The Cooktop Trend That's Making Kitchens Safer & More Efficient In 2026

When it comes to designing the perfect kitchen that's just as enjoyable to use as it is efficient, appliances matter. While you might think that means adding a gas range to your kitchen for an authentic home chef experience, think again. The induction cooktop will be one of 2026's biggest kitchen trends, thanks to its many benefits. If you're after safety and efficiency, it is a better choice than gas or traditional smooth electric cooktops.

Before diving into the benefits of induction cooktops, it's important to understand what they are and how they work. These cooktops look similar to any other glass cooktop; however, they operate much differently from gas ranges or traditional electric stovetops. In an induction stove, copper coils under the cooktop's surface create an electromagnetic field when a user powers on the cooktop. Then, when compatible induction cookware (magnetic pots or pans) is placed on the burners, the cookware, rather than the burner itself, begins to heat up. When the cookware is removed from the cooktop, the burner automatically stops producing heat. 

Induction cooktop stoves include standard electric ovens, and features can vary depending on the brand and the model. Regardless of which features you choose, you get an efficient, safe way to cook all of your favorite meals when you opt for an induction cooktop.

When you think of a stovetop known for delivering fast and consistent heat, gas ranges probably come to mind. What you might not know, though, is that induction stovetops are even more efficient, boiling water 20 to 40% faster than gas or traditional electric cooktops. Since these cooktops heat the cookware and the food inside it directly, there is less heat loss, resulting in speedier cook times and lower energy consumption. 

Induction cooktops also don't have the same hidden downsides as gas stovetops. For example, when powered on, gas stoves can release dangerous levels of pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrous oxide. Ditching gas-powered appliances and switching to an electric stove and cooktop can reduce these emissions. 

However, taking it a step further and choosing the induction cooktop has even more benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an induction cooktop is up to three times more efficient than its gas counterparts and up to 10% more efficient than traditional smoothtop electric cookers. This efficiency can result in energy cost savings for your household. And since these cooktops work by sensing a pot or pan on the burner and then heating up, they won't produce heat if accidentally turned on (unless a pot is on the burner), reducing fire safety concerns. Since the cooktop itself never gets very hot, induction stoves also reduce the risk of accidental burns.