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How to Choose the Best Hob There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital. A basic ceramic electric stove costs as little as PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another option. 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 also one of the quickest on test to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with the controls. Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop. The controls are intuitive to use, and we appreciated the clear display that informs the current power setting, and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the hob light that is hot or automatic shut-off are also beneficial. However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings several times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature. This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate at both “normal” and “boost” power levels. It is perfect for cooking and searing meat, or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point. It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob If you're working in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming more popular. i loved this have plummeted over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations. This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically activates the appropriate zone. Smeg's attention to energy savings does not leave out flexibility too – this hob is designed to conserve power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. There are other options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW. Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The “Flexi Duo” feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results. In addition the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot. It also resists hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This hob has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are also a variety of extra features, including locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to create a magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean. The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you 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 the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boiling point quickly. For instance, the Push&Go lets you cook flawlessly with the click of one button. The controls are easy to use and let you select nine power modes including a P boost setting that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes. The controls are also simple to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that 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 a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel. This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people to take the filter out. 4. GE Induction Hob Think about how the hob will be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.