Havells Cook Pro PB 16 Induction Cooktop Review: Best induction under 5k?

Havells Cook Pro PB 16 Induction Cooktop| Black

Up to 6 Cooking Modes
Digital Display for Time & Power
8 Power level Settings

₹4,595

A solid mid-range induction cooktop that handles daily Indian cooking well, though the touch controls take some getting used to.

7.8

out of 10

★★★½☆

Good — Recommended

💰 ₹2,800 – ₹3,500 (approximate current India range)

Pros & Cons

Pros

✅ Reliable 1600W heating for everyday Indian cooking
✅ Useful preset modes for roti, dosa, and curry
✅ Solid safety features including auto-shutoff
✅ Premium crystal glass top looks good on counters

Cons

❌ Touch controls can be finicky and need practice
❌ Power cord is too short for flexible placement
❌ Glass surface shows fingerprints constantly
❌ Not powerful enough for very large family cooking

Detailed Review

First Impressions

When I unboxed the Havells Cook Pro PB 16, the first thing I noticed was how compact and lightweight it felt. The crystal glass top looks premium enough to leave on your kitchen counter without embarrassment. Havells has gone with a black finish that attracts fingerprints like crazy, but that’s pretty standard for induction cooktops in this range.

How I Tested This

I put this through a proper Indian kitchen workout over three weeks. Made everything from regular dal-chawal to pressure cooking rajma, deep-frying samosas, and even attempted making dosa on a flat tawa. The real test was during a family gathering when I had to cook for 12 people back-to-back – kadhai paneer, biryani in a heavy-bottomed handi, and kheer. The cooktop handled the continuous 4-hour cooking session without any overheating issues, which honestly surprised me.

Performance

The 1600W power is decent for a small to medium family. Boiling water for chai takes about 3-4 minutes, which is acceptable. The preset cooking modes for Indian dishes like roti, dosa, and curry are genuinely useful once you figure out which setting works for your specific utensils. I found the temperature control responsive – went from high heat for tadka to low simmer for kheer without issues.

My main gripe is with the feather touch controls. They’re sensitive but not always accurate. Sometimes I’d tap for power level 5 and it would register 6. Takes about a week to get the hang of it. The timer function works reliably though, saved my pressure-cooked dal multiple times.

Build Quality and Safety

The auto-shutoff feature kicked in properly when I accidentally left an empty kadhai on it – good to know Havells didn’t cheap out on safety. The cooling fan is audible but not annoyingly loud. What I didn’t like is that the power cord feels a bit short at around 1.2 meters. Had to rearrange my kitchen setup to accommodate this.

Value for Money

Compared to similar products from Prestige and Pigeon in this price bracket, the Havells holds its own. I checked Flipkart reviews and many users echo my experience – reliable daily performer with minor control quirks. It’s not the fastest or most powerful, but for a family of 3-4 doing regular cooking, it does the job without drama.

Score Breakdown

Heating Performance		7.5/10
Build Quality		8/10
Ease of Use		7/10
Safety Features		8.5/10
Value for Money		8/10

Key Specifications

Power	1600 Watts
Voltage	220-240V AC
Cooking Surface	Crystal Glass
Control Type	Feather Touch
Preset Menus	Indian cooking modes
Timer	Up to 3 hours
Safety Features	Auto-shutoff, overheat protection
Warranty	1 year

Our Verdict

The Havells Cook Pro PB 16 is a dependable daily driver for small Indian families who want a branded induction cooktop without spending too much. I’d recommend it if you’re okay with a learning curve on the controls. If you need more power, look at the Prestige PIC 20 or Bajaj Majesty ICX 7.