Electrolux Icon E30EC65ESS

The Electrolux Icon E30EC65ESS outperforms all other electric smoothtop cooktops in a recent test, in which it boasts excellent performance for both high- and low-heat cooking. It boils water quickly but can also simmer delicate sauces or melt chocolate at low temperatures. This Electrolux cooktop includes five radiant burners, including a large center burner that can be used for 5-, 7- or 9-inch pots. Two other burners are expandable from 5 to 7 inches, in addition to two fixed 6-inch burners. Other features include dial controls and hot-surface indicator lights. Reviewers say the Electrolux Icon E30EC65ESS is stylish and heats up quickly, but we saw one report that the cooking surface can be hard to clean. One reviewer also reports that the large center burner is difficult to control and it can be hard to set the temperature with precision. If you prefer to spend less than $1,000, the Kenmore 42732 (*Est. $650) is an excellent value, but it doesn't perform as well at low heat.

The best review of the Electrolux Icon E30EC65ESS comes from ConsumerReports.org, which includes the cooktop in its latest test of nearly 40 gas and electric cooktops. User reviews for cooktops are scarce, but there are a few opinions available at online retailers like HomeClick.com and AJMadison.com.