5 Sleek Induction Ranges That We Want in Our Own Kitchens (original) (raw)

Upgrading to an induction range can be a game-changer for your kitchen. An electric oven with a cutting-edge induction cooktop means energy savings, fast and precise cooking, and fewer pollutants and safety risks than traditional gas stoves.

It's all part of how an induction cooktop works: an electromagnetic field activates below the cooking surface to vibrate the molecules of your cookware and heat it up directly (provided your pots and pans are induction-compatible, i.e., made from properly magnetic materials like stainless steel or cast iron). With no extra element to heat up in between, you don't send extra heat out to your workspace, and the cooktop doesn't stay hot after you turn it off.

Today's best induction ranges also come with plenty of other high-tech benefits, like detailed touch control panels, timers, and handy oven features like convection technology, air frying modes, and self-cleaning. Some even include built-in Wi-Fi for smartphone access and in-oven cameras.

What We Like

What We Don't Like

LG's 30-inch-wide slide-in induction range (model LSIL6336FE) is our overall top pick for most households due to its strong mix of performance and special features, all at a cost lower than most premium competitors.

The oven is quite roomy at 6.3 cubic feet and includes several handy cooking capabilities. Its convection technology uses a two-speed fan for even heat distribution across racks, and air fry mode crisps up lots of food with minimal oil. There's even an air sous vide function to cook vacuum-sealed ingredients at low temps.

On the LSIL6336FE's cooktop, you'll find four full-powered burners plus a 6-inch warming element. They deliver strong, efficient induction performance, hitting up to a powerful 4,300 watts when power boosting the large 11-inch burner.

The energy savings is also backed by Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, currently a rare distinction for induction ranges. While we would have liked to see linked burners on this model, which allow you to use two burners as one larger surface (like for longer pans or skillets), the specs of the existing design are still likely to suit most homes well.

Besides the glass digital control panel found front and center, you get six rotating knobs to adjust the levels of the burners and oven. Modern induction devices often rely solely on touch interfaces that sometimes become slippery or unresponsive during the chaos of real-world cooking, so many home chefs appreciate the feel of familiar physical controls.

The oven's door also features an nifty InstaView window similar to those found on LG refrigerators: knock twice on the darkened panel and it lights up for you to see inside.

Finally, like a lot of today's appliances, the LG induction range builds in Wi-Fi internet connectivity, running on the brand's ThinQ smart platform. You can monitor your cooking from the mobile app, use voice commands through Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant, and get maintenance alerts or send diagnostic reports as needed to keep everything working smoothly.

Installation Type: Slide-in | Dimensions: 29.88 x 36.6 x 26.88 inches | Number of Burners: 5 | Total Oven Capacity: 6.3 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

It's true that induction ranges are generally pricier than their more traditional counterparts, but we consider Frigidaire's FCFI3083AS an impressive value at just about $1,000 at the time of publishing.

The cooktop's four burners can all be boosted for quick boiling, and the two left elements can link together to heat a single longer piece of cookware. Plus, it all happens with enough energy efficiency to make it one of the few products in the category to earn an Energy Star label (along with our best overall pick), adding to your savings in the long term.

The oven provides a nice amount of cooking space with its 5.3-cubic-foot capacity, along with fan-based convection baking—but note that it lacks the air frying mode found in other newer models.

The stove's functions are all handled on the front control panel, which have a bit of a learning curve compared to simple knob controls. It’s worth noting that you don't get some of the more high-tech extras like smart connectivity and app control (though some users find them unnecessary anyway).

Cleaning the induction cooktop, like other flat-surface stovetops, is simple since there are no coils to work around or parts that stay hot. (Just remember your pots and pans can leave some heat on the surface, so make sure it's fully cooled before you touch it.)

Even the lower heating element of the oven is tucked away beneath the smooth oven floor, so that's easy to wipe down as well. The oven also includes a self-cleaning mode that activates with a press of a button.

Installation Type: Slide-in | Dimensions: 30 x 35.38 x 28.5 inches | Number of Burners: 4 | Total Oven Capacity: 5.3 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

Today's ranges often supplement their induction cooking technology with internet-connected smart functions, and the PHS93XYPFS 30-inch model from the GE Profile line is an excellent showcase of what a smart stove can do. In addition to the big 7-inch full-color touch control screen on the unit, you can monitor and adjust your cooking from the SmartHQ mobile app, as long as the appliance is connected to your home Wi-Fi network.

What stands out when you check this range's app, though, is you can see a live view of what you're cooking, thanks to the in-oven color camera. It's handy when you step away from the kitchen, but also if you just want a closer look without opening the oven door. Automatic guided recipe cooking and coordination with Hestan Cue smart cookware (sold separately) are also a step up from what most other ranges offer.

Of course, the smart tech would be nothing without dependable hardware, and the GE Profile induction cooktop is top-of-the-line. The four main elements include two that can sync together, and there's a smaller 1,800-watt burner for keeping things warm.

Cooktop sensors help gauge the exact temperature of your cookware, and a wireless sous vide probe is included for more precise cooking. This model also comes with a rolling rack in addition to two standard ones, handy for pulling out large dishes from the 5.3-cubic-foot convection oven, which supports air frying with no preheating required.

The extra capabilities do come at a noticeable cost, however. A similar option, GE's PHS930YPFS has similar hardware, specs, and core features, minus the larger display and oven cam. That slide-in induction range was one of our previous top picks and is also worth considering if you don't need the higher-tech conveniences.

Installation Type: Slide-in | Dimensions: 29.88 x 37.25 x 28.25 inches | Number of Burners: 5 | Total Oven Capacity: 5.3 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

With its reputation for high-end appliances, we think Bosch offers a strong mix of form and function with its 800 Series induction ranges. The HIS8055U is its 30-inch freestanding model (a 36-inch freestanding and 30-inch slide-in models are also available), and its finished sides allow for more flexible placement and a clean look at any angle.

Sporting a design labeled "industrial-chic," the stainless steel stove stands on visible pedestal legs that can adjust to match your counter height. Power knobs provide a precise analog feel to the temperature controls, right next to the digital display tilted up for a better view. The quiet-closing oven door with dampened hinges is a nice touch, too.

The oven space itself is relatively small at 3.9 cubic feet and unfortunately doesn't include an air frying option. It does, however, give you true convection technology with a third heating element accompanying the fan for improved heat circulation and more even baking. There's a pizza mode, proofing for dough, and an included temperature probe for checking meat.

On top is an edge-to-edge black glass cooktop that leaves plenty of room to work, even with no fifth element for warming or bridgeable burners. The two front elements are your big ones, letting you take advantage of up to 3,700 watts of power at the boosted setting.

Installation Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 29.94 x 36 x 24.94 inches | Number of Burners: 4 | Total Oven Capacity: 3.9 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

If you're regularly finding yourself short on oven space, consider a two-oven model like the CHS950P2MS1 Smart Slide-in Induction Double-Oven Range from Cafe (a more style-forward brand from the GE family).

The 2.4-cubic-foot upper compartment is ideal for basic, everyday baking without heating up a whole large oven. When you've got multiple dishes to cook up—like at, say, Thanksgiving—you can fire up the 4.3 cubic feet of the lower oven and have both portions cooking at different temperatures independently, at the same time.

The bottom oven is where you'll find a slew of advanced cooking modes, from convection baking to no-preheat air frying to proofing. You also get all the benefits of induction cooking on the ceramic glass cooktop, complete with four strong burners plus a warming element.

And, with built-in Wi-Fi, you can connect to GE's SmartHQ platform for app controls and the option for automated recipe-guided cooking when paired with a smart pan.

Another strength of the Cafe line is its customizable design, especially when ordering from the manufacturer. It starts with an attractive base finish of standard stainless steel or more eye-catching matte white or black. You can then choose from a selection of brushed metallic colors for the hardware, as in the handles and, yes, physical knobs.

Installation Type: Slide-in | Dimensions: 29.88 x 37.13 x 29.5 inches | Number of Burners: 5 | Total Oven Capacity: 6.7 cubic feet

Final Verdict

We found the LG Smart Induction Slide-in Range to be an all-around excellent, Energy Star-certified induction range with a roomy convection oven and a nice variety of touch, physical, and app-based control options. If you're in the market for a dual-oven induction range with added capacity and flexibility for different cooking needs, the stylish Café Smart Slide-in Induction Double-Oven Range has great cooking capabilities across its two ovens and cooktop, along with a strong set of Wi-Fi features.

How We Picked the Induction Ranges

We started our research with popular reputable appliance brands, most of which offer a limited number of induction range models at this point in time. We primarily compared between slide-in units at 30 inches wide since it's the most commonly available type and size, but some manufactures produce freestanding ranges and 36-inch-wide variations as well.

Among our top considerations were cooktop power and flexibility, oven cooking functions, and useful added features that stood out among competitors.

Our list also leans toward the more affordable side of the price spectrum and products with online buying options. Shoppers can also find more options at physical appliance retailers in their area, particularly from higher-end brands like Bosch, Thermador, Miele, and Fisher & Paykel.

What to Look for in an Induction Range

Heating Elements

The induction part of an induction range describes how the heating elements of the cooktop work, so it's important to know the technology you're considering. Compared to a gas stovetop that ignites gas to heat a grate that you place your cookware on, induction cooktops skip many of those steps by using electromagnetism to heat compatible pans and pots directly.

Even compared with radiant electric cooktops that heat elements on a flat surface, induction devices transfer heat more efficiently, cook food more quickly and precisely, and leave a smooth surface cooler for easy cleaning.

On a typical 30-inch range, the induction cooktop likely has four full burners, with the largest one often able to power up to over 3,500 watts when using its boosted or quick-boil mode.

Besides maximum output, look for stovetops with many different power levels between their low and high settings, for finer control of your cooking temps. Some 30-inch models also include a smaller fifth burner that's meant for keeping things warm.

Another useful feature on some induction cooktops—including on more affordable ranges like our best value, the Frigidaire 30-inch Induction Range—is the ability to bridge two of the elements together. The coordinated control allows you to heat up larger pieces of cookware like a long grill pan or griddle.

Installation Type

The majority of induction ranges today are built for slide-in installation, meaning they fit snugly between your cabinets at a set width, usually 30 or 36 inches. (If you have gaps you want to close up at the sides of your range or behind it, look for a trim kit made specifically by the manufacturer or an adjustable universal one.)

Plenty of excellent freestandinginduction ranges are available, too, like our best professional option, the Bosch 800 Series Induction Freestanding Range. These ranges can fit between cabinets just like slide-in ones, but they also feature finished sides for a presentable look when placed at the end of a counter or standing on their own.

Drop-in ranges are a less common type that fit right into your cabinets, sometimes with overhanging cooktop sides, for an integrated appearance. At the time of writing, there were no induction ranges with drop-in installation that we identified for consideration.

Good to Know

Installing an induction stove can get complex if you're replacing a gas one and need new electrical wiring, but swapping with another electric model is a simpler task, since an electric range's power requirements are generally the same. Confirm your measurements, too—common widths are 30 and 36 inches, which is particularly important for slide-in ranges that fit within your counters.

Capacity and Size

The primary measurement to look for with a new range is its width; as mentioned above. But, even when products have the same width, other dimensions and features can vary. Internal oven capacity is an important one, since it determines how many dishes you can cook at once or how big a roast you might be able to pop in. Smaller households may be fine with a capacity under 4 cubic feet, but larger ones may want more than 5 cubic feet to work with.

You can also find induction ranges with a double oven configuration—we like the Café Smart Slide-in Induction Double-Oven Range. The top oven can handle your smaller, quicker needs while the lower one takes on larger dishes and special modes like convection and air fry, either separately or at the same time.

Features

As a forward-looking appliance, today's induction ranges tend to build in a variety of modern tech, smart home features in particular. By joining your home's Wi-Fi network, smart ranges can connect to the internet and, in turn, to your other connected devices.

This feature allows you to use a mobile app to keep track of the power levels on your cooktop and oven from anywhere with an internet connection, as well as make changes as permitted by the device and smart platform. Some ranges accept voice commands from a smart speaker through virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

One particularly futuristic feature is the ability to see inside your range while you're cooking via an in-oven camera that sends a video feed to your app. The GE Profile Smart Slide-in Induction Range with In-Oven Camera earns our best smart pick for including this and most other smart functions above. It also supports wireless connection with separate smart induction cookware from Hestan Cue, letting you precisely reach and maintain the temperatures you want, or automatically follow the temps on preset expert recipes.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Anton Galang is a freelance writer who has covered technology-related fields since 2007, contributing content to outlets such as PC Magazine and Lifewire. His work with The Spruce focuses on home tech in its various forms, including smart devices, home automation, and appliances.

In writing articles about induction ranges and cooktops, he dug into product listings, specs, and user reviews for dozens of items, spanning a wide assortment of brands from the high-end to the budget-friendly. He uses a Wi-Fi-enabled double-oven gas range in his own home, but is now sold on the merits of induction cooking.

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