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Best Cooktops

Best Overall
Bosch 800 Series 30”
4.5/5
Best Gas Cooktop
KitchenAid® 36''
4.5/5
Best Electric Cooktop
Frigidaire Gallery 30''
4/5

the best cooktops

The best cooktops are distinguished by performance characteristics such as efficiency, size, and ease of use. A cooktop’s core function is to heat up cookware to prepare food and boil water. The best cooktop is one that heats up quickly and is energy-efficient. Some of the most common usage cases of cooktops include applying heat to the bottom of the cookware. 

One way to choose is by going with the best-rated cooktop. Cooktop reviews and ratings are a good indicator of what you can expect when you buy it. The best cooktop maker brand names include Bosch, GE, Miele, Samsung, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, and Jenn-Air. 

Our Top Cooktop Picks

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These are the best cooktops on the market at the moment:

1. Bosch 800 Series 30” Stainless Steel 5 Burner Gas Cooktop

Features

Up to 19000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat can be produced by the cooktop, making it powerful enough to meet all home cooking needs. The unit’s stainless steel coloring and finish make it a sleek addition to the kitchen. 

The Bosch 800 Series 30” Stainless Steel 5 Burner Gas Cooktop evenly distributes flames for a consistent heating effect. The automatic electric ignition allows for the seamless operation of this cooktop unit. The largest burner is in the center of the unit and is perfect for heating large pots and pans. 

Up to 19000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat can be produced by the cooktop, making it powerful enough to meet all home cooking needs. The unit’s stainless steel coloring and finish make it a sleek addition to the kitchen. 

The Bosch 800 Series 30” Stainless Steel 5 Burner Gas Cooktop and the KitchenAid® 36” gas cooktops both offer excellent performance and a sleek stainless steel design, with the KitchenAid® model being slightly larger.

Pros
Cons

2. KitchenAid® 36'' Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop

Features

The cooktop is well protected from spill damage as it is constructed with a CookShield finish. This finish is permanent and allows the unit to be cleaned without harmful chemicals, thus resulting in a cooktop that is safe and easy to keep clean.

This is a powerful cooktop we tested that can produce up to 20000 BTUs. The cooktop also allows the user significant control at low temperatures, as the unit is equipped with a 6000 BTU even-heat simmer burner. The simmer burner has a diffuser plate that allows for precise heat control at simmering temperatures.  

The cooktop is well protected from spill damage as it is constructed with a CookShield finish. This finish is permanent and allows the unit to be cleaned without harmful chemicals, thus resulting in a cooktop that is safe and easy to keep clean. It also has durable full-width cast-iron grates that help to keep cookware stable when placed on the cooktop and reduce the impact of spill damage while cooking.  

Comparing the KitchenAid® 36” Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop and the Frigidaire Gallery electric cooktop, both offer similar features, with the KitchenAid® model offering more burners and Frigidaire Gallery offering an easy-to-clean ceramic glass surface.

Pros
Cons

3. Frigidaire Gallery 30'' Electric Cooktop

Features

The cooktop we tried out is spacious, with five elements allowing for large quantities of food to be prepared/heated at any given time.

The Frigidaire Gallery 30” Electric Cooktop is efficient and powerful, equipped with a 3200W heating element that can bring water up to a boil in three minutes. The cooktop is spacious, with five elements allowing for large quantities of food to be prepared/heated at any given time. The SpaceWise feature allows users to adjust the area being heated in each element, which leads to flexibility and precision when cooking. 

Ease-of-use in this cooktop is aided by the Express-Select controls feature, which lets users seamlessly bring water from a warm to boiling temperature. The unit also comes with the Frigidaire Fit Promise, which ensures that the countertop will fit any countertop cutout of the same configurations or Frigidaire will provide reimbursements for cabinet modifications. 

The Frigidaire Gallery 30” Electric Cooktop and the Profile electric induction cooktop both provide a range of temperature control options, with the GE model offering advanced features such as pan detection and automatic shutoff.

Pros
Cons

4. GE Profile 36” Electric Induction Cooktop

Features

The GE Profile 36” Electric Induction Cooktop is one of the most technologically sophisticated cooktops we evaluated available on the market. It is powerful, with a 3700W Power Boil induction element.

The GE Profile 36” Electric Induction Cooktop is one of the most technologically sophisticated cooktops available on the market. It is powerful, with a 3700W Power Boil induction element. The digital controls on the unit make it easy to achieve consistent, accurate temperatures. The heating elements detect the size of cookware placed upon them and subsequently adjust their heating area to the size of the user’s cookware for even and efficient use. 

Safety is another key feature of this cooktop, as users can enable the control lock capability to prevent unintended activation. This feature is very helpful for users with young children. The smart burners on the unit also turn off when cookware is removed, so the elements will not stay hot when not in use. 

The GE Profile 36” Electric Induction Cooktop and the Frigidaire FFGC3026SW 30″ gas cooktop offer different types of cooking experiences, with the induction cooktop providing precise and efficient heating and the gas cooktop offering traditional heating with easy-to-control burners.

Pros
Cons

5. Frigidaire FFGC3026SW 30" ADA Compliant Gas Cooktop

Features

This cooktop we tried out is versatile and can be used for achieving an even simmer when cooking as it has a designated low simmer burner. The unit also comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

The Frigidaire FFGC3026SW 30″ ADA-Compliant Gas Cooktop is equipped with sealed burners so that less food spillage can get caught in the burner area. It also has continuous cast-iron grates, providing users with increased protection against food spills and a reduced risk of damage to their cookware.  

This cooktop is versatile and can be used for achieving an even simmer when cooking as it has a designated low simmer burner. The unit also comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Compared to another model we evaluated, the Frigidaire FFGC3026SW 30″ ADA Compliant Gas Cooktop and the Bosch 800 Series 30” gas cooktop both offer excellent performance, with the Bosch model featuring more burners and a sleeker stainless steel design.

Pros
Cons

6. Whirlpool 30-inch Electric Ceramic Glass Cooktop with Dual Radiant Element

Features

The smooth cooktop we tested is made of tempered ceramic glass, which allows users to maintain a modern look in their kitchen. Users have flexibility in installation, as the cooktop is compatible with a 30 or 40-amp hookup. 

This cooktop has versatile use cases as it contains two 6” heating elements, one 8” element, and an expandable 10” outer-ring element. The smooth cooktop is made of tempered ceramic glass, which allows users to maintain a modern look in their kitchen. Users have flexibility in installation, as the cooktop is compatible with a 30 or 40-amp hookup. 

Safety is another key feature of this cooktop, as it has a hot surface indicator light that glows as long as the surface is hot. The cooktop is easy to clean as it only needs to be wiped down to remove food spills and grease. 

Pros
Cons

7. KitchenAid 30” Gas Downdraft Cooktop in Stainless Steel with 4 Burners

Features

The cooktop is powerful with heating capabilities of up to 17000 BTU and can also maintain a precise simmer on the designated 5000 BTU even-heat simmer burner.

The KitchenAid 30” Gas Downdraft Cooktop we tried out allows users the convenience of a built-in ventilation system in their cooktop. The cooktop is powerful with heating capabilities of up to 17000 BTU and can also maintain a precise simmer on the designated 5000 BTU even-heat simmer burner. The downdraft ventilation system works at an exhaust rate of 300 CFM (cubic feet per minute) which ensures that this cooktop can handle the user’s ventilation needs. 

There are three-speed controls on the fan, which allows for efficient odor and steam reduction. Furthermore, the unit has full-width cast-iron grates, which offer stability for any cookware placed on the cooktop and also add protection against food from spilling into the burner areas. 

Pros
Cons

8. Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop

Features

This cooktop is both fast and energy efficient, using 70% less energy than conventional cooktops. After our evaluation, it also offers flexibility, with eight heat settings on the left burner and five heat settings on the right burner.

This cooktop is both fast and energy efficient, using 70% less energy than conventional cooktops. It also offers flexibility, with eight heat settings on the left burner and five heat settings on the right burner. Cuisinart guarantees no hot spots with this induction cooktop, meaning that the cooktop heats evenly. 

The LED displays on the unit make heating to precise levels easy and effortless. Each burner is equipped with a timer that can run for up to 150 minutes. The cooktop also has an auto shut-off feature that turns the heat off 30 seconds after a pan is removed from one of the elements. 

Pros
Cons

9. Wolf 36” Contemporary Induction Cooktop (CI365C/B)

Features

The Wolf 36” Contemporary Induction Cooktop we tried out is sleek and effective. Induction technology allows it to distribute heat 40% faster than gas or electric cooktops. There are true simmer and melt settings that give the user the ability to precisely control temperature. The unit also has a black ceramic glass surface that is easy to clean. 

The controls are touch controls which remove the hassle of food getting trapped under knobs. The touch controls are illuminated, making the whole unit easier to use and providing it with a sleek look. 

Pros
Cons

10. Samsung 36" Smart Gas Cooktop with 22K BTU Dual Power Burner

Features

This cooktop is powerful as it is equipped with a 22K BTU Dual Power Burner in black stainless steel. It is also a superior choice for cooktop users who value safety, as the cooktop has Wi-Fi connectivity allowing users to monitor whether or not any of the burners are on.

This cooktop we tested is powerful as it is equipped with a 22K BTU Dual Power Burner in black stainless steel. It is also a superior choice for cooktop users who value safety, as the cooktop has Wi-Fi connectivity allowing users to monitor whether or not any of the burners are on. It has illuminated blue knobs that also indicate whether a given burner is on, reducing the risk of accidentally running burners on the cooktop. 

Cleanliness is another standout feature of this cooktop as it has full-width grates to protect the body of the cooktop from food spills and the surface is fingerprint resistant. There is also a removable griddle that is optimal for cooking eggs, sauteing vegetables, and griddling sandwiches. 

Pros
Cons

11. Summit 12" Wide 115V 2-Burner Radiant Cooktop

Features

The Summit 12” Wide 115V 2-Burner Radiant Cooktop is a powerful but compact electric cooktop with a ceramic glass finish. It has digital touch controls which make operation easy and intuitive.

The Summit 12” Wide 115V 2-Burner Radiant Cooktop is a powerful but compact electric cooktop with a ceramic glass finish. It has digital touch controls which make operation easy and intuitive. There is also a timer that can run up to 99 minutes, allowing users to heat foods for extended periods of time without interruption. 

Key safety features of this cooktop based on our evaluation include automatic shut-off, a safety cut-off function that turns off the cooktop if no heat level is selected within one minute after the unit is powered on, and a child lock to prevent unsupervised use. 

 

Pros
Cons

best cooktops in market

Types of Cooktops

There are at least 11 types of cooktops on the market. Their features characterize these. 

  1. Electric Cooktop: These cooktops conduct heat through electricity. Heat passes through metal coils that sit below the ceramic-glass surface of the cooktop. 
  2. Kitchen Cooktop: A cooktop that is placed in a cutout of a surface within a kitchen. 
  3. Stainless Steel Cooktop: A cooktop that has a body made of stainless steel. 
  4. Downdraft Cooktop: A cooktop that has a vent to remove steam, odors, and smoke from the area surrounding the cooktop. Downdraft vents usually work as an alternative for hood vents.
  5. Gas Cooktop: This cooktop uses combustible gas that gets ignited by a pilot light to maintain a flame at each burner. Learn more about the best pots and pans for a gas stove so you can get the most out of yours.
  6. Induction Cooktop: A cooktop that generates electromagnetic currents to heat cookware directly, as opposed to heating a burner to then heat a vessel. 
  7. Ceramic Cooktop: A cooktop with a surface made of tempered ceramic glass. 
  8. Island Cooktop: This cooktop is placed in a cutout of a kitchen’s island. 
  9. Modern Press Cooktop: A cooktop that has a modern look due to its flat style. 
  10. Hood Cooktop: A cooktop with a hood above the unit to allow ventilation of odors, steam, and smoke. 
  11. Filter Cooktop: A cooktop with a filter for odors and smoke. 
  12. Countertop Cooktop: A cooktop that is placed on top of a countertop. These types of cooktops are often portable. 
  13. Two-burner Cooktop: This type of cooktop has only two burners so they are smaller than conventional, larger four and five burner cooktops. 
  14. Griddle Cooktop: A type of cooktop that comes with a griddle pan fitted to a portion of the cooktop. 

It is worth noting that cooktops are not confined to one type. They can have a number of these features. 

How to Choose the Best Cooktops

Keep the following in mind when you’re considering buying one of the best cooktops on the market:

Size

As cooktops come in a variety of sizes, be careful to pick one that both fits your kitchen’s dimensions and your cooking requirements.

Number of Burners

Determine how many burners you’ll need based on how many people you’ll be feeding and the types of meals you’ll be preparing.

Features

To make cooking safer and more convenient, look for features like automatic shut-off, child lock, and timer.

Style and Design

Choose a stove that complements your kitchen’s decor and personal taste.

Cost

As cooktops come in a variety of price ranges, take your financial situation into account and select the model that provides the greatest value for your money.

Brand and Reliability

Assess the brand’s reputation and study reviews to be sure the cooktop you select is dependable and long-lasting.

Cooktop Size Number of Burners Features Style and Design Cost Brand and Reliability
Bosch 800 Series 30” Stainless Steel 5 Burner Gas Cooktop 5/5 5/5 4/5 5/5 3/5 5/5
KitchenAid® 36” Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop 5/5 5/5 4/5 5/5 3/5 5/5
Frigidaire Gallery 30” Electric Cooktop 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5 5/5 4/5
GE Profile 36” Electric Induction Cooktop 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5 3/5 5/5
Frigidaire FFGC3026SW 30″ ADA Compliant Gas Cooktop 4/5 4/5 3/5 3/5 5/5 4/5
Whirlpool 30-inch Electric Ceramic Glass Cooktop 4/5 2/5 3/5 3/5 4/5 4/5
KitchenAid 30” Gas Downdraft Cooktop in Stainless Steel 4/5 4/5 4/5 5/5 3/5 5/5
Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop 3/5 2/5 4/5 3/5 4/5 4/5
Wolf 36” Contemporary Induction Cooktop (CI365C/B) 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 2/5 5/5
Samsung 36″ Smart Gas Cooktop with 22K BTU Dual Power Burner 5/5 5/5 4/5 5/5 3/5 4/5
Summit 12″ Wide 115V 2-Burner Radiant Cooktop 2/5 2/5 2/5 2/5 3/5 3/5

 

cooktops

FAQs on the Best Cooktops

The best electric cooktops include the Frigidaire Gallery 30” Electric Cooktop and the Summit 12″ Wide 115V 2-Burner Radiant Cooktop. They have adjustable heating elements that allow different sizes of pans to be heated evenly and effectively.

The Whirlpool 30-inch Electric Ceramic Glass Cooktop is one of the best kitchen cooktops on the market. It boasts a sleek ceramic finish that offers users the best-looking cooktop for their kitchen.

The Bosch 800 Series 30” Stainless Steel 5 Burner Gas Cooktop is one of the best stainless steel cooktops on the market. The stainless steel design makes this cooktop durable and the inclusion of five burners gives users plenty of space to accommodate five medium to large pieces of cookware.

The KitchenAid 30” Gas Downdraft Cooktop is one of the best downdraft cooktops on the market. It has a 300 CFM downdraft ventilation system and an adjustable fan with 3 settings making it both efficient and capable of removing odors, steam, and smoke from the cooktop area.

The best gas cooktops include the Bosch 800 Series 30” Stainless Steel 5 Burner Gas Cooktop and the KitchenAid® 36” Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop. These are both very powerful cooktops, producing up to 19000 and 20000 BTUs respectively.

The ​​best induction cooktops include the GE Profile 36” Electric Induction Cooktop and the Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop. They are both fast and energy efficient and the ICT-60 uses 70% less energy than conventional cooktops.

The best ceramic cooktops include the Whirlpool 30-inch Electric Ceramic Glass Cooktop and the Wolf 36” Contemporary Induction Cooktop (CI365C/B). The ceramic glass surface of both of these cooktops makes them easier to clean than their non-ceramic counterparts.

The Summit 4-burner island gas-on-glass cooktop with sealed burners & cast iron grates is one of the best island cooktops. It has four burners that are sealed which makes clean-up easy.

The Wolf 36” Contemporary Induction Cooktop (CI365C/B) is one of the best modern press cooktops on the market. It has digital touch controls making the unit modern, flat, and easy to clean.

The Empava 2 Piece Kitchen Package with 36″ Induction Cooktop & 36″ Ducted Island Range Hood is one of the best hood and cooktop combo packages available. The hood has 400 CFM airflow, making it capable of quickly eliminating odors, smoke, and steam.

The KitchenAid 30” Gas Downdraft Cooktop is one of the best filter cooktops on the market. It is effective at filtering out particles in the air during and after the cooking process.

The best countertop cooktop is the Duxton LCD 1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner 9600LS. It can bring water to a boil very quickly and has a fan that is quieter than other induction burners.

The best two-burner cooktops include the Summit 12″ Wide 115V 2-Burner Radiant Cooktop and the Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop. Both cooktops have timers that allow the cooktops to run uninterrupted for 99 minutes and 150 minutes respectively.

The best griddle cooktop is the Samsung 36″ Smart Gas Cooktop with a 22K BTU Dual Power Burner. It has a removable griddle that is ideal for cooking eggs, sauteing vegetables, and pressing paninis.

The functionality that you should expect from a cooktop includes consistent and even heating, the ability to boil water quickly, and controls that are easy to use and clearly show the heat level.  Even heating will make the cooking process easier and ultimately increase the quality of the finished product.

The best cooktops come in a price range of $600-$2500. Gas cooktops tend to be more expensive than electric cooktops. Cooktops with four or five burners are more expensive than cooktops with only one or two burners. Some cooktops have Wi-Fi functionality and those are more expensive than similar cooktops that do not have Wi-Fi.  Cooktops made of more sturdy, durable materials such as stainless steel are also more expensive than the ones made of glass-ceramic blends.

The main difference between a cooktop and a range top is that cooktops are placed in a cutout on a countertop whereas range tops are built into counters. This means that range tops have more space for placing cookware, as the knobs are usually placed at the front of the unit, unlike cooktops where they are located on top of the unit. Rangetops are also usually gas-powered whereas cooktops can be gas, electric, or induction.

Gas cooktops are considered to be superior due to their higher BTU output and the ease with which their users can control heat levels. They are also usually made of stainless steel so they scratch less easily than electric and induction cooktops with glass-ceramic surfaces. However, they are not as energy efficient as other types of cooktops like induction cooktops. Induction is the most energy-efficient type of cooktop.

The common mistakes you can make when using a cooktop include completely trusting the heat setting recommended in a certain recipe. You will often find that different cooktops generate different levels of heat and it is important for users to get adjusted to the heat settings of their own cooktops.

Other common mistakes include not familiarising yourself with the controls before you require them. Some cooktops have a higher learning curve than others. Not knowing how to work it will often result in mistakes in the cooking process. It gets easier as you learn how to use cooktops.

Cooktops will have a varied range of reviews from excited and disgruntled customers alike. Complaints and praise are often tied to the core features of each type of cooktop.

The most common praise that electric cooktops will receive is how easy they are to clean. One of the most common complaints is how easy it is to damage the glass-ceramic surface with which they are often constructed.

The most common praise that kitchen cooktops receive is how well they fit into the design of a modern home kitchen. The most common complaints include cooktops not fitting well into kitchen countertops.

The most common praise for stainless steel cooktops is their durability as they do not scratch easily. The most common criticism comes from users who find that these cooktops will leave fingerprint marks.

The most common praise for downdraft cooktops is that they eliminate the need for hood vents. Some users complain that these vents are not powerful enough to completely remove odors, steam, and smoke generated in the cooking process.  Gas cooktops are usually praised for giving the user the option to generate more BTUs in the cooking process. Other users complain about the air pollution in their kitchens that gas cooktops may generate.

Induction cooktops are commonly praised for being the quickest at heating up cookware. Users can bring water to a boil in just four minutes. Other users commonly complain about not being able to control the heat level as easily as with a gas cooktop.

Ceramic cooktops are lauded for being easy to clean. They are also criticized for scratching easily. Island cooktops are commonly praised for how they complete the look of a kitchen. They are often criticized for taking up counter space.

Modern press cooktops are usually praised for their modern design. They are, however, criticized for being expensive compared to other types of cooktops.  Filter cooktops are commonly praised for removing harmful particles from the cooking area. They are often criticized for being loud.

The most common praise for countertop cooktops is that they are portable and can be used in different locations. The most common criticism comes from users who find that they lack the power needed for all their cooking needs.

The most common praise for two-burner cooktops is that they are compact and meet the needs of users with small kitchens. The most common criticism comes from users who find that these cooktops contain fewer features than larger cooktops.

The most common praise for griddle cooktops is that they increase the versatility of the cooktop. The most common criticism comes from users who find that the removable griddle may be difficult to clean.

The Best Cooktops

From induction to gas and electric, this article covers a range of top-performing cooktops with various features and functionalities, catering to different cooking needs and preferences. Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, our recommendations are sure to help you find the best cooktop for your culinary adventures.

 

Why Trust Kitchen Infinity?

Our writers and reviewers thoroughly research every aspect of kitchen appliances or home improvement products so you can make a well-informed decision when investing in these products. We evaluate top quality products from several brands within budget friendly price ranges and contrast consumer reviews, surveys, satisfaction forms, brand performance, and annual appliance rankings. We go to great lengths to ensure that your next buy is worth every penny!

Dino Paccino

Dino Paccino

Dino is a lifelong writer and home improvement specialist. He enjoys bringing cutting-edge information on home renovation and remodeling to Kitchen Infinity.

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