Induction gets the headlines, but gas cooktops still outsell it in plenty of Australian kitchens, partly because replacing like-for-like is cheaper than rewiring. The standout here is a Westinghouse rated 4.6 by 253 owners at The Good Guys.
1. Best Overall: Westinghouse 60cm WHG644SC
This is the gas cooktop Australians actually buy, and the reviews back the choice: a 4.5-star average across 253 of them. Four burners on a stainless surface, a proper wok burner, cast iron trivets and flame failure protection on every burner, which cuts the gas if a flame blows out.
At around $550 it does what a gas cooktop should without a premium attached. The stainless surface shows more smudges than glass, which is the trade regulars mention, and like every cooktop here it needs a licensed gasfitter to install.
What We Like:
- Cast iron trivets
- Proper wok burner
- Flame failure on every burner
What We Don't Like:
- Stainless shows smudges
2. Best Budget: Technika 60cm TGC6GX
At around $350 the Technika undercuts most gas cooktops and still holds a 4.3-star average across 70 reviews, which is why it keeps turning up in rentals and flips. Four burners, flame failure protection, cast iron trivets, and nothing that will confuse a tenant.
It's a simpler unit than the Westinghouse above, with a smaller wok burner and lighter trivets, and Technika's support network is thinner than the big brands. For a budget kitchen or an investment property, owners suggest that trade is fine.
What We Like:
- Around $350
- Flame failure protection
- Simple to use and clean
What We Don't Like:
- Lighter trivets than the big brands
3. Best Premium: Bosch Series 6 60cm on Glass
We've recommended Bosch's tempered-glass gas cooktops here for years, and the current Series 6 keeps the spot. Gas burners sit on black tempered glass, which wipes clean the way stainless never quite does, and the FlameSelect system gives nine defined flame levels instead of a vague dial.
It's around $1,100, and reviews are still few since the model is newer, though early owners score it full marks. The usual glass caveat applies: it looks best in the ten minutes after cleaning.
What We Like:
- Glass surface wipes clean
- FlameSelect gives repeatable flame levels
- Wok burner included
What We Don't Like:
- Glass shows every mark
4. Best 90cm: Westinghouse WHG954SC
The 90cm version of the same Westinghouse family adds a fifth burner and the elbow room that makes two big pans workable at once. It holds 4.4 stars across 37 reviews at around $900, and shares the wok burner, cast iron trivets and full flame-failure protection.
Like the 90cm induction units, this is a renovation buy: the cutout is wider than a standard benchtop opening, so it suits a new kitchen or an existing 90cm hole rather than a straight swap.
What We Like:
- Five burners with real spacing
- Wok burner included
- Same flame-failure safety as the 60cm
What We Don't Like:
- Needs a 90cm cutout
Other gas cooktops worth a look
- Haier 60cm gas on glass — around $550, the cheap way to get the glass surface.
- Fisher & Paykel's current range — pairs with F&P ovens as a set, and their gas-on-steel units have a strong local service network. Worth an in-store look for a full F&P kitchen.
How to pick a gas cooktop
Natural gas or LPG is the first question. Most cooktops ship for natural gas and convert to LPG with a kit, but the conversion is a gasfitter job, priced on top. Bottled-gas households should check the kit is included before buying.
Flame failure is non-negotiable now. It cuts the gas if a flame goes out, it's required for most new installations, and every cooktop above has it on all burners.
The wok burner earns its spot. One high-output burner changes stir-fries and fast boils, and it's the burner Australian owners mention most. Check its position too, since a front wok burner is easier to use than a back one.
Stainless or glass is a cleaning decision. Stainless hides scratches and shows smudges; glass is the reverse. Neither cleans itself, whatever the brochure implies.
RELATED: The Best Induction Cooktops and The Best Freestanding Ovens
FAQs
Can I install a gas cooktop myself?
No. Gas connections are licensed work in every state, and an unlicensed connection voids insurance as well as the warranty. Budget for the gasfitter when comparing prices.
Do gas cooktops work in a blackout?
The burners will light with a match even when the electric ignition is down, which is a genuine advantage over induction if your area loses power often.
