Having the best hob at home will be your go-to for meal times, and snack times. Perhaps you've just refitted the kitchen, or your old hob has given up the ghost which is why you're now looking. Either way, there has never been a better time to buy than right now.
There are a few designs to choose from; from the innovation of induction and the responsiveness of gas, to the less fancy but by no means least effective ceramic (aka electric) hob. So it's important to choose wisely to avoid any regrets – not to mention the hassle of replacing it, further done the line.
Yet finding a hob in the first place can be somewhat troublesome, not only because of the sheer choice available, but also because there's a fair amount of tech-spec to sift through nowadays. To help you choose the perfect hob to go with your best oven (and other appliances), we've selected some hobs which stand out for us with emphasis on the build quality, ease of use, how it looks, and of course – the price.
The 11 best hobs as chosen by our expert
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Below is our shortlist of the best gas hobs, best induction hobs and best ceramic hobs which can all be bought from your favourite retailers. We're showing you the best prices around so, essentially, we've done all the research for you.
The best gas hobs
If you prefer to cook with gas, rather than with an induction or ceramic hob, then you'll love our selection of gas hobs. Cooking with a naked flame can offer more versatility with you cooking, and more visual control. If you do not have a gas supply to your home currently then it would be worth investigating to see if it is possible to install, and reassessing your budget.
Stealing the top prize, this gas cooker is designed to integrate seamlessly into your kitchen, and it's brimming with a host of useful cooking essentials, too.
Cooked to perfection
Featuring a total of five burners, this hob has a consistent flame and heat distribution of the dual flame wok burner. These, combined with the responsive dials, offer precise heat adjustment which are perfect for everything from simmering sauces to searing steaks.
Safety, and style
Whether you're cooking or you've served up, the intuitive dials will glow red for on and white for off, so you know from a distance which burners remain lit. There's even a flame failure safety device which automatically turns off the gas should a flame be discovered.
And this is all on a smart Stainless Steel platform which is easy to keep clean, and match other kitchen appliances from the Fisher & Paykel family.
This gas hob, although a thing of beauty, is eye-wateringly expensive so it marginally misses out on our no.1 spot. But, if you've got the budget, it will most certainly be worth the investment. It's one of the first models we've seen to combine extraction with the gas cooking method, and we're impressed with what we've seen.
Built-In extraction
This innovation means that you continue to cook with gas whilst ridding the home of any lingering food smells. The design has been cleverly thought out with the Wok above the suction inlet, so the fume extraction speed is improved for more intense cooking.
This extraction is controlled electronically, using one of the dials to the front of the hob.
Beautifully designed
Constructed using cast iron with a glass top hob, it's easy to keep this hob clean and maintain it, so it continues to look fab in your kitchen for years to come.
The gas hob from Siemens looks fab, and offers precise flame control in nine steps.
stepFlame
This gas model gives precise heat control with stepFlame technology that offers nine flame graduations to suit every cooking need. Alongside the four regular burners is a dual wok burner, that can deliver 6kW for rapid heating.
Design
Built with a modern black glass top and cast iron supports, this model is a really sleek design which is easy to clean too. So easy, in fact, the cast iron supports can be removed and cleaned in the dishwasher.
Achieve perfect cooking results with this gas hob from Bosch – it's easy to see why this is one of the best hob choices out there.
FlameSelect
What makes this gas hob stand out is the FlameSelect function, which enables you to adjust the flame in nine graduations for precise control when you need it.
It also comes with continuous cast iron pan supports for stability and a high-speed burner, economy burner and two regulars, as well as the DualWok version that gives high heat and gentle heat so you can sear or simmer to your heart’s content.
Made from Stainless Steel
For a contemporary design, Stainless Steel has been used making this hob both practical and durable.
Best induction hobs
Cooking on an induction hob has risen in popularity over the years, not just because there are now more options to choose from, but its the unrivalled precision and power it offers. It's also much easier to clean and more energy efficient, too.
Just so you're aware, it's advised that only cookware made from magnetic materials - such as magnetic stainless steel and cast iron – can be used on an induction hob so it can work properly.
This Fisher & Paykel induction hob offers incredibly flexible cooking with its SmartZone and TouchSlide controls.
Large cooker zone
This induction hob has SmartZone, which links two cooking zones and controls them as one. It's an ingenious way of giving you the flexibility to use large pans and griddles.
Enhanced features
And for those specialist cooking tasks – such as melting chocolate – PowerBoost and GentleHeat is on hand to deliver either a very high or a very low heat.
There's an integrated timer to keep you on track and TouchSlide controls, which react immediately when you adjust the temperature, too.
This incredibly stylish induction hob is the newest addition to Smeg’s hob portfolio and boasts features which are designed to make life – and cooking – quicker and easier than ever before. It narrowly missed out on our no.1 top spot, but if you have the budget, this is a hob to consider for your next kitchen upgrade.
Extraction system
In the heart of this induction hob, there is an extraction system which will remove all steam and vapours immediately though its robust cast iron grid. This entirely seamless grid allows complete cooking freedom, as pans can be smoothly transferred across the hob with ease thanks to its flush design.
All the controls you need
Featuring an innovative single red LED slider control taken from its predecessor, Hobd4 will seamlessly control all four flexible zones with a swipe of the finger. It also features Smart Auto Pot Detector which automatically recognises and activates controls when a pot is placed on it.
And with the extraction system, the smart infrared function ‘Auto-Vent’ automatically adjusts the extraction speed to suit the cooking level selected on the hob, allowing you to concentrate solely on the cooking preparation.
With its elegant design and bags of cooking tech, this induction hob from Bosch will complement any kitchen and meal time.
Quick to cook
This model has a QuickStart function which detects where you have placed a pot, then displays the corresponding cooking zone on the display panel (helpful!) This means that you can select the desired cooking level, without any delay.
And whilst cooking, you may find that you need a little boost. The PowerBoost function can speed up the cooking process so you can boil two litres of water almost 50 per cent faster, for example.
DirectSelect
This intuitive control panel enables you to select the cooking zones and select the specific power level you want, keeping it nice and easy.
This induction hob from AEG has all the essentials you need for every day cooking and is available to buy for one of the lowest prices in this guide, too – making it one of the best hob options for those on a budget.
Intense rapid heat
If you need some extra heat on one, or all four, of the cooking zones, the PowerBoost button can give you an instant burst of heat that boils water in under 90 seconds. This makes it ideal for boiling potatoes, or sealing meat.
Touch controls
The controls on this induction hob are intuitive and easy to use. They are equipped with plus or minus buttons for effective temperature control. Even the timer and minute minder is adjustable, so you can manage your cooking accordingly.
Best ceramic hobs
This type of hob is the most common in households, and it's easy to see why. They work by conducting heat through the glass to the pan, so it's worth keeping an eye out for models which have residual light indicators. All ceramic hobs are relatively easy to keep clean and simple to control, with many now operated by touch buttons. They tend to have cheaper price tags, too.
This ceramic hob from Neff has touch control and PowerBoost, so it's super easy to use (and keep clean, too).
Zone cooking
The T16FD56X0 boasts a total of four cooking zones, with each one having 17-stage variable power settings so you can cook at the desired rate. There is also a timer with automatic shut off for each zone. And, if you need a little boost, you can active PowerBoost to apply some extra heat to the zone for 30 seconds.
Easy to control
Like the majority of the other models in this guide, this hob also comes with a touch control panel. This is easy to use, and is your go-to if you want to control the temperature, set the timer or switch on the 'keep warm' feature.
This ceramic hob from Siemens is a safe option for when there are children around the home, thanks to it's residual heat indicators.
Zone cooking
As with the Neff model, this hob also has four cooking zones, but these are set out a little differently. These zones are QuickLite which simply means that they heat up quickly. And it has the added benefit of residual heat indicators, so you'll know not to put your hands on the hob whilst it's still hot.
Control
To control this hob you are to use the Sword knobs. This can easily be turned to one of the nine power levels, and subsequently turned off this way, too.
This Beko hob is easy to use and it gets our vote for the best hob for value-for-money, too.
Power up
This model features four cooking zones, plus six power levels to cope with everything from a gentle simmer to an intense sizzle on a Saturday night.
Keeping cooking simple
This ceramic hob is a hit with buyers thanks to its low price tag, easy to use controls and easy-clean glass surface. There’s nothing fancy about this model but that’s what appeals to buyers who want something simple that does what it says on the tin.
How to choose the best hob
Most of us have a fuel that we prefer cooking with. Some won’t use anything but gas, as it’s quick and responsive, while others have loved the innovation of induction with its automatic pan detection, energy efficiency and safety aspect, which is great for families with young children. With that said, there are a few things to look out for so you can choose the best model for your needs:
Gas models have come on leaps and bounds in terms of styling, with black glass models, one-piece pan supports and wider designs for extra burners. Look for automatic ignition, dishwasher-safe cast iron pan supports and powerful kW for flexible cooking.
If you like the idea of induction, prices have come down in recent years, making it more affordable. As it’s the pan that heats up and not the hob, it’s great from a safety view and is super energy efficient, too. Induction surfaces are also easy to clean and high-tech with touch controls alongside flexi or bridging zones, that can be adapted to suit bigger pans.
Many people still want ceramic hobs, whether they are replacing like for like or simply want an inexpensive hob for a first-time kitchen refit, or perhaps a buy-to-let property. These are great value but you do get what you pay for so the designs are pretty basic with no surprises.
What is the best hob?
To recap...if you want the best hob (in our opinion) we wouldn't hesitate to buy the Elica Nikola Tesla Flame Gas Hob. This hob is one of the first to combine gas cooking with extraction and it looks pretty smart, too. The overall design has been cleverly thought out around the extraction, with four burners (including a Wok station) working within the flame. We've seen it working, and it really is impressive.
Alternatively, if you prefer to cook on an induction hob, then we can recommend you buy the Fisher & Paykel CI604DTB3 or, buy the Neff T16FD56X0, for cooking on a ceramic hob.
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