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How to Choose the Best Hob When deciding on the best hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important. A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're more expensive. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this cooker from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tested to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls. Its style is modern and sleek and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit in a flush position on the countertop. The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is active. The 'Boost” feature generates high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. Best place to buy oven and hob and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too. It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat. This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated with both “normal” and “boost” power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly bringing water to a rapid boiling. It's fully connected through the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel with a “lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob If you're working in your kitchen or looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more. This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically selects the appropriate zone. Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to save power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy, reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW. The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, with its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The “Flexi Duo” function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results. In addition the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any risk of burning or burning food. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot. It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are also a number of additional features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are powered by electricity and 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 temperatures more quickly than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them a popular option. Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features that will allow you to be creative when cooking. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pots and a rapid Booster zone to bring water to a boil quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection with the click of one button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes. The controls are easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up when we put a pan on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel. As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by that. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it required two people to take the filter out. 4. Induction Hob by GE Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a good choice if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you value speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. For those living in regions susceptible to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tip the scales in favour of gas models.