Start with the type of food you prepare: a hob for cooking in a saucepan or frying pan, an oven for dishes cooked in an enclosed space, and a microwave mainly for reheating or defrosting. If you’re replacing a hob, induction requires compatible cookware and a suitable installation; a ceramic hob may be a better fit if you want to keep using non-magnetic pans. Compare energy use on a like-for-like basis, rather than assuming your household’s bills depend on the technology alone.
If you usually start cooking with a saucepan or frying pan, look at the cooking zones and settings, then check your cookware and electrical connection before considering induction. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an induction hob requires compatible cookware.
For gratins, roasts or several dishes at once, the oven’s capacity and cooking modes matter more than the type of hob you choose. Also compare the energy consumption per cycle for the modes you’re interested in.
If you mainly reheat leftovers or defrost food, a microwave meets a different need from a large oven. Check which containers are suitable and what functions the model offers: a basic appliance won’t necessarily handle your oven recipes.
Start with the dish you prepare most often, then check your cookware, the space available and your existing electrical installation. An oven or microwave can complement a hob rather than replace it.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Cookware and hob cooking | For induction, check the compatibility symbol or test the base with a magnet. Then make sure the cooking zones are the right size for your pans. | I mainly cook in a saucepan and want to keep using the cookware I rely on every day. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this type of cooking and cookware compatibility. |
| Energy use and electrical connection | Compare energy consumption on the same basis of use, then check the appliance’s power requirements against your existing circuit and the instructions. Promotelec’s guidance on circuits applies to new builds or full renovations; it doesn’t confirm whether a particular home is suitable. | I want to manage my energy use without choosing an appliance that my installation can’t support. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Oven cooking | Compare capacity, available cooking modes, built-in dimensions and the kWh per cycle shown on the oven’s energy label. | I regularly cook dishes in the oven or prepare several dishes at once, so oven capacity matters more than hob features. Around 21% of consumers put this type of cooking first. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the capacity, overall size and functions actually included: microwave only, grill or combination. Follow the instructions on suitable containers. | I mainly reheat portions or defrost food, and have limited space for the appliance. For around 14% of consumers, this need comes before other types of cooking. |
For its reference scenario of 409 cycles a year, ADEME gives annual figures of 115 kWh for an induction hob and 200 kWh for a ceramic hob. These figures help put the technologies in context under ADEME’s chosen conditions; they don’t predict the energy use of your model or your meals.
Cookware without a compatible base may not heat up on an induction hob. It’s especially important to check if you want to keep using your existing pans.
Look for the induction symbol or test the base of each saucepan and frying pan you use regularly with a magnet before choosing a hob.
You’ll need to replace any cookware that isn’t compatible for this type of cooking.
A hob’s stated power doesn’t represent a fixed amount of electricity used per meal. ADEME’s published annual figures are based on a set number of cycles and assumptions about how the appliance is used.
Check the total power requirement for the electrical connection, and only compare energy consumption figures when they’re based on similar usage.
A large oven’s capacity is useful for dishes that need it, but it won’t necessarily suit a household that mainly reheats small portions. A microwave may be a more practical addition in this case, though it won’t handle every type of oven cooking.
Make a list of the dishes you usually prepare before choosing an oven capacity or adding a microwave.
Grill and fan cooking functions vary by model. The word ‘combination’ alone doesn’t tell you which recipes, accessories or capacity the appliance supports.
Check the modes, dimensions and accessories in the instructions against the dishes you prepare.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific ranges or models; they don’t imply that every appliance from a brand has the same features.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an induction hob with zones that can accommodate larger pans.
Worth a look if you’re comparing induction hobs with flexible cooking zones, depending on the model.
Consider it if you’re comparing a ceramic hob with a built-in microwave for your kitchen.
These models suit three of the needs covered here: cooking dishes in the oven, cooking on an induction hob, or reheating and defrosting in a microwave. Start by choosing the right type of appliance, then check its dimensions, cookware requirements and electrical connection against your kitchen.
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Worth considering for dishes that need oven cooking. The product name lists a 71 L capacity and 3D hot air function.
Check the housing dimensions and electrical connection. Also confirm the number of compartments before buying: the information associated with this model is inconsistent on this point.
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An option if you mainly cook in a saucepan or frying pan, provided your cookware is suitable for induction.
Before replacing your hob, check the cut-out dimensions and make sure your existing circuit is suitable.
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Worth considering if you cook on the hob with several pans and want to compare a Bridge zone configuration.
Check the usable size of the zones for your pans, cookware compatibility and electrical connection. Confirm the dimensions of both the appliance and the cut-out: the dimensions listed for this model don’t match.
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Worth considering if you mainly reheat portions and defrost food. The product name lists six pre-set menus and 11 power levels.
Measure the space available and follow the instructions on ventilation and suitable containers. Don’t assume it can handle every recipe you’d cook in a traditional oven.
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Another model to compare for everyday hob cooking, provided you have cookware that’s compatible with induction.
The Perilex connection listed in the product name means you’ll need to check your existing installation carefully. Also check the cut-out, ventilation and placement restrictions in the instructions, particularly if you’re fitting the hob above a dishwasher.
Yes, as long as their bases are compatible with induction. Look for the relevant symbol or test each pan with a magnet. Electrolux says cast iron and some stainless steel cookware are generally suitable, while other materials need a compatible base.
No, reference figures don’t guarantee this for every household. ADEME gives annual figures of 115 kWh for induction and 200 kWh for ceramic hobs in a scenario of 409 cycles a year. Your energy use also depends on the model and how you cook.
Before buying, compare the appliance’s connection requirements with your existing installation. For a new build or full renovation, Promotelec gives a dedicated 32 A circuit for an electric hob or cooker and a 16 A or 20 A circuit for an oven as reference points. These figures aren’t enough to determine whether your home is suitable. If in doubt, ask a qualified professional to assess the installation.
No, it doesn’t let you compare an induction hob with a ceramic hob in the same way you can compare ovens. The European Commission says that energy labelling is compulsory for ovens and cooker hoods. For an oven, look in particular at the capacity and energy consumption per cycle shown on the label.
Avoid steel and stainless steel dishes and cutlery, as well as porcelain with gold decoration, when using the microwave function, as UFC-Que Choisir advises. In all cases, check the container markings and the appliance instructions before use.