Start by thinking about what you do most often: cooking in a pan, making oven dishes or reheating food. Induction may suit you if you regularly cook on the hob and your cookware is compatible. An oven is still a good choice for larger dishes, while a microwave or other countertop appliance makes most sense for the tasks and quantities it can genuinely handle. To keep an eye on electricity use, compare measurements for the same dish and quantity. Results vary by recipe and appliance, and no option uses the least energy for every meal.
If you regularly use saucepans and frying pans, check that your cookware is compatible with induction and weigh up the purchase cost against running costs. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide to induction hobs explains these factors in more detail.
For gratins, roasts or several portions, the oven’s capacity and cooking modes should suit the dishes you make. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing these features to match the recipes you have in mind.
If you often reheat a meal or cook small quantities, compare a microwave and compact appliances with the functions you already have at home to avoid buying something redundant. UFC-Que Choisir’s guides cover these uses and the risk of ending up with more appliances than you need.
UFC-Que Choisir has found that air fryer test results vary by recipe and model. So, when comparing energy use, start with dishes, quantities and results that are like for like.
| Criteria | What to check | Who does it matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity per meal | Compare kWh for the same dish and quantity; for an oven, take into account the specified mode and cycle. | I want to limit the electricity used for the meals I cook regularly. Around 29% of consumers make kWh per meal their top priority. |
| Cooking functions | Check the model’s specific modes, including the grill, fan-assisted cooking or microwave function. | If my recipes range from reheating and cooking to dishes that need browning under the grill, I check which functions I really need. Around 23% of consumers prioritise functions suited to the dishes they make. |
| Quantity and batches | Compare the usable capacity with your usual portions and the number of batches you’ll need to cook. | If I want to prepare several portions without cooking multiple batches, I look at the usable capacity. Around 18% of consumers prioritise the quantity they can prepare. |
| Purchase and running costs | Weigh the purchase price against the useful functions and how often you expect to use it; work out usage costs using comparable energy-use data. | If I need to keep upfront costs under control, I separate essential functions from options I’m unlikely to use much. Around 18% of consumers prioritise the initial cost. |
| Space and duplicate functions | Check the space available, the functions you already have and the cleaning requirements. | In a kitchen with limited space, I’d rather avoid an appliance that duplicates something I already use. Around 12% of consumers prioritise saving space and avoiding duplicate appliances. |
Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how much electricity a recipe uses. Cooking time, preheating, portion size and cooking mode all matter too. An oven’s regulated energy consumption figure relates to a specific cycle and mode.
Compare kWh for the same recipe and quantity, then factor in how often you use the appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that results vary by recipe and model. An air fryer also overlaps with some of an oven’s functions.
Choose one for the types of food it can cook well and the quantities that suit its capacity, especially if you make them regularly. Compare its use with your current oven.
An induction hob can have a ceramic glass surface, so the material you can see doesn’t tell you which heating technology it uses. Likewise, a microwave with a grill doesn’t necessarily have fan-assisted cooking.
Before choosing, check the heating technology and list of modes for the exact model reference.
Induction hob and built-in oven models show how these appliances serve two distinct purposes in the kitchen.
The AKT 8090/NE ceramic hob and the different types of microwave are suited to different uses.
The Easy Fry & Grill XXL EZ801D10 is a countertop hot-air appliance for dishes suited to its cooking basket.
The range’s hot-air appliances may be worth considering for occasional cooking, but they aren’t essential equipment.
These models cover a range of uses: induction or ceramic hobs, a built-in oven, a microwave and a multi-cooker. Compare them with the meals you usually make, the quantities you prepare and the space you have available.
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Worth considering for oven dishes and larger quantities, if a built-in model will fit your kitchen.
The product name specifies a 76 L capacity, a stainless steel finish and an A+ energy rating.
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Worth considering if you often cook with saucepans or frying pans, after checking that your cookware is compatible.
For installation, check the specified cut-out dimensions: 56 cm wide and 49 cm deep.
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Compare it with induction hobs if you’d like to keep using your current cookware and regularly cook on several zones.
The product name lists four zones. Check the functions and specifications of the model before buying.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting, especially if you often do these tasks for smaller meals.
The product name specifies 20 L and 700 W. Wattage alone doesn’t tell you how much electricity is used to cook a meal.
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Worth considering for meals cooked in the pot, such as rice or slow-cooked dishes, if these uses complement the appliances you already have.
The product name specifies a 5.7 L capacity and connected features. When pressure cooking, wait until the pressure has fully released before opening the lid.
Compare kWh measured for the same recipe and quantity, with a similar result. The consumption figure given for an oven relates to a particular cycle and mode. It doesn’t automatically represent all your meals and can’t be directly compared with an average annual figure for household use.
No, not for every use. It may suit smaller dishes, but it overlaps with some oven functions, and energy results vary by recipe and model, as UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show. Compare portion sizes, batches and the functions of your current oven.
Yes, your saucepans and frying pans must be compatible with induction. Check your cookware before choosing this technology, as compatibility can affect the true cost of switching.
Check the cleaning instructions for the exact model and see which parts are removable. For the EZ801D10, Moulinex says that the cooking basket and grill plate are removable and dishwasher-safe. This doesn’t apply to every appliance.
No, domestic hobs aren’t covered by the energy labelling set out by the European Commission. Energy labelling applies to domestic ovens within its scope; appliances with a microwave heating function and some small ovens are excluded.