If you're okay with built-ins and the price--separate units cost more and so foes the wiring (each needs a dedicated circuit)--you'll have many more choices and probably better performance (because they don't have to play nice and share) with a cooktop and oven. In fact, you don't have to stand in front of the oven with separate units. Just because you're putting it under counter, doesn't mean the oven has to be under the cooktop blowing on you. So long as it isn't too far to make transferring a pan difficult, you can put it out of the way, and have pot drawers or other storage under the cooktop.

One of the concerns people have with induction ranges or cooktop directly over wall oven is the heat from the oven causing problems with the electronics of the induction cooktop. Some advise not to use "self-clean" to avoid generating high heat, for example. Ranges, at least, were designed to handle this problem, although there is worry that it some manufacturers may not do as good a job and so be more error prone.

As plllog points out, you'll have more options, but spend more money, if you go for separate units. I know that I would have loved to have a separate wall oven (at a reasonable height to avoid stooping), but finances didn't allow for that. If you do go for separate units, stacking them -- with the appropriate clearance/air space -- might put the oven lower than it would be for a range. It most likely would put the controls lower than on a range. That may be a plus or negative for you & your kitchen, but is something to consider.

Personally I'd either go with plllog's suggestion and not stack them or go with a range where you know it was designed that way.

I just recently bought an LG induction range. For various reasons, I couldn't get a wall oven, and since the oven was going to be under the stovetop anyway, a range was the way to go. I absolutely LOVE my induction range top, and the oven part of the range (with convection) is working nicely. And it's got a purple interior ;) (Seriously, that's not why I bought the LG, but I do like it). I specifically went looking for one with knobs, which I prefer. I've only had it about 3 months but I cook a lot, and so far, so good.

Tarnator, this is actually could be a very, very broad topic that could potentially flood you with way more information than you want.

Some "specifics" could help tailor responses to your particular needs. Please don't take this as criticism, btw; we've all struggled with appliance selection. Let me offer three points that may help narrow the potential flood of info.

First, are you planning for a kitchen in a new build kitchen or are you planning a complete kitchen remodel or are you just looking to install something in place of an existing 30" range?

Second, do you have an appliance budget in mind? "Going to get a gas range" can cover a very wide budgetary swath, and the same is true for induction ranges and cooktops. A budget can filter the choices.

Third, some induction appliances offer relatively fine control over heat levels but many only offer nine or ten burner power settings. Some of us are happy with such limited settings (such as Toronto Veterinarian) while others (such as plllog and I) prefer finer power gradations for our cooking. Having a preference for finer control can really winnow down the choices and recommendations of induction ranges. IIRC, nightflyer recently discussed this in a recent thread by new owners of the Bosch Benchmark induction slide-in models.

I just bought in May the KitchenAid 30" double oven freestanding induction range. I love it. Like night & day from my 31 y/o coil range.

Another good range option is the Bosch Benchmark. Here

Jwvideo,

If it will help narrow things down:

1. This is a new build in a small-ish house (2800sq ft total), so I don't think we can accommodate any really large appliances, so the 30" should serve our needs.

2. Budget: a bit unknown. Not low-end, but probably not the top of the line either. Whatever the 'Acura' version is of these appliances. ;)

3. I feel pretty certain that I could live with limited settings.

Thanks for all the input so far! I feel that I need to watch some youtube videos and visit a showroom or 2...

Jwvideo, I just wanted to say thank you for your always-helpful posts. I've learned a lot from you. Much appreciated!

"but the induction range is too new to have a track record. Toronto
Veterinarian has one and posted a good write-up on it, but the search
engines are not finding that thread for me right now. (Maybe T.V. knows
the link?)"

I didn't actually post a write up specifically about it, because I think it's too new at this point. I will write one after 8 or 10 months, if not a year or more, to have some idea of it's quality over time. I have mentioned it in my reveal thread (https://www.houzz.com/discussions/my-reveal-dsvw-vd~4751866?n=37) - that I love cooking on the stove, and that 10 levels of adjustment are suiting me fine (some companies make a big deal about having more levels for more subtle adjustments, but this seems to do everything I want). The oven is a good quality oven, from my use so far -- no hot spots have been identified, and I've used both convection and non-convection. FWIW, I haven't noticed any rattling or cycling noises that I've heard about from some other induction units when I'm boiling things.

Toronto, are you ready to write your update? Curious if you still love your LG range 4 years later?

Wow, 4 years later......I'm in my 3rd home in the last 4 years, and I liked the LG induction range so much, I bought one for the next 2 homes I moved in to (since I left the previous ones behind). They've all been slightly different models, based on what was new and available at the time I moved, though I honestly don't notice anything other than cosmetic changes. I still adore induction stoves, and I can't abide cooking with a standard radiant electric stove any more. Buying an induction range was the very first thing I did, to change out the radiant electric as soon as possible. I still like the look and functionality of knobs, and see no reason to spend more for the Cafe or Bertazzoni (especially since they both have smaller ovens).

I have the LG LSE4617ST which I like as well. You can buy the LSE4616ST and save some money or LSIS3018SS for a more contemporary appearance. Compare the spec sheets and prices to decide among them.