Compare Countertop Burners Side by Side

An induction burner uses a magnetic field to heat the cookware directly, so the surface itself stays relatively cool and only compatible (magnetic-bottom) pots and pans will work on it. An electric coil or ceramic burner heats a resistive element or glass surface and works with any cookware. Induction is generally faster to reach temperature and easier to clean, but it rules out aluminum, glass, and most copper pans.

The wattage figure is the manufacturer's rated maximum draw at the highest heat setting. Higher wattage means faster heating, but it also means a larger draw on your circuit. Most countertop burners fall between 1000 and 1800 watts. If you plan to run one on an extension cord or a shared circuit, pick a model toward the lower end to avoid tripping a breaker.

Programs refers to the number of preset heat levels the burner offers, as listed by the manufacturer. A unit with 6 programs gives you more incremental control than one with 3. Some models use a dial with continuous adjustment instead of discrete steps, and those show up in the controls column as 'dial' rather than a number.

Dimensions come from what the manufacturer publishes in their spec sheet. If a manufacturer does not list dimensions in their official product data, the field will be blank in our table rather than estimated. When dimensions are missing, check the product page directly, where we link to the manufacturer listing.

Yes. You can add as many burners as you like using the 'Add to compare' button, and the table will extend a column for each one. On a narrow screen the table scrolls horizontally so no data is cut off. If the table gets cluttered, use the remove button on any column header to drop a burner from the view.