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How to Choose the Best Hob When choosing the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital. A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are a different option. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go” functions and can assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the fastest tests to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls. Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features controls that are flush with the worktop for ease of use. The controls were simple to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. ovens hobs like the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are useful. However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to get the right heat. This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both “normal” and “boost” power levels. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boiling. It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 different programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, like the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology. This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without having to select it manually. Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance – it can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW. The user-friendly interface of this cooker was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The “Flexi Duo” function allows you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm. In addition to this the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you of any risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot. It is also resistant to tough stains, and has an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are a host of additional features, including locking controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button-pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. This means that they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean. Indesit's induction hob is full of features to allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection at the touch the button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to select nine power modes, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes. The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. However it took a long time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel. Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by a duct on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter to change it. 4. GE Induction Hob Think about how the hob can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. Alternatively, for those who value efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is ideal. For those who live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power outages could tip the scales in favour of a gas model.