How to Choose the Best Hob

When choosing the best hob, there are many factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

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

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the most efficient tests to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a pause function so you can stop the process swiftly without having to mess with controls.

Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls are intuitive to use and we liked the clear display that informs you the current power settings, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are beneficial.

It's not as responsive as other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.

This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, like the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the latest innovations.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption, reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.

Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that move along the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded design allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you of any danger of a burning or burning food. There are also several safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.

It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are several bonus features such as locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.

Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to a boiling point quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection by pressing one button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power options, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However, it took a long best hobs uk time to cool off after we shut off the hob and our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's heated to the point of. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by that. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct located on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people 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, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.