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How to Choose the Best Hob When deciding on the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is crucial. A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are popular and provide excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are another option. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go” functions, and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with controls. Its design is sleek and modern and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of use. The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display that informs you the current power setting and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. The hob's hot light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too. It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature. The model in 60 cm has 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. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boiling. It's fully connected through the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, like an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob If you're working in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have plummeted in the last 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 paying more for the most up-to-date technology. This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9 cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate 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 setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW. The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The “Flexi duo” function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm. Additionally the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of fire or burnt-on food. There are also several safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot. It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are several bonus features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pressing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They can heat up much quicker than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular choice. Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to help you be creative when cooking. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boiling point quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch one button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans. The controls are simple to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel. This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from working when it gets too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it took two people to lift the filter out to change it. 4. GE Induction Hob When choosing a new hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. 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, having the ability to use gas hobs in power outages may make the difference in favor of a gas model.