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The Worst Advice We've Been Given About Best Hob
How to Choose the Best Hob

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

A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are pricier.

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 one of the most efficient tests to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.

Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use.

The controls were simple to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and quickly bringing pans to boil. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also useful.


It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter 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 zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boiling.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of security features, including a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically recognises the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.

oven and hob to energy savings does not leave out flexibility too - this hob is designed to save power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.

Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that move along the edges of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.

The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or the possibility of a fire. There are a variety of safety features, including 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 tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are a host of additional features, like lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to create an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of 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 the Dual Zone for larger pots and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly at the touch of a button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to choose nine power options, including the P boost option which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is ideal 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. Our testers were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.

Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room through a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it took two people to remove the filter.

4. Induction Hob from GE

When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction stove an ideal choice. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power outages may tilt the balance in favor of gas models.

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