Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to find the best portable induction cooktop

You’ve probably heard about induction cooking. It seems that it’s absolutely everywhere these days. But do you know what an induction cooktop is or why it might be worth adding these countertop burners to your kitchen lineup? 

All about induction cooktops

Induction is widely considered to be superior to electric and gas cooking. Why? It’s faster, easier to use, and a whole lot safer, too.

Related Videos
  • Without question, induction is the safest cooking technology. The key to induction is that the heat transfers directly to the cookware, so only the pans get hot, never the burners. In fact, the burners actually need magnetic cookware to function, so the burners automatically shut off once the cookware is removed. You never need to worry that you’ve left this cooktop on.
  • Induction cooking is significantly faster than either gas or electric cooktops. That magnetic reaction that happens when you place a pan on an induction burner happens instantaneously so your pan will completely heat through in less than a minute. You’ll be whipping up meals in no time, and we mean no time!  
  • Induction cooktops are so much more responsive than electric or gas cooktops. With electric cooktops, response time is very slow. You can lower the heat level, but it still takes significant time to adjust and you may end up having to remove a pot from the heated coil to prevent burning food. Since only the pan heats with an induction cooktop, there is minimal heat lingering in the burner when you adjust the setting.  
  • If you’re looking to spend more time enjoying the process of cooking and less time cleaning, induction cooktops are for you. Because the cooktop itself doesn’t heat up, spilled food will not stick to it. Simply wipe spills away — no nooks and crannies for food to get trapped in, just a smooth glass surface that cleans up in a snap!
  • Who wants to save money? Faster cooking times means you’re consuming less energy. Plus, the lack of residual heat that would normally surround your gas or electric cooktop means a cooler kitchen and lower energy costs!

What can your portable induction cooktop do? Depending on the model, you can use it to:

  • Dehydrate
  • Broil
  • Roast
  • Grill
  • Bake 
  • Steam
  • Fry
Mile Atanasov/Shutterstock

Why you need a portable induction cooktop

So now that you know about induction cooking, you may want to consider adding a portable induction cooktop to your home. After all, who couldn’t use extra countertop burners when entertaining for a holiday or big crowd?

Portable induction cooktops are perfect for adding extra cooking surfaces to a small kitchen and of course, they are indispensable when hosting large gatherings where you don’t have enough stove space.  

But what about the portability feature? Will there really be a reason you’ll want to pack up your induction cooktop and take it with you? Absolutely! So many people do it, that some portable induction cooktops actually come with travel bags. 

Maybe you’ve entered the chili cook-off at your daughter’s elementary school and countertop burners are at a premium. Or perhaps it’s just so hot inside that you want to cook outdoors. All you need is an extension cord and you can whip up dinner from your deck or patio. 

Which is the best induction hot plate for you?

Induction cooktops have a rather unwarranted reputation of being pricey, but there are many portable inductions cooktops that are very affordably priced.

  • You can get a single burner unit, with great customer reviews and loaded with features for under $100. There are even highly rated styles you can find under $50.

  • If you need more, there are styles that come with double burners, so you can cook twice as much in a fraction of the time! 

  • You can find lightweight induction hot plates that weigh just 4 pounds but can cook every bit as efficiently as other induction cooktops. 

Whatever your cooking needs and whatever your budget, if you are looking for a cooktop that will provide fast, even heating, lower energy costs, and cool-surface safety, then an induction cooktop is perfect for you.

Editors' Recommendations

Costco shoppers share their best ideas for quick and easy meals
You'll love these secret dinner ideas from Costco experts
what to buy at costco kirkland rotisserie chicken

We all want a tasty, easy dinner to make for ourselves and our family on weeknights. With activities, homework, bringing work home, and the general lack of time most of us have in the evenings, finding something that's both a value and fills us up is key. If you are a Costco member, you know just how much access to good food there is in that store. It's hard to walk out of there without at least five or six food items (not to mention a new book, some pillowcases, and a comedy-sized package of batteries).

Redditor Level-Swim-1984 posted this question on the subreddit r/Costco (which I never knew existed and am now obsessed with): "What’s a quick food item to eat at home?" adding, "Besides the chicken bake and hot dogs, what items...are [a] good value and tasty to have a quick dinner at home?" There's nothing like polling fellow Costco members to get pointed in the right direction for this week's meal prep.

Read more
5 New Year’s cleaning resolutions you can actually keep up all year
These easy ideas will have your home sparkling in the new year
Person cleaning kitchen with gloves and spray bottle

The new year always seems like a good time for new beginnings, including making some changes around your home. Whether you want to save money by using DIY methods for dry-cleaning clothes at home, sprucing up your master bath with a fresh coat of paint, or swapping out all the lightbulbs in your house for energy-saving LEDs, a few small changes can have a big impact on both your wallet and the planet.

If you’ve decided to make getting on top of your house cleaning routine a priority this year, we have five great ways to kick things off right. Let’s get ready for a cleaner, more organized 2023 with these New Year's cleaning resolutions.

Read more
Start off 2023 right: 8 low-cal dinner recipes that are actually tasty
If losing weight is on your 2023 resolution list, then try these healthy dinner recipes
Family preparing a meal together

We all overindulge a bit during the holidays. Between the baking, the parties, and the cocktails, the average American puts on about 5 pounds during the holiday season. Although it’s a bit of a cliche, the new year can give you a clean slate and an opportunity for big and small changes. 

If you’re trying to drop a few pounds in 2023, you’re not alone. Eating healthier and losing weight are always on the top of the list for New Year’s resolutions. But going from sugar cookies and eggnog to a diet of celery and lettuce is way too drastic a jump for most people. That’s why we think you’re going to love our assortment of yummy, healthy, low-calorie meals that are super tasty — and easy to make.

Read more