NuWave Induction Cooktop Review (4 PIC Models and 2 Alternatives for 2026)

A NuWave induction cooktop is a portable burner that heats the pan directly with a magnetic field. It boils water fast, simmers gently and plugs into any standard outlet.

NuWave sells several PIC (Precision Induction Cooktop) models. They look alike but differ in power, temperature range and size.

The short version: The NuWave PIC Pro Chef is the best NuWave for serious cooking, with temperatures up to 575°F in 5° steps. The NuWave PIC Gold Pro is the everyday pick. For a non-NuWave option, CNN Underscored named the Duxtop 9600LS its best overall portable induction cooktop.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best NuWave overall: NuWave PIC Pro Chef Induction CooktopJump to review ↓
• Best everyday NuWave: NuWave PIC Gold Pro Induction CooktopJump to review ↓
• Best mid-size NuWave: NuWave PIC Flex Pro Induction CooktopJump to review ↓
• Best compact NuWave: NuWave PIC Flex Induction CooktopJump to review ↓
• Best alternative: Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction CooktopJump to review ↓
• Best budget alternative: Duxtop 8100MC Portable Induction CooktopJump to review ↓

Model	Max Power	Temperature Range	Steps	Coil or Surface	Price Seen
NuWave PIC Pro Chef	1800W, per listing	100°F to 575°F	5°	8-inch coil, per listing	$199.99 at NuWave
NuWave PIC Gold Pro	Adjustable	100°F to 575°F	5°	8-inch coil, 12-inch surface	$179.99 at NuWave
NuWave PIC Flex Pro	1400W	100°F to 500°F	81 settings	10.25-inch surface	$99.99 at NuWave
NuWave PIC Flex	1300W	100°F to 500°F	45 settings	6.5-inch coil	From $89.99 at NuWave
Duxtop 9600LS	1800W	About 130°F to 460°F	Preset levels	Full-size	About $112 on sale
Duxtop 8100MC	1800W	Preset levels	Preset levels	Compact	About $58 on sale

1. NuWave PIC Pro Chef: Best NuWave Overall

The Pro Chef is NuWave’s most capable single burner. It reaches 575°F for searing and drops to 100°F for melting chocolate or keeping sauces warm.

The 5° steps give real control. You can hold oil at exactly 350°F for frying or simmer a sauce without scorching.

The listing describes it as NSF certified and commercial grade, so it suits catering, food trucks and home cooks who use it daily.

The 8-inch coil heats the base of most skillets and saucepans evenly. Pans from 8 to 12 inches across are the best match; very large pans heat more at the center than at the edges.

The listing describes it as programmable, which makes it easy to hold a temperature and walk away from a simmering pot.

Who should buy it: Serious home cooks and small food businesses.

2. NuWave PIC Gold Pro: Best Everyday NuWave

The Gold Pro is the updated version of NuWave’s long-selling PIC Gold. It adds a new control panel with a clearer LED display.

It has the same 100°F to 575°F range as the Pro Chef. Adjustable wattage lets you lower the power if you share a circuit with other appliances.

The 12-inch glass surface holds large skillets steadily. It will not run without cookware on top, and it shuts off when you lift the pan.

Who should buy it: Home cooks who want an extra burner for daily use.

3. NuWave PIC Flex Pro: Best Mid-Size NuWave

The Flex Pro sits between the compact Flex and the larger Gold Pro. Its 10.25-inch surface fits most everyday pans.

It tops out at 500°F, which is enough for searing, frying and boiling. Three wattage levels help on weaker circuits or in RVs.

The touch display is easy to wipe clean, with no buttons to trap spills.

Who should buy it: Apartments and dorms that want a capable burner at a fair price.

4. NuWave PIC Flex: Best Compact NuWave

The Flex is NuWave’s smallest induction burner. Its 6.5-inch coil suits small saucepans and skillets up to about 10 inches.

It is light and easy to pack. That makes it popular for dorms, RVs, hotel rooms and boats.

Lower power means it boils water more slowly than 1800W models. But it also draws less from weaker outlets.

NuWave also sells it bundled with a nonstick fry pan.

Who should buy it: Dorms, RVs and travel.

5. Duxtop 9600LS: Best Alternative

The Duxtop 9600LS is the most widely recommended portable induction burner, and CNN Underscored rates it the best overall. Its strength is even heat across the pan, which matters more than peak power for everyday cooking.

It has handy presets for boiling and keeping food warm, plus a child lock. The touch panel is responsive.

Its top temperature is lower than the NuWave Pro Chef, but it is plenty for everyday cooking.

Who should buy it: Anyone who wants proven even heating from another brand.

6. Duxtop 8100MC: Best Budget Alternative

The 8100MC is Duxtop’s budget burner. It has fewer settings than the 9600LS, but for boiling, sautéing and simmering it does nearly as well for much less.

It has simple push buttons rather than a touch panel. Some cooks prefer that, since buttons are easier to press with wet fingers.

It lacks a lock and presets. For a basic extra burner, that is a fair trade for the price.

Who should buy it: Budget buyers who need a reliable extra burner.

How Induction Cooking Works

An induction cooktop has a copper coil under a glass top. When you switch it on, the coil creates a magnetic field. That field makes a magnetic pan heat up directly.

The glass itself does not get very hot, except from contact with the hot pan. That is why induction is safer around kids and cooler in summer.

Because the pan heats directly, induction is fast and responsive. Turn the power down and the pan cools quickly, like gas.

Pros and Cons of a Portable Induction Burner

Cookware for NuWave Induction Cooktops

Use pans with a magnetic base. A fridge magnet test tells you quickly.

• Cast iron: Works well. See the Lodge cast iron skillet review.
• Stainless steel: Most clad stainless works, like the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro set.
• Carbon steel: Works, but can warp on high power; see carbon steel on induction.
• Aluminum and copper: Will not work unless the base is magnetic.

For full recommendations, see the best cookware for an induction cooktop. To use pans you already own, read how to use non-induction cookware on an induction cooktop.

Who Should Buy a Portable Induction Cooktop

Small kitchens and studios. One induction burner can stand in for a full stove. See how to cook a full meal with only two burners.

Dorms and rentals. Where open flames are banned, induction is often allowed. Check your lease first.

Extra burner for holidays. Add a burner on the counter for gravy, sauces or a pot of stock.

Energy savers. Induction puts more of its energy into the pan than gas or coil. See how to reduce kitchen energy use in a small apartment.

For more single and double burners, see the best induction cooktop for the money.

Safety Tips

• Keep the cooktop on a flat, heat-safe surface with space for air vents.
• Do not run it on the same circuit as other high-power appliances.
• Keep credit cards and phones away from the surface; the magnetic field can affect them.
• People with pacemakers should ask their doctor about induction use.
• Let the glass cool before wiping it.

Cleaning and Care

Wipe the glass with a damp cloth once it cools. A quick wipe after each use stops grease from baking on the next time you cook. For stuck-on spills, use a ceramic cooktop cleaner and a soft pad.

Never use steel wool or abrasive powder on the glass. Keep the air vents clear of dust.

NuWave Air Fryers and Ovens

NuWave also makes countertop ovens and air fryers. See how to use a NuWave oven and NuWave oven vs air fryers.

What to Cook on a Portable Induction Burner

A single induction burner handles more than most people expect.

• Pasta and soup. A tall stockpot with a lid boils fast on 1800W models.
• Searing steaks and chops. The Pro Chef and Gold Pro reach 575°F, hot enough for a strong crust in cast iron.
• Pancakes. Set a fixed temperature and every pancake browns the same. A flat griddle pan with a magnetic base works well.
• Braises. A heavy sauté pan or Dutch oven holds a gentle simmer for hours.
• Deep frying. Precise temperature control keeps oil steady, which is safer and gives crisper results.
• Fondue and hot pot. A portable burner on the dining table is perfect for shared meals; see how to use a fondue pot.

Induction vs Gas vs Electric Coil

Induction is the fastest and most precise. The surface stays cooler, and spills do not burn on. It needs magnetic pans.

Gas responds instantly and works with any pan. It heats the kitchen, needs ventilation and is harder to clean.

Electric coil and radiant glass work with most flat pans but heat and cool slowly. Thin pans can warp on them; see coil stove cookware: what works and what warps. Heavy cast iron can also scratch glass tops, so read how to protect a glass-top stove from cast iron.

Why Induction Burners Buzz

A soft hum or buzz at high power is normal. It comes from the magnetic field vibrating the pan, and it is louder with thin or multi-layer pans.

Lowering the power or using a heavier pan usually quiets it. Clicking can also come from the cooling fan cycling on and off. For more, see what your cookware sounds are telling you.

A warped pan rocks on the flat glass and heats poorly. If yours rocks, here is how to fix a warped pan.

Taking an Induction Burner Camping or on the Road

Portable induction works anywhere with a reliable outlet: RVs on hookup, cabins, boats and campsite power posts.

Use the lower wattage settings on weak or shared circuits. The Flex and Flex Pro are the easiest to run on limited power.

Pair it with light, magnetic pans. Our guide to the best camping cookware covers nesting sets that pack small.

Setting Up a Small-Kitchen Cooking Station

A portable burner plus a few small appliances can replace a full stove in a studio. A rice cooker and a toaster oven cover most other cooking.

Keep the burner on a heat-safe board, with a small rack nearby for one pan and a lid. See countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen for layout tips.

Single vs Double Induction Burners

A single burner suits most small kitchens and extra-burner needs. It is light and stores in a cabinet.

A double burner gives you a near-complete stove, but the two zones usually share one power supply. Running both at full power is slower than two separate single burners.

That is why, if you need two zones, we usually suggest two single burners on separate circuits. They cook faster, and you can put one away when you only need one.

Getting the Most From a Portable Induction Burner

Induction behaves differently from gas or coil, and a few habits help.

• Start lower than you think. Induction heats a pan far faster, so medium-high often does what high did on a coil.
• Use flat, heavy pans. A warped base can make the burner beep or switch off.
• Lift the pan, do not slide it. Sliding scratches the glass top.
• Leave space around the fan. Blocked vents make the burner cycle off to cool down.

Which NuWave Induction Cooktop Should You Buy?

Buy the PIC Pro Chef for the widest range, finest control and NSF build.

Pick the PIC Gold Pro for an everyday burner with the same 575°F maximum.

Choose the PIC Flex Pro for a capable mid-size burner at a low price.

Get the PIC Flex for dorms, RVs and travel.

Go with the Duxtop 9600LS for proven even heating from another brand.

Choose the Duxtop 8100MC for the lowest price.

Cleaning the Glass Top

Let the glass cool, then wipe it with a damp cloth and a drop of dish soap. For burnt-on spills, use a little baking soda paste. Never use scouring pads, which scratch the surface.

Related Guides

• Most Energy-Efficient Small Kitchen Appliances
• Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Cooking for One
• Best Compact Energy Star Appliances for Small Kitchens
• Best Portable Grills for Apartment Living
• Best Waterless Cookware
• Easy Meal Prep Ideas for One Person in a Small Kitchen
• How to Stock a Small Kitchen for Solo Cooking

Frequently Asked Questions

Which NuWave induction cooktop is best?

The NuWave PIC Pro Chef is the best NuWave in this guide for serious cooking. NuWave lists it at $199.99 with temperatures from 100°F to 575°F in 5° steps, and the Amazon listing describes it as NSF certified and commercial grade. For everyday use at a lower price, the PIC Gold Pro is the pick.

Is a NuWave induction cooktop worth it?

Yes, if you need an extra burner, cook in a dorm, RV or studio, or want precise temperature control. Induction heats fast and the surface stays cooler than a coil burner. You do need magnetic cookware.

What pans work on a NuWave induction cooktop?

Pans with a magnetic base: cast iron, enameled cast iron, carbon steel and most stainless steel. Test with a fridge magnet; if it sticks firmly to the bottom, the pan will work. Plain aluminum, copper and glass will not.

Is NuWave better than Duxtop?

They suit different buyers. NuWave models set temperature in fine 5° to 10° steps and go up to 575°F on the Pro Chef and Gold Pro. Duxtop's 9600LS cooks very evenly, and the 8100MC is a strong budget option.

Can you use a NuWave induction cooktop on a regular outlet?

Yes. Portable induction burners plug into a standard 120-volt household outlet. Avoid sharing that circuit with other high-power appliances like a kettle or microwave.