Portable cooking appliances like portable induction cooktops are becoming increasingly popular, and there’s a good reason for that. We move and travel more than any generation before. Wherever we are, modern technology allows us to live (and cook) like we’re home.
Induction cooktops are a great invention. They’re fast, reliable, and safe. The cooktop isn’t hot, so we can let the kids assist us in the kitchen. Induction stovetops heat the food faster than most professional gas units. Plus, if you prefer simmering your food, induction works perfectly.
This buying guide will give you information on some of the best induction cooktops on the market. Keep in mind that we focused on portable cooktops this time. Here are our portable induction cooktop reviews.
What’s a Portable Induction Cooktop, and Why Do You Need One?
Portable induction cooktops are compact yet powerful kitchen devices. They have all the advantages of regular induction cooktops, but come in smaller packages. You can use one in a tiny studio kitchen, in the garden, on a balcony, or just anywhere you like.
As you will see from our portable induction cooktop reviews, these devices are quite efficient yet moderately priced. You only need to make sure to use appropriate induction compatible cookware, but that’s not a problem at all – there’s plenty of induction-friendly pots and pans on the market.
The material on the bottom of the cookware is especially important, because induction cooktops use electromagnetic waves to produce a magnetic field that makes the cookware hot. Stainless steel pots are a particularly good choice. When purchasing cookware make sure to find the “induction ready” label on the package.
Now let’s find a great cooktop that suits your needs.
Best Portable Induction Cooktop Reviews
Here’s the list of the five most awesome portable induction burners on the market in 2021.
1. Duxtop Professional Portable Induction Cooktop P961LS/BT-C35-D
Verdict: Best for professional, commercial use.
The first portable induction cooktop on our list is an 1800 Watts commercial range countertop burner from Duxtop. It comes with an LCD screen and sensor touch feature. It’s a little on the pricey side, but you definitely get what you pay for.
This portable induction burner uses the standard electrical outlet for North America – 120V and 15 amp. It meets all quality standards and it is ETL listed.
Thanks to its compact design and low weight, it is easy to carry around and use whenever and wherever you need it. When not in use it can be easily stored.
The energy efficiency of an induction cooker is 83%, which means that it is way more efficient than other kinds of stoves, such as gas burners or electric stovetops. It heats the food promptly, and the whole cooking process is faster compared to cooking on electric cooktops.
This energy efficient cooktop has precise temperature control with 20 preset settings, and temperature ranges from 100°F to 460°F. In addition to temperature settings, it also allows you to choose between 20 power levels that range from 100W to 1800W.
This induction stove has a built-in sensor, touch-sensitive digital control panel, and digital display. The large LCD screen provides great readability, even from a distance.
The stove is made of stainless steel, and it is made to last for a long time. It comes with a powerful 7-blade fan and a built-in back tuyere to dissipate heat quickly.
Advanced safety features include over-heat protection and auto-pan detection. In addition to that, the cooker can detect a voltage that is too low or too high then display a diagnostic error message.
The built-in timer allows you to set a cooking time, and continue doing other things while your food is cooking. You can use the automatic digital timer to turn the cooktop on or off up to 10 hours ahead.
The ceramic glass surface is easy to clean because food never gets burned on it. The same goes for every induction cooktop – magnetic induction doesn’t heat the cooktop, so it is never hot.
Even though the cooking surface is made of glass, it is extremely robust. It can support up to 65 pounds without getting damaged.
When food gets on the surface, you can just take a damp towel and wipe the cooktop. However, before cleaning the induction hot plate, it should cool down.
The unique BOIL button activates level 10 power mode for instant heat that makes water boil fast. This mode sets the timer to 10 minutes automatically.
For best results, use only cookware with a magnetic bottom. The bottom diameter should be at least 5 inches.
If you’re not sure whether your pan or pot is induction ready, do a magnet test. Take a small kitchen magnet and place it on the bottom of your cookware. If it holds, it will work on your induction cooktop.
This Duxtop professional portable induction cooker is designed for commercial use in restaurants, catering services, and industrial kitchens. It is durable and reliable, and it will serve you for many years.
Specifications
- Brand: Duxtop
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Silver/Black
- Package Dimensions: 19.5 x 15.25 x 5.5 inches; 13.77 Pounds
- Heating Elements: 1
- Controls Type: Touch
Pros
- Sensor touch control panel with angle LCD display enables easy viewing and control.
- Professional induction cooktop, designed for commercial use.
- Integrated digital timer can be programmed up to 10 hours upfront.
- Comes with 20 power levels and 20 temperature settings.
- Compact and lightweight, easy to handle and store.
- Advanced safety features, such as auto-pan detection and over-heat protection.
- Standard power (120V 15 amps) makes it compatible for use in all North American homes.
Cons
- It’s the most expensive portable induction cooktop countertop burner on our list.
2. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Gold 8100MC/BT-180G3
Verdict: Best on budget.
The next portable induction stovetop on our list comes from the same brand. There are several Duxtop cooktops on the market currently, and this one is one of the most affordable ones – it is three times cheaper than the previous model in our portable induction cooktop review.
Like the previous model, this Duxtop induction stovetop uses a standard 120V 15 amp electrical outlet. It is also compact and lightweight, easy to use and store.
It comes with a digital control panel and a built-in count-down digital timer. The timer is programmable up to 170 minutes, with 1 minute increments. It has 10 preset power levels (200 to 1800 Watts of power) and 10 temperature levels (140°F–460°F).
To clean the stovetop of this induction burner, it is enough to wipe it with a damp cloth. That’s possible because, unlike electric stovetops, induction burners have no heating elements, so the food can’t burn on it.
Just below the cooktop surface there’s a powerful 7-blade fan that disperses heat, thus ensuring the durability of the cooker.
If you remove a pan or pot from the cooktop, but forget to turn it off, it will shut down automatically in a minute, thanks to the auto-pan detection feature. If you forget to put the pan on, the same thing will happen.
Another safety feature is the diagnostic error message system and a system that detects too low and too high voltage. The product is ETL approved.
Just like any other induction cooktop, this stove also requires specific induction-ready cookware. It has to have a magnetic (metal) bottom – preferably stainless steel and cast iron. The same goes for all induction cookers. A magnet rouses the molecules in the cookware, which becomes the cooking surface itself. Also, the diameter of your cookware should be at least 5 inches.
The manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty and customer service.
Specifications
- Color: Gold
- Product Dimensions: 13 x 11.5 x 2.5 inches
- Item Weight: 6.45 pounds
- Manufacturer: Secura
- ASIN: B0045QEPYM
- Item model number BT-180G3
Pros
- The cooktop has easy controls.
- It’s compact and lightweight.
- It has 10 power levels and 10 temperature levels.
- It comes with an integrated digital timer.
- Power, temperature, and timer are fully adjustable.
- Control panel is intuitive.
- The LED display is easy to read.
- Heats rapidly.
- High and low voltage warning system.
- Great value for the price.
Cons
- It’s not as large and robust like the previous model – but it’s three times cheaper.
3. Rosewill 1800 Watt Induction Cooker Cooktop RHAI-16001
Another budget-friendly induction cooker on our list is Rosewill RHAI-16001. It’s an 1800 Watt cooktop with a high-quality 10 inch stainless steel pot included in the package.
The cooktop surface is made of first-class polished crystal with a stylish pattern design. The large 4-digit LED display on the touch-sensitive control panel enables easy controls. The digital timer allows time settings up to three hours ahead.
This Rosewill portable induction burner has 8 power levels (300 to 1800 watts) and the same number of temperature levels (from 150° to 450°F) for versatile cooking. On this cooktop, you can cook, deep fry, roast, braise, or boil your food.
Special features include overheating protection and cookware suitability detection. Magnetic detection refers to the magnetic strip that’s included in the package. If it sticks to the bottom of a pan or pot, it means that your cookware is induction compatible.
Specifications
- Brand: Rosewill
- Material: Stainless steel
- Heating Elements: 1
- Controls Type: Touch
- Product Dimensions: 13.58 x 10.63 x 2.4 inches
- Item Weight: 8.5 pounds
- Country of Origin: China
Pros
- Large LED display for easy controls.
- It’s compact, lightweight, thin and stylish.
- It has 8 power levels and 8 temperature levels.
- It comes with an integrated digital timer.
- Power, temperature, and timer are fully adjustable.
- Heats rapidly.
- Energy efficient.
- Includes a stainless steel pot and magnetic strip.
- Great value for the price.
Cons
- None – it wouldn’t be realistic to expect more from a $55 cooker.
4. Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop, Countertop Burner Induction Hot Plate with LCD Sensor Touch 1800 Watts, Silver 9600LS/BT-200DZ
Verdict: The winner.
The next on our list of quality portable induction cooktops is another Duxtop countertop induction hot plate, and it’s the best portable cooktop we’ve ever reviewed. This one has a touch-sensitive sensor and a power of 1800 watts. It’s highly energy efficient (83%), ETL certified, and safe.
The induction burner’s design is compact and lightweight so that it fits every kitchen, and fits just about any place where you have electricity or may want to cook. Yes, that includes dorms or studio kitchens, backyards, balconies, and even boats.
With 20 power levels to choose from (100W to 1800W), you can start cooking your favorite dish with one click. At high temperatures, it makes water boil faster than any other type of stove. At lower temperatures you can use it to gently simmer your food.
The touch control panel has additional features, such as child safety lock, digital sensor, a 10-hour programmable timer button, a fast boil button, and a keep warm button. The child safety lock prevents kids from accidentally changing your timer or cooking settings.
This Duxtop induction stove can only work with proper magnetic bottom cookware. If you put the wrong kind of cookware on it, the auto-pan detection will turn the unit off. You need metal cookware that reacts to electromagnetic waves, and it also has to have at least a 5 inch diameter.
The manufacturer warns its customers that using this induction plate may create high pitched noise. That can happen on any induction cooking surface. Induction doesn’t produce any noise, but those layers of metals can make low irritating sounds.
The visual angle of the control panel allows you to see what’s written on it without getting near to the cooktop every time. The touch panel is highly sensitive. Slightly touching it is enough to adjust power, temperature, the timer, or the child lock.
The high-precision automatic timer allows you to preset cooking times for up to 10 hours ahead. You won’t need to stay near the cooker for your food to cook properly.
Experienced chefs can use this cooktop in all kinds of ways, and beginners can take advantage of preset shortcuts. For example, if you’re not sure which temperature and time to set to boil some water, you can just put a pan containing water on it and click “boil”.
This portable induction cooktop is covered with a non-stick glass layer that’s easy to clean. The product is small enough to be taken and used anywhere. At the same time, it’s powerful and versatile enough for the preparation of anyone’s favorite meals.
Multiple advanced safety protection features include safety cut-out, automatic shut-off, overheat protection, and child lock.
Specifications
- Brand: Duxtop
- Material: Glass panel
- Color: Silver
- Controls Type: Touch
- Product Dimensions: 14 x 11.4 x 2.5 inches
- Item Weight: 6.84 pounds
- Manufacturer: Duxtop
- Country of Origin: China
- Item model number: BT-200DZ
Pros
- Sensor touch control panel and LCD display for easy control and viewing.
- Built-in count-down digital timer programmable up to 10 hours.
- 20 power levels, from 100 to 1800 Watts; 20 temperature settings, from 100℉ to 460℉.
- Lightweight and compact for easy handling and storage.
- Safety features include auto-pan detection, over-heat protection with a diagnostic error message system. and both a low and high voltage warning system.
Cons
- None
5. iSiLER 1800W Sensor Touch Electric Induction Cooker Cooktop
The last item on our portable induction cooker list is the iSiLER portable induction cooktop with standard features such as sensor touch, kids safety lock, digital timer, and lots of different power and temperature settings
The usual 1800 Watts of power are enough for all your cooking endeavours – from steaming, searing and simmering to boiling or deep frying. Just pick one of the 18 power levels by pressing the appropriate button up to 18 times (in 100W or 300W increments).
Similarly, you can choose from 17 temperature levels, where the lowest level 140°F (60°C) enables you to reheat your food without boiling or burning it. The highest available temperature is 460°F (238°C), which is more than enough regardless of your cooking style. The temperature can be adjusted in 20°F or 60°F (long press) increments.
Small and thick enough to be placed anywhere, this cooktop’s heated area is still large enough to allow you to cook sufficient quantities of the food of your choice. You can use cookware with a diameter 3.9-8.6in (10-22cm).
The built-in timer supports time settings in 1-minute and 10-minute (long press) increments. Safety features include rounded edges, shield lock, and overheating protection.
The surface is covered with premium durable glass that is resistant to scratches and other usual traces of prolonged use. It is also easy to clean with a damp cloth.
Specifications
- Voltage: 120V
- Frequency: 50/60Hz
- Power range: 100-1800W
- Temperature range: 140-460°F
- Power cable length: 3.9ft
- Weight: 5.73 lbs
- Brand: ISILER
- Material: Glass
- Color: Black
- Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 2.2 x 14.2 inches; 6.83 Pounds
- Heating Elements: 1
- Burner type: Radiant
- Controls Type: Touch
Pros
- The stove has large user-friendly touch buttons
- 18 power and 17 temperature levels – all easily adjustable.
- It has an integrated digital timer.
- Advanced safety protection functions like overheating protection and child lock.
- Easy cleaning and maintenance.
- Quiet 6-blade fan dissipates extra heat.
- The package includes a magnet stick that serves as an induction tester.
Cons
- None
Top 5 Portable Induction Cooktop Reviews: Buying Guide
Before you go ahead and buy a new fancy induction cooktop, you should be aware of the real differences among these products. These differences include:
Heating Options
Various induction burners come with different heat settings and power level settings. These are important because you will want to use your cooktop for both boiling and simmering. Power settings are particularly important when you have to make sure to maintain a high temperature for frying food.
Safety Features
A cookware-detection feature is extremely useful when you happen to place a non-compatible cookware on the cooktop, but it should give you enough time to occasionally lift the pan without turning the stove off. Lock buttons are handy for parents of young children who love to play with kitchen appliances.
Stability
Stability on the kitchen countertop is important. That’s particularly tricky for portable models, which are not weighty enough to be stable just because of their weight. That’s why you need to have a close look at the bottom of the stove. If it has rubber feet it should be stable.
Easy to Clean
Induction burners are easier to clean, compared to electric stovetops. That’s because they are smooth, and because induction technology doesn’t allow food to get burned.
Final Word
Now you should have a basic idea about what kinds of portable induction stove tops are available and which features you should look for. We hope this guide has been helpful. If you’re interested in reading more articles similar to our portable induction cooktop reviews, please check out our other reviews, buying guides, and informational articles.
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