How to Choose the Best Hob

There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are more expensive.

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 has a child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.

Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.

The controls are easy to use, ovens and hobs we appreciated the clear display that informs you the current power setting and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.

It's not as responsive as other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.

This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal and boost' power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.

It is fully connected to the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs divided into various food categories and types of cooking. It has a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan sets and comes with a variety of safety features, like the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.

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

Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking preferences. There are also options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four automatic Cooking solutions presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are a few bonus features such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

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

Indesit's induction hob is full of features to allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly by pressing a button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track the pans.

The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing an oven in the Booster zone. However it took a long time to cool off after we turned off the hob. Our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no messy, visible flames and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it took two people in order to remove the filter.

4. GE Induction Hob

When selecting a hob, oven consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They have safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. Alternatively, for those who prefer speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best ovens and hobs uk choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.