If you are reading this then chances are you are in the market for a portable induction cooktop. We area going to go through the top 5 devices that are currently available and tell you the pro’s and con’s of each. There are a few things to consider before you buy your first portable cooktop. The price, it’s ease of use, does it clean easy and is it safe are all questions we hope to answer for you. Of course the most important factor is how well does it cook.
So here is our run down in no particular. We will give you our choice of the best one at the end of the article – click here to jump there now!
Contents
1. Secura Duxtop 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
First on our list is the extremely popular and one of the biggest selling cooktops of all time, the Duxtop 8100. This little guy is a legend in the induction cooking market, it was one of the first devices to nail almost every aspect consumers were looking for.
It has a great power and temperature range going from 140 Degree Fahrenheit to 460 Degree Fahrenheit and 10 power levels going from 200W to 1800W. More than enough power to cook pretty much anything you need.
It will automatically shut off if it doesn’t detect a pan after 60 seconds.
There is no need for an additional timer as this cooktop has one built directly into the unit.
This model has since been improved upon by the Manufacturer Secura with the new Duxtop 8300, we have a full review of that cooktop here. We decided to include the original model on this list though as it continues to be a top seller as customers know it is a reliable and trustworthy device. There are over 2500 positive reviews for the 8100 on Amazon right now.
Pro’s
- Great power range
- Auto shut off
- Timer
- A consumer favorite
Con’s
- No child safety lock
- Physical buttons may be damaged by liquid spills – fixed on new model.
2. True Induction TI-2C Cooktop, Double Burner
Need a double burner? Well we’ve got you covered with this superb choice from True Induction. Even though it’s a double cooktop it’s extremely portable and ideal for BBQ’s, camping trips or for using in an RV.
Both burners offer 1800W of power so you aren’t compromising here. Some double burners will share there power output between the 2 rings when they are both in use but not here. It’s power full eough to boil water in less than a minute, this translates to really fast food cooking times and like all induction cooktops it offers even cooking for great tasting and well cooked food.
The power settings range from 150 to 450 degrees F with 10 settings to choose from.
Pro’s
- Very easy to clean
- Heats up quickly
- 2 burners
- Timer
Con’s
- Obviously bigger than single ring cooktops
- Rings aren’t as big as they could be
- Struggles to detect smaller cookware
3. NuWave PIC2 Precision Induction Cooktop
We have already done a full review on this cooktop which you can read here. This is currently the number 1 seller on Amazon for any cooktop. So that tells you straight away this is a great device. It isn’t the number 1 seller by accident. This unit has everything you could possibly need from an induction cooktop.
The power goes from 100°F to a staggering 575°F meaning you can use this for searing meat if you wish. It has 10 power choices between these temperatures.
You can tell from the picture that this is great looking device, it’s round design stands out from the usual square cooktops everyone else is producing.
Pro’s
- Amazing power
- Timer
- Programmable
- Easy to clean
- Very safe with auto shut off
- Top seller with great consumer reviews
Con’s
- Auto shut off is immediate which means turning it back on if you lift the pan
- Some customers have complained about the customer service
4. BergHOFF Commercial Grade 1800 Watt Portable Induction Cooktop Stove
BergHoff make great cooktops, we were big fans of the extra large cooktop they made when we were reviewed that. We think they make some of the best looking devices in the range and this is no exception. It looks really modern. It’s got clear and easy to use touch buttons right on the surface of the device.
The BergHOFF is 70% more efficient than gas meaning cheaper utility bills and it can boil water twice as fast as a regular stove. This unit really shows off some of the amazing benefits of induction cooking.
Like the others this one will shut off if it doesn’t detect a pan (after 60 seconds).
Pro’s
- Great power
- Stylish and modern
- Child Lock
- Energy Efficient
Con’s
- No timer
- It’s a lot more pricey than similar cooktops with the same features.
5. Max Burton 6000 1800-Watt Portable Induction Cooktop
In our opinion this one comes last on our last in terms of looks but everyone likes different styles so we won’t hold that against it. Despite appearances this is just as powerful and feature rich as the others.
It has 1800w power with 10 temperature settings ranging between 140 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a 180 minute timer with a push-button control panel and LED display.
Pro’s
- Heats up fast
- Simple controls
- Cookware detection
Con’s
- More expensive than models with more features.
- Quite noisy when in use because the fan.
- Not as modern looking as others
Conclusion
In conclusion we think that all the 5 we have listed are great cooktops. They are all excellent at cooking food and are great examples of what induction cooking has to offer. Some are much better value than others however and even if budget isn’t a concern we would be looking at choosing either the Nuwave PIC2 or the Duxtop 8100 (the 8300 is the newer model and only $10 more).
Both of these are brilliant and both in the same price range. They both have great power and safety features. Both will save you money on your energy bills and give you all the benefits you expect from an induction cooktop.
