Top 5 induction cooktops in India: how to choose

Who should buy induction?

Induction heats the pan itself, using a magnetic field. The glass top only gets warm from the pan. It is quick and easy to wipe, and it works well as a second burner in a small kitchen, a rented room, or when a cylinder runs out.

It has one main limit. No electricity means no cooking. So for most homes, it works alongside gas, not in place of it.

Induction or gas: what does it cost?

Cost depends on your cylinder price and your electricity rate, so here is a rough example you can redo yourself. Our sum assumes that one kilogram of LPG gives about 12.8 units of heat, a gas stove passes about half of that to the pot, and induction passes about 85%. Real numbers change with the pot, the flame and the way you cook.

On those figures, 1 kg of LPG does about the same cooking as 7.5 units of electricity. A 14.2 kg cylinder then matches about 107 units.

This table uses ₹8 per unit as an example in the middle row. Your rate depends on your state and how much you use, so check your bill.

Electricity rate (example)	Units	Induction is cheaper if your cylinder costs more than
₹6 per unit	107	₹642
₹8 per unit	107	₹856
₹10 per unit	107	₹1,070

So the two are often close. Heavy use can also push you into a higher slab on your bill, which changes the result. The real gain from induction may be speed and a cooler kitchen rather than savings.

What it costs per dish

This table assumes full power. In practice, induction switches on and off at lower settings. It uses ₹8 per unit as an example.

Power setting	Units in 15 minutes	Cost in 15 minutes	Cost in 30 minutes
1000 watts	0.25	₹2	₹4
1600 watts	0.4	₹3.20	₹6.40
2000 watts	0.5	₹4	₹8

The magnet test

Take a fridge magnet to your kitchen before you buy anything.

Utensil	Usually works?	Note
Cast iron tawa or kadhai	Yes	Needs a flat base
Magnetic stainless steel	Yes	Do the magnet test, because not all steel is magnetic
Induction-base pressure cooker	Yes	Look for induction on the base or the box
Plain aluminium	No	Common in Indian kitchens, so check yours
Hard anodised aluminium	Usually no	Works only with a steel base layer
Copper, brass, clay, glass	No	Unless the base has a magnetic layer

If the magnet sticks firmly, the pot should work. Also check that the base is flat and that it sits fully on the glass. A round-bottom kadhai rocks and heats poorly. An old warped tawa will do the same.

How it fits Indian cooking

• Tadka. It heats oil very quickly, so have your mustard seeds and curry leaves ready.
• Dosa. Use a flat iron tawa. A tawa far wider than the heating area can stay cooler at the edges.
• Pressure cooking. Medium power is often enough once pressure builds.
• Rotis. You can cook them on a tawa, but there is no flame to puff a phulka.
• Tall pots. A heavy pot of biryani on a small glass top needs care, so check the weight limit.

Pots can buzz at high power and the cooling fan makes a soft noise. This is normal.

Top 5 induction cooktops to look at

We have not tested these. The details come from each Amazon listing, and the pros and cons are our reading of those details and of this type of product. This is a shortlist, not a ranking. We picked popular listings on Amazon.in, so the order does not mean one is better. Check the current price, warranty and reviews on Amazon.

Product	Type	Listed detail
Philips Viva HD4928/01	Induction cooktop	See listing
Prestige PIC 20	Induction cooktop	1600 watts
Prestige PIC 16.0 Plus	Induction cooktop	2000 watts, 8 Indian menus
iBELL 20YO	Induction cooktop	2000 watts, touch control, auto shut off
Bosch TrueSafe	Induction cooktop	2100 watts, touch panel

1. Philips Viva HD4928/01

This is a 2100 watt single burner cooktop from Philips with 5 preset menus. It has fewer presets than the Prestige and Bosch models, but it adds pot detection and a timer of up to 3 hours. It is aimed at a buyer who wants a simple second burner.

Key details

• Power: 2100 watts, 220 volts
• Menus: 5 presets for Indian cooking
• Timer: 0 to 3 hours
• Safety: automatic shut-off and pot detection
• Top: glass ceramic, 2.1 kg
• Warranty: 1 year on product. BIS listed

Pros

• The pot detection helps you find out if a vessel works.
• The 3 hour timer range suits slow cooking.
• At 2.1 kg it is easy to move and store.

Cons

• Surge protection is not mentioned, so confirm it if your voltage swings.
• A weight limit is not listed, so take care with heavy pots.
• Most home inverters cannot run 2100 watts, so keep gas as a backup.

Good for: A second burner for a small kitchen or rented room.

See on Amazon

2. Prestige PIC 20

This is a 1600 watt cooktop, the lowest power of the five, with 8 Indian preset menus. It has the same presets and 4 kV surge protection as the Prestige PIC 16.0 Plus, in a lighter body. It is aimed at someone cooking small amounts who does not need the fastest boil.

Key details

• Power: 1600 watts, 230 volts
• Menus: 8 presets, including pressure cook, curry, dosa, idli and heat milk
• Controls: soft push buttons with a timer
• Protection: listed as 4 kV surge protection, plus automatic voltage regulator
• Size: 41 x 33 x 10 cm, 1.88 kg
• Warranty: 1 year. BIS listed

Pros

• Lower watts mean a lower load on your socket.
• The surge protection is useful in areas with an unsteady supply.
• At under 2 kg it is the lightest of the five.

Cons

• Food will take longer to boil than on the 2000 watt models.
• The voltage range is not listed, so confirm it if yours drops often.
• Auto shut-off is not mentioned, so confirm it.

Good for: One or two people cooking simple meals in a rented room.

See on Amazon

3. Prestige PIC 16.0 Plus

This is a 2000 watt cooktop with the same 8 Indian presets and 4 kV surge protection as the PIC 20, but with more power and a heavier body. It is aimed at someone new to induction who wants a starting point for everyday dishes and quicker heating for a family.

Key details

• Power: 2000 watts, 230 volts
• Menus: 8 presets, including pressure cook, curry, dosa, idli and deep fry
• Controls: soft touch buttons with a timer
• Protection: listed as 4 kV surge protection
• Top: glass ceramic, with a plastic body
• Warranty: 1 year. Weighs 2.84 kg. BIS listed

Pros

• More power than the PIC 20, with the same set of menus.
• Presets give new users a starting point for daily dishes.
• The surge protection is useful in areas with an unsteady supply.

Cons

• At 2000 watts it needs a 16 amp wall socket in good condition.
• Most home inverters cannot run it, so keep gas as a backup.
• A weight limit is not listed, so take care with heavy pots.

Good for: A family using induction daily alongside a gas stove.

See on Amazon

4. iBELL 20YO

This is a 2000 watt cooktop with full touch controls and a double or single coil. Unlike the others, it says nothing about preset menus and puts its focus on adjustable heat and safety cut-offs. It is aimed at a buyer who sets power and heat by hand.

Key details

• Power: 2000 watts, 230 volts
• Coil: double or single coil
• Controls: full touch panel with temperature and power settings
• Safety: auto shut-off, overheat protection and pot detection
• Top: crystal glass, 28 x 35 x 7 cm, 2.17 kg
• BIS listed

Pros

• It is listed as switching off if it overheats or finds the wrong pot.
• Manual settings suit people who cook by feel.
• A flat glass top is simple to wipe clean.

Cons

• The title says 1+1 years of warranty and the description says 3 years with registration, so confirm it.
• Surge protection and presets are not mentioned, so confirm them if you want them.
• Most home inverters cannot run 2000 watts, so keep gas as a backup.

Good for: Someone who wants simple touch control and listed safety cut-offs.

See on Amazon

5. Bosch TrueSafe

This is a 2100 watt cooktop with a slim 4.5 cm body and a touch panel. It lists the highest surge protection of the five, at 6 kV, and a keep warm setting. It is aimed at a buyer who wants food to heat fast and has an unsteady power supply.

Key details

• Power: 2100 watts, 230 volts
• Menus: 8 presets, including milk boiling, curry, idli and slow cooking
• Controls: touch panel with timer and keep warm
• Protection: listed as 6 kV surge protection
• Safety: pan detection and automatic cut-off
• Warranty: 1 year in the details. BIS listed

Pros

• The slim body is easy to store.
• Power stops if the pan is lifted, as listed.
• Keep warm helps when family members eat at different times.

Cons

• The voltage range is not listed, so confirm it if yours drops often.
• A weight limit is not listed, which matters for heavy pots of biryani.
• At 2100 watts it needs a 16 amp wall socket.

Good for: A family in an area with storms or sudden voltage swings.

See on Amazon

Watts, sockets and power cuts

• Watts. More watts bring food to the boil faster, but you do not cook at full power all the time. A wider, flat pot matters too.
• Socket. A 2000 watt cooktop draws about 9 amps. Use a 16 amp wall socket in good condition. Avoid thin extension boards.
• Power cuts. Most home inverters cannot run a cooktop this size. Keep gas or another backup for cooking.
• Low voltage. Some cooktops slow down or stop when the voltage drops. Check the voltage range on the listing.

Surge protection

Sudden voltage swings can damage the electronics inside. Check if the listing or manual mentions surge or voltage protection, and read what the warranty says about it. If your area has frequent swings, ask an electrician about surge protection for the kitchen circuit. Switch off at the wall during storms.

Before you buy

Do the magnet test on your four most-used pots. Count what you would need to replace, and add that to the cost. Check for an authorised service centre near you. Also check the length of the power cord, because it must reach your socket without an extension board. Keep the air vents clear, and clean the glass only once it has cooled.

Read next

• Induction or gas stove: which costs less in India?
• Top 5 air fryers in India: how to choose
• Top 5 mixer grinders in India: how to choose