How to Choose the Best Hob

When choosing the best hob to buy there are a variety of factors to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are a different alternative.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.

Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for ease of use.

The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. The hob's light that is hot and auto shut-off are great security features, too.

However speaking of 's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. speaking of takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.

This model is 60cm long and has 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. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety 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 looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have plummeted over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are other options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's colour scheme lets you quickly see the status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

In addition to this, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.

It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. The stove is simple to install and has nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering for large pans. There are several bonus features like lockable 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 use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on the top. This means they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are easier to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular option.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pots and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boiling point quickly. A variety of automated functions like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly with the click of the button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power options, including the P boost option that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.


The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However, it took a long time to cool off after we turned off the hob and our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room through a duct located on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out and change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

Think about how the hob will fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.