Ceramic cooktops have a smooth, tempered glass surface and multiple cooking zones. They feature coiled heating elements underneath the tempered glass, which are then heated electronically to warm your pots and pans.
Apart from looking sleek, ceramic cooktops are easy to clean and relatively affordable. When choosing a ceramic cooktop, consider your budget, the model's size, cooking zones and ease of use. You should also factor in its cleanability, safety features and warranty.
For this list, we evaluated numerous ceramic cooktops found in various online retailers, including Amazon, Appliances Online and Harvey Norman. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings. We also chose the units for each category based on key product features.
Our pick for the best overall ceramic cooktop is Westinghouse's WHC642BC 60cm Ceramic Cooktop, which has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online. This model is also one of our picks for the best cooktops available online.
This cooktop features 4 zones to cater to any cooking needs. Each zone also has 9 power levels so you can cook at the right temperature every day. Each zone is controllable using a simple dial. Additionally, it's got a residual heat indicator, and an auto-thermal cut-out switch for peace of mind. It's backed by a 2-year warranty as well.
Customers praised the product's ease of use, sleek design and value for money. Because the black ceramic surface is quite smooth, it's easy to clean using a damp microfibre cloth. Users added that the controls are easy to use, allowing them to cook at the right temperature each time. However, this cooktop doesn't have a wok zone which may be a con for some.
With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we recommend the GASLAND Chef 600mm Ceramic Cooktop as the best cheap option.
With a total power output of 6kW, this cooktop offers 4 zones with independent touch controls. Each zone also has 9 levels of heat settings to meet any cooking requirement. According to the brand, this cooktop also adopts far-infrared energy assembly technique, which means it can achieve vertical heat conduction for faster heating and efficiency.
It has a programmable built-in timer for convenience along with important safety features, such as auto shut-off protection, residual heat indicator and child lock. This cooktop has a pan detector so you don't have to turn the power off when removing the pan. At less than $250, this is a pretty decent, durable option if you're on a budget.
Bosch PKE611D17A 60cm Serie 4 Ceramic Cooktop
Best mid-range ceramic cooktop
Image: Supplied/Finder
Pros
Can quickly reinstate previously used settings
Easy to set up
Cons
Touch controls are difficult to adjust according to some
A bit pricier than competitors
Buy now
Check manufacturer website for current RRP and availability
We chose the Bosch PKE611D17A 60cm Serie 4 Ceramic Cooktop as the best mid-range ceramic cooktop. It has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on The Good Guys.
The PKE611D17A offers 4 different zones of cooking with 17 power levels for each one. Every zone also has a digital 2-stage residual heat indicator. The cooktop has electronic TouchSelect control and a ReStart function, which quickly reinstate previous settings.
Numerous buyers were impressed by the cooktop's durable build, sleek design and easy set-up. It has superb built-in safety features such as residual heat indicators, child safety lock and automatic cut-off. Users said the ceramic glass surface is easy to clean with just a damp cloth. Others loved that it offers tons of power levels to cater to any of their cooking needs. However, they found the controls a bit of a pain to adjust, especially with wet hands.
AEG HK654070XB 600mm Ceramic Cooktop
Best high-end ceramic cooktop
Image: Supplied/Finder
Pros
Comes with a 5-year unlimited parts and labour warranty
Features extended heat zones
Cons
Some said the surface scratches easily
Lower heat levels are not as powerful as other models
Buy now
Check manufacturer website for current RRP and availability
When it comes to the best high-end option, we picked the AEG HK654070XB 600mm Ceramic Cooktop. On Harvey Norman, it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
With a minimalist design and DirektTouch technology, this cooktop offers precise control and multiple heat zones for any cooking requirement. It has Stop + Go technology that sets active heat zones to Keep Warm mode at a touch of a button. Of the 4 heat zones, 1 can be extended and another is tripled, catering to different cookware sizes.
This cooktop also has an Oko Timer, determining the precise moment to deactivate your chosen heat zone. Users said it provides efficient heat levels to cook different dishes to perfection. Apart from looking sleek, some also loved that it is easy to control and clean. It comes with an unlimited 5-year warranty, too. There were complaints by a few customers about the lower heat levels being a bit weak.
Artusi's CACC70 70cm Vulcan Series Ceramic Cooktop is our pick for the best 4-element ceramic cooktop. Appliances Online customers gave it a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Featuring a sleek design and control, this Artusi number has 4 variably sized cooking zones. Use the smaller zones for smaller pots and pans to cook quick dishes. The larger zones are suitable for bigger cookware and cooking large batches of your favourite meals. Each zone also has 9 heat levels. You also get a timer to keep your cooking more accurate and avoid over or under cooking.
This cooktop has a ceramic glass surface that is easy to clean and looks awesome in any kitchen. It has all-important safety features like residual heat indicators, child safety lock and thermal overload protection. Additionally, it has an intuitive touch control, eliminating the need for bulky dials. However, some customers said it has a bit of a learning curve.
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We recommend the Westinghouse WHC633BC 60cm Ceramic Cooktop as the best 3-element option. It has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
The WHC633BC is a 3-element cooktop that has a Dual Zone feature, which you can adjust for better flexibility. Its Timer features also allow you to keep track of your cooking to avoid undercooked or overcooked meals. And because it has a smooth ceramic surface with touch controls, cleaning is a breeze.
Customers gave positive feedback on the cooktop's durability, user-friendliness and sleek design. While it only offers 3 zones for cooking, it has an extra-large zone to handle large pans and pots. It also has all the vital safety features you need in a cooktop: heat indicators, child lock and a pause function.
For the best 2-element model, we selected the Westinghouse 30cm 2 Zone Ceramic Cooktop. On Appliances Online, it has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
An ideal option for smaller households, this cooktop from Westinghouse has 2 cooking zones with 9 power levels each. It has a compact design and a ceramic glass surface that makes cleaning a lot easier. It also has a residual heat indicator for safety. This cooktop is backed by a 2-year warranty for peace of mind as well.
This appliance is a compact cooking solution for studios and apartments. Each cooking zone is suitable for small to medium-sized pots and pans. Users added it heats up easily and evenly cooks their favourite dishes to perfection. Grease and grime are also easy to remove using a damp microfibre cloth. However, this cooktop doesn't have a child lock.
Amazon prices last updated on 29 April, 2024 at 12:05 ameBay prices last updated on 28 April, 2024 at 11:15 pm
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For this list, we looked into ceramic cooktops listed in various online retailers like Amazon, Appliances Online and Harvey Norman. We evaluated models from the following brands:
AEG
Artusi
Beko
Bosch
De'Longhi
Devanti
Fisher & Paykel
GASLAND
Inalto
Miele
Omega
Smeg
Westinghouse
We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of June 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, including size, number of zones, ease of use and price. We came up with what we believe are the 7 best ceramic cooktops available online.
Key facts about ceramic cooktops:
When buying a ceramic cooktop, the most important factors to consider are the size of the cooktop, the number and type of elements it has and how easy it is to use.
Your budget will also play a part, with prices ranging from around $300 to $2,000.
Compare some of the best ceramic cooktops
Data obtained December 2018. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
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Pros and cons of ceramic cooktops
Pros
Why consider an electric ceramic cooktop over a gas or induction cooktop?
They look good. With their flat surfaces, ceramic cooktops offer a clean, streamlined look to your kitchen bench.
They're easy to clean. Another benefit of this flat surface is that there are few crevices where food and dirt can accumulate. As a result, they're much easier to clean than gas cooktops.
They're affordable. Ceramic cooktops are generally quite affordable, particularly when compared to induction cooktops, making them a popular choice for many households.
Cons
However, there are also a few reasons why a ceramic cooktop may not be the right choice for you:
Not as responsive. Ceramic cooktops aren't as responsive to temperature changes as induction cooktops, nor are they as quick to heat up your cookware as gas models. That said, modern ceramic cooktops are much more responsive than electric cooktops once were.
They retain heat. Ceramic cooktops retain heat once you have turned an element down or off, so you need to be careful not to overcook food in pots left on the stove. This also presents a safety hazard, but most cooktops come with warning lights to let you know when the surface is still hot.
They're less energy-efficient. Electric cooktops aren't as energy-efficient as gas and induction models.
They can be damaged. You'll need to be careful not to scratch the ceramic surface or damage it by dropping heavy cookware.
How to compare ceramic cooktops
Many well-known appliance manufacturers including Bosch, DeLonghi, Fisher & Paykel, Omega, Smeg, Westinghouse and others all offer their own range of ceramic cooktops, so it's important to shop around before you buy.
When comparing your options, make sure you consider the space you have to work with, the type of cooking you plan on doing and how much money you're willing to spend. Here's what you'll need to take into account:
Size
The most important factor you'll need to consider is the size of the cooktop. The space available in your kitchen will obviously play a big role in determining which size of cooktop you select, so check the dimensions closely to make sure your cooktop will fit. However, the type of cooking you do also plays a part – if you're a keen cook and you regularly have several pots on the go, the more cooking space available the better.
60cm (or 600mm) is by far the most common size and these cooktops will usually feature 4 heating elements. Some brands also offer 70cm and 80cm units, while 90cm cooktops with 5 or 6 cooking zones are also available for those who need more space to work with. If you're short on space, compact 30cm units with 2 cooking zones might be the best choice.
Cooking zones
Most 60cm cooktops come with 4 heating elements, but some will only have 3 to allow for 1 of them to be a larger cooking zone. When deciding how many zones you need, consider how many elements you're likely to need at any given time as well as how cramped the surface may become when you've got a full complement of pots and pans on the go.
Some cooktops come with special heating zones designed for large or even unconventionally shaped pots and pans. Manufacturers also offer dual or even triple elements that allow you to adjust the amount of the heated surface area in order to match different-sized pots and pans.
Price
As you'd expect, the larger the cooktop you choose, the more you can generally expect to pay. However, there's also a decent range of variation in prices of cooktops of the same size and prices for a 60cm ceramic cooktop could be anywhere from $300 to $1,000. If you're shopping for a 90cm cooktop, prices range from around $650 up to $2,000.
Controls
While many modern ceramic cooktops have touch controls for a streamlined, minimalist look, there are also several brands that offer cooktops with old-fashioned dials or knobs to control the heat settings. Make sure the controls on the cooktop you buy are easy to understand and use.
Some people find touch controls a little fiddly and difficult to get used to, while dials and knobs can be more annoying to clean, so the choice here is really a matter of personal preference.
Also, remember to make sure whether the controls will still be easy to access when the cooktop is full of pots and pans.
Ease of cleaning
Because they offer a flat surface, ceramic cooktops are generally quite easy to wipe clean following a spill. However, make sure there aren't too many crevices where food and other gunk may build up.
This may also influence whether you go for a frameless cooktop or one with an edge. While a frame around the cooktop can stop spills spreading onto your benchtop, it can also become a spot where mess accumulates and is difficult to remove.
Additional features to consider
Is there a child safety lock to prevent the cooktop from accidentally being turned on? Is there an automatic shut-off feature to turn off the elements when there has been no pot or pan on the cooktop for a specified period of time, or if you've turned the stove on but forgotten to select a cooking zone? Are there residual heat indicators to stop you putting your hand (or other items) down where you shouldn't?
Check the length of the manufacturer's warranty (most brands will cover you for 1 or 2 years) and exactly what it does and doesn't include.
Some models include a timer so you can easily keep track of whether your eggs are boiled to perfection or how long your pot has been simmering. This feature may even automatically turn the zone off once the timer has counted down to zero.
Some models offer a pause feature so you can put your cooking on hold while you need to step away from the stove, for example to answer the phone, and then return to your previous settings when you're ready to continue cooking.
If you're searching for a ceramic cooktop for your kitchen, shop around and compare the features of a range of products to ensure that you end up with a cooktop that's right for you.
Frequently asked questions
While both types of cooktops typically have a smooth cooking surface, they aren't the same.
Ceramic cooktops have a coiled metal element under their tempered surface to electronically heat until the desired temperature is reached. The coil then heats the ceramic surface and warms your cookware.
Induction cooktops use high-frequency electromagnets that generate a magnetic field to heat your cookware and not the surface.
Here are a few items you should not put on your ceramic cooktop:
Cast iron cookware
Pots and pans with unfinished bottoms that can scratch the glass surface
Cookware with rounded edges
Abrasive cooktop cleaners
Hot bakeware
To deep clean your ceramic cooktop, sprinkle some baking soda over the glass surface. Then, lay over a damp microfibre cloth on the surface. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Wipe the baking soda off using the cloth.
Make sure to check your user manual for cleaning methods recommended by the manufacturer.
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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