I just tested Smeg's portable induction cooktop — and it's a game changer for my kitchen

While I’m very familiar with the best gas and electric ranges, I’m relatively new to the joys of induction cooking. This innovative cooking method has many advantages, but the main downside of these cooktops is that they’re expensive. So, when I had the chance to try Smeg’s new Portable Induction Cooktop in my kitchen, I was eager to see if it would persuade me to invest in a full-sized model.

If you’re not in the market for a complete kitchen upgrade or quite ready to replace your cooktop, a portable version could be the answer. It’s a flexible cooking option that can be used regularly if you have a small kitchen, or it’s compact enough to be packed and taken on a road trip. It can also be used when you need extra cooktop capacity when entertaining, and it suits every host’s desire — it’s easy to clean. However you use it, its portability means it can be moved around and packed away to suit your needs.

Apart from the obvious difference of offering only one cooking zone, I discovered that the portable version performs just as well, and if anything, it offers a few unique features that Smeg’s standard fitted induction cooktops don’t offer, including a temperature probe, meaning you don’t need to rely on one of the best meat thermometers to know when your food is cooked.

Smeg Portable Induction Cooktop: $465 at Harrods

Smeg's sleek looking Portable Induction Cooktop offers nine power levels and comes with a temperature probe, probe clip and storage case. It measures 2" (D) x 12.5" (W) x 16" (L), and weighs 7.3 pounds.

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Smeg Portable Induction Cooktop: Price and availability

The Smeg Portable Induction Cooktop is part of the company’s Collezione range and was first released in the U.K. in 2024, and it's now available in the U.S. In the U.K. you can find it for £349 at Smeg, and in the U.S. for $460 at Harrods. It’s available with a side colorway in black, white or emerald. I reviewed the black version.

Built-in induction cooktops are known to be expensive, and Smeg's portable version is no different. But there are plenty of budget portable induction cooktops on offer, if you don't want to splash out. IKEA's TILREA portable induction cooktop is $74 direct from IKEA. Alternatively Cuisinart offers the ICT-60, a Double Induction Cooktop that's $229 at Amazon.

Smeg Portable induction cooktop: Design

Smeg is highly renowned in the design stakes, and its Portable Induction Cooktop’s aesthetics don’t fall short of what we’ve come to expect. With a matt black surface and brushed silver aluminum surround, it looks sleek and sophisticated. And with touch controls, there’s no bulky knobs to hinder the appliance’s smooth lines that sit flush with the cooktop.

It’s an appliance that you’ll be happy to have loud and proud on your countertop, although if you do want to store it away in a drawer, it comes with a neat pouch to protect it while it’s not in use.

Smeg Portable Induction Cooktop: Ease of use

There’s not much to set up before you can use the cooktop. Apart from needing the right pans to work on an induction cooktop — it’s one of the 5 things you’ll need to know before buying an induction cooktop —you’ll be ready to go in less than a minute. Simply remove the cooktop from the packaging and attach the cable. You’ll also find a temperature probe inside that’s neatly packed in a little gray plastic case (more on that later).

It’s best to check through the instruction manual before using it for the first time, although the basic settings are very intuitive, you’ll need to know how to use some of the other functions.

The LED control panel is particularly easy to use, and the touch control was super responsive — although it might be less so if you have sticky fingers! You have two options: use the slide control or touch the + and - buttons. I preferred using the slider control, but both are easy.

You’ll need to read the manual to learn how to use the power boost, which is great for a quick boil, and how to use the Keep Warm, Barbeque and Fry modes, but again, these are simple. You also have the option to check the temperature while your food is cooking and to set an alarm for when it reaches the desired temperature. This means you don’t have to keep checking back.

The end of the temperature probe inserts into the right side of the appliance, and then the probe itself can be inserted into your food or liquid. To stop the wire from entering the food, there’s a small rubber clip that you attach to the side of your pan that keeps the wire out of the way.

Flexibly portable
I can’t ignore that this is a portable induction cooktop. I found it lightweight to move and its rubber feet stop it from slipping around on your countertop. Although I kept it in the same spot, it can be moved around where it suits you best, as long as it’s within reach of a power socket.

I liked the idea that apart from giving the benefits of induction cooking, it can provide that extra cooking zone. So, if you enjoy entertaining or have a house full at Mother's Day or Thanksgiving, you can reach for your portable induction cooktop. It's the kitchen extension you needed! Plus, its sleek design means it looks attractive on the countertop, but it can also compact enough to be stored in a cupboard when it’s not in use.

Smeg Portable Induction Cooktop: Performance

Having tried the induction cooktop at Smeg's test kitchen, I didn’t notice much difference in performance between the fitted and portable version. In fact, the even cooking temperature throughout my dishes was comparable and the fast response when adjusting the temperature control was a match.

The only variable I noticed was the noise level. Although I didn’t check the level in the test kitchen, I did monitor the sound level at home, and when boiling water on the boost function, it measured 56dB. The difference in noise level is due to the portable induction's fan, which is needed to keep the unit cool. I didn't class this as a negative, but since this is a review, its needs mentioning.

Smeg introduces unique features
The Portable Induction Cooktop boasts nine power levels, a power boost and three pre-set modes, with some functions being unique to this appliance. While the Keep Warm function is present in some other models, the Barbeque and FRY modes are unique. Similarly, the temperature probe and the features that complement it are new innovations designed for the portable model.

The nine power levels give you a large scope for precision cooking, with my favorite level being five and seven. I found five was perfect for a slow simmer, and seven was ideal for cooking a bolognese sauce. However, I couldn't resist melting chocolate, which you can do using induction heat without the need for a bain-marie. For this, I set the power level to between three and four.

If you want to boil water for rice or pasta, the power boost is super quick and is operated by pressing '+' several times until ‘P’ is displayed on the LED. On testing, it took three minutes and five seconds to boil one litre of water with a lid placed on top of a pan. However, the power boost can only be used for five minutes before switching to a lower power level. Although this may seem like a short time, it gives plenty of time to boil a pan of water, for which it's designed, while the higher power level settings are perfectly adequate for frying on a high heat.

The appliance also has an automatic switch-off. For instance, the Keep Warm function will run for two hours before turning off, and level nine will switch off after an hour and 30 minutes. And if a pot is not detected on the cooktop, it will automatically turn off after 30 seconds.

I was quite happy to use the standard power levels, with the boost when boiling water, but it also offers three specific modes. Of the three, I preferred the Keep Warm function, which is great if someone is late for dinner! It keeps food evenly warm without spoiling the dish. You can also set the timer to remind you that you’ve left a pot on the cooktop.

The Barbecue program allows you to cook meat, fish and vegetables with that grilled effect. And it offers three settings depending on whether you’re cooking vegetables, white meat or fish, and red meat. Before you place the food in your pan, a preheat stage is activated to ensure the optimal cooking level is achieved before you start. You don’t need to worry about what cooking temperature to use, as the program selects a default power level.

Like Barbecue, the FRY setting has three modes depending on what you are cooking, whether that’s fresh fool, frozen or something sweet. Once again, a preheat setting is activated at the start. I tried cooking burgers using the FRY setting, but I found the power level was quite high, and a lot of fat was jumping out of the pan. I then switched to the standard power level and chose level seven, which resulted in tasty burgers that were evenly cooked.

I also used the thermometer to check the meat’s temperature and found it easy to set up. It also gives you a running reading on the LED display so you can see if your food is close to reaching the desired temperature.

Smeg Portable induction cooktop: Cleaning

On the cleaning front, the induction cooktop scores an undeniable 10/10. There are no awkward nooks and crannies to clean around or any grates to wash up. It’s a real time saver. Plus, because of the nature of the responsive control, there’s less likelihood of food boiling over and causing a mess. The most I had to clear up was sprays of fat when cooking burgers, and even in this instance, a damp cloth was all I needed to wipe away the mess. Having gotten used to using the induction cooktop, as soon as I returned to using my gas cooktop, I was cursing every time I cleaned it.

Should you buy the Smeg Portable Induction Cooktop?

I found Smeg's new Portable Induction Cooktop to be just as responsive to power level changes as Smeg’s built-in induction cooktops, and I enjoyed cooking with induction heat. I can see this portable version being a big plus in the kitchen if you enjoy entertaining but don't have the space for a large cooktop with lots of zones. The large cooking zone also makes it great for large pans, so you can easily cook up a substantial meal without being restricted with using tiny pots. The cooking modes and temperature probe also give it the professional edge which is befitting of this premium appliance, and this is what puts it above the competition, but you will have to pay for the privilege.

More from Tom's Guide

• I've discovered the best thing about induction cooking — and you've got to try this yourself
• Induction cooking is easier than you think: Experts share their 7 top tips for success
• 5 things you need to know before buying an induction cooktop