Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Compact Induction Cooktops

Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop vs Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Renters, dorm and RV cooks, and home cooks who want a precise, affordable second burner for simmering sauces, holding stocks, and fast boils. It suits anyone prioritizing fine low-power control and a long timer over a quiet fan or lab-grade temperature accuracy. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop
Ranked #2 in Best Compact Induction Cooktops
Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop
$170

The Cuisinart ICT-60 is a portable double-burner induction cooktop that fits the compact (24-inch-or-less) brief at 23.5 inches wide, making it a credible two-pot solution for dorms, RVs, boats, patios, or a small kitchen overflow. Its standout design choice is an asymmetric 1200W/600W burner pair that, unlike many dual portables, lets both burners run at full power at once without robbing each other. Reviewers generally praise the fast induction heat-up, simple per-burner controls, glass surface, and 5-year warranty, though several note the 600W right burner is really only suited to simmering or warming. Reliability appears mixed, with scattered reports of uneven heating, warped pans, and weak customer support. Overall a sensible compact pick for cooks who want genuine two-burner flexibility and accept that one zone is the 'small burner' of the pair.

Strengths
  • Two independently controlled induction burners fit a 23.5-inch-wide countertop footprint, giving real two-pot cooking in a compact, kitchen-free space
  • Asymmetric 1200W and 600W burners can run at full power simultaneously, so raising one burner does not throttle the other (no power-sharing penalty)
  • Each burner has its own on/off, heat level (8 left, 5 right), and 150-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Watch-outs
  • The right burner maxes out at only 600W with 5 settings, so reviewers treat it as a warming/simmer burner rather than a true second high-heat zone
  • Combined draw is 1800W on a single 120V circuit, the ceiling for both burners together; heavy simultaneous high-heat use is constrained
  • Some owners report uneven heating, warped induction pans, early failures, and complaints about Cuisinart customer service
Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Compact Induction Cooktops
Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop
$116.99

The Duxtop 9600LS is a single-burner 1800W portable induction cooktop that reviewers repeatedly name a top pick under roughly $250, largely on the strength of its 20 power and 20 temperature steps and a 10-hour timer that few budget units match. In testing it boils water quickly (CenturyLife saw about 3.5 minutes) and holds low simmers better than cheaper Duxtop models. It is not a precision instrument: the fan is loud (around 56 dB), it can whine at full power, the temperature sensor reads roughly 15F low, and it pulses at the lowest settings. For an inexpensive countertop induction burner those are expected trade-offs rather than dealbreakers.

Strengths
  • 20 power levels and 20 temperature steps (100-1800W / 100-460F) give finer low-end control than rivals near $100, so simmers and butter-melting hold without scorching
  • 10-hour countdown timer (settable in 1-minute increments) lets it double as a slow-cooker for stocks and soups, far beyond the 170-minute cap on the older 9100MC
  • Glass surface stays cool except where the pan sits, plus a child safety lock and hold-to-activate power button reduce burn risk
Watch-outs
  • Loud cooling fan during operation; CenturyLife measured 56.3 dB at 12 inches and reviewers consistently call it noisy
  • High-pitched squeal/whine at maximum power that one reviewer likened to 'two pieces of metal rubbing against each other'
  • Heat pulses on and off at the lowest power levels, an inherent limit of budget induction that can affect precision cooking

How they stack up

Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop

The Cuisinart ICT-60 is the only two-burner portable in this guide, trading the deeper single-zone power range of the Duxtop 9600LS for the convenience of running two pans at once. Unlike the built-in True Induction TI-2B and Empava EMPV-IDC24, it just plugs into a standard outlet, so no electrician is required.

Duxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop

Among the portable picks, the Duxtop 9600LS gives finer low-end control than the budget NuWave PIC Gold, while the Cuisinart ICT-60 adds a second burner if you routinely cook two pans at once. Buyers who want a permanent fixture rather than a countertop unit should step up to the built-in True Induction TI-2B or the four-zone Empava EMPV-IDC24.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction CooktopDuxtop 9600LS Portable Induction Cooktop
TypePortable countertopPortable countertop
Burners / Zones21
Total Power1800W (1200W + 600W)1800W
Power Levels8 (left) / 5 (right)20 (100–1800W)
SurfaceGlass-ceramicGlass-ceramic (11 × 11 in)
ControlsTouch + LEDLCD sensor-touch, child lock
Timer150 min/burner; 30s auto-offUp to 10 hrs (1-min steps)
Voltage120V120V
Dimensions23.5 × 14.25 × 2.5 in14 × 11.4 × 2.5 in
Weight11.6 lb7.3 lb
Warranty3-year limited1-year limited
Temperature Range100–460°F (20 steps)
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