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If you spend a lot of time cooking, a gas cooktop is a worthwhile investment. These standalone stoves are powered by natural gas or liquid propane, and they offer several advantages over electric models. You’ll have better control over the heat, as the flames can be instantly adjusted, and gas is often cheaper than electricity, as well. (On the flip side, electric cooktops and ovens burn cleaner and are more efficient.)
These days, gas cooktops come with a lineup of convenient features, such as dishwasher-safe grates, built-in griddles, and burners that put out different levels of heat for more precise cooking. Keep scrolling for our recommendations on the best gas cooktops on the market, plus shopping advice.
The Best Gas Cooktops
What to Consider
Gas cooktops come in a range of sizes—from as small as 24 inches to 48 inches or more (the most popular is 36-inch)—and they commonly have between four and seven burners. You’ll need to figure out what size cooktop works best in your kitchen, taking into account the installation requirements of the model you choose. If you have an existing cooktop that you’re replacing, you’ll want to measure the existing counter cut-out to ensure your new model fits properly.
It’s also important to purchase a cooktop that will work with your gas source. Most cooktops are designed to run on either natural gas or propane, though some can be converted between the two. However, these conversion kits are often sold separately, increasing the overall price of installation.
How We Selected
To compile our lineup of the best gas cooktops, we considered models from top brands like GE, Frigidaire, and Samsung, among others. We aimed to include a sizes and prioritized models convert to propane. For our final list, we chose gas cooktops that offer commonly sought-after features and aimed to cover a range of price points, from budget to high-end.
Looking for more advice on kitchen appliances worth considering? Check out our stories on the best refrigerators, dishwashers, and smart ovens.
1
Best Overall
GE 30-Inch 4-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop
Pros
Good value- Numerous finishes
- Power Boil burner
- Fit guarantee
Cons
- Plastic knobs
This four-burner gas cooktop from GE has a basic design that works well in most kitchens. It’s a standard 30-inch model that comes in four finishes, and it has control knobs along the right-hand side.
In addition to two standard burners, it features a fast-boil burner and a designed burner for simmering that puts out lower heat.
The cooktop has sealed burners and a recessed surface that contains spills, and its heavy-duty grates are dishwasher-safe. Plus, GE offers a “Fit Guarantee”—if the cooktop doesn’t fit in your existing 30-inch cutout, the brand will pay $100 toward a different model.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 30 x 21 x 4.75 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 4 |
| Control Location | Right |
Pros
- Low price
- Multiple sizes
- Conversion kit included
Cons
- Can be tricky to light
If you want a budget-friendly gas cooktop with an updated look, you can’t go wrong with this model from Empava. It comes in several sizes, ranging from 12 to 36 inches, and this 30-inch model has five burners, including a dual-ring burner in the middle. There's even a propane conversion kit included.
The Empava cooktop features sealed burners and edge-to-edge cast-iron grates that are dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance. The stainless steel exterior is has a streamline design, plus it resists staining to maintain its pristine finish.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 40 x 20 x 4.1 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 5 |
| Control Location | Front |
Pros
- Attractive design
- Versatile burners
- Spacious cooking area
Cons
- Griddle not included
This oversized gas cooktop from Café is a worthwhile investment for serious cooks. It’s 36 inches wide with six burners, including a commercial-style burner that swirls the flame underneath your pan, a tri-ring burner, two griddle burners, and two high-heat burners. It even has a special wok grate that’s contoured to fit rounded cookware.
This high-end gas cooktop comes in three finishes and features porcelain-coated cast-iron grates; there are also a wide range of knobs available for this model to match your kitchen’s color scheme. The burners are sealed for easy cleanup, and while the stove is compatible with a griddle accessory, that piece is sold separately.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 36 x 27.5 x 8.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 6 |
| Control Location | Front |
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Pros
- Space-saving design
- Electronic ignition
- Metal knobs
- Conversion kit included
Cons
If you have a smaller kitchen, this compact gas cooktop is an excellent one to consider. It's just 24 inches wide, but still offers four burners, a seamless stainless-steel base, and cast-iron grates. Also, the low-profile design helps maintain a clean line across the countertop.
This cooktop has metal knobs for a premium feel, and electronic re-ignition will automatically reignite the flame if it ever goes out. Sealed burners prevent spills from getting inside the appliance, and the unit even comes with a liquid propane conversion kit.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 24 x 20.5 x 2.8 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 4 |
| Control Location | Front |
5
Best Fingerprint-Resistant
Samsung 36-Inch 5-Burner Gas Cooktop
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Pros
- Good value
- Smudge-resistant finish
- Edge-to-edge grates
Cons
- Narrow design
- Heavy grates
Hate the look of fingerprints and smudges on your stainless steel appliances? This 36-inch cooktop from Samsung has a fingerprint-resistant matte finish and five burners, including one that's fast-boil.
The continuous, edge-to-edge cast-iron grates are easy to slide pans across, and the burners are sealed for easy maintenance. The only downside is that the grates are somewhat narrow, so you can’t fit two full-size pans on the front and back burners simultaneously.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 36 x 21 x 6 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 5 |
| Control Location | Front |
6
Most Burners
Zline Kitchen and Bath 48-Inch 7-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop
Pros
- Griddle included
- Brass burners back by limited lifetime warranty
- Continuous cast-iron grates and porcelain finish
- Includes conversion kit
Cons
- Grates aren't dishwasher-safe
Cook huge meals is less of a challenge if you have seven cooking zones — which is what this 48-inch gas cooktop from Zline offers. The stainless steel appliance includes a reversible grill/griddle and the burners are made from brass, which can withstand high temperatures and won’t corrode. Plus, the burners are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Other highlights of this high-end cooktop include a porcelain finish, continuous cast-iron grates, and there's a propane conversion kit that's part of the package. The main downside is that the grates aren't dishwasher-safe.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 48 x 28 x 8 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 7 |
| Control Location | Front |
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Pros
- Good value
- Angled control knobs
Cons
- Knobs feel a bit cheap
If your kitchen has a modern aesthetic, this 36-inch black cooktop from Frigidaire is well worth considering. It features five burners, including a low-simmer burner, and its continuous cast-iron grates offer a smooth cooking surface designed to contain messes and prevent leak into burners.
There are also dishwasher-safe grates and angled control knobs, plus it can be installed over single-wall ovens.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 36 x 21.5 x 4.3 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 5 |
| Control Location | Front |
Pros
- Good value
- Easy to clean
- Hinged grates
Cons
- Plastic knobs
- Large burners are both in rear
Messy cooks will appreciate this gas cooktop from Whirlpool, which has several features that make it easy to clean. Raised edges help to contain spills on the stainless-steel cooktop, and its hinged grates swing upward, allowing you to wipe underneath without removing them. It also has sealed burners and dishwasher-safe knobs.
This 30-inch gas cooktop features four burners, including one for faster boiling and one for simmering on low heat. The cast-iron grates run edge-to-edge for maximum cooking space, and the cooktop is wall-oven compatible, in case you want to pair it with another appliance.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 30 x 21 x 4.1 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 4 |
| Control Location | Front |
Pros
- Modern appearance
- Rapid boil and simmer burners
- Continuous cast-iron grates
- Side control panel
Cons
- Plastic knobs
The biggest benefit of having a gas cooktop with side controls is that you don't have to reach over knobs to access burners. This 30-inch GE model has knobs lined up along the right-hand side so they won't get in your way.
The cooktop has four burners, including one for rapid boiling and one for simmering, and continuous cast-iron grates for easily moving heavy pots and pans between burners. The appliance also comes with a propane conversion kit.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 30 x 21 x 4.8 in. |
|---|---|
| Burners | 4 |
| Control Location | Right |
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
Rachel Klein
Deputy Editor
Rachel Klein is the Deputy Editor of Popular Mechanics.
