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How to Choose the Best Hob There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential. A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. best oven are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also pricier. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier hob has four cooking zones and three “Push&Go” functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was also among the fastest tests to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It has an child lock and pause function so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls. Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop. The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display that displays the current power level and which zone is in use. The “Boost” feature generates high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily heating up pans. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also useful. However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature compared with seven or six on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper heat. This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both “normal” and “boost” power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point. It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It has a multislider control panel with a “lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than 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 sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically activates the appropriate zone. Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance – it can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW. 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 color-coded design makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo” function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, including four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting, boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient. The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot. It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This hob is easy to install and features nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering for large pans. There are also a variety of extra features, including lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. This means that they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean. Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of a button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes including a P boost setting that gives maximum power to each zone for five minutes. The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel. In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw heat and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people to take the filter out. 4. GE Induction Hob Think about how the hob will be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob an ideal option. For those who prefer efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is the best choice. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power cuts may make the difference in favor of a gas model.