Looking for the best induction cooktop in India? Check out our top recommendations based on hands-on testing.
An induction cooktop is a handy appliance for bachelors, hostelers, and even homes because you never know when you may run out of gas, forgetting to book a spare! The best part of induction stoves is that they are quick. While it takes 8-10 minutes to bring a litre of water to a rolling boil on the stovetop, it takes just around 4-7 minutes on an induction cooktop. Also, induction cooktops are comparatively safer. So, how do you find the best induction cooktop for your needs? Let us explore this in detail. But first, our top recommendations.
Our Top Recommendations
If you are looking for an induction stove that can cook quickly, then Philips HD4928 2100 Watts Induction cooktop is our top recommendation. The cooktop takes just about 4.2 minutes to boil water to 100° C. You can cook curries, make chapati, pressure cook, and boil milk with ease. In addition to showing the wattage, it has a pause button and a countdown timer too when using cooking functions. The induction plate is also wide enough. Philips generally sells durable appliances. So, you can trust on that. But, it is comparatively expensive.
If you are looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, Amazon Basics 1900 Watt Induction cooktop is a recommended choice. It too heats quickly and can boil water to 100° C in about 5.2 minutes. There are several cooking functions and the product is overall easy to use as well. You can boil milk without worrying about it spilling over. However, note that it comes with a 16A plug, which some kitchens may not have easy access to. That being said, it is safer than other options out there.
Table of Contents
- Our Top Recommendations
- Which Are The Best Induction Cooktops In India?
- How We Tested?
- Best Induction Cooktops In India
- How To Choose An Induction Cooktop?
- Pros of Induction Cooktops
- Cons of Induction Cooktops
- What Utensils Can You Use On Induction Cooktops?
- FAQs
Which Are The Best Induction Cooktops In India?
| Sl. No | Model | Wattage | Time to boil 1 litre of water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Philips Viva Collection HD4928/01 | 2100 Watts | 4.2 mins |
| 2. | AmazonBasics | 1900 Watts | 5.2 mins |
| 3. | Bajaj ICX Pearl | 1900 Watts | 5.2 mins |
| 4. | Prestige PIC 20 | 1600 Watts | 6.45 mins |
| 5. | Pigeon Cruise | 1800 Watts | 7 mins |
| 6. | Havells Instacook RT | 1400 Watts | 6.35 mins |
You may also like our article on Best Thermos Flasks In India
How We Tested?
For this review, we chose some of the top-selling induction cooktops in India and subjected them to a variety of tests. First, we checked how fast each induction cooktop could boil 1 liter of water at its highest wattage. This helps us find how quick and efficient each induction stove is.
Then, to find how well it distributes heat, we did a flour test. This means, we spread a thin layer of flour and heat it on a low setting. If the flour gets browned evenly, the induction stove distributes heat evenly. Unfortunately, as the coil of all induction stoves we tested are small, measuring just around 6 inches in diameter. As a result, the heat was concentrated at the centre. This has a significant effect when making dosas or frying food like cutlet, fish, paneer etc. The food at the centre will be brown, while the ones at the edges of the pan will not be.
Further, we tested the various functionalities that each induction stove offered. We tried the keep warm function to see how long and at what temperature it maintained the dish. We also checked if the heat milk function boils in such a way that it prevents milk from spilling over. Further, we also checked how well functions like roti/dosa, pressure cook, etc worked. During all these tests, we checked the wattage using a watt meter to see whether the stoves had a maximum wattage as claimed and also how effectively they conserved energy without compromising on cooking efficiency.
Best Induction Cooktops In India
Philips Viva Collection HD4928/01 2100-Watt Induction Cooktop
Check the latest price on Amazon
| Pros |
|---|
| Quickest among the induction cooktops we tried. |
| Easy to use interphase |
| Durable |
| Cons |
|---|
| Expensive compared to other options. |
| Doesn’t have heat milk function. |
The Philips HD4928/01 induction stove has impressed us as one of the best choices available. It is equipped with a powerful 2100-watt heating element and a 6A power plug.
One standout feature is its incredible speed, capable of boiling water to a piping hot 100°C in a mere 4.2 minutes. According to the manual, the cookware you use can have a base diameter ranging from 12cm to 20cm, providing flexibility in choosing your pots and pans.
With 5 main programs including roti/dosa, gravy, stir fry, slow cook, and pressure cook, this induction stove offers versatility in cooking options. The maximum temperature for programs like roti/dosa is set at 180°C/1300 watts, while programs like gravy can reach the highest power of 2100 watts. Additionally, you have the freedom to manually set the timer and temperature according to your needs. The timer can be adjusted for up to 3 hours, making it convenient for keeping food warm or engaging in slow cooking.
The Philips HD4928/01 induction cooktop excels at boiling water, heating milk, preparing gravies, and pressure cooking. However, when it comes to making dosas, there’s a slight challenge to overcome. Due to the smaller diameter of the heating coil at the center, approximately 6 inches, dosas may have uneven browning with the center getting browned while the edges remain white.
Similarly, when making roti/chapati, it’s important to ensure they are smaller in size, around 15cm in diameter, to achieve optimal cooking results. Larger chapatis may encounter the same issue as dosas, with undercooked edges. Additionally, when frying paneer, fish, or chicken, it’s advisable to frequently move the food around, away from the center, to prevent burning in the center and insufficient browning at the edges. It’s worth noting that these challenges are not specific to Philips but are common among all induction stoves in the market.
In conclusion, the Philips HD4928/01 is the best induction cooktop in India in terms of speed, user-friendly touch controls, and an appealing design. It offers excellent performance for various cooking needs, making it a highly recommended option. However, bear in mind that it is a bit more expensive than other options.
Amazon Basics 1900 Watts Induction Cooktop
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| Pros |
|---|
| Fairly quick at cooking and boiling. |
| Has useful functions like heat milk which boils milk preventing spillage |
| Budget-friendly pricing |
| Cons |
|---|
| Comes with a 16 A plug which many people may not have easy access to. |
A noteable advantages of Amazon Basics products in general is the superior quality and competitive pricing. We found the Amazon Basics kettle too as the best budget-friendly option in our tests.
The induction cooktop comes with a 1900-watt heating element. It has 6 functions. They are heat milk, deep fry, boil, curry, dosa/chapati and pressure cook. For optimal performance, the manufacturers recommend using cookware with an induction base measuring around 15-18cm wide. Additionally, the cooktop includes a timer that can be set anywhere from 1 minute to 3 hours.
Boiling water to 100°C takes approximately 5.2 minutes, showcasing the cooktop’s efficiency. The heat milk function is particularly useful, equipped with a 15-minute timer. If you boil milk in a utensil with 2-2.5 times its volume, you can prevent it from spilling over. For example, boiling 500ml of milk would require a saucepan with a capacity of at least 1-1.5 liters. This feature proves handy during busy mornings when you need to multitask.
While the dosa/roti function is useful for making small chapatis/rotis, it’s worth noting that thin, wide dosas tend to brown only in the center due to uneven heat distribution.
In terms of safety, the cooktop includes basic functions such as automatically entering standby mode if cookware is not placed on the cooktop within a minute of removal. It also alerts users when cookware is not properly in place or in the case of overheating.
One potential drawback of the cooktop is its 16A plug. Although this is not necessarily a true drawback, as high-wattage heating appliances should ideally have 16A plugs for enhanced safety, it may pose an inconvenience for users with kitchens lacking such plug points.
Overall, the Amazon Basics induction cooktop is the best induction cooktop in India for those who are looking for an economical yet superior option. With its responsive buttons, user-friendly interface, quick cooking capabilities, and enhanced safety features, it offers a compelling choice for those seeking both affordability and quality.
Bajaj Majesty ICX Pearl 1900W Induction Cooktop
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| Pros |
|---|
| Fairly quick at cooking and boiling |
| Easy to use interphase. |
| Durable. |
| Cons |
|---|
| Default Milk tea function doesn’t prevent milk from spilling while boiling. |
Bajaj Majesty ICX Pearl is another popular induction cooktop that enjoys strong sales in the Indian market. It features a 1900-watt heating element and offers 8 functions: curry, fry, idli, dosa/roti, milk tea, boil, slow cook, and keep warm. In terms of price, it falls in between the range of Amazon Basics and Philips HD4928.
The induction cooking zone of the Bajaj Majesty ICX Pearl measures approximately 19cm in diameter. However, it’s worth noting that the heating coil itself is relatively smaller in size.
Similar to the Amazon Basics model, the Bajaj Majesty ICX Pearl is capable of boiling water in about 5.2 minutes. Furthermore, the roti/dosa function enables you to make evenly cooked, but small chapatis.
The keep-warm function, as the name suggests, heats the curry and maintains it at about 70 °C. Its timer lasts for 2 hours.
However, one drawback compared to the Amazon Basics model is that the Bajaj induction stove does not provide a milk heating function that prevents spillage. In the default milk tea function, the stove runs at 800 watts without reducing the wattage sufficiently in between. Consequently, boiling 500ml of milk takes only 3-4 minutes and may result in spillage if not switched off. To overcome this, you will need to manually set the wattage to a lower level.
When it comes to durability, one of our team members used the Bajaj induction cooktop in her kitchen and was thoroughly impressed. It served her well for around a decade without any issues before eventually conking off.
Overall, the Bajaj Majesty ICX Pearl is one of the best induction cooktops in India offering a compelling option with its range of functions, reasonable pricing, and satisfactory performance.
Prestige PIC 20 1600 Watts Induction Cooktop
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| Pros |
|---|
| Budget-friendly pricing |
| Heat milk function boils milk without spilling it. |
| Cons |
|---|
| Doesn’t have a maximum 1600 Watts as claimed |
The Prestige PIC 20 induction cooktop, although priced similarly to the Amazon Basics model, features a lower wattage of 1600 watts. Consequently, it takes longer to heat and cook food compared to the Amazon Basics, Bajaj, and Philips models. For instance, it took approximately 6.45 minutes to boil 1 liter of water, whereas the Amazon Basics induction cooktop accomplished the task in just 5.2 minutes.
The Prestige PIC 20 comes with 8 functions. They are- dosa/chapati, pressure cook, curry, idili, deep fry, heat milk, saute and keep warm. However, the buttons are not as responsive as what you find on Amazon Basics, Philips and Bajaj.
Comparatively, the induction cooking zone of the Prestige PIC 20 is smaller measuring 15cm in diameter. Ideally, the cookware’s induction base should be less than 20cm in diameter. The manual however says, cookware up to 26cm can be used on it. But, if you fry or make dosa/roti in such a large pan, the food at the edge won’t get cooked evenly and the ones at the centre could get burnt if not careful.
Highlighting the advantages, similar to the Amazon Basics model, the Prestige PIC 20 includes a useful heat milk function for boiling milk without spillage, and the keep warm function keeps food heated without drying it out for hours.
The induction cooktop is equipped with all the basic safety features and alerts. It displays an error when a utensil is missing and provides protection against overheating, high voltage, dry heating, and sensor failures.
However, a drawback worth noting is that despite the rated wattage being 1600 watts, our measurements using a watt meter indicated a wattage of less than 1300 watts even when operating at the highest setting.
Given the same price range, our overall recommendation would be the Amazon Basics induction cooktop over the Prestige PIC 20, assuming you have a 16A plug point available in your kitchen.
Pigeon By Stovekraft Cruise 1800 Watts Induction Cooktop
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| Pros |
|---|
| Most inexpensive among the options we tried. |
| Fairly easy to use. |
| Cons |
|---|
| Takes a much longer time to cook as it doesn’t have 1800 watts induction coil as claimed. |
The Pigeon Cruise induction cooktop stands out as the most budget-friendly option among the ones we tested. It is supposed to have an 1800 watts heating element. Also, the unit has 7 cooking functions, namely pressure cook, saute, curry, heat milk, dosa, chapati, deep fry and idli.
However, despite the rated wattage being 1800 watts, our measurements using a watt meter indicated a slightly lower wattage of less than 1300 watts when operating at its highest setting. This lower wattage is reflected in the cooking performance, as it took nearly 7 minutes to boil a liter of water, which was the longest among all the options we tested. Cooking chapatis also took about 3-3.5 minutes, while other cooktops completed the task in 2-2.5 minutes. Therefore, it is fair to say that the Pigeon Cruise induction cooktop is comparatively slower than other models.
The cooking functions on the Pigeon Cruise perform optimally. For instance, the heat milk function effectively heats the milk without allowing it to boil within the 20-minute timer. It achieves this by alternating between keeping the milk warm and heating it to around 900 watts in constant intervals, preventing overheating.
The induction plate of the Pigeon Cruise measures 17cm in diameter, and according to the manual, cookware with a base ranging from 12 to 24cm can be used on this cooktop.
One drawback worth noting is that the cooktop has a tendency to slightly wobble, and the buttons are not as user-friendly compared to other options.
Considering its budget-friendly price, the Pigeon Cruise is the best induction cooktop in India for those who don’t mind the slightly longer cooking time and can appreciate its cost-effectiveness.
Havells Instacook RT Induction Cooktop
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Powered with a 1400 watt coil, Havells Instacook RT is an option that gives ample importance to its safety features. The cooktop has just 4 basic functions. They are manual, boil, gravy/dal and deep fry. In each of these functions, you can set the wattage levels from a scale of 1 to 6.
At levels 1 and 2, the wattage varies between 0 and 900, and 1100 respectively. When set to level 3, it maintains a steady wattage range of 1000-1100 watts with intermittent switching off. For levels 4, 5, and 6, the cooktop runs continuously at approximately 1050, 1150, and 1350 watts respectively, providing higher power for efficient cooking.
The induction cooktop functions as promised. It takes 6.35 minutes to boil 1 litre of water to 100 C, which is fair considering its low wattage. Unlike some inexpensive brands that make exaggerated wattage claims and underdeliver, the Havells Instacook RT stays true to its specifications.
The safety features are also sufficient. It comes with a 16A plug, which is safer for high power consuming heating appliances. Further, it shows error message when the appliance is overheated and when input voltage is too low or too high.
Compared to AmazonBasics, it is slightly more expensive. AmazonBasics has more features like a number of useful preset functions, timer and pause function, which Havells Instacook RT lacks. However, it surpasses options like Prestige PIC 20 and Pigeon Cruise in terms of built quality and safety features. So if you are looking for an affordable, safe and reliable product within Havells brands, Instacook RT could be an ideal choice.
How To Choose An Induction Cooktop?
An induction cooktop is a fairly simple appliance. Hence, there are just a few important aspects that you need to consider while choosing one for your needs. They are-
Power
Power is perhaps one of the most important aspects to consider when buying an induction cooktop. The higher the power, the quicker it boils and cooks food. On the other hand, it consumes higher electricity too. Ideally, opt for an induction cooktop with at least 1900 Watts of power. Else, it will take as long or sometimes much longer than cooking on the gas stove.
Size of Induction Base
The size of the induction base gives a good indication of whether you can use large pans and pots on the stove. Ideally, they should have at least 17cm diameter. That being said, the heating coil of most induction cooktops has just 6-inch diameter. Hence, you will find heat doesn’t radiate evenly on the cookware. This becomes noticeable when you fry food on the induction cooktop. The food at the centre will be brown, while the ones at the edges will be uncooked. Hence, you have to move around food frequently when frying in an induction cooktop.
Functions
Some induction cooktops have functions merely for the sake of it. It just sets the wattage at a certain level and runs indefinitely. However, options like AmazonBasics have auto functions. You find that the induction stove runs at variable wattages to optimally cook the particular food. For example, the heat milk function ensures that it boils milk without spilling outside the pot. Similarly, in Philips, gravy function runs at different wattages for tadka, saueting and simmering the curry.
Durability
You get what you pay for. This is especially true in cases of kitchen appliances. Ideally, be prepared to shell out at least Rs.2000 if you want an induction cooktop that will last at least 5 years or more. Cheaper ones conk out much quicker. Options like Prestige, Bajaj, Philips etc are much more durable than cheaper options available in the market.
Safety Features
Being a heating appliance, it is important that induction stoves have sufficient safety features. Ideally, they should alert you when the pot is removed from the cooktop, when the device overheats or when any of the sensors fail. Fortunately, most induction cooktops come with these basic safety features. This also brings us to another point, avoid buying induction cooktops without BIS marking.
Pros of Induction Cooktops
- Saves Time: As mentioned earlier, the main advantage of induction cooktops is its speed. You can boil water, milk, make curry etc in lesser time compared to a traditional gas stove. While induction cooktops take around 4-7 minutes to boil 1 litre water, traditional gas stoves take around 8-10 minutes.
- Saves Money: When you make a precise comparison, you find that induction cooktops save money compared to unsubsidized LPG.
- Safer Than Gas Stoves: It is also worth noting that they are safer as there are no open flames. However, you need to take care to follow the manual and prevent water from entering inside the cooktop to avoid shocks.
- Easier To Clean: Induction cooktops are easier to clean as they have a smooth, flat surface. Often, gas flame become weak after a few years of use because of food particles getting trapped inside the burner. But, this doesn’t happen with induction cooktops.
- Aesthetics: Induction cooktops are a lot more aesthetically pleasing with sleek design and black, glossy finishing.
Cons of Induction Cooktops
- Dependency on Electricity: You cannot depend on induction cooktops if you have frequent power disruption at your place. Moreover, due to high power consumption, they cannot be connected to home inverter.
- Upfront Cost: Single burner induction cooktops are inexpensive costing about Rs.1500 onwards. However, induction hobs with 2-3 cooking zones cost a bomb in India. Hence, you cannot solely depend on induction cooktops for cooking.
- Uneven Heat Distribution: As induction cooktops usually have coil measuring around 6 inches, heat tends to concentrate at the centre. So when making dosa, chapati etc, they tend to get cooked at the centre and uncooked at the edges. You can prevent this only by making small-size dosas and chapatis.
- Cookware Compatibility: Only flat-bottom cookware with iron content can be used on induction cooktops. This means, you cannot use aluminium, brass, bronze etc on induction cooktops unless they have an induction base.
What Utensils Can You Use On Induction Cooktops?
Induction cooktops have magnetic coil that induces an electric current within the vessel due to electromagnetic induction. This electric current faces resistance as it flows through the metal, hence generating heat. This heat is transferred to the food inside which in turn cooks it.
So, only magnetic cookware can be used on induction cooktops. That means you cannot use aluminium, clay or copper cookware in induction stove. Further, induction cooktops need flat-bottomed cookware. So, you cannot use round bottomed kadai on induction cooktops.
FAQs
Considering aspects like power, energy efficiency, user-friendliness, auto functions and price, Philips HD4928/01 is one of the best induction cooktops to buy in India.
The higher the power, the quicker the cooking. It is better to opt for an 1800 watts induction cooktop because if you are in a hurry, you can blast it at the highest power and quickly cook. And if you are not in a hurry, you can set it at lower power and save electricity.
An induction cooktop uses around 1.5-2 units of electricity per hour. Typically, cooking for a household with 4 members can be done in 1-2 hours. Hence, it will consume 1.5-4 units per day, which comes to 45-120 units per month, depending on your usage.
The main disadvantages of induction cooktops are uneven heat distribution and lack of affordable 2-3 place induction cooktops in India.
Philips, Prestige and Bajaj are some of the brands that sell reliable induction cooktops in India. They are durable, safe and easy to use.