How to Choose the Best Hob

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.

A basic ceramic electric hob can cost just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tested to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It comes with an child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.

Its style is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.

The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. click here to read may need to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper temperature.

This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It comes with a dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal and boost' power levels. The Boost model is great for frying, 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 cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob


When you're doing work on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you want the latest 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 efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with an overall diameter of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest temperatures of the zones. There are options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function allows you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as 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 oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are a few bonus features, such as lockable controls, and a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pressing.

3. Indesit here are the findings -Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to generate an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boiling point quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of the button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to select nine power modes, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. However it took an extended time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob and our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people in order to remove the filter.

4. Induction Hob by GE

Consider how the hob can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style is. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction stove an ideal option. For those who prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is ideal. Gas hobs are a great alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.