Best induction cooktops in 2025: a buying guide
With steady performance and reliability, induction cooktops have become a favorite for the level of control they offer in the kitchen. With a wide selection of styles and features, Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops can help you feed your busy family. Keep reading to discover the best 2025 Whirlpool® Induction Cooktop for your lifestyle.
What is an induction cooktop?
Unlike traditional stovetops that cook food using a flame or a heated surface, induction cooktops generate electromagnetic energy that reacts with compatible pots and pans to turn them into their own heat source. Because they do not transfer heat through the cooking surface, induction cooktops tend to provide responsive heat adjustments and easy cleaning after meals.
What are the best induction cooktops?
The best induction cooktop for your family depends on your household’s cooking habits, kitchen layout, personal tastes and budget. Some induction cooktops are designed with a small footprint to give you the features you need without taking up too much space, while others offer additional features and more room to cook several dishes at once.
Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops offer reliable performance and flexible cooking to help make mealtime easier. Designed for easy cleanup and everyday use, they bring convenience to any kitchen.
1. Whirlpool® 24-Inch Small Space Induction Cooktop
A 24-inch induction cooktop like this one from Whirlpool brand is a great selection for smaller kitchens, allowing you four elements to cook on multiple pans without taking up too much of your valuable counter space. The optional assisted cooking features also help you use your time more efficiently when prepping other dishes.
2. Whirlpool® 30-inch Induction Cooktop with Fast Boil
With Quick Clean Up and four powerful burners, this 30-inch induction cooktop from Whirlpool brand can be a great option for families of every size. Optional features such as Assisted Boil1 and Assisted Pan2 Frying can help you keep dinner prep moving and get dinner to the table fast. Available in finishes like black and stainless steel, this induction cooktop can complement your kitchen aesthetic.
3. Whirlpool® 30-inch Intelligent Induction Cooktop with Temp Cook™ Technology
The 30-inch Intelligent Cooktop with Temp Cook™ Technology from Whirlpool brand helps you avoid burning with dual temperature sensors that monitor and maintain your heat.
What to look for when buying an induction cooktop
For many, buying the right induction cooktop can come down to available features and how well the cooktop fits in your kitchen. When deciding which induction cooktop to buy, pay attention to the following considerations.
1. Flush installation
Induction cooktops can be made to fit seamlessly with flush installation. With flush installation the cooktop is placed into the countertop, rather than on top of the countertop for a more built-in appearance.
2. Size
Standard cooktop sizes often correspond to common cabinet widths, such as 30 inches and 36 inches. However, cooktops can range from narrower 15- to 24-inch models to wider 45-inch and 48-inch models, depending on the number and size of burners, amount of trim and more. When selecting your size, make sure to allow for countertop space on either side of the cooktop.
3. Burner configuration
Take into account the number of burners and the size of the heating elements to select a cooktop that suits both your kitchen space and cooking preferences. Most standard cooktops have four burners to accommodate various cookware sizes. Compact two-burner models are ideal for smaller spaces. For preparing large family meals, five-burner cooktops provide the flexibility to simmer, sauté and boil simultaneously.
4. Cooking features
Some induction cooktops include features designed to help make cooking fast, easy or intuitive. These features may include sensors that monitor cooking progress and adjust accordingly, presets that take the guesswork out of various cooking techniques, or convenient features—like Control Lock Mode on select Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops—that disables the control panel to help avoid unintended use and make cleanup easy.
For instance, some Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops can simplify mealtime with Temp Cook™ Induction Technology that helps you avoid burning with dual temperature sensors that monitor and maintain your heat. Or, on some Whirlpool brand models, Smart Presets automatically set the right temp to sear, simmer, sauté and more. Pan detection makes sure you only heat the space you need by sensing when a pan is placed on an active burner and automatically directing heat to it.
5. Flexible Cooking Zones
You can get the most out of meal prep with an induction cooktop featuring flexible cooking zones. These zones are designed to adapt to a range of cookware sizes and only heat the area beneath the pot or pan to help provide more freedom when you cook.
For instance, think big, small and most sizes in between with the Flexheat™ Plus Element on select Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops. This large, rectangular cooking space with Pan Size Detection only heats the space you need, giving you the flexibility to cook with different size pots and pans.
6. Easy Cleaning
The sleek, smooth surface of induction cooktops—combined with rapid cooling—can make induction cooktops quick and easy to wipe clean. Some models make it even easier to keep the stovetop spotless with a coating uniquely designed to fend off splatters and spills.
Some Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops, for instance, let you skip scraping and intense scrubbing of baked-on foods with WipeClean™ Coating, the easiest-to-clean induction cooktop coating.3 Simply wet with water, wait and wipe away.
Shop Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops with Temp Cook™ Induction Technology
Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops with Temp Cook™ Induction Technology help you avoid burning with dual temperature sensors that monitor and maintain your heat. For easy cleanup, the WipeClean™ Coating on some models allows you to clean with just water, not harsh cleansers, and the Flexheat™ Plus Element matches your heat to your pan size.
What are the benefits of an induction cooktop?
There are many benefits to induction cooking, including speed and responsiveness. With induction cooking, the energy transfers directly to the cookware, so little to no heat or energy is lost between the cooking surface and your food.
Increased responsiveness: Induction cooktops eliminate the extra step of heating a burner before the cookware. Instead, electromagnetic currents directly heat the pan, often allowing for quick temperature changes and precise control while cooking.
Fast cooking times: Induction technology delivers energy straight to compatible magnetic cookware, enabling quick and efficient cooking. However, because it heats so rapidly, you might need to monitor your recipes more closely at first, as they could cook faster than you're used to.
Simplified cleanup: Finally, induction cooktops have a smooth surface that allows for easy cleaning.
What is a good wattage for an induction cooktop?
Induction cooktop wattages typically range between 1,800 to 3,700 watts, and the right wattage for your kitchen depends on your family’s cooking routines. You may prefer a higher wattage model if you frequently use high-heat cooking techniques like searing, stir-frying or rapid boiling.
What is the difference between an induction cooktop vs. glass cooktop?
Because induction cooktops are fitted with smooth glass tops, they can also be called glass cooktops. Glass cooktops can also refer to radiant cooktops, which differ from induction cooktops due to the internal mechanisms used to heat food. A radiant cooktop is more common in the U.S. and uses a heated coil beneath the glass surface to cook food.
What is the best cookware to use on an induction cooktop?
When cooking on an induction cooktop, you’ll need pans that are induction ready. Examples of induction-ready pans often include enameled steel, cast iron and magnetic stainless steel. Non-compatible pans include those made from glass and ceramic materials.
Note: To test your current pans for their induction readiness, flip them over and try placing a magnet on the bottom. If it sticks, they can likely be used for induction cooking.
Can you use aluminum pans on an induction cooktop?
You cannot use most aluminum pans on an induction cooktop. Although a good choice for gas and electric stovetops because of its responsiveness, aluminum does not channel electromagnetic currents. Some aluminum cookware has a magnetized base for use on induction cooktops.
Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops
Get responsive temperature control
Induction Cooktops from Whirlpool brand offer fast cooking and responsive temperatures, paired with a sleek, easy-to-clean surface
Can you use cast iron on an induction cooktop?
Cast iron is ideal when cooking on an induction cooktop because its composition allows for electromagnetic currents to easily pass through it. Some may worry that using cast-iron cookware will scratch their induction cooktop; however, if you lift as opposed to drag your cast iron, you can help spare your cooktop from wear and tear.
How do I clean an induction cooktop?
With the same smooth glass tops as their electric counterparts, induction cooktops are cleaned in a similar fashion. For daily maintenance, use a cleaning solution and a damp cloth and wipe down the surface area. When going for a deeper clean, you can use a specially designed scraping tool, such as this one from Whirlpool brand, to scrape the cooktop surface before applying your solution.
Though induction cooktops do not generate heat on their own, some heat from the cookware can transfer back onto the surface. Make sure the cooktop is only slightly warm before scraping off spills, and completely cool before wiping down.
Is an induction cooktop worth it?
If you are looking for precision in your cooking, relatively low heat loss and the ability to easily wipe down your stovetop, induction cooktops might be a good choice for you. Additionally, select Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops can boil 2x times faster than electric cooktops with Fast Boil.4 Finding the right cooktop will vary by kitchen, but with so many great options to choose from, it’s possible to find the right fit for you.
Are induction cooktops energy efficient?
According to ENERGY STAR, most home cooktops use gas or electric coil heating elements, transferring energy with around 32% efficiency for gas and 75-80% efficiency for electric. Induction cooktops heat compatible cookware directly, reaching about 85% efficiency for faster, more efficient cooking.
Unlike gas and electric cooktops, induction cooktops heat only the cookware, so little additional energy is spent heating the rest of the appliance. Learn more about the differences between induction and gas cooktops.
Shop Whirlpool® Induction Cooktops
Cooking dinner is easy with Whirlpool® induction cooktops. Smart Presets on select models automatically set the right temp to saute, simmer, sear and more. Plus, with induction technology, cooking may create fewer baked-on messes as the cooktop surrounding cookware stays cool, which can lead to quick cleanup.
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