When importers and distributors plan their cooker range, the first question is almost always the same: induction or infrared? Both heat food without an open flame, both are popular in overseas markets — but they work very differently, and those differences decide who buys them. This guide breaks it down so you can build a product mix that actually sells.
How they heat (the core difference)
An induction cooker uses an electromagnetic coil under the glass. The magnetic field induces heat directly inside ferromagnetic cookware (cast iron, magnetic stainless steel). The glass itself stays relatively cool — energy goes into the pan, not the surface.
An infrared (radiant) cooker heats a ceramic glass plate with halogen/metal coils; the hot surface then transfers heat to any pot placed on top, much like a traditional electric stove but faster and cleaner.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Induction | Infrared |
|---|---|---|
| Heating speed | Very fast (direct to pan) | Fast, slightly slower |
| Energy efficiency | ~90% (less wasted heat) | ~60–70% |
| Cookware needed | Magnetic only (iron/steel) | Any pot — glass, ceramic, aluminum OK |
| Surface temperature | Stays cooler (safer) | Gets hot (burn risk) |
| Price to manufacture | Higher (IGBT, coil) | Lower |
| Best market fit | EU, Korea, premium households | Africa, Mid-East, budget & universal-use |
Which should you import?
Choose induction if…
- Your buyers target energy-conscious, premium households in Europe, North America or Korea.
- Safety messaging matters (cool surface, child lock, auto-shutoff).
- You want a higher-value SKU with stronger margins.
Choose infrared if…
- Your market uses mixed or non-magnetic cookware (common across Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia).
- Price sensitivity is high and "works with any pot" is a selling point.
- You want a low-MOQ entry product to test a new channel.
Most successful distributors don't pick one — they carry both, positioning induction as the premium line and infrared as the universal, budget-friendly line. That covers every cookware type in the market.
What Vortix Kitchen offers
We manufacture both technologies in one factory: single and dual-burner induction (1800W–5000W), ultra-slim portable units, and infrared ceramic cookers compatible with all cookware. OEM/ODM customization (logo, color, power, packaging) is available from 100 units.
Importing cookers? Talk to our factory directly
Get a tailored product mix and factory pricing for your market — no middleman.
