How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.

A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs, which are popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are a different option.

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 among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly 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 control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.

The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light or automatic shut-off are also useful.

However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.

This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It comes with dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal and boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.

It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third party companies and has several security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically activates 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 save energy based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are also options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.

Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to cater for larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are also several safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.

It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are a host of extra features, like lockable controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is placed on the top. This means they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them an extremely popular choice.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of one button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up once we placed an oven on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also has the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to oven uk take the filter out.

4. Induction Hob from GE

Consider how the hob can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as the style of cooking you prefer. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction stove an ideal option. Alternatively, for those who prefer speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. For those who live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may make the difference in favor of gas models.