I tested IKEA’s portable induction cooktop — and it’s a game changer for small spaces – 1v1 Video Chat & LIve Streaming & Influencer Subscription

Tom’s Guide

Search Tom’s Guide

View Profile

Newsletters

Best Picks

Entertainment

Prime Day Deals
Switch 2 Restock

Galaxy Z Fold 7
Wordle Today

Best Mattress
Best laptops

You may like

I’ve reviewed tons of kitchen products — these are the 5 I actually use

I spent over 500 hours testing the best air fryers — these 3 are the winners

I spent hundreds of hours cooking to test the best kitchen scales — these are the 7 scales I recommend

Why you can trust Tom’s Guide

Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Price and availability

Ease of use

Performance

Today’s best IKEA Tillreda Portable induction hob deals

5 Amazon customer reviews

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

If you thought induction cooking was out of your price range, think again.

Often priced above the cost of the best gas and electric ranges, induction cooking is never seen as a cheap option. What’s more, there’s also the decision of whether you want to swap to a completely new way of cooking, as there are a few things you need to know before you buy an induction cooktop, with the main distinction being the difference in how heat is transferred.

Model: Tillreda
Dimensions: 10 5/8 (W) x 12 3/4 (D) x 2 1/2 (H) inches
Cooking levels: 9
Cord length: 54 inches
Display: LED
Control: Touch control
Max power: 2000W
Weight: 6lb
Number of zones: single
I have the perfect solution: Try before you buy. A portable induction cooktop offers the opportunity to test induction cooking before investing in a full-blown version, or it could simply be a handy way to cook in a tight space or if you want a portable cooktop to take on a camping trip. It won’t provide the excitement of cooking over a campfire, but it will boil a pan of water in a flash.

And I have the perfect product to put before you. IKEA’s Tillreda induction cooktop is a real budget find, offering you the chance to try out induction cooking before you rip out your old cooktop and swap to induction for good.

IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Price and availability
Unlike some portable induction cooktops, you can only buy the IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop direct from IKEA — no surprises there. You can pick it up at IKEA in the U.S. for $59 and £45 in the U.K. I think it’s an exceptionally good price. Plus, in the U.K., you can also buy a version with two cooking zones, which is available for $80 at Ikea.
The induction cooktop sits with other kitchen appliances in the Tillreda range, including a microwave and refrigerator.
IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Design

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)

The Tilreda induction cooktop is neatly packaged. It comes in one piece with the plug attached. Once you remove it from its box, you can simply plug it in and go. There’s nothing to add, fix or charge.
It takes on a neat cube shape, with a black cooktop and a white base. There’s nothing exceptional about the design, just as there’s nothing unpleasant or garish. I also like its cubesque shape, which makes the Tillreda feel compact and easy to store without any awkward curves. And if space is super tight, it even features a hanging hook that pops out of the back of the cooktop.

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)
The air inlets and outlets for the fan are located on the right side and at the rear of the cooktop. You’ll find silicone pads on its base to keep it stable on your countertop.

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)
On the top, you’ll find a very reflective surface with markings indicating where to place your pan, and the cooking display is at the front.

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)
It’s a good bit different to Smeg’s portable induction cooktop, which is currently available in the U.K. (We’ll let you know once it’s released in the U.S.). Smeg’s version takes on a more curvaceous form and is significantly deeper, although it still maintains a sleek profile.
IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Ease of use

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)
Before I mention how easy it is to use the cooktop, I need to say about pans. Induction cooking transfers heat through an electric current. That means your pans need to be magnetic. So, if your pans don’t contain a sufficient amount of iron, you won’t be able to get started. It’s one of the 5 things you’ll need to know before buying an induction cooktop.
I tend to use my cast iron Dutch oven when I’m cooking hearty meals on an induction cooktop, but you can also use stainless steel pans. Simply test your pans with a magnet to check.
The induction cooktop will also let you know if your pans aren’t suitable. It’s clever like that. An ‘U’ icon will appear on the display to indicate the pan is unsuitable or not correctly positioned.
Other than that, there’s not much else you need to do apart from removing the cooktop from its packaging, giving it a check wipe down, and plugging it in.
Although I love getting stuck in, it’s best to check through the instruction manual before using it for the first time. But it’s all very intuitive to use.
To get started, hold down the ‘padlock’ icon on the touchpad to unlock the cooktop, then press the on/off button. You can now select the level of heat you require by using the ‘-’ and ‘+’ keys.
That’s it, you’re cooking!
What about the competition?
Smeg’s portable induction cooktop is also easy to use, but it has extra functionality, which means it may take a little longer to get accustomed to. It includes a power boost, a temperature probe, and cooking modes, including Keep Warm, Barbeque, and Fry. You might now be thinking you’re looking at the wrong product, but you do pay more for these extra features — it’s all comes down to what you want or need.
IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Performance

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)

What’s so impressive about induction cooking is the quick response time. As soon as you alter the power level, it’s done. If you’ve got a pan boiling over, and you turn down the heat, the response is immediate.
I also love how easy it is to set a gentle heat, whereas with my regular gas hob, I find it hard to get the right balance. IKEA’s induction cooktop didn’t disappoint, and when I cooked a casserole, I set the power to level 3 for a gentle simmer.
However, one of my first tests was timing how long it took to boil one liter of water. I placed the water in my Dutch oven, popped on the lid and waited for the boil. It took 4 minutes and 5 seconds when placed on level 9. This is a whole minute longer than when using the Power Boost setting on Smeg’s portable induction cooktop, but I won’t be losing any sleep over it.
I cooked numerous dishes on the induction cooktop and even used it to melt chocolate, as induction heat allows you to melt the delicacy without the fuss of using a bain-marie. Using power level 3, I was able to gently melt milk chocolate, although I’d warn you not to take your eyes off it, as it’s gentle yet fast.
There’s not much you can’t cook on an induction cooktop. From sausages, to sauces and casseroles, I found the heat was steady on the cooktop, and just as impressive as the Smeg version, without the added features.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)

I also tried cooking scrambled eggs, one of my favorite breakfasts, and was eager to watch how they cooked to check the heat distribution. I was impressed with the even heat distribution, and the eggs tasted delicious with some hot, crunchy toast.
You’ll need to experiment with the power levels to find what works best, but for scrambled eggs or an omelet, I recommend a power level of 4 or lower.

Image 1 of 1

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman)

As a one-pot fan, I wasn’t put off by having just one cooking zone to work with. Although, as mentioned above, you can buy a two-zone cooktop in the U.K. I tend to throw everything in and see, and using the induction cooktop, combined with my cast-iron pot, worked a treat.
Noise alert
It’s not the quietest cooktop. I tested the volume using a sound meter, and on average, it measured 63dB, with the highest reading reaching 87dB. But, here, you’ve got to look at the price. Would you expect a silent induction cooktop that costs $59?
Safety features
Apart from the child lock I’ve mentioned above, the induction cooktop has a couple of other safety features. After turning on the power, if the power levels are not selected within 30 seconds, the unit automatically switches off.
Plus, if you don’t switch a cooking zone off after two hours, or change the power level, or it overheats, for instance, a pan boils dry, it will also turn off.
IKEA Tillreda 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, due to 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, and even in this instance, a damp cloth was all that was 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 cursed every time I cleaned it.
IKEA Tillreda portable induction cooktop: Verdict
There’s no denying that IKEA’s Tillreda induction cooktop offers basic functionality, but it gives an excellent performance for the price. I can envision it being used by students and those with small cooking spaces, or where an extra cooking zone is needed when entertaining crowds. It also offers you the perfect chance to dip your toe into the world of induction cooking and experience what all the fuss is about without splashing out.
More from Tom’s Guide

I’ve discovered the best thing about induction cooking — and you’ve got to try this yourself
Why can’t you use aluminum pans on an induction cooktop?
I used an induction cooktop for the first time — here are 3 things I discovered

Today’s best IKEA Tillreda Portable induction hob deals

5 Amazon customer reviews

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Camilla Sharman

Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer, Homes

Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

I just tried Ikea’s portable induction cooktop — 5 things I like (and 1 I don’t)

I love my induction cooktop, but here are 5 things I wish I’d looked for before buying

I’ve always been tempted by induction cooktops, but I’d never buy one for my small kitchen — here’s why

KitchenAid’s latest induction cooktop just landed — and it offers the greatest temperature precision yet

I tested the latest Instant Pot Pro — this Wi-Fi-enabled multi cooker is perfect for lazy home chefs like me

Will your pans work on an induction cooktop? An appliance expert recommends trying this cheap hack

Latest in Kitchen & Dining

This precise kitchen scale is 52% off right now — and it’s my go-to favorite

9 experts tips to keep your trash can clean and kitchen insect-free this summer

My summer just got cooler — the Ninja Creami is on sale and I’m not going to stop until everything is ice cream

I was introduced to HexClad by Gordon Ramsay himself — here’s my honest verdict after 3 years of daily use

Cutting out processed food? Me too — these 3 kitchen gadgets are my secret weapons

IKEA just issued product recall over this kitchen gadget — danger of parts being ingested with food

Latest in Reviews

Eufy E20 review: this quirky robovac/cordless combo is super versatile, but struggles with some jobs

Death Stranding 2 is the most beautiful game I’ve ever played — and it’s everything I’d hope for in a sequel

Layla Kapok Pillow review 2025: Customized support for an uninterrupted night’s rest

Asus TUF Gaming BE6500 router review: dual-band Wi-Fi 7 with top-flight wired performance

Acer Predator Connect T7 review: the Wi-Fi 7-powered gaming mesh router to beat

EGOHOME Black 12″ Mattress review 2025: affordable cradling support for all sleep positions