These Induction Ranges Provide the Power and Precision of Gas, Air Frying, and More (original) (raw)

Induction ranges are more efficient than either gas or radiant electric cooking, and it’s easy to replace an old electric range without any expensive rewiring. Best of all, induction provides all the power and precision of gas cooking—if not more.

Since induction ranges are available in all the same styles as other ranges, we researched freestanding, slide-in, and drop-in models—including ones that sit flush with your countertop and others that fit anywhere in your kitchen.

We considered models from over a dozen manufacturers, including leading names like GE, Frigidaire, Samsung, Café, and Bosch, evaluating burner output, cooktop layout, oven capacity, and cooking modes. We also looked for useful features like convection cooking and air frying, smart home connectivity, and double ovens (for cooking two things at once, even at different temperatures).

Induction ranges typically cost between 1,500andnearly1,500 and nearly 1,500andnearly10,000, with basic four-burner models at the bottom and professional ranges with rugged commercial-grade construction at the top. Expect to pay between 2,500and2,500 and 2,500and4,000 for a five-burner induction range with air frying and other advanced features.

What We Like

What We Don't Like

The GE Profile PHS930YPFS comes equipped with all the most important features and capabilities an induction range needs to have. It includes a versatile cooktop with four induction elements and a non-induction warming zone, a large-capacity oven with true convection, and a soft-close storage drawer to hold all your favorite cookware. All of that is topped off by GE’s best-in-class smart home connectivity that enables useful features for cooking novices and home chefs alike, like guided cooking from Hestan Cue, a brand that sells smart pans.

The edge-to-edge glass cooktop is easy to keep clean, and it brings a touch of class to your kitchen. It includes four powerful induction burners, including a large, 11-inch element that the perfect size for stew pots and other large cookware, and two bridge elements that you can synchronize together to handle oblong cookware like griddles and teppanyaki pans. It also includes one radiant warming element that’s perfect for coordinating large meals. This element works with cookware made from glass, aluminum, and copper that don't work with induction.

What cookware can you use with induction?

You may have heard that the downside to induction is that you’ll need to buy new induction cookware, but any cast iron—including ceramic-coated cast iron—and steel cookware you own will make that transition seamlessly. The benefits far outweigh that one potential issue and additional investment, as well. Deane Biermeier, a home remodel expert and member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board, notes, "Induction stoves are excellent for rapid heat control and even cooking. From a safety standpoint, they can’t be beaten."

The large oven is similarly well-equipped, with true convection that’s enabled by a third element and reversible fan, a baking element that’s hidden behind a panel for easy cleanup, and three racks that you can slot into six different positions. It doesn’t come with roller racks—GE sells those separately for this model—but the racks it does come with are designed to be left in during the self-cleaning cycle, simplifying cleanup.

The convection feature also enables an air fryer mode that doesn’t require preheating, although you need an internet connection to download a firmware update. It’s absolutely worth connecting this range to your Wi-Fi network though, since doing so unlocks a lot of useful features, including voice controls through a compatible smart speaker. The GE SmartHQ app also lets you control and manage the oven from your phone, scan compatible pre-made meals to automatically set the oven temperature and cook time, and access a guided cooking feature that will walk you through a variety of recipes.

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

What We Like

What We Don't Like

This slide-in Frigidaire range features a four-element induction cooktop, a spacious convection oven, a high-end stainless steel finish, and a number of useful features that squeeze in extra value. The cooktop provides a lot of room for your cookware, though the lack of a warming element can be a downside when preparing several that are ready to go at different times (you may need to devote one of the other elements to warming duties.)

The cooktop only has four elements, but they are arranged in a helpful configuration that includes two medium-sized 1,800-watt elements that work well for boiling and simmering, and can also bridge together to handle griddles and other large cookware. All four elements include a boost mode for rapid heat, with the largest element topping out at a respectable 3,600 watts for situations that call for extra heat, such as searing meat.

The oven is spacious and includes two racks you can place in six different positions. Sadly, there’s no specific air fryer mode (unlike our best overall). The convection bake feature works well and cleanup is simplified thanks to a hidden bake element. Since the element is covered by a flat panel, it’s much easier to wipe clean—plus there’s no way for food to fall directly on the element.

Type: Slide-in | Dimensions: 30 x 35.375 x 28.5 inches | Number of Burners: 4 | Oven Capacity: 5.3 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

The LG LSIL6336F features a nearly edge-to-edge cooktop (meaning the burners use a lot of space, giving you the most room to cook and shift pans around) with a thin stainless steel border, which provides precisely the sleek, built-in look that every slide-in range aspires to.

This range includes a large, 6.3-cubic-foot oven that accommodates a large dish like a roast, plus several side dishes. You can also rely on ProBake Convection for even heat distribution for even cooking and baking—non-convection ovens often have trouble with hot spots, which isn’t an issue here.

Smart home connectivity through LG’s ThinQ app allows you to control and monitor the range from your phone. The app also enables a scan-to-cook mode, which automatically sends cooking instructions to your oven when you scan the barcode of a compatible frozen or ready-made meal. LG teamed up with AI startup Foodspace Technology to provide compatibility with a wide variety of national brands. (The only way to check if a product will work is to scan the barcode with the ThinQ app before you buy).

Leverage the convection mode for faster cooking and preheating, the air fry mode for especially crispy fried foods, and air sous vide mode for remarkably tender and juicy results. It’s all on display too, with LG’s huge window. Knock twice on the oven door for an easy, in-progress view of your upcoming meal, without the need to open the door and lose heat. Even with all of those features, this is one of very few Energy Star Certified induction ranges. Induction Ranges are a fairly new inclusion in the Energy Star program, so most manufacturers haven’t managed to reach the necessary reduction in energy usage.

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

What We Like

What We Don't Like

This Bosch Benchmark Series range features an attractive edge-to-edge glass cooktop with a flexible burner layout, a spacious convection oven, and a functional warming drawer that’s great for coordinating large multi-course meals. The cooktop has four induction elements, including two burners that can operate separately or in bridge mode to accommodate large cookware.

The oven has three elements for even heat and fast preheating, with what they call Convection Pro—a type of true convection that leverages a fan with a dedicated heating element. By using all three elements, including the convection element, it manages to heat up quite quickly.

The oven includes three racks, and the powerful convection fan circulates air remarkably well even when all three are in use. It doesn’t have a dedicated air fryer mode like our best overall and best slide-in, but it does have a number of other modes for conventional and convection baking and broiling, along with pizza and proofing.

Cleanup is simplified by a hidden bake element that prevents food from falling on the lower element. In the event that the oven does need extra cleaning, it includes a pyrolytic self-cleaning mode that takes about two hours to complete.

Type: Slide-in | Dimensions: 30 x 36.5 x 28.88 inches | Number of Burners: 4 | Oven Capacity: 4.6 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

The Hestan KRI30BK 30-inch Induction Range brings professional-grade quality into your home kitchen with plenty of thoughtful touches and useful features. This 30-inch induction range includes four powerful burners with slide touch controls and a 4.9-cubic-foot oven with a discreet display conveniently laid in the oven door handle.

Premium touches include Hestan’s Marquise Accented glass cooking surface, commercial-grade end caps and oven control knobs, and a counterbalanced oven door with a built-in shock absorption system for smooth, easy operation. It doesn’t feature the smart home connectivity found in many of Hestan’s standalone induction cooktops, but it gets just about everything else right.

The range top features four induction cooking zones surrounded by Hestan’s trademark Marquise pattern. Two bridge elements provide up to 3,700 watts of power each and two additional elements top out at 3,000 watts. Long story short: while there are only four elements, there aren’t any weak or low-powered ones, which you'd find in most other induction cooktops. For comparison, our best overall pick only has one 3,700 watt element, with the other elements more suitable for smaller pots and pans.

In addition to power, this range also provides control. An automatic power boost function allows pans to heat up quickly when needed, while tight power control allows you to simmer delicate sauces, sear meat, and everything in between.

The oven also provides excellent temperature control, thanks to Hestan’s PureVection technology that utilizes multiple elements and convection systems to provide even heat throughout. Additional features of this range include a meat probe that sends temperature information to the display, two fully telescoping professional-grade oven racks, and a standard rack for even more flexibility. An extra-large window provides a view of your meals as they cook, so there’s no need to open the oven and lose heat. Cleanup is simplified by hidden bake, broil, and convection elements, and a self-clean mode for larger messes.

Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 30 x 35.75 x 30.813 inches | Number of Burners: 4 | Oven Capacity: 4.9 cubic feet

What We Like

What We Don't Like

This slide-in induction range from Cafe is loaded with smart features, including support for Alexa and Google Assistant, compatibility with Hestan Cue smart pans, a guided cooking mode, a wireless sous vide probe, and an in-oven camera. The cooktop includes five elements, and the large 5.3-cubic-foot oven comes with three racks that you can slot into six different positions, including one heavy-duty roller rack. It also includes a spacious push-to-open storage drawer to hold all of your favorite cookware.

Cafe is well known for smart home features and high-end, thoughtful appliances, and this range comes fully equipped. It’s capable of connecting to your smart home ecosystem for voice controls and remote monitoring. It doesn’t support Apple HomeKit, but both iPhone and Android users can interface with all the smart features via an app. The app lets you access an in-oven camera to check up on your meals, check and adjust temperature settings, and follow along with video-based guided cooking that can expand your culinary horizons, especially if you have a Hestan Cue smart pan. Some functions require internet access to download a firmware update, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi network and internet access to get the most out of this range.

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

Final Verdict

The best overall induction range is the GE Profile PHS930YPFS. Its versatile cooktop has four powerful induction elements, including two bridge elements, a warming zone, and compatibility with Hestan Cue smart pans. The large convection oven features a full suite of cooking modes, including an air fry mode that doesn’t require preheating. The Frigidaire FCFI3083AS is our best value pick. It also has four induction elements, with two bridge elements, and a large convection oven with a hidden bake element that simplifies cleanup.

What to Look for in an Induction Range

Size and Type

When you start looking for an induction range, size is the first thing that you need to consider. Width is the most important measurement, but a range that’s too tall or too short won’t look right with your cabinets and counter, and a range that’s too deep will stick out.

If you’re replacing an existing range without remodeling your kitchen, then you will typically need to replace it with a range that’s the same size, but not necessarily the same type. For example, you can replace a 30-inch slide-in range with either a 30-inch freestanding range, or another slide in range. In any case, check the actual dimensions to be sure.

There are three main types of ranges. The type refers to the look of the range in your kitchen once it’s installed.

Oven Capacity

Oven capacity refers to the total internal volume of the oven. It’s measured in cubic feet and it impacts what you can cook in the oven. There is no specific capacity that’s right for every home and situation. The capacity you need depends on factors like how many people you cook for and the kinds of foods you like to prepare.

"If one entertains a lot and heats a lot of things in the oven, then [the] number of and rack positions are important," says Chef Anthony Marzuillo, in-house chef with Fisher & Paykel.

If you aren't sure where to start, 3.0 to 3.5 cubic feet is enough for a single person or couple. A family of four will need at least 4.0 cubic feet, and larger families need at least 5.0 cubic feet. More capacity is also good if you enjoy entertaining since you'll need more space to prepare a variety of dishes.

Notably, several of our picks have racks that can be placed in six different positions as well: the GE Profile PHS930YPFS (our best overall), the Frigidaire FCFI3083AS (our best value), and the Cafe CHS90XM2NS5 Smart Range (our best smart).

Burners

The number of burners your range has determines how many dishes you can prepare at once, as does the configuration of the burners (when a cooktop is overly crowded with burners, you may find that you can't use them all at once).

“I think the number of necessary burners depends upon how much cooking one does,” says Chef Marzuillo. “I have a family of four and we entertain a lot, so four induction zones would be the minimum to meet our cooking needs.” Larger families may need six zones, while two zones are sufficient for one or two people if space is limited.

Burner output is another important consideration because it impacts both the maximum temperature level and how long it takes to reach that temperature. “When it comes to burner output, it's wise to look for a cooktop or range with a broad array of power levels," notes Kerrie Kelly, CEO and Creative Director of the Kerry Kellie Studio. "Especially if you enjoy delicate simmering and rapid boiling or searing.”

Most induction ranges include four burners that range from 1,300 to 3,700 watts in power. Some include a weaker, fifth radiant element known as a warming zone. For the best results, look for at least one element above 3,500 watts and at least two elements that can be operated in a bridge mode, which synchronizes them together for use with large cookware.

The GE Profile PHS930YPFS (our best overall pick) has an assortment of elements with outputs that fall between 2,000 and 4,200 watts, along with a 100-watt radiant warming element.

Cleaning Options

The two most common oven cleaning options are high-heat and steam-cleaning. They’re less labor intensive than manual cleaning with an oven cleaner, but each has its strengths and weaknesses. The Cafe CHS90XM2NS5 (our best smart) includes both pyrolytic (high-heat) self-cleaning and low-heat steam cleaning modes, so you can choose which one is appropriate for any given situation.

Self-cleaning is also referred to as high-heat and pyrolytic cleaning due to the extreme level of heat involved. This mode brings the oven to a temperature that’s hot enough to carbonize food and turn it to ash, which you can wipe away when it’s done. It’s very effective, but Chef Marzuillo cautions that it also puts a lot of stress on the oven. “I am not the biggest fan of any self-cleaning," he stresses. "In fact it is something that we never use at home." He opts for a non-abrasive cleaner and a microfiber cloth instead.

Steam cleaning is less intense, but it’s also less effective. This method also uses heat, but the oven usually doesn’t get any hotter than it would during normal use. Some models introduce water during the process, while others require you to place some water in the oven before starting. Either way, the water turns to steam, which loosens food particles and makes it easier to wipe the oven clean when the process is over.

Standout Features

Smart Capabilities

If you have a Wi-Fi network and an Android or iPhone, you can take advantage of smart features that come with your induction range. Most smart ranges also interface with at least a couple of smart home ecosystems, like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The Cafe CHS90XM2NS5 (our best smart pick) has a full suite of smart capabilities, including an in-oven camera.

Some of the most important smart range capabilities include:

Oven Cooking Options

Basic oven cooking options include baking, broiling, and roasting, but our favorite ovens include more advanced features like air frying and bread proofing.

Useful cooking options to look for include:

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jeremy Laukkonen is an updates writer for The Spruce who has over a decade of experience writing about ranges, cooktops, electronics, and other home goods. In preparation for this piece, Laukkonen researched induction ranges for element power, number of elements, oven capacity, smart home connectivity, and more.

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