The Empava 2-burner electric cooktop is a compact 20-inch built-in unit at $199 with a ceran/ceramic heating surface and 1,800 watts on 120 volts, making it one of the few built-in electric options that runs on a standard household outlet. Its 4.2-star rating across 482 reviews signals solid buyer satisfaction for a small-footprint supplemental or primary cooktop.
Small households, apartments, or condos where counter or cabinet space is limited and a full 30-inch cooktop is impractical. Also a good fit for buyers who need a secondary cooking surface in a kitchen with a limited 120-volt outlet setup rather than a 240-volt circuit.
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Anyone cooking for a family of four or more will find two burners insufficient. The 1,800-watt rating also limits simultaneous high-heat cooking compared to full-size 240-volt units.
Fuel type Electric
Heating Ceran / Ceramic
Burners / elements 2
Wattage 1800 W
Installation Built-In
Width 20.0 in
Priced 41% below the category median ($337.41 across 42 tracked models)
Wattage of 1800 W - lower than 68% of the 44 models we track
Width of 20.0 in - narrower than 72% of the 44 models we track
Our scorecard
4.2/5overall
Owner rating4.2/5
4.2 average across 482 owner ratings
Popularity4.3/5
482 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other kitchen ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, range hoods and microwaves we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
At 20 inches wide and just 4.75 pounds, this Empava electric cooktop is among the lightest built-in units available at the 2-burner size. The ceran/ceramic glass surface provides a smooth cooking area that is easy to wipe clean and accommodates a range of cookware types. The 1,800-watt total output on 120 volts is on the modest side, meaning heat-up times will be longer than on 240-volt units, but it avoids the need for a dedicated high-voltage circuit entirely.
At $199, this sits at an accessible price for buyers equipping a small kitchen or adding a secondary cooking zone. Built-in installation at 20 inches wide means it integrates cleanly into a countertop cutout without looking like a temporary solution, unlike portable countertop burners.
The 4.2-star rating across 482 reviews is the strongest confidence signal here. That combination of volume and rating suggests the unit performs reliably for the cooking tasks a 2-burner cooktop is designed to handle: boiling pasta, simmering sauces, frying eggs, or reheating. Buyers should not expect power-cooking performance from a 1,800-watt 120V unit, but for what it is, the rating indicates consistent buyer satisfaction.
Pros
Runs on 120V so no 240V dedicated circuit required
4.75 lb weight makes repositioning easy during installation
Ceran/ceramic glass surface is smooth and easy to clean
4.2-star average across 482 reviews shows solid buyer satisfaction
$199 price is accessible for a built-in 2-burner electric unit
Cons
Only 2 burners limits simultaneous cooking capacity
1,800W on 120V means slower heat-up times than 240V alternatives
Not suited for large households or high-output cooking
Specifications
Fuel type
Electric
Heating
Ceran / Ceramic
Burners / elements
2
Wattage
1800 W
Installation
Built-In
Width
20.0 in
Color
Black
Dimensions
13 X 21 X 5 In
Weight
4.75 lb
Voltage
120 Volts
Performance notes
The ceran/ceramic glass surface heats via electric radiant elements beneath the glass. Total draw is 1,800 watts on a standard 120-volt household circuit. The unit measures 13 x 21 x 5 inches and weighs 4.75 pounds. At 20 inches wide, it fits a compact built-in cutout. Because both burners share a 1,800W total capacity on a single 120V circuit, running both elements simultaneously will moderate the available output per burner.
What buyers say
A 4.2-star average from 482 buyers is a strong result for a budget compact cooktop. Buyers who choose a 2-burner 120V electric unit typically understand its limitations and are primarily looking for reliable, clean operation in a small space. The rating suggests this unit delivers on those expectations consistently. Buyers sensitive to slow heat-up times or with higher output demands may rate it lower, but the broad 4.2 average indicates those buyers are a minority.
The ceran/ceramic glass surface is compatible with flat-bottomed cookware including stainless steel, aluminum, and enameled pots and pans. It does not function as an induction surface, so cookware does not need to be magnetic. Avoid rough-bottomed cast iron, which can scratch glass ceramic surfaces.
Does this unit need a special electrical circuit?
No. The Empava 2-burner electric cooktop runs on 120 volts, which is a standard US household outlet. No 240-volt dedicated circuit is required, which is a practical advantage for apartments, condos, or older kitchens that do not have a 240V range outlet.
How does this compare to a portable induction burner for small-space cooking?
Unlike a portable countertop induction burner, this Empava unit is designed for built-in installation, so it sits flush in a countertop cutout for a more permanent, integrated look. It uses radiant ceramic heating rather than induction, so it works with all flat-bottomed cookware without requiring magnetic-compatible pots. The built-in design is less portable but more visually integrated.
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