How to Choose the best ovens Hob

There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the Best place to buy oven and hob hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier stove has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has 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 design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hot hob light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.

It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may need to alter settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.

This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It features a dual-ring design that is able to operate on both normal and boost' power levels. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boil.

It is fully connected to the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third parties and has several security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more for the latest innovations.

This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's main focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's color scheme lets you quickly see the status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you in the event of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are a variety of safety features, such as a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are also a number of bonus features, like lockable controls and an emergency 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 pan or pot is placed on them. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.

Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of one button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, Kitchen which move across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.

The controls are also simple to use and have modern, minimalist designs that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. However, it took an extended time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob is 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 design and layout, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off or an icy to the touch surface could make an induction stove the best ovens uk choice. For those who value speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may make the difference in favor of a gas model.