Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob for you depends on the type of worktop and the space available. The selection of the best hob requires a look at the kind of worktop that you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

If you choose an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean and have a range of safety features like the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

A flexible hob will assist you in achieving your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The best hobs offer precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and an enormous cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide range of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens due to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to have an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the necessity of separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your work area.

Gas hobs offer you instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're the most popular option. But they require regular cleaning to ensure that you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up on your stove or a fire breaking out. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the cooker surface which makes them more easy to clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, and their glossy surfaces may show up scratches and fingerprints more easily.

Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between both modes based on what you're cooking. They are perfect for those who want to test their culinary abilities, but don't want to invest in a new kitchen.

This electric hob is an excellent example of a product that can be flexed in appearance and function. The dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have a child lock feature which prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to control its features from your smartphone.

Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking easier and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also easy to use, with control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make, and a sleek, modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs are those that consume the least amount of energy, whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. They're also an excellent choice for those who wish to lower their electricity costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient employing electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan to ensure that your glass stays cool. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric models.

Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'IFlex' zone, which allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single area, so you can cook with large pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls blocks children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a great feature for families with small children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish it's easy to keep clean with just a little wipe.

Another impressive feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the heating zone when you take your pan off. This isn't the only hob to have this functionality however it's an excellent feature that makes life easier when cooking lots of meals for a family or a group of friends.

This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it via an app on your phone. It can also notify you when your food is ready so that you do not overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water on this model, which is very fast for an induction hob. It has flexible zones that you can mix, and a Stop & go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This small induction hob is ideal for camping and also for taking to university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob we've tested, yet it includes all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also has a built-in 'VaryCook' function which lets you alter the temperature by moving the pan upwards and downwards on the hob's surface, which is ideal for making sauces or caramel.

3. Convenience

When selecting a new kitchen appliance, you'll need to think about the way it's incorporated into the design of your kitchen and what it will do to enhance the utility of your home. This will help narrow down the options so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family and property. It is also advisable to read reviews to find out what other people think about the appliance. This will help you understand its strengths and weakness.


Some hob brands have intelligent technology, making them the ideal option for those who want to control their cooking through their smartphone. For example Samsung's models have electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is especially helpful for those who lead busy lives because you can use the timer to make sure that meals are ready at the correct time without needing to keep an watch on them.

Gas hobs are also a good option for those who prefer a traditional feel, as they can be used with a variety of cookware designs and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and saucepans on gas hobs. Gas hobs are often equipped with a range of settings, so that you can alter the temperature to suit the recipe you are cooking.

Induction hobs are a popular choice for those looking to modernise their kitchen since they have faster heat-up times and are more energy efficient than gas models. This is especially the case for induction hobs with an oven built-in, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by allowing you to have a combined oven and hob in one unit.

Another feature to look out for is a child lock, which lets you block the controls on a stove and safeguard children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for those with young children, since it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. In addition, many induction hobs have the ability to connect two zones to make a larger cooking area This can be helpful when you're cooking with large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob has a number safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the stove is hot. This can help prevent accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs come with locks for children to stop children from turning on the hob or changing settings. Some may have a feature that lets you combine two cooking zones into one zone, allowing you to cook in a larger pan.

This is an excellent feature for families and will keep everyone in the kitchen safe. Ovens & Hobs Links to an external site. works by monitoring the heat of the hob. If it determines that the pan has not been positioned correctly, or if there is an fire on the hob, it will automatically stop the burner. It's a great method to ensure your home is safe and it's something you should think about when you shop.

You can choose between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans while an electric hob features electric rings that you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs use magnets to heat your pans. They won't function unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. This is a highly efficient hob, and it will cool down quickly when the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob is a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great choice for any family. It can be used to get rid of the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at home. This is a fantastic choice for families as it will protect you from burns and is very easy to clean. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are many options to consider. It is important to research them all before making a decision.