How do we decide between gas, induction, and electric (ceramic) stoves?
Induction (I never actually read this, but thought it looked useful; used my own knowledge)


Only work with certain metal pots
Will not burn non-metal items, as long as they haven't had a metal (kid-friendly)
Cost-efficient once installed (if not in CA or other states with expensive electricity)
Easy to clean: water and soap


Gas


Works with all types of pots
Dangerous, may catch items on fire (stay away from curtains, plants, etc)
Generally less cost-efficient than induction stoves (unless in CA or other states with expensive electricity)
Harder to clean: occasional scrubbing is needed


Ceramic


Works with all types of pots
Remains hot and dangerous for a longer time than induction/gas stovetops
Less control over heat, may burn food or reduce quality
Takes a long time to prepare and heat up
Medium cleaning difficulty: no hard scrubbing, but not just a wipe away; may affect performance if not clean


Brands: There are sooo many brands out there. You might want to check out GE, Home Depot, Sears, and IKEA first. But for ceramic cooktops, a deeper search might be in question.

TLDR: Depends on what you're looking for. Induction is the generally best (cost, safety, maintenance, control) but only works with certain pots.