The Best Countertop Burners of 2024

The Duxtop Induction Countertop Burner stands out in the 'Best Overall Burner' category thanks to its stellar performance and user-friendly features. This burner uses a standard 120 V 15 amp electrical outlet, ensuring compatibility with most North American homes. Its lightweight and compact design make it incredibly convenient for both handling and storage, perfect for various kitchen setups.

The digital control panel combined with a built-in countdown timer that operates in 1-minute increments up to 170 minutes brings precision to your cooking. Users appreciate the flexibility offered by its 10 temperature settings ranging from 140 °F to 460 °F and 10 power levels from 200 to 1800 Watts, catering to a broad array of cooking needs.

Another remarkable feature is the glass cooktop's easy-to-clean nature, as there's no open flame or heating element that could cause food to burn, simplifying the maintenance process. The durable 7-blade fan effectively dissipates heat, promoting a longer product lifespan. The auto-pan detection and comprehensive safety systems such as diagnostic error messages and voltage warnings further enhance its reliability.

On the average side, it does require specific cookware with a magnetic bottom, but this is a common necessity for induction cooktops. Overall, the Duxtop Induction Countertop Burner excels in performance, safety, and versatility, making it a top choice for any kitchen.

The Cuisinart Countertop Double Burner stands out in the 'Best Double Burner' category, thanks to its impressive performance and robust build. Its most notable feature is the dual heavy-duty cast iron plates, ensuring long-term durability and reliability in any kitchen setting. These plates are supplemented by a powerful 1800-watt output, with a primary burner of 1300 watts and a secondary burner of 500 watts, providing quick heat-up times and consistent heat retention throughout the cooking cycle. This makes it perfect for a variety of culinary tasks, from boiling to simmering.

Ease of use is another strong point for the Cuisinart Double Burner. It comes equipped with two separate 6-setting adjustable temperature controls, allowing for precise cooking. The inclusion of ready and safety "on" indicator lights, along with independent adjustable thermostats, adds to the user-friendly experience, making it easy to monitor and control cooking temperatures. Additionally, non-slip feet provide excellent stability, preventing any unwanted movement while in use.

While its size may be a bit bulky for small kitchens, the superior features and reliable performance make the Cuisinart Countertop Double Burner a top contender in its category. Its blend of power, durability, and user-centric design ensures it meets a variety of cooking needs with ease.

The Nuwave Precision Induction Cooktop stands out as a top contender in the 'Best Safe Burner' category, thanks to its exceptional safety features and versatile performance. With 51 pre-programmed temperatures and the ability to fine-tune in 10°F increments, it offers precise temperature control that is perfect for delicate sauces or achieving a perfect sear on steaks. The intuitive digital controls allow for quick adjustments on the fly, making cooking more flexible and convenient.

A significant highlight is its shatter-proof ceramic glass surface, which provides durability and reduces the risk of burns, as there are no exposed flames or hot coils. This safety feature, combined with an automatic shut-off function and compatibility across various power settings, makes it ideal for dorms, RVs, and campsites. The lightweight and portable design further enhances its appeal for those in need of a reliable and safe cooking solution in limited spaces.

Although the extensive temperature range and programmable functions are standout features, the cooktop's ultimate selling point remains its superior safety design. It ensures that even in a busy kitchen environment, the risk of accidents is minimized, solidifying its place as a leading safe burner option for consumers.

The CUSIMAX Electric Hot Plate Single Burner excels in the crowded field of electric burners due to its versatile compatibility with all types of cookware. Whether you're using glass or aluminum pots and pans, this burner heats efficiently with minimal heat loss.

One of its standout features is the 1500W power capacity, supported by seven thermostatically controlled heat settings. This flexibility allows for a wide range of cooking needs, from simmering sauces to grilling cheese or boiling water. It's a reliable companion for everything from making soup to cooking pasta.

Its portability is another strong suit, making it ideal for dorm rooms, offices, camping trips, or even RVs. This convenience, paired with its sleek black stainless steel design, ensures it can fit seamlessly into any setting, whether used daily or as an additional cooking appliance in a bustling kitchen.

Safety is also a priority, with a durable cast iron cooktop and an automatic safety shutoff function regulated by a thermostat. CUSIMAX further enhances customer peace of mind with a 30-day hassle-free return policy and product liability insurance.

While it may get hot during operation and the heating light may cycle on and off, these are minor points compared to its overall performance and durability.

The Gas One Portable Butane Camping Stove stands out in the 'Best Gas Burner' category due to several impressive features. Its high output of 7,650 BTU makes it remarkably efficient, capable of boiling water quickly compared to other portable stoves. This efficiency is crucial for camping and outdoor cooking, where quick meal preparation can significantly enhance convenience and enjoyment.

One of the stove’s most notable strengths is its robust safety features. Approved by the CSA, it ensures high safety standards with a fuel cartridge injection safety system that automatically ejects the butane canister under unusual pressure conditions. This promises peace of mind, particularly when using it in varied outdoor environments.

The automatic ignition with a piezo-type electric starter eliminates the need for matches or lighters, further adding to its user-friendliness. Complemented by a safety shut-off system, it assures safe and easy operation. The stove is also exceedingly portable, complete with a carrying case and user manual, making it ideal for camping, outdoor cooking, and emergency kits.

While it operates quietly and efficiently, one area where it’s average is its restriction to use only with 8oz butane canisters, which need to be purchased separately. However, this minor limitation is easily outweighed by its numerous advantages.

The Elite Gourmet ESB-301BF# Countertop Burner impresses in the 'Best Budget Burner' category with its exceptional performance and practical features. One of the standout qualities is its 6.4-inch cast iron flat cooking plate, which not only heats evenly but is also a breeze to clean. The nonstick surface requires just a damp cloth or a non-abrasive sponge to maintain, adding convenience for those with a busy lifestyle.

This burner’s adjustable temperature control is another highlight, offering versatility with its LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH settings. Whether you need to keep food warm or boil water quickly, the knob makes it easy to achieve the desired temperature. Safety is well-considered with a power indicator light and non-skid feet, ensuring stability and reminding users when the burner is on.

Despite being an affordable option, the compact and portable design makes it perfect for various settings, from camping trips to dorm rooms. The 1000-watt power output ensures it can handle a range of cooking tasks efficiently. While it might not have the most advanced features, its reliability and ease of use make it a top choice for those on a budget.