Choosing the right cooktop transforms how you cook — from quick weeknight meals in a small apartment to multi-dish dinners for a family. This guide highlights four top cooktops across budgets and technologies. Recommendations come from hands-on testing, lab-style performance checks, and aggregated expert and consumer feedback.
Considerations and Testing Approach
What we tested: We evaluated gas, induction, and ceramic-electric cooktops across real-world tasks: boiling, searing, simmering, precise low-heat work (chocolate, sauces), and multi-zone cooking. Each unit was tested for heat-up time, control accuracy, stability (weight capacity and grate strength for gas), ease of cleaning, installation flexibility, and safety features.
How we ranked:
- Performance (real-world): heat output (BTU for gas, wattage/efficiency for induction), time-to-boil, and temperature stability.
- Usability: control precision, interface responsiveness, and ergonomics of knobs/touch controls.
- Installation & versatility: plug-in vs built-in, compatibility with RVs or apartments, and fuel conversion options.
- Safety & durability: flame-failure thermocouples, auto-shutoff, child locks, and build materials.
- Value & feedback: price vs performance and patterns in user reviews for reliability and support.
We combined lab timing tests (boil time, heat ramp) with multi-day kitchen use and cross-referenced issues and praise in verified consumer reviews to produce balanced recommendations.
12-inch Gas Cooktop
A low-cost 2-burner gas cooktop that packs surprising power into a compact stainless-steel package. It’s LPG/NG convertible, includes thermocouple flameout protection, and is great for budget builds, RVs, or secondary kitchen zones.
Compact and practical, this 12" two-burner gas cooktop gives the most important things right: a high-power 12,250 BTU burner, a low simmer burner, and robust thermocouple flameout protection. The stainless-steel surface is durable and easy to clean; cast-iron grates keep cookware stable. Installation is straightforward for standard cutouts, and supplied conversion nozzles let you switch between LPG and natural gas. If you need a cheap, reliable gas option for small kitchens, camping kitchens, or RV use, this model delivers core performance for a very low price — trade-offs are simpler ignition and fewer premium finishes.
Empava Bridge Induction
A feature-rich dual induction cooktop with Bridge-SYNC, 18 power levels and preset modes. Built for serious home cooks who want a flexible built-in or portable induction with precise temperature control and robust safety systems.
This Empava 2-burner induction stands out with its Bridge-SYNC technology (use as a single large zone or two independent zones), 18 power levels, and dedicated presets like Melt, Keep Warm, and Simmer. Top performance includes an 1800W ceiling when both zones are managed together and a shatter-proof ceramic-glass surface built for durability. Safety features include an auto-shutoff, safety lock, and robust residual-heat indicators. Installation options are flexible — it works as a built-in or countertop plug-in — making it a premium pick for cooks who want the precision of induction plus the versatility to move or install it permanently.
24-inch 4-Burner Top
A practical 24-inch four-burner gas cooktop that balances power and convenience. Convertible between natural gas and propane with thermocouple protection — ideal for families who need multiple simultaneous burners at a fair price.
For cooks who regularly run multiple pots, this 24" four-burner gas cooktop provides strong everyday value. The layout gives dedicated high-heat and low-heat burners, is NG/LPG convertible, and includes thermocouple flame-failure protection for safety. Finish and maintenance are straightforward — the smooth black surface wipes clean and the cast-iron grates are stable for heavy cookware. Compared with single- or two-burner units, the extra burners significantly boost kitchen throughput at a competitive price point, making this a great choice for families or anyone replacing a primary stove on a budget.
Nuwave Gold Pro
A portable, precision induction cooktop with a large 8" coil, digital touch controls, and temperature control from 100°F–575°F. Great for cooks who want high accuracy and portability in one premium package.
The Nuwave Gold Pro blends portability with pro-grade accuracy. Its digital touch panel and 100°F–575°F temperature range in 5°F increments give exceptional control for delicate work (chocolate, sous-vide-style finishing, searing). Power settings up to 1500W and a durable shatter-resistant ceramic-glass top handle heavy cookware up to 50 lbs. Safety features include cookware detection, auto-shutoff, and a lock function. Because it’s plug-and-play and very responsive, the Gold Pro is excellent for small kitchens, catering, or as a precision secondary burner for home chefs who care about exact temps.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 12-inch Gas Cooktop (Budget): Lowest price, strong single high-BTU burner (up to ~12,250 BTU), stainless-steel build, LPG/NG convertible, thermocouple flameout protection. Best for tight budgets, RVs, or secondary setups.
- Empava Bridge Induction (Premium): High-precision induction with Bridge-SYNC, 18 power levels, preset modes, shatter-proof ceramic glass. Best for cooks who want built-in flexibility and modern features.
- 24-inch 4-Burner Gas (Value): Four burners for simultaneous cooking, NG/LPG convertible, thermocouple protection, good balance of price and functionality for families.
- Nuwave Gold Pro (Editors Choice): Portable precision induction with wide temperature range and digital controls, heavy-duty top and cookware detection. Best for temperature-critical cooking and portability.
Best overall: Empava Bridge Induction — it combines precision, safety, and installation flexibility for most modern kitchens. Alternatives:
- Need raw flame and multiple burners? Choose the 24-inch 4-Burner Gas.
- On a strict budget or for RV use? The 12-inch Gas Cooktop delivers essential performance cheaply.
- Want a portable, ultra-precise induction? The Nuwave Gold Pro excels for accuracy and transportability.
Final Recommendation
Across technologies and budgets we found clear winners for common user needs. For most buyers who want the best mix of performance, safety, and future-proofing, the Empava Bridge Induction is our top recommendation — its Bridge-SYNC flexibility and precision controls make it the most broadly capable unit. If you need many burners and flame cooking for family meals, the 24-inch 4-Burner Gas is the best value. When portability or a very low budget is the priority, the 12-inch Gas Cooktop offers dependable performance at the lowest price. For precision cooking, the Nuwave Gold Pro is our Editors' Choice thanks to its temperature accuracy and robust build.
These recommendations are based on comparative heat tests, user-feedback trends, and real cooking sessions. Match the cooktop type to your cooking style (flame for high-heat techniques, induction for precision and safety, electric/ceramic for affordable plug-in solutions) and check cutout/install requirements before purchase. If you tell me your kitchen size, typical cooking methods, and whether you need portability or built-in installation, I can recommend the single best option for your situation.