How to Choose the Best Hob

When deciding on the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to pay more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another alternative.


1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.

Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.

The controls are intuitive to use and we liked the clear display that tells the current power setting and which of the five zones are active. The "Boost" feature generates powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are beneficial.

It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper temperature.

The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. ovens is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boiling.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and comes with a variety of safety features, such as a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 cm and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.

Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful functions, including four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or the possibility of a fire. There are many safety features, including a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.

It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob is easy to set up and has nine power levels, as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are several bonus features such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on the top. This means that they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking area only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly at the touch the button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow the pans.

The controls are also easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. However, it took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.

As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block and an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is located on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people to take the filter out.

4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE

When choosing a new hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and life. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal choice. If you value speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. For those living in regions susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power cuts may make the difference in favor of gas models.