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Jan 28, 2024

7 Best Induction Ranges and Stoves of 2023, Tested by Experts

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We tested slide-in and freestanding induction cooktops and ovens to find the best options for your home, budget and cooking needs.

Induction ranges are growing in popularity because they offer increased speed, precision and safety compared with a traditional electric range or gas range. An induction range will also keep your kitchen cooler, because induction cooktops are powered by electromagnetic energy that directly heats the magnetic iron in cookware — such as cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel and stainless-plated pots and pans — rather than heating an element or creating a flame. The best models can boil six quarts of water in under 10 minutes for an easy weeknight meal or gently melt chocolate without a double-boiler, and many of the ovens for induction ranges come with convection or air fry settings, ideal for crispy chicken wings and golden french fries.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has tested almost 100 ranges and cooktops in the last two decades alone. When we test induction ranges, we evaluate how quickly the cooktops can boil water and maintain consistent temperatures and even heat distribution. We test the ovens by baking cakes and cookies and broiling steaks and bread. Our picks for the best induction ranges are informed by our Lab testing, expert evaluation and research of the best induction ranges on the market. We've tested multiple induction ranges in recent years and are actively testing five induction models in our Lab currently.

You can read more about how we test induction ranges — plus everything you need to know to shop for an induction range — at the end of this guide. We also share which cookware is induction-safe, the differences between an electric range and an induction range and the advantages and disadvantages of induction ranges.

The LG Smart Induction Slide-In Range with AirFry is our top pick based on its great induction performance, superior ease-of-use and unique oven settings. We have tested many LG ranges over the years, and we've consistently been impressed.

This model features a convection oven with air fry capability, and it also offers "air sous vide," which utilizes a low oven temperature and air flow around vacuum-sealed ingredients to obtain similar results to sous vide. In our testing, we were impressed that 6 qts of water came to a rapid boil in less than 10 minutes (!) thanks to a high-wattage burner on the front right side. In our water-simmering test, the range kept a consistent poaching temperature of 158˚F to 162˚F for over 30 minutes, which is great if you needed to slowly and evenly poach an egg or simmer something like milk or butter without scalding or burning. Our tester's cakes came out uniformly golden, and steak broiled up very nicely in six minutes with some nice char marks.

We found the control panel responsive and easy to navigate and appreciated that there was an oven drawer below for storing baking sheets. One tester did find that the oven racks are a bit difficult to insert and remove; they require a certain finesse to get them in and out without scraping the sides of the oven.

This slide-in induction range from Samsung is less than $2,000, so it's a good option if you're new to induction. We just started testing this model in our Lab, but a previous Samsung model was one of the first induction ranges we tested in our Lab years ago, and we have tested multiple Samsung ranges over the past couple of decades that have performed well. Reviewers love the front control panel, which makes the range easy to operate. Users also say it boils water quickly and that the cooktop is easy to clean.

This four-burner induction range has some smart features including Wi-Fi connectivity with Samsung's SmartThings App and oven voice control if you have a Bixby, Alexa or Google in your home. Take note that while reviewers loved the induction cooktop, some did wish that the oven had a convection setting.

Though the Miele Generation 7000 30-Inch Induction Range is on the pricey side, it's a good investment if you are looking for a quality induction range with great performance, easy-to-navigate controls and a sleek modern design. This range combines a four-zone induction cooktop with an excellent convection oven with dual fans and a "moisture plus" feature that increases the humidity level of your oven through the addition of steam . Adding steam to your cooking ensures that the interior of roasted foods like potatoes or salmon stays moist and tender.

We were particularly drawn to this 2022 Kitchen Gear Award winner because of its style and the configuration of its cooktop, with markings on each burner indicating the sizes of pots and pans it can accommodate (each cooktop burner adjusts its size and output automatically based on the cookware). In our tests, it boiled a pot of water quickly, had incredibly even oven heat distribution when toasting bread and offered an intuitive control panel that tilts out for easy viewing at the touch of a button.

Keep in mind that in order to get the most out of the range and its "moisture plus" feature, you need to connect the appliance's water line; it does not feature a built-in water tank like other models on the market.

There aren't many induction ranges on the market with a double oven, so this model from GE Café stands out. The best thing about a double oven? You can roast a whole chicken in one oven at 425˚F and bake chocolate chip cookies at 350˚F in another oven — simultaneously. This pick also offers five burners, two of which can form a bridge burner.

We're continuing to assess this model, but our initial tests show that the front right element can boil a pot of water in under 14 minutes. We appreciated that the center burner was designed for keeping ingredients warm — think stock when making risotto or oatmeal while additional breakfast foods are being cooked.

We found the oven racks to be difficult to install, but the included rack lubricant did smooth the process. Also keep in mind that the largest oven's capacity is 4.3 cubic feet, which might be limiting if you often cook a few larger dishes together.

This 2021 Kitchen Gear Award winner from GE Profile has a control panel with a large screen that allows you to easily program both the cooktop and the oven. This smart slide-in range connects to the GE SmartHQ app and has a built-in camera, which allows you to monitor your food from your phone. One of our favorite cooking programs is "Turkey Mode," which allows you to cook a turkey by simply inserting the built-in thermometer, pressing start and letting the oven do the work for you.

In our Lab tests, we found this range easy to program and highly responsive. Our pans heated quickly and evenly, and we were able to confidently monitor our food's progress in the oven without moving from our desk, thanks to the app. While the oven has many helpful settings like air fry and convection, it features only a 30-minute steam clean setting, instead of a traditional self-cleaning function.

We tested the Fisher & Paykel Series 9 Professional Series Induction Smart Range last year and were impressed with its balance of performance and sleek design. While it's the most expensive induction range on our list, we think this is a great pick for someone looking for a larger, 36-inch range with five burners and a tilting touchscreen control panel. The interface is very communicative and even offers a guided cooking feature through which you can choose a favorite cooking method, specific ingredient or a cooking function or recipe.

This range received top scores for boiling and simmering water, oven heat distribution and broiling performance. The cooktop features one large power boost burner in the center and two burners on either side of it that can be linked into two large SmartZones, one on either side. Thanks to this configuration, you can use a grill pan on one side, a griddle on the other and even boil a large pot of water in the center at the same time. When it came to oven cleaning, this range received top scores as well: It wiped completely clean after the self-cleaning feature was complete.

The Bosch 800 Series Industrial Style Induction Range is a model we hope to test soon because we have been impressed with how Bosch's induction cooktops have performed in previous testing — one even won a 2021 Kitchen Gear Award. This freestanding model comes with pedestal feet, a quiet-close door and a control panel that tilts up for better ease of use. It features four induction burners, one of which has a 3,700 BTU power boost (ideal for boiling a pot of water quickly), while the rest offer a good balance of sizes for a variety of cookware and recipes.

The oven features settings like convection pro, broil, dough proof and self-cleaning. The convection pro setting utilizes a third heating element and a fan to evenly circulate heat and cook food quickly. This range's oven does have a smaller capacity than other induction models on this list though.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has tested almost 100 ranges and cooktops in the last two decades, including over 50 electric and induction models.

When we put induction cooktops to the test, we test burners to see how quickly they can bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and maintain a steady simmer. We test the burners' heat distribution by cooking flour in a skillet to see how evenly it browns.

We test oven performance by evaluating how quickly and evenly yellow cake and chocolate chip cookies bake. We also evaluate the broilers by toasting white bread and cooking steak.

Our analysts assess each instruction manual and factor their helpfulness into the ease-of-use score. We also score how easy it is to clean the cooktop and oven and to navigate the control panel. We note the functionality of any storage drawers or additional features like app connectivity.

✔️ Size: Induction ranges on average are 30 inches wide with four burners and a 5.8 cubic foot oven capacity. However, you can find models that are 36 inches up to 48 inches wide with five to six burners, and ovens can be as large as 7.1 cubic feet. Larger models are ideal if you need more cooking surface or room for baking, but a 30-inch model will work for most homes. ✔️ Number and variety of heating elements: Induction burners work best when they match the size of the cookware you’re using, so it's important to have a variety of heating element sizes. And it's helpful to have a variety of different-sized cookware as well. Some elements have multiple concentric rings for manual or auto-sizing to different pot sizes, which is particularly useful on small cooktops. Most models have four to six individual heating elements that typically correspond with the size of the cooktop.

✔️ Bridge burners: One feature that we find very useful with induction cooktops is a bridge burner, or the ability to lock or connect multiple burners to work as one. This is particularly helpful when cooking with long or irregularly shaped cookware, such as a griddle or grill pan. While bridge burners aren't essential, we recommend looking for models with this option if you like to cook a variety of dishes or to host large groups.✔️ Design and finish: Unlike gas ranges that come in a variety of styles, most induction ranges tend to look pretty similar with a glossy black glass cooktop. While the style and color of each induction range can differ based on the brand, we found most to have a stainless steel finish and sleek design. ✔️ Special features: Many induction ranges come with a number of special features on their cooktops including keep-warm settings, smart connectivity and boost and simmer modes. The ovens often include special features like convection, air fry, air sous vide, proof and more. Some of these options may be useful to you, but make sure to prioritize strong performance and a design that fits into your kitchen and budget.

The glass cooktops of induction ranges are embedded with heating elements that are powered by electromagnetic energy that directly heats the magnetic iron in cookware. Rather than heating the entire burner — which can lead to a loss of energy, more time spent waiting for a pan to heat up or even a hazard if a towel or tool touches the burner — induction burners heat only the cookware in use. While a burner will be hot after cooking because of residual heat from the cookware, the areas surrounding the heating element will be cool to the touch.

While gas ranges have been used in professional kitchens for decades, some are starting to introduce induction ranges to achieve precise cooking results and because they keep the kitchen itself cooler since they give off less ambient heat. They are also becoming popular among home cooks because of the gas range health concerns due to new research published in 2022.

You need to use induction-compatible cookware containing iron, such as cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel and stainless-plated pots and pans on your induction range's cooktop. If you prefer to cook with nonstick or ceramic cookware, pay close attention to whether they are induction safe (this should be indicated on the bottom of the pan or on its packaging).

Materials that don't work on an induction cooktop are aluminum, copper, ceramic, glass and some stainless steel. Pro tip: To ensure that your cookware is compatible with induction, you can bring a magnet with you to the store and place it on the bottom of your desired cookware — if it holds the magnet, it will work with induction cooking.

The two main types of electric ranges are traditional electric and induction. The difference lies in how the cooktops work: Traditional electric ranges have burners that heat up after electricity passes through them, and then the hot burner heats the pan. Induction ranges use electromagnetic energy to directly heat the magnetic iron in the cookware.

Traditional electric ranges tend to be more affordable and can utilize any type of cookware, while induction ranges are generally pricier and work with only specific types of cookware (see above). Induction ranges offer much more precision and speed than traditional electric ranges, but in our experience, both ranges offer ovens with even heat distribution and strong cooking performance.

✔️ Pros: An induction range offers increased speed, energy efficiency and precision compared with gas and traditional electric ranges. You can boil water quickly, melt chocolate delicately and hold a sauce like a hollandaise without it breaking. The cooktops are very easy to wipe clean as well, which is a huge plus in our books.

✔️ Cons: Induction ranges tend to be more expensive compared to their electric and gas counterparts and may require a new cookware set if your current cookware set isn't induction compatible. There may also be a learning curve when switching to induction as you could accidentally overcook an ingredient, the cooktop could shut off if you take your pan off for a moment and there is a chance you could scratch the glass if you're not careful.

Eva Bleyer is the reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. She has tested many appliance categories including gas ranges, microwaves, kitchen scales and blenders.

She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva is actively testing new induction ranges for this story. She loves that induction cooktops can melt delicate ingredients like chocolate without seizing and quickly boil water for pasta.

Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.

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tested almost 100 ranges and cooktops in the last two decades great induction performance, superior ease-of-use and unique oven settings. This slide-in induction range from Samsung is less than $2,000, so it's a good option if you're new to induction. combines a four-zone induction cooktop with an excellent convection oven with dual fans and a "moisture plus" feature that increases the humidity level of your oven through the addition of steam four-zone induction cooktop . You can roast a whole chicken in one oven at 425˚F and bake chocolate chip cookies at 350˚F in another oven has a control panel with a large screen that allows you to easily program both the cooktop and the oven. we think this is a great pick for someone looking for a larger, 36-inch range with five burners and a tilting touchscreen control panel This freestanding model comes with pedestal feet, a quiet-close door and a control panel that tilts up for better ease of use ✔️ Size: ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Number and variety of heating elements: ✔️ Bridge burners: ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Design and finish: ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Special features: ✔️ ✔️ induction-compatible cookware containing iron, such as cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel and stainless-plated pots and pans ✔️ Pros: ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Cons: Eva Bleyer
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