Choosing a cooktop is one of the most significant kitchen decisions Australian homeowners face. The three main contenders—induction, gas, and electric—each bring distinct advantages and limitations to your cooking experience. With energy prices rising and environmental consciousness growing, making an informed choice has never been more important. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand which cooktop technology best suits your cooking style, budget, and values.
Energy Efficiency: The Clear Winner
When it comes to energy efficiency, induction cooktops dominate the competition. They achieve approximately 85-90% energy efficiency, meaning nearly all the electricity consumed converts directly into cooking heat. This remarkable efficiency stems from the technology's fundamental design: rather than heating an element that then heats your cookware, induction creates heat directly within the pot or pan itself.
Electric ceramic and coil cooktops trail behind at around 74% efficiency. While they convert electricity to heat effectively, a significant portion escapes into the surrounding air before reaching your food. Gas cooktops fare worst, achieving only about 40% efficiency. The visible flames that many cooks love are simultaneously heating your cookware, your kitchen, and the atmosphere around the burner.
For Australian households paying increasingly high electricity and gas prices, this efficiency difference translates to real savings. Studies suggest that switching from gas to induction can reduce cooking energy costs by 20-40%, depending on usage patterns and local energy prices.
Cooking Performance and Control
Gas cooktops have long been the professional chef's choice, prized for their instant heat response and visual flame feedback. When you adjust a gas burner, the flame changes immediately, and the cookware responds within seconds. This responsiveness makes gas excellent for techniques requiring quick temperature changes, such as stir-frying or flambéing.
However, induction technology now matches or exceeds gas in terms of responsiveness. Because induction generates heat directly in the cookware, temperature adjustments take effect almost instantaneously. Many chefs who've made the switch report that induction actually offers superior control, particularly for delicate tasks like maintaining a gentle simmer or tempering chocolate.
Electric ceramic and coil cooktops lag significantly in responsiveness. The heating elements retain heat long after you reduce the power setting, making precise temperature control challenging. Experienced cooks often compensate by lifting pans off the surface, but this workaround doesn't address the fundamental limitation.
Compare Induction Cooktops Side by Side
Use our interactive comparison tool to evaluate features, prices, and specifications of the best induction cooktops available in Australia.
Start ComparingSafety Considerations
Safety is where induction cooktops truly shine, making them particularly appealing for families with young children. The cooktop surface remains relatively cool during cooking because only the cookware heats up. If a child accidentally touches the surface while a pot is on it, they'll encounter warmth but not the scalding temperatures of gas or electric alternatives. Once you remove the cookware, the surface cools within seconds.
Gas cooktops present the most safety concerns. Open flames pose burn and fire risks, and combustion produces harmful byproducts including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Recent studies have linked gas cooking to increased respiratory issues, particularly in homes with poor ventilation. Australian building codes now require rangehoods for gas cooktops, but many homes still lack adequate exhaust systems.
Electric cooktops fall between these extremes. The ceramic surface becomes extremely hot during use and retains heat well after cooking ends—residual heat indicators help but don't eliminate burn risks. Coil elements pose similar concerns, with the added complication that spills can ignite on the exposed heating elements.
Installation and Running Costs
Upfront costs vary significantly between cooktop types. Gas cooktops typically cost between $400 and $2,500, while electric ceramic options range from $300 to $2,000. Induction cooktops command a premium, generally ranging from $500 to $4,000 or more for high-end models with advanced features.
Installation costs add another dimension to the comparison. Gas cooktops require a licensed gas fitter for installation and connection to your home's gas supply. If you're switching from electric to gas, running new gas lines can cost $500-$2,000 or more depending on your home's layout. Electric and induction cooktops require adequate electrical circuits—most 60cm models need a dedicated 32-amp circuit, while larger units may require 40-amp circuits. Upgrading your home's electrical system typically costs $300-$800.
Operating costs over time often favour induction despite higher initial investment. With electricity prices averaging 25-35 cents per kilowatt-hour across Australia and natural gas prices rising steadily, induction's superior efficiency typically delivers the lowest long-term running costs. This advantage becomes more pronounced if you have solar panels, allowing you to cook with essentially free energy during daylight hours.
Environmental Impact
Environmental considerations increasingly influence Australian households' appliance choices. Gas cooktops burn fossil fuels directly in your home, producing greenhouse gas emissions with every meal. While natural gas was once considered a cleaner alternative to coal-fired electricity, the equation has shifted as Australia's grid incorporates more renewable energy.
Induction cooktops produce zero direct emissions and can operate entirely on renewable energy when paired with solar panels or a green energy plan. Their superior efficiency means less overall energy consumption regardless of the electricity source. As Australia transitions toward its renewable energy targets, cooking with induction aligns with broader sustainability goals.
Electric ceramic cooktops fall between gas and induction environmentally—no direct emissions, but lower efficiency means greater electricity consumption compared to induction for the same cooking tasks.
Making Your Decision
Your ideal cooktop depends on your specific circumstances and priorities. Choose gas if you're deeply attached to flame cooking, live in an area with cheap natural gas, and don't have solar panels. Choose electric ceramic for a budget-friendly option with simple installation, though be prepared for limited responsiveness. Choose induction if you value efficiency, safety, precision, and sustainability—especially if you have or plan to install solar panels.
For most Australian households planning a kitchen renovation in 2026, induction represents the smartest long-term investment. While the initial cost exceeds alternatives, the combination of lower running costs, superior safety, better cooking performance, and environmental benefits makes induction the clear choice for forward-thinking homeowners.