No, the $818 Frigidaire FFIC3026TB is a CR-recommended cooktop that owners also like (also at Lowes). For a better deal, get the IKEA SÄRKLASSIG which is the same cooktop with a slightly different appearance and a 5-year warranty priced that is priced at only $700.

I recommend you get one with the styling and features that you want/like and remain within your budget. If money is no object then sure go ahead and splurge.

Frigidaire is an Electrolux Swedish company. Here's their 30 & 36" cooktops at AJMadison. Link. This site has PDFs of the Owner's Manual and Installation instructions. These have 10 steps of heat control. Usually, fine. Bosch and Miele include half steps.

There have been comments in this forum that induction is induction is induction. Or that it might make financial sense to buy two of the less expensive cooktops so that when the inevitable failure happens, you can simply replace the broken one with the backup for less than the cost of repair. Personally, I paid up for a Wolf because of the two year warranty, but now question if I really needed to spend so much for an induction cooktop that doesn't offer anything radically different than a less expensive brand. I'm really happy with the Wolf, but perhaps I would have been just as happy with a GE.

The differences between the brands are how the controls operate, placement of controls, knobs vs. touch controls, burner size and placement, burner wattages, power sharing between burners, individual timers, wi fi connection, & bridge features.

I don't care for the largest burner being in the center, like in some of the Frigidaires. That crowds the cooktop if, say, you put a big boiling pasta pot there but you need to make a pasta sauce or veggies. Some prefer the smallest, weakest burner in the back; I like it in the front where I can keep an eye on temperamental sauces or custards that need constant stirring & careful temperature control. A bridge feature is very nice not only for breakfasts & grilled sandwiches, but for making gravy in a roasting pan. Some love having individual timers, I don't need them.

So do your research & think about what works best for your needs. I hope you'll be as surprised & delighted by how nice induction cooking is as I was!

Thank you for the helpful information.

Look around locally for a location where you an try one or more versions from different manufacturers. Miele has experience centers in some major cities, for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1IYSvNcNKM&t=1127s