go with induction - much better than 'old style' electric (even better than smooth top!) and no cost to install compared to gas. Lots of folks here have switched to induction - you can probably find lots of previous posts about that

I plan to switch to induction as soon as my current stove bites the dust. Everyone I know who has one loves it!

Our gas cooktop operates during power outages, if that is any consideration.

People on this forum love induction, but I do not. Everyone has different likes and dislikes, though some induction devotees don't want to hear anything negative about it, but there should be room for all opinions. Things I don't like: some cookware doesn't work on it, you can't "flip and toss", i.e. sautéing, because everything stops cooking when you lift the pan off the cooktop, and there is intermittent buzzing.

If my only choice was electric like you mentioned, I would choose induction over the regular electric cooktop. Even with the negatives I mentioned, induction is still better than the excruciating unresponsiveness of an electric cooktop. But if there was the ability to have a gas cooktop, I would not choose induction in that case.

I switched from old coils to induction about 4 or 5 years ago when we renovated. I totally love it. Not to negate negative comments, just add, more feedback on them - On my GE Profile, you could flip and toss. Yes, the sensor flashes and says the pan is missing, but if it is only missing for a couple seconds, as in flipping, it continues at the setting it was, the minute you set it back on. Also I have almost no buzzing sounds unless you get to 3 or more hobs on at one time. I have heard worse buzzing on other models tho. If you have a fan running, then the buzzing on mine if I use the 3 or more, can't even be heard.

Induction is safer than gas, does not cause discolouration on walls and does not add residual heat from using it or having a pilot light on. There are many settings so you can have almost infinite heat similar to gas. Mine has setting from low up to 9 and high and 1/2 settings in between. Once you figure out what temp rice cooks at without boiling over, then you will never have a boiled over pot of rice again. Just use the same setting, and perfect rice every time. I can melt chocolate on my small burner on the 'melt' setting. Easy cleanup as it is a glass top, but not with the same clean up problems of electric glass top stoves. I just totally love mine for so many reasons. Many brands include a set of induction cookware and many pans and pots out there are now induction capable.

But do your homework and decide what works best for you.

We are switching from gas to induction. Currently using a portable induction and it cooks fine but is noisy (as expected with portable). The electrician had to run wire from outside panel at other end of the house to upgrade the circuit for appropriate required amps. Cost $500

Just wanted to respond to bacino's comment about the counter top units. I did the same when I was remodeling my kitchen - although I had already decided to use inductionso it was not a way to test it for me. I hated the counter top unit. it worked in a pinch but lacked the control I have with my Bosch unit. I actually warped one of my good pots using that counter top unit! I would never suggest that anyone use one of those units to "see if they like it".

Also, one consideration my be the amps you need for the induction. I remember sing where some had to upgrade their electric service or at least have an electrician add a new receptacle for induction. But in most cases, it a heck of a lot cheaper than running a gas line!

I've seen portable induction plates fairly inexpensive. You can always get one of them and one pan (whatever you cook with most) and give it a test drive.

I bought an induction cooktop because of all the rave reviews on this site. It was a great decision, and I love using it. There isn't anything that my gas range could do that my induction cannot..... well, except maybe char peppers or work in a power outage. The induction cooktop does the low end so much better than my gas. I can put chocolate on to melt and walk away. My hollandaise does not turn into scrambled eggs. On the other end, water boils so much quicker than with gas. Taking a pan off my cooktop does not shut it down immediately either. I believe I have a couple of minutes in which to return to pan to the cooktop to resume cooking. Cleaning it is also such a dream. No more lifting grates, and no more burnt on anything,

I bought a portable unit to "test drive" before I got my cooktop, but keep in mind that the portables are only going to give you a taste of what the cooktops are like. Sort of like deciding whether you like the ride of a Mercedes S class based on taking a Smart car out for a test drive.

The portable units don't work as well as a full cooktop. You can use a portable to test, but it won't be the same.

In order of what I would do is induction would be my first choice, especially if you have young children or are getting up there in years. Why? Much safer because the cooktop doesn't heat up the way electric or gas does.

All around, induction is cleaner too and easier to clean up since food doesn't bake onto the surface if it spills.

Second choice would be gas and my last choice would be electric which I despise.

I have cooked on electric coils, smooth top radiant electric, gas, and induction. I would choose induction every time. Lots of power, lots of control, less heat in the room, and by far the easiest to clean. Our new house (new tract built so I didn't get to choose anything) has a six burner gas range top and I'm honestly so disappointed to have to switch back. I have only used it a half dozen times and it has already been a pita to clean.

We have a 24" induction cooktop and love it. It is only 3 "burners", but find it is just perfect for the 2 of us.

ldstarr, is that the Miele? Is there room to use all three zones at once?

Having cooked with gas my entire life, I'll never go back (willingly) after using induction. The transition was so easy. Cleanup is amazing compared to gas.

writersblock,

Our 24" is a Wolfe. Yes, there is room to use all 3 hobs at the same time. Also, the left 2 hobs have a bridge function that allows me to use our oblong griddle.