We are familiar with portable electric cooktops, but induction ones are still something new to us. It seems like the induction cooktop itself was introduced to the world quite recently, and there is already an upgraded version of it.
But wait, let’s slow down a little bit. Do you what to know the difference between electric and induction cooktops? Check this article.
For those who don’t know, the induction cooktop is an innovative type of cooktop which uses an electromagnetic field to heat up the meal. It works on electric power, but it is much more energy-saving than the first type.
It can heat up in seconds, and the burners of it always stay cool if you touch them. Induction cooktops always have a flat glossy surface and only special cookware is compatible with it. It is also much safer than gas or electric cooktops.
Logically, the induction portable cooktop is basically the same as the electric portable cooktop, with the only difference being that it is more energy-efficient and heats up much faster.
It can turn out to be helpful for some people living in areas where there can be outages of electric supply, for the construction workers, who have a base in the camp, for camping enthusiasts and students who rent their own apartment.
If you decided that you need one then you should also be ready that these cooktops are usually higher in price than electric ones. Nevertheless, in the list down below you can find out which models are the best on the market and find something more or less affordable and suitable for yourself.
1. iSiLER 1800W Sensor Touch Electric Induction Cooker Cooktop
iSiLER is a compact portable induction cooktop that is easy to use and easy to clean. This versatile and feature-rich cooktop is great for entertaining. It is also beautifully designed so you can even use it as a warming platform or extra cooking area at even the most stylish of events.
Let’s start with the main and outstanding features this cooktop has. First of all, it has a digital LCD sensor-touch control panel with a child safety lock system. What you need to do is simply press and hold the Safety Lock Key for three seconds in order to activate it.
Moreover, in these cooktops, you will find an additional timer just like in top-level induction stoves. There are also 20 temperatures ranging from 140°F to 460°F. Besides, 10 power levels from 100 watts to 1800 watts for your selection.
And as it was mentioned before, all induction cooktops require a specific type of cookware – in this case, the best variant is cast iron.
This cooktop has also a safety system. When the internal temperature of the induction cooktop exceeds your selected temperature, it will automatically shut down.
Another pleasant bonus about this cooktop is its unusual design. When you are cooking, the lights are on right on the cooking surface so you don’t have to look down each time.
2. CUSIMAX 1800W Portable Induction Burner with Timer
This portable cooktop from CUSIMAX is the opposite of the previous one. Maybe it doesn’t have that many functions in its trunk but it makes accents rather on its surface sturdiness and durability rather than on functionality which is also important for portable cooktops.
It has an LED display and simple digital controls, an induction plate with 10 power settings between 200W to 1800W, along with 10 temperature settings from 140°F to 465°F that meet all your cooking needs. Along with that, it is lightweight and compact which makes it an easy-to-transport cooktop.
The unique technologies of this item will even let you melt down the chocolate without burning anything. But remember that this one also heats up pretty fast unlike the regular electric cooktop.
This appliance only works with specific cooking utensils made of cast iron, enameled steel, and stainless steel. It includes the kids’ safety lock as well, but strangely it’s not visible on its controls.
An interesting feature of this cooktop is that it comes with an induction cookware tester. If the magnet sticks to the bottom of the cookware, that means they are compatible.
In general, this model has extended safety functions, for example. when the internal temperature of the induction cooker exceeds the selected temperature, it automatically shuts down. Moreover, it has an automatic shutdown timer. The only thing is that it is better to be placed on some podium or higher surface since it is quite a flat model.
3. Aobosi Portable Induction Burner Cooktop
This is not the most famous brand on the market, but this portable induction cooking top turned out to be quite a reliable item that provides a qualitative cooking process.
This model also includes an LED display and a digital timer that goes up to 3 hours. The power range from 200 to 2000W allows you to cook here basically anything you want.
Besides, you can store this particular model in the vertical position, which you cannot do with other cooktops.
There are some other modes of multi-cooking that you will make your cooking life easier. The plate of this item is made of ceramic, which makes the hob highly durable and scratch-resistant. It is scratch-proof as well.
It is suitable for pots and pans with a base size of 12cm-25cm. In general, it is a good portable cooktop at a matching price. The kids’ safety lock is here as well.
Not that it is extra-functional, but those possibilities that you have are enough for daily cooking. The only drawback of this cooktop is that it may not work so effectively at the low-temperature programs, it starts to heat up with intervals, but for high-temperature cooking, it is quite good.
4. Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop with LCD Sensor Touch 1800 Watts
A sophisticated portable induction cooktop with an LED display. Duxtop induction cooktop uses 110/120V 15 amp electrical outlet which is the standard in all North American homes. Multi-functional and fast, this is an option for those who want to have more advanced gear in their kitchen (and not only there).
Like the best portable cooktops, it is lightweight and compact. It has a certain height so you don’t always need a podium or a high surface to place it on. It is a good option perfect for dorm rooms, home kitchens, RV, boats, etc.
Considering the technical characteristics, here you can choose among 20 preset power levels (100W to 1800W) and 20 preset temperature level settings (100°F to 460°F). One additional fact is that this cooktop promises to be 83 percent more efficient than others.
This one includes a child safety lock as well. It keeps the cooking and timer settings from being accidentally changed once they have been set. An interesting function of this item is that it has a fast boil button and it also has a 10-hour timer button.
The cooktop has auto-pan detection. If there is no cookware standing on the burner, the cooktop will shut down in 60 seconds. It is compatible with induction cookware having a diameter of at least 5 inches, which ensures a large and uniform heated area.
By the way, about the LED panel of this item. It is easy to read even if you’re standing far from the cooktop, because it has a perfect visual angle for reading, even from a distance. The surface here is made of glass, so it is not totally scratch-proof but it is easy to clean.
A little tip before using this cooktop: it is a frequent case that the heat of its burners is not distributed equally on its full surface, but it tends to concentrate in the middle of it.
To avoid overheating the cookware, use bigger than 8-inch pans on it. Also, the buttons on the display are super sensitive so don’t push too hard when you use them.
5. NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop 1300 Watts
If you are looking for a portable induction cooktop that would not only be compact but would also have a fast pre-heat, this is the best option. The NuWave PIC has 6 different pre-programmed temperature settings. Along with that, it has the flexibility to cook at 52 different temperatures between 100°F and 575°F.
It’s adjustable in 10-degree increments. Yes, even though this item is considerably smaller than the previous ones we had on our list, this cooktop is actually highly sophisticated. In its basement, you can see a variety of programming buttons.
A delay function allows you to initiate cooking when it’s most convenient for you, including an automatic shutoff function when cooking time is completed. And despite the fact that this model can seem small because it is so compact, it is capable of fitting the 9-inch pan on it.
They will help you to set the right cooking mode you need, thus making the process more automatized with its 100 hours of program memory and performance. Apart from that, this cooktop uses 70 percent less energy than others. However, before buying this product you should check the source of power where you are going to use this portable cooktop.
Even though it is claimed as 1800Watt gear, in cases when there is even a slight loss in the electricity supply it won’t work as effectively as it’s supposed to. So in order to avoid disappointment and time-wasting, better not to use this item with low-power suppliers.
Besides, before buying, check out that this is not the cheapest item around. So make sure everything is compatible before investing in it. But if your power sources work well, you will truly get the top-speed cooking gear and won’t regret it.
Here you can find the function when the cooktop shuts down automatically if there is no cookware on the burner as well. The product also comes with unrivaled customer support and value-added resources such as lifetime membership to the online Precision Cooking Club.
6. NutriChef PKSTIND48 Double Induction Cooktop
Moving on, let’s explore portable cooktops with more than 1 burner. In this case, it can be even a good replacement for a traditional stove, especially if you have an intense lifestyle and don’t have much time to cook. The fact that this cooktop is portable doesn’t diminish its top-level quality and extended functionality.
It is equipped with 2 circular top panel heating zones that have an independent configurable temperature zone setting. The item also has a digital LED display screen. Just like the previous items on our list this cooktop has multiple cooking modes.
Traditionally, these modes include the automatic warming up suitable for the type of meal you want to prepare. In total, those modes are divided into 3 big sections: fry, steam, and water mode. Probably, there is no need to explain what they mean.
Another feature that any decent cooktop has is a child safety lock and we see one here. With the setting of this mode, it locks all the buttons so the kinds cannot burn themselves.
It is possible to classify this cooktop as the heavy-duty one. Requiring a power supply of 120v, it is compatible with steel, cast iron, enameled iron, and stainless steel cookware. Remember that the pots or pans must be flat-bottomed and have a diameter of 12 to 26 cm.
The ceramic glass burner cooker also features the unique ready-to-serve “Keep Warm” function to plate warm food – perfect for any meal of the day. The heat-up time of this cooktop is extremely quick (so keep that in mind). Its timer can be set up to 4 hours.
Lastly, we can see that this is the portable induction cooktop with one of the best reputations on Amazon. If in the case with other gear of this type you can still find some negative reviews and drawbacks, then this one has totally positive feedback from customers.
7. True Induction Mini Duo MD-2B Portable Counter
This portable cooktop with two burners is going to have a higher price than the previous one. The reason is its extended versatility and easiness in usage. If you are used to cooking at home, you may like induction cooktops that also have two burners.
At this smaller size (only 20 1/2 x 14 inches), the True Induction Mini Duo Portable Counter Inset Induction Cooktop is the perfect addition for a small house, mobile home, or as a normal household appliance. Moreover, it doesn’t even have to be literally portable. You can always insert it into your kitchen furniture and use it as a regular cooktop.
A distinctive feature of this item is that the burner starts cooling down right after a pan was removed from its surface. The pan detection feature will shut the unit off if it does not detect cookware, or compatible cookware, on the burner. If the pot is not induction compatible the display will show ‘E1’ and then shut down.
The unit model cycles on and off after it has reached the desired temperature which means the cookware pot will remain at the set temperature (and not get too hot). Considering other tech aspects, this model runs off a standard 110V outlet and has 1800 watts.
The face of this stovetop was created from seamless ceramic glass. Another distinctive feature of it is that the sensors are located underneath and that’s what makes this unit so easy to clean.
Remember, how many times you had to be careful during this process, trying not to damage all the buttons and fragile zones. This cooktop you can just wipe it down with a damp cloth.
As this is a double burner cooktop, the Mini Duo uses True Induction’s patented power-sharing technology. It means that both burners use the same plug and divide the power when they are both in use.
If you see this item in real life, you will immediately notice that it is more compact than other two-burner portable induction cooktops. However, as you can see it doesn’t make it less functional and moreover, it is perfect for small kitchens.
In general, it is more an alternative to the traditional induction stove for small families, than a portable cooktop. It requires less time for cooking, it is easy to clean and it fits smaller spaces. However, because of its smaller size, you still can take it somewhere with you, maybe to your friends’ house for an outdoor party.
And one more essential aspect to remember. Try not to damage or break this cooktop because, according to consumers’ feedback, the tech support service of this brand doesn’t always work well, and getting a refund can be a problem.
8. The Control Freak by Breville
This is truly the best portable induction cooktop for professionals and pastry chefs. If you want to have accurate precision of temperatures and you also have the money to splurge on a new countertop Appliance then the Control Freak is your first choice.
The only thing is that it includes just one burner and if it had to it would be the best cooktop in the world. And even though it costs 10 times as much as the Duxtop and it’s even more expensive than some of the representatives of the full-size induction ranges.
But if you truly want to create great meals and the six has of your kitchen depend on the Precision this option is truly the best and it makes the work a lot less stressful. Using the dial on the interface you can set the temperature to the exact degree.
The range starts from 77° F to 482 Fahrenheit degrees so you can choose whatever you want and you can also choose slow medium or Fast Pace Heating. This can be helpful for melting butter without burning or tempering the chocolate.
The temperature rise is always shown in real-time on the display. Everything is displayed on the LCD screen. Here you also have the possibility to save the most used settings as presets. And you can also transfer those presets from one control freak to another.
This is also a cool induction cooktop for cooking sous vide. It includes a 72-hour timer and it doesn’t overcorrect with the temperature Spike when a cold ingredient is added to the cooking vessel.
This cooktop is just the perfect choice for poached eggs. In general, you can also create elaborate sauces with it. Of course, it’s a little bit bulkier than the other models, but probably this item will only be suitable for professional chefs and kitchens so it doesn’t really make sense for home usage.
9. Max Burton 6400 Digital Choice Induction Cooktop
On the opposite, if you’re looking for a popular and affordable induction cooktop then this item by Max burden is a suitable choice. It has a nice design and it has an angle display that makes setting the burner easy. Of course, its heat settings are granular enough to maintain a simmer state.
However, if you want to do some simple things with it such as boiling water or just frying something you can go for this option. It also includes a higher-pitched wine than others. For some people, it can be difficult to tolerate and burnt onions rather than nicely caramelizing them.
But once again, it’s super affordable and this will be a suitable option for those who don’t cook that often. Its technical aspects are quite standard, it can heat up to 1,800 Watts and it has 10 heat settings.
There’s also a timer that can be set up to 3 hours. So it’s a nice option for a small kitchen or a dormitory.
FAQ for portable induction cooktops buyers
1. Can I use a portable induction cooktop instead of a classic stove at my house?
Of course, you can, it was stated in the article. Some brands such as Mini Duo or NutriChef are making two-burner portable cooktops, which are even more suitable to be used only in the kitchen, rather than somewhere else.
2. What is the power supply that I got at my house/the socket is not enough for a cooktop? Should I still use it?
Definitely not recommended. It can cause a number of problems, starting with that you can simply burn your cooktop and ending with the black-out. Always make sure that electricity is enough to run the gear.
3. How to install a portable induction cooktop?
In most cases, it is just enough to plug it into the socket. Then the screen of a cooktop (if there is one) will light up and you can start using it.
4. How to repair a portable induction cooktop?
In order to fix your induction cooktop, you should find induction cooker repair services close to your house. However, occasional issues may arise in your cooktop during daily use and many of these problems may be resolved by yourself. And before calling for service, just review your problems first as it may save you both time and expense.
5. How much power does a portable induction cooktop use?
These induction cooktops are 90% efficient with their power use and induction stoves are cheaper than gas though people tend to believe otherwise. The only issue is with the power supply and how much cheaper will depend upon your power tariff and the duration of cooking time (how many times you cook and for how many people).