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How to Choose the Best Hob There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is essential. A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're more expensive. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three “Push&Go” functions and can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the quickest tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It comes with a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls. Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are in the same place as the worktop for easy use. The controls are easy to operate and we loved the clear display which tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shutdown are also beneficial. However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings multiple times before your pan is at the right temperature. The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area 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. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boiling. It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third parties and has a number of safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more. This slick-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually. Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking preferences. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW. Testers were awed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that slide across the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are plenty of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results. The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat sensor and an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot. It also resists tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob has nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are also oven hob of extra features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option. Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to be creative when cooking. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of a button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to follow your pans. The controls are easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel. This Indesit hob also features a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of 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 took two people in order to remove the filter. 4. Induction Hob from General Electric Think about how the hob will be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a great alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.