A fully induction hob is a good choice if the pans you want to keep have a compatible ferromagnetic base, or if you’re happy to replace those that don’t. Then choose the number of cooking zones based on how many pans you use at the same time. A flexible zone is worth considering for larger cookware, while a mixed hob lets you keep gas burners. Before you buy, check the cut-out dimensions and connection requirements for your chosen model against your kitchen.
If you’re replacing your hob, start by looking at the pans you actually use. Induction needs cookware with a compatible ferromagnetic base, as UFC-Que Choisir points out, so the pans you want to keep may influence your decision.
A casserole dish, fish kettle, rectangular griddle or several dishes cooking at once can all affect your choice of hob. Work out how many independent cooking zones you need, and check whether the layout of any flexible zone will suit your cookware.
A mixed hob could be a good option if you want to keep gas burners while using induction for other types of cooking. Smeg offers configurations that combine both technologies; check the layout of the zones and the connections required for the model you’re considering.
When replacing a hob, first check which pans you want to keep and how many dishes you cook at the same time. If you’re still deciding between fully induction, ceramic and a mixed hob, consider whether you want to keep gas as well. Then check the cut-out and connection requirements for your chosen model.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cookware compatibility | Check that each pan you want to keep has a ferromagnetic base, and identify any cookware you would need to replace to use induction. | If I want to keep my existing cookware, I need to know what will work on the new hob before choosing a technology. Around 40% of consumers rank compatibility as their top concern. |
| Cooking zones and flexible zones | Count the pans you use at the same time, then compare the number of independent zones and the layout of any flexible zone. | When I’m cooking several dishes or using a fish kettle, I need enough room for the pans I plan to use. This is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Responsiveness and use | Compare the features that will help with the way you cook. For specific models, look at independent tests of heat-up times and energy consumption. | If I pay close attention to heat levels and my cooking habits, I want to base my choice on results that are relevant to the way I cook, rather than just the list of features. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Keeping gas | For a mixed hob, count the gas burners and induction zones separately, and check the connections required for both technologies. | I want to try induction without giving up the dishes I cook on gas, even if that means sharing the hob between the two. Keeping gas is the main requirement for around 10% of consumers. |
Ceramic hobs don’t have the same requirement for a ferromagnetic pan base as induction hobs. A mixed hob keeps gas burners, but its total number of cooking zones isn’t the same as its number of induction zones. Check the exact configuration rather than relying on the hob’s width alone.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, induction requires suitable cookware: a pan without a ferromagnetic base won’t heat up on an induction zone.
Check the cookware you use regularly and work out what you can keep before choosing a fully induction hob.
Combining zones to fit a large pan doesn’t guarantee that you’ll still have enough independent zones for several pans at once.
Think about a typical meal and the number and shape of the pans you use, then see how they would fit on the cooking-zone layout for your chosen model.
The hob’s width alone isn’t enough to determine the dimensions of the cut-out. Connection requirements also vary from model to model.
Compare the instructions for the exact model with the measurements of your worktop. If needed, ask a qualified professional to assess your existing installation.
A mixed hob divides its surface between gas and induction. The total number of cooking zones doesn’t tell you how many pans you can use with each technology.
Check that you’ll use both types of zone and that the layout suits the way you usually cook.
These ranges illustrate different configurations. To choose the right hob, check the details for the specific model rather than relying on features associated with the brand as a whole.
Bosch’s range includes induction hobs in different sizes, including models with flexible zones.
Whirlpool offers FlexiCook induction hobs, including options for people looking for a combined zone for larger cookware.
Smeg offers both induction hobs and mixed hobs that combine induction zones with gas burners.
These two built-in hobs are for anyone switching to fully induction: one has four zones and the other has three. To decide which configuration is right for you, start with the number of dishes you cook at once, then check your cookware, the cut-out and the connection requirements for each model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you use up to four pans for a meal.
The product title mentions touch controls, a Boost function, a timer, a child lock and a residual heat indicator. If you cook with a large or long pan, check the layout of the zones for the exact model.
Check the cut-out dimensions and connection instructions in the manual before ordering.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if three zones suit the number of pans you use at once.
The product title states a power rating of 7200 W. If you use a large or long pan, check the zone layout for the exact model.
Also check the cut-out, the connection requirements in the manual and whether the cookware you want to keep is compatible.
Every pan used on an induction zone needs a compatible ferromagnetic base. Check the pans you plan to keep before buying a hob: UFC-Que Choisir points out that induction requires suitable cookware.
Choose based on how many pans you use at once, rather than the number of people at the table. Also check their size and how they could be positioned on the hob you’re considering.
Not necessarily. Combining zones can make room for a large pan, but it may leave fewer independent spaces for other pans. Check the layout of the cooking zones and the options for combining them on your chosen model.
Compare the cut-out dimensions and electrical requirements in the model’s manual with your worktop and existing installation. If you’re unsure whether they’re compatible, ask a qualified professional to assess the connection before you buy.
The gas burners on a mixed hob can be an option for cookware that isn’t suitable for induction, but they won’t make it work on the induction zones. Check that there are enough zones of each type for the way you cook, and look into the connections required.