Cookware

Before You Buy the Best Wok Electric: 7 Plug-In Woks Compared

Seven electric and induction woks from Aroma, Nuwave, BOOROS and more, compared on power, max temperature, coating, capacity, lid and cleanup.

Sliced green beans stir-fried with red chili in a two-handled metal wok, with a yellow-handled spoon resting inside
Sliced beans and chili stir-fried in a two-handled wok.

An electric wok is a wok that brings its own burner. That makes it useful in places a stovetop wok struggles: an apartment with a weak electric range, a dorm or RV, a buffet table where you want to cook and serve in the same pan, or a kitchen where every burner is already busy on a holiday. It will not turn a countertop into a restaurant wok station, and the honest test of any electric wok is how hot it gets and how well it holds that heat when food goes in.

This guide compares seven plug-in woks in two styles: classic electric woks with a heating element built into the pan (Aroma, AUTUCU, Starfrit), and induction wok bases that heat a separate carbon steel wok (two from Nuwave, BOOROS, Abangdun). For each one we list power, maximum temperature, coating, capacity, lid, cleaning and warranty, taken from the maker’s manual or the Amazon listing. Breville’s Hot Wok was unavailable on Amazon when we checked, and we found no Cuisinart or Dash electric wok in stock.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which electric wok to buy

For most kitchens, the best wok electric cooks can buy is the Aroma AEW-306 5-quart electric wok: it has a 5-quart nonstick pan, a removable probe, a vented glass lid, tempura and steaming racks, and Aroma’s manual says the whole wok, base, lid and racks can go in the dishwasher, with a five-year warranty. If you want real heat and bare carbon steel, choose the Nuwave Mosaic induction wok, which Nuwave rates from 100°F to 575°F. If the Mosaic sells out, Nuwave’s 14-inch Induction Wok is a near match.

The table compares the five electric woks we would point most cooks toward. All seven are reviewed in full after it.

Five electric woks side by side

One pick for each kind of cook, with power and maximum temperature as each maker or listing gives them.

Electric wok Best for Power Max temp (per maker) Buy on Amazon
Stir-fry, steaming and easy cleanup 1500 W (retailer listing) Not stated; dial Low to High View on Amazon
Nuwave Mosaic Induction Wok

Nuwave Mosaic Induction WokBest induction wok
High heat in bare carbon steel 600, 900 or 1500 W 575°F View on Amazon
Nuwave Induction Wok

Nuwave Induction Wok, 14-InchSecond Nuwave option
A Mosaic alternative if that set sells out 600, 900 or 1500 W 575°F View on Amazon
The most wattage on a 120V outlet 400–1800 W, 10 levels 520°F View on Amazon
Dorms, RVs and one or two people 400, 800 or 1200 W Cuts out near 395°F View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Power, temperatures and care are as stated by each maker’s manual or Amazon listing; check the listing before you buy.

The best wok electric picks, reviewed

Every electric wok below lists the same eight specifications. Where a maker does not give a figure, we say so rather than guess.

1. Aroma AEW-306 5-Quart Electric Wok – Steams, Fries and Cleans Up Easily

Best overallAroma Housewares AEW-306 Electric Wok with Tempered Glass Lid Easy Clean Nonstick

Aroma’s AEW-306 is the classic plug-in wok: a cast aluminum pan with a nonstick interior, a quick-release base, cool-touch handles and a removable temperature probe that clips into the side. The listing gives a 5-quart capacity, enough for a family stir-fry or a batch of fajita vegetables, and a retailer listing rates it at 1500 watts. It comes with a tempered glass lid with a steam vent, a tempura rack, a steaming rack and long cooking chopsticks.

The accessories are what make it more than a stir-fry pan. Set the steam rack inside with an inch of water and the lid on, and it steams vegetables or reheats tamales on the counter. The tempura rack gives fried food somewhere to drain. Aroma’s manual tells you to keep the lid off while heating oil and to use the vent to release or hold steam.

Cleanup is the strongest point. Aroma’s manual says the wok body, the detachable base, the glass lid and all the accessories can go in the dishwasher; only the temperature probe cannot. It asks you to condition the nonstick surface with a little oil before first use and to avoid metal or abrasive utensils. The probe dial runs from Low to High, and Aroma does not give a maximum temperature in degrees. The manual’s warranty is five years, the longest here.

Why we like it

  • 5-quart capacity, per the listing
  • Body, base, lid and racks dishwasher safe, per Aroma
  • Steam and tempura racks included
  • Five-year warranty, per Aroma’s manual

Key specifications

Model AEW-306
Capacity 5 qt
Power 1500 W (retailer listing)
Max temp Not stated (dial Low to High)
Coating Nonstick, type not stated; cast aluminum
Lid Tempered glass with steam vent
Cleaning Dishwasher safe except probe
Warranty 5 years

Why we recommend it

It suits a family that wants one plug-in pan for stir-fries, steaming and shallow frying, and wants it to go in the dishwasher afterward.

Skip it if you want to know exactly how hot it gets; Aroma gives no maximum temperature.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Useful racks included
  • Easy dishwasher cleanup
  • Long warranty

Cons

  • No temperature markings in degrees
  • Coating type not stated
  • No metal utensils

Check price on Amazon

2. Nuwave Mosaic Induction Wok – Precise Heat to 575°F

Best induction wokNuwave Mosaic Induction Wok

The Mosaic is a different kind of electric wok: a curved induction base and a separate 14-inch carbon steel wok shaped to sit in it. Nuwave says the curve of the wok matches the base so the whole underside is in contact with the induction surface, and its manual rates the temperature from 100°F to 575°F in 5-degree steps, the highest maximum in this guide, matched only by the second Nuwave. You can also choose 600, 900 or 1500 watts, which helps on a weak circuit in an RV or dorm.

Because the pan is bare carbon steel, it behaves like a stovetop wok. Nuwave’s manual tells you to season it before first use and care for it the way you would any carbon steel pan: no dishwasher, dry it, keep it oiled. In return you get an uncoated surface that can take high heat. The manual lists the wok at 4 quarts (16 cups) with a silicone handle, and the kit includes a vented tempered glass lid, a frying rack and a wok stand, all three dishwasher safe.

The digital controls let you program cooking stages and a timer up to 9 hours 59 minutes, and Nuwave says the base will not start with no wok on it. The warranty is one year.

Why we like it

  • 100°F to 575°F in 5°F steps, per Nuwave
  • Bare 14-inch carbon steel wok
  • Three wattage settings for limited power
  • Lid, frying rack and stand included

Key specifications

Model NW-30801
Capacity 4 qt (14-inch wok)
Power 600, 900 or 1500 W
Max temp 575°F
Coating None; carbon steel, season before use
Lid Vented tempered glass
Cleaning Lid, rack, stand dishwasher safe; season and oil the wok
Warranty 1 year

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants real stir-fry heat without a gas stove and is happy to season and oil a carbon steel wok.

Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe pan; the wok itself needs carbon steel care.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Highest stated temperature, tied with the second Nuwave
  • Precise digital control
  • No coating to wear out

Cons

  • Wok must be seasoned
  • Only a one-year warranty
  • Smaller capacity than the Aroma

Check price on Amazon

Red cabbage, broccoli, kale, green pepper and cherry tomatoes in a wok with a wooden spatula
Cabbage, broccoli and greens in a wok with a wooden spatula.

3. Nuwave Induction Wok, 14-Inch – A Second Route to the Same Heat

Second Nuwave optionNuwave Induction Wok

This is a close relative of the Mosaic above, and we list it for one reason: the plug-in stainless wok that used to hold this spot was offered only used when we last checked, and we found no other uncoated electric wok in stock from an established maker. If the Mosaic sells out or you find this set for less, it does the same job. It is a curved induction base with a separate 14-inch carbon steel wok, at 600, 900 or 1500 watts.

The listing rates the temperature from 100°F to 575°F in 5-degree steps, gives 96 preset temperatures against the Mosaic’s 94, and lets you add or take away cooking time as you go. Nuwave says its insulation design puts the heating coils closer to the wok for faster, more even heat.

The wok is heavy-gauge carbon steel with no coating, so it needs seasoning and care, as the Mosaic’s does. This listing does not state the capacity, the warranty or whether a lid, rack and stand come in the box, so check before you order if you want those, since the Mosaic’s listing does include them.

Why we like it

  • 100°F to 575°F in 5°F steps, per the listing
  • Bare 14-inch carbon steel wok
  • Three wattage settings for limited power
  • 96 preset temperatures

Key specifications

Model Nuwave Induction Wok
Capacity Not stated (14-inch wok)
Power 600, 900 or 1500 W
Max temp 575°F
Coating None; carbon steel, season before use
Lid Not stated on the listing
Cleaning Season and maintain the wok, per the listing
Warranty Not stated on the listing

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants the Mosaic’s kind of heat and finds that set out of stock or priced higher.

Skip it if you want a dishwasher-safe pan or the full kit the Mosaic lists; this listing is thinner on detail.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No coating to wear
  • Same top temperature as the Mosaic
  • Precise digital control

Cons

  • Wok must be seasoned
  • Near-identical to the Mosaic
  • Capacity and contents not stated

Check price on Amazon

4. BOOROS 1800W Concave Induction Wok Cooker – Most Power, Wok Included

Most powerBOOROS 1800W Induction Wok Cooker

BOOROS sells a concave induction burner with a 13.8-inch carbon steel wok. The listing rates it at 1800 watts with 10 power levels from 400 to 1800 watts and 10 temperature settings from 175°F to 520°F. That is the most power in this guide. The concave plate, with what the maker calls a 3D heating ring, is shaped to cradle the round wok so heat reaches up the sides rather than only the base.

The listing adds a keep-warm setting at 400 watts, a 24-hour timer and preset start, two built-in cooling fans, and automatic shut-off when cooking ends or the wok is lifted off. It says the unit goes into a safety mode and shuts down if temperatures pass 250°C. The listing puts the base at about 12.9 by 16.3 inches and 4.3 inches tall, and says the set weighs about 10 pounds with the wok.

What the listing does not say matters too: no lid is listed, no warranty is given, and the wok’s seasoning and care are not described. Treat the wok as bare carbon steel, season it as you would any new wok, and keep it dry and oiled.

Why we like it

  • 1800 W, 10 power levels, per the listing
  • Temperature settings from 175°F to 520°F
  • Concave plate cradles the round wok
  • Timer, preset and keep-warm functions

Key specifications

Model HT-L15A
Capacity Not stated (13.8-inch wok)
Power 400–1800 W
Max temp 520°F
Coating Carbon steel wok; coating not stated
Lid Not stated
Cleaning Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants the most wattage a standard outlet appliance offers here, in a compact set for a small kitchen or RV.

Skip it if you want a known warranty and full care instructions; the listing gives neither.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Most power in this guide
  • Curved plate matches the wok
  • Timer and keep-warm

Cons

  • No lid listed
  • Warranty not stated
  • Little-known brand

Check price on Amazon

5. Abangdun 1700W Concave Induction Wok Burner Set – Steady Low Heat

Best for simmeringABangDun 1700W Concave Induction Wok Burner

Abangdun’s set pairs a concave induction burner with a carbon steel wok, a lid and an oil draining rack. Its selling point is what the listing calls non-pulse continuous heating. Many induction plates cycle power on and off at low settings, which can make a simmer jump between too hot and too cool. Abangdun says this burner delivers steady heat at low settings instead, for simmering sauces, reducing liquids and slow cooking.

The listing gives 1700 watts at 120 volts, 16 power levels, a timer, pan detection and overheat protection, and a 9.25-inch copper coil under the concave plate. The maker says the burner is designed for round-bottom carbon steel woks, cast iron woks and magnetic stainless cookware, so if you already own a round-bottom wok that induction can heat, the burner can work with that too.

It lists power levels rather than temperatures, so there is no maximum in degrees, and the listing does not state the wok’s diameter, a warranty or cleaning instructions. As with the BOOROS, treat the included wok as bare carbon steel.

Why we like it

  • Non-pulse heating for steady low heat, per the listing
  • 1700 W with 16 power levels
  • Wok, lid and draining rack included
  • Fits round-bottom induction-ready woks, per the maker

Key specifications

Model 18KC
Capacity Not stated
Power 1700 W, 16 levels
Max temp Not stated (power levels only)
Coating Carbon steel wok; coating not stated
Lid Included
Cleaning Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who simmers and braises as often as stir-fries and wants an induction burner that holds a low setting steadily.

Skip it if you want temperatures in degrees on the display; it uses power levels.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Steady low heat
  • Lid and rack included
  • Works with other round induction woks

Cons

  • No temperature readout
  • Warranty not stated
  • Wok size not stated

Check price on Amazon

A black induction cooktop set into a white kitchen island under two gold pendant lamps
An induction cooktop set into a kitchen island.

6. AUTUCU 3-Quart Electric Wok Pot with Steamer – Small, Simple, Portable

Best compactAUTUCU Hot Pot Electric 3 Quart Electric Skillet Nonstick Wok with Steamer

AUTUCU’s T1SNA is a small electric pot shaped for stir-frying, sold as an electric skillet, wok and hot pot in one. The listing gives a 3-liter capacity (the size field says 3.2 quarts), 1200 watts with three settings at 400, 800 and 1200 watts, a nonstick coating, a steamer insert and a silicone spatula. It is the one to look at for a dorm room, an office kitchenette or an RV where a full 14-inch wok would be too much.

Two details are useful. The handle has an indicator light that changes from blue to red when the oil reaches about 180°C, which the maker says is the time to start cooking. And there is a dry-boil protection that stops heating when the pot reaches 395°F (plus or minus 10 degrees) and resumes as it cools. That cut-out also tells you the ceiling: this is a pot for noodles, soups, steamed dumplings and small stir-fries, not for searing.

AUTUCU asks you to avoid metal utensils to protect the coating, and to never run it empty. The listing does not mention a lid, cleaning instructions or a warranty, and it does not say what the nonstick coating is.

Why we like it

  • Compact 3-liter size
  • Three power settings up to 1200 W
  • Oil-ready indicator light in the handle
  • Steamer and silicone spatula included

Key specifications

Model T1SNA
Capacity 3 L (about 3.2 qt)
Power 400, 800 or 1200 W
Max temp Cuts out at about 395°F
Coating Nonstick, type not stated
Lid Not stated
Cleaning Not stated; no metal utensils
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits one or two people cooking noodles, soups and small stir-fries where there is no stove at all.

Skip it if you cook for a family or want high heat; it is small and stops heating near 395°F.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Small and portable
  • Steamer included
  • Handy oil-temperature light

Cons

  • Low maximum temperature
  • Small capacity
  • Lid and warranty not stated

Check price on Amazon

7. Starfrit The Rock 4.8-Quart Electric Multi Pot – Deep Pot for One-Pan Meals

Best multi-use potStarfrit The Rock Electric Multi Pot

Starfrit calls this a multi pot rather than a wok, and that is a fair description: a deep electric pot with 4.5 liters (4.8 quarts) of capacity and a 1500-watt element. It is on this list because it does much of what most people actually use an electric wok for: stir-fries with plenty of sauce, chili, soups and stews, and keeping food warm on a buffet. The listing calls out an extra-thick base for even heat distribution.

The cooking surface is Starfrit’s Rock.Tec nonstick, and it comes with a tempered glass lid and cool-touch handles. The temperature control is adjustable, but the listing gives no maximum in degrees, and it does not give cleaning instructions. The warranty on the listing is two years.

For a dish like arroz con pollo, a pot of charro beans or a big batch of fajita filling that you keep warm on the table, the depth helps. For tossing a fast stir-fry, the Aroma’s wok shape and racks are the better fit.

Why we like it

  • 4.8-quart capacity, per the listing
  • 1500 W with an extra-thick base
  • Glass lid and cool-touch handles
  • Two-year warranty, per the listing

Key specifications

Model 024404-002-0000
Capacity 4.5 L (4.8 qt)
Power 1500 W
Max temp Not stated (adjustable control)
Coating Rock.Tec nonstick
Lid Tempered glass
Cleaning Not stated
Warranty 2 years

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants a deep plug-in pot for saucy one-pan meals and serving, more than a true stir-fry wok.

Skip it if tossing and fast searing are the point; it is a pot first and a wok second.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Deep and roomy
  • Good for keeping food warm
  • Two-year warranty

Cons

  • Not a true wok shape
  • Max temperature not stated
  • Cleaning not stated

Check price on Amazon

Electric wok or stovetop wok: what to expect

A plug-in wok is limited by the outlet it plugs into. The classic electric woks here run at 1200 to 1500 watts, and the induction sets at 1500 to 1800. That is enough to stir-fry well at home, but only if you preheat for several minutes and stir-fry small batches, so the temperature does not crash and the food steams.

America’s Test Kitchen, reviewing stovetop woks, preferred models with the widest flat cooking surfaces because more hot surface helped sear food and evaporate moisture. The same idea applies on the counter. A classic electric wok heats from an element under the pan, so the bottom is the hot zone. An induction wok on a curved plate, like the Nuwave, BOOROS or Abangdun, is designed so more of the curve sits against the heat source, according to Nuwave and BOOROS, which is the closest a plug-in wok gets to a flame wrapping around the pan.

Shredded carrots, bean sprouts, cabbage and greens cooking together in a dark wok
Shredded carrots, sprouts and greens in a dark wok.

The other honest point is coating. Most classic electric woks are nonstick, and America’s Test Kitchen left nonstick woks out of its stovetop review because they “can’t be used safely at the high heat” woks often require. Electric nonstick woks deal with that by capping the temperature: the AUTUCU cuts out near 395°F, and Aroma gives no maximum at all. If you want high heat, the bare carbon steel induction woks are the ones to look at. If you want easy release and cleanup, a coated wok at moderate heat is the trade.

How to choose an electric wok

1. Classic electric or induction

A classic electric wok (Aroma, AUTUCU, Starfrit) has the element built into the pan; you unplug the probe and wash it as one piece. An induction set (Nuwave, BOOROS, Abangdun) is a burner and a separate wok, which means more heat control and a bare steel pan that needs seasoning.

2. Power and maximum temperature

Wattage tells you how fast it can recover heat after food goes in; maximum temperature tells you how hot it can get. Look for both. Nuwave gives 575°F and BOOROS 520°F; Aroma and Starfrit give no figure.

3. Coating

Nonstick woks are easy to clean but should be used at moderate heat with wooden or silicone tools. Carbon steel (the induction woks) takes more heat and more care. Several makers here do not say what their nonstick is; if that matters to you, ask the maker before buying.

4. Capacity

A 5-quart wok like the Aroma feeds a family; a 3-liter pot like the AUTUCU suits one or two. Bigger is not always better: you will still need to cook in batches for the best browning.

A bowl of stir-fried cauliflower, mushrooms, peppers and green beans over rice, with chopsticks and a dish of soy sauce behind
Stir-fried vegetables over rice, ready for the table.

5. Lid and accessories

A lid turns a wok into a steamer and a braiser. The Aroma, Nuwave Mosaic, Abangdun and Starfrit include one; the BOOROS, AUTUCU and second Nuwave listings do not mention one. Steaming and tempura racks, like the Aroma’s, add real use.

6. Cleaning and warranty

The Aroma goes in the dishwasher once the control is removed. Carbon steel woks are hand care only. Warranties range from five years (Aroma) to one year (Nuwave Mosaic) to not stated (BOOROS, Abangdun, AUTUCU, second Nuwave).

How we chose these seven electric woks

We started from what a kitchen needs from any wok: high, steady heat, room to toss, and a pan that cleans up. We searched Amazon for electric and induction woks sold in the United States, checked stock for each one with Amazon’s product data, and kept only in-stock models. Breville’s Hot Wok was unavailable, and we found no Cuisinart or Dash electric wok in stock, so none of those appear. We left out near-duplicate induction sets and listings with too little information to compare, with one stated exception: the second Nuwave, kept as a backup to the Mosaic. Specifications come from Aroma’s and Nuwave’s own manuals and spec sheets where we could find them, and from the Amazon listings otherwise; we wrote “Not stated” where none gave a figure. For general wok guidance we read America’s Test Kitchen’s wok review. We have not cooked with these woks for this guide.

Electric wok questions, answered

Which electric wok is best to buy?

For most households, the Aroma AEW-306: 5 quarts, a glass lid, steaming and tempura racks, dishwasher-safe parts and a five-year warranty. For the most heat, the Nuwave Mosaic induction wok, rated to 575°F.

Do electric woks get hot enough to stir-fry?

Hot enough for good home stir-fries if you preheat and cook in small batches. Induction sets like the Nuwave and BOOROS list higher maximum temperatures.

Is an electric wok better than a wok on the stove?

Not better, but more flexible. A stovetop carbon steel wok over a strong gas burner is still the classic tool. An electric wok wins where the stove is weak, missing or busy, and it can cook and serve at the table.

Can you use metal utensils in an electric wok?

Not in the coated ones: Aroma and AUTUCU both say to avoid metal utensils. The induction sets use bare carbon steel woks, which have no coating to scratch, though their makers do not address utensils.

Are electric woks dishwasher safe?

Some are. Aroma says the wok body, base, lid and accessories can go in the dishwasher. Never put the probe or an induction base in water.

Our final pick among electric woks

Buy the Aroma AEW-306 if you want an easy, all-purpose plug-in wok with racks and a long warranty. Choose the Nuwave Mosaic for real heat and precise control, the second Nuwave if the Mosaic is gone, the BOOROS for maximum wattage, the Abangdun for steady simmering, the AUTUCU for a dorm or RV, and the Starfrit if you mostly make saucy one-pot meals.

For carbon steel, cast iron and nonstick woks for the stovetop, start with our guide to the best wok.

If what you really want is a flat plug-in pan for fajitas and quesadillas, see our guide to the best skillet electric, and for sizzling platters, the best fajita skillet. For coated stovetop pans, compare the best nonstick pans, and for the searing and frying techniques that carry over, read about Mexican cooking methods. Or skip the cooking: see the menu or call to order.

Call Menu Directions