Canstar Blue’s latest cooktop review compares Westinghouse, Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, Miele, Smeg, Electrolux, Chef and Blanco on cooking performance & reliability, ease of use, features, design, ease of cleaning, value for money, and overall satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Westinghouse turned up the heat, rating best for overall satisfaction in Canstar Blue’s cooktop review, receiving the only five-star review for ease of use and overall satisfaction.
With the average Australian spending $948 on a new cooktop, it’s easy to see why we can feel a little fired up when things don’t go to plan. Whether it’s realising you need more burners than you originally thought, or discovering that none of your pots and pans work on your brand-new induction cooktop, who knew purchasing a kitchen appliance could stir us up so easily?
To help you out, we’ve taken up the role as your sous-chef and asked more than 1,000 Australian consumers for their thoughts on the cooktop(s) they installed and used in their home in the last six months. Respondents rated brands on cooking performance & reliability, features, ease of use, ease of cleaning, design, value for money and overall satisfaction. Manufacturers that received the minimum survey sample size of 30 responses are featured in our report. These ratings are designed to give you as much helpful information as possible before you make your next purchase decision.
In our latest consumer survey, Westinghouse proved to be consumers’ top choice with the only five-star review for overall satisfaction. The brand also fried up another set of full marks for ease of use.
Here are the best cooktops in Australia, as rated by consumers in our latest review:
Westinghouse was rated best for ease of use and overall satisfaction, placing just ahead of Fisher & Paykel which rated five stars for cooking performance & reliability, and ease of cleaning. Premium brand Miele took the cake with five-star reviews for design and features, alongside Smeg. Notably, Electrolux rated best for value for money.
Westinghouse, a subsidiary of Electrolux, provides a solid line of home appliances including fridges and dishwashers, as well as ovens and cooktops, all of which are typically available at a variety of price points to suit mid to high-end budgets. It has a wide variety of cooktops to choose from – including ceramic glass, electric, gas and induction. Westinghouse also produces a few 60cm solid hotplates, with each electric cooktop containing four cooking zones to suit small and large cookware, corrosion-resistant hotplates and generally nine power levels.
Westinghouse’s cooktop line-up includes:
Depending on your cooking needs and preferences, Westinghouse’s cooktop range provides two to five burners and a mix of knobs and touch controls. Prices usually start from just under $650 for a Westinghouse 60cm gas burner and typically max out at $2,499 for a larger 90cm induction cooktop, which is boasted as a ‘true centrepiece’ to the kitchen with its graceful ceramic glass exterior and touch controls. With the pricier models, expect five cooking zones of varying sizes and features such as a pause button, allowing the cooktop to halt cooking and drop the cooking zones to the ‘keep-warm’ function.
Fisher & Paykel is one of the global leaders when it comes to home appliances and serves up a wide range of cooktops to suit different households, including gas, electric, induction and combination models. There are two types of aesthetic styles to suit different tastes, including minimal and contemporary. Fisher & Paykel’s cooktops come in a variety of widths, including 30cm, 45cm, 60cm, 70cm, 75cm, 76cm, 90cm and 92cm. There are up to five cooking zones, depending on the model, with a wok burner also included in several gas on steel and gas on glass cooktops.
Here’s a sample selection of the Fisher & Paykel cooktops currently available:
Some features included in its induction models include Touch&Slide which allows you to adjust each cooking zone easily, and PowerBoost which can reach higher temperatures to help bring liquids to boil in under a minute. Certain Fisher & Paykel gas cooktops also come with a removable ceramic glass to help make cleaning easier.
Prices are generally on the higher end, starting from just under $1,000 for the cheapest gas cooktop. One of Fisher & Paykel’s cheaper models, the Fisher & Paykel 60cm Natural Gas Cooktop (CG604CNGX2) still offers the same features added into the more expensive cooktops. This includes precise control, a stainless-steel component for easy cleaning and a flame failure protection function.
German brand Bosch is synonymous with technology and innovation, and its cooktops range is no exception. It boasts a wide selection of induction, gas, ceramic and vented cooktops, offering three to six burners on 60cm, 80cm, and 90cm units.
Bosch’s cooktop range includes:
Many Bosch cooktops also boast either a CombiZone or FlexInduction Zone, which combine two or more cooking zones to create one larger surface designed to fit bulkier items or multiple pots and pans. Another common feature is DirectSelect, which allows you to choose specific power levels and cooking zones directly via the control panel (rather than by repeatedly pressing the +/– symbol). Several Bosch cooktops additionally come with a PowerBoost function to heat food faster as well as a ReStart function to ensure the cooktop automatically switches off whenever something starts boiling over and saves the last selected setting.
Costs for Bosch’s ceramic models range from $699 to $1,749, while gas cooktops start from $649 and go up to $2,599. Induction cooktops are slightly more expensive, retailing between $1,399 and $4,149.
Miele offers a feast of high-end models to choose from including induction, electric and gas cooktops. The brand also provides several induction cooktops with an integrated extractor as well as a mix of induction, gas and electric CombiSets. Miele’s cooktops contain several features claimed to be exclusive to the brand, such as intelligent pan recognition that allows the selected settings for a particular pan to ‘move’ with the pan whenever it gets transferred to a different cooking zone. Some cooktops also contain temp control to make sure the temperature stays the same to prevent food from burning.
Here’s a taste of Miele’s cooktop range:
Certain Miele cooktops also feature a down-draft extractor that can be pulled out when you’re working with high heat. There’s usually a function that runs the fan for 15 minutes to neutralise any vapours and reduce any odours in the air, before automatically switching off. This feature is said to be suitable in all homes, for extraction or re-circulation.
Miele typically has a collection of cooktops with up to five burners, and offers a larger range of widths compared to other brands. Some sizes include 38cm, 58.8cm, 60cm, 65cm, 77cm, 80.6cm, and 94.2cm. Expect premium prices from Miele’s high-end cooktop collection, with costs starting from around $1,400 for gas cooktops and $2,100 for induction cooktops, or $1,600 for its electric models. You can also find Miele’s CombiSets available for $2,799 up to $5,399.
Italian appliance brand Smeg is well-known for its retro-style appliances with its toaster line-up, in particular, being a cult-favourite across the globe. However, the brand has taken a different direction with its cooktop collection and has instead painted its gas and induction cooktops with a modern design and innovative features.
Smeg’s cooktop range includes:
One of the highlights is the integrated hood and extraction function in Smeg’s hobs. Some Smeg gas cooktops alternatively contain blade flame burners, which produce a vertical flame to supposedly improve efficiency and minimise energy consumption whilst still ensuring even heat distribution and similar power levels to a cooktop without the feature.
Smeg has several cooktop ranges, including Classic Aesthetic, Linea and Dolce Stil Novo which incorporate different finishes, configurations and installation options. Prices typically start from $1,350 for a 60cm ceramic electric cooktop and go up to $4,790 for a 90cm gas & induction cooktop.
Electrolux brings a slice of Sweden into your kitchen, with a mix of ceramic, gas, induction and hybrid cooktops to choose from. One standout feature in some of its models is Hob2Hood, which automatically switches on as you start cooking and adjusts the fan speed to match. Many gas cooktops also have a 22MJ/h wok burner for what is claimed to be ‘fast boiling and intense cooking’. Electrolux cooktops additionally have a Stop & Go System, similar to fellow Electrolux Group brand Westinghouse, allowing you to step away from your cooking if the phone rings or the kids are in need of your attention. There is also a child lock design for safety.
A few Electrolux cooktops you can get your hands on include:
Electrolux cooktops generally have a pretty hefty price tag, usually costing at least around $1,500 and reaching the $2,490 mark. Although there are a couple of sections under the $1,000 mark. Cooktop widths available include 60cm, 70cm, 75cm and 90cm. Most models have either four or five burners, although there is also a single burner gas cooktop on offer.
Chef is an appropriately named brand that solely specialises in cooking appliances, but without the high-end price tag. It plates up a variety of gas, ceramic, electric and induction cooktops in sizes including 59cm, 60cm, 87cm and 90cm. The range provides four to five cooking zones, although most products feature the standard four.
Expect to see a few of these cooktops in Chef’s kitchen collection:
Prices start from $479 and you won’t find many models priced above the $1,000 mark, with the range typically costing between $500 and $800. For a simple and fairly inexpensive model, the Chef 60cm Electric Cooktop (CHS642SA) features the standard four cooking zones, rotary controls and a light indicator to indicate when the hotplates are still hot. The stainless-steel design can blend in with other appliances in your kitchen and won’t break the bank with a $599 RRP* retail price tag.
Blanco is one of the major providers of home appliances and is said to boast European styling with quality German craftsmanship. It has a fairly concise range of cooktops divided into three categories – induction, gas and electric. There are cooktops with two to five cooking zones alongside touch controls, wok burners and BBQ burners to suit the type of cooking you do in your household. Prices usually range between $870 to just under $1,200.
Some Blanco products include:
One of the options to expect is the 90cm 5-Element Ceramic Cooktop (BCC90-5T), which has five hi-light elements to help heat food evenly and create large cooking zones. Similar to other models, it also has nine stage heat settings and a residual heat indicator.
Aside from the brands rated in this year’s review, there are several other brands worth considering. Some include:
Beko has been taking care of households with everything from cooking and refrigeration, to laundry and dishwashing since 1995 and has only grown in popularity since. Its cooktop range has a modest-sized selection of gas, induction and electric models to pick from. Beko’s cooktops generally have five cooking zones and come in either 60cm or 90cm.
Some of the models feature Beko’s IndyFlex technology, designed with two cooking zones that can instead be linked together to act as one larger cooking zone, giving you the flexibility to use larger pans and pots according to your needs. Expect to fork out between $550 and $1,300.
Here are several Beko cooktops available:
Another Italian appliance brand, ILVE caters to both home and professional cooks with its high-end selection of ovens and other kitchen appliances. There are also gas, induction and electric cooktops available. Expect to fork out between just over $1,060 and $6,70 for the brand’s top-of-the-range models, although most units sit under $3,000.
If you’re willing to fork out for a premium cooktop, one of the standout models from ILVE is the Hybrid Induction Cooktop With Natural Gas Wok (ILBV94+1), which allows you to enjoy modern induction cooking whilst still having the option of using a traditional gas burner. It retails for $4,921 RRP* and comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
The cooktop range from ILVE includes:
Omega is a well-known name in most households, established in Australia for more than 30 years. Its cooktop range shares the same ‘modern Australian lifestyle and aesthetic’ displayed across the brand’s entire product line. Omega offers ceramic, gas, induction and electric cooktops in different sizes ranging from 30cm to 90cm. However, the brand has a fairly small range compared to some popular manufacturers. Expect features such as child locks and flame failure systems for safety, cast iron trivets and wok burners.
Prices typically start from just under $580 for a 60cm gas cooktop and reach up to $1,499 for a 90cm alternative. Although there are several options for less than $1,000, making the brand well worth a look into if you’re on a budget.
Here are some Omega cooktops currently available:
With plenty of options available, there are a few things to think about to make sure you’re buying the best cooktop for your kitchen. Here, we’ll look at a few of the different types, sizes, power settings and features you might come across.
There are three standard types of cooktops – gas, electric and induction – all with their own pros and cons. Gas cooktops are the most common (46%) among our respondents, followed by electric (40%) and induction (11%). A small pinch of those surveyed also own a combination cooktop containing multiple types of cooking zones, such as a wok burner in addition to the four other zones (3%).
It’s usually free reign when it comes to choosing what type of cookware can be used on a cooktop, except induction cooktops. Induction cooktops are relatively new to the scene of cooktop technology and use magnetic fields to ‘fire up’ heat within the cookware placed on the cooktop. These are generally considered to be a faster, safer and more efficient way to cook.
Induction cooktops work exclusively with magnetic cookware, such as pots and pans made from stainless-steel or cast iron. You can check if your current cookware is compatible with an induction unit by placing a fridge magnet on the base of the cooktop. If it doesn’t stick, it won’t be suitable. Otherwise, there aren’t any limitations on what you can use on gas, electric and ceramic cooktops.
Cooktops typically measure 60cm or 90cm wide, and can include a single burner or anywhere up to eight burners. There are also wok burners and fish burners available for certain combined cooktops. Available size options include:
Our research shows a handful of Aussies wished they had a different sized cooktop (14%). Nearly one in four (22%) bought a cooktop as part of a combined freestanding stove and oven unit, while 53% of Australian households we surveyed similarly purchased their cooktop and oven at the same time.
Induction cooktops come with a number of power settings. These allow you to cook various dishes at different temperatures, at the same time. If you have a large family or regularly cook a few things on the go, it might be worth considering if having a couple more settings will be useful. But keep in mind that the more power settings you have, the more expensive it will be.
When looking at cooktops, you’ll need to think about what features are important to you and how these coincide with your budget. Some common features to look out for on modern cooktops are:
Portable cooktops are designed for kitchens with limited bench space. These are also a handy option for those who enjoy entertaining and often require an extra burner to help speed up the cooking process. In addition, if you travel a lot, portable cooktops are widely used in caravans or for camping trips.
Portable cooktops – whether they’re induction or electric – can be placed anywhere there’s a power outlet. The advantage of owning a portable induction cooktop is that it heats up immediately and is ideal for keeping food warm.
Since a cooktop is typically part of your everyday meal prep, it’s important to invest in a quality appliance. With many units costing more than $1,000, it’s not a decision to take lightly. We hope that this guide has provided a helpful insight for your next cooktop purchase. And while you’re here, you might also like to compare oven brands with our latest ratings, which can be found via the link below.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.
Picture credits: ImageFlow/shutterstock.com.au, doomu/shutterstock.com.au (infographic)
*Prices are taken from respective retailers, Appliances Online and Bing Lee, correct as of May 2022.
Canstar Blue surveyed more than 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have a cooktop installed in their home and have used it in the last six months (this includes freestanding stoves that have both a cooktop and oven component) – in this case, 1,024 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
What’s the best cooktop for your kitchen? These are the top brands, as rated by Aussie consumers in our latest survey:
Here are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s cooktops review:
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