How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.

A basic ceramic electric hob can cost as little as PS100. However you'll need to pay more for one with numerous features. best oven uk are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this hob from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.

Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit directly on the worktop.

The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display that informs the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.

However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. oven uk takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings a few times before you get the proper temperature.

This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boil.

It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third parties and has various safety features such as a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not mean that they don't offer flexibility This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking needs. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.

Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface that has intuitive controls that slide along the edges of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded design allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you in the event of a food item being burned or a fire. There are many safety features, including the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.

It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. The stove is simple to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are also a number of bonus features, including locking controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on top. This means that they can reach temperatures more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, lets you cook flawlessly at the touch a button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to select nine power options, including the P boost option that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However, it took an extended time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.


This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to take the filter out.

4. Induction Hob from GE

When choosing a new hob take a look at how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction cooker a better choice. Alternatively, for those who prefer efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.