Gas stoves can be bad for you. Here are the best induction ranges and cooktops in 2023

By Lily Rose, Carolin Lehmann

Updated on: April 6, 2023 / 5:41 PM / Essentials

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Upgrade from your old range to an eco-friendly kitchen appliance this spring. Gas stoves may be worse for the climate than previously thought -- so much so that Los Angeles is banning most gas appliances in new homes and businesses. California's largest city joins more than 50 other metro areas and counties that have made similar moves to discourage or prohibit the use of gas ranges. (No timeline for the new rule has been announced.)

In a recent Bloomberg interview, Biden-appointed US Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. called the household appliance a "hidden hazard" because gas stoves have been linked to childhood asthma.

So why not trade in that old gas range (or outdated electric range) with a new induction range or cooktop?

The top products in this article:

Samsung smart slide-in induction range, $2,599 (reduced from $4,178)

Samsung smart Instant Heat induction range, $1,574 (reduced from $1,699)

Cafe smart slide-in electric induction range, $4,133

If the latest news on gas stoves isn't enough motivation for you, buying a new induction range could land you a money-back rebate. That's because the Inflation Reduction Act, recently signed into law by President Biden, includes rebates for induction ovens, electric cars and a number of other electric-powered products.

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, you will be able to get a rebate on your induction range -- but not today. The rebate program, while approved, is not yet in place. No firm timeline has been announced for when the rebates will be available.

These rebates could take a long time to appear. Need a new induction range right now? Not to worry: We found top-rated induction ranges and cooktops that fit a variety of budgets. Some are even on sale.

Appliance expert and repair tech Renae DuHaime told CBS Essentials that when buying an oven or range for the first time, consider your available space. "Measure the space so you know what will fit," DuHaime advised. "Most ranges are 30 inches wide, but not all spaces are created equal, so it's a good idea to measure just in case. You also want to look at the space to know what kind of range is able to be installed there (whether there is a hookup for gas, or if there is a 240v outlet for electric). Once you know what will fit in the space, you'll have a direction to begin."

DuHaime explained that you should also think about your lifestyle. "If you have small children, or if you have pets that like to climb on countertops, a gas range wouldn't be a great option because an open flame can be dangerous. I always recommend the same thing for buying pretty much any appliance--ignore all the bells and whistles, and shop based on only the features you know you'll use."

If you need a little direction selecting features, our appliance expert says there is one feature you should always look for. "The one feature I would suggest NOT passing up is steam cleaning," they said. "Steam cleaning is much gentler than the traditional self clean that most ranges have, which is extremely important! The traditional self clean gets extremely hot in order to burn off the food debris inside, but it also gets so incredibly hot that it's been known to damage parts of the range, or even cause a house fire if not done correctly.

Steam cleaning is not only a very effective cleaning method, but it's also much safer. It takes less time, uses less electricity, and is much less dangerous."

To answer that question, you'll need to know what kind of hookup you have. "Buying what you have the hookup for is generally what makes the most sense," said DuHaime.

"If you have the option to choose, I will always go with electric. Gas ranges allow for better temperature control of the burners, and one big advantage is that you can use the cooktop even if the power goes out. But they are also more difficult to clean, much less energy efficient than electric ranges and the burners are less reliable than electric," they explained.

"Electric ranges have an electric cooktop on the top and an electric oven on the bottom. Induction ranges have an induction cooktop on the top and an electric oven on the bottom," explained DuHaime.

"The difference between an electric cooktop and induction cooktop is the way they function. Electric cooktops use electricity to heat the coils of your burners, kind of like the filament in a lightbulb. Induction cooktops use electromagnetic currents to create a magnetic field, which then passes into your cookware to heat it. So the key difference here is that electric cooktops heat the cooktop, whereas induction cooktops heat the cookware. This means that induction cooktops won't get hot unless the cookware touches it, making them the most energy efficient option (and much safer if you have small children or pets)."

Shop induction ranges and induction cooktops from top brands such as Samsung, LG, Cafe and more. Many of these induction ranges are on sale now.

This Samsung induction range provides the visual appeal of gas cooking with the precision of induction cooking. This 4.6-star-rated smart range can be controlled via your smartphone or voice assistant. The appliance learns your cooking preferences and will recommend your most-used settings.

No air fryer? No problem. The Samsung smart slide-in induction range also includes a no pre-heat air fry mode.

Samsung smart slide-in induction range, $2,599 (regularly $4,178)

According to Samsung, this Instant Heat induction cooktop gets hotter faster than Samsung's gas or electric cooktops. The appliance generates heat directly through your cookware for a quick, concentrated boost in temp. The appliance's induction burners feature instant temperature control for more precise cooking.

This 4.6-star-rated smart induction range can be controlled via smartphone or voice assistant.

Samsung smart Instant Heat induction range, $1,574 (reduced from $1,699)

This 4.6-star-rated induction range includes six sealed burners, a double oven and a whole lot of smart features including Wi-Fi connectivity and Chef Connect, which can synchronize your appliance clocks, surface lights and vents.

"This range has everything: Wi-Fi, precision cooking, two ovens and it can boil water in one minute," wrote an Appliances Connection customer who purchased the induction range. "I have been nothing but impressed."

Pre-order it now, and it will arrive in April.

Cafe smart slide-in electric induction range, $4,133

This 6.3-cubic-foot capacity LG smart induction range is outfitted with LEDs that display power levels next to each cooking element. Its induction elements heat super quickly and offer even cooking.

This 4.2-star-rated range offers convection baking. Its heating element is mounted on the rear wall, instead of the bottom, for more even heat.

The entire device can be controlled remotely using LG's ThinQ App.

"We love the range. It boils water much faster than gas and the top is so easy to keep clean," wrote an LG customer who purchased the kitchen appliance.

LG smart Wi-Fi enabled induction slide-in range, $3,099

We've found a selection of top-rated electric ranges you can buy online right now. Many of these electric ranges are on sale.

Save big on this 6.3-cubic-foot LG electric range right now.

The smart LG home appliance is outfitted with five burners and includes an air-fryer function. The entire device can be controlled remotely using LG's ThinQ App. Check the progress of your meal by knocking twice on the oven's window to activate the interior light.

"Loving this stove," wrote an LG customer who purchased the home appliance. "The features are amazing. The convection oven and air-fryer options are the best. The burners heat up fast."

LG smart Wi-Fi-enabled true convection InstaView electric range, $1,349

Samsung's Bespoke line lets you customize the appearance of your kitchen. Color coordinate your refrigerator with this electric range. Choose from the colors "navy steel" or "Tuscan steel."

The fingerprint-resistant appliance features Samsung's fastest burner ever (3600 W). The five-burner cooktop includes dual- and triple-ring burners for cooking with different-sized pots and pans.

This gas cooktop and electric oven duo is fully Wi-Fi-connected and voice-enabled. Use your phone to monitor your cooktop and set and adjust the cook time and temperature of your oven through Samsung's SmartThings app.

Samsung smart Bespoke slide-in electric range, $1,599 (reduced from $2,300)

Samsung's Flex Duo lets you cook two dishes at different temperatures. The full oven can be split into two smaller units that can be heated independently.

This freestanding electric ranges features an air-fry function. It comes with an air-fry tray as well as a removable nonstick griddle. The fingerprint-resistant Samsung smart range is fully Wi-Fi connected and voice enabled.

Samsung smart freestanding electric range with Flex Duo, $1,394 (regularly $1,500)

This Amana freestanding electric range features a ceramic cooktop surface, an extra-large viewing window and a storage drawer to hold cookie sheets, pots and pans. The appliance includes a Shabbat mode.

"I love how it looks, how it bakes and how it cooks," wrote a Best Buy customer who purchased the Amana. "Features are great. Blended beautifully in my kitchen and it matched my countertops. Price met our budget."

Amana freestanding electric range, $500 (regularly $870)

This freestanding GE electric range has a dual burner cooktop and an air-fry mode. It also features a fast preheat, a fifth element warming zone and a self-cleaning mode with steam clean.

"Bought this range over a month ago and I love it!" wrote a Best Buy customer who purchased the GE appliance. "The convection bake cooks nice and even, no burnt spots. The power boil is fast and great if you're short on time. It definitely heats up my food [more quickly] and more evenly than my old unit. Looks beautiful in my kitchen."

GE freestanding electric convection range with self-steam cleaning, $950 (reduced from $990)

Out with the old, in with the new. No matter if you're upgrading or buying your first-ever laundry appliance, robot vacuum or smart refrigerator, you should get a great deal. The experts at CBS Essentials have scoured the internet to bring you the greatest spring cleaning sales on must-have, customer-loved cleaning essentials such as air purifiers, stick vacuums, washing machines, electric dryers, dishwashers and more.

Keep checking back -- we're keeping this list updated with all the best spring cleaning discounts, deals and sales the season has to offer.

Lily Rose is a senior writer for CBS Essentials and the site's expert in home appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and ranges. When she's not writing about how you can upgrade your laundry room, she's writing about home and kitchen essentials that will transform your space. Her favorite appliance is her air fryer. She firmly believes that it can make the crispiest sweet potato fries.

First published on January 10, 2023 / 5:01 PM