GE JGP637WEJWW

Reviewers say the 36-inch GE JGP637WEJWW is a good value; this gas cooktop performs well at both high and low heat settings in testing. Although the finish isn't as upscale -- its top is made of painted metal rather than more durable porcelain enamel -- it does almost as well in tests as the pricier GE JGP975WEKWW (*Est. $1,150). Another limitation of the GE JGP637WEJWW compared to the more expensive GE cooktop is that it lacks continuous grates. That doesn't affect cooking performance, but it does mean lifting pots every time they need to be transferred between burners.

ConsumerReports.org editors offer separate ratings for gas cooktops, and the GE JGP637WEJ is included along with 12 other models. What sets Consumer Reports magazine apart is the independent testing behind the rankings. Each model is assessed according to how quickly it brings water to a near-boil, and how well it melts and holds chocolate without burning it. J.D. Power and Associates has a completely different approach involving a large survey assessing consumer satisfaction with cooktops and other major home appliances.