Induction could be right for you if the cookware you want to keep is compatible and the number and shape of the cooking zones suit the way you cook. A ceramic hob avoids the need for a ferromagnetic base, while a combination hob lets you keep cooking with gas, although its induction zones still require compatible cookware. Before replacing your hob, check that the cut-out and the model’s connection requirements are suitable for your home’s installation.
If you already have the saucepans and frying pans you need, check their bases before considering induction. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a pan without a ferromagnetic base will not heat up on an induction zone. A ceramic hob, or a combination hob if you want to keep gas, may be worth comparing instead.
If you use a griddle, an oblong dish or several pans at once, look at the size and layout of the zones, not just how many there are. Some hobs let you link two zones; Electrolux, for example, describes this feature on the LIV6343 model.
If the new hob needs to fit where the old one was, first compare the cut-out, power supply and connection instructions for your chosen model with your home’s installation. Promotelec says that a hob must be connected to a dedicated circuit; if your hob has gas burners, you’ll also need to check the requirements for that type of installation.
Consider it if: your essential cookware has a ferromagnetic base and the available zones suit the pans you use.
Bear in mind: incompatible cookware will not heat up with this technology.
Consider it if: keeping cookware without a ferromagnetic base matters more to you than switching to induction.
Bear in mind: it uses radiant or halogen cooking zones, rather than induction zones.
Consider it if: you genuinely want to keep cooking with gas while also having an induction zone.
Bear in mind: induction zones still require compatible cookware, while gas comes with its own installation and safety requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cookware compatibility | Make a list of the cookware you want to keep and check that it has a ferromagnetic base before choosing induction. UFC-Que Choisir explains that a saucepan without this type of base will not heat up. | I want to carry on using my usual saucepans without having to replace the ones I use most; around 42% of consumers put compatibility at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Number and shape of zones | Compare how many dishes you cook at once and the dimensions of your largest pans with the layout of the cooking zones. Check how a flexible zone works on the specific model. | When I’m cooking several dishes at once or using a large pan, I need zones that suit their shape and number. This is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Fitting and connection | Check the cut-out, power rating, power supply and instructions for the new hob against your existing installation. If you’re keeping gas, also have the applicable connection and safety requirements checked. | I’m replacing my hob without refitting the whole kitchen, so the model I choose must be installable as intended; for around 25% of consumers, installation or keeping gas is their main concern. |
It’s the ferromagnetic base that matters: according to UFC-Que Choisir, a pan without one will not heat up. So the material given in a general product description isn’t enough to determine whether each saucepan will work.
Check the cookware you use regularly before choosing between induction, ceramic and a combination hob.
If essential pans are incompatible, replacing them could add to the cost of a new hob.
Being able to link zones is most useful if you use pans whose shape or size makes it worthwhile. Electrolux, for example, describes a Bridge function that links two zones on the LIV6343.
Measure your largest pans and compare them with the layout and operation of the zones on the model you’re considering.
A difference in consumption calculated for specific appliances and a particular pattern of use does not, by itself, tell you whether replacing your hob is worthwhile. Selectra’s analysis, published in August 2026, is based on assumptions about cooking cycles and specific appliances being compared.
Consider your cooking habits, the cookware you want to keep and your installation requirements separately, rather than applying those calculations directly to your household.
Having an induction zone does not remove the requirements associated with gas burners. The French authorities point out that gas appliances must be installed in accordance with specific technical rules.
Before choosing a combination hob, make sure its connection requirements and safety conditions are suitable for your home.
Worth considering if a flexible zone would suit the way you use large pans.
Worth considering for both induction hobs with linkable zones and models that combine induction and gas.
Worth considering if you want to compare induction hobs with linkable zones and power management.
These hobs are options to consider if you’re switching to induction. Compare their zones and dimensions with your cookware, then check the fitting requirements before choosing a model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 60 cm induction hob. Check that your cookware has a ferromagnetic base and compare the fitting and power supply instructions with your installation.
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Worth considering if you use several saucepans at once. The model name indicates four zones and nine power levels; check the zone sizes, cookware compatibility and connection requirements before buying.
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Worth considering if you want to cook with several compatible pans at once. The product name mentions a timer, touch controls and a Boost function; also check the cut-out dimensions and connection instructions for the model.
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Worth considering if its semi-flush format suits your planned installation. The model name indicates a two-phase Perilex power supply; have its compatibility with your existing installation checked, and don’t plan a flush-fit installation unless the instructions confirm it is suitable.
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Worth considering if three zones are enough for the dishes you prepare at the same time. The stated power rating is 7 200 W; check the fitting and power supply requirements in the instructions, as well as whether your cookware is compatible.
No. Any pan used on an induction zone must have a compatible ferromagnetic base. UFC-Que Choisir says that a saucepan without this type of base will not heat up, so check your essential cookware before switching technology.
Compare the available cut-out, power rating, power supply and connection instructions with the manual for the specific model. These specifications vary between hobs; the Electrolux EIV85456, for example, has a stated maximum power rating of 7 350 W, but this figure does not apply to other models.
Promotelec says that a hob or cooker must be connected to a dedicated circuit. When replacing a hob, check the circuit specifications and the new hob’s instructions against your actual installation; you shouldn’t assume which rules apply to building work based solely on the age of your home.
Yes, on its gas burners, but not on its induction zones, which still require a ferromagnetic base. Also check the layout of the cooking zones and the gas connection requirements for the model. Electrolux, for example, describes the KDI641723K as having one induction zone and three gas burners.
Not on their own: the result depends on the appliances being compared and how you use them. Selectra’s analysis, published in August 2026, is based on specific cooking assumptions; when deciding whether to replace your hob, also consider any cookware you may need to replace and the fitting requirements.