Best Hob 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

Looking for the perfect hob for your kitchen? Check out our Zanussi ZHRN643K Ceramic Hob review! We’ll dive into its features, plus the good and not-so-good bits, to help you make an informed decision.

What’s cool about the Zanussi ZHRN643K Ceramic Hob?

1. Ceramic cooking surface: Easy-to-clean and heats up fast, providing even heat across the four cooking zones.
2. Touch controls: Sleek and modern, the responsive touch controls let you adjust the heat with precision.
3. Residual heat indicators: Stay safe with built-in alerts telling you when the hob is still hot.
4. Timer function: Keep an eye on cooking times with this nifty timer.

Packed with safety features to help you cook more comfortably, this Logik model will not only have your meal ready in no time but will prevent accidents too.

There is a safety lock which prevents any temperature changes which aren’t intentional, and auto-off will ensure it doesn’t overheat. A timer will keep you on top of things so nothing gets burnt.

Operation is all simple enough. Touch controls and an LED display will take the struggle out of turning it on, and each hob has nine power settings, so the exact level you need is within reach. They’re all super-sensitive so react quickly, although this also means that until you get used to the workings, it is easy to turn it a bit too high. Simply cleaning the surface can result in them coming on, and the lock is a bit too easy to turn on at times.

However, having said this, we think you’d easily get into the swing of things. The actual cleaning is simple as everything is flat and any food is easy to remove.

With easy touch controls which let you set everything with exact precision, this Indesit hob will let you cook confidently when it is needed the most.

As much as they can be great appliances, hobs can also be dangerous, especially in busy households. With a child lock feature, you can ensure this model does not get turned on when it shouldn’t be, which is also great if anything is set on top of it from time to time.

The four hob sizes are all different so there is one for every pan you own, which will help keep things efficient and there will be no loss of heat. They have all been positioned and spaced carefully, so even if they are all in use, it won’t affect your flow.

The frameless, black ceramic glass design of this Bosch hob will look timeless and modern in any kitchen, no matter the other appliances.

There are four cooking zones, each with nine power settings which makes boiling, frying, simmering and everything in between easier than ever. The layout of all the hobs is spacious, so you can move the pans about without disturbing anything else cooking.

QuickTherm technology means that the hob heats up quicker than other ceramic models on the market, meaning less time is spent waiting for them to warm to the optimum setting.

You can control each burner via a clear, easy to adjust dial, and the settings are easy to read so there is no guessing involved. The residual heat indicator lets you know when they are still too hot to touch or clean. When the time to clean it does come, it is easy to wipe down as everything is flat.

As it is frameless and sits flush with your countertop, there is no edging or seals in which crumbs and spills can hide, meaning it is a lot more hygienic than a traditional model.

One of the more pricey induction hobs on our list, but at the end of the day you’re making an investment. You want something which will last for years, while never being frustrating to use and giving fabulous results. This is a good bet, and certainly for those who want their hob to be a centre piece.

There is a FlexZone+ area, a zone which you can make larger to accommodate big pans such as woks or long frying pans which otherwise wouldn’t fit. It is also great for smaller milk pans or those little single frying egg pans, as it will also go smaller too. You will also make use of the Low Temperature setting, which is ideal for melting butter and chocolate or preparing sauces without risk of burning.

We also loved the Keep Warm option, which will regulate the temperature of your food so it doesn’t cook further but is kept hot until ready. And if you feel you’ll miss the glow of the gas flame, Virtual Flame Technology™ uses LEDs to reproduce a real gas glow – a nice little extra touch.

In terms of safety, it is one of the best for a busy kitchen. There is a pause function which will lower the temperature to the lowest possible setting when touched. This is great if you need to let the dog outside or take a phone call and can’t give your full attention to the pans. Then there is a control panel lock, so the settings can’t be changed when in use.

A residual heat indicator will let you know to stay clear from the hob until it is cooled, and the hob provides instant heat to get you going straight away. Well worth paying that bit extra.

An induction hob packed with loads of top functions despite the relatively low price and very stylish design.

It has everything you need for a safe, yet quick, cook. Residual heat indicators will let you know when the hob area is still hot, so you know to keep the kids away. Electro magnets are used to heat the pan, so the hob cannot accidentally be turned on without a pan being present, and it is energy efficient as no heat is wasted.

You also get a boost mode, which will come in handy if you love to cook foods such as steak and stir fries which require a very high, quick temperature flash. There is an in-built timer if you like to boil your pasta to perfection but often lose track of time, and talking of time, the Serie 4 actually heats up faster than a gas hob, which is pretty fab.

The entire area is big enough to fit four generously sized pans alongside each other, whereas some others do struggle due to their layout. So if you’re one to have all the pans on the go for mealtimes, you’ll be very happy with this fast and roomy hob indeed.

If you often find yourself very restricted when it comes to using hobs, as your pans are too large or you like to use grills, then this Hisense could be ideal.

It is very flexible in terms of working zones. The bridge zones on the left hand side allow you to connect the two areas to accommodate larger cooking devices, which should not only get the job done easier but also safely.

As it is an induction models, the zones will only work if an appropriate pan is in place. This ensures no accidents happen, and also that no more energy is used than necessary. All of the controls are conveniently placed right at the front of the hob for ease, and are touch sensitive for extra precision.

It doesn’t only work nicely, but also really looks the part too. If you want something which is sleek, modern and very easy to keep clean, but on a budget, it is an ideal option.

We love the ability to combine cooking zones to suit larger pans or those long cooking plates for steaks and fry-ups. This AEG induction hob takes it one step further, with the ability to link any zones together.

Just tap the dedicated Bridge button, and they will share the same temperature settings without you having to fine-tune yet again. Each single hob space will also adapt to the size of your pan, so whether you’re boiling some peas in a milk pan or got a frying pan on the go, MaxiSense will automatically adjust to fit the base.

Hate waiting for water to boil in the pan? With PowerBoost, an added jump in power can have water boiling in just two minutes. Great for last-minute pasta dishes and searing steaks.

There are slide and touch controls for seamless navigation, and the completely flat glass base means cleaning has never been less of a faff. The surface around each zone stays cool so you can wipe up any spills immediately.

If you have a compatible cooker hood, the Hob2Hood feature means you can switch on your hood without lifting a finger. The hob turning on will also switch the fan and light on, and if you turn the heat up, the power of the fan will increase in accordance.

This AEG hob is as close to a Smart hob as you can currently get. Perfect if you must have the latest in technology.

Offering precise and flexible cooking results, this induction hob from Samsung is incredibly powerful and very well suited to people of any cooking level.

Sliding controls give you an incredibly modern experience. Using the touch screen, simply turn the chosen hob on and then turn up the heat. Reducing the temperature is easy when the time comes, too. It can also detect a pan when in place, so if you just press the temperature control, it knows that’s the one to turn on.

While there are four cooking zones, one of these is an extra large rectangular space. It is split into two but designed to accommodate larger pans or grill devices. Both sections can be used simultaneously. No more having to centralise foods in the pan to get the heat or cook in batches.

There are many convenient features, too. The pause function will lower the temperature to a simmer if you need to step out of the room or will be distracted for a few moments, but allow you to pick right up again when done. One step further, quick-stop lets you turn the zone off entirely in a matter of seconds. Great to prevent water boiling over or food burning.

A residual heat indicator shows when the hob is still warm. Safety shutoff will also turn the zone off automatically after a period of inactivity. There is also child lock if this is a concern.

The text and buttons can be a bit difficult to read until you get to grips, but once you get to know how the hob works, you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed (although we don’t recommend this of course).

A lovely spacious hob with five burners, one of which is a powerful wok burner for your larger and specialty pans. This Smeg is designed just as you’d expect from this titan appliance brand, with easy to control dials and an easy clean surface.

Automatic ignition means the hob lights with just a turn of the knob, and if it is accidentally extinguished, the flame failure safety will cut off the gas supply to prevent accidents.

The cast iron pan supports can be removed so it is easy to clean the base of the hob, and they are strong so no matter how heavy your pans and woks are, they can withstand the pressure.

It comes with a plug attached, so there is no need for an electrician to fit it. Price wise, it is fab for a hob of this quality and build, especially as it is so stylish too. The make of the hob is shown on the front of the unit, but as seeing as it is Smeg, this will probably actually be quite welcome.

Many gas hobs give you the option to tailor the exact power each setting gives you, but with this NEFF model, precision is key. There are nine FlameSelect levels to choose from – great if you want the power of gas but the ease of electric.

The residual power indicator tells you what heat level the hob is currently at, whether you have it turned up full or have since turned it off and need to monitor as it cools down. Once the number is away, it is cool to touch.

Pots and pans can sometimes be a bit uneven on gas hobs due to the pan supports, but these are incredibly strong, stable and wide. Each is individual for easy cleaning. Talking of cleaning, they sit precisely over the actual burner, leaving some space in the middle of the hob. No more removing them all to wipe the surface of the appliance, as you could even do it as things are boiling away.

You can choose to install it flush to the bench or mounted, no matter what the design of your kitchen requires. We love the matte black design for something different, and it has been a while since we have seen a gas hob which looks quite so sleek.

Additional Features:

Power: Front right 1 kW, Front left 1.75 kW, Back right 3 kW, Back left 1.75 kW

Thanks to the design of this gas hob, it has never been easier to use all of the burners at the same time.

Not only are they well-spaced, but the stable pan supports will ensure they all remain firmly in place, so there are no accidents. There is a free choice of heat settings, so if you like to have full flexibility and control over your creations, then the flame will respond to your adjustments.

The control dials turn quite freely so could be easy to knock if cleaning, but they have to be depressed to actually ignite which is good. A safety gas cutout will stop the gas coming on unless there’s a flame. As a plus, it means it can be done with one hand if you’re still stirring or prepping with the other.

Cleaning is easy enough thanks to the removable pan supports and stainless steel finish. Should your pan of water boil over or your sauce splash as it starts to rapidly heat, just wait for it all to cool down then wipe with a damp cloth.

We did find that wiping it could leave marks, so you may want to grab some polish after for a streak-free finish. The pan supports felt a bit sharp to us so just be aware when you’re removing to clean.