12 Companies Leading The Way In Best Hob

How to Choose the best hobs Hob

There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is essential.

A basic ceramic electric hob costs just PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also one of the most efficient tests to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.

Its design is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls were simple to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of water to a boil fast. Safety features like the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are beneficial.

It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct heat.

The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boiling.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third parties and has various safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.

Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.

Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that move along the edges of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's color scheme allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.

It also resists hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob is easy to set up and features nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a variety of additional features, including lockable controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're a popular choice.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of one button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power modes including a P boost setting that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes.

The controls are simple to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven with hob in the Booster zone. It took a while for it 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 comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out and change it.

4. Induction Hob from General Electric

When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, as well as your cooking style and lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and best hob a cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal option. Alternatively, for those who prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages could tip the scales in favour of a gas model.