Highlight vs Induction: What's the Difference and Which Should You Buy?

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Kitchen Renovation Dilemma: Highlight vs Induction

In today's kitchen appliance market, induction and highlight cooktops are commonly compared as the two major types of electric ranges. Though they look similar, they differ significantly in how they operate, their performance, safety, cost, and cookware compatibility. This article breaks down the key differences to help you choose the one that best fits your needs.

1. Difference in Heating Mechanism

  • Highlight: Uses an electric heating element beneath a glass surface to heat the cooktop and then the cookware. A traditional radiant heat method.
  • Induction: Uses high-frequency alternating current to generate a magnetic field, which directly heats the base of magnetic cookware.

2. Heat-Up Speed and Efficiency

Induction is faster and more energy-efficient because it heats the cookware directly with minimal heat loss. Highlight takes longer as it transfers heat from the coil to the glass top and then to the pot, resulting in more energy waste.

3. Cookware Compatibility

  • Highlight: Compatible with most cookware materials including aluminum and ceramic.
  • Induction: Only works with cookware that has a magnetic bottom (e.g., stainless steel, cast iron).

4. Safety and Cleaning

Induction cooktops don’t heat the surface directly, so they're safer (especially for children) and cool down faster. They also have a flat surface that’s easy to wipe clean. Highlight cooktops, on the other hand, become very hot and retain heat for a longer time, increasing the risk of burns.

A visual comparison of heat transfer between highlight and induction cooktops

5. Price and Initial Setup

  • Highlight: More affordable and does not require special cookware.
  • Induction: Typically more expensive, requires compatible pots and may need electrical upgrades.

6. Which Should You Choose?

  • Budget-conscious single households: Highlight is a good entry-level option.
  • Families wanting speed, safety, and efficiency: Induction is ideal.
  • Those who want to keep using existing cookware: Highlight is more flexible.
  • Homes with kids or older adults: Induction offers better safety features.

7. Conclusion: Same Look, Very Different Inside

Highlight and induction cooktops may look alike, but they’re fundamentally different in operation and usability. Rather than picking one because it’s “better,” it’s smarter to choose based on your cooking habits, safety needs, and kitchen setup. Now’s the perfect time to make a smart upgrade tailored to your lifestyle.

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