People who cook on the hob often
If you regularly prepare meals in a frying pan or saucepan, start by checking the cookware you use, the space available and the hob’s connection.
Who is this choice for?
Households looking to keep their cookware
Before choosing induction, check the base of your saucepans and frying pans: it needs to be magnetic. A ceramic hob is another option to consider for cooking on the hob.
People who cook meals in the oven
If you regularly make gratins, roasts, cakes or batches of baking, check the oven’s capacity, its energy consumption per cycle and the dimensions required for fitting it.
Which criteria should you check first?
For regular cooking, first work out whether your main concern is installation, hob cooking or oven meals. Induction and ceramic hobs both let you cook on the hob, but come with different requirements. An oven can be added to either, rather than replacing it.
| Criteria | What to check before you buy | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and dimensions | Measure the cut-out or housing, then check that the model’s connection and power requirements are compatible with your existing installation. | My kitchen is already fitted, so I want an appliance that suits the available space and circuit. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Cookware and hob cooking | For induction, check that the base of your cookware is magnetic. Also compare the number and size of the zones to suit the meals you cook. | I want to keep using my saucepans for meals cooked on the hob, without finding out after buying that they’re unsuitable. Cookware compatibility would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Oven meals | Compare the usable capacity, energy consumption per cycle for the relevant cooking mode and the dimensions of the housing. | For my gratins and batches of baking, I mainly need an oven that suits the dishes I make and the space available. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise oven cooking. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing induction without checking your pans
According to Whirlpool, induction requires a magnetic base, so your cookware must be compatible to work on the hob.
Test the base of the cookware you use most often with a magnet, then check the instructions to find out which sizes are accepted.
You’ll need to replace incompatible cookware if you want to keep making those dishes on an induction hob.
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Relying on a hob’s stated width alone
An appliance’s width doesn’t tell you the size of the cut-out or the connection requirements. For example, Electrolux product specifications list maximum power ratings of 7 100 W for the ceramic EHF6547FOK and 7 350 W for the induction EIS62356IZ.
Measure the cut-out and the space beneath the worktop, then have the circuit checked against the instructions for your chosen model.
An unsuitable cut-out or a connection that needs changing could mean work on your worktop or electrical installation.
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Assuming an annual consumption figure applies to your chosen model
ADEME’s annual estimates are based on assumptions about usage; they don’t predict how much a specific model will use in your kitchen.
To compare two appliances, use figures based on the same method and for the same type of cooking.
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Comparing hobs using an oven’s energy label
According to the European Commission, in the European Union, energy labels are mandatory for ovens and cooker hoods, but not hobs. An oven’s energy label therefore can’t help you choose between hobs.
For an oven, check the capacity and energy consumption per cycle. For a hob, look at its technology, zones, dimensions and connection requirements.
Brands to consider by appliance
Bosch
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large induction hob or a built-in oven. Compare each model separately.
- Bosch describes the PXE831HC1E as an 80 cm induction hob with a flexible cooking zone.
- These features don’t apply to every Bosch hob. The brand says an induction hob should be installed by professionals.
Electrolux
Its range includes both ceramic and induction hobs. Compare the dimensions and features of each model.
- According to Electrolux, the ceramic EHF6547FOK has a maximum power rating of 7 100 W, while the induction EIS62356IZ is rated at 7 350 W.
- These power ratings relate to two different models. They’re not enough to compare their energy use in practice or establish the features of the whole range.
Whirlpool
Worth considering if you want to compare an induction hob and a built-in oven for cooking both on the hob and in the oven.
- Whirlpool lists a capacity of 73 L for its WOI4S8CM0SBAF built-in oven.
- For this oven or a hob from the brand, check the model’s instructions against the available housing and connection.
Hobs and an oven to consider on Joybuy
This selection includes induction and ceramic hobs for cooking on the hob, as well as a built-in oven for meals and batches of baking. First choose the type of appliance that suits the meals you make, then check its installation requirements.
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Hisense HI6432BSCWF Hi6, 60 cm induction hob
Worth considering if you regularly cook on the hob and your cookware has a magnetic base.
Listed size: 60 cm. Check the cut-out dimensions and connection requirements for this model before choosing where to install it.
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Bosch HBA514BB3, 71 L built-in oven
Worth considering if you cook meals in the oven as well as on the hob.
The title lists a capacity of 71 L, but also describes the appliance as a double oven, while the description refers to a single compartment. Check the exact configuration of this model, the housing dimensions and the connection requirements before you buy.
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TOPWISH, 60 cm 4-zone induction hob
Worth considering if you use several cooking zones for your meals and have induction-compatible cookware.
The title lists four zones, a booster function, a timer and touch controls. Check the cut-out and connection requirements for this built-in hob.
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HK654850XB Series 3000, 60 cm ceramic hob
Worth considering if you’d prefer to cook on a ceramic hob rather than choose induction.
The title lists a size of 60 cm. Before replacing your existing hob, compare the cut-out dimensions and electrical requirements of this model with your installation.
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Whirlpool AKT 801-NE, 4-zone ceramic hob
Worth considering if you cook using several zones, particularly if you’d like to look at a ceramic hob.
The title lists four zones. Check the cut-out dimensions and have the required connection checked against your kitchen’s circuit.
Frequently asked questions
Will all saucepans work on an induction hob?
No: their base needs to be magnetic. Whirlpool recommends looking for a compatibility symbol or testing the base with a magnet. Also check the hob’s instructions for the minimum pan diameter it accepts.
What should I check before connecting a hob or oven?
Before you buy, check the available circuit, its protection and the appliance’s installation instructions. For installations covered by the rules it sets out, Promotelec describes a dedicated circuit for the hob, with a 32 A cable outlet for single-phase or 20 A for three-phase; the oven connection should also be checked against the installation and model.
Can you compare the energy use of a hob and an oven directly?
No. Comparing a power rating in watts with annual consumption or consumption per cycle doesn’t give you a like-for-like comparison: these figures measure different things. ADEME’s annual estimates depend on assumptions about usage, while an oven’s energy label shows its consumption per cycle for each cooking mode. Compare figures based on the same method.
What should you check before installing a built-in oven?
Measure the housing and check the clearances, ventilation and door opening requirements in the model’s instructions. Whirlpool advises against using an extension lead with a built-in oven. Also have the connection checked to make sure it’s suitable for your installation.