How to Choose the Best Hob

There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

A basic ceramic electric hob costs just PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob has four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go" functions, and will aid in cooking 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 contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.

The controls were easy to operate and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and which zone is active. hobs oven creates powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. Safety features like the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are beneficial.

However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.


This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly bring water to a fast boiling.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of safety features, like an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

If you're working in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction, it's worth paying extra for the latest innovations.

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

Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility This hob is designed to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking requirements. There are options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.

Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

In addition the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any risk of a burning or burning food. There are many safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.

It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob is simple to set up and has nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature that allows catering for large pans. There are a host of extra features, like lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to generate a magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular option.

Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pots and the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals by pressing a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes including the P boost option which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts thought this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out to change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

Consider how the stove can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction cooker a better option. If you prefer speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. Gas hobs are a great option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.