Portable Induction Cooktops: We Show You Which is the Best
Portable induction cooktops are the most efficient way to cook on the go. Whether you are in an RV, living in a college dorm, or have a small kitchen space, induction cooktops will revolutionize the way you cook. They are clean, easy to use, and up to 90 percent more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric cooktops.
Using magnetic energy that gets transferred to the pot so the cooktop stays cool and the pot heats itself, induction cooktops provide almost instant heat so that your food starts to cook the moment it comes into contact with the glass induction surface.
Want to give induction cooking a try? In this article we review 5 induction cooktops to see which is the best.
- 1800 watts
- Digital control panel
- 10 temperature settings
- Auto pan detection
- 1-year warranty
- 1800 watts
- Child safety lock
- Dial control for easy operation
- Built-in 180-minute timer
- 1-year warranty
- 15 power levels
- 15 temperature levels
- 170-minute timer
- Equipped with error message diagnostics
- 2-year warranty
- Instant heat
- Uses 90 percent less energy
- Easy to clean
- Child lock
- 1-year warranty
- 20 power levels
- 20 temperature settings
- Fast boil button
- Keep warm button
- 2-year warranty
Duxtop is a popular brand when it comes to induction cooktops. It has a powerful 1800-watt motor that provides instant heat, and the 10 temperature setting range from 140 degrees to 460 degrees Fahrenheit, giving you greater control and flexibility during the cooking process. It is also equipped with a clever auto pan detection system that shuts down the cooktop after 60 seconds if no pan is placed on the glass top. This means that it removes the risk of accidents and saves you money on energy usage.
On the downside, sometimes the pans heat unevenly causing hotspots, and when the cooktop heats up the pan emits a high-pitched whining noise.
Pros
- Instant heat
- Instant cool
- Energy efficient
- Great for motorhomes
- Employs smart technology
Cons
- Cooks unevenly
- Whines as it heats
iSiLER employs a dial control feature on their cooktop; the company says it this feature makes it easier to operate when you have water or oil on your hands, but it also makes the whole cooktop more straightforward and more user-friendly. It has a child safety lock to prevent any tiny hands causing mischief, and it also comes with the added safety feature that the cooktop will not operate unless there is a pan placed on the glass plate.
This cooktop has 1800 watts of power and has 9 power levels, but only 8 temperature settings instead of 10 on the Duxtop 8100MC Induction Cooktop. It does have a 180-minute timer that can be set so that when the cooking is done, the machine turns off to save you energy. On the downside, it also makes a whining noise when the pan heats up, and there is no on/off button, so it has to be unplugged from the socket if you wish to power down the cooktop.
Pros
- Child safety feature
- Timer
- Easy to use controls
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Can be noisy during operation
- No on/off button
This Secura model has 15 power settings to give you greater control during the cooking process, and it also has 15 temperature levels, again, for increased flexibility. It has auto pan detection, like the Duxtop 8100MC Induction Cooktop, and because of the 1800 watts of power, Secura claim that their induction cooktop is 50 percent more powerful than a traditional gas stove.
It has digital controls and an LED display, it stores easily due to its sleek design, and it also has a 170-minute timer. What sets this apart from the competition is that it is equipped with error messaging diagnostics to tell you when things are not working correctly. Couple that with the high and low voltage warning system, and this cooktop is very safe to use. On the downside, the temperature settings are not entirely accurate, and the fan is noisy when the unit is cold.
Pros
- Timer
- Diagnostics feature
- Stylish design
- 15 power settings
- 50 percent more powerful than traditional gas stoves
Cons
- Temperature controls are inaccurate
- The fan is noisy
This Gourmia cooktop has 8 power levels and 8 temperature settings, so isn’t as versatile as others in the list, but it is a great price at less than $50. Despite this low price, you still have features like a child safety lock and an auto pan detection sensor just like the iSiLER Sensor Touch Cooktop.
This Gourmia uses 90 percent less energy than traditional gas or electric cooktops, and the heat is instant. The glass surface of the cooktop never gets hot, so it is always easy to clean should any splashes or spills land on it, and it stores easily thanks to its compact design. On the downside, like the other induction cooktops that make this list, it is noisy, and only the part of your pan that comes into contact with the surface of the cooktop gets hot, which can cause an uneven cooking process.
Pros
- Great price at less than $50
- Child safety features
- Pan detection
- Instant hot
- Instant cold
Cons
- Noisy fan
- Uneven cooking
This is the second Duxtop to feature in the review, but this one is the only induction cooktop to cater to two pans, which means that you can cook for a larger gathering or make multiple dishes.Because it is a double cooktop, it will take up a little more space, especially when you are storing it away, but for cooking on the road, or for using in a small kitchen, having the ability to work with two pans at the same time gives you better cooking options.
It has 20 power levels, 20 temperature settings, and features like a fast boil button and a keep warm button. It also has a 10-hour timer that counts in 1-minute increments and then shuts off the unit at the desired setting. On the downside, the controls may be a little complicated, and when you lift the pan off the surface of the cooktop, it beeps continuously for about a minute as a warning system.
Pros
- Long timer
- 20 power and temperature settings
- Double cooktop
- Offers greater versatility
- Fast boil button
- Keep warm button
Cons
- Noisy fan
- Complicated controls
- Beeps when you lift the pan
Comparison Chart
| Duxtop 8100MC Induction Cooktop | iSiLER Sensor Touch Cooktop | Secura 9100MC Cooktop | Gourmia GIC200 Cooktop | Duxtop Double Cooktop | |
| Auto Pan Detect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Timer | 170-minute | 180-minute | 170-minute | 180-minute | 10-hour |
| Weight (lbs) | 6.55 | 6.2 | 6.79 | 5.7 | 14.6 |
| Size | 13 x 11 x 2.5 | 15.2 x 12.8 x 4.8 | 14 x 11.4 x 2.1 | 14 x 11.2 x 2.5 | 4.3 x 17.1 x 25 |
| Watts | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 |
| Power Settings | 10 | 9 | 15 | 8 | 20 |
| Temp Settings | 10 | 8 | 15 | 8 | 20 |
| Price | $ | $ | $ | $ | $$ |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year | 2-year | 1-year | 2-year |
Buyer’s Guide:
Portable Induction Cooktop
Final Thoughts
Portable induction cooktops are incredibly useful and very safe for use in spaces such as a RV or a college dorm. This is where a single ring version like the Duxtop 8100MC Induction Cooktop can shine as it saves you space and energy to deliver instant heat and then cools almost immediately when you’re done.
If you have one eye on the pennies but still want all the benefits of an induction cooktop, then look no further than the Gourmia GIC200 Cooktop for top class features and all at an amazing price. If you want a 2-ring portable induction hob, though, then we recommend the Duxtop Double Cooktop. With 2-rings to cook on, it means you can make more complicated dishes or multiple meals at the same time.
Regardless of which model you pick, portable induction cooktops are sure to transform your cooking: whether its cuisine on the go or part of coping with a small kitchen space, these cooktops are versatile, eco-friendly, and best of all, affordable.
