If you cook often and want to use less electricity, start by looking at induction if your cookware is magnetic and the hob is suitable for your installation. For the same number of cooking cycles, ADEME gives induction a lower consumption benchmark than ceramic hobs, but this does not guarantee how much electricity any individual hob will use. A ceramic hob lets you keep using non-magnetic cookware, while a traditional electric hob is better suited to occasional use. A single-zone portable induction hob is mainly suitable when space is limited or you don’t need to cook several things at once.
If you use several pans at once, start by looking at the number and size of the cooking zones. Induction is worth considering if you want to use less electricity, provided your cookware and installation are compatible. ADEME’s consumption benchmark does not predict the consumption of a specific model.
If your essential pans don’t have a magnetic base, a ceramic hob avoids the compatibility requirements of induction. Still, check that their dimensions match the cooking zones, and compare the stated consumption of the models you’re considering.
A single-zone portable induction hob may suit you if you mainly cook with one pan at a time. However, if you want to prepare several things at once, you’ll need to cook them in stages.
Consider it: if you cook regularly, your cookware is magnetic and the hob is suitable for your home. For 409 cycles a year, ADEME gives a figure of 115 kWh/year for the best new induction hobs.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to replace any incompatible cookware or stop using it on this hob.
Consider it: if keeping non-magnetic cookware matters more to you than choosing induction.
Bear in mind: ADEME’s benchmark for a ceramic hob is 200 kWh/year over 409 cycles, compared with 115 kWh/year for the best new induction hobs. These figures don’t predict the consumption of the models you’re comparing.
Consider it: mainly for occasional use, as Tefal suggests in its overview of this technology.
Bear in mind: this option is less suited to prioritising lower electricity use. UFC-Que Choisir says the difference compared with induction is less pronounced during longer cooking times.
Consider it: for a small space or occasional cooking without built-in installation.
Bear in mind: one cooking zone can’t heat several dishes at once, and you’ll still need induction-compatible cookware.
Once you’ve chosen a type of hob, check its dimensions, cooking zones and electrical specifications against your kitchen and the meals you usually make.
| What to consider | What to check | How it meets my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption | Compare the technology and, for models measured using the same method, the stated value in Wh/kg. Maximum power in watts doesn’t show annual consumption. | I cook often and want to compare the electricity required, without assuming that ADEME’s category benchmark applies to every appliance or recipe. |
| Cookware | For induction, check that the base contains magnetic metal, as Bosch advises. Also check the size and shape of your pans against the cooking zones. | I want to keep using my usual pans. If some aren’t suitable for induction, I’ll factor in the cost of replacing them. |
| Cooking zones | Count how many things you need to cook at once, then compare the number and size of the zones. Check that an expandable zone suits a pan you actually use. | I sometimes prepare several dishes at once, so a portable single-zone hob would mean cooking them one after another. |
| Installation | For a built-in hob, compare the appliance dimensions and cut-out size with your worktop. Check the power supply and installation instructions in the manual for your chosen model. | I need a hob that fits the available cut-out and can be connected to my existing installation. |
The power rating in watts describes the appliance’s capacity, not how much electricity it uses in a year. ADEME’s annual benchmarks are based on a set number of cooking cycles.
To compare models, look for consumption figures measured using the same method, then consider how long you cook for and your usual habits.
Bosch says induction requires cookware containing magnetic metal, so any essential pan without this won’t be suitable.
Check the information from your cookware manufacturer or test the base with a magnet before deciding which pans to keep.
Replacing incompatible frying pans and saucepans is an extra cost to factor in.
The external width doesn’t tell you how large the worktop cut-out needs to be. For example, Electrolux lists its EHF6547FOK hob as 590 × 520 mm, with a cut-out of 560 × 490 mm.
Measure your worktop and the space beneath the hob, then compare these measurements with the dimensions and installation instructions for the exact model.
A single-zone appliance takes up little space, but you’ll need to cook several dishes one after another.
Before choosing this format, count how many pans you usually use at the same time. If the limitation would bother you, keep it for simple meals or occasional use.
These examples show different formats and features to compare; a feature of one model won’t necessarily apply to every product from that brand.
A model to consider when looking at a built-in, three-zone induction hob.
A built-in ceramic hob to assess against the space available in your worktop.
A portable induction hob designed for cooking with one pan at a time.
A useful guide to thinking about the space available and how many cooking zones you need.
This selection includes induction hobs and a ceramic hob. First, choose the technology that suits your cookware, then check the specifications of the model you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you prepare several parts of a meal at once using induction-compatible cookware.
The product name lists four cooking zones and nine power levels. Check the cut-out dimensions, power supply and stated consumption in the model documentation.
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Its four cooking zones suit cooking several things at once, as long as you use induction-compatible pans.
The product name mentions a Boost function, a timer and a residual heat indicator. Check the cut-out and connection requirements before choosing this model.
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If you’re looking for an induction hob for regular cooking, first check your cookware and the space available.
The product name specifies a semi-flush installation and mentions a two-phase Perilex connection. Before buying, ask someone to confirm that this connection is compatible with your installation.
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Consider whether its three cooking zones suit the number of pans you use to prepare a meal.
The product name lists a power rating of 7 200 W; this maximum doesn’t show daily consumption. Also check cookware compatibility, the cut-out and the required power supply.
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Worth considering if you want to keep using non-magnetic cookware and use several cooking zones.
The product name lists four cooking zones. To compare its electricity use with other hobs, look for consumption figures specific to this model in its documentation rather than applying a category benchmark.
No, this difference can’t be guaranteed for every meal or model. For 409 cycles a year, ADEME gives a figure of 115 kWh/year for the best new induction hobs, compared with 200 kWh/year for a reference ceramic hob. Compare the stated figures for models measured using the same method, and take your own habits into account.
Their base needs to contain magnetic metal, as Bosch explains. Look for the induction symbol or hold a magnet against the base: if it sticks, that’s a good first sign. If you’re unsure, check the guidance from the pan and hob manufacturers.
No. The European Commission says that hobs sold in the European Union must meet ecodesign requirements, but aren’t required to carry an energy label. To compare models, check their documentation and stated consumption in Wh/kg, where available.
No. The maximum power rating shows how much power the hob may draw in certain conditions, not how much electricity you’ll use each day. Cooking time, settings and the number of cooking zones you use also matter. A stated value in Wh/kg can help you compare models measured using the same method.
When replacing an appliance, ADEME says you can return the old one to the retailer or delivery driver, or take it to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition also describes a ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme when you buy a product of the same type. Ask the retailer how to arrange collection of your hob.