How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a pause function so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.

Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.

The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display that tells the current power setting and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. 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 we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may have to change settings several times before the pan reaches the right heat.

This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal and boost' power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has several security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs and ovens are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's focus on energy saving does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking preferences. There are also options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's color scheme allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting, boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are many safety features like a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface is too hot.

It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are a host of additional features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in case 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 set on top. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and ovens, and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to clean, which makes them an extremely popular option.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pots and a rapid Booster zone to bring water to a boil quickly. A variety of automated functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of one button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans.

The controls are easy to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up after placing an oven uk on the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

Alongside a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass is easy to clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people in order to take the filter out.

4. Induction Hob from General Electric

When choosing a new hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, and also your cooking style and life. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface can make an induction stove the best option. If you value speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.