How we chose
We assessed exact current Australian products, availability and pricing, wattage, electrical requirements, single- and dual-zone practicality, low- and high-power behaviour, temperature stability, controls, timer and safety functions, pan-size limits, fan noise, footprint, weight, caravan practicality, warranty, owner evidence and publicly available CHOICE laboratory findings.
Worth Buying scores are editorial judgements, not calculations from customer star ratings. Retailer, manufacturer and independent review pools remain separate. Worth Buying Australia did not perform CHOICE's laboratory tests and does not infer member-only results.
Why these three won
Breville wins because two independent zones and 16 power levels make it substantially more useful as a temporary stovetop. IKEA wins value through genuine 2000W output, a two-year guarantee and an extraordinary $49.99 price. Westinghouse earns the advanced single-zone position with a timer, child lock and broader control range, while its mixed reliability evidence keeps the score below 9.
Serious near-misses
Tefal Dual Express IH9038 is a strong $199–$229 dual-zone alternative with a 2400W total, 10 levels, timer and early Good Guys feedback around 4.4/5 from 11 reviews, but Breville offers finer 16-level control and clearer power-sharing implementation. Breville Quick Cook Go LIC500 is a feature-rich 2200W single, though its very small independent ProductReview pool contains serious failure complaints that must remain separate from the much larger positive retailer pool. Tefal IH9018 remains current, but its lone ProductReview report raises low-temperature cycling concerns.
Philips HD4902/60 scored 62% in publicly reported CHOICE testing, with poor low-temperature performance, five power levels and no child lock. Westinghouse WHIC02K has a 2.1/5 independent ProductReview pool from 12 reviews with repeated failure reports. Commercial models were also unsuitable for normal homes: CHOICE publicly reports Anvil ICL3500 at 69% overall and 64% cooking performance, with a failed sensitive-cooking task, fan noise and a 15A requirement; Apuro CE208-A-03 at 62% overall and 55% cooking performance with weak rice and sensitive-cooking results; and the roughly $1,858 Dipo DC23 is a specialist commercial unit.
Breville the Quick Cook Dual Zone Induction Cooker
The exact Australian model is LIC700MTB2IAN1, commonly shortened to LIC700MTB. It has two zones, individual controls, timers, pause, cookware detection, child lock and auto-off in a roughly 460 × 260 × 60mm, 3.8kg body.
The two zones share a 2400W total power budget. A single zone tops out around 1800W; with both in use, examples include 1800W + 600W or 1200W + 1200W. It is not 2400W per zone. That is usually manageable for pasta and sauce, curry and rice, or eggs and bacon, but two simultaneous high-heat searing pans are better served by a built-in cooktop.
The Good Guys' exact-model pool displayed 4.8/5 from nine reviews, while Kitchen Warehouse showed one separate verified-purchaser 5/5 review. Potential incentives are disclosed and the pools are not combined. The model is still relatively new, so long-term durability evidence remains limited.
Key specifications
| Exact AU model | LIC700MTB2IAN1 |
|---|---|
| Zones / output | 2 / 2400W combined, 1800W single-zone maximum |
| Controls | 16 levels, independent timers, pause, child lock |
| Size / weight | About 460 × 260 × 60mm / 3.8kg |
| Price snapshot | About $249 |
| Warranty | 1 year; terms apply |
Pros
- Genuinely useful two-zone cooking
- 16 power levels
- Independent controls and timers
- Pause, detection, lock and auto-off
- Smart power sharing
- Easy-clean ceramic glass
Cons
- Zones share 2400W
- 1800W single-zone ceiling
- Only a one-year warranty
- Small long-term owner pool
- Wider and heavier than single-zone units
- Cooling fan is audible
IKEA TILLREDA Portable Induction Hob
The current Australian product number is 404.935.09. It uses a standard 10A connection, weighs 2.3kg and measures about 27 × 33 × 6cm. The 175mm nominal zone suits cookware bases around 12–20cm, making it practical for backup cooking, hot pot, student rooms, temporary kitchens and suitably powered caravan sites.
The simplicity is deliberate. The current version has no timer, while IKEA lists an electronic display with child lock. Owners also report audible fan or electrical noise, glass scratching, touch controls reacting to spills and coarse jumps between some settings. Very large frypans can heat unevenly beyond the coil area.
IKEA Australia's exact page showed 4.5/5 from 259 reviews. ProductReview's separate pool was 3.5/5 from 11 reviews; its “discontinued” label is not repeated because IKEA currently sells exact product 404.935.09. CHOICE includes this exact item in its 2026 comparison, but its detailed member-only score is not inferred.
Key specifications
| Exact product number | 404.935.09 |
|---|---|
| Zone / output | 1 × 175mm / 2000W |
| Electrical | 220–240V, 10A, included plug |
| Controls | 9 power levels; no timer on current version |
| Size / weight | About 27 × 33 × 6cm / 2.3kg |
| Price / guarantee | $49.99 / 2 years; terms apply |
Pros
- Exceptional $49.99 price
- Full 2000W output
- Standard 10A connection
- Nine power levels
- Electronic display with child lock
- Light and compact
- Two-year guarantee
- Large exact-product owner pool
Cons
- No timer on current version
- Touch panel can react to spills
- Only one zone
- Control steps can feel coarse
- Audible fan and electronics
Westinghouse 2000W Single Induction Cooktop
The exact model WHIC01K provides 200–2000W power selection, 60–240°C temperature settings, a 180-minute timer, child lock, auto-off and automatic pan detection. It accepts cookware bases around 12–26cm, weighs roughly 2.2–2.3kg and stands only 4cm high.
The temperature display is not laboratory control. Westinghouse warns that actual pan or food temperature can fluctuate roughly 20–30°C above or below the selected setting depending on cookware and contents. Low-output cycling is also normal for this class, so it is not a precise sous-vide substitute.
Evidence conflicts. ProductReview's independent pool showed 2.8/5 from 11 reviews, including faults, inconsistent heating and service complaints. Appliances Online displayed roughly 129 mostly positive reviews about portability, heating speed and temporary-kitchen use, but some were hosted or syndicated from Westinghouse. We do not call all 129 independent AO customers and never average the pools. CHOICE tests WHIC01K, but its detailed score is member locked.
The fan can continue for about two minutes after cooking to cool the electronics. Let that cycle finish as directed rather than immediately disconnecting power.
Key specifications
| Exact model | WHIC01K |
|---|---|
| Output / electrical | 200–2000W / standard 10A plug |
| Temperature mode | 60–240°C selectable; actual temperature approximate |
| Controls | 180-minute timer, child lock, pan detection, auto-off |
| Size / weight | About 29 × 37 × 4cm / 2.2–2.3kg |
| Price / warranty | About $125 street; $134.95 RRP / 12 months |
Pros
- 200–2000W control
- Selectable temperature mode
- Timer and child lock
- Pan detection and auto-off
- Standard 10A plug
- 12–26cm pan-base range
- Slim, travel-friendly body
Cons
- Mixed independent reliability feedback
- Temperature setting is approximate
- Low-power cycling
- One-year warranty
- More than twice IKEA's price
- Fan cooldown and noise
Portable induction buying advice
Single or dual zone?
A single burner suits caravans, hot pot, backup cooking and one-person kitchens. A dual unit works better during renovations or where two-pan meals matter, but its zones normally share one limited power budget.
Power point and circuit load
Portable induction can draw close to a normal circuit's capacity. Do not use cheap power boards, double adapters or undersized extension leads, and avoid running kettles, microwaves, toasters or air fryers from the same overloaded circuit.
Caravans and powered camping
Check site amperage, caravan wiring and the continuous rating of any inverter or generator. A 12V cigarette/accessory socket cannot directly power a normal 2000W induction hob.
Power cycling
Many portable units create low average heat by switching higher power on and off. This can make chocolate, custard, milk and gentle sauces harder to control even when the display suggests a low setting.
Pan size matters
The magnetic coil heats a limited area. An oversized 30cm frypan can develop a hot centre and cooler perimeter even if detected. Stay within the maker's stated base diameter.
Compatible cookware
Cast iron, enamelled steel and magnetic stainless steel usually work. If a magnet sticks strongly to the base, the pan is generally induction compatible; plain aluminium, copper and glass need a magnetic induction base.
Dual-zone power sharing
A portable dual hob operates from one supply, so two zones do not mean double the power. Breville allows about 1800W on one zone or 2400W shared across both. Sauce plus pasta or rice plus curry is manageable; two high-heat searing pans will expose the limit. A full built-in induction cooktop remains the stronger choice for sustained multi-pan performance.
Fan noise and electrical safety
Cooling fans, relays, power cycling and cookware buzz can all be normal. Fan operation after cooking may intentionally cool the electronics. Use a flat, stable bench, keep ventilation openings clear, observe cookware weight limits, keep controls dry and never use damaged glass.
Induction's glass is not the primary heat source like a radiant ceramic element, but heat transfers back from the pan and can make the surface very hot. Do not call it cold, and keep children away from hot cookware and the recently used zone.
Which portable induction cooktop should you buy?
Buy the Breville LIC700 if you need two genuine cooking zones and want the closest portable approximation to a small stovetop.
Buy the IKEA TILLREDA if one simple induction zone at the lowest credible current price is enough.
Buy the Westinghouse WHIC01K if you want one burner with a timer, child lock and more explicit power and temperature controls than IKEA provides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a portable induction cooktop in a caravan?
Yes, where mains supply, the caravan circuit and any inverter or generator have adequate capacity. Account for other appliances on the circuit. A normal 2000W hob cannot run directly from a 12V accessory socket.
Can I plug an induction cooktop into a normal power point?
Many consumer units—including the exact IKEA and Westinghouse models here—are designed around a standard Australian 10A connection. Check the exact product rating and total circuit load, and avoid overloaded adapters or power boards.
Do I need special pans for induction?
You need cookware with a sufficiently magnetic base. Cast iron, enamelled steel and many stainless-steel pans work; a strong magnet test is a useful first check.
Why does a portable induction cooktop pulse on and off?
Many units regulate low average output by cycling higher power. This is common, but it can make sensitive low-temperature cooking less stable.
Is a dual portable induction cooktop as powerful as a built-in one?
Generally not. Portable dual units share the limited supply available through one connection. Breville's LIC700, for example, shares 2400W across both zones.