Forget dusty old electric coils—induction is the future for faster, high-performance cooking. These sleek stovetops harness the power of magnets to heat pans directly and don’t lose any heat.
In laboratory tests, induction elements can boil 6 cups of water nearly twice as fast as gas or traditional electric ranges—and a full 4 minutes faster than the fastest gas burner.
With the market for smoothtop electric ranges projected to grow steadily at 4% annually, more and more homeowners are being drawn to the benefits of induction cooking. Already over 30% of freestanding electric ranges sold feature induction elements.
And the best size for your kitchen? 30-inch cooktop. That’s what this review is about. Let’s take a look at some great options that come in this size and answer to some common questions you may have. And yes, we also have a review for 36-inch cooktops in case you want a bigger one for your kitchen.
1. |
Empava 30 Inch Electric Stove |
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2. |
Thermomate Electric Cooktop |
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3. |
Doumigo Induction Cooktop |
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4. |
ECOTOUCH 4 Burner Induction Cooktop |
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5. |
Frigidaire FGIC3066TB Gallery | |
6. |
Bosch Benchmark 30″ |
Best 30-Inch Induction Stoves in 2023
We hit the track and tested the top 30-inch induction burners. Let’s see which cross the finish line as kitchen winners!
1. Empava 30 Inch Electric Stove
The Empava induction cooktop is a cooking beast! With its 4 powerful burners, this baby heats pots to sizzling in under 90 seconds.
How does it work so fast? Magnets, baby. They send a buzz through your pan and boom – instant heat. None of that slowly warming the stove nonsense. The Empava goes 0 to cooking in no time.
The sleek glass surface looks fancy but wipes down easily when you spill pasta water everywhere. Typical Empava quality comes at a price – but just imagine the meals you’ll be cranking out!
Pros – What I Liked
- Heats up pots and pans in as little as 90 seconds for an instant cooking response
- High-powered 3,600W and 4,000W burner elements deliver rapid boiling and searing
- Smooth vitro ceramic glass surface allows easy wiping away of spills and splatters after cooking
- Built-in booster function provides an extra heat burst up to 500°F for searing steaks or stir-frying
Cons – What I Didn’t Like
- High price tag of over $1000 makes it a major investment for home cooks
- Digital touch controls take some practice to operate smoothly without accidentally changing settings
- Lacks more advanced features like a built-in timer or app connectivity
- Powerful performance requires heavy-duty electrical installation of 240V circuit
2. Thermomate Electric Cooktop
If fast and furious cooking is your need for speed, the Thermomate induction cooker is your kitchen ride or die.
This cooktop utilizes the same magnetic magic as the Empava, meaning pan to perfect temp in minutes. The glass top gives it a cool modern look while hiding high-tech features like auto shut-off.
With 5 burners, you’ve got the electric power of a pro kitchen in your home. Does your cooking need a boost? The Thermomate’s got the need…the need for speed!
Pros – What I Liked
- Ultra-fast heating elements allow bringing water to a rapid boil in under 3 minutes
- Smudge-proof ceramic glass cooktop stays cool to the touch for added safety
- Helpful auto shut-off function turns off the stove after a set inactive period
- Flexi-bridge element allows combining two burners into one large cooking zone
Cons – What I Didn’t Like
- Installation requires hardwiring to a 240V circuit which may add electrician costs
- High price makes it a significant investment for most homeowners
- Maximum heat setting can scorch food quickly if not carefully monitored
- Some durability issues were reported with faulty electronics failing over time
3. Doumigo Induction Cooktop
The Doumigo induction cooktop is like having your own personal robot chef! This smart cooker has brains to monitor for overheating and errors.
It also cranks an insane 4000W of power across 4 burners. That means boiling water for pasta before the radio song even ends. The huge heating surface is perfect for giant pots and pans.
While pricier than some, the Doumigo is a kitchen multitasker ready to help whip up meals at warp speed!
Pros – What I Liked
- Strong 3,700W and 4,000W burner elements provide rapid heating comparable to commercial ranges
- Smart monitoring automatically detects and alerts for overheating or other errors
- Four cooking zones can be combined into one large surface using the flex bridge function
- Sleek black glass finish gives a modern look and wipes clean easily after cooking
Cons – What I Didn’t Like
- High price is a significant expense for most home cooks
- Professional 4,000W power requires hardwiring to a 240V circuit
- Unattended food can scorch quickly on the highest heat setting
- Freestanding model may not fit cooktop cutouts for built-in installation
4. ECOTOUCH 4 Burner Induction Cooktop
The ECOTOUCH induction cooktop packs a punch with 7200 watts of power – more than enough to tackle any cooking challenge.
The smart controls automatically detect your pan, so no worrying about turning on the wrong burner. It heats lightning-fast, but with 18 power levels, you maintain total control.
While not the fanciest, the ECOTOUCH gives solid induction performance for an affordable price. Your kitchen deserves some electrifying power!
Pros – What I Liked
- Powerful combined 7,200W output across 4 burners for fast boiling and searing
- Smart technology detects pan size and presence automatically for added convenience
- Reasonable price of under $500 makes it an affordable entry-level induction cooker
- Scratch-resistant glass surface prevents metal utensil markings over time
Cons – What I Didn’t Like
- Noisy internal cooling fan can disrupt normal conversation at higher settings
- Uneven burner sizes with two smaller 6″ elements may limit cookware sizes
- Food scorching is a risk on the easily activated maximum power setting
- Short 1-year warranty is disappointing for the price point
5. Frigidaire FGIC3066TB Gallery
The Frigidaire Gallery induction cooktop proves you don’t need fancy features for serious cooking power. It offers great temperature precision with melt and simmer options.
The smudge-proof black glass surface wipes clean in seconds while also looking sleek. Reliability is assured by the trusted Frigidaire name.
While there are some durability complaints, the Frigidaire still delivers sizzling results worthy of a top chef!
Pros – What I Liked
- Handy melt and simmer temperature presets for more precise cooking control
- Smudge-proof black ceramic glass resists staining from spills and greasy splatters
- Trusted Frigidaire brand provides peace of mind for reliability and performance
- Sleek edge-to-edge glass top and black frame fit elegantly into modern kitchens
Cons – What I Didn’t Like
- Some complaints of uneven heating with overly hot or cool spots
- Long-term durability issues were reported, with electronics failing over time
- Disappointing 2-year warranty is short for this price range
- Bad plastic burning odors emitted on the first several uses
6. Bosch Benchmark 30″
When only the best will do, go with the Bosch induction cooktop. The responsive touch controls give you precise command of cooking temps.
Four flexible burners allow you to combine zones for giant pots or griddles. This sleek German-engineered stove looks right at home in modern kitchens.
You pay a premium for Bosch quality, but the perks are clear: durability, innovation, and seriously good cooking!
Pros – What I Liked
- Renowned Bosch brand ensures top-tier engineering and quality materials
- Precise touch slider controls allow seamless temperature adjustments during cooking
- Flexible cooktop zones let you bridge two circular burners into one large oblong space
- Minimalist black glass frame fits beautifully into contemporary kitchen aesthetics
Cons – What I Didn’t Like
- Very high price puts it out of reach for many home cooks
- Heavy weight of nearly 70 lbs makes installation and handling more difficult
- Hardwired 240V hookup required, limiting placement flexibility
- Smart app connectivity lacks capabilities offered by competitors
Why 30-Inch Induction Cooktops?
A 30-inch cooktop is designed to slide right into a standard built-in kitchen layout. Anything wider starts getting tricky.
And even if you aren’t doing a fancy remodel, 30 inches gives you 3 or 4 burners – plenty of real estate for pots and pans to race around!
Of course, induction itself is the real speed demon, using magnets to rev up your cookware. Nearly instant boiling! Just be sure your pots play nice with induction before buying (check the box!).
Do 30-inch Induction Cooktops Require Special Wiring?
The majority of 30-inch induction cooktops on the market require a 240-volt electrical hookup, which most standard homes don’t have pre-wired to the kitchen stove space. Induction burners need the extra voltage to power the electromagnets that generate the rapid heating.
To install a 240V induction cooktop, you’ll likely need to hire an electrician to run new wiring from your electrical panel to the cooktop location. This can add several hundred dollars or more to your costs. In some cases, if there was previously a large appliance like a dryer hookup nearby, the existing 240V line may just need extending.
Before purchasing a 30-inch induction cooktop, carefully check the voltage it requires and consult with a certified electrician on your wiring situation. Having them perform a site visit to evaluate your kitchen’s electrical capacity before ordering the induction burner is wise.
While the 240V requirement does mean added installation costs, keep in mind that this powerful voltage will allow your induction cooktop to deliver ultra-fast heating comparable to professional-grade restaurant ranges. For home chefs who love stir-frying or boiling big pots of water, that blazing cooking power will quickly make the extra effort and expense worthwhile!
Verdict
After our grueling tests, the Bosch stood out as the Ferrari of the pack. Absolutely blistering speed with control and style. The price tag reflects the quality, but Bosch built a true winner.
The Thermomate delivered seriously fast heating too, especially with that flexibridge to combine burners. Reliability concerns drop it to second place. Still an awesome cooktop for the cost.
Common Questions
Why are induction cooktops so expensive?
The complex electronics and wiring add to manufacturing costs. But the blazing speed and precision control do justify the price for many.
What pots and pans work with induction?
You need cookware with an iron base. Stainless steel, cast iron, and enameled cookware are compatible. Not copper or aluminum alone.
