The 4 Best Portable Induction Cooktops, According to Testing
We tested 11 models side-by-side in our Lab to find our top picks.
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Portable induction cooktops are compact in design, but offer similar performance to their induction range and built-in cooktop counterparts. They offer speed, precision and safety features like heating only induction-safe cookware. And they're ideal for small spaces, camping, as an extra burner during gatherings (hello hot pot or fondue party!) or if you're a culinary hobbyist who needs consistent temperatures for cheese, candy or chocolate making. Most portable induction cooktops cost less than $200, are relatively lightweight (around six pounds) and can boast as much as 1,800 watts of power — making them a useful piece of kitchen equipment to have on hand for whatever culinary challenges are thrown your way.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we’ve put nearly 100 ranges and cooktops to the test over the past 20 years. And in the last couple months we put 11 portable induction cooktops to the test. We check how quickly they can boil water, maintain consistent temperatures and evenly distribute heat; we also evaluate how easy they are to use and clean. Read on to learn more about our top-tested picks.
Pros
- Good value
- Ability to control cooktop by temperature or wattage
- Built-in timer
Cons
- Not ideal for boiling large quantities of water
Dimensions: 12.7" x 16.3" x 3.8" | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Wattage: 1,800 | Max cookware diameter: 12 inches | Min cookware diameter: 5 inches | Settings: 200–1,800 watts or 140–460°F
This portable induction cooktop from Duxtop is reasonably priced and easy to operate. This beloved 1,800 watt induction burner has thousands of rave reviews on Amazon and provides 15 temperature settings ranging from 140°F to 460°F or you can control it by wattage: 200–1,800 watts. It also has a timer for keeping track of your cook time.
In our Lab tests, it received high scores in ease-of-use and great scores in temperature consistency and heat distribution. When we boiled six quarts of water it took 38 minutes to get the water to 210°F, but unfortunately, it wasn't able to reach 212°F. This is comparable to other portable models we tested, but slower than built-in induction cooktops and ranges that can boil water to 212°F in under 20 minutes. Because of this we wouldn't recommend this cooktop for boiling large quantities of water. During our tests, we did notice that this model is loud during operation, but not more so than other portable cooktops we tested.
Duxtop also makes other more expensive portable induction cooktops, but we found this one still stood out for it's great price, ease of use and performance.
Pros
- Navigating cooktop is a breeze
- Consistent simmering results
- Easy to clean surface
Cons
- User manual isn't as helpful as competitors'
Dimensions: 11.02" x 14.17" x 2.52" | Weight: 7 pounds | Wattage: 1,800 | Max cookware diameter: 10 inches | Min cookware diameter: 4 inches | Settings: 1–10 or 180–450°F
At under $70 this portable induction cooktop from Hamilton Beach is a great option for those interested in trying out a portable cooktop without breaking the bank. Besides being a great price, this cooktop had a score that was right under Duxtop and Breville in performance and ease of use. You can control the cooktop by either power or temperature and it also features a timer.
In our Lab tests, we found it very easy to navigate and control the cooktop. Water in a saucepan was able to remain at a consistent simmer for an hour, but we did find that this cooktop couldn't bring a pot of water to 212°F as it stopped at 209°F after 39 minutes, quite similar to the Duxtop cooktop. We also loved how sleek this cooktop was, you can simply wipe it down with a wet cloth and there are no crevices to worry about cleaning inside. Keep in mind that we found the owner's manual to not be as helpful as competitors'.
Pros
- Dual sensor technology
- Received high marks in consistency
- Boiled a large pot of water better than all other models
Cons
- High price point
Dimensions: 12" x 17" x 4" | Weight: 15 pounds | Wattage: 1,800 | Max cookware Diameter: 12 inches | Min pan diameter: Not specified | Settings: 77–482°F
The Control Freak from Breville is an induction cooktop with all the bells and whistles. Unlike other models that offer about 15 different temperature increments, you can control this cooktop in 1°F increments, from 77º to 482º, making it especially ideal for delicate cooking tasks. It can also operate at lower and higher temps than all other models we tested. According to Breville it boasts dual sensor technology that monitors the temperature of the pan and the contents inside for consistent results.
In our Lab tests, this portable induction cooktop received high marks for consistency. It was able to keep water simmering at the same temperature (only deviating by two degrees) for one hour. And when set to the dark chocolate melting setting, it was able to gently melt 12 ounces of chocolate chips perfect for dipping strawberries into. It also was one of the only cooktops that could reach 212°F and did so in 32 minutes at the cooktop's boil setting. Take note that the price of this cooktop is much higher than all other models we tested; it's truly an investment.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Included temperature probe
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Lower wattage
Dimensions: 12.5" x 14.5" x 3" | Weight: 4 pounds | Wattage: 1,500 | Max cookware diameter: 10 inches | Min pan diameter: 4 inches | Settings: 1–10 or 140–465°F
Salton's Induction Cooktop with Temperature Probe is lightweight but wider than other models we tested. This sleek and easy-to-clean model features a temperature probe for precise temperature control; you can control it by power level or temperature. It also features a three-hour timer for long culinary projects. And let us not forget the included five-year warranty.
While this cooktop might have a lower maximum wattage than others on this list, we found it to provide the most even heat distribution out of any of the other cooktops we tested. Because of the lower wattage, the large pot of water was only able to reach 200°F after an hour.
Other portable induction cooktops we tested
- GreenPan Portable Induction Cooktop: This cooktop held a very consistent simmer and was easy to operate, but performed poorly at heat distribution.
- Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop: Cuisinart's double cooktop had good heat distribution and was easy to navigate, but it couldn't keep a consistent simmer.
- Tramontina Guru Induction Cooktop: The Guru received mid to low scores across the board in performance and ease of use.
- Waring Single Induction Cooktop: Very easy to use and navigate, but other cooktops performed better.
- Hestan Portable Induction Cooktop: The round cooktop is easy-to-use, but received lower scores across the board compared to competitors.
- Salton Portable Induction Cooktop: Easy to navigate and clean cooktop, but not as high performing as other models.
- Ikea Tillreda Portable Induction Cooktop: Highly affordable and sleek cooktop, but not comparable to top-tested models in performance and ease of use.
How we test the best portable induction cooktops
The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has tested almost 100 ranges and cooktops in the last two decades, including many induction models. In the last month alone we tested 11 new portable induction cooktops.
When we put portable induction cooktops to the test, we tested burners to see how quickly six quarts of water reached a boil (as shown here) and if a small saucepan maintained a steady simmer.
We tested for heat distribution by cooking flour in a skillet to see how evenly it browned (as shown here). We also gently melted 12 ounces of chocolate chips in a saucepan at the cooktop's suggested setting or the burner's lowest setting to see if it would seize or maintain consistent results (as shown below).
We also noted the ease of use of the controls, knobs, buttons and more. Using a thermal gun, we took the temperature of high touch points, like knobs and buttons of the control panel, which should be cool to touch on a portable induction cooktop.
What to look for when buying a portable induction cooktop
✔️ Size of cooktop: Most cooktops tend to be similar in size, unless they're a double cooktop unit. They don't usually take up too much space; but if you have smaller countertops, it's best to measure before you buy.
✔️ Weight: While most portable cooktops tend to be lightweight, around six pounds, if you intend on moving it around in your home then you should keep an eye on the weight while shopping.
✔️ Wattage: Most portable induction cooktops go up to 1,800 watts. High wattage becomes most important when trying to boil large quantities of water quickly. If this isn't as important to you, then a lower wattage portable induction cooktop will still be able to keep consistent temperatures.
✔️ Settings: Many of the portable induction cooktops we tested have the option to either adjust it by wattage or temperature. If you want to be able to keep your cooktop at a specific temperature for delicately melting chocolate or ensuring that milk is heated to the exact temperature required for specific stages of cheese production, then ensure that your cooktop can be adjusted by temperature.
✔️ Size and versatility of burner: All induction cooktop burners have a maximum and minimum cookware capacity. Portable induction cooktops tend to be able to hold between 4- and 12-inch pans. Look for a cooktop that fits a variety of your pans' diameters, so you can have extra versatility.
✔️ Special features: Some portable induction cooktops come with cool extras, like timers, smart connectivity, presets or temperature probes. While these features can be handy, make sure to prioritize strong performance and a design that fits your budget and culinary needs.
Portable induction cooktops vs. induction cooktops
Portable induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to heat up the magnetic iron in your cookware directly, which is exactly the same as built-in induction cooktops or ranges. Besides the obvious of one being portable and the other installed by a professional, there are a few other differences.
Portable induction cooktops usually house only one burner, or sometimes two, as opposed to a four burner built-in cooktop. Another big difference is that portable induction cooktops have up to 1,800 watts, while many built-in induction cooktops can get up to 3,600 watts in power. We've noticed that while an induction cooktop can boil six quarts of water in under 20 minutes, a portable can take almost an hour depending on the model.
Portable induction cooktop vs. portable electric and gas cooktops
Portable induction cooktops have become very popular in the portable cooktop category in recent years. We've found that there are now more portable induction cooktops on the market than portable electric or gas cooktops.
While portable electric cooktops are cheaper, they're far less powerful than portable induction cooktops, usually with a wattage of 1,000 watts or less. And portable gas cooktops, which use butane, are great if you've lost power or are camping, but otherwise, it's so much easier and safer to simply plug in your induction cooktop.
While materials like aluminum, copper, ceramic, glass and some stainless steels are unsuitable for induction cooktops, the availability of induction-safe cookware is now widespread. This limitation should not be a deterrent. If you need a portable cooktop, we recommend an induction model out of the three options.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Since 2021, Eva Bleyer has tested a wide range of kitchen gear and appliances in the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, including gas ranges, microwaves, kitchen scales and blenders. She holds a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University and is a trained chef from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She conducted the recent side-by-side testing of 11 induction cooktops to inform this story. Eva loves that quality induction cooktops can melt delicate ingredients like chocolate without seizing or keep a consistent simmer for risottos, soups and sauces.
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