How to Choose the Best place to buy oven and hob Hob

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob (see this here), from price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

A basic ceramic electric hob can cost as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and provide 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 will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also among the quickest on test to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.

Its design is modern and sleek, blending in well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and ovens and hobs heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with controls that are on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use.

The controls are simple to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and quickly 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 we tested. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, compared with seven or six on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.

The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It has dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boiling.

It is fully connected through the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has several safety features like a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction oven hob

Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with dimensions of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you of any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and 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 is easy to install and features nine power levels and the handy FlexiDuo feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a variety of bonus features, such as lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too making them a popular option.

This induction hob from 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 pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly by pressing one button. The controls are easy to operate and let you select nine power modes including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However it took some time to cool down once we shut off the hob and our testers found it difficult to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's overheated. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via an air duct that is located on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to remove the filter.

4. GE Induction Hob

Think about how the hob can work with your kitchen's layout and design as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are a good choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They have safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. Alternatively, for those who value speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. For those living in regions that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tilt the balance in favor of gas models.