Best Portable Induction Cooktop 2018 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Are you thinking of buying a portable induction cooktop for your kitchen? If yes, then take the time to read this whole article as we teach you how to select the best portable induction cooktop that will give good value for your money.

Whether you like something as an extension to your present stove or as a main cooker for your small-spaced kitchen, getting a portable induction cooktop is a good choice.

With the many brands available on the market today, we know how it’s hard to choose the best. To streamline your choices, we review five portable induction cooktops that are garnering positive reception from users. We’ll also give a guide to help you make the right purchase.

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What Is An Induction Cooker?

An induction cooker uses electromagnetic fields to produce heat straight to the cooking pots. The heat is generated very fast making them efficient whereas the glass ceramic hob stays cold for safety. It’s important to know that this type of cooker suits just iron and steel pots.

Learn how induction cooking works in this video here.

To test whether your current cookware works with the induction cooker, get a magnet and try to stick it on the bottom of every cookware. It’s compatible with the cooker if the magnet sticks strongly to the bottom of each pan.

What are the advantages of using portable induction cookers?

best portable induction cooktop

Compared to gas ranges, the induction cooker is more energy efficient. Using this unit also wastes less heat as more heat is transferred into the pan. Best of all, it’s easy to clean as the ceramic surface remains cool even while cooking, and you can put some paper towels on top to catch any oil splatters or food spills.

Since most induction cooktops are built with a digital timer that allows you to step away from the kitchen to do other chores, you can use them well for slow cooking. With a portable model, you can multi-task and even bring it anywhere for camping or any outdoor activities as long as there’s electricity!

What You Should Look For In Portable Induction Cookers

1. Power Settings/Levels

What You Should Look For In Portable Induction Cookers- power settings/levels

When buying a portable induction cooker, look for the number of power settings. The more power settings, the better, because you can fine-tune the temperature of the cooker to suit your various cooking needs. For instance, if you need to simmer a stew, you can use the lowest setting instead of blasting it to full power for a couple of minutes.


2. Digital Timer

What You Should Look For In Portable Induction Cookers-Digital Timer

For safety, look for a digital timer which allows you to leave the cooker even when in use. This means fewer worries when cooking and a great energy saver. The best induction cooktop features an 8-hour timer.


3. High Wattage

What You Should Look For In Portable Induction Cookers-high wattage

If you like a faster and more efficient induction cooker, look for the watt-power and choose the highest as possible. Most portable induction cookers have a power that ranges from 1,300 to 1,800 watts. Although the portable ones have lower power than the full induction ranges, the former can be plugged into ordinary wall outlets while the latter needs a special circuit.


5. Warranty

What You Should Look For In Portable Induction Cookers-Warranty

Like any other product, you want something that will last for a long time. To ensure the durability of the product, find a longer warranty. Often, the manufacturer offers a longer warranty because they're confident with their product's quality. The longer the length of the warranty, the better.


6. Special Features

What You Should Look For In Portable Induction Cookers-Special Features

To get the best value for your money, look for an induction cooker that offers several features that improve its efficiency, convenience, and safety. If you have kids at home, look for a lock to hold settings so your kids can’t operate it without your supervision.

An auto-pan detection feature will turn the cooker off automatically if no cookware is detected after one minute. To protect it from power surge, look for a voltage warning system feature.

Reviews Of Our Top 5 Picks

*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

The Secura 9100MC features 15 power levels that range from 200 watts to 1,800 watts. The digital control panel makes it user-friendly. You can also set the digital timer up to 170 minutes of unsupervised cooking.

Precise cooking can be achieved by adjusting the right temperature with one-minute increments. This cooker is also complete with an auto pan detection to turn off when no pan is spotted. Best of all the low and high voltage warning system and diagnostic error message system prolongs the life of your cooker.

97
/100

Editor's Rating: 97/100


Pros

  • Comes with a one-year warranty
  • Offers a digital timer with one-minute increments
  • Complete with voltage and diagnostic error warning systems
  • High wattage of 1,800 watts
  • Features 15 power levels

Cons

  • The fan tends to be noisy over time.
  • Doesn’t appear to be robust with all the soft plastic coming loose

The Duxtop 7100MC features a digital control panel for ease of use. The built-in digital timer has 5-minute increments up to 170 minutes. You can expect a maximum of 10 power levels to suit your every cooking needs from 200 watts to 1,300 watts.

If no cookware is spotted, this unit will shut off automatically, thanks to its auto-pan detection. Like the Secura 9100MC, the Duxtop 7100MC is built with a voltage warning system and a diagnostic error message system. It’s also supported by a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.

96
/100

Editor's Rating: 96/100


Pros

  • Offers a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
  • Complete with diagnostics and voltage warning systems
  • Digital timer can be set up to 170 minutes
  • Energy saver with its auto pan detection feature
  • The digital panel is easy to use

Cons

  • The maximum wattage is a bit low at 1,300 watts
  • May only lasts up to several uses
  • The fan is quite loud

The Sunpentown Home Indoor Kitchen Induction is magnificent with its two functions: cook and warm. It features seven power settings which range from 100 to 1,300 watts. A touch-sensitive panel makes it easier to use the cooker while the micro-crystal ceramic plate makes it easier to clean.

An auto pan detection feature is built to shut off the unit automatically if no pan is detected. If you have kids, you’ll love this cooker because it has a control lock to prevent them from operating it without your guidance. Moreover, you can cook without worries with its timer that can offer up to eight hours.

91
/100

Editor's Rating: 91/100


Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • Comes with great safety features, like control lock and
  • Offers 13 keep warm settings for more versatility
  • Provides a digital timer up to eight hours
  • Supports one-year warranty for parts and labor

Cons

  • Temperature can only be adjusted at 20 degrees increments
  • Takes a long time to boil a large pot of water
  • Simmering food is a bit of a challenge

The Max Burton 6400 Induction Cooktop is so easy to use with its one-touch simmer and boil buttons. For the safety of your children, this unit comes with a Lock feature to hold settings. You can set the timer up to 180 minutes of unsupervised use.

The 6400 features 10 power levels. You can adjust the temperature from 100 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit in 25 degrees increments. Best of all, it features an overheat switch off and an over/under voltage switch off for safety measures.

85
/100

Editor's Rating: 85/100


Pros

  • Provides plenty of safety features, such as lock, overheat switch off and over/undervoltage switch off
  • High wattage for efficient cooking
  • One-touch simmer and boil buttons
  • Response time is fast
  • 180-minute programmable timer

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Loud electrical noise
  • Difficult to get the right temperature with 25-degree increments

The NuWave Pro Induction Cook Station provides fast and efficient cooking with six pre-programmed temperature settings. A digital LCD control makes operation easy while temperature can be adjusted in 5-degree increments from 100 to 575 degrees Fahrenheit. For easy transport, this unit comes with a carrying case.

The 12-inch cooking surface fits large cookware. Not only do you get a carrying case, but you also get an instructional DVD and a user’s manual with over 60 recipes. To extend the life of your induction cooker, this unit provides a manufacturer’s one-year limited warranty.

82
/100

Editor's Rating: 82/100


Pros

  • Comes with plenty of accessories including carrying case, DVD, and user’s manual
  • Has a large cooking surface
  • Offers a one-year manufacturer’s warranty
  • Has a high wattage for faster cooking
  • Can be programmed up to 100 hours

Cons

  • Temperature seems to be not accurate
  • May heat unevenly
  • Doesn’t hold high temperature well

Our Verdict

Based on our ratings above, the best portable induction cooktop is the Secura 9100MC because it has most of the qualities that we’re looking for. For instance, the Secura 9100MC has a high wattage, digital timer, the most number of power settings at 15, and a one-year warranty. Although the fan is a bit noisy, you can do the most precise cooking with its one-minute degree increment adjustment.

If you have tried using an induction cooker or has something to say or ask about the article, let us know in the comments section. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family!

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