I notice a slight humming noise from our Bosch induction cooktop that becomes louder as the power level is increased. It’s not so loud to be a distraction but it is noticable. That being said, I could also hear the gas elements on our Wolf cooktop that became louder as the flame increased. I think you’ll hear some operating noise from any style of cooking appliance.

The worst sounds with induction come from some clad pans but are mostly heard by teenagers. Those are the high pitched squeels. Cast iron is a good alternative. ;) The inductors can clunk. In some situations, they can clunk repeatedly. They can also tick, but more likely, a thin pan may click. Cast iron doesn't. My Gaggenau occasionally surprises me with a noise, but rarely, since I hardly ever don't turn on the hood. I hear very well for a so-not-a-teenager, but I can't hear any of it with the hood on. I'm sure there must be some kind of fan, but I never hear it, and do turn off the hood immediately when done, unless there's frying particles or some kind of stink to linger.

There's very little difference between induction cooktops. The contols and gizmos, yes, but the inductors themselves, not so much, though the newer ones may (or may not) be quieter. The big differences in quality will be seen in experiential things like noise.

Since you're sensitive to noise, My best advice is to take your pans and something besides water to put in them, since oan cintents affect noise, and try things out, like you did before.

I have a Wolf Professional series induction range, purchased early 2025.

I'll be honest here -- the buzzing is kinda loud. It was bothering me so much in the first few days after I had it installed that I actually called the store to see what they could do to switch it out for gas. But then I realized once I turn on the exhaust fan I can't hear the buzzing, the noise from the hood fan drowns out the buzzing. That a-ha moment walked me back from the edge of the ledge -- since I use the hood fan 99% of the time I'm cooking the buzzing isn't a problem.

I have noticed that once the pans get heated, the buzzing is much less -- in other words, I've found the buzzing louder on cold pans. I have Demeyere cookware. I haven't used my Le Creuset enameled cast iron much since getting the Demyere, so I'm not sure if the buzzing is more or less with the cast iron.

There is clicking, I hear it primarily the smallest burner on low when I'm warming something, it's the element turning on and off and it turns on and off rapidly on the low setting. I don't really hear the clicking much on the other burners, but I'm not sure whether it's there or not or due to the fact that I usually have those burners on a higher setting so the elements aren't cycling on and off as rapidly. Here again, when the hood fan is on I don't hear it -- but usually when I'm just melting butter on that small burner I don't turn the hood on so yes I hear the clicking then.

There is noise from the cooling fans, but it's not so much from the cooktop cooling fans -- it's the oven. The Wolf is so well insulated it takes hours to cool down, even at a standard baking temp of 350 the oven will still be warm 5-6 hours later, and the fans run for a fair amount of time (though not the entire time).

All that said -- I am thrilled with my purchase and don't want to go back to gas. Ease of cleanup alone is worth the price of admission.

The Wolf is a fabulous appliance overall, I've never had an oven this good. Worth the splurge for me.

Our store (Abt) doesn’t list the Wolf prices online, hmm. and there seems to be only one brand of hybrid radiant/induction? and Abt doesn’t show it on the website.

I get the ”turn on the exhaust fan”, it’s both funny and true. I suppose the exhaust fan noise is just more consistent, and familiar, and maybe not as annoying a sound as the cooktop?

I suppose the exhaust fan noise is just more consistent, and familiar, and maybe not as annoying a sound as the cooktop?

I find this true -- I can tune out the hood fan noise but not the buzzing {shrug}.

Wolf: Wolf Cooking Product Search | Ranges, Cooktops, Rangetops, & Built-In Ovens

You can search for a dealer/showroom by you on their website. I went to the showroom for a demo and am glad I did, there was no pressure and you can actually cook on the model(s) you're considering (we arranged this in advance and brought our own pan and food to cook). Much different experience than the boiling water demo they do at the appliance stores.

@porkchop_z5b_MI...Thanks for the WOlf link. I LOVE everything WOLF...buuuuuuut.....my kitchen seems under-done. I keep thinking I'll add a 36" full oven/cooktop. But....I don't "need" more stuff. 🫣

No buzzing on the Gaggenau - but I also use thin silicone discs under my pans - perhaps some of the noise is a micro-vibration that I am unknowingly dampening?

I also use my hood... but start the cooktop prior.

Adding to what was said above, there have been several dozen threads here about this subject going back to the 2000's, What those threads tell us is that noise levels vary between models and installations, and varies with pans used, and that personal sensitivity varies even more. What some people find barely noticeable can be mildly unpleasant to others and sheer brink of hell to still others.. Complicating that, noises levels can vary greatly between models and pans used.. So, as bpath (the OP) said at the outset, and porkchop just advised, finding a vendor to demo ranges is the "good idea." The only better way is having a relative or neighbor who has an induction range or cooktop and is willing to let you check it it out. (You mentioned ABT. IIRC from past rheads, ABT used to have a demo/classroom space at one of their locations. Maybe it still does?)

The one thing to avoid is trying out induction by buying an inexpensive portable induction cooktop (PIC), at least if you want to find out if there will be noises that will bother you. IME, all the inexpensive ones make noises which some will find intolerable. .

While high-end PICs such as Breville's Control Freak, and the Cooktek and Vollrath commercial models, are generally regarded as being as quiet as full size ranges and built in cooktops (sometimes quieter) they have high end prices ($900 to $1500 and way up). that make them too expensive for just a try-out. Even if you are considering expensive ranges or cooktops from the likes Wolf, Miele.and Gaggenau.

As for the question about radiant electric and induction hybrids, funny you should ask. A friend asked the same question a week or so ago. A search turned up several such hybrids on offer in cooktops (from Electrolux and Equator) but only a single hybrid range (an obscure Samsung model with three radiant and one induction burner). My friend concluded that the radiant-induction hybrid idea wasn't worth pursuing.

I have induction in two different homes. One is an Electrolux range and the other is a Bosch cooktop. I guess there are minor sounds from time to time but it's infrequent and it's very quiet. I couldn't even describe when it happens as I hardly notice it. The noise of an exhaust fan bothers me a lot more.

It is very often the alloy of the material being used that has issues with the induction field. The higher the iron content, like cast iron, the less noise it makes.

The author of the article, "Best Induction Cookware? I Tested All-Clad, Lodge, Demeyere, Made In & More", found that cookware varied substantially in the amount of noise it generated when used on the same cooktop. I conclude from this that the cooktop is less important than the cookware in noise generation (or prevention).

CR's top-rated induction cooktops are the LG CBIS3618BE and LG CBIH3017BE 36" and 30" models, respectively. Prefer knobs? The 30" Frigidaire PCCI3080AF performed well and is available in a 36" version as the PCCI3680AF.

(Wolf appliance list prices are shown on its website.)

We stopped by Abt today, our salesman was not at all well-informed about cooktops. Why was he even working there? We went to their ”inspiration” space, and a couple walked by and interjected what a gamechanger their induction was. I asked them about noise because the salesman had never heard of such a thing, and they said yes, a little, like a crackling, and they didn’t even notice anymore. They have GE Cafe.

Abt has Wolf but it’s a Wolf and SubZero store-within-the-store. $$$.

Our cooktop is on a 30-amp circuit, looks like we’d have to upgrade to 40. Plus possibly cutting a larger opening in the corian countertop. Plus replacing some cookware (ugh, it takes us awhile to find items we like, and adding reaction on induction is yet another).

Back to the sound. Abt has changed some things around, I’ll have to ask if they still have a space for trying out appliances.

wdcruise, thanks for the info! We have a Frigidaire now, and we prefer knobs, so I will look into that. We were hoping for Bosch since we are happy with the other Bosch appliances we have bought piecemeal.

Noise control is an area of acoustics science.

Because of the characteristic biology of our hearing physiology, we respond to noise unevenly to the intensity as well as quality (frequencies) of noise.

What makes noise control not so easy is because noise level and quality of noise can be drastically effected by the size and shape of the space as well as absorptivity of all surfaces.

You can find out what "app" you can get for your cell phone and turn it into a sound level meter.

For instance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a-k2sauOC8

dcarch

We installed a Thermador 4-hob induction cooktop in late 2012. 98% of the time I never hear any noises. I'm not exaggerating. Occasionally, I'll hear a buzzing sound from one of the pots (All-Clad), and this is a pot and hob I use regularly. Eh, well, maybe its the position of the moon and the phase it is in. Just every now and then a pot will randomly buzz, but not regularly.

For the most part, however, I never hear anything. The positives (for me) of induction outweigh the occasional sounds. Seriously.

As for the cooling fan, I think I've heard it maybe twice in the past thirteen years. It is very quiet; barely discernible. This cooktop is used twice a day, an average of six days a week.

- Our 1 y/o Bosch 500 series dishwasher is louder than our induction cooktop, if that's any help.

- The cooling & convection fans on our ca. 2012 Electrolux wall oven will wake the dead, when it is in use.

Thanks, cavimum. Our 10year old series 500 Bosch dishwasher is sometimes so quiet we have to check to be sure it is running, though now some cycles are becoming more audible. (and we run it overnight, so we rarely hear it upstairs, maybe when it starts to drain, if we are awake) And our 12 yo old Bosch wall oven replaced the short-term Whirlpool that could wake the dead, and even the Bosch is loud enough for us to ask ”isn’t that fan off yet?” as we are halfway through dinner.

I am beginning to think that not being hesitant to replace cookware should become our policy as we decide what to do.

I decided against induction because I DID NOT want to replace all my cookware. I had already been forced to get rid of my copper bottom Revere Ware because they did not recommend using on a glass top (I was replacing a coil). (Which I loved) (Parts not available)

The ones I am using are not as nice as my vintage Revere. The sizes are off.

"I am beginning to think that not being hesitant to replace cookware should become our policy as we decide what to do."

The cookware was not a factor in my decision. If you're dropping $$$ on a new appliance, what's a little more money on a new pots/pans in comparison to the purchase price of the appliance? Get the appliance you want and that meets your needs.

Because the new pots and pans are never the same size or quality as the vintage pans, no matter how much you pay. In fact I have found that the ” name” stuff is just that high priced stuff.

P

Last post is not posting.

"Because the new pots and pans are never the same size or quality as the vintage pans, no matter how much you pay."

Not necessarily true. Depends on what you buy.

I have not found any new pans I like.

DH’s new favorite is his little orange Le Creuset pan, great for onions and mushrooms, and our small, old, Dansk pot makes perfect rice, so we might be investing in more enameled cast iron, like for small and medium saucepan. And once my old copper cookware that you all helped me figure out how to polish is finished, I won’t feel so bad about using it for bright and shiny warm display instead of cooking!

bpath "Our cooktop is on a 30-amp circuit, looks like we’d have to upgrade to 40."

Some induction cooktops such as the Bosch NITP660U require a 50-amp circuit. If you are going to spend the money to upgrade, upgrade to this amperage instead. (The Frigidiare cooktops require only a 30-amp circuit.)

Remember: a brand may produce one appliance type that performs well but that does not mean that other appliance types will perform similarly.

I have a couple different little orange Le creuset pans. I love them, too. :)

I have the SKS Signature 48" rangetop which has sous vide, gas and induction. The only noise I hear from induction is from a fan when I'm done cooking, but it's not loud and doesn't bother me. I do think a lot of the fan noise is subjective. I cook using cast iron skillets (Lodge & Le Creuset), Made In for my pasta pots and Mauviel (I forget which product line) for anything else. No noises of any kind. Good luck to you!

Here's a link to the 36" version of what I have: https://www.sksappliances.com/en-us/products/cooking/rangetops/36-inch-pro-rangetop-sous-vide-and-induction/

They also make cooktops.

Le Creuset is my favorite. I also have a couple cast iron fry pans, All Clad (hate the handles) and some Duxtop that I really like. It was an inexpensive option to replace the "extra" Revere Ware pans I sometimes used. I had all but the Duxtop before I purchased my first induction range.