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The Best Portable Induction Cooktops

For the easiest way to cook while camping and on the go, check out these portable induction cooktops.

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The Best Portable Induction Cooktops

An induction cooktop is essentially a burner (or multiple burners) that uses radiant heat to make the surface hot enough for cooking. Induction stoves are a popular choice for homes, but the portable variety is super convenient. You can use it indoors, outside, in your RV, at a vacation rental, directly on your countertop, and anywhere else with an electrical outlet.

Another reason to love induction cooktops? They heat quickly and warm pots and pans evenly. Not only that, but they tend to use less energy than gas burners. If you're in the market for a portable model, we have you covered.

This all-star cooktop boasts an LCD touchscreen with ample settings, energy-efficient heating, and an easy-to-clean glass surface.

The heating area is small, so this isn't the best choice for large pans.

Whether you're looking for something you can use at home or on the go, the Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop is a stellar choice. It has 20 preset temperature levels that use up to 1800 watts of power. No matter what setting you choose, the brand promises it'll use over 80 percent less energy than a traditional gas or electric stove.

This take-anywhere burner flaunts an LCD control panel with touch sensors, making it easy to toggle between temperatures, set the timer, or select other modes, like fast boil and warm. It even has a child-safety lock function that prevents little fingers from turning it on or changing the settings while you're cooking.

The lightweight design weighs just over 6 pounds, and at only 11 inches wide, the slim profile is easy to store and transport. We also like that the sleek glass surface is a breeze to wipe clean. Due to the compact build, the only potential drawback is that the actual burner is only 8 inches in diameter, so it's not ideal for larger pots and pans. Still, we think the price is more than reasonable for such a feature-rich product.

The Details: 14 x 11.5 x 2.5 inches | 6.2 pounds | 20 temperature settings | 100-460 degrees Fahrenheit | 1800 watts

This affordable cooker has a user-friendly control panel, 45 temperature settings, and multiple safety features.

The burner is pretty small.

On a budget? Go with the NuWave Flex. This affordable induction cooktop has a user-friendly digital control panel with 45 temperature settings ranging from 100 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also set the timer so the burner automatically shuts off once the cook time completes.

The heating surface is made of heavy-duty ceramic, covered by shatter-proof, easy-to-clean glass. Without any open flames or hot coils, the risk of fire is greatly reduced. It also only heats when a pot or pan is placed on top. The only thing to note about this cooktop is that the burner is pretty small — the heating coil is just 6.5 inches.

The Details: 12 x 10 x 2 inches | 5.2 pounds | 45 temperature settings | 100-500 degrees Fahrenheit | 1300 watts

The Control Freak is a high-end cooktop with lots of standout features, including precise temperature controls and a heat intensity function.

It only works with induction-compatible cookware, and the price might be hard to justify for basic cooking needs.

The Control Freak is an excellent choice if you're open to shelling out a bit more for a high-end model. This induction cooktop stands out for its precise temperature settings, allowing you to adjust the heat in one-degree increments from 86 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a special sensor that detects the pan's temperature in real-time for more accurate cooking results.

Additionally, you can save temperature profiles for your favorite dishes. There's even an intensity function that allows you to control how quickly the temperature heats up. The Control Freak has a few safety features, too, including a dual-fan cooling system and automatic shutoff. Just a heads up, this product only works with induction-compatible cookware — look for the coil symbol on the bottom.

The Details: 19.5 x 14 x 4.5 inches | 21 pounds | 397 temperature settings | 86-482 degrees Fahrenheit |1800 watts

Weighing barely more than 5.5 pounds, this lightweight, slim burner is perfect for on-the-go use.

It's not ideal for larger pans.

Looking for something lightweight for on-the-go use? The GreenPan Portable Induction Cooktop weighs just over 5.5 pounds, plus it has a relatively slim profile that's easy to pack or use in an RV, tiny home, small studio, or accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

This sleek burner has user-friendly touch controls with an LED display and programmable presets. We like that you can set the temperature to a precise degree rather than increments of 5 or 10. There's also a rapid-boil function that cuts down on your cooking time, plus a child-lock setting and a pan detection feature that prevents it from turning on unless it detects cookware. The easy-to-clean crystal surface is a nice touch too.

The Details: 17 x 13 x 3 inches | 5.7 pounds | Precise temperature settings | 1800 watts

At just 11 inches wide, this slim cooktop is supremely portable, and it heats remarkably fast.

It isn't ideal for larger skillets and doesn't have as many temperature settings as other models.

We also like the Hamilton Beach Portable Induction Cooktop. At just 11 inches wide and 2.5 inches thick, it's one of the slimmest options we found. Weighing only 6.5 pounds, it's also conveniently lightweight and great for RVs, glamping trips, and outdoor use wherever there's a power hookup.

While it only has 10 temperature settings ranging from 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, it definitely gets the job done. According to the brand, the burner heats 40 percent faster than traditional stoves, taking a pot of water from room temp to boiling in seven minutes. This cooktop also has an induction test magnet — if your pans stick to it, you know they're induction-compatible.

The Details: 14 x 11 x 2.5 inches | 6.5 pounds | 10 temperature settings | 180-450 degrees Fahrenheit | 1800 watts

You can control the heat of each burner with a quick tap, and the heat-safe design prevents burns and overheating.

It has a short power cord, so consider getting an extension cord for outdoor use.

Interested in a dual-burner cooker? The Caso Chef Duo is your best bet. This induction cooktop has one medium and one slightly larger burner, each with 12 temperature settings you can control with a quick tap. You can also adjust the power to conserve energy while making either side heat quicker if needed.

Thanks to magnetic technology, the heat-safe design only transfers radiant heat directly to the cookware. This prevents overheating and accidentally burning your hands when you're done cooking. One thing to note is that the power cord is only about 2 feet long, so you might need an extension cord, depending on where you use it.

The Details: 23 x 16 x 3.5 inches | 10.8 pounds | 12 temperature settings | 1800 watts

The Zavor Pro is lightweight, compact, and easy to clean, with quick heating and safety features to boot.

If you have the space, consider getting a double burner for your RV.

Need something for your RV or Airstream trailer? Zavor Pro is a great choice. This induction cooktop weighs less than 7 pounds and is a relatively compact 15 x 13 inches. You can set the temperature in increments of 5 degrees, ranging from 140 to 465 degrees Fahrenheit, or choose from one of the eight presets.

According to Zavor, this portable cooker heats up to 50 percent faster than a gas or electric stovetop and uses less energy. It also has the benefit of no flames or gas emissions. The unit will automatically turn off when it doesn't detect cookware, and a child lock prevents kids from changing the settings while you're cooking. We also appreciate that the nonstick glass surface stays cool to the touch and is super easy to wipe clean.

The Details: 15 x 13 x 3.5 inches | 6.8 pounds | 37 temperature settings | 140-465 degrees Fahrenheit | 1800 watts

This dual-burner cooktop heats quickly with minimal energy consumption and promises even heating on your pots and pans.

It doesn't have as many heat settings as other models.

Cuisinart makes our favorite countertop option. As the name suggests, the brand's Double Induction Cooktop features two burners, one small and one large, allowing you to whip up more elaborate meals than its single-burner counterparts. It'll also come in handy when you're cooking for a big group and need a couple of extra burners in your kitchen in addition to your regular stove.

This cooktop promises to heat quickly to one of the eight preset temperature settings. Though it doesn't list the exact wattage, the brand claims it has 70 percent less energy consumption than conventional burners. Other standout features include bright LED displays, automatic shutoff, and even heating on induction-compatible cookware.

The Details: 23.5 x 14 x 2.5 inches | 13.6 pounds | 8 temperature settings

This cooktop won't heat unless a pan is attached, and the child locks prevent kids from changing the settings.

It only fits frying pans up to 8.5 inches in diameter.

We're also big fans of the iSiLER Portable Induction Cooktop. The lightweight, compact design weighs less than 6 pounds and measures just 14 x 12 inches. It features 17 temperature settings ranging from 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit and promises uniform heating to your induction cookware.

The magnetic sensor ensures it doesn't warm up unless a compatible pot or pan is attached. There's also a child-safety lock, which you can set to prevent kids from turning it on or changing the settings once you're already cooking. What's more, the glass surface is resistant to wear and tear and incredibly easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. The budget-friendly price tag doesn't hurt, either.

The Details: 14 x 12 x 2 inches | 5.7 pounds | 17 temperature settings | 140-460 degrees Fahrenheit | 1800 watts

This hybrid cooktop uses both induction and gas components for more responsive heating and better control.

It requires propane or a natural gas hookup.

The Empava Portable Cooktop uses a combination of induction heating and gas. According to the brand, the induction component is 70 percent more efficient than gas, and gas is 20 percent more efficient than an electric stovetop. The idea behind the hybrid design is that it offers more responsive heating and better control at both low and high temperatures.

This cooktop plugs into a standard electrical outlet, but you'll also need propane or a natural gas hookup for the gas component. We like that it has a vitro-ceramic glass surface that's heat-resistant, crack-resistant, and incredibly easy to clean. While it'll remain hot even when you remove the cookware, an indicator tells you when it's hot to the touch. It also has a child lock that prevents kids from messing with the settings.

The Details: 20.5 x 14 x 2 inches | 14 pounds | 9 temperature settings | 1800 watts

What many people appreciate about induction cooktops is that they evenly heat your pots and pans. However, this only works if the burner is the same size or larger than the cookware you use. Before buying a cooktop, double-check the diameter of the burner (not the width of the cooktop) to make sure it's the proper size for the cookware you plan to use.

We recommend getting a portable induction cooktop with a high number of temperature and power settings. This will give you more control over the burner(s and allow for optimal heat distribution. Some options have a limited number of preset temperatures, whereas others offer precision control in single-degree increments.

You'll also want to think about the size of the cooktop in terms of your cooking needs and what you're able to fit, whether you're using it at home, in an RV, or at a vacation rental. Most portable induction cooktops have only one burner, but there are larger options with two burners. Check the dimensions before buying one to make sure it's the right size for storage, packing, and your available countertop space.

Portable induction cooktops only work with a certain type of cookware — the good news is, these types of cookware are incredibly common. Your pots and pans need to be made out of a magnetic material, like stainless steel or cast iron, that will stick to the cooking surface. Induction-compatible cookware will also usually have a coil symbol on the bottom.

Portable induction cooktops are generally very durable — many are crack-resistant or even shatter-proof. You could store and transport yours in its original box, but this may not be necessary. Any bag or carrying case that fits it should work, but you can also probably pack it in your car or RV as-is.

Though it varies among models, most portable induction cooktops use roughly 15 to 20 amps of electricity. Nonportable induction stove tops with more burners require closer to 40 or 50 amps.

Generally speaking, portable cooktops are safe to use if you follow included instructions. This is especially true for the induction variety, as they don't use flames or create gas emissions. Most induction stovetops won't even heat up unless compatible cookware is attached, which reduces the risk of burning.

The biggest risk is a potential electrical hazard. But this is true for pretty much any plug-in appliance and shouldn't be an issue if you use a properly installed outlet without any exposed wires.

One of the potential drawbacks of induction cooktops is that they only work with magnetic cookware made of stainless steel or cast iron, but these materials are pretty common for pots and pans. Beyond that, they sometimes create a rattling or whirring noise as a result of the radiant energy transferring from the surface coil to the cookware.

The life span for most induction cooktops is about 2,500 hours. If you use it every day, this equates to about 10 years. But if you're using a portable induction cooktop less frequently, it'll theoretically last much longer.

Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in lifestyle, travel, recreation, consumer tech, and housewares. For this story, she researched today's best induction cooktops, narrowing it down to the most user-friendly, energy-efficient options with ample temperature controls and standout features.

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The Best Portable Induction Cooktops

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