction, only the area under the pan is heated by the magnetic field. The heat goes directly to the pan, thus a very efficient use of energy. The cost is similar to that of a gas stove, but lower than traditional electric cooktops and ceramic cooktops. Another big advantage is safety, because the hob itself does not get hot. After cooking, you can easily clean the smooth surface of induction cooktops with common products.
What is the best induction cooktop for you?
What is the best induction cooktop for you depends mainly on your budget and on the power you need. That power, in turn, depends on the number of cooking zones you want: 4, 5 or 6. Most induction cooktops are made to be built into your countertop, but there are some that you can place freely. In our Top 10, we picked out the best 2024 steam cooker for a wide range of preferences.
The best built-in induction cooktop in the test
Bosch PXV875DC1E
The Bosch PXV875DC1E induction cooktop has 5 cooking zones, 2 of which can be flexibly combined into one large one. This will fit a fish pan or a grill pan, for example. The temperature of each cooking zone is adjustable in 17 steps. At the lowest setting you can simmer meat, at the highest setting you can quickly cook vegetables. Extra fast cooking is also possible, via the boost function. The Bosch PXV875DC1E also has a built-in frying sensor, which prevents your meat from burning and keeps the temperature in the pan constant.
- 5 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Boost function
- Built-in roasting sensor
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 5
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Warm-up function: yes
- Dimensions (w x d): 81.6 x 52.7 cm
- Recess width: 75 – 78.2 cm
- Depth: 49 – 50.2 cm
- Connected load: 7,400 W
- Operation: touch controls
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
The induction cooktop with the best value for money
AEG IKB64411FB
The AEG IKB64411FB is a built-in induction cooktop with 4 cooking zones. One of the zones is expandable to fit a small fish pan or roasting pan. The temperature is adjustable in 14 settings and the hob also features a boost function. A convenient timer and the keep-warm function complete the ease of use of this induction cooktop. Unfortunately, the AEG IKB64411FB does not automatically shut off if a pan boils over.
- 4 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Boost function
- Built-in timer
- Additional group needed
- No automatic shutdown
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: yes, 1 zone expandable
- Keep warm function: yes
- Dimensions (w x d): 59 x 52 cm
- Width recess: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 7,350 W
- Control via: touch buttons, slider
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
The best cheap induction cooktop
Inventum IKI6010
The Inventum IKI6010 is a “basic” induction cooktop. Without flexible cooking zone, booster and heat function. That said, it is just a very good cooktop. It is easy to operate and clean, has a timer for each cooking zone and automatically shuts off when no pan is on it.
- Connecting with regular plug
- Built-in timerr
- No flexible cooking zone
- No warming function
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Keep warm function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 59 x 52 cm
- Width recess: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: touch keys
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Good choice induction cooktop with 5 cooking zones
Siemens EX851FVC1E
A good built-in induction cooktop with 5 cooking zones is the Siemens EX851FVC1E. The temperature of each zone is adjustable in 17 positions. If you use the extended zone then you have 4 temperature settings. The Quick Start function ensures that all zones heat up simultaneously. Handy if you want to heat a lot of pans quickly. With the boost function you have a pan of boiling water very quickly. The operation of the hob takes some getting used to.
- 5 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Boost function
- Frying sensor
- No warming mode
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 5
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Warm-up function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 80.2 x 52.2 cm
- Width recess: 75 cm
- Depth: 49 – 50.2 cm
- Connected load: 7,400 W
- Control via: touch controls, slider
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
Good choice induction cooktop with 4 cooking zones
Bosch PVS775FC5E
If you have enough with 4 cooking zones, then choose the Bosch PVS775FC5E built-in induction cooktop. This is a spacious cooktop that still fits into a small (standard) built-in recess. 2 cooking zones can be combined into 1 large one, creating space for a roasting pan or grill. You control the temperature with a touchscreen in 17 positions. The boost function lets you heat a pan of water extra quickly.
- 4 spacious cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Small recess
- Frying sensor
- Boost function
- Overboil protection
- No warming mode
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Warm-up function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 71 x 52.7
- Width recess: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 – 50 cm
- Connected load: 6,900 W
- Control via: touch screen
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
Good choice 1-phase induction cooktop
ETNA KIS260ZT
If you want to connect your induction cooktop to a regular outlet, then you should choose a 1-phase appliance. The ETNA KIS260ZT is a good choice. The fact that a single-phase connection is sufficient does mean that the power is somewhat lower and it will therefore take longer for your pans to heat up. With the ETNA KIS260ZT, you are buying a basic appliance, without a flexible cooking zone or warming mode, but with a boost function and overcooking protection. The price is pleasant and because of the single-phase power supply, connection costs are low.
- 4 cooking zones
- Boost function
- Overboil protection
- Low connection fees
- No flexible zone
- No warming mode
- Low power
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Keep warm function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 59 x 52 cm
- Width recess: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: touch keys
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Good choice 2-phase induction cooktop
Bosch PVW851FB5E
The Bosch PVW851FB5E is a powerful induction cooktop with 5 cooking zones. It fits into most gas cooktop recesses. This is convenient if you want to switch. 2 cooking zones can be combined into 1 large one, which fits a council slide, grill or fish pan. The temperature for each zone is adjustable in 17 settings. With the boost function you heat a pan extra fast. This is a complete appliance that requires a Perilex plug and socket.
- 5 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Small recess
- Boost function
- Overboil protection
- No warming mode
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 5
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Warm-up function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 80.2 x 52.2
- Width recess: 75 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 7,400 W
- Operation: touch controls
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
Good choice induction cooktop with 2 cooking zones
ETNA KIV12ZIL
An induction cooktop with 2 cooking zones is useful for single-person households, in small kitchens, but also as an extra cooktop if you regularly cook for many people or very elaborately. If the latter is the case, then choose a freestanding cooktop, such as the ETNA KIV12ZIL. It is affordable, powerful and can be connected with an ordinary plug (just make sure that the relevant group is not overloaded). The temperature is adjustable in 8 positions and the ETNA KIV12ZIL is equipped with overcooking protection. It also features a convenient timer.
- Compact
- Works with regular plug
- Overboil protection
- Timer
- Moveable
- Only 2 cooking zones
- No warming mode
- Number of cooking zones: 2
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 56.5 x 36 cm
- Power consumption: 3,500 W
- Control via: touch keys
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Good choice induction cooktop with flexible cooking zones
Inventum IKI7735
The generously sized Inventum IKI7735 built-in induction cooktop features 4 cooking zones. The two left zones can be combined into 1 large zone, on which you can place a grill plate, roasting pan or oval fish pan. Because the cooktop is so large for 4 cooking zones, several large pans can fit on it. That’s handy when you’re cooking for big eaters. You can set the temperature of the cooking zones to 9 settings. A timer and cooking timer are built in. An additional advantage of the Inventum IKI7735 is that you can connect it to both 2 phases (full power) and i phase (reduced power) via the Power Management function.
- Flexible cooking zone
- 4 spacious cooking zones
- For both 1-phase and 2-phase
- Built-in timer/cook timer
- Boost function
- No 5th cooking zone
- Separate group needed (Perilex plug)
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Warm-up function: yes/no
- Dimensions (w x d):
- Width built-in recess: 74
- Depth: 49
- Connected load: 7,000 W
- Control via: slider per zone, touch keys
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug), 2 phases (Perilex plug)
The best freestanding induction cooktop
ETNA KIV264RVS
Suppose you are switching from gas to induction and you have a natural stone countertop. Then modifying the recess for the induction cooktop can be quite expensive. In such a case, you can also opt for a freestanding cooktop such as the ETNA KIV264RVS. This induction cooktop can be connected through an ordinary outlet. This is convenient, but does have the consequence that the power is not very large. So it takes a little longer before your pans are hot. The ETNA KIV264RVS has a booster function, a timer, overcooking protection, a keep-warm function and a child lock. So very complete and safe, and not too expensive either.
- Use anywhere
- Plain socket
- Safe for small children
- Sleek design
- Limited power
- No flexible cooking zone
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Warm-up function: yes
- Dimensions (w x d x h): 59 x 52 x 7.2 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: slider per zone, touch keys
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Overview of best induction hobs
To make choosing the right induction cooktop easier for you, we list the entire Top 10 here once again:
rating Brand & type distinctive
- Bosch PXV875DC1E The best
- AEG IKB64411FB Best buy
- Inventum IKI6010 Best cheap
- Siemens EX851FVC1E Good choice 5 cooking zones
- Bosch PVS775FC5E Good choice 4 cooking zones
- ETNA KIS260ZT Best with 1 phase
- Bosch PVW851FB5E Best for 2 phases
- ETNA KIV12ZIL Best with 2 cooking zones
- Inventum IKI7735 Best with flexible cooking zones
- ETNA KIV264RVS Best freestanding induction hob
Buying guide: what do you look for when buying an induction cooktop?
If you are going to buy a new induction cooktop, there are a number of things you need to take into account, and then choose the cooktop that suits you best.
Is your electrical connection adequate?
Usually you have to have an extra group installed and a special Perilex socket made for a Perilex plug. This has to be done by a certified installer, so keep in mind that there are extra costs. Only with 1-phase appliances with a normal plug do you not have to incur these costs.
Will your cooktop fit in the recess of your countertop?
If you are buying a new induction cooktop as a replacement for a built-in gas cooktop, so there is already a recess in your countertop. Make sure it matches the required dimensions of your new induction cooktop.
How much do you have to spend?
When determining your budget, consider any additional costs for installation and for modifying your countertop. Only then can you determine how much is left over for the induction hob itself.
Do you want luxury or can it be simple?
Consider whether you regularly need a larger heating surface, such as for a fish pan, a roasting pan or a grill. Do you often need to keep food warm? Do you want a booster function to boil water extra fast? Do you need more than 4 cooking zones? Do you want the appliance to automatically shut off when a pan boils over? All questions that determine the luxury of your induction cooktop, and therefore the price.
Conclusion: what is the best induction cooktop?
It is not easy to say what the best induction cooktop is. In fact, it depends entirely on your needs and capabilities. Personally, I would always choose a cooktop with 5 cooking zones and a flexible cooking zone, such as the AEG IKB64411FB. But maybe you have a smaller kitchen unit and will have to make do with four cooking zones. Then the Inventum IKI6010 and the Bosch PVS775FC5E are worth considering. For on the side, if you occasionally prepare extra-large meals, I would opt for the ETNA KIV12ZIL.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may take some getting used to, but once it does, cooking on induction is easy and safe.
When cooking on induction hobs, heat is generated by an electromagnetic field. That magnetic field heats the magnetic bottom of the pan. So the only condition is, that your pan has a magnetic bottom.
The number of phases is always in the description. It determines whether for your induction plate a connection will suffice with a normal plug on a normal outlet or not.