Induction and Smoothtop Electric Cooktops Compared
The Empava EMPV-36IC02 is the strongest all around 36 inch induction pick for most kitchens. Shoppers who want smart home connectivity should look at the Café CHP9536SJSS, while anyone keeping their existing pots and pans is better served by a radiant smoothtop like the GE JP3536SLSS.
The Empava EMPV-36IC02 induction cooktop handles the widest range of cooking tasks for most households, and the Café CHP9536SJSS adds smart app connectivity for anyone building a connected kitchen. Owners who want to keep using their current pots and pans should consider a radiant smoothtop such as the GE JP3536SLSS instead.
Induction, radiant and portable cooktops heat very differently, so the right pick depends on your existing cookware and cutout size as much as your budget. We compared burner layout, cutout dimensions, control type and cookware compatibility across current listings before narrowing this to seven models.
How to choose
What to look for in an electric cooktop Decide between induction and radiant smoothtop first, since that choice determines whether your current cookware will work. Check cutout width and depth against your existing counter opening before ordering, since 30 and 36 inch models are not interchangeable without countertop work. Confirm your home’s electrical circuit meets the amperage the model requires.
Induction versus radiant smoothtop Induction cooktops like the Empava EMPV-36IC02 heat faster and leave the surrounding glass cooler, but only work with magnetic, induction compatible pans. Radiant models such as the GE JP3536SLSS heat any flat bottomed pan, including older stainless and aluminum cookware, at the tradeoff of slower heat up and a hotter surface. Check your cookware with a magnet before committing to induction.
Best for small kitchens or as a backup burner A portable single zone unit like the Duxtop 9100MC avoids any installation, since it runs on a standard outlet rather than a dedicated circuit. It suits apartments, small kitchens, or as an extra burner during holiday cooking. The tradeoff is a single cooking zone compared to four or five on a built in model.
Flexible zones and smart features Households that regularly cook with griddles, woks or oversized pots benefit from a bridge or Flex Zone, found on models like the Samsung NZ36K7880UG and the GE JP3536SLSS. Smart connectivity, as on the Cafe CHP9536SJSS, adds phone based alerts and timers but depends on a stable home Wi-Fi connection to function.
The best picks, ranked
Empava EMPV-36IC02 36 Inch Induction Cooktop
Empava’s EMPV-36IC02 packs five induction zones into a 36 inch glass surface, including a flexible bridge zone for larger cookware. Touch controls sit along the front edge with child lock and a timer per zone. It needs induction compatible cookware, meaning a magnetic base, rather than any glass or aluminum pan.
Pros
- Heats faster than a radiant smoothtop
- Bridge zone fits larger pots and griddles
- Surface stays cooler outside the pan area
Cons
- Requires induction compatible cookware
- Needs a dedicated circuit for installation
Cafe CHP9536SJSS 36 Inch Smart Induction Cooktop
Cafe’s CHP9536SJSS connects to the SmartHQ app over Wi-Fi, letting owners set timers or get burner status alerts from a phone. It uses five induction elements across a 36 inch surface with a precision simmer setting. The brushed finish around the edge is designed to coordinate with Cafe’s other kitchen appliances.
Pros
- App control and remote burner alerts
- Precise simmer setting for delicate sauces
- Matches Cafe appliance suite finishes
Cons
- Smart features need a home Wi-Fi connection
- Premium price compared to basic induction models
Bosch NIT5068UC 500 Series 30 Inch Induction Cooktop
Bosch’s 500 Series includes a PowerBoost function that temporarily pushes a zone to maximum output for faster boiling. The 30 inch surface fits four cooking zones with touch slider controls. Bosch rates the cooktop for direct replacement in many standard 30 inch cutouts.
Pros
- PowerBoost shortens time to boil
- Fits common 30 inch cutout dimensions
- Slider touch controls are easy to clean
Cons
- Fewer zones than larger 36 inch models
- Still requires induction compatible cookware
GE JP3536SLSS 36 Inch Smoothtop Electric Cooktop
GE’s JP3536SLSS uses radiant coil elements under a ceramic glass surface rather than induction, so it heats any flat bottomed pan including stainless steel and aluminum. The 36 inch layout includes a bridge element for griddles and a dual ring element that can shrink down for smaller pots. It fits cutout dimensions common to many 36 inch replacement jobs.
Pros
- Works with cookware you already own
- Bridge element fits griddles and oval pans
- Common replacement size for existing 36 inch cutouts
Cons
- Heats slower than induction
- Surface gets hotter to the touch than induction
Frigidaire FFEC3025UB 30 Inch Electric Cooktop
Frigidaire’s FFEC3025UB offers four radiant elements on a 30 inch black ceramic glass surface for a lower cost than induction alternatives. Rotary knob controls sit on the front panel rather than touch sliders. It is sized for common 30 inch cutout replacements in older kitchens.
Pros
- Lower price than induction models
- Works with any existing cookware
- Rotary knobs are simple to use with gloves on
Cons
- No bridge or flex zone for larger pans
- Heats and cools slower than induction
Duxtop 9100MC Portable Induction Cooktop
Duxtop’s 9100MC is a single zone countertop unit that plugs into a standard outlet, making it useful as a backup burner or for small kitchens without room for a built in cooktop. It offers 20 temperature and power settings with a digital display. The compact size stores easily in a cabinet when not in use.
Pros
- No dedicated circuit or installation needed
- Useful as a backup or extra burner
- Precise digital temperature settings
Cons
- Only one cooking zone
- Takes counter space while in use
Samsung NZ36K7880UG 36 Inch Induction Cooktop
Samsung’s NZ36K7880UG includes a Flex Zone that merges two burners into one larger cooking surface for griddles, woks or oversized pots. The 36 inch glass top uses virtual flame technology to show a visual flame style indicator at each zone. It targets kitchens that regularly cook with mixed pan sizes.
Pros
- Flex Zone adapts to oversized cookware
- Visual flame helps gauge heat level at a glance
- Strong fit for households with mixed pan sizes
Cons
- Higher price point than standard induction
- Requires induction compatible cookware
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Cooktop type | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empava EMPV-36IC02 36 Inch Induction Cooktop | Induction | Best overall | 9.3 | Check price |
| 2 | Cafe CHP9536SJSS 36 Inch Smart Induction Cooktop | Induction | Best smart connected cooktop | 9.1 | Check price |
| 3 | Bosch NIT5068UC 500 Series 30 Inch Induction Cooktop | Induction | Best for fast boiling | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | GE JP3536SLSS 36 Inch Smoothtop Electric Cooktop | Radiant smoothtop | Best for existing cookware | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Frigidaire FFEC3025UB 30 Inch Electric Cooktop | Radiant smoothtop | Best budget | 8.4 | Check price |
| 6 | Duxtop 9100MC Portable Induction Cooktop | Portable induction | Best portable option | 8.6 | Check price |
| 7 | Samsung NZ36K7880UG 36 Inch Induction Cooktop | Induction | Best for flexible zone cooking | 9.0 | Check price |
Common questions
What is the difference between induction and electric smoothtop cooktops?
Induction cooktops heat the pan directly through a magnetic field and require induction compatible cookware, while radiant smoothtop cooktops heat a coil beneath the glass that works with any flat bottomed pan.
Can I use my old pots and pans on an induction cooktop?
Only if the pan has a magnetic base. A simple test is holding a magnet to the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, the pan will likely work on induction.
Do electric cooktops need a special electrical circuit?
Most 30 and 36 inch built in cooktops need a dedicated 240 volt circuit sized to the model’s amperage rating, which is different from a standard wall outlet. Portable countertop units plug into a regular outlet.
How many amps does an induction cooktop need?
Requirements vary by model and zone count, but many full size induction cooktops call for a 30 to 40 amp dedicated circuit. Check the installation manual for the exact model before wiring.
Are induction cooktops safer than radiant electric cooktops?
Induction surfaces stay cooler outside the pan’s footprint since the glass itself is not the main heat source, which can reduce accidental burn risk compared to a radiant coil surface that stays hot after cooking.
What size cooktop cutout do I have?
Measure the existing opening’s width and depth before shopping. Standard sizes are commonly 30 and 36 inches wide, but depth and corner radius can vary enough to affect fit between brands.
Is a portable induction cooktop strong enough for daily cooking?
A single zone portable unit like the Duxtop 9100MC can handle daily cooking for one or two burners worth of use, but it will not replace a full built in cooktop for households that regularly use multiple burners at once.
Do electric cooktops work during a power outage?
No. Unlike a gas cooktop with a standing pilot or manual ignition, both induction and radiant electric cooktops require household power to operate.
What is a bridge zone or Flex Zone on a cooktop?
It is a feature that combines two separate burners into one larger connected heating area, useful for griddles, woks, or oversized stockpots that would otherwise overhang a single element.
Final word
For most kitchens replacing an older cooktop, the Empava EMPV-36IC02 offers the best mix of induction speed, zone count and price. Households already invested in a smart kitchen ecosystem should pay the premium for the Cafe CHP9536SJSS instead. Anyone who wants to avoid buying new cookware should skip induction entirely and choose the GE JP3536SLSS radiant smoothtop.
Dana Whitfield
Dana spent eight years buying and merchandising for a regional kitchenware retailer before moving into editorial work. She has handled thousands of SKUs across cookware, small appliances and kitchen organization, and focuses on the practical differences that matter once a product is actually in daily use.
