Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Compact Induction Cooktops

Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop vs Empava 24" Built-In Induction Cooktop (EMPV-IDC24)

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

Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about Compact and kitchen-free spaces, dorms, RVs, boats, patios, or a small countertop, where you want genuine two-burner cooking in a 24-inch-or-less footprint and can use the 1200W left burner as your workhorse and the 600W right burner for simmering or warming, all from one 120V outlet. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Cuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction Cooktop
Higher ratedRanked #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
Empava 24" Built-In Induction Cooktop (EMPV-IDC24)
Ranked #4 in Best Compact Induction Cooktops
Empava 24" Built-In Induction Cooktop (EMPV-IDC24)
$360

The Empava EMPV-IDC24 is one of the more affordable ways to put a genuine 24-inch, four-zone built-in induction cooktop into a small kitchen, and its 23.2-inch body with a 22.8 x 20.1-inch cutout drops into standard narrow cabinet runs. Power is respectable for the size, with front zones boosting to 2700W and a useful per-burner 99-minute timer. Owner feedback across Amazon and Home Depot is broadly positive but consistent on two weak spots: the touch controls are oversensitive and the coarse 5-level power scale (which pulses at the lowest setting) makes delicate simmering awkward. It is hardwired 240V/40A only, so factor in an electrician. Treat it as a value-first pick for a kitchenette or rental rather than a precision enthusiast cooktop.

Strengths
  • True 24" built-in footprint (23.2" actual, 22.8" x 20.1" cutout) fits standard narrow cabinet runs in apartments, studios and kitchenette renovations
  • Four induction zones with Power Boost — front zones hit 2700W and rear zones 2000W for ~5 minutes, enough to bring a large pot to a fast boil
  • Per-burner touch timers up to 99 minutes plus an overall alarm, so you can run multiple dishes on independent countdowns
Watch-outs
  • Hardwired 240V / 40-amp install only — no plug, so most buyers need an electrician, which adds cost on top of the cooktop price
  • Only 5 effective power levels, and the lowest setting pulses on/off rather than holding a steady low heat, making true simmering and melting tricky
  • Touch buttons are very sensitive; several owners report accidental changes or the child lock disengaging more easily than expected

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.

Empava 24" Built-In Induction Cooktop (EMPV-IDC24)

The Empava EMPV-IDC24 packs four zones into the same 24-inch footprint where the True Induction TI-2B fits only two, making it the better pick for cooking several dishes at once. Like the True Induction it hardwires in, so the portable Duxtop 9600LS or Cuisinart ICT-60 remain the easier options for renters.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCuisinart ICT-60 Double Induction CooktopEmpava 24" Built-In Induction Cooktop (EMPV-IDC24)
TypePortable countertopBuilt-in (4-zone)
Burners / Zones24
Total Power1800W (1200W + 600W)7400W
Power Levels8 (left) / 5 (right)5 (+ Power Boost)
SurfaceGlass-ceramicGlass-ceramic (tempered)
ControlsTouch + LEDDigital touch
Timer150 min/burner; 30s auto-offPer-zone up to 99 min
Voltage120V240V / 40A (hardwired)
Dimensions23.5 × 14.25 × 2.5 in23.2 × 20.5 × 2.2 in (cutout 22.8 × 20.1)
Weight11.6 lb~28 lb
Warranty3-year limited2 years (4 with registration)
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