The 3 Best Portable Induction Cooktops 2025
We’ve revamped how we evaluate induction burners based on reader comments and a reader poll, as well as long-term testing notes, a review of new models, and actually cooking most of our meals with these appliances to better understand how they work. We also read reviews from other publications and sites like Epicurious and The Rational Kitchen, as well as forum threads, and we looked at the best sellers on Amazon and other big retail sites, paying close attention to customer reviews. Based on our new insights, we tested a few newer induction cooktops, but we also retested some previously dismissed models.
When researching and testing portable induction cooktops, we wanted to rate them first and foremost on how easy they were to cook with. We considered the following criteria in our evaluations, largely in this order:
More nuanced temperature and heat settings: Most induction burners let you choose a power level or a temperature to adjust the heat under your pot or pan. With the power level, the burner continually cooks at the level of heat you choose, such as at level 2 for low heat or level 6 for higher heat. With the temperature setting, the burner works to keep the pot or pan at a set temperature, like 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Induction cooktops for home kitchens offer somewhere between 10 and 20 each of heat and temperature settings, though a few models have only six or eight of each type of setting. Generally, the larger the number of settings, the easier the burner is to cook with — simply because you have more options for adjusting the heat.
We decided to focus on induction burners that offered (or claimed to offer) at least 15 settings. We found that with 10 or fewer settings, it’s harder to dial in the right heat level, especially in the low-heat and simmer zones; at that point, cooking becomes frustrating, and you face a higher risk of burning food, undercooking it, or wasting lots of time adjusting the heat. What’s more, the models with 20 each of power and temperature settings give you a few more options at the lower end, which is exactly where you need finer heat adjustment. Induction burner makers and many reviewers out there tend to fixate on how fast these appliances can get a small pot of water to a boil, but that’s actually a much easier task — and a much less useful feature — than keeping the contents of a pot at a controlled, lazy bubble.
Two models we tested claimed to allow temperature adjustments in 5- or 10-degree increments in between the presets, theoretically offering far more temperature settings than the listed 10 or 20. In both cases, however, we didn’t notice a temperature change until we had arrived at the next preset. Some burners do offer a larger range or the ability to set an exact temperature through a connected probe or other external temperature-management device; we describe those models later in this section.
Can hold very low temperatures: While the majority of burners tend to bottom out at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, some go as low as 80 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is barely warm. It’s a nice feature to have, especially for melting chocolate or butter. Some reviewers have reported that the lower a burner goes in temperature, the better it manages pulsing for all lower temperatures. That seemed to hold up in our testing: The top-performing models went to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. On the higher end of the temperature range, most burners went to around 450 or 460 degrees Fahrenheit, and some could hit 500 degrees Fahrenheit. We found that all those we tested could get our pan smoking hot as long as we used the right-size pan for the burner.
Smoothly maintains target heat level: Induction burners control the heat level or maintain a set temperature by adjusting the wattage. For example, for a lower heat or temperature, the burner might apply 600 watts; for a higher heat or temperature, it might apply 1,400 watts. Induction burners usually switch back and forth — or pulse — between higher and lower wattages to maintain a target temperature or even a lower heat level. In conducting our tests, and in using the appliances to cook everyday meals, we could easily see that some models were better at this task and alternated more gently and often, instead of blasting between higher and lower temperatures more sporadically or even turning the wattage off and on.
A coil that works with cookware 4 to 10 inches in diameter: Induction burners create heat within a ferromagnetic pan — one made of a strongly magnetic material such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel — by sending a current through the electromagnetic wire coil that sits just below it, under the surface of the glass-ceramic top. The electromagnetic element works only on the part of the pan that is directly on top of it, so no matter how wide the top of the machine is, the element size is what actually determines the range of pan sizes that will work on the burner. A model’s owner manual usually specifies minimum and maximum diameters that work best: Use too small of a pot, and the burner won’t “see” it; use too large of a pan, and you won’t get much heat at the outer edge. Whereas a full induction range or cooktop could have a couple of different element sizes or even an entire surface that serves as a cooking area, portable cooktops with only one burner generally provide a medium-size element that works with a broad range of pots and pans.
Few portable induction cooktops tell you the exact size of the element they have, and some models specify only a minimum pan size. We were able to determine element size through a flour heat-map test, and we found that the vast majority of models in our test group — including all of our picks — seemed to have about the same element size, one that works best for pan sizes between about 4 inches and 10 inches wide.
Lower-priced burners seemed to have smaller elements (and tended to specify a slightly smaller minimum pan size) and often struggled with anything larger than a small skillet or medium pot (that is, anything wider than 8 inches). A few higher-priced models in our test group claimed to have larger elements, such as the Max Burton XL, which made cooking with a 12-inch or 14-inch skillet possible (though not perfect), but the appliances themselves didn’t impress us enough to make the cut.
When you’re evaluating the shape and size of a burner, it’s also good to remember how the elements work. A large, flat, rectangular cooktop won’t heat more effectively than a smaller, rounded cooktop if the element sizes are the same, because the glass won’t transfer any heat. You can also make some educated guesses before you buy a model we didn’t review: Any burner that claims to work with a 3-inch pan — which is much smaller than even a 1-quart saucepan — probably has a smaller element. Burners that are very small or very cheap probably also have a smaller element. Smaller elements still work, but they perform best with smaller vessels.
A well-designed control panel: In our testing, we found that an angled display — rather than a fully flat top with the control panel on the same plane — was easier to see and use, since we could see the display without being right over it. As you cook, a fully flat panel is more likely to be spattered with whatever you’re cooking, which can also make it harder to use. We also found that touch controls were much faster and easier to use than raised buttons. If you have any issues with joint pain, you might find touch controls easier to use, as well. Someone with low vision, however, may find it easier to navigate raised buttons. We have picks with both types of control panels.
You may prefer the way a burner with a flat control panel looks on your countertop, which is a valid concern, but remember that the extra surface area on the top doesn’t give you extra heating capability — the size of the electromagnetic element determines what size pan will work. The one burner we tested with a flat rectangular control panel seemed to take up extra counter space for no good reason. We prefer models that use space efficiently, even if they’re not the smallest available.
Compact size and lighter weight: Rounded corners and a slimmer profile make it easier to fit a portable cooktop on a small countertop or to fit other tools or items around it, as well as to move it aside when necessary.
Note that none of these burners are really designed to be stashed away easily, primarily because you have to be careful about the glass top. If you don’t plan to leave your induction cooktop out most of the time, you may want to keep it in the box it came in. That way you can safely stow your burner in a closet or under a bed, flip it to whatever side works best, and even stack other things on top of it.
That said, if ease of storage is critical for you, consider one of the smaller machines we recommend, such as our travel pick.
A timer that runs for at least three hours: A longer timer gives you more flexibility. If the burner allows you to set a timer for eight or more hours, you can do overnight, low-and-slow cooking projects. Ideally, choose a machine that can run for at least three hours so you don’t have to remember to get up and add time or to turn the appliance back on if you’re making stock or stew. Most models have at least a 170- or 180-minute timer, and some go to 24 hours and even beyond.
A warranty of at least one year: Nearly all models we considered come with a one-year warranty. Anything less than that should raise an eyebrow; anything more gets bonus points.
Stability: Working with hot pans can be dangerous, so having a stable burner with substantial weight and rubber feet to help it stay in place is important. All of the induction burners we tested had feet that prevented them from sliding. But some models can stick a bit and leave marks, while others might have rubber feet that come off when you move the unit, both of which can be annoying. No matter what, be sure your counter is clean before operating your burner — wet or slick countertops can make even the most stable unit slide around.