How to Choose the Best Hob

When selecting the ideal hob for your needs there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.

A basic ceramic electric hob costs just PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.

Its design is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.

The controls are simple to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.

However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.

This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boil.

It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of cooking. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9 cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.


Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. There are options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.

In addition to this the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.

It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature that allows catering for large pans. There are some additional features such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on the top. They can heat up much quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. hobs uk Links to an external site. to run than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly by pressing one button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However it took a long time to cool down once we turned off the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to take the filter out.

4. GE Induction Hob

When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a good choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.