How to Choose the Best Hob

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this cooker from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and Best hob has an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.

Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for best hob modern kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.

The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and which zone is active. The 'Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. The hob's hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.

However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We found 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 cooking temperature, so you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to the rapid boil.

It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction ovens hobs have become increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.

Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

In addition, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.

It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels and an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are a host of extra features, like locking 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 utilize copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas, and they're easier to clean making them an extremely popular choice.

This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, lets you cook flawlessly at the touch a button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power modes including a P boost setting that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also simple to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up once we placed a pan on the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob uk from working when it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to take the filter out.

4. GE Induction Hob

When selecting a kitchen appliance think about how it will fit to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are an excellent option if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you prioritize efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best ovens and hobs uk choice. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.