Cook up a feast with the GHI’s top hobs for your kitchen
A good hob can make all the difference to your meal prep. The hob is, well, the hub of the kitchen, the star appliance for cooking a huge variety of foods from pasta to the perfect fried eggs and one-pot meals.
The best hobs will heat up quickly, distribute heat evenly, and generally make cooking a breeze.
But how do you pick between gas, induction or ceramic? And that’s just scratching the surface of what you need to consider (although not literally, of course). Each hob works slightly differently and comes in a range of sizes and designs that will match your kitchen’s design.
Gas hobs are still a popular choice for their reliable temperature control. But electric hobs (which include induction and ceramic) are more energy efficient and typically easier to clean. That’s why our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have focused on those in their tests.
You'll find their top-rated induction and ceramic hobs below, but read on for the full reviews and more information on what you should consider when shopping for a new hob.
What is an induction hob?
As the most energy-efficient of the three main hob types, induction hobs are a popular choice.
A copper induction coil sits beneath the hob surface and creates a magnetic field as electricity passes through. When you place a pan with a magnetised base on the hob, the magnetic field heats the pan directly, rather than the hob surface itself.
Benefits of induction hobs
The main benefit of induction hobs is their energy efficiency. While the way they work may sound complicated, that's what makes them a better option for conserving energy; by heating the pan directly, induction hobs waste less electricity and provide a more efficient way of cooking.
For a similar reason, the cooking zones on induction hobs also cool down quickly once the pan is removed – they only heat comes from the pan on its surface, rather than from within.
Induction hobs are also popular thanks to their aesthetic appeal. Sleek and flat, they often come with smooth, black surfaces, which makes them easier to clean than their gas counterparts.
Take note
But it’s not all gourmet dinners and lower electricity bills. Induction hobs are typically more expensive, and their ceramic surfaces are more prone to scratches than gas options. Their shiny surfaces mean fingerprints show up more easily too.
You’ll also need a specific type of pan. Induction hobs are only compatible with ones that contain iron as they need to create a magnetic field to work. Luckily, most of our tried and tested pan sets work with induction hobs, so you have plenty of fantastic options to shop if you need to update your cookware.
It’s also worth noting that induction hobs aren’t suitable for people who have a pacemaker fitted, as the powerful electromagnetic field produced can interfere with it. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) recommends that anyone with a pacemaker should keep a minimum distance of 60cm between the hob and their pacemaker.
What is a ceramic hob?
Ceramic hobs actually have the same ceramic glass finish as most induction hobs, and they’re powered by electricity too. But you won’t need to overhaul your pan collection, because they feature heating elements beneath each cooking zone, which heat the hob surface and therefore the pan on it, rather than creating a magnetic field.
Benefits of a ceramic hob
Design-wise, ceramic hobs are also sleek and modern, so look fantastic in your kitchen. They’re typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof, of course) and are flat, making them fairly easy to clean.
Most ceramic hobs also come with touch controls, which means they’re virtually flush with the worktop and very easy to use.
Take note
While it’s easy to change the temperature at the touch of a button, ceramic hobs are typically slower to respond when compared to gas or induction hobs, as both the pan and cooking zone must adjust.
And, in a similar way to induction hobs, the ceramic surface can be scratched or damaged, which can be expensive to repair.
What is a vented hob?
Effective ventilation is essential when cooking, so that steam, smoke and cooking smells (we’re looking at you, garlic and fish) don’t linger in your home.
Typically, a range hood or extractor fan does this job, but vented hobs are a new and increasingly popular option that integrates the ventilation into the stove top, so you just install one handy unit.
They extract smoke and steam through a duct in the surface of the hob, drawing it away from your pan and passing it through a filter or releasing it outside.
Benefits of a vented hob
Vented hobs combine two appliances into one, creating more space in your kitchen and removing bulky hoods to give your space a more minimalist style.
They’re also more efficient than hoods as they draw steam out at cooking level rather than up to an extractor. As a result, vented hobs are quieter too as they don’t have to work as hard.
Take note
Vented hobs are a pricier option, but given their dual functionality, it makes sense.
You'll also need to choose between an exhaust air system or a recirculation one, which means the air will either be extracted and released outside or filtered and fed back into the kitchen.
The latter is easier to install as it requires less work on your home – just the adjustment of space below your countertop as opposed to the creation of a duct system. But even with recirculation, the filters will need replacing every year or two (depending on the model) for the extractor to work efficiently.
So, it’s worth calculating long-term costs before you buy.
What to look for when buying a hob
As you’ve probably realised by now, there’s more to a hob than four basic burners. Here’s a handy guide to the other features you should keep an eye out for when shopping.
Child-safety lock
This is a key feature to consider if you have young children in your household. The touch controls let you lock the hob to prevent children from turning it on or altering settings. Every hob in this list has a child lock and you’ll likely find one on most hobs.
Flexible cooking or dual cooking zones
Some hobs have a function where you can merge two cooking zones into one larger one to accommodate pans of varying shapes and sizes.
Dual rings
You’ll sometimes find these on ceramic hobs. Dual ring designs feature a smaller cooking zone inside a larger ring and allow you to cook on either zone depending on the size of the pan you’re using. You’ll find a dual ring design on the Belling BEL CH602T hob below.
Boost functions
Most hobs feature an ultra-rapid burner of some sort. They’re typically used to generate intense, high-powered heat rapidly by concentrating the energy into one burner. Boosters are designed for stir-fry cooking in a wok, searing meat, or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly.
Timers
Hob timers help you keep an eye on the progress of your cooking and maintain control in the kitchen. Some timers will automatically switch the hob off when the set time is up, or an alarm may sound to alert you.
How we test hobs
Our hob testing starts off simply, because nothing shows speed quite like a pot of boiling water. We measure the time it takes for each cooking zone to increase the temperature of one litre of water by 75C, making sure the pan perfectly fits the heating element for optimal results.
Then it’s down to business and our experts start cooking. Testers grab a frying pan and whip up some pancakes, checking each one for even browning, which tells them how well the hob distributes heat.
Next, it’s time to clean up; our testers recreate common kitchen messes with tomato sauce and spilled milk – because no cooking is complete without at least one splash or splatter – and see how easy they are to remove.
We also assess how responsive the hob is at shutting off heat. We check this by heating oil to a set temperature, turning off the heat, and then measuring how much more the temperature of the oil rises.
Finally, our experts assess how easy each hob is to use, as well as looking at design and instructions. Each test is meticulously designed to replicate everyday cooking experiences, so you can shop with confidence.
iQ700 EX851HVC1E 80cm Flex Induction Hob
Score: 93/100
Earning a perfect score for its ease of use, our winning induction hob has lots to recommend it, starting with its smart cooking zones that adapt to your cookware and combine zones to accommodate griddle or teppanyaki plates up to 40cm long. The flexMotion function also remembers the heat settings for individual pans, letting you move them across the hob without adjusting the controls – very clever.
That’s not the smartest thing about this hob either, as it also works with Siemens’ Home Connect app and your cooker hood, so you can check and adjust the power level of the hood from a distance.
In the GHI lab, the hob distributed heat evenly, producing perfectly-coloured, golden pancakes, but it wasn’t the fastest to boil water. Luckily, there’s a power boost function when you do need speed.
IQ-500 80cm Air Venting Induction Hob
Score: 91/100
Just like the Siemens hob above, this also scored perfect marks for its ease of use. The display was spacious and clear while the 17-setting control slider and auto pan detection were responsive. The residual heat indicators were nifty too, with two stages to show when it was hot versus just warm – very smart. On that note, so was its app connectivity which offered control over the power level and plenty of tips and tricks for inspiration.
In testing, the burners took six minutes to boil water across the zones but there’s also a power booster if time is of the essence. The central vent remained cool to the touch throughout too, and maintained steady suction while testers were cooking. Even removing the dishwasher-friendly filters was effortless.
£2249.00 at appliancecity.co.uk
BEL IHL603 59cm Induction Hob - Black
Score: 90/100
Our runner-up induction hob was speedy and efficient, taking just two to four minutes to heat a litre of water (depending on the size of the cooking zone), making it one of the quickest designs we’ve tested.
But speed isn’t everything. When tasked with cooking pancakes, this hob also excelled, with little difference in the colour of each on test. And nine power levels gives good control over the temperature, so you can quickly adjust the intensity and cook your food with precision.
It also boasts a feature called ‘Link+’, which combines two cooking zones so you can use larger pans – perfect for big families or special occasions.
HI6421BSC Induction Hob
Score: 89/100
Our testers loved the design of this induction hob which boasts four good-sized burners, a bridge function to suit larger pans, and a boost feature for rapid heating.
Everything was intuitive to use and the control panel was easy to access. Testers also appreciated that it had a hot hob light and an auto-shut off feature – the burner will turn off after ten seconds without a pan on top.
Altering the cooking temperature was a little tedious as you had to physically press the control nine times to reach the highest heat; simply scrolling or sliding would have been quicker. But in reality, this doesn’t take long, and it was fantastic for cooking, delivering deliciously golden pancakes.
Series 6 PIV831HB1E 80cm Induction Hob Black
Score: 88/100
This hob's huge 17 power levels (nine main, eight intermediate) offer plenty of cooking control. At its highest setting, it boiled a litre of water in a speedy four minutes, and that was without turning to the power boost function!
This hob also connects to an app and hood, and our testers liked receiving notifications during the cooking process, which meant they could busy themselves with other chores and still be in-the-know – the timer and acoustic alarm help too.
We’d have liked dual zone capability for access to bigger cooking areas, but the middle burner accommodates a 20cm pan, which should be enough for most.
Series 4 HAFRSJ64MC Induction Hob
Score: 87/100
Designed to be as user-friendly and intuitive as possible, this gives you lots of flexibility when cooking. Built-in technology lets you use two single pots or one big pot within the ‘I-Flex’ area so you’re freed from strict cooking zones (although note, you’ll need a 30cm pan for it to register).
And it doesn’t stop there. Its temperature slider was responsive and testers liked the ‘Varycook’ function that means you can control the temperature simply by moving your pot up or down the hob’s surface – ideal for tackling sauces or tricky caramel.
It heated up speedily on test, taking under four minutes to boil our pan of water. It also connects to the Haier app, which is full of recipes so you can up your cooking game.
I-Dual Series 6 HAIH8IFMCF Venting Induction Hob
Score: 87/100
With one of the quickest average boiling times on test, this Haier hob will work wonders for speedy midweek dinners. The controls were easy to operate using the touchscreen slider and they’re lockable for added safety. There's also a pause function in case you need to answer the door mid-cooking.
The vent effectively removed steam and smoke from the test kitchen and there was a clear difference between the highest and lowest suction levels. But testers noted that its placement in the middle of the hob means it could get dirty easily, so you’ll have to keep on top of cleaning.
Speaking of which, when it came to cleaning the vent, two people were needed to do it due to its size (not weight), but once out, the task itself was simple – the filters popped out and rinsed well under water.
M Pure
Score: 87/100
Four burners and a bridging function that combine two at a time, mean this hob accommodates pans of all sizes. Testers liked that the corresponding hob ring lights up when you place a pan down and they found it easy to control the temperatures.
Our pancakes had a nice, even colour, proving that the burners distributed heat well, but they weren’t that quick to cool once we turned the heat off – the temperature of our oil continued to rise by an extra 12 degrees. There is a hot hob indicator to keep you safe though.
The airflow from this vented model was directed out the back of the unit, so there was no blowback from the air outlet, making for a pleasant cooking experience. The filter was simple to change too, with just a gentle tug needed to pull it out.
£3276.00 at appliancesuperstore.co.uk
KM7897-2FL 94cm Induction Hob Black
Score: 86/100
Miele’s induction hob is packed full of innovative features that make it a dream to use. Firstly, there are no traditional cooking zones – the hob will simply detect your pan and can cater to six at once. There’s no confusion over which settings you’re adjusting either as the controls move along the hob edge, following the relevant pan around.
There’s also a convenient ‘Stop & Go’ function that’s perfect for busy households – one button reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, if you just want to keep things warm or need to turn away from the hob for a short time.
There aren’t any flexible cooking zones, so you’re limited in the size of the pan you cook with. Plus, it took a while for things to cool down once turned off, but clean-up was a breeze with the surface looking shiny and residue-free with just one wipe... we told you it was dreamy.
HID956MC 90cm Induction Hob
Score: 85/100
Just like the Miele above, this hob has plenty of space for you to flex your culinary skills. With an extra-large (90cm) width and six heat zones, this is a fantastic choice for big households – you can even combine each pair of front and rear zones to cook with large pots and pans. It boasts seven cooking functions, including frying, grilling and simmering, and 13 power levels to suit a host of recipes and tasks.
Testers sometimes found it tricky to set the exact temperature desired via its round dials. They weren’t convinced the matte finish would be the most durable either as testers had to scrub a tad to clean burnt-on residue.
But niggles aside, it's an effective hob that delivered perfectly browned pancakes when measured against our colour chart.
£1409.00 at longeatonappliances.co.uk
SEH602SCTC Black Electric Hob
Score: 85/100
With a no-fuss, no-frills design, this ceramic hob is easy to get to grips with, and our testers didn’t need to refer to the manual once. It produced well-cooked pancakes with no burnt or undercooked areas and testers were impressed with its decent response to temperature adjustments.
While there aren’t as many special features as other hobs, we liked the inclusion of a boost function that quickly increases the temperature of a single cooking zone, as well as the automatic pan detection.
The hob's boiling temperature wasn’t as fast as others, but for an affordable buy, it’s a great option.
£270.00 at buywiseappliances.co.uk
HII64201MT 60 cm Induction Hob
Score: 84/100
Despite being one of the cheapest hobs on this list, our testers were wowed by the Beko's speedy water boiling abilities. It took just over five minutes on average across its four cooking zones – perfect for pasta lovers.
To make cooking even simpler, it also boasts flexible zones that you can merge, which means you’ll never be limited on space. But while the interface is easy to use, testers found there was a lot of residual heat after switching the hob off, which meant our oil continued heating by another 12 degrees. Once it had cooled though, it was a breeze to clean.
59cm 4 Zone Induction Hob with DualZones
Score: 83/100
For an induction hob, this is a great value buy. It has flexible cooking zones and three ‘Push&Go’ functions – at just the touch of a button, you can set the hob to boil, keep food warm or make coffee without having to manually programme the right temperature. You won’t have to wait long for your pan to boil either as this hob was one of the fastest on test, taking an average of four minutes and 14 seconds.
Testers made some good pancakes, but there were slight differences in browning levels. They’d have liked the hob to give off less residual heat after cooking too. But it was easy to clean, with just a wipe needed to leave the surface shiny and dirt-free.
80cm 6 Zone Induction Auto-Vent 2.0 Hob SIM3864MB
Score: 83/100
With a large 80cm width, Smeg’s induction hob features six cooking zones, nine power levels and six boosters, offering plenty of potential for budding chefs wanting to flex their culinary skills. It also boasts automatic pan detection, which worked well on test, and testers found the controls intuitive and responsive.
Our pancakes were largely equal in colour, and we found that the burners boiled water reasonably quickly too. Its performance was mainly let down by its shut-off response; the hob continued to heat oil past the target temperature by 12 degrees (ideally, we’d want no more than four).
This hob also has a Hob2Hood feature, which allows the hob to issue commands to compatible hoods. The Smeg Auto-Vent 2.0 Hood will automatically adjust its speed to match the hob settings and pan temperature. Pretty cool.
£1426.00 at appliancesdirect.co.uk
WFS3660CPNE Induction Hob with CleanProtect
Score: 80/100
This hob claims to make cleaning effortless with its innovative CleanProtect technology, a nano-coating that's designed to resist spills and stains – and it certainly worked. It didn’t lose a mark on our cleaning tests, making it a great buy if you frequently find yourself scrubbing away grease and stains to keep your kitchen spotless.
We were also impressed by its pancake cooking abilities and dual-zone cooking. However, getting to grips with the interface was difficult as testers found it quite crowded.
TB 7960C BF Flexi Zone Induction Hob (60cm)
Score: 74/100
Our testers appreciated this hob’s nine power levels and four cooking functions, which made whipping up tasty food a breeze. Hotpoint’s ‘My Menu’ feature provides direct access to settings for melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping things warm, taking away any guesswork.
While the dual cooking zones were responsive to our pans, we found there was a lot of variation in the heat distribution, so it took testers some trial and error to achieve an even pancake colour. They’d have liked the interface to be less crammed, too. It’s still a savvy buy though, also boasting an easy-clean surface and speedy five and a half minute boiling time.
CH602T 60cm 4 Zone Ceramic Hob
Score: 73/100
With its adjustable dual cooking zones and double ring design, this Belling hob is versatile, no matter what size of pot you’re using. The interface is intuitive and easy to use, and its good heat distribution meant testers made some fantastic pancakes with a nice, even colour.
The main downside was its boiling time, with one zone taking over 12 minutes to boil a litre of water. However, if speed is of the essence, you could easily boil water in one of the GHI’s rapid-boil kettles before adding your pasta or potatoes. A small compromise for an otherwise great budget buy.
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