How to Choose the Best Hob

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hobs hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.

A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are also popular and offer great temperature control, but are expensive, are a different alternative.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this hob from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.

Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.

The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and quickly heating up pans. The hob's light that is hot and the automatic shutoff are helpful security features, too.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. You may need to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper temperature.

The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing water pans to the rapid boil.

It is fully connected to the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third parties and has a number of security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system, it's worth paying extra 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 convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without having to select it manually.

Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.

Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface with easy-to-use controls that move across the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

The hob also comes with 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 many safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.

It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This hob is easy to set up and comes with nine power levels and an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are several bonus features, such as locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on top. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of one button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow the pans.

The controls are easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also comes with an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs oven in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room through a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out and change it.

4. Induction Hob by 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. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off or a cool to the touch surface can make an induction stove a better option. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. Gas hobs are a good option for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.