How to Choose the best hobs Hob

When selecting the ideal hob for your needs, there are many factors to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and offer great temperature control but are more expensive, are another option.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.

Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.

The controls are easy to use and we liked the clear display which tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.

However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper temperature.

This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It features dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and best hobs uk boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for Ovens and hobs less that PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.

This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically selects the appropriate zone.

Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.

Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you in the event of a meal that's been burned or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.

It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are also a variety of bonus features, like control locks and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They make use of copper plates to create an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of a button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.

The controls are easy to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also features the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it's. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it required two people to lift the filter to change it.

4. Induction Hob manufactured by General Electric

When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you prefer efficiency best ovens and hobs speed an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. For those who live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas best hobs uk during power outages could tip the scales in favour of gas models.