Best Portable Induction Cooktops of 2020: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
Cooking is one of the many tasks that people have to do, whether they enjoy it or not, and having the right tools for the job may make you want to cook more often and allow you to do so healthily.
There are many products on the market to help you cook, one of which is an induction cooktop. The best portable induction cooktop can help you make food faster and cook evenly.
Today, we are going to take a close look at five different models and give you our opinion on which is the winner.
Comparison Chart
Best Portable Induction Cooktop Reviews
1. Duxtop 1800W Induction Cooktop Burner
Duxtop is actually a brand under the Secura name and it’s a small manufacturer of appliances located in North America, and its products are very popular with consumers. It is possible to find these items at large national retailers; still, most of the products are sold through third-party e-commerce websites. Items sold under the Secura and Duxtop names are also include beauty products, coffee makers, milk frothers, and induction-ready cookware.
Product Highlights
The Duxtop Induction Cooktop is compatible with 120V and 15-amp electrical outlets. This is the standard plug for North American homes, so you can be sure that it is going to work for you.
This induction cooktop is compact and lightweight, making it easy to store and handle. There is also a digital control panel on this cooktop that we really liked while using it during our review.
It features a countdown timer that’s built-in and goes in one-minute increments of up to 170 minutes.
Plus, there are 10 different temperature settings from which to choose, ranging from 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit.
With this induction cooktop, you get 10 power levels, and they range from 200 to 1,800 Watts.
This cooktop doesn't have heating elements or open flames that you need to worry about, which means that food isn’t going to burn onto the surface, making it easy to clean.
This induction cooktop also includes an auto-pan detection feature to shut off the unit automatically after one minute if it doesn’t detect cookware on it.
You would also be glad to know that it has a high and low voltage warning system, and it is ETL-approved.
Plus, it comes with an advanced diagnostic error messaging system to let you know why it is not working.
What We Like
We were highly impressed with the appearance of the burner; it is easy to see where to place your pan or pot. Also, the controls are located toward the bottom and away from the heat source. The digital readout is easy to see, which means that you do not have to lean far over the system when it is hot. Overall, our impression was that this is a well-designed product.
What We Don’t Like
The one caveat we found with this burner is that it only works with pans and pots that have a magnetic bottom. Therefore, it might not work with all of your existing cookware and you may need to purchase induction enabled cookware.
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2. iSiLER Portable Induction Cooktop
The company iSiLER focuses on providing high-quality products to its customers. It sells small appliances that feature advanced technology. All of their products are designed and manufactured in-house so that users have the best experience possible. Products can include things for the home, outdoors, beauty care, and automotive, which you can find for sale on third-party e-commerce sites.
In this model, functionality and appearance come together to create the ultimate package.
Product Highlights
The iSiLER countertop burner features nine different power levels, ranging from 100 to 1,800W, going in 200W increments. With this portable induction cooktop, you can deep fry, simmer, sauté, boil, steam, sear, grill, and slow cook with this product. Also, you get eight temperature presets, ranging from 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit, which go in 40-degree increments. This device also features large touch buttons to make it easier to set the temperature, wattage, and time.
This cooktop has a surface that is 6.7 inches wide and can fit pans and pots with diameters of up to 8.6 inches.
With this cooktop, you get a uniform and sizable heated area. It is lightweight and compact and is only 2.3 inches thick, which means that you can store and transport it easily. In addition to that, if you have limited space, it is still likely to work. You can set the timer using one-minute increments, as well.
What We Like
Primarly, we liked that it had a child lock on it. That way, you can ensure that your child won’t be able to turn it on if you leave it on the stovetop, giving us the ease of mind. Another popular safety feature that we particularly liked is the overheating protection.
What We Don’t Like
While the glass surface is designed to resist wear and tear, it is going to scratch. Even if you are very gentle with the cooktop, the pots and pans are likely to ding the surface slightly. Still, this isn’t going to hurt the product, and it will remain durable and strong.
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3. Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop
The Rosewill company primarily focuses on selling IT hardware and PC gaming equipment.
However, it does feature a few home products, including induction cookware, cutlery, and food dehydrators.
Established in 2004, Rosewill focuses on high-quality and reliable technologically advanced items.
It is currently managed by experienced e-retail experts, and you can find its products on a variety of third-party e-commerce websites.
However, these items cannot be purchased in a store or on the company site.
Product Highlights
Induction cooking is quite energy-efficient because the appliance heats up fast.
Regardless, the cooktop burner stays cool, which means that you don’t have to risk injuring yourself.
Plus, no heat is wasted compared to a traditional gas stovetop.
There are a variety of features to like about the Rosewill model.
The touch control panel allows you to quickly operate the appliance and choose the mode and time that you need.
You also get a stainless steel pot, which is magnetic.
With this, it’s easy to make meals with the push of a button, and you have eight power levels and temperatures from which to choose.
These settings allow you to boil water, braise, stir fry, deep fry, roast, and more.
You can also use other cookware, but it must be magnetic.
To help you test your pots and pans, there is a magnetic strip included with your purchase.
If this strip sticks to your cookware, you can use it with the induction cooktop.
What We Like
We were quite impressed with the timer because it allows you to ensure that your food is done.
This feature automatically turns off the cooktop once the timer dings to prevent burning and energy wastage.
Of course, we also liked that it came with its own pot.
Many home chefs don’t have magnetic-bottomed cookware, so it can be hard to use the item without buying more stuff.
With this one, you get a free pot and can purchase more as time goes on.
What We Don’t Like
Our one complaint is that the timer is quite confusing.
Though it is meant to be convenient, it defaults to 30 minutes when you turn it on.
If you only need it for a few minutes, you have to press and hold the “plus” sign to go all the way past 59 and then to the number of minutes you require.
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4. Hamilton Beach 34104 Single Induction Cooktop
Hamilton Beach is probably one of the most well-known small appliance brands on the market right now.
It’s a leading distributor and sells more than 34 million items each year.
You can find a variety of brands under the name, including Proctor Silex, TrueAir, and Eclectrics.
Of course, these products are available at retail locations all over the United States, but much of the brand’s revenue comes from third-party e-commerce sites.
Product Highlights
The Hamilton Beach Single Induction Cooktop heats up 40 percent faster than a traditional stovetop range when boiling water.
Whether you’re heating up soup or cooking a whole meal, it can be done quickly, allowing you to save time while preparing meals.
You also get flexible cooking controls with appropriate displays.
There are 10 heating levels, but you can also cook with a particular temperature in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.
With this, it is possible to boil water in just seven minutes, so you don’t have to wait as long to boil the liquid for pasta and hot beverages.
Of course, this only happens if you use room temperature water of about 1.5 quarts.
Whether you want to cook in a small saucepan of about four inches in diameter or a large stockpot of up to 10 inches, you can do it with this induction cooktop.
It’s almost like having another burner right when you need it.
What We Like
The entire surface of the cooktop is smooth. Therefore, it is quite easy to clean.
All you need is a moist cloth, and you would be able to wipe it clean quickly.
What We Don’t Like
While it is portable, it is not as lightweight as some of the others.
Plus, it takes up a bit more room on the countertop and in storage.
However, if you pay close attention to its size when ordering and check spacing in the home, this shouldn’t be a problem.
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5. BonsenKitchen Portable Touch Induction Cooktop
BonsenKitchen offers a variety of products for your kitchen.
The goal is to make it possible for home chefs to get the items they need without spending too much money.
These products are designed to help people live life, explore, and enjoy themselves while mastering the art of cooking.
The company is well-received and sells its items throughout the world.
While the products aren’t made in the USA, they are reasonably priced.
Plus, it is possible to find them on a variety of third-party e-commerce websites.
Product Highlights
With the BonsenKitchen induction cooktop, you get efficient cooking, which saves you a lot of time and reduces the amount of energy you use.
The compact design allows you to store it almost anywhere when you don’t need it.
Plus, this also means that you can use it in RVs, boats, dorm rooms, and more.
You can also find a variety of buttons that automatically set the appliance to the right temperature.
This allows you to heat up the cooktop rapidly when needed. You can use it to make Roti or pancakes, too.
This product is compatible with cookware that is induction-ready.
Therefore, you can use it with stainless steel, enameled iron, and cast iron pots and pans.
The auto-pan detection feature shuts off the unit when there is no cookware present.
This is also easy to clean; just allow it to cool down and then wipe it with a damp cloth.
If you do need a little cleanser, you can use mild dish soap or oven cleaner.
What We Like
We were impressed with the touch buttons that are quite user-friendly.
They are large enough to see without squinting, and you get a variety of buttons for your needs, including sear, boil, and simmer.
What We Don’t Like
The one issue we found is that the appliance buzzes quite loudly when the pan is put on it.
Now, it might be because of the magnetic feature or something else.
It’s not too annoying, especially if you’re only using it for 30 minutes, but it is noticeable.
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Buyer’s Guide
We understand that not everyone is familiar with the portable induction cooktop.
Therefore, we wanted to include a buyer’s guide that explained some of the factors you should consider.
1. Size
When you buy an induction cooktop, you need to think about its size.
Generally, they are about 10 inches in diameter, though you can find smaller and larger ones.
Plus, the product is designed to be the size of one traditional stovetop burner.
If you plan to cook a lot and like induction heating methods, it might be ideal to buy two burners.
Also, make sure that you have the right spacing on the kitchen countertop.
Measure it first to be sure that the induction cooktop is going to fit.
2. Weight
There are two factors to consider when focused on weight.
The product is designed to be portable, so it should be easy to pick up and carry.
Often, these cooktops are less than 10 pounds, but you can find some that are bigger and some that are smaller.
It can help to look at the description of the product you like.
Make sure the weight of the appliance is listed and that you can safely hold that much weight.
Also, you need to know how much weight the appliance itself can hold.
Some pots and pans can weigh up to 20 pounds; if it is too heavy, the device isn’t going to work correctly.
In some cases, you might damage the cooktop if you put too much weight on it.
Generally, portable induction cooktops can take about 10 to 20 pounds of weight though some can go higher, up to 50 pounds.
3. Temperature Accuracy
The temperature settings must be accurate.
Without this, you can’t expect to cook your food properly.
If the temperature settings are too low, the food is going to take longer to get done, and you might inadvertently serve underdone food.
Therefore, it might be a good idea to invest in an infrared thermometer.
You can easily point and shoot to see that the cooktop has reached the desired temperature.
If it doesn’t do so after a few minutes, you may need to adjust it or have it replaced.
4. Temperature Regulation
You also need to consider how easy it is to change the temperature on your cooktop.
Most products allow you to use a preset temperature by pressing the numbers one through eight (or 10).
It’s also possible to set the temperature to something specific within the range.
Just remember that some of these cooktops only allow you to change temperature settings in 25- or 50-degree increments.
Plus, some models start out at high temperatures, such as 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Ease of Cleaning
It is imperative that you choose an induction cooktop that is easy to clean.
If you don’t, you are going to end up spending a lot of time scrubbing it.
Most of these products are made of glass, which means that you shouldn’t use abrasive products.
Because most induction cooktops are smooth, it is easy to wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Usually, that is all you need to do to get them ready to store or use again.
You can use a paper towel or sponge to wipe it clean; just make sure that the surface of the cooktop is cool.
It might be a good idea to dry the cooktop so that it doesn’t develop water spots.
FAQs
1. Which is Better: induction or electric cooktop?
You can find a variety of cooktops, but we are going to focus on electric and induction options.
They’re both quite popular, but many people wonder which one is better.
It’s easy to see that there are many differences between the two, though they can look similar.
Induction cooktops use electricity for fuel, just like electric ones.
Therefore, it’s hard to tell the difference between them at first glance.
The cooking technology is what sets these two choices apart.
Generally, induction cooktops use electromagnetic energy to help cook the food.
The electromagnetic coils transfer more energy into the metal cookware, producing more even heat.
Since the whole pan is being heated, you can reach a higher temperature more quickly.
With an electric cooktop, the coil elements are going to heat up more slowly.
Plus, they have a harder time maintaining their heat, even when a pot or pan is placed on it.
2. Are portable induction cooktops energy efficient?
Yes, portable induction cooktops are energy-efficient when compared to traditional stovetops.
With them, you can generate more heat in a shorter period.
You can cook at low or high temperatures, allowing you to boil and cook food faster.
Once you turn off the device, it starts cooling down instantly.
Since it cooks faster, food is done sooner, and you can shut it off.
Plus, it heats up more quickly, giving the same benefit.
3. Do induction cooktops scratch easily?
In a sense, yes, induction cooktops can scratch more easily than other materials.
Still, the surface is made of high-quality materials, so you can trust that it is durable.
If you take care of the cooktop and are gentle with it, scratching can be kept to a minimum.
4. How long do induction cooktops last?
Generally, induction cooktops are designed to last about eight years or 30,000 hours.
Many times, manufacturers include warranties for about three to five years on average.
5. Is induction cooking bad for your health?
Induction cooking does use electromagnetic energy, so there is the worry of radiation exposure.
However, the appliance is enclosed so that the energy can’t get out.
If a little bit leaks, it is not going to hurt you.
Those with pacemakers should not worry, either.
These cooktops are not going to shut off a pacemaker, as long as you stand about a foot away from the base.
Final Verdict
After careful thought, we found that the best portable induction cooktop is the Rosewill Induction Cooktop.
While all of them were excellent, we chose this one because it included an appropriate pot with the purchase.
They all did their job, but the one from Rosewill has a unique design.
It was also easy to read and understand.
We think that if you buy this cooktop, you are going to enjoy cooking your meals quickly and efficiently.